Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (7/7/23)
Roman Reigns is on trial!
What will be the fate of the Tribal Chief?
After suffering his first loss in three YEARS, Roman Reigns returns to SmackDown to be put on trial in the Bloodline’s court! What will be the verdict?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory w/ Pretty Deadly VS Sheamus w/ The Brawling Brutes;Â Theory wins and retains the title.
- AJ Styles w/ Mia Yim VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Styles wins.
- Edge VS Grayson Waller; Edge wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Usos are here!
Madison Square Garden fires up as Jimmy & Jey make their way to the ring, and they sing along with the song! #TheRealOnes were triumphant at Money in the Bank, with Jey getting the first pin on Roman Reigns in three YEARS! The fans chant for the Usos as they get the mics, and Jey says, “Hey hey! The Usos are now in your city!” The fans cheer that and raise up the fingers. Jimmy says it feels good! “They said that he couldn’t be beat.” “Nope.” “They said he’s unbeatable.” “They did.” And guess what happened at MITB? HE. GOT. BEAT! One-two-three! Jey & Jimmy are having a real good July, but “Ladies and gentlemen…”
Fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out with Solo Sikoa, the old WWE World and Universal Championships on his shoulders. “Ladies and gentlemen, those who still subside in New York City, my name is Paul Heyman. I serve as Special Counsel and The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman…! Reigns…!” Fans boo more while Heyman and Solo get in the ring with the Usos. Heyman says tonight, he serves as the Defense Counsel in the Tribal Court, to wit, he offers item number one. Jimmy and Jey use their twin powers to tell Heyman, “Please,” “Shut,” “Your,” “Mouth.”
Heyman laughs that off and wants to spell this out so that even the Usos can understand. Neither of the Usos are the ones to tell Heyman when to stop. There is only one man in the WWE that will ever tell Paul Heyman to stop talking. But then Solo makes Heyman stop!? Fans chant for Solo as he takes the mic from Heyman and tosses it out of the ring. The Usos aren’t sure what to make of that, but he doesn’t make a move on them, either. And then here comes Roman Reigns himself! Roman wears the new Universal Championship belt as he passes 1,041 DAYS as a champion. And he raises that belt to cue the pyro.
The tension is palpable as Heyman, Solo and the Usos wait for Roman to enter the ring. What will be the fate of the Tribal Chief? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Roman is in the ring.
Heyman stands beside The Tribal Chief while fans are torn. Roman glares at the Usos over his shoulders, especially as the fans chant “USOS! USOS!” Heyman passes the mic to Roman as the fans chant “YOU GOT PINNED!” Roman says, “Madison Square Garden! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Fans are torn again, but Roman says yeah, they’re right. He got pinned. Fans cheer that! But last time he checked, he is STILL Tribal Chief. Fans chant “Not Our Chief!” But Roman wants to get this right. Do the Usos hear it? The fans aren’t talking to them. Lord knows Jimmy ain’t Tribal Chief. And whether Jey believes it or not, he ain’t Tribal Chief either. Yet.
Roman is having trouble understanding why we’re here tonight. If the Tribal Chief didn’t call for Tribal Court, then this ain’t official! This ain’t legitimate! Why are they wasting his time?! Who has the authority to call Roman out and put him on trial? Is it Jey? Is it Jimmy? The fans chant for the Usos, and Jimmy says no, Roman, not this time. Jey agrees. What Roman ain’t gonna do is manipulate them like always. You can check this video package out and try to spin it. Exhibit A! Roman telling the Usos off when they dedicated a win to him and then loss. And then he pie faced Jimmy. “I whooped you then, I’ll whoop you now.”
All the other examples of Roman emotionally abusing the Usos and physically embarrassing them. His gaslighting of Heyman, that time he Superman Punched him, and then claiming he is head and shoulders above everyone. He even told Solo that while the Elders sent him, he belongs to Roman. And more recently, Roman saying he is the ONLY one that matters. Fans boo Roman in the present as he tries to smile and shrug that off. Fans are chanting “YOU EFFED UP! YOU EFFED UP!” and Roman shakes his head. “No, I didn’t.” Roman defends he did not mess up. “YES, YOU DID! YES, YOU DID!”
Roman says that video is not who he is! It’s not! That’s who he was forced to be. The fans don’t buy that as Roman says, “You think I wanted to lower myself? You think I wanted to do all that? I did it for you (Jey). And I did it for you (Jimmy). And for you (Solo).” Fans boo and call BS while Jey paces. Roman insists that he didn’t need them. He was a WrestleMania main event player LONG before the Bloodline! He didn’t need them, they needed him! He bent his moral compass for the family! He put himself in situations he shouldn’t have been in for Jimmy, for Jey, for Solo, for the Elders, for their representation of the family!
And this is what he gets? They compile footage of his worst moments to embarrass him?! As his children are watching?! His daughter doesn’t understand who he is because of the Usos! Roman takes on the weight of the world, everyone’s families, and lifts them all up. You think he needs more responsibility? He has five kids. You think he needed to take on theirs, too? When they showed him the vision, when they showed him what needed to be done, they never told Roman this would happen. He doesn’t need this in his life. He doesn’t need money, power or any of it. Right about now, umbrella service sounds real nice.
But this is what they want. right? This is what this is about? Roman doesn’t want it. He doesn’t need it. Fans boo again but Roman says he’s done. Heyman is confused as Roman says it again. Roman is done with all of this. He no longer wants it. If Jey wants it, fine. Roman’s done. Roman drops the mic, fans aren’t sure what to make of this, but then Roman steps closer to Jey. Fans sing “Nana na na” as Roman reluctantly lifts the red lei, and offers it to Jey. Roman says this is what Jey was going to be groomed for in the first place, but they could’ve done this together. Roman puts the lei on Jey! And Heyman is just as distraught as Roman!
Roman even takes off the Undisputed title!? He drops that, too!? And then he drops to his knees?!? Fans still don’t trust this, but Jey consoles Roman. But Roman LOW BLOWS Jey!!! Fans knew it and Jimmy is furious for not seeing it! Jimmy fires off on Roman! Fans fire up as Jimmy stomps Roman, but what is Solo to do? Solo goes after Jimmy! Solo stands between them, but then sees the lei! Is Solo gonna do what fans think he’s gonna do?! The Usos did put their names behind him before MITB, what about now? Jimmy still wants after Roman, but he gets a SAMOAN SPIKE!! Fans boo but then Solo picks up the lei!
Fans are torn again, and Roman is confused. Fans start chanting “PUT IT ON! PUT IT ON!” but then Roman steps to Solo. The two stare down, glance at the lei, and Roman expects it back. Solo considers that option, but then Jey CLOBBERS them both! Jey fires off on Roman, but Solo gives him a SPINNING SOLO URENAGE! Fans boo as Solo again defends Roman. Jimmy staggers up, Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES Jimmy down! They kick Jimmy out of the ring, and then stalk him to the desk. They mug Jimmy, clear the desk, and fans go nuts! Roman SMACKS Jimmy off steps but Jey goes after Roman!
Solo stops Jey with a BIG forearm! And a HEADBUTT! Roman steadies himself while Solo puts Jey on the apron. Jey then traps Jey’s arms between ropes! Roman says Jey will NEVER be chief while Roman is still alive! Roman then looks at Jimmy, grabs the Undisputed Universal Championship, and though fans chant for the Usos, Roman runs in to CLOBBER Jimmy!! Roman rains down BELT SHOTS on Jimmy while Jey can only watch! Roman then SMACKS Jimmy off the steel steps! Roman pulls the steps apart, and he RAMS Jimmy down with them! Jimmy sputters but Roman isn’t done yet.
Roman places the belt on the steps, then drags Jimmy up. Roman gets the top half again, and he RAMS Jimmy down again! Jimmy stays up only because he’s against the barriers, but Roman raises the finger. He says he is the one, but then Jey kicks Solo away! Jey gets free and CLOBBERS Roman!! Jey rains down fists, Solo storms up again, and he SAMOAN SPIKES Jey over the steps! Solo drags Jey up, and TOSSES him over the announce desk! Roman says to finish this! Solo drags Jimmy up, puts him on the desk, and Roman tosses the armchairs onto Jey! Roman gets refs and producers to back off as Solo goes up the barriers.
Solo aims at Jimmy, to FLYING SPLASHÂ through the desk!! Solo roars and fans boo while Roman looks at the devastation they’ve wrought. Roman says there’s no middle ground here. It is either up or down. Heyman returns the red lei to Roman, and as far as Heyman is concerned, Roman is STILL Tribal Chief. Roman holds up the title as he stands over Jimmy & Jey. Will the Elders have something to say about this?
SmackDown returns as medics get Jimmy to the ambulance.
Jey says he’s staying by Jimmy’s side. The rest of the roster and faculty is worried for Jimmy, will there be any repercussions in Roman’s future?
WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory VS Sheamus!
The Now made it through Ridge Holland last week, but he just had to add on after the fact. The Celtic Warrior made the save, and now he is getting this title match as karma on Theory. Will Sheamus once again be United States Champion? Or will Theory survive another Fight Night Friday?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Sheamus ends Austin Theory Live!
The bell rings and the two tie up. Sheamus RAMS Theory right to a corner! And he fires off heavy hands! The ref counts, Sheamus hauls Theory up, but Theory throws elbows. Theory gets free, BOOTS from the corner, and runs, into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Theory staggers, Sheamus clotheslines him up and out! Sheamus then climbs to SUPER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Theory goes down in a heap and the fans fire up with Sheamus as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Sheamus is climbing a corner. Theory ROCKS him first! Theory then climbs up, brings Sheamus from the corner, and has Sheamus against the ropes! Fans boo as Theory gives Sheamus BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! But Sheamus blocks at three to fire elbows in return! Then Sheamus WALLOPS Theory! Theory staggers up, into a SLINGSHOT SHOULDER! Sheamus then goes back up the corner, for a KING KONG KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives but Sheamus keeps his cool. Sheamus drags Theory up, clinches, but Theory throws elbows to get free.
Sheamus hits low with a hard body shot! Sheamus runs, Theory follows and CLOBBERS Sheamus! Cover, TWO! Theory stomps away on Sheamus then jump stomps him! Theory goes to the apron and tells fans to shut up. The fans boo instead, and Theory climbs up. Sheamus stands to UPPERCUT first! Theory wobbles, Sheamus goes up after him, but Theory throws haymakers. Sheamus gives those back, Theory CLUBS Sheamus so Sheamus CLUBS Theory! And again and again and again! Sheamus Alabama Lifts, tucks Theory in, but Theory slips free to CLUB Sheamus! Theory then torture racks Sheamus!
Theory spins for the TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and Theory is furious while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Sheamus rallies on Theory! Theory goes to a corner, Sheamus clotheslines! And clotheslines! And clotheslines again! Then Sheamus scoops to POWERSLAM! MSG fires up with The Fella, and he brings Theory back up. Sheamus reels Theory in but Theory blocks the lift. Sheamus powers through to the Canadian rack, then the crucifix, but Theory slips free! Theory goes to the apron, HOTSHOTS Sheamus away, then slingshots, into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO, but into the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Fans fire up, but here comes PRETTY DEADLY! They get on the apron but Sheamus CLOBBERS Kit!
Sheamus has Elton caught, and gives him BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to nine, but Theory SHOTGUNS Sheamus down! Then A-TOWN- NO!! Sheamus slips free and KNEES Theory! Cover, TWO!! And here come the Brawling Brutes! Dunne & Ridge CLOBBER Kit & Elton! Dunne CLOBBERS Elton into the crowd! Ridge APRON SLAMS Kit, and then rains down furious fists! The ref reprimands Ridge, Kit kicks him away, but Sheamus BROGUES Kit down! Theory rolls Sheamus up! With tights! THEORY WINS!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
Pretty Deadly help out their pal once again, Theory is still The Now. But if Theory can only win by the skin of his teeth, will he soon crash and burn?
SmackDown presents an all new Grayson Waller Effect.
The Dynamite From Down Under, the Aussie Icon, the Moment Maker is already in the ring for his introduction, and he says he is living the dream. He hasn’t even had a match on SmackDown and yet he is in the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden! And he knows what they’re all thinking: they’ve never seen such a handsome bloke in their lives. But enough about him. There have been huge moments and events in the history of MSG, but none bigger than the announcement his guest tonight has. It’s the 11 time world champion, the WWE Hall of Famer, the RATED R SUPERSTAR, EDGE!!
Fans fire up as Edge makes his return to SmackDown, and they sing along with his theme. Edge joins Waller in the ring and then at the desk. Edge says, “Oooh~! Oh yeah! It is a steaming hot summer night in New York City!” Fans cheer that, and then Waller has Edge stop. We know all about MSG. Let’s get to the big news! Tell the world, Edge. Edge doesn’t know what Waller is getting at. This is the 25th anniversary of Edge’s WWE career, though. We can celebrate that here, and next month in Toronto- And? AND? And what? Waller says Edge is too embarrassed to say it.
Waller says Edge has had a historic career in the WWE. He only gave up being World Champion because of a neck injury but he saved up, made some good investments. So why is Edge back? It’s pretty simple: the fans. The fans cheer, and Edge will get back to Waller so he can talk to the fans. “We go way back, don’t we? My first PLE for this company: SummerSlam 98. I was the mystery partner for Sable against Mark Mero & Jacqueline.” He made his way out through the crowd in the back right corner. That area stands up to cheer. Edge says the aisle used to be here at center. The fans there stand up now.
Edge ran, dove, and made it over the ropes, when he still could. And from there, the fans opened up their arms to him. Edge knows that in NYC, respect is hard earned. And NYC is a city full of hard workers and big dreamers. Edge has always been a hard worker and a big dreamer and he still is! NYC, that is why you and Edge work. Waller says that is why it is so exciting that here, in MSG, Edge’s big news is that he is RETIRING! Waller wants everyone to get up on their feet for the last time we ever see Edge here. Say thanks for everything Edge has done! Waller applauds but fans boo, they can sense the BS.
Edge tells Waller, “Last week, you were standing eye to eye with John Cena in London. Less than a week later, you’re standing eye to eye with the Rated R Superstar in a sold out Madison Square Garden. So someone somewhere sees something in you. But you have been here for half a hiccup. You haven’t even had a match on the main roster yet. But… You have doggy paddled your way into some deep waters. And it is time to sink or swim. See, I’m not retiring.” Fans cheer that! In fact, Edge talked with the powers that be, and he’s gonna have a match here tonight! Fans fire up even more! Edge smiles, and says, “And it is gonna be the Rated R Superstar, one on one, against Grayson Waller.”
Waller is shocked to hear that and Edge goes to the back. Is the 21st Century Success Story about to have its own tragic end? Or can the Grayson Waller Effect bring down even one of the greats?
AJ Styles w/ Mia Yim VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
The OC may have lost to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday in a Mixed Tag, but only because rules don’t seem to matter to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday. Will The Phenomenal One teach Kross that there are consequences for bending the rules? Or will Kross & Scarlett have yet another trick up their proverbial sleeves?
SmackDown returns and Kross has already made his entrance. The bell rings and Kross CLOBBERS Styles! Kross bumps Styles off buckles, fires off haymakers, but the ref has him back off. Kross says he owns Styles, fires off more shots, then DECKS him! Kross brings Styles to center, throws off his elbow pad, and winds up the arm. Styles stands, KROSS HAMMER!! “I TOLD YOU, AJ! I TOLD YOU!” Kross drags Styles up into the KROSS- NO, Styles blocks the Krossjacket hold! Styles JAWBREAKERS free, then dodges another forearm to PELE! Kross staggers, Styles runs in but is put o the apron. Styles ROCKS Kross first!
Kross distracts the ref but Scarlett grabs at Styles! Mia BOOTS Scarlett down! And TOSSES her into the barriers! Styles springboards but Kross catches him! Styles fights free, ROCKS Kross again, and then springboards in, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Michin was the equalizer, and that allowed Styles to cross off Kross in quick fashion! Will this end things between them? Or will Kross look to still affect Styles’ future?
Asuka is here!
MSG fires up for the Empress of Tomorrow as she and her WWE Women’s Championship make their way to the ring. She is going to meet face to face to face with Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair, will they decide the title picture themselves? We find out after the break.
SmackDown returns and Asuka laughs on the mic. “No one is ready for Asu-” But here comes Bianca! Asuka is upset, but The EST isn’t slowing down, either! Bianca fires off with Asuka, TACKLES her, but then here comes The Queen! Fans fire up as Bianca is ready! She goes out to meet Charlotte, and Charlotte RAMS her into the apron! They brawl but Asuka runs to WRECK them both with a dropkick! Asuka then climbs up, but IYO SKY smacks her with the briefcase!! The fans fire up as she and Bayley beat Asuka up! ROSE PLANT to the briefcase! OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Is it time?!?
Bayley tells the ref, but Bianca trips Bayley up! And Charlotte goes after Iyo! Bianca sends Bayley into barriers, Charlotte BOOTS briefcase into Iyo! Fans boo but Asuka’s challengers ended up saving her. Is the Empress the one not ready for everyone else?
Edge VS Grayson Waller!
A return to action for both men, but only one of them is really ready for this! Will the Rated R Superstar get back on track towards former glory here tonight? Or will the 21st Century Success Story have a brand new viral moment with his SmackDown in-ring debut?
SmackDown returns and Waller makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans cheer and Edge makes sure Waller hears it. The two circle more, the fans chant for “EDGE! EDGE! EDGE!” and Waller is annoyed. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Edge headlocks. Waller slips away and shows off with drop steps. Fans boo but Edge runs Waller over! And again! Waller staggers up into a GUT BUSTER! Waller sputters and Edge looms over him. Edge brings Waller up, another GUT BUSTER! Waller sputters, Edge runs to kick Waller in the side! Edge then gut wrench suplexes!
Fans rally as Edge stalks Waller. Edge CLUBS Waller, has him on ropes and CLUBS him again. Waller staggers to more ropes, fans chant “YOU STILL GOT IT!” for Edge. Edge ROCKS Waller, but Waller JABS Edge! Waller CLUBS Edge, and says “I got it, too!” Waller whips, Edge reveres but Waller ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Edge to duck the leap! Waller comes back but Edge catches him to a FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up and Edge aims from a corner. Edge runs in, but into a KNEE! Waller smirks and TOSSES Edge out of the ring. Fans boo as Waller does more drop steps. Waller runs, slides, and LARIATS Edge down!
Fans boo but Waller taunts Edge, “Sink or swim? I’ll swim, mate!” Fans boo Waller more but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Waller brawls with Edge. Edge ROCKS Waller, runs in at the corner, but Waller ELBOWS him away! Waller goes up to DEEP IMPACT! Cover, TWO!! Waller is annoyed but he keeps his focus on Edge. Waller stands on Edge’s leg, Edge reaches for ropes, but Waller AX HANDLES him down! Fans rally for Edge but Waller drags him up. Waller cravats to wrench the neck but Edge fights up. Waller throws knee after knee and Edge drops to a knee. Edge endures as Waller says, “I’m Australian! I was born in the water, lad!” Fans rally and Edge fights back up! Edge throws body shots!
Edge is free, he fires forearm after forearm! Edge runs, but into a knee! Fans boo but Waller CLUBS Edge down. Waller drops another ax handle, then says, “This your guy? This is a Hall of Famer? He’s in the Hall of Fame, huh?” Waller pulls Edge back with a chinlock, then drops another elbow! Fans boo but Waller goes to the corner. Waller soaks up the heat, but Edge throws a body shot! Fans fire up and Edge positions Waller up top. Edge throws a forearm, then CLUBS Waller on the stomach! Edge climbs up after Waller, CLUBS away on Waller’s back, and fans fire up with every shot!
Edge brings Waller up but Waller throws body shots back. GOURD BUSTER! Edge is down in the drop zone and Waller adjusts. Waller goes along the rope, to “KOBE!” But onto Edge’s knees! Edge and Waller are both down, Waller clutching his ribs. Fans rally up and Edge crawls away to ropes. Edge drags himself up, BOOTS Waller down, and then FLAPJACKS! Waller flops to the apron but Edge storms over. Waller goes to hotshot but Edge blocks it! Edge ROCKS Waller, slides out to POWERBOMB Waller to the floor!! Fans fire up and Edge has a sadistic grin on his face. Edge looms over Waller and brings him up.
Edge puts Waller in, fans again chant “YOU STILL GOT IT!” Edge climbs up a corner, and he CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Waller survives and fans boo but Edge looks rather surprised. Edge drags Waller up and reels him in, but Waller fights the lift! Waller wrenches out, ROCKS Edge, and fireman’s carries! Edge slips free, shoves Waller to a corner, but Waller BOOTS back! ROLLING UNPRETTIER!! Cover, TWO!! Edge survives Waller’s twist on Captain Charisma, but Waller rains down furious forearms! Waller pushes Edge to a cover, TWO! Waller grows further frustrated but he stomps Edge!
Waller shouts, “Sink or swim, mate?! You don’t know who I am! I run this!” Edge ROCKS Waller back! Edge runs, Waller dodges and ROLLING ELBOWS! Cover, TWO!! Edge survives and Waller huffs and puffs. Fans rally as Waller drags Edge up. Waller fireman’s carries, pops Edge up, but Edge turns that to an IMPALER!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Edge crawls to the cover, TWO! Waller is still swimming but he flounders to a corner. Edge gets up and goes to the other corner. Fans fire up as Edge takes aim, runs in, but Waller ducks! Edge hits buckles and Waller goes to the ramp.
Waller runs, somersaults, but into a SPEAR!!! Cover, Edge wins!
Winner: Edge, by pinfall
Waller tried for his somersault stunner but got caught! But Edge does get the mic to say, “Hey, Waller. You swam.” Waller may have lost the match, but he just won Edge’s respect. Will this be a sign of great things in Waller’s future? And as for Edge, is he going to aim right for the top of the WWE?
Roman Reigns is in his private suite.
He holds onto the lei with all three world title belts beside him. Heyman tentatively walks in and tells the Tribal Chief that Jey… is back in Madison Square Garden. And he’s looking for Roman. Roman says Jey won’t have to look for long. The Tribal Chief will be in the ring waiting for him. Will what started SmackDown tonight be finished to close it?
BREAKING NEWS for next week’s SmackDown!
After the confrontation(s) we saw between Asuka and her challengers, it is BIANCA who gets her shot next week. This is the one Adam Pearce owed her, will The EST once again be champion?
The Bloodline is back in the ring.
Heyman again hands a mic to Roman and Roman says, “I didn’t even wanna come out here the first time, so we’re gonna do this one more time. Madison Square Garden… And ALL of New York… ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Fans definitely boo more than they did before, but here comes Jey! Roman & Solo are on guard, and Roman says they’re gonna finish this. Heyman steps out of the ring just to be sure, but where is Jey? Wait! Jey is coming down through the crowd! Roman & Solo watch him closely as he reaches ringside. Jey waits, Solo goes out after him, and Jey LEAPS over barriers to CLOBBER Solo!
Jey rains down fists, then he POSTS Solo! Jey then looks at Roman and it is just the two of them. Fans fire up for Jey as he paces. Roman says Jey should just go home, but Jey gets a chair! Jey rushes in, JAMS Roman, and then SMACKS away on his back! But Solo stops Jey, only to get a SUPERKICK! Jey then JAMS Solo, and SMACKS him with the chair! And again! And again! Roman stays out of the ring as Jey wears out his own younger brother! Heyman joins Roman at the ramp, both of them in shock at the fury inside Jey. Jey glares at Roman, slams the chair down, and he picks the Undisputed Universal title up!
Fans are thunderous and Roman shakes his head. Roman tells Jey to put the belt down, but Jey gets a mic to say, “It’s like that? It’s like that now? What you did to Jimmy, you took Jimmy from me. Guess what? Trial of the Tribal Chief. You looking at the judge, the jury, and the executioner right now! Hey, hey! NOW, I gots to get you! Hey, hey! This right here? This trial by combat now. I don’t give a damn about no brothers, no Wise Man. Just me and you, one on one!” Fans like the sound of that! Jey says Roman better accept this challenge so Jey can whoop Roman’s ass one more time!
Jey throws down the mic as he has thrown down the gauntlet! Will Roman have no choice but to put everything on the line if he wants to keep everything how it is? Or will Jey not inherit but take the title of Tribal Chief from him?
My Thoughts:
A really good SmackDown tonight, but it sure suffered from the same Aftermath Show Syndrome Raw did on Monday. And in this case, it wasn’t even so much a lot of recaps, just not very strong matches. Styles VS Kross, for as much hype as they put into it, was underwhelming, especially for what these two are capable of. Maybe we’ll get one more match between them at SummerSlam or on the road to SummerSlam that actually lives up to what they’re both capable of. Then while the US Championship was a good opener, of course Pretty Deadly helps Theory survive. Sheamus has had the US title, he doesn’t need it, but it does make me wonder what is supposed to be in store for Sheamus and the Brawling Brutes while on SmackDown.
Great confrontation between the various women in the title scene. Asuka brawling with Bianca, Bianca brawling with Charlotte, Iyo and Bayley jumping in because Iyo has MITB briefcase, all great stuff in a quick segment. Asuka VS Bianca being made for next week is of course going to have another similar situation to tonight, where either Charlotte, DMG CTRL or both “mess up” the match. I’m thinking more Charlotte. Asuka VS Bianca VS Charlotte in a Triple Threat at SummerSlam with Iyo & Bayley watching from the shadows just makes sense for SummerSlam. Hell, July 30th is the one year anniversary of DMG CTRL’s debut, it’d be fitting if Iyo came close to the title around that time.
Really good Grayson Waller Effect, and I do like that Waller just assumes Edge is retiring. Great way to give us the surprise main event match, too. Waller really did “swim” against Edge, and Waller really does have promise, that was clear down in NXT. As for Edge, while he won’t be able to go for the Universal title while it’s still tied up in the Bloodline story, I would love if Edge went after Theory and the US title. Theory “beat” Cena but Edge knows all the tricks, so that could be some good promo and match work between them.
And of course, the best stuff tonight, that ended up sandwiching tonight, was the Bloodline story. Great move to open with the Tribal Court, it had time to breathe because of that. I had a feeling Roman was just suckering Jey in. I said way back three years ago when this story started that Roman was the “Samoan Sociopath” (as a parallel to McIntyre being the ‘Scottish Psychopath’ back then). Great stuff with Solo almost taking the lei for his own, too. But this setting up Roman VS Jey for essentially both the Undisputed Universal title and the title of Tribal Chief is a great move, I can’t wait to see what more they do with this.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISSÂ onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEXÂ again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTÂ through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.
A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.
And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.
Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.
Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.
Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.
Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.Â
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?Â
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?Â
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.Â
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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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
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