Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/16/23)
Turn it up to 11!
Hello, hello, hello! Live from the moon…
Noam Dar’s return to NXT continues to grow as he brings back Supernova Sessions! And his first guest is Dragon Lee! Will it all go well? Or will it go to hell?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Cora Jade VS Fallon Henley; Jade wins and advances.
- Tyler Bate & Wes Lee VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak; No Contest.
- The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The Dyad w/ The Schism; The Creed Brothers win.
- Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak; Melo & Trick win.
- Thea Hail w/ Duke Hudson VS Kiana James; Kiana wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Roxanne Perez VS Jacy Jayne; wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Cora Jade VS Fallon Henley!
The #GenerationofJade is saying she’s the Savior of the Women’s Division and the future champion. All she needs to do is get through the best of the best. The Cowgirl’s been shining, but will she measure up to Jade’s expectations? Or will she YEEHAW B*TCH all over this ring?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cora pulls hair to put Fallon in a corner, then lets off to laugh at her. But Fallon comes back and powers Cora to the other corner! Fallon SLAPS Cora, but Cora DECKS Fallon! Cora headlocks, Fallon powers out and things speed up. Cora dodges but Fallon runs her over! Fans fire up, Fallon gets around to sit Cora down and basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Fallon runs to slide out and HAYMAKER Cora back in! Fallon grins as she gets back in, but Cora uses the ropes as a defense. The fans boo, but Fallon blocks the cheap shot to CHOP back!
Fallon snap suplexes Cora, covers, TWO! Cora scrambles away to a corner, Fallon runs in but only gets buckles. Cora SHINING WIZARDS to the back, then SHINING WIZARDS to the front! Cora wraps a leg around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Cora lets off to KICK the leg, then drop knees on the knee! Cover, ONE! Fallon hangs tough but Cora drags Fallon by her leg. Cora SMASHES the knee into the mat, then drags Fallon up by her hair. Cora puts Fallon through ropes, ties her up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Cora runs, and SHOTGUNS Fallon down! Cover, TWO! Cora looms over Fallon and drags her around.
Cora steps through, ties up the legs, and gets an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! There’s a watch party going on with Wendy Choo, Tatum Paxley, Kiana James, Thea Hail and many others while Duke Hudson is taking notes. Fallon endures, Cora SLAMS her down, and SLAMS her again. Fallon ROCKS Cora from below, drags her to a cover, TWO! Cora storms up to kick the legs out! Fans boo but Cora gets the leg to SMANSH- NO, Fallon lands on her feet to ROCK Cora! And CHOP! And ROCK and CHOP on repeat! Fans fire up as Cora comes back, and Fallon dodge to UPPERCUT! Fans fire up again as Fallon hobbles up.
Fallon rallies with a LARIAT! Cora goes to a corner, Fallon runs in to elbow! Fallon keeps moving, RUNNNING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Fallon as she slaps her leg. Fallon suplexes, Cora slips out and dragon sleepers! Cora KNEES Fallon in the back, underhooks, but Fallon wrenches out to mule kick the leg! Fallon runs and SHINING WIZARDS! But her bad leg holds her back! Cora flops out of the ring as fans boo, but Fallon hurries out after her. Fallon drags Cora up and into the ring, pushes her to center, but Cora CHOP BLOCKS Fallon’s bad leg! Cora hurries to underhook, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, Cora wins!
Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Punk Rock Mean Girl is moving on towards the goal, already seeing herself in the winner’s circle. Will NXT soon belong to the Generation of Jade? Lyra Valkyria appears to tell Cora it won’t be that easy. Their semifinal match happens next week!
The watch party reacts.
Everyone was rooting for Fallon since Cora insulted everyone else. But Kiana laughs. They are drawing these conclusions from what experience? Reading textbooks don’t count. There’s a difference between watching as a fan, and watching as a superstar. Thea says okay, but uh, this “fan” watched Kiana get eliminated last week. Oh snap! Kiana says that’s cute. She’s the top tier, while Theta will never get there as a “pathetic little child.” Thea says she should’ve been in this tournament, and she’ll prove it tonight! Sounds like a night off to Kiana. Does she need a permission slip signed first?
No! She just needs Mr. Chase- Er, Duke. Duke can approve it! Thea asks if she can have a match with skirt suit here. Duke says sure, do whatever you want. Then she’s gonna kick Kiana’s prissy little ass! The rest of the party fires up, but will Thea represent for Duke Uni- Er, Chase U?
Wes Lee and Tyler Bate meditate backstage.
Wes is down with finding the higher plane, but they have a match next. Can they come back to this? Yeah, they’ll put a pin in it. BUT THE DYAD ATTACKS!! They trap Bate’s arm in a locker, then throw Wes into it to smash the door on the arm!! Then they stomp both of them down! Joe Gacy walks in and says, “This charade of a friendship is based on lies. And eventually, it will burn out. Wes grabs at Gacy but Gacy SLAMS him back down! Will The Schism look to take the gold away from the #WesSide?
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams arrive backstage.
They are heated as they head for gorilla, and they pass by Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak, who were going to face Bate & Wes tonight. Trick tells them that if they ain’t got a match, they gotta get out the way. Dempsey & Gulak are upset by that, but Trick Melo Gang goes to the ring now. Trick tells production to cut the video recap, everyone knows what Bron did to them. Melo says last week, his boy defending his honor and brought it to Bron Breakker. But after that, Bron decided to send Melo a message. Guess what? Message received. And hey, Melo is well aware this isn’t the same Bron from Stand & Deliver. But what Bron needs to realize is that this isn’t the same Melo, either!
Trick says let’s talk about it. Melo says that at NXT Battleground, “we in my yard. And in my yard we don’t bark, we bite! So if you this big alpha dog, why don’t you come out here and face me like a real one would.” Trick calls out Big Booty Nephew, but he & Melo get Dempsey & Gulak instead. Gulak tells Mr. Melo & Mr. Williams that their “childish little sit in” has gone on too long. Gulak doesn’t care if Melo was embarrassed because Bron left him beat in this ring, they do not disrespect Gulak & Dempsey. Trick Melo Gang stormed in like children, right as Dempsey & Gulak found out their match isn’t happening.
Gulak says their lifestyles are not alike. Their flash happens in the ring. Fans taunt Dempsey as “Willy Wonka!” but Gulak tells them to shut up and show respect. Just like these ingrates right here! Melo says okay, okay. The difference between them is, when Gulak & Dempsey speak, fans chant “Willy Wonka.” When Trick Melo Gang speak, fans chant “MEL~O!” And they do now. Trick has one! He tells Gulak and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” that if they want a match, Trick Melo Gang is waiting on Bad Booty Breakker, go ahead and run with them! Fans like that, and Gulak asks if they’re sure this close to Battleground.
But then Gulak cheap shots Melo! Dempsey goes after Trick, the brawl is on, and Trick ROCKS Dempsey out of the ring! Melo fires back, and BOOTS Gulak out of the ring! Fans fire up, will this be the substitute for Gulak & Dempsey facing Bate & Wes?
Dijak speaks.
“Last week, Dragunov found out that when it comes to NXT, I’m the judge, the jury, and executioner.” But then Dragunov interrupts! He tells Dijak that Dijak is obsessed with this idea of breaking Dragunov. But Dragunov is #UNBESIEGBAR, which is to say invincible and unbreakable. Dijak says Dragunov enjoys pain, and he enjoys inflicting it. Dragunov says pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. There’s not a man alive Dijak can’t break! Dragunov drums his fingers, and invites Dijak to try. When and where will these two run it back?
NXT shares footage from over the weekend.
Dani Palmer was part of the NXT Sebring house show, when she was attacked by a hooded assailant! Is this the same person who keeps attacking other parts of the Women’s Division?
The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The Dyad w/ The Schism!
Julius & Brutus are battling it out with Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed on behalf of the Diamond Pitbull going after Ava Raine. Will Diamond Mine crush the Dyad under the pressure? Or will the roots of The Schism’s tree dig into the Creeds?
NXT returns and The Schism make their entrance. The teams sort out and Julius starts against Rip. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Rip arm-drags but Julius kips up and they stay tied up collar ‘n’ elbow. Julius shoots around, fireman’s carry takeovers, and armlocks to wrench. Rip rolls, powers through to back drop, and he has the knuckle locks! Rip pushes Julius down but Julius kips up! But Rip pushes him back down, only for Julius to pop up and monkey flip! They keep the knuckle locks, Julius rolls back but Rip returns the monkey flip! But Julius lands on his feet! And DROPKICKS Rip!
Julius whips but Rip reverses. Julius goes up and over and keeps moving. Brutus tags, Julius ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides out for Brutus to springboard and AX HANDLE! Fans fire up, Brutus wrenches Rip and RAMS shoulders! Brutus wrenches again, but Rip pulls on Brutus’ singlet! Tag to Jagger, the Dyad mugs Brutus in their corner! The ref counts, Rip bails out but Jagger CLUBS Brutus down. Jagger KNEES Brutus in the back and clamps on a chinlock. Fans rally as Brutus endures. Brutus fights up but Jagger throws hands. Brutus DECKS Jagger! And then suplexes Jagger, to hold him up and bring him over!
Tag to Julius, and he takes the handoff! Fans cheer as Julius keeps Jagger up for TEN, then the SLAM! Julius then deadlifts Jagger, but Jagger elbows free. Tag to Rip and Rip ROCKS Julius! And CLUBS him! And suplexes, but Julius suplexes back! Julius holds Rip up now, and he walks over to tag Brutus. Fans fire up as Brutus takes the handoff! It’s a bit trickier with the taller Rip, but Julius tags back in to help out. The Creeds hand off Rip one more time, for the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Rip is dizzy but Julius ROCKS him to a corner. Rip ROCKS Julius back, ROCKS Brutus, but Julius knees low.
Julius whips, Rip stops himself and knees Julius! Tag to Jagger, clinch and ENZIGURI! And then MAYHEM IN MOTION to take out Brutus! Fans are torn as the Dyad makes Julius GRIT YOUR TEETH!! KOJI KLUTCH!! Julius endures, reaches, but Rip stomps away on Julius! The ref reprimands but Julius is fading all the same! Ivy coaches Julius, and he gets a second wind! Julius deadlifts Jagger to POWERBOMB him down! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up while both men are down and NXT goes picture in picture.
Jagger stirs, Julius is after him and CLUBS him to the Creed corner. Tag to Brutus, the Creeds double whip then bypass to DOUBLE ELBOW! Jagger flounders but Brutus clamps onto an arm. Brutus drags Jagger up, wrenches and SAYANAGIS! Tag to Julius, and Julius gut wrench SLAMS Brutus onto Jagger! Cover, TWO! Julius keeps Jagger down with a BEARHUG! Jagger endures, fights up, but Julius SLAMS him back down! Julius keeps on the pressure, Jagger fights up again, but Julius SLAMS him down again! Julius gator rolls with Jagger, keeps him from Rip, but Jagger gets the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts, but Jagger throws an elbow! Rip tags in and he brings Julius up. The Dyad RAMS Julius into the buckles! Julius falls back, Rip whips him to ropes and CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO! Rip throws down elbows into the shoulders, then fishhooks Julius. The ref reprimands and Rip CLUBS Julius down. Cover, TWO! Rip clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Julius down. Julius endures, pries at the fingers, but Rip shifts his grip on the hold. Julius still fights up, reaches out, and pries the hold open. Rip knees low and puts Julius in the corner. Tag to Jagger, he whips Rip in but Julius BOOTS!
Julius ELBOWS Jagger but Rip waistlocks! BOOT and ripcord THROAT CHOP! Cover, TWO! Jagger keeps on Julius with forearms, then clamps on a chinlock. Jagger grinds Julius down now as NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally up and Julius endures, but Jagger leans on the hold. Julius fights up, Jagger as his backpack. But Jagger HIP DROPS him down! Jagger ROCKS Julius, snapmares him, and KNEES him in the back! Jagger wraps on another chinlock and he squeezes tight. Fans rally, Julius fights up, and he carries Jagger as a backpack again! But Jagger CLUBS away on Julius, then ripcords, but Julius gets around! BIG back suplex!
Fans fire up as both men crawl, Rip tags in! Rip drags Julius back, but Julius powers through to hot tag Brutus! Brutus goes up, AX HANDLE! Brutus BLASTS Jagger, CLOBBERS Rip, and then waistlocks! Rip holds ropes, throws elbows and waistlocks. GERMAN SUPLEX but Brutus lands on his feet!? Brutus trips Rip to SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!! Brutus brings down the straps, and he reels Rip right back in for more SMASH! Fans fire up with every ax handle! Brutus lets off on Rip and Rip goes to a corner. Brutus runs in, big clothesline! And then a torture rack, for a SHELL SHOCK! Cover, TWO!!
Brutus keeps focused as he watches Rip flounder. Jagger distracts, Brutus swings on him but Jagger gets away. Rip JAWBREAKERS Brutus and tags in Jagger. The Dyad double whip, but Brutus ducks to shove them into each other! O’Conner on Jagger, NORTHERN LIGHTS for Rip! DOUBLE COVER, TWO!!! The Dyad escapes but Brutus drags Jagger up. Tag to Julius but Jagger ROCKS Julius and fires off on Brutus. Jagger runs, but Brutus POUNCES him! Rip returns, LARIATS, but Brutus doesn’t budge! Brutus and Rip trade lariats, but neither man falls! Brutus dodges, Rip dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down!
Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” while both men crawl. Ivy coaches Brutus as he and Rip stir. They’re in opposite drop zones, so Julius and Jagger end up thinking the same thing. They both climb up, and they both 450 SPLASH the other opponent!! Fans are thunderous and Julius and Jagger roar! They brawl with each other!! The ref lets it go, Jagger ENZIGURIS Julius! Julius KNEES Jagger! Jagger SUPERKICKS Julius! Julius LARIATS Jagger!! Julius roars, reels Jagger in, but Jagger turns bomb into DDT!! Fans chant “This is Awesome!” Rip flounders outside, grabs at Ivy, but then apologizes when he realizes it’s her and not Ava.
But speaking of Ava, she crawls out from under the ring! She scoops Ivy, but ends up in the DIAMOND DRAGON! BRUTUS BALL takes out Rip! Jagger runs in at Julius but only gets buckles! Julius ROLLING SPINEBUSTERS and SLIDING LARIATS!! Cover, The Creeds win!
Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall
The Diamond Mine just crushed the Schism’s tree! Will this lead The Creeds back to some gold?
Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo are out to dinner.
They’re at their favorite place, Fresco Cucina Italiano, and Stacks is upset that Joe Coffey threatened The Don. Tony says Gallus will get theirs when The D’Angelo Family takes their tag titles. Stacks says that’s only if they get their chance. Tony is sure Gallus will play ball. But then Stacks gets a call. Pauly is talking about a shipment being delayed, Stacks will straighten this out. Stacks goes to another room, Tony is proud he is handling business. But in walk the police. Tony already made a donation to the foundation. But they need him to come down to the station to answer some questions regarding certain criminal investigations.
Investigations into what, specifically? Criminal acts associated with Tony D’Angelo. Oh, okay. He knows how this goes. Tony hopes this is legit, he’s missing his meal. Tony heads out with the detectives, and Stacks returns. He asks what happened and a waitress tells him they just took Mr. D’Angelo in for questioning. For what? Stacks hurries to make more calls. Who ratted out The Don?
The Creeds hop on commentary real quick.
Julius says by the looks of it, Gallus has no challenger. So here’s what they’ll do: May 28th, NXT Battleground, Gallus VS Creeds for the NXT Tag Team Championships! The phone’s ringing, so Markus & Wolfie better pick up. The challenge has been issued, will Gallus accept?
NXT presents the return of Supernova Sessions.
“Hello, hello, hello! Hear me now, live from the moon,” Noam Dar welcomes us to the first-ever episode, live in the USA! Dar is our host, our sensei, and our longest reigning NXT Heritage Cup Champion. Supernova Sessions is must-see TV, is the cream of the cream of the crop, and what originated in NXT UK has now become an international phenomenon that has landed right here in Orlando for all you lucky people. They tell Dar that his first guess is a supreme athlete with his eyes on Dar’s prize, but he isn’t gonna get it. Please give it up, or don’t, for Dragon Lee! Fans cheer the Wonder Boy as he makes his entrance.
Dragon goes to the ring, but Dar has him sit in the chair by the wilting flower while Dar gets the comfy couch and fruit salad. Dar thanks Dragon for coming. Oh, wait, Dar forgot. Dragon no speak English, Dar prepared himself with Spanish Made Easy. “Hola senorita. Mi casa su casa.” No, Dragon can speak English. Maybe even better than Dar. Oh, well there’s $20 wasted. But okay, funny man. Here’s Dar’s first question. Is being on SNS the highlight of Dragon’s otherwise lackluster life? Dragon will say this. It is an honor to be here among the people, except for Dar. Dar doesn’t give people respect.
Dragon comes from a family of respect as a second generation luchador. And Dragon’s father started training him to wrestle at 14, and he also taught Dragon to respect his opponents. Dar says this isn’t about respect. This is about everything except the Cup. Dragon is a champion in three continents, a bonafide celebrity in Mexico… Hey, don’t insult Dragon’s home. He is a proud Mexicano, and he loves the people. Their passion, their spirit, and that is what the NXT Universe has shown him since coming here. But that’s what Dar is talking about! Dar has that same passion for his Cup. But how does Dragon feel knowing this is the closest he’ll ever get to it!?
Dragon says Dar keeps talking about this and that. Does Dar wanna defend his Cup? No no no, tranquilo. Maybe Dragon no comprende. Bring out the level two book! Dragon tells Dar that Dar has to defend the cup. Dar chuckles and says his “reptilian mate” has no idea what he’s asking for. Seis, cinco plus uno, three-minute rounds. Two outta three falls! You have to be a master at this game to know what to do! Plus, it’s not as easy as just asking for a match. There are procedures, protocols, forms- But then wait! Nathan Frazer walks out?! Frazer says he’s “sorry” to have to do this to Dar again, but he must expose him “as a massive fraud!”
Dar calls for security, Frazer’s not supposed to be out here! Frazer says on Hard Hitting Home Truths, it doesn’t matter how many rules you make up, that Cup is a trophy that must be defended like any other title in the WWE! And the fact that Dar is champion, that he holds that cup, that doesn’t make him HBK! He can’t say who, when and where! Dar tries to explain in bad Spanish that Dragon no hablas Ingles. But Frazer says Dragon’s been speaking English for over two months! And because he understands English, Frazer will say this. He speaks on behalf of everyone when he says we want to see Dragon VS Dar for the Cup!
Dar says okay, okay, if Dragon- No, Dragon tells Dar it’s Dar VS Dragon at Battleground! What does Dar say? Frazer likes that! And just know this, Noam. If Dar loses that Cup, he could always call Alicia Fox. Dar says okay, haha, if they want a title match against Dragon, how about this! Dar VS Dragon at Battleground is accepted! Dragon will see why there’s levels to this and Dar’s the best! As for Frazer, to have the audacity to ruin SNS’s premiere, Dar is gonna kick Frazer’s ass, in a non-title normal match. That’s all Frazer and the people deserve. Thank you, buh-bye, check please! But in the end, Frazer and Dragon got Dar to take the bait! Will Dar’s historic reign finally come to an end?
Dragunov is being tortured!
Dijak didn’t want to do this in the ring, he’s putting Dragunov through it backstage! Has Dragunov had enough? “Not even close.” Dragunov has a defiant smirk, but Dijak grabs his night stick. What will it take to break the unbreakable?
Backstage interview with Jacy Jayne.
McKenzie Mitchell points out the quarterfinal match between Jacy and “the favorite to win it all,” Roxanne Perez. How confident is she that she can get past a former NXT Women’s Champion? Honestly, she’s not confident at all. She doesn’t even know why they’re having this match tonight. NOT! C’mon, this is Jacy here! McKenzie needs to have better questions for when Jacy is NXT Women’s Champion. And to be honest, Roxie’s time has come and gone. And after Jacy eliminates Roxie, she goes on to the semifinals, where she wanted to face Gigi Dolin. But of course, Gigi proved to everyone what Jacy’s been saying for month: Gigi is a failure!
Gigi failed at being a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend, and at winning the title yet again. Jacy, on the other hand is a winner! The complete opposite! So Jacy will just have to picture Gigi’s face when she kicks Roxie’s head in and take the next step towards becoming the NXT Women’s Champion. Will the Toxic Traitor prove she’s always been better than the Toxic Avenger?
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak!
Trick Melo Gang didn’t walk in expecting a match, but they’re more than happy to show the Philly Stretcher & The Son of the Gentleman Villain why they’re where they are today. Will the NXT Champion send a message to Bron Breakker? Or will Dempsey & Gulak manage a win over HIM?
NXT returns and the teams sort out. Dempsey starts with Trick, they tie up and Dempsey gets around to spin Trick and UPPERCUT! Dempsey then shoots under for a snapmare and armlock. Trick fights up, handsprings and wrenches to a wristlock. The fans seem to be singing a form of the Oompah Loompa song as Dempsey snapmares Trick again. Trick comes back, Dempsey RAMS him, then things speed up. Trick hurdles, but Dempsey turns hip toss into backslide and bridge! TWO! Trick gets up and runs Dempsey over! And again! And then DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Trick fires up and the fans are with him!
Tag to Melo but Dempsey tags Gulak. Fans chant “MEL~O!” as he circles with Gulak. They tie up, Gulak knees low and then knees low again. Gulak hits a headlock takeover but Melo gets up fast. Melo comes back to arm-drag Gulak! Gulak wrenches, lifts, but Melo hits a flying-mare to get the takeover. Gulak fights up and powers out, they RAM shoulders, and things keep moving. Melo goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! And then another arm-drag to have the armlock! Gulak fights up and Melo whips. Gulak reverses, and Gulak denies the rana to whip again! Melo reverses, Gulak headlocks but Melo powers out.
Things keep moving, fans chant “GULAK SUCKS!” but he sunset flips Melo! TWO!! Melo just gets out but Gulak grabs the arm! KIMURA! Melo fights up but Gulak tags Dempsey. The technicians double whip, double BOOT, and then Dempsey covers. ONE!! Dempsey clamps onto the arm, wrenches the arm, but fans taunt him as “WILLY WONKA!” Melo wrenches and wristlocks but Dempsey snapmares. Melo wrangles Dempsey, Dempsey snapmares again, and repeat! They go back and forth, throw for throw, then Melo ghost pins! TWO and Dempsey has a leg! Melo resists, kicks, but Dempsey gets both legs!
Melo fights, he throws Dempsey away, then WRINGS him out! Tag to Trick, they double whip and then CLOBBER Dempsey! Cover, TWO! Dempsey chinlocks but Trick wrenches out to WRING Dempsey! Dempsey throat chops Trick! The ref reprimands Dempsey but misses Gulak CLOBBER Trick at the ropes! Fans boo but Dempsey drags Trick up to ROCK him with a forearm! And CHOP him to the corner! Tag to Gulak, the technicians mug Trick and Gulak snapmares Trick around. Gulak hooks up the legs, grabs Trick’s arms, and pulls Trick’s hair! The ref counts, Gulak lets go, and he drops knees on Trick’s back! Cover, TWO!
Gulak keeps on Trick and tags Dempsey in. They drag Trick up, whip him to a corner, and then GERMAN SUPLEX into another GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Trick is still in this but Dempsey stomps him down! Fans rally but Dempsey has Trick’s leg! Trick resists the turnover, kicks at Dempsey, but Dempsey just grabs that leg! Trick ENZIGURIS and hot tags Melo! Gulak tags in but Melo rolls off his back to DECK Dempsey! Melo fires off on Gulak, then gets around to SUPERKICK! Dempsey tags back in, but Melo dodges him to SPRINGBOARD LARIAT! Fans fire up and Melo whips.
Dempsey reverses, Melo reverses back and ducks the boot! Melo pump handles Dempsey for a SINGLE LEG SLAM! High stack cover, Gulak drags Melo off with a back suplex! Melo lands on his feet, pushes Gulak to the corner, tag to Trick! O’Conner Roll and LEAPING LARIAT! Trick fires up and the fans are with him. Dempsey hits low, uppercuts, but Trick spins him and whips. CYCLONE KICK! Hot tag back to Melo and he’s up top, NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Trick Melo Gang wins!
Winners: Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams, by pinfall
Trick with the assist, Melo from downtown, they get the win! Trick says that’s another one for Trick Melo Gang, and Melo says, “As we were saying, Bron…” But Bron just responds via the tron. How do Melo’s ribs feel after being speared outta the sky? Melo will have to wait a little longer, since Bron made a little pitstop. But he has to say, the energy in this place, just not the same today. Bron is in CutWiz! He wonders why everyone’s so nervous. Bron says he’s gonna get a fresh cut before finishing what he started. Trick Melo Gang says fine, they’ll be waiting. When will the Big Booty Nephew arrive and step to HIM?
Duke Hudson finishes grading papers.
Wrong, wrong, laughably wrong. But then Thea jumps in with her high energy to say it’s go time! Where? To the ring! Remember? He gave permission! The match is next! Wait, he did? Yes! Oh, right, of course! And it is go time! Thea’s got this! Let’s go! Duke looks worried, though. Will his teaching style be put to the test as Thea takes on Kiana?
Noam Dar cradles the cup.
He says he won’t let anyone else touch him. He then walks across Lash Legend, and oh, um… “Miss Jackson.” He apologizes, it’s just that Dar and Lash go way back. Lash wouldn’t say that, say less. Dar asks if Lash saw Supernova Sessions. Lash is upset. All these talk shows on NXT, from the Grayson Waller Effect, which is now on SmackDown, and Nathan Frazer talking all this mess on his show. Dar and Jackson agree, he talks too much. And now, Dar. Running around with his Supernova Sessions. The only show we should be talking is the OG, Lashin’ Out with Lash Legend, okay? Dar missed that one. But will Dar win Lash over soon enough?
Thea Hail w/ Duke Hudson VS Kiana James!
Andre Chase is still on sabbatical, but Duke has made a good substitute teacher. Though, maybe that’s not saying much. Will Thea still past this test? Or will the Professional Professional Wrestler flunk her hard?
The bell rings, Kiana talks trash while Thea eggs her on. Kiana shoves Thea down, then shoves her again! Fans boo but Thea gets around to waistlock and SLAM! Thea stomps away on Kiana at the ropes! Fans fire up, Thea lets off, but then Kiana kicks her low and throws her down by her hair. Kiana wants her bag, but Thea rolls her up! TWO, and Kiana ROCKS Thea! Kiana whips Thea to a corner, Thea goes up and over and arm-drags! Fans fire up as Thea arm-drags Kiana more! Thea whips Kiana to a corner, then back drops her! Kiana flounders and Duke cheers, though he wasn’t really paying attention.
Thea gets a bit distracted getting thumbs up from Duke and Kiana ROCKS her! But Thea TOSSES Kiana out! Thea builds speed, and she DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp with the “Tope U-icida!” Thea rains down fists, and she high-fives Duke. Thea puts Kiana in, Duke goes back to his papers, and Thea climbs up. Thea FLYING FLOPS as Kiana avoids the splash! Kiana drags Thea up, KNEES her low, then KNEES her again! And again! Fans boo, Kiana covers, TWO! Thea is still in this but Kiana throws more KNEES in! Kiana KNEES Thea to a corner but the fans rally for her. Kiana throws forearms, then RAMS into Thea.
Kiana brings Thea around, pushes her down to a cover, TWO! Kiana REAR BEARHUGS, but fans rally up. Thea endures the squeeze, even as Kiana thrashes her around. Thea fights up, but Kiana throws her down! Kiana gets the legs and stomps Thea in the stomach! Thea crawls to a corner but Kiana shoves her into the buckles. Kiana taunts Thea, shoves her and BODY BLOWS! And then another! Duke is still too busy checking papers, but Theta blocks the third shove and elbows Kiana back! Thea throws forearms, dodges and kicks the legs out! KNEE! Kiana staggers into forearm after forearm!
Kiana goes to a corner, Thea ELBOWS her, then reels her in, EXPLODER! Fans fire up, Thea shakes the ropes and SPRINGBOARD SENTONS! Kiana goes to a corner, Thea runs in but Kiana puts her on the apron. Thea counter punches Kiana, goes up top, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Kiana survives and Thea scowls. Fans rally, but Kiana blocks the suplex to GOURD BUSTER! Thea sputters, Kiana FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS her! Thea flounders but Kiana runs, 401KO! Cover, Kiana wins!
Winner: Kiana James, by pinfall
Thea goes to Duke for consoling, but he still pays a bit more attention to the papers. Will Thea ever get that A+ win? Will Kiana be waiting around the corner of the Women’s Championship tournament finals?
Hank Walker & Tank Ledger are backstage.
Tank is checking his teeth after one of them got chipped in that match with Briggs & Jensen. Hank says the dental team did a good job. Tank agrees, but it’s not like they’re winning any beauty pageants. Hank’s gotta admit, the tag division doesn’t care about looks. Briggs & Jensen walk over and say hey, and that Hank & Tank were very impressive. They liked that Hank & Tank were ready to throw hands. And how the teeth doing? Tank’s got a brand new tooth, and a souvenir from the match. Briggs says Tank is one tough kid. The last time Briggs hit someone that hard, it was all Jensen. And Jensen sure gave it back. And now they’re better off for it!
Really? Yeah, beating the hell outta each other was the best thing for them. Huh. Well, once Hank & Tank are done here, drinks are on them! Sounds good to Tank! Tank wonders. Maybe they should do that. Do what? If they wanna be a good tag team, which they do, then they gotta be close. Like, Briggs & Jensen close. Like peanut butter & jelly, like mashed potatoes and gravy! Hank says okay, but Tank says they get in the ring with each other. Wait, Hank VS Tank? Yes! Straight up hoss fight! Push the limits, make it a bonding experience. By beating the hell outta each other? Yeah! Well, alright! Let’s do it! See you in the ring!
Backstage interview with Wes Lee & Tyler Bate.
McKenzie is with them as they’re in the medical room getting checked out. Bate is still being looked at, any ideas as to why The Schism attacked them? Wes usually loves talking with McKenzie, but he’s gonna say what he needs to say in the ring. Is Bate good? Yeah. Okay, then. Wes tells us to stay tuned. Well, it’s fairly clear what Wes is gonna do, but will he get the response he wants?
Dabba-Kato speaks.
“I came to NXT with one mission. And I put an emphatic end to him. And then I watched as an entire NXT locker room holding their breath, hoping that I would go to Raw or SmackDown. But all of your deepest, darkest fears still exist. Because I’m not going anywhere! I’ve still got so much more to accomplish, so many more superstars to destroy, so much more havoc to create. And championship gold to capture. I’m on the hunt, and every NXT superstar is my prey!”
Other superstars respond.
Axiom sits with Dante Chen, Eddy Thorpe, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe watching that promo. And Enofe isn’t sure about the rest, but Dabba looks pissed. Hey, good thing he and Malik are a tag team. Enofe, what’re you talking about? What? Dabba’s got hands like cement bricks! Thorpe says Dabba’s got the strength of ten men. Malik agrees with that. Axiom says Dabba is definitely the biggest mountain in NXT today. But he enjoys the challenge of climbing the mountain, because the view from the top is breathtaking. Yeah, unless you stop breathing first. Malik says Enofe plays too much. But is the Undeniable Truth going to try and topple the towering Dabba-Kato?
Wes Lee heads to the ring!
Fans cheer the North American Champion and he gets a mic. “Look, I wanted to come out here to address everyone. I was promoted to be in a match with my friend, Tyler Bate, tonight. But because of an attack by Schism, that match is not gonna be happening. Look, I have gotten so much better at controlling my anger. But when you attack me and my man for no reason, you’re gonna piss me off. Gacy, you and your leech squad preach friendship and unity, but they aren’t friends. They’re sheep! Tyler Bate, he is a friend! And you did not need to target me or my friend to get an opportunity at this NXT North American Championship.”
Bate is watching while being tended to. Wes says if Gacy wanted it, all he had to do is ask! And Gacy says from the perch,” What a speech! But unlike your friend, Tyler Bate, who you speak so highly of, I have never been dishonest with what I want. And I’ve said it, and I’ll openly say it now, that I want that North American Championship.” Ava says that with every groundbreaking win, Wes edges closer and closer to becoming the greatest North American Champion in history! But what will that make Gacy when he takes that title from Wes at Battleground? If all Gacy had to do is ask, then he’s asking, Wes.
Now all Wes has to do is break the bad news to the Big Strong Liar that Gacy is the one getting the match. Wes asks why Gacy tries to use these Schism powers to drive wedges between people? But wait, Bate is on the move! Wes asks when Gacy will understand it won’t work. Ava says the wedge has already been created. Tyler is deceiving Wes! But speaking of, here comes Bate! Bate tells Gacy that he has had it with this “high school name calling rubbish!” Gacy, Bate doesn’t know why you have a problem with him,. Maybe it’s about Stand & Deliver. Either way, Gacy has a receipt coming for him. And if it is as Battleground, so be it.
Wes says Gacy might have a busy night. But then Bate tells Wes to hold on. Bate says he and Wes are friends. But he would be lying to everyone if he said he didn’t want a title match, too. And the truth sets you free! SHUT UP, GACY!! Fans cheer Wes, and Wes asks Bate what he means. Why didn’t he just say something sooner? Bate says that’s right, he should have said something. But they can still do this strictly in the spirit of competition. Bate would never let titles get in the way of friendship. “If you say so, Tyler,” Ava adds. Gacy asks who it’ll be at Battleground then? The sworn enemy who approaches you face to face? Or the so-called friend who would stab you in the back?
Wes considers his options, and fans seem to sense the answer. “I’ll take you both on. How about a Triple Threat and I’ll see y’all at Battleground!” Wes tells Bate he thought he could trust him. Bate says he can, but Wes still leaves alone. Be it friends or enemies, who comes away with the gold at Battleground?
Roxanne Perez speaks.
“Exactly one year ago, my journey to becoming NXT Women’s Champion started when I entered the Women’s Breakout Tournament. I won that contract, and then went on to become the NXT Women’s Champion. Where did the time go? Everything happened so fast. Last year, this board was block, and now, every single one of these pictures capture a moment in time from the last 365 days. Championships, overcoming Meiko, my Rumble appearance. What’ll my next year look like? What’ll my next board look like?” Roxie has it prepared, with NXT, Battleground, Raw, SmackDown and WrestleMania 40 already represented.
Roxie says the unknown is nerve-wracking yet also so exciting. She knows where she’s been and where she wants to go. Now it’s just about how she gets there.
Von Wagner walks along backstage.
One of the ladies brings up Raw last night, and the battle royal. He did a great job there. He appreciates that. She also apologizes for what that guy, Lucas, said to him last week. That wasn’t cool. That was horrible. Von says that guy was probably just trying to impress the ladies or something. People always run their mouths like that. Speaking of Lucas, he is complaining to Robert Stone about Von assaulting him last week. Stone tells him to not push the issue, but Von pushes Lucas against spare ladders! Lucas wants to keep playing games, huh?! Do you wanna get in the ring? They can settle this any time he wants!
Lucas runs away, Stone thanks Von for the help. But wait, Von sticking up for Stone? N-No, what? But, you were. Von admits it, he did stick up for Stone. But that’s because Stone’s the only guy who has believed in Von since the beginning. And Stone says the reason why is because he knows there’s a superstar deep inside Von! So Stone asks Von this: Is Von ready to talk about his past?! Von looks at the picture. Nice try, Stone. Von leaves, but is Stone going to be the one that pushes things too far?
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Roxanne Perez VS Jacy Jayne!
While Gigi Dolin is out of the running, there’s plenty of beef to squash between The Prodigy and the Toxic Traitor from the past 365 days. Will Roxie get a bit of vindication on top of vengeance? Or will Jacy make this all about her?
The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Jacy powers Roxie to a corner and grinds her forearms in. The ref counts, Jacy lets off while talking trash, but Roxie rolls Jacy up! TWO, and Roxie ROCKS Jacy! Jacy nods, that was good. But then she rushes in, only for Roxie to get around and waistlock. Jacy switches, Roxie wrenches out and wrenches hard. But Jacy ROCKS Roxie with a forearm! Fans boo but Jacy whips Roxie to ropes. Roxie wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and steps through to O’Conner Bridge! TWO, and Roxie hurries to step over! La Magistrol, TWO! Jacy staggers into another wrench.
Jacy swings, Roxie ducks but Jacy bucks the O’Conner to run Roxie over! Jacy howls but fans boo. Jacy KICKS Roxie in the back, but then Roxie blocks the mule kick! Roxie drags Jacy down to a roll-up, TWO! Jacy rushes in but into an arm-drag! Roxie has the armlock, floats to a cover, TWO! Roxie keeps on the arm and grinds Jacy down. Fans rally behind Roxie but Jacy fights up. Jacy pulls hair, whips Roxie ot ropes, but Roxie wheelbarrows again. Jacy throws Roxie away to DECK her! Roxie goes to ropes, then a corner. Jacy runs in but Roxie elbows her away! Roxie goes up, but Jacy SHOVES Roxie to the apron!
Roxie drags herself back up, but Jacy BLASTS her off and Roxie hits the desk! Fans boo but Jacy shrugs while NXT goes picture in picture.
Roxie writhes but Jacy taunts her. Roxie drags herself up, drags herself in, but Jacy CLUBS her down! Jacy has Roxie in a corner, runs in and back body blocks! Jacy then snapmares to KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Roxie checks her teeth, Jacy drags her into a motorcycle stretch. Roxie endures, fans rally up, and Roxie kicks forward. Jacy just sits back to pull deeper! But Roxie pushes back! It’s a cover, TWO and Jacy lets Roxie go, to get Roxie in a body scissors! Jacy squeezes tight but Roxie fights around. Jacy adds a chinlock but Roxie still fights. Roxie pushes back again to another cover, TWO!
Jacy lets Roxie go this time, but she hurries to clamp back on with the chinlock. Roxie endures again, fights back up, and she pushes back, only for Jacy to send her into the buckles! Roxie BOOTS back, Jacy runs in but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Roxie gets around to backslide! TWO and NXT returns to single picture as Jacy hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Roxie while Jacy grows frustrated. Jacy stomps Roxie around, and bends her back with a chinlock stretch. Roxie endures all over again and the fans continue to rally. Jacy licks Roxie’s forehead, but Roxie fights up, only for Jacy to throw her down!
Fans boo but Jacy soaks it up and has some fun. Jacy runs in to RAM Roxie! And RAM her in again, and again! The ref counts, Jacy lets off at 4, and then she jukes to CANNONBALL into just buckles! Roxie avoids the crash but Jacy hurries after her. Roxie KICKS Jacy from below! Jacy sits up, fans rally, and Roxie throws forearms! Jacy hits back, they go back and forth! Roxie gets the edge, and she eggs Jacy on! Jacy ROCKS Roxie back! Roxie rebounds to ROCK Jacy! And again! And again! Jacy kicks, Roxie blocks and throws furious fists from all sides! Fans fire up but Jacy shoves Roxie away, Roxie SHOTGUNS Jacy out of the ring!
Roxie kips up and fans fire up! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Roxie drags Jacy up and into the ring, then climbs up top. Fans rally, Roxie CROSSBODIES! She bounces off but keeps moving, and BOOTS Jacy! Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Jacy hangs tough but Roxie keeps her focus. Roxie dares Jacy to get up again. Fans are with Roxie as she sobats but Jacy blocks to knee low! Jacy whips, Roxie goes up and over and around but Jacy pops her off! SUPERKICK! ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives and Jacy can’t believe it! Jacy then gets mad, and she scowls at Roxie.
Jacy tells Roxie to give up as she rains down forearms! Fans boo but Jacy drags Roxie up. Jacy fireman’s carries but Roxie grabs ropes. Jacy throws Roxie to KNEE her low! Jacy spins, but Roxie dodges to SOBAT! Hop on and POP ROX!! Cover, ROXIE WINS!
Winner: Roxanne Perez, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
And we have our final four! Roxanne will take on Tiffany Stratton next week, and the two stare down on stage. These two were so close to being champion against Indi Hartwell, but who will be the one to get back to that belt?
And wait! GIGI DOLIN is here, and she beats up on Jacy! Jacy kicks Gigi away but Gigi pursues! They brawl, Jacy gets away again and then drags Gigi out to the floor! Gigi fires back and SMACKS Jacy off the apron! Refs rush in to stop this, when will Gigi get her revenge on Jacy?
Dragunov still endures Dijak’s beatings.
He grits his teeth and sweats through the pain, but he’s already battered and bruised. Dijak says he already told Dragunov that he can break any man. But Dragunov says he’s still standing! Dijak chuckles and leaves Dragunov be. Was this satisfactory for Hard Justice? Or does nothing break UNBESIEGBAR?
Melo & Trick make their way back out!
Melo has the mic, and he tells Bron that it’s time. Traffic ain’t that bad, so Bron can get on out to the ring. Trick & Melo will stay until the lights turn off if they have to. They’re watching all possible entrances, will Bron follow through on his word? We find out, after the break.
NXT returns and Trick Melo Gang is still waiting. Fans chant “Bron is a Coward!” but then Bron’s music hits. Bron walks down the ramp, mic in hand and smile on his face. But then security walks out, too? Melo asks what’s going on, and Trick says Big Bad Bron needs bodyguards. Bron says he didn’t bring these guys for him. The last time Bron saw them, he speared Melo through the wall. This is to protect Melo from Bron. If they weren’t out here, there would be no homecoming, and no NXT Battleground main event. Trick says the only one who needs protection is Bron!
Bron says, “Excuse me, but the last time I checked, last week, you and I strapped up the boots and let the ring talk, dude.” And Bron is pretty sure he beat Trick, too. Melo says that’s big talk coming from a guy with a wall of security in front of him. Some people say Bron changed for the better, but in reality, Bron can’t blame the people or Melo. Bron can only blame himself. Bron thought he was untouchable, until he got touched. And at NXT Battleground, Bron is NOT taking Melo’s NXT Championship.
Bron says he and Melo fight for two very different reasons. Melo wants to go to Battleground and retain the title, which is fine. But the title isn’t what interests Bron anymore. This is about destroying Melo in front of his hometown, in front of his fans, family and his friends, so that they all leave that night crying that their hero, Carmelo Hayes, couldn’t get the job done. Melo says Bron is saying all that with so much conviction and belief, and it’s that same believe that got him a year long title reign with this belt right here. But there is a reason that Melo and Bron are the main event. Everyone else ain’t cut like them. They ain’t.
And here Bron is, thinking he’s gonna ruin the homecoming. Cool. But the reality is, beating Bron is gonna help Melo create the dynasty he builds over Bron’s body. That is all it is, and that is all it’s gon’ be. Bron says Melo’s hometown does have a history of dynasties coming to an end. Like the New England Patriots. The Boston Celtics. The Red Sox. The Bruins. Any other team from Boston that’s trash. The Floridians in the audience actually cheer that. But the thing is, Bron is gonna put an end to the Him Dynasty before it even begins. And then after, Melo realizes he’s not Him, he’s nothing. And there’s not a damn thing Melo can do about it.
But Melo FLIES out onto the security guards! Bron goes after Melo, they brawl, security gest thrown aside and the hand start flying! Trick also helps clear things out so Melo and Bron can brawl in the ring! Fans fire up but security keeps trying to stop this! “Let Them Fight!” Melo clotheslines a guard out, but Bron CLOBBERS Melo!! Fans bark it up as Bron trophy lifts, but Melo slips free! And LOW BLOWS! No rules in a brawl! BELT SHOT!! Fans cheer Melo on, but he and Bron are both down. Who will be the man who gets back up to be THE NXT Champion?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for NXT, great build towards Battleground, but given that final segment, I kinda wish they had saved that in particular for the go-home show next week. What a great final image of Bron and Melo both down, the belt between them, and them feebly reaching for it. With one more segment next week, I have a feeling Bron stands tall there to establish that he isn’t winning at Battleground. Stand & Deliver was Melo’s Heel win moment, Battleground will be his Face win moment, and then Melo and Bron can move on to another story for the Summer. I feel like Bron should move to the North American Championship given how that scene is building.
Good bit of The Schism attacking Bate and Wes to ruin their plans for the night. And really creative way to get Bate to admit to wanting the title match. That Triple Threat will be great stuff, and because it is a Triple Threat, it could go any which way. As for the rest of Schism, of course The Dyad loses to Diamond Mine. As good as Zack Gibson & James Drake are, Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed are fairly weak. And at this point, we need to have Ivy VS Ava to happen. But should that happen, Ava probably wins thanks to shenanigans. Now, after someone dropped a dime on Tony, The Creeds step up to be contenders, that will be a good match. I can’t be sure if it was Gallus or The Creeds themselves who tipped off the cops, though.
Really good video for Dabba-Kato, and good response. Axiom seems to be moving on from Scrypts to go after his Bane in Dabba. That feud will probably be competitive compared to Axiom punking out Scrypts. Another good segment with Wagner and Stone where of course the “punchline,” if you will, is Stone bringing up the picture of Von’s scar. Von is going to resist, and he probably will beat the hell out of that Lucas guy, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Good promo from Hank, Tank, Jensen & Briggs. And before Tank even said it, I knew he was gonna suggest a match of Hank VS Tank. I hope this doesn’t backfire on these guys.
The Dragunov and Dijak segments were filmed very well, very Hollywood action movie, but I’m not sure the point of it. It’s supposed to establish how tough Dragunov is even though we’ve already seen it plenty when Dragunov has faced opponent after opponent who have beat the hell out of him. Just give us a No Disqualification type match where Dragunov gets brutalized yet still comes out the winner and we’d get the same effect as two of the three segments here tonight.
Great return of the Supernova Sessions, because Dar is always great on the mic. Dragon was great, Frazer was a great surprise, and we all knew Dar VS Dragon was going to be the title match so I guess them just getting to it is fine. No contender match, just straight up challenge made and accepted. Dar VS Dragon at Battleground is going to be great, and Dar VS Frazer next week is going to be great, too. And I liked that watch party stuff during the women’s title tournament. Thea VS Kiana was a good match but even if Duke was paying attention, I feel like Kiana was going to win. Duke being an inattentive teacher is an interesting next step in this story, but he still played it well.
I like that we got some more of that “NXT Women’s Division attacker” at other events other than the televised ones. I wonder if this person is revealed at Battleground. Whoever this is probably attacks whoever the new champion is, thereby getting a title feud for the summer. And while both matches tonight were great, I said last week that the outcomes were so obvious. Lyra advanced, so did Cora. Tiffany advanced, so did Roxie. Those feuds will be settled in the semifinals, and I’m thinking we get Cora VS Roxie to settle the ultimate grudge. Then Roxie can put being a two-time NXT Women’s Champion on her second memory board.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Will the Mad King regret this gamble?
Before putting both belts on the line against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream, Eddie Kingston defends his NJPW Strong title against Rocky Romero! Will plans have to change all thanks to Azucar?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero; Eddie wins and retains the title.
- The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar; The Righteous win.
- AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins and will challenge Saraya for the title on Title Tuesday, October 10th.
PLAY BY PLAY
AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party!
The open challenge was put forth, and it was answered very quickly! Will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay DELETE the Scissor World Tour? Or will Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass keep the party going?
But of course, Platinum Max has a diss track! “Acclaimed on the mic, ’bout to leave these dudes up in smoke! Y’know we comin’ like the Colorado Buffalos! Matt, I don’t want any heat! I don’t need your crazy ass wife sendin’ me tweets! It’s the one guy in Private Party! Nowadays, he gets tag teamed by the Hardys! Jeff, I’m a leave you black in both eyes! You gonna need these sunglasses like Coach Prime.” Bowens takes the mic to say “COLORADOOOO~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor Me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! The belts are raised, and we see who survives WrestleDream weekend!
The trios sort out and Bowens starts against Kassidy. They shake hands, tie up, and Bowens waistlocks. Kassidy drop toeholds, facelocks but Bowens slips free to wrench. Kassidy rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Bowens powers out to headlock but Kassidy powers out, only for Bowens to run him over! Bowens self-scissors, then things speed up. Kassidy hurdles, Bowens shoves then follows but Kassidy arm-drags! Bowens arm-drags! Bowens blocks Kassidy’s arm-drag to whip, but Kassidy wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Bowens stands, into a RANA! Kassidy then pounds the mat and fans fire up.
Bowens kicks but Kassidy blocks to spin him. Kassidy kicks but Bowens blocks to flip him! Bowens then kicks, kicks and KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up, “EVERYONE Loves The Acclaimed!” Bowens drags Kassidy up, tags in Caster, and they double whip. Kassidy holds ropes, TOSSES Bowens then BOOTS Caster! Tag to Matt and Matt BOOTS Caster! Kassidy hits a NECKBREAKER, Jeff tags in to go up, for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jeff snapmares Caster to then NECK SNAPPER! Fans fire up with Jeff and he waits on Caster to stand. Kick but no Twist as Caster slips free! Jeff ducks the backhand to SPIN KICK!
Jeff CLUBS Caster, Caster scrambles away, tags to Billy and Matt! Fans fire up as Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Billy says “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” And repeat! Then Billy headlocks! Matt throws body shots, powers out, but Billy runs Matt over! Billy flexes and does a dance, and then he runs in. Matt ELBOWS Billy, BOOTS him, then bumps him off buckles! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Billy gets all three layers, and Matt tags Jeff. Jeff tags Kassidy, and the Hardys set up fort he classic POETRY IN MOTION! Then Kassidy adds PARTY IN MOTION! But The Acclaimed CLOBBER Kassidy & The Hardys!
Fans fire up as Caster has Kassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Billy helps get the legs, and Bowens goes up to SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Kassidy squeals before impact! Cover, TWO! Kassidy survives but The Acclaimed have control as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Billy brings Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and he hears the fans singing. Billy ROCKS Kassidy with a right, apologizes to the ref, then tags to Bowens. Bowens drags Kassidy up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! Bowens then brings Kassidy up to tag in Caster. They double suplex Kassidy, Caster covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock while fans rally up. Kassidy fights to his feet, throws body shots, and he fires forearms as Rampage returns to single picture. Kassidy runs but Caster CLOBBERS him! Tag to Billy and they mug Kassidy.
Billy brings Kassidy to an open corner, stomps and ROCKS him on repeat, then lets off to smirk at the Hardys. He dares them to do something, but Matt tells Billy to suck it! So Billy DECKS Matt! Billy runs corner to corner but Kassidy dodges! The splash hits buckles and Billy falls back! Fans rally up as both men crawl, but Billy gets Kassidy’s leg! Kassidy stands up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Jeff! Jeff rallies on Billy, on Bowens, and on Caster! Fans fire up and Jeff clotheslines Billy up and out! Jeff CLOBBS Bowens, then catches him for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Leg hook cradle! Cover, Caster breaks it!
Caster helps Bowens up, then runs in, but Jeff ELBOWS caster and ROCKS Bowens! Jeff goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Jeff gets both Caster and Bowens but everyone is down! Billy returns, kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and runs, but Jeff dodges! Matt kicks Billy for a TWIST OF FATE! Jeff hurries up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Bowens breaks it in time! Matt CLUBS Bowens, Bowens hits back, and Bowens calls to Caster. They whip Matt to a corner, forearm then ELBOW then forearm again! And a feed to the POWERSLAM! ROLLING ELBOW for Jeff! The Acclaimed regroup, and Billy crawls to the corner.
Fans fire up as Billy drags Jeff over. Jeff gets loose, hot tags to Kassidy and Bowens! Kassidy dodges Bowens to DROPKICK Caster! “This is Awesome!” as Kassidy BOOTS Bowens! Kassidy goes up, leaps, FLYING FLATLINER! Billy stands, runs in, but Kassidy dumps him out! Kassidy slingshots out then QUEBRADAS to take Billy down! Kassidy mocks the scissoring, then tells Bowens to get up. Kassidy springboards in, but Bowens dodges and Caster BACKHANDS Kassidy! Then Bowens BACKHANDS Kassidy! Bowens fires off the Five Tool Strike Fest! Caster hoists Kassidy up and Bowens helps, to give Kassidy the PLATINUM BOMB! Cover, The Acclaimed win!
Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Championships)
A huge win for the champions, and the Scissor World Tour continues! In fact, it is heading to Seattle for WrestleDream’s Zero Hour! TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito are waiting, will they show The Acclaimed that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“Well folks, tonight, it’s me and Big Rock, Rocky Romero, for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. Rock, I got nothing but respect for you, dawg, so it’s gonna be an honor and a pleasure to defend this against you. You’re the man that got me into the G1. You’re the man that got me-” Wait, Team Triple J is interrupting. Jay Lethal says that if we’re talking honor and respect, Eddie is standing here with two titles on his shoulders, and that is worth respecting. But Lethal can’t get behind how Eddie is the ROH World Champion. Lethal dedicated his life to that title! His blood, sweat, tears, all to honor a tradition that meant that every person to hold that title would be a pure athlete!
And Eddie, you are no pure athlete! Now as for this NJPW Strong Openweight title, Lethal doesn’t care if Eddie wins it or loses it here tonight. He really doesn’t. But he just cares that Eddie is unfit to be ROH World Champion! Eddie says okay, he’s got Lethal. But excuse his back, he’s gotta go beat up Romero. The Mad King leaves, but will he still have both crowns going into WrestleDream?
AEW shares an interview from after last week’s Collision.
Lexi Nair was with Andrade El Idolo after he was bandaged up from the beating Bullet Club Gold gave him. He almost won, but Juice Robinson interfered. What was that about? Andrade says everyone saw that Andrade had White beat. But the question for Juice is… “Do you have a problem with me? With Andrade El Idolo? Lemme tell you something. See you Saturday in Seattle!” Andrade wants his revenge on Rock Hard, will he get it on WrestleDream Eve?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero!
The Mad King beat Kenta at NJPW Independence Day back in July to have his first singles title under the NJPW banner. And now he defends it against Azucar as a favor for getting him in the door. Will Rocky repay this favor by taking this title from Eddie? Or will Eddie still head to Seattle as a double champion?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” The two circle, Rocky tests things with a kick but Eddie stays back. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Eddie waistlocks, Rocky wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddie clinches. Fans rally, Rocky keeps on the wristlock but Eddie powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Rocky rolls, breaks free and DROPKICKS! Fans are torn as Rocky swaggers, but he and Eddie reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Rocky knees low. Rocky headlocks, grinds the hold, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but Eddie stays up with a smirk.
Fans fire up as Rocky smirks back, but then pie faces Eddie! Rocky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Eddie bails out, Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit but Eddie stays up, so Rocky goes again! DIVE and Eddie drops to his knees! Rocky keeps going, and he DIVES for the hattrick, only for Eddie to catch him! Stalling suplex, to the floor! Fans rally behind Eddie while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Eddie stands, stretches out his back, and then he gets Rocky up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps cool, and also chooses not to rain down fists, instead clamping on a chinlock. Rocky endures as Eddie grinds him down, and fans rally up. Eddie cranks the headlock but Rocky refuses to give up. Rocky fights up, throws elbows, but Eddie knees him low! Eddie whips to knee low again, then whips for another knee! Eddie whips but Rocky rolls him up, TWO! Rocky BUZZSAWS Eddie, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Rocky stirs at 3, crawls over, and he brings Eddie up.
Eddie pushes Rocky, runs, but into an IRON OCTOPUS! Eddie endures, pries at the hold, and pops free, only for Rocky to wrangle him with a ghost pin! TWO, and Eddie goes to ropes. Rocky storms up, KICKS Eddie in the back, but Eddie just grimaces. Eddie eggs Rocky on so Rocky KICKS him again! Eddie growls and eggs Rocky on more as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Rampage returns and Eddie suplexes, but Rocky knees free! Rocky knees low, Eddie rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie goes to ropes, Rocky storms over and brings him up through the ropes, to KICK! Eddie eggs Rocky on even though he’s stuck, so Rocky SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS Rocky! Rocky SOBATS! Then Rocky goes up a corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this and Rocky argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Rocky drags Eddie up, cravats, but no Sliced Bread! Eddie runs in to clothesline in the corner! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and Eddie hoists Rocky up top!
Eddie climbs up behind Rocky, stands him up, but Rocky throws hands! Rocky CLUBS Eddie, cravats, and hits SUPER SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie survives, and Rocky grits his teeth. Rocky pumps up and fans rally. Rocky runs in to clothesline! That’s one-ever! Two-ever! But URAKEN stops that! URAKEN again!! Eddie drags Rocky into the STRETCH PLUM!! Rocky taps, Eddie wins!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Azucar could not dethrone The Mad King, but he still shows Eddie respect with a handshake and hug. Eddie is still NJWP Strong, but will he have to fight even harder to survive The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata?
Wait! That’s Shibata’s music! Shibata is HERE! He goes into the ring and shakes hands with Eddie. These two respect each other, and that means they will give it everything they’ve got! Will Eddie still be a two belt king? Or will Shibata become a TRIPLE CROWN Champion?
Aussie Open speaks.
Mark Davis says he is so tired. So tired of hearing the “top blokes” walk around here the last year, hubris unchecked, lying to the people that they are the best in the world. Kyle Fletcher says that for the last 365 days, everything Aussie Open has done has been to get back to FTR. When FTR beat them a year ago, it broke Fletcher. Fletcher felt like a failure and felt lost. So what he wants more than anything is to make FTR feel that pain. This Sunday, Aussie Open takes the AEW World Tag Team Championships, burns down the legacy of #7StarFTR, and from the ashes, rebuild a new empire that they will stand atop of to proclaim that THEY are the best tag team in the world!
The Aussie Arrow and Dunkzilla are ready to bring down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, will they fulfill that WrestleDream?
The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar!
Speaking of tag titles, Dutch & Vincent are aimed at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! However, Adam Cole will be out with injury so it’ll just be Maxwell Jacob Friedman meeting them in Seattle. Will this tune-up prove to be more than enough going into that tag title handicap match?
The teams sort out, but then Dutch just CLOBBERS Crush & Gunnar! Fans boo as Dutch says just a few more days and those titles will be theirs! Vincent rains down fists on Crush, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Vincent bumps Crush off buckles, tags in Dutch, and the Righteous mugs Crush before the BOSS MAN SLAM! Gunnar staggers up but Dutch feeds him to Vinnie’s KNEE! Then Vinnie feeds him to a BOSS MAN SLAM! Tag to Vinnie, fans are torn as the Righteous pace around Crush. Vinnie snaps his fingers, then cravats, AUTUMN SUNSET! Cover, Righteous win!
Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall
A swift and dominant win, these are the two men coming for the tag titles! Will The Righteous purge ROH of the “false friendship” that is the brochachos? Or are even two Righteous men combined not on the level of the Devil?
Ortiz sits alone in a room.
He looks back on his career alongside Mike Santana. They were at the top of their game coming into AEW, but then it ended up going downhill. There’s even audio from Konnan touching on how Ortiz and Santana stopped talking to each other and how Konnan was saddened by that. Ortiz has the footage stop there. What will it take for him to get Santana to talk to him?
Darby Allin speaks.
After replaying what Christian Cage said just last Wednesday on Dynamite, the Relentless One reiterates that he is NOT losing in Seattle, Washington! Will Darby defend home turf against Captain Charisma?
Nick Wayne speaks.
He knows Darby has a lot to say about Christian Cage, and all of that will be part of the Countdown special. But Nick also knows Darby’s actions will speak louder than his words at WrestleDream. And although Darby told Nick not to be there ringside, Nick doesn’t really want to anyway because of what Christian & Luchasaurus are capable of. So, while they let Christian and Darby settle their business, how about Nick and Luchasaurus settle theirs? For months and months, Luchasaurus walked around here while another man held his title. And Luchasaurus followed Christian around like he was some kind of father figure.
And Nick isn’t sure what it is about Christian where he thinks he can even be such a figure to “us Lost Boys,” but Nick had a father. And he told Nick at a young age “to never leave your debts unpaid.” Nick owes Luchasaurus. At Wembley Stadium, Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick onto a skateboard and Nick never forgot it. Nick will repay Luchasaurus this Sunday during Zero Hour. And Nick will even hand Luchasaurus a receipt. Nick brings his own skateboard, will he grind it right into the Right Hand of Destruction?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
AEW is going to do it big for WrestleDream Eve as, with Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, we see an 8 Man Tag! FTR teams with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta to take on Aussie Open, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey! Plus, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega test their tag team chemistry against The Gates of Agony! Will The Ocho & The Cleaner survive Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun to take on the Don Callis Family? And Julia Hart gets in action to build some last minute momentum, will she be ready for Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship match set for Sunday?
Backstage interview with Zack Sabre Jr.
Renee Paquette is with The Front Man of TMDK, and says we’re just days away from WrestleDream, where ZSJ takes on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. ZSJ just came off a three week tour in NJPW and just got here to the States, is he worried at all about acclimating? ZSJ asks Bryan “Dragon Bullocks” Danielson, “Where are you, darling?” As Renee just said, ZSJ got off a 16 hour flight from Tokyo and is feeling fresh as a daisy. But perhaps this company’s keeping Bryan wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, or keeps him in a giant Zorb ball. At this point, a strong gust of wind will knock Bryan over.
And is ZSJ supposed to be honored that Bryan chose him as part of the year long retirement tour? Newsflash: Bryan barely has a weekend. This Sunday isn’t just about finding out who the best technical wrestler is, no no. Bryan has retired once in Seattle, so ZSJ will make it final. Ya like that? The final retirement~! Submissions in Seattle, see you on Sunday. The NJPW World Television Champion has put Bryan on notice, but will he be able to slay the American Dragon?
AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida!
While the Outcasts stand at two members, Saraya is looking forward to a friendly showdown with the Runaway in a little under two weeks! But will Ruby make sure there is No Future for the Shining Samurai? Or will Shida take down one Outcast to go after another?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans fire up as Ruby and Shida step up, and they’re on Shida’s side. Ruby shoves, runs, and RAMS Shida, but Shida just fires up! Ruby headlocks, Shida throws body shots, and then she powers out. Shida then runs past Ruby to run Ruby over! Fans duel, Shida has the majority, and she goes to the corner. Shida climbs up but Ruby slips away before any fists can rain down! Shida is annoyed but she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby takes her time going to the apron, steps in at 6 of 10 but wants Shida to stay back. Shida gets annoyed as the ref keeps her back, but then Ruby pulls Shida’s hair to throw her down!
Ruby throws hands, puts Shida in the corner, then RAMS into her again and again! Fans boo but Ruby runs, only to miss! Shida ROCKS Ruby, then climbs up to rain down fists! Ruby gets away before three, runs back in but into a BOOT! Shida bumps Ruby off buckles, climbs up and rains down those fists! Ruby slips out at five to YANK Shida down! Ruby whips, Shida goes up and CROSSBODIES! Shida then drags Ruby up, puts her in yet another corner, and tries one more time! Shida rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Fans fire up with Shida and she kicks Ruby out, to then MISSILE DROPKICK!
Fans fire up as Shida drags Ruby up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Ruby CLUBS away on Shida to stop the lift, then shoves her to a corner. Ruby runs in, Shida dodges, but Ruby ELBOWS her! Ruby goes up to hit DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby digs Shida into the buckles, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Shida up to snapmare. Ruby covers, TWO! Ruby throws down fists now, but lets off with a smug smirk. Ruby puts Shida on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and then Ruby has Shida in the ropes to throw knees! A shoutout to Saraya, and Ruby lets off at 4. Ruby stalks Shida, looms over her, and pushes her around. Shida pushes back but Ruby eggs her on.
Shida ROCKS Ruby, then fires again! Ruby claws Shida’s face! And throws her down by her hair again! The ref reprimands, but Ruby clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Shida endures, but Ruby grinds her into the mat! Fans rally, Shida fights up, and she arm-drags free! Ruby returns to CLOBBER Shida! Cover, TWO! Ruby is annoyed but Shida grabs at Ruby’s hair! Ruby CLUBS Shida, drags her up, and stomps a hand! Shida scrambles to a corner while the ref reprimands but Ruby stomps a mudhole in. Ruby lets off as the ref counts, and Ruby storms around. Shida drags herself up, but Ruby CHOKES her on the ropes!
The ref counts while Ruby BITES Shida’s ear! Ruby lets off at 4, drags Shida up, but Shida ROCKS her! And again! And again! And again! But Ruby knees low! Ruby talks trash, whips Shida to ropes, but Shida ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS knock both women down! Rampage returns to single picture as the standing count climbs. Fans rally, both women are down at 5 of 10 but Shida goes to ropes. Shida snarls, she and Ruby stand at 7, and they storm up. Shida fires a forearm, Ruby gives it back! Shida throws another, so Ruby gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster!
Ruby gets the edge, but Shida ROCKS her! And ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Shida whips to JUMP KNEE! Shida then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shida fires up again and the fans are with her! Shida aims, KATA- NO, Ruby ducks and bails out! Fans boo but Shida goes out to pursue! Shida runs in, jumps off the steps, and DROPKICKS Ruby down! Fans fire up again and Shida stands Ruby up. Shida torture racks Ruby, then goes to the ramp!? Fans are thunderous but Ruby fights free! They throw forearms, and CHOPS! Shida CLUBS Ruby, Ruby throws body shots, but the count is climbing!
They both hear it’s 8 of 10 and start sprinting! They both slide in at 9.5!! Fans are thunderous and then Ruby swings, but Shida blocks! Ruby HEADBUTTS, blocks a kick, then KICKS back! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby goes to a corner, and she takes Shida’s kendo stick for her own! The ref stops Ruby, takes the kendo stick, but then Ruby brings out the spray paint! Shida and the ref both block that and they’re all fighting over it! Down goes the ref!! Shida and Ruby are both stunned, but then Ruby HEADBUTTS! DESTINATION UNKNOWN! But no ref to count the cover!
Ruby is furious, she would’ve had this! But then she sees the kendo stick! Ruby grins as she wields Shida’s weapon! Fans boo, but Shida blocks the strike to kick and HEADSHOT! Then KATANA KICK!! Cover, but still no ref! Wait, here comes Aubrey! Aubrey slides in, counts the cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida fires up! Shida puts Ruby in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and she METE- NO! Ruby dodges to then STO! Ruby drags herself up the corner, goes to the very top, and STAGE DIVE SENTONS onto knees! And then FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida won’t stop there!
Shida hauls Ruby up but Ruby wrenches to NO FUTURE KICK! But Shida rebounds to KATANA!! Cover, Shida wins!!
Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)
The Shining Samurai takes down The Runaway, but wait! Here comes Saraya! #TitleTuesday is coming, will that be a good Knight for the champ? Or will Shida take this belt back to become a historic THREE-TIME champion?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage, especially as the go-home to WrestleDream. I figured the title matches would end with the champions retaining, but we got really good stuff out of Acclaimed VS Hardy Party and Eddie VS Rocky. As for their title defenses on WrestleDream, I don’t see TMDK taking the trios titles as this will be their AEW debuts. And as I’ve said a few times already, Eddie isn’t losing both belts he worked so hard to have so soon. Plus, it feels like there’s some tension between NJPW the company and Shibata, or else Shibata would already be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and not one of ROH’s champs.
Speaking of Eddie, good promo from him before his match with Rocky, and good interaction with Team Triple J. I wasn’t exactly expecting Jay Lethal to be Eddie’s first actual feud for the ROH World Championship, but I suppose it does make sense as Lethal was a major player in ROH. I hope these guys actually show up on ROH programming, but also, Tony Khan wants this feud to be seen so it’ll end up on AEW programming instead. Y’know, just like all these other ROH title stories outside of the AEW Women’s title.
Good squash from The Righteous, and I’m really curious as to how the tag title match goes on Sunday. There’s a lot of stuff MJF still has to do with Cole, Roddy and The Kingdom, and now this intrigue with Jay White, Bullet Club Gold and the backstage attack at the end of Dynamite. I still feel it should’ve been The Kingdom in the PPV match anyway, but it seems they were going to drag this story out even before Cole hurt his foot. Good promo from Nick Wayne to call out Luchasaurus, but I feel like Luchasaurus ends up winning that match just to make a point of Nick not being able to show up ringside for Darby.
Good promo from Andrade to call out Juice for this week’s Collision, and I’m still wondering if/when La Faccion Ingobernable helps Andrade against Bullet Club Gold. For that matter, why can’t MJF be paying LFI to beat up on White and the BCG? He’s had business dealings with Andrade & Rush before, let’s strike that up again for some continuity. Really good promo from Aussie Open ahead of their tag title match, and from ZSJ to call out Bryan. That 8 Man Tag tomorrow night is going to be good stuff, and perhaps rather telling about where the PPV matches go. The only reason I don’t see Aussie Open winning against FTR is because of that big Fatal 4 Way tag contenders match, but who knows, maybe Aussie Open wins to bring the AEW belts to NJPW events as they take on like Goto & Hashi.
And of course, a great main event from Shida and Ruby. Seems a little silly to set up Ruby as a contender, wouldn’t that just end up in a Finger Poke of Doom situation with Saraya? Which therefore meant Shida was winning. Saraya VS Shida for this Title Tuesday Dynamite is going to be good stuff, but something makes me feel like Ruby is just gonna help Saraya retain. And not to be mean to Shida, but if she’s already a two-time champ, I don’t see her becoming three-time so soon. Why not get Shida in on the TBS Championship story? Britt Baker wants to be the first to have held both titles in AEW, but Shida should want that distinction, too. Then that lets us have Britt VS Shida as we should’ve gotten by now given everything else we’ve been seeing lately.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (9/29/23)
King VS Emperor to determine a champion!
One way or another, the US title belongs to the LWO!
Rey Mysterio defends his WWE United States Championship against friend and protege, Santos Escobar! But will things stay friendly between them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson; Jimmy wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes; Theory wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar; Rey wins and retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Charlotte wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
Fans boo as Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa & Paul Heyman head to the ring. And Jimmy is definitely hyped over how he and Solo took down AJ Styles and John Cena, putting the tag team match at Fastlane into question. Heyman has the mic to introduce himself, but the fans keep on booing. His name isn’t “Boo,” he’s Paul! Heyman! And tonight, a rare opportunity that he doesn’t have to do this into the phone but live to the world here from SmackDown, in the hell hole of Sacramento, California. “We ACKNOWLEDGE our Tribal Chief!” The Bloodline throws up the ones, and Heyman says, “And so do each and every single one of you!”
The fans boo, though some do raise the fingers. Heyman asks us why do they acknowledge Roman… Reigns? Because it is in Roman’s name that last week, the second greatest of all time, John Cena, took a beating at the hands of the Bloodline in a way Cena hasn’t taken in at least a decade. And to wit, Heyman calls our attention to the Bloodline version of the Zapruder Film. Heyman plays footage from just last week, where Cena was the only one who signed the contract to have a match for Fastlane. Cena hoped AJ Styles was going to be his partner, but then the Bloodline struck first and hospitalized AJ Styles.
And back to present, fans are booing but Jimmy’s almost cracking up. Heyman says not to get involved in Cena’s business, but a little birdie told Heyman that there are some transportation issues this evening. And while Cena is expected to make it here, you can’t see him because Cena is NOT here. But y’know who else ain’t here? AJ Styles! And why is that? Because he’s lying in a hospital bed, watching them on SmackDown and- Jimmy holds his hand out for the mic? Heyman says he wasn’t done but Jimmy snatches the mic. “Sacramento! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Heyman sighs while Jimmy raises the one.
Jimmy tells the Wise Man, you are too kind. The real reason Cena isn’t here tonight is because he’s scared! Scared of one JIM USO! Jimmy says if Cena is smart, he’ll stay far, far away. If not, they’ll take care of him like they did the Phenomenal One! The one who built the house, place, face- KARL ANDERSON CLOBBERS SOLO! Then he TACKLES Jimmy! Jimmy gets up but Karl clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up for Karl as he represents for The OC! Karl says he told Styles not to get in Bloodline business and now Styles is in the hospital. So now, this is OC business! Any one of them, get in the ring with him!
Fans fire up but Heyman has Solo stand down. Heyman whispers things to The Enforcer, and then Solo tells Jimmy to handle this or he’ll do it for him. Jimmy says he’s got this. Solo doesn’t return the high-five, but will Jimmy return fire on the Machine Gun?
Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson!
SmackDown returns and the match is going as Karl bumps Jimmy off buckles! Then CHOPS! And fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Karl lets off but then stomps a mudhole! Karl lets off to tell Heyman & Solo they made this personal. Karl stands Jimmy up but Jimmy swings. Karl dodges to JUMP KICK! Karl says he told Styles not to get involved but too late now. Karl whips, Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy runs, but Karl gives him a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Heyman is worried but Solo is stoic as Jimmy survives. Karl storms up on Jimmy, UPPERCUTS him to the corner, then UPPERCUTS again!
Karl brings Jimmy up to the top rope, ROCKS him with rights, then climbs. Solo steps forward and that distracts Karl, as well as the ref. Jimmy CLAWS Karl’s eyes! The ref misses it but fans boo as Jimmy rains down fists on Karl. Jimmy snarls, goes to a corner, and he SUPERKICKS Karl down! Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and scowls at the booing fans before the USO SPLASH! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Heyman is relieved and he whispers something more to Solo. Jimmy may be getting himself into trouble, but he’s also getting himself out, will this get Jimmy back in the Bloodline?
Wait, Karl isn’t done! He gets up to throw more hands with Jimmy! Solo storms in to hit the SAMOAN SPIKE! Solo roars as Karl is down, no back-up even possible with both Styles and Gallows hurt. Is the OC no longer a problem for The Bloodline? Wait, Michin is here! She SLAPS Jimmy right down! Fans are thunderous as she storms to the ring. Jimmy asks what the heck! Mia Yim packs a punch, will that knock some sense into Jimmy?
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
Cathy Kelley is with The Emperor of Lucha, and says that he faces his mentor and LWO teammate, Rey Mysterio. Where is his mind at tonight? Santos says his mind is focused, but his stomach has butterflies. But this match is about heart. And Santos has already said this is a dream match for him, and he has been working his entire life for it. Now, with the whole world watching, he has a chance to make the dream come true. He never gives up on his dreams, and he will fight for them, so Rey is in for the fight of his life. May the best man win. Will it be Emperor or King of Lucha that reigns as the United States Champion?
The Bloodline regroups backstage.
Jimmy is fuming and he yells at a production staff member just for looking at him. He asks another if they saw what happened, then just shoves the guy down! Jimmy storms off, Solo follows and Heyman has the staff relax. Then he puts in a call to Roman Reigns. What will The Tribal Chief have to say about Jimmy’s attitude?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect.
The Aussie Icon, the Moment Maker, the Dynamite From Down Under is already in the ring on his set, and he says what a wild night already. Cena may be the greatest of all time, but he ain’t the greatest at being on time! Hah! But don’t worry, because Waller is here to save the show. Fans boo but Waller thanks them. Waller’s guests just keep getting bigger, and this is literal given the physical specimen. He has done everything in the WWE as a performer, but not as a talent scout. But that’s alright, he gets what he’s always been missing: the Waller rub! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the All Mighty Bobby Lashley!
Fans cheer as Lashley makes his way out and Waller does some push-ups so he looks at least a little bigger standing next to him. They shake hands and then sit at the desk. Waller says he wasn’t lying when the guests keep getting bigger, right? How does he fit into the suit? But Waller appreciates Lashley being on the show, especially after the week he’s had. His boys, the Street Profits had a devastating loss last week. Lashley says he made a mistake. He was looking for the next big thing, he thought the Profits had what it takes to do whatever they want, but seems not. Back to the drawing board, huh?
Wow, that must be hard for the Profits to hear. But yeah, if you’re looking for a tag team, they need to be willing to do whatever it takes. A team with unbridled charisma! A team that is undefeated! Maybe a team like Austin Theory & Grayson Waller! Lashley’s stare makes Waller slow his roll. Lashley knows all about Theory, that’s a pass. Yeah, but Theory’s changed! If you get to know him, he’s a good bloke! And- Wait! Here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins came dressed to match Lashley, and Lashley seems rather upset and confused. The Profits step into the ring, mics in their hands.
Lashley steps to them, and he stops Dawkins before he gets started. No excuses, no reasons. If they want something out of Lashley, they need to prove it. Lashley goes to leave, and then the Profits look to each other. They storm out after Lashley and get up in his face! Lashley says he told them what to do. Now go do it. He keeps on moving, and Waller says how awkward. Hey, light the beam for the 153 million hit man, Austin Theory! Theory makes his entrance, walking past Lashley on the stage, and then continues down the ramp. He smirks at the Profits and goes to the steps, with Waller being the only one cheering.
But will it be A-Town Down as Theory faces Cameron Grimes? Or will SmackDown go TO~ THE~ MOON~?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes!
SmackDown returns, Theory is busy looking at NXT’s Dragon Lee watching from the front row, and the bell rings. Theory turns around into a BOOT from Grimes! Grimes fires off KICKS, UPPERCUTS, and then CHOPS! Grimes whips, Theory reverses but Grimes CLOBBERS Theory! Grimes keeps moving and he CLOBBERS Theory again! Atomic drop, then KICK! Then a KICK, run, and SHOTGUN dropkick! Cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE! Theory scrambles, Grimes has the leg, and Grimes drags Theory back. Theory kicks free, Waller coaches Theory up and Theory ELBOWS Grimes! And throat chops!
Theory throws down clubbing hands while fans boo, but Theory shouts at everyone. Theory brings Grimes up, talks trash, but Grimes eggs him on! Grimes fires off fists, body shots, then backs Theory to a corner. Grimes whips, Theory reverses, then Theory runs in. Theory blocks a boot but Grimes ENZIGURIS! Grimes goes up, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Theory hangs tough and Waller relaxes. Grimes aims, and he BUZZ- NO, Theory ducks! So Grimes backflips to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Theory survives but Grimes storms up on him in the corner. Grimes KICKS Theory against ropes!
Grimes runs, then he clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Grimes goes to the apron, and he PENALTY KICKS Theory down! Fans fire up with the Carolina Caveman as he takes it to Mr. ATL. Waller talks trash, though, and Grimes stares him down. Theory POSTS Grimes in the distraction! Waller laughs, Theory drags Grimes up and in, and then Theory slingshots. Somersault SHOTGUN! Grimes staggers into the fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN! Cover, Theory wins!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Waller’s a baller with that assist to his boy, and The Now comes out on top! Will these two look to take over SmackDown one win at a time? Theory also talks some trash on Dragon, then pie faces him! So Dragon hits back! Fans fire up but the ref keeps Theory back. Dragon is here as a guest, but Waller says Dragon can’t do nothing anyway. Will this duo hope Boy Wonder stays away from this brand?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Kayla Braxton is with the US Champion and says earlier tonight, Santos said this wasn’t just a dream match, but the fight of their lives. What is Rey’s response? Rey says LWO is familia and will always be that. But he knows how hard Santos has worked to get here. Heck, Rey grew up watching Santos’ father, El Fantasma. So Rey has nothing but love and respect for Santos. But be careful what you wish for. Every time Rey steps in the ring, he expects the best of his opponent and brings the best in return. So Santos, like they say, this IS the fight of their lives! May the best man win. Rey seems to feel the same way as Santos, but will either man still feel good after taking a loss?
The Bloodline is beating up Ashante THEE Adonis?!
B-Fab shouts for Jimmy to stop but Jimmy stops when he says he’s stopping! Refs and producers rush in and Jimmy says okay, his bad, he’s done now. Adonis crawls away, but Solo is there! Jimmy says finish this, Solo! UREANGE through the table!! Hit Row suffers the wrath of The Bloodline, but when and where will it stop?
WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar!
SmackDown returns as Zelina is ringside for both men, and Santos makes his entrance. Santos says hola to Dragon before getting in the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who holds gold for the L W O!
The bell rings and fans fire up as the two tie up. They go around, Santos waistlocks but Rey works on an escape. Santos holds tight, they sit down, and Rey moves around. Rey fights up, jumps, but Santos holds on during the flying mare! Santos shifts to go for an abdominal stretch but Rey fights it to have a toehold. Fans rally and duel, Santos chinlocks but Rey pulls on the leg. Santos uses that to body scissor, and he rolls Rey to a cover, ONE! Rey is still stuck in the scissors but he moves around. Rey claws at the hold, Santos shifts and has the back mount to then roll Rey again. Rey slips free and the two stand off.
Fans cheer as Rey and Santos reset. Santos trips Rey, blocks the headscissor, but Rey gets up. Santos wrenches, wristlocks, but Rey flips through! Santos whips, Rey reverses but Santos reverses again. Rey is on the apron but he RAMS into Santos! Rey slingshots but Santos stops the rana to GAMANGIRI! Rey falls, Santos PLANCHAS! Down goes Rey at the ramp and Zelina is worried for both men as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Santos has Rey in a modified stretch. Rey endures, Santos shifts his grip, but Rey fights free. Santos has a hammerlock to keep Rey close, and Santos wrangles Rey down. Rey fights up, fans rally, and Rey jumps to hit that flying-mare! Fans fire up as Santos speeds things up and runs Rey over! Things keep moving, Rey dodges but Santos DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Rey hangs tough, and Zelina is again torn. She rallies the fans more for the LWO than for either man. Santos waistlocks, Rey switches, but Santos switches back. They go to ropes and Rey bucks the O’Conner.
Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA Santos outta the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed, goes up the corner to PLANCHA! Down goes Santos! Fans fire up with Rey and he hears the ring count. Rey drags Santos up, puts him in at 6 of 10, and then climbs the corner. Santos stands, Rey SEATED SENTONS! Rey keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Santos! Both men are down and fans rally up more. But wait, Jimmy and Solo are still wreaking havoc backstage? SAMOAN SPIKE for security! Jimmy says that guy won’t be Cena’s partner, either! Back to the ring, fans rally for “619! 619!” as Rey goes to ropes.
Santos stands, he rushes in to sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to BUZZSAW! Santos is dazed, Rey calls his shot and he drop toeholds Santos onto ropes! Rey dials it up as fans go wild, but Santos SUPERKICKS Rey outta the ring! Santos takes aim, builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Rey! Santos catches his breath while he stands back up, and then he goes up the barriers? To MOONSAULT Rey on the ramp! Zelina is worried again but Santos puts Rey back in the ring. Rey staggers and goes to the far side but Santos takes aim. “This is Awesome!” as Santos spells it out, “L! W! O!”
Santos goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Rey wobbles, but Santos puts him back in the corner. Santos goes again, DOUBLE KNEES! Santos hoists Rey up top, climbs up after him, but Rey HEADBUTTS! Rey fires forearms and he knocks Santos down! Santos stands up while Rey steadies himself, but Santos GAMANGIRIS first! Santos climbs up again, goes to the very top, and he whistles for the SUPER STEINER! Zelina couldn’t even watch that, worried for both men. Santos goes to the apron, to SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Santos is a bit surprised as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns yet again and Santos has Rey against ropes. Santos CHOPS, and fans “WOO~!” as Rey staggers. Santos whips, BOOTS, and then brings Rey around. Santos picks Rey up into a GORY ESPECIAL! Rey endures being bent back, and Santos even pulls on the arms! Fans rally, Rey fights against the hold, and pops free to arm-drag! Fans fire up as REy goes to a corner, and Santos runs in, only to be put on the apron! Santos GAMANGIRIS, Rey staggers, and then Santos fires up! Santos climbs, leaps, but Rey dodges and the crossbody flops! Rey lines up a shot, runs and springboards but then Santos dodges!
Rey and Santos are both down after those belly flops, and fans rally as both men rise up. Santos runs in, scoops Rey and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally as Rey staggers up, but into a tilt-o-whirl torture rack! Santos runs around with Rey, then hits a RACK DROP! Cover, TWO!! Zelina is relieved again but Santos is surprised. Rey tells Santos to bring it on, there needs to be a winner. Santos storms up to CHOP! And whip, but Rey KICKS back! Rey runs to RAN- NO, Santos blocks that! Santos swings Rey up but Rey sunset flips! TWO!! Santos escapes and even Zelina is stunned! Fans fire up again, “This is Awesome!”
Rey runs in, Santos puts him on the apron but Rey ROCKS Santos first! Then Rey goes up a corner, brings Santos up to join him, and then adjusts position to fire off hands! Fans fire up as Rey calls the shot, but Santos drags Rey into a fireman’s carry! Rey fights with elbows, then pops up to SUPER RANA!! Fans are thunderous while Santos sits up in a daze! Rey DROPKICKS Santos onto ropes! Dial it up! 6 1 9 BLOCKED! Santos drags Rey into an Alabama Lift! But Rey holds the ropes for dear life! Rey then RANAS Santos back onto ropes, redials, and 619 HITS!!! Rey hurries up top, says hey to Eddie, and hit a FROG- NO!
Santos avoids the splash, CLUBS Rey, covers, TWO into the ghost pin! TWO!!! Both men escape by nanoseconds but Santos fireman’s carries! PHANTOM- TAKEDOWN! Rey has a spladle! REY WINS!!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
And the greatest luchador of all time comes out the champion! Santos is stunned, but Rey offers him a handshake of respect. They are still familiar, aren’t they? WAIT! The Profits attack!! Dawkins & Ford mug Rey & Santos, this must be how they’re proving Lashley wrong! They hit Escobar with a BIG LARIAT! Fans boo but here comes Lashley! The All Mighty says that’s it! That’s what he wanted! But then here comes the rest of the LWO! Lashley CLOBBERS Wilde while Ford & Dawkins mug Cruz! But Dragon Lee wants to get in! Security keeps him back, he’s just here as a guest! So Wilde is fed to the REVELATION!
The fans boo but The All Mighty has his Profits! Will they soon run SmackDown with iron fists?
The LWO regroups.
They’ve all got icepacks in the medical trainer’s room, and Kayla walks in to congratulate Rey on the win. But before the team could celebrate the moment, they got jumped by The Profits. Santos says sorry, excuse him, but the Profits ruined the moment! Rey says they beat the Profits last week, and now Lashley and them act like they run SmackDown! LWO challenges Lashley & The Profits to a match at Fastlane! Let’s see how tough they are when it’s fair and square! What will happen when these factions go to war in Indianapolis?
WWE announces a huge signing!
Former AEW TBS Champion and rising star, JADE CARGILL, is now with WWE! She got 20 MILLION views on a video just for showing up at the Performance Center! Will a storm be coming for the WWE Women’s Division?
John Cena arrives backstage!
He pulls in rather fast and furious, and he storms right into the arena, that tag match contract in his hands! Will Cena find someone Jimmy & Solo haven’t destroyed to sign on the dotted line? Is there even anyone left?
Pretty Deadly has a video message.
“On July 14th, 2023, Elton prince suffered a devastating shoulder injury. Despite all odds, he is on the road to recovery.” It’s another rehab workout montage, but Elton is still in the wheelchair… Elton works on reaching out for hot tags, swinging chairs, ends up rolling downhill during a celebration, and can’t even poke eyes properly. But as he continues to work at it, he has the courage to stand up and tag in Kit! #YESBOY! #EltonStrong.
The Brawling Brutes are watching this.
Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne look at each other, and neither of them can even process this. Dunne feels maybe they should’ve broken Elton’s leg. The idiots. Will Elton & Kit hope they can stay far, far, far away from Northern Grit and the Bruiserweight?
Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The Queen did what she could to help The Empress of Tomorrow hold off the Evil Genius and her cohorts, but all that got them was a win for Iyo Sky and this rivalry rematch with the Role Model! Will Bayley make an example out of her fellow Horsewoman? Or will Charlotte make Bayley bow down?
SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance, Iyo and Dakota right behind her. But then Charlotte has Bayley hold on so she can get a mic. Charlotte has a question for Bayley: What’s happened to you? Bayley is one of the Four Horsewomen, but now she’s just happy carrying Iyo’s bags. Bayley has become a stepping stone while Charlotte is still the measuring stick. And in the end, it doesn’t matter. Bayley is just in Charlotte’s way. She’ll beat Bayley tonight, and then challenge Iyo for the WWE Women’s Championship at Fastlane! Fans fire up for that, and the bell rings. Bayley CLOBBERS Charlotte!
Bayley fires off, all riled up after what Charlotte said. DMG CTRL cheers and high-fives Bayley. Bayley CHOPS Charlotte, bumps her off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! Bayley ROCKS Charlotte, lets off, and brings Charlotte around to whip. But Charlotte reverses to send Bayley into the corner, and she CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte CHOPS again! Charlotte whips, Bayley reverses but Charlotte goes up and out to BOOT Bayley down! Iyo swipes at Charlotte, then Bayley BLASTS Charlotte down! Bayley goes out to the apron, to then FLYING ELBOW Charlotte down! DMG CTRL is fired up as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Charlotte is up top, to CROSSBODY Bayley down! Fans fire up with Charlotte as she storms around. Bayley flounders to ropes, stands up, and Charlotte CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And then CHOPS again! Fans fire up as Charlotte says one more, then CHOPS Bayley again! Charlotte swings, Bayley dodges but Charlotte scoops! FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up and fans fire up again! Charlotte handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley is still in this but Charlotte knows she’s tough. Bayley bails out to the apron, Charlotte storms over, but Bayley HOTSHOTS!
Bayley slides in, waistlocks, but Charlotte bucks the O’Conner, to then trip Bayley! Bayley scrambles, Charlotte steps over to drop a knee on Bayley’s knee! Bayley goes to a corner and Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Bayley staggers, but she BOOTS back! But then Charlotte BOOTS back! Cover, TWO! Charlotte keeps her cool while the fans rally up. Charlotte steps on Bayley and goes to the corner, then goes up the corner, only for Bayley to YANK her down! Bayley puts Charlotte in the ropes, throw hands, then hits a STOCK DROP! Shoutout to another of the Horsewomen! Bayley then SUNSET BOMBS Charlotte into buckles! Bayley drags Charlotte to a cover, TWO!
Bayley tells fans to shut up, don’t cheer for her! Dakota and Iyo cheer her on, though, and Bayley fires forearms on Charlotte! Bayley mocks the “WOO~!” then CHOPS! Bayley CHOPS Charlotte again and again, runs, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, Charlotte wins!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall
DMG CTRL can’t believe it, but their Role Model lost! The Queen is already wearing yellow ‘n’ block to match Fastlane’s logo, will she take that gold off Iyo? Bayley gets a mic to shout, “Cut the music, you idiots!” Bayley won’t let Charlotte just cut the line! Bayley vowed to end Charlotte, and that’s what DMG CTRL is gonna do! The three surround the ring, but here comes ASUKA! The Empress joins the Queen to run off their common enemies! Asuka gets a mic to shout “OI OI OI OI!” What do you idiots think you’re doing?! She won’t let them do whatever they want! Bayley says okay, they want a Triple Threat for the women’s title?! Then they’ve got it!!
Wait, what? Iyo is confused, but Bayley says this is totally what Asuka said. No, Iyo knows what Asuka said and it wasn’t that! But Bayley says this is so they can teach both Asuka and Charlotte a lesson! Bayley sticks her foot in Iyo’s mouth again, will the Evil Genius have to really work hard on a plan to survive Fastlane?
John Cena heads to the ring!
Sacramento fires up as Cena storms out, saying we’re getting serious tonight! Cena slides into the ring, contract still in hand. Cena also gets a mic, and he tells Sacramento, “I hear ya out there!” Sacramento chants for Cena and so he knows they hear him. And he knows that because last week, he said he was back to compete and that he wanted a match. The Bloodline didn’t take too kindly to that, though. They left Cena knocked out, but they also left him with the contract. This is the contract for a match with them at Fastlane. Yeah, a little lukewarm, because there’s a problem: Cena doesn’t have a partner.
Cena says tonight is very important, because now he has a choice to make. He could rip up the contract and act like this didn’t happen. Fans boo that idea. Or he could stand and fight. The fans like that! So what do you think the man who wears the words “Never Give Up” is gonna make? They cheer the second so he says that’s damn right! He will honor this contract! And if he doesn’t find a partner by Fastlane, then he will fight The Bloodline by himself in a 2v1 Handicap! But speaking of, here comes The Bloodline! Jimmy grins as he has the mic again. “Well, look who finally showed up.”
Cena’s out here talking about Fastlane? Did he not just see what The Bloodline’s been doing all night? They were sending messages! If you team with Cena, you get got by The Bloodline! Fans boo, but Jimmy goes to the apron to tell Cena, “You’re not making it to Fastlane!” But then Cena DECKS Jimmy! Solo stares Cena down, fans fire up, and Solo gets in the ring! Cena throws off the shirt because it is go time! Solo swings, misses, and Cena fireman’s carries, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS him! Flashbacks to last week, HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Solo adds a HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Jimmy whips Solo in for another HIP ATTACK!
Fans boo as Cena flops out of the ring. The Bloodline clears off the announce desk! They put Cena on it, and Jimmy raises the one. Jimmy goes up the steps but Solo stops him. Solo wants this one! Jimmy grins and nods and lets Solo climb. But L A KNIGHT is here!! Fans are thunderous as the Mega Star storms down, slides in, and he dodges Jimmy to BLAST Solo! And then he BLASTS Jimmy! Knight stomps a mudhole into Jimmy but Solo stops him! So Knight fires off haymakers! Solo TOSSES Knight, but misses the splash! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Jimmy is up, Knight scoops to POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up, and they spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BIG elbow drop for Jimmy! Cena is back and he TOSSES Solo! Knight TOSSES Jimmy! Mega Star and Greatest of All Time look to each other, and Knight picks up the contract! Fans are electric as Knight signs his name! Cena can’t believe it, either! He has a tag partner for Fastlane? YEAH!! Will Cena and Knight show The Bloodline whose game is it? With EVERYBODY saying… L A KNIGHT, YEAH!!
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode of SmackDown, especially with how fired up the Sacramento crowd was for everything. Great stuff with Bloodline and such, taking logical yet still exciting turns. Karl Anderson going after The Bloodline was good, because as much as Karl didn’t want Styles getting involved, but he also wasn’t going to let The Bloodline get away with this. Though, Karl didn’t really accomplish much as he got cheated in that match. That slap from Mia was great, though. Then Jimmy & Solo going on a rampage backstage was a great way to show how Jimmy is drunk with power all because he thinks Roman will have his back. Roman most certainly won’t now that Jimmy’s actions have brought LA Knight into the story. Great save from Knight, and he will make a great team with Cena.
Great “main event” match from Charlotte VS Bayley, and that black ‘n’ yellow gear is pretty cool stuff from Charlotte. DMG CTRL of course tries to help Bayley but that backfires. And then I actually like that we’re going back to Bayley talking big and putting Iyo on the spot. The Triple Threat title match is going to be great, and is actually some mad genius thinking from Bayley. DMG CTRL can now legally interfere to make sure Iyo wins against Charlotte and Asuka, but I feel like this can also bring in Shotzi or even Bianca to counteract DMG CTRL. Either way, it’ll be some great stuff to really up things in the SmackDown Women’s Division.
Hilarious vignette from Pretty Deadly, and good response from Brawling Brutes. That feud will definitely start up again after Fastlane and give us a SmackDown contender for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Really good stuff out of the Grayson Waller Effect with Lashley putting the pressure on the Profits. Almost thought they were gonna jump Theory since Lashley doesn’t like Theory, but I guess that would make this faction Faces since Theory is Heel. It was nice to see Grimes back, though he does lose to Theory. Dragon Lee being here tonight makes me think he is called up to SmackDown after he screws Dominik Mysterio out of the North American title tomorrow night.
And after just an awesome US Championship match, the Profits instead go after the LWO, a logical move given the back and forth between the factions. LWO wants a Six Man Tag, but does that mean it’ll be Santos, Cruz & Wilde? Or is Rey going to take one of the spots? Either way it’ll be a good time but it feels like the All Mighty Profits are going to take that one to build their momentum towards their own title goals. Lashley VS Rey for the US Championship with Santos helping feels like the move. Maybe there’s tension created as Santos costs Rey, or as Rey says Santos can’t be bending rules just to win. It just feels like something’s going to/has to change in the group dynamic.
My Score: 8.9/10
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