Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/18/23)
Round 6, FIGHT!
Best of the Super Juniors 30: 66% Complete.
Best of the Super Juniors hits the two-thirds mark, and it is still anyone’s game! Who pulls away as we enter the homestretch?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Mike Bailey VS DOUKI; Bailey wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS BUSHI; Bushi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS TJP; TJP wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS Dan Moloney; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Clark Connors; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS Titán; Titán wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Francesco Akira; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Robbie Eagles; Wato wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current 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 current 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
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Mike Bailey VS DOUKI!
Speedball is near the top of the block, but Japones Del Mal is coming off bringing down Lio Rush! Will Douki do it all again? Or will Mike Bailey get his kicks in round six?
The bell rings and the fans are fired up already. Mike gets the fans to get even louder, and the fans duel, “BAILEY!” “DOUKI!” “BAILEY!” “DOUKI!” They circle, tie up, and Douki waistlocks. Mike wrenches out, hammerlocks, then headlocks. Douki wrenches out, headlocks back, but Mike fights to a waistlock. Douki wrenches out again, has a wristlock, but Mike rolls, handsprings and wrenches back to then spin Douki around and arm-drags! Fans applaud while Mike has the armlock. Douki fights up, gets to ropes, and the ref counts the break. Mike lets off, but Douki kicks him low. Douki whips but Mike reverses.
Mike hurdles, drops, then KICKS Douki down! Fans fire up for that exchange while Douki sputters. Douki gets up, rushes in, but Mike dodges to fire lightning kicks! Mike tops it off with an ENZIGURI! Fans fire up while Douki bails out. Mike builds speed but Douki gets up, so Mike BOOTS him back down! Mike then triangle- NO, Douki intercepts him at the corner, to SLINGSHOT NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Mike flounders to ropes. Douki drags him up, whips him to ropes then CLOBBER Mike! Cover, TWO! Douki clamps onto Mike with a chinlock and bends him against the knee. Mike endures but Douki shifts to a headscissors hold.
Douki pushes up, Mike endures more, and Mike moves around. Mike reaches out, ROPEBREAK with a foot! Douki lets go quickly and he stomps Mike down. Douki drags Mike up but Mike CHOPS! And ROCKS Douki with a forearm! Douki rakes the eyes, runs, but into a CHOP! Mike swings but Douki ducks and whips. Mike handsprings but Douki dodges! Mike dodges Douki, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Mike grits his teeth and fans rally. Mike waits on Douki, then SOBATS! AX KICKS! And ROUNDHOUSES! Douki is down and fans fire up for the SHOOTING STAR, into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!
Mike scrambles, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Douki lets go at 4. Douki brings Mike up, Gory Especials, but Mike fights it! Douki blocks the backslide, turns things back around on Mike, but Mike turns things back onto Douki! They fight for control, Douki Gory Especials but Mike slips out! Mike swings, Douki dodges and Douki LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Mike has a ghost pin! TWO, and Douki ghost pins Mike! TWO!! Mike escapes, fans fire up, and Mike BOOTS Douki from the corner! Mike goes up top and ULTIMA- NO, Douki dodges! Mike rolls through, Douki dodges the spin kick, but Mike sweeps the legs!
Mike PENALTY KICKS! And MOONSAULT KNEE DROPS! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Douki crawls to a corner, Mike takes aim, and TATSUMAKI- NO, Douki blocks the kick! Douki shoves Mike back and BOOTS him! But Mike THRUST KICKS! Mike puts Douki up top, tucks him in, and brings him out, but Douki sunset flips! TWO!! Into ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Mike endures and fans fire up! Mike moves around, reaches out, but Douki rolls him away! ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! But Mike keeps fighting! Douki rolls to sit on Mike for a cover, TWO!! Douki falls out of the ring! Fans rally up while both men are down!
Mike kips up and fires up, to triangle jump QUEBRADA! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Mike goes up to the apron, but Douki anchors a foot. Douki trips Mike and he lands hard on the apron! Douki hurries up after Mike, wheelbarrows, and full nelsons! Mike fights free, trips Douki, and APRON MOONSAULT KNEE DROP only gets apron! Douki avoids disaster and fans rally up again! Douki aims from the apron as Mike rises, and DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!! Mike survives and fans are thunderous! Douki roars and he wheelbarrows again! Full nelson, but Mike breaks free! Mike drops, rolls, but Douki just wheelbarrows again!
Douki goes for the full nelson but Mike arm-drags free! Mike drags Douki around into La Magistrol! TWO!! Douki escapes in time, and he ENZIGURIS! Douki roars, but Mike BOOTS and HEEL KICKS! TATSUMAKI SENPUKKU! Mike goes right up top, for ULTIMA WEAPON!! Cover, Mike wins!!
Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)
An electric start to round six! The Speedball is going strong, will he be a guaranteed semifinalist?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS BUSHI!
The Heel Master may have lost to the Sniper, but at least he’s gotten a win by now. Will the Black Mask continue to have bad luck? Or will Bushi sour Kanemaru’s mood even more by becoming a spoiler?
The bell rings and Bushi kicks Kanemaru low! Bushi fires off forearms, whips Kanemaru to ropes, but Kanemaru reverses. Bushi jumps the low dropkick to then dropkick Kanemaru’s leg! Fans cheer and Bushi watches Kanemaru go to a corner. Bushi runs in but Kanemaru dodges. Kanemaru comes back but Bushi SWING KICKS him! Bushi goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans cheer the Bushirooni! Bushi stomps Kanemaru around, drags him up, and FISHER- NO, Kanemaru spins out of the screw! Kanemaru waistlocks, Bushi resists the lift, so Kanemaru shoves Bushi into the ref! And then ENZIGURIS!
Bushi and the ref go down and Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru takes advantage of this moment and gets his whiskey! Fans cheer as Kanemaru takes a big swig, but Bushi CODE BREAKERS! The whiskey flies into the air! Bushi gets the whiskey!? Bushi takes a swig, not caring about germs or indirect kiss, and stands Kanemaru up to SPIT in his face! Bushi then goes up the corner, calls his shot, M X!! Bushi shouts to the ref, covers, and WINS!
Winner: Bushi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Bushi tastes sweet, sweet victory, but also has to get the taste of that whiskey out of his mouth. Will Bushi have some of his favorite drink tonight to celebrate?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS TJP!
The Funky Weapon has been serious this year, but it just isn’t working for him. Will he go back to his King of Strange Style ways? Or will it not matter against Public Enemy Number One?
The bell rings and fans rally and duel, “T J P!” “TA-GU-CHI!” The two circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder, Taguchi bends TJP back but TJP slips through, headstands, then rolls to trip Taguchi. TJP has a standing toehold, but Taguchi rolls over and uses his leg to bring TJP down. Taguchi headlocks then wrenches to a wristlock, and fans applaud the technical exchange. Taguchi then trips TJP, has the leg for a standing kneebar, but TJP twisting headscissors! TJP has Taguchi down and fans applaud, but Taguchi moves around. Taguchi headstands much like TJP would, and fans applaud!
Taguchi pops free, and he pats TJP on the knee. Fans cheer as Taguchi shows he can keep up with the youngster. TJP handsprings up and the two reset. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Taguchi puts TJP in a corner, and Taguchi lets off with a CHOP! Taguchi whips corner to corner, TJP goes up and headstands like a gentleman. Taguchi still runs in but TJP headscissors him away! Fans cheer, things speed up, and TJP goes Spider-Man. Taguchi runs in, TJP drops down, but Taguchi fakes him out! Taguchi dropkicks TJP out of the ring! Taguchi then builds speed to baseball slide dropkick! And then PLANCHA! Fans fire up as Taguchi stands tall!
Taguchi brings TJP up and into the ring, and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Taguchi baits TJP into a corner and BOOTS him! Taguchi goes up, jumps, but TJP DROPKICKS the missile hip out of the sky! TJP wags his finger, then brings Taguchi up. TJP scoops to SLAM Taguchi by the ropes, then goes out to SLINGSHOT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Taguchi also grabs the ropes for good measure. TJP brings Taguchi up, snapmares, and hammerlocks an arm before adding the chinlock. Fans rally, Taguchi endures, but TJP shifts to have the arms, SNAP ARMBAR! Taguchi writhes but TJP covers, TWO!
TJP drags Taguchi up, wrenches an arm to an ELBOW BREAKER, then he UPPERCUTS Taguchi to a corner. TJP whips corner to corner, runs in, and back elbows! Taguchi sits down, and fans rally up as TJP starts scrubbing laces on Taguchi’s face! TJP then runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and TJP has them get louder. TJP runs side to side again, but into a HIP ATTACK! TJP ends up on the ropes, Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! And then again! And then Taguchi comes back with a basement dropkick! TJP flops out of the ring, Taguchi triangle jump PLANCHAS! Direct hit, both men go down, and fans fire back up!
The ring count starts, Taguchi stands at 5 of 20 while TJP rises at 6. Taguchi puts TJP in at 9 and fans applaud. Taguchi springboards in, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Taguchi brings TJP back up. Taguchi chicken wings but TJP RAMS him into a corner! And then throws an elbow! TJP TORNADO- NO, Taguchi denies the DDT to KING KONG LARIAT! Or perhaps, Taguchi Bomber? Fans fire up all the same as Taguchi aims from the corner. “ORYA!” BUM-A-YE! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives but Taguchi doesn’t fret. Fans rally up and Taguchi brings TJP up. Taguchi chicken wings, but TJP resists the lift!
Taguchi CLUBS TJP, tries again, but TJP elbows free. TJP goes to a corner, Taguchi runs in but TJP goes up and over! TORNADO DDT! TJP then hurries up top, for the MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Taguchi survives, but TJP steps through to have the PINOY STRETCH!! Taguchi scrambles and reaches out, he drags TJP along, ROPEBREAK! Taguchi still survives and the fans rally back up. TJP drags Taguchi up, throws forearms, but Taguchi hits back. They brawl on their knees, then TJP throws forearms! TJP runs, but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Taguchi runs, but TJP JUMP SOBATS! Taguchi rebounds, but swings into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Taguchi scrambles, stacks, ONE, and back to PINOY- NO! CRADLE!! TWO!!!! TJP escapes in time, gets around but Taguchi drops! But TJP sits on the cover, TWO!! Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE!!! TJP endures, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back! And then drops an elbow on the leg! TJP still reaches out, still fights forward, but Taguchi drags him back again! Chicken wings, DODON TO THE THRONE!!! Cover, TWO!?!? OH MY GAH ANKLE!!! TJP endures all over again as Taguchi leans on the hold! Fans are thunderous, but TJP fights up! TJP rolls, but Taguchi sits on the cover! TWO!!!
PINOY STRETCH!!!! TJP has Taguchi caught now!! Taguchi taps, TJP wins!!!
Winner: TJP, by submission (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
That was a nailbiter, but in the end, TJP takes down Serious Taguchi! As the only 0-6 man, Taguchi is OUT of the running, but will he at least get one win before the end? As for TJP, he is still alive, can he take a spot in the semifinals on behalf of the United Empire?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS Dan Moloney!
The Jet is finally taking flight while #DaDrilla is getting back up from another loss. Will Moloney prove he is still one dangerous gaijin? Or will the BOSJ start to run on Knight time?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Knight dodges to headlock but Dan powers out to headlock. Knight powers out, but Dan avoids the hurdle. Dan elbows Knight, then runs him over! Fans fire up while Dan throws up the crown, only for Knight to kip up! Dan shoves him down, runs, and Knight catches his crossbody! Knight spins and SLAMS Dan, to then STANDING SPLASH! Cover, ONE!! Fans rally and Knight aims from the corner. Dan rises, Knight runs in, but no spike! Dan TOSSES Knight out of the ring! Knight lands hard on the outside, but he’s somehow okay to continue. The ring count starts as he stirs.
Knight is still down at 5 of 20, but he slowly rolls towards the ring. The count passes 10, Knight crawls, but he’s still down at 15! Dan thinks he’s got this already, but Knight springs up and in at 19! Fans cheer, but Dan storms over to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO!! Knight is still in this but Dan says it was that close. Dan stomps Knight, UPPERCUTS him, then bumps him off buckles. Dan KICKS Knight’s leg, CHOPS him off his feet, then covers, TWO! Dan keeps his cool and he sits Knight up to KICK in the back! Dan wraps on a body scissors squeeze and he grinds his forearms into Knight’s face.
Knight endures, fights around, but Dan pulls Knight’s hair. The ref reprimands, Dan stops, and Knight CHOPS Dan! Dan CHOPS back, but Knight CHOPS again! Dan CHOPS, and then throws forearms! Knight still endures, still reaches out for ropes, but Dan grabs an arm. Knight still fights with his free arm, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud and Dan lets off cleanly. Dan eggs Knight on, brings him up, and CLUBS him on the neck. Dan stomps Knight hard, then KICKS him in the side! Dan knees on Knight’s neck, the ref reprimands, and Dan steps off. Dan taunts Knight and brings him up.
Knight throws body shots but Dan throws forearms. Knight throws forearms but Dan throws another! Knight UPPERCUTS! Dan CHOPS! Knight CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! Knight fires off forearm after forearm and has Dan in a corner. Knight whips, Dan reverses but Knight dodges in the corner. Knight springboards, but Dan gets under and the crossbody FLOPS! Dan stomps Knight, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight fires up and he stomps and UPPERCUTS Dan in a corner on repeat! Knight stomps a mudhole in, digs in his boot, but lets off to stand Dan up.
Knight whips corner to corner and STINGER SPLASHES! Then he runs to SLIDING SHOULDER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Knight says it’s done. Knight watches Dan rise and then runs in, but Dan CHOPS! Dan goes up, but Knight jumps up after him! Dan slips out underneath but Knight adjusts. Knight jumps, Dan dodges and GORES! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but Dan keeps close. Dan drags Knight up, fisherman’s, but Knight fights the lift! Dan says he’s abunai gaijin, and he powers through to a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and fans rally up! Dan goes to a corner and watches Knight.
Knight stands up, Dan runs in, but Knight leaps over to roll Dan up! TWO!! Dan escapes, but Knight jumps! Dan throws Knight away again to ENZIGURI! And then the Canadian Rack, but Knight slips free! Dan ripcords, but Knight pops Dan up for the SKY HIGH! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Knight runs back in, SPIKE DDT!! Cover, Knight wins!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Moloney earns 0)
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion lost to the United Empire once, he keeps from losing to them again! Will The Jet fly to new heights with this win?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO w/ Evil!
Ah, yes, Bullet Club VS Bullet Club. Well, wait, is House of Torture still Bullet Club? That aside, will The Bone Soldier be ready for whatever tricks the Murder Machine has planned? Or will Sho actually treat Taiji with respect?
Evil accompanies Sho to the ring to start this time, so at least they’re being upfront in that way. And Sho even holds the ropes open for Taiji, so that’s a nice show of respect. Sho makes a point of showing off the Bullet Club Decade shirts he and Evil are wearing. The bell rings, and Sho gets the mic. He says Taiji is amazing for being 4-1 right now. As for Sho, he has just one win, and that was against Taguchi. So Sho proposes they just all leave together, let it be a double count-out draw so they both get points. Plus, he doesn’t wanna wrestle in this “crap town” anyway! Milano tells him to go away then. The fans join Milano in that chant.
Sho hands the mic to Taiji and Taiji says okay, they’ll leave together. Taiji and Sho exit the ring and walk with Evil up the ramp. The ref is to count them out, but fans boo, this is no fun. The count begins, Bullet Club keeps moving on, and Evil raises both men’s hand in solidarity. But then Sho runs back to the ring! And Evil keeps Taiji back! Fans laugh at Taiji for falling for this! The count is 15! Then 17! Taiji breaks free at 18 to slide in at 19! Fans cheer and Evil apologizes for the trickery. Sho bails back out and he acts like it was all Evil! Evil gets mad at Sho, they start shoving, but then Sho takes off the shirt and throws it at Evil!
Sho gets in the ring, and Taiji attacks! Taiji throws hands on Sho, wrenches and whips to WRING Sho’s arm out! Fans cheer as Taiji ties Sho up in a cobra clutch. Sho fights up but Taiji ripcords, RAMS shoulders, then hammerlocks for a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Taiji brings Sho up and hammerlocks again. Taiji half nelsons and scoops but Sho slips out to rake the eyes! The ref counts, Sho runs, but Evil trips Sho!? Is the House of Torture falling apart? Taiji is a bit confused, but Evil tells Sho off and goes to Taiji’s corner! Taiji Too Sweets with Evil, and Taiji kicks Sho low.
Taiji hammerlocks, half nelsons, and SHOULDER BUSTERS! Fans rally up and Taiji aims. Taiji runs in, LA MYSTICA! BONELOCK!! Sho flails, scrambles, but Taiji rolls him away! Taiji drags Sho up, but Sho fights the lift off! Sho bends fingers, but Taiji thumbs him in the eye! Sho gets around Taiji, pop up into ARMBAR! Taiji fights around, to end up in the SNAKE BITE! But then Evil throws in the towel?! Evil being Taiji’s corner man, he’s quitting for Taiji!! Taiji says he never said Evil was a corner man! But Sho rolls Taiji up with tights! SHO WINS!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
The snake in the grass just cheated Taiji! Evil defends his innocence, he really thought Taiji was in trouble. Sho says no hard feelings, right? Taiji accepts the handshake, but he tells Evil to go away. Evil suggests Too Sweet then. Taiji accepts that, and Bullet Club is still fine. But will Sho look to damage more runs before the end?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Clark Connors w/ Gedo!
The Rogue Luchador put on quite the show against Yoh just last night, but still lost in the main event. But 100 Proof managed to put out the Nova Fireball. Will there be No Chaser here for Desperado? Or will his Strong Style tame The Wild Rhino?
The bell rings and the two rush in! They RAM shoulders, but neither falls. They each talk a little trash, and Desperado throws the first forearm! Connors gives one back and they go back and forth. Fans rally as the shots go faster and faster, and Connors gets the edge! Connors roars but Desperado ROCKS Connors! Desperado runs, but Connors POUNCES him! Gedo likes what he sees and the fans do applaud the show of strength. Connors drags Desperado right up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans applaud again, and Connors drags Desperado up again. Desperado throws body shots, but Connors CLUBS Desperado!
Connors TOSSES Desperado out, then goes out after him. Connors shouts at the fans, then ROCKS Desperado with a haymaker. And an UPPERCUT! Desperado CHOPS back, but Connors CHOPS in return! They continue deeper into the crowd and Connors UPPERCUTS Desperado down. Connors stomps Desperado, then tells fans to get out the way. Desperado CHOPS, but Connors CHOPS back! Connors then whips, and he BOWLS Desperado into chairs! Gedo says that’s a strike, and Connors mocks the “DESPY~” chant. Connors moves chairs aside to drag Desperado up, but Desperado fires off CHOP after CHOP!
Connors ROCKS Desperado with haymaker after haymaker, then knees low to snap suplex to the floor! Desperado writhes and the ring count finally starts. Connors drags Desperado up at 7 of 20, puts him in at 8, and fans applaud. Connors aims from a corner, Desperado slowly rises, and Connors runs in, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up as Desperado turns things around! Desperado drags Connors up now, and hits a BIG back suplex! Connors writhes and Desperado drags him up. Desperado tosses Connors out now, and then follows after. Fans get out of the way already, and Desperado CHOPS Connors into taking a seat!
Desperado CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Connors, but Connors kicks back! Connors throws haymakers and CHOPS, but Desperado CHOPS in return! Fans fire up and Desperado brings Connors around to another part of the crowd! The fans move aside and Desperado ROCKS Connors. Desperado eggs Connors on and Connors CHOPS! Desperado CHOPS back! Desperado brings Connors around to yet another part of the crowd! They brawl as fans clear out of the way. Connors mule kicks, and he ROCKS Desperado again. Desperado throws a BODY BLOW! And then Desperado BOWLS Connors into chairs! Now THAT was a strike!
Fans fire up for Desperado and he’s all fired up. Connors rises from the chairs and Desperado eggs him on. The ring count returns, Connors kicks chairs aside and he storms to up to CHOP! And CHOP! Desperado SLAPS Connors! We’re at 10 of 20 but Desperado snap suplexes Connors to the floor! Desperado is all fired up and so are the fans! Desperado rolls in at 15 and Gedo shouts at Connors. Connors sits up at 17, hobbles at 18, and slides in at 19! Desperado is right on Connors with a wrench and OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, ONE!! Connors is fuming and the fans rally as Desperado gut wrenches. GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!
But Desperado says that wasn’t good enough, so he gut wrenches again. GUITARRA DEL… ANGEL!! Cover, ONE?!?! Connors has a lot of fight left but Desperado eggs him on. Desperado throws Connors back out and Connors smacks off the commentary table! Desperado goes out the side, but Connors has a chair! Desperado dares him to get disqualified, and Connors raises the chair, only to get LOCO MONO! Desperado wags his finger, and he picks up the chair! Fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but Connors has another chair! Desperado says okay, let’s go to the ramp. Connors follows and fans rally up.
The ref reprimands, but the two CLASH with the chairs! The chairs fall apart but Connors disarms Desperado, then SMACKS away on Desperado’s back! The ref reprimands but Connors talks trash to a fan wearing a Desperado mask. Connors then sits Desperado up to mock him. Fans boo but Connors CHOKES Desperado with the frame of the chair! The ref counts, Connors lets off at 4, and he looms over Desperado. Fans rally up, “DE-SU-PE!” but Connors whips Desperado into the POST! Desperado falls in a heap but Connors paces around. Connors takes the timekeeper’s chair, and some other chairs, and stacks them!
Connors drags Desperado over to the chair pile, to snap suplex Desperado onto the chairs! Desperado writhes and Connors goes into the ring. Connors wants the ring count so the count begins. Fans rally as hard as they can for Desperado, and he stirs at 8 of 20. Desperado pushes chairs aside, reaches for the apron, but falls over at 14! We’re past 15 as Desperado drags himself up again! Desperado manages to crawl in at 19! Connors is on him with a whip and POWERSLAM! Connors aims from a corner as Desperado slowly rises! SPEAR!! Connors roars, and he drags Desperado back up!
Connors reels Desperado in, drinks and puts one out, but Desperado wrenches free! EL ES CULERO! DESPERADO WINS!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
Connors got cocky and he got caught! But now he’s a sore loser and he beats down Desperado! Young Lions rush in to stop this but Connors just throws them around now! GERMAN SUPLEX for one and a BOOT for another! Fans boo but Gedo says it’s time to make Desperado pay! Connors tosses Desperado out of the ring, then sets up a chair. Connors drags Desperado over to have him take a seat. Connors throws more forearms! Fans boo more but Gedo says it’s Spear time! Connors gets space, runs back in, but Desperado drop toeholds him into the chair! Desperado glares at Gedo, then gets another chair.
Desperado has Connors stuck on the chair, to CON-CHAIR-TO! The Rogue Luchador gets the better of Connors both in and after the match! Will Desperado also get the better of the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS Titán!
The Bad Child is feeling bad having lost to Douki just last round. El Inmortal is also coming off a loss to Speedball, but neither man is out of the running. Who will win a coveted 5-1 in the block?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, both low to the mat. They knuckle lock, and then Lio spins around to trip Titan. Things speed up, Lio jumps the dropdown but Titan follows after. Lio stops to roll but Titan leaps over. Titan sweeps the leg to cover, ONE! Lio sweeps to cover, ONE! Both men go to arm-drag and those cancel out! Then they both dropkick but those cancel out! They both handspring up and fans fire up! The two reset, Lio offers a handshake, and Titan accepts. Fans applaud, but then both men kick low! They were both thinking the same thing! They both kick again, but they both block!
Lio and Titan argue about who lets go first. They agree to go at the same time, and they lower the other’s foot down. They back off, but then Lio whips! Titan reverses, Lio reverses back but Titan goes up and over. Titan rolls back, Lio runs in but Titan goes Matrix to dodge! CALF KICK! Titan runs but Lio goes Matrix now to kick and ENZIGURI! Fans fire up and Titan bails out. Lio builds speed but Titan ducks the slide! Lio comes back, to jump off the apron and RANA Titan away! Fans fire up more and Lio hurries back to the apron. QUEBRADA! Fans fire up again and Lio flexes. Lio gets fans to clap along, then he goes back into the ring.
Lio builds speed again! Lio DIVES and takes Titan out again! Both men are down by commentary and fans rally up. The ring count starts, Lio fires up and fans are with him. Lio drags Titan up at 10 of 20 and puts him in at 12. Fans applaud and Lio pounds the mat. The fans rally back up, Lio waits on Titan to rise, and then Lio storms up to him. But Titan trips Lio! And hooks the legs! Titan rolls for the TRAILER HITCH! Lio endures, Titan shifts around to a deathlock, and he grabs Lio’s arms! Lio resists but Titan SLAPS him in the side, getting the arms for an INVERTED SURFBOARD! Lio endures and fans rally up!
Lio fights to get his hands free, then he drags Titan down! Lio turns things around to have a CROSS HEEL! Titan rolls to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Lio lets go and the two get space. Lio goes to ropes, drags himself up, and goes back to Titan. Lio ROCKS Titan with a forearm, but Titan ROCKS Lio! Lio ROCKS Titan, Titan ROCKS Lio, repeat! Lio goes to ropes and shakes his head. Lio comes back to throw forearm after forearm, but Titan fires off a strike fest and SOBAT! But Lio spins Titan to ROLLING SLAP! Lio runs, into a SUPERKICK! But Lio SUPERKICKS back! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Lio sits up and he says it’s time. Titan rises, Lio runs, RUSH- NO, Titan blocks, shoves and SOBATS! Titan reels Lio in, Canadian Rack for a DOMINATOR GUTBUSTER and then a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Lio survives and fans fire up! But Titan goes to a corner and climbs up. The fans rally, Titan leaps, but Lio avoids the stomps! Lio goes to ropes, Titan rushes over but Lio avoids the kick. Lio whips, goes around and whips again, but Titan reverses to TORNADO- NO, Lio stops the DDT to mule kick and HEEL KICK! Lio runs, RUSH HOUR!! Fans fire up, Lio brings Titan up to whip and SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up as Titan is still in this! Lio grows frustrated, and he slaps himself to refocus. Fans rally, Lio goes to a corner and then climbs up. But Titan GAMANGIRIS first! Titan CLUBS Lio, climbs up after him, and CLUBS him more. Titan drags Lio up and fans rally. Titan throws body shots, but Lio throws them back! Lio fights the lift, HEADBUTTS Titan, and HEADBUTTS again! And again and again and again! Titan falls back and Lio adjusts! Fans fire up for the FINAL- NO, Lio has to roll through as Titan moves! Lio comes back, into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up again and Titan hurries to the corner!
Titan skins the cat to the top rope, leaps, but Lio dodges the stops again! Clothesline in the corner, whip to ropes, and a LARIAT knocks Titan back down! Lio heads back up top! But Titan gets away to the far corner. Lio hops down, runs in, but into a BOOT! SOBAT! KICK! CALF KICK! Lio staggers away and Titan powers up! Off comes the elbow pad, and Titan runs in to LOCO LARIAT! Lio is down in the drop zone, Titan goes back up! LA LANCER!! Cover, Titan wins!!
Winner: Titán, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Lio earns 0)
The Bad Child has fallen from the top spot! Is his time running out? Will El Inmortal stay alive in the block until the very end?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Francesco Akira!
Direct Drive is feeling great after he won in the main event, and he’s ready to #StunTheWorld! But while Yoh beat Wato and Wato beat Akira, will Akira burn too hot to stop? Or is there no stopping Yoh now?
The moment Yoh’s introduction is done, he DROPKICKS Akira! The bell rings and Yoh drags Akira up, but Akira fights the underhooks. Akira CHOPS, whips, but Yoh CLOBBERS Akira! Akira bails out but Yoh hurries to PLANCHA! Akira slides in, Yoh lands on his feet but Akira builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and down goes Yoh! Fans fire up and Akira puts Yoh back in. Akira climbs up, Yoh stands, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Akira says if Yoh wants to play, here it comes! SINGLE KNEE STRIKE! Cover, TWO! Akira throws off his shirt and he stands on Yoh’s face. Akira mocks Yoh’s clapping then drags him up.
SPEED- NO, Yoh slips free to roll Akira up, TWO! Akira SUPERKICKS! Yoh staggers to ropes, I’LL BE BACK into another SUPERKICK! Akira saw the rewind coming, he throws up the crown, and he- NO, Yoh ducks the Fireball to O’Conner Roll! FIVE STAR CLUTCH! YOH WINS!!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
What a shocker! Not so much that Yoh won, but how quickly he won! Akira goes after Yoh but Yoh shoves him away and gets outta there! If Yoh can do this to even Akira, will there be no stopping him from becoming Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The Timesplitter has been struggling at only 1-4, but the Ticking Timebomb isn’t exactly untouchable this year. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion collides with THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, who comes out with the brighter golden ticket?
Hiromu’s picture diary entry for Kushida is that he is simply “Kushi.” When Hiromu approaches commentary, he looks to Tanahashi, but hands the diary to Milano! Milano is happy again! The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu and Kushida circle, feel things out, and then circle more. But then Kushida bails out and goes around the outside. Hiromu waits and Kushida returns quickly enough. They tie up, and are in a deadlock. Hiromu pushes Kushida away and fans rally up. The two circle again, tie up again, and Kushida gets around to a waistlock. Hiromu pries the hold open and wrenches.
Kushida powers through to hammerlock Hiromu, but Hiromu reaches back to headlock. Hiromu then gets his arm free and spins around to have a proper headlock. Hiromu grinds Kushida down, but Kushida fights up. Kushida powers out, then whips Hiromu to hip toss and cartwheel basement dropkick! Hiromu bails out while fans fire up, and Kushida builds speed. Hiromu ducks the slide but Kushida waistlocks. Hiromu switches but Kushida wrenches out for a standing armlock! But Hiromu rakes eyes! The ref reprimands but Hiromu slides back in. Kushida drags him out to slide back in!
Hiromu hurries back in, but into a PENALTY KICK to the arm! Hiromu bails out but Kushida watches him closely. Hiromu rolls back in and Kushida is after the bad arm. Kushida wrenches, WRINGS, and then ties up the arms in that cross arm hold. Kushida pulls on one arm, then falls back to SNAP the lock! Kushida keeps on the pressure as he sits back up and ties up Hiromu’s legs! Hog tie cradle, TWO! Hiromu is free and he gets away to the outside. Kushida goes out to the apron, and he FLYING KNEES the arm! Hiromu clutches the elbow and shouts in pain while fans fire up. Kushida sees the diary, and flips off the “Kushi.”
Kushida drags Hiromu up, puts him in the ring, and pushes Hiromu to a cover. ONE, but Kushida keeps after that bad arm. Kushida has a keylock and he steps over to put more pressure on. Hiromu endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Kushida wrenches the arm to an EL- NO, Hiromu pushes Kushida away! Hiromu runs, but Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS! Hiromu flops out of the ring, and Kushida goes up the corner! Fans rally up and Kushida SUPER SWANTONS! Direct hit and down goes Hiromu! Fans fire up and Kushida brings Hiromu up. Kushida wrenches and puts Hiromu in.
Fans rally as Kushida stalks Hiromu. Hiromu crawls, but Kushida PENALTY KICKS the bad arm! Kushida then jumps on, but Hiromu shoves him away! Kushida runs, Hiromu follows and RANAS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but Hiromu dodges to then clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The bad arm might’ve held Hiromu back on that, but he keeps his focus. Hiromu brings Kushida up, suplexes, but Kushida slips out. Hiromu blocks the fastball to spin Kushida for FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! But Kushida fires back up!
Fans rally and Hiromu drags Kushida up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, Kushida slips off and BOOTS the bad arm! Hiromu swings, but into the HOVERBOARD! Hiromu hurries to clasp his hands behind his back, and then he powers through to ROCK Kushida with a forearm! Hiromu eggs Kushida on, so Kushida ROCKS Hiromu! Hiromu ROCKS Kushida, shakes out his bad arm, but Kushida ROCKS Hiromu again! The forearms go back and forth and the fans rally up! Kushida wobbles and Hiromu eggs him on. Kushida ROCKS Hiromu, so Hiromu ROCKS Kushida! They keep going and the fans rally back up!
Kushida forearms, Hiromu forearms, then Kushida ROCKS Hiromu again! Hiromu fires up and fires off a flurry! But Kushida SHOTEIS! And fires off knees! Kushida TOSSES Hiromu out, then goes out after him. Hiromu ROCKS Kushida and Kushida staggers to railing. Hiromu storms over, taunts Kushida, and Kushida ROCKS him again! Kushida pursues Hiromu and Hiromu ROCKS Kushida again! They walk up the ramp a bit, and Kushida ROCKS Hiromu into the railing! Kushida pulls the railing away to get at Hiromu and they brawl right into the crowd! Fans move aside as the forearms keep flying!
Hiromu ROCKS Kushida, follows him to another section, and eggs him on. They get face to face, then continue to go forearm to forearm! More fans move aside as this brawl keeps moving around! They go to the back rows, the spotlight keeping an eye on them. Hiromu gets the edge, but then Kushida choke grips! Hiromu choke grips back, and they push each other further along. The brawling begins again, and Hiromu ROCKS Kushida again! Kushida is dazed, Hiromu talks trash on him and eggs him on, before he ROCKS him again! Fans fire up, and Kushida CHOPS in return! Hiromu falls with some chairs!
Kushida drags Hiromu up, they continue brawling toward the very back of the arena! Hiromu RAMS Kushida into doors! They go backstage! Then outside!! They’re brawling on the lawn! Lights turn on out there so we can still see this! Red Shoes tells them to get back to the ring already! But Kushida puts on the HOVERBOARD!! Hiromu can only endure out here, and Red Shoes says this has to end inside, and also the ring! Hiromu fights up, fireman’s carries, and he DEATH VALLEYS Kushida into the side of the production truck! Fans are thunderous while both men are down!
Fans call to them both as they stir. Hiromu heads for the door, but Kushida tries to stop him. A ring count starts, but they’re so far away! Hiromu fights Kushida off and hurries back inside. Hiromu makes it into the arena, falls over some spare railing, and Kushida hurries in pursuit. But we’re already at 15 of 20! Kushida and Hiromu start running! Kushida slides in at 18, Hiromu slides in at 19.9!! Fans are loving this while both men are down again. Kushida grits his teeth and crawls over to Hiromu, and both men seem to be enjoying this fight now. They stand, and Kushida KICKS Hiromu’s bad arm!
Hiromu clutches the elbow, and Kushida eggs him on. Kushida puts his hands behind his back! Hiromu says he’ll pay for that, and he ROCKS Kushida with a forearm! Kushida staggers all the way to the ropes, and Hiromu eggs him on. Hiromu wants to see that former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kushida! The fans rally as hard as ever, and Kushida stands back up. Kushida winds up, and ROCKS Hiromu! Then spins him, for a ROLLING ELBOW! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Kushida goes to ropes, Hiromu clotheslines him to the apron! Hiromu runs, SUNSET FLIP, but Kushida holds on! Kushida stays on the apron!
Kushida punches Hiromu down! Kushida then builds speed, to SLIDING SUNSET BOMB! Kushida uses a remix of Hiromu’s move to take him down! The ring count starts again and Kushida clamps on the HOVERBOARD! But Hiromu RAMS Kushida into the apron! Hiromu goes to the apron, JOHN WOO but into an ARMBAR!! Kushida has Hiromu down but the count is climbing! We’re at 15 of 20 as Hiromu deadlifts Kushida, to POWERBOMB him on the floor!! We’re at 18!! Both men get up but only Hiromu gets in! Hiromu wins!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by count out (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)
The Ace of the Junior Heavyweights just got trumped by Hiromu! Kushida is out of the running while Hiromu is still heading for the top! It may have been by ring out, but will this prove to be Hiromu’s defining win?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Robbie Eagles w/ Kosei Fujita!
Two men who won big in the fifth round collide to close out the sixth! Will the Way of the Grandmaster avoid the eagle eye of The Sniper? Or will Eagles pull the Trigger and hit the mark?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Eagles victory rolls, then ties up Wato in the EAGLE LOCK! Wato gets the ropebreak quick and Eagles lets him go. Wato bails out to walk it off, but Eagles waits. Eagles gets the fans to join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Wato returns after that and the two reset. They feel things out, and Wato kicks Eagles’ leg! Eagles kicks Wato’s leg back. Wato kicks Eagles again, but Eagles trips Wato. Things speed up, Eagles hurdles and Wato leaps over!
Things keep moving, Wato ducks but Eagles arm-drags! Wato arm-drags back! Eagles ducks a kick, Wato ducks a kick, and double dropkicks cancel out! Eagles handsprings up and aims his finger gun. Fans fire up and the two reset again. Fans chant for “WATO! WATO!” and Eagles is annoyed. Eagles runs into a SOBAT, then Wato whips. Eagles reverses but Wato BOOTS back! And then BULLDOGS! Fans cheer and Eagles bails out. Wato watches him go around the way, then builds speed! Wato slides but Eagles gets away. Eagles comes back, into a tilt-o-whirl! But Eagles slips out, goes up and around, and arm-drags Wato to the floor!
Fans fire up while Wato writhes! Eagles gets in the ring while Wato uses the commentary desk to stand. Eagles builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Eagles stands on a chair to get fans to join in “T M D K!” clap clap, clap clap clap. Eagles says arigato, and then he apologizes to Wato for this CHOP! Wato goes around the way, Eagles puts him in, and then drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Eagles sits Wato up to run and LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Wato is still in this but Eagles keeps cool. Eagles pushes Wato around, messes with his hair, but Wato slaps Eagles! Eagles slaps back!
Wato throws a forearm, Eagles ROCKS Wato! Wato fires another forearm, and another and another! Eagles kicks low, runs, and catches Wato’s dropkick into a HEEL HOOK! Fans fire up, Wato scrambles around, ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer, Eagles lets off, and Wato clutches his knee. Eagles drags Wato over and brings the leg through ropes. Eagles pulls on the leg, but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Eagles then lines up the shot, and PENALTY KICKS the leg! Eagles says that’s six points! A reference to cricket perhaps? Eagles mockingly tries a “Wato Wato Wato!” chant but no one responds, so he has a good laugh.
Eagles drags Wato up but Wato throws body shots. Eagles eggs Wato on so Wato throws a forearm. Eagles blocks the kick to drop a knee on the knee! Fans rally, Eagles covers, TWO! Eagles keeps his cool and he gets Wato’s leg again. Eagles lets out a “WOO~!” and fans echo it. But Wato kicks away with his free leg! Eagles eggs Wato on, gives him toying kicks, and Wato sits up. Eagles stomps the bad leg, then KICKS Wato in the chest! And again! And again, but Wato blocks! Eagles forearms free, but Wato gets around the boot to ZIGZAG! Both men are down and fans rally back up. Wato goes to a corner, Eagles runs in but only gets buckles!
Wato returns but Eagles puts him on the apron. Wato GAMANGIRIS, springboards, and FLYING UPPERCUTS! Eagles bails out and fans fire up! Wato builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp! Both men are down, the fans fire up again, and Red Shoes checks. Wato stands, he fires up, and fans rally with him. Wato brings Eagles up, puts him in, and climbs up the corner. Eagles stands, Wato leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans continue to rally as Wato fires back up. Wato drags Eagles into a waistlock, but Eagles fights the German Suplex! Eagles mule kicks the leg, ASAI, but Wato slips free!
Eagles waistlocks, Wato switches, Eagles throws elbows but Wato crucifix rolls and brings Eagles up, RECIENTEMENTE! Cover, TWO!! Eagles escapes and shocks Wato! Wato hurries to body scissor and roll, VENDAVAL!! Eagles is caught in the butterfly stretch but he fights his way around. Fans rally, Eagles fights his way forward, but Wato rolls him away! Sunset flip, TWO!! Back to VENDAVAL!! Eagles endures, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks Eagles, but he springs back to life! Eagles moves around, reaches out, inches his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go while fans cheer.
Wato keeps his focus, he brings Eagles up again and waistlocks. Eagles fights the half nelson, breaks free, but Wato ROCKS him! Then HALF ‘N- NO, Eagles arm-drags free! Wato goes to a corner, Eagles runs in but into a BOOT! Eagles LOW 619s! Eagles then rolls and comes back, METEORA! Wato is dazed while Eagles flops to the apron. Fans rally up as Wato crawls and Eagles stands. Eagles springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK the legs! And then back to the EAGLE LOCK!! Wato endures as Eagles thrashes him around! Wato reaches out, crawls, fights his way over, but Eagles drags him back!
Fans rally as hard as ever as Wato endures! Eagles puts as much pressure as he can on the hold, but Wato fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Eagles lets go in frustration. Eagles drags Wato out, traps the arms, and then SMASHES the knee! Wato writhes and Eagles takes aim again. Wato rises, Eagles runs in, but Wato blocks the Trigger! Eagles still goes for a leg, steps through, but Wato KICKS Eagles from below! Fans fire up while both men are down again! The fans rally as hard as they can while Eagles and Wato stir. Eagles sits up first but he flops back over. Wato crawls after him and they both sit up.
Fans rally as Wato throws a forearm! Eagles wobbles, but he comes back with a forearm! Wato shakes his head, and he comes back with another forearm! Eagles throws a forearm, Wato throws it back! Eagles throws another forearm, so Wato throws it back! Both men stand, and Eagles CHOPS! Wato grits his teeth and CHOPS back! Eagles CHOPS, Wato staggers, but Wato CHOPS in return. Eagles throws a forearm, Wato throws a forearm, they go back and forth! Fans rally up as the shots keep going, and Wato gets the edge! But Eagles KICKS away on the leg! Wato KICKS Eagles’ legs out!
Wato hurries to bring Eagles back up, for more forearms! Eagles KNEES low, but Wato blocks his kick! Wato spins Eagles for a ROUNDHOUSE! And SCREW HIGH- ROUNDHOUSE from Eagles!! Eagles roars as he rises up and gets Wato! ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO!!! Wato survives, but Eagles hurries to hook him up! But Wato fights off the Turbo Backpack to scoop and TTD!! Both men are down after the Tenzan Tombstone, and Wato crawls to a cover. TWO!!! Eagles survives but Wato is too tired to be upset. Wato drags Eagles to a drop zone, then goes to the corner. Wato drags himself to the apron and up the corner.
Fans rally up and Wato reaches the top. But Eagles hurries to anchor him! Wato CLUBS Eagles down, but Eagles comes right back. Eagles climbs up to join Wato but Wato fires off forearms! Eagles staggers away, but comes right back to GAMANGIRI! Wato wobbles up top and fans rally again. Eagles climbs up after Wato again, they both stand, and Eagles SUPER STEINERS!! Wato flounders, Eagles goes right back up! 450 onto knees! Wato saves himself but it was double-edged! Fans are thunderous as both men stir. Wato goes to ropes and stands up. He hobbles back to Eagles, brings him into a waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX but Eagles lands on his feet!
Wato turns around into a ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! PELE!! Wato wobbles, Eagles roars, and TRI- NO, Wato ducks! SCREW HIGH KICK!! Eagles wobbles, Wato half nelsons, but Eagles victory rolls, only for Wato to kick him away! Wato O’Conner Rolls Eagles, into the TUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, Wato wins!!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but Eagles falls out of the top spot!! Will The Sniper no longer be shooting for the semifinals with this?
As for Wato, he gets the mic to say “YOSHA~! <Alright!> I beat Kanemaru, and then that started a hot streak for me. Just like this, I’ll make the finals and I’ll win. I’ll open new doors for the junior heavyweight division!” Fans are excited to see it, will the Way of the Grandmaster lead to the top?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Mike Bailey: 5-1, 10 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-2, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 4-2, 8 points
Titán: 4-2, 8 points
Lio Rush: 4-2, 8 points
TJP: 4-2, 8 points
DOUKI: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 2-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-6, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Master Wato: 4-2, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-2, 8 points
YOH: 4-2, 8 points
El Desperado: 4-2, 8 points
Clark Connors: 3-3, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 3-3, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-3, 6 points
Dan Moloney: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
BUSHI: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
An awesome round here! Everyone was going hard this round, like they were hoping to push things from last round. Great showing from Douki against Mike Bailey but it makes sense Bailey still wins to stay strong at the front of the block. Great win from Bushi, and Kanemaru was on the bubble as it was, so it’s not like Bushi really spoils anything. Another great showing from Taguchi and they really made it feel like he was gonna get this, but it still makes sense TJP wins out to keep his hopes alive. There is quite the traffic jam of 4-2 for A Block, these last three rounds are going to be awesome just on that.
Hilarious antics from Sho and Evil this time, you have to applaud how creative they’re being about cheating. Yoh beating Akira super fast was also really wild, really bold and creative. Yoh tends to be the dark horse choice in these tournaments, but he’s really making a push for it this time. There isn’t as much of a jam in B Block but having the top four all be 4-2 also makes for some really interesting outcomes these next three rounds. Wato gets a great main event win, and Hiromu having a count out win rather than something definitive is good stuff, too. Wato could also be a dark horse for the semifinals, I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.
My Score: 8.9/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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