Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/23/23)
It’s the Final Four!
Two grudge matches on the way to gold!
The NXT Women’s Championship Tournament reaches the semifinals! Lyra VS Cora, Tiffany VS Roxie, who makes it through to Battleground?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Semifinals: Lyra Valkyria VS Cora Jade; Lyra wins and advances to NXT Battleground.
- Axiom VS Dabba-Kato; Dabba wins.
- Tyler Bate VS Eddy Thorpe; Bate wins.
- Noam Dar VS Nathan Frazer; Frazer wins.
- Hank Walker VS Tank Ledger; Hank wins.
- Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone VS Luca Crusifino; Crusifino wins, by disqualification.
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Semifinals: Tiffany Stratton VS Roxanne Perez; Tiffany wins and advances to NXT Battleground.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tonight’s final four speak.
Lyra Valkyria says, “Two epic encounters now stand between me and the NXT Women’s Championship. Cora Jade, fate has brought us together once again. but my ferocity will carry me past you, all the way to Lowell, where I await my final obstacle.” But Cora Jade says “NXT needs me to be NXT Women’s Champion. Better yet, NXT wants me to be champion. Lyra, I saw how you were looking at my title last week, but trust me, honey, that’s all you’re gonna be doing. Looking up at the lights tonight, and looking at me becoming the new NXT Women’s Champion at Battleground.”
Tiffany Stratton says, “I never asked to be the It Girl of NXT, it just happened. When you’re the Center of the Universe, everything just perfectly falls into place. Roxanne Perez, you have no idea what I’m talking about, sorry n ot sorry. But after I’m done with you tonight, it’s off to Battleground to become the NXT Women’s Champ. Traveling first class, of course. Tootles.” Roxanne Perez says that, “In one year, I’ve lived a page out of my wildest dreams. But tonight’s not a fantasy, it’s a realty. Tiffany Stratton, you’re a moment maker, but I am a history maker. And nothing is gonna stop me from becoming a TWO-TIME NXT Women’s Champion.”
All four have said their piece, but who gets a piece of the action at Battleground? We start the semifinals right now!
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Semifinals: Lyra Valkyria VS Cora Jade!
The Morrigan has been hunting The Punk Rock Mean Girl, and she finally gets her shot! Will Lyra bring down the #GenerationOfJade? Or will Cora keep up the delusions that NXT needs her?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cora KNEES Lyra low, throws her down, then laugh at her. But Lyra ROCKS Cora, and again, and again! Lyra whips, Cora reveres but Lyra goes up and over. Things keep moving, Lyra ducks ‘n’ dodges and springboards, but she slips! Cora drags Lyra up but Lyra cradles her! TWO!! Lyra hurries to get Cora up, snap suplexes, and then covers, TWO! Lyra rushes at the ropes but Cora puts her on the apron. Cora KNEES Lyra, traps her in ropes, and CHOPS her! Fans boo but Cora runs to SHOTGUN Lyra down! Cora covers, TWO! Lyra is still in this and Cora is annoyed.
Cora kicks at her but Lyra grabs the leg to throw Cora down! Body scissors and Gedo Clutch, TWO! SEATED SURFBOARD! Cora pulls Lyra back, just to STOMP her! Cover, TWO! Lyra crawls to ropes, Cora runs to IMPLODER STOMP! Cover, TWO! Cora keeps on Lyra with a chinlock stretch but Lyra endures. Fans rally, Lyra fights up, and she throws body shots. Fans fire up, Lyra ROCKS Cora, and then Lyra goes to a corner. Cora runs in but into a BOOT! Lyra goes up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Both women are down and fans fire up. Lyra goes to ropes, Cora rises, and Lyra SOBATS! KICKS! And HEADBUTTS! Then AX KICKS!
Lyra reels Cora in, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO and Lyra rolls through! Cora fights the lift, throws knees, and Lyra goes back to a corner. Cora runs in, but Lyra blocks shining wizard for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! No bridge but Lyra still covers, TWO! Lyra keeps focus and rushes in again, but Cora YANKS her into ropes! Cora runs but Lyra dodges! Cora hits ropes, then Lyra hits a HEEL KICK! Cover, Lyra wins!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to NXT Battleground)
In the blink of an eye, Lyra snatches this away from Cora and has her golden ticket to Lowell! Who will join Lyra on the Battleground to fight for the grandest prize?
Wait, Cora CHOP BLOCKS Lyra! Cora shrieks “That’s MY title!” Cora grabs her favorite kendo stick, and SMACKS Lyra’s leg!! Fans boo but some want that “One More Time!” Cora leaves while refs check Lyra’s leg, will Lyra be in any shape to fight at Battleground on Sunday?
Dijak arrives backstage.
And he gets a FLYING KICK from Ilja Dragunov!! The Czar is still standing after Dijak tried to break him last week, and now he’s gonna see if he can break Dijak! Chair shot to the back! And then he RAMS Dijak into a garage door! And then Dragunov opens that garage door, punches and stomps Dijak to be under it, and he brings it down! Dragunov is returning the favor from a few weeks ago, but refs and trainers stop him from going further! Will UNBESIEGBAR bring down Hard Justice even before their NXT Battleground Last Man Standing match?
Axiom VS Dabba-Kato!
The Undeniable Truth exposed Scrypts quite literally, but now he wants to take on the biggest challenge he physically can. Is Axiom trying too much too soon? Or will he actually climb the mountain of a man that is Dabba-Kato?
The bell rings and fans fire up. Dabba looks at Axiom and almost laughs at how much taller he is. But then Axiom KICKS him in the leg! And again! Dabba rushes in, Axiom dodges, but Dabba blocks a kick, only for Axiom to ENZIGURI! Dabba stays up but he’s wobbling, and Axiom hurries after. Dabba grabs Axiom by the neck, but Axiom flips out of the choke slam! Axiom kicks and kicks and runs, but Dabba just tanks the shoulder! Dabba grabs Axiom to CHOP him down! Dabba then shoves Axiom over the ropes and out of the ring! Dabba then goes out after Axiom. Axiom SLAPS Dabba, but Dabba CHOPS Axiom down!
Fans fire up, Dabba scoops Axiom to a trophy lift, and he TOSSES Axiom back into the ring! Dabba climbs the ropes but Axiom gets a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Dabba hobbles, Axiom KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Axiom runs, springboards, and dropkicks the leg out! Dabba is on his knees, Axiom KICKS him in the chest! And again! Axiom runs, but into a KING KONG LARIAT!! Dabba grabs Axiom with both hands, MOUNTAIN BOMB!! Cover, Dabba wins!
Winner: Dabba-Kato, by pinfall
But Dabba isn’t done! He stands Axiom up to fire off hands and stomps in a corner! The ref reprimands, Dabba lets off, but then Dabba SPLASHES Axiom in the corner! Fans boo, but SCRYPTS- Er, REGGIE leaps in! Reggie fires off on Dabba, but Dabba shoves him away. Dabba rushes at Reggie but Reggie dumps him out! Fans are fired up for Reggie as he tells Dabba to get his ass outta here! The refs rush in to stop this from getting any worse! Dabba is furious, but why did Reggie help Axiom? Reggie helps Axiom up but Axiom shrugs him off. Reggie tries to talk it over with Axiom and fans want them to “Hug it out!” It doesn’t seem Axiom wants Reggie’s help, but will he need it?
NXT has footage of Tony D’Angelo’s interrogation.
The Don sits in a room, and in walks a detective. He thanks Mr. D’Angelo for coming and asks how things are going. Tony says you already know how things are going, so let’s just get to it already. Then to the point, why is Tony’s name coming up in ongoing investigations? He doesn’t know. Tony is an upstanding pillar of society. Well there are some tips- Tips? From who? Maybe if Tony tips the detective, he can go? So is that bribing an officer of the law then? Whoa, hey, relax! He was just joking. Well, what’s not funny is the situation Tony finds himself in. They have video from an informant-
Whoa, whoa, whoa. An informant? Like a rat? No, like an informant. Who is in this video? Is this you, Tony? Tony mugging Pretty Deadly? Tony says the footage is a bit weak. It’s dark and at night, grainy even. Look, Tony will say this: there is no way that is him. It’s not? So then- Another knock at the door. Another detective walks in to tell Detective Stewart that some new information has come in that he will want to see. In that case, be right back. Tony waits alone in the room, tries to eavesdrop, but who knows if he can hear anything. Who is this informant that dropped a dime on The Don?
Bron Breakker speaks.
“Stand & Deliver was the culmination of my year long reign as NXT Champion. Anything less than your best, you’re not gonna get your hand raised when you’re in there with a superstar like Carmelo.” Bron lost that night, Melo showed him respect, and Bron thinks, “What did this last year get me? All the media, all the live events. I stayed after all the live events and signed as many pictures as I could.” Big match after big match, defending the brand, carrying the title, so that he could pass the torch that he knows he’s better than? Melo can have the torch, because Bron’s gonna burn this all down.
Bron snapped, beat up Trick Melo Gang, has continued to beat up on Trick Melo Gang, and Melo tries to say they’re “cut from the same cloth.” To Bron, “Melo’s just a dude walking around with a title that’s got my singlet colors printed on the center of it. We ain’t the same! I just finally woke up!” There’s a level down here, he’s on the level up above it. Anyone can be Him, no one else can be Bron! He cut Melo in half putting him through the stage. Melo tries to make a comeback, Bron speared him outta the sky! Bron isn’t going to Battleground for a homecoming. He’s going there in front of Melo’s fans, friends and family, to dish out a massacre.
Gallus is here!
Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang stand in the ring together, and Joe says, “Well now, well now, well now. Sunday’s Battleground looks absolutely stacked!” Wolfgang was sure Tony D & Stacks were gonna challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championships ever since that meeting in the pub, but he hasn’t seen them anywhere since! Joe says no, Wolfie, that’s because Tony is… detained! Oh, you don’t say? Tony must’ve upset someone down at the docks. If Joe was gonna bet money, we’re not gonna see Tony for a long, long time. And good riddance! Mark says the Creeds were gonna step up to them. Were gonna call them? Mark has no missed calls, though.
Joe says the Creeds must take after Tony & Stacks. Talk a big game, get all hyped up, and then they think- Oh, wait, here come the Creeds after all! The green lights get moved aside by the Diamond Mine blue, and Julius asks Brutus, “It sounds to me that the big bad Gallus boys don’t want a challenge. And that’s right, last week, we did call for you! But this week, we found you and we’re saying it to your faces. NXT Battleground, Gallus, Creeds, titles on the line. Ring, ring, ring. You gonna answer?” Mark says easy, they get it. The Creeds are all hyped up, they want to regain the tag titles. The problem is, Gallus are an entirely different animal.
Brutus says no, the problem is that Gallus is full of surprises. But they dealt their last hand at Stand & Deliver! Wolfie says this firm has had more fights than the Creeds have had hot dinners. Brutus does love dinner. Julius knows he is, he’s always hungry. But uh, Gallus’ guts are showing they’ve had a lot of dinners, too. But hey, this isn’t about bar food. This isn’t about darts or pool. This is about the fight about to take place in Lowell. They’re gonna go in and fight, but only two leave with titles. And it’s the Creeds time! Oh, they think they can throw hands with Gallus, huh? They sure do! Then the brawl is on!
Fans fire up as Julius TACKLES Joe! Then he helps Brutus against Mark and Wolfie! But this is still 3v2! Fans are on the Creeds’ side but that’s not enough! Mark & Wolfie get Julius up, but STACKS CLOBBERS MARK! Fans fire up as Stacks helps turn the tables! Brutus clotheslines Joe out! Gallus regroups and the Iron King has his guys stand down. Will Gallus not be on top against Diamond Mine at Battleground?
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
McKenzie Mitchell is with the North American Champion and says last week was rough on him. Attacked in the locker room by The Schism, and now a crack in the bond with Tyler Bate. Wes is a bit unsure what to say, but he does say that everyone does look out for themselves in NXT. That’s the nature of the beast. But Wes really thought he could trust Tyler. Maybe Gacy is messing with Wes, or maybe Wes is paranoid because everyone wants to ruin his title defense record. Things have changed. Wes might need to stop letting people get close to him, who knows.
McKenzie does bring in someone to talk. It’s Tyler Bate! Wes says save it, Tyler doesn’t need to be friends anymore to get a title shot. But Wes will be paying close attention to Tyler’s match with Eddy Thorpe, now that he knows what he’s really after. Wes leaves, Tyler wishes he’d understand. Tyler explains that him wanting the title doesn’t change that he has respect for Wes and everything he’s done. Joe Gacy, though, is a different kettle of fish. But we’ll just have to wait and see at Battleground. Tonight, Tyler has Thorpe to worry about. Will the Big Strong Boi be able to focus against the Alpha Wolf?
Tyler Bate VS Eddy Thorpe!
NXT returns as Bate makes his entrance. Wes is on commentary to watch closely, just as he said. The bell rings and Bate ties up with Thorpe. Thorpe wrenches an arm, Bate goes around, rolls, and spins to then break free with a leg. Bate wrenches Thorpe, Thorpe rolls and kips and wrenches to get around and waistlock, then headlock. Fans fire up, Thorpe holds on as Bate tries to power out. Thorpe hits a takeover, Bate moves around, and Bate rolls to a cover. TWO, Thorpe holds on, so Bate tries again. ONE, and Thorpe still holds on. Fans rally, Bate fights up, and Bate spins out to wristlock and arm-drag!
Thorpe headscissors, Bate kips free and trips Thorpe! Cover, ONE, and they knuckle lock. Bate kicks, steps over, gets around, baits Thorpe in then duck sunder. Thorpe doesn’t fall for the next freebie and fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Thorpe gets around to a waistlock. Thorpe lifts but Bate arm-drags free. Thorpe runs in, Bate dodges, drops and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up, Bate covers, TWO! Bate keeps on Thorpe and fireman’s carries, but Thorpe fights free! Thorpe waistlocks, Bate elbows free, and then RAMS low. Bate whips, Thorpe reverses and SPINNING CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up and duel while both men are down.
Thorpe brings Bate up, but Bate cradles! TWO and Thorpe CHOPS! Bate grits his teeth, Thorpe snapmares him to KICK in the back! Cover, TWO! Thorpe keeps Bate down in a seated cobra twist. Fans rally, Bate fights up, but Thorpe wrangles him back down. Bate fights up, fans rally, but Thorpe gets him for a standing cobra twist! Thorpe CLUBS Bate, pulls on the hold, but Bate pries the hold apart. Bate gets under a clothesline to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUTS again! But Thorpe SOBATS! Bate goes to a corner, Thorpe runs in, but he blocks Bate’s boot, only for Bate to KNEE him away!
Bate goes up, leaps, FLYING UPPERCUT! And then an EXPLODER! Bate kips up, fans fire up, and Bate SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Bate drags Thorpe up again, and he underhooks the arms! Thorpe slips free of the driver to UPPERCUT! Thorpe kicks, whips, but Bate ducks ‘n’ rebounds, but Thorpe BOOTS him! But Bate bucks the O’Conner! Thorpe runs in, Bate dodges to REBOUND LARIAT! Bate hurries to underhook, TYLER DRIVER 97!! Cover, Bate wins!
Winner: Tyler Bate, by pinfall
Wes applauds because that was a good match, but GACY ATTACKS! Gacy beats down Bate, and Wes can’t stand it! Wes gets in to run up on Gacy, but Gacy moves and Wes DECKS Bate! Wes realizes his mistake, but turns around into the UPSIDE-DOWN! Gacy takes out Wes and Bate, then picks up the belt. Will The Schism finally have gold hanging from the tree?
Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.
McKenzie is with Lyra in the medical room as she has ice on the leg. Lyra is going to the finals of the tournament but Cora may have just injured her. Does she have a medical update at this time? Lyra says her knee is bruised and swollen, but she has to wait for that to go down first. Lyra doesn’t feel a tear or ligament damage, so she’ll be fine. No matter what, she’ll be fine. She can rehab all week, watch the other match, and be ready for the finals. Any preference as to who she faces? “This is the part where everybody gives a vague answer, right? And they say they’ll take on anyone.
“Nah, I want Roxanne Perez. In my eyes, she’s the best of NXT, and I wanna take on her for the championship.” McKenzie thanks Lyra for her time, but will Lyra get what she wants again?
Noam Dar VS Nathan Frazer!
The Scottish Supernova brought back his talk show, the Supernova Sessions, all to poke fun at Dragon Lee. But with a little help from the Home Hitting Hard Truths host, Dragon Lee now has a Heritage Cup Championship match at Battleground! Will Dar make Frazer pay for crashing the party? Or will Frazer expose Dar for the fraud he says Dar is?
The bell rings and Dar circles with Frazer. They tie up, Dar wrenches an arm to a wristlock then brings Frazer down. Frazer fights up, arm-drags, but Dar holds onto the wristlock. Frazer fights up, spins, and headlocks. Frazer grinds Dar, but Dar powers out the back to get a headlock of his own. Dar talks some trash but Frazer fights up to power out. Things speed up, Dar avoids the hurdle but Frazer avoids the sweep to hit a headlock takeover! Fans rally, Dar headscissors but Frazer kips free. Frazer gets the headlock and takeover again! Fans rally, Dar keeps his shoulders up, and Dar powers up.
Dar powers Frazer to ropes, the ref calls the break, and Dar lets off. Frazer avoids the cheap shot to hit the headlock takeover again! Dar keeps his shoulders up, fights around again, and Dar powers up, only for Frazer to hit yet another takeover. Dar fights up once again, knees low, and he throat chops! Dar whips, Frazer goes up and over and things speed up. Fans duel as Frazer redirects, and redirects, and redirects! Frazer then ducks ‘n’ dodges to DROPKICK Dar right out of the ring! Fans are thunderous and Dar crawls to the Heritage Cup on the pedestal. Dar tries to get encouragement from it as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dar stands, he catches his breath, and he slowly returns. Frazer rushes him, they both go out, and Frazer ROCKS Dar! And SMACKS Dar off the apron! Dar scrambles in, Frazer high-fives fans, and Frazer hurries back in. Frazer snap suplexes Dar and floats to a cover, TWO! Frazer stalks Dar to ropes, brings him up and CHOPS him! Frazer whips Dar to ropes, Dar reverses but Frazer sunset flips! TWO, and Frazer DROPKICKS Dar down! Cover, TWO! Dar is still in this, he wouldn’t be Heritage Cup Champion if he wasn’t tough. Frazer drags Dar up, cravats, cranks on the neck, and rolls with Dar.
Dar fights up, powers Frazer to ropes, but Frazer still rolls with Dar! Frazer keeps that cravat on tight, but Dar pulls hair. The ref reprimands, Dar knees low, but Frazer ROCKS Dar with a right! Frazer suplexes but Dar wrenches out to sweep the legs! Dar nods, feeling smug again. Frazer goes to a corner, Dar runs in to forearm smash! Dar eggs the fans on, he snapmares Frazer, and he UPPERCUTS Frazer in the back! Frazer goes to a corner, Dar whips him corner to corner but Frazer goes up and over and handsprings away. Dar runs in, but into a boot! Frazer goes up but Dar sweeps the legs again! Frazer lands hard, Dar covers, TWO!
Dar flexes to taunt Frazer as well as the fans, and then he clamps on with a top wristlock. Dar digs a knuckle into Frazer’s triceps, but Frazer endures. Dar cranks on the arm, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally up. Frazer fights up, throws body shots, but Dar UPPERCUTS! Frazer goes to a corner, Dar runs in but Frazer dodges! Dar bounces off buckles, Frazer jumps up, but Dar kicks the legs out! Frazer hits the apron hard, Dar drags him up through the ropes. Dar has Frazer on the ropes, and feels like a Viper. But the ref counts, so Dar drops Frazer to KICK the arms out! Cover, TWO!
Dar grows frustrated but fans rally up. Dar drags Frazer around by an arm to stomp the arm! And then Dar stomps the other arm! Dar taunts Frazer, gets a leg and stomps that! Dar stomps the other leg, covers, TWO! Frazer crawls but Dar puts him in a corner. Dar climbs up to rain down elbows from above! The ref counts, Dar stops and he flexes again. Fans cheer and jeer but Dar stalks Frazer. Frazer throws body shots! Frazer ROCKS Dar with haymakers, but then Dar dodges to SUPERMAN FOREARM! Frazer flops to the ropes, Dar KICKS him! Frazer goes to another side, Dar KICKS him again!
Dar talks trash, KICKS but Frazer blocks! Dar throws hands, Frazer dodges and QUEBRADA into REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally up, Frazer and Dar stand. Frazer counter punches Dar! And again! Frazer fires off more shots, CHOPS Dar in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Frazer runs in, Dar puts him on the apron but Frazer ROCKS him again! Frazer goes up, but he avoids the kick this time! Frazer ELBOWS Dar, then springboards to AX HANDLE! Fans fire up as Frazer rallies on Dar! Spin and suplex, ANARCHY! Cover, TWO! Dar is still in this and Frazer is beside himself!
Frazer goes to a corner, fans rally and duel, and Frazer goes up the corner. Frazer PHOENIX SPLASHES but he has to roll through! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS! Dar drops to a knee, but he blocks a kick! Frazer ENZIGURI but Dar spins under it! And then ANKLE LOCK! Frazer rolls to send Dar into buckles! Dar staggers back, into a PELE! Dar staggers around, Frazer QUEBRADA, but Dar dodges to ROUNDHOSUE! Pop-up ARMBAR! Frazer flails, clasps hands, fans duel and Dar CLUBS the hands! Dar has the ARMBAR in full! But Frazer fights around, stacks, TWO!! Dar lets Frazer go, but Frazer ducks the elbow! SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up and both men are down! Frazer is shocked but the fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” Dar and Frazer slowly rise, they go forehead to forehead, “This is Wrestling!” as both men throw hands! Frazer CHOPS! Dar forearms! Frazer CHOPS, and CHOPS, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! But Dar JABS Frazer! Dar reels Frazer in, but Frazer cradle counters! TWO!! Dar blocks a kick, to BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!!! Frazer is showing his own toughness, and now Dragon Lee walks out here. Dragon looks at the cup and fans fire up. Dar sees him and gets upset. Dar goes out to tell Dragon to back off.
Dragon says he’s just admiring the cup, and Dar shoves Dragon! Dragon is ready to punch Dar but Dar goes to the ring. Frazer DIVES and takes out Dar! Dragon laughs at Dar, Frazer puts Dar in! Frazer goes up, to PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, FRAZER WINS!!
Winner: Nathan Frazer, by pinfall
The Wonder Boy helps the British Rocket out here, meaning Frazer pins the Heritage Cup Champion! Will Frazer be next in line for the cup no matter who wins at Battleground?
Backstage interview with Ilja Dragunov.
McKenzie asks him that if he’s to sign the Hold Harmless Agreement with Dijak before their Last Man Standing Match, why attack Dijak here tonight? Dragunov says he is making Dijak feel the pain that awaits him on Sunday. Last week was torture but Dragunov was still standing. So Dragunov will sign the agreement so that at Battleground, the fight can go anywhere they want. And then, Dijak will understand what Dragunov means when he says he is UNBESIEGBAR! But Dijak storms in! The rest of the locker room tries to stop this but the brawl is back on! The others pull these two apart, but then Dijak gets loose!
There’s chaos backstage as these two keep wanting after each other! Will nothing stop these two from destroying their opponents and even themselves at Battleground?
Carmelo Hayes has a special homecoming.
Just last weekend, the NXT Champion returned home to Boston, Massachusetts and did the media tour, from 98.5 The Sports Hub to Boston 25 News, and was even on the Ten Count podcast. What is it like being back home? Melo feels very comfortable. It’s time for him to lock in, get ready, be around his people, his city, where he paid his dues. It just feels right. It will be his first time back as champion, especially THE champion. He’s of course very excited to be back around friends and family and to show them how he does what he does. This is a big moment. Melo even went to Kowloon’s to have a great dinner and sign a picture for them to put on their Wall of Fame.
Melo says it all feels right. He is in the City of Champions. You look at any major sports city, Boston’s right up there. It is only fitting that this champion comes home. He got to go to a Boston Celtics game, and the organization they are, they rolled out the red carpet. Just a couple days and it has been all love for Melo. Now, he defends against Bron Breakker. Does Bron have any idea what he is walking into? Coming into Melo’s backyard to beat him? That’s crazy! Bron is not prepared for what this is. It will be a hostile environment, Melo has earned a lot of love and respect in this area, this will be his homecoming. Bron wants to try and ruin that, but Melo’s dogs don’t bark, they bite.
That previous time in the ring with Bron, Melo learned everything he needs to know about Bron. Bron is big, fast, strong, but he isn’t Boston Strong, and he finds that out this Sunday.
Hank Walker VS Tank Ledger!
Though they make their entrance together, these two teammates and good friends are looking to sharpen iron with iron! Will they become a stronger team for this match? Or will all this blue collar brawling blow up in their faces?
The bell rings and the teammates shake hands to show there’s respect. The fans cheer, the two tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Tank gets a headlock but Hank powers up. Hank powers out, they RAM shoulders, and they both say, “Holy moly!” Tank and Hank go again, they RAM shoulders, and fans rally. They RAM shoulders again, and they’re firing up now! They both run to RAM shoulders! Tank pushes Hank to a corner, CLUBS him, CLUBS him and ELBOWS him! But then Hank shoots in to put Tank in the corner! Hank RAMS into Tank again and again, then CLUBS him! And CHOPS him!
Fans fire up as Hank brings Tank around, to scoop and- NO, Tank slips free and he RAMS Hank into buckles! Tank whips corner to corner, Hank staggers into a scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up as Tank cartwheels and DIVING HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Tank stays fired up, he eggs Hank on, and Hank throws a haymaker! Tank hits back! Hank throws another, but Tank gives it back! Hank throws a body shot, and a forearm! Hank eggs Tank on and Tank swings. Hank gets around, scoops, and SLAMS! Tank staggers to a corner, Hank SPLASHES him! Hank whips corner to corner, Tank dodges, keeps moving, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide!
Fans fire up, Hank manages to cover, and Hank wins!!
Winner: Hank Walker, by pinfall
The hoss fight is over, and Hank helps Tank up. But Bron SPEARS Hank!! Fans boo but Bron SPEARS Tank!! The Big Booty Nephew just decimates two hosses at once! Fans chant “You Suck!” but Bron tells Melo he’ll see him Sunday. Will Bron become champion for a third time when he breaks… Him?
The Diamond Mine talks backstage.
The Creeds are going for gold and they’re all excited, and then Stacks walks over. So Tony finally got caught sleeping with fish, huh? Brutus, no, that’s not how that goes. Ivy smacks Brutus on the chest and Julius tells Stacks that though they haven’t always seen eye to eye, he appreciates Stacks having their backs out there. Well, Joe Coffey didn’t just screw the Creeds over at Stand & Deliver, he did that to everyone. The Creeds agree, and Brutus says that this Sunday, they’ll beat Gallus get those belts back. Then Gallus can be on the first plane back to Scotland.
Stacks says, “But here’s the thing. You’ll be as outnumbered in Lowell as you were tonight.” Good point. And with The Don begin detained, maybe they could work out an arrangement for Stacks to have their back? No offense, Stacks, but they’ve been burned trusting people before. Multiple times. Stacks understands that, no offense taken. But Julius says that when Tony gets free, the Family can have the first shot at the Creeds. Stacks appreciates that, and wishes them luck. But just how long will The Don be stewing in the police precinct?
Gigi Dolin is here!
Fans cheer the Toxic Avenger as she makes her way to the ring. Gigi isn’t headed to Battleground for the NXT Women’s Championship and we all know why. Gigi gets the mic to say, “I’m not shy about the broken home that I grew up in. Or the fact that my brother and I had to learn the hard way what addiction looks like from our parents. Neither of us ever knew what a stable family felt like. But when I came here, I thought I found one. I allowed Jacy Jayne in so she could tear everything down. She cut me out of her life when I would’ve done anything for her! But now I will do anything to end her.
“And the pain that is tattooed on my soul will be written all over your face, Jacy Jayne, when I purge everything I ever felt for you.” But Jacy appears in the upper deck to say, “Alright, alright, alright. That’s about as much of this emo talk as I can take for one night. Hey, Geeg! Remember this? This is where it all started. We used to sit up here in our lounge, looking down at everybody. We were on top of the world! It was truly the run of your career, riding shotgun to me.” Gigi shoots back, “If everything was so great, why throat it all away, huh?” Jacy says, “Because I outgrew you!”
Jacy got sick and tired of carrying Gigi through every single match we had. Everybody knew that Jacy was destined for bigger and better on her own. And Jacy refused to let Gigi drag her down any longer than she already had. Gigi says that’s funny, Jacy talking about moving on, because Gigi has been the center of Jacy’s attention since that kick to the face. It isn’t that Jacy wants to move on, it’s that Jacy will do whatever it takes that she’s not remembered as Toxic Attraction’s third wheel! Jacy says that’s funny, because as Jacy remembers, the last time they were in the ring together, Jacy beat her and embarrassed her in front of her “pathetic little brother.”
Gigi says okay, yes, Jacy won. But she also had to get eight stitches to fix that face. And before that, Gigi beat Jacy at Roadblock, so this is 1-1. How about we settle this here and now?! Fans want that, but Jacy says everyone loves Gigi, huh? The fans cheer, and Jacy says Gigi can go ahead and do what she does best: pander to her little troll fanbase that lives on social media. Y’know, the ones that love to eat up her “tragic, depressing, pathetic Instagram stories.” If there’s one thing Jacy can’t wait for, it is to be done with Gigi once and for all. So how about next week, they end this right where it all began?
However, Jacy doesn’t wanna do this in any ordinary match. She wants to end this in a STEEL CAGE!! Fans love that, and Gigi says she doesn’t pander to anyone. She wears her heart on her sleeve and has no problem doing so, because she is real! The fans all see it. Gigi is as real as it gets. Unlike Jacy, because Jacy~ Jayne~ “is a fake ass b*tch!” And if Jacy wants a cage, then let’s kick it up a notch to make it a WEAPONIZED CAGE! Jacy says Gigi’s on! Fans are ready for the Toxic War’s final chapter, but just how far will Gigi and Jacy go to bury this once and for all?
Luca Crusifino, Esquire speaks.
“After a series of unfortunate events, Von Wagner, tonight, you face legal consequences. I attempted to explain my position to your associate, Mr. Stone, but it’s fallen on deaf ears. That leaves me with no other option but to have this settled in that NXT ring tonight. And I promise you this, Von Wagner, I promise you, when you’re in the ring with Luca Crusifino, you’ll be regretting that you didn’t settle this outside of court.” Is Luca gonna throw the book at Von over losing his cool?
NXT Anonymous has another video.
They’re watching as Oro Mensah talks with Noam Dar. Dar’s been on the same roster as him for years, but only now is Dar turning to Oro? Get outta here! Dar says hold on, that’s why! He knows how good Oro is as a former NXT UK Tag Team Champion. Dar really needs Oro as a cornerman! Frazer will be in Dragon’s corner, so the number one needs a number two! Dar wants Oro to understand the opportunity being laid out here! Oro can strap himself to Dar’s rocket ad they’ll blast off into another stratosphere! What does Oro say? Oro says absolute NOT. Dar wants Oro to be reasonable! There must be an amount of money-
But then in walk Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson. Dar says hello to the ladies, and Lash says NOPE. Dar thought he was hotter than hot, but he can kiss his little cup good-bye! The ladies leave Dar behind. Dar says it’s not little! What is Supernova 11 to do without a second?
Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone VS Luca Crusifino!
The usually vicious and cold Von Wagner seems to have a sad secret that he didn’t want getting out. But the “Legal Eagle” poked fun at it and incurred the wrath of Von Wagner! Will Luca take Von to the cleaners since he couldn’t take him to court? Or will Luca soon learn why you don’t wake the sleeping giant?
The bell rings and fans sing “Von is gonna kill~ you!” Luca talks a bunch of trash, but Von picks him right up to RAM him into a corner! Von RAMS into Luca again and again, then fires off clubbing hands! The ref counts, Von lets off, and Luca crawls away. Von whips Luca to a corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Von then brings Luca around to whip and BOOT him down! Luca flounders away and fans actually cheer Von! Von goes out after Luca, puts him in the ring, and then hurries back in. Von runs but Luca dodges! Von hits buckles, Luca CLUBS him in the back! Luca stomps a mudhole in but Von shoves him away.
Von runs in, but into a QUICK DRAW from Luca! Cover, TWO! Luca fires off in a corner, the ref counts, but Von shoves him away. Von ROCKS Luca, ROCKS him again, then DECKS him! Von drags Luca up, whips him to ropes, and CLOBBERS him! Von drags Luca up, shoves him, but Luca holds ropes. Von runs in but Luca sends him tumbling out! Stone coaches Von but Luca gets in Stone’s face now. Luca wants the picture! Stone tells him no, but Luca gets it! The picture of baby Von and Luca says, “Look at this freak! Look at this freak!” Stone says that’s not right, but Von rises up!
Von storms over and fans says Luca messed up! Von CLOBBERS Luca again! Von puts Luca in, drags Luca up for more clubbing hands, but the ref counts! Stone tells Von to stop, but he goes past 5! The bell rings and Luca wins!
Winner: Luca Crusifino, by pinfall
But Von BOOTS Luca out! Fans want him to “KICK HIS ASS!” and Von TOSSES Luca into barriers! Stone says Von can stop, but Von doesn’t wanna stop! Von drags Luca up, fans want a table bomb, but Stone reasons with Von. Von lets Luca go, Stone thanks him, because otherwise he’ll get suspended. But then Von thinks about it. Von goes back to Luca! POWEROMBB on the desk!! The desk doesn’t break but Luca might have! Will everyone learn not to anger Von Wagner?
Tony D’Angelo is still stewing.
How long has he been in there in total? But then the detectives return. He asks if this is all cleared up, he’s gotta get Mama D’Angelo to the grocery store. The detectives say they’re fine, but Tony’s not. Stand up, put your hands behind your back. Seriously!? They read Tony his rights and he says this is ridiculous! He knows his rights, but do they know who he is? Where’s his phone call? Is The Don done for?
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Semifinals: Tiffany Stratton VS Roxanne Perez!
The Center of the Universe wants it all, but the Prodigy has already done it all. Will Tiffany have what she wants in a golden ticket to Battleground? Or will Roxie get started on her new memory board with that same opportunity?
NXT returns as Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Tiff talks trash and pats little Roxie on her head, but Roxie swats that way. Tiff calls for a test of strength but holds her hand way up there. Roxie jumps up to grab that hand, and the two tie up. They go shoulder to shoulder, Tiff bends Roxie back, covers, TWO as Roxie kips up! Roxie kicks, wrenches, and waistlocks. Tiff throws elbows, grabs for a leg, but Roxie flips her over! O’Conner Bridge, TWO! Roxie headlocks but Tiffany stays up. Tiff pulls hair, powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Roxie rebounds to run Tiff over!
Things speed up, Roxie cartwheels then tilt-o-whirls, but Tiff handsprings through! Fans cheer the ability, Tiffany soaks it all in, but Roxie rolls Tiffany up! TWO, and Roxie runs back in. Tiff catches her, but Roxie sunset flips! TWO, and Roxie hurries to go after an arm. Roxie wrenches, wristlocks, but Tiff pulls hair again. Tiff puts Roxie in the corner, the ref counts, but Tiff lets off. Roxie ELBOWS Tiff, goes up, but Tiff gets under the jump. Roxie handsprings and arm-drags Tiff down! Roxie keeps on the arm with an armlock but Tiff fights up. Fans rally, Roxie wrenches, but Tiff ROCKS Roxie!
Fans boo but Tiff drags Roxie up to wrench the arm. Tiff YANKS the arm, YANKS it again, and wrenches again. Roxie throws body shots, cartwheels and headscissors Tiff right out of the ring! Fans fire up, Roxie builds speed, and Roxie DIVES, but into a fireman’s carry! Tiff shows strength but Roxie slips off! Roxie dodges, tilt-o-whirls, and sends Tiff into the apron! Roxie puts Tiff in the ring, climbs up the corner, and fans cheer, but Tiff sweeps the legs! Roxie falls to the mat and then the floor, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tiff goes out after Roxie, drags her up and RAMS her into the apron! Tiff snarls, but Roxie throws hands! Tiff CHOPS Roxie back! Tiff talks trash, CHOPS Roxie again and puts her in the ring. Cover, TWO! Roxie goes to a corner, Tiff stomps away! The ref counts, Tiff lets off and she CHOKES Roxie on ropes! The ref counts again, Tiff lets off and YANKS the ropes. Roxie flops back, Tiff has a cocky cover, TWO! Tiff stomps Roxie, puts her on ropes and CHOKES her again! The ref counts, Tiff lets off to run and HIP ATTACK! Roxie falls over, Tiff covers, TWO! Tiff grows annoyed but she taunts Roxie.
Roxie throws body shots! And forearms! But Tiff throws Roxie by her hair! And then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Tiff is furious but she clamps onto Roxie with a motorcycle stretch. Roxie endures and fans rally up. Roxie fights up, but Tiff wrangles her back down! Fans rally up as NXT returns to single picture, and Roxie fights up gain! Roxie turns things around but Tiff kicks her low! Tiffany says no one is taking that title from her, and she gut wrenches, but Roxie arm-drags free! And then SHOTGUNS Tiff out of the ring! Fans fire up, Roxie builds speed, and Roxie DIVES! Direct hit and down goes Tiffany!
Roxie keeps moving, she DIVES again! Another direct hit! Fans fire up with Roxie and she pushes Tiff back in. Roxie goes up the corner, Tiffany stands, and Roxie CROSSBODIES! Tiffany rolls through with it! Tiff pops Roxie up, ROLLING SENTON! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER, but Roxie moves! Tiffany rolls through, but comes back into Roxie’s THESZ PRESS! Roxie fires fast hands, then runs at Tiffany to UPPERCUT in the corner! Roxie keeps going, to UPPERCUT Tiffany down! Tiffany staggers up, avoids Roxie’s boot, and pops her up, SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives and Tiffany is furious!
Fans fire up and Tiffany drags Roxie up. Fans rally for Roxie but Tiff hoists her up to hang her out to dry. Tiff goes up the corner, brings Roxie around to join her, but Roxie throws body shots! Roxie CHOPS Tiffany, stands on the very top, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Tiffany survives and Roxie is shocked! Fans fire up again and Roxie grits her teeth. Roxie brings Tiff up, throws more body shots, then fires off with windmilling shots at the ropes! Roxie wrenches, clinches, but Tiff throws Roxie by her hair! Tiff drags Roxie up, reels her in, POWER- RANA!! Roxie has the cover, TWO!! Tiff sunset flips, TWO!!
Tiff stands, into a V-TRIGGER! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Roxie and she aims at Tiff. Tiff rises, Roxie SOBATS! Roxie hops on, but Tiff pops her off! Roxie hotshots off ropes, Tiffany hits the ROLLING SENTON! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, TIFFANY WINS!!!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (advances to NXT Battleground)
Tiffany toughs it out and takes out the Prodigy! Will NXT have no choice but to acknowledge Tiffany as The Center of the Universe? Tiffany and Lyra stare down by the title while Roxie makes her leave, but wait! Someone attacks Roxie!! It’s the hooded figure! The assassin of the NXT Women’s Division is beating down Roxie! Lyra and refs rush in, and the hooded figure runs away! Just who is that?!
Dijak heads to the ring.
But then Dragunov CLOBBERS him from behind!! Their brawl continues and fans are thunderous! The hands keep flying, Dijak ELBOWS Dragunov but Dragunov PELES Dijak! Fans fire up, Dragunov runs in, but Dijak dodge! Dragunov rams himself into steel steps! And then Dijak TOSSES Dragunov over barriers and into the gap! Dijak grabs the Hold Harmless Agreement and signs his part. Then he goes after Dragunov, but security rushes in. Dijak throws them all aside, and he choke grips Dragunov! But Dragunov SLAPS, SLAPS and SMACKS Dijak! And CHOSP! And CHOPS!
Dijak shoves Dragunov away, but Dragunov comes back to CHOP Dijak over the barriers! Dragunov gets a pen, signs his part of the agreement, and it’s all official! Fans are thunderous as Dragunov fights off security, but Dijak BOOTS Dragunov down! Dijak then pulls the steps apart! Dijak aims at Dragunov, but Dragunov kicks him lows! Dijak falls and smacks off the steps! Dragunov jumps off the steps for the FALLING FOREARM!! The fans are thunderous as Dragunov stands tall, but then Dijak rises! Just what will it take to end this at Battleground?
My Thoughts:
For a go-home show, this was awesome stuff. I didn’t cover them but there were some awesome video packages to hype up some stuff. Especially at the end there, that was a really great way to sum up what’s coming at Battleground. Also, great videos for Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes ahead of the title match. It is great that Melo got to have all those moments in his hometown area. Hank VS Tank was really good but also surprisingly short, and great for Hank to win, but I guess it was short because Bron was going to attack Hank and Tank. This kinda counts as Bron standing tall so I think Melo retains.
Really good match out of Axiom VS Dabba-Kato but I should’ve figured Dabba would win. But what a twist that Reggie came to Axiom’s rescue after Axiom punked him out and took his Scrypts mask. It also seems a strange character move, I thought Scrypts wanted to be Axiom’s archnemesis, not an ally. Also good stuff out of Gallus, the Creeds and Stacks. Interesting aesthetic choice for Gallus to have green light bathing the entire area for their promos, but good promo and brawl to make Gallus VS Creeds the official tag match.
But does Stacks feel suspicious to anyone else? Tony D’Angelo is arrested, Stacks is more concerned about being The Creeds’ corner man to help against Gallus. But at the same time, Creeds did promise the Family a title match, so maybe Stacks is multitasking in trying to help Tony both legally and in his career. I guess we’ll see after Battleground, but it’d be an amazing level of kayfabe to have Tony go to trial and maybe even spend some time in prison until Stacks can bail him out. If only Cole Karter wasn’t still with AEW/ROH, he could make a huge return being the guy reporting Tony to the police.
Really good stuff with Wes Lee, Tyler Bate and Joe Gacy. A bit of a shame Eddy Thorpe had to be fed to this story to help get Bate momentum, but I suppose getting his first loss out of the way is fine. Gacy attacking both Wes and Bate made a lot of sense, and him standing tall of course means Gacy isn’t winning. Either Wes breaks the record or Bate adds another belt to his accolades. I’m fine with either of those outcomes. But at the same time, what is Gacy supposed to do to stay relevant in NXT? The Dyad didn’t win tag titles, Gacy tried for NXT Championship and lost, and Ava hasn’t even wrestled all that much so when is she supposed to get women’s title? Maybe Gacy defies go-home math and wins after all just out of necessity.
Great match out of Dar VS Frazer, and Dragon Lee helping Frazer win makes me think Dar wins to keep the cup. But since Dar is looking for a corner man, I am really hoping this is the time they bring back Sha Samuels. Sha and Dar had such great chemistry in UK, I hope the US audience gets to finally see that in person. Good stuff from Von, Stone and Luca, and I really like that the fans have come around on Von because of this story. Von gets to use his “I beat people up” thing in a Face way because he’s doing it to bullies, and while Luca gets the win, Von is really the winner because he bodied that guy. I just hope the WWE can make this story work on RawDown, because I am not sure the overlap between RawDown viewers and NXT.
Great promo from Gigi and Jacy, and I actually like that they’re going with a Steel Cage for this. Neither Gigi nor Jacy have someone on their side that can cheat this thing, and being weaponized, it’s almost like Hell in a Cell or something. This could go either way, but since it’s after Battleground, it really depends on who will be the new Women’s Champion. We got great matches from both Lyra VS Cora and Tiffany VS Roxie, and instead of going with the seemingly obvious Roxie VS Cora, they went with the exact opposite. I suppose that’s fine, Roxie’s already done a lot and now it’s time for her to be in the chase. Of course, she also got attacked by the hooded assailant of the Women’s Division, so maybe Roxie gets to the bottom of who that is and has a great feud with them.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.
Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/23/25)
What's with all the glowing?
Bandwagon Nerds #289: The Rest of Us
The Nerds discuss trailers for Ironheart and Superman, talk about the greatness that was Andor Season 2, break down casting...
Bandwagon Nerds #288: Disney In The Desert
Disney makes a controversial decision about where it is building its 7th theme park. Plus, loads of trailers, Thunderbolts* news,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/9/25)
June will be electric!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/30/25)
The greatEST SmackDown!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn't, Dreamer and Delirious can't book.
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/29/25)
B Block, FINAL ROUND!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/29/25)
Is ROH ready for the GORE?
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/28/25)
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (5/28/25)
Dynamite in the desert!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/27/25)
A Block, FINAL ROUND!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/27/25)
Will NXT still be Absolute?
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Round 8, all together!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/26/25)
New Day Rocks? Or New Day Sucks?
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Coverage5 days agoMitchell’s WWE Battleground Results & Report! (5/25/25)
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AEW Coverage5 days agoMitchell’s AEW Double or Nothing Results & Report! (5/25/25)
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Coverage6 days agoMitchell’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results & Report! (5/24/25)
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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/26/25)