Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/23/23)
C & D, round 3!
Bullet Club: Civil War?
David Finlay has revitalized Bullet Club with his War Dogs, but what about the House of Torture? Will he test Evil in tonight’s main event?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Alex Coughlin; ZSJ wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tama Tonga VS Mikey Nicholls; Tama wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Shane Haste; Goto wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE; Eddie wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Tetsuya Naito; Naito wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Tomohiro Ishii; Takagi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay VS EVIL; Finlay wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current C Block standings.
David Finlay: 2-0, 4 points
EVIL: 2-0, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-1, 2 points
Eddie Kingston: 1-1, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-1, 2 points
Tama Tonga: 1-1, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 0-2, 0 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-2, 0 points
Here are the current D Block standings.
Jeff Cobb: 2-0, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 2-0, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 1-1, 2 points
Shane Haste: 1-1, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-2, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-2, 0 points
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Kosei Fujita VS Alex Coughlin!
The Front Man is at the top of the block, but he’s running into the Bullet Club’s Dreadnought! Will ZSJ make Coughlin #JustTapOut? Or will this War Dog take a bite out of the NJPW World Television Champion?
The bell rings and the two rush in! ZSJ BOOTS, runs, BOOTS, and then fires off UPPERCUTS! But Coughlin DECKS ZSJ! And DECKS him again! Coughlin soaks up the heat and brings ZSJ up to whip. ZSJ wrenches, traps the arm, and TWEAKS it! ZSJ goes for an arm, manages to bring Coughlin down, but Coughlin deadlifts ZSJ and TOSSES him! Fans do cheer the show of strength and Coughlin pursues ZSJ to the outside. Coughlin whips ZSJ into railing right in front of English commentary! Coughlin then grabs his NJPW Strong Openweight Tag title, but Kosei snatches it from him! So Coughlin DECKS Kosei!
Coughlin whips ZSJ at more railing, but ZSJ stops himself! ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES Coughlin away! ZSJ then pursues Coughlin and KICKS him again! And again! And again! ZSJ wrenches an arm, brings Coughlin around, and STOMPS the arm on the apron! Fans cheer and ZSJ stalks Coughlin. ZSJ brings Coughlin around, wrenches the arm again and again, but Coughlin whips ZSJ back into railing! And again! Coughlin puts ZSJ in the ring, gut wrenches, and suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud as ZSJ hangs tough. Coughlin stalks ZSJ, stomps him around, then drags ZSJ up. Coughlin CHOPS and ZSJ drops to his knees.
Coughlin stands ZSJ up to CHOP him again! Coughlin eggs on the fans as they rally, and Coughlin whips ZSJ to a corner. Coughlin runs in, blocks a boot, but ZSJ brings Coughlin down to a NECK TWIST! Fans rally while Coughlin writhes, and ZSJ cravats Coughlin for a neck wrench. Coughlin powers up to lift ZSJ with just his neck! And then hits a BACKBREAKER! ZSJ crawls away and Coughlin catches his breath. Coughlin puts ZSJ on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Coughlin lets off at 4. ZSJ sputters, but he hits back with a headbutt to the gut! Coughlin CLUBS ZSJ down, but ZSJ grabs an arm!
Coughlin powers out of the Triangle to CLUB ZSJ again! ZSJ stands to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again! ZSJ runs but Coughlin drop toeholds! And floats to hook the arms, and deadlifts ZSJ into the Reverse Gory Especial! Coughlin stretches ZSJ, but he fights out and flips things around to a COBRA TWIST! Coughlin powers out of that to switch the hold onto ZSJ! Coughlin CLUBS ZSJ in the hip, then pump handles and lifts ZSJ! FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up while ZSJ flounders to the apron. Coughlin storms over and drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the suplex to spin Coughlin around, HANGING DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!
The ref reprimands, ZSJ lets go, and Coughlin falls over. ZSJ isolates an arm to STOMP it! Fans rally up with ZSJ, and he eggs Coughlin on. Coughlin sits up, and ZSJ KICKS him in the chest! Coughlin shakes his head, so ZSJ KICKS again! Coughlin grits his teeth, blocks a kick, and he powers ZSJ up to a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Coughlin stomps ZSJ, deadlift gut wrenches, and pops ZSJ up to his shoulder! But ZSJ DRAGON SLEEPERS! Coughlin fights but ZSJ drops back to body scissors and SLEEPER! But Coughlin rolls back, has ZSJ as a backpack, and pries free to the shoulder rack! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!
ZSJ is still in this and fans rally up. Coughlin stands but ZSJ sits up. Coughlin brings ZSJ up and around to suplex, but ZSJ wrenches free to PELE the arm! And then wrenches again, but Coughlin ROCKS him! ZSJ BOOTS, Coughlin CHOPS! ZSJ forearms, Coughlin forearms, they go back and forth and the fans fire up! Coughlin SLAPS ZSJ and he doubles over! Coughlin fires up, but ZSJ CHOPS! And SLAPS! And KICKS! And KICKS! And runs, but into a LARIAT! Coughlin roars and we pass 10 minutes. Coughlin brings ZSJ up but ZSJ drags him down! Coughlin fights the armbar but ZSJ slaps at the grip.
The two roll around, Coughlin pops out the back to deadlift waistlock lift! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! ZSJ is hanging tough but Coughlin keeps on him. Coughlin scoops to FALL AWAY BRIDGE! TWO, but Coughlin just holds on and lifts ZSJ again! But ZSJ fights free by wrenching an arm! ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Coughlin again clasps hands, moves around, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Coughlin taps, ZSJ wins!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (gains 2 points; Coughlin earns 0)
The Android has strength, but even he can’t fortify his joints! Will D Block belong to ZSJ? As for Coughlin, his rage boils over and he chases ZSJ to the back! The Dreadnought is 0-3, what will it take to get on the board?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Mikey Nicholls w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Good Bad Guy won last round’s main event, and vowed to do his very best to win the G1! Will he continue on that mission? Or will Mad Mikey make Tama mad?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Mikey’s height becomes his leverage, and he puts Tama in the corner. The ref counts, Tama avoids Mikey’s swing, and fans applaud. The two reset and circle again, tie up, and go around. Mikey puts Tama in another corner and the ref counts, but Mikey whips Tama away! Tama stops himself, and the two reset again. They tie up, Tama waistlocks then headlocks but Mikey powers out. They RAM shoulders, and Tama runs again. They RAM shoulders, Mikey says not good enough, and Mikey runs. Tama drops down, hurdles, then runs to run Mikey over!
Fans cheer as Tama paces. Tama CLUBS Mikey, whips him to ropes, but Mikey reverses, only for Tama to reel him in! But Mikey suplexes first! Mikey holds Tama up for a count of TWELVE, then SLAMS! Cover, ONE!! Tama hangs tough but Mikey drops a knee on Tama’s head! Tama writhes, Mikey eggs him on, and Mikey throws Tama out. Mikey goes out after Tama, drags him up and whips him, but Tama reverses! Mikey crashes into railing in front of English commentary! Tama ROCKS Mikey, runs in, but Mikey dodges! Tama hits railing and tumbles right over! Mikey goes out to fetch Tama, and ROCKS him with a forearm!
Fans rally and duel as Mikey CLUBS Tama! They go past commentary, Mikey mockingly cheering Tama on. Tama hits back, they brawl and Mikey ROCKS Tama! Mikey brings Tama around to ringside and back in the ring. Fans cheer and Mikey wraps on a chinlock. Mikey traps an arm, too, as he leans on the hold. Tama endures but Mikey grinds him down to the mat. Tama endures, but Mikey leans all his weight on the hold! Tama fights up, throws body shots, and UPPERCUTS! Tama runs but Mikey lifts him up! Fireman’s carry, and DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Tama hangs tough and fans rally up.
Mikey gets the towel from Kosei to wipe his forehead, and he brings Tama up. Tama throws body shots, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Mikey catches Tama to a backslide but Tama rolls through to UPPERCUT! Both men go to corners, and Tama storms up to fire off fast hands and forearms! The ref counts, Tama whips Mikey back in to UPPERCUT! Fans rally, Tama whips Mikey out and around to put him back in the corner and UPPERCUTS again! Tama whips corner to corner, but Mikey reverses! But Tama comes back to CLOBBER Mikey! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Fans rally up with Tama as he watches Mikey.
Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then a clinch, for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Mikey hangs tough but fans rally with Tama. Tama paces around and stalks Mikey. Tama brings Mikey up but Mikey ROCKS Tama! And again! And again! Tama fires fast hands and ROCKS Mikey back! Mikey ROCKS Tama, Tama runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER this time! But Tama stands right up! Tama runs in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, so they throw CHOPS and forearms! Mikey gets the edge but Tama ENZIGURIS! Tama hurries to fireman’s carry, S R C! Fans fire up with Tama as he goes to the corner!
Tama climbs, but Mikey trips him up! Mikey fireman’s carries Tama again, but Tama fights free! GUN- NO, Mikey slips right out! But Tama ducks the sliding lariat! Tama runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this but Mikey keeps cool. Mikey vows to end this, and he drags Tama up. Mikey whips, scoops, but Tama slips free to shove, run and redirect! But Mikey lifts Tama again! BIG ENDING!! Mikey drags Tama to a drop zone and goes up the corner! MOONSAULT GUN STUN!! Tama counters and fans fire up! Then standing GUN STUN!! Cover, Tama wins!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mikey earns 0)
So what if The Mighty Don’t Kneel? They still fall! And with that, Tama passes Mikey in the current rankings! Will the Good Bad Guy be THE guy in the G1?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Shane Haste w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Fierce Warrior and Hysterical Shane are each 1-1, both having lost last round. But who gets back up to continue towards the top of the block, and who falls towards the bottom?
The bell rings and Shane DROPKICKS Goto right away! Then runs corner to corner to CALF KICK! Shane keeps moving and he CANNONBALLS! Fans fire up and Shane hurries to cover, TWO! Shane fires up and he brings Goto around but Goto gets away. The ref has Shane hold on, did he do more damage than even he expected? But then Shane shoves the ref aside to KICK Goto in the side! Goto sputters and fans rally, but Shane KICKS Goto around some more! Goto snarls and eggs Shane on so Shane KICKS him down! Shane then drags Goto up, brings him around, talks some trash, then runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT!
Both men are down and now Shane sputters from that shot to the face. Goto growls and stands, but Shane fireman’s carries! Goto slips free to a SLEEPER! Shane flails, claws at the hold, but he’s fading fast! Shane elbows Goto in the gut and Goto lets him go! Goto sputters again, goes to ropes, and Shane ROCKS him! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And body shots! Shane feints running, but Goto HEADBUTTS him! SLEEPER, and then roll into GOTO NI SHIKI! GOTO WINS!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Shane earns 0)
Shane is stunned that he got caught that fast! TMDK go 1-2 on the night, will the G1 slip through their fingers? As for Goto, can he still return to prominence?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE!
The Mad King got cheated by the King of Darkness while the Face of Fury slayed the Rampaging Dragon. But there is still a lot of ground to make up before the end, who will hit hardest and take the win?
Henare SUPERKICKS Eddie during the ref’s check! The ref asks if Eddie is still able to fight and Eddie says yes! The bell rings and Henare PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives and Henare is furious! Henare rains down forearms, then storms around the ring. Fans rally, Henare puts Eddie through the ropes to bend him back, and CLUB away on his chest! Eddie flops over and to the apron, but Henare goes out after him. Henare pursues Eddie and HEADBUTTS him around the way! Eddie staggers, shakes it off, and CHOPS Henare! Henare snarls and keeps after Eddie with another HEADBUTT!
Eddie staggers, but he CHOPS back! Henare snarls again, the ref wants this in the ring, but Henare storms up on Eddie to throw body shots! Eddie gets in the ring but Henare is right on him. Henare ducks the Uraken to ROCK Eddie! Eddie roars, but Henare blocks the Uraken, to WRING the arm out! Fans rally up while Eddie writhes. Eddie goes to ropes, Henare storms up, and Henare pulls on the arm to then HOTSHOT it! Eddie flounders away, Henare storms up to him in the corner, and he throws heavy shots! And a HEADBUTT! Henare fires up and fans cheer, then Henare talks trash on Eddie.
Eddie slaps Henare! And again, and again! Henare ROCKS Eddie! Henare drags Eddie up but Eddie CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! And RIDGEHANDS! Henare snapmares to KICK Eddie in the back! Eddie pushes up but the bad arm gives up! Henare KICKS Eddie, then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Eddie hangs tough, but Henare sits him up. Henare pulls on the bad arm, almost has a Fujiwara Armbar, but Eddie claws his way around! Eddie reaches out, fights over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ref counts, but Henare lets go at 4. Henare paces around and waits on Eddie.
Eddie rises but he fights the full nelson! Eddie switches, Henare swings an elbow, but into an EXPLODER! Henare staggers up, into another EXPLODER! Henare roars and runs in, but into a LARIAT! Fans rally and both men stir. Eddie shakes out the bad arm while Henare shakes out the cobwebs. They crawl to each other, and Eddie headbutts! But Henare headbutts back! Eddie gives another, so Henare gives another! They stand and Eddie CHOPS! Even though that’s the bad hand! Henare forearms, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! Eddie gets the edge but then Henare fires palm strikes from all sides! BODY BLOW! Eddie powers up but then falls!
Henare grins as he aims from a corner. Henare fires up and the fans rally. Eddie rises and Henare runs in, but Eddie blocks Rampage to a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Henare goes to a corner and Eddie shakes out the bad arm again. Eddie runs in to clothesline! Again, the bad arm! But Eddie swings, only for Henare to dodge! Henare BACK ELBOWS, but Eddie ducks the Flying Chuck! Eddie whips, Henare reverses and scoops, BERSERKER BOMB! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Henare growls and grits his teeth as he crawls over to Eddie. Eddie stands but flops over, still holding the bad arm.
Henare slaps his legs into working and fans rally up. Henare runs in, SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Snapmare, and Henare runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives and Henare roars! Henare paces around as fans rally and duel! Henare drags Eddie up, fisherman’s, but Eddie fights that to HAYMAKER! Henare staggers around, Eddie runs in to whip corner to corner! Henare comes back to RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Eddie survives but Henare fires up! Fans rally, Henare drags Eddie up again, fisherman, but Eddie fights free again! ENZIGURI! Henare wobbles, into another ENZIGURI!
Henare roars, swings, but into the HALF ‘N’ HALF! Eddie powers up, and he fires a forearm! But the bad elbow! Eddie just PAINT BRUSH SLAPS Henare with his left hand! Henare flops over and the ref checks him as we hit 10 minutes! Fans fire up and Henare stir, so Eddie brings Henare up. Henare SPINNING HEEL KICKS! But Eddie URAKENS! Henare HEADBUTTS! But Eddie URAKENS!! Henare falls, Eddie falls on the cover! EDDIE WINS!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Henare earns 0)
That might’ve ended up a double knockout if Eddie didn’t fall forward! But in the end, The Mad King refuses to be conquered by the United Empire! Will everyone see that Eddie is NJPW Strong?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Tetsuya Naito!
The Clown Prince could not pull one over on ZSJ, while the Uncontrollable Charisma was able to bring down Hirooki Goto. Will Yano be able to trick Naito into a loss? Or will Naito make things tranquilo in Nagano?
But the trolling begins as Naito makes his entrance, taking his time so as to exasperate Yano. Yano shouts for Naito to hurry, the ref keeps him back, but then even the ref tells Naito to please go to the ring already. Yano almost goes after Naito at the ramp! Wait, then Naito turns to run back up the ramp? Yano is furious that Naito wants to do the whole thing again! But fans still clap along with the song as they get the “encore.” It’s been about three MINUTES already, and Naito finally gets in the ring. Then there’s still the ref checking both men, and Naito putting away his elaborate entrance attire. All of this is driving Yano nuts!
Yano shouts for Naito to hurry it up but of course that only encourages Naito to take longer. Five minutes have already passed and Naito is finally ready. The bell rings and Yano is all fired up! Fans rally, Naito keeps toying with Yano, and Yano rushes in! Naito stays back so the two have to reset. They rush up again but then Naito backs away. Naito does last minute stretching and Yano is annoyed. The two circle, tie up, and Yano puts Naito on ropes! Yano says Naito wasn’t even trying! The fans cheer and Naito resets with Yano. They tie up, but again Naito doesn’t try! Yano is further annoyed but that amuses the fans.
Naito lazily rallies the fans with clapping, and the two tie up. Naito rolls Yano up! TWO!! Yano stands but into a cradle! TWO!! Atomic drop! Naito runs for ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!!! Yano escapes and that surprises Naito! Yano bails out, paces in frustration and then goes up the ramp. Yano doesn’t get what Naito’s playing at, but Naito just waits in the ring. Yano goes back, but he wants Naito to back away from the ropes! Naito now tells Yano he should hurry up. Yano says he doesn’t wanna hear that from Naito! Yano wants to go in but Naito is right there. Yano wants Naito to back off already.
Naito steps back, but they’re baby steps. Yano says further! Further! Naito is finally far enough away but Yano sees he’s ready to pounce. This is the first ever cat ‘n’ mouse game where there’s no running. Fans rally up and Yano feeds off the energy, and he steps in! But then Naito steps out. Naito turns the tables on Yano again, but Yano goes out after him! Naito kicks but Yano blocks! And rakes eyes! And whips Naito hard into railing! Naito slumps down and the ref checks on him. Yano unties a buckle pad from the outside! The ref wonders where that went but Yano tells him not to question it.
Yano brings Naito around, and whips, but Naito reverses to rake eyes, and then whips, only for Yano to reverse! Naito crashes into railing and closes the gap in No Man’s Land! Fans fire up as Naito almost ends up in their laps! Yano goes out after Naito, pulls his legs through the railing, and has tape! But then Naito YANKS Yano into the railing and has his arms in through the gaps! Naito uses the tape to tie up Yano!! Fans cheer and the ring count starts! Naito leaves it at that, stomps away on Yano, and at 7 of 20, he heads to the ring. Naito is safe but Yano is trapped on the outside!
The count passes 15 of 20 but Yano is still stuck! Yano pulls the tape against the railing and it starts to tear! Yano is free and he slides into the ring at 19.5!! Fans cheer and Naito is again surprised. Naito stomps Yano around, drags him to a corner, and then whips him corner to corner! Yano stops from hitting bare buckles and fans cheer. But Naito copies Yano by untying the other buckle pad! Yano stops him, whips him, but Naito rolls into tranquilo! Fans cheer and Yano is annoyed again. Yano stomps Naito around, brings him up, and whips him corner to corner. Yano then runs in, blocks boots, and puts Naito in the ropes to SLAP him!
Fans cheer as Yano talks some trash, but Naito easily gets out of the ropes. Naito runs in, but into an atomic drop! CATAPULT into the bare buckles!! Roll up, TWO!! Yano pushes Naito down, M U! TWO!! Naito ELBOWS Yano again and again, then ENZI- NO, Yano ducks! Yano runs, but Naito avoids the chop block! Wheelbarrow and victory roll, NAITO WINS!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yano earns 0)
But he’s not done with Yano! Naito whips him into those bare buckles! And then again! Yano suffers his own cleverness, and Naito pins him again! The ref says it’s done, they don’t need to keep going. Naito beats Yano, is he the new Clown Prince of NJPW?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Tomohiro Ishii!
Surprisingly, The Rampaging Dragon and Stone Pitbull are the bottom of the block! But whose fortunes will change through combat?
The bell rings and both men rush in! They RAM shoulders, go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Fans fire up and Ishii eggs Takagi on! The forearms keep flying, faster and faster, no guard! Takagi finally gets the edge, and runs, to RAM Ishii! Ishii rebounds, RAMS Takagi, then they RAM shoulders again and again! Fans fire up as the two stand tall! They talk some trash, both men run and they RAM shoulders! They run and RAM again, and again! Ishii RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds to run Ishii over! Fans fire up and Takagi stomps Ishii. Takagi drags Ishii up, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS into him!
Takagi snapmares Ishii to run and drop a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO and Takagi SENTONS! Fans rally up and Takagi kicks Ishii around. Takagi drags Ishii back up, puts him against ropes, and throws knees into Ishii’s stomach! Takagi whips, KNEES him again, then runs, but Ishii runs Takagi over! Fans fire up as Ishii looms over Takagi. Ishii stands Takagi up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Takagi fires forearms in return! Ishii eggs him on so Takagi JABS and JABS and JABS! Ishii CHOPS again! Takagi staggers away and Ishii finally feels those jabs. Ishii CHOPS Takagi in a corner, but Takagi turns it around to throw forearms!
Ishii turns things back around to CHOP and forearm on repeat! Ishii lays in heavy forearms and Takagi sits down! Fans rally as the ref has Ishii back off. Ishii drags Takagi up but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Ishii stays up to Takagi HEADBUTTS again! Ishii HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! Takagi falls and fans fire up again. Ishii sits Takagi up to KICK him in the back! Takagi huffs and puffs and gets in Ishii’s face. Takagi CHOPS and Ishii felt that one! Takagi CHOPS again, but Ishii grits his teeth! Takagi CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, so Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- Ishii ROCKS Takagi first!
Ishii goes to suplex but Takagi fights it! Takagi suplexes Ishii up and over!! And this is just the five minute mark! Fans rally up and duel, “TA-KA-GI!” “I-SHI-I!” Takagi storms up, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! Fans fire up with Takagi and he JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Then JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS! Ishii sputters but Takagi brings him up. Takagi runs, but Ishii dodges! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint to DDT! Takagi drags Ishii up, to SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ishii hangs tough but Takagi says… IT’S TIME! Fans fire up and Takagi brings Ishii up. Takagi reels Ishii in but Ishii fights the lift!
Ishii powers up to back drop Takagi! Fans fire up, but Ishii staggers while Takagi goes to ropes. Ishii runs in but Takagi BOOTS him! Takagi runs, but into a POWERSLAM! Both men rise, Ishii runs, into a POWERSLAM from Takagi! But Ishii is up again, gets around, and SAIDOS! But Takagi is right up to SAIDO! Ishii roars as he rises up and runs in, into a YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi rises, he kicks Ishii around then drags him up. Takagi hoists Ishii to the top rope, climbs up after him, but the ropes are a bit slippery. Takagi HEADBUTTS Ishii, then climbs!
Takagi brings Ishii up to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down while fans fire up! Takagi crawls to the cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Takagi rallies the fans with “OI! OI! OI!” and he rises again. Takagi roars and the fans fire up more, and Takagi brings Ishii up. Ishii fights the Gory Especial and throws elbows. But Takagi spins him, only for Ishii to suplex Takagi! Both men are down again as we pass 10 minutes! Fans rally up and Ishii runs in at the corner, to clothesline! Ishii hoists Takagi up top now, and Ishii climbs up. Fans rally as Ishii brings Takagi to the very top, stalling SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!!
Fans rally and duel while both men are down. Ishii sits Takagi up, runs, but Takagi ducks the sliding lariat! Ishii ducks the haymakers, but so does Takagi! Takagi pops Ishii up to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down again but Takagi goes to ropes. To SLIDING LARIAT! Fans rally up again and Takagi rises. Takagi brings Ishii up, pump handles and half nelsons, but Ishii fights with elbows! Takagi throws knees, but Ishii slips around and spins Takagi to throw a forearm! Takagi just fires boxing elbows in return! And he DECKS Ishii with the last one! Fans fire up with Takagi as he runs, but Ishii DROPKICKS!!
Fans are thunderous as Ishii roars! Ishii drags Takagi up, lifts, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Takagi survives but Ishii keeps on him! Ishii sits Takagi up, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Ishii roars and fans fire up again as he stands Takagi up. Ishii suplexes, Takagi fights it, DDT!! Fans rally and duel again, and Takagi rises. Takagi drags Ishii around, suplexes, but Ishii knees free! Takagi blocks the lariat to pump handle and half nelson! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous! Takagi goes to ropes as we hit 15 minutes. Takagi aims from the corner, runs in, PUMPING BOMBER!
But Ishii rises?!? Takagi says fine, and he POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, and then SLIDING PUMPING!! Cover, ONE?!?! Ishii roars and rises again, swats a lariat and HEADBUTTS! Takagi rebounds, into Ishii’s LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Fans are thunderous again as both men rise! Takagi runs in, but Ishii LARIATS him down!! Ishii aims, runs, to LARIAT again!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fans are thunderous again as Ishii brings Takagi up! Suplex, but Takagi slips out! Takagi waistlocks, torture racks, but Ishii fights free to spin Takagi and ROCK him!
Ishii ROCKS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Those shots are up high! But Takagi JABS back! Ishii HEADBUTTS, but Takagi HEADBUTTS back! Takagi reels Ishii in, we hit the three minute warning, but Takagi tucks the arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous! Takagi powers up, runs, PUMPING- NO, Ishii dodges to LARIAT! But Takagi stays up so Ishii ENZIGURIS! Takagi returns, SLIDING ELBOW! Takagi hauls Ishii up, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! But he can’t make the cover!! Both men are down and fans rally up, and we hit the two minute warning!
Takagi stands, brings Ishii up, and runs for PUMPING BOMBER!!! Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ishii earns 0)
The Rampaging Dragon breaks through the Stone Pitbull and finally gets on the board! Does this mean there’s still a chance for Takagi to take the block?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!
The Ace of the Universe has gone 1-1, and now he runs into the undefeated Imperial Unit! Will Tanahashi be able to avoid a Tour of the Islands? Or will he be conquered on behalf of the United Empire?
The bell rings and fans rally up for Tanahashi. Cobb mocks the air guitar with air bass and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Tanahashi manages to push Cobb back a step. Cobb pushes Tanahashi away, and Cobb flexes. The two reset, tie up again, and Cobb holds firm as Tanahashi gives it his all. Cobb powers Tanahashi back to the ropes, but Tanahashi turns things around. Red Shoes calls for the break, Tanahashi lets off slowly, and then he stomps Cobb’s foot! Tanahashi headlocks and grinds but Cobb fights up and lifts Tanahashi! Tanahashi thrashes the hold more, but Cobb pulls hair!
Cobb powers out and sends Tanahashi to a corner. Cobb runs in but into boots! Cobb returns, but Tanahashi drop toeholds him into the buckle pad! Tanahashi runs to dropkick the leg out! Tanahashi plays some real air guitar while Cobb bails out. Tanahashi pursues as Cobb hobbles around the way, but Cobb ROCKS him first! Cobb reels Tanahashi in, and suplexes to POST him! And then he suplexes again, to SLAM Tanahashi on the apron! Fans fire up for that show of strength while Cobb walks off the bad leg. Cobb leaves Tanahashi behind and the ring count starts. Tanahashi sits up at 3 of 20, and drags himself up with the railing.
Fans rally as Tanahashi stands. Tanahashi rolls in at 11 but Cobb stomps him at the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Cobb “apologizes,” then stands Tanahashi up to HEADBUTT him down! Cobb mockingly asks if he’s okay, then strums the air bass while kneeling on Tanahashi for a cover. TWO and fans cheer, but Cobb stomps Tanahashi down. Cobb stands Tanahashi up to ROCK him in the back! Cobb then uses Tanahashi’s abs as the guitar! But Tanahashi throws elbows! Cobb CLUBS Tanahashi, pushes him down and stomps him! Fans rally but Cobb drags Tanahashi up to BEARHUG! Fans rally and Tanahashi endures the squeeze!
Tanahashi grabs at Cobb, throws elbows to the forehead, and is free! Tanahashi fires more shots, but Cobb kicks low! And CLUBS Tanahashi down! Fans rally again while Cobb steadies himself. Cobb looms over Tanahashi, drags him up, and reels him in to short arm LARIAT! Cobb strums again, then throws the guitar away to play his air ukulele! GACHIMUCHI FLOP as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi blocks a kick, and Cobb begs for mercy. Tanahashi says bye-bye and DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Cobb hobbles more, Tanahashi fires off forearms, then whips to ropes. Cobb reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS!
Fans fire up with Tanahashi, Cobb staggers around, and Tanahashi fires off fast hands! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Cobb!! Fans fire up for that feat of strength alone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Tanahashi powers up as Cobb rises, and Tanahashi runs, but Cobb DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cobb grows frustrated that Tanahashi stays in this! Cobb drags Tanahashi up, scoops him, and carries him around with one arm! Cobb SLAMS Tanahashi down, then he goes up the corner! Cobb mocks Tanahashi, SUNSET SENTON FLOPS as Tanahashi moves!
Fans fire up as Tanahashi rises, dodges Cobb, and turns him around, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up again and Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Cobb is tougher than that but Tanahashi stays focused. Tanahashi goes up top but Cobb anchors him! Tanahashi fires forearms, and a DRAGON PALM! Cobb staggers away, Tanahashi stands, and HIGH FLY ATTACKS! But Cobb catches him!! Cobb pops Tanahashi around and runs, POWER- SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi turns things around, and he heads back up top! Tanahashi aims, to HIGH FLY FLOP as Cobb moves! Cobb then storms up, ripcords, TOUR OF- CRADLE! TWO!!
Cobb escapes, fans fire up, and Cobb runs in, but misses! DRAGON PALM! Cobb JABS! Tanahashi DRAGON PLAMS again! Tanahashi fires up, we hit 15 minutes but Cobb reels Tanahashi in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi rises! Cobb whips, Tanahashi reverses, but Cobb dodges to SLINGBLADE!? Cobb drags Tanahashi up, reels him in, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cobb wins!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)
The Imperial Unit is proving anything his opponents he can do, he can do stronger! And he is keeping pace with Zack Sabre Jr. at the front of the pack! Will it only be a matter of time before Cobb conquers the G1?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
Bullet Club clashes as the leader off the War Dogs takes on the leader of the House of Torture! Wait, is House of Torture even still Bullet Club? Will The Rebel and King of Darkness end up sparking a new civil war?
But speaking of the HOT Boys, Yujiro Takahashi and Sho are joining Evil and Dick out here tonight! And to match, Finlay also brings Gabe Kidd along since Gabe competed last night and is rested for today. Seems all cards are on the table here in Nagano. There’s a tense stare down but Red Shoes wants the seconds (and perhaps thirds and fourths) to get out of the ring. Each side tells the other to get out first since they don’t trust each other, and everyone brandishes their weapons, from Gedo having Finlay’s shillelagh to Dick having the Spoiler Choker and Sho his “Murder Tool” wrench.
Since this is an impasse between factions, Red Shoes calls in reinforcements! The rest of the referees step in and they insist Gedo, Gabe, Yujiro, Sho & Dick all get out of the ring. Evil and Finlay finally give the orders and their men back off. The bell finally rings and fans applaud. Evil and Finlay circle, approach, and Evil kicks low! Evil headlocks, Finlay pulls hair, and though Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay headlocks in return. Finlay grinds Evil down but Evil pulls hair in return! Evil powers out, Finlay RAMS shoulders with him, but neither falls. Evil runs, RAMS Finlay, but Finlay stays up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm!
The shots go faster and faster and fans rally up! Evil knees low, rakes the eyes, then TOSSES Finlay out! Evil distracts Red Shoes, but Gabe rushes over to keep Sho & Yujiro back! But while Finlay goes out to reinforce Gabe, they miss Dick untying the blue buckle pad! The extra refs keep this from breaking down, and Evil just watches from in the ring. The House and the War Dogs all stand down, and Finlay gets in to kick Evil! Finlay throws hands but Evil kicks low and then rakes eyes! Evil whips and Finlay hits bare buckles! Red Shoes finally realizes what happened, too, and he reprimands the House.
Evil stomps Finlay, but Finlay kicks back! Evil CHOKES Finlay with his shirt! Gedo protests and Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4. Evil then throws the shirt at Gabe! Red Shoes keeps Gabe back but then Evil just rakes Finlay’s eyes! Evil puts Finlay in the Cobra Twist, and links up with the boys! But they forget the other refs, and the refs reprimand! The House stops and Finlay throws hands on Evil! Evil pulls hair and throws Finlay down! Gedo protests but Evil covers, ONE! Evil kicks Finlay around, taunts him, but Finlay gets up to fire a forearm! Evil just rakes eyes again! Red Shoes counts, Evil stops at 4.
Evil scoops Finlay to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Evil then turns Finlay over for a HALF CRAB! Finlay fights but Evil shifts position to add pressure! Finlay fights up, but Evil uses the kneepad for leverage! Finlay slips through to kick from below, but Evil CRANKS the leg! Gedo coaches Finlay, Red Shoes sees Evil holding the kneepad so Evil lets go. Evil stands on Finlay, Finlay flips him off and ironically, that gets Finlay’s shoulder up. Evil lets off and Finlay grins, but Evil slaps him around. Evil tells Gedo to shut up, and he has Finlay against ropes. Evil whips, Finlay reverses but Evil BOOTS back! Finlay runs in to clothesline Evil and himself out of the ring!
Again, the factions rush over! The refs have to keep everyone back again, and Finlay gets up to RAMS Evil into railing! Finlay closes the gap in No Man’s Land and starts throwing haymakers! Finlay kicks and HEADBUTTS Evil, then SMACKS him off the apron! Finlay puts Evil in, covers, ONE!! Evil hangs tough and Finlay mocks him. Finlay bends fingers, and JAMS them into the mat! And then he bends the fingers again, to JAM them into the mat again! Gedo likes what he sees, and Finlay gives back all the eye rakes! Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets go at 4, and he looms over Evil. Finlay knees at the ropes and Backhand Sweets with Gabe.
Finlay pulls on the arm, but Evil gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets go to drag Evil up and whip him into the bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special is truly ambivalent in this battle! Evil writhes, fans rally up, and Finlay talks trash. Finlay drags Evil up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud, but Finlay CLAWS Evil’s face then crossface forearms him down! Finlay sits Evil up and CLUBS him with another crossface forearm! Finlay sits Evil up again, for a third crossface forearm! Finlay says he’s the captain of the ship, and he gives Evil more shots across the bow! Gedo likes what he sees here, too!
Fans rally as Finlay drags Evil up again. Finlay runs, but Evil ducks the blindsider! And blocks the kick, rakes the eyes, then sends Finlay’s foot into Red Shoes! Red Shoes goes down, another ref gets on the apron, but Finlay shoves Evil into him! The third ref gets up but Finlay is sent into him! That’s three ref bumps in less than a minute! Is that a world record? And then the War Dogs and House of Torture get in the ring! They all brawl! Gedo is after Dick and Gabe fights off both Sho and Yujiro! But Gabe gets mugged, and Dick drags Gedo out of the ring! Gedo rakes Dick’s eyes, then whips Dick into railing!
Evil and Finlay take each other out, Yujiro KNEES Gabe and smothers him! Sho has the Murder Tool, but Gedo drags him out and rakes his eyes! Gable knocks Yujiro down and out of the ring! Gable stomps Yujiro and rakes his eyes! Then Gabe runs to CLOBBER Sho! Gabe brings Yujiro around, but Sho attacks back! Sho & Yujiro mug Gabe into the crowd! And we pass 10 minutes as Evil rises. Finlay goes to a corner, the brawling continues outside, and Evil hobbles around. Evil aims at Finlay, runs in, but gets BOOTS! Finlay runs in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And then again! Finlay fires off forearm after forearm and a ROLLING ELBOW!
Referee Saito gets in the ring so there’s an authority now. Finlay suplexes, but Evil lands out of Oblivion! EVERYTHING- NO, Finlay denies Evil to hit an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay runs, into a LARIAT! Both men are down and fans rally up! Evil rises, kicks away on Finlay’s face, then fireman’s carries. DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and fans rally up again. Oddly, fans cheer on Evil as he might be the lesser of two evils. But Finlay still denies the STO with a flurry of elbows! Finlay whips, Evil reverses, but Finlay stops hitting buckles! Evil runs in, but is sent into the bare buckles!
Finlay SMACKS Evil off the bare buckle! Then puts him up top for the Canadian Rack, RUNNING DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives, but Finlay pushes the ref aside so he can rain down fists! The ref reprimands, he sees closed fists! Finlay pushes him away, Evil crawls to the red corner. Evil clutches his eye, claiming closed fists. Finlay runs in, but the SPEAR hits the ref! And then Evil LOW BLOW UPPERCUTS Finlay! Dick and Gedo both get up but Dick DECKS Gedo first! And then uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Finlay!! Fans boo, the House might be the bigger evil after all! Dick feeds Finlay to a mule kick! And then Dick and Evil coordinate, MAGIC KILLER!!
Evil shouts for a referee but which ref will it be? They’re all down at ringside! A fourth ref appears, it’s Marty Asami! Cover, but GEDO yanks Marty out!! Evil is furious but we’re still without authority! Dick throws in some chairs, and Evil grabs one. Evil puts that chair around Finlay’s head, and he gets the other! HOMERUN!!! And we pass 15 minutes! Evil grabs the shillelagh and looks to add on. But Gedo has slipped Finlay his NEVER Openweight Championship! Evil takes a swing, but the belt becomes a shield! And then Finlay CLOBBERS Evil with the belt!! Fans fire up as Finlay grabs his shillelagh!
Finlay SHILLELAGH SHOTS Evil!! Finlay demands there be a ref, so Gedo puts Red Shoes in! Finlay gets Evil up, INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Evil earns 0)
Well, perhaps Evil was still the lesser of the two as the Rebel comes out on top! The King of Darkness falls from the top spot, will he have to go back to the drawing board on how to stack the deck?
As for Finlay, he holds up his NEVER Openweight title as Gedo gets the mic. Gedo makes the official announcement, “Your winner is… the BASTARD, David ‘The Rebel’ Finlay!” Finlay then takes the mic and says, “Evil, you pulled out all the stops, but you still couldn’t beat The Rebel! Now I said I am going to clean sweep this entire tournament, and thus far, I have done exactly that. So I stand in front of you still undefeated against every member of C Block. Still the baddest man in this company. And I am still the favorite to win this entire tournament.” There are fans that do applaud, and Finlay says there is no one badder or better than him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the future G1 Climax Champion.” Fans do cheer that, and then Gedo tells everyone in Japanese that “that idiot” Evil tried but failed to defeat The Rebel! “The Rebel take the effing over everything! I need The Rebel! Bullet Club needs The Rebel! And the world needs The Rebel!” Finlay stands atop C Block at 3-0, but will he make 2023 the Year of the Rebel?
Here are the NEW C Block standings!
David Finlay: 3-0, 6 points
EVIL: 2-1, 4 points
Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
Eddie Kingston: 2-1, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-2, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-2, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-3, 0 points
Here are the NEW D Block standings!
Jeff Cobb: 3-0, 6 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-0, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-1, 4 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
Shane Haste: 1-2, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-3, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-3, 0 points
My Thoughts:
Another great night for NJPW, and great stuff in these blocks. I like that TMDK get their matches all in a row so they can basically bug out after the last guy is done. ZSJ winning but Mikey & Shane losing seems to be the standard right now, as ZSJ is staying strong as NJPW World TV Champion. But that might change next round as he’s up against the other undefeated man in D Block, his new rival of Jeff Cobb. Cobb VS Tanahashi was the best match of the night just on virtue of their wrestling, and I am liking how Cobb is copying his opponents and still winning. Cobb VS ZSJ could go a long way to deciding who is the D Block semifinalist.
Takagi VS Ishii was also an awesome match, those two are always just incredibly physical. And great win for Takagi so that he is no longer winless. Takagi can still give the top of the block a run for their money, but it feels like because of story, Finlay is going to be “the favorite” for it. Finlay VS Evil was definitely a good match, but what made it main event worthy was the story of these Bullet Club subsections fighting each other. Finlay having taken the NJPW/prime branch of the faction from Jay White, he is of course the alpha and he wins the main event to establish himself. Still waiting on that proper civil war feud but this was a good teaser.
My Score: 8.7/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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