Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/3/23)
Raw Goes Hollywood!
What happens after the credits roll?
The yearly tradition of Raw After Mania now goes Hollywood! What will the WWE’s next chapter be for all its champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Omos w/ MVP VS Elias; Omos wins.
- Rey Mysterio VS Austin Theory; Theory wins.
- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS The Street Profits; Kevin & Sami win.
- Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali; Lashley wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contender’s Match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai; Liv & Raquel win and will challenge Becky Lynch & Lita for the titles.
- High Stakes Tag Match: Cody Rhodes & Brock Lesnar VS Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa w/ Paul Heyman; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
The first hour of Raw After Manis is COMMERCIAL FREE!
Triple H is here!
Los Angeles is fired up as The Game walks out to the ring. HHH soaks up all the adulation from the fans before going to the corner for his signature pose. HHH then gets the mic to say, “Welcome to Monday Night Raw!” And he has to say, if he wasn’t already on a high before walking out here after this weekend, he sure is hell on one now. That was unbelievable! What a weekend it was. WrestleMania, 161 THOUSAND fans jam packed into SoFi Stadium! And for the ultimate spectacle, an event that truly lived up to its name: The Grandest Stage of Them All. “An event 40 years in the making. From one man’s vision for WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden, to four decades later.
“LA, SoFi Stadium, packed to the rafters, beyond my wildest expectations.” So HHH is out here to say thank you. To thank every superstar in the back, every performer that has every stepped through the ropes and graced this ring. “They lay their bodies on the line for all of us every single week, and I just wanted to take that moment to say, ‘Thank you.'” HHH also thanks the staff and the crew that make a weekend like WrestleMania possible. That make nights like tonight in the sold-out Crypto Arena on a Monday night possible! Everyone in the back, out here, and Stu manning the camera. Fans chant for “STU! STU! STU!” Stu says hi and fans cheer.
HHH has to say, the people behind the scenes make this all possible. He walked in to SoFi last night, and no matter how many times he’d seen the drawings, the photos, the videos of it being built, when he walked in and saw that set… It took his breath away. They truly make the spectacle of what they do possible. And HHH wants to take one more moment to thank the most important people: the fans. The WWE Universe, the people that make it possible to do what the WWE loves to do day in and day out: entertain the fans. Thank you, fans! Fans chant for “TRIPLE H! TRIPLE H!”
HHH says on a day where the WWE is dominating the news, this day after WrestleMania, when they are anything anyone talks about, WWE makes an announcement that is all anyone walks to talk about. But HHH is here to assure the fans, “we ain’t going nowhere! The same WWE that you love, the same WWE that put 161 THOUSAND people to the rafters in SoFi stadium is going nowhere! The same WWE that you love, the superstars, the action, the drama, all of it! We are going nowhere. We will be here, week in and week out, event after event, sold out arena after sold arena, packed stadium after packed stadium, because WE! ARE! THE WWE!”
Fans cheer that, and HHH says that just like the opening roll: Then, Now, Forever, Together! Fans cheer again, and HHH says with all that said, he wants to ask us one thing. Help him acknowledge one more person. Reigning for 946 days, please welcome the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion… ROMAN! REIGNS! Fans are mixed as the Tribal Chief makes his way out. Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa are with him, and HHH shakes each of their hands on his way out. Roman lifts the belts he still has after screwing over Cody Rhodes, and sets off the pyro. Then they all go to the ring, and Roman again lifts the belts for more pyro.
Fans boo while Heyman holds onto the belts. Roman grins, takes a moment to soak it all up, even as they chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” and “ROMAN SUCKS!” Roman then takes the mic to say, “I guess after last night’s performance, we should probably do it like this tonight. Hollywood! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Fans boo more but then the bass drums hit! CODY RHODES is here! Cody has the smoke, the pyro, the three piece suit, but he is clutching one of his sides a bit. Cody gets a mic as he gets in the ring for even more pyro. Fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” while Heyman has Solo stand down.
Cody looks at Roman, and says, “I know what I wanna talk about.” Roman’s surprised by that. Cody says today is turning out a lot differently than he anticipated, and a lot of people anticipated. We thought Cody would be here the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Roman and Heyman both say “NOPE.” Cody sees and feels it. He will acknowledge this: last night at WrestleMania 39 in the main event, Roman was the better competitor. Roman, Cody knows we always have to do this with the world watching, but he wishes this, meaning Solo and Heyman, wasn’t a factor.
Because Cody knows that Roman knows he’s won a lot of matches where he skated by, narrowly defeating people. Last night wasn’t the case. Last night, Cody HAD Roman! Roman shakes his head but the fans agree with Cody. Cody said he knows what he wants to say, and it boils down to just one word. And fans already know what that word is, as they chant, “REMATCH! REMATCH!” Cody says it himself, he wants a REMATCH! Roman smirks and Heyman steps forward. Fans say “YES! YES! YES!” but Heyman wants a word. Roman hands over the mic, and fans boo.
Heyman says, “I was thinking… On behalf of the Tribal Chief… When exactly would you like this hypothetical rematch?” Cody smiles, and says, “TONIGHT!” Fans are thunderous over that idea! Roman is flustered, but Heyman helps him calm down. Heyman says, “No rematch. Not tonight, not in Puerto Rico, not at SummerSlam, not at Survivor Series, not at the Royal Rumble, not in Madison Square Garden, not in San Francisco where life does exist in California. No, no, no, no, NO!” Fans boo harder and call BS. Heyman says that’s called calling the shots when you live on the Island of Relevancy.
Cody asks if Heyman thinks he’s in an normal mood. A mood for these games? For these chicanery? After everything Cody went through his entire career with what happened last night? WHILE Solo is standing here? Let’s read between the lines. Roman doesn’t wanna do a rematch tonight, to give fans what they want, right here and right now? Fans fire up again, and Cody says, “I know exactly how tough you are.” But it won’t change this. if Roman doesn’t wanna do the rematch, well, he fought both guys anyway. Let’s do SOMETHING here, and do SOMETHING, now! Fans chant “ROMAN’S SCARED! ROMAN’S SCARED!”
Heyman asks Roman’s permission to talk privately. Heyman whispers things to Roman, and in the end, a decision is made. Roman turns back around, and Heyman tells “Mr. Rhodes,” and the fans of LA, Heyman has been authorized to inform Cody that item one, the tag team rematch, is accepted. But two parameters: If, and that is IF, someone in that locker room is so stupid as to team with Cody against Roman, it has to be someone that wrestled this past weekend at WrestleMania; Cody will realize how alone he is, because anyone that walks down that aisle that agrees to this, they will NEVER get another title match against Roman Reigns as long as he is still the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion!
So uh, what does Cody wanna talk about now? Fans echo, “WHO WHO WHO?” BROCK LESNAR!! Roman, Heyman, and even Solo are shocked! But Lesnar is all smiles as he circles the ring and fans lose their minds. The Beast stands with the American Nightmare, and shakes his hand! Lesnar even brings Cody in for a hug! Roman keeps Solo back, then they both back out of the ring. Fans boo, but they’ll have to put up or shut up tonight! Will the Island of Relevancy survive this high stakes tag match?
Omos w/ MVP VS Elias!
The Nigerian Giant also fought at WrestleMania, but even he was shocked to have lost to Lesnar. Will Omos get back up at the expense of The Drifter? Or will even the Giant learn to #WalkWithElias?
The bell rings and Elias rushes in, but into Omos’ huge hand! Omos then CLOBBERS Elias with the other huge hand! Omos talks trash on Elias, drags him up, and scoops to SLAM him! MVP says to punish Elias and Omos kicks Elias around. Omos drags Elias up, scoops him, and SLAMS him again! Omos roars, drags Elias up again, and TOSSES him to a corner! Omos SPLASHES Elias in the corner and Elias falls to the mat. Fans boo but Omos just soaks it up. MVP tells Omos to take Elias for a ride, and Omos scoops Elias, to SNAKE EYES! Then he BOOTS Elias! Omos copies the Deadman in the biggest way possible!
Omos kicks Elias around, drags him back up, and with both hands, MOUNTAINTOP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Omos wins!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall
That was comparatively merciful from Omos. Will all of Raw, and even SmackDown, learn to fear the Nigerian Giant?
The Usos find Roman Reigns’ suite backstage.
They knock on the door, Heyman opens up and is happy to see the greatest tag team of all time. Yeah, they wanna see Big Uce. Oh, sorry, the Tribal Chief just stepped out with Solo to have a chief-to-enforcer talk about Cody and Lesnar. Have they seen that? LESNAR?! So, Roman and Solo are talking strategy. Roman wanted Heyman to tell the Usos that this was a wonderful WrestleMania… for some. Their contributes were greatly appreciated, the jet will be fired up so that as soon as Roman and Solo mop the floor with Cody and Lesnar, they can all get going. But he wants the Usos to go ahead, enjoy the seafood buffet. Well, alright. Yeet.
The Usos head out, but then Heyman steps inside and tells Roman that he took care of it! Is this more of Roman’s two-faced manipulation of his family?
Cathy Kelly is ringside to interview Bad Bunny.
Fans cheer for the host of Backlash, how excited is he to bring WWE back to Puerto Rico? Bunny first says hello to LA, and they cheer more. Bunny says he is very happy to be hosting Backlash on his island. Finally WWE is headed back to Puerto Rico, but today he is enjoying things like any other fan. See you all in Puerto Rico!
Rey Mysterio is here!
The King of Lucha Libre is still in LA after the big win over his son, Dominik, and he gives big thanks to Bad Bunny in person for that assist. Fans chant “619! 619!” while Rey gets the mic. Rey says, “What an emotional week. I just got inducted into the Hall of Fame.” Fans chant “You Deserve It!” Rey thanks them, because without them, he wouldn’t be here. “Gracias, mi raza!” Rey continues to say that he wants to take the time to thank the WWE Universe, because they’ve welcomed him with open arms. He thanks them, gracias ustedes, but Bunny, thank you, brother. Wait, here comes Austin Theory.
The Now gets booed as he walks out with a mic and the US Championship. Theory tells “Rey-Rey” that the two of them deserve more respect. They are the only two that did exactly what they said they were going to do at WrestleMania. Rey beat the product of his own bad parenting, and Theory beat a legend! Theory beat the greatest of all time, John Cena! But the difference is that Rey is too busy correcting the past. Fans chant “YOU TAPPED OUT!” at Theory but he says no, THEY tapped out because they didn’t believe in him! He’s the champ! But just like that, Dom didn’t believe in Rey, and all these totos didn’t believe in him!
Wait, that’s it! Fans call Theory names, but Theory says, “You hear that? That is exactly what John Cena had to be talking about. The Raw After Mania, where y’all were gonna eat me alive. Where’s it at? Huh? Because I’m on top of the world, and I can’t be touched.” Fans chant, “YOU STILL SUCK!” Theory says he doesn’t suck, he beat Cena! Fans love screaming for Cena at the top of their lungs, and the fans start chanting “CENA! CENA!” Theory says no, none of that. Cheer for him but he ain’t here, he’s a part-timer. But what about Rey? Rey’s like Cena. They should chant HIS name! Fans do chant for “REY! REY! REY!”
Theory says all that’ll happen is that he’ll beat Rey and add his ass to the collection. Collection? The only thing Theory will be collecting is his teeth after Rey hits the 619! Theory says okay, let’s go. The mics are put aside, the ref gets in the ring, and it is happening!
Rey Mysterio VS Austin Theory!
The bell rings, Theory and Rey tie up, and Theory powers Rey to a corner. Theory climbs up on Rey, talks trash, but lets off as the ref counts. Rey shrugs it off, circles with Theory and ties up with him. Theory headlocks, Rey powers out, but Theory runs Rey over. Fans boo Theory but Raw goes picture in picture.
Theory whips, Rey reverse and sends Theory out. Rey fakes Theory out, then dropkicks him down! Rey brings Theory up and around, and whips him, only for Theory to reverse! Rey hits barriers, then Theory RAMS him into steel steps! And then the announce desk! Theory drags Rey up, puts him back in the ring, and covers, ONE!! Theory fumes but he stalks Rey. Theory RAMS Rey into a corner, RAMS him more, then DECKS him! Rey gets out of the ring but Theory talks trash. Theory goes out after Rey, puts him against barriers, but Rey dodges to COHP! Fans fire up as Rey stalks Theory back into the ring.
Theory CLUBS Rey, has him on ropes, and CHOKES him! The ref reprimands and counts, Theory lets off and Rey sputters. Theory brings Rey up, brings him around, and ROCKS him with another haymaker. Theory looms over Rey, talks more trash, then reels Rey in for a suplex. Rey writhes but Theory keeps talking trash. Theory looms over Rey again while soaking up the heat. Rey goes to a corner, Theory drags him up, and Theory throws hands. Theory whips Rey corner to corner hard, then scoops Rey and carries him around. Theory talks trash, right into the BACKBREAKER! Rey writhes, Theory covers, TWO!
Theory brings Rey back up, snapmares and wraps on a chinlock. Rey endures and Raw returns to single picture. Rey fights up, throws elbows, but Theory knees low. Theory POSTS Rey, stalks up behind him in the corner, and then drags Rey up to the top rope. Theory CLUBS Rey, talks trash on the fans, and then climbs up. Rey fights the back suplex, throws punches, and fans fire up! Rey ELBOWS Theory away! Rey then adjusts, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Rey gets moving, but Theory CLOBBERS him! Cocky cover, ONE! Theory kicks Rey around, drags him back up, and Theory grins as he says it is HIS time.
Theory snapmares Rey, and he clamps onto an armlock and chinbar. Rey endures, fans rally, but Theory keeps talking trash. Rey fights up, throws hands, but Theory ROCKS Rey! Theory whips Rey corner to corner, but Rey goes up and over to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Rey and Theory stir, Theory runs in but into a BOOT! Rey drop toeholds Theory into buckles! Rey goes to the apron, climbs up, and fans fire up, only for Theory to ROCK Rey! Theory goes up after Rey, but Rey resists the superplex! Rey throws hands, knocks Theory away, and then SEATED SENTONS!
Rey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Theory is still in this but Rey stalks Theory to the corner. Rey RAMS into Theory, climbs up and he rains down fists! Fans count all the way to TEN, then Rey lets Theory go. Rey gives us Latino Heat, and then shoves Theory to another corner. Rey climbs up for more punches! Fans count, Theory slips out at five to CLUB Rey! Torture rack, spin and TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Theory grows frustrated but the fans rally back up. Fans chant “YOU TAPPED OUT!” at Theory but he fireman’s carries.
Rey fights, grabs ropes, gets to the apron and GAMANGIRIS! Then slingshots to RANA Theory onto ropes! Fans fire up, Rey dials it up, but Theory CLOBBERS Rey! Cover, TWO!! Theory snarls but Rey is still in this! Theory goes to the apron, says it’s still his time, and he slingshots, in, but into another RANA! Rey redials, but DOM is there! Rey DECKS Dom, goes after Theory, but Theory blocks! Pop-up and A-TOWN DOWN!! Cover, Theory wins!!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Damian Priest tells Dom to go after Rey, so Dom rains down fists! Fans boo as Dom is nothing but a vulture! Dom then glares at Bad Bunny in the crowd. Bunny says what’s Dom looking at, but Dom starts creeping over. Fans chant for “BUNNY! BUNNY!” and Bunny says he did the right thing. Dom says his family is his business, not Bunny’s. Bunny says okay, just relax. He was just doing what he thought was right. Dom says okay, and then swings on Bunny! But Bunny COUNTER PUNCHES Dom!! Fans fire up and Priest sighs. Priest YANKS Bunny into ringside! Priest says all Bunny had to do was not get involved.
Bunny and Priest still being boys, Bunny shoves Priest. Then DECKS Dom again! Priest CLOBBERS Bunny!! Priest throws off his jacket to drag Bunny up. Priest clears off the announce desk! Priest drags Bunny up, choke grips, and CHOKE SLAMS Bunny through the desk!! Fans are losing their minds and commentary is in disbelief, but Dom is loving it! Dom then attacks Rey in the ring with stomps! Fans boo as Dom and Priest leave, will Bunny regret getting involved?
Adam Pearce admonishes Priest backstage.
Bad Bunny is one of the biggest names in music, and he is supporting the WWE, and this is how Priest treats him? Priest says what he did is the issue? YES! That same energy Pearce has now, is that the same energy he had seeing Bunny get involved at WrestleMania? Is that the same energy Pearce had seeing Bunny swing on Dom? But no, take it easy. If Bunny wasn’t Priest’s friend, Pearce would really have a reason to be angry. Priest heads out, but what is Pearce to do about all this?
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are here!
Fans fire up for the NEW Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions! They even have shirts commemorating the moment. They each get a mic, and fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Kevin says, “Y’know what? We DO deserve it!” But all the fans deserve it, too! Fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” for Sami, and Sami says, “Look, um… It’s been a pretty crazy year for me, that’s no secret. From last year’s WrestleMania with Johnny Knoxville, all the way to the main event of this year’s main event in Los Angeles! And look, I haven’t had a chance to say this, and I know it’s corny, so I’m gonna say this once and then move on.
“But none of this would be possible for me if it wasn’t for you, so thank you.” Fans cheer again, and Sami says, “Enough mushy-gushy stuff, because I’m pretty sure I’ve been coming to LA for a minute, and I know LA likes to celebrate!” Fans cheer that, too! Kevin agrees, that sounds pretty good. But hopefully, they celebrate the same way. Nothing says celebrating like a good fight. There’s something about being in LA and fighting your heart out and giving your all that seems like the perfect celebration. And there are surely a lot of people who wanna make a name for themselves against the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions!
And the best place to do that is here and now on the Raw After Mania! So if anyone wants some, these two are right here! “Come celebrate with us!” And who answers? The STREET PROFITS! Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford are also coming off a big win in that Fatal 4 Way Tag Team Showcase, and here come the Solo cups! Ford says, “LA~! Look who it is! It’s Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, your NEW WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions of the WOOORLD~!” Dawkins likes that. Ford says it is a marvelous day in the land of Los Angeles. So Kevin, Sami, this toast is for you. Because like the crowd says, you two deserve it.
Don’t they? YES! Don’t they? YES! One more time, say “YEAH.” “YEAH!” LA sounding good as hell. “YES! YES! YES!” But Dawkins does bring up, the Profits got a win, too. And ya boi sent Braun flying. But in seriousness, how about Kevin & Sami VS Profits in Tinsel Town? A tag team that wants to make a name for themselves? The Profits have been stamping their names over and over and over, but still no one knows their names. So how about a match tonight on Raw After Mania?! It just makes sense, because Ford woke up to live, breathe and die by four words. Tell ’em, Dawks! The Profits are up, and WE! WANT! THE SMOKE!
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and the fans are fired up! The Profits are getting their fight with the champs, after the break!
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS The Street Profits!
Raw returns, the bell rings, and Dawkins starts with Sami. They tie up, Sami wrenches an arm, then shifts to a hammerlock and headlock. Sami hits a takeover, but Dawkins headscissors. Sami kips free, Dawkins headlocks for a takeover but now Sami headscissors. Dawkins kips free, Sami arm-drags! Sami has the armlock, but Dawkins moves around. Ford coaches Dawkins up, Dawkins fights to his feet and whips, but Sami reverses. Dawkins runs Sami over and Ford fires up! Things speed up. Sami hurdles and arm-drags! And arm-drags again! And then spins Dawkins around to another arm-drag!
Fans cheer that exchange, and Sami has the armlock again. Dawkins fights back up while Ford gets frustrated. Dawkins powers Sami back but Kevin tags in. Fans cheer as the champs whip Dawkins to ropes, drop toehold and SENTON! Then Kevin drops another SENTON! Kevin blows a kiss to Ford, covers, TWO! Kevin SENTONS again! Cover, ONE!! Kevin argues but then brings Dawkins up. Tag to Sami, they mug Dawkins, then Sami ROCKS Dawkins, Sami whips, Dawkins hurdles, Ford tags in, and Dawkins UPPERCUTS Sami! Ford slingshot SENTONS! Cover, ONE!! Ford wrenches Sami and grinds the arm.
Sami endures, fights up, but Ford puts him in an open corner. The ref counts the break, Ford lets off slowly, but then he kicks low! Ford pretends to be surprised, then he CLUBS and whips Sami. Sami reverses Ford hard, then back drops Ford away! Fans rally, Sami covers, TWO! Sami keeps on Ford with a wristlock, then tags Kevin. Kevin kicks Ford, CLUBS him, then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Kevin pushes on Ford in a backbreaker rack! Ford endures, Kevin pushes him to a cover, TWO! Kevin clamps on with a chinlock but Ford fights up. Kevin CLUBS Ford, back suplexes, but Ford lands on his feet!
Kevin kicks low but Ford denies the Stunner! Ford bails out, Kevin pursues, but Ford GAMANGIRIS! Tag to Dawkins and Dawkins DECKS Kevin! Cover, ONE!! Dawkins clamps onto the arm, tags Ford, and the Profits whip and DROPKICK Kevin down! Cover, TWO! Ford clamps onto Kevin’s arm and grinds the shoulder as Raw goes picture in picture.
Kevin endures, fights up, and he throws forearms. Kevin throws more forearms but Ford grinds the arm even more. Kevin reaches for Sami, but Ford keeps him away. Kevin throws haymakers, but Ford whips him into the Profits corner. Ford UPPERCUTS, then tags Dawkins. Ford whips Dawkins in to SPLASH Kevin! Dawkins pushes Kevin down to a cover, TWO! Dawkins keeps Kevin down with a chinlock. Kevin endures, even as Dawkins pushes up for more pressure. Kevin fights his way up, throws body shots, and he HEADBUTTS Dawkins! Kevin runs, into a DROPKICK! Dawkins covers again, TWO!
Dawkins keeps cool, Sami coaches Kevin, and Dawkins returns to the chinlock. Kevin endures as Dawkins leans on him, and Sami has the fans rally up. Kevin fights up, reaches out, but Dawkins keeps him back. Kevin throws hands, then DDTs! Both men are down but Dawkins crawls, hot tag to Ford! Ford leaps to keep Kevin from Sami! Ford stomps away on Kevin’s legs. Kevin gets up to CHOP! Ford CHOPS back! Ford stomps a mudhole into Kevin in the corner. Ford digs his boots in, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Kevin up. Ford snapmares then goes to the apron. Ford blows a kiss before the slingshot SENTON!
Ford taunts Sami, goes back for Kevin, but Kevin throws hands! Ford ROCKS Kevin as Raw returns to single picture! Both men stand again, fans rally and Ford whips Kevin to a corner. Ford runs in, but Kevin dodges the cyclone splash! Hot tag to Sami! Sami goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Sami keeps focus, he throws hands, then he whips Ford to ropes. Ford reverses, kicks low, and reels Sami in. Sami wrenches out, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up and up and TORNADO DDTS! Fans fire up, Dawkins runs in but Sami throw shim out! Sami builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on the Profits at the ramp!
Fans fire up with Sami as he puts Ford back in. Sami then goes up top, takes aim, but Ford trips him up! Ford climbs up to join Sami but Sami throws hands. Sami CLUBS away on Ford, then adjusts to SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives and Sami is surprised! Fans still rally for Sami and he brings Ford back up. Sami waistlocks but Ford fights the lift. Ford throws punches, then ENZIGURIS! Sami staggers, Ford tags Dawkins! Dawkins DECKS Kevin before he CYCLONE SPLASHES Sami! Then ENZIGURIS! Sami staggers around, Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts!
Ford tags in, climbs up top, “SUCK IT!” BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY!! Cover, KEVIN BREAKS IT! Fans fire up and Sami flounders to a corner. “This is Awesome!” as Sami staggers up. Ford runs in, but into an EXPLODER into the corner! Hot tag to Kevin! Kevin BLASTS Deakins for earlier, then runs to SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL on Ford! Ford is in the drop zone, Kevin goes up top! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, DAWKS BREAKS IT! Sami gets in but Dawkins sends him out. Kevin SUPERKICKS Dawkins, but Ford SUPERKICKS Kevin! Fans fire up as Ford says a prayer and builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit on Kevin & Sami, and Ford lands on his feet!!
Ford says ‘SUCK IT!” and he puts Kevin in. Ford climbs up, FROM THE- NO, Ford has to bail out! Kevin tags Sami! STUNNER and Ford staggers! Sami shoves him into the corner, to HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Kevin & Sami win!
Winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, by pinfall
The Profits stepped up but could not score against the new champions! Fans sing along, but what will be next for Kevin & Sami in their newly minted reign?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Cathy Kelly is with The visionary and says night one, Rollins beats Logan Paul. How is he feeling? Ooooh, he is feeling GOOD, baby! He is on Cloud Nine! It is WrestleMania Weekend, Raw After Mania, and on Saturday, Rollins hit the Stomp Heard ‘Round the World, and he sent Logan Paul, and KSI, back to the wasteland of Social Media. HAHAHAHAHA! But uh… Something’s not right. Something about tonight is missing. He can’t quite put his finger on. WAIT! He’s got it! The party isn’t back here. It’s out there! “Hey, Mr. DJ! Play! My! Soooong~!” BURN IT DOWN! HAHAHA!
Rollins heads out to gorilla and the fans are ready! “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” The fans are fired up as Rollins runs around in his fluffy black ‘n’ white robe with faces on it. What will the Visionary do to celebrate his WrestleMania Moment? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and the fans are still singing Rollins’ song. Rollins soaks it all up, and then goes back out of the ring to swagger around. Rollins goes back up the ramp, is that all he wanted?
Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley.
Cathy asks the 2023 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal how he is feeling after that win. Lashley says it was huge. But he has some pent up frustration. He stood out in front of that WrestleMania crowd but didn’t get to compete. That burns him up. But then Bronson Reed walks in, very jovial. Can he call him, “Uncle Bobby?” No, he cannot. Oh, okay, hear him out. Lashley is like Bronson’s uncle, though. He teaches Bronson things. In fact, maybe Bronson could be Lashley’s pupil. After all, Lashley taught Bronson how to lose. Lashley won the battle royal, but eventually, the pupil will school the teacher.
Oh, so Bronson wants some? He wants to fight? Is that what Bronson thinks he can do? Bronson tells “tiger” to ease up. He can’t go tonight. School’s out. But eventually, Lashley will learn his lesson. Bronson leaves, and Ali walks in. That’s a whole lotta “no” coming Lashley’s way. A match with Bronson Reed: a no. A match at WrestleMania: a no. But whoa, hold on. Ali is just trying to help. If Lashley wants to change all this negative energy, then he needs to change the way he thinks. Lashley needs to think more #PositiveAli. Make sure you never, ever take no for an answer. Understand?
Right, don’t take “no” for an answer. Right! Then he should just take someone down to the ring and maul them, right? Yes! And since Ali’s here, it should be him, right? N-no! Well, he’s not taking “no” for an answer! So Lashley TOSSES Ali, beats him down, and Ali says he was just trying to help! Lashley TOSSES Ali through the curtain! Fans fire up as Ali scurries away from The All Mighty, but that just sends him closer to ringside! Lashley TOSSES Ali down the ramp! And then into the ring! The ref is still there, so here goes!
Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali!
Ali freaks out, he goes up and over to dodge Lashley, and then says he was just trying to help! Lashley runs in, Ali slips out to the apron, and he ROUNDHOUSES Lashley away! Lashley just gets mad! Lashley runs in, Ali slingshots around. Ali ducks ‘n’ dodges but then Lashley follows to CLOBBER Ali! Fans fire up and Lashley drags Ali up. HURT LOCK!! Ali taps, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
Lashley lets go when he is positive Ali is done! Lashley is in a mood, will he be satisfied by tearing into the Raw roster all over again?
Roman sits with Heyman and Solo.
The Tribal Chief asks the Wise Man if his cousins, The Usos, have left. Yes, they went to the jet. Wise Man. Yes, My Tribal Chief? Did you know Brock would be here? Heyman says this is the day after Mania, Lesnar usually takes six to nine months off and just leaves everyone hanging. That is a life Roman rescued Heyman from, which is why Heyman loves Roman. Then how did this happen? Heyman looks to Solo but says, if Roman remembers, SummerSlam was the last match between Roman and Lesnar ever, so Lesnar can never get another title match against Roman. So who could’ve thought Lesnar would accept this challenge? Lesnar has nothing to lose!
Lesnar has nothing to lose. Great. Good. It doesn’t matter. That was one of Roman’s greatest accolades ever, smashing Lesnar. He’ll do it again. And when he’s done with Lesnar again, he’ll smash Cody like he did last night at WrestleMania. Hell, when Roman is done with Cody, he will tag Solo in, and then they can see who is ready now. Does Solo understand? Show Cody you are ready. Solo nods and looks at his wrapped thumb. Will nothing stop the Bloodline from clearing out the field?
Bianca Belair is here!
Fans cheer as the RawEST Women’s Champion heads to the ring. Bianca gets the mic and fans chant for the “E S T! E S T!” Bianca says, “That’s right. The EST of the WWE is still your Raw Women’s Champion! But y’know what? Like I always say, I cannot be the EST without stepping into the ring with the best. And Asuka… C’mon, I said, Asuka!” Fans cheer, and Bianca says Asuka is definitely one of the best, one of the Most dangerous, so Bianca has to give credit to Asuka and thank her for pushing her to be the best she can be. Because now, Bianca can proudly say we did it! THREEPEAT!
But wait! Here comes RHEA RIPLEY! The Eradicator is the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion, and she smiles as she walks to the ring. “E S T. You walk around here, calling yourself the EST, but you really are just the luckiEST woman in the WWE. Because after my humongous Royal Rumble victory, I decided to challenge Charlotte Flair instead of you.” Fans cheer as Rhea steps in the ring, and tells Bianca that they will get back to this. And Rhea will beat Bianca like she did Charlotte at WrestleMania. Fans like the sound of that but Bianca wonders. “Hold up, hold up. So I’m the luckiEST because you decided not to choose me?
“Girl, uh-uh. Rhea, look, you made your decision for a reason. And you’re SmackDown Women’s Champion, so stand on that and that alone. Because like I said earlier, I’m all about getting in the ring with the best, and that includes you. So, one day, when you’re ready, we’ll really see which one of us is the best of the best.” Fans also like the sound of that! Rhea nods, drops her mic, and steps away, only for Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez to appear! They may not have won the Women’s Tag Team Showcase, but they’re ready to show you can’t keep them down. Raquel also looks at Rhea and that title.
Who wins their way to challenging Big Time Becky and Lita? We find out after the break!
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contender’s Match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai!
Raw returns as Damage CTRL makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Raquel starts against old frenemy, Dakota. They tie up, Raquel throws Dakota down, then scoops her up! Dakota slips free, SMACKS Raaquel, but then Rauqel blocks the Scorpion Kick, into a STRETCH MUFFLER! Raquel SWINGS Dakota around, throws her down, then brings her up, Dakota JAWBREAKERS, SCORPION KCIKS, but Liv tags in! Liv runs in, Dakota dodges and follows but Liv ROCKS her! Liv pie faces, runs, but Dakota BOOTS her! Dakota laughs, runs, but Liv reels her in, BACKSTABBER! Hot tag to Sky!
Sky runs in but Liv DROPKICKS! Liv rolls back, runs in, and back body blocks! But Sky DROPKICKS her back! Liv sits up in a daze, Sky runs in, but Liv dumps her out! Kai runs in but Liv dumps her out, too! Tag to Raquel, and fans fire up as Raquel gives Liv the boost! POWERBOMB SENTON out onto DMG CTRL! Fans fire up and Raw goes to break.
Liv grins as she sits back up, and Raquel fetches Sky. Raquel puts Sky in the ring, covers, TWO! Raquel drags Sky up, whips her to the corner, tags Liv and RAMS into Sky! Liv blows kisses then Raquel whips her in to back body block! Liv then whips Raquel in for the SPLASH! Raquel pushes Sky down for Liv to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Liv keeps on Sky, but Sky bumps her off buckles! Sky runs in to ROCK Liv! Then runs in again, but into BOOTS! Liv goes up, Kai rushes over, but Liv BOOTS her away! Sky YANKS Liv down off the top! Sky wrenches Liv, whips her to the corner hard, and Liv bounces off buckles. Sky tags Kai, she covers, TWO!
Kai grins and brings Liv up, stomps away in the corner, then runs side to side, BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Kai is a little annoyed but she brings Liv up by her hair. The ref reprimands but Kai hip drops Liv! Tag to Sky, she drags Liv up and scoops to SLAM! Liv writhes, Sky mocks her pain and kicks her around. Sky drags Liv up, whips, but Liv reverse to send Sky out! Liv crawls but Kai runs in, only for Liv to dump her out! But Sky DROPKICKS Raquel before the tag! Liv swings, misses, Sky shoulders in! Sky springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Liv flounders, Sky covers, TWO! Sky argues the count but two is two.
Sky CLUBS Liv, drags her around, and wraps on a straitjacket stretch before the hip drop! Raw returns to single picture, Sky whips Liv to the corner, but Liv uses that to BLAST Kai! Sky runs in to UPPERCUT Liv! Sky grins and fans rally up. Sky sits Liv up, but Liv throws body shots! Liv fires off hand after hand but Sky kicks! Liv dodges the shotei to CODE BREAKER! Both women are down and fans fire up again! Liv and Sky crawl, hot tags to Kai and Raquel! Raquel rallies on Kai with big lariats! Kai dodges one but not the SOUTHPAW! Raquel scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Kai is in a drop zone, Raquel runs in to TWISTING VADER!
Kai scrambles to tag Sky! Sky tags Kai back in, and DMG CTRL mugs Raquel. But Raquel fights free! She LAWN DARTS Kai into Sky! And then TEXANA- NO, Sky saves Kai! Raquel POUNCES Kai into Sky! Sky falls, Dakota kicks, but into the lift! Liv tags in, TEXANA BOMB! And then ObLIVion!! Cover, Liv & Raquel win!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Morgan & Rodriguez are #LivingLarge! They get their opportunity at the champs next week! Will they be in the Big Time after next Monday Night Raw?
The Miz heads to gorilla.
The Hollywood A-Lister passes by Chad Gable arguing with Maxxine Dupri over how “Otīse’s” hair should be styled. But what will the Most Must-See Superstar have to say about his WrestleMania Weekend? We find out, after the break.
The Miz is in the ring!
Raw returns as Miz asks if everyone enjoyed WrestleMania. Fans cheer and Miz bet they did. It was full of surprises. Little did he know that the surprises were for him. As the host, he thought he would get to sing, dance, roast some people, not have three matches! More matches than anyone on that card! He took on four people! “The Dogg Father of WrestleMania was like, ‘Surprise~! He’s Pat McAfee! Surprise~! Here’s George Kittle,’ who basically made it a 2 on one Handicap match! Surprise~! Here’s jumping Shane McMahon! Yet surprise, I beat him so badly, he couldn’t finish the match!
“But then surprise~! Snoop Dogg sucker punches me! Basically uses his rings as brass knuckles, then proceeds to do the worst People’s Elbow in the history of People’s Elbows! But WrestleMania is over, and tonight starts a new season. And I am DONE with surprises! There will be no more-” “Bro…” Fans fire up for the return of MATT RIDDLE! The Bro is on his scooter and he heads down to the ring! The flip flops fly, the pyro goes off, and there are rainbow giraffes! Miz is in a sour mood as Riddle gets the mic and fans chant “BRO! BRO! BRO!” Riddle tells Miz, “Surprise~! Did you miss me?”
Miz attacks Riddle! Miz stomps Riddle in the corner with his fancy shoes, then lets off to throw off his jacket and tie. But Riddle ROCKS Miz with palm strike after palm strike! ROUNDHOUSE! Ripcord, FINAL FLASH! And then a scoop to a gut wrench, to a BRO DEREK!! Fans cheer, and Riddle wins without it being a match! Will Miz learn to expect the unexpected? Will The Bro rise back up in this new season of WWE action?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch, Lita & Trish Stratus.
Byron Saxton is with Team Big Time, and asks them how it felt to win on the Grandest Stage of Theme All? Trish says to have been in a multi-generational tag match like they had with DMG CTRL, it was incredible. And to beat DMG CTRL, also incredible. Lita says she is still riding that high. And we’re just getting started. Becky says her life has been on repeat dealing with those DMG CTRL fools. But now that that chapter is done, they can go back to their goal of raising the prestige of these titles. And the best way to do that is to beat Raquel & Liv next week! Raw is gonna be Big Time, but will The Man & The Legend elevate things in Seattle?
High Stakes Tag Match: Cody Rhodes & Brock Lesnar VS Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa w/ Paul Heyman!
The Bloodline made a bet without knowing all the variables, and it may have just bitten them on the butt! Will the Beast help the American Nightmare win that Undisputed Universal Championship rematch? Or will the Tribal Chief and Enforcer of the Island end Cody’s story once and for all?
Raw goes picture in picture as Roman and Solo finish their walk into the ring and the pyro goes off again. Roman walks around with the belts raised high. Then Raw returns to single picture as Cody makes his entrance. Then Lesnar makes his! The introductions are made, the teams sort out, and LESNAR F5S CODY!?!? WHAT?!? Even Roman and Solo are shocked! Roman and Solo get out of the ring while fans lose their minds! Lesnar then drags Cody up to F5 him again!! WHY, LESNAR, WHY!?! Lesnar can’t get another shot at Roman, does he just not want Cody to get another shot? Fans boo as Lesnar stalks Cody to the ropes.
Lesnar stomps Cody, then stands on his neck! Lesnar steps on Cody, drags him up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans boo as Lesnar looms over Cody. Lesnar drags Cody up by the rib tape to TOSS Cody out of the ring! Lesnar goes out after Cody, hauls him up, and RAMS him into the barriers! Fans boo as hard as they can while Lesnar stands over Cody. Lesnar drags Cody up to suplex him into the timekeeper’s area! Then Lesnar rings the bell himself, to then SMACK Cody with a chair! Lesnar tosses that chair to the ring, and he looms over the writhing Cody Rhodes. Cody crawls but Lesnar pushes past him to go to the steel steps!
Lesnar has the steps, and he RAMS Cody! Lesnar tosses the steps into the ring, then he stalks Cody. Cody barely stirs, but Lesnar still drags Cody up! Adam Pearce is here to tell Lesnar to stop, but Lesnar doesn’t listen to anyone! He F5s Cody onto the announce desk!! The Beast chases Pearce off, and then goes back to Cody in the wreckage. Cody tries to move but Lesnar brings him up first. Lesnar puts Cody in the ring, fans boo, but Lesnar positions the steel steps at center. Lesnar keeps the officials from dragging Cody out to safety, and Lesnar brings Cody up again. F5 ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!!
Fans boo but Lesnar just soaks it all up as he stands over the battered Cody Rhodes. Fans boo as Lesnar takes his leave. But then as he goes up the ramp, he decides to keep going! Lesnar chases off the officials and producers to grab a chair! Cody manages to sit up, only for Lesnar to SMACK Cody! And again! Lesnar even headbutts the chair himself! Lesnar CHOKES Cody with the chair, and shouts, “LOOK AT ME!!” Lesnar shouts at Cody, then lets off. Lesnar finally takes his leave, the damage done. Only God and Lesnar know why Lesnar just did all this, but did Lesnar just end the American Nightmare?
OH NO, LESNAR RETURNS AGAIN!! But then he just flips everyone off. The Beast is more unhinged than ever before, what can anyone do to stop him?
My Thoughts:
For a Raw After WrestleMania, or even any random Raw during the year, this was rather baffling. A commercial free first hour, but for what? To get all the recaps out of the way? That opening promo between Cody and the Bloodline was great stuff, probably the best stuff all night, even though I would’ve loved if Cody just came out and said what he really meant: Roman’s a coward for not winning on his own and always having his family save him. And Lesnar showing up to side with Cody in that moment was great, it was a really exciting idea.
But as we just saw at the end there, it was all just to swerve Cody. This really has to be a case of, “If I can’t face Roman, no one can.” Lesnar is going to force Cody to beat him in a match before Cody gets his rematch with Roman. For those who said Cody hasn’t faced enough adversity, are you happy now? The silver lining is that they’re building the passive aggressive dysfunction Sami has been talking about. The Usos were given the night off, as simply an excuse for Roman not to be around them after they lost and disappointed him. This has to break down around Backlash to justify keeping the title(s) on Roman.
And for a Raw After Mania, there should’ve been big surprises, like call-ups, returns or brand new stars. I like Matt Riddle, but he was not anyone on the list of people I expected when Miz was clearly setting himself up to be beat up. I suppose Riddle is a safer choice, though, than the possibilities I had in my head. Bron Breakker would’ve been good, except he might still have some heat from the NXT fans who still see him as “LOL Bron Wins.” Jay White would’ve been awesome, except that would rely on there being enough NJPW fans to recognize him. Instead, Riddle and Miz is a good warm-up feud for Riddle to get back in the swing of things before doing something else.
Rey had a good promo, and honestly so did Austin Theory. They had a really good match, but of course Dom got involved. It was good continuity that Priest didn’t have anything against Bad Bunny but Dom did, and so Priest was stuck between two friends and chose Dom because he’s Judgment Day. Bunny did great in selling the lariat, being a ragdoll as Priest picked him up. But Bunny may have overdone it because the Choke Slam through the desk seemed particularly rough. Hopefully Bunny is only kayfabe injured, and we’re probably getting Rey & Bunny VS Priest & Dom in Puerto Rico for a great hometown hero win for Bunny.
Lashley had a good promo, and I’m glad they’re setting up a feud with Bronson Reed like I was hoping on Friday. But Bronson is taking his time, Lashley takes his anger out on Ali to kinda feed Ali’s story of sticking his foot in his mouth all the time. Bronson VS Lashley def feels like a Backlash match, though, with the winner going onto a title match of some sort. And Rollins also should’ve tried to tease going for a title, but instead they simply had him revel in the singing. Which is fine for the live fans, they get to sing along with the most popular chant in WWE right now, but I wish there was more to that segment overall.
Omos VS Elias was a squash, because duh, but we didn’t even get any Boogs. If Boogs was with Elias or watching backstage, that would’ve been nice because it continues that story. Good promo from Bianca to show respect to Asuka, and good addition from Rhea to certainly tease things between her and Bianca. Is the WWE not separating these undisputed titles and instead doubling down by making an Undisputed Women’s Championship? And it seems Ronda’s elbow still isn’t 100%, or else she and Shayna would’ve been #1 contenders. Though, Raquel & Liv are getting their shot next week, not at Backlash, so maybe they just want to give Becky & Lita a successful defense before losing.
And we got a really fun promo from Kevin, Sami and the Profits, and a really great tag match out of them. Even if it was for the titles, I figured Kevin & Sami were winning this. Maybe the Usos will try and get a rematch of their own, as an attempt to appease Roman, but maybe them losing again will aggravate Roman more and things truly break down, right around the time Roman’s going to hit 1000 days. That would be May 27th, which is the King & Queen of the Ring event. Maybe the family drama will get so bad that by the time Roman has to defend against THE King of the Ring, Roman’s usual back-up just decides not to back him up. If they do this right, maybe Roman falls short of the Pedro Morales reign of 1028 days to add even more to the impact of the loss.
My Score: 8.2/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Have a Holly Jolly Rampage!
The Continental Classic rolls on, and Brody King takes on Komander in hopes of grabbing three more points towards the top of Gold League!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis; Konosuke & Cage win.
- Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy; Lio & Action win.
- Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron; Willow wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander; Brody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Schiavone is in the ring!
Schiavone welcomes out the Blue League’s current points leader, Kyle Fletcher, and of course… Don Callis. But they’re not alone as the rest of the Don Callis Family makes their way out to the ring. Wait, shouldn’t Brian Cage be in New York for Final Battle…? Well anyway, Schiavone says there’s a lot of gold and- Callis takes the mic, and he says, “I have something important to say.” The fans boo and Schiavone excuses himself as Callis says the Don Callis Family are the TRUE One Percenters of professional wrestling! They prove it each and every day!
Murder Machines: The most feared tag team in the world! “Don Callis’ favorite wrestler,” Kyle Fletcher, shows every day why he is THE One Percent! He beat Will Ospreay! He beat Kazuchika Okada! And now, he’s gonna beat Daniel Garcia and win the Continental Classic! Callis hands the mic over to Kyle and Kyle says it might be true that last Saturday wasn’t the best day for Kyle, but anyone watching that match saw the clear bias from the officials in this company! The fans boo as Kyle claims there is an agenda in AEW to see the Don Callis Family NOT succeed. But it doesn’t matter, it changes nothing!
Kyle WILL be the winner of the 2024 Continental Classic. That brings Kyle to Daniel Garcia. “You wanna talk about restoring the feeling, Daniel? I couldn’t care less about your feelings! All I speak are facts! And the fact is, I am the hottest young prospect in this industry, and I will be the future of this whole place!” The fans boo more but Callis says one last thing he wants to say, is when you’re the One Percent, you’re not like the other 99! They are not like all of these fans! They are not like “the boys in the back,” like Mark Davis & Will Hobbs, “a couple of scab workers!” They’re not even in the same business, Hobbs!
And Callis has waited to get Hobbs on a PPV so that the world could watch why they call Konosuke Takeshita “The Alpha.” And Hobbs, YOU are not in the same business as Konosuke, and you find that out at Worlds End! But speaking of, here comes the Powerhouse! Will he and Dunkzilla finish things with the Don Callis Family? Or will the AEW International and ROH World TV Champions get even for last week?
Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis!
The teams sort out and Konosuke starts against Hobbs to give the DC fans a preview of Worlds End. Hobbs and Konosuke step up, talk trash, and then the forearms go back and forth! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke! Hobbs even shouts “MEAT!” before he whips Konosuke. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Hobbs! Hobbs SPINE- NO, Konosuke flails free and Hobbs says it was that close. Konosuke says to cool off while he paces on the outside. Konosuke steps back into the ring, but he tags to Cage. The fans stay fired up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Cage and Hobbs circle.
Hobbs and Cage DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And again! And again! Cage kicks low, shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” But then Hobbs CLOBBERS him! Hobbs even gets Konosuke to back down with a glare. Hobbs brings Cage up to fire forearms, then he tags Davis. Davis & Hobbs double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Davis stalks Cage to a corner. Davis CHOPS Cage, and CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cage sputters but Davis scoops to SLAM Cage down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE! Cage stays in this but Davis bumps him off buckles.
Tag to Hobbs and he brings Cage out. Hobbs and Davis reel Cage in, fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! MEAT MEAT MEAT!” but Konosuke makes the save! Konosuke swings, Hobbs dodges, so the elbow DECKS Davis! Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke, Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage clinches, Konosuke returns, KNEE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cage covers, TWO! Cage rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Cage steps off. Cage drags Hobbs up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Konosuke. The Callis Family stomps a mudhole into Hobbs, but then Hobbs CHOPS Konosuke! Konosuke snarls, and he CHOPS in return!
Konosuke ROCKS Hobbs, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count but then Konosuke BITES Hobbs on the forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke lets off, and Hobbs sputters on the ropes. Konosuke tags to Cage and the Family gets Hobbs up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hobbs! Cage covers, TWO! Cage drags Hobbs up but Hobbs fires body shots. Hobbs UPPERCUTS but Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage ROCKS Hobbs again, Hobbs fires back, repeat! The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage gets the edge, then whips, but Hobbs KICKS him away! Cage swings, Hobbs bobs ‘n’ weaves, to then hit an EXPLODER!
The fans fire up while Hobbs crawls, hot tag to Davis! Davis fires hands on Cage, “MEAT! MEAT!” Davis DECKS Cage, then whips him to ropes. Cage reveres but Davis picks him up, BACKDROP! Davis SENTONS but onto knees! Davis writhes, Cage tags Konosuke! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee! Davis takes a swing but Konosuke ducks that, to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Davis survives and Konosuke snarls, but Rampage goes picture in picture.
Konosuke rains down fists on Davis, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Konosuke tags Cage and Cage drags Davis up. Cage ROCKS Davis, whips him into a corner, and Davis hits buckles chest first! Cage RAMS into Davis, and RAMS in again, then CHOPS! Davis staggers but Cage whips him to ropes. Davis reverses, to dosido with Cage, only for Cage to CLOBBER Davis! Cage BOOTS Davis down, covers, but Hobbs breaks it! Cage gets mad and the ref reprimands Hobbs, then Cage soaks up heat from DC. Cage stalks Davis to a corner and fires haymakers! The ref reprimands but Cage DECKS Davis! Cage soaks up more heat while he flexes.
Holiday Bash returns to single picture while Davis crawls. Cage storms over but Davis fires hands! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, but Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage whips Davis, Davis cartwheels and swings on Cage! Cage blocks, waistlocks, but Davis switches! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Davis rises and reaches out! Davis crawls, as does Cage, hot tags to Hobbs and Konosuke! Hobbs LARIATS Konosuke, LARIATS again, then runs up to LARIAT in a corner! Cage runs up but he’s send into Konosuke! Hobbs SANDWEICHES the Family! Hobbs whips, Cage reverses, but Hobbs comes back to CLOBBER him! Hobbs scoops Cage for a POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up but Konosuke runs up! Hobbs scoops him, too! POWERSLAM! Hobbs pumps up and the fans are with him! Hobbs stomps and shakes the ropes, then he goes back for Konosuke. Konosuke rises, Hobbs pops him up, but Konosuke ELBOWS him! Konosuke fires hands, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Hobbs staggers, Konosuke whips him, but Hobbs reverses! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Davis blocks Cage, but Cage SHOVES Davis onto the cover! Cage then TOSSES Davis out, and he goes back for Hobbs. Hobbs TOSSES Cage! Hobbs grins as he has Konosuke alone. The straps come down, and Hobbs runs up, only for Konosuke to dodge!
Konosuke runs, Cage tags in, and Konosuke BOOTS Hobbs in the corner! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! Hobbs flounders, Cage hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs survives and Cage is furious! Cage tags Konosuke, the Family gets Hobbs up, and they double wrench to double whip. But Hobbs breaks the double lariat and Davis tags in! Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS Cage & Konosuke! Davis runs up, they STEREO LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Davis and Cage waistlocks Hobbs. Konosuke runs but Davis GAMANGIRIS! Cage SUPERKICKS Davis!
Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS Cage! ALPHA ELBOW from Konosuke! Davis GERMAN SUPLEXES Konosuke! Cage fireman’s carries Davis, F5!! Cage runs up on Hobbs but Hobbs dodges! Hobbs LARIATS Cage and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up while Davis rises again! Konosuke also stands, and they run up! DOUBLE LARIATS! Davis GAMANGIRIS, Konosuke ends up in the corner! Davis goes side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans roar as Davis hauls Konosuke up! Konosuke fights the lift, dodges Davis, and comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down! But not for long as they both roar to their feet!
Konosuke swings, and he SWATS Davis’ enzigiri! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES!! And then, RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Callis Family wins!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage, by pinfall
The Alpha slam dunks on Dunkzilla, and now he has 8 days to prepare for the Powerhouse! Will Konosuke hold onto his International Championship against Hobbs? Or will taking that title be the perfect payback?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Renee Paquette is with the Babe with the Power who is in action later tonight. But first, Renee wants to congratulate Willow to making it to the finals of the inaugural International Women’s Cup. She heads off to Tokyo very soon, how is she feeling about it? Willow is very excited. Inaugural WrestleDynasty, one step closer to the inaugural International Women’s Cup winner, and so it is mind boggling after how- Kris Statlander steps in. Kris tells Willow that there is a lot she should say, but for now, she’ll say good luck at the Tokyo Dome. #BornAgainKristen takes Willow by surprise, will Willow win tonight and have momentum going to the New Year?
Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy!
The dysfunction in Top Flight Airlines led to The Bad Child & The Sight to See winning over Darius & Dante Martin, meaning they’re next up to face Private Party. Will this be little more than a tune-up for Lio & Action?
The teams sort out, Lio starts against Myles, but then Lio handspring kicks Goldy off the apron! Myles back suplexes but Lio lands out and then dodges! Myles falls out of the ring, Action handspring kicks him down! Lio DIVES onto Goldy! Action DIVES onto Myles! The fans fire up as Action puts Myles in fast. Lio joins Action and they mug Myles. Myles fights back with forearms and CHOPS! Myle runs, but Lio & Action split the difference. Lio spins Myles for Action to mule kick, knee lift and ROLLING ELBOW! Lio fires fast hands, then DECKS Myles! Goldy springboards but Lio & Action dodge! Lio eggs Goldy on, then he and Action split the difference again!
Action runs up, Goldy dodges, but Lio LARIATS Goldy on the other side! Myles whips Lio but Lio hits RUSH HOUR! Action torture racks Myles for a NECKBREAKER! Lio covers, Lio & Action win!
Winners: Lio Rush & Action Andretti, by pinfall
Fast win for this furious duo, but “Oh my gosh, is that Private Party?” Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy make their way out here and DC fires up! The AEW World Tag Team Champions call for “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Lio & Action get their shot in the near future, but wait! Dante & Darius make their way out here? Private Party looks to the tunnels, but Lio & Action CLOBBER them from behind! Dante, Darius & Leila don’t worry about the champs, they stare Lio & Action down. Lio & Action hold up the belts, then throw them at the Martins. The refs keep this from getting any more physical, but will Lio & Action take those belts from Quen & Zay soon enough?
Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.
Renee is now with the “multifaceted” Harley and notes she’s in action against Willow Nightingale tonight. Harley says yes, she IS multifaceted. She wants us to appreciate ALL her facets! Renee says yes, but she has yet to earn a singles win in AEW. Fine, ruin her fun. But then Harley asks if some person off camera is gonna say anything or just stand there. In steps Penelope Ford, and Mrs. Superbad says yes, she was simply observing. But Ford couldn’t help but notice that she and Harley share a lot of similar… facets. Harley asks how much Ford’s cost. Uh, no, not those…
Ford meant that she hasn’t had such a good 2024, either. So from The Bad Girl to the… Harley doesn’t have a good nickname yet. Well, don’t worry about it. Ford will watch Harley’s back and Harley will watch Ford’s. Wait, is something on Harley’s back? No, Harley… Just good luck. FEEL THE WRATH OF HARLEY CAMERON! No, she was being nice to you, Harley. Right, don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. There is nothing on your back, Harley, stop scratching. Wait! W-What? Nothing, sorry. But will Harley be feeling Willow’s wrath instead?
Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Harley pushes but Willow digs in her heels to SHOVE Harley down. Harley comes back, she and Willow reset and tie up again. Willow puts Harley in a corner, the ref counts, and Willow lets off. DC duels between Willow and Harley, and Harley wants a Test of Strength. Willow accepts the knuckle locks, but then Harley kicks low! Harley runs, wheelbarrows, but Willow turns that into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer as Willow runs, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Willow bumps Harley off buckles, then fires LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans count al the way to TEN!
Willow brings Harley out with a smile, and scoop SLAMS her! Harley flounders, Willow storms up on her for another scoop and SLAM, right as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Willow storms around while Harley staggers up. Willow scoops Harley again, then carries her around to put her in the Tree of Woe! Willow stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to run up! But Harley BOOTS her while upside-down! Harley gets free, ELBOWS Willow, then runs to knee her low! Harley runs with Willow to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Willow is stuck in ropes, and Harley AX KICKS her! Harley then headscissors Willow to CHOKE her in the ropes! The ref counts, Harley lets go at 4, and Harley soaks up cheers and jeers from DC. Harley stomps Willow, then drags her to the outside. Harley SMACKS Willow off the apron!
Harley paces while Willow flounders, and Harley has her against railing. Harley CHOPS Willow, then brings her around. Willow blocks the bump to SMACK Harley off the apron! Harley turns things around to SMACK Willow off the apron! Harley shoves Willow in, storms up on her, and stands her up for buckle bumps. Harley stomps Willow, digs her boots in, and she thrashes around! The ref counts, Harley lets off at 4, but Willow elbows her in return! Harley RAMS into Willow again and again, but Willow CLUBS Harley! Harley ROCKS Willow, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS Willow down! Harley soaks up more cheers and jeers while Rampage goes to break.
Holiday Bash returns and Willow CANNONBALLS, but Harley dodges! Willow hits only buckles and she hobbles after Harley. Harley kicks, KNEES, and ENZIGIRIS! Harley roars, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Harley grows frustrated. The fans rally while Harley waistlocks, but Willow switches! Harley kicks free to switch back, but Willow ELBOWS Harley back! Willow fireman’s carries, storms around, but Harley pops up! Harley fires down elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Willow escapes and ROCKS Harley! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!
Harley survives but Willow roars! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow gut wrenches for the BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
Willow faced the wrath of Harley Cameron and she prevailed! But then PENELOPE FORD goes after Willow! The fans boo but Ford did say she’d back Harley up. They both beat up on Willow, but here comes Kris! Kris Statlander storms the ring, Harley & Ford run away! Willow is again surprised, but the fans want these two to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Kris says no, she doesn’t feel like it’s the right time. Kris lets Willow have the ring, is this proof that the #BornAgainKristen isn’t just a nickname?
Team Triple J speaks backstage.
Standing alongside Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt says, “They’ve asked us to look back and reflect on 2024, and Jeff, guys, what an incredible series of moments we’ve had in 2024.” The group agrees. From Wembley Stadium to Double J being in the Owen Hart Cup, some true career highlights that he will cherish forever. But Jarrett doesn’t like looking in the rearview mirror, he likes to look ahead. Next week, he’s not bringing resolutions, he’s bringing a game plan for 2025! What does the Last Outlaw have in store for himself and the team in the New Year?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander!
While the rest of Gold League stands at 6 points, these two men are struggling to keep up. Will the King of Death join that traffic jam at the front of the block? Or will the Commander of the Skies be a spoiler for Christmas?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Komander circle while the fans bark it up. There are fans who sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Komander as the two tie up. But then Brody picks Komande up with both hands, and puts him on the to rope. Brody pats Komander on the shoulder, and the fans bark more. Komander hops down, not intimidated by Brody’s size. Komander then dodges Brody, DROPKICKS him, but Brody CLOBBERS Komander on the return! Brody eggs Komander on and then scuffs him. Komander gets mad and CHOPS! Brody grins and eggs Komander on. Komander CHOPS, but Brody wants more!
Komander fires up to CHOP, but Brody CHOPS Komander down! The fans fire up and Brody grins. Komander sputters, Brody paces, and Brody drags Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS again, and Komander flounders away! Brody stalks Komander to the corner, CHOPS him again, and Komander falls over! Brody hauls Komander up, whips him, but Komander goes up and over! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Brody BACKDROPS Komander! The fans bark while Komander writhes, and Brody drags Komander up. But Komander fires body shots and a CHOP!
Brody KNEES low and Komander drops. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody asks, “Are you done?!” Brody whips Komander, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to then springboard, but Brody catches Komander with ease! Brody pops Komander up, but Komander pops free, sunset flip, ONE!! Brody drags Komander up and CLUBS him! Komander wobbles, Brody ROCKS him again! Brody drags Komander off the ropes, suplexes, but Komander slips around! SLEEPER! Big men still have to breathe, but Brody RAMS Komander into the buckles! Brody swings, misses, and that bad hand hits post! Komander fires KICKS on the legs!
Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks, mule kicks and ENZIGIRIS! Brody wobbles and the fans rally up! Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up and up and jumps around! But Brody breaks the grip and DOUBLE CHOPS Komander to the floor! The fans bark it up and the ref checks Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Brody storms out after Komander, who is somehow still in this. Brody drags Komander up, and he whips Komander hard into railing! Brody revels in the DC dogs barking, and Brody stands Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander off his feet, then refreshes the ring count. Brody drags Komander up, and whips him hard into railing! So hard, in fact, that Komander goes up and over! Brody hurries to haul Komander back up, and he suplexes Komander to the floor! Komander writhes more while Brody refreshes the count again. Brody goes back to Komander, scuffs him, and brings him back up.
Komander KICKS Brody, CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody revels in the noise from DC while he stands on Komander’s neck! The ref reprimands, Brody steps off and rolls into the ring. Brody again refreshes the count so he can fetch Komander. Brody puts Komander in the ring, covers, TWO! Komander is still in this but Brody is more amused than anything. Brody paces then brings Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander to a corner, then revels in the noise a bit more. Brody then digs his boot into Komander, but lets off as the ref counts. Brody drags Komander up to CHOP, but Komander CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Komander down!
Brody digs his boots in again, but the ref counts. Brody steps away, then drags Komander to his feet. Brody ROCKS Komander as the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Brody eggs Komander on, stands him up, and ROCKS him again! Komander flops against ropes but Brody dares him to keep fighting. Komander staggers up, but Brody CHOPS him! Komander is stinging but Brody ROCKS him! Brody whips, Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to QUEBRADA, but Brody catches him! But Komander slips down into the STANDING BONE LOCK! The fans fire up but Brody powers up! Brody THROWS Komander right off! SENTON FLOPS as Komander moves!
Komander hurries to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Brody and Komander both crawl to ropes! They both stand, Brody runs up, but Komander swings around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Brody flops out to the floor! Komander sees that and the fans fire up! Komander builds going side to side, and he goes up and up and CROSSBODIES, but Brody catches him! Brody RAMS Komander into the railing! And then whips him hard into more railing! Brody makes Komander take a seat, then CHOPS him! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs back in, but Komander ducks! Brody CRASHES into railing!!
Komander has the fans all fired up as he rises! Komander rolls into the ring, the count is climbing, but Brody is rising! So Komander runs corner to corner to go up, up and AWAY!! Direct hit with that escalara cannonball! The fans fire up as Komander rises again! Komander and Brody both head for the ring while fans sing again, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Komander has Brody in the drop zone! Komander goes up the corner, but Brody CLUBS him first! Brody has Komander in the Electric Chair Lift, then goes up the corner!? But Komander fights, shifts, and SUPER SUSNET FLIP POWERBOMBS!!
Brody is in the drop zone again and Komander rises! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Komander cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises and goes to another corner. Komander tunes up the band, runs corner to corner, but Brody SLAPS him first! Brody runs but Komander dodges, Brody POSTS himself! Komander is on the apron and he runs up, to SHOTGUN Brody to the floor! Brody sputters, Komander climbs the corner, and the fans are thunderous! Komander springboards to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Another direct hit and Komander feels so close to his first points in the C2!
Komander hurries to get in the ring, but then slides out to start a new ring count. Komander climbs again while Brody rises. Komander watches Brody slide in, then tightrope walks to CIELITO LINDO!! But that was on Brody’s back! Komander pushes Brody but that’s a lot of dead weight to push! Brody sits up but Komander KICKS him! Komander roars, the fans fire up, handspring- TORTURE RACK! Brody flips Komander around, GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)
If it wasn’t clear before, this was a painful punctuation mark, Komander is mathematically ELIMINATED from the semifinals. However, Komander’s final C2 match is Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street against Claudio Castagnoli! Can Komander be the biggest spoiler of this entire tournament? Can Brody prove to everyone in the Gold League that the House Always Wins?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here for Holiday Bash, though some clear redundancies from last week’s Winter is Coming edition. We got another group Don Callis Promo, and we barely got anything different from Callis and Kyle. The tag match’s only changes were Cage switching in for Archer, even though Cage is in reality defending his ROH World TV Championship in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Final Battle, and then the Callis Family wins this time so Hobbs and Konosuke can be even going towards Worlds End. Now, Konosuke could very well retain the International Championship at Worlds End because NJPW is totally open to Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi being Winner Takes All, AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles on the line together.
Lio & Action of course won their match, but the real purpose was to get a confrontation out of them, Private Party and OG Top Flight, Darius & Dante. Good stuff, and it teases anywhere between a Triple Threat to Lio & Action VS Darius & Dante Round 2. Very good promo from Triple J to set up for something, anything really, for 2025. Fight for the Fallen can even be the start of whatever that plan is as part of the “mother of all streams.” And good stuff with the women’s division tonight. Ford & Harley makes a natural duo now given their names, and Willow and Kris could possibly reunite now that Kris is a Face again. That wouldn’t really make up for the weird fumble in the middle where Tony Khan just wanted Kris to get away from Stokely, but hey, this story itself could be really well done.
And great stuff out of Brody VS Komander, really got the drama going before the end. I mean, we all knew Komander was out of the running before tonight, and was most certainly taking the loss here, but Komander got to really show some grit. And now, five people at 6 points going into the final round, they’re really adding great drama to Gold League. Collision tomorrow and then Dynamite Miracle on 34th Street will be some great stuff, but I still think Ospreay should be one of the semifinalists, the second spot can be whoever they want.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Feel the StrongEST, the FastEST, the RoughEST, the ToughEST, and the BEST Glow!
With Jade Cargill out of action, Naomi is stepping in to help Bianca Belair defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships tonight on SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade; The Bloodline wins.
- Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins.
- Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley; Gargano wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa is here!
The fans boo as the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief leads the Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy to the ring. Roman Reigns put out the challenge for Tribal Combat, and on January 6th, in Los Angeles, for the first-ever Monday Night Raw on Netflix, it will happen! But first, Solo and his Bloodline go to the ring, and the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells them all, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans boo instead, as expected. Solo lets that slide, and he says, “Roman Reigns sat on his little boat with The Wise Man and decided to challenge me on January 6th to a Tribal Combat match for the ula fala on Monday Night Raw, the debut on Netflix.”
The fans “WHAT?” Solo says instead of saying that, the fans should ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. The fans boo more, but Solo says shut your mouths and listen to what THE Tribal Chief has to say! The fans continue to boo and they continue to chant, “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells Roman that if he wants Tribal Combat, if he wants to take THE Tribal Chief to war, then let’s do it! Solo will leave his Bloodline behind, “WHAT?” Roman will leave his behind, “WHAT?” They’ll leave the Wise Man behind. “WHAT?” Jimmy and Jey, too. So listen and listen carefully: On January 6th, Solo walks in and walks OUT as THE Tribal Chief!
The fans boo more but Solo says on January 6th, he will STILL be the Head of the Table! He will STILL be YOUR Tribal Chief! And he will STILL have the ula fala! So Roman, after Solo beats your ass in LA, Roman can go back out on his little boat, sail off to the Island of Irrelevancy, and Roman can finally ACKNOWLEDGE SOLO. But wait! Drew McIntyre is here!? The Scottish Terminator has already hit Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn, but let’s not forget Solo was chief among those who screwed McIntyre out of the world championship. Solo has Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga stand down as McIntyre goes to the ring.
McIntyre grabs a mic but Solo tells him, “I gotta admit, I was very happy when you kicked my brother, Jimmy, in the face last week. Yes, I was very, very happy. But you better have a damn good reason why you’re interrupting me.” McIntyre says he’ll make it quick because it causes McIntyre physical pain to be this close to Solo and not beating Solo within an inch of his life. You like what McIntyre did to Jimmy? What about Sami and Jey? McIntyre wants to know, when Solo lies in bed at night, is he asking when McIntyre is coming after him? Because Solo is the one that cost McIntyre the title at Clash at the Castle.
Solo is the one who caused McIntyre’s family the pain and misery that caused him more pain and misery! But Solo also stood up to Roman Reigns. The only one to have the balls to stand up to Roman! The rest of them acted tough, acted like they were going to do something, but Roman snapped his fingers, didn’t change one bit. McIntyre’s heart says jump Solo, but McIntyre’s head says he and Solo have the same goal. So here’s what McIntyre is thinking: McIntyre can start working through the hit list, taking out more and more OG Bloodline members, and Solo does one thing for him: Take out Roman for good.
The fans boo but McIntyre says once all that business is finished, then he and Solo can settle theirs. But then JIMMY yanks McIntyre out of the ring! And CRACKS him with the crutch! And again! And then he runs up to CLOBBER McIntyre! McIntyre goes running into the crowd, Jimmy does his best to pursue, but now here comes LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade! The Bloodline has a Six Man Tag on their hands, will Knight even let Solo make it to LA?
Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade!
The brawl is on, Apollo after Tama, Andrade after Jacob, and Knight after Solo! Solo shoves back, but Knight LARIATS him up and out! Apollo DUMPS Tama and Andrade BOOTS Jacob! Apollo BOOTS Jacob, then Andrade BOOTS him again! Jacob tumbles out but Solo has him stand down! The Bloodline regroups while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the match is already going as Apollo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tama to then slide under. Tama keeps moving, Apollo hurdles over, drops down, then DROPKICKS! Apollo fires up and the fans are with him, then Apollo gorilla presses Tama! The fans fire up and Apollo marches around. Apollo says this is for Solo, and he DROPS Tama! Tama flounders, Apollo brings him over, and he tags in Knight. Knight fires hands on Tama, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Tama around to whip but Tama reverses. Knight catches Tama for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tougher than that but Knight stomps him.
Tag to Andrade and the unlikely partners mug Tama. Andrade CHOPS Tama, then has him in a corner. Andrade tags Apollo, they double whip Tama to DOUBLE ELBOW! Apollo covers, TWO! Tama stays in this but Apollo drags Tama up. Apollo ROCKS Tama, the fans rally, and Apollo ROCKS Tama again. Apollo tags Andrade back in, they mug Tama, but Tama fires body shots! Tama shoves Andrade but Andrade RANAS on the return! Tama tumbles out, Jacob runs in, but Andrade DUMPS him out! Tag to Apollo, and then Andrade climbs! Apollo builds speed, and Apollo FLIES while Andrade ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!
The fans fire up as Knight then gets in to keep Solo back! Knight dares Solo to try something, but Solo stays back. Knight goes back to his corner while Apollo puts Tama in. The fans fire up as Apollo reels Tama in. Tama fires body shots and switches to a waistlock. Apollo elbows free, but Jacob sneaks a tag! Tama shoves Apollo and Jacob BODY CHECKS Apollo! The Werewolf is all geeked up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Solo whips Apollo to ELBOW him down! Solo throws up the one but the fans boo. Solo drags Apollo up, bumps him off buckles, and the fans rally. Solo UPPERCUTS Apollo down, then stalks him along the ropes. Solo drags Apollo up but Apollo fires hands! Solo keeps Apollo from his corner but Apollo throws more shots! Solo whips Apollo hard into the Bloodline corner! Tag to Jacob and he looms over Apollo. Jacob drags Apollo up to scoop and SLAM! The fans boo but Jacob runs to SENTON, onto knees! Apollo saves himeslf and both men are down! They crawl, hot tag to Andrade!
El Idolo dodges Jacob, BLASTS Tama then ROCKS Solo! Andrade fires hands on Jacob, runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Jacob tumbles to a corner while Andrade kips up! The fans fire up and chant “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs in, CIEN SHADOWES! Cover, TWO!! Jacob survives but Andrade keeps his cool. Andrade goes up a corner, MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Andrade is frustrated now as Jacob survives again! Andrade thinks on what to do, and he brings Jacob up. Andrade fires forearms but Jacob grabs Andrade’s neck! Andrade fights free and fires more shots, but Solo sneaks a tag!
Andrade whips, Jacob reverses, but Andrade KICKS Jacob away! Jacob just roars! Andrade runs up, Jacob FLAPJACKS him into Solo’s HOTSHOT! That combo sends Andrade tumbling out to the floor, and Solo brings him up to POST him! The fans boo as The Bloodline stands tall, and Solo shows off his ula fala. Solo goes back to Andrade and puts him in the ring. Tag to Jacob, and Jacob whips for a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Andrade sputters and coughs while Jacob is geeked up again, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob watches Andrade crawl to the apron, and waits for him to go to a corner. Andrade sits up but into the HIP ATTACK! Jacob snarls as he kicks Andrade around. Tag to Solo and he whips Jacob for Jacob to whip him! Another HIP ATTACK on Andrade! Solo scowls at the fans, then talks trash on Andrade. Solo drags Andrade by his foot and brings him over to tag Tama. Tama then slingshot ELBOW DROPS! Andrade sputters more but Tama covers, TWO! Andrade is still in this, but Tama rains down fists on Andrade to keep him down! Tama HAMMERS and CLUBS Andrade, then he talks smack on Apollo and Knight.
Tama kicks Andrade to the Bloodline corner, drags him back up, and then fires a BODY SHOT! Andrade sputters, Tama tags Jacob, and then Jacob whips Tama in for a STINGER SPLASH! Andrade falls over, Jacob clamps claws into the shoulders! Andrade endures, fights up, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down! Jacob clamps the claws on again and really digs into Andrade’s shoulders! Andrade kicks and flails in pain but Jacob just thrashes him around more! Jacob shouts at Andrade but Andrade fights up to his feet! Andrade fires body shots, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down again! Jacob stalks Andrade to a corner as SmackDown returns to single picture.
The fans boo but Jacob rains down fists in the corner! Jacob then sucker punches Apollo! Andrade sits up, Jacob runs in, but Andrade moves! Hip attack hits buckles and the fans fire up! Andrade and Jacob crawl, Solo shouts for Jacob to get up! Jacob grabs Andrade’s foot and brings him up! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tags to Tama and The Mega Star! The fans are thunderous as Knight dodges then CLOBBERS Tama! Tama flounders to a corner, Knight stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops at 4, but then he CLOBBERS Jacob! KNEE for Tama! Solo runs up to TOSS Knight!
Knight dodges Solo in the corner and hits a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up even more and Knight tags Apollo. Knight hits Tama with the BIG back suplex! Apollo goes up top for the FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives but Apollo clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Knight WRECKS Jacob with a dropkick, and the Samoan Werewolf tumbles up and over the desk! Knight goes out to say that’s what Jacob gets, BUT SHINSUKE IS HERE!? Nakamura CLOBBERS Knight into the desk! The King of Strong Style gets away with that while the ref was busy checking Tama! Solo CLOBBERS Apollo, but Andrade whips Solo!
Solo reverses and ELBOWS Andrade! Solo drags Tama to their corner and then tags in. Solo aims at Apollo, HIP ATTACK! Solo hauls Apollo up, URENAGE! And then SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!
Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall
It seems Drew McIntyre isn’t the only one who is surprisingly on Solo’s side. The sinister samurai made sure to strike from the shadows to screw over Knight, will Knight make sure Nakamura comes to regret it? As for Solo, he is rolling towards the Raw Netflix debut, will he not need his Bloodline to retain the ula fala?
Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.
Byron Saxton is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin ahead of the emotional grudge match. Shelley takes on his former friend, student, and the man who betrayed MCMG to take those WWE Tag Team Championships. That man is Johnny Gargano, so what thoughts are flowing through Shelley’s mind? Shelley says it is one thought: Payback. Sabin says they’ve known Gargano almost 20 YEARS, and only now does Gargano let the mask fall away to show us the truth. Shelley says it cuts a lot deeper when it’s someone you considered a little brother. Shelley tells Johnny that he makes sure Gargano knows he made the BIGGEST mistake of his life.
Sabin asks Shelley if he’s ready to do this. Shelley says this is something he has to do alone. He wants to see if Gargano is man enough to do the same. Sabin says okay, let’s get warmed up. Shelley wants a 1v1 shootout with Johnny Wrestling, but will Gargano do anything but do this himself?
SmackDown shares footage from after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Byron Saxton was with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven and said before anything else, congratulations. Chelsea pats herself on the back, Piper pats Chelsea a bit, too, and Byron takes her back through the closing moments. Unpretty-Her on Michin, the bell rings, and we hear Lilian Garcia say the words, “AND NEW Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green.” What went through her mind? Chelsea takes out her gum and puts it in “Bryan’s” hand, and then tells him that she always knew this would happen. He might be surprised, and that’s so cute, but she wasn’t. She’s been doing this for ten YEARS, and worked her entire life to be an overnight success.
This is Chelsea’s time! Red, white and Green! Say it with her, Bryan! #RedWhiteAndGreen. So then, let’s talk the historical significance. Chelsea will now go down in the history books as the FIRST-EVER Women’s US Champion, so how does she’s now synonymous with the likes of Harley Race, the first-ever Men’s US Champion? She would say, “Duh.” She’s in the books where she belongs. Probably should’ve been three years ago, but she was released. It should’ve been way back in 2015, but she wasn’t hired. So now is the time. NOW IS THE FREAKIN’ TIME!! Yes, it is her time. What does a Chelsea Green reign look like going forward?
Chelsea says it looks like she’s going to Disneyland, so she’s got a plane to catch. Can they wrap this up? Of course. Have fun in Disneyland. Yes, well-deserved. Piper calls for champagne. Will we never hear the end of this now that Chelsea has gold to go with the ego?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“What happened after Saturday Night’s Main Event was not my fault. There’s a lot of people to blame for it. Cody Rhodes, the referees, Nick Aldis, WWE Management, they’re all to blame. I was screwed out of winning that championship. What happened to me is a travesty, a tragedy! I should be standing here Undisputed WWE Champion, but I’m not. But I took this (the Winged Eagle belt) because I deserve it. And I’m not giving it back until I get what i want. Everyone needs to understand, you can only push a man so much until they snap. But the good news is, I haven’t snapped yet.
“It can all get so much worse, trust me. You don’t want me to snap. So Cody, Nick Aldis, WWE officials, what happens next is on all of you.” The Prizefighter has said his piece, will he hold the championship hostage until his demands are met?
DIY talks backstage.
Ciampa gets it, Gargano’s known MCMG a long time. So it surprises Ciampa that Shelley is so dumb! He wants this grudge match but he can’t win the tag titles back in a singles match. So what’s he doing? Gargano says Shelley wants his payback, that’s obvious. But Shelley wants to challenge Gargano’s manhood?! Gargano is all man! He made a kid! Yeah, Papa John, Daddy Ciampa, of course they made kids. But Shelley did specify that he wants to do this on his own, so Ciampa knows what that means, right? Ciampa has to stay backstage, too. Gargano will handle business by himself. He’s not some naive 18-year-old kid with a dream anymore! Dream came true!
Gargano will go remind Shelley that he’s Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling! So Ciampa can just relax right back here. Ciampa says go get him! Ciampa won’t even move a muscle from here, you can trust him. Can he? Or is this all another facade to lower everyone’s guard?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect!
A-Town Down Under is already in the ring, and fans boo as Austin Theory & Grayson Waller show off the abs. Waller then welcomes us to the Grayson Waller- And Austin Theory…! Effect. The hottest show keeps getting hotter cuz Waller gets scoop after scoop, lads. And tonight is a big scoop! A big, BIG scoop! The first transfer from Raw to SmackDown, it’s the Monster of All Monsters, BRAUN STROWMAN! The fans cheer as Braun makes his way to the ring, and he’s coming out as Santa Braun! Or perhaps, Strowman Claus? Either way, Braun throws free merchandise to the fans, what a gift for Christmas!
Braun empties the bag and then goes to the ring. Turns out, nothing for Waller & Theory! Waller sits behind the desk and thanks Braun for coming. And how nice of Braun to help all the poor here in Hartford. The fans boo and Braun asks if Waller’s really starting this like that. Is he really trying to piss Braun off already? No no no! Braun is right, it really is nice. And this is big! The biggest acquisition in SmackDown history! On the biggest talk show in WWE history! Braun says it doesn’t get any bigger than this, baby! The fans cheer and Waller says before we start, he knows how this goes, sometimes.
Waller just wants us to know that he invested a lot of money into the new set. Maybe we continue to spread Christmas cheer and have a civil conversation. No damage. Well, if Waller runs his mouth, then Braun can promise he’ll wear Waller out using all the stuff in here. Waller says he’s a bit surprised Braun agreed to this. If no one has said before, but Braun is a little intimidating. But the more Waller thought about it, the more it made sense. Even Braun sees the sense in associating with ATDU! The fans boo and Braun says he threw up a little bit in his mouth, and that get a good laugh.
Waller says okay, but SmackDown’s a bit scary right now. Bloodline is going wild, people are getting attacked backstage, and you don’t wanna be alone in the car park. Sorry, parking lot. Braun asks if Waller knows who he’s talking to. No, he didn’t mean anything by it. Waller just figures, it’d be a good idea if Braun looked after Braun for once. And that means setting up the ultimate alliance. Braun Strowman & A-Town Down Under as the same team! They’d be untouchable! The cunning and intelligence of Waller & Theory, Braun’s strength. Get it? Brains & Braun. Braun says he already told Waller to watch his mouth! Does Waller want his set shoved up his-
Wait! Carmelo Hayes makes his way out here! Braun sighs and Melo says no, no, no, cut this out. Melo has a bone to pick with Braun. Aldis thought he was going to humble Melo by setting him up against Braun. Everybody here knows that that wasn’t fair. But newsflash, Nick Aldis, you can’t humble greatness! Melo might lose, but he’ll never quit. So Braun, “you big ugly dumb Santa Claus b*tch,” let’s run this thing back right here, right now! Cuz now, Melo’s ready! Braun says if Melo didn’t learn his lesson last week, Braun will remind him what the Braun Strowman Effect is! Waller & Theory run away as Braun grabs the fake palm trees!
Braun CHUCKS trees at Melo but Melo just laughs. Will Melo not miss the game winner in this rematch? Or will Braun be the one to humble H1M?
Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Braun chuckles at Melo wanting to tie up. They do tie up but then Melo slips around to KICK the leg! Braun just brushes that off as he and Melo circle. Melo uses the ropes and even the ref as a shield so Braun backs off. Melo comes back, taunts Braun, then drops back to ropes. The ref wants Braun to let off, and Braun does, but then Melo sucker punches him! Melo talks smack, then whips, but Braun blocks! B raun shakes his head, whips Melo, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides out. Melo says safe! Melo says he’s smart, but then gets spooked as Braun storms up to ropes!
The ref has Braun stay back, and Melo gets cocky again. Braun signals to the fans that he’s taking a lap and the fans fire up. Braun goes outside, builds speed, but Melo runs! Melo slides into the ring, Braun gets on the apron, but Melo KICKS him! The fans boo but Melo hits the FADE AWAY! Braun flounders, Melo CLUBS and KNEES and repeat! Braun SHOVES Melo out of the ring! Braun shakes it off then storms back up on Melo. Braun YANKS Melo up by his hair! And then he TOSSES Melo across the way! The fans fire up and Braun drags Melo up again. Braun whips, Melo dropkicks the legs out! Braun falls, Melo runs, FADE AWAY, but into Braun’s hands!
Braun pops Melo up, but Melo SPIKE-RANAS! Braun sputters and Melo soaks up heat. Braun rises up like the monster he is! Melo turns around, Braun runs up, but Melo DUMPS Braun out! Melo BOOTS Braun away, then gets cocky again. Melo goes out the side and he runs up a la Braun. But Braun BOOTS Melo right down! The fans fire up and Braun looms over Melo. Braun drags Melo up, whips him at steps, but Melo goes up! Melo leaps, but into Braun’s arms! We’re at 7 of 10 as Melo slips free! Melo SLAPS Braun! Braun grabs Melo by the neck and TOSSES him into the ring! We’re at 10!! MELO WINS!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by count out
Talk about rope-a-dope! Melo steals this win by getting the better of Braun’s anger! Braun scowls at smart-aleck Melo, and he storms in! Melo runs out to the crowd and into the night, but Braun pursues! Will Melo #GetTheseHands one way or another?
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae talk backstage.
They’re both excited for the tag title match tonight, because Nia can become a double champion. Tiffany Stratton walks in and Nia says there she is! Tiff wishes them luck tonight, and cannot wait to be there ringside when the ref raises their hands. Nia gets a guilty look on her face and Candice tells Tiff that they were talking… It’s best if Tiff stays in the back. But hey, she can take some notes if she wants. And if she wants to help, she can prepare champagne, balloons and maybe even streamers. They’re gonna need all that after the big win. So Tiff should get on that while Candice & Nia strategize.
Tiff looks to Nia but Nia just says, “Thanks, Tiff.” Tiff leaves, Nia shrugs off the guilt and says she and Candice are ready. Candice is sure Tiff will have the most beautiful party ready for them. Will the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie succeed in taking the tag titles for their own? Or will it be Bianca & Naomi having that champagne to celebrate?
Melo returns backstage.
And he’s on high alert knowing Braun is still hunting him down. Melo bumps into Legado Del Fantasma, and then Braun storms up! Braun asks where Melo went. Santos Escobar says screw that, he’s no snitch. Braun says not telling is gonna get Santos worse. Angel steps in and says Melo went that way. Braun thanks Angel and storms off after Melo. But then Pretty Deadly asks Braun to please read through their script. Braun slaps the script down and says he doesn’t care about their stupid musical! But then Melo SMACKS Braun with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Melo talks trash before heading out, but Braun gets back up.
Braun is angrier than ever, and he still hunts Melo down! Is there going to be nothing left of H1M after Braun #GetsTheseHands on him?
Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley!
Longtime friendships thrown away in order to get ahead is practically cliche in pro-wrestling, but to think Johnny Wrestling would be the kind to do that. Will Shelley make Gargano regret ever treating 20 YEARS like it was nothing?
The bell rings and Gargano runs up! Shelley dodges to fire hands, then he bumps Gargano off buckles. Shelley stomps a mudhole in, then stands Gargano up to dig his forearm in! The ref counts, Shelley lets off, then he climbs up to rain down fists! Gargano YANKS Shelley down! Shelley flounders, Gargano CHOPS Shelley to a corner, then he mocks the MCMG hand pointing. Gargano CHOPS Shelley, ROCKS him, then wrenches him to whip corner to corner. Gargano runs up but Shelley ELBOWS him away! Shelley goes up to FLYING KNEE! And then he CLOBBERS Gargano! The fans fire up as Shelley drags Gargano up.
Shelley wrenches, hammerlocks, but Gargano elbows free! Gargano brings Shelley around to schoolboy ROUNDHOUSE! Shelley sputters, Gargano brings him up, and Gargano says he’s no longer the student. Gargano ROCKS Shelley, stomps away, but stops as the ref counts. Gargano soaks up heat, then shakes out his left hand before he runs up. Shelley puts Gargano on the apron to HOTSHOT! Gargano falls, Shelley aims, and Shelley slingshots to stomp Gargano’s bad hand! Gargano staggers away, but runs back up on Shelley, only for Shelley to jump the sweep! SUPERKICK! Then FLYING KNEE!
The fans fire up while Gargano goes down, and Shelley says that’s what Gargano gets while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Gargano has Shelley in a clinch. Gargano fires body shots, then he hits a JAWBREAKER! Gargano goes to a corner, Shelley runs up, but Gargano BOOTS back! Gargano runs up and slips around Shelley to SLINGBLADE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gargano is frustrated but he stalks Shelley to the apron. Gargano brings Shelley up, talks more smack, and he fireman’s carries. Shelley slips out but Gargano ROCKS him! SLINGSHOT- SUPERKICK! Shelley takes Gargano out of the air and both men are down! The fans rally up, and Shelley stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again!
Shelley CHOPS, whips, then kitchen sink knees! And then PENALTY KICKS! Ghost pin, TWO! Gargano escapes, but Shelley wants the arm! Shelley uses the Garga- NO, Gargano turns chicken wing into roll up, TWO!! Shelley escapes, clinches, and spins Gargano, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Shelley wants the arm again! The fans rally as Shelley drags Gargano up, wrenches and wristlocks, but Gargano ROCKS Shelley with forearms! Shelley CHOPS back, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Shelley wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! But Gargano ENZIGIRIS! Shelley runs up, Gargano dodges and SUPERKICKS!
Gargano scoops Shelley, takes aim at a corner, LAWN DART! Cover, TWO!! Shelley survives and the fans rally up! Gargano grows frustrated but he brings Shelley around. Gargano wants the arm now! GargaNO Escape, but Shelley says NO to that! They both fight up, end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Gargano lets off, to then ROCK Shelley with a cheap shot! Gargano runs up, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley shakes out the stars and he goes to the corner. The fans fire up as Shelley climbs, but Ciampa shows up! Gargano GAMANGIRIS Shelley down! But wait, here comes Sabin! Ciampa violated the deal first so Sabin’s not letting him do worse!
Gargano climbs up while Sabin chases Ciampa off, but Shelley SHOVES Gargano! CROSSBODY! Gargano rolls through, and pulls tights! Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Distraction tactic and pulling the tights? Gargano has no shame! But he and Ciampa have the WWE Tag Team Championships, so is that all that matters?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Naomi.
Byron Saxton is at gorilla with The EST & The Glow, and before they head to the ring, he wants to recap the crazy couple of weeks. The mysterious attack on Jade Cargill, the big win at Survivor Series in WarGames, and now they can solidify themselves as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bianca says these past few weeks have been rough to say the least. And while you can trust Bianca will find out what happened to Jade, you best believe they won’t be stripped of the tag titles. That’s just what the culprit wants and Bianca isn’t going down without a fight. Thankfully, Bianca has a friend who always has her back.
Naomi says yeah, she’s got her back forever! And she can never turn down a good “snatch ‘n’ drag.” But she also knows how important these titles are to Bianca & Jade, and they’re just as important to her. Naomi will go out there and do everything she has to in order to keep the titles. Bianca holds out Jade’s belt to Naomi, but Naomi says no. Not until she’s earned it. Bianca says okay, and the music hits. Naomi is fired up, will this be the StrongEST Glow yet?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns as the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie make their entrance together. The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see who is truly the strongest duo!
The teams sort out and Bianca starts against Candice. They tie up as the fans rally, and Bianca powers Candice right to a corner. But Candice pulls the braid! The ref reprimands, Candice shoves Bianca, then pie faces her! But Bianca SHOVES Candice to the corner! Bianca runs up but into an elbow! Candice goes up but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca gorilla presses Candice but Candice scrambles free! Candice hurries away and she tags in Nia. Bianca says bring it and the fans rally for the “E S T! E S T!” Nia and Bianca tie up, Bianca headlocks, but Nia powers up and out. Tiff is watching backstage as Nia scoops Bianca, only for Bianca to slip free.
Bianca runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKICKS! Nia rebounds but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Bianca tags Naomi then sets Nia up! Naomi and Bianca both run the ropes, Bianca handsprings, SPLIT LEG DROP AND MOONSAULT COMBO! Naomi covers, TWO! Naomi hurries back after Nia but Nia shoves her away. Naomi slides under the lariat then mule kicks! Naomi runs but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Nia drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Naomi stays in this for Bianca’s sake but Nia storms back up as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia DRIBBLES Naomi off the mat, then stares Bianca down. Nia stalks Naomi to a corner, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Nia lets off, and then Nia drags Naomi over to the corner. Nia traps Naomi while she tags Candice. Nia fires some elbows before backing off, and Candice RAMS Naomi! Candice ROCKS Naomi, sits her down, then stomps a mudhole in. Candice taunts Bianca, drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Naomi down, then clamps on with a top wristlock. Naomi endures while Candice leans on the hold. Naomi fights up, arm-drags free, then hurries for her corner!
Candice scrambles after Naomi and THROWS her by her hair! Candice stomps Naomi to the corner, tags Nia, and Nia runs up to HIP ATTACK! Nia taunts Bianca, drags Naomi up, and clamps on with a cobra clutch! Nia leans on Naomi to grind her down. Naomi endures, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! Nia staggers around, but she scoops Naomi! Naomi slips free to the apron and HOTSHOTS Nia! Naomi BOOTS Candice. RAMS Nia, then reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Naomi is down, but she BOOTS Nia away before heading for her corner. Candice hurries and tags in, but Naomi hot tags Bianca!
Bianca rallies on Candice with shoulder tackles and DROPKICK! Bianca kips up, wrenches, and suplexes Candice! SmackDown returns to single picture as Candice slips free! Candice dodges Bianca, Nia sneaks a tag, and Bianca scoops Candice for a GUT BUSTER! Bianca runs at the corner to RAM Candice, then she climbs up! The ref tries to explain but Nia runs up! Bianca backflips up and over! Nia almost squashes Candice, but she turns around. Bianca dodges Nia, but Candice hits a CODE BREAKER! SAMOAN DROP from Nia! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Nia snarls as she drags Bianca into a motorcycle stretch!
Bianca endures and the fans rally up. Bianca fights up but Nia POSTS her first! Nia then mocks the fans with clapping, then she scuffs Bianca. Nia dares Bianca to tag, then she THROWS Bianca by the braid! Bianca goes to ropes, and Nia pulls the braid around them! The ref reprimands, Nia lets off, but Candice gets her shots in! The fans boo but Bianca gets away. Nia soaks up the heat and then brings Bianca around. Nia has the cobra clutch back on and she thrashes Bianca around. The fans rally as Bianca endures, and Bianca fights back up. Nia kicks Bianca but Bianca rebounds to reel Nia in!
Bianca tries to suplex but Nia’s too big! Nia shoves Bianca to the corner, but Bianca BOOTS back! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, runs up on Nia, but Nia picks her up! Nia RAMS Bianca into the corner! Tag to Candice and she climbs. Nia holds Bianca up, Candice MISSILE DROPKICKS Bianca into the SPINEBUSTER! Candice then BLASTS Bianca off the apron, then uses Nia as the step for the STEP-UP SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives, she’s the toughEST for a reason! Candice is frustrated and she CLUBS away on Bianca! The fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Bianca throws a body shot but Candice CLUBS her down again.
Candice tags Nia and Nia pulls the braid to keep Bianca back. Nia whips Bianca to Candice but Bianca slips around. Candice standing switches, Nia runs up, but Bianca ducks and Nia clips Candice! Bianca scrambles while Nia checks Candice, hot tag to Naomi! Naomi LARIATS Nia but Nia stays up! So Naomi UPPERCUTS Nia! Nia still stays up! Naomi dodges, goes up the ropes, FLYING CHUCK! Nia wobbles and the fans fire up with Naomi! Naomi reels Nia in but Nia whips her away! Naomi BOOTS from the corner, then goes up! FLYING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this but Naomi pounds the mat.
The fans rally up, Naoim brings Nia up, but Nia HEADBUTTS her! Nia runs up at the corner, but Naomi dodges to POST her! Nia is down, Naomi goes up! SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT FLOPS as Nia moves! Nia CLUBS Naomi, puts her in the drop zone, then goes up! But Naomi SMACKS Nia off the post! Tag to Bianca, and Naomi gets under Nia?! POWERBOMB!! Naomi drags Nia into the drop zone! Bianca aims for the 450!! Cover, CANDICE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Nia is busted open from hitting that post, but here comes TIFFANY! Is she doing what it looks like? Tiff cheers on Candice & Nia, no cash-in yet.
Candice tags in, goes after Bianca, but Bianca RAMS Candice into the corner! Bianca runs but into a BOOT! Candice goes up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, Naomi GAMANGIRIS Candice! Fans cheer “CASH IT IN!” at Tiff but Bianca tags in Naomi. Nia sneaks a tag, and as the Naomi goes after Candice, the ref has to explain. In that distraction, Nia asks for the briefcase! Tiff is conflicted, but she hands it over. But then the ref sees Nia with it! Bianca HANDSPRING KICKS Nia off the apron! Nia falls right at Tiff’s feet! Bianca tags Naomi, then PLANCHAS onto Nia! Naomi has Candice but Candice cradles! TWO!! Naomi KNEES Candice down!
Naomi hurries up, up and SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, NAOMI & BIANCA WIN!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Tiff’s hesitation costs Nia, and that means Naomi has earned that title belt! Bianca personally hands it to her and the two celebrate together. Will they hold onto the titles all the way ’til Jade is back in action? Or will a team come along that outshines even the StrongEST Glow?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, though I think it was also prerecorded. They were in Hartford last week, weren’t they? And I thought that was prerecorded given how Jimmy Uso’s promo was received… But speaking of, good stuff from Bloodline to open. McIntyre calling a true with Solo was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose we should’ve seen that coming with how McIntyre is a Heel and often a hypocrite. Jimmy going after McIntyre was also good stuff, he can clearly still be a factor even with a bad toe. Very good Six Man Tag, too, but I should’ve known Nakamura would interfere and cost Knight’s team. Good win for Solo, and we’ve still got a couple weeks before Raw on Netflix, so the go-home math will still sort out with the first SmackDown of 2025.
Very good promos from MCMG and DIY, and of course Ciampa still went out to ringside despite the “promise” he made. And of course Gargano cheated, but that adds heat to the coming tag title rematch. They might even put that on the first SmackDown of 2025 to hype it up. Especially as I think it’s going to be the first THREE HOUR SmackDown. NBC is willing to do that knowing Raw is going to Netflix, meaning SmackDown will get more time to do more great things, which works with all the belts we’ve got now.
Good stuff with Braun and the Grayson Waller Effect, but of course we set up more between Braun and Melo. Clever move for Melo to win by count out, and of course Melo gets cocky for it. Braun was almost classic Braun with how he shrugged the chair shots off backstage. We’ll of course get one more Braun VS Melo, and maybe someone from Legado or Pretty Deadly screws Braun over given how he treated them. Very good promo from Chelsea after her big win on Saturday, and I’m sure she’ll be celebrating this win in both kayfabe and real-life through the holidays, ready to start her first title feud on January 3rd.
Very good promo from Kevin Owens, but I feel like he had to contradict himself here from what he said during the Raw on Netflix “kickoff show” on Wednesday. Kevin said then that he’s going to act as the defending champion with the holiday house show tour, but he said here he isn’t the champion since he got screwed. Either way, he’ll really play up how he is somehow the victim in all this, making the return of Cody Rhodes all the better. We’ll surely get one last match of Cody VS Kevin, maybe with a big stipulation on it, and then we’ll have a moment of (more than likely) Cody holding up both Winged Eagle and corporate logo championships.
And of course, very good stuff in the two main Smackdown women’s stories. That promo from Nia, Candice and Tiff was really good because you kinda feel for Tiff being treated as the odd one out. And then very good promo right before the match with Bianca & Naomi. I like Naomi wanting to earn the belt, and we got a great tag match. Nia surely got busted open “hard way,” aka legitimately, that post surely has edges you gotta watch out for. But Tiff showing up was of course for the briefcase distraction, not cashing in. Tiff hasn’t been pushed that far yet, that might come with the Netflix debut. But Naomi & Bianca of course retained the titles, that’ll cue up Jade making a return to identify her attacker, and it might be Naomi after all…
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Hockey Talk- Winter (Classic) Is Coming [121724]
Hockey Talk looks at Alex Ovechkin's recovery and when he might be back. Plus, the Winter Classic fast approaches. Is...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Are Those Chiefs Uprights Regulation Size Or What?!
Jump on board as Andrew and PC run down the entire slate of action for week 15 in the NFL!
Hockey Talk- Igor Gets Paid! [121024]
Hockey Talk looks at a coaching change in Chicago, the Four Nations Tournament, and Igor Shesterkin laughing all the way...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Famous Jameis
As we head into the last week of byes on the NFL schedule, the gents run down their picks for...
Hockey Talk- A Bruins Loss, A Blues Gain [120324]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, 16 years after his last game and...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (12/18/24)
Majora speaks.
Bandwagon Nerds #267: I’ve Had 16 Holes Already!
The Nerds convene for an extended trip to the Trailer Park and discuss big casting decisions affecting the MCU and...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (12/12/24)
Dinner is served.
Bandwagon Nerds #266: Silver Age Supermen
The Nerds conclude their review of Game 7, plus the latest trailers and the official launch of the new DCU!
Bandwagon Nerds #265: A New Man At Arms… We Love It!
Join the Bandwagon for a full trailer park, news around the Nerd-O-Sphere and find out what the gents are watching...
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: The Saturday Night Wrasslin Show!
With Saturday Night's Main Event in our rear view mirror, we talk about the MAIN event.
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Brody King is on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Who's dreaming of a gold Christmas?
Mitchell’s ROH Final Battle Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Is this the end of the Forever Reign?
DWI Podcast Classic: Scrooge McBitch
As the snow falls, enjoy this holiday classic from 4 years ago!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (12/19/24)
One last stop before Final Battle!
Classic POD is WAR: Banana Bamboo (112620)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (12/18/24)
Happy Holidays!
Attitude Of Aggression #300- A Decade for the Ages
The 300th Episode of Attitude Of Aggression has arrived! Join us as we recap the biggest wrestling related events of...
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/17/24)
Whoop Dat Wolf!
-
Coverage5 days agoMitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/16/24)
-
Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results & Report! (12/14/24)
-
AEW Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (12/14/24)
-
Podcasts6 days ago#TheOddity 022: Just Your Everyday Hospital Orgy