Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/9/23)
A new era begins!
The NXT Women’s Championship Tournament begins!
With Indi Hartwell moving on to Monday Night Raw, NXT needs a NEW Women’s Champion! Who makes it through the tournament to take the title?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Gigi Dolin VS Tiffany Stratton; Tiffany wins and advances.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine; Gallus wins and retains the titles.
- Duke Hudson w/ Thea Hail VS Javier Bernal; Duke wins.
- Eddy Thorpe VS Damon Kemp; Thorpe wins.
- Ilja Dragunov VS DIJAK; Dragunov wins, by disqualification.
- Tyler Bate w/ Wes Lee VS Charlie Dempsey w/ Drew Gulak; Dempsey wins.
- Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley VS Hank Walker & Tank Ledger; Briggs & Jensen win.
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Lyra Valkyria VS Kiana James; Lyra wins and advances.
- Trick Williams VS Bron Breakker; Bron wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Gigi Dolin VS Tiffany Stratton!
The Toxic Avenger takes on the Center of the Universe, but Tiffany thinks she should’ve been handed the belt. Will Gigi show Tiffany that you’re only worthy of a title by winning it? Or will Daddy’s Little Rich Girl get what she wants like always?
The bell rings and Tiff talks trash. She and Gigi tie up, Gigi puts Tiff in a corner, and Tiff wants the ropebreak. The ref counts, Gigi lets off and she blocks a kick to fire forearms! Gigi UPPERCUTS Tiff, whips and swings, but Tiff ducks and handsprings. Then goes Matrix! But Gigi kicks the arms out and brings Tiff around into a modified Magistrol! TWO, and Gigi PENALTY KICKS Tiffany down! Cover, TWO! Tiff scrambles to a corner but Gigi hits a BRONCO BUSTER! Fans fire up and Gigi goes corner to corner, but Tiff dodges! Gigi crashes ‘n’ burns, Tiff runs to DOUBLE STOMP her down! Cover, TWO!
Tiff drags Gigi around by the bad arm and wrenches to an armlock. Fans rally for Gigi and she fights up to arm-drag free. Gigi runs to forearm Tiff at the ropes! Gigi whips, Tiff reverses and steps over to JAM the arm! Tiff hammerlocks and RAMS Gigi into the corner! Gigi staggers into a snapmare and step-over, HIP DROP on the bad arm! Cover, TWO! Gigi is still in this but Tiff drops down on the arm again! Tiff covers but Gigi keeps her shoulders up. Tiff is frustrated, so she SLAMS the arm on the mat! Fans boo but Tiff talks trash on Gigi, before a springboard STOMP on the arm! Cover, TWO!
Tiff looms over Gigi, grabs the arm and drags Gigi up. Gigi reverses the whip to send Tiff into buckle! Roll-up, TWO! Gigi keeps on Tiff but Tiff wrenches and WRINGS the arm out! Cover, TWO! Tiff keeps on Gigi as fans rally for Gigi. Tiff YANKS the arm, wristlocks and wrangles Gigi down, but Gigi avoids the hip drop! Tiff still kicks Gigi back, wrings the arm but Gigi rolls through! Gigi counter punches and kicks, then fires off knee after knee! Tiff shoves free but Gigi comes back to CLOBBER her! And again! Gigi keeps moving, and BOOTS Tiff down! Gigi shouts for Tiff to get up! Gigi drags Tiff up, but Tiff wrenches the arm to a CODE BREAKER!
Gigi staggers away, Tiff runs and handsprings corner to corner, to back elbow! Snapmare and run, but Gigi dodges the stomps! Roll through and ROUNDHOUSE! Then an STO! Fans fire up and Gigi drags Tiff back up. Gigi gut wrenches, but Tiff wrenches out to an ELBOW BREAKER! Tiff fireman’s carries, ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up, up, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Cover, Tiffany wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Tiffany proved she can earn what she wants, and she’s through to the semifinals! Will Tiffany make it all the way to Battleground and the belt?
The Schism speaks.
Joe Gacy tells the Dyad, “Last week, I sacrificed myself for your opportunity, and I have no doubt that you will bring gold back to us. Four roots, one tree.” Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed head out, will they take the titles from Gallus? As for Gacy, he tells Ava Raine that he took her words to heart. He will not be joining them ringside, as his attention is directed elsewhere. But he wants Ava to guide them as he would. Ava follows after The Dyad, just who is it that has Gacy’s attention?
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams return to the barbershop.
Trick says he needs to beat the brakes off of Bron Breakker. Change his name to Bron Er. But how’s Melo feeling? He’s aight. Medical wants him to be 100% before clearing him and letting him loose. But Melo appreciates Trick standing up for him and telling Bron he ain’t the one or the two. But does he really have to do this tonight? Yes. Trick knows Bron’s a bad boy, but Trick’s on a whole new level. Don’t he look good? Yep. Ain’t he been working? Yep! Ain’t he gonna whoop Bron’s ass tonight? YEP! Okay, bet. Pass on Melo, take care of Trick, they gotta get going. No, Trick’s gotta be the one to take care of this.
Trick is doing this for Melo, but he’s also doing this for himself. He’s gonna prove he’s everything he’s said he is. Melo’s biggest test is at Battleground. Trick’s biggest test is tonight. Well, Melo will be watching. Trick says that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gon’ be. High-fives all around and Trick heads out. But Melo is still a little worried. Will Trick’s gift of jab match his gift of gab? Or will Bron break Trick before breaking Melo?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine!
Mark Coffey & Wolfgang already dealt with Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed once, but The Schism found a way to jump the line. Will Rip & Jagger ssssoooon be recognized as the new tag team champions? Or will it always be Gallus Boys On Top?
The introductions are made, but the teams get at each other, and a brawl breaks out! The ref has Joe Coffey exit, Wolfgang throws Rip out of the ring while Mark keeps after Jagger. The bell rings and this is on record as Wolfgang sends Rip into barriers! Mark whips Jagger to ropes then CLOBBERS him! And then scoops to a SLAM! Mark stalks Jagger, headlocks, and he grinds Jagger down. Jagger fights around, fights up, and pulls hair! We see Tony D’Angelo & “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo up in the perch as Jagger powers out of the headlock. Mark runs Jagger over, then brings him up for another headlock.
Jagger fights around again, throws body shots, and he powers up, only for Mark to hold on tight. Mark knees low, rams Jagger to the Gallus corner, and he tags Wolfie. Gallus double whip and crisscross Jagger for a double NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wolfgang wraps Jagger up, clamps onto an arm, but fans rally up. Jagger fights to his feet, but Wolfgang short arm lever suplexes! Wolfgang keeps Jagger down, then wrenches the arm. Jagger throws forearms but Wolfgang keeps him from Rip! Jagger throws more forearms, gets free, and tags in Rip. Rip storms up to DROPKICK the arm!
Rip throws forearms, CLOBBERS Wolfgang, covers, ONE! Rip clamps on with a chinlock, then he fishhooks Wolfgang’s face. The ref counts, Rip CLUBS Wolfgang down. Fans duel between “FOUR ROOTS! ONE TREE!” and just booing, but Rip drags Wolfgang up. Wolfgang blocks the suplex, and then suplexes Rip back! Tag to Mark and he clamps onto Rip’s arm. Rip flails, reaches out, but Mark wrenches and RAMS him! Mark clamps onto the arm again, but Rip knees low! Rip sucker punches Wolfgang, then wrenches and headlocks Mark. Jagger sneaks a tag as Mark powers out, and Rip sends mark away.
Jagger trips Mark and Rip basement dropkicks! Then MAYHEM IN MOTION takes out Wolfgang! The Dyad clinch and ENZIGURI, COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! The Dyad is frustrated while NXT goes picture in picture.
Jagger drags Mark up, throws forearms, and Mark staggers around. Jagger whips, Mark reverses and arm-drags! Mark has the armlock and he wraps Jagger up into a cobra clutch! Jagger endures, fights up, but Wolfgang tags in. Ripcord and shoulder ram, then a forearm to the back! Wolfgang snapmares Jagger to a cover, TWO! Wolfgang wraps Jagger up in a cobra clutch and grinds him down. Jagger endures, fights up, but Wolfgang wrangles him back down. Wolfgang leans on the hold, but Jagger fights up and reaches out. Wolfgang ripcords and shoulders Jagger again! And back to the cobra clutch!
Jagger fights up, Wolfgang throws knees, and tags Mark. Ripcord, shoulder ram, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Mark keeps on Jagger with stomps, then runs in at the corner. Rip moves in to be the cushion but Mark stops. The ref reprimands Rip but Jagger sucker punches Mark! Jagger tags Rip, Rip storms up to short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rip clamps onto Mark with a chinlock and he puts on the pressure. Mark endures but Rip drops an elbow! And then reapplies the chinlock! Mark fights up, throws body shots, but Rip knees low. Tag to Jagger and The Dyad double whip to double LARIAT! Jagger covers, TWO!
Jagger looms over Mark, drags him up and ROCKS him with a haymaker. Jagger runs in to UPPERCUT! Tag to Rip and he runs in to clothesline! Feed to the WHEEL KICK! Rip hurries to push Mark to a cover, TWO! Rip clamps onto Mark and fishhooks his face. The ref reprimands, Rip drops an elbow on Mark’s head! NXT returns to single picture and fans rally up as Mark endures the chinlock again. Mark fights up, fans duel, but Rip knees low! Rip whips Mark to the cover, tags to Jagger, and Jagger whips Rip in, into a BOOT! Jagger runs in, Mark goes up and over but Rip do-si-dos to send him into Jagger’s SUPERKICK!
Rip throat chops, Jagger leaps onto the cover, TWO! The Dyad is again frustrated, and we see The Diamond Mine is watching backstage. Ivy Nile glares at the TV, but the Creed Brothers are goofing around, wearing blue masks that resemble the Schism’s yellow smiley face ones. Ivy gets annoyed and grabs their noses! She tells Julius & Brutus to stop making jokes! Ivy storms off and the brothers don’t understand. But back in the ring, Jagger keeps Mark down with a facelock. Mark fights up as fans rally, but Jagger CLUBS him down! Jagger keeps Mark back, but the fans continue to rally!
Mark fights back up, powers up to lift Jagger, and TOSS him away! Hot tag to Wolfgang! The Howler rallies on The Dyad! BIG haymakers for both of them, then he RAMS Jagger into the corner! Wolfgang fires off fists, Rip storms up on him, but Wolfgang ROCKS him! Wolfgang whips Jagger into the corner, SPLASHES, and goes to the apron. Wolfgang DECKS Rip, goes up the corner, and he AX HANDLES Jagger down! Fans fire up with Wolfgang and he scoops Jagger for a SLAM! And then SIDEWAYS SENTON! Tag to Mark, Gallus DOUBLE URENAGE Jagger! Mark covers, TWO!! Jagger survives for The Schism!
Mark tags back to Wolfgang and Wolfgang drags Jagger up. Fireman’s carry, Mark runs in, but Rip trips him up! Fans boo but Jagger rolls Wolfgang up! TWO!! Mark SMACKS Rip off the desk! Wolfgang CLOBBERS Jagger! Tag back to Mark, and Wolfgang drags Jagger around. Ava distracts on the apron! The ref reprimands, Ava hops down, and Wolfgang CATAPULTS Jagger at Mark! But Jagger uses that to hit a SATELLITE DDT! Wolfgang is shocked, and then Rip drags him out to throat chop! Jagger tags Rip! The Dyad take aim, ‘FOUR ROOTS! ONE TREE!” But Ivy SPEAERS Ava!!
The Creeds stop Ivy from attacking Ava, Jagger goes out to help, and Mark CLOBBERS Rip! Tag to Wolfgang! Gallus coordinates, BOOT O’ DOOM!! Cover, GALLUS WINS!
Winners: Gallus, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
Ava can’t believe what just happened! She shrieks in frustration, will The Schism make Diamond Mine pay for that? As for Gallus, they’re still on top, but Tony & Stacks are watching. Will The Don & The Underboss get themselves a 2v2 match for Battleground?
Thea Hail and other Chase U students talk.
She wonders when Andre Chase is going to return, but is also thankful that Duke Hudson stepped up so no one falls behind this semester. And the Draft! Imagine if you got drafted! Javier Bernal walks over to tell them all to keep on dreaming. He asks Thea a question: does Chase U offer classes on how to get into the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament? Because clearly, Thea isn’t in it so no. But then Duke walks over and apologizes for being late. Grading papers takes a lot more time than you’d think. But uh, is spellcheck just an Australian thing or…? Thea is anxious and asks how she did!
Oh, Thea, you… got an 88! AWESOME! She SLAPS Javi on the chest as part of celebrating! Javi gets upset and can’t believe how deep Duke is into this thing. Javi sees Duke is operating from the inside. But when Duke unveils that final plan. Chase won’t know what hit him. Uh, Javi, first off, you don’t even go here. Second, Chase will return sometime somewhere, Duke is simply filling in. Is that so? Yeah! Oh, is this… Okay, everyone thinks they can get away with whatever they want when the substitute teacher’s in, right? Well, this is not gonna go that way. So how dare Javi disrespect the good name of Duke U- Chase U!
Heh, bit of a Freudian Slip, huh? Javi, you dweeb, listen up! Duke’s gonna make a match between Javi and the MVP of Chase U. And tonight, Javi gets an ANDRE CHASE UNIVERSITY SIZED ASS WHOOPING! Big Body Javi hurries away, will he be ready for this #TeachableMoment?
NXT Anonymous watches their archive.
The Women’s Division’s various assaults all play together, side by side. Nikkita Lyons, Wendy Choo, Sol Ruca. Is there a commonality between these three? Will NXT Anonymous tell us when they find it?
Duke Hudson w/ Thea Hail VS Javier Bernal!
Is Duke playing a long con? Has he truly accepted the black ‘n’ red way? Will we ever find out? Or will all that matters is that Duke wins one for Chase U?
The bell rings and Duke circles with Javi. They tie up, and Duke powers Javi to a corner. Fans rally behind Duke but Javi gets around to slap him around. Duke shoves Javi down! Fans fire up and Javi scrambles away. Duke pursues, Javi plays a bit of cat ‘n’ mouse, and he stomps away on duke ashe slides in! Fans boo as Javi has Duke in a corner for haymakers and body shots. The ref counts, Javi stalks Duke to another corner to fire off more hands! Thea coaches Duke but Javi mocks the “U~!” Javi grins, but Duke runs in to run Javi over! Javi staggers up, Duke scoops and SLAMS him! Duke fires up and so do the fans!
Javi wants mercy, but Thea says no way! Duke storms up and Javi dropkicks the legs out! DDT! Javi keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans chant “JAVI SUCKS!” but he stomps away on Duke. Javi drags Duke into a chinlock and he grinds Duke down. Thea shouts and the fans rally, and Duke fights his way up. Duke pries at the hold as fans chant “M V P!” Duke powers the headlock open, then arm-drags Javi away! Javi flounders to a corner, but he comes right back to stomp Duke down! Duke sits up, Javi throws a haymaker! Duke is powering up! Javi throws more hands, and Duke says “U!”
Duke throws body shots, he CLUBS Javi down, then he whips Javi to ropes to CLOBBER him and CLOBBER him! Another whip, and Duke scoops Javi for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Fans fire up more as Duke aims at Javi. JAB! JAB! JAB! Flip, flop and “U~!” ELBOW! SENTON! Javi flounders but Duke runs to the apron and slingshots to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up again as Duke brings Javi up. Duke reels Javi in, for the Gory Especial, and the RIVER! Cover, Duke wins!
Winner: Duke Hudson, by pinfall
Duke continues to prove why he’s the Chase U MVP! But is Duke truly doing this for Chase U? Or is it all a poker face until the final hand’s been dealt?
Von Wagner talks with Robert Stone.
Von is feeling great. The weather is nice, and a positive attitude is a powerful thing. Stone never thought of it like that. But okay, rapid fire questions! Favorites, go! Hamburger? Bacon burgers! Fries? Oh, good one. Chili cheese. Ice cream? Mint chocolate chip! Wait! Cookies ‘n’ cream! Nice, nice! Stone’s a pistachio man himself. What’s Von see when he looks at this picture? Stone took the post surgery picture from Von’s photo album?! Von is upset, but then someone walks over to say he heard Von’s trying to get a head of the competition. Dude, c’mon. What? It’s just a joke. Von SLAMS the guy into road cases!
Von tells this guy to take his funny bone and shove it! Von lets the guy go, and Stone frowns. Von just scoffs at his answer of pistachio ice cream. If this issue bothers Von that much, what is it going to take to get to the bottom of it?
The Diamond Mine runs across Gallus.
Joe Coffey tells them to keep their noses out of Gallus business. Ivy gets riled up but Julius says it’s fine. He isn’t even sure what Joe said, but he still needs to watch his mouth. And Brutus tells Mark & Wolfgang to watch those tag titles. Oh, looking for a fight? Joe says not now. He has an idea: Pub party, champs only. So the Diamond Mine isn’t welcome. Gallus heads out but Julius says that’s fine, they don’t like Gallus anymore anyway. Ivy thanks the Creeds for earlier, and Julius says it’s fine. No one messes with Ivy, except for the Creeds. But will they find their way back to the tag titles one way or another?
Eddy Thorpe VS Damon Kemp!
The Alpha Wolf has been leveling up to get ready for this showdown! Will he take a bite out of the Golden Gopher? Or will Damon make him feel like he’s a Young Boy again?
NXT returns and Damon makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Damon headlocks. Fans rally for Eddy but Damon spins to a wrench and a wristlock. Eddy wrenches back, spins him around and arm-drags him away. Fans cheer but Damon says okay. They go again, tie up, and Damon waistlocks to SLAM Eddy! And SLAM him again! Damon facelocks, Eddy moves around but Damon floats to go for another facelock. Eddy reaches out for the ROPEBREAK, but Damon lets off slowly. They go again, Eddy headlocks and he holds on tight. Damon powers up and throws body shots.
Damon sends Eddy to a corner, Eddy goes up and over and ducks ‘n’ dodges to hit a headlock takeover! Damon keeps his shoulder up and pushes Eddy with forearms. Damon stands, pries the hold, and he spins it around to headlock and takeover! Eddy headscissors, Damon gets free, and things speed up as Eddy drops, hurdles, and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up while Damon flounders away. Eddy is after Damon with a CHOP! Eddy facelocks, suplexes, but Damon blocks! Damon wrenches out, knees low, and UPPERCUTS! Damon then hangs Eddy out to dry before a slingshot JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO!
Damon taunts Eddy, then rains down forearms! Eddy keeps a guard up so Damon lets off. Damon talks trash to the fans but the fans boo back. Damon talks trash on Eddy, brings him up and turns him around into a chinlock. Fans rally but Damon shifts to a seated cobra twist! Damon digs his knuckles in but Eddy fights up. Eddy throws hands but Damon fireman’s carries to ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO!! Damon is frustrated, but he clamps back on with the seated cobra twist. Eddy fights up, throws body shots, then dodges the lariat to CHOP! Eddy bobs ‘n’ weaves, throws more hands, then CHOPS again!
Eddy whips and CLOBBERS Damon, then starts to rally! Strike fest, PELE! Damon staggers to a corner, Eddy runs in to BOOT! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Damon flounders, Eddy covers, TWO! Eddy waistlocks Damon but Damon throws elbows. Damon whips, Eddy reverses but Damon sunset flips! Eddy rolls through to get the legs! Damon scrambles but Eddy gets the HALF CRAB! Damon gets the ROPEBREAK! Eddy lets off in frustration, Damon holds onto the apron skirt! The ref reprimands, Damon kicks Eddy away, then stands up, into a BOOT! GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Eddy stomps around!
Eddy runs to JUMPING ELBOW! Cover, Eddy wins!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall
That last sudden burst was enough for Eddy, and Damon complains about the apron skirt. But Damon was the one who brought it into play! Will Damon ever take responsibility for his own messes? Will The Alpha Wolf soon be hunting down some championship gold?
Backstage interview with Kiana James.
McKenzie Mitchell is with the Calculator to say she’s had an incredible rookie year in NXT. She was handpicked by HBK and the coaches as part of the top 8 to be in the Women’s Championship Tournament. Tonight, she faces Lyra Valkyria- Yeah, yeah, McKenzie, Kiana gets it. She’s got the most difficult first round opponent. Whoever put this bracket together did her no favors. But luckily, Kiana thrives under pressure. Her last 12 months speak volumes, especially the latter half. She has laid out everything she’s wanted to do here, and checked them off one by one, except for the NXT Women’s Championship.
As McKenzie said, Kiana’s rookie year here was incredible. But can you imagine how much bigger year two will be as the NXT Women’s Champion? Kiana can. But will it become reality here tonight? Or will the misfortune of facing the Morrigan be her downfall?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
McKenzie brings up that tonight, he faces Trick Williams in the main event, but is going to ask the question “on the minds of everyone in the WWE Universe. Why the change in attitude?” Bron says there was no change, he just stopped caring. For over a year, Bron carried the NXT Championship on one shoulder, the NXT banner on the other, and the weight of this brand on his back. What’d it get him? Nothing. And the fans made their choice, and they chose Carmelo. That’s fine. Because Melo is still picking splinters out of his ass after being Speared through the wall a couple weeks ago.
So if McKenzie or the fans or whoever doesn’t like the attitude, there’s the door. Bron didn’t ask for this interview, she did. But here, here’s something. Melo, tonight, I’m gonna put your buddy, your best friend, Trick Williams, in the same hospital that I put you in. See you at Battleground.”
Ilja Dragunov VS DIJAK!
The Czar doesn’t back down from a fight, but #HardJustice has been taking the fight to him. Will Dragunov prove what it is to be UNBESIEGBAR? Or will Dijak put his momentum on lockdown?
NXT returns as Dijak makes his entrance. The bell rings and Dijak runs in! But Dragunov blocks the boot, throws Dijak down, and KNEES him back! Fans fire up as Dragunov CHOPS Dijak! Then puts him in another corner, to CHOP again! Dragunov puts Dijak in a third corner to CHOP again! Fans are thunderous already, but Dijak turns things around to COHP in return! Dragunov shakes his head, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Dragunov backs Dijak down corner to corner with the chops, then fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! Fans are thunderous as Dragunov lets off, winds up and CHOPS again!
Dijak is down, Dragunov goes up, KING KONG KNEE DROP! Dijak sputters but Dragunov goes back up! Dijak gets Dragunov with both hands, and SHOVES him down! Dragunov hits the apron on the way down to the floor! Dijak goes out, pushes Dragunov into the ring, and covers, TWO! DIjak grits his teeth, rains down fists, then covers again, ONE!! Dragunov is showing that toughness but Dijak clamps on a BEARHUG! Dragunov endures, even as Dijak shouts in his ear to give up! Fans rally, Dragunov fights to his feet and pries the hold open. Dragunov turns to ROCK Dijak! Dijak ROCKS Dragunov!
The two go back and forth, Dijak gets the edge but Dragunov gives it all back! Dragunov throws boxing elbows and an UPPERCUT, but Dijak BOOTS him! Dragunov springs up to PELE! Fans are loving this as Dragunov waistlocks and deadlifts Dijak! But Dragunov’s ribs hold him back, the damage done weeks ago. Dijak choke grips, Dragunov fights free, and he comes back to FOREARM! And ROUNDHOUSE! But both men fall over! Fans fire up as Dragunov rises again. Dragunov waistlocks and deadlifts again! But Dijak holds ropes to stop the suplex! Dijak throws elbows and body shots, then he TOSSES Dragunov away!
Dragunov goes to the corner, comes back, but into the CYCLONE KICK! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives and Dijak is beside himself! Dijak goes out and he shoves the timekeeper aside to get a chair! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Dijak wants to hurt Dragunov, not beat him! The ref grabs the chair, but Dijak TOSSES the ref away! Fans boo more, Dijak JAMS Dragunov! The ref has the bell ring, Dijak loses!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by disqualification
But Dijak still SMACKS Dragunov on the back! And his rage erupts as he goes out and RAMS Dragunov into the apron! And into the POST! And then APRON CHOKE SLAMS Dragunov! Dragunov flops down but Dijak isn’t done with him! Dijak brings the steel steps around, turns them on their side, and goes back for Dragunov. Dijak KICKS Dragunov around, then tips the steps! Dragunov fights them off! Dijak STOMPS Dragunov, then buries him under the steps! “How’s that feel!? How’s that feel?!” Dijak STANDS ON THE STEPS to trap Dragunov! Dijak asks if Dragunov feels alive while he sputters and coughs!
Fans boo, the refs rush out and Dijak steps away, saying “I can break any man!” But then Dragunov shoves the steps away!! Dragunov isn’t done yet, but Dijak chuckles. Will these two go around again down the line?
Tyler Bate meditates.
Wes Lee walks in and says he hasn’t seen this much smoke since he was hanging out with Matt Riddle. But uh, Tyler, you in there? Wes knows Bate is getting his head right for his match with Charlie Dempsey, but Wes has to thank him for last week. Bate was like a “majestic leopard” as he took out Charlie, it was beautiful! And since Bate had Wes’s back, Wes will have Bate’s. Gulak & Dempsey are determined to sap all the joy outta NXT, and they’re not gonna let that happen, right? Right, yeah. Also, Bate’s up next, so let’s get going. Wes looks closer, and then Bate opens his eyes.
Bate says hey, sorry, he was “miles away” there. Did Wes say something? Uh, yeah- Bate says when he meditates, he goes into a deep, deep trance, like he’s on a higher plane of existence. Does Wes know what he means? Yeah, bro. Dope. Bate’s ready, Wes is by his side, will the Big Strong Boi humble the Son of the Gentleman Villain?
Dani Palmer tweets a video.
She was finishing training with Hank Walker & Tank Ledger when Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen walked in. She wanted them to say hey, and they congratulate her on her NXT debut win. But anyway, she watched it back, and asks what she could do to do better next time. Briggs says just keep busting your ass and doing the reps. Jensen says the more you get in there, the better you’ll be. Hank says he was telling Tank the very same thing. And if they wanna get good as a tag team, they just gotta practice. Tank says yeah, and maybe it could be against “the big boys.” What do they say? Briggs & Jensen say sure! They shake hands, will we get a real banger of a brawl from these heavy hitters?
Tyler Bate w/ Wes Lee VS Charlie Dempsey w/ Drew Gulak!
NXT returns as Dempsey makes his entrance with Gulak. The Big Strong Boi made sure Wes wasn’t cheated out of the North American Championship, will Wes make sure Bate isn’t cheated out of a win tonight? Or will the Philly Stretcher have the perfect plan to get even?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Dempsey UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS, but Bate gives those back! They go UPPERCUT for UPPERCUT! Bate runs to UPPERCUT, Dempsey rebounds to UPPERCUT! And repeat! Bate then UPPERCUTS and EXPLODERS! And then STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Bate keeps on Dempsey with a fireman’s carry, and he starts the spin! But Dempsey fights free to get the full nelson! Bate uses his leg to provide leverage and break free, then throws elbows! But Dempsey CLUBS Bate! And knees him, into the BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Dempsey drags Bate up to ROCK him with forearms, and UPPERCUTS, but Bate headlocks to BOP Dempsey with his foot! And BOP him again! Dempsey powers out, Bate goes up and comes back, but Dempsey steps through the roll up! But Bate sunset flips! But Dempsey rolls through to get the legs! But Bate rolls to bring Dempsey down! Now rolls reverse as Dempsey sunset flips, Bate rolls through, and Dempsey SPINNING HEADSCISSORS! But Bate cartwheels through it and fans fire up! Dempsey rushes in, Bate dodges and Dempsey stops in the corner. Dempsey turns around and heads collide!
Both men fall and fans rally up. Dempsey and Bate stand up, and Bate brings Dempsey around to UPPERCUT! Dempsey UPPERCUTS back! Bate UPPERCUTS, Dempsey knees low! Dempsey clamps on with an IRON OCTOPUS! Dempsey CHOPS Bate’s side to complete the stretch! Bate endures, powers up, and he fireman’s carries for the AIRPLANE SPIN! Fans fire up as Bate goes around and around and around, for more then TEN spins before the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But wait, Joe Gacy walks out? Was Gacy talking about Wes earlier? Gulak storms over to Gacy and Wes and asks what’s going on. Wes asks them both what’s going on!
Bate sees everyone is around Wes, and he FLIES out to take Gacy and Gulak down! Wes says that’s what they get. Bate hurries back in, ducks the haymaker to Bop up, and BANG! Gulak distracts the ref, Bate runs, but Gacy CLOBBERS Bate! Dempsey hurries to DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Dempsey wins!
Winner: Charlie Dempsey, by pinfall
Gacy may not have been part of Gulak’s plans, but it all worked out for Dempsey! Will Wes have to worry about more than one sneaky snake coming after his title?
Carmelo sees Bron’s message.
Melo says he can’t stay back now. He has to go and help Trick. But Trick said- Trick said what he said but he’s also family. Will the NXT Champion make sure Bron doesn’t destroy his best friend?
Backstage interview with Dragon Lee.
McKenzie knows he took a hard loss to JD McDonagh last week in what was an instant classic. But she wants to bring up what happened right after that match with Noam Dar. Dragon says Dar thinks Dragon is a threat, and he’s right! that’s why Dar wanted JD to injure Dragon. Dar only cares about two things: himself, and the- Oh, speaking of, Dar pops up on screen with a special edition of the Supernova Sessions. Dar says, “Hello, hello, hello. Dragon Lee, hear me now. It’s Mr. Supernova 11, Noam Dar, the longest reigning NXT Heritage Cup Champion. Now Mr. Dragon, I come bearing gifts.”
Dar knows the two of them got off on the wrong foot, but allow Dar to be the bigger and better man by offering him this prestigious opportunity. He’ll be the envy of the entire locker room after this, because Dar chooses Dragon Lee to be his first official guest on the relaunch of the Supernova Sessions show! Please, join Dar for the return of “the most loved and most revered talk show in the WWE Universe.” So cutting edge, so unique, that after this, Dragon’s career will skyrocket from the ground floor, where it currently is. So Mr. Dragon, Dar awaits a response. Thank you, buh-bye. Check please.
Dragon’s response: he’ll be there. Will Dar regret extending this invitation? Or will he make Dragon regret accepting it?
Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley VS Hank Walker & Tank Ledger!
The boys are reunited and it’s Country Strong! But will they get back on track tonight? Or will Hank ‘n’ Tank use their own brand of blue collar brawling to get going in the Men’s NXT Tag Division?
NXT returns as Hank ‘n’ Tank make their entrance. The teams sort out and Briggs starts, with a BOOT to Tank! Jensen and Hank start throwing hands on the outside! Hank knees low, SMACKS Jensen off the apron, and fans fire up. Briggs headlocks, Tank powers up and tags Hank. They keep Briggs guessing and Hank runs Briggs over! Tank drops a headbutt! Hank covers, TWO! Hank CLUBS Briggs, brings him up and CLUBS him again. Briggs SLAPS away on Hank, then hits a BIG back suplex! Tag to Jensen, he and Briggs double whip Hank to double shoulder him! They then double scoop SLAM!
Briggs ELBOW DROPS, Jensen ELBOW DROPS! Jensen covers, TWO! Jensen keeps on Hank in the corner and CHOPS! LARIATS! And CHOPS! And LARIATS! Hank fires back but Jensen ROCKS him! Jensen whips Hank but Hank CLOBBERS him! Fans fire up and Hank shoots in to RAM Jensen into the corner! Tag to Tank and he SPLASHES Jensen! Tank scoops and SLAMS Jensen, pushes him to a cover, TWO! Tank drags Jensen around, whips him to ropes, but Jensen KNEES back! Tag to Briggs and Jensen lifts Tank. Briggs runs, atomic drop and BOOT! Jensen BLASTS Hank, Briggs covers, TWO!
Tank snarls as he sits up and fans rally up. Tank spits out a tooth, picks it up, and nods as he puts it away for later. Briggs eggs him on, Tank fires off forearms and haymakers! Tank HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, but Jensen tags in! Tank whips, Briggs reverses and feeds to the lift! HART ATTACK! High stack, the country boys win!
Winners: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen, by pinfall
That was a barn burner! And in the end, Briggs & Jensen show respect to Hank ‘n’ Tank with handshakes. There seems to be a new edge to Briggs & Jensen, will they use that edge to carve a new path to the top?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“You can either evolve, or get left behind. This place, this skyline, doesn’t resemble the lands that made me. But I am evolving. Adapting. And sharpening my weapons. I’m not the same person who crossed the Atlantic last year. But I am still Valkyria, Shadow of the Morrigan. And as I preside over this concrete jungle, three women have been marked on my route to the NXT Women’s Championship. Kiana James, you are the first.” Will Lyra take flight towards the golden Battleground? Or is she underestimating the Calculator?
NXT presents an all new Hard Hitting Home Truths.
Nathan Frazer is back and he welcomes us to the latest edition of HHHT. Now the WWE Draft has come and gone, and a staggering 17 NXT superstars moved on to the Raw & SmackDown rosters. That’s right, SEVENTEEN! And that means spots have opened up. But for who? We don’t know, and that’s the fun of it. See, NXT is like a melting pot of incredible talents from around the world. Axiom from Spain, Dragon Lee from Mexico, Oba Femi from Nigeria. Ghana, Brazil, Poland, Columbia, Ireland, Chase U- Chase U isn’t a country. But Duke goes to Chase U, he’s Aussie, but the list goes on and one.
Frazer himself is from Jersey. Not New Jersey, OG Jersey. Tiny little island between England and France. But anyway, all this talent from all walks of life are battling it out. That gives new meaning to the term, “World domination.” But this era of “global localization” means a certain someone has created a spot for himself. The Heritage Cup Champion, the Scottish Supernova, Noam Dar, who has a fancy little talk show of his own, debuting next week. Interestingly enough, Frazer’s first WWE TV appearance was on Supernova Sessions. He can tell us with absolute certainty, that show serves no other purpose than for Dar to stroke his fragile little ego.
Meanwhile, HHHT is designed to bring things to light and expose the lies that frauds have been telling themselves so that they don’t have a leg to stand on. Speaking of, roll the clip. Dar swings on Dragon, Dragon SUPERKICKS Dar! Frazer has a good laugh. “You love to see it.” The Heritage Cup is Dar’s baby, metaphorically and literally, because roll the clip. Dar cradles the cup and coddles it. There’s being proud of being champion, but even by WWE standards, that’s just strange. But just know this, Dar. It is likely that in the very near future, you won’t have your baby. And your entire world will come crashing down.
But for now, Frazer will love ya and leave ya, this has been HHHT. Peace. Is Frazer not so subtly putting his hat in the ring for the Heritage Cup?
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Lyra Valkyria VS Kiana James!
We’ve heard from both superstars tonight, but now it is time to put up or shut up! Who joins Tiffany Stratton in the semifinals of this tournament?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Lyra shoots around to roll Kiana up, ONE! Kiana says it’s not that easy, and the two tie up. Kiana knees low, throws Lyra by her hair, and covers, ONE! Lyra gets up but Kiana headlocks. Fans rally behind Lyra and she powers out, only for Kiana to run her over. Kiana taunts Lyra, things speed up, and Lyra hurdles but Kiana blocks the hip toss. Lyra throws Kiana to the other side, Kiana hip tosses back but Lyra handsprings through! Lyra comes back to body scissor, flip and cover, TWO! Kiana sunsets, TWO! Lyra high stacks, TWO and Kiana pops her to a sunset! TWO and Lyra prawn holds, TWO!
Kiana sunset flips again, TWO! Lyra jackknife bridges, TWO as Kiana bridges up! They spin around, Kiana wants the backslide but Lyra holds it off. Kiana knees low, whips Lyra to a corner, but Lyra goes up and Electric Chair spins to a RANA! Ghost pin, TWO! Kiana goes to ropes, but she elbows Lyra away. Lyra comes back to body scissor again, but Kiana puts her in ropes! GUILLOTINE CATAPULT! Lyra flops out of the ring and Kiana goes after her. Kiana whips Lyra into the POST! Kiana talks trash and fans boo as NXT goes picture in picture.
Kiana says she’s smarter than Lyra, then she goes out to bend Lyra against the post! The ref counts, Kiana lets off at 4, and Lyra crawls away. Kiana slides back in, stalks Lyra, and KNEES her in the side! Cover, ONE!! Lyra is tougher than that and Kiana is frustrated. Kiana wraps Lyra up in a seated cobra twist but Lyra endures. Fans rally up, Lyra fights up, and Lyra throws body shots! Kiana throws body shots back! Kiana whips, knees low, then soaks up the heat. Kiana swaggers around, brings Lyra up and whips her again, for another knee, that Lyra uses to get a roll-up! TWO, Kiana wants a leg but Lyra backslides her! TWO!
Kiana RAMS Lyra into a corner! Kiana stomps, RAMS, and handsprings to RAM into Lyra again! Kiana pushes Lyra down, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Kiana is further frustrated but she clamps back on with the seated cobra twist. Lyra endures, even as Kiana adds a leg to the stretch! NXT returns to single picture, fans rally up, and Lyra fights to get her leg free. Kiana keeps on the upper body but Lyra fights up. Fans rally, Lyra clinches back and MONKEY FLIPS Kiana away! Kiana flounders up, into a cradle! A shoulder is still up so Lyra has to tip that way, TWO! Kiana gets up to fire body shots!
Kiana reels Lyra in for an atomic GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kiana scowls as Lyra hangs tough and goes to a corner. Fans rally, Kiana runs in and RAMS into her! Kiana backs up, handsprings, and runs in again, into a KNEE! Lyra goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans rally up while both women are down. Lyra sits up, Kiana follows, and Lyra throws haymakers! Lyra blocks a kick to CLOBBER Kiana! And ROUNDHOUSE! And SOBAT! Front kick! HEADBUTT! AX KICK! Kiana blocks the northern lights to knee low! Kiana runs in but is dumped out of the ring! Lyra builds speed to WRECK Kiana with a dropkick!
Fans fire up as Lyra goes out and brings Kiana around into the ring. Lyra climbs up, takes aim, and leaps, but Kiana gets under! Lyra comes back to ENZIGURI! Lyra reels Kiana in, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Kiana escapes but Lyra fires back up. Fans rally behind Lyra as she hobbles to a corner. Lyra climbs up, takes aim, and dives, onto knees! Kiana drags Lyra up, gut wrench and POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and shocks Kiana! Kiana drags Lyra up to KNEE her low! And again! Fans rally, Kiana knees Lyra more! Lyra goes to ropes but Kiana brings her up, back suplex, but Lyra lands on her feet!
Lyra BOOTS Kiana down! Lyra wins!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Kiana can at least say she was right, Lyra was an incredibly tough first round opponent. Will Lyra stay tough all the way to Battleground?
Gallus is having a good time at the bar.
Mark says, “How ’bout them Creeds, eh?” Joe says to forget about those guys. A toast to their successful title defense. But then Tony & Stacks walk over. Tony congratulates Gallus on the big win tonight. Stacks made some scratch betting on them, too. Gallus showed just why they’re champs. Yeah, what’s your business here? Oh, does Joe just wake up angry? Anyway, last time Tony & Stacks came in, they left with a spot at Stand & Deliver. Yeah, that was some scrap, huh? But if Joe wasn’t involved, Gallus wouldn’t even be champions right now! What was that? Tony & Stacks tell Joe to calm down.
Tony understands the whole crew is here, but he just wants to say that they’re next. Joe says things are done differently now, and he brings out the Billy club. Gallus does things differently now that he’s back, and that means they handle business differently. So Tony & Stacks should leave while they can still walk. Okay, okay, but just know, Joe doesn’t wanna go down that road. Gallus is stateside now, and you don’t wanna threaten The Don. But don’t worry, the Family will get their title match. Joe tells them to see themselves out, but then there are more guys ready to fight. Stacks says they should go, and Tony obliges. Will The Family get theirs come Battleground?
Trick Williams VS Bron Breakker!
As #TrickWilly said himself, he isn’t just doing this for Melo, he is doing this for himself. Will Trick pass the biggest test in his NXT career? Or will Bron prove Steiner Math was right all along?
NXT returns as Bron makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two tie right up. They go around, Bron puts Trick in a corner but Trick slips away. They go again, Bron fireman’s carry takeovers, then wrenches. Trick kips up but Bron wrangles him down. Trick fights up, breaks free and DROPKICKS Bron! And DROPKICKS again! And then RAMS Bron into the corner to fire off fast hands! Trick RAMS into Bron again and again but lets off as the ref counts. Trick jukes the ref, Bron ROCKS him, but Trick RAMS Bron back into the corner! Fans fire up as Trick fires off more fists! The ref counts, backs Trick off, but Trick storms up again.
Trick whips corner to corner, Bron reverses to get around and waistlock. Trick switches, Bron bucks him, and then Bron runs up, into a BOOT! Trick runs in to BOOT Bron out of the ring! Fans fire up and Trick is feeling it! Trick goes out the side, ROCKS Bron, then CLUBS him against the desk! Fans and even Booker is loving this! Trick brings Bron around, tells the timekeeper to move, but Bron hauls Trick up to OVERHEAD suplex him onto the desk! Fans duel between barks and “Bron Breakker Sucks~!” Bron puts Trick in at 8 of 10, rains down fists, then he hauls Trick up, for another OVERHEAD Suplex!
Fans mock Bron with “MEOW~” rather than barking, but Bron GERMAN SUPLEXES Trick! Bron stalks Trick, drags him up and talks trash, but Trick SLAPS Bron! Bron DECKS Trick! Bron hauls Trick up to snap suplex! Cover, but Bron lets off to do push-ups! Bron says he could do this all day! Fans boo and give thumbs down but Bron clamps onto Trick with a cobra twist! Fans chant “YOU STILL SUCK!” Bron fishhooks Trick, the ref reprimands, but Bron keeps on the twist. Trick fights up, stands up, and he throws body shots! Bron knees low, whips Trick, but Trick whips him away! Trick dodges the lariat to BODY BLOW! And UPPERCUT!
Bron staggers, Trick runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Trick is showing heart but Bron gets annoyed. Bron toys with Trick, Trick stands, and Bron runs in to LARIAT! Fans chant “Bron is Neutered!” while Bron looms over Trick. Bron runs, but into a BOOT! Trick hurries to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up for Trick, he counter punches Bron! And again! Then dodges to DROPKICK! Bron staggers, Trick keeps moving, for a LEAPING LARIAT! Trick roars and fans fire up behind him! Trick has an arm, he cartwheels to bring Bron right up into the URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Bron survives but Trick keeps focus.
Trick aims as Bron rises, and Trick spins, but Bron catches him! Trophy lift, BREAKKER SLAM!! But Bron isn’t done, he wants Trick to get back up! Fans boo as Trick crawls to ropes. Bron drags him around but Trick kicks away on Bron! Bron gets that foot but Trick EDDY GORDO KICKS! Trick fires up again and fans are with him! SCREW HIGH- SPEAR!! Bron takes Trick down, he brings the straps down, and he shouts “IT’S OVER!!” STEINER RECLINER!! Trick shakes his head, he refuses to give up, but Bron bends him back! Trick taps, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by submission
Trick put up one hell of a fight, but Bron is #MeanerThanEvil! Fans boo but Bron doesn’t care, he puts Trick back in the STEINER RECLINER!! But here comes Melo! Melo rushes in to fire off on Bron! Fans fire up but Bron shoves melo away! Melo dodges, springboards, into a SPEAR!! The champion gets intercepted! Fans are in disbelief as Born stands over Trick Melo Gang and picks up the title. Bron grins as he tells Melo, “You have something that belongs to me. NXT Battleground, this is gonna be mine.” Fans chant “You Still Suck!” but will Bron once again be champion? Or can Melo find a way to still be #HIM?
My Thoughts:
A great episode, and even commentary seemed surprised at how literally hard hitting it was. Most surprising was that Briggs & Jensen were being so aggressive against Hank ‘n’ Tank. The match was made out of a social media promo, but clearly Briggs & Jensen want to reestablish themselves in the division. They were wearing dark jeans, are they going to suddenly turn Heel? That seems a bit random, since Jensen rejoined Fallon & Briggs. But maybe they’re just trying to match the hard hitting, no nonsense teams like Gallus, The Dyad and even The D’Angelo Family.
Speaking of, great tag title match from Gallus VS The Dyad, but I figured Gallus would retain. Nice segue within that match to set up some Schism VS Diamond Mine, mostly with Ivy going after Ava. And of course, Tony & Stacks want after Gallus next for some of that mafia VS mafia stuff, which we got a touch of tonight with Tony & Stacks confronting Gallus at their favorite spot. I wonder if Gallus will return the favor and go to Tony’s favorite restaurant. But obviously, something happens to give us Gallus VS Tony & Stacks at Battleground, and honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Tony added new faction members to even out the numbers since Gallus has three.
Gacy’s part in the promo should have of course clued us in that he wants the North American Championship. Great promo with Wes and Bate, I just knew Bate was too deep in meditation to hear anything. Really good match with Bate and Dempsey, but of course overbooking costs Bate. Dempsey probably gets in the mix for the North American Championship, too, and we could get some good stuff in deciding a contender, like a Triple Threat of Gacy VS Bate VS Dempsey, winner goes on to Battleground. Though, personally, it’d be a shame if we don’t get individual matches, like Wes VS Gacy and Wes VS Bate, because those would all be great stuff.
Really good promo to get things moving in the Heritage Cup scene, too. Dar interrupting Dragon to announce the return of Supernova Sessions was a good move, as was Frazer responding through his own talk show. I love that Frazer threw those jabs at Dar, I love that he said “global localization” as a nod to HHH’s dream/plan of putting an NXT in every major market, and I am still hoping there’s something more than just saying Dragon is Dar’s challenger. We need to have the Heritage Cup Division grow, and do so by having Heritage Cup Rules matches, like Dragon VS Frazer, maybe bring in some other names, and have a #1 contender by Battleground.
Good promo from Duke and Javi to set up their match, and it was a pretty good match. Duke won, of course, and I like that there is still the mystery of Duke’s true allegiances. Things are of course leaning heavily towards Duke wanting to put himself over, but we’ll have to see how many more twists and turns there are before Duke and Chase fight it out. In that time, maybe Duke should try his hand at the Heritage Cup Division. Von Wagner and Robert Stone had a good promo, too, and I just knew Stone was going to bring up the surgery picture. And I think the route they’re going is that Von’s anger comes from being bullied for the scar, because he basically snapped on that rando who made the head joke.
Really good stuff out of the NXT Championship story, such as a return to barbershop promos. Trick VS Bron in the main event was also great stuff for getting less time than I expected. Bron of course wins to build momentum towards Battleground, but I didn’t think he’d also beat down Melo. But I suppose that is to establish Melo is the underdog even as champion, making it even better when he overcomes Bron in his hometown. Maybe then, Bron moves on to RawDown, or at least another title on NXT. Then Melo can have a true clean start for the Summer, facing just about whoever is still in NXT.
And really good stuff out of the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, but uh, what is with that opening bracket? Gigi VS Tiff, Jacy VS Roxie, Lyra VS Kiana and Fallon VS Cora? This is the same WWE trope, or rather their bad habit, of making opening round matches that set up super obvious second round matches. If Face A wins their match, Heel B wins theirs. If Heel A wins, Face B wins. That is to say, now that Tiffany has beat Gigi (without Jacy’s input, surprisingly), Roxie will beat Jacy. Likewise, now that Lyra beat Kiana, Cora will beat Fallon. The silver-lining there is that we’re free to have Gigi VS Jacy in their tiebreaker grudge match at Battleground.
Another thing I would like to point out about the tournament is that four matches seems too small. I get that they’re kayfabing these eight as the “top eight” in the division, like there’s suddenly a ranking system. And I get there’s only three weeks until Battleground and they can’t use all six hours for just the tournament. But there should’ve been something to give us the feeling that all the women in NXT were being given an equal opportunity. A battle royal to name a wild card to the bracket, perhaps?
My Score: 8.7/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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