Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/8/23)
The new rosters are locked in!
The World Heavyweight Championship tournament begins again!
The WWE Draft’s new rosters are now in effect, and the new World Heavyweight Championship tournament begins, all here on Monday Night Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Damian Priest VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Rollins wins and advances to tonight’s main event.
- Otis w/ Chad Gable & Maxxine Dupri VS Mustafa Ali; Ali wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Triple Threat: Cody Rhodes VS Finn Balor VS The Miz; Finn wins and advances to tonight’s main event.
- Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Dana Brooke; Rhea wins.
- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Imperium; Kevin & Sami win.
- Zoey Stark VS Nikki Cross; Stark wins.
- Xavier Woods VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley; Dom wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Raw Finals: Seth Rollins VS Finn Balor; Rollins wins and advances to Night of Champions.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
Jacksonville fires up for The American Nightmare, who found a way to conquer the Beast at Backlash. But now, he’s getting ready to #FinishTheStory using the brand new WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Fans sing the song and Cody gets the mic. Cody enjoys the cheers for a moment before he says, “So Jacksonville… DUUUVAL! Whaddya guys wanna talk about? I greatly appreciate that reception. Many of you know, this was my home during the pandemic. We made a lot of wonderful memories together. I say we make another good memory tonight. And before we talk about tonight, let’s talk about Backlash.
“The biggest, most-watched Backlash of all time, from the Island of Charm there, Puerto Rico. All the pomp, all the circumstance. I didn’t get to experience it that way because I had the daunting task against me of competing against the Beast. The most decorated combat sports athlete, I’m talking about Brock Lesnar.” Fans boo Brock but Cody says, “And here is what I discovered.” Cody found out what Brock was made off because it was literally all over Cody’s fists. Cody found that Brock CAN be defeated, because Cody beat Brock Lesnar!
Lesnar took away Cody’s focus and clarity, it was a fight for survival. But now that Brock is in the rear view mirror, it is clear what is next for Cody here on Monday Night Raw, and it is the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP! Fans like the sound of that. “You Deserve It!” Cody walks over to the title as he brings up Night of Champions. HE has the bracket appear. The Triple Threats we’re about to see tonight are there, as well as SmackDown’s. For SmackDown, it will be AJ Styles VS Edge VS Rey Mysterio, and then Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley VS Sheamus.
Cody says there are, “Multiple world champions, some of the biggest superstars on the planet, and just considering I got out of what I call the fight for survival, I intend to fight the same way in this very tournament. Fight tooth and nail until Samantha over there says, ‘Your winner, and NEW World Heavyweight Champion, the American Nightmare…! Cody Rhodes.” Fans again chant “You Deserve It!” but Cody has the honor of saying, “Jacksonville, let the tournament begin!” And out comes Seth Rollins! The Visionary smiles at Cody as he heads to the ring. Will these two rivals meet again in tonight’s main event? Or will the odds not be in either man’s favor here in Jacksonville?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Damian Priest VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Rollins enters the ring and he gets the spotlight so that the fans may sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” for him. Raw is going to break, will the fans serenade him the entire time?
Raw returns and the singing continues! Rollins revels in it a little more as Raw recaps Backlash’s brutal San Juan Street Fight. Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Priest, and she asks if that loss is still weighing on him. Oh, that’s what she wants to talk about? Fine. Bad Bunny did his thing. But after that match, the name that will live forever is Priest, because it took an entire island to keep him down! Now, Priest plans by himself to put down Shinsuke Nakamura, and put down Seth Freakin’ Rollins! Then, we’ll see if it’s Priest or Finn Balor who brings the title home to The Judgment Day. Priest makes his entrance, will his confidence see him through to the end?
Nakamura now makes his entrance, and the fans sing along with his song, too. Priest ROCKS Nakamura, DECKS Rollins, and then TOSSES Rollins to a corner! Priest fires off hands on Rollins, then runs corner to corner to ROCK Nakamura! Priest stomps a mudhole in but fans boo. Priest runs corner to corner to back elbow Rollins! Priest’s beat up leg bothers him, and Nakamura fires off a strike fest! Priest blocks one kick but not the ENZIGURI! Rollins KNEES Priest out of the ring! Fans fire up as Rollins and Nakamura are now alone. Fans duel as the two stare down. They circle as the songs echo out.
Nakamura and Rollins tie up, then break. They go again, then break again. Nakamura shoots in, Rollins elbows and runs, but into a knee! AX KICK! Nakamura runs to SLIDING KNEE! Rollins goes to a corner, Nakamura runs in but blocks boots! Nakamura puts Rollins in ropes, ROUNDHOUSE and SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura shouts, ‘C’MON!” He avoids Priest’s boot to KICK the bad leg! Nakamura puts Priest on the apron to KNEE LIFT! And then GIULLOTINE KNEE DROP! Fans fire up with the King of Strong Style as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Priest brawls with Rollins, forearm for forearm! Rollins gets the edge, whips Priest to ropes but Priest reverses. Rollins KICKS Priest away! Nakamura returns, runs at Rollins, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Rollins goes to the apron, Priest runs in but Rollins shoulders him away. Rollins goes up top, DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Nakamura and Priest both go down! They both bail out, and Rollins takes aim to DIVE! Direct hit on Priest at the ramp! Rollins keeps moving, and DIVES onto Nakamura! Direct hit at the desk! Rollins gets back in and fires up even more!
Rollins DIVES into a right from Priest! Priest gets in to back elbow in the corner! Rollins flops out but Nakamura fires off a strike fest on Priest! Nakamura boots, whips, but Priest reverses. Priest runs in, but only gets buckles! ROUNDHOUSE! Fireman’s carry onto the corner, TOP SHELF KNEE! Nakamura then goes up, for the FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Priest is hanging tough and Nakamura grows a little frustrated. Nakamura throws forearms, waistlocks, but Priest stops the lift. Rollins joins in, O’Conner Rolls Nakamura, TWO! Rollins kicks Priest low, underhooks, but elbows Nakamura away! Priest dumps Rollins out!
Priest DECKS Nakamura, turns around, and he catches Rollins out of the air, FLATLINER! Cover, TWO!! Priest snarls, he brings Rollins up but sees Nakamura stand. Priest rushes Nakamura, Nakamura dodges the rolling elbow, but then DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES hit! Rollins SUPERKICKS Priest! Nakamura ducks, Rollins ducks, but Nakamura WHEEL KICKS! All three men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as all three men stir. Priest crawls after Rollins and Nakamura, and he throws forearms and elbows. Rollins ROCKS Priest, Nakamura KICKS Priest, then Rollins CHOPS Nakamura!
Priest ROCKS Rollins, CHOPS Nakamura, but Rollins and Nakamura hit him back! Rollins CHOPS, Priest fires off fast forearms, then knees! Priest kicks but Nakamura blocks to kick the legs out! Rollins SUPERKICKS again! Nakamura gets Rollins in a SLEEPER! Rollins flails, reaches out, but Nakamura KNEES him low! INVERTED EXPLODER, but Rollins lands on his feet! DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up for Rollins as he hurries to position Nakamura. Rollins then climbs a corner, but Priest trips him up! And then drags him into the crucifix! But the leg gives out! CURB STOMP!! Rollins covers, Nakamura breaks it in time!!
Rollins snarls as Nakamura staggers to his feet. Nakamura stares Rollins down and wags his finger. Rollins won’t let Nakamura take this title from him, but Nakamura just says, “C’MON!!” And the forearms start flying! Fans fire up as they go back and forth. They start slowing down, but Nakamura hits harder! Rollins hits harder! Nakamura fires a flurry! And then winds back, but misses! ROLLING ELBOW from Rollins! Turn and DREAM- NO, Nakamura ducks the DREAM SMASHER Rollins! And then INVERTED EXPLODER! Direct hit this time and Nakamura is ready! “YAO~!” But Priest CLOBBERS Nakamura!
Priest hurries to TOSS Rollins out, and he drags Nakamura back up! But Nakamura kicks the bad leg! And again! And then rolling takedown into a KNEEBAR!! Priest flails, reaches out, and fans rally up! Rollins FROG SPLASH OUTTA NOWHERE!! And then a PEDIGREE for Nakamura!! Cover, Rollins wins!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)
The Visionary saw his opportunity and he took it! Rollins is one step closer to the brand new title, will he take the next step in the semifinals?
Imperium arrives backstage.
Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci announce as such as they walk the halls, and let us know that next week, Der Ring General is coming! They tell Akira Tozawa to pay attention, even though he’s on the phone. Gunther is coming next week! Oh, but if it isn’t the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens. Kevin says they were talking. Well, in case you missed it, Imperium is here, and next week- Okay, okay, that’s all well and good, but Kevin & Sami were in the middle of something. Something kinda important, actually, but just give them five minutes and they’ll talk with them about whatever they want.
Five minutes? Kevin’s pretty sure this will only take seconds. Vinci says perhaps they didn’t hear Imperium. They do not deal with disrespect. They are IMPERIUM! Oh, well, you’ll still be that in five minutes, right? So just come back and they’ll talk. Take a hint. And then Ludwig puts his finger in Kevin’s face. What’s with that? Ludwig says they surely didn’t try and disrespect them. With Gunther arriving next week, that would put Kevin & Sami in a very unfortunate situation, if you know what he is saying. Vinci says that what Ludwig is saying, is that if the champs keep disrespecting them, they are putting themselves and their titles in serious danger.
Kevin asks if these guys are Gunther’s henchmen. Like how Roman has the Usos. What’s with people having henchmen around here? Can’t anyone do anything on their own? Sami says this is different. They’ve dealt with The Usos for months and months and months. These guys are going to be dealt with in one night. And if they have a problem with that, then see you in the ring tonight! Imperium accepts the challenge and leaves. Will the Prizefighter & Great Liberator shut down Gunther’s soldiers night one? Or will the mat be sacred?
Otis w/ Chad Gable & Maxxine Dupri VS ???
The Alpha Academy’s prized pupil, Maximum Male Models’ number one prospect, the tree trunk can do both. Or can he? Will this match finally decide if it’s Otis or “Otíse?”
Raw returns and Otis’ opponent is Mustafa Ali. The bell rings and Otis circles with Ali. They tie up, Ali gets around for a SLEEPER, but Otis bucks him right off! Gable and Maxxine both cheer, and Otis whips Ali to ropes. Ali ducks ‘n’ dodges and dropkicks! Ali dropkicks again! Ali runs, but Otis runs him over! Maxxine says chef’s kiss. Gable says that’s how it’s done! Otis brings Ali up and trophy lifts! But Ali fights free! Ali fires hands, but Otis blocks the whip. Otis whips Ali up and out, but Ali skins the cat and shoulders in! Ali slingshots up and over and keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but gets CLOBBERED!
Otis stalks Ali to a corner and SPLASHES! Ali falls and fans fire up as Otis tears off the shirt. Gable fires Otis up, but Maxxine says no! Gable says yes, Maxxine says no, but the fans are on Gable’s side! Otis agrees with Master Gable, but Maxxine keeps saying no. Otis runs in normally, but Ali moves! Otis POSTS himself! Ali goes up top and 450 SPLASHES! Cover, ALI WINS!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by pinfall
Ali celebrates like he’s in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament or something, but that’s just part of his positive attitude. As for Maxxine and Gable, they argue over who is to blame for Otis’ loss. Will Otis have to think for himself next time?
The Miz speaks.
“You are looking at the first-ever two-time Grand Slam Champion in the history of this company! I am a history maker! The biggest celebrity, biggest star, the only true workhorse in this tournament. And when I win the World Heavyweight Championship, you will put respect on my name! Because I’m the Miz! And I’m…” The theme song says “AWESOME~!” and Miz makes his entrance. Will the Hollywood A-Lister make this tournament must-see? Or will someone else steal the spotlight to face Rollins in the main event?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Triple Threat: Cody Rhodes VS Finn Balor VS The Miz!
Raw returns and The Prince of Judgment Day makes his entrance. Then the American Nightmare makes his entrance again, so fans get to sing his theme song again. The bell rings and Miz rushes Cody. Cody dodges to ROCK Finn, then he dodges Miz again. Miz ROCKS Finn right out of the ring! Cody rolls Miz up, TWO! Cody dropkicks Miz down and Miz bails out. Cody builds speed but Finn CLOBBERS him! Finn flexes but Miz rolls up Cody! TWO and Finn rolls up Miz! TWO and Cody CLOBBERS Finn, then CLBOBERS Miz! Cody fires forearms in the corner but Miz clubs Cody from behind.
Miz whips, Cody reverses and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cody then kicks Finn, suplexes, and GOURD BUSTERS Finn onto Miz! Cover on Miz, TWO! Cody takes a moment to watch where the others go. They both go outside, so Cody DIVES to take them both out! Cody is all fired up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Finn stands and Cody is up top! Cody DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS Finn and Miz! Fans fire up as all three men are down! Cody shakes out the bad arm, he stands and counter punches Finn! And counter punches Miz! And repeat! Cody kicks Miz, he kicks Finn, DOUBLE RHODES UPPERCUTS! Cody whips but Miz reverses, only for Cody to forearm smash! Cody goes up and over Miz to POWERSLAM Finn! And then POWERSLAM for Miz! Finn brings Miz up but Cody springboards, DOUBLE CODY CUTTER! Cody roars and Jacksonville is with him! The bad arm slows Cody down but he stalks Finn.
Cody dragon sleepers, but Finn spins it around! But Cody drops to KICK Finn! Finn swings, misses, Cody springboards to DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Cody reels Finn in. Finn fights free of the bomb, trips Cody, but Cody avoids the stomps! Miz gets in, kicks both men, and DOUBLE BASEMENT DDTS! Cover on Cody, TWO! Miz keeps focus, even as fans taunt his “TINY BALLS!” Miz shouts “MASSIVE BALLS!” But Cody arm-drags the full nelson! Finn SLINGBLADES Miz! Cody clotheslines Miz out! Finn rolls Cody, TWO! Finn gets around, dragon sleeper, ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO!
Finn goes to a corner, runs in, and SHOTGUNS Cody into another corner! Cody falls into the drop zone and Finn heads up top! COUP DE- NO, Cody moves! Miz RAMS Finn into Cody! Then Miz hits Finn with a SKULL CRUSHIGN FINALE!! Cover, Cody breaks it!! Cody saves this for himself, and he brings Miz up to TOSS him out! Cody goes back to Finn, and he waits on Finn to rise. Fans fire up as Cody dragon sleepers, but Finn cradle counters! TWO, and Finn swings, into the dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES! Miz TOSSES Cody! Cover, but Cody drags Miz right off! CROSS RHODES!!
Cody holds on, he brings Miz up again, CROSS RHODES!! But Cody still holds on! A THIRD CROSS RHODES!! Cody crawls to the cover, but BROCK LESNAR drags him off?! Lesnar is here!? And he F5s Cody to the floor!! The Beast, black eye and stitched up forehead, looms over Cody. Finn goes up, to COUP DE GRACE on Miz! Cover, Finn wins!!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)
The Prince gets the win because the Beast screwed Cody! And Lesnar isn’t done, either! Lesnar hauls Cody up to F5 him through the announce desk!! Fans boo but Lesnar gets a mic. Lesnar tells Cody, “So, Cody, whaddya wanna talk about? Look at this face. LOOK AT THIS FACE!! What do you wanna talk about, Cody? Huh? What do you wanna talk about? I wanna talk about me. Me, Cody. I wanna talk about me. ME! ME! ME, ME, ME!! Cody Rhodes! Look at my face! You wanna take credit for this, Cody? You lucked into this face. You lucked into the victory Saturday night. I wanna talk about a fight. A FIGHT! I WANNA FIGHT!!
“You. Me. Night of Champions. A fight. What do you gotta say about that? Who is the coward now?” Lesnar drops the mic and now refs and producers approach. Lesnar takes his leave, Adam Pearce checks on Cody. Lesnar wants to end Cody’s story, will that happen in less than three weeks at Night of Champions?
A medic walks with Cody backstage.
They make it to the medical room, what will Cody’s physical status be after this newest round of brutality by the Beast?
Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Dana Brooke!
The SmackDown Women’s Champion defeated Zelina Vega in front of Zelina’s family, friends and devoted fans in Puerto Rico, and she looks to still run Monday Nights. But can the #FlexAppeal make a triumphant return to action? Or will she simply be eradicated?
The bell rings and Dana SHOTGUNS Rhea! Dana fires off fast forearms but Rhea shoves her away and HEADBUTTS Dana down! Dommy cheers on Mami as she rains down forearms! Rhea then brings Dana up to SMACK her off the mat! Rhea talks trash and HIP DROPS Dana. Fans are torn but that might just be Dom’s presence. Rhea drags Dana up but Dana avoids the hip drop to CHOP BLOCK! Rhea hobbles after Dana but Dana JAWBREAKERS! Dana ducks ‘n’ dodges to wheelbarrow and BULLDOG! Rhea flounders, Dana goes up a corner, and Dana leaps, only for Rhea to catch her! Rhea grins and hits a BACKBREAKER!
Rhea deadlifts into the RIPTIDE!! But Rhea doesn’t cover, she wants to make Dana suffer. PRISM TRAP!! Dana taps, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission
Dom helps Rhea celebrate and she holds up the SmackDown Women’s Championship. But then she has Dom hold onto it so she can drag Dana back up! RIPTIDE!! And then the PRISM TRAP!! Fans boo as Rhea tortures Dana! Dana taps but it does no good now! But wait, here comes NATALYA! The Queen of Harts is back on Raw thanks to the Draft, and she steps up to Rhea Bloody Ripley! Fans fire up as Natty stares Rhea down, and then Rhea steps to Natty. Dom has Rhea hold on, whispers something to her, and then they leave. Fans boo but surely, Natty will come after Rhea’s throne soon enough.
Backstage interview with Zoey Stark.
Byron Saxton is with The Hunter, drafted from NXT to now be part of Monday Night Raw, and he says she is one of the most impressive superstars to come out of NXT. Now that she’s here, how does she handle the added expectations? That’s easy! She’s amazing! She has nothing but confidence in her abilities. And these other women… Wait, hold on. Come here. Nikki Cross is just off camera and Stark asks what she’s up to. This is why Zoey will succeed: there’s nothing but weirdos here! But hey! How about Stark and Nikki go 1v1 in Stark’s Raw debut? Nikki says if Stark wants to play, okay. Stark says they’ll see what Nikki’s got.
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Imperium!
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions felt disrespected by Imperium, and that made Imperium feel disrespected back! Will Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci learn about real respect? Or will they pave the way for Der Ring General, GUNTHER?
Raw returns as Imperium makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Sami starts against the Impeccable German. They circle, tie up, and Ludwig pulls hair to put Sami in a corner. The ref counts, Ludwig lets off, to then throw a body shot! Ludwig headlocks, grinds Sami down, but Sami fights up. Sami powers out but things speed up. Sami hurdles, arm-drags, and he has the armlock! Fans cheer and Sami brings Ludwig up. Ludwig chinbars Sami to ropes, whips free but Sami reverses. Vinci sneaks a tag as Ludwig whips, but Sami throws Ludwig out! Vinci CLOBBERS Sami from behind! Vinci stomps Sami, then brings him up.
Vinci UPPERCUTS Sami, whips him to ropes, but Sami goes up and over then LARIATS! Fans fire up as Sami bumps Vinci off buckles! Sami goes up, but Ludwig shoves him down into Vinci’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Vinci drags Sami over, tags Ludwig, and Imperium mugs Sami. Ludwig stomps away on Sami at the ropes, but lets off to taunt Kevin. Vinci CHOKES Sami! Fans boo but Vinci gets away with that, and Ludwig SLAPS Kevin! The ref keeps Kevin back but Imperium set Sami in the ropes! They DOUBLE DROPKICK Sami on the apron! Fans boo more but Imperium just soaks it up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami throws hands on Ludwig! Sami reaches for Kevin but Ludwig RAMS him into the Imperium corner! And again, and again! Ludwig lets off as the ref counts, and then he taunts Sami as he crawls. Ludwig stomps Sami, whips him away, but Sami holds ropes. Ludwig runs in but Sami TOSSES him! Fans fire up as Vinci shouts at Ludwig. Vinci hurries in, gets Sami’s feet, but Sami BOOTS him away! Hot tag to Kevin! Kevin rallies on Ludwig with haymakers! Jacksonville is thunderous but the rf counts. Kevin stops at 4 and he roars! Kevin fires off haymakers in the corner, then whips Ludwig to ropes for a BIG back drop!
Ludwig stands into the atomic drop and LARIAT! Fans fire up again as Kevin huffs and puffs and stomps, CHOPS and SLAPS! Kevin goes corner to corner, but he has to CLOBBER Vinci first! Ludwig runs up, into a kick and pump handle, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Ludwig survives but Kevin goes up top! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, Vinci breaks it! Kevin DECKS Vinci, then stomps him out of the ring! Kevin drags Ludwig up but Ludwig UPPERCUTS! Vinci tags in, Imperium hits Kevin with a HIGH LOW! Cover, TWO!! Vinci argues the count but the count was fair. Vinci coordinates with Ludwig and fetches Kevin.
Ludwig tags in, Imperium mugs Kevin, and Ludwig whips Kevin to a corner. Ludwig runs in to UPPERCUT! And GAMANGIRI! Ludwig keeps going but Kevin LARIATS him inside-out! Fans fire up as both men are down, and Sami stands back up to the corner! Kevin and Ludwig crawl, hot tag to Vinci and he BLASTS Sami! Vinci fires off on Kevin, fans boo as Ludwig goes up. Vinci hauls Kevin up but Kevin back drops! Ludwig hops down, into a STUNNER! Vinci rolls Kevin, with tights! TWO!! Kevin dodges the lariat to SUPERKICK! Hot tag to Sami! Kevin runs in at Vinci, is put on the apron, but a HELLUVA KICK outta nowhere!! Cover, Sami & Kevin win!
Winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, by pinfall
The tag team champions stand tall! Will Imperium get an ear full from Gunther next week?
Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green are backstage.
They want people to sign their petition to save the ocean, and they come across Xia Li. Reduce, reuse, recycle. What? What? Never mind, just sign. Xia obliges, and then Sonya & Chelsea find three more people. It’s The Way! Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell! Surely, they wanna sign this, as it stands against “the injustices of the world.” Uh, sure, yes. All those injustices. What it really is is a petition for Sonya & Chelsea to get a rematch for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships after they were unjustly cheated! Uh, Indi isn’t sure. She asks Dexter his opinion. Dexter walks into frame, and gives a thumbs down!
Well, there you have it. Fine! Just know, you’ll all regret this when Sonya & Chelsea become champions. And Lumis should smile! This IS him smiling. But Gargano is happy to have the family back together again. And like he was saying, he’s coming back soon. Candice isn’t sure. No, it is! Candice can tell, Lumis is saying it’s not great with his eyes. Will The Way find their way to the top of Raw now that they’re all together?
Zoey Stark VS Nikki Cross!
The challenge was made, and the challenge was accepted, and this could get downright crazy! Will Stark begin a new hunt here on Raw? Or will she learn that being a weirdo isn’t a weakness?
Raw returns and Stark makes her entrance. The bell rings and Stark SLAPS Nikki! Nikki fires off in return! They end up in a corner, the ref counts, and Nikki lets off. But Stark kicks low to throw Nikki into the corner! Stark stomps away, CLUBS Nikki, then stomps more! The ref backs Stark off, and she runs back in. Nikki puts Stark on the apron, but Stark bumps Nikki off the buckles! Nikki falls, Stark slingshots for an outside-in SENTON! Fans boo but Stark CLOBBERS Nikki! Cover, TWO! Stark clamps onto Nikki with a chinlock and thrashes her around. Nikki endures, even as Stark leans on her.
Nikki fights up, throws body shots, and JAWBREAKERS! Stark runs in but Nikki sends her into buckles! Nikki ROCKS Stark with forearm after forearm! Fans rally up but Stark shoves Nikki away, only for Nikki to ROCK her again! Nikki whips, Stark reverses, but Niki goes up and over. Things speed up. Nikki ducks ‘n’ dodges to dropkick the legs out! Nikki keeps going to DROPKICK! Nikki roars, fans fire up with her, and she runs in to SPLASH in the corner! Nikki then goes up, reels Stark in, and TORNADO- NO! Stark throws Nikki away, SUPERKICKS, and Z 360!! Cover, Stark wins!
Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall
The Hunter takes down her prey, and she looks hungry for more! Will she soon hunt down the title, whoever has it?
Backstage interview with Rhea & Dom.
Byron is with the champion and asks her about her roll as of late. From winning to Backlash to tonight, but she had an interesting interaction with Natalya. As the SmackDown Women’s Champion, but Raw’s #1 overall draft pick, is she feeling any extra pressure? Rhea says she welcomes the pressure. It comes with running the division. Wait, who is laughing their way over here? It’s Akira Tozawa and Xavier Woods. Dom tells them to shut up and show respect when Mami is talking! Oh, Dominik Mysterio, looking like he got his outfit from a lost ‘n’ found. Relax, man!
Oh, Woods thinks he’s a comedian, huh? He thinks he’s funny? He won’t be so funny when Dom punches him right in the face! Oh, well, Woods just got to Raw and he’s been looking for a fight. How about tonight? Rhea steps up, Tozawa steps away. Rhea says Dom-Dom accepts. Dumb-Dumb accepts? Cool. Bye, Dumb-Dumb. Bye, Mami. Tozawa, where’d you go? Woods is ready to play, but will it be game over against #ExConDom?
Trish Stratus puts up missing posters.
She’s looking for Becky Lynch! Trish is making her way towards gorilla as she hands them out, but will she explain exactly why she’s doing this?
Trish Stratus heads to the ring.
And fans boo the entire time. Trish gets the mic and says, “Have you guys seen her? Hey, Kevin (Patrick), I know as a fellow countryman, you’re very concerned, you’re very worried, but don’t worry, honey, we’re gonna find her, okay? So cheer up, buttercup. Go Ireland!” Trish knows the fans are worried, so is she. Becky Lynch is missing! But the work they’re gonna do here today, her using all her platforms and tools, and she even has Corey Graves tweet for her real quick. She feels that Becky will be found. And when they do find her, the fans can all say, “Thank You, Trish.” Fans boo instead right now.
Trish says Becky will be found in some dark, dank corner of Iowa, sitting in the corner with her dumb little daughter. What? No, she IS dumb. She doesn’t even know her colors, she’s only two. But Becky will be found, will come back, but not to Raw because this is Trish’s show. This is Trish’s spotlight, and to be clear, no one is going to steal her spotlight. She doesn’t care if you’re Becky Freakin’ Lynch, no one steals her spotlight. WAIT! BECKY’S HERE NOW!? Nope, Trish got us with the oldest trick in the book! She says we’re all so dumb and gullible, like when Becky thought Trish was her friend.
Trish mocks the fans that Becky was gonna get Trish, but she never will because she’s never coming back. Trish wants to tell us a little story. One time, Trish’s daughter wanted this cute little doll, and so Trish bought it for her, and they brought it home, and- Fans chant ‘BECKY! BECKY!” Trish says they’re all idiots, Becky’s NOT here. But that name is fitting, because that’s what Trish’s daughter wanted to name the doll! She wanted to name it after Becky Lynch! Trish said, “Why would you want to call her Becky?” Because Becky’s pretty and- Wait, the theme song is hitting again? Trish says no, they did the joke already.
But that’s because Becky REALLY IS BACK!! Trish senses it, turns around slowly, and Becky smiles. Before she DECKS Trish! And again! And then UPPERCUTS! Becky scoops Trish, for the BECKSPLODER!N Trish flounders away and Becky dares her to come back for more! Becky gets the mic while fans fire up, and Becky tells Trish, “You want me, Trish, I’m right here! The Man has come around to kick yer ass!” Seems Trish’s work did pay off, because Becky’s back! Will Becky “thank” Trish by bringing her into the Big Time?
Kevin, Sami and Adam Pearce check in with Cody.
He has ice on his ribs, and luckily it is only bruised, not broken. So what’s gonna happen now? Pearce says nothing right now. But will Cody choose to take Brock up on that challenge?
Xavier Woods VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley!
No Big E, no Kofi Kingston, but no stopping the Power of Positivity! Will Woods hold it down for the New Day? Or will “the most dangerous man” on Monday Night Raw ruin Woods’ good time?
Raw returns and Dom makes his entrance, Mami by his side. Fans boo Dom, the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Woods headlocks and he hits a takeover. Dom keeps his shoulders up, Rhea coaches him, and Dom reaches for a headscissor. Woods moves around, turns Dom over, and then ties up the legs to float and get the deathlock! Dom gets the ROPEBREAK, and Woods lets off fast. The fans chant “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Rhea distracts Woods by shouting he’s nothing but the third man in his team! Dom runs in but Woods sees him. Dom stops, offers a handshake, but Woods knows better than that.
Woods blocks the cheap shot, spins Dom, but Dom whips him away to then kick low and throw Woods down by his hair! Dom soaks up the heat, speed up, but runs into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up with Woods, he brings Dom up and CHOPS him to a corner. Woods throws body shots in the corner, Rhea protests but Woods CHOPS again! Woods throws more body shots, but Dom YANKS Woods into buckles! Dom stomps away on Woods, then blows a kiss to Mami. Fans boo but Dom goes after Woods. Woods throws hands! Dom dodges, and dropkicks Woods onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Woods drop toeholds back!
Woods dials it up! Woods hits the SLIDING ATTACK! Dom flounders, Woods goes up, CROSSBODY! Woods brings Dom up, puts him in a corner and fires off shots! Rhea protests, the ref counts, and Woods stops at 4. Woods backs up, runs in, but Dom throws him up and out! Woods SMACKS off steel steps and Rhea laughs at him! Fans boo but Woods is dazed as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and WOods fights out of a chinlock! Woods mule kicks, then reels Dom in, but Dom wrenches out to ROCK Woods! Dom reels Woods in, snap suplex! He holds on because that’s Uno Amigo! Fans boo as Dom suplexes, DOS AMIGOS! Dom brings Woods up again, for THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Dom and Rhea argue the count but the ref says it was fair. Dom clamps onto Woods with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Rhea coaches Dom on, but then tells fans to shut up as they rally for Woods. Woods fights up, throws body shots, and he ROCKS Dom with a forearm! And CHOPS! And ROCKS him again!
Woods forearms and CHOPS over and over at the rope! Woods whips, Dom reverses but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides, to then ROLLING ELBOW! Fans fire up as Dom goes to a corner. Woods runs in to forearm smash! And whip corner to corner, to clotheslines! Snapmare and HONOR ROLL! Woods fires up and he brings Dom up. Dom throws Woods out, but Woods shoulders back in! Woods steps in, TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up, Woods covers, TWO! Rhea is relieved and tells Dom that was too close. Woods has the fans behind him, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods stands Dom up, scoops, but Dom slips free!
Dom shoves, Woods elbows him back! Dom comes back, to UPPERCUT Woods! Cover, TWO! Woods is still in this and Dom is frustrated. Dom drags Woods to the ropes, stomps him, then goes out to the apron. Dom gives some Latino Heat and the fans boo. Dom slingshots, but Woods trips him up! Dom falls to the floor, Woods brings him up to the apron, and CLUBS away as he has Dom on the ropes! The ref counts, Woods lets off to go to the corner. GUILLOTINE MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Rhea is relieved again, but Woods drags Dom around now. Woods puts Dom in a drop zone and then goes to the apron.
Woods climbs, tightrope walks, LIMITBREAKER misses as Rhea drags Dom out! Dom gets in, Oklahoma Roll with tights! DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
Fans boo as Dom-Dom only wins thanks to Mami! But with tactics like these, will the Judgment Day soon take over all of Raw?
Indus Sher speaks.
Jinder Mahal (re)introduces us to Veer & Sanga, “two international juggernauts united as one force of destruction. These two men have conquered continents and obliterated competition all over the world. And now, we’re ready to bring unprecedented levels of pain. We have waited patiently for our moment to strike. From the shadows, we emerge to shake the very foundation of Monday Night Raw.” The Modern Day Maharaja is bringing two massive allies with him, will they soon take over Raw?
Shinsuke Nakamura scowls backstage.
The Miz walks over and shakes his head. Nakamura has nothing to say? Nothing? Miz told Nakamura that Raw is different from SmackDown and they should have each other’s backs! If Nakamura and Miz were united, they’d both still be in this tournament! But instead, Nakamura lost! Yeah, well so did Miz! Not the point! Look! Miz is willing to forgive the disrespect if Nakamura will just give their team a chance. It’s a win-win! Think of the audience, the chants! #MIZUKENAKAMURA!! What does he say? Nakamura says Miz is right, Nakamura has nothing and this could be his opportunity.
So next week, The Miz, Shinsuke Nakamura… 1v1! Wait, what? Yeah, mano-a-mano! It’s gonna be AWESOME~! Miz says that’s the opposite of what he wanted. Will Miz sticking his foot in his mouth soon get him a knee upside the head?
Sonya & Chelsea continue petitioning.
They need a few more signatures to meet the quota. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez walk over, saying they’ll sign it. Because ladies, they heard about the campaign, and honestly, if they wanted a rematch, Sonya & Chelsea simply had to #WomanUp and ask. It would’ve been so much easier. Liv takes the clipboard and pen, writes her name and even kisses the paper. Raquel adds her own signature, and Liv says after she and Raquel get through Damage CTRL, they’ll see Sonya & Chelsea next week. Sonya & Chelsea laugh. Not that they don’t love having the champs’ support, but this wasn’t specifically to challenge Liv & Raquel.
Sonya says they imagined DMG CTRL winning, and then Sonya & Chelsea would face Bayley & Dakota. HAHA! They leave, Liv & Raquel mock the laughter, and it’s a good thing the champs don’t lean on a plan. Will Morgan & Rodriguez still be #LivingLarge after SmackDown this Friday?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Cathy asks him about the brutal attack by Lesnar, and how disappointed he is to no longer be in the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. Cody chuckles, and says, “I know you’re obligated to ask that question. Obviously, I don’t know. Obviously, I don’t feel good. Obviously now, I don’t get to be the first World Heavyweight Champion on Monday Night Raw in a tournament that, respectfully, was mine to win. So I really… I’m sorry. What else is there to say?” Cody turns to go but then turns back to say, “Actually, here’s what I do know. This is the second time, the second time, that Brock Lesnar has attacked me for no reason. And from behind, again, for no reason.
“The only reason I can think of is that Brock Lesnar’s long-reigning grip on the main event scene, his monopoly over the main event scene, that grip has been released. Because by every measurable metric there is, I have been the man around here. And at Backlash, I proved it. I pinned Brock Lesnar, and I don’t think Brock Lesnar can handle that. And here he is tonight, grabbing me by the throat, asking me to fight.” Cody turns to the camera to say, “Wanna fight, Brock Lesnar? You wanna fight me? Against all my better judgment, here’s what I have to say. Let’s fight! At Night of Champions, I accept.” Is the American Nightmare’s story not done yet?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Raw Finals: Seth Rollins VS Finn Balor!
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Or rather, the more history there is to make, the more history seems to repeat itself. The Visionary and The Prince once battled to be the inaugural Universal Championship. Now they battle to see who moves on to Night of Champions! Will history repeat itself with Finn standing tall? Or will Rollins #BurnItDown once again?
Raw returns and Rollins once again makes his entrance. The fans once again sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” for him, and the bell rings. Rollins and Finn stare down, both men remembering that day at SummerSlam. They tie up, Finn waistlocks then headlocks to hit a takeover, but Rollins headscissors. Finn kips free, and Rollins uses Scott Hall fingers to taunt him. Fans cheer and the two reset. They feel things out, tie up, and Finn wrenches to a wristlock. Rollins rolls, kips and wrenches back! Finn gets the ropes, and the ref counts. Rollins lets off, Finn shakes out the arm, and the two reset again.
They knuckle lock, Finn shoots around to snapmare, but Rollins turns hammerlock around onto Finn. Finn goes back to ropes, the ref counts, and Rollins lets off, but Finn cheap shots Rollins! Rollins JABS, throws haymakers, but Finn knees low. Finn throws Rollins to the apron, Rollins shoulder sin and slingshots over! But Finn rolls through to basement dropkick! And Finn clotheslines Rollins out of the ring! Finn goes out the side, runs around the way, but Rollins SLINGBLADES first! Fans fire up and sing for Rollins again. Rollins CHOPS Finn against barriers, puts Finn in the ring, and then aims from the apron.
Finn storms over, he anticipates the shoulder and kicks away on Rollins! Rollins is stuck in the ropes, and Finn goes out to bring Rollins off! BARRIER BOMB!! Payback for 2016! Rollins writhes and the ref checks on him as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Finn wrenches an arm to a hammerlock. Finn wrenches again but Rollins SLAPS him! Finn YANKS, wrenches, but Rollins SLAPS! Finn wrenches again, Rollins SLAPS and CHOPS and SLAPS! Finn kicks the bad arm! Finn whips, Rollins reverses and CLOBBERS Finn! And again! Fans rally as Rollins mule kicks, front kicks and DISCUS LARIATS Finn down! Finn goes to a corner, Rollins runs in to SPLASH! And then BACKBREAKER! Rollins shakes out the bad arm and he goes up the corner. Fans sing again, FROG SPLASH onto knees! Finn cradles, TWO! But he has the FUJIWARA ARMBAR!
Rollins endures and flails as Finn pushes back! Rollins reaches out and even bites his own thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Fans rally, Rollins fights and rolls, but Finn gets around to SLINGBLADE! Finn aims from a corner, he runs in at Rollins, but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Rollins and Finn are both down, catching their breath, and fans rally up. Rollins sits up, and he brings Finn up. But Finn throws body shots! Fans rally as Rollins throws forearms! Finn throws them back, they go shot for shot, and then Finn YANKS the bad arm! Rollins BOOTS Finn! Finn tumbles out and Rollins goes out the side!
Rollins hurries in around the way, but Finn SMACKS him off the apron! Rollins gives it back! Finn gives another! Rollins dribbles Finn more and more, and he goes all the way to TEN! Rollins puts Finn in before the ring count reaches 10, and he ROLLING ELBOWS! But Finn CHOPS! Rollins PELES! Finn wobbles, but he PELES back! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Rollins crawls to a corner, Finn goes to the opposite end. They talk some trash, they stand back up, and they rush back in! DOUBLE FOREARMS! And again! Finn body scissors to STOMP 182! Finn hurries up the corner!
Finn aims, but Rollins leaps up after him! SUPERPLEX! Roll through, FALCON ARROW but Finn slips out! Dragon sleeper, BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins survives! Finn is too tired to be upset, and he’s tasting blood in his mouth from a busted lip. Rollins and Finn slowly stir, and Finn forces himself up. Finn storms up and he stomps away on Rollins! The ref has Finn back off but Finn pushes him away! SHOTGUN to the back! Rollins flounders around, Finn SHOTGUNS him into a corner! Rollins is in the drop zone, Finn goes back up top! COUP DE- NO, Rollins dodges! Finn staggers into a kick!
Rollins underhooks, holds on with his one good arm, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!!! Finn survives! And Rollins seethes as he rises back up. Rollins gets a wild look in his eyes, and he waits on Finn. Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Finn sits up. Rollins runs in, but Finn dodges! Roll-up, but Rollins rolls through! CURB STOMP to the face! And then a CURB STOMP proper!! Cover, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
He is a Visionary, he is a revolutionary, and he is still a contender! Rollins had a bad arm, but Finn should’ve gone after a leg, because now Rollins is stepping closer to the title! Will Rollins win it all in Saudi Arabia? Who will he be facing from Friday Night SmackDown?
My Thoughts:
A really good Raw here to follow up Backlash and to give us our first taste of the new rosters. Good first match on Raw for Zoey Stark, though the fans didn’t seem to care one way or another. Maybe it was because she was facing Nikki Cross and Nikki hasn’t exactly been booked the best these days. Though, I suppose neither has Dana Brooke, as she got squashed by Rhea. Natalya stepping to Rhea was a good way to establish Natty is back on Raw, and maybe this gives Rhea her title match for Night of Champions. I’m mostly surprised they didn’t do anything in regards to the title swap with Bianca. Maybe Rhea and Bianca interact on SmackDown for that?
Rhea and Dom had a good promo with Woods and Tozawa to set up a match. Rhea helping Dom win makes sense, because duh, Heels. This could be the start of a really good feud, especially if it lasts long enough for Kofi to make a return and back Woods up. Good match out of Otis VS Ali and the conflict between Gable and Maxxine was of course the reason Otis lost. This has to lead to some kind of match for the fate of Otis. Maybe Alpha Academy VS Mace & Mansoor 2v2, winning team keeps Otis. And good promo from Jinder to set up the Raw debut of Indus Sher. I know Indus Sher are Heels, but I would love to see them take on Imperium or Judgment Day, all big trios faction stuff.
Speaking of Imperium, good promo from them with Kevin and Sami, and them insisting on people fearing Gunther feels like the most personality Ludwig & Vinci have gotten to show since being called up. Great match out of Kevin & Sami VS Imperium, but it feels like a disconnect when Imperium got beat super fast by The Street Profits on SmackDown. Gunther probably faces Kevin or Sami next week, and that will be an awesome match either way. Not sure what we’re getting for Gunther at Night of Champions, and something still has to happen with the tag titles. Maybe Imperium and Indus Sher get in on a tag title opportunity and one of those teams get the titles before Night of Champion.
And speaking of tag titles, good promo stuff for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Sonya & Chelsea petitioning for a match is very fitting of their personas, and I like that they more or less scammed Xia Li and others into signing. Good to see 80% of The Way together here, Austin Theory being the only one on SmackDown. I think that’s the “he” Gargano referred to. But anyway, good on Liv & Raquel to step to Chelsea & Sonya. Pretty sure DMG CTRL loses because Iyo Sky passive aggressively gets back at Bayley for Backlash, so we’re definitely getting a rematch of Liv & Raquel VS Chelsea & Sonya next week.
And of course, great stuff out of the World Heavyweight Championship tournament story. Great opening promo from Cody, though I was surprised his match wasn’t the opener. Both Triple Threats were awesome, and Rollins was a natural choice as one semifinalist. Cody being screwed over by Lesnar makes sense, Lesnar is a sore loser, but it was still pretty surprising. And it had to happen this way rather than in the main event, because Triple Threats are No Disqualification, so Lesnar wouldn’t be handing Cody a win. They played up Cody taking damage well, and of course we’re getting a rematch from Backlash now. Big money for Lesnar, and he’ll probably still put Cody over, but this is all so Cody can chase the new WHC the rest of the year.
Nakamura and Miz had a good promo afterward, and of course we’re getting Nakamura VS Miz, that was basically set-up with their MizTV segment. And great main event with Finn VS Rollins. Again, Rollins was a natural choice to win, he will want to use this new WHC to prove a point to Roman who is really the top champion in WWE without actually having to face Roman. And from SmackDown, between Edge, AJ Styles, Bobby Lashley, Austin Theory and Rey Mysterio, I’m mostly crossing off Austin Theory as he’s still US Champion. Any of the other guys makes a great opponent for Rollins, but I feel like the only ones who could beat Rollins are Edge and Lashley as they’re unattached.
Rey and Styles both have factions they gotta stick with on SmackDown, but Edge and Lashley could move back to Raw through this WHC. Plus, Edge and Lashley each act as proxies to Roman given combinations of strength, speed, experience, and of course, using The Spear as a finisher. Rollins beating them is as close to beating Roman as he’ll get for the foreseeable future.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.
Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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What's with all the glowing?
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The greatEST SmackDown!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn't, Dreamer and Delirious can't book.
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B Block, FINAL ROUND!
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Is ROH ready for the GORE?
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/28/25)
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (5/28/25)
Dynamite in the desert!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/27/25)
A Block, FINAL ROUND!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/27/25)
Will NXT still be Absolute?
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Round 8, all together!
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New Day Rocks? Or New Day Sucks?
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Coverage6 days agoMitchell’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results & Report! (5/24/25)
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Coverage4 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/26/25)