Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/2/23)
What’s next for NXT?

It’s a golden curtain call for two teams!
The WWE Draft sent Fyre & Dawn to SmackDown, and Carter & Chance to Raw! Who will be the women’s tag team champions on their last night in NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee w/ Tyler Bate VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey; Wes wins and retains the title.
- Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne; Jacy wins.
- Axiom VS SCRYPTS; Axiom wins.
- Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
- High Stakes Showdown: Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Joe Gacy w/ The Schism; Gacy wins and The Dyad will challenge Gallus for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
- Dani Palmer VS Tatum Paxley; Dani wins.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Katana Chance & Kayden Carter; Fyre & Dawn win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT superstars were taken in the 2023 WWE Draft!
Indi Hartwell, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, Apollo Crews, Zoey Stark, JD McDonagh, Pretty Deadly, Katana Chance & Kayden Carter, Odyssey Jones, Jinder Mahal & Indus Sher, Grayson Waller, then Von Wagner and Xyon Quinn as free agents, here’s to their futures on Raw and SmackDown!
NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee w/ Tyler Bate VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey!
The Cardiac Kid survived the technical savagery of Charlie Dempsey, but now he’s taking on the Philly Stretcher! The Big Strong Boi is watching his back, will this title stay on the #WesSide? Or will Gulak still find a way to grind Wes into dust?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see just how styles make fights!
The bell rings and the two rush in! Wes SHOTGUNS Gulak, then fires off fast hands! Gulak bails out but Wes builds speed, only for Dempsey to get in the way! Fans boo, but Gulak sneaks in to roll Wes up! TWO, but Gulak throws body shots! Gulak gut wrenches Wes up but Wes RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Gulak escapes in time and headlocks. Wes powers out, drops and hurdles, but Gulak gets him for a sunset flip! TWO!! Incredibly close but Wes body shots, KICKS and KICKS! Then DOUBLE STOMPS! Fans fire up for Wes and he watches Gulak sit up. Wes drags Gulak up with a facelock and whips him to a corner.
Wes runs Around the World but blocks a boot! Wes ROCKS Gulak, then puts him up top. Fans chant “Which Side?” “WES SIDE!” Wes climbs up, throws hands, but Gulak blocks the superplex! Wes goes up even higher, but Gulak uses that to counter! Wes fights the Super Gourd Buster, but Gulak SHOVES him away! Wes backflips through, but Gulak FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Another close call and fans fire up! Gulak grows frustrated but he grits his teeth and glares at Wes. Gulak stomps Wes at the ropes as fans rally up. Gulak ties up the legs, Wes throws hands, but Gulak gets those wrists to STOMP! Cover, TWO!
Gulak glares at Bate, talks some trash, but fans boo. Gulak clamps onto Wes’s arms and gets the chinbar! Wes endures this stretch and fans rally up. Wes fights up, throws elbows into Gulak’s legs, but Gulak spins Wes around to ROCK him! Wes trades shots, ROCKS Gulak, but Gulak ROCKS Wes! They go back and forth, Gulak gets the edge, but Wes ROCKS him again! And again! Wes fires off body shots and palm strikes! And kicks, and then a snapmare and basement dropkick! Fans fire up again as Wes watches from a corner. Gulak goes to the opposite corner, Wes runs in to UPPERCUT!
Wes ENZIGURIS, then he waistlocks. Gulak holds ropes to stop the German Suplex so Wes CLUBS him! Wes tries but Gulak bucks him! Gulak bails out and tells Dempsey it’s okay, he’s got this. But Wes DIVES and takes Gulak out at the ramp! Fans fire up, Wes puts Gulak back in, and then hurries in. But Dempsey drags Wes back out! Fans boo, but Bate runs in to CLOBBER Dempsey! Fans fire up, but Gulak gets Wes’s hair! Wes says SHORYUKEN! Wes then flips up and in and CARDIAC KICK! Cover, Wes wins!!
Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Bate slides in to celebrate with Wes! That title does stay on the Wes Side, but uh, is the Big Strong Boi looking at a golden goal?
Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn speak.
The Fire Keeper says, “The future is difficult to predict. That’s why we allow the spirits to navigate us. And now, our imminent direction is towards Friday Night SmackDown.” The Wicked Witch says tonight is their final night on NXT, but one last “unholy séance” to commence. Fyre tells Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, “you’ve been the staples of this tag team division, the torch bearers, for so long. But tonight, we extinguish your final flame.” And Dawn says, “We are taking our tag team titles with us to SmackDown, and in doing so, we will set the fate for not just SmackDown, but all three brands.”
Tonight, Fyre & Dawn leave the hallowed grounds were they first came together as one. They leave NXT not in the light, but in darkness. Will these enchantresses cast one last spell on the NXT Universe?
Trick Williams is in the ring.
Trick says let’s get right to business. Everyone saw what happened last week with Bron Breakker. Trick won’t lie, he put Melo int he hospital! Melo is still banged up tonight! But we all know that Melo is a fighter! And Trick’s known since day one. He doesn’t mean day one in NXT, he means day one in high school! That’s right! Trick Melo Gang went to the same school, WJ Kenan High! Trick transferred in, checked out the ladies, but also checked out for who he could hang with, who he could roll with, and who he could get buckets with!
And as the saying goes, game recognizes game. He was sitting at the lunch table, “them nasty ass sloppy joes weren’t the only things being created.” Trick Melo Gang was also being created! That’s why Melo is Trick’s brother, and no one is closer with each other! They always gonna be here! Fans cheer that. Trick says last week, he took the Spear for Melo as a knee jerk reaction. It just happened like that. And he’d do it again if he needs to. In other words, Trick & Melo is like Shaq & Kobe. Melo don’t miss, but when he does, Trick got the rebound. That’s why at Battleground-
Wait! Here comes Bron! Bron tells Trick, “I guess we know who the tough guy is in Trick Melo Gang.” Bron speared Trick and put him in the Recliner, but Trick’s still here. And Bron speared Melo through the wall and put him in the hospital. So guess Battleground will be a lot easier than he thought. Trick says Bron is accepted the challenge then? Bron says the last thing he wants to ever do is represent “these stupid ass people ever again!!” Fans boo because the feeling is mutual. They even start a “Bron Breakker Sucks~!” chant.
But Bron says two things: one, he doesn’t like the idea of Melo being champion; two, Bron has the unique opportunity of humiliating Melo in his hometown in front of his fans, friends and family. That is what gets Bron’s attention. So relay this message for him, would ya, Trick? Bron pats Trick’s shoulder, but Trick tells him not to leave just yet. Melo’s surely watching right now. Last week, Bron blindsided Melo, but he also blindsided Trick. Trick says to handle this like men. Bron smirks as Trick eggs him on. There’s only one man in this ring right now. Bron already put Melo in the hospital. He’d hate to do the same to the mouthpiece.
Oh, Bron ain’t about to fight no mouthpiece! Melo doesn’t need a mouthpiece. And Trick has both the gift o’ the gab AND the gift o’ the jab! Bron just mad the fans never loved him like they do Trick Melo Gang. Matter of fact, Bron can get on out of here, talk all the trash he wants, and Trick will smack that spray tan off him until he’s black ‘n’ blue. Bron smirks, and says if Trick wants to do this right now, guess what? It doesn’t matter what Trick wants! Nor does it matter waht the fans want! Bron is calling the shots. So here’s what happens: Bron VS Trick next week, as a “preview” of NXT Battleground. Bron will break Trick in half!
Will Melo return to a battered and broken best friend? Or will his best friend get even for him before Battleground?
Backstage interview with JD McDonagh.
McKenzie is with the Irish Ace and congratulates him on being drafted to Monday Night Raw. She says tonight is his last NXT match and it is against Dragon Lee. JD says he has waited 21 YEARS to become #MondayNightMcDonagh. That means that he has a two-decade sized chip on his shoulder that he’s bringing to Raw. So you better believe all those heavy hitters- Noam Dar walks in with his Heritage Cup to say that it is so great to see JD again. Congrats! But hey, Noam needs a favor. For old time’s sake, in his match with Dragon, could JD uh… pop a knee cap? Rip a ligament? Make sure Dragon doesn’t walk out so he can’t go after Noam’s Heritage Cup. Deal?
JD says that as slimy, sneaky and slithering as Noam is, JD knows all he cares about is that Heritage Cup. It’s why Noam never gave JD a shot at it. So JD has some advice: stay away from him. If you don’t, if you piss him off, JD will just take that cup with him to Raw. So much for the deal between old “friends.” But will JD still do damage to Dragon as his way of saying good-bye to NXT?
Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne!
After beating the Toxic Traitor 1v1, the Toxic Avenger thought her path to the top was clear. Jacy made Gigi regret that and screwed her over at Stand & Deliver. Jacy then doubled-down by dragging Gigi’s little brother into this, and now Gigi’s little brother is here to watch his sister in action! Will Gigi finally break this toxic cycle? Or will Jacy make sure there’s no happy ending?
NXT returns and Jacy makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two trash. Then Jacy kicks! Gigi blocks but Jacy dodges, only for Gigi to dodge and fire off forearms! Gigi whips, Jacy reverses and hits low! Jacy whips but Gigi reverses to send Jacy right out! Fans rally and Gigi goes to the apron, but Jacy blocks her kick! Jacy trips Gigi and she smacks off the apron! Jacy goes up then CANNONBALLS Gigi to the floor! Jacy talks trash right to Gigi’s brother, Miles, and then goes back to Gigi. Jacy puts Gigi in the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Jacy CLUBS Gigi, fans rally up, but Jacy CLUBS her again!
Jacy talks more trash to Miles, then wrenches to WRING Gigi’s arm! Then she SENTONS, and KICKS Gigi, then MULE KICKS! Cover, TWO! Jacy says this is what Gigi wanted, and she fireman’s carries. Gigi fights free, half nelsons, but Jacy fights free to SUPERKICK! Gigi staggers, but she SUPERKICKS right back! Gigi grits her teeth and fans fire up with her! Gigi runs, dodges, ROUNDHOUSES, then ROUNDHOUSES again! Gigi wrenches and ROUNDHOUSES, to then STO! Cover, TWO! Jacy stays in this and crawls to a corner. Gigi storms over, drags her up in a waistlock, but Jacy holds ropes!
The ref reprimands, Jacy throws elbows! Gigi staggers, but she dodges to CLOBBER Jacy from behind! Jacy bails out, Gigi pursues and she RAMS Jacy into the barriers! Miles cheers his sister on and Gigi SMACKS Jacy off the steel steps! And fires off Kawada Kicks! Gigi high-fives her brother, then drags Jacy up again. Gigi puts Jacy in the ring at 6 of 10, but Jacy goes to the apron. Jacy is busted open! Gigi drags her up, but Jacy YANKS her into the post! Gigi clutches her bad arm! Gigi stands, into the CYCLONE KICK!! Cover, Jacy wins!
Winner: Jacy Jayne, by pinfall
Jacy grins through her crimson mask, and then she PUNTS Gigi in the side! Fans boo as Jacy goes out after Gigi and RAMS her into steel steps! And then again! Jacy sits Gigi against the barriers, SLAPS her around, and shouts at Miles if this is what they wanted for their lives. Refs stop Jacy and she leaves, “It’s always been about me! I’m the star, not your loser sister!” Will nothing stop this Toxic Grudge?
Axiom VS SCRYPTS!
This is almost a superhero comic or movie come to life, but the Undeniable Truth sees the wicked wordsmith as anything but his “archnemesis.” Will Scrypts show Axiom they are like Batman and The Joker? Or will Axiom show Scrypts he’s just a joker?
As soon as Axiom is in the ring, Scrypts slides out from the shadows! Axiom dodges the leg sweep but not the DROPKICK! Axiom scrambles up, the bell rings, and Scrypts fires off on Axiom! Scrypts CHOPS, whips, but Axiom reverses and dodges to springboard and arm-drag and DROPKICK! Cover, ONE! Axiom waistlocks, Scrypts bucks him but Axiom comes back with a kip up! NORTHERN LIRHGTS, into the ARMBAR! Scrypts scrambles and gets the ROPEBREAK! Axiom lets go and Scrypts goes out, but Axiom BOOTS him from the apron! But Scrypts YANKS Axiom off the apron!
Axiom staggers away, Scrypts gets space, to run and leap off the desk for a PARKOUR ATTACK! Direct hit and down goes Axiom! Scrypts puts Axiom in the ring, then covers, TWO! Fans still lose their minds over that flipping attack, and Scrypts ROCKS Axiom with a forearm. And then CLUBS him! Scrypts whips but only gets a glancing blow on Axiom. Scrypts kicks Axiom around, whips him to ropes again, but Axiom slides around to get a SLEEPER! Scrypts flails, pries at an arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Scrypts then elbows Axiom, goes up a corner, but Axiom follows right after! SLEEPER!
Scrypts fires off elbows and Axiom falls back. Scrypts adjusts to QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!! Axiom survives and Scrypts grows frustrated. Scrypts looms over Axiom, kicks him around, and eggs him on. Scrypts says Axiom is weak and pathetic! Scrypts pie faces, but Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat! Axiom whips, DROPKICKS, and roars! Fans fire up and Axiom GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Then HALF HATCH SUPLEXES! Fans fire up again as Axiom goes up a corner. Scrypts stands, Axiom leaps, but Scrypts DROPKICKS first! Scrypts wants Axiom to get up, and he aims from a corner.
Scrypts runs in, but Axiom blocks his copycat dropkick! Axiom flips Scrypts for a V-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!! Scrypts survives but Axiom takes aim now! Scrypts crawls to a corner, Axiom runs in, but Scrypts gets under the ratio! CORKSCREW CROSSBODY! Scrypts then hurries up top, writes in the air and flips, into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up and Axiom takes aim again! Scrypts stands, into the GOLDEN RATIO!! Cover, Axiom wins!
Winner: Axiom, by pinfall
Scrypts tried to write Axiom off as a fraud, but he just felt the real deal! But then Axiom surprises everyone by offering Scrypts a hand up. Scrypts accepts it, but he sucker punches Axiom! So Axiom ROCKS Scrypts! And YANKS the mask off! It’s REGGIE! And Axiom SUPERKICKS him down!! Talk about being exposed! Is this the end of Scrypts’ story?
Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley talk at the bar.
Mostly about the weather, like the big tornadoes going on. Brooks Jensen walks in and Briggs asks how he’s holding up. Jensen’s fine. He just wants to apologize- Fallon says they already went over this. Jensen doesn’t need to apologize, they’re all good. Things were said, punches were thrown, but at the end of the day, they’re family! Well, if Jensen can’t say sorry, he’ll say thanks. Thanks for not dropping him like a hot brick. Well, Briggs thanks Jensen for taking his damn head off with that lariat! That reminded Briggs how hard Jensen can go. Heck, Briggs is the one with hands of stone! Fallon’s just glad to have things the way they were.
Jensen says that does feel good. But uh, seeing Fallon looking at the bills, Jensen did learn some things from Kiana. He can tell them all those stories later. The bar is PG. No, no, no! The business stuff! Oh, yeah, that “power dressing” stuff? Well, he looks much better right now. No, guys! The land this bar is on is worth a lot, so maybe the Henleys can get an investor to help, or just sell a piece they’re not using. All that profit can set them up for life, do whatever they want, and still have cash left over. Well, okay, smartie pants! But then a couple girls ask Jensen if he wants to get some drinks.
Jensen appreciates the offer, but he’s getting caught up with his friends. Maybe another time. Have a good night. Wow, little Jensen really has grown up. Cheers!
Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh!
The Wonder Boy is just getting started, and the Irish Ace is on his way out. Will Dragon have the honor of sending JD off to Raw? Or will JD be the one on top on his last night in NXT?
NXT returns and JD makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Dragon offers a handshake but JD kicks it away! Dragon shrugs that off to circle with JD. They tie up, Dragon headlocks but JD powers out, only for Dragon to run him over! Cover, ONE, but Dragon wrenches to a wristlock. JD spins, fireman’s carry takeovers, but Dragon wrangles JD with the wristlock! Dragon wrenches, JD spins and pulls on the mask. JD arm-drags but Dragon still has the wristlock! JD rolls, pulls the mask again, and MONKEY FLIPS! Dragon still has the wristlock! Fans rally, JD fights up, and JD pulls the mask again!
Fans boo but JD has Dragon in the mask. The ref counts, but JD throws a body shot, then a CHOP! JD brings Dragon out, headlocks and grinds, but Dragon powers up and out. JD runs Dragon over, things speed up, but Dragon hurdles to then MONKEY FLIP! JD staggers up, into a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! JD flounders but Dragon kicks him around. Dragon brings JD up to whip him to a corner. Dragon runs in to JUMP KICJK, leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up and Dragon rains down forearms on JD! Dragon lets off to go corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Fans fire up even more!
Dragon keeps going, he HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS again! Fans say “UNO MAS!” but wait, Dar has snuck out to ringside. Dragon is distracted for just a second, and JD SHOTGUNS Dragon down! Fans boo but JD drags Dragon up. JD puts Dragon in the Tree of Woe, then rains down fists. The ref reprimands but JD backs off. JD goes corner to corner but Dragon sits up! JD posts himself right on his necessary evil! Dragon gets free of the Tree, rallies on JD with big elbows, then whips him to a corner. JD bounces off buckles, into a back drop! And then into an atomic drop! Dragon runs to clothesline JD out of the ring!
JD falls at Dar’s feet, and the ref has Dar back up. The fans fire up with Dragon Lee as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragon stares at Dar but Dar stays back as he cheers JD on. Dragon fetches JD and whips him into the apron! Dragon puts JD in, storms up on him, and brings JD up to underhook. TIGER BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD hangs tough but Dragon drags him back up. Dragon whips JD hard into a corner, then storms up to rain down fists! Dragon goes all the way to TEN, but JD pushes him away! Dragon returns, JD dodges and then trips Dragon from the apron, for the TORNILLO SPLASH! Both men are down and fans rally up. JD sits up first, he brings Dragon up, and CHOPS him right back down!
JD stands Dragon up again, to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Dragon writhes while JD catches his breath. JD runs to drop AX HANDLES! Cover, TWO! JD huffs and puffs but he drags Dragon up with a facelock. JD snap suplexes, covers, TWO! JD is annoyed by that, and Dar signals for him to break something. JD KNEES Dragon in the side, then wraps on a body scissor squeeze! Dragon endures, fans rally, but JD pulls on the mask! Dragon throws elbows but so does JD. JD keeps up the squeeze, rolls to a cover, TWO! JD still keeps Dragon down while NXT returns to single picture.
Dragon throws elbows, fans rally up again, but JD just puts on more pressure. Dar talks to the cup that they don’t have to worry, JD will put Dragon down. But Dragon throws elbows on JD! JD lets Dragon go and fans rally up. JD CLUBS Dragon right down! JD drags Dragon up to hoist to the top rope. JD CLUBS Dragon more, climbs up again, and he pulls at the mask strings! Fans boo and the ref reprimands! Dragon throws elbows but JD CLUBS away on him! JD pulls at the strings but Dragon elbows JD down! Dragon adjusts, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up for Dragon as he and JD flounder.
Dragon goes to the corner, JD storms up but Dragon counter punches him! And again, and again! Dragon whips, JD reverses but Dragon RANAS! JD bails out and Dragon builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit with the tope conjilo! Fans fire up again as Dragon puts JD in the ring. Dragon climbs up top, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! JD survives Dragon’s Coup De Grace and he crawls to the apron. Fans rally as Dragon follows JD out there. Dragon drags JD up, but JD CHOPS! Dragon CHOPS! JD CHOPS! Dragon CHOPS! JD shoves, Dragon V-TRIGGERS! JD flops and Dragon drags him back up!
But JD fireman’s carries! APRON DEATH VALLEY!! Both men fall to the floor and fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” A ring count starts and both men are down at 5 of 10. Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” and both men stand at 7. JD RAMS Dragon into the desk at 8! JD slides in the ring. but Dragon slides in at 9.99!! JD can’t believe it and the fans are loving it! JD drags Dragon up for Kawada Kicks! And then a CHOP! Dragon roars and BOOTS JD! Dragon eggs JD on, JD ROCKS Dragon! JD runs in, but into a SNAP GERMAN! V-TRIGGER! POISON-RANA!! Dragon keeps moving, but JD LARIATS him inside out!!
Fans are thunderous again but Dar says that was just so-so. JD drags Dragon for more Kawada Kicks and another CHOP! Dragon ROCKS JD! Fans say “This is Awesome!” as the forearms go back and forth. Dragon gets the edge, JD gives more Kawada Kicks! And a SLAP! And then a POWER- NO, Dragon slips out to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! JD survives and now Dar can’t believe it! Dragon goes to the apron, then the corner. Dragon climbs up, JD slowly rises, and JD hits ropes to trip Dragon up! Fans boo but JD goes up after Dragon. JD drags Dragon up top, but Dragon trips JD!
Dragon throws forearms on JD, JD is in the Tree of Woe now! Dragon stands up, but JD sits up! JD HEADBUTTS Dragon again and again! JD stands up, brings Dragon with him, SUPER SPANISH FLY!!! JD roars and fans are thunderous! Suplex, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Dragon survives and no one can believe it! JD gets Dragon’s arm, DEVLINS- DESTROYER!!! Dragon turns it around, but JD flops out of the ring! Dragon pursues, fans again hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” Dragon puts JD in, but Dar takes a swing! Dragon dodges it to SUPERKICK Dar! Dragon goes back to JD, but gets a HEADBUTT!!
Ripcord, DEVLINSIDE!!! Cover, JD WINS!
Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall
The Scottish Supernova helped the Irish Ace come away the victor in this instant classic farewell match! Will JD have the hot hand when he debuts on Raw next week? But then Dragon gets up and DIVES onto Dar! Fans fire up again as Dragon fires hands with Dar all the way to the back! Will the Wonder Boy get after Mr. Supernova 11’s cup anyway?
KC Squared talk backstage.
Katana Chance tells Kayden Carter that technically, a Raw tag team is facing a SmackDown tag team for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships! This has never happened before, and that is wild! Kayden agrees, and says that Fyre & Dawn can try to use their magic 8 ball to conjure up whatever ghosts they want, but we know what’s really gonna happen: Fyre & Dawn are NOT bringing those titles to SmackDown. And how long have those two even been a team? Four months? But how long have these two been a team? Four YEARS. Hell, it’s like Four-EVER! And they have the most successful title defenses, AND the longest reign in history! They’ve got this!
Kayden says, “At the end of the day, this is where it started, this is where we became best friends, and if this is our last night in NXT, we’re going out as tag team champions.” Katana says there’s no other way. And y’know what this feels like? A hug moment. No. No! Katana hugs Kayden anyway. Will these best friends be champions in the end? Or will their NXT run simply end?
The Schism watches Joe Coffey.
Specifically, they watch his workout routine video he posted. Joe Gacy says, “Mr. Coffey is impressive. Friends, tonight, I will give my own body for the Schism. I will endure pain and punishment for our collective good.” Jagger Reed says Gacy’s sacrifice will not be in vain. Rip Fowler says if Gacy does them this honor, The Dyad will dethrone Mark Coffey & Wolfgang to claim tag title gold for The Schism. #FourRootsOneTree. They head out, but Ava Raine says that Gacy can do this for The Dyad, and then do something for himself. Gacy smiles, but will he be the one to knock the Iron King off his throne?
NXT Anonymous reviews the string of ambush attacks.
First Nikkita Lyons, then Wendy Choo, and now Sol Ruca, and still no leads on who it is. Will we ever find out whodunnit?
High Stakes Showdown: Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Joe Gacy w/ The Schism!
In a battle of Joes, only the strongest can stand tall! But will Coffey cross off Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed as tag title contenders for the rest of Gallus’ reign? Or will the Schism Boys be on top?
The bell rings and the Joes tie up. They go around, break, and tie up again. Coffey puts Gacy in a corner, fires off hands, but Gacy dodges to fire off clothesline after clothesline! Coffey turns it around for k nee after knee, then some mule kicks! Gacy grabs that foot, stands up, but Coffey breaks free and ROCKS Gacy! Coffey runs to CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE!! Gacy gets up, blocks a kick, trips Coffey and KNEES him down! Gacy then waistlocks, but Coffey fights with elbows. Gacy ripcord SLAMS Coffey, then SENTONS but onto knees! Coffey saves himself, then runs in, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!
Gacy clamps onto Coffey with a chinbar, and we see The Diamond Mine watching backstage. Coffey fights up, arm-drags free, but Gacy returns to whip. Coffey goes up and around in the corner to UPPERCUT! Gacy gets up, but Coffey fires boxing elbows! Coffey whips, Gacy reverses but Coffey dodges to CLOBBER Gacy! And then clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Gacy is hanging tough but Coffey keeps on him. Gacy blocks the whip, ROCKS Coffey, then back suplexes! Cover, TWO! Now Coffey is hanging tough and fans rally up. Gacy runs in at the corner but into a HAYMAKER!
Coffey goes out and climbs up, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders away, The Schism panics, but Gacy stands up into the GLASGOW SENDOFF! Gacy hits buckles, staggers, and into ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Cover, Rip helps Gacy get the ROPEBREAK! The ref didn’t see that but Gallus did! Markus & Wolfie chase The Dyad around the ring, then they start brawling! This distracts the ring, Jagger ends up in the ring, and he gets ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS! Ava jumps in as the ref reprimands Jagger, and she stares Coffey down. Ava then claims Coffey hit her!! The ref asks what happened, but Gacy hits the UPSIDE-DOWN!!! Cover, Gacy wins!!!
Winner: Joe Gacy, by pinfall (The Dyad have an NXT Tag Team Championship match)
The Diamond Mine shake their heads, they figured Ava would get involved. And Ivy’s sick of it! Will the Diamond Pitbull do something about that particular root? As for Rip & Jagger, will they bring those NXT Tag Team Championships to sit under The Schism’s tree?
Dani Palmer video chats with Sol Ruca.
The Sol Surfer says Dynamic Dani looks incredible! Dani thanks her for designing the new gear. And tonight, Dani dedicates this one to Sol. Also, she’s just casually doing the splits between boxes. Hank & Tank come in and pump Dani up! She’s so ready! Go get it, girl! Dani heads out, Tank & Hank say this is what she’s been training for. She’ll nail it. And then they look up to see “Big Oba.” They ask if he’s gonna watch Dani’s NXT debut. Obi doesn’t say a word, he just heads off. Will Dani be ready to finally level up?
NXT Media catches up with Eddy Thorpe.
He’s all done with training for the day, but he’d be in here all day if he could. What’s he been working on? A lot of side-to-side lateral movement. The title scene’s got a lot of fast moving athletes, but then Damon Kemp walks over. He has some trash, can Eddy throw it away for him? Um, sorry, he’s supposed to clean up after Damon? Yeah, Eddy’s the new guy, duh. Don’t get hot. Didn’t Eddy say he used to sleep on gym floors? Damon just thought he’d make him feel at home. Eddy says that’s not the funniest joke. Yeah, true, the funniest joke is Eddy thinking he can hang with Damon in the ring.
Well then let’s take that bet! Oh, “Young Boy,” Damon said he liked you, but don’t make him put an end to the hype train before it really takes off. Eddy frowns but will the Alpha Wolf get his chance to face the Golden Gopher soon enough?
Dani Palmer VS Tatum Paxley!
The dynamic collides with the dangerous as two young and hungry superstars meet in a first-time-ever showdown! Will Dani be just a hop, skip and a jump away from title contention? Or will Tatum take the spotlight away for herself?
The bell rings and Tatum rushes right in! They tie up, Tatum puts Dani in a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Tatum TOSSES Dani, but Dani handsprings through! Tatum rushes in, Dani dodges to a waistlock, but Tatum switches. Dani trips Tatum, has the leg, turns Tatum over, and ties those legs up in a deathlock toehold! But Tatum drags Dani off the hold to get a hammerlock. Dani rolls, kips up, and wrenches. Tatum wrenches and wristlocks but fans rally for Dani. Dani rolls, flips and wrenches to a headlock. Tatum powers out, throws a body shot, and whips Dani to a corner.
Dani goes up and over, handsprings, goes up and RANAS! Then she DROPKICKS Tatum down! Dani kips and jackknifes, TWO! But Dani headlocks right away! Tatum fights around, Dani avoids the headscissors, and the two move around. They stand, Tatum powers out and she avoids Dani’s up ‘n’ over to CLUB her! Dani ends up in the corner, Tatum storms up and stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Tatum lets off and she brings Dani up. Tatum gut wrench SUPLEXES, then laughs as she covers, TWO! Dani hangs tough but Tatum drags her up. Dani shoves Tatum, Tatum shoves Dani, and Tatum CHOPS!
Tatum throws Dani down by her hair to STANDING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tatum clamps onto Dani with a chinlock and thrashes her around! Fans rally up as Dani endures, and Dani reaches out. Tatum bends Dani back with the chinlock but Dani fights to her feet. Tatum reels her into a COBRA TWIST! Dani endures, pops free, switches and puts Tatum in the COBRA TWIST! Tatum switches, Dani drops and KANGAROO KICKS! Dani avoids the splash! Dani then runs in, ducks ‘n’ dodges, BIG ELBOW! And then another! Dani keeps moving, Tatum blocks a kick but Dani breaks free to DOUBLE KNEE! NECKBREAKER!
Dani runs in, Tatum dodges, O’Conner, but Dani slips out to shove Tatum! Tilt-o-whirl REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up with Dani and she goes up the corner! Tatum is down, for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Dani wins!
Winner: Dani Palmer, by pinfall
Dynamic indeed! She stuck the landing and has a big win, will Dani dive headlong into the title scene?
Class is in session at Chase University.
Well, it would be, but Thea Hail asks where Professor Andre Chase is! He’s never late! Never! Oh, wait, everyone is seeing something on social media. Duke Hudson asks what it is, and Thea says Mr. Chase cancelled class for today. He’s not feeling well after his match with “the man who shall not be named,” Bron Breakker. What should they do? Bake him cookies? Get him flowers? Book him a session with Dr. Tom? Thea is worried, but Duke knows exactly what to do! Duke gets up and calms everyone down. There is no reason they should fall behind in the curriculum over the “tragedy” of Mr. Chase losing to Bron.
So, even though Duke is not prepared, he brings out a HUGE binder with the words “Duke University Curriculum 2023-2024” and takes over for today. They will learn about… the WWE Draft! The first ever draft was 2002. But then someone has a question. Is there no pop quiz today? What did he just say? No pop quiz…? Duke looks this guy in the face, and tells him to hold up that test paper. In fact, everyone hold up your test papers! They all obey, and Duke says RIP IT UP! They rip it up! NO MORE POP QUIZZES~! YEAH!! They all cheer Duke on. Duke University. Has a nice ring to it. But will Chase like the sound of it when he gets back?
Robert Stone looks up the Beverly Brothers.
As Von Wagner said himself, Von Wagner’s father was part of this tag team. Von sits with Stone to look through the album. Yeah, that’s the Beverly Brothers at SummerSlam ’92, Wembley Stadium, against the Natural Disasters. Stone will say this, that crowd was great. Yeah, and it was for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Was Von upset when they lost? Stone, Von wasn’t even born yet. Fair enough. But sure, Von’s dad may never have been champion, but he had some injuries and stuff. Von vows he will be a champion. Wait, is this little on? No, no, that’s nothing. Von doesn’t wanna talk about that.
Stone wants Von to realize, he got drafted as a Free Agent! He can called to Raw or SmackDown at any time, so Von has to be more open with him. What IS that picture? Von says he doesn’t have to talk about anything. This is enough for tonight. But Stone opens the album back up and looks at the pick of Von with what appears to be a surgical scar on his head. What happened in Von’s past?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Katana Chance & Kayden Carter!
One way or another, both teams are moving on to the main roster. But this is about both who takes these belts with them to the big leagues, but also about pride as a team. Will the Unholy Alliance continue to shine all the way to Friday Night SmackDown? Or will KC Squared make these titles Raw?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who takes a bow for this curtain call!
The teams talk a little trash, sort out, but then Fyre & Dawn just attack! They CLUB KC Squared down, throw them out, and then go out after them! Dawn keeps after Carter while Fyre brawls with Katana. Carter ROCKS Down, dodges Fyre, and then gives Katana a boost for a DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Fans fire up with KC Squared and they get Fyre in the ring. The bell rings, but Fyre back drops! Katana sunset flips through, TWO! Fyre kicks low, brings Katana up and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Dawn and she stomps away! Dawn taunts Kayden but Katana ROCKS her! Katana slides under, ENZIGURIS, and tags Kayden!
Kayden kicks and throws Dawn out! Fyre runs in but Kayden kicks and throws her out, too! Kayden goes to the apron, SUPERKICKS Dawn then CROSSBODIES Fyre! Katana PLANCHAS Dawn and fans fire up! The party is rocking as NXT goes picture in picture.
Katana & Kayden fetch Dawn into the ring, then Katana SMACKS Fyre off the apron for good measure. Kayden covers Dawn, TWO! Dawn CLUBS Kayden, drags her over, and Fyre tags in. Kayden whips Dawn away but Dawn runs her over! Things keep moving, Fyre trips Kayden and Dawn taunts her. Fyre then spins Kayden into a BIG forearm! Fyre stalks Kayden, and drops a big knee! Cover, TWO! Fyre snarls, stomps Kayden, then bumps her off buckles. Tag to Dawn and they dig boots in. Dawn RAMS into Kayden, brings her out and snap suplexes! Float to a cover, TWO! Dawn throws Kayden down!
Tag to Fyre, she and Dawn handoff, then feed to the TARANTULA! The ref counts, Dawn lets go at 4 and Fyre covers, TWO! Fyre is frustrated but she clamps on a chinlock. Fyre squeezes Kayden, leans on the hold, but Kayden endures. Kayden fights to her feet, but Fyre wrangles her right back down! Fyre grinds Kayden into the mat, thrashes her around, but Kayden fights up again to arm-drag free! NXT returns to single picture as Kayden avoids the knee! Fyre hobbles, Kayden elbows her away! Fyre comes back, but only gets buckles! Hot tag to Katana and she sweeps Fyre, ROCKS Dawn and BULLDOGS Fyre!
Katana keeps moving, and she RANAS Fyre away! Fans fire up as Katana fires off forearms and CHOPS, shouting, “Those titles are OURS!” Fyre shoves Katana away, but Katana comes back to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana then pushes Fyre down to hit the SOMERSAULT AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Katana drags Fyre up, whips her to a corner, then runs in to tag Kayden. Fans rally, Katana snapmares Fyre and sets up with Kayden, they double springboard, STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Kayden covers, TWO!! Fyre hangs tough but Kayden drags her up. Fyre fires body shots then CLUBS Kayden!
Fyre whips, Kayden holds ropes and BOOTS back! Katana sneaks a tag, Fyre runs into a shoulder and table top! Kayden gives Katana the wheelbarrow boost, SPLASH onto knees! Fyre JAWBREAKERS Kayden and PUNTS Katana! Tag to Dawn, she drags Katana up while Fyre climbs! BACKSTABBER and SWANSTON!! Cover, Kayden barrels in to break it! Fans fire up while all four women are down! “This is Awesome!” as Kayden hooks Fyre up, hammerlock to BLADERUNNER! Dawn ROUNDHOUSES Kayden! Katana rolls Dawn! TWO!! Dawn rushes in, Katana dodges to CODE BREAKER!
Katana hurries to her corner while fans rally up. Kayden tags in, Katana goes up, HIGHLIGHT REEL!! Cover, but Fyre breaks it!! Fans fire up again while all four women are down! Katana wipes her bloody nose while she regroups with Kayden. Dawn and Fyre regroup on the other end and fans rally back up. Tags to Fyre and Katana! But all four women step up to BRAWL! Fans are thunderous, Kayden TOSSES Dawn but Fyre ROCKS Katana! Fyre SUPERKICKS Kayden! Katana runs up but Fyre whips her. Katana reverses, runs in but into a BOOT! Fyre goes out to the apron, BOOTS Kayden, then climbs!
Katana stands, Dawn runs in, but Katana ducks the kick to shove her at ropes! This trips Fyre up, for Katana to spring up and fire off! Fyre fights back, Kayden sneaks the tag! Kayden CLUBS Fyre, goes up after her, and Katana joins in. Fans fire up as KC Squared bring Fyre up, for a DOUBLE SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Fyre survives and shocks everyone! Kayden thinks of what to do, and she hurries to get Katana up. KC Squared reset, tag and turn, HIGHLIGHT- NO, Katana has to leap at Dawn first with a CROSSBODY! But Fyre RAMS Kayden into buckles! Fyre storms up, Katana dodges to RAN-
NO, Fyre SWINGS Katana into Kayden! And then she brings Katana back up, and Dawn tags in! Pop-up into the Gory Especial! WICKED FACEBUSTER!! Fyre DIVES onto Kayden! Dawn covers Katana, Dawn & Fyre win!!
Winners: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Fans aren’t sure what to make of this, but the titles are still in the clutches of this wicked duo! Will Fridays now be the home of the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships?
Dijak speaks.
“Ilja Dragunov. I gave you fair warning: don’t show up to the arena. And now look at you. Your ribcage? Smashed. You didn’t seem like much of a mad dragon when you were trapped under that garage door gasping for air. So helpless. But don’t worry, Ilja, I left a small piece of you to finish off next week, because I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE! I CAN BREAK ANY MAN!! And next week, Ilja, I’m finally going to break YOU.” Will Unbesiegbar not survive #HardJustice?
Apollo Crews finds Trick in the parking lot.
Trick congratulates Crews on being drafted back to Raw, and Crews says he appreciates that. And Crews saw Trick challenge Bron to a match. Trick says he’s gonna handle business, and Crews says that’s admirable. And while Crews has had his wars with Trick Melo Gang in the past, he just wants to say before he leaves, he sees a lot in Trick. Trick has the ability to take over NXT if he wanted. Melo has the spotlight now, as he deserves. But Trick is the definition of a superstar. Crews knows the others only wish they had the same gifts Trick does. Don’t let that talent go to waste. Keep grinding, keep busting your ass, and next year, it could be Trick’s name called in the Draft.
Trick says Crews doesn’t know how much that means to Trick. They shake hands and Crews tells Trick to give Bron hell. Will Trick be able to break through against Bron Breakker?
Indi Hartwell is here!
Thanks to the WWE Draft, the NXT Women’s Champion is going to Raw! But right now, she has the belt on her shoulder, a cast on her foot, and a mic in hand. Fans chant “You Deserve It!’ in regards to the title and the draft pick. Indi says, “One thousand, three hundred and 30 days ago, I stepped through the doors of the WWE Performance Center for the very first time. I was a freshly-turned 23-year-old, with a hope and a dream. Because I was a fan of the black ‘n’ gold era. Women like Bayley and Charlotte and Asuka, who carved their own way in this industry. Legends who helped build the division to what it is today. Women who helped make this championship one of the most important titles in WWE.
“No one ever thought that I was gonna achieve this goal. They counted me out, people doubted me, until I found… The Way.” Fans cheer that! Indi says it was a family, with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Austin Theory, and #SexyDexi. That is where she formed a bond with them, but also with the fans. Fans cheer that, too! Indi says she got married right here in this very ring! A WWE wedding with no interruptions? Indi couldn’t believe it! Just like she couldn’t believe she was atop that ladder with the NXT Women’s Championship at Stand & Deliver.
“A lot of people say they wanna be a fighting champion, but you don’t always get an opportunity to prove that. Last week, I was in the medical room with a high ankle sprain, about to be taken out of the match, and I thought, ‘Hell no!'” Fans cheer because Indi got her ass back out to the ring and showed everyone she IS the best in the division! Indi wasn’t gonna let her title run end on the medical table. Fans chant for “Indi Wrestling!” And then, came Friday, and Indi got drafted to Monday Night Raw. Fans cheer that even more! “You Deserve It!” Indi thanks them for that. It has been a few days, and she still can’t believe it.
Come Monday, May 8th, Indi’s new home will be Raw. But right now, just like when she was 23, the most important thing is NXT and this title. So starting next week, there will be a tournament to crown a NEW NXT Women’s Champion, culminating at Battleground in Lowell, Massachusetts. “Ladies, good luck.” And one more thing before she goes. These are words Indi lives by: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Fans cheer that as Indi gives one last long and sorrowful look at the title. She kisses it goodbye, then sets it down on the mat. And now, how to get out of the ring…
Fans cheer as DEXTER LUMIS slides out from under the ring! He gives a smile and thumbs up, and then helps his wife out of the ring. #InDex says goodbye to NXT one last time. Will nothing stop Indi from being Impressive on Raw? And who will be the next woman to pick up that title? Wait, Tiffany Stratton appears to grab the belt! But so does Cora Jade! They tug-o-war over it! Only for LYRA VALKYRIA to CLOBBER them both! Ivy and Tatum and just about EVERY woman in the locker room rushes out! They all brawl, refs hurry to stop this, but fans are loving it! Will it be nothing but chaos until NXT Battleground?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT to follow the WWE Draft, and at least some things were cleared up after what felt like miscues between NXT and main roster. Despite there being a tag title match tonight where both teams were moving on from NXT, it is heavily implied that the champions will pull a Kevin Owens style call-up. Fyre & Dawn had an awesome match with Kayden & Katana, and Fyre & Dawn retaining makes sense given the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Liv Morgan & Shayna Baszler, are on Raw. Fyre & Dawn bring the NXT titles to SmackDown, probably feuding with a team there but also teams on NXT. Maybe we’ll finally get some triple branded competition again with both WWE and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions going back and forth between Raw, SmackDown & NXT.
And as Indi said in her great promo to close the show, we are getting a tournament to crown a new champion at Battleground, as I was hoping for the moment Indi was drafted. We got a great bit of chaos to close the night, but of course Cora and Tiffany were the first two of the roster to go out and grab the belt, it fits both of their characters. But as such, it’d make for a much better finals if at least one of them wasn’t in the finals, and then someone else entirely wins the belt. Lyra did strike them both down, maybe Lyra finally gets a title after having multiple delays, both in NXT UK and here in NXT.
For that matter, where the hell has Blair Davenport been since Mandy Rose buried her and Meiko Satomura at World’s Collide? Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne should also be a big part of that tournament, they had a really good match tonight. I feel like Jacy got bloodied the hard way, that was quite the drip and since when has WWE had blood? At the same time, Gigi and Jacy can wrap up their feud without the belt, escalating to some kind of No Disqualification match for the winner to then challenge the new champion over the Summer. And at that point, it could be anyone, so we’d be getting a fresh match-up in time for the SummerSlam season.
I loved the Chase U segment, because I just felt for the longest time that a “Duke University” pun was in the works, and here it was! Chase will surely be upset, and this could be leading to Chase VS Duke after all. Dijak has a good promo calling out Dragunov, but I’m pretty sure Dragunov will win their match. And really good segment from Stone and Von, surprisingly. Using Von’s dad and his career in story made sense, but wow, are we getting some worked shoot of Von’s real life? Is Von no longer going to be big meaty meathead and actually have something we can sympathize with? I’m not sure how to feel about that.
Great opening title match from Wes VS Gulak, and of course Bate counters Dempsey as part of the finish. But Bate eyeing the title, I would definitely love seeing Wes VS Bate for the North American Championship at Battleground. That one could go either way, as Wes has been a great champion but Bate’s been deserving of something for some time. Trick had a great promo segment with Bron to set up a match which will of course be Bron’s tune-up before Battleground. Apollo also had a great promo with Trick that honestly felt like his genuine feelings. Trick really is great on the mic and in the ring, he’s bound to get some kind of title in his NXT run.
Good promo from Eddy Thorpe and Damon Kemp, especially since it was a subtle reference to the NJPW Young Boy to Young Lion system. Eddy has to win against Damon and then throw it in Damon’s face that he should clean up after him. And I do appreciate that NXT Anonymous posted that highlight reel of the attack segments, and putting a scroll of possibly real fan comments, not just a bunch of kayfabe comments. The real-life answer is that a coach at NXT is pushing the women’s roster too hard in strength training, because there is at least half a dozen other injuries we haven’t even seen played out as an attack, but could totally be put that way for kayfabe’s sake.
Great match out of Axiom and Scrypts, though it makes that random match they had on Level Up months ago all the more random. This should’ve been the first thing we’ve ever seen from these two so that we’d be even more surprised. But Axiom winning was of course the right move, and wow, I didn’t think he’d demask Scrypts here! Everyone already knew it was Reggie, but it’s great that we can finally say it’s Reggie and get from Reggie why he became Scrypts in the first place. And great debut match from Dani Palmer, but I feel like her ring gear could be better. Lots of little straps here and there, but all different colors, that makes it a bit of a mess. It’d be better if they were all the same bright color. Just my opinion.
Great match from Gacy VS Coffey, and I just knew The Schism was going to cheat to help Gacy win so that The Dyad can get their tag title match. Given that Zack Gibson & James Drake are still here as Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed rather than being released as they asked, I hope that means HHH & HBK are going to do big things with them. The Dyad winning the tag titles could be a good move, especially since it feels like Diamond Mine is going to feud with The Schism. Or, perhaps The Diamond Mine stops The Schism from cheating, furthering their feud, and then Gallus feuds with The D’Angelo Family for all that mafia stuff. Well, Gallus VS Tony & Stacks could still happen even without the titles, the winners challenging for the titles at Battleground.
And just an awesome match from Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh. Given JD is moving on to Raw, I did not see him winning. Wrestling is always about putting someone who is sticking around over, using someone who is on their way out. But since JD is simply moving to Raw and not leaving WWE, he goes over to have momentum for when he shows up on Raw and starts whatever story HHH has planned. As for Dragon and Dar, Dragon losing because of Dar is the perfect way to get their feud going, and they are definitely fighting for the Heritage Cup. Still hoping for a tournament there myself, as Dar’s attempt to keep Dragon away from him, but chances are, they’re going to be more direct in this feud.
My Score: 8.8/10
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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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