Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/24/23)
Bad Bunny is back!
Will the Judgment Day face some backlash for what they’ve done?
The last time Bad Bunny was on Raw, he got put through a table! Will he have something in store for the Judgment Day now that he’s back?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Solo Sikoa & The Usos VS The Latino World Order; Solo & The Usos win.
- The Street Profits VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin; The Profits win.
- Six Woman Tag: Damage CTRL VS Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Bianca, Liv & Raquel win.
- Chad Gable w/ Otis & Maxxine Dupri VS Mustafa Ali; Ali wins.
- Cody Rhodes VS Finn Balor; Cody wins.
- Rey Mysterio VS Damian Priest; Rey wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
The Windy City sings the American Nightmare’s song as he heads to the ring. Cody gets the mic and says, “So Chicago… What do you guys wanna talk about? We could talk about the WWE Draft that is mere days away, shaking up both rosters. I could end up on Friday Night SmackDown, or I could stay right here on Monday Night Raw. We could talk about the unenviable task I have ahead of me in slaying The Beast, Brock Lesnar, at Backlash. The very same Brock Lesnar that is the most decorated combat sports athlete of all time. The most decorated combat sports athlete of all time, which is why it’s so ironic for him to wait for my back to be turned to get the jump on me.
“Let’s take a look at this.” The footage replays of three weeks ago, the brutality Brock Lesnar showed in his betrayal of Cody. Cody says it was, “An incredibly craven and cowardly attack. Certainly one of, if not the most humiliating beatdowns that I have ever received, again courtesy of the Beast, Brock Lesnar. And I’ve seen that, I’ve seen that. I wanna show you something else.” Cody takes off his jacket and tie, the tie becoming a free souvenir for the fans. And then he takes off his shirt, which also becomes a souvenir, to show us the bruises and cuts on his body. “Go ahead and take a look at this scar right here.”
Cody points to his shoulder, and says it is not lost on him that this is the first time he is in All State Arena for the first time since competing in Hell in a Cell with a torn pec. Fans cheer that moment, and Cody says, “It is a match that resonated with a lot of people, it has been given a heroic spin. To be honest with you, I have never watched that match back and there is a reason why. But Brock Lesnar, if you are at home watching, and I know you are, pick a spot. Pick a spot! Put another scar on me, because it means you haven’t learned the lesson from this one! This scar right here is the same scar that I was able to defeat one of the very best to ever do it right here in this ring inside Hell in a Cell!”
Fans cheer again, and Cody says, “And the reason I don’t give it this heroic spin, that I don’t talk about it, even though it’s the number one autograph I always sign is that photo, with that bruise and me holding the hammer, is simple. I didn’t do anything that night. What I did was I had a sold out arena prop me up on their shoulders, and carry me to the finish line. Because guys, I was in the most pain of my entire life. And I know we have had many milestones, you and I, Chicago, and we have many more to come. But if I do not get the chance, if I never got another chance to say it, I wanted to tell you hear and now, from the bottom of my heart… Thank you, guys, very, very, very much.”
Chicago cheers again, but here comes Finn Balor! The Prince has a mic of his own to tell Cody, “I hate to break up the party, but I just want to let you know that we all got scars, mate.” Fans boo but Finn says that that isn’t why he’s here. Finn saw what happened to Cody at WrestleMania. Finn saw that Cody had Roman Reigns beat! And Finn saw that Cody got screwed! And trust him, he knows how it feels. “But the question is, why did you get screwed? And the answer is, because there was no one there to have your back. So… I get why you accepted Brock Lesnar’s help to be his tag team partner. But Cody, you trusted the wrong man. You need to be smarter. Like me.
“Because now, you’re facing The Beast, all beaten and bruised, and let’s face it, Cody. This is a match that you can’t win.” Fans boo again but Finn adds, “Not on your own.” Cody stops Finn there and says obviously, there is an immense amount of mutual respect here. But Finn is saying his name again and again, “Brock Lesnar, Brock Lesnar,” the only name on Cody’s mind, the only thing he’s focused on. So whatever Finn is selling, Cody ain’t buying. Fans cheer but Finn tells Cody that if Cody respects him, he’ll hear what Finn has to say. Finn knows, and Cody knows, and the fans know, that Cody in Judgment Day would be UNSTOPPABLE!
Thank about it! Rhea Ripley is now SmackDown Women’s Champion! Fans do cheer that. Damian Priest put the biggest start in the music industry straight through that table! Fans boo that. And Dominik Mysterio… Fans boo even more! Well, Dom has already proven that he is far greater than his legendary father ever was. That is something Cody should try. But hey, Cody made a mistake at Mania. Don’t make the same mistake at Backlash! Let the Judgment Day have your back. Cody says it was hard to hear that last part, because the fans were saying something. Cody is pretty sure he heard the offer to be part of Judgment Day.
What were the fans saying? “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Oh, okay. We’re all caught up. Cody says, “Gosh. I don’t know how else to say it, I’m not looking to get into another fight here. Seriously, though, I appreciate it. Again, you’ve done a lot for me. I respectfully am not going to be joining the Judgment Day, I must decline.” Cody offers a handshake, but Finn says, “That’s a real pity.” Because Cody, you’re either with The Judgment Day, or you’re against the Judgment Day! Finn suggests Cody watches his own back, because some day, Finn will slap that bleach out of his hair! Finn turns to go, but Cody has Finn hold on.
Cody says Finn needs to know why he’s smiling. He’s smiling because Finn is under the impression that because of the humiliating beatdown at Lesnar’s hands, that Cody is not medically cleared to compete tonight. But what Finn doesn’t know is that a few hours ago, Cody WAS cleared to compete here tonight!! And he can’t think of a better message to send to Lesnar, than Cody VS Finn 1v1 here tonight! Fans cheer for that! Finn looks worried, will the Prince be living a nightmare?
Six Man Tag: Solo Sikoa & The Usos VS The Latino World Order!
The Bloodline is in the Windy City, ready to settle things from last week. Will the brothers bring down the LWO? Or will Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde prove they’re the ones?
Raw returns and the LWO makes their entrance. The trios sort out and Wilde starts against Jey. Fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, Jey gets an arm and wrenches, but Wilde rolls, headscissors and swings to rana! And then he DROPKICKS! And kips up! Fans fire up as Wilde keeps on Jey. Jey pulls tights to put Wilde in the corner! Tag to Jimmy and he ROCKS Wilde! And UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! Tag to Jey, Jimmy RAMS Wilde so Jey can forearm SMASH! Tag to Solo and Jey feeds Wilde to the ELBOW! Solo storms up on Wilde, HEADBUTTS him, then runs, only for Wilde to dump him out!
Wilde hurries but the Usos get in to keep him back! Double back suplex, but Wilde lands on his feet! Wilde slides, Cruz and Escobar DOUBLE DROPKICK the Usos! Fans fire up as the LWO coordinates and builds speed! Cruz and Wilde DOUBLE TOPE to take out The Usos! Escobar DIVES to take out Solo! Fans fire up with the LWO as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Solo toys with Wilde. Solo whips Wilde to ropes, ELBOWS Wilde down, then clamps on a claw! Wilde endures, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS! Wilde runs in, springboards, and TORNADO DDTS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Wilde and Solo crawl, hot tags to Jimmy and Escobar! The Emperor of Lucha rallies on the Usos! Escobar ducks ‘n’ dodges Jimmy to FLYING FOREARM! And again! Escobar GAMANGIRIS Solo, but Jimmy mule kicks! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, then runs, but Escobar JUMP KNEES! Jimmy goes to a corner, Escobar runs in, but is put on the apron.
Jimmy runs in but into a GAMANGIRI! Escobar goes up top, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy stays in this but Escobar keeps his cool. Escobar drags Jimmy up, but Jimmy kicks. Escobar blocks, spins Jimmy, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Cruz tags in and springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit and Cruz goes back up! PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, Jey breaks it!! Fans fire up as Escobar fires off hands! Escobar throws Jey out, keeps after him, but Jey POSTS Escobar! Jey hurries to the apron, but Wilde YANKS him down! But Solo gives Wilde an APRON URENAGE!
Fans fire up as Cruz runs in at Jimmy, but into an ELBOW! Cruz GAMANGIRIS in return! Cruz goes to the adjacent side, lines up his shot, but Solo distracts the ref! Jey runs in, too! The ref stops Jey, Cruz jumps, into a SAMOAN SPIKE!! Tag to Jey! Whip to the ropes, ONE AND DONE!! Cover, the Bloodline wins!
Winners: Solo Sikoa & The Usos, by pinfall
Surely wherever The Tribal Chief is watching from, he is proud of his cousins. But will they make him even prouder by taking back the Undisputed Tag Team Championships?
Jimmy and Jey get mics and Jey says, “The longest reigning tag champs had one bad night. One bad night! WrestleMania 39, we lost the tag titles. One bad night. We let down The Bloodline, we let down the Tribal Chief. But guess what?” Jimmy says, “This week on Friday, it’s not gonna be a bad day for the Bloodline, nah nah. This week on Friday, we become nine-time tag team champions. This week on Friday, we dedicate this win, we dedicate this W, we dedicate this victory, to YOUR Tribal Chief, Roman! Reigns!” The Usos drop the mics and raise the fingers, will they once again be the ones?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
Cathy Kelly says it was announced today that with Iyo Sky being her next challenger for the Raw Women’s Championship, they will have a match at Backlash. What are Bianca’s comments? Bianca’s excited. “Iyo has proven that she is a worthy competitor. But like I always say, I stay ready-” Bayley laughs her as Damage CTRL walks into the room and mockingly applauds. Bianca better “stay ready” to countdown her last days because the title will be theirs! Bianca says she hasn’t held this title for 386 days by being scared of a little competition. Bayley isn’t saying that Bianca is scared, but she’s never been in a championship match with Iyo Sky!
Iyo Sky has traveled the world and honed her craft, and- Iyo speaks up in Japanese to tell Bianca that there is nothing she can to stop her! And Dakota Kai translates that Iyo even wants to face Bianca tonight! Oh, tonight? Well say less, then. Bayley says in that case, the three of them are gonna beat Bianca and whatever two idiots feel like getting beat up along with her. Bayley laughs but Iyo seems confused. Bianca says she wasn’t talking to Bayley, she was talking to Iyo. But if that’s what the three of them want, then see them tonight. Great! Awesome! Bianca’s a champion of honor. DMG CTRL heads out, who will team with the RawEST for a Six Woman Tag?
Jey is on the phone backstage.
Yeah, they got the W, they handled business like always. Yeah, mahi mahi, for real. But then Jey sees Sami Zayn. Jey hangs up, and steps up to ask what he wants. Sami says he’s not here for a fight. They have all the time in the world for that on Friday. But Sami heard what Jey said tonight, and on Friday. Dedicating this title rematch to Roman Reigns? Man, Sami & Kevin took the Usos’ titles in the main event of WrestleMania, and Jey has a chance to get them back, and he’s not even doing it for himself? He’s doing it for Roman? Isn’t that a little weird?
Sami has news for Jey: Sami & Kevin aren’t losing the belts. But what’s gonna happen after that? What’s gonna happen if the Usos come up short after putting Roman’s name on this match? What’s gonna happen to the Usos then? Whatever it is, it won’t be good. And Jey doesn’t deserve that! He doesn’t! Why does Sami care? Huh? Because… Because Sami feels bad, alright? Don’t feel bad for Jey. On Friday, the Usos take back their titles, bruh! Okay? Don’t worry about what’s going on with The Bloodline anymore, okay? You made your choice, Sami. And like it or not, so has Jey. Jey leaves, but is the fate of The Bloodline already sealed?
Backstage interview with Trish Stratus.
Cathy Kelly is with the WWE Hall of Famer, and notes that Becky Lynch has been absent the last couple of weeks. Does Trish have any insight as to why Becky’s not here? Oh, does Cathy not know? Trish has a secret. Becky isn’t doing so good. She confided in Trish, opened up, and said she’s having a hard time with the pressures of being at the top of the WWE Women’s Division, being The Man and a mom. It’s too much, and Trish understands, she’s a mom, too. And she has a plethora of other things in life. But Trish is thriving. Becky, not so much.
Trish watched Becky cracking under the pressure, so Trish put her out of her misery. So Becky should be home saying, “Thank you, Trish.” Cathy thanks Trish for her time, and Trish says Cathy gets it. But is Trish just making assumptions about The Man? Will Big Time Becks be back when Trish least expects it?
The Street Profits VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are just as hungry for a shot at the tag titles as the former Hurt Business are, but the Draft could break up one or both of these teams! Will this be a last hurrah for two accomplished tandems? Or will it be a chance to prove their worth?
Raw returns and Alexander & Benjamin make their entrance. The teams sort out and Ford starts against Benjamin. They circle, but Benjamin KNEES Dawkins down! Ford fires off haymakers, knees low, then CLUBS Benjamin! Ford whips, Benjamin reverses but Ford rolls. Benjamin brings Ford up, Alexander tags in, POWERBOMB and feed to the MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Ford survives but #PRIMED Alexander rains down fists! Alexander drags Ford up, tags Benjamin, and they mug Ford. Benjamin kicks, Ford blocks and ducks the Dragon Whip to ENZIGURI! Both men are down and fans rally up!
Ford and Benjamin crawl, hot tags to Dawkins and Alexander! Dawkins rallies with big clotheslines, but Alexander mule kicks! Alexander whips, Dawkins hurdles and FLYING ELBOWS! Fans fire up with Dawkins and the CYCLONE SPLASH! And ENZIGURI! Alexander staggers into the SILENCER! Cover, Benjamin breaks it! Ford returns but Benjamin throws him out. Ford lands on the apron and GAMANGIRIS! Dawkins DECKS Benjamin! Alexander rolls Dawkins up, TWO! Dawkins picks Alexander up, ANOINTING! Tag to Ford and Chicago fires up for their own! FROM THE HEAVENS! Cover, The Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious victory for Ford & Dawkins! But will this be their last win together? Or will this mark a new beginning for their story?
Triple H is here!
Chicago fires up as the WWE Hall of Famer, the Chief Creator Officer, The Game heads to the ring with what is to be an announcement that will “rock the WWE to its foundation.” HHH gets the mic and fans chant his name. HHH says, “As a WWE superstar, I had the incredible privilege of competing at the highest level for all of you. I had the incredible privilege of standing in this ring, in this very arena, at WrestleMania 22, defending the WWE Championship against one of the greatest of all time, John Cena. And now I have the incredible privilege of ensuring that WWE is all that it can be for generations going forward.
“And that is why I’m out here tonight to talk about Roman Reigns.” Fans boo but HHH adds, “The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, who is coming up on 1000 DAYS as champion. 1000 days as champion, it is incredible, it is unheard of in the modern era. He has defended that championship against everybody, a who’s who of superstars. And I can say, after seeing them all for 30 years, I can’t name too many that would be able to hang in this ring with Roman Reigns. He is that damn good.
“And along the way in that 1000 days, Roman Reigns did something very smart, something I would’ve done, something any intelligent superstar would’ve done. He negotiated himself into a position where he didn’t have to defend that championship as frequently.” Fans boo that, but HHH says he can’t blame Roman for it, and while that is great for Roman, it is not great for the WWE. The WWE deserves more. The fans deserve more! Fans cheer that because we do! “You need more than that. That is why, a few weeks ago, when I talked about the WWE Draft, I said that the Draft would change WWE at its very core.
“Because when Roman Reigns gets drafted to whatever brand he gets drafted to, he will take the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship with him, and he will stay there. The other brand will determine a new champion.” Fans like where this is going. “On Saturday, May 27th, at Night of Champions, we will crown a new World Heavyweight Champion.” HHH presents a remix of the Big Gold Belt! Fans love it already! “This will be a champion you can be proud of! This will be a champion you can respect! That you can admire! This will be a champion that will defend this championship anywhere, any place, any time, all over the world!
“This champion will not have to demand your acknowledgment. This champion will earn your acknowledgment, and will earn the title of World Heavyweight Champion! Thank you.” HHH leaves having changed the game! Who will have the incredible honor of competing for this new WWE World Heavyweight Champion?
Backstage interview with The Judgment Day.
Cathy walks up to ask Priest a question, but Finn asks if he’s invisible. Priest calms Finn down and says everyone has to get ready for their matches anyway. Finn heads out, and Priest has Cathy ask her question. After choke slamming Bad Bunny through the desk a couple weeks ago, what is his reaction to Bunny being here tonight? Priest says it’s awesome, actually. Bunny is going to promote Backlash in Puerto Rico, which he is hosting, so that’s great. Bunny’s a mega star, a Grammy award winner, the top streamed artist on Spotify. Bunny even has success here in the WWE. When Priest had his back.
But if Bunny is looking to get involved in Judgment Day business again, then he’ll go through the table again. Priest isn’t shy about it. He’s a bad guy. But he doesn’t go to Coachella and interfere with Bunny’s business. So Bunny better not be coming here to play games. Dom says yeah, Bad Bunny can watch Priest take out Dom’s deadbeat dad. Well, to be fair, the entire world is going to see Priest exterminate Rey Mysterio. Viva Damian Priest. Will the King of Lucha be made an example of to Bunny and all who would oppose Judgment Day?
Bronson Reed speaks.
“I look around WWE, and I don’t think anyone can compete with me. They don’t have my strength, speed, or power. And even if they did, they all wanna be ‘popular.’ I’m here to win victory after victory after victory. Until there’s no one left to beat. So pose for the selfies, sign all the photographs, and kiss all the babies that you want. Cuz no one can measure up to Bronson Reed.” The Colossal Aussie is aiming for Austin Theory’s United States Championship, will there be a Tsunami at Backlash?
The Bloodline talks in their private suite.
Jimmy says he’s gonna superkick Sami in the face, and Jey’s gonna superkick Kevin, and then it’ll be a Superkick Party. Jimmy is Main Event Jim Uso! Right Hand Man Jim Uso. Is Jey hearing him? Is he okay? Jey asks what Jimmy said. Jimmy asks what’s wrong. He can see it. What’s wrong? Has Jimmy ever thought about if they don’t win the titles back? What’s gonna happen after that. Where is Jey getting this? Just that Sami was in the hall- SAMI!? Jey’s been talking to Sami!? Leave that fool alone, Uce! He’s playing mind games! Solo calms Jimmy down, and Jimmy says Jey can’t talk to Sami. He has to stay focused.
Jey is just saying, what if they lose? Jimmy tells Jey to listen: they’re gonna go out there and do what they always do! Friday, they win back the titles, win for the Bloodline, and win for the Tribal Chief! C’mon! Jimmy storms off, but is he right about mind games? Or is Sami right about Roman being the one in their heads?
Six Woman Tag: Damage CTRL VS Bianca Belair & ???
While the Evil Genius is the one challenging for the Raw Women’s Championship, the Role Model couldn’t help but make a challenge of her own. Will Bayley be right that she, Sky & Kai are going to beat down some “idiots” tonight? Or will she end up with her foot in her mouth at the hands of the RawEST and her mystery partners?
Raw returns as Bianca makes her entrance. And teaming with her are the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are here to create the goldEST team yet! Will even Bianca be #LivingLarge with this kind of back-up?
The trios sort out and Sky starts against Bianca for a preview of Backlash. Fans rally as the two tie up. Bianca pushes Sky back but Sky gets around, but Bianca backflips out of the roll-up! Bianca eggs Sky on, but Sky gets around, only for Bianca to block the crucifix! Bianca swings Sky and whips her to ropes, but Sky ducks ‘n’ dodges then handsprings! Fans fire up and Sky eggs Bianca on. Things keep moving, Bianca handsprings then DROPKICKS! Fans fire up and Kai tags in. Bianca spins Kai around, suplexes, and even trots before the SLAM! Tag to Raquel, and she brings Kai up to whip her to the corner.
Raquel ROCKS Kai, tags Liv, and then whips Liv in to back body block Kai! Bayley runs in, but she’s sent into Kai! Liv hops up to RANA Raquel into Bayley and Kai! Raquel RAMS in again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Raquel snapmares Bayley and Kai, then tags Liv. Liv climbs up onto Raquel for a SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Liv stays on Kai, but Kai SCORPION KICKS! Liv comes back to CODE BREAKER! Kai flops and flounders, Bayley distracts, and Sky DRIVE-BY DROPKICKS Liv! DMG CTRL takes control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kai stomps Liv down. Kai SWITCH KICKS Liv, then brings her around. Liv throws body shots but Kai clubs her on the back! They scrap, Kai shoves Liv down, and Kai puts Liv in the corner. Kai taunts Raquel, goes Around the World and BOOTS Liv! Bayley tags in, then tags Sky. Bayley KNEES Liv down, then Sky runs in to SHINKANSEN! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Sky clamps onto Liv with a CROSSFACE! Liv endures, DMG CTRL taunt her, but Raquel and Bianca coach Liv. Liv moves around, fights up, and pries the hold open! Liv throws body shots, reaches out, but Sky throws her by her hair!
Sky SHOTEIS Raquel! The ref keeps Bianca back and Kai tags in. Kai & Sky whip Liv to ropes, Liv holds those ropes to then KICK back! Liv TOSSES Sky, CLOBBERS Kai, and fans fire up again! Both women are down, they crawl for their corners, and Bianca is ready to go! But Kai anchors Liv, and Sky YANKS Bianca down! Sky RAMS Bianca into steel steps! Kai storms up behind Liv, whips but Liv gets around to BACKSTABBER! Bayley calls to Kai and she crawls, as does Liv. Raquel returns! Hot tags to Raquel and Bayley! Big Mami Cool rallies on DMG CTRL, big clotheslines for Bayley!
Bayley dodges one but not the SOUTHPAW! And then Raquel scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Bayley is in a drop zone, Raquel runs in to TWISTING VADER! Cover, Kai breaks it! Raquel storms up and whips Kai right out of the ring! Bayley bails out but Raquel tags Liv. Liv then tags Bianca, and Raquel gives Liv a boost! Raquel BOMBS Liv onto Bayley & Kai! Sky SHOTGUNS Raquel down! But Bianca torture racks! Sky flips to the apron but Bianca POSTS her! Bayley trips Bianca! Bayley gets in, Bianca spins her around to the torture rack! KISS OF DEATH for Bayley! Cover, Bianca’s team wins!
Winners: Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall
DMG CTRL loses big, and Sky is fuming! Will things be very different when it’s 1v1? Or will nothing stop Bianca from having the greatEST reign in Raw Women’s Championship history?
Austin Theory is here!
Chicago boos as we now see #AustinTheoryLive. The Now knows he’s facing big bad Bronson Reed and the All Mighty Bobby Lashley, what will he have to say about it? We see after the break.
Raw returns and Theory has the mic to say, “Welcome to Austin Theory Live! Hey, this is the experience that everybody wants to be a part of. Alright, hey, maybe you guys don’t want to, btu there are two people who really want this experience, and that’s Bronson Reed and Bobby Lashley. I am the greatest United States Champion of all time. But where’s my respect? Because last time I checked, I did not choose my opponents for this match. But when I look over there, I see a new championship. A championship that HHH just introduced, and you see, that title shouldn’t be on that pedestal. It should be around my waist!
“Boo all you want, but it should, because HHH said it: that title should be earned. And if there’s any man that has earned it, it is me!” Fans boo more, but Theory says, “But instead of somebody putting that title around my waist because I deserve it, I’m in a Triple Threat where I don’t have to be pinned or submitted to lose my titles.” Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” and he says, oh does he? Except he’s the guy who pinned John Cena! He did that! Fans chant “You Tapped Out!” but Theory says no he didn’t, because he’s living his dreams. All you losers “tapped out” sitting in those seats, watching the Greatest Of All Time!
But wait! Here comes Lashley! Fans fire up as the Rocky Mountain Machine heads down to the ring, gets himself a mic, and he says, “Hear that? Listen, kid. Yes, I called you ‘kid.’ The only problem I have with you is that you’re holding my title right there. You’re over here, running your mouth about being the greatest United States Champion ever. When are you gonna start stepping up? When are you gonna start accepting every challenge that comes your way? You keep running away from every obstacle that you should be running towards. Let me tell you something, I’ve been int he ring with you, so I know how tough you are. I don’t think you do.
“You’re young, you’re hungry, and you’re tough. So what is it, Theory? Are you lazy and you don’t wanna work? Or are you scared?” Theory says he’s not scared. Was the Triple Threat Lashley’s idea? Lashley says Theory should be welcoming every opportunity to fight for that title! Because Lashley would. So Theory wants to know who made that Triple Threat match? Yeah, Lashley did. Oh, it was that easy? Well if he’s so good at requesting matches, where was his match at WrestleMania? Lashley laughs that off, and tells Theory he should knock his teeth down his throat just for saying that.
Theory says yeah, he should. But before he does, sucker punch! But Lashley dodged it! And then he TACKLES Theory! Theory scrambles, drags Lashley out, they brawl, and Lashley RAMS Theory into barriers! Lashley storms after Theory, fires off hands, and fans fire up! Lashley fireman’s carries Theory, but here comes Bronson Reed! Lashley lets Theory go to fire hands with Auszilla! They brawl, Lashley gets the edge, but Theory CLOBBERS Lashley from behind! A lot like last week! Theory and Reed mug Lashley while fans boo. Theory drags Lashley up, puts him against the post, and holds him there for Reed to SPLASH!!
Lashley falls over, having been sandwiched! Theory and Reed put Lashley in the ring, and Theory says it’s time! Fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN! But then Reed CLOBBERS Theory! And SENTON! The Triple Threat is every man for himself, so Reed is staking his claim! TSUNAMI!! Theory just got squashed, and Reed holds the title up over both men! Will this be exactly how Backlash goes? Will the “Nice Guy” finish first in this battle?
Elias drills Rick Boogs on lines.
They’ve been over it already, Boogs just has to say it faster. Boogs is trying, but there’s a lot going on. HHH’s announcement, the Draft, it’s a lot! Yeah, and Elias doesn’t want Boogs to get overwhelmed, but it’s very basic. Elias has Gable help here. Chad Gable tells Boogs one more time. Elias has Boogs pump up to focus. Gets blood flowing into the brain. Gable says that there are some superstars who are eligible only night one. And everyone else can be drafted on night two. And if you’re a tag team, make sure to be drafted alongside your partner or your team is kaput, done, out!
But rest assured, Gable has made sure he will be drafted alongside his number one guy, his prized pupil, OTIS! The Alpha Academy will remain intact, a thank yew! But Maxxine Dupri says that that is very interesting. Because she has made sure that wherever “Otíse” goes, she follows. But… Otis is Gable’s number one guy? No, he’s Maxxine’s. No, he’s Gable’s! Mustafa Ali walks in to say that with the WWE Draft, we all need to have a more positive mentality. He knows Gable is worried about losing his best friend, his number one guy. But think about it: Gable could finally reach his full potential! Gable, GABLE, could be the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion!
Of course, that would mean the end of Alpha Academy and Gable’s life was we know it because everyone will think he’s a big loser without Otis. Just like he’ll be the big loser in his match with Ali tonight. SHOOOOSH! Otis has Gable cool down and says Chad Gable is gonna show Ali a shake down. Well Mustafa is positive-Ali sure that Gable just made a big mistake. Ali heads out and Gable returns to squabbling with Maxxine. Will Gable teach Ali a thing or two?
Chad Gable w/ Otis & Maxxine Dupri VS Mustafa Ali!
Raw returns and Ali makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ali says to smile to help your mindset. Gable just trips Ali to a cover! ONE, and Gable arm-drags Ali! Ali arm-drags Gable, then he avoids Gable’s arm-drag. Ali says that’s the power of the positive mindset. Gable rushes Ali, whips him to ropes, things speed up and Gable OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! “A THANK YEW~!” Otis says it’s all in the hips! Gable drags Ali up, CHOPS him off his feet, then stands him up to CHOP him down again! And again! Gable whips Ali to a corner, runs in, but Ali slips out to the apron to ROUNDHOUSE!
Gable staggers away, Ali slingshots in, but into a waistlock! Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ali escapes and Maxxine says Gable is embarrassing Otis! Gable snarls, runs in, but Ali goes up and over! Ali keeps moving, tilt-o-whirl DDT! Ali drags Gable to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and 450- NO, Ali has to bail out as Gable moves! Gable waistlocks, O’Conner Roll, but Ali blocks Chaos Theory to victory roll! ALI WINS!!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by pinfall
Chicago cheers as another hometown hero wins! Will Ali be a top choice in the Draft? Will Gable’s world start crumbling down around him?
Jimmy finds Sami backstage.
Jimmy says he knows what Sami is doing, playing these mind games with Jey. Mind games? Sami isn’t playing games, he’s telling the truth! The truth? “Sami, the truth is, this Friday, we take back what’s ours, Uce! You keep talking about ‘What if we lose? What if we lose?’ What if you lose, huh? You think Kevin’s gonna sit right there and be behind you and have your back? Huh? You think he actually forgot all the times you kicked him right in the face? I didn’t. I was standing right there with you every time you did it, Uce. Yeah. So he didn’t forgive you, he never forgave you, Uce. He just used you to get that.
“And this Friday, Sami, when you lose that, Kevin is gonna turn on you. And you’re gonna deserve every bit of it. So don’t worry about my brother, Uce. Worry about yours.” Jimmy leaves Sami with something to think about. Will things return to how they were for the best frenemies after Friday?
Cody Rhodes VS Finn Balor!
For a minute, the American Nightmare was part of that club The Prince created. But now, Cody is choosing to do things his way and on his own. Will Finn show Cody that is going to fail him sooner rather than later? Or will this be anything but too sweet?
Raw returns as Cody makes his entrance and the fans again sing his song. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up for Cody already as Cody and Finn tie up. They go around, Finn goes after an arm, and he wrenches to a wristlock. Cody powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Cody then gets a leg and Finn hops to a corner. The ref counts, Cody lets off and the two stare down. Finn smirks but fans rally for Cody as the two circle again. They knuckle lock, but Finn kicks low! Finn headlocks, Cody powers out but Finn turns hip toss into hip toss! But then Cody Kangaroo Kicks! Cody headlocks and hits the takeover!
Finn fights to a headscissor but Cody shrugs that off. Finn rolls Cody to a cover, ONE! Cody holds onto the hold but Finn fights up. Fans rally behind Cody but Finn powers him to ropes and powers out of the headlock. Things speed up, Finn hurdles but into a fireman’s carry! GUTBUSTER DROP! Cover, ONE!! Finn goes to a corner, Cody storms up, but Finn CHOPS! Cody JABS! And JABS! And JABS! Cody powers up but Finn scrambles away! Fans boo but Cody has him on the apron! Cody suplexes, and he carries Finn in for a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Cody keeps Finn down with a bearhug.
Finn endures, moves around, pries at the hold, and they stand up. Fans rally, Finn wrenches and then headlocks. Cody slips out to headlock right back! Finn powers out, Cody ducks ‘n’ dodges, and Cody leaps, but Finn ducks! Cody hits nothing but ropes! Cody sputters and flounders out while Finn grins. Cody clutches his ribs, Finn goes out the side, and Finn stalks behind Cody. Finn RAMS Cody into the desk! The edge gets Cody right in the gut! Finn eyes the brand new title belt and raises his fists. Fans boo but Finn soaks it up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Cody throws counter punches on Finn! Finn staggers, but he kicks low. Finn runs, Cody follows and CLOBBERS him! Cody kicks low, drops for the RHODES UPPERCUT, then baits Finn to a corner. Cody goes up and over, then POWERSLAMS Finn down! Fans fire up with Cody and he runs to ropes. Springboard, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives but Cody keeps cool. Fans rally up and Cody pounds the mat. Finn rises slowly, and Cody reels him in! Finn spins the dragon sleeper around, but then Cody drops to KICK! Cody runs, springboards again, but into Finn’s grip! ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO!
Finn checks his neck and snarls as he stalks Cody to ropes. Finn kicks Cody and stomps away! The ref counts, Finn lets off at 4, and Cody gets up in a huff! But Finn SLINGBLADES Cody right back down! Finn aims, runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives and Chicago can’t believe it! Cody sighs and frowns as he looms over Finn. Cody drags Finn up, reels him in, and brings Finn up, but Finn fights free! Finn trips Cody to DOUBLE STOMP! Cody sputters, Finn runs in, SHOTGUN! Cody bounces off buckles and fans boo as Finn heads up top!
COUP DE- NO, Cody dodges! Finn stumbles, Cody drags him into the dragon sleeper! But Finn spins to cradle! Cody shifts it, TWO!! Both men stand, Cody kicks low and underhooks! PEDIGREE!! Shoutout to the Game and fans are thunderous! Cody waits on Finn, brings him into the dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
The Windy City cheers the victory as adrenaline is definitely in Cody’s soul! Will the American Nightmare bring down Suplex City no matter what it takes?
Seth Rollins is here!
Chicago fires back up as The Visionary struts to the ring in a zebra print jumpsuit tuxedo! And to not be outdone by anyone, he’s getting ready for a match at Backlash against the Nigerian Giant, Omos! We hear what Rollins has to say about that, after the break.
Raw returns and Rollins hears the fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~” for him. Rollins has the mic to say, “Now, I didn’t mean to keep you guys waiting all night, but Chicago, welcome to Monday! Night! Rollins! I am the Visionary, I am the Revolutionary, I am Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! And Chicago, tonight, I was gonna come out here tonight and see how you guys were feeling about my big match coming up at Backlash against the Nigerian Giant, Omos…” Fans boo, but Rollins says if they can believe it… “Something bigger has caught my eye.” Rollins looks to that brand new belt. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!”
Rollins moves closer, and even goes to the apron so he can walk down the steps. “Chicago, are you just saying that because I’m a Bears fan?” Fans cheer again, and Rollins says no, no, no, truth be told, HHH came out here, said some very nice things about Roman Reigns, and the list of superstars Roman has defeated during his title reign. But do you know who is not on that list? Roman Reigns would like us to believe that everyone wants what he has, that everyone wants to be here. “But the truth is… Some of us still want to fight!
“And THIS is an opportunity to fight! This is an opportunity for us to push the industry forward! This is an opportunity for us to have a World Heavyweight Championship that’s about more than politics and part-timers!” Fans fire up with Rollins on that. “And if we are going to crown a new World Heavyweight Champion at Night of Champions… Well, Chicago, I give you one guess who I’d put my money on.” But here comes Omos! The giant has Montel Vontavius Porter behind him as he goes to the ring, and MVP says, “Seth Freakin’ Rollins, please forgive the interruption. I mean no disrespect.
“And I mean that sincerely. To the contrary, I respect you immensely. As a matter of fact, in my humble estimation, you are without question, one of the most impressive superstars to ever grace a WWE ring. Seth, you have accomplished virtually everything there is to accomplish. You’re absolutely brilliant, with the exception of your fashion choices. But I have to say, it is because of those accolades that you’ve been chosen.” MVP says it is his responsibility to get The Giant giant matches. “And a win over Seth Freakin’ Rollins would be absolutely huge.” Again, all due respect, but MVP cautions Rollins making predictions about his future.
“Because when the Nigerian Giant is finished with you, you might not have much of a future after Backlash.” Rollins looks MVP and Omos in the eye, and then Omos steps up. Rollins says, “Well, thank you.” The fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” and Rollins smirks. Rollins continues with, “No, Chicago, we should thank Mr. MVP for the kind words. But I gotta be honest, you kinda undersold your Giant here. He’s not just huge, he’s the tallest man I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Strongest, most powerful force in WWE. Omos, you are once in a generation. Because you were born that way. Seth Freakin’ Rollins is once in a generation because I made myself that way!”
Rollins should be afraid, but he’s NOT! And at Backlash, y’know what he’s gonna do? What he does best! He’s gonna make Omos’ ass famous! Omos is gonna have the match of his life, then Rollins is gonna bounce that big head off this mat! And when Omos wakes up from the three second nap, an arena filled with people are gonna be singing Rollins’ song. “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins drops the mic and heads out, will he be able to #BurnItDown even against this mountain of a man?
Matt Riddle talks with Kevin Owens backstage.
There’s this movie, Little Giants, and they ran this play called the Annexation of Puerto Rico, and so if they tweak it just a little, they could use it to beat The Bloodline at Backlash! What’s Kevin think? Sami walks in and Kevin jumps at the chance to talk to someone else. Where has Sami been? All night, by the way. Sami says it hasn’t been a great night. Oh, really? Sami’s had a rough night? All night! Where was he? Sami wasn’t gonna say anything, but he was talking to Jey and then Jimmy. Why!? Why is he still talking to them? What could he possibly have to say? No, wait, this can’t be about what Roman will do. Why does Sami care?
Sami says it’s not that simple but Kevin says it doesn’t matter. Sami does care! Kevin says he used to like the Usos, too, before they became Roman’s little cronies. But it’s too late for them now. And if the Usos haven’t figured out that Roman’s just using them to stay where he is, then too bad! But Kevin & Sami have to beat The Usos this Friday. Kevin is worried about the titles, and Sami should be worried about that, too. Riddle wants to say something but Kevin cuts him off. Kevin storms off, but Riddle says he knows what Sami’s going through. Really? How?
Well, do you remember a team called RKBRO where Riddle teamed with Randy Orton, aka The Legend Killer, aka the Viper, aka The Apex Predator. Every week, everyone told Riddle that Randy was gonna turn on him, but he didn’t. And do you know why? Because they’re bros. And Sami and Kevin are bros! Win, lose or draw, it’ll all be cool, bro. Sami is surprised at how helpful that was. Sami thanks Riddle, and Riddle says no problem. But will it be a problem when push comes to shove on SmackDown?
Rey Mysterio VS Damian Priest!
The King of Lucha has been going back and forth with The Judgment Day for a long time already, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon! Will Rey at least be able to turn the tides here tonight? Or will the Punisher put him down once and for all, all for the Prodigal Son’s sake?
Raw returns and Priest makes his entrance, Dom conspicuous by his absence. The bell rings and Rey fires off fists on Priest! The fans fire up but Priest grabs Rey by the mask! Rey KICKS and fires off fists again! The ref backs Rey off, and Priest throat chops! The ref reprimands but Priest BOOTS Rey down! Priest stomps Rey at the ropes, the ref counts and Priest lets off. Fans boo as Priest stalks Rey to a corner. Priest ROCKS Rey with a right, then stands him up to whip to ropes. Rey holds ropes, elbows Priest back, then slides under to KICK Priest from below! Priest staggers, Rey KICKS the leg and fires off hands!
Rey whips but Priest blocks! Priest whips Rey to a corner but Rey goes up, only to get caught! Rey fights but Priest hits a GUTBUSTER DROP! Priest grins and soaks up the heat, but we see who’s pulling into the parking lot. It’s BAD BUNNY! Priest has Rey on the apron, but he sees his “old friend” is storming his way to gorilla! Priest hurries to fireman’s carry Rey on the top rope, but Rey fights free with elbows! Rey then adjusts, throws down more hands, then spins to SUPER RANA! Cover, TWO!! Rey runs to KICK Priest, runs again, but Priest DECKS Rey! Priest snarls, stands Rey up, and DECKS him again!
Priest talks trash on Rey, drags him back up, and Priest slides Rey out to the floor! Rey crashes at the ramp and Priest soaks up the heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Priest has Rey in a motorcycle stretch. Rey fights up and the fans rally as he turns around. Rey throws elbows and body shots, but Priest BELL CLAPS! Priest whips Rey hard to a corner, then runs in to back elbow! Rey flops down and fans boo, but Priest mocks the “hero.” Priest drags Rey up, wrenches and whips corner to corner hard again! Priest runs in, but Rey dodges, so Priest POSTS himself! Rey hurries to the apron as Priest bails out, and Rey ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Priest! Rey hurries to put Priest back in the ring and go up the corner.
Rey leaps, SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Priest is still in this, and he puts Rey on the apron. Rey GAMANGIRIS, then shoulders in! Rey slingshots, RANAS and Priest is on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Priest SUPERKICKS first! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Priest can’t believe it! Priest snarls again and looms over Rey. Priest drags Rey up, fans boo, but Priest smirks. Rey falls, but Priest drags him back up and Canadian racks. But Rey fights free to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Rey runs to QUEBRADA, but Priest catches him!!
Priest spins Rey, clinches, FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Rey is still in this and Priest pulls his hair in frustration. Priest rains down forearms but fans rally up behind Rey. Priest goes out of the ring, and he grabs a chair from the timekeeper’s area! Fans boo but Priest no longer cares about winning, he just wants to HURT Rey! But Rey WRECKS Priest with a dropkick! Rey then looks at the chair, and he grabs it! But Priest grabs Rey by the throat! SOUTH OF- RANA!! Rey has Priest on the ropes, redials, 619!! Priest is down, Rey goes up, but Priest CHUCKS the chair at Rey’s head! DIRECT HIT!!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by disqualification
Fans boo but Priest drags Rey back up! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Priest then goes out to clear off the announce desk, because he wants to do what he did to- BAD BUNNY IS HERE! And he’s got himself a kendo stick! Fans fire up but Priest shakes his head. Priest warned Bunny that he doesn’t want any of this, but Bunny says he does. Bunny gets up on the apron, steps through the ropes, and that kendo stick has Priest’s name on it! Bunny SMACKS Priest, SMACKS him out of the ring, and then SMACKS him over the desk! Fans fire up as Bunny pursues, but Priest choke grips hm! But Bunny gets loose to SMACK the legs out from under Priest!
Priest lands hard on the desk, then Bunny SMACKS him again! Bunny runs Priest off into the crowd! Fans boo but Bunny gets a mic. Bunny gets on the desk to say, “Hey, Damian. I don’t know if you know, but… I’m not hosting Backlash anymore. Now, I’m going to Puerto Rico to kick your ass! May 6th, Backlash, at mi casa, Puerto Rico, Damian Priest VS Bad Bunny, in a Street Fight, cabron!” Bad Bunny has just dropped big news on a night of big news! Priest vows to end Bunny’s career for this, but will he be the one facing his judgment day at Backlash?
My Thoughts:
A really good Raw, especially as the go-home to the WWE Draft and everything else. Great stuff out of the Bloodline story and it didn’t even get physical this week, it was all mental and emotional. Sami’s talk to Jey got him thinking, and then Jimmy had a great sudden and explosive reaction to that. Jimmy did start to get in Sami’s head, but Riddle was surprisingly a voice of logic and reason. It wasn’t quite the serious Riddle we got before, but it is nice they had him use his time in RKBRO as an example. Continuity wins again! But with Night of Champions being the Saudi Arabia show, I fear as everyone does that Sami & Kevin lose since they don’t support the Saudi shows.
Speaking of Night of Champions, what great but also kind of expected news from HHH. While I’m still proven right that WWE is in a time loop as far as unifying and de-unifying the top title/top spot, that belt’s design is a great homage to the Big Gold Belt HHH adored during his time. And HHH’s promo was great, with some maybe kayfabe, maybe worked shoot shots at Roman Reigns and how he’s been protected, both in kayfabe and shoot. This world champion is going to be much more of a fighting champion than Roman has, mostly because they have to be. Rollins had a great promo to also stake his claim and add to those sentiments, he is at least going to be in the match to crown the new WHC.
Great interaction between Rollins, MVP and Omos, too, to hype up their match that was made outta thin air. Rollins will definitely do just what he said to Omos and then move on towards the new world title. I said it before and I’ll say it again, Omos is perhaps stuck. Now, Great Khali has been a giant who made an impact when he first showed up, won a top title, but then eventually drifted down to not just the midcard, but the comedy midcard. I don’t think that latter part happens to Omos, but I’m still not sure where he goes from being the world’s largest jobber to the stars. The Draft will play a big part in what happens with Omos next.
Good Draft centric stuff, too, with a good promo from Gable, Elias and Boogs that then bled into Gable, Otis and Maxxine with Mustafa Ali getting involved. Good match from Gable and Ali, and smart move having Ali win. Not only is it a hometown hero win for Ali, it adds to Gable’s story of him and Otis having an uncertain future. Great match from Profits VS still not Hurt Business 2.0, and another great hometown hero win as Ford scores for the Profits. Maybe the Draft really does break the Profits up, forcing Ford and Dawkins to explore their singles careers, and maybe we see one of them (definitely Ford) get a midcard title.
Really good promo segment from Theory and Lashley, and even a vignette from Bronson before all three brawled. Bronson stands tall here, but there’s still time before Backlash to do go-home math. I still personally want to see Bronson get that belt, because why else come back to the WWE when he was doing so well in NJPW? Great promo from Trish to heap onto Becky, and surely Becky will show up and get back at Trish. Great promo from Bianca and DMG CTRL backstage, and it was a logical move to have the tag champs, Liv & Raquel, back Bianca up. Great Six Woman Tag, and it fits that Bayley takes the pin since she stuck her foot in her mouth.
And great stuff with the Judgment Day. Cody had a great opening promo with Finn, and they had a great match to give Cody momentum after getting beat up by Brock and not getting payback on Brock. And of course, great promo from Priest, great main event match with Rey, and great moment for Bad Bunny making the save. As I’ve said, I thought we were getting a Six Man Tag, Bunny joining Rey and Escobar against Judgment Day, but a Street Fight of Bunny VS Priest could easily turn into faction warfare. Finn and Dom will certainly help Priest, cuing Rey & the LWO to go after them and tip the scales so Bunny can get a big win.
My Score: 8.7/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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There’s a lot going on this time around!
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The Bracket of Courage!
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The Final Boss is back!
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So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
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Anillo de Honor!
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NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
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Phoenix is Dynamite!
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NXT is Absolute!
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G'day, mates!
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Visionary VS Prince!
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AEW goes down under!
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