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Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/17/23)

Round five, FIGHT!

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BOSJ 30

Number five is alive!

Get ready for still more Best of the Super Juniors 30! Hiromu Takahashi has broke even at 2-2, can he move up or will he fall down the ranks?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS BUSHI; Knight wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: TJP VS SHO; TJP wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS DOUKI; Douki wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS Mike Bailey; Bailey wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Dan Moloney; Wato wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS YOH; Yoh wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings.

Lio Rush: 4-0, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-1, 6 points
Mike Bailey: 3-1, 6 points
Titán: 3-1, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
TJP: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 1-3, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-3, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-3, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-4, 0 points

 

Here are the current B Block standings.

Francesco Akira: 3-1, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-1, 6 points
Master Wato: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-2, 4 points
Dan Moloney: 2-2, 4 points
YOH: 2-2, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
Kevin Knight: 1-3, 2 points
BUSHI: 0-4, 0 points

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Hiromu Takahashi!

The Funky Weapon has been fighting much more seriously, but he’s seriously in trouble! He’s 0-4 and going up against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, will he be out of the running after this? Or can he win big and defuse the Timebomb?

Hiromu’s picture diary shows the last time Taguchi was serious, and that was a long time ago. And instead of handing it to Milano Collection AT, Hiromu hands the diary over to Hiroshi Tanahashi, the special guest on commentary. Tanahashi thanks Hiromu for that, though Milano may be a little sad. The bell rings and fans rally and duel between “HI-RO-MU!” and “TA-GU-CHI!” They tie up, Taguchi gets around to a waistlock but Hiromu wrenches out to a wristlock. Taguchi rolls, kips, wrenches and hammerlocks. Hiromu reaches back to get a headlock, but Taguchi powers up to wrench out.

Hiromu powers through but Taguchi still gets the headlock. Fans applaud and Hiromu fights up. Hiromu powers out but Taguchi runs him over! Fans fire up and things speed up. Taguchi fakes Hiromu out to dropkick! Taguchi steps over but Hiromu rolls him up, TWO! Hiromu steps through, but Taguchi blocks to a cover, TWO! Fans rally and things speed up. Hiromu sunset flips but Taguchi rolls through to basement dropkick! Hiromu bails out and Taguchi strikes a pose a la The Prince! Taguchi builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and fans fire up for “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi drags Hiromu up and puts him in the ring.

Taguchi aims from the apron, springboards, and MISSILE HIPS! Hiromu comes back but Taguchi dodges to dropkick the legs out! Taguchi gets a leg for OH MY GAH ANKLE! Hiromu flails around, reaches out, but Taguchi leans on the hold! Hiromu hops up but Taguchi reels him in for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Taguchi keeps focus. Taguchi goes up the corner, to ENBAN CHUUDOKU! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives but Taguchi is right on him with OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Hiromu flails, reaches out, but Taguchi stands to lean as much as he can on the leg!

Hiromu grips at his hair, reaches out for the ropes, but Taguchi drags him away! Chicken wings and DODON- NO, Hiromu fights it, so Taguchi TIGER SUPLEXES! Fans fire up and Taguchi runs, but Hiromu dodges! Hiromu runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to chicken wing again, DODON- NO, Hiromu slips out to facelock! Taguchi wrenches out to ENZIGURI! Taguchi runs to AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again but fans are thunderous for “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi chicken wings again, DODON- NO, Hiromu fights out again! Fireman’s carry roll and then- CRUCIFIX TAKEDOWN! TWO!!

Hiromu tucks Taguchi, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! HIROMU WINS!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi gains 0)

That was the closest that Serious Taguchi came to winning! And yet, Hiromu is the one who comes away with the points! Will Taguchi ever get on the board like this? Will Hiromu continue to prove why he’s the Best of the Super Juniors?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS BUSHI!

The Jet is doing only a little better than the Black Mask, but that could change right here. Who wins to make the other the bottom of the B Block?

The bell rings and Knight SHOTGUNS Bushi down! Knight hurries to fire off forearms in the corner, then he kicks low. Knight whips corner to corner, runs and STINGER SPLASHES! Fans fire up and Knight says it’s time already. Bushi stands, but he denies the satellite DDT! He puts Knight on the apron and dropkicks him down! Knight hobbles but he hurries back up, only for Bushi to DECK him! Bushi then builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up with Bushi and he brings Knight up. Bushi puts Knight in, whips him to ropes, but Knight reverses. But Bushi avoids the dropkick to basement dropkick!

Bushi snapmares Knight, and clamps on a chinlock. Knight endures as Bushi’s knee digs into his back. Knight reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets go quickly, and brings Knight back up. Bushi suplexes, puts Knight on the ropes and CLUBS him! Bushi then goes to the corner for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Bushi drags Knight up, brings him through the ropes, but Knight throws body shots. Bushi brings Knight towards a corner but Knight blocks the bump to bump Bushi off buckles! Knight then triangle jump LARIATS Bushi down! Fans rally up as Bushi flops to the floor. Knight waits on Bushi to stand, and then PLANCHAS! Direct hit in front of commentary!

Fans fire up as Knight flexes, and Knight drags Bushi back into the ring. Knight drags Bushi up, whips him, but Bushi reverses. Knight springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Knight keeps his cool and he brings Bushi up. Knight CHOPS, hoists Bushi up top, and then says it’s time to fly! Knight springs right up, but Bushi slips under! Bushi CLUBS Knight, brings him down and whips him corner to corner. Bushi runs in to elbow Knight, then brings Knight out. Knight swings but Bushi catches him, spins him, but Knight wrenches out. Bushi dodges to dropkick the legs out! Fans rally up while Knight writhes.

Bushi goes to a corner, he watches Knight rise, and he runs in. Knight blocks the Code Breaker, jumps, but no satellite! Bushi runs in, into the SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO! Knight says he’s done, and he brings Bushi back up. Bushi ROCKS Knight with a forearm! Knight ROCKS Bushi! Bushi ROCKS Knight! The fans rally as they go back and forth! Knight gets the edge, but Bushi dodges! Knight blocks one kick, ducks the enziguri, but the HEEL KICK hits! Fans fire up and Bushi runs, but Knight DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up again and Knight fires up, too! Knight drags Bushi up, UPPERCUTS, then puts him up top.

Knight springs up to FLYING STEINER! OW that is a rough landing for Bushi! Knight waits on Bushi to stand back up, then jumps again, SPIKE DDT!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi gains 0)

A crash landing for Bushi leaves him at the bottom, will he ever get a win? As for Knight, he’s flying high again, will he still reach the destination?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: TJP VS SHO!

The Public Enemy conquered Douki for the United Empire, but the Murder Machine could not cheat the Ticking Timebomb. Will Sho have a new trick up his sleeve? Or will TJP be ready for anything he pulls?

Wait, Evil appears, and he has a United Empire towel? Did he steal that? He’s claiming he’s here as TJP’s friend? What new trickery is this? TJP is wary as he puts his things aside, but the bell rings and TJP circles with Sho. Fans rally for “T J P! T J P!” Evil creeps close, TJP tells him to back off, but Sho CLOBBERS TJP from behind! Sho stomps TJP around, claws his eyes, but the ref reprimands. Sho lets off, he whips TJP corner to corner, but TJP headstands in the corner. Sho storms up but into a headscissors! Things keep moving, TJP drop toeholds and then ties Sho up! Fans rally as TJP leans back, MUTA LOCK!

Sho fights free of the crossface and gets the ROPEBREAK! TJP SLAPS Sho while he lets off. TJP then drags Sho up to UPPERCUT! Sho staggers, TJP tells Evil to go away but Evil throws up the crown! He’s really committed to the bit. TJP whips, Sho reverses but TJP ducks then goes Spider-Man! Sho distracts the ref and Evil shoves TJP down! Fans boo, of course Evil isn’t TJP’s friend. But Sho drags TJP up to TOSS him out! Sho distracts the ref so Evil can CHOKE TJP with the towel! Fans boo more but Evil gets away with it. Evil then drags TJP up and puts him in the ring. Sho covers, TWO! Sho gets mad but fans applaud.

Sho knuckle locks TJP and twists the wrist. Sho brings TJP down to a knee to kick, KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud but Sho grins as he paces around TJP. Sho stands on TJP’s head, Evil taunts TJP, and the ref reprimands. Sho digs his boots in, the ref counts and Sho lets off. Sho puts TJP in the corner to rake the eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, Sho stops at 4. Sho grinds his forearm into TJP’s face a few times, and TJP sits down. Sho decides to give TJP a taste of his own medicine! Sho scrapes laces off TJP’s face, then he runs side to side. TJP gets up to RANA Sho! Fans fire up as Sho staggers.

TJP atomic drops Sho, whips him, but Sho reverses. TJP springboards to FLYING FOREARM! Direct hit, and TJP drags Sho up. TJP whips Sho to the corner, runs corner to corner to back elbow! TJP sits Sho down to give him the laces in the face! TJP runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Fans fire up while Evil gets upset. Fans chant “MO IKAI! MO IKAI!” so TJP gives Sho another round! TJP runs side to side but Evil trips him up! TJP WRECKS Evil with a dropkick! Sho runs in, into a GAMANGIRI! TJP climbs but Evil distracts! The ref tells Evil to get down, but Sho hits the ropes to trip TJP!

Fans boo but Sho goes up after TJP. Sho brings TJP up for a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Sho is frustrated but he brings TJP right up. STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and Evil is furious! Sho argues the count but the count was fair! Fans rally for “T J P! T J P!” but Sho stalks him. Sho aims his bow, brings TJP back up, but TJP is deadweight. Sho says he wins but the ref says no, TJP is still conscious. So Sho hauls TJP up, tucks the arms, SHOCK-  NO, TJP slips free! TJP blocks the haymaker to ROLLING SOBAT! Sho staggers around, swings, but into the FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO!!

Sho survives and Evil is relieved. But TJP shakes his head and the fans rally up. TJP brings Sho up, fireman’s carries, calls his shot, but Sho bends the fingers! Fans boo, the ref counts, but Sho throws TJP into the ref! Sho then hurries to get his wrench! Fans boo more as Sho takes aim, but TJP HAS A WRENCH!? The Public Enemy came prepared! But then Sho drops?! He’s trying to pull an Eddie Guerrero! Fans boo but the ref is still down. TJP takes the other wrench and Evil shouts! The ref sees TJP with both tools, TJP defends his innocence, but Sho rolls TJP up! TWO!! TJP checks with the ref, but Sho runs in!

TJP goes up and over, and Sho avoids hitting the ref! Evil distracts the ref, but TJP blocks the low blow! TJP reels Sho in and kicks off Evil for the TORNADO DDT! Sho is in the drop zone and TJP goes up top! Fans fire up as TJP hits the MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TJP wins!

Winner: TJP, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho gains 0)

The House of Torture cheated themselves out of a win, will they ever give up on these antics? Will TJP take over the block for the United Empire?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors w/ Gedo!

The Nova Fireball beat #DaDrilla but with respect as fellow United Empires. However, 100 Proof has shown no respect to his opponents, because this is the Savages Only Club now! Will Connors put out the fire with No Chaser? Or will Akira give the Wild Rhino the stiff shot?

The bell rings and Connors runs Akira right over! Connors mocks the fans cheering Akira, then he suplexes Akira high and hard! Fans still rally for Akira but Connors brings him up to trophy lift. Connors aims for ropes, but Akira slips off! Akira CHOPS, whips, but Connors reverses to CLOBBER Akira! Connors TOSSES Akira out, then goes out after him. Connors talks trash on the fans, brings Akira up, and POSTS him! Akira tumbles all the way to commentary, and Connors storms up. Kevin Knight has joined Kevin Kelly, Connors talks trash on him, and then Connors mocks the crowd.

Akira crawls but Connors stomps him down. Connors tells fans to move, but Akira throws forearms. Connors ROCKS Akira, the fans get out of the way, and Connors BOWLS Akira into the chairs! Gedo says that’s a strike! The ref checks Akira but he’s somehow okay. Connors goes back into the ring, Akira crawl out from the chairs. Fans rally as “A! KI-RA!” crawls. Gedo tells Akira to give up but he does not. The ring count reaches 5 of 20, then 10. Akira is still crawling, but he flounders and uses the commentary table to get up at 15! Akira staggers and stumbles in at 18! Fans applaud but Connors says fine, he’ll just beat Akira more.

Connors drags Akira up, and he gives POINT-BLANK HIPS! A reference back to his #WildHips team with Taguchi. Akira CHOPS, Connors CHOPS and then Connors whips Akira hard into a corner! Akira writhes on the mat and Gedo says he should just give up already. Connors looms over Akira, brings him up, and CLUBS him on the back. Connors whips but Akira avoids the powerslam. Akira BOOTS Connors, runs in to wheelbarrow, but Connors turns that into a WHEELBARROW GERMAN! Fans fire up and Connors sits Akira up. Akira endures the chinlock with a knee in his back, and he fights to his feet.

Akira throws elbows but Connors snap suplexes him! Connors pushes Akira down, lines up the shot, and drops an elbow! “That’s what I’m talking about!” Connors sits Akira back up for the chinlock. Akira fights up again, throws body shots, but Connors snapmares him back into the chinlock. Akira endures again, fights up again, and throws more elbows. Connors CLUBS him down! Akira roars and rises, to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up and Akira runs, but Connors goes the other way! But Akira ducks the Pounce! Connors flies into ropes! Fans fire up, Connors runs up, but Akira dodges to fire off forearms!

Connors swings, misses, and Akira fires more forearms! And a DOUBLE CHOP! Akira powers up, but Connors ROCKS him back! Connors runs, but Akira follows and wheelbarrows to victory roll, STOMP 182! Fans fire up while Connors sputters to the corner. Akira runs corner to corner to SHOTGUN Connors! And then Akira brings Connors around, “IKU ZO!” Akira runs, dodges, RANAS and Connors flops out of the ring! Akira PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up more! Akira keeps going, he puts Connors back in! Akira goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Connors is in this but the fans rally behind “A! KI-RA!”

Akira and Connors rise, and Akira reels Connors in. Connors fights free but Akira dropkicks the legs out! Akira goes to a corner, runs in, but into a POWERSLAM! Gedo says this is it, and Connors snarls as he goes to a corner. Akira rises, Connors runs in, SPEAR- SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! Akira stands, spins Connors to a rolling leg cradle! TWO!! Akira SUPERKICKS, fires up, runs, but into a SPEAR!! Connors hurries to bring Akira up, NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!

Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira gains 0)

Connors puts out the fire and takes Akira’s spot at the top! Will the Nova Fireball be able to heat back up next round? Will the BOSJ 30 be 100 Proof?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS DOUKI!

The Bad Child is the ONLY undefeated 4-0 man in the BOSJ! Will he keep that streak going against Japones Del Mal? Or will Douki win big for Just5Guys?

The bell rings and Douki rushes in, but Lio dodges! Lio kicks, kicks and ENZIGURIS! Douki bails out, Lio builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up! Lio puts Douki in, but Douki builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit in return! Fans fire up while both men are down! Douki brings Lio around and into the ring and fans applaud. Douki goes up top, leaps, but Lio avoids the diving stomps! Lio rolls Douki up, spins and BASEMENT ENZIGURI! Fans applaud again while Lio catches his breath. Lio encourages the fans to get louder, then he brings Douki up. Douki fights the lift, but both men kick low.

Lio throws hands, he reels Douki in again, but Douki again fights the lift with punches. Douki has Lio in a corner and claws at his eyes! The ref reprimands, Douki lets off and he whips Lio corner to corner. Lio reverses, runs in to clothesline, then whips side to side. Douki dodges to come back and CLOBBER Lio! Fans fire up, Douki brings Lio around to swing and SAHARAWI! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Douki goes to the apron. Douki aims as Lio rises, and Douki slingshots, but Lio blocks Daybreak! Lio suplexes, SPINNING FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this and Lio grows frustrated.

Lio pounds the mat, fans rally behind him, and Lio says it is time! Lio runs, but Douki anchors a foot! Douki trips Lio, wheelbarrows, but Lio mule kicks him away. Douki comes back, Lio dodges and SPANISH FLIES! Lio hurries to a corner and climbs up! FINAL HOUR into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Lio gets caught, reaches out, but Douki rolls him away! ITALIAN STRETCH #32, but Lio jackknife bridges! TWO, and Douki swings. Lio dodges, fires off a strike fest, then runs. Douki ducks to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Douki roars! Douki wheelbarrows and lifts, but Lio fights the full nelson!

Douki CLUBS and ENZIGURIS Lio down! Douki tries again, but Lio scrambles to ropes! The ref counts, Douki CLUBS Lio but Lio refuses to let go. Douki keeps pulling, Lio uses that momentum to swing around and sunset flip! High stack, TWO, into ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Lio is caught and fans fire up! Lio fights around, reaches out, drags Douki with him, but Douki rolls Lio away again! ITALIAN STRETCH, but Lio rolls! Douki makes it a cover, TWO!! Back to ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Lio VERBALLY QUITS, DOUK WINS!!!

Winner: Douki, by submission (gains 2 points; Lio gains 0)

Incredible!! Douki defeats the undefeated!! Granted, Lio is still the leader in the block and Douki is still stuck in the middle, but could this lead to quite the change in the block?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Robbie Eagles w/ Kosei Fujita!

The Heel Master fell to 2-2 against the Way of the Grandmaster, but The Sniper is still aiming for the top spot. Will Kanemaru take that shot away from Eagles? Or will he learn why The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

As soon as Kanemaru’s in the ring, he attacks Eagles! Just5Guys must be fired up after Douki’s big win! Kanemaru stomps Eagles all around, the bell rings, and Kanemaru just keeps stomping! Kanemaru whips, Eagles hurdles and then RANAS Kanemaru out! Fans rally up and Eagles builds speed, but Kanemaru moves. Eagles backflips off the ropes, then DIVES out the side, onto to get Fujita! Eagles apologizes, but then Kanemaru attacks Eagles! Kanemaru SMACKS Eagles off the apron, brings him around, and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Then Kanemaru SLAMS the bad leg into the post! Eagles falls and the ref reprimands but fans rally up.

Kanemaru slides into the ring and he waits on Eagles. The ring count starts and Eagles stirs. Eagles rises but the bad leg keeps him down. The count passes 10 of 20 as Eagles continues to hobble. Eagles manages to get in at 14 but Kanemaru whips Eagles and dropkicks the leg! Then he SMASHES it on the mat! Eagles scrambles to ropes but Kanemaru puts him in a corner. Kanemaru stands on the bad leg, the ref calls the break, then counts. Kanemaru lets off at 4, and he stomps the leg again! Kanemaru stomps the leg, but Eagles CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Kanemaru just stomps the bad leg again!

Kanemaru steps through, ties up the legs, CROSS HEEL LEGLOCK! Eagles endures Kanemaru’s unique hold and the fans rally up. Eagles crawls forward, drags Kanemaru along, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kanemaru lets go at 4. He didn’t even pretend not to know how this time. Kanemaru stomps Eagles around, taunts him, gives him toying kicks, then brings Eagles up. Kanemaru grabs the bad leg for another SHIN BREAKER! Fans rally while Eagles writhes but Kanemaru looms over him. Kanemaru stomps the bad leg, fans rally for Eagles, but Kanemaru stands him up, just to kick the bad leg again.

Kanemaru whips corner to corner and Eagles barely makes it there. Kanemaru runs in to BOOT Eagles down! Eagles throws body shots and a kick, but Kanemaru kicks the leg! Kanemaru runs, but Eagles avoids the slide! Eagles kicks, Kanemaru ducks and kicks back. Kanemaru scoops but Eagles slips off to ROLLING CHOP BLOCK! Eagles then runs to BLINDSIDER! Both men are down and fans fire up. Eagles clutches his leg but he hobbles back up. Fans rally and Eagles KICKS Kanemaru in the chest! And again, and again! Eagles runs, LEG LARIAT! Kanemaru goes to the corner, Eagles runs in, and DOUBLE KNEES!

Eagles rolls back but the bad leg slows him down! Kanemaru BOOTS Eagles, but then Eagles LOW 619s! And then METEORAS! Eagles hobbles back, clutching the leg, but he drags Kanemaru from the corner. Eagles covers, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this but Eagles vows to end this. Eagles brings Kanemaru up but Kanemaru fights the Asai DDT. Eagles ROCKS Kanemaru, cravats again, but Kanemaru kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru grabs the leg again, but Eagles turns shin breaker into sunset flip! TWO! Kanemaru swings, misses, Eagles schoolboys with a bridge! TWO, Kanemaru kicks, but Eagles blocks!

Eagles fires off shots, picks Kanemaru up, and flying-mares him over! No backpack, but Kanemaru victory rolls! TWO, and Kanemaru steps through! FIGURE FOUR!! Fans fire up while Eagles endures! Kanemaru thrashes around, Eagles reaches out, and Eagles works to turn the hold over. Kanemaru keeps it stuck where it is but Eagles keeps fighting! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kanemaru lets off slowly and the fans rally up again. Kanemaru drags Eagles up, has the leg again, but Eagles fights the lift with elbows! Kanemaru kicks the leg out! And then suplexes, but Eagles slips free!

Eagles shoves Kanemaru to a corner, runs in, but is put on the apron. The leg jabs! Kanemaru kicks the leg! But Eagles still GAMANGIRIS in return! Eagles aims, springboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS Kanemaru’s legs! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Eagles fires up and hobbles over. Eagles steps through but Kanemaru kicks him away. Eagles comes back, but Kanemaru blocks the Trigger! Kanemaru runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Eagles blocks the DDT! Eagles manages to power Kanemaru around to a fireman’s carry, and the TURBO BACKPACK!! But the bad leg won’t let him make the cover! Eagles crawls to the pin, TWO!!

Fans fire up, Eagles takes aim and runs in, TRIGGER KICK!! Cover, Eagles wins!!

Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru gains 0)

Even with one leg, the Sniper still hits the mark! Will Eagles continue to fly towards the top, damaged as he is?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS Mike Bailey!

Both men are 3-1, but one is on the rise while the other is on the downfall. Will El Inmortal stay alive? Or will the Speedball rebound in the fifth?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up and duel, and Mike encourages them to get louder. They cheer for “BAILEY! BAILEY!” but there’s also “TI-TA-NN! TI-TA-NN!” The dueling chants continue as each man gets the fans on their side. Mike applauds and he offers a handshake. Titan takes it and fans applaud the sportsmanship. They circle, feel things out, and then Mike trips Titan. Things speed up, Mike handsprings over and then sidesteps. Mike then hurdles, Titan leaps over, and Mike kips up. Titan avoids the boot to RANA! Mike bails out and fans fire up as Titan builds speed!

Mike moves so Titan rolls and flips! Mike comes running back in to JUMP KICK Titan down! Fans fire up and Mike feels the energy. Mike follows Titan around the way, kicks him low and then CHOPS him at the ramp! Mike brings Titan around and into the ring, and fans applaud again. Mike encourages them to get louder, then he brings Titan up. Mike whips Titan corner to corner, runs in and BOOTS! Then he scoops to SLAM Titan, and he goes up the corner. Fans rally as Mike DOUBLE KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO! Titan is still in this but Mike keeps his cool. Mike waits on Titan as the fans rally up.

Titan stands, into a CHOP! Titan CHOPS back! Mike CHOPS again! Titan CHOPS again! They CHOP and CHOP and CHOP and fans fire up! Mike eggs Titan on, Titan roars and CHOPS again and again and again! Mike fires off the lightning kicks! And he tops it off with the ENZIGURI! Fans fire up and Titan flounders to a corner. Mike storms over, brings Titan up, and CHOPS again! Titan sputters and the fans rally. Mike hears them, and he brings Titan up to whip. Titan reverses but Mike holds ropes. Titan runs in but is put on the apron. Titan GAMANGIRIS back, then springboards to CROSSBODY!

Titan keeps going but Mike kicks and whips. Titan reverses but Mike denies the tornado! SOBAT! AX KICK! ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up and Mike takes aim, SHOOTING STAR FLOPS as Titan moves! Titan then goes to ropes. Mike blocks the boot, CHOPS Titan and whips, but Titan reverses to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up but Mike flops out of the ring. Fans fire up and Titan builds speed, but Mike trips him! Mike gets in, builds speed, and WRECKS Titan with a dropkick! Mike hurries to put Titan back in but Titan gets moving, and Titan DIVES! Direct hit in front of commentary!

Titan hurries to put Mike back in, but Mike is up to BOOT him down! Mike triangle jump QUEBRADAS! Another direct hit and Mike puts Titan in the ring. Mike climbs a corner, but Titan GAMANGIRIS him down! Titan builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit again!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down at commentary’s feet! A ring count starts, both men are still down at 7 of 20. Titan sits up at 10, fans rally as hard as they can, and Titan crawls around at 15. Commentary tells him to hurry! We’re at 18! Titan and Mike slide in at 19.5!! Titan hurries to the apron, and up the corner, but Mike shoves him down!

Titan gets up, runs back in but Mike dodges to throw Titan down by his mask! Titan kips up to PELE! Mike is on the apron, Titan slingshots but Mike avoids the stomps! Leg sweep! Mike hurries out to the apron, has the leg, and then decides to BACKFLIP KNEE DROP!! Direct hit and Titan flops to the floor! Mike hurries to put Titan back in and he goes up the corner! Fans rally as Mike aims, ULTIMA- NO, Titan moves and Mike rolls through. Titan runs in, Mike wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO! Titan has it, TWO! Titan has a leg and steps through! But Mike kicks him away, and then catches him for a cradle! TWO!!

The fans are thunderous again as this continues! Titan hurries up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! THRUST KICK! Mike aims and powers up, TATSUMAKI- BOOT! SOBAT! KICK! JUMPING SOBAT!! Fans are thunderous again as Titan hurries back to a corner! Titan skins the cat, but TATSUMAKI SENPUKKU! And then, the tuck, lift, FLAMINGO DRIVER!!! Cover, Mike wins!!

Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titán gains 0)

A truly fast and furious fight of constant motion, and in the end, Speedball smiles as the victor! Mike shows Titan respect by shaking his hand, will these two get to go again in the semifinals?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Dan Moloney!

The Way of the Grandmaster overcame the Heel Master, but he’s still just 2-2, same as #DaDrilla. Will Wato find a way to keep the momentum going? Or will “Dangerous Gaijin Dan” conquer him for the United Empire?

Dan attacks Wato during the ref’s check! The bell rings as Dan stomps away! The fans rally up and Dan throws up the crown. Dan CLUBS Wato, kicks him around, but Wato kicks back! Wato kicks more but Dan UPPERCUTS! Wato goes to ropes, Dan storms up and he whips Wato to ropes. Dan hurdles, drops, but Wato avoids the dropkick! Wato turns Dan over, body scissors, but Dan slips free to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Dan mocks the Wato pose. Dan stomps Wato around, kicks him in the back, and watches Wato writhe. Wato goes to ropes, Dan drags him up, and snapmares to kick again!

Dan wraps on a body scissors to squeeze! Wato endures, moves around, and fans rally. Dan pulls hair, the ref reprimands, and Wato fights forward to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Dan lets go, “apologizing” to the ref. Dan drags Wato up, hits a BIG back suplex, then covers. TWO and fans rally up. Dan grows frustrated and asks, “This your guy?” Dan drags Wato up to HEADBUTT him down! Dan looms over Wato, brings him up, and kicks! And CHOPS! And kicks! And CHOPS! And kicks but Wato blocks! Dan CHOPS free, then reels Wato in. Wato fights the back suplex and gets to a corner.

Dan runs in but Wato BOOTS him! Wato BULLDOGS! Fans fire up and Wato brings Dan up. Dan swings, misses, and Wato ZIGZAGS! Fans rally up while both men are down. Wato goes to the corner, then the apron. Dan stands, Wato springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up, Wato brings Dan up and reels him in to waistlock. Dan fights the lift, but Wato CLUBS him on the back! Wato CLUBS him again, then whips. Dan reverses and DROPKICKS Wato down! Fans rally up while both men are down. Dan rises and throws up the crown, then he waistlocks Wato. Wato fights the lift, switches, but Dan fights the lift!

Dan switches, spins Wato around and CHOPS him down! Fans rally, Dan builds speed, and he GORES Wato down!! Cover, TWO!!! Wato survives and the fans rally back up. Wato and Dan rise, Dan brings Wato in, “ABUNAI GAIJIN!” But Wato slips free of the bomb! Dan CHOPS him, but Wato roars! Dan runs in but Wato sunset flips the Gore! TWO, into VENDAVAL!! Dan is caught, but he moves around and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go quickly and fans fire up again. Wato drags Dan up, hooks him, but Dan fights free. Dan DOUBLE CHOPS! Wato staggers, but he grits his teeth, only for Dan to ENZIGURI!

But Wato stays up to SCREW HIGH KICK! TUTENKAKU! Cover, Wato wins!

Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Moloney gains 0)

Da Drilla gets dropped, and Wato has now conquered the United Empire in the B Block! Will nothing stop the Way of the Grandmaster from making his way to the top?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Timesplitter finally got a win, but he’s still got a long way to go if he wants to be a semifinalist. Will he make it through the Bone Soldier? Or will he see #ItsReborn?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up for “KU-SHI-DA!” as he and Taiji tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Kushida gets around but Taiji switches. Kushida switches, Taiji switches, repeat again and again and again, until Kushida arm-drags Taiji away. Fans applaud that opening exchange, and the two reset quickly. Kushida shoots in but Taiji avoids the drop toehold. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Kushida breaks one to wrench and trip Taiji to a standing toehold. Taiji rolls over but Kushida shifts to a headlock. Taiji powers up and out, but Kushida RAMS him! Taiji comes back, into a drop toehold!

Kushida wrenches the arm and wristlocks again. Kushida wrangles Taiji then steps over to drop a knee on the elbow! Kushida keeps on Taiji with a keylock, but moves around. Kushida wraps Taiji up in a half straitjacket, then has an armlock. Taiji fights up, but Kushida wrenches and CHOPS! Kushida stands Taiji up to CHOP him down again! And then he CHOPS Taiji down again! Kushida brings Taiji up again, but Taiji rakes the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Taiji runs in at the corner. Kushida elbows him away, goes up and FLYING KNEES the arm! Cover, TWO! Kushida drags Taiji around and crosses the arms!

Kushida knees on Taiji to trap the arms, and drops back to SNAP the lock! Taiji endures, but Kushida adds the legs to this! Hog tie cradle, TWO! But Kushida still has Taiji’s arms so he SNAPS the lock again! Kushida then shifts around, grinds Taiji down, but Taiji fights up. Kushida wraps the arm around the ropes but Red Shoes counts. Kushida lets off, brings Taiji around, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida then runs in at the corner but is put on the apron, and Taiji HOTSHOTS Kushida’s arm! Fans fire up while Kushida flops back into the ring. Red Shoes checks Kushida, and Taiji goes to his corner to untie the buckle pad.

The Bullet Club Special comes into play as Taiji wrenches Kushida. Taiji has Kushida’s arm around ropes, but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Taiji whips, YANKS and wrenches, to then WRING the arm out! Fans rally as Taiji wraps Kushida in a cobra twist. Kushida endures, fights up, but Taiji ripcords to RAM him! And then hammerlock and BACKSTABBER! Fans cheer the technical savagery while Kushida bails out. The fans rally, Taiji pursues Kushida, and he grabs at him through the corner. But Kushida uses that to YANK Taiji into the post! Fans rally as Kushida rolls back into the ring and Taiji pursues.

Taiji stomps Kushida, shakes out his arm, and storms up on Kushida. Kushida CHOPS, but Taiji CLUBS him. Taiji wrenches Kushida’s arm and hammerlocks, to POST Kushida in the open corner! Red Shoes reprimands but there’s no changing it now. Taiji hammerlocks, half nelsons, lifts and SHOULDER BUSTERS! Fans rally while Kushida writhes, and Taiji aims from the corner. Kushida stands, Taiji runs in, and Kushida elbows him! Taiji avoids the low kick to basement dropkick! Fans rally up again as Kushida goes to the corner. Taiji runs in, Kushida BOOTS him then ENZIGURIS! Taiji runs back in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT!!

Fans fire up while Taiji clutches his nose! Kushida fires up, runs in at the corner and SHOTEIS! Kushida whips Taiji, hip tosses, then cartwheels to basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Kushida aims again. Kushida jumps on but Taiji slips around. Taiji waistlocks but Kushida mule kicks the leg! Kushida runs in, blocks the boot, and gets the other leg! Kushida flips Taiji off before the DOUBLE LEG DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up while Taiji writhes. Kushida climbs up top, leaps, DIVING KNEE DROP on the bad leg!

Kushida then goes to another corner, climbs up top, and he DIVING KNEE DROPS again! Kushida steps through, has the leg, HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR COMBO!! Taiji endures, fans rally up, and Taiji reaches out! Taiji crawls, drags Kushida along, but Kushida drags him away! HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR!! Taiji endures, flails, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Kushida lets off, and fans rally up. Kushida aims from the corner, runs in around the way and DROPKICKS the bad arm! Kushida then tilt-o-whirls, but Taiji blocks the Hoverboard into CIPHER UTAKI! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Taiji sits up and beats his bad leg into working. Taiji aims his finger gun and says BANG. He drags Kushida up, but Kushida fights the lift. Taiji shifts to get the BONE LOCK!! Kushida slips around, drags Taiji up, BLADE- NO, Taiji slips out, but Kushida spins to ROLLING ELBOW! Taiji fires off a flurry, then runs, but into a BOOT! Kushida hits BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, TWO!! But into BONE LOCK?!? Kushida is using the Bullet Club’s moves against Taiji! Taiji endures, Kushida struggles to keep the grip, and the fans rally up hard as ever! Taiji fights and rolls Kushida to a cover, TWO!! Kushida stands, Taiji tilt-o-whirls to MYSTICA!

But Kushida slips out! Taiji and Kushida fight for control, going around and around and around with headlocks! Taiji gets the BONE LOCK!!! Kushida fights to the ROPEBREAK!! Taiji lets go but brings Kushida in, 19- NO, Kushida fights the lift, but Taiji powers through! 1916!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Taiji can’t believe it but Kushida survives! Fans rally up again as both men stir. Taiji gets to ropes, takes aim again, and BANG! He drags Kushida up, BLOODY- NO, Kushida wrenches out and leaps on! HOVERBOARD!! Taiji endures as Kushida thrashes, and then Taiji suplexes out! BLOODY CROSS!!! But he can’t cover from the bad leg hurting him!

Taiji crawls to Kushida and covers, Taiji wins!!

Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida gains 0)

The Timesplitter pushed the Bone Soldier to his limits, but Taiji came out on top! Taiji is keeping pace with Speedball and the Bad Child, will he overtake them in the end?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS YOH!

The Rogue Luchador grounded The Jet while the Direct Drive made it past 100 Proof. But who wins big here in the main event of round five?

Yoh mirrors Desperado as he makes his entrance, but Desperado ignores it. The bell rings and fans rally up. The fans start to duel, “DE-SU-PE!” “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Yoh and Desperado circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yoh pushes Desperado back to the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Yoh rolls back. Yoh again copies Desperado, and Desperado rushes in. Yoh dodges him, then smacks him on the head. Fans cheer as Yoh drums on Desperado’s head while calling him “BAKA BAKA BAKA! <Dummy dummy dummy!>” Desperado SLAPS Yoh back! Desperado then scoops and SLAMS Yoh, and Yoh flounders his way out of the ring!

Desperado pursues, stomps Yoh down in front of commentary, and now Desperado wants to move. Desperado drags Yoh up, whips him in and BOWLS Yoh through the chairs! If Connors rolled a strike earlier, then this is definitely a strike! Desperado drags Yoh out of the chairs, fans rally up, and Desperado brings Yoh around. Desperado CLUBS Yoh, then POSTS- NO! You slings around the post to get into the ring! Desperado rushes up but Yoh DROPKICKS him back down! Fans fire up and Yoh encourages them to get louder. They oblige, Yoh fakes the plancha, and then wags his finger. Desperado swipes at Yoh, Yoh PLANCHAS after all!

Fans fire up with Yoh and he struts around. Yoh stomps Desperado, brings him up and POSTS him hard! The ring count is climbing, Yoh SMASHES Desperado’s knee on the floor! Yoh puts Desperado in at 17, hurries and SMASHES the knee again! Yoh mocks Desperado’s pain and fans rally up. Yoh stands on Desperado’s leg but Desperado chops from below. The chops aren’t strong, though, and Yoh eggs Desperado on. Desperado throws more chops, but Yoh stomps the leg! Yoh digs his heel in, mocks “DE-SU-PE!” chants, and tells Desperado not to disappoint his fans. Then he stomps the leg again!

Desperado goes to ropes, Yoh runs in to dropkick the leg! Desperado bails out and Yoh slowly rolls out, but then rolls in, then just kinda goofs around under the bottom rope. Desperado slides in but Yoh stomps away on him! Fans applaud the aggression and Yoh drags Desperado up. Desperado throws body shots! And a CHOP! And another CHOP! Yoh kicks the bad leg, then brings Desperado around for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Yoh is surprised, and he literally pushes Desperado around and eggs him on. Yoh toys with Desperado and dares him to hit back. Desperado stands, but then Yoh kicks the bad leg!

Yoh has the leg, wraps it around the ropes and pulls! Desperado shouts, Red Shoes counts and Yoh lets off at 4. Yoh whips Desperado corner to corner but Desperado barely makes it. Desperado turns around, into a dropkick to the leg! Yoh steps through to have a toehold! Desperado pulls Yoh’s hair but Yoh just pulls the leg! Fans rally, Yoh ties up the legs in an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Yoh eggs Desperado on, Desperado CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Yoh “falls back” to put on the pressure! A very Desperado move! Yoh sits back up, he eggs Desperado on again, and then he grabs Desperado’s arm to make Desperado hit him! Yoh comically falls back again!

Desperado endures, crawls and reaches back, ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go and gives childish kicks to Desperado’s back. Desperado is getting annoyed with Yoh now and he glares as he stands up. Desperado CHOPS, but Yoh shrugs it off. Desperado CHOPS again and that one stings. Yoh comes back with another grin but Desperado CHOPS! Yoh kicks the bad leg, whips, but Desperado blocks! Yoh kicks again, whips, but Desperado reveres and scoops, BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Desperado stands, Yoh goes to a corner, and Desperado runs in to clothesline! Desperado reels Yoh in for a high and hard suplex!

Fans fire up and Desperado stands on Yoh. Desperado steps off, gets Yoh’s leg, and YANKS it, to then SPLASH down on it! Desperado steps through to drop a leg on the leg! And now Desperado has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Desperado dares Yoh to do something now! Yoh throws forearms and CHOPS, and Desperado “falls back” to put on the pressure! Desperado makes Yoh suffer while resting his own bad leg. Desperado says Yoh was all talk a second ago. Desperado stands to put pressure on the hold, but Yoh scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets off, but “Oops!” he drops a knee on the knee.

Fans fire up for Desperado and he drags Yoh up. Gut wrench, GUITARRA DEL- NO, Yoh slips free! But Yoh’s leg jams! Desperado shrugs, drags him up, but Yoh fights the back suplex to get around, SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX! And then a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives and Yoh grows frustrated but the fans continue to rally. Yoh hobbles up, goes to Desperado and brings him into a full nelson. Desperado fights his way to the ropes! Red Shoes counts, Yoh lets go, but he CHOP BLOCKS! Yoh whips, Desperado reverses and reels Yoh in, SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO, into STRETCH MUFFLER!

Yoh endures and reaches out as Desperado thrashes! Yoh reaches, crawls, but Desperado drags Yoh from ropes! Desperado gets an arm, NUMERO DOS!! Yoh keeps fighting with his one free arm, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets go quickly and the fans rally up more. Desperado drags Yoh up, gut wrenches, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!! Cover, TWO!! Desperado put some stank on that one but Yoh still survives. Desperado hobbles up, goes to a corner, and climbs up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Yoh moves! Yoh CHOP BLOCKS the leg again! Yoh reels Desperado in, hoists him up, and DROPS him on the knees!

Yoh jackknife rolls through to have the STARGAZER!! Desperado endures Yoh’s take on the calf killer, reaches out, but Yoh drags him away! Desperado flails, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Desperado still crawls forward! But Yoh traps both legs! Desperado lurches forward, ROPEBREAK!! Yoh lets go in frustration and the fans rally again. Yoh fires up and the fans fire up with him! Yoh drags Desperado up, underhooks, but Desperado fights! Desperado reaches out, Yoh keeps him from ropes, but Desperado still tries! Yoh spins him around, full nelsons, but Desperado breaks the grip! Yoh tries again but Desperado still fights!

Yoh shoves Desperado onto the ropes, gets the bad leg, REVERSE DRAGON SCREW! And then suplex, to FALCON GOROSHI! Fans rally harder and harder while both men are down! Yoh waistlocks, he drags Desperado up, full nelsons, and DRAGON SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Desperado survives and Yoh can’t believe it! Yoh pounds the mat, the fans rally back up, and Yoh drags Desperado up. Underhooks, but Desperado wrenches out to dropkick Yoh’s legs! Yoh clutches the knee and writhes on the mat! Yoh crawls after Desperado, brings him back up, but Desperado has the leg! SHIN BREAKER! And another dropkick to the leg!

Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Desperado slaps himself and fires up! Desperado brings Yoh up, reels him in, but Yoh kicks the bad leg! Desperado CHOPS! Yoh ROLLING ELBOWS! Desperado ROCKS Yoh, then LOCO MONO! But Yoh SUPERKICKS!! Both men are down again and fans are thunderous! The dueling of “DE-SU-PE!” and “YO-OH!” is strong as Desperado reaches up to sit up. Yoh crawls after him, gets the arms, stands up, but Desperado fights the lift! Desperado spins Yoh around and around, underhooks, and PINCHE- NO! Yoh fights that off! They struggle for control, and Yoh has the wrists!

Yoh kisses Desperado on the forehead? Desperado swings on Yoh but misses, and Yoh ripcords to FINAL FLASH KNEE! Fans are thunderous again and Yoh drags himself up with the ropes. Yoh roars and the fans are with him again! Yoh drags Desperado up, underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!!! Cover, YOH WINS!!

Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Desperado gains 0)

The Rogue Luchador could not make heads or tails of Yoh’s behavior tonight, and that cost him! Will this loss also cost him a spot in the semifinals? Yoh helps Desperado sit up and offers him a handshake. Desperado takes it to show respect. But then he BITES Yoh’s hand! So much for respect. But as Desperado leaves, Yoh blows a kiss, gives a thumbs down, and gets the mic. Yoh lies down to rest as he says, “Hey, Sendai… I’m home.” Fans cheer and Yoh asks them if they like what they saw. They cheer because they did! Do they like Junior Heavyweight pro-wrestling? They cheer because they do!

Yoh crawls to the apron and asks if the fans love NJPW. They fans cheer because they do! Yoh thanks them, and says HE will be the Best of the Super Juniors! Fans cheer, and then Yoh says that Desperado really fought his heart out, so he’s thankful to him. And so like he said before, Yoh is going to STUN THE WORLD! Direct Drive is building up the energy, will he speed up and take the block?

 

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Lio Rush: 4-1, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-1, 8 points
Mike Bailey: 4-1, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-2, 6 points
Titán: 3-2, 6 points
TJP: 3-2, 6 points
DOUKI: 2-3, 4 points
SHO: 1-4, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-4, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-5, 0 points

 

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Robbie Eagles: 4-1, 8 points
YOH: 3-2, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-2, 6 points
Clark Connors: 3-2, 6 points
Master Wato: 3-2, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 3-2, 6 points
Dan Moloney: 2-3, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-3, 4 points
Kevin Knight: 2-3, 4 points
BUSHI: 0-5, 0 points


My Thoughts:

A great fifth round, great action, but not as much in the shocker department. Douki winning against Lio was massive, though. Even with Douki not that high on the block, that is huge for him as an individual, and now Lio being the one and only is just gone. He’s back tied with Taiji and Speedball, who both had awesome matches. I really would love to see Titan and Mike go another round in the semifinals or something, but who knows how things shake out.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)

The Final Boss is back!

Published

on

IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!

As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
  • The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
  • Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
  • Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
  • WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
  • Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
  • Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.

They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?

 

Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!

The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?

Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!

Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.

The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!

Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!

Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.

Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!

Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall

Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.

Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?

 

A car pulls into the parking lot.

And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.

Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?

 

Carmelo Hayes is backstage.

R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?

Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?

 

Zelina Vega speaks.

“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”

 

The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???

Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.

Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!

Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!

Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!

Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!

The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!

Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall

Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?

 

Charlotte Flair speaks.

“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…

 

Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!

The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?

Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.

Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”

Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!

Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.

The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.

Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!

Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!

Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!

The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall

Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!

The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?

 

Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.

Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?

Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.

Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?

 

Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.

Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.

Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?

 

Alexa Bliss speaks.

“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?

 

Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!

The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!

Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?

 

The Rock arrives!

His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!

 

SmackDown returns and…

Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?

Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?

 

The Rock heads to the ring!

Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”

The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.

The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!

Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.

Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.

They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.

The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.

Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.

The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.

Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!

The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!

No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.

Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.

What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?

 

WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!

Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?

But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.

Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!

But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!

Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!

Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!

Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles

Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!

Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?

 

Kevin Owens speaks.

“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!

Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?

 

Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!

Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?

SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?

The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!

Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!

Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!

Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!

Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.

Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!

Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!

But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!

Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall

Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?


My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.

As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.

Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.

Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.

Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?

Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.

My Score: 8.9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


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Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025

So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?

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Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.

This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!

Ratings:

  • Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
  • Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
  • NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
  • Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
  • Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4

Results:

Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show. 

Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin

Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.

Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.

It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.

After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3. 

Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.

This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis. 

Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary

Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!

After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well. 

Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with. 

NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC

I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”. 

Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.

JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.

Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.

The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba. 

The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match. 

Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore

Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.

Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded. 

Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA. 

Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons

Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.

We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.

Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two.  Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!

Overall Score: 6/10

Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.

Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.

So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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