Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (7/4/23)
Happy Independence Day!
There’s gonna be fireworks in the ring tonight!
NXT celebrates the Fourth of July, but one team is going to be down in the dumps! Losers Leave NXT, Diamond Mine VS The Dyad, who says good-bye to the white ‘n’ gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Roxanne Perez VS Blair Davenport; Blair wins.
- Tyler Bate VS Mustafa Ali; Ali wins.
- Tatum Paxley VS Kelani Jordan w/ Dana Brooke; Kelani wins.
- NXT Underground: Eddy Thorpe w/ Gable Steveson VS Damon Kemp; Eddy wins.
- Lyra Valkyria VS Jacy Jayne; Lyra wins.
- Losers Leave NXT: The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine & Joe Gacy; The Dyad wins, The Creed Brothers must leave NXT.
PLAY BY PLAY
Roxanne Perez VS Blair Davenport!
The Prodigy was just one of the many women targeted by the Number One Gaijin, but she’s also the one fighting back! Will Roxanne pop off and give Blair a taste of her own medicine? Or will all enemies of the heir beware?
Actually, Roxie attacks during Blair’s entrance! So more the former to start here! Blair fights back, then whips, but Roxie reverses to send Blair into barriers! Roxie SMACKS Blair off the apron, and says she told Blair she’d get back at her! They get in the ring, the ref has Roxie wait but Blair gets her jacket off and says she still wants to fight! The bell rings and Roxie dodges a boot to then THESZ PRESS! Roxie fires fast hands, Blair pushes her away and gets out of the ring. But Roxie DIVES onto her! Direct hit at the commentary desk! Roxie puts Blair in, Blair bails out the other side, but Roxie CROSSBODIES from the apron!
Roxie rains down fists on Blair and fans fire up! Roxie puts Blair in, rams a shoulder in, then wrenches to clinch. But Blair throws Roxie down! Fans boo but Blair storms up to drag Roxie up. Blair suplexes, but Roxie fights free and waistlocks. Blair bucks the O’Conner but Roxie gets around again to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie brings Blair up, Blair blocks the sobat to LARIAT! Fans rally for Roxie but Blair runs to SLIDING GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Blair stalks Roxie to ropes, brings her around and whips her into a corner. Blair ELBOWS Roxie, snapmares her and then kicks but Roxie ducks! O’Conner, TWO!
Blair gets up but into a SHOTGUN! Blair staggers, Roxie runs in to UPPERCUT in the corner! Blair blocks the whip and ROCKS her in return! Roxie UPPERCUTS back! Blair ROCKS Roxie, then throws her into ropes! Roxie flounders and Blair drags her up. Blair bumps her off buckles and Roxie sits down in the corner. Blair looms over Roxie, drags her up, but Roxie blocks the buckle bump to elbow Blair away! Blair comes back, but into boots! Roxie goes up, but Blair shoves her down! Roxie tumbles to the floor, and Blair DOUBLE STOMPS Roxie on the back! Fans boo but Blair smirks as NXT goes picture in picture.
Blair looms over Roxie and drags her up. Blair RAMS Roxie into the apron, then gets in the ring as Roxie clutches her ribs. Roxie drags herself up but Blair goes out to POST her! Blair stalks Roxie, stomps her down, then puts her in the ring. Blair pushes Roxie to a cover, ONE! Roxie is hanging tough but Blair stalks her to a corner. Blair stomps and digs her boots in! The ref counts, Blair lets off at 4, and then she drags Roxie up. Roxie throws body shots but Blair CLUBS her down! Blair then clamps onto Roxie with a neck wrench. Roxie endures, fights up and fights back, to then roll Blair up! TWO!
Blair escapes but Roxie La Magistrols! TWO! Blair escapes again and RAMS into Roxie’s ribs! Blair drags Roxie back up, for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Blair is annoyed but she stalks Roxie to ropes. Blair stomps her and digs her boots in again. The ref counts, Blair lets off at 4 and Roxie goes to a corner. Blair brings Roxie up for a cravat and neck wrench. Roxie endures, and then rolls, but Blair holds on! Roxie tries again but Blair still holds on. Blair keeps on the cravat, then throws knees! Blair leans on the hold but Roxie still endures. Roxie fights up again, throws body shots, but Blair throws more knees! Blair throws Roxie down by her hair!
Blair stands Roxie up again, cravats again, but Roxie powers up and out! NXT returns to single picture as Roxie ducks ‘n’ dodges and rolls up with a bridge! TWO, and Blair storms up to CLUB Roxie down! Blair clinches but Roxie fights out to ROCK Blair with a forearm! Roxie wheelbarrows, but Blair turns that into a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Roxie is hanging tough but Blair sits her up for an armlock chinbar combo. Fans rally, Roxie fights up, and Roxie fires body shots! Then Roxie jumps up to MONKEY FLIP Blair away! Roxie runs in but Blair ducks the uppercut to put Roxie up top!
Blair ENZIGURIS Roxie, climbs up behind her, and SUPER BACK- CROSSBODY from Roxie! Roxie turns it around and fans fire up! Both women are down and a standing count starts. Fans duel as both women stir. The count passes 5 of 10, but Roxie drags herself up at 7. Roxie ROCKS Blair, but Blair ROCKS Roxie! They go back and forth with heavy forearms, and fans fire up with every shot! Roxie then dodges to ROCK Blair, CHOP Blair, and repeat! Roxie whips, Blair reverses and DECKS Roxie! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Blair is seething. Blair runs up to go up but Roxie gets under the jump!
Blair returns but Roxie dodges, SOBATS, hops on, POP- NO, Blair tosses Roxie off! Roxie goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Roxie grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Roxie CLUBS Blair, and again, and again and again and again! Blair shoves Roxie away but Roxie comes back to clothesline Blair out! Fans fire up and Roxie says it’s done! Roxie builds speed, but has to stop as Blair moves out of the way. Roxie goes to the apron, avoids Blair’s leg sweep, and LARIATS on the return! Roxie then runs in, but is sent into steel steps! Blair runs up to KNEE Roxie into the steps! Blair leaves Roxie behind for the count to finish this.
The ring count passes 5 of 10, then 7! Roxie stands at 8, and jumps in at 9! Fans fire up for Roxie but Blair drags her up. Blair suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives and shocks Blair! Fans fire up, Blair drags Roxie up and has the wrists, KAMI-GOYE!! But Blair won’t stop there, another KAMI-GOYE!! Cover, Blair wins!
Winner: Blair Davenport, by pinfall
Roxie put up a fight, but Blair still put her down! Will the Gothic Warrior bulldoze her way right up to the top of the division?
Backstage interview with Ivy Nile.
McKenzie Mitchell says The Creed Brothers face The Dyad in the biggest match of their careers. The losing team must leave NXT. Ivy says she’s really nervous, but she knows Julius & Brutus are focused more than ever before. McKenzie asked why they accepted at all, and Ivy wondered the same thing. The Schism are a dangerous group that needs to be eliminated. They could even take over NXT. But then Tiffany Stratton walks in and asks why McKenzie is talking to Ivy when last week, the Center of the Universe successfully defended the NXT Women’s Championship for the first time. Here’s a hint: she shouldn’t be.
Uh, successful? Everyone saw Tiff tap out. Everyone saw what? Did the ref see it? Didn’t think so. So not everyone saw. Well if Ivy was in there, the whole world would see her tap out! Doesn’t Ivy have somewhere to be? Luckily for Tiffany, she does. Ivy heads out and Tiff says if the Creeds lose, she goes too, right? Uh, no, it’s really only about Julius & Brutus leaving, same as it is only about The Dyad, not the full Schism. Tiffany sighs and rolls her eyes. Will Daddy’s Little Rich Girl find that the Diamond Pitbull is not a girl’s best friend?
Baron Corbin speaks.
“The truth is… Last Tuesday sucked. I didn’t walk out of there the NXT Champion like I thought I would. Now I’m embarrassed, and I’m pissed off. I miscalculated experience and the nostalgia of the Lone Wolf, and I thought it’d be enough. I’ve got everything I want: the money, the fame, the family. What I don’t have is the reputation. I’m seen as consistent, safe, good. Good? Are you kidding me with ‘good?’ What I want is to be feared and respected. I want people to say, ‘Who’s next for Corbin?’ Not, ‘Who’s Corbin gonna be next?'” Corbin gathers up old gear and brings it to his furnace!
“I understand to dictate my future, I can’t bank on the past. I have to kill it. I don’t need anyone bowing down to me, I don’t want a position of authority. It doesn’t matter if I have pockets, or what’s inside of them. I damn sure don’t need a manager, and I haven’t worked eight LONG years to go all the way back tot he beginning. Burn all the ships. I can’t go back. There’s no going back. It’s no more gimmicks, no nonsense. No bullsh*t.” So then, what will this No BS Corbin do about not being champion?
Tyler Bate VS Mustafa Ali!
The Big Strong Boi didn’t appreciate how The Beacon called the North American Championship match during Gold Rush, but Ali defends it was still fair. That said, both men want a shot at Wes Lee and the title, who makes the better case for themselves here tonight?
NXT returns and Bate makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up for Ali as he and Bate tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Bate pushes Ali back. Bate and Ali go again, knuckle lock, and Bate powers Ali back! Ali bridges, Bate sweeps the legs to a cover, TWO as Ali bridges up again. Ali rolls back, gets Bate in a straitjacket stretch, but Bate wriggles and powers his way to putting Ali in the jacket! Ali endures, arm-drags, then rolls, to ghost pin! TWO and Bate baits Ali into a roll-up, TWO! Ali gets back and fans cheer the technical exchange. They reset and fans rally up again.
Bate and Ali knuckle lock, but Ali wrenches to a wristlock. Bate rolls, rolls back, then squats and breaks free to wrench Ali. Ali goes to ropes, uses those to flip through, and then he rolls, handsprings and slips through to headlock. Fans cheer the technical back and forth but Bate powers up. Ali hooks the ropes to block that! Bate still fights, and he powers up to lift! Ali fights the suplex, but Bate powers out of the headlock. Ali runs Bate over, and then mocks his pose! Ali runs, things speed up, Bate hurdles but Ali turns hip toss into backslide, ONE! Ali shoots back in but Bate steps over and sits down, TWO!
Ali sunset flips, TWO! Bate high stacks but Ali rolls through to backslide! TWO and Bate sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE as Ali goes Matrix! Bate rolls Ali up again, TWO! Bate hits a headlock takeover but Ali headscissors but Bate kips fere! Ali turns things around to headlock takeover, trap an arm, and CROSSFACE! Fans fire up as Bate fights and powers his way to an ANKLE LOCK! Ali endures, moves around, rolls and kicks Bate away. The two stand off again and fans cheer the exchange. Ali and Bate reset, Ali powers Bate to a corner! The ref counts but Ali ROCKS Bate! Bate CHOPS Ali!
Bate UPPERCUTS Ali, Ali ROCKS Bate! Bate UPPERCUTS, Ali CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” while Bate scowls. Ali CHOPS him again! Ali whips, Bate reverses and runs in, but Ali goes up and over and keeps moving! Bate DROPKICKS Ali down! Fans fire up and Bate runs in to UPPERCUT! Snapmare and Bate goes up, FLYING UPPERCUT! Ali staggers up, Bate clotheslines him out! Fans fire up as Bate watches Ali go to the ramp side. Bate goes out after Ali, runs in and UPPERCUTS him down! Fans fire up behind Bate while NXT goes picture in picture.
Bate drags Ali up, puts him in the ring, and then step sin, but Ali catches him for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Ali catches his breath and storms up on Bate. Ali drags Bate up, snapmares and chinlocks. Bate endures as Ali leans on the hold. Bate fights up, pries at the hold then throws body shots. Ali CLUBS Bate on the neck! Ali whips corner to corner, runs and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ali grows annoyed with the ref, but his count is still more fair than Ali’s was. Ali clamps on a chinlock and he stretches Bate back. Bate endures, fights up again, and he powers Ali back into a corner. Ali CLUBS Bate down!
Ali UPPERCUTS Bate in the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Ali runs in, but Bate dodges, so the dropkick hits buckles! Ali tumbles back. Bate rolls him up, TWO! Bate stands into a kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Ali grows frustrated with the Big Strong Boi, but he drags Bate back into the chinlock. Bate endures, fights up, throws body shots again, but Ali turns him. Bate powers out of the neckbreaker to ROLLING KICK! Both men are down and the two rise. Bate blocks to UPPERCUT! And again! And again as NXT returns to single picture! Bate fires off, whips, and back drops Ali away!
Bate runs in at the corner but Ali slips out. Bate blocks the kick but Ali ROUNDHOUSES through Bop! Ali slingshots, but into BANG! Cover, TWO! Bate keeps his focus and drags Ali back up. Bate underhooks, but Ali fights the driver to SUPERKICK! And then trip and step over to an STF! Bate endures as Ali bends him way back! Bate claws at the hold, reaches out, and Ali shifts to just a sleeper. But Bate powers his way to a fireman’s carry! Fans fire up as Bate starts up the AIRPLANE SPIN! Around for TEN times, but Ali DDTS!! Cover, TWO!! Bate survives and Ali just shakes his head. Fans rally up while Ali sits up.
Bate crawls to ropes, Ali says, “Too bad, Tyler.” Ali runs, but Bate tosses him up and out! Ali staggers back up, and Bate FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up and Bate puts Ali back in! But Ali KICKS Bate as he slides in! Ali DIVES to take Bate out now! Fans fire up m ore, Ali puts Bate back in and hurries. But Bate dodges, REBOUNDER! Both men are down, Bate crawls to the cover, TWO!! Bate is beside himself now but he refocuses quickly. Bate drags Ali up, scoops him, and SLAMS him! Then Bate drags Ali up to scoop and SLAM again! Bate goes to a corner and climbs up. Bate SKY TWISTERS onto nothing but mat!
Ali avoids disaster and then sees his opening. Ali goes to the corner, skins the cat right to the top, but Bate UPPERCUTS! Bate goes to the apron and throws hands. Bate climbs up from out there, and fans fire up as they’re both up top now. Bate HEADBUTTS Ali again and again, but Ali gives those HEADBUTTS back! Bate wobbles, Ali keeps him up top, and Ali says it’s okay. Then he shoves Bate onto the rope! That hurts the little strong boi, then Ali adjusts. 450 SPLASH!! Cover, Ali wins!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by pinfall
The Beacon played by the rules, though maybe found some ways around them, too. But Ali still won, and heh calls out Wes Lee for GREAT AMERICAN BASH! Is Ali finally going to have gold in the WWE?
Backstage interview with The Schism.
McKenzie is with Joe Gacy & Ava Raine, and asks why Gacy pushed The Dyad into this Losers Leave NXT match. Gacy said he did no such thing. He’d never push anyone into anything he knew their hearts weren’t ready for. Ava says Jagger Reed & Rip Fowler are two integral roots in The Schism’s tree. After tonight, the Creeds will finally be gone form NXT forever. Gacy says the right team will win and the outcome will only strengthen The Schism. Uh, wait, “the right team?” What does he mean by that? Ava says, “What do you think he means? Has he not always done what is right for our family?”
Gacy calms Ava and says it is okay. “McKenzie, it is quite simple. Tonight, we eliminate a problem from NXT. Forever.” That’s still not saying The Dyad will win… But does Gacy have faith in Jagger & Rip? Or will the Diamond Mine look to crush the Schism’s tree?
Tatum Paxley VS Kelani Jordan w/ Dana Brooke!
The treacherous, selfish and powerful powerlifter is looking to make a name for herself by any means necessary. Meanwhile, the former Michigan State Spartan All American level gymnast has the Flex Appeal as her new coach! Will Kelani prove she’s ready to level up? Or will Tatum take the new kid down a notch?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Tatum headlocks, Kelani pries at the hold but Tatum knees her low! Tatum throws more knees but Kelani rolls her up, TWO! Tatum wrenches Kelani’s arm to YANK it, then wristlock. But Kelani rolls, rolls back, handsprings, and dropkicks! And then arm-drags! Fans fire up for Kelani as she has the armlock. Tatum fights up, knees low, then gets the headlock, but Dana coaches Kelani. Kelani powers out but Tatum runs her over. Tatum runs, but Kelani drops, gets up and hurdles, then comes around to use the ropes in her arm-drag! And another dropkick! And another arm-drag!
Kelani keeps on that arm, Dana says she’s doing great. Tatum fights up, pulls hair, and whips Kelani away. Kelani runs Tatum over! Things speed up, but Tatum CLOBBERS Kelani! Tatum storms up, she whips Kelani to a corner, and then scoops her for a BACKBREAKER! Fans boo Tatum but she drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Tatum wraps on a chinlock and she grinds Kelani down. Dana and the fans rally up as Kelani endures being bent backwards. Kelani fights up but Tatum knees low! Tatum CLUBS Kelani, puts on a chinlock, then she crossface forearms Kelani! And then BOOTS her down!
Dana coaches Kelani, Tatum whips and scops but Kelani slips out! Tatum kicks low again, suplexes, but Kelani STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRES! Cover, Kelani wins!
Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall
Now that was stunning! Kelani snatches this one from Tatum, and Dana celebrates with her new protégé. But wait, Cora Jade walks her way out with a mic. “Aww~. Kelani, congrats on your first victory here in NXT. You must be doing something right if you already have Dana Brooke in your corner. Gymnasts sticking together. How cute. Look, I know you’re new here and everything, so let me say this real slow for you. A friend of Dana Brooke’s is an enemy of mine. I don’t need friends, I don’t need mentors, and I certainlyy don’t need and of you (fans). You pepole have absolutely zero effect on me whatsoever.”
Kelani cuts Cora off and says if Cora’s so hyped up and ready to go, Kelani’s got another match in her! How about we just settle this here and now? Fans like Kelani’s spirit, and Dana asks, “What do you say, Cora?” Cora mocks Dana and says, “Don’t tell me what to do, ever.” The Generation of Jade talks her talk but then just walks away, will she give Kelani that match down the line?
NXT checks in with Chase U.
The students chant “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” for Andre Chase and he thanks them for that. Settle down now, class. But thank you for the letters, texts and voice mails. Those all warmed his heart. Thea Hail is so excited to have Mr. Chase back, she missed him so much! And he missed Thea. But first, today’s lesson is about recognizing a few people. First up, the MVP, Duke Hudson. In Andre’s absence, Duke stepped up, graded papers, helped the school not just survive but thrive. So thank you Duke, you proved why you are the MVP. The other students cheer Duke on, and Duke smiles. Okay, you can take your seat now, Duke. Oh, right. Of course.
Duke tells Nick to move, so Nick does. Duke sits down, and Chase wants to next recognize the “uncrowned NXT Women’s Champion,” Thea! The students cheer and Chase says Thea still made Tiff tap out. She’d have the gold on her shoulder, “if it wasn’t for these two clowns.” Chase brings up a picture of Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey. They tried to poison the young, impressionable minds of Chase U’s students. When Chase saw them go after Duke, and bully Thea, Chase couldn’t take it anymore. Chase calls on someone in the back with their hand raised. Does this mean Gulak & Dempsey won’t be guest lecturing anymore?
Guest what? Is he serious? Some things never change around here! Duke says he’ll handle this one. Duke stands up and turns around to tell the guy, “OF COURSE they won’t be bloody guest lecturers anymore!! What a stupid [censored] question!! Do you think you’ll see either of them again after Mr. Chase and I are done giving them a…” Duke looks to Mr. Chase and he nods. Everyone joins in to shout, “A CHASE UNIVERSITY SIZED ASS WHOOPING~!!” They’re all so pumped up! It feels good to be back! Chase & Duke are gonna take on Gulak & Dempsey, who comes out having “learned” their lesson?
NXT Underground: Eddy Thorpe w/ Gable Steveson VS Damon Kemp!
The Alpha Wolf was getting tired of the Golden Gopher’s excuses, so he said any match type was fine. So Kemp went with this remnant from the Shane McMahon era of Raw! No ropes, no count outs, and no pinfalls, you either tap out or get knocked out! Will Eddy finally put this beef with Kemp away? Or will Kemp make Eddy feel like he’s a Young Lion again?
The ring is surrounded by prospects and superstars otherwise free for the night. The introductions are made, the rules are explained, and it’s time to throw down in the Underground!
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Eddy tests the water with kicks, but Kemp stays on his feet. They keep going around, Kemp blocks a kick to SPINEBUSTER! Kemp rains down forearms but Eddy keeps his guard up. Eddy kicks Kemp away, then kicks again! Kemp staggers, Eddy runs back in, but Kemp huits another SPINEBUSTER! Kemp just rains down forearms but Eddy moves arounnd. Gable’s training is helping, but Kemp still GUT WRENCH SLAMS him! Kemp wraps on a SLEEPER! Eddy is caught in body scissors, there are no ropebreaks to save him so he scrambles around. But Kemp KNEES him in the side!
Kemp rains down more shots, the fans boo, and Eddy turns to his stomach. Gable says to guard the neck but too late, Kemp’s got the SLEEPER! Eddy moves around fast, rains body shots, then stands to rain down shots! Kemp turns it over to hit back! They scrap and Eddy rains down more shots! They tumble out to the floor! The prospects move aside and Kemp throws forearms! Kemp and Eddy go past Gable, and Eddy DECKS Kemp! But Kemp uses a lady as a shield! Then he throws her into Eddy to SUCKER PUNCH! Eddy falls, fans boo, and Kemp just keeps raining down shots! Gable can’t do anything to help, and can only move aside as Kemp TOSSES Eddy into barriers!
Kemp now stares Gable down, and fans rally for Eddy. Kemp DUMPS Eddy over the barriers! Kemp says this is done, but Gable coaches Eddy. Kemp grabs at Eddy but ends up in a HANGING ARMBAR! Kemp deadlifts Eddy, to POWERBOMB him on the apron!! Kemp leaves Eddy behind to soak up the heat. Gable and the others rally for Eddy and he stands, only for Kemp to waistlock and deadlift! GERMAN SUPLEX! Eddy flounders and flops, the others rally up for him and he manages to rise. Kemp storms over, into a SOBAT! But Kemp SPINEBUSTERS again! Back to the SLEEPER! Eddy fights, pries at the hold, kicks around, and he gets up again. Eddy arm-drags free!
Fans fire up for Eddy, and he BOOTS Kamp! And KICKS! And BOOTS! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! Kemp flops around and the prospects go wild! Eddy runs up to waistlock again. Kemp swings, but into a SAIDO! Fans and prospects are all fired up as Kemp flounders. Eddy storms up, but into a clinch and FOREARM! Kemp and Eddy both fall, Gable coaches Eddy up again. Eddy rises, Kemp runs in, but into a KNEE!! The ref checks, Kemp is still conscious, so Eddy drags Kemp up! But Kemp clinches, to OVERHEAD SUPLEX Eddy to the floor!! Gable panics and the ref checks. Eddy is somehow still in this!?
Gable shows Eddy the gold medal to inspire him. Kemp CLOBBERS prospects just so he can get at Eddy! But Eddy POSTS Kemp! Kemp clutches his shoulder, Eddy GERMAN SUPLEXES him away! Fans are thunderous as Kemp flounders around. Eddy brings Kemp up but Kemp elbows him away! And kicks him away! Eddy scrambles up, gets in, and catches Kemp into a TRIANGLE HOLD!! Kemp’s bad arm helps him deadlift, but Kemp just collapses! Eddy rains down elbows, Kemp is OUT! Eddy wins!!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by TKO
The prospects drum along with the beat of Eddy’s song, that was one hell of a fight! Eddy has won 3-0 against Kemp, will this finally end things between them?
One of the prospects gets in and touches Gable’s medal. This guy is disrespecting Gable, so he takes the medal off, and hits a GERMAN SUPLEX! Another guy gets in, he gets an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Another jump in, for another GERMAN SUPLEX! Gable’s having fun now! But the biggest guy in the bunch steps up… Gable says okay then. They clinch, and Gable OVERHEAD SUPLEXES him! Eddy and Gable both stand tall in the Underground, will they both look to take over the top of NXT?
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams speak.
Trick says, “Everyone talkin’ ’bout Trick Melo Gang. And now that we’ve put Baron Corbin to bed, Judgment Day looks like they got a problem.” Melo says it looks like they’ve got a solution. They don’t take this likely. They appreciate them sending Mami to give them a warning. She looked good, but didn’t really say anything. Melo will tread lightly, Damian Priest has that MITB contract and no champion is safe. But it’s a different ball game when you try to ball in the NXT court. Trick wants Melo to tell ’em what they gon’ do. Melo invites ALL of Judgment Day to come to NXT and follow through on the threat. Dirty Dom included.
“Cuz down here, we the judge, we the jury, and the executioners.” If Judgment Day wants to go toe to toe with Trick Melo Gang, that’s y’all’s Judgment Day. That’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gon’ be. Will Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley and even Finn Balor regret messing with… HIM?
Tony D’Angelo has another visitor.
Stacks is back and all smiles, but Tony confronts him about last week. Stacks says he knows, Gallus is still NXT Tag Team Champions. Not that. The other thing. What other thing? The tape! Don’t play dumb with him! What? What tape? He didn’t tape nothing! He cut a great deal for the both of them. And with who? Well in walks Joe Coffey! The Iron King says “long time no see,” though we know he visited last time. Tony asks Stacks if he’s really seeing what he thinks he’s seeing. Did they make a deal with the rat? What the hell? No, Stacks would never betray Tony! But Joe was in the trunk for- Oh, right, don’t talk about that here.
Joe says it was a long time, but he and Stacks came to an arrangement. Stacks VS Joe next week, and if Stacks wins, the charges against Tony are dropped, and the D’Angelo Family gets a shot at the NXT Tag Team titles. But if Joe wins, Tony will stay locked up until trial. And from what Joe’s heard, conviction is a guarantee. And then Tony goes away for a long time. Tony can’t believe Stacks agreed to that. Joe chuckles and says it was Stacks’ idea! What is Stacks thinking? He thinks he can beat Joe in a 3v1!? Oh so now he’s doubting Stacks? Stacks has to run all his ideas through Tony?
Since Tony’s been locked up, business has been good! Envelopes are full! The Underboss is making moves. Tony can’t believe Stacks would do this to him! Stacks was like a brother to Tony! And now Stacks is gonna sell Tony out to this guy? Tony calms down, and Stacks says Tony is in here. This was Stacks’ decision, Tony just has to live with it. Bye, Don. Stacks leaves but Joe tells Tony, “Good-bye, Don.” Joe laughs move, then takes his leave. Tony beats the crap out of the phone! Has Stacks doomed the D’Angelos? Or will he come through on his own gamble?
Lyra Valkyria VS Jacy Jayne!
The Morrigan says why bother wasting time talking behind her back, just get some guts and step to her. The Toxic Traitor didn’t really care to do that, but now she has no choice. Will Jacy pay for talking that trash? Or will she end up throwing Lyra out with the trash instead?
NXT returns and Lyra makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Jacy knees low, CLUBS Lyra, then throws her to a corner. Jacy fires off hands, the ref counts and Jacy lets off at 4. Fans boo but Jacy says she has ’til five. But Lyra goes up and over and eggs Jacy on. Then Lyra sunset flips, TWO! Jacy runs but into an armlock! Lyra has an armlock, but Jacy fights up. Jacy pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but Jacy whips. Lyra runs Jacy over! Things speed up, Lyra cartwheels through the arm-drag to arm-drag back! Lyra keeps the armlock as fans clap to the beat of her song.
Jacy fights up, Lyra wrenches and straight arm levers! She throws Jacy down, then SPLASHES the arm! Jacy fights up, headscissors and squeezes tight. But Lyra fights around, bridges, but Jacy CLUBS her in the ribs. Jacy says this is HER ring, but Lyra continues to fight. Lyra kips free, and the two stand off. Fans applaud as the two circle again. Lyra blocks a kick but Jacy ROCKS her with a forearm! Jacy runs in at the corner but Lyra slips around and rolls her up, TWO! Fans chant “GIGI’S BETTER!” and Lyra SHOTGUNS Jacy out of the ring! Lyra then builds speed, but Jacy blocks the dropkick to wheelbarrow and SMACK off the apron!
Jacy grins but fans boo as NXT goes picture in picture. Jacy stomps Lyra around, then drags her up to RAM her into the apron! Jacy then RAMS Lyra into more apron! Jacy puts Lyra in the ring, CLUBS her down, then drags her up. Jacy whips Lyra to a corner, runs in and back body blocks! Jacy then snapmares and KICKS Lyra in the back! And the front! Cover, TWO! Jacy is annoyed but Lyra scowls. Lyra KICKS Jacy in the back! Jacy trips Lyra, stomps her down, then clamps on a chinlock. Lyra endures, Jacy leans on her and grinds her down. Lyra fights back up, throws body shots, and gets free, only for Jacy to knee low!
Jacy fireman’s carries but Lyra fights free! Lyra waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, TWO and Lyra ends up hitting buckles! Jacy goes to the far corner, roars and runs in, CANNONBALL! Jacy drags Lyra back to center, covers, TWO! Jacy CLUBS Lyra, goes for the arms, but then chinlocks again. Jacy leans on Lyra while fans rally up. Lyra fights around, stands back up and throws more body shots! Then a JAWBREAKER! Jacy staggers, but she still SUPERKICKS Lyra down! Cover, TWO! Lyra hangs tough but Jacy gets the legs for a BOSTON CRAB! NXT returns to single picture as Lyra endures. Fans rally but Jacy tells them to shut up.
Lyra fights, turns, and throws Jacy away! Jacy flounders, but she comes back, only for Lyra to victory roll! TWO, and Lyra gets around to crucifix to sunset! TWO, and Jacy SUPERKICKS again! Lyra flounders to a corner while fans boo. Jacy soaks it up, roars, and runs in again, but the cannonball only hits buckles! Lyra snarls through a bloody nose and she CLOBBERS Jacy! And again! SOBAT, front kick, HEADBUTT! Lyra runs to AX KICK! Jacy crawls to a corner and fans rally for Lyra. Lyra runs in but is put on the apron. Lyra ROCKS Jacy first, then slingshots to LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!
Jacy bails out but Lyra builds speed! Lyra WRECKS Jacy with a dropkick! Lyra puts Jacy in fast, goes up the corner, and leaps for the- NO, Jacy avoids the Turn of Fortune! SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Jacy is screaming in frustration and she aims from a corner, ROLLING- NO, Lyra dodges the kick to GAMANGIRI back! Lyra aims again, HEEL KICK!! Cover, Lyra wins!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall
The Toxic Menace get up to CLOBBER Lyra! Jacy’s a sore loser, we all know this! Fans boo but Jacy grabs Lyra’s shoulder pads to rip off the feathers! Lyra is fuming, will she get revenge on Jacy for this soon enough?
Noam Dar speaks to someone…?
“Hello, hello, hello. It’s me. It’s so good to see you, you look perfect as always. Look, I miss you so much. Life is so difficult without you. Nothing is the same! With you, I felt solid beyond belief! But now, everything just reminds me of you. I dream about you every single night. I even talk to you in my sleep. But you leave gaps, never to respond. Y’see? I’m going crazy! You said it would be forever! I need you back in my life. You complete me.” Yes, he’s talking to a picture of the Heritage Cup. The Meta Four rally around him, and Dar says next week, Supernova Sessions returns, but he isn’t sure how he’s gonna do it without the cup!
Lash Legend says they have to fix this and pronto. Jakara Jackson knows that already. Oro Mensah says Dar is down enough as it is, they have to take care of it for him. Dar wants five more minutes with the picture but they pull him away. What can they do to get Dar his precious back?
Kiara James is on the phone.
Yeah, “that” was so good. She figured Gigi could use a new look. Or rather, a fresh coat of paint. But speaking of, there’s a sign on her office door. “Wet paint?” She says bye to who she’s speaking with, and then steps inside. She looks around to see it all trashed! Paint splatters all over the wall, flowers strewn all around, and the word “PHONY” in big red letters. Kiana knows who did this but there’s still a note. “You can NEVER outrun your past – Gigi” Well okay then, Gigi, the gloves come off. What will happen next between the Calculator and the Outsider?
Von Wagner is beating up on Javier Bernal?!
Big Body Javi is getting thrown all around ringside and Stone says to kick Javi’s ass! Von TOSSES Javi over the steel steps! Then RAMS him into barriers! It seems Javi was talking trash, so this is what he gets! But Stone tells Von not to bomb Javi on the desk. Why not? Because it’ll mean more if he beats Javi in the ring. Von agrees with that, but then he trophy lifts Javi and aims for barriers! Stone stops Von and tells him to trust the process. Fans want the table, Von thinks about it, and he likes their idea better! Von clears off the desk, then drags Javi back up for the POWERBOMB through the desk!!
Stone is beside himself but the fans love it! Von smiles, was this the kind of therapy he needed all along?
NXT hears from Lucien Price & Bronco Nima.
Their childhood friendship started right outside this store front, La Caribena. NXT ain’t ready for this. They’re rolling up to the Perfromance Center, and Nima says they’re gonna run through the tag division. No one’s seen a combination like them. D1 athleticism with street wise knowledge. They’re not blood brothers but brothers at heart and they’re gonna unleash the anger. They went from younguns to OGs. NXT hears them coming, but no one’s listening. Every team better know they about to get it. Nobody’s safe! They’re on their way, and they’re bringing a storm with them!
Losers Leave NXT: The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine & Joe Gacy!
Speaking of the NXT Tag Division, things have gone back and forth between these forces on the roster for months now, and it all comes to a head here tonight! Despite what he says, Gacy put Jagger & Rip in this position, but is it because he knows they will be forged by the fire? Or will Julius & Brutus use this one match to take a big bite out of The Schism’s tree?
But speaking of that animosity, The Dyad attacks the moment Julius & Brutus are in the ring! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, Jagger dumps Julius out and he helps Rip mug Brutus! The ref wants them to stop but Jagger goes up and Rip facelocks. But Brutus powers Rip into that corner! Jagger hesitates, and then Julius jumps onto Brutus’ back to get Jagger for a SUPERPLEX! Brutus then DUMPS Rip out of the ring! The ref wants this to settle down, but Brutus SLINGSHOT CANNONBALLS to take Rip out! The bell rings, Julius ROCKS Jagger, then goes up a corner. Julius aims, for the SHOOTING STAR! Cover, but Gacy drags Jagger to safety!
The fans boo, but the ref tells Gacy he is EJECTED!! Fans cheer and Gacy is furious, but now things are a bit more even as NXT goes picture in picture.
Gacy and the Dyad still throw a fit, but Gacy tells The Dyad they can still get in there and take the Creeds out. Gacy walks off while fans wave bye and surely sing “HEY HEY HEY” at him. Rip and Jagger regroup, talk strategy, and then Jagger tags Rip. Rip circles with Julius, Julius waistlocks but Rip switches. Rip spins Julius, snapmares, but Julius handsprings through! Julius DROPKICKS Rip down, whips him to a corner, but Rip reverses. Julius goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tags Brutus in and then keeps moving. Brutus goes up to AX HANDLE Rip down! Brutus fireman’s carries to TOSS Rip, and STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
Brutus drags Rip up to UPPERCUT! Rip kicks low to UPPERCUT back! Brutus UPPERCUTS again! Brutus suplexes, holds Rip up, and then SLAMS Rip down! Brutus whips Rip to a corner, but Jagger takes the hit for him! Rip comes back to CLOBBER Brutus! Tag to Jagger, the Dyad POST Brutus together! Rip tags Jagger back in and Jagger fires off hands from the outside! The ref counts, Jagger lets off at 4 and fumes around. Jagger gets in to ELBOW Brutus down! Jagger drags Brutus up, wrenches and RAMS Brutus’ arm, then throws down elbows! Jagger throws more elbows, cranks the arm, and ROCKS Brutus with forearms!
Tag to Rip, the Dyad mugs Brutus, then Rip holds Brutus in place for Jagger to ELBOW! NXT returns to single picture as Jagger holds Brutus and Rip SPLASHES! Feed to the WHEEL KICK! Rip covers, TWO! Rip clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Brutus. Brutus endures, even as Rip full mounts the armlock. Fans rally and Brutus fights up. Brutus throws forearms, reaches out, but Rip knees low! Rip clamps onto the arm again, double wristlocks, but Brutus powers his way forward! Brutus and Julius reach for each other, but Rip turns Brutus around to ARMLOCK DDT! Cover, TWO!
Brutus clutches the arm but he’s still in this. Rip throws down hands, stomps Brutus right in the face, and then short arm LARIATS! Rip covers, TWO! Rip clamps onto Brutus, fans rally up for the Creeds, and Brutus fights up. Brutus throws forearms, reaches out, but Rip knees low! Rip brings Brutus around, but Brutus suplexes instead! Fans fire up while both men are down. Hot tags to Jagger and Julius! Julius clinches to OVERHEAD SUPLEX Jagger! And then OVERHEAD SUPLEX Rip! And then another clinch on Jagger but Rip CLUBS Julius! The Dyad mug and whip Julius bu t he jumps the lariats to DOUBLE LARIAT the Dyad out!
Fans fire up as Julius WRECKS both men with a dropkick, and then skins the cat to PLANCHA! Direct hit on both Jagger and Rip, and Julius fires off forearms! Fans fire up as Julius puts Rip in, but Jagger anchors a leg. Julius kicks free but Rip cradles! TWO!! Julius JUMP KNEES back! Tag to Brutus and the Creeds whip and fireman’s carry. KNEE DEATH VALLEY COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Rip survives and Brutus still clutches that bad arm. Tag back to Julius, the Creeds get Rip up, but Jagger SUPERKICKS Brutus! Julius ROCKS Jagger and tosses him, but Rip rolls Julius up! TWO!!
Julius escapes, Jagger tags in! Jagger gets around, crucifix and throat chop! Takedown into the cover, TWO!! Julius survives and Ava grows frustrated on their behalf. Jagger says this is what Julius wanted, and he ROCKS him! And ROCKS him again! But Julius throws body shots and CLUBS Jagger! Julius reels Jagger in, gets him up, and POWERBOMBS! Julius high stacks, but Rip CHOP BLOCKS! Julius writhes but he also gets pissed! Julius fires off on Rip but Jagger CHOP BLOCKS! More damage to the leg! Tag to Rip and Jagger kicks Julius out of the ring. Rip RAMS Julius into steel steps and Julius tumbles over!
Fans boo while Julius clutches his leg in agony! The Dyad has control now as NXT goes picture in picture.
Julius rests against the barriers but Rip storms up to stomp the leg! Rip gets Julius up and brings him around, SHINBREAKER to the steps!! Julius writhes more, and Rip puts him back in. Rip drags Julius up, reels him in, and suplexes into the ropes! The legs get beat up even more! Tag to Jagger and he stalks Julius, to KICK the bad leg out! Ivy coaches Julius but Jagger stomps him at the ropes. Jagger wraps the leg around ropes and pulls! The ref counts but Julius kicks Jagger away. Jagger comes back, throws forearms, and tags in Rip. Jagger puts Julius in a Tree of Woe and Rip makes sure he’s stuck.
The ref counts, Rip CLUBS away on the bad leg until Julius falls out of the Tree! Rip stomps Julius, drags him up, and he scoops to SLAM him into ropes! The legs just keep taking damage, and Jagger tags in. The Dyad mugs Julius, and Jagger CLUBS Julius down! Jagger stomps the bad leg, talks some trash, stomps some more, then tags Rip in. NXT returns to single picture as Rip sucker punches Brutus! Rip stands Julius up to DECK him! And then he has the leg, HALF CRAB! Julius endures as Rip has him at a bad angle! Jagger and Ava taunt Julius, Julius raises his hand, but he refuses to give up!
Julius claws his way around, Brutus and Ivy coach him, and Julius turns over to kick and kick and kick! Julius gest free and he crawls over to the corner. Hot tag to Brutus! Brutus rallies on The Dyad, and he TACKLES Rip to BRUTUS SMASH! But Rip gets away by kicking the bad arm! Brutus runs in to SPLASH in the corner, then he torture racks! SHELL SHOCK! Brutus goes to the apron to SPRINGBOARD 450?!? Cover, TWO!!! The fact Brutus made that work is wild, but Rip still survives. Brutus brings down the straps and roars! Brutus gets a leg for an ANKLE LOCK!!
Rip endures, fans rally and chant “TAP! TAP! TAP!” Rip turns over and he BOOTS Brutus away! Then throat chop! Rip goes up, leaps, TICKET TO RIDE!! Cover, TWO!??! Brutus survives and fans fire up! Ivy is relieved, but Rip tags Jagger. Jagger tears off his wrist tape, and he eggs Brutus on. Jagger ROCKS Brutus, then shouts, “Is this what you wanted?!” Jagger fires more forearms, and he tells Brutus is leaving! Jagger DECKS Brutus, but Julius is there. Julius tells Brutus to keep fighting because they aren’t going anywhere! Jagger ROCKS Brutus, and again! But Brutus powers up! Jagger throws more shots but Brutus CLOBBERS him!!
Brutus shakes out the bad arm, tags Julius in, and Julius hobbles up with his bad leg. Electric Chair Lift, but Rip drags Brutus down! Jagger slips off Julius to ROCK Brutus! Julius waistlocks but Jagger throws elbows! Jagger gets loose, Rip has Brutus in an Electric Chair now! TOPE DOOMSDAY!! The Dyad is all fired up and Ivy is worried now. Julius is furious now but he’s 2v1! Rip says it’s been 18 YEARS for them. Julius fires off haymakers on the Dyad! And DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS!! Julius kips up on ONE LEG!! Julius fires up, goes up a corner, and MOONSAULTS them both down!
Fans are thunderous but Ava gets in! So Ivy CLOBBERS her! Fans fire up as Ivy gets at Julius, but who is this in the red hooded jacket and golden Schism mask?! They sneak up and HEADBUTT Julius! Then they scurry away into the crowd! Jagger tags Rip, The Dyad aims at Julius! DOUBLE CODE BREAKER!! Cover, THE DYAD WINS!?!
Winners: The Dyad, by pinfall (The Creed Brothers MUST LEAVE NXT)
Fans boo, but there are yellow Schism masks peppered in the crowd who must be quietly loving this. Who was the person in the red hood and new mask? Was this why Gacy was so confident? As for Julius & Brutus, they’re not out of NXT! Where will they go now?
Finn Balor speaks.
“Trick and Melo. You ain’t sweatin’ me? You ain’t sweatin’ the Judgment Day? No, you were sweatin’ all over my ring when I dragged you from corner to corner a couple weeks ago on Raw. But I get it. By sticking your nose in my business, you get that Finn rub. But trust me, there ain’t gonna be no happy endings. I’ll see you next Tuesday. How’s that for subliminal?” The Prince is returning to NXT, and he’s bringing the Judgment Day with him! Will they look to bring down Trick Melo Gang?
Bron Breakker is here!
As if the fans weren’t bummed out enough by the Creeds being expelled, now the Big Bad Booty Nephew is here. Bron gets a mic as fans boo, and he says, “Now in case some of you live under a rock, a couple weeks ago, I competed in the biggest match in NXT history. On the most watched NXT show in over two years, because I called out Seth Rollins.” Fans boo and remind him he lost. But Bron says he and Seth went to war. “But the kicker was that not one of you in this arena, at home, believed that I had a shot. Until I speared Seth Rollins in the center of this ring, and I heard the energy in this arena drop.
“Now, Seth would go on to prove to the world how good that he is, and is everything that he says that he is, but I can’t stress enough how close that I was to winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.” Fans boo more as Bron says it was “a fraction of a second away from winning gold, at only 78 matches in my career. 78 matches is all I’ve had. Hell, Seth Rollins has had more Premium Live Event matches than I’ve had period!” Bron didn’t have the “luxury” of traveling the world and wrestling in high school gyms before getting here. Everything Bron has done has been right here, live TV for the whole world to see every week!
Fans do cheer that, and Bron says night one, he beat one of the hottest stars in the business right now, LA Knight! Fans chant “YEAH!” but Bron says he’s just 25 years old. And yet he proved he can hang with the very best in this business, and he is that damn good! Fans are a bit torn there. Bron wants us to get used to seeing his face for decades to come because he’s got a lot more people to beat, and a lot more championships to win. And a lot of people are asking, “What’s next for the most intense superstar in WWE? What’s next for the badass Bron Breakker?” Well here comes ILJA DRAGUNOV!
Ilja tells Bron, “You would like to know what’s next in line for you, right? Well… Next in line is me.” Fans cheer that! Ilja came out to confront Bron like a man, not by attacking him backstage or in the middle of a match where his attention is somewhere else. No, Ilja did this with Bron’s head up, and face to face. Ilja wanted to let Bron know that between Ilja and the NXT title, there stands but one person: Bron. Ilja came out here to eliminate Bron. It’s funny that Bron talks about danger, because you’re standing in the ring with THE most dangerous man in NXT! Ilja hits a JUMP KICK and then fires off forearms!
Bron waistlocks, they go around, refs rush out but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Ilja gets loose but Bron TACKLES him! Bron rains down fists, superstars and prospects rush out to separate them, but they just get haymakers for it! Bron ELBOWS Ilja, Ilja PELES back! Even MORE superstars come out, but Ilja CLOBBERS Bron off the apron and onto them! The entire locker room empties but they just get clobbered by Ilja as he wants after Bron again! Bron TACKLES Ilja again, but then Ilja hits him back! These two are surely the most dangerous men in NXT, but who will be number one in the end?
My Thoughts:
A really good NXT, though this must’ve been at the end of a taping session because that crowd was half dead for roughly half of it (in total). Really good opener from Roxie and Blair, but it makes sense for Blair to win, as it’ll extend the feud. Really good vignette from Corbin, and I do like the idea of him getting rid of his King Corbin, Constable Corbin, Happy Corbin/Modern Wrestling God Corbin and even Lone Wolf Corbin stuff to try and be more of the Corbin he is now. But in a way that ends up being his gimmick: No BS Corbin. Either way, a good, fresh start and who knows what that leads to while he’s still in NXT.
Bate VS Ali was great stuff, but I had a feeling Ali would find a way to win. Wes VS Ali is going to be great stuff at the Great American Bash, the build over the next three weeks is going to be great stuff, but who knows how the match goes. As it has been said, Ali has not held any gold in the WWE, though he totally deserves to, but who knows if he’s to be the one that breaks Wes’ record setting streak. Though as I’ve also said before, it’d be a great move as Wes can then launch to the top title. Great promo from Meta Four, and I knew the moment Dar started talking to someone/something off camera, it was related to the Heritage Cup. The team is definitely gonna petition Dar gets a rematch with Nathan Frazer since he wasn’t the one who lost the cup.
Solid first match for Kelani Jordan on NXT TV, though her using Stun-Dog Millionaire as a finisher is not gonna work, because it is one of those rare counter attack moves. She should work on a finisher that plays off her being a gymnast, like a moonsault variation. That said, her and Cora having a match will be good stuff, and probably leads to a rematch of Cora VS Dana. Great promo from Chase U to officially give us Duke & Chase VS Gulak & Dempsey, and good promo from Kiana James to set up a rematch with Gigi Dolin. I kinda want them to come up with a unique stipulation within the No Disqualification family, so that there can be cans of paint and office supplies used to represent both of them.
Good final vignette from Price & Nima before they debut on NXT TV, and good promo from Trick Melo Gang and Finn Balor to set up some stuff between them. It can add some stuff to the Judgment Day dysfunction between Finn and Priest, especially if they’re called upon to be in a tag match against Trick Melo Gang. And I really liked how outta nowhere Von beating up on Javi was. And I thought this was going a certain way, but maybe NXT trimmed down my idea of pacifist Von VS righteous anger Von to get right to where Von uses his anger for good instead of evil. The fans are definitely gravitating towards “Face who is still aggressive” Von, they loved him tossing Javi around.
Really good promo from Tony D, Stacks and Joe Coffey. So Stacks isn’t a traitor but maybe just naïve? I do feel like he’ll find a way to beat Joe so that he and Tony can have their tag title match at Great American Bash. But at the same time, it’d be wild for NXT to go all law/crime show and have a kayfabe court trial that sees Tony acquitted and then he and Stacks still go after Gallus for the tag titles. Either way, I’m not even sure the D’Angelo Family takes the titles, Gallus make good Heels to take on just about any team they want in the division. Los Lotharios certainly want their shot, and I’d love to see Hank ‘n’ Tank get a try.
Really fun stuff in that “NXT Underground” match. But was it just me or did it feel like they could’ve easily had Gable Steveson turn on Eddy there? He was holding up his gold medal, he could’ve cracked Eddy with it behind the ref’s back, but instead he stayed Face and then just got to throw around the “obnoxious” Underground lumberjacks. But I’m really surprised Kemp didn’t get one win against Eddy, feels kinda underwhelming for the whole story. And very good match from Lyra VS Jacy, but I figured Lyra would win here. She’s still on a slow build to being a contender, and I kinda hope she and Blair cross paths to reference back to NXT UK.
We got a great tag match in the main event, and as I said last week, I had a feeling the Creeds would lose. They’ve already had the tag titles, there isn’t really anything more for them to do, so they’re probably moving on to SmackDown on the Road to SummerSlam. Ivy had a good interaction with Tiffany, they’re going to have a good match, and I’m sure the NXT crowd would love to see Ivy get her title shot. And pretty sure that hooded figure was just Gacy in disguise. He got himself ejected and pulled a Solo Sikoa from Night of Champions, aka came back when no one expected it. Now Gacy can take credit in some way, which will just add more dysfunction.
And great closing segment with Bron and Ilja, but it really exposed how the crowd was just done. Those boos sounded piped in, as it sure didn’t seem like anyone in the crowd was even bothering. But the fans did come alive when Ilja showed up to confront Bron, they had a great brawl, and they’re going to have an awesome match. Pretty sure Dragunov wins that, he finally moves up to the NXT title, and he can have an awesome feud with Melo. Bron losing would hopefully mean he moves on to RawDown, probably more Raw than SmackDown, and we’ll see where he goes from there.
My Score: 8.6/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
London calling to the champion crowns!
SmackDown brings gold to London as LA Knight defends his WWE US Championship and The Street Profits defend their tag team titles! Will the landscape change this close to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly; The Profits win and retain the titles.
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green; The Secret Her-vice wins.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins, by disqualification, and Knight retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab; Charlotte wins.
- Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Jimmy Uso VS The Miz; Jimmy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
We follow The American Nightmare as walks to gorilla, then through the curtain, and London sings along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, says hello to fans along the ramp, and then we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, then kneels down to kiss the WWE logo on the mat. The fans continue to sing along all the way to the end, “I AM MY KINGDOM!” The fans then cheer, and Cody holds up the belt to fire them up even more! The fans now sing for “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and he soaks it in. The fans cheer again as Cody smiles, and he finally says, “So, London~! Whaddya wanna talk about?”
The fans chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody hears that dueling, and he smiles again. The song of “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” returns, then they cheer. Cody says, “At WrestleMania 41, I will be facing John Cena…” The fans boo, but Cody says, “I will be facing John Cena as he goes to break the record and win 17. But that is WrestleMania 41. In just a few nights, I will be standing face to face with John Cena in this very same city, in this very same arena.” The fans cheer that, but then here comes Randy Orton! Now the fans sing along with Voices as The Viper heads to the ring. Orton also high-fives fans before he joins Cody.
Orton grabs a mic, paces while the fans keep singing on their own, and then the fans cheer. Orton says he’s not really the sentimental type, but for Cody and for London, screw it. The fans chant “R K O! R K O!” and Orton tells Cody, “Look at you. Look at who you are now, the man you are now. Look at where he came from.” The fans cheer and sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and Orton says he remembers a Cody in his early 20s, just breaking into the business. Cody was busting his ass harder than anyone else. He wasn’t exactly happy, and in fact, he was frustrated. But Cody was man enough, smart enough, to know he needed to grow, and that he couldn’t grow in the WWE.
Cody wasn’t exactly treated fairly in the WWE, so Cody left the WWE! That took some big ass balls to do what he did! Cody changed the business singlehandedly, and everyone in the back knows it. And Orton appreciates Cody for it. But then Cody came back, as they all knew one day he would. And the industry has been changed forever since the day Cody came back to the WWE. Cody is a bit teary eyed as Orton says Cody’s still the same guy, he just did what he set out to do, and he grew. Orton teases he would sing along with the fans, but the fans might leave. The fans again sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!”
Orton asks if they remember when Cody Rhodes faced Seth Rollins in Hell in a Cell. The fans cheer because they do. Orton says that was impressive, and even impossible, as he started with a partially torn pec and then ended with a fully torn pec! His body changed all kinds of shades of purple that Orton’s never seen on a human body. The pain he must have been in. Cody persevered not just for himself. Maybe not even at all for Cody. It was not even for his family legacy; it was for each and every single fan out there! Then Cody went on to WrestleMania, beat Roman Reigns and finished the story!
But there’s always another story, isn’t there? And Cody’s right in the middle of one. Cody is in charge of his legacy, and it is a privilege for Orton to watch Cody take control of it. Ticket sales have been up, there’s more intrigue around the world, and listen to the people! It is 99.9% all because of Cody! The fans cheer that, and of course they sing. Orton says what he’s trying to say is a long-winded version of he respects Cody, loves him, and is very, very proud of him. The fans cheer that! Orton then says, “But… But now it is time for WrestleMania.” They both look to the sign, and Orton says he can guarantee Cody that Orton will kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head…!
Orton can just feel it already! He forgets how many days are left, but he can’t wait to remove Kevin’s head from his shoulders. And Orton knows Cody will enter champion, exit champion, but not before he beats the holy hell outta Cena all up and down the Vegas strip! But after all the smoke clears and the dust settles, just like Orton wants Number 17, there will come a time when Orton will want Number 15. But Orton won’t kick Cody in the balls like a coward. Orton will look Cody in the eye because he respects Cody, is proud of Cody, and sees him as an equal. Orton will look Cody in the eye and tell him that he’s coming for the title.
The fans cheer but wait! Drew McIntyre is here! The fans cheer the Scottish Terminator as he steps out on stage, mic in hand, and has a wry smile on his face as he looks at the ring. Drew waves as the fans now sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Drew says, “Isn’t this wonderful? A couple of nepo babies having a love fest in the middle of the ring> It makes me absolutely sick. What’d you just say, Randy? if Cody gets through Cena at WrestleMania, you’re coming for that title? What exactly have you done since that big comeback to justify that title match? Aside be Randy Orton. The only big moment I can remember is you being on the shelf for months and months and months.
“People like to make jokes about it, but more people talk about my five-minute-45-second title reign than your entire comeback so far! So get to the back of the line, sunshine! As for you, Cody, you should’ve listened to me. But you shunned me. You attacked me. Everybody should’ve listened to me about John Cena, but they didn’t. And the next night, he kicked you right in the twig ‘n’ berries, proving me right as usual. And the main event of WrestleMania should be Cody Rhodes VS The UK’s only ever world champion, Drew McIntyre!” Fans do like that idea. But sadly, it’s not, because of that guyliner wearing Temu Undertaker, Damian Priest!
Drew wants to talk about what is happening. And what’s gonna happen! Drew steps up to the ring while fans sing for him again. Drew says it will not be Randy that takes the title from Cody, should he get through Cena; it’ll be McIntyre. The fans cheer, but Orton says they were trying to have a moment. Can Drew just cut the crap already? Drew says okay, sure. He’ll tell the truth, because that’s all he ever does. The truth is, Kevin might have a point! If those Voices are talking to Orton again, then they know Drew very, very well. And he’s thinking, “My God, Randy looks great! Absolutely jacked! On the outside.”
On the inside, that back is hanging by a thread. And if Orton provokes McIntyre, McIntyre will break him. And as for Cody- Cody kicks Drew and UPPERCUTS him! The fans fire up, and Orton R- NO, Drew gets away! The fans boo, but the battlelines are drawn! Even if Cody makes it out of the frying pan that is Las Vegas, it’ll be into the fire that is these contenders waiting in line! Will the American Nightmare be ready for whoever comes for the crown?
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are finally golden again, but it’s time to put the titles on the line already! And while they’re ready for the grind, they’re up against the hometown heroes! Will the Profits still be up in the O2? Or will Kit Wilson & Elton Prince say #YESBOY to a new reign of their own?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really wants the smoke!
The teams sort out and Kit starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks, but Kit powers up and out. Dawkins runs Kit over, the fans fire up, and Dawkins fires hands on Kit in the corner! The fans rally for Pretty Deadly, Dawkins whips Kit to a corner, but Elton takes that bump! Kit CLOBBERS Dawkins, then tags Elton! Atomic drop into DROPKICK! Ford runs up, but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Dawkins whips, Elton reverses, and then Elton hurdles so Kit can DDT! The fans fire up with Pretty Deadly while the Profits bail out. Pretty Deadly has control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Elton is right on Dawkins as he gets in, and UPPERCUTS him to the corner. Elton clinches Dawkins for another UPPERCUT! Tag to Kit, and Elton RAMS into Dawkins so Kit can UPPERCUT! Dawkins flops over, Kit drags him up to wrench the arm. Kit whips, Dawkins reverses, but Kit grabs ropes. Kit ELBOWS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but Dawkins CLOBBERS Kit! The ref reprimands but Dawkins RAMS Kit into the corner again and again! The ref counts, Dawkins fires fast hands, then he tags in Ford. Ford says, “SUCK IT!” then he KICKS Kit! Ford scuffs Kit, then drags him to a cover, TWO!
Ford keeps Kit down with a facelock, but Kit endures the grind. Kit fights up, fires body shots, but Ford whips him away. Kit sunset flips! Ford rolls through, and PENALTY KICKS! Ford mocks Elton with the Scott Hall fingers, and the ref has to keep Elton back. Ford drags Kit up, tags Dawkins, and the Profits mug Kit. Dawkins CLUBS Kit down, then stalks him. Dawkins stays between Kit and Elton, then whips Kit into the Profits’ corner. CYCLONE- NO, Kit dodges! Ford tags in, he keeps Kit from Elton now, but Kit slips out of the suplex! Kit fakes high to go low, hot tag to Elton! Elton rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT!
Elton kicks and whips Ford to a corner, then UPPERCUTS! Elton whips the other way, UPPERCUTS again, and then does it again! Elton adds to the hattrick with a lift, Ford says a quick prayer before the SUPLEX! Ford flounders, gets to his feet, but Elton dodges to springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this, but Elton stays on him. SmackDown returns to single picture and fans rally for Pretty Deadly as Elton gives Ford a back suplex. Ford lands out, waistlocks, but Elton switches and shoves Ford. Ford CLOBBERS Elton in return! Ford is also dazed but he covers, ONE!
Kit reaches out, Elton and Ford both crawl, hot tags to Kit and Dawkins! The fans fire up as Dawkins wrenches Kit, underhooks and SILENCER! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Kit, Ford climbs, but Kit slips free! Kit shoves Dawkins into Ford! Ford falls to the floor, but Dawkins ENZIGIRIS Kit! Elton tags in, and Kit LARIATS Dawkins! Pretty Deadly combine for DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives and the Profits are a bit unsure of what to do next. Dawkins crawls to a corner, Elton runs up, but Dawkins dodges! Elton hits buckles and Dawkins TOSSES Kit, then Dawkins hits a SKY HIGH on Elton!
Dawkins hurries to tag Ford and Ford climbs up! But Kit pushes Elton out of the way! Kit takes FROM THE HEAVESN, and Elton ghost pins Ford! TWO!! Ford escapes, and he ROCKS Elton! Elton UPPERCUTS Ford! Dawkins sneaks a tag, Ford SUPERKICKS! POUNCE SAIDO COMBO!! Cover, KIT BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! The teams go to opposite ends, then they all stand up in the corners. They all roar, all run in, and Kit SPEARS Ford while Elton FLYING UPPERCUTS Dawkins!! London is thunderous, and Kit hurries to tag in! Pretty Deadly gets Dawkins up, for SPILT MILK!! Cover, FORD BREAKS IT!
The fans are shocked, as is Elton, but Ford saves this for his team! “This is Awesome!” as Ford runs up and Elton TOSSES him out! Now DRY MARTI- NO! Dawkins doesn’t accept the second serving, and he DUMPS Kit out! Kit skins the cat while Dawkins DECKS Elton! Dawkins catches Kit to an Electric Chair! Ford rises, DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Pretty Deadly put up a heroic fight, but the hometown heroes could not capture the gold. Dawkins & Ford hold onto the gold, will this be the strongest the Profits have ever been?
Kayden & Katana talk with Zelina Vega.
Carter & Chance know La Muneca got screwed over by The Green Administration. Chelsea thinks she’s untouchable, but someone’s gonna stop them eventually. Well, speaking of, Alba Fyre leads the way in as she & Piper Niven “scope the perimeter.” There’s one small threat. They frisk the “miniscule” threat, but nothing they haven’t dealt with before. Chelsea struts in and says, “The Eagle has landed~!” Zelina says she is so glad the “Bootleg Men in Black” have crashed the party. Now, yeah, they all know she’s small. But clearly this small “threat” is a big threat to Chelsea’s title reign. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken all three of them to beat her.
KC Squared agree with that. How about tonight, we see what happens when the odds are even? Chelsea says that’s fine, because Agents P & A are ready. The Secret Her-vice has been given their next mission, but will they be able to crash the party? Or will the party crash them?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice!
SmackDown returns and The Green Administration makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Alba starts against Katana, and the two tie up. Alba KNEES low, CLUBS Katana down, then fireman’s carries. Katana fights free, tags Kayden, and they KICK, double whip, and then trip Alba up for the basement DROPKICK! Katana adds a slingshot SENTON, Kayden covers, TWO! Kayden tags Katana, they double whip Alba to a corner, then Kayden runs in. Alba DUMPS Kayden out, ROCKS Katana, and she tags Piper! Katana arm-drags Alba out, then goes out to run up. Kayden gives her a boost, Katana CROSSBODIES Alba down!
The fans fire up, but Piper goes up and out?! CANNONBALL and down goes KC Squared! Piper salutes Chelsea and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Kayden rallies on Alba while the fans rally up. Kayden fires up, runs in and whips, but Alba reverses. Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls, then SUPERKICKS! Kayden fires up again but the fans are torn. Kayden runs in at Alba to BOOT WASH her against the ropes! Chelsea protests, Kayden kicks at her, then Kayden springboards for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Alba survives, Kayden whips, but Alba KICKS back! Tag to Piper, but Kayden jackknife bridges Alba! The ref explains bout the tag, Piper runs up, but Kayden moves! The SENTON hits Alba! Piper panics, Kayden tags Katana!
Katana goes up onto Kayden’s shoulders, VICTORY ROLL LAUNCHER, but Piper catches Katana! Katana fires hands, BOOTS, and then hurries to go up again. Kayden ROCKS Piper, and fireman’s carries?! SAMOAN DROP! Kayden then gives Katana the boost, for the KEG STAND SPLASH!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Kayden runs up on Alba to BOOT her out! Katana gives Kayden the boost now, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Alba! Kayden hurries to tag back in, and she brings Piper up. Piper swings, Kayden dodges and SUPERKICKS! Katana goes up, Piper staggers over that way, but Chelsea distracts the ref!
The fans are torn as Alba grabs Katana. Katana kicks Alba down, chases Chelsea off, but Piper sends Kayden into her! Piper scoops to PIPER DRIVER!! Cover, Secret Her-vice wins!
Winner: The Secret Her-vice, by pinfall
The Women’s US Champion helps her team, and now they all mug Kayden & Katana! But here comes Zelina! Vega runs down the ramp, CLOBBERS Alba, and then she gets in the ring! Zelina tilt-o-whirl DDTS Piper! And she KNEES Alba off the apron! But Chelsea CLOBBERS Zelina! Chelsea fires up, the UK is oddly with her, and she chicken wings Zeina. But Zelina fights free to fire forearms and body shots! And a BACK ELBOW! Zelina reels Chelsea in, CODE- SUPERKICK from Alba! SENTON from Piper! The Green Administration is just too much for Zelina to fight against alone! But can she, Kayden & Katana find a way to turn things around?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman!
Did the Mega Star just get this title back from Shinsuke Nakamura? YEAH! Did he help the Monster of All Monsters fight off Solo Sikoa’s rouge bloodline? YEAH! And now, does he have to defend this title against the monster he just helped? YEAH!! But will Knight still reign this close to WrestleMania? Or will Braun #GetTheseHands back on a championship?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for Knight’s biggest challenge, YEAH!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. The two tie up, and Braun SHOVES Knight away. Knight comes back, Braun SHOVES him down again! Knight gets up, gets around, and he headlocks. Braun powers up to back suplex, but Knight lands out! Knight tries but Braun’s too big to suplex! Braun ELBOWS Knight, storms up on him, but Knight fires haymakers! Knight whips, Braun reverses, but Knight KICKS back! Knight runs, but Braun HIP TOSSES! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this, but Braun brings him up. Braun puts Knight in a corner, CHOPS, then runs, for a SPLASH! Knight sputters along ropes, Braun keeps moving, but Knight DUMPS him out!
The fans fire up as Knight then WRECKS Braun with a dropkick! Knight keeps moving, and he WRECKS Braun again! The fans fire up with Knight, but then Braun BOOTS Knight down! The fans are torn but Braun stands tall as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Braun puts Knight back in the ring. The fans cheer as Knight KICKS Braun! Knight tries again, but Braun’s still too big to back suplex! Braun CLUBS Knight, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS Braun, goes up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Knight and Braun rise back up, and Knight dodges a shot to JAB! Then he dodges to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Braun KNEES low! Braun scoops, Knight slips free, and Knight RAMS Braun into buckles! Then the BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Knight rises again! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
Braun has plenty left in the tank but the fans rally for Knight. Knight stands Braun up to kick low, but Braun THROWS Knight away! Knight rises, and Braun LARIATS Knight up and out! The fans fire up as Braun rips the shirt! Braun gets on the track, and he runs in, STROWMAN EXPRESS MEETS JACOB FATU!! The Samoan Werewolf strikes Braun down!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification; LA Knight retains the title
The fans boo as Jacob now goes after Knight! He just ruined what was becoming a great match, but Jacob fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT on Braun! SAMOAN DROP onto the desk!! The desk doesn’t budge, but Braun might’ve been broken in half! The UK fires up for Fatu as he puts Braun in the ring! Jacob fires more HEADBUTTS, then HEADBUTTS away on Braun in the corner! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE, FATU~, FATU~!” Jacob runs corner to corner, but Knight kicks him first! Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jacob denies the BFT to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! And then HIP ATTACK for Braun anyway!
Jacob keeps going, HIP ATTACK for Braun again! Jacob throws off his jacket, glares at Braun, and he runs in for a third HIP ATTACK! Braun flounders into the drop zone, so Jacob goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Direct hit on Braun, but the fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Jacob obliges, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The Samoan Werewolf just tore up #OneBigSOB and LA Knight, will there be no stopping him from taking the United States Championship?
Backstage interview with Jimmy Uso.
Jackie Redmond is with #BigJim, and she says that while she knew WWE was going global this month, she did not know they’d get the slap heard ’round the world! Jimmy says he’d do it again, and he’ll slap Gunther as many times as he needs! Jimmy knows Jey is up in his own head, doubt is creeping on him. But just because Jey’s 0-3 against Gunther doesn’t mean Gunther’s unbeatable! The Ring General CAN be got! Jimmy’s going to Raw this Monday, he will bust Gunther’s ass, Jey will go to Mania and bust Gunther’s ass to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And then they leave Las Vegas just like this: YEET!
Jimmy heads out, but then The Miz & Carmelo Hayes walk by. Miz is mocking Jimmy’s words, and he asks excuse me. Miz says it’s just funny that suddenly, Jimmy is a tough guy, even though for most of his career, he’s been “The Other Uso.” Doesn’t Jimmy get it? Jimmy and Jey are career sidekicks while Gunther is a main character. Gunther is the lead, neither Jimmy nor Jey can beat him. And here’s another thing: The Usos are just blips on the trailer that was Roman Reigns’ Bloodline. Melo says Jimmy & Jey are stuck outside the club, they can’t even get in.
Miz says as a former WWE Champion, a former WrestleMania main eventer, Jimmy will never know what it is to carry this industry. And after this year’s WrestleMania, neither will Jey. Oh, and by the way, if Jimmy ever slapped Miz like that, Jimmy would still be on the ground. Jimmy feints the slap and Miz freaks out. Jimmy says it may be him and Gunther on Monday, but he’ll holler at Aldis real quick so it can be Jimmy VS Miz here tonight. Yeah, YEET! Jimmy heads out, Melo says he thought Miz was gonna do something about the slap. Will Miz have to do something about running his mouth before he gets his teeth kicked in?
Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga find Jacob Fatu backstage.
Solo asks Jacob what the Hell he was doing out there. Jacob goes out there alone without saying a thing to them? Jacob says he ain’t gotta say nothing to nobody! Matter fact, didn’t Solo not tap in with him last week? Tama says, “But Jacob,” only for Jacob to say, “But nothing, Tama!” Solo wants Jacob to lower his tone, but Jacob says okay. Let him be very clear with them. When it comes to Braun Strowman, Jacob WILL be the last man standing. Y’all better get in where you fit in, cuz that US title? Oh, Jacob’s bringing it home to the family. And he will do it with them, or without them! Yadada mean? Fatu heads out, is the Samoan Werewolf no longer following Solo?
Naomi speaks.
“I mean… How did we even get here? I don’t know. One thing that I do know is that I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. So Bianca, what makes you think that my attack on Jade was anything different from me doing the right thing? When I sit here and I think about all that I’ve sacrificed, all that I’ve given, and that’s what really breaks my heart. Because through all of that, I’m made to be the bad one in this situation. I just don’t understand, how does Jade come in outta nowhere and take my place with you? I want you to ask yourself this, Bianca. Who inspired you? Hmm?
“Who’s inspired women over the last decade? Who’s always had your back from day one of you being here? Me. Not Jade. Hmm. But you know what? What I’ve learned through all of this: You teach people how to treat you. And I’m done with being treated as a third wheel. I’m done being pushed to the side, I’m done with being too nice, I’m done with being undervalued, underutilized, underappreciated! So moving forward, hmm… Moving forward, here’s my message to you, Jade. If you continue to be in my way, I strongly advise you to proceed with caution.” The Glow shows her dark side, but will the storm be moved?
Nick Aldis meets with Jade Cargill.
Speaking of, the SmackDown General Manager understands things have been rather difficult for her as of late. Jade says she’s been trying to get her hands on Naomi for the past few weeks, now where is she? No one has seen her all day, so as far as anyone knows, Naomi’s not here. Well, when Jade catches Naomi, it’s on sight. Jade leaves, B-Fab & Michin are there. They let her know that what Naomi did to her was straight trash, totally uncalled for behavior. And after Jade gets her hands on Naomi, she’ll handle that business. Jade agrees. Mia says they’ve all got business to handle. Jade’s got Naomi, and Mia’s gonna get Charlotte for messing with her girl, B.
B-Fab says Naomi’s got what’s coming to her: no sympathy, no regrets. Jade, just do what you gotta do. Oh, she will. Jade also wishes Mia luck tonight. Mia & B-Fab head out, will the Head Baddie in Charge make the Queen bow down in London?
The darkness approaches.
“You are as I was. As I am, you will be.” The shadows are starting to take shape, but is SmackDown about to fade to black?
Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!
The Queen looks down on everyone, so it’s no surprise that everyone else wants to take her down. Charlotte may have checked off B-Fab, but will the HBIC be a much different story? Or will Charlotte only sharpen her edge before facing Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania?
WAIT! NAOMI ATTACKS B-FAB & MICHIN! Naomi drags Mia up for a FACEBUSTER! Naomi rains down fists, the ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Naomi tells the ref to back off. Naomi then BOOTS B-Fab off the apron! Naomi goes out after B-Fab to THRWO her into barriers! Naomi SLAPS B-Fab, tells her to stay down, but B-Fab gets up. Naomi fires hands, then she SMACKS B-Fab off the desk! Naomi rains down fists, but here comes Jade! Jade hurries down the ramp, she runs around the way, but Naomi runs away! Jade makes sure B-Fab is okay, but refs have to help her to the back. And what of Mia? Will she even be able to compete?
Charlotte makes her entrance, not really caring about what Naomi just did to Mia. But that means she also crosses paths with Jade. The fans like the look of this stare down, but Jade and Charlotte both let the other slide. Charlotte gets her pyro, and it seems she’ll still get her match. Will Mia be little more than an appetizer now?
The bell rings, and Charlotte BOOTS Mia down! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this and the fans rally up. Charlotte just struts around while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Charlotte has Mia down with a chinlock, but the fans rally up. Mia fights up, fires body shots, and she then blocks a shot to ROCK Charlotte! Mia ROCKS Charlotte again and again, then reels her in for a TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Mia drags Charlotte up, wrenches, but Charlotte says no to Da Feet! BIG back suplex! Mia stagger sup, Charlotte whips her, but Mia reverses! Charlotte goes up and out, BOOTS her away, then slingshots in and rolls Mia! Mia rolls through and BUZZSAWS! Mia runs corner to corner, but Charlotte avoids the cannonball!
Charlotte YAKUZA KICKS Mia down, then fires herself up! The fans “WOO~!” as Charlotte has Mia in the drop zone,. Charlotte steps on her, goes up the corner, but Mia gets underneath her! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and Mia is shocked! Mia nods as the fans rally back up, and she brings Charlotte up. But Charlotte ROCKS Mia! Mia SOBATS, PELES, and then runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Charlotte stays in this, Mia grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Mia uses that energy to stay focused, and she stalks Charlotte to waistlock. But Charlotte ELBOWS her away!
Charlotte CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOSP! Charlotte winds up, and she CHOPS again! Mia sputters, but then she dodges the boot! Charlotte is caught, and Mia hits a SAIDO! Charlotte flounders to a corner, the fans rally behind Mia, and Mia runs up, CANNONBALL! Mia hurries to wrench and EAT- NO, Charlotte shoves Mia away! Charlotte gets under, back suplexes, but Mia lands out! EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Charlotte’s long legs help her survive by a literal foot! Mia is beside herself while Charlotte bails out. Mia storms after Charlotte, runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Mia’s kick hits steel steps!
Mia hobbles away, goes to the apron, but Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg out! Charlotte grabs Mia’s leg, drops a KNEE on the knee, but fans chant, “We Want Tiffy!” Charlotte just steps through, FIGURE FOUR, into FIGURE EIGHT!! Mia taps, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
Charlotte got more of a fight out of Mia than expected, but she still won. Will The Queen be more than ready to reign again after WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Jackie Redmond is with the WWE Women’s Champion and says Charlotte certainly looks confident. Let’s be real, Charlotte came at Tiff pretty hard. It got a lot of people talking. Tiff says yes, people talk. And Charlotte sure loves to hear herself talk. Ten years into the business and Charlotte is still so insecure that she can’t let a “rookie” get a word out. But last week, Tiff did learn something: She learned that walking into WrestleMania, she isn’t the one with something to lose. Truth is, if Tiff loses, then she lost to the great Charlotte Flair, as just a 25-year-old rookie with one year into SmackDown.
But if Charlotte loses… Well, then she lost to an “undeserving, delusional, unoriginal, backflip doing, blonde-hair-having, little girl.” Did she get it all? And Tiff can’t wait to hear the look on Charlotte’s face when they hear the words, “And STILL!” Then maybe Charlotte will finally shut up for the sake of literally everyone! They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and Tiff will make damn sure what stays is Charlotte’s massive ego. Tiff is walking into and out of Mania as the WWE Women’s Champion. Tootles! Tiff heads out, will it still be #TiffyTime after WrestleMania?
Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre!
The Viper told Cody how proud he was, but also how he wants the next shot after John Cena. The Scottish Terminator took offense to that, and basically said he is taking that shot instead. Will this match be an unofficial #1 contender’s match between these two former world champions?
SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans sing, “OH~, Drew McIntyre~!” and chant “R K O! R K O!” Drew and Orton circle, tie up, and they go around in a deadlock. Drew powers Orton to a corner, but Orton headlocks back. Drew powers up and out, then he runs Orton over! Orton hurries to ropes and Drew mockingly asks, “How’s the back feel, Randy?” Orton stands, he and Drew reset, and the fans duel some more. Drew calls for a knuckle lock, Orton accepts, but then Drew kicks low! Drew bumps Orton off buckles, then climbs up, but he panders for too long and Orton YANKS him down!
The fans fire up as Orton climbs now! Orton rains down fists, and the fans count to nine. Orton hops down, brings Drew around, and POSTS him for ten! Drew tumbles out of the ring, Orton goes out after him, and they’re by the desk! But Drew kicks Orton first and SMACKS him off the desk! Drew clears the desk, and he brings Orton up for the DESK- NO, Orton fights free! Orton turns things around, DESK BACK SUPLEX for Drew! The fans fire up while Orton leaves Drew behind, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew writhes on the floor, but Orton goes out to fetch him! Orton brings Drew around, UPPERCUTS him, then says one more time! DESK BACK SUPLEX! Drew writhes as that desk stays standing! Orton grins, refreshes the ring count, and then he storms up on Drew. Drew pokes Orton in the eye! Drew POSTS Orton now, then brings him around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into barriers! Orton slumps down, and Drew also grits his teeth from that double-edged attack, but Drew fires up as he stands tall. Drew drags Orton up, puts him in the ring, then stalks Orton. Drew looms over Orton, and HIP DROPS him!
Orton sputters, Drew says one more time, and he winds up for the HIP DROP! Drew paces around Orton, says maybe one more time, and he pretends he can’t hear the fans. Drew winds up again, but Orton flips over! Hip drop meets kneecaps! And then Orton pokes Drew in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Orton rises up. Drew sputters and flounders, Orton ROCKS him with a right! Drew ROCKS Orton back! Drew storms up, Orton kicks low, but Drew fires another haymaker! The haymakers go back and forth, Orton gets the edge, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Drew clamps onto Orton with an armlock!
SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans rally up. Orton fights up, pries at the chinbar, and then throws right hands! Drew CHOPS Orton in return! The fans “WOO~” and Drew winds up. Drew ROCKS Orton again, eggs him on, then CHOPS again! Drew shoves Orton to a corner, CHOPS again, then dares Orton to fight! Drew whips corner to corner, but Orton comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Drew swings, Orton dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Orton stalks Drew to the apron. Drew HOTSHOTS Orton first! Drew then runs in, but Orton puts him through the ropes!
The fans fire up as Orton has Drew for the DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up for Orton, and Orton hears those voices! Drew rises, but then Orton spots KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter is on the ramp, Orton glares at him, but then he turns around into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, DREW WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Kevin’s mere presence costs Orton, and now Drew has a huge win propelling him down the Road to WrestleMania! As for Orton, Kevin drags him out of the ring, SMACKS him off the desk, and then climbs up to join him! The fans boo but Kevin and his hot pink sneakers have Orton in position, but Orton slips free and TRIPS Kevin up! Kevin hits the desk then the floor! Orton staggers around, the fans rally behind him, and Orton stalks Kevin to the corner of the barriers. Orton lines up the shot! Orton runs in, but Kevin jumps over barriers! Security is there to stop Orton from pursuing, so Kevin runs away into the night!
The fans boo, but The Viper was that close! Will Orton be able to strike Kevin down and completely take him out?
Fire, thunder, smoke…
The force of nature is drawing ever closer. And he’s ready to fly! REY FENIX arrives next Friday Night SmackDown!
Jimmy Uso VS The Miz!
#BigJim gave Gunther a piece of his mind and a mark on his cheek, but it seems not everyone got the message. Will the Hollywood A-lister soon star in the Uso Penitentiary? Or will he prove Jimmy is NOT ready for a world champion level opponent?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Jimmy powers Miz to a corner, Miz turns things around, and the ref counts. Miz takes a swing, Jimmy ducks it to CHOP! And CHOP! Miz shoves Jimmy back, then runs up, but Jimmy TACKLES Miz! Jimmy rains down fists, Miz shoves him away to go to ropes, but Jimmy storms back up. Miz ELBOWS Jimmy away, then runs back up, only for Jimmy to LARIAT him down! The fans fire up while Jimmy storms up on Miz. Jimmy CHOPS Miz, has him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, then UPPERCUTS! Miz staggers back to ropes, but Jimmy is right on him.
Jimmy whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then basement BOOTS! The fans fire up, Miz scowls, and Miz KNEES Jimmy in the back again and again. Miz stalks Jimmy to the ropes now, and he CHOKES Jimmy! The ref counts, Miz runs, and Miz STRADDLE ATTACKS! The fans boo, but Miz runs again. Jimmy ducks the boot, then dodges a lariat! Jimmy runs up to LARIAT Miz up and out! The fans fire up and Jimmy builds speed, but Miz runs away! Jimmy smirks as he goes out the side, and UPPERCUTS Miz over the barriers! Jimmy makes sure Gunther knows he’s coming to get him, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both men are down. Miz and Jimmy crawl, and Jimmy pounds the mat. The fans rally, Jimmy rises and runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And mule kick! Jimmy then UPPERCUTS Miz, dodges a lariat, then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up, Jimmy goes to the corner, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but Miz puts him on the apron! Jimmy UPPERCUTS again! Jimmy climbs, leaps, but Miz gets under! Miz then waistlocks, ripcords, and MOVIE MAKER! Fans boo that blatant parody, but Miz full nelsons! Jimmy drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz has the cover, TWO! Miz hurries to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up as Jimmy survives! Miz stalks Jimmy, the fans rally up more, and Miz fires a KICK! And then another KICK! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, but then Miz winds up. Jimmy ducks the buzzsaw, Miz blocks the superkick, but the DRAGON WHIP connects! Miz rebounds to B-MOVIE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! The parodies don’t get it done, but Miz still has his original work to fall back on. The fans rally for “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Miz runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Jimmy down, then springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy hurries up top, for the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Miz may be a movie star, but Big Jim’s the one winning this main event! Jimmy then borrows Joe Tessitore’s headset to call out Gunther! He’s coming after dat ass on Monday! Gunther won’t be the ring general, he will be “Private Gunther,” and he will salute Big Jim! Uh, uh, YEET! Will Jimmy be the one making examples out of the World Heavyweight Champion? Or will everything come crashing down when Gunther gets his turn?
Drew McIntyre returns backstage.
And he says hey to Lewis Capaldi, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and also a big fan of Drew’s. They’re ready to have a good night in the pub, but Jackie Redmond walks over to congratulate him on the win tonight. She was hoping to get some thoughts on that victory and what happened with Orton and Kevin. Drew says it’s alright, this is what happens. He doesn’t care about anybody else’s business, but no one gets away with screwing him over. And when no one meddles in his business, he wins! Drew called out Priest, where is he? Priest doesn’t have the balls! So time to get mad in the pubs, everyone’s invited!
Drew turns the corner, but PRIEST IS THERE! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the door, then throws him into road cases! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the trunk of a car, and then again! Or since it’s London, “the boot.” The driver complains, but Priest BODY SLAMS that guy through a table! Drew comes back to KNEE Priest low, SMACK him off the trunk, and then off the side! They go to the hood, or bonnet for UK. Drew drags Priest up, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s eyes! Priest then sends Drew SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the windshield! Priest tells security that he’s done for now. Any more jokes, Drew? Didn’t think so! RIP, jackass!
Priest leaves, the producers hurry to help Drew, and Drew’s got glass in his eye! Will that glass help Drew see why he shouldn’t piss off the Punisher?
CM Punk heads to gorilla.
He has a security detail with him, and he passes by Drew writhing in pain. Punk chuckles, then continues on. Will his contract signing with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins be just as brutal? We find out, after the break.
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
The SmackDown General Manager welcomes us back, and says it is his honor and privilege to be here in the O2 in London. Now, we all know why he and this table is here, and why additional security is here tonight. Tonight, we are here to sign a contract for a Triple Threat. Perhaps the biggest Triple Threat in the history of WrestleMania: Seth Rollins VS CM Punk VS Roman Reigns! The fans cheer all those names, and here comes the OTC! London puts the ones up, and Paul Heyman accompanies THE Tribal Chief out on stage. Roman raises his finger to the sky for the pyro, then security follows him to the ring.
SmackDown goes picture in picture as Roman’s entrance continues, and he raises his finger to the sky for the second round of pyro. Roman steps into the ring, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Heyman hands him a mic. The fans sing, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!” Roman nods, the fans cheer, and now they chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman tells London, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and again chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman smiles, but he sees the chairs are not to his liking. Heyman makes sure to put one at the head of the table. Heyman also dusts the chair off while Roman enjoys the singing of, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!”
Roman takes a seat and says that was beautiful. The way they sing to their Tribal Chief, it’s just beautiful. The singing continues, and Heyman even joins in! Roman smiles, and he says that is what he’s talking about. That’s the OTC for you, baby! The biggest star on the planet! The OTC came here for two reasons. One: to be acknowledged; check! And two: to sign this contract. Roman does just that, and he says he’s checked both boxes. That means- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins interrupts! The fans now sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in his red wine paisley suit and conducts the O2 Choir all the way into the ring.
The fans cheer while Roman frowns, but Rollins takes the seat to Roman’s left. Rollins offers Heyman a chance to sing to this song, but Heyman frowns. Rollins chuckles, and he says the fans do have beautiful singing voices. He doesn’t know why Roman is in such a hurry to leave, though! This is their building! There’s a lot of history here! 12 years ago, they landed on the roof of this place in a helicopter! They came down those stairs over there, “ready to burn down the old guard!” They put the Undertaker down through the desk, and they were going to remake this company in their image!
Now don’t get him wrong, Rollins knows a lot has happened since then. They fought against each other, with each other, a little bit of love and a whole lot of hate. But Rollins dare says, as the fans continue to sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~,” that Rollins and Roman accomplished their mission. The fans start to chant for CM Punk, but Rollins tunes them out. Roman says, “We? We? You keep saying we. Our mission? We died a long time ago. It’s only been ME. You been here, but I done all the work! I’ve made this place what it is today! I took us to the level that we are here today! I made this place better than we found it!
“I’m the one that made us desirable to Netflix! I’m the one that took us into billion-dollar deals! Tell me, what have you done?” Rollins shouts, “I’ll tell you what I’ve done! YOU, YOU, YOU, it’s that mindset that keeps me having to screw you! You understand that? And your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger that’s right in front of us! The danger that’s right in front of you! You let the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden! And you could’ve cut his head off at WarGames! But instead, you shook his hand. You could’ve let me finish him inside the cage at The Garden, but you didn’t. And now, I am left to do what I always do: Clean up your mess, again.”
Rollins drops his mic, picks up the pen, and signs his part. And now, here comes CM PUNK! The fans fire up and sing along with Cult of Personality, then join in on saying, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, but as he grabs a mic, he goes up a corner, just like he did last Friday. “I have come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract. And I’m all outta bubblegum.” The fans cheer the Rowdy Roddy Piper reference, and Punk hops down to take his seat on Roman’s right. Punk looks over said contract, but Roman asks if Punk needs a highlighter or something. What’s he doing? Just go to page four, clause five.
Punk does as Roman says, but Roman says Punk needs to hurry, this is precious TV time. Punk reads the segment, Roman tells Heyman to just smarten Punk up. Heyman tells Punk he knows what Punk is looking for. It is in there. They’re closing the show at WrestleMania. The fans go wild hearing that! Heyman tells Punk that he gets to live his dream of dreams. CM Punk will be a WrestleMania main eventer! The fans cheer and while Roman smiles, Rollins is furious. Roman says, “One man’s dream is another man’s favor! CHECK!” Wait, this was the favor? Rollins says no! This is not something to laugh at, and Punk does not get to tear up!
Punk is NOT deserving! He does NOT deserve this! The fans boo but Rollins continues to throw a fit! Main eventing WrestleMania is SACRED, the most important thing in the world to Rollins! More than anything! Except the fact that Punk NEVER gets to main event! This is all Roman’s fault! This is all Heyman’s fault! Rollins THROWS his mic down, paces angrily, but Punk picks up the mic. The fans cheer Punk on again, and Punk stands to thank London, to thank Chicago, to thank Louisville, Kentucky, and to thank ALL the fans. As corny as it sounds, he thanks the WWE Universe who stood by him and chanted his name for TEN LONG YEARS!
Roman says hold on, hold on. Punk shouldn’t be thanking the fans! He should be thanking the Tribal Chief! It is because of Roman that Punk gets this honor! So please, take this moment, close the show with that acknowledgement! Do this the right way. The credits are already rolling as Punk kneels before Roman!? Punk smiles, and he thanks “My Tribal Chief, the holder of the ula fala, the Head of the Table, the… Big Dog? Thank you for allowing a kid from Chicago to be graced by your presence. Thank you, My Tribal Chief, for allowing me to stand in your ring. And thank you so much. Thank you, Roman Reigns, so very much.
“But because of you, I will see you in the main event of WrestleMania.” And again, Rollins is agonizing over this. Punk finishes putting his signature on the contract, and London tells him, “You Deserve It!” Punk thanks Roman again, and then says, “But that’s not the favor that I’m owed.” WHAT?! Roman looks at Heyman and Heyman can’t look him in the eye! If getting this Triple Threat made into the main event isn’t the gift of the Wise Man, then what is?!
My Thoughts:
A good SmackDown, but they pulled off quite the paradox. They made it feel like they were struggling to fill three hours, yet they also filled the show to the point where that contract signing segment was almost bleeding over the three hour mark. Ironically, part of the problem was just how excited the London crowd was for this. The superstars still wanted to enjoy the chants and songs, but that’s time SmackDown doesn’t have to spare. It made the opening promo from Cody, Orton and Drew take longer, and it kinda did the same to the contract signing at the end. Even so, we still got a very good promo, and good stuff to set up Orton VS McIntyre.
Orton VS McIntyre was a great match, but of course Kevin costs Orton. McIntyre gets his win, Kevin and Orton have a bit of a brawl, but of course Kevin ends up on the losing end and runs off. McIntyre’s trash talk also comes back to bite him as Priest gets the better of him in their brawl. Here’s hoping Drew didn’t actually get glass in his eye, but that being the thing in kayfabe can be some good stuff. I can imagine McIntyre with an eyepatch, and he takes it off at the opportune time to get the better of Priest in their match. Also what a fitting choice for Punk to be passing by Drew suffering because of real glass.
Very good title matches tonight, but of course the status quo was kept. Pretty Deadly gets to look great here in London, but the Profits only just got the belts, they’re not going to be transitional champions like that. And Knight VS Braun was really good stuff, but honestly, Jacob Fatu going after them both should’ve been a given. Jacob also had a great promo with Solo & Tama to start adding to that divide between Jacob and Solo. I would hope Solo doesn’t screw Jacob out of the US Championship, but it feels like he will as Solo won’t stand for Jacob defying his authority, even though Solo’s been trying to make Jacob the champion all along.
Very good stuff from Jimmy Uso tonight, from his promo with #MeloDon’tMiz and then a great match with Miz. Their match ended up the de facto main event match, so that’s also great for both guys. Great win for Jimmy, but that’s likely because Jimmy is losing big time to Gunther on Monday. And it might just be me, but it feels like only now is the Jey VS Gunther build really moving, largely in part because Jimmy got involved. Jimmy’s promo after his match is something along the lines of what Jey should be saying. But I suppose as brothers, Jimmy is the one who knows Jey best and knows what Jey needs to be motivated again. And seeing Jimmy get beat up by Gunther will definitely motivate Jey…
Good final vignettes for Rey Fenix and Aleister Black. I’m a little surprised they confirmed Rey Fenix is showing up next week, and that they confirmed who Rey Fenix even is. I believe commentary confirmed Rey Fenix is Penta’s real brother, even namedropped “Lucha Brothers,” but all that is still surprising considering Fenix is going to start on SmackDown. Aleister’s vignette (at least I am fairly confident it’s his) was giving us glimpses of his silhouette, but I think there was usage of AI in the snake imagery. It was fine they did it for El Grande Americano because that is all trolling, but they really should try and do things the old fashioned way of photoshop and stock imagery.
Very good stuff in the Women’s Division tonight, though the WWE Women’s Championship portion was the weaker. Naomi’s got a great Heel persona going, her promo was great, and her going after B-Fab & Michin over them supporting Jade was a great detail. Jade runs Naomi off, helps B-Fab, but there was no helping Michin in being fed to Charlotte. Tiffany had a decent promo, and it does fit how Charlotte kept her from speaking so she finally gets things out here. It didn’t really add that much, though, but they already gave us a great brawl so not sure what more they can give.
KC Squared VS The Secret Her-vice was a very good match, but of course Chelsea made sure her team won. A Six Woman Tag of Zelina & KC Squared VS The Green Administration is certainly coming, to help give us Zelina VS Chelsea for the Women’s US Championship.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.27.2025
Bad news out of the TNA management side, but this is a taped episode from El Paso! So we won’t see any of the fallout just yet!
Now we all heard the news about the TNA change in hierarchy, and I…have no positive outlook on that. Delirious sucked at booking and creative in the dying days of ROH before it got bought as a B show. Dreamer having even more control is concerning because his ideas the last two years haven’t been much better.
Gail leaving makes more sense to me. Be it firing or a “you can’t quit, you’re fired” kind of situation, the Knockouts division is the worst it’s been in a long time and Gail was close with Scott D’Amore. So I don’t think Gail parting ways is as big of a problem since TNA has slowly been bleeding out with the Scott faithful.
Granted, I think the next few shows were already taped before the firing so things shouldn’t be completely unwatchable for at least a week or two. So let’s see where we’re going.
.@WeAreRosemary sends @XiaBrookside a CHILLING message!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/srciTTbel0
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Ratings:
- Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge: Ash wins via Rarefied Air – ** 1/4
- Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr: Chavo wins via Gory Bomb into Frog Splash – *** 1/4
- Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich: Masha wins via Russian Death Device – ***
- Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin: Eric wins via Piledriver – ** 1/2
- Seto & Mokuba – I mean – Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater: Nic wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4
Results:
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge
Ash and Gigi start off, Gigi with a little Rascalz after her first takedown. So both her and Wentz are making it obvious something’s going on between them, and I’m not mad at it. Good for my man Wentz.
Tatum and Gigi get some quick tandem offense in, Ash does manage to scurry off to a tag and Heather gets bent into a Pretzel. Some kind of Inverted Tarantula from Tatum, Gigi tags in, Bronco Buster on Heather followed by Kawada Kicks. Heather sells against the ropes, Gigi goes for a Hesitation Dropkick, but Concierge pulls her away so Gigi crashes and burns. Ref is distracted, Ash gets in some cheap shots and then the Elegant duo starts working over Gigi. A few quick tags, but once Heather comes in, Gigi fights out of the corner, gets the hot tag to Tatum. Tatum stacks up both Elegance members, Corner Stacked Crossbody, Butterfly Suplex and an Elbow Drop with some some flare. Tatum goes to the top rope, Heather pulls Gigi off the apron, Concierge shoves Tatum off the turnbuckle and Ash hits Rarefied Air for the win.
Post match the Elegance Clique wants to make their wish with the cake, they light the candles and Tatum and Gigi recover enough to do what we all expected last week, the cake in the face spot. Some…suggestive licking from both of our Hot Topic Hotties, so…no complaints here.
.@Ashamae_Sebera, @Heathereckless and @IamGeorgeIceman are having a meltdown!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/FnKwPqm2ff
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr
Chavo and Kaz start since he’s King Petty, a quick rope run turns into a Headscissor from Chavo. Kaz recovers, they lock up, Kaz hits the Knee Lift during the lock up to tag out to KC. KC pulls off some athletic dodges, gloats a bit so Chavo waits, measures and nails a gorgeous Dropkick. Laredo comes in on fire, quick high spots that send KC bouncing around like HBK against Hulk. KC powders after sells the Satellite Takedown, AJ checks on him and we go to commercial.
Back from commercial, Octagon is lighting up KC’s chest with overhand chops, he perches, Sunset Headscissor Flip from corner to corner, KC tries to Back Drop him but Octagon does a headstand, kicks KC away and lays him out with a high spot. AJ gets on the apron to stop Octagon from running the ropes, the referee has a stroke or something because he stops paying attention and AJ pulls Octagon out of the ring and chucks him. KC with the Tope con Hilo and tag (tag ropes haven’t mattered since the 80s we all know this). So AJ is getting taunted by the crowd in Spanish, but he’s manhandling Octagon since it looks like a Child fighting their parent. AJ knocks off Chavo and Laredo, Laredo pops up and tries to get involved but he’s caught on the shoulders, Octagon goes for the Crossbody but gets caught and AJ pulls off “World’s Strongest Wasteland” but Chavo breaks up the pinfall. AJ throws Octagon into the corner, Tennessee Whiskey, and tag out to KC. KC hits a few moves, but starts to lose the momentum until he connects with a Super Kick. Simultaneous rope run into the Dueling Crossbodies, so we get the timely tag outs from both sides. Kaz and Laredo come in, Laredo lands like two moves before Kaz hits a Sole Butt, Lariat and eats his lunch. KC and Kaz try to double team Laredo but he fights out and the crowd is chanting for Chavo.
Chavo tags in, and he’s rocking KC, Saito Suplex, Low Bridge to AJ, Reverse the Whip so Chavo goes to the corner and perches, KC feeds, Chavo Backflips to safety, rolls through and lays out KC. Chavo is feeling himself, 3 Amigos start on KC but only 2, Kaz comes in and Chavo switches to Kaz for the Amigos, only 2 again before AJ breaks it up. AJ goes for the disrespect, but Chavo counters and hits the 3 Amigos on the biggest Culero. Aztec Warriors dive to stop AJ and Kaz, KC tries a Dirty Victory Roll but Chavo kicks out. GORY BOMB into FROG SPLASH!
Chavo looked fantastic and he’s the one in the best shape in the ring. I wouldn’t be mad at more Chavito.
Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich
I expect very little from this match.
Collar and Elbow, gator rolling for the first 30 seconds or so, then Jacy goes to some Hair Pull takedowns and does a little taunt before Masha pops back up and hits a Lariat into a Dive. Jacy sells it like she’s really hurt, even the ref tries to hold Masha back a little before Masha gets annoyed and just grabs her, Masha throws her in, looks for a Dive and Jacy sees it and powders. Masha tries to go back to the well for the Dive again but Jacy hits the Uppercut and then an Apron Run PK to drop Masha. Forearms rain down into a Foot Choke as Jacy continues to arrogantly play to the crowd. Another Foot Choke into a Cannonball, and near fall.
Masha gets space with a Sole Butt, tries to snap off Requiem but Jacy fights off, fights through a Sunset Flip another effective PK keeps Masha on her ass. Jacy looks for a kinda half-assed Camel Clutch as Masha is fighting up, but Jacy runs her into the corner, gets distracted mouthing off to the crowd, so Masha recovers, 5 Hole Up Kick sends Jacy into the corner, Yakuza Kick into Capo Kick for two. Requiem attempt again, but Jacy pushes off, a little back and forth, Masha tries a Backslide but Jacy gets away and hits a V-Trigger but only a 2 count. Jacy looks for the Discus Punch but Masha ducks it, they strike back and forth, but some dodges from both leave the exchange more even. Jacy with the Front Kick to the face sends Masha to the outside. Jacy wants another PK, but Masha blocks, Electric Chair Apron Snake Eyes. Masha throws her in, a PK into a near all. Requiem attempt 3, and thwarted from Jacy with a Superkick into a Neckbreaker. Senton misses from Jacy, Buzzsaw Kick, into Spinning Back Kick and Russian Death Device for the win.
Better than I expected, and Tessa attacks as soon as the bell rings. Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Li make the save after Tessa grabs the belt.
Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin
Ace and Eric tie up, World of Sport start but as soon as Ace starts to get away EY punches him in the face. Eric looks at the camera and says “This is what trust looks like”, turns his back on Ace, when Ace looks to attack, the loser duo cut him off. EY takes advantage of the weird situation, but Ace with some Up and Over quick spots, into an Inside Cradle and La Magistral. EY kicks out of the quick flash attempts, but eats a Dropkick, and Ace goes all Speed Kils on him with fast strikes and then a face buster for another near fall. Strike spot very early in the match, Ace gets the best of it, goes for a Tear Drop Suplex but EY sits on it to block, Headlocks to keep him close and then a snap Lariat into beatdown bully tactics. EY takes the referee’s attention and one of the nerds punch Ace in the face.
Eric tries to lean on Ace, but Ace fires, a few strikes, Click Click Boom, the Miz Seated Lariats in the corner, Mochizuki Triangle Kick connects! Only a 2 count, but Ace seems to be in control. Ace puts EY on the ropes, a few strikes to keep him rocked, wants a Superplex, but EY blocks, bites the face and Macho Elbow gets a very close two count. EY tries the Piledriver but Ace turns it into a Jacknife Cradle,Spinning Heel Kick, calls for The Fold, but the losers hop on the apron to distract, Ace attacks them. Ace tries to time out the Triangle Kick again, but Eric dodges, throws Ace head first through the buckles. As Ace stumbles out of the corner, Piledriver, and it’s over.
Oh look it’s the “we’ll hear from Joe Hendry” segment. Again, I’ve loved this gimmick since Day 1, even didn’t hate his What Culture Pro stuff, but there is such a thing as milking a cow too much.
Elijah interrupts the whole “Who’s next” speech. When Elijah comes out he says he’s not the challenger and he believes in Joe. The crowd wants Elijah to turn on Hendry. Elijah pauses for a moment, and starts proving his friendship with stating his favorite color and a little “You Got a Friend in Me”. The crowd is into singing along and waving their cameras like Lighters to a 30 year old song. THANKFULLY Kaz breaks up the hug fest. Now he gets the “Culero” chant.
Kaz pulls out a Bass…what the hell is this Jam Session. Kaz has to warm up so he plays “La Cucaracha” on the bass. Kaz…is a national treasure. Hendry kicks Kaz out of the ring after his Heelish and playfully racially charged song choices. Kaz tries to sow dissension, but Joe and Elijah pinball Kaz between them. Kaz slips a power move and tries to shove Elijah into Joe but Elijah puts the brakes on, a small tense moment. But then Joe and Elijah play “Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye”…and that goes right into a commercial. Oddly…perfect.
Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater
Nic shoots the half immediately for a flash pinfall but Leon kicks out at one. Nic continues to keep things grounded with his amateur wrestling skills, and then does a little Dolph Ziggler show off. So Nic isn’t really taking this seriously, and Leon starts getting the best of things with an Arm Wringer, into drag, Shoulder Tackle and rope run as Nic tries to Leap Frog and Leon puts on the brakes and just shoves Nic on his ass. Nic gets annoyed, a few strikes, grinds his face along the ropes, but Leon keeps stringing some offense together, Back Handspring Elbow into his Corner con Hilo.
Ahh the classic formula of the commercial gives the heel the advantage, Twisting Suplex from Leon stops Nic’s offense momentum, right hand, Leon lifts Nic up for something, Nic slips it, kicks him in the gut, looks for the FameAsser, but Leon catches him into a Blue Thunder Bomb variation. Slater wants the Swanton 450, but Nic powders. Leon tries to adjust into a Dive, but Nic cuts him off, counter for counter and a FameAsser out of the counters for a two count. Nic starts the big brother tactics, bootwashes and arrogance, Slater fires, punches into a Yakuza Kick. Leon wants another Lethal Injection variant, but Nic catches him into a Rear Naked Choke. Slater tries to turn it into a pin so Nic breaks it. Leon wants a Leg Lariat but misses and gets unceremoniously dropped by Nic. Nic puts Leon up on the buckles, Superplex possibly but Slater counters, tries to collect himself for a move, but Nic falls into the ropes to crotch Leon, and finally hits the Superplex.
Twist of Slate from Leon, Swanton 450 but knees get up. Locomotion Cradles from both but they kick out, Ryan picks the ankle to trip up Leon just a touch and then Danger Zone ends the match.
Ryan starts the post match beatdown, but the Hardy’s music hits and they come down to the ring for the save. Matt challenges the Nemeths for Rebellion because they’re not medically cleared yet.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Decent story motion, no match was offensive, and there was actually some solid match action for television standards. I don’t have a ton to complain about aside from the Knockouts Division is in a weird spot, and giving Hendry a lot of just talking and hollow payoff segments feels stupid. If we need to hear from him every week, give him a talk segment like Highlight Reel or something. Yes I know First Class just got The Penthouse, but if Hendry is going to talk more than wrestle, give him a talk segment for us to sink our teeth into.
There was the announcement that Xia, Lei Ying and Masha will face Tessa, Jacy and a mystery partner. So you gotta wonder if there’s going to be another NXT mercenary, a surprise return or if it’ll just be Rosemary since she’s got her issues with Xia. Also I just realized that Unbreakable is going to be on a Thursday, seemingly after iMPACT? I’m gonna have to see how they do it, because if there’s an Impact episode and 2-3 hour PLE…I do not want to be awake until 1am. People need to work, and I will be Unwakeable if things go that long.
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!
4 Corners Podcast: March Madness Bracket Breakdown
This week on 4 Corners Podcast we break down the Men's NCAA tournament bracket. Which of the top seeds will...
4 Corners Podcast- The Fantastic Four Nations Faceoff
The guys discuss Canada's big win in the Four Nations Faceoff and take a look at some early Spring Training...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Bandwagon Nerds #281: Vengeful Abomination
This week the NERDS discuss Episode 4 of Daredevil Born Again and Villain Madness continues with the first round of...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (3/23/25)
Countdown to the Anniversary!
Attitude Of Aggression #304- Game Gone Wrong?- Part 1: When the Game was Great!
In Part 1, before getting to Season 8, the guys look back at the greatest moments from the first 7...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (3/21/25)
One step away from glory!
Bandwagon Nerds #280: The Rich And Powerful
This week the NERDS discuss the Season 3 finale of Invincible, episode 3 of Daredevil Born Again and the continuation...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (3/28/25)
SmackDown in the UK!
DWI Podcast #469: Superplex Sunday
Will John Cena win the WWE Title and retire at Wrestlemania?
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.27.2025
Bad news out of the TNA management side, but this is a taped episode from El Paso! So we won't...
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/27/25)
Is there a new Minion in town?
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (3/27/25)
Evolve enters the Fourth Dimension!
POD is WAR: It All Goes Back To The Spinner Belt
Andrew Balaz, Rey Cash and PC Tunney invite you to come along on a trip inside the minds of Los...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (3/26/25)
ThunderStorm is TIMELESS!
Greg DeMarco Show: No Stipulation Needed
CM Punk vs Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns? Are you buying this as a WWE WrestleMania 41 match? Does it...
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/25/25)
La Primera Double Header!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/24/25)
ADRENALINE! IN GLASGOW!
