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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Will the Mad King regret this gamble?
Before putting both belts on the line against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream, Eddie Kingston defends his NJPW Strong title against Rocky Romero! Will plans have to change all thanks to Azucar?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero; Eddie wins and retains the title.
- The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar; The Righteous win.
- AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins and will challenge Saraya for the title on Title Tuesday, October 10th.
PLAY BY PLAY
AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party!
The open challenge was put forth, and it was answered very quickly! Will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay DELETE the Scissor World Tour? Or will Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass keep the party going?
But of course, Platinum Max has a diss track! “Acclaimed on the mic, ’bout to leave these dudes up in smoke! Y’know we comin’ like the Colorado Buffalos! Matt, I don’t want any heat! I don’t need your crazy ass wife sendin’ me tweets! It’s the one guy in Private Party! Nowadays, he gets tag teamed by the Hardys! Jeff, I’m a leave you black in both eyes! You gonna need these sunglasses like Coach Prime.” Bowens takes the mic to say “COLORADOOOO~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor Me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! The belts are raised, and we see who survives WrestleDream weekend!
The trios sort out and Bowens starts against Kassidy. They shake hands, tie up, and Bowens waistlocks. Kassidy drop toeholds, facelocks but Bowens slips free to wrench. Kassidy rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Bowens powers out to headlock but Kassidy powers out, only for Bowens to run him over! Bowens self-scissors, then things speed up. Kassidy hurdles, Bowens shoves then follows but Kassidy arm-drags! Bowens arm-drags! Bowens blocks Kassidy’s arm-drag to whip, but Kassidy wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Bowens stands, into a RANA! Kassidy then pounds the mat and fans fire up.
Bowens kicks but Kassidy blocks to spin him. Kassidy kicks but Bowens blocks to flip him! Bowens then kicks, kicks and KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up, “EVERYONE Loves The Acclaimed!” Bowens drags Kassidy up, tags in Caster, and they double whip. Kassidy holds ropes, TOSSES Bowens then BOOTS Caster! Tag to Matt and Matt BOOTS Caster! Kassidy hits a NECKBREAKER, Jeff tags in to go up, for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jeff snapmares Caster to then NECK SNAPPER! Fans fire up with Jeff and he waits on Caster to stand. Kick but no Twist as Caster slips free! Jeff ducks the backhand to SPIN KICK!
Jeff CLUBS Caster, Caster scrambles away, tags to Billy and Matt! Fans fire up as Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Billy says “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” And repeat! Then Billy headlocks! Matt throws body shots, powers out, but Billy runs Matt over! Billy flexes and does a dance, and then he runs in. Matt ELBOWS Billy, BOOTS him, then bumps him off buckles! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Billy gets all three layers, and Matt tags Jeff. Jeff tags Kassidy, and the Hardys set up fort he classic POETRY IN MOTION! Then Kassidy adds PARTY IN MOTION! But The Acclaimed CLOBBER Kassidy & The Hardys!
Fans fire up as Caster has Kassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Billy helps get the legs, and Bowens goes up to SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Kassidy squeals before impact! Cover, TWO! Kassidy survives but The Acclaimed have control as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Billy brings Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and he hears the fans singing. Billy ROCKS Kassidy with a right, apologizes to the ref, then tags to Bowens. Bowens drags Kassidy up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! Bowens then brings Kassidy up to tag in Caster. They double suplex Kassidy, Caster covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock while fans rally up. Kassidy fights to his feet, throws body shots, and he fires forearms as Rampage returns to single picture. Kassidy runs but Caster CLOBBERS him! Tag to Billy and they mug Kassidy.
Billy brings Kassidy to an open corner, stomps and ROCKS him on repeat, then lets off to smirk at the Hardys. He dares them to do something, but Matt tells Billy to suck it! So Billy DECKS Matt! Billy runs corner to corner but Kassidy dodges! The splash hits buckles and Billy falls back! Fans rally up as both men crawl, but Billy gets Kassidy’s leg! Kassidy stands up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Jeff! Jeff rallies on Billy, on Bowens, and on Caster! Fans fire up and Jeff clotheslines Billy up and out! Jeff CLOBBS Bowens, then catches him for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Leg hook cradle! Cover, Caster breaks it!
Caster helps Bowens up, then runs in, but Jeff ELBOWS caster and ROCKS Bowens! Jeff goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Jeff gets both Caster and Bowens but everyone is down! Billy returns, kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and runs, but Jeff dodges! Matt kicks Billy for a TWIST OF FATE! Jeff hurries up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Bowens breaks it in time! Matt CLUBS Bowens, Bowens hits back, and Bowens calls to Caster. They whip Matt to a corner, forearm then ELBOW then forearm again! And a feed to the POWERSLAM! ROLLING ELBOW for Jeff! The Acclaimed regroup, and Billy crawls to the corner.
Fans fire up as Billy drags Jeff over. Jeff gets loose, hot tags to Kassidy and Bowens! Kassidy dodges Bowens to DROPKICK Caster! “This is Awesome!” as Kassidy BOOTS Bowens! Kassidy goes up, leaps, FLYING FLATLINER! Billy stands, runs in, but Kassidy dumps him out! Kassidy slingshots out then QUEBRADAS to take Billy down! Kassidy mocks the scissoring, then tells Bowens to get up. Kassidy springboards in, but Bowens dodges and Caster BACKHANDS Kassidy! Then Bowens BACKHANDS Kassidy! Bowens fires off the Five Tool Strike Fest! Caster hoists Kassidy up and Bowens helps, to give Kassidy the PLATINUM BOMB! Cover, The Acclaimed win!
Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Championships)
A huge win for the champions, and the Scissor World Tour continues! In fact, it is heading to Seattle for WrestleDream’s Zero Hour! TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito are waiting, will they show The Acclaimed that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“Well folks, tonight, it’s me and Big Rock, Rocky Romero, for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. Rock, I got nothing but respect for you, dawg, so it’s gonna be an honor and a pleasure to defend this against you. You’re the man that got me into the G1. You’re the man that got me-” Wait, Team Triple J is interrupting. Jay Lethal says that if we’re talking honor and respect, Eddie is standing here with two titles on his shoulders, and that is worth respecting. But Lethal can’t get behind how Eddie is the ROH World Champion. Lethal dedicated his life to that title! His blood, sweat, tears, all to honor a tradition that meant that every person to hold that title would be a pure athlete!
And Eddie, you are no pure athlete! Now as for this NJPW Strong Openweight title, Lethal doesn’t care if Eddie wins it or loses it here tonight. He really doesn’t. But he just cares that Eddie is unfit to be ROH World Champion! Eddie says okay, he’s got Lethal. But excuse his back, he’s gotta go beat up Romero. The Mad King leaves, but will he still have both crowns going into WrestleDream?
AEW shares an interview from after last week’s Collision.
Lexi Nair was with Andrade El Idolo after he was bandaged up from the beating Bullet Club Gold gave him. He almost won, but Juice Robinson interfered. What was that about? Andrade says everyone saw that Andrade had White beat. But the question for Juice is… “Do you have a problem with me? With Andrade El Idolo? Lemme tell you something. See you Saturday in Seattle!” Andrade wants his revenge on Rock Hard, will he get it on WrestleDream Eve?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero!
The Mad King beat Kenta at NJPW Independence Day back in July to have his first singles title under the NJPW banner. And now he defends it against Azucar as a favor for getting him in the door. Will Rocky repay this favor by taking this title from Eddie? Or will Eddie still head to Seattle as a double champion?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” The two circle, Rocky tests things with a kick but Eddie stays back. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Eddie waistlocks, Rocky wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddie clinches. Fans rally, Rocky keeps on the wristlock but Eddie powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Rocky rolls, breaks free and DROPKICKS! Fans are torn as Rocky swaggers, but he and Eddie reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Rocky knees low. Rocky headlocks, grinds the hold, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but Eddie stays up with a smirk.
Fans fire up as Rocky smirks back, but then pie faces Eddie! Rocky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Eddie bails out, Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit but Eddie stays up, so Rocky goes again! DIVE and Eddie drops to his knees! Rocky keeps going, and he DIVES for the hattrick, only for Eddie to catch him! Stalling suplex, to the floor! Fans rally behind Eddie while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Eddie stands, stretches out his back, and then he gets Rocky up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps cool, and also chooses not to rain down fists, instead clamping on a chinlock. Rocky endures as Eddie grinds him down, and fans rally up. Eddie cranks the headlock but Rocky refuses to give up. Rocky fights up, throws elbows, but Eddie knees him low! Eddie whips to knee low again, then whips for another knee! Eddie whips but Rocky rolls him up, TWO! Rocky BUZZSAWS Eddie, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Rocky stirs at 3, crawls over, and he brings Eddie up.
Eddie pushes Rocky, runs, but into an IRON OCTOPUS! Eddie endures, pries at the hold, and pops free, only for Rocky to wrangle him with a ghost pin! TWO, and Eddie goes to ropes. Rocky storms up, KICKS Eddie in the back, but Eddie just grimaces. Eddie eggs Rocky on so Rocky KICKS him again! Eddie growls and eggs Rocky on more as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Rampage returns and Eddie suplexes, but Rocky knees free! Rocky knees low, Eddie rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie goes to ropes, Rocky storms over and brings him up through the ropes, to KICK! Eddie eggs Rocky on even though he’s stuck, so Rocky SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS Rocky! Rocky SOBATS! Then Rocky goes up a corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this and Rocky argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Rocky drags Eddie up, cravats, but no Sliced Bread! Eddie runs in to clothesline in the corner! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and Eddie hoists Rocky up top!
Eddie climbs up behind Rocky, stands him up, but Rocky throws hands! Rocky CLUBS Eddie, cravats, and hits SUPER SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie survives, and Rocky grits his teeth. Rocky pumps up and fans rally. Rocky runs in to clothesline! That’s one-ever! Two-ever! But URAKEN stops that! URAKEN again!! Eddie drags Rocky into the STRETCH PLUM!! Rocky taps, Eddie wins!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Azucar could not dethrone The Mad King, but he still shows Eddie respect with a handshake and hug. Eddie is still NJWP Strong, but will he have to fight even harder to survive The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata?
Wait! That’s Shibata’s music! Shibata is HERE! He goes into the ring and shakes hands with Eddie. These two respect each other, and that means they will give it everything they’ve got! Will Eddie still be a two belt king? Or will Shibata become a TRIPLE CROWN Champion?
Aussie Open speaks.
Mark Davis says he is so tired. So tired of hearing the “top blokes” walk around here the last year, hubris unchecked, lying to the people that they are the best in the world. Kyle Fletcher says that for the last 365 days, everything Aussie Open has done has been to get back to FTR. When FTR beat them a year ago, it broke Fletcher. Fletcher felt like a failure and felt lost. So what he wants more than anything is to make FTR feel that pain. This Sunday, Aussie Open takes the AEW World Tag Team Championships, burns down the legacy of #7StarFTR, and from the ashes, rebuild a new empire that they will stand atop of to proclaim that THEY are the best tag team in the world!
The Aussie Arrow and Dunkzilla are ready to bring down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, will they fulfill that WrestleDream?
The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar!
Speaking of tag titles, Dutch & Vincent are aimed at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! However, Adam Cole will be out with injury so it’ll just be Maxwell Jacob Friedman meeting them in Seattle. Will this tune-up prove to be more than enough going into that tag title handicap match?
The teams sort out, but then Dutch just CLOBBERS Crush & Gunnar! Fans boo as Dutch says just a few more days and those titles will be theirs! Vincent rains down fists on Crush, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Vincent bumps Crush off buckles, tags in Dutch, and the Righteous mugs Crush before the BOSS MAN SLAM! Gunnar staggers up but Dutch feeds him to Vinnie’s KNEE! Then Vinnie feeds him to a BOSS MAN SLAM! Tag to Vinnie, fans are torn as the Righteous pace around Crush. Vinnie snaps his fingers, then cravats, AUTUMN SUNSET! Cover, Righteous win!
Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall
A swift and dominant win, these are the two men coming for the tag titles! Will The Righteous purge ROH of the “false friendship” that is the brochachos? Or are even two Righteous men combined not on the level of the Devil?
Ortiz sits alone in a room.
He looks back on his career alongside Mike Santana. They were at the top of their game coming into AEW, but then it ended up going downhill. There’s even audio from Konnan touching on how Ortiz and Santana stopped talking to each other and how Konnan was saddened by that. Ortiz has the footage stop there. What will it take for him to get Santana to talk to him?
Darby Allin speaks.
After replaying what Christian Cage said just last Wednesday on Dynamite, the Relentless One reiterates that he is NOT losing in Seattle, Washington! Will Darby defend home turf against Captain Charisma?
Nick Wayne speaks.
He knows Darby has a lot to say about Christian Cage, and all of that will be part of the Countdown special. But Nick also knows Darby’s actions will speak louder than his words at WrestleDream. And although Darby told Nick not to be there ringside, Nick doesn’t really want to anyway because of what Christian & Luchasaurus are capable of. So, while they let Christian and Darby settle their business, how about Nick and Luchasaurus settle theirs? For months and months, Luchasaurus walked around here while another man held his title. And Luchasaurus followed Christian around like he was some kind of father figure.
And Nick isn’t sure what it is about Christian where he thinks he can even be such a figure to “us Lost Boys,” but Nick had a father. And he told Nick at a young age “to never leave your debts unpaid.” Nick owes Luchasaurus. At Wembley Stadium, Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick onto a skateboard and Nick never forgot it. Nick will repay Luchasaurus this Sunday during Zero Hour. And Nick will even hand Luchasaurus a receipt. Nick brings his own skateboard, will he grind it right into the Right Hand of Destruction?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
AEW is going to do it big for WrestleDream Eve as, with Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, we see an 8 Man Tag! FTR teams with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta to take on Aussie Open, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey! Plus, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega test their tag team chemistry against The Gates of Agony! Will The Ocho & The Cleaner survive Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun to take on the Don Callis Family? And Julia Hart gets in action to build some last minute momentum, will she be ready for Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship match set for Sunday?
Backstage interview with Zack Sabre Jr.
Renee Paquette is with The Front Man of TMDK, and says we’re just days away from WrestleDream, where ZSJ takes on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. ZSJ just came off a three week tour in NJPW and just got here to the States, is he worried at all about acclimating? ZSJ asks Bryan “Dragon Bullocks” Danielson, “Where are you, darling?” As Renee just said, ZSJ got off a 16 hour flight from Tokyo and is feeling fresh as a daisy. But perhaps this company’s keeping Bryan wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, or keeps him in a giant Zorb ball. At this point, a strong gust of wind will knock Bryan over.
And is ZSJ supposed to be honored that Bryan chose him as part of the year long retirement tour? Newsflash: Bryan barely has a weekend. This Sunday isn’t just about finding out who the best technical wrestler is, no no. Bryan has retired once in Seattle, so ZSJ will make it final. Ya like that? The final retirement~! Submissions in Seattle, see you on Sunday. The NJPW World Television Champion has put Bryan on notice, but will he be able to slay the American Dragon?
AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida!
While the Outcasts stand at two members, Saraya is looking forward to a friendly showdown with the Runaway in a little under two weeks! But will Ruby make sure there is No Future for the Shining Samurai? Or will Shida take down one Outcast to go after another?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans fire up as Ruby and Shida step up, and they’re on Shida’s side. Ruby shoves, runs, and RAMS Shida, but Shida just fires up! Ruby headlocks, Shida throws body shots, and then she powers out. Shida then runs past Ruby to run Ruby over! Fans duel, Shida has the majority, and she goes to the corner. Shida climbs up but Ruby slips away before any fists can rain down! Shida is annoyed but she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby takes her time going to the apron, steps in at 6 of 10 but wants Shida to stay back. Shida gets annoyed as the ref keeps her back, but then Ruby pulls Shida’s hair to throw her down!
Ruby throws hands, puts Shida in the corner, then RAMS into her again and again! Fans boo but Ruby runs, only to miss! Shida ROCKS Ruby, then climbs up to rain down fists! Ruby gets away before three, runs back in but into a BOOT! Shida bumps Ruby off buckles, climbs up and rains down those fists! Ruby slips out at five to YANK Shida down! Ruby whips, Shida goes up and CROSSBODIES! Shida then drags Ruby up, puts her in yet another corner, and tries one more time! Shida rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Fans fire up with Shida and she kicks Ruby out, to then MISSILE DROPKICK!
Fans fire up as Shida drags Ruby up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Ruby CLUBS away on Shida to stop the lift, then shoves her to a corner. Ruby runs in, Shida dodges, but Ruby ELBOWS her! Ruby goes up to hit DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby digs Shida into the buckles, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Shida up to snapmare. Ruby covers, TWO! Ruby throws down fists now, but lets off with a smug smirk. Ruby puts Shida on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and then Ruby has Shida in the ropes to throw knees! A shoutout to Saraya, and Ruby lets off at 4. Ruby stalks Shida, looms over her, and pushes her around. Shida pushes back but Ruby eggs her on.
Shida ROCKS Ruby, then fires again! Ruby claws Shida’s face! And throws her down by her hair again! The ref reprimands, but Ruby clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Shida endures, but Ruby grinds her into the mat! Fans rally, Shida fights up, and she arm-drags free! Ruby returns to CLOBBER Shida! Cover, TWO! Ruby is annoyed but Shida grabs at Ruby’s hair! Ruby CLUBS Shida, drags her up, and stomps a hand! Shida scrambles to a corner while the ref reprimands but Ruby stomps a mudhole in. Ruby lets off as the ref counts, and Ruby storms around. Shida drags herself up, but Ruby CHOKES her on the ropes!
The ref counts while Ruby BITES Shida’s ear! Ruby lets off at 4, drags Shida up, but Shida ROCKS her! And again! And again! And again! But Ruby knees low! Ruby talks trash, whips Shida to ropes, but Shida ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS knock both women down! Rampage returns to single picture as the standing count climbs. Fans rally, both women are down at 5 of 10 but Shida goes to ropes. Shida snarls, she and Ruby stand at 7, and they storm up. Shida fires a forearm, Ruby gives it back! Shida throws another, so Ruby gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster!
Ruby gets the edge, but Shida ROCKS her! And ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Shida whips to JUMP KNEE! Shida then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shida fires up again and the fans are with her! Shida aims, KATA- NO, Ruby ducks and bails out! Fans boo but Shida goes out to pursue! Shida runs in, jumps off the steps, and DROPKICKS Ruby down! Fans fire up again and Shida stands Ruby up. Shida torture racks Ruby, then goes to the ramp!? Fans are thunderous but Ruby fights free! They throw forearms, and CHOPS! Shida CLUBS Ruby, Ruby throws body shots, but the count is climbing!
They both hear it’s 8 of 10 and start sprinting! They both slide in at 9.5!! Fans are thunderous and then Ruby swings, but Shida blocks! Ruby HEADBUTTS, blocks a kick, then KICKS back! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby goes to a corner, and she takes Shida’s kendo stick for her own! The ref stops Ruby, takes the kendo stick, but then Ruby brings out the spray paint! Shida and the ref both block that and they’re all fighting over it! Down goes the ref!! Shida and Ruby are both stunned, but then Ruby HEADBUTTS! DESTINATION UNKNOWN! But no ref to count the cover!
Ruby is furious, she would’ve had this! But then she sees the kendo stick! Ruby grins as she wields Shida’s weapon! Fans boo, but Shida blocks the strike to kick and HEADSHOT! Then KATANA KICK!! Cover, but still no ref! Wait, here comes Aubrey! Aubrey slides in, counts the cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida fires up! Shida puts Ruby in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and she METE- NO! Ruby dodges to then STO! Ruby drags herself up the corner, goes to the very top, and STAGE DIVE SENTONS onto knees! And then FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida won’t stop there!
Shida hauls Ruby up but Ruby wrenches to NO FUTURE KICK! But Shida rebounds to KATANA!! Cover, Shida wins!!
Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)
The Shining Samurai takes down The Runaway, but wait! Here comes Saraya! #TitleTuesday is coming, will that be a good Knight for the champ? Or will Shida take this belt back to become a historic THREE-TIME champion?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage, especially as the go-home to WrestleDream. I figured the title matches would end with the champions retaining, but we got really good stuff out of Acclaimed VS Hardy Party and Eddie VS Rocky. As for their title defenses on WrestleDream, I don’t see TMDK taking the trios titles as this will be their AEW debuts. And as I’ve said a few times already, Eddie isn’t losing both belts he worked so hard to have so soon. Plus, it feels like there’s some tension between NJPW the company and Shibata, or else Shibata would already be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and not one of ROH’s champs.
Speaking of Eddie, good promo from him before his match with Rocky, and good interaction with Team Triple J. I wasn’t exactly expecting Jay Lethal to be Eddie’s first actual feud for the ROH World Championship, but I suppose it does make sense as Lethal was a major player in ROH. I hope these guys actually show up on ROH programming, but also, Tony Khan wants this feud to be seen so it’ll end up on AEW programming instead. Y’know, just like all these other ROH title stories outside of the AEW Women’s title.
Good squash from The Righteous, and I’m really curious as to how the tag title match goes on Sunday. There’s a lot of stuff MJF still has to do with Cole, Roddy and The Kingdom, and now this intrigue with Jay White, Bullet Club Gold and the backstage attack at the end of Dynamite. I still feel it should’ve been The Kingdom in the PPV match anyway, but it seems they were going to drag this story out even before Cole hurt his foot. Good promo from Nick Wayne to call out Luchasaurus, but I feel like Luchasaurus ends up winning that match just to make a point of Nick not being able to show up ringside for Darby.
Good promo from Andrade to call out Juice for this week’s Collision, and I’m still wondering if/when La Faccion Ingobernable helps Andrade against Bullet Club Gold. For that matter, why can’t MJF be paying LFI to beat up on White and the BCG? He’s had business dealings with Andrade & Rush before, let’s strike that up again for some continuity. Really good promo from Aussie Open ahead of their tag title match, and from ZSJ to call out Bryan. That 8 Man Tag tomorrow night is going to be good stuff, and perhaps rather telling about where the PPV matches go. The only reason I don’t see Aussie Open winning against FTR is because of that big Fatal 4 Way tag contenders match, but who knows, maybe Aussie Open wins to bring the AEW belts to NJPW events as they take on like Goto & Hashi.
And of course, a great main event from Shida and Ruby. Seems a little silly to set up Ruby as a contender, wouldn’t that just end up in a Finger Poke of Doom situation with Saraya? Which therefore meant Shida was winning. Saraya VS Shida for this Title Tuesday Dynamite is going to be good stuff, but something makes me feel like Ruby is just gonna help Saraya retain. And not to be mean to Shida, but if she’s already a two-time champ, I don’t see her becoming three-time so soon. Why not get Shida in on the TBS Championship story? Britt Baker wants to be the first to have held both titles in AEW, but Shida should want that distinction, too. Then that lets us have Britt VS Shida as we should’ve gotten by now given everything else we’ve been seeing lately.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (9/29/23)
King VS Emperor to determine a champion!
One way or another, the US title belongs to the LWO!
Rey Mysterio defends his WWE United States Championship against friend and protege, Santos Escobar! But will things stay friendly between them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson; Jimmy wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes; Theory wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar; Rey wins and retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Charlotte wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
Fans boo as Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa & Paul Heyman head to the ring. And Jimmy is definitely hyped over how he and Solo took down AJ Styles and John Cena, putting the tag team match at Fastlane into question. Heyman has the mic to introduce himself, but the fans keep on booing. His name isn’t “Boo,” he’s Paul! Heyman! And tonight, a rare opportunity that he doesn’t have to do this into the phone but live to the world here from SmackDown, in the hell hole of Sacramento, California. “We ACKNOWLEDGE our Tribal Chief!” The Bloodline throws up the ones, and Heyman says, “And so do each and every single one of you!”
The fans boo, though some do raise the fingers. Heyman asks us why do they acknowledge Roman… Reigns? Because it is in Roman’s name that last week, the second greatest of all time, John Cena, took a beating at the hands of the Bloodline in a way Cena hasn’t taken in at least a decade. And to wit, Heyman calls our attention to the Bloodline version of the Zapruder Film. Heyman plays footage from just last week, where Cena was the only one who signed the contract to have a match for Fastlane. Cena hoped AJ Styles was going to be his partner, but then the Bloodline struck first and hospitalized AJ Styles.
And back to present, fans are booing but Jimmy’s almost cracking up. Heyman says not to get involved in Cena’s business, but a little birdie told Heyman that there are some transportation issues this evening. And while Cena is expected to make it here, you can’t see him because Cena is NOT here. But y’know who else ain’t here? AJ Styles! And why is that? Because he’s lying in a hospital bed, watching them on SmackDown and- Jimmy holds his hand out for the mic? Heyman says he wasn’t done but Jimmy snatches the mic. “Sacramento! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Heyman sighs while Jimmy raises the one.
Jimmy tells the Wise Man, you are too kind. The real reason Cena isn’t here tonight is because he’s scared! Scared of one JIM USO! Jimmy says if Cena is smart, he’ll stay far, far away. If not, they’ll take care of him like they did the Phenomenal One! The one who built the house, place, face- KARL ANDERSON CLOBBERS SOLO! Then he TACKLES Jimmy! Jimmy gets up but Karl clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up for Karl as he represents for The OC! Karl says he told Styles not to get in Bloodline business and now Styles is in the hospital. So now, this is OC business! Any one of them, get in the ring with him!
Fans fire up but Heyman has Solo stand down. Heyman whispers things to The Enforcer, and then Solo tells Jimmy to handle this or he’ll do it for him. Jimmy says he’s got this. Solo doesn’t return the high-five, but will Jimmy return fire on the Machine Gun?
Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson!
SmackDown returns and the match is going as Karl bumps Jimmy off buckles! Then CHOPS! And fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Karl lets off but then stomps a mudhole! Karl lets off to tell Heyman & Solo they made this personal. Karl stands Jimmy up but Jimmy swings. Karl dodges to JUMP KICK! Karl says he told Styles not to get involved but too late now. Karl whips, Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy runs, but Karl gives him a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Heyman is worried but Solo is stoic as Jimmy survives. Karl storms up on Jimmy, UPPERCUTS him to the corner, then UPPERCUTS again!
Karl brings Jimmy up to the top rope, ROCKS him with rights, then climbs. Solo steps forward and that distracts Karl, as well as the ref. Jimmy CLAWS Karl’s eyes! The ref misses it but fans boo as Jimmy rains down fists on Karl. Jimmy snarls, goes to a corner, and he SUPERKICKS Karl down! Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and scowls at the booing fans before the USO SPLASH! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Heyman is relieved and he whispers something more to Solo. Jimmy may be getting himself into trouble, but he’s also getting himself out, will this get Jimmy back in the Bloodline?
Wait, Karl isn’t done! He gets up to throw more hands with Jimmy! Solo storms in to hit the SAMOAN SPIKE! Solo roars as Karl is down, no back-up even possible with both Styles and Gallows hurt. Is the OC no longer a problem for The Bloodline? Wait, Michin is here! She SLAPS Jimmy right down! Fans are thunderous as she storms to the ring. Jimmy asks what the heck! Mia Yim packs a punch, will that knock some sense into Jimmy?
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
Cathy Kelley is with The Emperor of Lucha, and says that he faces his mentor and LWO teammate, Rey Mysterio. Where is his mind at tonight? Santos says his mind is focused, but his stomach has butterflies. But this match is about heart. And Santos has already said this is a dream match for him, and he has been working his entire life for it. Now, with the whole world watching, he has a chance to make the dream come true. He never gives up on his dreams, and he will fight for them, so Rey is in for the fight of his life. May the best man win. Will it be Emperor or King of Lucha that reigns as the United States Champion?
The Bloodline regroups backstage.
Jimmy is fuming and he yells at a production staff member just for looking at him. He asks another if they saw what happened, then just shoves the guy down! Jimmy storms off, Solo follows and Heyman has the staff relax. Then he puts in a call to Roman Reigns. What will The Tribal Chief have to say about Jimmy’s attitude?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect.
The Aussie Icon, the Moment Maker, the Dynamite From Down Under is already in the ring on his set, and he says what a wild night already. Cena may be the greatest of all time, but he ain’t the greatest at being on time! Hah! But don’t worry, because Waller is here to save the show. Fans boo but Waller thanks them. Waller’s guests just keep getting bigger, and this is literal given the physical specimen. He has done everything in the WWE as a performer, but not as a talent scout. But that’s alright, he gets what he’s always been missing: the Waller rub! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the All Mighty Bobby Lashley!
Fans cheer as Lashley makes his way out and Waller does some push-ups so he looks at least a little bigger standing next to him. They shake hands and then sit at the desk. Waller says he wasn’t lying when the guests keep getting bigger, right? How does he fit into the suit? But Waller appreciates Lashley being on the show, especially after the week he’s had. His boys, the Street Profits had a devastating loss last week. Lashley says he made a mistake. He was looking for the next big thing, he thought the Profits had what it takes to do whatever they want, but seems not. Back to the drawing board, huh?
Wow, that must be hard for the Profits to hear. But yeah, if you’re looking for a tag team, they need to be willing to do whatever it takes. A team with unbridled charisma! A team that is undefeated! Maybe a team like Austin Theory & Grayson Waller! Lashley’s stare makes Waller slow his roll. Lashley knows all about Theory, that’s a pass. Yeah, but Theory’s changed! If you get to know him, he’s a good bloke! And- Wait! Here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins came dressed to match Lashley, and Lashley seems rather upset and confused. The Profits step into the ring, mics in their hands.
Lashley steps to them, and he stops Dawkins before he gets started. No excuses, no reasons. If they want something out of Lashley, they need to prove it. Lashley goes to leave, and then the Profits look to each other. They storm out after Lashley and get up in his face! Lashley says he told them what to do. Now go do it. He keeps on moving, and Waller says how awkward. Hey, light the beam for the 153 million hit man, Austin Theory! Theory makes his entrance, walking past Lashley on the stage, and then continues down the ramp. He smirks at the Profits and goes to the steps, with Waller being the only one cheering.
But will it be A-Town Down as Theory faces Cameron Grimes? Or will SmackDown go TO~ THE~ MOON~?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes!
SmackDown returns, Theory is busy looking at NXT’s Dragon Lee watching from the front row, and the bell rings. Theory turns around into a BOOT from Grimes! Grimes fires off KICKS, UPPERCUTS, and then CHOPS! Grimes whips, Theory reverses but Grimes CLOBBERS Theory! Grimes keeps moving and he CLOBBERS Theory again! Atomic drop, then KICK! Then a KICK, run, and SHOTGUN dropkick! Cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE! Theory scrambles, Grimes has the leg, and Grimes drags Theory back. Theory kicks free, Waller coaches Theory up and Theory ELBOWS Grimes! And throat chops!
Theory throws down clubbing hands while fans boo, but Theory shouts at everyone. Theory brings Grimes up, talks trash, but Grimes eggs him on! Grimes fires off fists, body shots, then backs Theory to a corner. Grimes whips, Theory reverses, then Theory runs in. Theory blocks a boot but Grimes ENZIGURIS! Grimes goes up, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Theory hangs tough and Waller relaxes. Grimes aims, and he BUZZ- NO, Theory ducks! So Grimes backflips to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Theory survives but Grimes storms up on him in the corner. Grimes KICKS Theory against ropes!
Grimes runs, then he clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Grimes goes to the apron, and he PENALTY KICKS Theory down! Fans fire up with the Carolina Caveman as he takes it to Mr. ATL. Waller talks trash, though, and Grimes stares him down. Theory POSTS Grimes in the distraction! Waller laughs, Theory drags Grimes up and in, and then Theory slingshots. Somersault SHOTGUN! Grimes staggers into the fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN! Cover, Theory wins!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Waller’s a baller with that assist to his boy, and The Now comes out on top! Will these two look to take over SmackDown one win at a time? Theory also talks some trash on Dragon, then pie faces him! So Dragon hits back! Fans fire up but the ref keeps Theory back. Dragon is here as a guest, but Waller says Dragon can’t do nothing anyway. Will this duo hope Boy Wonder stays away from this brand?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Kayla Braxton is with the US Champion and says earlier tonight, Santos said this wasn’t just a dream match, but the fight of their lives. What is Rey’s response? Rey says LWO is familia and will always be that. But he knows how hard Santos has worked to get here. Heck, Rey grew up watching Santos’ father, El Fantasma. So Rey has nothing but love and respect for Santos. But be careful what you wish for. Every time Rey steps in the ring, he expects the best of his opponent and brings the best in return. So Santos, like they say, this IS the fight of their lives! May the best man win. Rey seems to feel the same way as Santos, but will either man still feel good after taking a loss?
The Bloodline is beating up Ashante THEE Adonis?!
B-Fab shouts for Jimmy to stop but Jimmy stops when he says he’s stopping! Refs and producers rush in and Jimmy says okay, his bad, he’s done now. Adonis crawls away, but Solo is there! Jimmy says finish this, Solo! UREANGE through the table!! Hit Row suffers the wrath of The Bloodline, but when and where will it stop?
WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar!
SmackDown returns as Zelina is ringside for both men, and Santos makes his entrance. Santos says hola to Dragon before getting in the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who holds gold for the L W O!
The bell rings and fans fire up as the two tie up. They go around, Santos waistlocks but Rey works on an escape. Santos holds tight, they sit down, and Rey moves around. Rey fights up, jumps, but Santos holds on during the flying mare! Santos shifts to go for an abdominal stretch but Rey fights it to have a toehold. Fans rally and duel, Santos chinlocks but Rey pulls on the leg. Santos uses that to body scissor, and he rolls Rey to a cover, ONE! Rey is still stuck in the scissors but he moves around. Rey claws at the hold, Santos shifts and has the back mount to then roll Rey again. Rey slips free and the two stand off.
Fans cheer as Rey and Santos reset. Santos trips Rey, blocks the headscissor, but Rey gets up. Santos wrenches, wristlocks, but Rey flips through! Santos whips, Rey reverses but Santos reverses again. Rey is on the apron but he RAMS into Santos! Rey slingshots but Santos stops the rana to GAMANGIRI! Rey falls, Santos PLANCHAS! Down goes Rey at the ramp and Zelina is worried for both men as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Santos has Rey in a modified stretch. Rey endures, Santos shifts his grip, but Rey fights free. Santos has a hammerlock to keep Rey close, and Santos wrangles Rey down. Rey fights up, fans rally, and Rey jumps to hit that flying-mare! Fans fire up as Santos speeds things up and runs Rey over! Things keep moving, Rey dodges but Santos DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Rey hangs tough, and Zelina is again torn. She rallies the fans more for the LWO than for either man. Santos waistlocks, Rey switches, but Santos switches back. They go to ropes and Rey bucks the O’Conner.
Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA Santos outta the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed, goes up the corner to PLANCHA! Down goes Santos! Fans fire up with Rey and he hears the ring count. Rey drags Santos up, puts him in at 6 of 10, and then climbs the corner. Santos stands, Rey SEATED SENTONS! Rey keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Santos! Both men are down and fans rally up more. But wait, Jimmy and Solo are still wreaking havoc backstage? SAMOAN SPIKE for security! Jimmy says that guy won’t be Cena’s partner, either! Back to the ring, fans rally for “619! 619!” as Rey goes to ropes.
Santos stands, he rushes in to sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to BUZZSAW! Santos is dazed, Rey calls his shot and he drop toeholds Santos onto ropes! Rey dials it up as fans go wild, but Santos SUPERKICKS Rey outta the ring! Santos takes aim, builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Rey! Santos catches his breath while he stands back up, and then he goes up the barriers? To MOONSAULT Rey on the ramp! Zelina is worried again but Santos puts Rey back in the ring. Rey staggers and goes to the far side but Santos takes aim. “This is Awesome!” as Santos spells it out, “L! W! O!”
Santos goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Rey wobbles, but Santos puts him back in the corner. Santos goes again, DOUBLE KNEES! Santos hoists Rey up top, climbs up after him, but Rey HEADBUTTS! Rey fires forearms and he knocks Santos down! Santos stands up while Rey steadies himself, but Santos GAMANGIRIS first! Santos climbs up again, goes to the very top, and he whistles for the SUPER STEINER! Zelina couldn’t even watch that, worried for both men. Santos goes to the apron, to SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Santos is a bit surprised as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns yet again and Santos has Rey against ropes. Santos CHOPS, and fans “WOO~!” as Rey staggers. Santos whips, BOOTS, and then brings Rey around. Santos picks Rey up into a GORY ESPECIAL! Rey endures being bent back, and Santos even pulls on the arms! Fans rally, Rey fights against the hold, and pops free to arm-drag! Fans fire up as REy goes to a corner, and Santos runs in, only to be put on the apron! Santos GAMANGIRIS, Rey staggers, and then Santos fires up! Santos climbs, leaps, but Rey dodges and the crossbody flops! Rey lines up a shot, runs and springboards but then Santos dodges!
Rey and Santos are both down after those belly flops, and fans rally as both men rise up. Santos runs in, scoops Rey and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally as Rey staggers up, but into a tilt-o-whirl torture rack! Santos runs around with Rey, then hits a RACK DROP! Cover, TWO!! Zelina is relieved again but Santos is surprised. Rey tells Santos to bring it on, there needs to be a winner. Santos storms up to CHOP! And whip, but Rey KICKS back! Rey runs to RAN- NO, Santos blocks that! Santos swings Rey up but Rey sunset flips! TWO!! Santos escapes and even Zelina is stunned! Fans fire up again, “This is Awesome!”
Rey runs in, Santos puts him on the apron but Rey ROCKS Santos first! Then Rey goes up a corner, brings Santos up to join him, and then adjusts position to fire off hands! Fans fire up as Rey calls the shot, but Santos drags Rey into a fireman’s carry! Rey fights with elbows, then pops up to SUPER RANA!! Fans are thunderous while Santos sits up in a daze! Rey DROPKICKS Santos onto ropes! Dial it up! 6 1 9 BLOCKED! Santos drags Rey into an Alabama Lift! But Rey holds the ropes for dear life! Rey then RANAS Santos back onto ropes, redials, and 619 HITS!!! Rey hurries up top, says hey to Eddie, and hit a FROG- NO!
Santos avoids the splash, CLUBS Rey, covers, TWO into the ghost pin! TWO!!! Both men escape by nanoseconds but Santos fireman’s carries! PHANTOM- TAKEDOWN! Rey has a spladle! REY WINS!!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
And the greatest luchador of all time comes out the champion! Santos is stunned, but Rey offers him a handshake of respect. They are still familiar, aren’t they? WAIT! The Profits attack!! Dawkins & Ford mug Rey & Santos, this must be how they’re proving Lashley wrong! They hit Escobar with a BIG LARIAT! Fans boo but here comes Lashley! The All Mighty says that’s it! That’s what he wanted! But then here comes the rest of the LWO! Lashley CLOBBERS Wilde while Ford & Dawkins mug Cruz! But Dragon Lee wants to get in! Security keeps him back, he’s just here as a guest! So Wilde is fed to the REVELATION!
The fans boo but The All Mighty has his Profits! Will they soon run SmackDown with iron fists?
The LWO regroups.
They’ve all got icepacks in the medical trainer’s room, and Kayla walks in to congratulate Rey on the win. But before the team could celebrate the moment, they got jumped by The Profits. Santos says sorry, excuse him, but the Profits ruined the moment! Rey says they beat the Profits last week, and now Lashley and them act like they run SmackDown! LWO challenges Lashley & The Profits to a match at Fastlane! Let’s see how tough they are when it’s fair and square! What will happen when these factions go to war in Indianapolis?
WWE announces a huge signing!
Former AEW TBS Champion and rising star, JADE CARGILL, is now with WWE! She got 20 MILLION views on a video just for showing up at the Performance Center! Will a storm be coming for the WWE Women’s Division?
John Cena arrives backstage!
He pulls in rather fast and furious, and he storms right into the arena, that tag match contract in his hands! Will Cena find someone Jimmy & Solo haven’t destroyed to sign on the dotted line? Is there even anyone left?
Pretty Deadly has a video message.
“On July 14th, 2023, Elton prince suffered a devastating shoulder injury. Despite all odds, he is on the road to recovery.” It’s another rehab workout montage, but Elton is still in the wheelchair… Elton works on reaching out for hot tags, swinging chairs, ends up rolling downhill during a celebration, and can’t even poke eyes properly. But as he continues to work at it, he has the courage to stand up and tag in Kit! #YESBOY! #EltonStrong.
The Brawling Brutes are watching this.
Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne look at each other, and neither of them can even process this. Dunne feels maybe they should’ve broken Elton’s leg. The idiots. Will Elton & Kit hope they can stay far, far, far away from Northern Grit and the Bruiserweight?
Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The Queen did what she could to help The Empress of Tomorrow hold off the Evil Genius and her cohorts, but all that got them was a win for Iyo Sky and this rivalry rematch with the Role Model! Will Bayley make an example out of her fellow Horsewoman? Or will Charlotte make Bayley bow down?
SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance, Iyo and Dakota right behind her. But then Charlotte has Bayley hold on so she can get a mic. Charlotte has a question for Bayley: What’s happened to you? Bayley is one of the Four Horsewomen, but now she’s just happy carrying Iyo’s bags. Bayley has become a stepping stone while Charlotte is still the measuring stick. And in the end, it doesn’t matter. Bayley is just in Charlotte’s way. She’ll beat Bayley tonight, and then challenge Iyo for the WWE Women’s Championship at Fastlane! Fans fire up for that, and the bell rings. Bayley CLOBBERS Charlotte!
Bayley fires off, all riled up after what Charlotte said. DMG CTRL cheers and high-fives Bayley. Bayley CHOPS Charlotte, bumps her off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! Bayley ROCKS Charlotte, lets off, and brings Charlotte around to whip. But Charlotte reverses to send Bayley into the corner, and she CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte CHOPS again! Charlotte whips, Bayley reverses but Charlotte goes up and out to BOOT Bayley down! Iyo swipes at Charlotte, then Bayley BLASTS Charlotte down! Bayley goes out to the apron, to then FLYING ELBOW Charlotte down! DMG CTRL is fired up as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Charlotte is up top, to CROSSBODY Bayley down! Fans fire up with Charlotte as she storms around. Bayley flounders to ropes, stands up, and Charlotte CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And then CHOPS again! Fans fire up as Charlotte says one more, then CHOPS Bayley again! Charlotte swings, Bayley dodges but Charlotte scoops! FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up and fans fire up again! Charlotte handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley is still in this but Charlotte knows she’s tough. Bayley bails out to the apron, Charlotte storms over, but Bayley HOTSHOTS!
Bayley slides in, waistlocks, but Charlotte bucks the O’Conner, to then trip Bayley! Bayley scrambles, Charlotte steps over to drop a knee on Bayley’s knee! Bayley goes to a corner and Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Bayley staggers, but she BOOTS back! But then Charlotte BOOTS back! Cover, TWO! Charlotte keeps her cool while the fans rally up. Charlotte steps on Bayley and goes to the corner, then goes up the corner, only for Bayley to YANK her down! Bayley puts Charlotte in the ropes, throw hands, then hits a STOCK DROP! Shoutout to another of the Horsewomen! Bayley then SUNSET BOMBS Charlotte into buckles! Bayley drags Charlotte to a cover, TWO!
Bayley tells fans to shut up, don’t cheer for her! Dakota and Iyo cheer her on, though, and Bayley fires forearms on Charlotte! Bayley mocks the “WOO~!” then CHOPS! Bayley CHOPS Charlotte again and again, runs, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, Charlotte wins!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall
DMG CTRL can’t believe it, but their Role Model lost! The Queen is already wearing yellow ‘n’ block to match Fastlane’s logo, will she take that gold off Iyo? Bayley gets a mic to shout, “Cut the music, you idiots!” Bayley won’t let Charlotte just cut the line! Bayley vowed to end Charlotte, and that’s what DMG CTRL is gonna do! The three surround the ring, but here comes ASUKA! The Empress joins the Queen to run off their common enemies! Asuka gets a mic to shout “OI OI OI OI!” What do you idiots think you’re doing?! She won’t let them do whatever they want! Bayley says okay, they want a Triple Threat for the women’s title?! Then they’ve got it!!
Wait, what? Iyo is confused, but Bayley says this is totally what Asuka said. No, Iyo knows what Asuka said and it wasn’t that! But Bayley says this is so they can teach both Asuka and Charlotte a lesson! Bayley sticks her foot in Iyo’s mouth again, will the Evil Genius have to really work hard on a plan to survive Fastlane?
John Cena heads to the ring!
Sacramento fires up as Cena storms out, saying we’re getting serious tonight! Cena slides into the ring, contract still in hand. Cena also gets a mic, and he tells Sacramento, “I hear ya out there!” Sacramento chants for Cena and so he knows they hear him. And he knows that because last week, he said he was back to compete and that he wanted a match. The Bloodline didn’t take too kindly to that, though. They left Cena knocked out, but they also left him with the contract. This is the contract for a match with them at Fastlane. Yeah, a little lukewarm, because there’s a problem: Cena doesn’t have a partner.
Cena says tonight is very important, because now he has a choice to make. He could rip up the contract and act like this didn’t happen. Fans boo that idea. Or he could stand and fight. The fans like that! So what do you think the man who wears the words “Never Give Up” is gonna make? They cheer the second so he says that’s damn right! He will honor this contract! And if he doesn’t find a partner by Fastlane, then he will fight The Bloodline by himself in a 2v1 Handicap! But speaking of, here comes The Bloodline! Jimmy grins as he has the mic again. “Well, look who finally showed up.”
Cena’s out here talking about Fastlane? Did he not just see what The Bloodline’s been doing all night? They were sending messages! If you team with Cena, you get got by The Bloodline! Fans boo, but Jimmy goes to the apron to tell Cena, “You’re not making it to Fastlane!” But then Cena DECKS Jimmy! Solo stares Cena down, fans fire up, and Solo gets in the ring! Cena throws off the shirt because it is go time! Solo swings, misses, and Cena fireman’s carries, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS him! Flashbacks to last week, HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Solo adds a HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Jimmy whips Solo in for another HIP ATTACK!
Fans boo as Cena flops out of the ring. The Bloodline clears off the announce desk! They put Cena on it, and Jimmy raises the one. Jimmy goes up the steps but Solo stops him. Solo wants this one! Jimmy grins and nods and lets Solo climb. But L A KNIGHT is here!! Fans are thunderous as the Mega Star storms down, slides in, and he dodges Jimmy to BLAST Solo! And then he BLASTS Jimmy! Knight stomps a mudhole into Jimmy but Solo stops him! So Knight fires off haymakers! Solo TOSSES Knight, but misses the splash! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Jimmy is up, Knight scoops to POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up, and they spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BIG elbow drop for Jimmy! Cena is back and he TOSSES Solo! Knight TOSSES Jimmy! Mega Star and Greatest of All Time look to each other, and Knight picks up the contract! Fans are electric as Knight signs his name! Cena can’t believe it, either! He has a tag partner for Fastlane? YEAH!! Will Cena and Knight show The Bloodline whose game is it? With EVERYBODY saying… L A KNIGHT, YEAH!!
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode of SmackDown, especially with how fired up the Sacramento crowd was for everything. Great stuff with Bloodline and such, taking logical yet still exciting turns. Karl Anderson going after The Bloodline was good, because as much as Karl didn’t want Styles getting involved, but he also wasn’t going to let The Bloodline get away with this. Though, Karl didn’t really accomplish much as he got cheated in that match. That slap from Mia was great, though. Then Jimmy & Solo going on a rampage backstage was a great way to show how Jimmy is drunk with power all because he thinks Roman will have his back. Roman most certainly won’t now that Jimmy’s actions have brought LA Knight into the story. Great save from Knight, and he will make a great team with Cena.
Great “main event” match from Charlotte VS Bayley, and that black ‘n’ yellow gear is pretty cool stuff from Charlotte. DMG CTRL of course tries to help Bayley but that backfires. And then I actually like that we’re going back to Bayley talking big and putting Iyo on the spot. The Triple Threat title match is going to be great, and is actually some mad genius thinking from Bayley. DMG CTRL can now legally interfere to make sure Iyo wins against Charlotte and Asuka, but I feel like this can also bring in Shotzi or even Bianca to counteract DMG CTRL. Either way, it’ll be some great stuff to really up things in the SmackDown Women’s Division.
Hilarious vignette from Pretty Deadly, and good response from Brawling Brutes. That feud will definitely start up again after Fastlane and give us a SmackDown contender for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Really good stuff out of the Grayson Waller Effect with Lashley putting the pressure on the Profits. Almost thought they were gonna jump Theory since Lashley doesn’t like Theory, but I guess that would make this faction Faces since Theory is Heel. It was nice to see Grimes back, though he does lose to Theory. Dragon Lee being here tonight makes me think he is called up to SmackDown after he screws Dominik Mysterio out of the North American title tomorrow night.
And after just an awesome US Championship match, the Profits instead go after the LWO, a logical move given the back and forth between the factions. LWO wants a Six Man Tag, but does that mean it’ll be Santos, Cruz & Wilde? Or is Rey going to take one of the spots? Either way it’ll be a good time but it feels like the All Mighty Profits are going to take that one to build their momentum towards their own title goals. Lashley VS Rey for the US Championship with Santos helping feels like the move. Maybe there’s tension created as Santos costs Rey, or as Rey says Santos can’t be bending rules just to win. It just feels like something’s going to/has to change in the group dynamic.
My Score: 8.9/10
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