Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/27/23)
The Gold Rush ends!
Will Baron Corbin dethrone… HIM?
NXT Gold Rush Part 2 is here, and Baron Corbin wants to finally be NXT Champion! But will he manage to gatekeep the leader of the new school, Carmelo Hayes?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Thea Hail w/ Chase U; Tiffany wins and retains the title.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS Malik Blade & Edris Enofe; Gallus wins and retains the titles.
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Nathan Frazer VS Dragon Lee; Frazer wins and retains the title.
- Gigi Dolin VS Kiana James; Gigi wins.
- NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Baron Corbin; Melo wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Champion and challenger arrive.
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams walk in, having come straight from the airport, while Baron Corbin rides up in a $3,000 Porsche. The Lone Wolf says he’ll be adding to his riches, but will he be denied by… HIM?
NXT Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Thea Hail w/ Chase U!
Daddy’s Little Rich Girl says she’s the Center of the Universe, and while she did earn the title, her opponent has earned her shot at it! Will Thea remake this into the Chase U-niverse? Or will we all still be on #TiffyTime?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Thea passes the hardest test in her career!
The bell rings and fans rally up as Tiff talks trash. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Thea powers Tiff back. Tiff turns things to an arm wrench but Thea fights up. Tiff whips, Thea reverses and then rolls Tiff up, ONE!! Tiff gets up and whips Thea but Thea blocks hip toss to a backslide! TWO, and Tiff swings, into a crucifix takeover! TWO!! Thea grabs the arm! Tiff scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Thea lets off, and now “Coach” Gulak & “Coach” Dempsey are here. Tiff rushes in but Thea gets her arm! Tiff throws body shots, whips, but Thea goes up and over to arm-drag! And arm- NO, Tiff blocks!
Tiff brings Thea up to whip her to ropes. Thea cartwheels up and over then JAPANESE ARM-DRAGS! And DROPKICKS! Tiff tumbles out and fans fire up as Thea goes to the apron. But Tiff YANKS her outta the springboard! Thea crashes ‘n’ burns, then Tiff DISCUS LARIATS! Tiff soaks up the heat, puts Thea in the ring, and then aims from a corner. Tiff handsprings corner to corner to back elbow! Fans cheer the agility as Tiff runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Thea survives and Tiff is annoyed. Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK against the ropes! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Thea grabs the arm! Tiff gest the ropebreak!
Thea BLASTS Tiff off the apron, tries again, and springboard TRUST FALL! Direct hit! Thea puts Tiff in and fires herself back up! But Tiff SKY HIGH BOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! Thea survives again, goes to ropes, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Duke coaches Thea up while she and Tiff rest against ropes. Tiff storms up and whips Thea to a corner. Tiff runs in to SPLASH! Tiff snapmares, then stomps Thea down! Cover, TWO! Tiff wraps on a chinlock and she leans on the hold. Thea endures, fights up, and arm-drags free! Things speed up, Thea whips but Tiff reverses to CLOBBER Thea! Cover, TWO! Tiff grows frustrated, and she drags Thea up to snap suplex! Thea bails out of the ring, Tiff soaks up the cheers and jeers. Duke looks to Gulak & Dempsey as they “coach” Thea up. Tiff continues to swagger while Thea drags herself up. Thea flops back over, checks her neck, and rises again.
Tiff continues to soak up the cheers and jeers as the ring count climbs. Thea stands, Tiff goes out after her and puts her back in. Tiff taunts Thea but Thea throws body shots! Thea ROCKS Tiff with forearms, whips, but Tiff holds ropes to KICK back! Cover, TWO! Thea hangs in there and that annoys Tiff. Tiff wraps on another chinlock, and she squeezes tight. Thea fights up, but Tiff wrangles her back down. Thea endures, fights back up, and fans rally, but Tiff wrangles Thea back down again. Tiff leans all her weight on Thea, but fans continue to rally as NXT returns to single picture. Thea fights up again, but Tiff knees low!
Tiff whips Thea to the corner, runs in but the splash misses! ARM BREAKER! Thea whips Tiff into a corner! Tiff storms back up but Thea WRINGS her arm out! Fans fire up and Thea rallies with big forearms! Tiff ends up in a corner, Thea runs in and back body blocks! Thea then reels Tiff in, T-BONE! Thea spells it out! “C! H! A! S! E! U!” SENTON! Theta shakes the ropes, then IMPLODER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives, Gulak shouts to stay on that arm! Thea goes after that target, but Tiff scoops and SLAMS her! Tiff shakes the bad arm out, brings Thea up, and hoists Thea up, but Thea slips free to get the arm!
Tiff scrambles around but Thea stays on her! Dempsey pulls the rope back!? Thea is mad at him, she doesn’t wanna win by cheating! Duke argues with the coaches, Tiff runs in, but Thea gets her! KIMURA!! Tiff taps BUT THE REF MISSES IT!! Thea lets go and argues with everyone, but Tiff rolls her up! TIFF WINS!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)
Tiff snatches this one away, all because Thea’s mentors couldn’t stay on the same page! Gulak & Dempsey get mad at Thea?! Duke can’t believe it, he gets in their face, but they beat him up!! Fans boo, Thea is shocked, and Gulak says this is because she was listening to a loser! Gulak BOOTS Duke outta the ring! BUT HERE COMES MR. CHASE!! Andre Chase runs in, BOOTS Dempsey then CLOBBERS Gulak! Fans fire up as Andre whips, Gulak reverses, but Andre ducks ‘n’ dodges to DUOBLE LARIAT the “coaches!” The fans are thunderous as Chase & Duke JAB! JAB! JAB! Flip, flip and “U~!” DOUBLE BIONIC ELBOWS!
Fans are thunderous as Chase U is back at 100% with the right teachers in charge! Will Gulak & Dempsey be the ones having a #TeachableMoment for the summer session?
Ilja Dragunov speaks.
“What does it mean to be ‘Unbesiegbar?’ My flesh, it bruises, welts and bleeds like any other man. I experience the pain of conflict, but I choose to endure it, embrace it, become it. My body’s fallible, but my mind’s unbreakable and my will’s unconquerable. I move forward, even if I crawl. I feel an eternal flame that burns inside of me, and the agony of combat will never extinguish it. No matter the evil that stands before me, my mind, my spirit, my very essence, will always be UN. BE. SIEG. BAR.” Will Bron Breakker make good to heed these words?
Gallus talks backstage.
They haven’t heard anything from Joe Coffey after last week, but Mark is sure his brother can handle himself. Stacks will get what’s coming to him. Wolfgang agrees. Tonight, Malik & Edris. Then later, Stacks. Gallus Boys On Top!
Malik & Edris also talk backstage.
Malik says tonight, this is it! All their hard work pays off tonight! Edris says it is finally their time! Nobody’s stopping them! Nobody! They’re ready to go, but will these two go far from a rookie to NEW tag team champions?
NXT shares footage from after last week’s show.
Dana Brooke was getting her leg iced in the medical room, and Kelani Jordan walks over. She feels bad for Dana, then introduces herself as one of the new prospects. Dana knows, she saw Kelani working out at the Performance Center. She has? Yeah, Dana can spot a gymnast from a mile away. That’s why Kelani wanted to talk with her! Oh yes, those gymnastic skills pay off in there. Well, most of the time. Kelani says fighting through the pain was inspiring. She’s seen Dana fight through so much, she never gives up. And it doesn’t matter what anyone says, Kelani is happy to have Dana in NXT.
Dana appreciates that, and says as soon as she can, she’d love to get in the ring with Kelani. Wow, really? That’d be sweet! Thanks, Dana! Kelani heads out, will Dana be able to pay it forward during her time in NXT?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS Malik Blade & Edris Enofe!
NXT returns as Gallus make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who’s really on top!
The teams sort out, fans rally for “MALIK! DA FREAK!” as he starts against Mark. They tie up, go around, and Malik puts Mark on the ropes. Mark shoves Malik down and flexes on him. Malik gets up, ties up with Mark, and Mark headlocks. Mark grinds the hold, Malik powers out, but Mark runs him over! Malik gets away and fans rally up again. Mark and Malik reset, tie up, and go around. Malik has Mark on ropes again but Mark turns it around. The ref counts, and Malik dodges the cheap shot! Mark nods and circles with Malik again. They tie up again, Malik headlocks, but Mark powers him to the corner!
Wolfgang tags in but Malik slips away before any mugging can begin. Fans rally as Mark and Wolfgang talk strategy. Wolfgang rushes in, Malik headlocks! Wolfgang powers out but Malik ducks ‘n’ dodges and leaps over to sunset flip! But Wolfgang stays up to bring Malik to a fireman’s carry! But Malik sunset flips! Wolfgang rolls through, into a KANGAROO KICK! Tag to Edris, he goes up to AX HANDLE! Edris wrenches, wristlocks, but Wolfgang rears back, only for Edris to crank the wrist. Wolfgang spins through, scoops, but Edris slips off to then kick low. Edris runs but Wolfgang catches the crossbody!
Wolfgang pops Edris around, Edris slips out and BOOTS from the corner! Edris goes up, leaps, but into Wolfgang’s arms! Wolfgang RAMS Edris to the Gallus corner, Mark tags in, but Edris slips away! Fans cheer, Edris goes around the outside and gets back in. Edris waistlocks Mark but Mark wrenches out. Edris headlocks, Mark powers out, but Edris goes up and over and arm-drags! And forearms! Mark wobbles, Edris runs, rolls off Mark’s back to tag Malik, and then arm-drags Mark again! Malik runs in to headlock and takeover! Fans cheer but Mark fights up. Mark powers out, Malik stops himself in the corner!
Mark runs in but Malik ELBOWS him! And ROCKS him! Malik runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and CLOBBERS Mark! Tag to Edris, DOUBLE DROPKICKS send Mark away! Wolfgang gets in but DOUBLE DROPKICKS hit him, too! SLING-DOG from Edris! Tag to Malik and he goes up! Edris BOOTS Mark down, Malik FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives but fans stay hot for Malik & Edris, and we see Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo in the perch as NXT goes picture in picture,
Malik brings Mark up, headlocks, but Mark powers him back. Edris tags in, he climbs up, and Mark wrenches the arm for Edris to AX HANDLE! Edris tags Malik back in, Malik goes up, and he AX HANDLES Mark’s arm! Malik tags Edris back in, they double whip Mark to ropes, but Wolfgang helps Mark get outta the ring. Only for Malik & Edris to DOUBLE PLANCHA! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Edris is fired up, Malik fires off on Wolfgang! Edris ROCKS Mark, too, but Gallus hits back! Malik CHOPS Wolfgang! But Wolfgang CLUBS Malik! Malik ROCKS Wolfgang! Edris pushes Mark in the ring, Malik sends Wolfgang into the barriers!
Edris ROCKS Mark, RAMS him into the corner, and tags to Malik. Malik runs to back elbow Mark! Cover, TWO! Malik wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Mark. Mark fights up so Malik shifts to an armlock. Mark chinbars Malik to ropes, Malik turns things around, but Mark HEADBUTTS Malik down! Mark headlocks, tags Wolfgang, and Gallus mugs Malik in their corner. Wolfgang cravats to neck wrench but Malik endures. Malik fights up, but Wolfgang snapmares him. Cover, TWO! Wolfgang still has the cravat and he brings Malik around in the neck wrench. Malik fights and snapmares, but Wolfgang holds on!
Wolfgang shifts to a facelock but Malik fights up again. Wolfgang snapmares Malik again, covers, but Malik bridges up to cravat back! Mark tags in, Gallus mugs Malik again! Mark CLUBS Malik, cravats, and neck wrenches. Malik fights up, throws body shots, and then goes to snapmare, but Mark blocks! Mark keeps on the neck wrench as NXT returns to single picture, and Malik snapmares free! Malik ducks ‘n’ dodges then trips Mark up to DROPKICK him down! Mark gets up, Malik headlocks but Wolfgang tags in as Mark powers out. FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Malik sputters and fans boo while Wolfgang stands tall.
Los Lotharios are mildly impressed as Wolfgang CLUBS Malik! And UPPERCUTS him! Wolfgang headlock punches, then throws down more fists. Mark tags in, fans rally for Malik but Gallus mugs him more. Mark ELBOWS Malik down, covers, TWO! Mark drags Malik into a cobra clutch! Malik endures, fans rally as he fights up, but Mark tags Wolfgang. Ripcord SHOULDER, then a FOREARM! Wolfgang has a neck twist on Malik! Malik endures, even as Wolfgang adds a half straitjacket then shifts to a cobra clutch! Malik endures, fights up, but Wolfgang wrangles him down! Wolfgang leans on Malik but Malik still fights.
Fans rally again, Malik reaches out but Mark tags in. Gallus RAMS Malik, then Mark FLYING SHOULDERS! Cover, TWO! Mark facelocks and keeps Malik down. Malik fights up yet again, and fans rally up again. Malik powers Mark back step by step, but Mark CLUBS him! Mark swings on Edris, misses, and Malik dodges to hot tag Edris! Edris rallies on Mark with big LARIATS, then a DROPKICK! Fans fire up, Wolfgang runs in but into haymakers from Edris! Edris has Wolfgang in the corner, but Mark storms up. So Edris fires off on Mark! Mark shoves, Edris dodges to kick low, then BOX JUMP onto Mark! But he slips right off!
Wolfgang laughs as Edris’ risky move cosets him. Mark must be too sweat for something like that. Mark UPPERCUTS Edris, whips, but Edris reverses and SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Edris hurries to tag Malik back in. They get Mark up, fireman’s carry, NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives again but Malik just fires back up! Tag back to Edris and they each take a corner. FROG SPLASH to MACHO ELBOW! Cover, Wolfgang SENTONS it apart! Fans boo but Malik goes after Wolfgang. Wolfgang whips, Malik dodges to fire off lariats on Wolfgang in the ropes!
In fact, Wolfgang gets caught in the ropes! Malik hurries to PLANCHA but Mark DECKS him!! Edris gets up, he brawls with Mark, and Stacks is here! Stacks runs in, but Mark dodges! The UPPERCUT sends Edris into the steel steps!! Fans boo as Stacks screws up! Mark gets in the ring, but Stacks puts Edris in?! Is Stacks helping Gallus?!? Mark tags Wolfgang, Gallus hits the KNEE FLAPJACK COMBO on Edris!! Cover, Gallus wins!
Winners: Gallus, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
Why, Stacks?! What about what Gallus did to Tony D’Angelo? Or at least, we all think it was Gallus. Are there more rats than we realized?
Ava Raine tweets a message.
It was June 23rd when she posted this: “We are a family brought together not by blood but by the roots of a tree. The uncertainty in our paths is apparent and the tension is too much to ignore. As a family, it’s time to talk. I’m calling a Schism Family Meeting next week. See you all there.” What will happen to the “family” of inclusion after they sit down to talk?
Backstage interview with The Meta Four.
McKenzie Mitchell is with Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend, who now have matching merch shirts, and says tonight is the first Heritage Cup match since Dar lost it- Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s not talk about that. Dar is not ready to process that. Next question. Lash wants to talk about something more positive. Like their nails! They all got silver~! Well, clearly Dar is still not over the loss, so- Lash puts on the brakes and tells McKenzie she didn’t hear Dar. Dar is NOT ready, so they need to talk about the big win Lash and Jakara got last week. Absolute fire! And that Legend Pump Kick, it’s lights out. Jakara tells Ronda & Shayna that it could be in their future.
McKenzie says it makes sense the group would move on to new titles since Dar lost- STOP! LALALA NOT LISTENING! What is she trying to do? This should be about the future! Best in the game, united as one. Okay, let’s move on. But then who does Dar think will win tonight? Dragon Lee or Nathan Frazer? Dar tells McKenzie that she sucks. Lash helps Dar away and tells McKenzie to know better. The Meta Four leaves, but just what is next for them?
The Schism is in the ring.
Just as Ava called four, she, Joe Gacy & The Dyad are here for their meeting. Ava says this tension has led to turmoil. All of their feelings are valid, they’re not here to hide. The only remedy is open and honest communication. So can they please do that in the name of family? Gacy allows Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed to go first. Okay, then. About a year ago, Gacy brought Jagger & Rip “into the mix,” and spoke about how they were gonna change their lives. But they’re not seeing it. In fact, Jagger & Rip have been the ones helping Gacy. Without Gacy, they exceled, but with him, they are losing! The trust between Jagger & Rip runs 18 YEARS deep. But they’re starting to lose trust in Gacy.
Gacy preaches about togetherness, but lad… Either you lost your way, or you’re full of crap! Ava says insults are not necessary, but Gacy says it is okay. Gacy thanks Jagger for his honest, and he can sense his anger. It troubles Gacy. Gacy owns his mistakes, but to say that he never changed their lives…? They did enhance Gacy’s, but let’s be honest. Before they met Gacy, Jagger couldn’t have said what he said now, because his best friend never even let him have a voice. Remember: they were two lost souls that Gacy rescued from obscurity, and he gave them a new home.
Rip takes a breath, and then says that when they first met Gacy, they were in a bad place. They were beaten up, confused and lost. Gacy showed them a new way, but recently… They’ve started to see some cracks. Gacy preached inclusion then changed to exclusion and then back again. It just doesn’t add up. The Dyad are starting to realize who they really are! Maybe the problem was never them, maybe- Ava stops Rip there, and Gacy says he DID preach inclusion! That brought them to Ava, and Gacy will never apologize for that! Gacy wants to ask The Dyad: When he brought them in, did they fully commit themselves? Or was there hesitation?
If you ask Gacy, you think he’s a dictator, then why are you sitting here before him not in the same form as when they came, not in the same clothes. NO, they are different! And Gacy recognizes the two men in front of him, ready to take down the world, which was not the case a year ago! But wait, here comes Diamond Mine! Brutus has the mic to say, “Hey, hey, hey. I am sick and tired of the Schism Dyad family affair. You guys walk slow, you guys talk slow-” Jagger says this does not concern them! Rip says this has nothing to do with any of them! Julius tells baldie to shut up! And this does concern them because Ava used a loaded mask on Ivy to win their match!
Now, to be honest, The Dyad doesn’t wanna be here, and Diamond Mine doesn’t want them here! So why not just hurry up and implode so you- Jagger interrupts Julius by saying this still doesn’t concern them. Gacy asks what Julius’ problem with them is! In Gacy’s opinion, The Diamond Mine is a poison to NXT that is far worse than The Schism ever was! Julius says the problem is that The Schism is cancerous. They want it to spread and take over NXT, but Gacy… Julius & Brutus are here right now, letting you know that won’t happen. Well then, if it’s another match you want, it’s another match that you’ll get!
How about Creed Brothers VS The Dyad next week. Sounds good to Brutus & Julius! But only this time… LOSER! LEAVES! NXT! The Dyad isn’t so sure about that now, but Julius says he loves it! DEAL! Ivy isn’t so sure either, though… One way or another, NXT’s Tag Division will be changed, but will it be for the better or for the worse?
Lucien Price & Bronco Nima speak.
Lucien says, “Sometimes, you gotta find a way up. And me and my boy did that through football.” They learned the street has no conscience, and football was gonna be their way outta there. They had this rage, no way to let it out, until they were on the field. The hood wasn’t made for comfort, but the bond these two have was made to last. As long as they have each other, it’s a wrap! They used to live under the lights, lighting ’em up on the scoreboard and the parking lot. Colleges came calling, they got split, Bronco was “not a team player” so he got cut. Lucien & Bronco are now on the same team. They’re not here to play, they’re here to dominate!
Hank, Tank, Axiom & SCRYPTS watch that back.
Two more football guys coming in, huh? Scrypts knew guys like them growing up. Street kids are legit, and those two are gonna do some serious damage. Agreed. But on the bright sight, more tag teams in the division! Wait, what’s Hank saying? Well, Scrypts & Axiom worked really well together against Dabba-Kato, and they’ve already fought each other, so… Scrypts says that’s true. Axiom says they’re not really a team, though. But then Nathan Frazer walks over. They all congratulate Frazer winning. And they wish him luck tonight, too. Cheers, old friend.
Frazer heads out, Scrypts sees Axiom has eyes for the Cup. Axiom says he’s drawn to it. Regardless of who wins, will the Undeniable Truth look to challenge for the Heritage Cup once aga- er, uh, for the first time?
Trick Melo Gang talks backstage.
Melo gets some last stretches in while Trick says, “Everyone wants the gold, but no one’s in a rush to put the work in. ‘Cept you, Melo. You put the work in. You are the main event. Baron Corbin can gloat in his big house if he wants to, but he’ll never be you. Night two, Gold Rush, it’s yours, dawg.” Melo says Corbin will be just another man on a T-shirt in the rafters. Because Melo is HIM. But then Rhea Ripley walks over?! Trick sees the gold on her shoulder, and that- Shut up, Trick. She’s here to send a message. Oh is that so? Yes, Finn Balor was here last week handling Judgment Day business and you got involved.
That was a dumb move. Next time Melo & Trick jump into Judgment Day business, they’ll become Judgment Day business! Rhea heads out but Trick has Melo focus on Corbin. Worry about that later. Will Melo still be champion after taking on the Lone Wolf?
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Nathan Frazer w/ Yulisa Leon VS Dragon Lee w/ Valentina Feroz!
The British Rocket appreciated the help from the Wonder Boy, and as a way to thank him, gave him this shot. Will Dragon “thank” Frazer back by taking the cup? Or will nothing stop Frazer now that he’s reached a new level?
The introductions are made, the cup is raised, and we see if these two can stay friends after the fight!
The bell rings on the first round, and fans rally. Dragon offers a handshake, Frazer accepts it, and they circle. They tie up, go around, Frazer arm-drags but Dragon holds onto the collar ‘n’ elbow. Dragon arm-drags but Frazer holds on. They break and the fans cheer this opening exchange. They circle again, tie up, and Dragon wrenches! Dragon has Frazer on the mat, but Frazer fights up. Dragon wrenches again, but Frazer rolls, wrenches, but Dragon handsprings! Another wrench but Frazer rolls, handsprings and WRINGS the arm, but Dragon handsprings through! Fans cheer and the two stand off.
Frazer and Dragon nod and fans duel. The two circle again, feel out a knuckle lock, and Frazer rolls, wrenches, and headlocks. Frazer hits the takeover but Dragon keeps his shoulders up. Axiom walks out on stage to watch in person, and Dragon powers up. Frazer holds onto the headlock, but Dragon powers up to an atomic drop! Frazer still holds on! We’re at the last minute of this round, and Dragon pushes Frazer to a corner. Scrypts walks out now and talks with Axiom. It seems he thought they were sticking together as a team. Dragon powers out, Frazer goes up and over in the corner and handsprings awya!
Fans cheer, things keep moving, Frazer headlocks but Dragon powers up, only for Frazer to flying takeover! Dragon headscissors, Frazer kips free, but then Dragon sweeps the legs to cover! ONE and Frazer Oklahoma Rolls! ONE!! Dragon gets up, dodges a boot, snapmares, but Frazer ducks a kick to roll up! Dragon ducks a kick, Frazer avoids a dropkick, and fans fire up as we hit 20 seconds! The two reset again, tie up, but we’re at 10 seconds! They go around, fans count it down, and the two end up in a corner to end the round!
Frazer: 0; Dragon: 0
Fans cheer as Leon checks Frazer and Feroz checks Dragon. They both encourage their guy to get this, and we start round two. The two approach, tie up again, and Dragon hammerlocks. Frazer reaches around, flying mares free, but Dragon runs him over! Things speed up, Frazer redirects but Dragon drops. Things keep going, Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Dragon goes to a corner. Frazer brings Dragon up, CHOPS him, and then goes corner to corner. Frazer ROCKS Dragon, but Dragon ELBOWS back! Dragon dodges Frazer, blocks a boot and puts it int he rope! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Dragon puts Frazer up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up! SUPER STEINER! But Frazer sunset flips?! Frazer scores!!
Frazer: 1; Dragon: 0
Even Frazer is surprised by that! Frazer has the all-important first fall, but Feroz encourages Dragon to keep fighting. The bell rings on round three, and Frazer rushes in! He slides under Dragon, hurdles over him, and then runs to SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up as Dragon bails out. Frazer builds speed but dodges Dragon on the return, to RANA! Dragon handsprings through to DROPKICK Frazer out! Dragon builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up again as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragon points to the cup, then he goes back to Frazer. Dragon drags Frazer up and puts him in the ring. Dragon stalks Frazer to a corner, wraps an arm around ropes and pulls, but the ref counts. Frazer kicks but Dragon kicks back. Dragon runs to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Dragon gets the legs, brings Frazer around, and turns Frazer over. Dragon stands on Frazer’s head, before completing the HALF CRAB! Frazer endures, reaches out, but Dragon makes it a FULL CRAB! Frazer still fights forward to the ROPEBFREAK! Dragon lets go as we hit one minute left.
Dragon gets the legs again, YANKS Frazer up but Frazer lands on his feet! PELE! Dragon staggers, Frazer runs and slides to trip him and roll back into a BOSTON CRAB! Dragon endures now and reaches out! Frazer drags him away and shifts to an STF! Thirty seconds left as Dragon endures! Frazer shifts to a full CROSSFACE! Dragon rolls to a cover, TWO! Frazer runs but into an atomic drop! Ten seconds as Dragon hits an USHIGOROSHI! And then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!! And that’s the round!
Frazer: 1; Dragon: 0
Dragon goes back to his corner while Frazer crawls to his. Leon helps Frazer get up and Feroz fans off Dragon. Round four begins and Dragon DROPKICKS Frazer in the corner! Leg sweep, SWINGING DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Dragon throws down forearms! Dragon then runs corner to corner and back again for another DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Frazer hangs tough but Dragon sits him up. Dragon throws hands, NXT returns to single picture, and Dragon suplexes, but Frazer cradle counters! TWO!! Dragon escapes, but Frazer sends him out! Frazer builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up again!
Frazer hurries to put Dragon back in, then he goes to the apron. Springboard but Dragon gets under! Frazer rolls, returns, but into a BOOT! Dragon blocks the lariat, BOOTS Frazer, then blocks the superkick, only for the PELE to come back! But Dragon BLINDSIDE SUPERKICKS! GERMAN SUPLEX, but Frazer lands on his feet! BLINDSIDE SUPERKICK in return! Dragon goes to ropes, Frazer runs in but into a roll-up! ONE?! But right into a deadlift POWERBOMB! Cover, Dragon ties it!
Frazer: 1; Dragon: 1
We’re all tied up going into round five! Leon hurries to get Frazer back into this, because now it all comes down to the next fall! The bell rings, and Dragon SHOTGUNS Frazer! Frazer hits buckles, Dragon goes corner to corner, but Frazer SUPERKICKS!! Dragon is down and fans lose their minds! Frazer goes to a corner, climbs up fast, but Dragon trips him up! Dragon CLUBS Frazer into the Tree of Woe! Dragon climbs up, WOE STOMPS!! Fans fire up as Frazer sputters. Dragon goes to a corner, takes aim, runs in, but into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX into buckles!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as Frazer puts Dragon on the top rope.
Frazer throws hands, climbs up, and brings Dragon up, but Dragon resists with body shots! Dragon shoves, Frazer flips to land on his feet! Frazer is right back up, SUPERPLEX! Roll through a la his mentor, but Dragon turns things around, suplex into a POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Frazer survives the Orange Crush and Dragon can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down. We reach one minute left in the fifth and both men stir. Frazer rises first and he goes to Dragon. Frazer throws a forearm, Dragon throws it back, and they brawl to their feet. Dragon gets the edge, runs, but Frazer follows, only for Dragon to victory roll! TWO!!
Frazer is up, he rolls Dragon and bridges, TWO!! Twenty seconds, Frazer kicks and runs, but Dragon slips through the lariat! POWER- RANA! Cover, TWO!?!? Dragon has Frazer, TWO!! Frazer has it back, Frazer wins!!!
Winner: Nathan Frazer, by pinfall (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)
With literally seconds to spare in the fifth, Frazer seals the deal! Even Frazer needs confirmation, and it cleared the buzzer. Leon brings the cup to Frazer, and Dragon shows his friend respect. Will Frazer continue to hold onto the cup with nail-biting finishes like that?
NXT prepares for the Underground.
A highlight reel of Raw Underground shows that no ropes and no pins means no telling what could happen! Damon Kemp wants to drag Eddy Thorpe into the mayhem, but will it help him finally get the win?
Eddy Thorpe trains with Gable Steveson.
Gable’s been watching Damon’s career for a long time. A three-time state champ, a five year starter at the University of Minnesota, this Golden Gopher is for real. Eddy says that is legit, but Damon isn’t an Olympic gold medalist like Gable. That’s true. Eddy says he’s ready, so let’s get after it. Gable puts Eddy through his paces on the pure technical style, but Eddy shows he has the striking ability to counter. They take a break, and Gable says Eddy’s doing great. Stick to that game plan and don’t let Damon get in your head. Yeah, Damon’s so annoying. Gable says, “Tell me about it.”
They go another round of training, and Eddy’s getting the hang of the technical side. The Alpha Wolf makes it through, and thanks Gable for it all. Eddy’s been thinking, it’d be an honor if Gable was in his corner next week. Gable will be there! And he’ll even wave to Damon’s parents, cuz he knows they’ll be watching. They fist bump, but will all this truly be enough for Eddy to take down Damon once and for all?
Wes Lee talks with guys in the back.
But then Mustafa Ali walks in, saying “And still…! NXT North American Champion, Wes Lee!” Ali wants a fist bump but Wes just says what’s up. Ali apologizes for that slap last week. He just wanted so badly for there to be a clear victor between Wes and Bate that he got a little too involved in the match. Oh, you think? Ali, your ref skills… Well, just stick to being a dope wrestler. Ali thought he did okay, but he also called it down the middle. Bate walks in and says that’s rubbish. Fast counts. For the both of them. Slow counts! For the both of them! If there was a real ref, that outcome would’ve been different, and so Bate wants a rematch.
Wes is upset hearing that but Ali tells Big Strong Boi to hold on. First off, they both agreed to have Ali as the ref. And second, Bate just had a chance! Ali was thinking that he should have a chance. Then maybe Bate will be their ref. Is he gonna call it down the middle? Yes. That means nope! They argue, Wes rolls his eyes and takes his belt. He lets them continue, but will NXT Management see the value in this opportunity?
Robert Stone is looking for Von Wagner.
No one has yet, and he doesn’t get it. But then he finds Von in a corner. What the heck? They were supposed to meet. Von knows. He does? Then what’s going on? What’s he been doing? Stone doesn’t understand. Just try him, Von. Von says the photos… Everything his family’s gone through… The trauma…! Stone just doesn’t get it, okay? He can’t do this now. Stone keeps his cool, because he understands. Will there ever come a time when Von is truly at peace?
Gigi Dolin VS Kiana James!
These two have gotten into it verbally and physically as of late, and now they look to settle it physically! Will the Toxic Avenger show the Calculator what happens when you mess with an outsider? Or will emotions only be a hindrance to Gigi against Kiana’s “all business” style?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Gigi puts Kiana on the ropes. Kiana turns it around, Gigi powers Kiana back and waistlocks to SLAM Kiana! Cover, ONE and Kiana sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Gigi arm-drags Kiana around, fans are on her side, and Gigi grinds the armlock. Kiana fights up, gets to ropes, and the ref counts. Gigi lets go at 4, then blocks the boot to trip Kiana! Kiana goes back to ropes, but Gigi YANKS her up to SLAM her down! Kiana bails out and Gigi asks where she’s going. Kiana snarls, gets back in, and swings, but Gigi dodges to wrench the arm.
Gigi wrangles Kiana, steps over and then SUPERKICKS! Kiana flounders, Gigi runs and HIP ATTACKS! Gigi keeps going, DROPKICK! Gigi drags Kiana around, tucks her for a bridge, TWO! Kiana escapes, Gigi brings her around but Kiana SLAPS her! Fans boo but Gigi ROCKS Kiana with forearms again and again! Gigi UPPERCUTS Kiana to a corner, runs in but into an UPPERCUT from Kiana! So Gigi TACKLES Kiana out to the floor! They both writhe and NXT goes picture in picture.
Kiana shakes her head as she sits up but Gigi is on her first. Gigi puts Kiana in, stalks her, and brings her up in a facelock. Kiana fights, but Gigi spins her with the chicken wings to a backslide! TWO, and Kiana kicks low! Kiana brings Gigi around, whips her to a corner, then runs in, but Gigi puts her on the apron. Kiana DECKS Gigi first! Kiana slingshots to ELBOW DROP! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Kiana is mad and she pie faces Gigi around. Kiana ROCKS Gigi, CHOKES her on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Gigi sputters to a corner, Kiana brings her up and ROCKS her with a haymaker!
Kiana keeps on Gigi but Gigi fires off body shots! Kiana knees low, throws Gigi out to the floor, and snarls before going out after her. Kiana CLUBS Gigi, but Gigi SMACKS her off the apron! Gigi RAMS Kiana into the apron, then brings her up and into the ring. Kiana CLUBS Gigi down! Kiana stomps Gigi, drags her up by her hair, and throws her down by her hair! Cover, TWO! Kiana pie faces Gigi again, fans rally up, and Kiana drags Gigi up. Kiana whips Gigi to a corner hard and Gigi bounces off buckles. Kiana drags Gigi back up, whips her to the other corner, but Gigi reverses to a takedown! Cover, TWO!
Gigi hurries to her feet but Kiana kicks her low. Kiana pie faces Gigi more, covers again, TWO! Kiana pulls on Gigi’s hair and clamps on a chinlock. Gigi endures, pries at the hold, and NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally, Gigi throws body shots and ROCKS her! Gigi whips and back drops! Kiana bails out, Gigi goes after her, but Kiana hurries away. Gigi pursues, puts Kiana in the ring but Kiana slides out the side. Gigi goes around the corner but into a BOOT! Kiana grins as she says she’s smarter than Gigi. Fans boo as Kiana drags Gigi up and puts her in the ring. Kiana covers, TWO!
Kiana clamps onto Gigi and dribbles her off the mat! Kiana KNEES Gigi in the side, and says Gigi is nothing! Cover, TWO! Kiana is annoyed and drags Gigi into a chinlock. Fans rally as Gigi endures and Kiana thrashes her around. Gigi fights up, throws body shots, but Kiana swings. Gigi counter punches, KICKS, and KNEES! Kiana wobbles, Gigi LARIATS her down! Gigi rallies with more clotheslines, and a BOOT! Kiana staggers up, Gigi wrenches but Kiana ducks the kick to RAM her low! Kiana whips, Gigi reverses but Kiana holds ropes to KICK back! Kiana swings but so does Gigi, DOUBLE LARIATS!
Fans fire up while both women are down. Kiana crawls to get her purse! Gigi drags Kiana, the ref says no, but Kiana swings! Gigi dodges the purse to ROUNDHOUSE! FINAL NAIL!! Cover, Gigi wins!
Winner: Gigi Dolin, by pinfall
The crucifix driver finishes off Kiana, but is this the final nail in the feud? NOPE! Kiana CLOBBERS Gigi with that purse, to then hit the 401K!! What was even in that bag anyway?! Kiana brings out paint cans! And she dumps them out on Gigi to make a mess of her. Kiana still says Gigi is nothing, but is she only “inspiring” Gigi to make her into a “work of art?”
Tony D’Angelo has a visitor.
The Don sits at the table, but it isn’t Stacks. It’s Joe Coffey! Tony asks how Joe got on the list. Joe laughs, and says, “Let’s just say I know people, too.” Tony says Joe’s a real funny guy. Didn’t Stacks kidnap- Er, give Joe a free ride? Things aren’t what they seem, Tony. A lot has changed since Tony got locked up. Don’t get cute with him, Joe. They both know the only reason Tony’s locked up is because Gallus are a bunch of rats! They’ll do anything to keep those titles! Joe is lucky this glass is between them. Oh, Joe’s lucky? Yeah! Tony doesn’t know how Joe escaped, but Stacks will handle things.
Oh, yeah, Stacks has it handled. So what? Another 3v1 or something? Hey, Don. The Underboss… He has ambition. He has a mind of his own. What’s Joe talking about? Stacks is family! No, Tony. Stacks sold you out! Get outta here! Stop trying to drive a wedge! Even Joe should be smart enough to see it. If Tony doesn’t believe him, then have a listen for yourself. Joe has his phone and plays a recording. As a car trunk opens, Joe shouts at Stacks about the blindside attack. Stacks tells Joe that this could’ve been a lot worse. Starks tells Joe to listen and do exactly what Stacks says, and “everything will work out for the Gallus boys.”
Joe wasn’t so sure about that, but Stacks told him to just lay low for a week. Trust him. Why? Because Stacks is “done being the underboss. There’s a new Don on the streets.” Joe tells Tony, “Things, they aren’t what they seem, hey, Tony boy?” Joe hangs up and leaves. Has Stacks been the rat all along?!
Roxanne Perez was on NXT’s Snapchat AMA.
The Prodigy was having a good time, until Blair Davenport had to chime in. “What’s it like to never feel save anywhere you go?” This is what makes Roxie’s blood boil. Blair thinks this is all a joke. But then Blair shows up in studio and attacks!! “Who’s the joke now, huh!?” Blair says that’s a wrap. Roxie is furious, and she is going after Blair next week! Will she finally have her revenge for all the sneak attacks?
Jacy Jayne talks with Tatum Paxley and a few others.
Jacy says Lyra Valkyria acts like she owns the place. It’s crazy! Lyra can’t handle someone else talking about her? If you wanna make it in this business, you need a thick skin. Lyra won’t make it if she can’t handle one little comment. Tatum says Jacy doesn’t need any of that. Jacy should just tell Lyra off. Yeah! She should! Who blindsides someone when they arrive in the building? Does Lyra think she’s scaring Jacy? If Lyra shows her face tonight, Jacy’ll go right up to her, tell her to put those little wings on, and fly back home to Europe where she belongs. Um, Lyra just walked in… Jacy keeps going, saying Lyra peaked at Battleground.
Lyra speaks up and tells Jacy, FOREARM! Jacy’s on the floor, and Lyra says, “I told you, I don’t play games.” Jacy can’t believe Lyra just hit her. Rhea walks in and says Jacy kinda deserves it. Lyra’s badass. Mami gives her approval of The Morrigan, but what will Jacy do in response?
Ava and the Dyad regroup backstage.
She knows they’re upset but just try to calm down. Jagger instead asks what the hell all that was. Rip recaps: Losers Leave NXT?! What is going on? What is Gacy thinking!? Ava says they’re an excellent tag team, there’s nothing to worry about. The issue isn’t the challenge, it is Gacy’s audacity to make decisions that greatly affect their careers! Ava says Gacy wants them to figure out who they are, so at least now they know what they’re fighting for: their careers! Yeah, but if they lose, they’re GONE! An ultimatum given to them by their supposed friend! Ava tells them to trust Gacy, he has a plan! He better! Because if he doesn’t, The Dyad will.
The tensions have only gotten worse within The Schism, could next week be the end of it all?
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Baron Corbin!
The leader of the new school clashes with a Black ‘n’ Gold alumni, and according to the Lone Wolf, becoming champion here doesn’t mean anything. Then will Corbin be able to brush it off when he loses to #HIM? Or will he finally have the title he never did back in the day?
Speaking of back in the day, Corbin brings back the old gear and old entrance! As for Melo, he again shows off the “shirts in the rafters,” and shows off the new one for Corbin. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who strikes gold to end the Gold Rush!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Corbin shoves Melo away and END- NO, Melo slips free! Corbin runs in, TOSSES Melo to a corner, and runs in, but Melo dodges. Corbin slides out, slides in, and LARIATS! Fans can’t help but fire up for Corbin as he drags Melo up. END- NO, Melo gets around, waistlocks, but Corbin bucks him away. But the CODE BREAKER hits! Melo hurries up top and looks for the game winner! Corbin bails out, so Melo just SUPER CROSSBODIES! Direct hit and down goes Corbin! Fans fire up and NXT goes picture in picture.
Melo dribbles and shots the free throw, then CLUBS Corbin down! And KICKS him around! And CHOPS him, too! Corbin goes around the way but Melo keeps on him, and RAMS him into barriers! Melo fires off forearms and body shots, then CHOSP again! Fans fire up as Melo stalks Corbin. Melo brings Corbin up, ROCKS him, then refreshes the ring count. Melo goes back after Corbin but Corbin hauls him up to POST him! Corbin mocks the fans, brings Melo around and TOSSES him into barriers! Corbin refreshes the count, stalks Melo, and puts him in the ring. Corbin storms in, stalks Melo to a corner, and whips corner to corner.
Melo hits buckles hard, and he drops to the mat. Corbin mocks the Melo chants, then storms up on Melo. Corbin swings but Melo counter punches! And CHOPS! And forearms! And shoves to run, but into an ELBOW! Corbin covers, TWO! Melo hangs tough but Corbin taunts Trick. Trick taunts back, and Corbin goes back to Melo. Corbin CLUBS Melo down, drags him up, and wraps on a half nelson chinbar. Melo endures, claws at the hold, and fights his way up. NXT returns to single picture as Melo throws haymakers! Corbin knees low, throws Melo out, then goes out after him, only for Melo to ROUNDHOUSE!
Fans sing a form of Rollins’ song, “MEL~O~ HAYES~!” Melo facelocks but Corbin wrenches out to TOSS Melo over the barriers! Melo gets up, fans rally for him, but Corbin runs over. Melo CLUBS away on Corbin! Fans fire up more as Corbin flounders away. Melo stands on the barriers, leaps, but Corbin gets under! Melo rolls, but Corbin BOOTS him inside-out! Melo clutches his jaw, but Corbin puts him in the ring to cover, TWO! Corbin is annoyed but he takes it out on Melo with hammering elbows! Fans rally for Melo as Corbin puts the half nelson chinbar back on. Trick coaches Melo and he fights up.
Melo reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Corbin leans on Melo, the ref counts, but Corbin ROCKS Melo in the back! Corbin back suplexes, Melo lands on his feet to DROPKICK! And ENZIGURI! Corbin comes back, Melo dodges, springboard FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Corbin is still in this, but fans rally behind Melo. Melo brings Corbin up, but Corbin UPPERCUTS! Melo kicks low, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Melo writhes but Corbin grins. Fans boo but Corbin tears off his shirt. Corbin puts it on Melo, drags him up, and says this is for the kids in the audience. Corbin DECKS Melo!
Fans boo but Corbin brings Melo up to DECK him again! Fans boo more but Corbin just DECKS Melo again! “All day! I told you!” Corbin drags Melo up again, to DECK him again! Corbin taunts Melo, has him in a corner, and ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! The ref counts, Corbin lets off, and then he storms back up to CLUB Melo on the back! Corbin stands Melo up, runs, and LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO! Melo is still in this but Corbin grins that evil grin again. Corbin looms over Melo and stomps him. Corbin drags Melo up, puts him in a corner and on the top rope, then ROCKS him.
Corbin climbs but Melo hits back! Fans fire up as Melo ROCKS Corbin again and again, then CLUBS away on him rapid fire! Melo DECKS Corbin, then adjusts up top! FROG SPLASH!! But that hurts Melo as much as it does Corbin! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives, perhaps Melo’s loss to Finn Balor has factored in here. Corbin and Melo rise, and Melo ROCKS Corbin! And again! And again! Corbin staggers around into more shots, and Melo fires fast hands! Corbin shoves Melo but Melo BOOTS back! Corbin tumbles out, Melo BOOTS him in the ropes! FADE AWAY LEG DROP! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Melo sits up, Trick coaches him, and Melo wants Corbin to get up again. Corbin stirs, Melo hobbles over and brings him up. Corbin shoves Melo but Melo SUPERKICKS! And CODE BREAKERS! Corbin drops to a knee, Melo springboards again, FADE AWAY DDT! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives but the fans continue to rally for Melo. Melo goes to the corner, but Corbin anchors a foot! Melo throws forearms and kicks, but Corbin still stands. Melo CLUBS Corbin again and again, then goes up the corner. Fans fire up as Melo takes aim, NOTHING BUT- NO, Corbin dodges! Choke grip, CHOKE- Victory roll! TWO!
Melo jumps, Corbin catches Melo this time and fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Some kinda reference to Cena? Corbin then deadlifts Melo for the CHOKE SLAM BACKBREAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Melo survives and shocks Corbin but the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Corbin rises again. Corbin drags Melo up but Melo breaks free and goes outside. Corbin pursues, but Melo sends him into steel steps! Melo goes to the apron, and leaps, but Corbin blocks the rana! POWERBOMB on the desk!! Fans are thunderous as Corbin tells Melo that he’s better than Melo every day of the week!
Corbin CLUBS and HAMMERS away on Melo against the desk! Fans boo and Trick can only watch as Corbin puts Melo back in. Cover, TWO!?!? Melo is still in this and Corbin is beside himself! Fans rally up for Melo again, and Corbin scowls. Corbin tells Melo to get up, then drags him up. Corbin CLUBS Melo back down, then mocks the fans cheering Melo on. Corbin CLUBS Melo again, then again! Corbin runs, into a JUMP KNEE! Melo runs, DEEP- NO, Melo arm-drags free! Another KNEE! Melo runs, but into DEEEEP SIX!! Corbin crawls to the cover, TWO!!!! Melo survives again and Corbin is shocked!
Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” and Corbin drags Melo up. Corbin reels him in, END- NO, Melo flying-mares free! Corbin’s on the apron, Melo SUPERKICKS! And slingshots, into a choke grip! Corbin aims for the floor! But Melo HOTSHOTS back! And then slingshots, APRON DDT! Corbin staggers, Melo puts him back in! Melo goes up top and takes aim! Fans are thunderous as Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!!! Cover, Melo wins!!!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
And that is why Melo is HIM! Corbin gave Melo a fight worthy of champions, and Melo comes out still the champion! Will this win be evidence that Melo truly has “made it?” Who will be next to be a shirt in the rafters?
Bron Breakker is shouting at Shawn Michaels.
The Big Bad Booty Nephew says he’s beaten everybody, there’s no one left! No one can freakin’ control him! Just figure it out! Bron storms out of Shawn’s office, and tells NXT Media to leave him alone, because everyone will find out next week! How will HBK satisfy someone #MeanerThanEvil?
My Thoughts:
A great Gold Rush finale here for NXT, with all but one match being a title match. Gigi VS Kiana was good, but is clearly only the escalation of the feud. Gigi won here, Kiana will surely win the next, and then we might get the blowoff around the Great American Bash. Probably not on it, as NXT tends to focus on titles for their special events. But all this is again to build Gigi up towards going after the title. Really good match from Tiffany VS Thea to open the night, and it went about as expected. Tiffany wins because of the falling out between Duke and Gulak-Dempsey, then Andre Chase returns and helps fight off Gulak-Dempsey, and that sets up a big tag match for the near future.
Big stuff out of the Tag Division tonight. Great tag title match but that also went about as expected, except for Stacks’ part in all this. No one new was coming in, no one was returning, it was Stacks, Tony. It was Stacks all along. Gallus retain the titles, they might defend against Los Lotharios next, and we’ll see if Stacks does find people to bring into his familia or what. At the very least, we should get Tony VS Stacks, winner is the true Don of NXT. And a pretty decent promo from Dana and Kelani. Kelani makes a quiet move up from NXT Level Up, and Dana now finds herself in the mentor role when she got started as a protégé. They might get into the tag division at this point.
Great promo stuff from The Schism, and decent stuff from Diamond Mine as part of it. But the major thing is we’re getting a Losers Leave NXT match and that is pretty wild. I honestly can’t be sure which way it goes, but I feel like it’d actually be better if Diamond Mine lost. If The Schism splits where The Dyad more or less go back to being Grizzled Young Veterans, it’d be better for NXT because they can feud with Gacy and maybe some new Schism members. And good stuff from Gable Steveson and Eddy Thorpe preparing for “NXT Underground.” That will be a really good match, but I still feel like there has to be some kind of swerve where Gable & Damon end up working together since they’re brothers in real life.
Good promo from Meta Four, emotionally distraught Dar is hilarious, and it was a good lead into the Heritage Cup. Also good tie in going from Lucien & Bronco to Scrypts and Axiom being in a disagreement about their team-up, to the Heritage Cup match. Great match, Frazer and Dragon are both incredible, but it makes sense Frazer would retain. WWE isn’t about hot potato short reigns, even down here in NXT. Well, aside from Ziggler and Bron over the NXT title but that was a single case. I would think Dar will come around to the idea of a rematch, and that could be for Great American Bash. And I think Dragon could move on to one of the other titles.
Fairly good promo from Von and Stone, with some strong realism as digging up such emotions really can have recoil on the person. Really good promo out of Wes, Ali and Bate to follow up the special referee match last week. I like that Wes is so done with the arguing, and we’re going to get Ali VS Bate as an unofficial #1 contender’s match. That is to say, Ali wins and he’ll get his shot, perhaps also at Great American Bash. Ali hasn’t had any title of any kind, and as great as Wes is, it’d be great to see Ali be the one that ends Wes’ record setting reign and win streak. Then perhaps Wes moves up to the top title while Ali freshens up the midcard scene over the Summer.
Awesome main event, and of course Melo won, but a little surprised no one came out to challenge Melo right then. There’s plenty of time, though, and who knows who it’ll be. Bron yelling at HBK in his office (though not really, we never saw HBK on screen) and asking for competition is an interesting move. But c’mon, after he beat down Dragunov and then Dragunov had a great video promo tonight, Bron VS Dragunov has to be the match. That match will be awesome, but I would think Dragunov wins to set him up for a title shot of his own. It feels like this time more than the previous times that Bron is going to move on to RawDown, since it doesn’t seem like he’s gonna go down to the midcard titles.
My Score: 8.8/10
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
AEW goes down under!
-
Coverage6 days agoMitchell’s WWE Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/15/25)
-
AEW Coverage6 days ago
Mitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
-
Coverage3 days ago
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
-
Podcasts7 days agoMindless Wrestling Podcast: Cena’s First Time Is Now!