Coverage
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (8/10/23)
Who will step to the throne?
There can only be ONE #1 contender!
Samoa Joe is ready to go All In, but he still must defend his ROH World Television Championship. Who wins the tournament to be his next challenger?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dalton Castle w/ “The Baby Chicks” VS Slim J; Castle wins.
- The Iron Savages w/ Jacked Jameson VS Lucky Ali & Brady Pierce; The Iron Savages win.
- The Infantry w/ Trish Adora VS Zicky Dice & Movie Myk; The Infantry wins.
- Lee Moriarty VS Andrew Everett; Moriarty wins.
- Tony Nese w/ The Varsity Athletes VS Pat Buck; Nese wins.
- ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground Match: Athena VS Rachael Ellering; Athena wins and denies Rachael a title match.
- High Stakes Tag: The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS The Workhorsemen; The Gates of Agony win and deny The Workhorsemen an ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship opportunity.
- Leyla Hirsch VS Angelica Risk; Leyla wins.
- Cole Karter VS Rhett Titus; Karter wins.
- Robyn Renegade w/ Charlette Renegade VS Billie Starkz; Billie wins.
- ROH World Television Championship Eliminator Tournament Finals: Gravity VS Shane Taylor; Shane wins and will challenge Samoa Joe for the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Dalton Castle w/ “The Baby Chicks” VS Slim J!
The Peacock is without his Boys, Brandon & Brent Tate, because one, they got pulverized by The Gates of Agony last week, and two, they need to be at their best for their match with Samoa Joe next week. But that’s alright, Castle brings FOUR boys with him now to make up for it! Will Castle still keep up the momentum as the true star of ROH Television?
There’s a bit of trash talk, but the Code of Honor is still upheld, though Slim is reluctant. The bell rings, the two tie up and Castle smothers Slim to then waistlock and SLAM! Fans rally and Castle waistlocks again, and he SLAMS Slim again! Castle waistlocks, and he gator rolls Slim around. Slim scrambles to the ropes, then ELBOWS Castle away! Castle runs in but Slim kicks low and RANAS him away! Castle flounders, Slim DROPKICKS him down! Fans boo but Slim soaks it up. Slim drags Castle up, but Castle scoops Slim! Slim claws Castle’s eyes! Fans boo but Slim grins, then he CLUBS Castle on the back!
Slim throws hands, but Castle ROCKS him in return! Castle ROCKS Slim again, then JABS! Castle puts Slim in a corner to UPPERCUT! Castle whips corner to corner, Castle runs in, but Slim dodges! Slim dodges again, goes up, and goes around to FLYING SCREW KICK! Fans fire up for the show of agility, and Slim rips his shirt! Slim goes after Castle and he rains down fists! Slim wants to use his ripped up shirt on Castle but the ref confiscates that. Slim CHOKES Castle with his bare hands! Castle shoves Slim away but Slim dropkicks the legs out! Slim “rides the pony” and then hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! No cover, Slim goes to the chinlock!
Fans rally as Castle fights up, but Slim wrangles Castle down! Slim keeps on the chinlock, then shifts to an armlock. Slim talks trash, throws hands, but Castle CHOPS! They fire shots back and forth, Slim springboards, but into BANGA- NO, Slim grabs ropes in time! Slim escapes to the apron, RAMS into Castle, then goes up the corner. But Castle kicks the legs out! Slim is stuck, Castle goes out to the apron and runs in, to KNEE Slim to the floor! Fans fire up and Castle fetches Slim into the ring. Castle picks Slim up, and gives him an EXPLODER! Fans fire up and Castle stalks Slim to ropes. And then picks him up, for another EXPLODER!
Fans fire up for Castle as he storms up on Slim again, to shove, clinch, and pop up to an Alabama Lift! BANGAAAAAARANG!! Cover, Castle wins!
Winner: Dalton Castle, by pinfall
The Peacock put some extra rotations on that one to make a point! While someone else gets their shot at Samoa Joe first, will Castle build momentum and be unstoppable going towards the TV title?
Backstage interview with Tony Nese & Mark Sterling.
Lexi Nair is with The Premier Athlete & Smart Mark and brings up that later tonight, Tony Nese takes on Pat Buck here on ROH. Mark has bad news: they are NOT having the match. Nese says that isn’t so bad, though. For the people of South Carolina, this is good news. The second Nese stepped off the plan, he thought he was at a Jabba the Hutt convention! He asked a local where the nearest health food store was, and the guy led Nese to a damn Waffle House! This place doesn’t need wrestling, it needs an intervention! Mark says this place has an obesity epidemic. And Nese is not going to sit on his butt and let that happen. Instead of a match, it will be GROUP TRAINING!
And Lexi, you should join in. You could use it. Wow, okay. Nese & Mark head out, will Pat Buck have something to say about this supposed change of plans?
The Iron Savages w/ Jacked Jameson VS Lucky Ali & Brady Pierce!
The beefy ‘n’ bulky, jacked ‘n’ juice Bronson & Boulder have come close to winning the Six Man Tag AND the World Tag Team Championships, but those defeats aren’t slowing them down! Will everyone soon be sippin’ the Savage Sauce?
The Code of Honor is upheld, but Bronson’s grip is rough! Ali gets away, the bell rings, and Bronson ties up with Ali. Bronson shoves Ali down, flexes, and Ali scrambles to the corner. Pierce coaches Ali up and he storms up to Bronson. They tie up, Ali headlocks, but Bronson powers out. Ali hurdles, but Bronson scoops! Ali slips free, throat chops, then gets around to REVERSE JAWBREAKER! Well, guess that makes it a neckbreaker? Well, Ali turns Bronson around, but Bronson powers out of the normal neckbreaker to POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Bronson has a sip of the sauce! Bronson shouts “I’M GONNA BUST!”
Bronson fires off haymakers and body shots in the corner, then UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up with Bronson and he drags Ali to bump him off buckles. Tag to Boulder, he whips Bronson in to SPLASH! Then feed to a back drop! Ali writhes and Boulder flexes. Pierce tags in and storms up to Boulder. Pierce dodges a haymaker, headlocks, but Boulder powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and Pierce staggers back. Boulder flexes, but Pierce pie faces him! Boulder wags his finger, swings, but Pierce dodges to ROCK- Er, maybe not! Boulder takes that haymaker and then trophy lifts Pierce! But Pierce fights free!
Pierce kicks a leg out, runs, Ali tags in, Boulder scoops Pierce but Ali runs in! But Boulder catches him, too! SIDEWALK SCRAPBUSTER SLAM COMBO! Fans fire up and the straps come down! Bronson runs and Boulder gives him a boost to DIVE! Direct hit into Pierce at the ramp! Fans fire up again and Bronson hurries back up. Tag to Bronson, he goes up the corner, and Boulder has Ali in the drop zone! Fans fire up as Boulder stomps his way over, puts Bronson on his shoulders, SAVAGE SPLASH!! Cover, The Savages win!
Winners: The Iron Savages, by pinfall
Jameson celebrates with his guys, these hosses are back on the winning track! Will they get another shot at tag titles soon enough?
The Infantry w/ Trish Adora VS Zicky Dice & Movie Myk!
Speaking of teams chasing the titles, Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo are marching up the ranks one win at a time! Will tattoos and attitude see them through? Or will rolling The Dice and watching The Movie spoil things for them?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Dean starts against Myk. The fans rally up and the two circle. Myk tunes out the cheers for The Infantry, then he ties up with Dean. Myk wrenches, wristlocks, and CLUBS the arm. Dean rolls, kips up, and wrenches back! Dean has the wristlock, CLUBS the arm, and then hammerlocks to a headlock. Myk powers up and out, but Dean runs him over! Fans cheer as Dean salutes. Things speed up, Myk hurdles and says “End scene!” But he turns around and the “next” scene is an arm-drag from Dean! And then a dropkick! Myk staggers up, into another arm-drag!
Dean grinds Myk down, Myk fights up but Dean puts him in the corner. Tag to Bravo and he JABS! JABS! And ELBOWS! Bravo asks the ref to hold on, and then he ROCKS Myk! Bravo swaggers and runs back in, to juke, fake Myk out, and DECK him! Cover, TWO! Bravo brings Myk up but Myk RAMS him into the corner! And again! And again! Myk JABS, then tags to Dice. Dice CHOKES Bravo, then ROCKS him! Dice brings Bravo around, talks trash to Dean, and whips him. Bravo reverses but Dice goes up and over, tag to Myk and Dice RANAS Bravo into buckles! Myk KICKS Bravo out of the corner, and Dice brings him around.
Myk and Dice double back suplex, but Bravo lands out of it! Myk whips Dice in but Bravo goes up and over and around Myk, hot tag to Dean! The Captain rallies on Dice & Myk! Dice dodges, swings, misses, and Dean JABS! JABS! JABS! Salute and haymaker, but Dice dodges, only for the SOUTHPAW to send Dice out! Fans fire up as Dean watches Myk. Myk swings but Dean dodges and float-over DDTs! Fans fire up as Dean kips up! Time for #BootCamp! Tag to Bravo, Dean clinches and Bravo runs, BOOT RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cover, The Infantry wins!
Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall
Myk could not make it through Boot Camp, and now Dean & Bravo are one step closer! But with Aussie Open defending the tag titles at All In against MJF & Adam Cole, just who will The Infantry be aiming for?
Backstage interview with Leyla Hirsch.
Lexi is with LEGIT Leyla and says that ever since coming to ROH, Leyla has just dominated. What is her plan on continuing this momentum? Good question, glad you asked. Since coming to ROH, Leyla has LEGIT beaten every single person that has stepped to her. So what’s next? Well, that’s obvious. She wants her shot at the ROH Women’s World Championship! Athena has been very dominant, but- In steps Maria Kanellis-Bennett. The First Lady of Wrestling tells Leyla that she has been legit. And Maria has been very impressed. But Maria thinks Leyla still needs to build confidence. And she means that in a good way.
But right now, the more wins Leyla gets, the more confident and legit she will get. So she has her match tonight and Maria will be watching. Leyla is legit confused by Maria’s observation, will Maria see that confidence in action tonight?
Lee Moriarty VS Andrew Everett!
Big Bill has been hanging out with The Mogul Embassy, so #TAIGASTYLE is looking to sharpen his fangs in single competition. Will there be no denying Moriarty his shot at a title? Or will “The Apex of Agility” quickly rise up the ranks in his own right?
The Code of Honor is upheld and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Lee headlocks. Lee grinds the hold, throws some quick shots, but Andrew powers up and out. Lee runs him over! Lee Heismans on him, things speed up, and Andrew hurdles, but Lee trips him to stomp a leg and basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Lee CHOPS Andrew to a corner. Lee whips Andrew, Andrew goes up and out and shoulders into Lee! Andrew springboards, Lee gets under, but Andrew handsprings and comes back. Andrew sweeps the legs, handsprings, and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up and Andrew goes to a corner.
Andrew climbs, but Lee rolls away. Andrew hops down, dodges Lee and DROPKICKS! Lee goes to ropes, Andrew whips but Lee reverses, wrenches, and STOMPS the arm! Andrew goes to ropes but Lee clamps onto him! Lee wraps the arm around ropes and CLUBS away on Andrew! The ref counts, then backs Lee off. The ref and Lee argue and Lee apologizes. Lee brings Andrew around to HALF HATCH and BRIDGE! TWO! But Lee holds the bridge and shakes his head. Fans fire up and Lee storms up on Andrew again. Lee wrenches to snapmare and stand on the arm, to STOMP it! Andrew writhes to ropes but Lee stalks him.
Lee grabs the arm, brings Andrew up and wrenches again. Andrew ROCKS Lee with a forearm, but Lee wrenches again! Andrew throws another forearm, and another, and another! Lee holds onto the wrist to reel Andrew into a KNEE! Lee runs, but Andrew follows, springboards, QUEBRADA! Fans fire up and Andrew then dodges a clothesline to PELE! Fans fire up and Andrew suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Lee survives but Andrew brings him to a drop zone. Andrew goes up the corner, fans rally up, and Andrew SHOOTING STARÂ FLOPS as Lee moves! Lee runs in to LARIAT! Lee fires up and fans are torn!
Lee drags Andrew up, wrenches, Bow ‘n’ Arrow lift, SPIN OUT FACEBUSTER! BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Andrew taps, Lee wins!
Winner: Lee Moriarty, by submission
Lee holds on to make Andrew suffer! And then he fakes Andrew out on the Code of Honor so he can take a victory lap. Everett wasn’t a mountain of a man but Lee still brought him crumbling down! Will Lee finally reach the summit and grab some gold?
Tony Nese w/ The Varsity Athletes VS Pat Buck!
“Smart” Mark has a mic to tell everyone to hold on. Because he knows everyone in the South has a hard time understanding the “eloquent” speech of those from New York, Sterling has advised his client to speak… very… slowly…! Nese has the mic to say “South Carolina, the least important of the Carolinas… I mean, it’s pretty sad when the healthiest choice in this town is a Waffle House!” Fans cheer for Waffle House and he says of course they would, you gluttons! Nese says this is the most energy they’ve all used over an entire month! Obesity is an epidemic, and Nese has found ground zero!
BUT, Nese will do them all a favor. Seeing as he is a personal trainer himself, he is going to get them all in the best shape of their lives, they’ll be the fittest persons walking the trailer park! So he decided to cancel his match and the rest of the show, so we can all do GROUP TRAINING! Stand up! Get off your lazy asses! Reach up and stretch as far as you can! Stretch those scrawny arms attached to those potato bodies! Now, let’s do some jumping jacks! Let’s see what you can do! Yes, good, now they’re moving. What is this? These are the sloppiest jumping jacks ever! But wait, here comes Pat Buck! Will the Premier Athlete fail to break the Man of Iron?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Fans rally for Pat and Waffle House, and one of those ties up with Nese. Nese waistlocks and SLAMS Pat down, then does push-ups. Fans boo but Pat just shakes his head. Pat and Nese circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Pat kicks, wrenches, trips Nese, and YANKS the leg! Fans fire up as Pat does push-ups! Nese is flustered and he decides to do more push-ups. Fans boo, but Pat decides to bring down the straps and do push-ups, too! But he avoids Nese’s cheap shot to trip him again! And then hip toss! Nese goes to a corner, Pat gets him for a MONKEY FLIP!
Nese flounders to a corner, Pat headlocks for a takeover! Fans fire up but Nese fights up. Fans chant “WE WANT WAFFLES!” but Nese powers out. Pat sees Mark there and stops himself, and he kicks at Mark. Mark backs off, but Pat turns around into a throat chop! Nese then hits a BULLDOG HOTSHOT! Pat sputters, Nese runs in to LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Fans fire up but Nese tells the fatties to just go get their waffles. Nese drags Pat up and tosses him out, and then argues with the ref so Mark can stomp Pat! Fans boo that poor excuse for a lawyer and manager, but Nese stomps Pat at the ropes.
Pat goes to a corner, Nese reels him in and puts him up top. Nese has Pat in a Tree of Woe, and goes corner to corner, just to slide and do AB CRUNCH KICKS! Pat flops out of the corner, Nese dusts himself off, but Pat throws body shots! Pat UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Nese shoves Pat and ROCKS him with a forearm! Nese fireman’s carries, but Pat slips off! Nese holds ropes, breaks the grip and KICKS Pat in the face! Fans boo but Nese flexes. Nese PREMIER MOONSAULTSÂ and still hits Pat as he moves! Nese grins as he predicted for the evasion. Cover, TWO!
Nese pushes Pat down to try again, but this time Pat gets away and the moonsault FLOPS! Fans fire up, Pat counter punches Nese again and again, then throws palm strike after palm strike! Pat whips, Nese reverses, but Pat SLAMS Nese down! SKY HIGH BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives and Pat snarls. Pat drags Nese up, reels him in, but Nese fights the lift! Nese wrenches, waistlocks, goes to a corner’, O’Conner Roll! TWO and Nese hits buckles! Pat runs in, but Nese blocks the flip to put Pat up top! Pat throws hands and sits back up. Pat ROCKS Nese, but Mark distracts again! Nese runs in, Pat goes up and over to roll Nese up!
Nese rolls through, to SOBAT! Pat ends up in the corner, Nese goes side to side! PREMIER KNEE!! Cover, Nese wins!
Winner: Tony Nese, by pinfall
No group training like Nese wanted, but no victory for Pat or the fans. Nese still shows respect with the Code of Honor, but will he flex his strength all the way to the top?
Backstage interview with The Workhorsemen.
Lexi is with JD Drake & Anthony Henry and since they’ve been in ROH, they’ve had great showings, just coming up short. Henry says it was “a little” short. No, okay, a lot of short. The Workhorsemen are entertaining, huh? So happy to be on your screens! But JD says the thing is, not only are the Workhorsemen a good team, they’re world class. Maybe even championship material! But Prince Nana comes in laughing. He wants the Workhorsemen to know he likes them, he just teases them. Kaun says the thing is, they’re just not worthy. Oh, not worthy? Well you’re worthy of catching these chops if you keep running your mouths.
Nana has them calm down. The Embassy just messes with you guys. So tonight, they can face Kaun & Liona. If they win, then they get a shot at the ROH World Six Man titles, with a partner of their choice! But listen, you have to win! Nana laughs his way out and Liona growls at them. JD says he’s gonna clobber that head off those shoulders if you think they’re scared. But fear has nothing to do with it. Can The Workhorsemen manage a huge victory here tonight?
ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground Match: Athena VS Rachael Ellering!
The Fallen Goddess is 34-0 in ROH, and seemingly unstoppable! But will that streak continue? Or will the Queen of Strong Smile have the last laugh?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans rally for Rachael. Athena is annoyed by that, fans do chant for her, and the two tie up. Rachael wrenches and wristlocks but Athena flips through, arm-drags, but Rachael drags her down! Athena moves around, stands up, wrenches and back drops, but Rachael sunset flips! Athena rolls through, leaps but Rachael ducks, only for Athena to roll through. Fans cheer and Athena pie faces Rachael and cheers herself. Fans are torn but Rachael storms up, blocks a lariat and LARIATS back! Then scoop SLAMS! Rachael runs to SENTON! Athena flounders to a corner but Rachael runs in to clothesline!
Rachael whips corner to corner, runs in again, for another clothesline! Athena blocks the whip by holding ropes, then she WRINGS Rachael into the ropes! Rachael checks her face but Athena bends her against ropes! Athena pulls hair, the ref counts, and Athena tells him to stop telling her what to do! Athena pulls Rachael through ropes, CLUBS away on her again and again, then KNEES her down! Athena waves then says neener-neener to the fans, and she stalks Rachael. Athena pie faces Rachael but the fans rally up. Athena talks trash, SLAPS Rachael, and then sets up, but Rachael rolls her up! TWO! Athena BOOTS Rachael down!
Athena sets up again, shimmies and shakes then STANDING MOONSAULTSÂ but flops! Rachael ROCKS and CHOPS and repeat! Fans fire up, Rachael runs but Athena ROCKS her! Athena runs, Rachael runs in but Athena dumps her out! Athena builds speed and WRECKS Rachael with a dropkick! Athena goes out, drags Rachael up, and asks where HER rap is! A reference to Ian Riccaboni having fun with Willow Nightingale’s theme? Willow SMACKS Rachael off the desk! Athena drags Rachael back up, then RAMS her into railing! Rachael goes down in a heap and Athena shouts, “This is MY show!”
Athena storms up on Rachael but the fans rally up. Athena puts Rachael in, drags her up and cravats for a neck wrench. Fans rally, Rachael endures and fights her way up, but Athena wrangles her back down. Rachael throws elbows but Athena thrashes the hold! Rachael still fights up, but Athena shouts “I’M YOUR CHAMPION!!” But Rachael fights up to throw body shots! Rachael is free and she DECKS Athena! Rachael runs, SLIDING BOOT! Fans fire up as Rachael goes to the corner. Athena rises, runs in, but into a BOOT! Rachael runs to UPPERCUT! And then SLINGBLADE! Rachael whips and SCRAPBUSTERS!! Cover, TWO!!
Athena survives and Rachael can’t believe it! Fans fire up as Rachael resets and goes back to a corner. Rachael goes up as Athena rises. But Athena grabs the ref! Athena blocks Rachael’s boot and YANKS her down, then ENZIGURIS! Athena howls, goes up top, O-FACE!!! Cover, Athena wins!
Winner: Athena, by pinfall (denies Rachael a title opportunity)
Athena beats Rachael with minutes to spare, and that is another one crossed off the list! Will anyone ever stop The Fallen Goddess? Will anyone survive these Proving Grounds?
High Stakes Tag: The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS The Workhorsemen!
We just heard how Nana made a deal with JD & Henry, but will Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona win their own gamble? Or will they end up owing a title shot to Scrap Metal and the Saint of Augusta?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Kaun starts with Henry. They circle, feel things out, and Kaun avoids the leg pick. They go again, Henry gets a leg but Kaun scoops and SLAMS! Henry avoids a stomp but Kaun still runs him over. Things speed up, Henry hurdles but Kaun blocks a kick! Henry fights the underhooks, back drops but Kaun sunset flips! Henry stays up to NECK TWIST! Fans fire up and Henry rolls Kaun up, TWO! Kaun swings, Henry dodges and DROPKICKS! Kaun stays up and Nana says to try again. Kaun tags Liona, and fans chant for “JD! JD!” JD tags in and fans fire up!
Liona and JD stare down and approach. Fans fire up as JD CHOPS! Liona doesn’t flinch!? Liona HEADBUTTS and JD staggers. JD comes back to HEADBUTT, but that hurts him more than it does Liona! Liona UPPERCUTS, but JD CHOPS! Liona roars, JD stomps toes and CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Liona powers JD back but Henry tags in. JD powers back to CHOP, then whips, but Liona blocks! Liona whips JD at Henry but JD helps Henry go to the top rope! Henry MISSILE DROPKICKS Liona but he stays standing! Henry kips up, Liona CLOBBERS him! Liona snarls, dares JD to step in, but has to settle for Henry.
Tag to Kaun and Liona CHOPS Henry! Henry pie faces Kaun but Kaun CLUBS him! Kaun CHOPS Henry, CHOPS again, but Henry SOBATS! Kaun ROCKS Henry again and again but Henry SOBATS again! Henry whips, Kaun blocks and CLUBS! Kaun and Henry clinch, Henry throws knees but again Kaun blocks a whip. henry CHOSP and CHOPS, then whips. Kaun reverses and Liona dumps Henry out! Fans boo and the ref reprimands but Liona drags Henry up to bring him around. JD storms up to stop Liona, and dodges, but Kaun CLOBBERS him! Kaun CHOPS Henry, then Liona HIP ATTACKS against the railings!
Fans boo and the ref reprimands but Nana says the Workhorsemen are playing with the wrong ones! A ring count starts, fans rally for JD, and both Workhorsemen stir at 4 of 20. Kaun wants it to go faster but we’re only at 8 of 20 as Henry crawls. Henry flounders up and in at 9! Kaun KICKS Henry, brings him around, and scoops to SLAM! Kaun stomps Henry, then tags Liona. Liona and Kaun trap Henry so they can RAM and CLUB him over and over! The ref counts, Liona lets off but distracts the ref so Kaun can CHOKE Henry! Kaun lets off, tags back in, and he brings Henry around to suplex, but Henry cradles! TWO!!
Kaun hurries to intercept Henry, but Henry LARIATS! Kaun stays up, to IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Or maybe Cameroon Curse? Cover, TWO! Kaun CLUBS Henry, tags in Liona, and Liona CHOPS! Henry staggers, throws hands, but Liona pushes him down and stomps him down! Liona drags Henry up to scoop and SLAM! Tag back to Kaun, Kaun drags Henry up to scoop and SLAM! Kaun runs, Liona tags in, Kaun SENTONS and Liona FLOPS as Henry moves! Fans fire up as Henry crawls, but Kaun BOOTS JD first! Liona scoops Henry to SLAM him, and SENTONS! Cover, TWO!!
Henry is still in this but Liona keeps Henry from JD. Liona whips Henry into the corner but Henry ELBOWS Kaun down! And then dodges the splash! Liona gets stuck, Henry crawls, but Kaun tags in to intercept! But Henry slips under! Kaun has a leg, ducks the enziguri but not the REWIND HEEL! Hot tag to JD! JD rallies on Kaun with LARIAT after LARIAT! And then an atomic drop, scoop and SLAM! FALLING HEADBUTT! Fans fire up with JD and he runs in at the corner to CHOP! Liona runs in but is sent into Kaun! JD dodges Liona, clotheslines Kaun, then sends Kaun into Liona to NECKBREAKER DDT COMBO!
JD SENTONS Liona, fires up and the fans fire up with him! Kaun runs in, JD dodges and scoops, SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kaun survives but JD drags him up! Tag to Henry and Nana panics! JD suplexes, Kaun slips out, Henry leaps over but into Kaun’s arms! Henry switches, shoves, Kaun returns but into a BOOT! JD runs in to clothesline Kaun up and out! Henry then goes outside to PENALTY KICK! But Liona grabs at Henry! Henry DOUBLE STOMPS him! And then holds the ropes open for JD to DIVE!! Direct hit and down go the Gates! JD puts Kaun in and fans lose their minds!
Henry is up top, he FROG SPLASHES! Cover, LIONA BREAKS IT! JD storms back in but Liona whips him away. JD holds ropes, then dumps Liona out! Kaun staggers up, Henry runs in but is put in the corner. Henry BOOTS Kaun into JD’s SPINEBUSTER! CATAPULT SUPERKICK, and Kaun is on JD’s knees! Kaun goes up, Nana panics, DIVING DOUBLE STOMP BACKBREAKER COMBO!! Cover, Nana helps Kaun with the ROPEBREAK! Henry is furious, but he tags JD back in. JD storms up on Kaun and drags him away. But Liona CLOBBERS Henry! JD goes up, MOONSAULTÂ FLOPS!
Liona returns, and they OPEN THE GATES! Cover, The Gates of Agony win!
Winners: The Gates of Agony, by pinfall
Well, JD & Henry, and whoever they were going to call upon, aren’t getting a title match. One way or another, the Embassy has been undefeated in ROH, will anyone stop them from taking over everything?
Backstage interview with Cole Karter.
Lexi brings up how last week, Maria Kanellis-Bennett was also watching his match. Why does he think that is? Well, Lexi, he feels that after all the success Maria has had in her own career, he thinks she likes him. Keep that between the three of them. Uh, yeah, sure. He has no way of knowing, but Karter is pretty sure Maria has the hots for him. But then Maria walks in. They say hi and she says it’s cute how he thinks she likes him. He’s like a little puppy. But um, she knows he has a match tonight. We’ll see what kind of position he’s in afterwards. Karter nods and grins, he’s probably expecting too much. But will he at least get another win tonight?
Leyla Hirsch VS Angelica Risk!
It’s time to get LEGIT! Leyla called out the ROH Women’s World Champion earlier, will she send an even louder message with yet another win? Or is she taking a risk with lucky number seven?
Risk says Leyla ain’t legit, but the Code of Honor is upheld all the same. And then Leyla wrangles Risk down! Risk gets free and fans rally up. Leyla and Risk go again, and Leyla RAMS Risk into the corner! The ref counts and Risk clubs away on Leyla but Leyla lets off at 4. Leyla then wraps an arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Leyla stomps the arm but lets off at 4. Risk staggers up but Leyla TOSSES her across the ring! Risk had a rough landing, Leyla puts her in another corner and CLUBS her! Maria appears on stage as Leyla keeps on Risk, and then Leyla TOSSES Risk across the way again!
Maria applauds while Leyla keeps on Risk. Leyla is distracted, though, and Risk fires off hands! But Leyla DECKS Risk! Leyla drags Risk to ropes, CHOKES her, pulls on the bad arm, but lets off as the ref counts. Leyla storms up to drag Risk around, and she suplexes. Risk cradles! TWO! Risk dodges Leyla, runs in and LARIATS! Risk says Leyla ain’t ish, then goes right up a corner. Risk leaps, but Leyla steps back and she FLOPS! Leyla says now who ain’t ish? RIPCORD SAIDO! And then, LEGIT ARMBAR!! Risk taps, Leyla wins!
Winner: Leyla Hirsch, by submission
Maria applauds again, Leyla may have also won Maria’s seal of approval. Is this the “confidence” Leyla needed to prove herself worthy of that title match?
Backstage interview with Athena.
Lexi commends the Fallen Goddess on her win tonight, and some have noticed she shouted, “This is MY show.” Is Athena petitioning to be the Face of ROH? Why is that a question? Athena is the most dominant champion in ROH history, so as far as she’s concerned, she is the TV Champion, the Tag Team Champions, the Six Man Champion, ALL the champions! And most of all, she is the Alpha, the Gatekeeper, the Joshi Killer! Put some respect on her name! But the way Lexi said that question, it just irritates her so much. Does Lexi not think this is her show? Try again, Lexi. “This is MY show. Don’t you agree?” Yes. Yes, of course.
Good, bestie! Now, here’s what happens on her show. Athena didn’t get to break Rachael cuz she ducked out. So she is gonna find someone else to break. Wanna come? No, Lexi has a thing later- Then cancel it. Let’s go! Athena brings Lexi along with her, just who will suffer The Fallen Goddess’ wrath?
Cole Karter VS Rhett Titus!
While Karter might be overestimating his value to Maria, he is at least more than two dimes. Will he feel like a million bucks after beating The Professional? Or will his stocks plummet after a defeat?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Titus hits a fireman’s carry takeover to an armlock. Karter fights up, wrenches, and hammerlocks, but Titus slips around to fireman’s carry takeover again! Karter fights up, wrenches and KNEES low! Fans boo as Karter whips Titus to a corner. Titus goes up and over and then MONKEY FLIPS Karter away! Fans fire up and Titus pushes Karter to a cover, TWO! Titus keeps on Karter with a facelock, but Karter fights up. Titus wrenches and whips, but Karter avoids the dropkick! Karter grins, whips Titus, and he DROPKICKS!
Fans boo but Karter just soaks it all up. Karter waves to Maria who is back on stage, tells her to call him, and then storms up to stomp away on Titus! The ref counts, Karter lets off, but then chinlocks. Titus endures but Karter pulls back on the hold. Fans rally, Titus fights up, and Titus powers out. Things speed up, Karter blocks hip toss to backslide but Titus rolls through and reels Karter in, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Karter staggers up, swings, misses and Titus shoves to CLUB him in the back! Another shove, another shot to the back! And then a third! Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Titus then drags Karter up and whips him to a corner.
Titus runs in, whips corner to corner, and then whips again! Karter reverses, but Titus comes back to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Titus and Titus stalks Karter. Titus runs up, DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Karter survives Titus’ KO Dropkick, but Titus CLUBS away on an arm! Karter gets around, JUMP KNEE! Karter grins, Maria rolls her eyes, but Karter gets Titus up, CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, Karter wins!
Winner: Cole Karter, by pinfall
Maria applauds as Karter does get his win. Is Cole on his way to becoming diamonds?
Robyn Renegade w/ Charlette Renegade VS Billie Starkz!
The singles run for Robyn continues, but it is a long road to the top. Will the Renegades start taking over? Or will the Prodigy of Honor make her own path to a title match?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Robyn top wristlocks and pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Robyn wrenches. Billie spins through but Robyn wrenches again. Robyn taunts Billie, but Billie scowls. Billie rolls but Roby rolls with her, only for Billie to roll back and trip her! Billie taunts Robyn back, but Charlette taunts her. Billie storms up, Charlette gets away, and Robyn runs in, but into a SNAP GERMAN! Fans fire up and Billie taunts Charlette. Billie drags Robyn up to snap suplex! Billie goes up the corner, fans fire up, but Robyn runs in! Billie BOOTS her away, but Robyn distracts the ref and Charlette SHOVES Billie down!
Fans boo but Charlette gets away with it. Robyn stomps away on Billie, drags her up, and then whips her to a corner. Robyn runs in to DOUBLE KNEE, and then she SHOTGUNS Billie down! Robyn runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Fans boo but Robyn soaks it up. Robyn swaggers, drags Billie up, and she snapmares Billie to a cover, TWO! Robyn is annoyed but fans rally up for Billie. Robyn CHOKES Billie on the ropes! The ref counts, Robyn lets off, and she drags Billie up. Robyn cravats for a CRAVAT DRIVER! And then CAMEL CLUTCH! Robyn makes Billie smile with the fishhooks but the ref reprimands.
Robyn throws Billie down, then paces while she soaks up the heat. Robyn kicks Billie around in the corner and says she’s nothing. Robyn runs side to side, fakes the wash and SLAPS Billie instead! Fans boo but Billie stands up to kick. Robyn blocks so Billie SLAPS back! And ELBOWS! And BOOTS! Billie goes up, Robyn blocks boots but Billie rebounds to ENZIGURI! Billie runs in, slips around, and cravats for a KNEE SMASH and SOBAT! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Robyn survives and Billie grows frustrated but the fans fire up. Billie goes up the corner, leaps, but Robyn gets under!
Billie comes back, Robyn dodges, spins Billie, half nelson to FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Billie survives and now Robyn is frustrated! Robyn drags Billie up, fireman’s carries, but Billie fights free! Billie shoves Robyn away and goes to ropes. Robyn runs in but Billie dumps her out! Charlette hurries over, Billie builds speed! Billie DIVES and takes out both Renegades! Fans fire up with Billie and she puts Robyn back in. Billie goes up the corner again, Robyn is in the drop zone, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, BILLIE WINS!!
Winner: Billie Starkz, by pinfall
Even Billie is shocked! But Charlette SPEARS Billie and beats her down! The Renegades are sore losers as they beat Billie up! Fans boo as the Renegades take turns CLUBBING her! Then they throw her down! Wait, is that Athena? The Fallen Goddess said she wanted to break someone, so Robyn rushes out at her. Athena BOOTS her, then DECKS Charlette! But Athena isn’t here to save Billie, she is making her the target! Athena sits Billie up, fans boo, and Billie begs for mercy. Athena is a little conflicted, but she pushes Billie down and leaves. Athena is still a force to be reckoned with, but will Billie rise and meet her for that title one day?
Backstage interview with Josh Woods & Mark Sterling.
Lexi is with The Technical Beast and Smart Mark to bring up how Woods said things need to change. We all saw it, so Lexi just wants to say this is a safe space. Mark, the floor is yours. Mark tells Woods that he did hear that interview last week, and he does agree. Woods hasn’t found the success he has been hoping for since joining the Sterling stable, and Mark just wants Woods to know that right now, it’d be the biggest mistake to walk away from this. Woods says he is done with that “group training” joke. Woods was at his best when he was alone, that is how he even got to the ROH Pure Championship, and that is how he’ll get there again.
Mark says okay, that is what is right for Woods. No more Varsity Athletes and group training. From now on, it is Josh Woods, the Real Deal Fighter. But to get on that road, Woods needs some challengers. Mark knows Woods likes to fight, and Mark will get him a match. Next week, they’ll find him a real man. The last real man, even! Woods VS Silas Young! Good? Good. Then the match is to be made, will Silas prove Woods does NOT have the goods to be singles champion again?
ROH World Television Championship Eliminator Tournament Finals: Gravity VS Shane Taylor!
The Astronaut of Lucha already faced Samoa Joe in non-title competition a few weeks ago, and well, it didn’t go his way. But now he’s up against a former ROH World Television Champion in hopes of getting another shot at the current one. Will Gravity rise and have a shot at gold? Or will not even Gravity hold back Big Bad Shaney T?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Shane swings, Gravity dodges to waistlock. Shane is too big to lift so Gravity shoves him. Shane stops himself with ropes, Gravity runs in but Shane blocks the Monkey Flip! Gravity slips free, dodges a haymaker, then waistlocks again. Gravity rolls but he can’t drag Shane down, either! Gravity avoids the stomp, and the punch, and Shane clutches his hand. Gravity wags his finger but then Shane runs in. Gravity dodges, slides off Shane’s back, and then slow-motion space walks! Shane swings again, Gravity dodges and springboards, but Shane catches him!
Shane gives Gravity SNAKE EYES, swings, Gravity dodges but the SOUTHPAW hits! Cover, TWO!! Shane frowns and he sits Gravity up. Shane has the neck wrench and he leans on the hold. Gravity endures, fans rally up, and Gravity fights up. Gravity throws body shots, runs, but Shane scoops and SLAMS him! Gravity flops over, Shane talks trash, and Shane drags Gravity back up. Shane scoops, SLAMS, and looms over Gravity. Shane then runs to mock the space walk, and then grins. But Gravity avoids the leg drop! Gravity fires off haymakers, but Shane blocks the whip! Shane whips Gravity to a corner, runs in, but blocks boots!
Gravity elbows back, mule kicks from atop the ropes, then slingshots to RANA! Shane tumbles, fans rally up, and Gravity runs in, but into a knee! Shane whips Gravity to a corner, Gravity goes up and out and ROCKS Shane! Fans fire up with Gravity but Shane is too much to suplex! Shane suplexes Gravity instead, but Gravity swings to cradle! TWO!! Shane swings, Gravity gets around, swings and cradles again! TWO!! Shane escapes, goes to a corner, and Gravity runs in, into an URENAGE! Looked a lot like one Joe uses! Shane shakes out the stars, storms up on Gravity again, and drags him into a drop zone.
Shane goes up the corner, grins and then scowls as he aims, but Gravity SHORYUKENS! Gravity fires off forearms, then climbs up after him. Gravity fires off forearms, but Shane HEADBUTTS! And again! And again! Gravity drops back, but returns to SHORYUKEN again! Gravity climbs back up after Shane, and tries to fireman’s carry!? He manages it! And a SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Fans fire up for Gravity as he rises again! Gravity goes up the corner and SUPER PLANKING SPLASHESÂ onto knees!! Shane hauls Gravity up, tucks him in, MARCUS GARVEY DRIVER!! Cover, Shane wins!
Winner: Shane Tayler, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the ROH World Television Championship)
That’s one bad man for taking down Gravity! This will be a battle that puts the Clash of Titans to shame! Shane warns Joe that he’s gonna knock him out! Will Shane back up those words and dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode for being an hour and 40 minutes, though it somehow still kinda dragged on. Really good opener with Castle beating Slim J though not having The Boys ringside. That works in story, though I wonder what state Brandon & Brent will be in for their tag match with Samoa Joe & Stokely Hathaway next week. Maybe Castle & The Boys can swerve Joe & Stokely into a false sense of security by having The Boys come out all bandaged up, only to reveal they’re just fine and they get the pin off Stokely to make Joe look like a dummy. At the same time, Shane winning the #1 contenders tournament makes a lot of sense to me, and Joe VS Shane is going to be awesome stuff. Stokely might very well have to get Joe outta that one like he did when Castle challenged for the belt.
Good sorta filler matches in the first half of the night, too. Iron Savages, Infantry and Lee Moriarty are all great talents, they definitely deserve some recognition. Good promo from Woods and Sterling to talk out this shift in creative rather than having Woods jumped out of the group or something. Woods VS Silas next week will be a really good one, too. And yeah, Woods really should distance himself from this “GROUP TRAINING~!” nonsense. Nese’s promo backstage was redundant when he says a lot of the same stuff in the ring. Pat Buck looked amazing in terms of his physique, but of course Nese finds a way to win. What would be interesting is if Woods and Nese end up meeting in another of these contenders tournaments and the more serious Woods wins out.
Good promo from the Workhorsemen and Embassy, and great tag match, but of course the Gates win. The Workhorsemen don’t even really have a third man, they just sometimes team with Shane. But Shane is gonna be facing Joe so instead of Gates losing and Workhorsemen bringing in someone new (I dunno, where’s Cezar Bononi right now? He’s an old pal of JD’s from the Wingmen days), the “easy” answer was to just have the Workhorsemen lose so the Gates look even stronger. Seriously, who is supposed to take these titles off them? Why aren’t we seeing more of The Righteous or Dark Order on here?
Good promos from Maria and those she is scouting, and good matches from those prospects. Leyla of course won, I feel she actually shouldn’t accept whatever recruitment offer from Maria. And then Karter obviously will, he has a crush on Maria and is projecting. But he did win in a good match against Titus, maybe Maria will encourage him to go for a title. And then Karter gets crushed because whether it is Shibata and the Pure title, Joe and the TV title or Claudio and the world title, they’re all leagues above Karter. And then really good women’s championship story tonight, with Athena winning a great match against Rachael Ellering, and then pointing out Billie after Billie’s great first win.
Much like Athena kinda marked her target with Willow Nightingale, Skye Blue, Kiera Hogan and even Diamante, Billie might have just made the short list of women who ROH considers the new foundation of the division. Billie definitely shows promise, and she’s still just 18 going on 19, she might overtake Skye Blue before long. And that’s no insult on Skye, it’s just that Skye perhaps rose too high too fast because sometimes her ring work just isn’t the sharpest. But of these names, and throw Leyla in for good measure, hard to say who will take the title off Athena. Leyla would seem most likely, given she’s LEGIT, but it really depends on where this story with Maria is going.
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)Â
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 PodcastÂ
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!
Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXTÂ and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
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 PodcastÂ
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 Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Hot off the heels of the TNA and WWE working relationship announcement, the Kickoff show already has the first sprinkle of NXT talent with Ashante “Thee” Adonis coming out after Ariana Grace tries to take all of the credit for the partnership. Jake something runs over Ashante, but it’s a good quick nod on free YouTube. Oh it also looks like the ring announcer is McKenzie Mitchel again. I did like her first run in TNA in what was that… like 2016-2018 or 19? She’s got personality, she’s cute and a solid announcer, so nice to see her back.
I’m not gonna run down any predictions on who I think will win, because honestly, I just feel like Hendry needs to win today or it’s been an entire waste of momentum. So lets get to the main show!
Ratings:
- X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin: Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/4
- The System vs Maniac Marines: Marines win via K.I.A. – ***
- Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c): Spitfire retain via Pressure Drop – **
- Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard: Tessa wins via Magnum – ****
- I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana: Santana wins! – ***
- TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz: Hardyz retain via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/2
- Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary: Masha wins via Avalanche Requiem – ** 3/4
- TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – *** 3/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!!!!!
Results:
X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Ace Austin
As soon as the bell rings, Ace jumps on him, forces him into the corner and stomps on him. Moose tries to fight out but Ace stays relentless. Ace has a counter for everything Moose is trying to counter in the early goings. Even when Moose catches him during the apron Handstand Dodge, Ace still has a counter for his counter. It’s not until a rake to the eyes from Moose that finally gives him a moment to start dictating the pace. A huge Irish Whip on the outside through the barricade is what Ace feels…twice. Ace tries to fight back from Moose continuing the momentum, Ace eats a Pump Kick, but blocks Moose’s attempt at a Suplex and counters with his own Vertical Suplex on Moose! JDC gets in the proximity of Ace so Ace kicks him, which delays his springboard, so Moose catches him and bounces him off the apron like a super ball.
Moose lets the count go, Ace barely gets in at 9, Moose throws him corner to corner, is slowing things down and being very deliberate. Ace starts powering through the pain, catches a Pump Kick, dodges a Spear into the corner and puts together a few strikes, Double Stomp, Triangle Kick, wants The Fold but Moose puts the brakes on there. Ace tries to spring off the ropes but Moose grabs him and hits Go To Hell for two! Fighting Spirit spot, Ace starts winning the trade, a Headbutt from Moose stops Ace, Moose flips him over the ropes to the apron, tries a few more things, Ace looks for a Springboard, Moose catches him but Ace slips it for a Frankensteiner. Moose powders to the opposite apron and Ace hits his Inside Out Headscissors sending Moose crashing to the floor. Alisha and JDC try to help up Moose, and while the referee is distracted JDC posts Ace. Moose goes for the Around the World Lights Out, but Ace moves and Moose kills JDC! Ace hits The Fold on the floor!
Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers run down the ramp, Ace sees them so he hits the Fosbury Flop to take them out. Ace is rolling, he goes for the Triangle Kick but Moose counters with Lights Out! 1-2- KICK OUT? Moose sets up for another Lights Out, Ace sidesteps it for the Cradle, kickout, Uranage, Cradle counter, Art of Finesse from Ace but Lights Out to the Spine from Moose! Moose sets up another and lands the Lights Out to retain!
Post Match the System looks to beat down on Ace, but Maniac Marines music hits and they go after Myers and Edwards. Guess the match is now!Â
The System vs Maniac Marines
Steve and Eric beat the hell out of the System members while the referee tries to set the match, it still hasn’t started but we get stereo 10 count punches in the corner, big fists causing Myers and Edwards to powder. This is essentially a Tornado Tag right now because the match hasn’t even started. Okay it eventually starts and Maclin hits the Backbreaker on Edwards and Busaiku Knee on Myers. He looks for a SCUD but Lish grabs the foot which is just enough! Maclin tries to charge anyway but gets caught in the Blue Thunder Bomb and now the match slows down and Eddie is in control.
Maclin absorbs some Chops from Eddie in the corner, no sells a little and fires, Eddie tags out Myers tries to slow things down with a Russian Leg Sweep but Maclin continues to try and rally. Eddie’s back in, shortarm Gowan Lariat into a cocky cover for two. Eddie tries to keep moving but Maclin hits the Vertical Suplex. Maclin is too slow to tag out so Eddie tags out and Myers cuts off Maclin. After a few more quick tags from System members, Maclin finally lands a Lariat to get the simultaneous tag and EY comes in hot. EY does the Flair corner flip, knocks Eddie off the apron, Myers eats a Macho Elbow but only two. Eddie knocks Maclin off the apron, Tandem Tiger Driver for two, EY fights back to level Eddie, Tree of Woe Myers Caught in Crosshairs but Lish gets in the ring! Eddie grabs Eric and distracts the ref, Lish clocks Maclin with either knuckles or a full hand of rings, Spear from Myers is only a two!
System Overload attempt, it’s thwarted by EY, Myers gets crotched in like a Reverse Tree of Woe, so Maclin hits the Caught in the Crosshairs on the back, EY with a Plancha to the outside to take Edwards out and K.I.A. from Maclin means Maniac Marines win!
Knockouts Tag Titles: Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) w/Personal Concierge vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c)
Elegance duo comes out dressed like Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They do a Go Eagles chant right before the bell rings to a chorus of Boos.
Even though Elegance Clique throws their pompoms and try a cheap shot, Spitfire just plow through them, literally. Quick tags, some assisted moves, Ash gets away from Spitfire, tags in Heather and shoves her forward trying to take them off guard, but they turn around…grab Heather and a long Tandem Stalling Suplex with a Deep Squat for two. Concierge distracts the referee, looks for a low Dive onto Heather but Ash just kicks Dani in the face, and the referee sees nothing. Heather rolls her back in, Kawada Kicks, Forearm Shiver, trip into a Dropkick to the face! Ash hangs Dani off the apron and Heather hits the Double Stomp from the apron to the floor.
Ash starts choking Dani on the ropes, distracts the referee and Heather paintbrushes Dani with pompoms as Ash goes for a series of pinfall attempts. Quick tags, Dani is in their corner, Cartwheel Back Handspring Elbow from Ash into a Seated Dropkick from Heather. Dani has been getting smacked around for the last 4 or 5 minutes. Ash leans on Dani for a while, but Dani gets a head of steam, comes off the ropes and Shotgun Dropkick gives her space. Jody gets a hot tag, she Sack of Shits them both, Vader Hammers in the corner into a Michinoku Driver, which Ash breaks up with a Meteora. Heather and Ash have a nice tandem move for a two count. Jody tries to fight back, but Elegance stops it, blind tag from Dani, Senton takes out both Elegance Clique members and Dani stalks her prey. Snap Suplex two times on Ash, but Heather stops the third and Jody just tosses Heather out of the ring in a rough way. Jody tries her Double Knees German Suplex spot but Ash moves. Dani with the Shinsuke Nakamura Inside Out German, Pressure Drop and Spitfire retains.
Boo…
Jordynne Grace vs Tessa Blanchard
Grace charges Tessa immediately, and the ref needs to pull her off, but Tessa gets thrown around the ring literally, the crowd is chanting “Fuck You Tessa”, Tessa powders, eats a Dive and then a Jackhammer on the outside! Grace puts Tessa on her shoulders up to the ring, but Tessa finally fights off and flips off the crowd, revels in it for a second, tries the Frankensteiner, but Grace holds on, smashes Tessa into the guardrail twice, looks for the Reverse Bomb on the apron, but Tessa gets out, stomps on Jordynne a few times, hooks Jordynne’s face with the crook of her leg and drives Jordynne’s face into the apron. Unique looking and decent.
Tessa has the correct intensity, pushes into two quick pinfall attempts and starts getting deliberate. Drags Jordynne’s face across the rope, throats Grace, kicks her in the face and Slingshot Elbow is another near fall. Tessa with the Front Facelock, Grace tries to fight out but Tessa holds on and drops her with a Scorpion Death Drop for another near fall. Jordynne fights Tessa off with a few elbows, looks for a Superplex, but Tessa fights off, wants the Avalanche Sunset Bomb, but Jordynne stops it, Tessa kicks Grace’s feet, looks for a Rope Hung Death Drop but Jordynne fights it off and smashes Tessa’s face into the turnbuckles but Tessa hits the Rope Hung Backstabber for two. Tessa looks for Magnum, but Jordynne cuts her off, they fight at the top, Avalanche Sack of Shit! They both sell the exhaustion of the match so far.
They trade blows, two Scoop Slams from Jordynne, Lawn Dart into the Top Turnbuckle! Package Powerbomb for two! Dragon Suplex attempt from Grace, Tessa breaks it, Headlock Takeover, quick counter wrestling, Tiger Destroyer from Tessa! Only for a two count, but still nice. Buzzsaw attempt is shrugged off, Tessa comes off the ropes and eats the Spinebuster from Jordynne for two quick pinfall attempts. Tessa with the Body Scissors and pulls herself up and fights back, Jordynne slaps her around, looks for the Suplex but Tessa slips it and Neckbreaker Counter for a two count! The brawl to the apron, Grace eats a forearm and Tessa hits the Tornillo on Jordynne! They posture on the steps, Tessa wants a move but Jordynne counters her and Spicolli Driver from the stairs to the floor from Jordynne!
More back and forth in the corner, just positioning and counters, it’s like watching chess. Jordynne grabs Tessa for an Avalanche Air Raid Crash, but Tessa fights it and turns it into an Avalanche Crucifix Bomb! After trying a grounded submission Tessa locks in the Octopus, tries to wrench the fingers but Jordynne counters, Rope Assisted German Suplex into a Capture Suplex for 2! Kudome Valentine attempt from Grace but Tessa gets out, Backfist from Jordynne, Tessa bounces off and Cutter gives her a two count! Tessa calls for Magnum, Jordynne dodges it, Tessa rolls through, tries boots but Grace grabs Tessa and hits the around the world Reverse Alabama Slam! Tessa keeps trying to remove Buckle Pads but they’re on good, Tessa reverses out of the Kinikku Buster, hits the Buzzsaw into the partially exposed buckle but Grace grabs the rope. Tessa removes another pad, Bulldog into exposed buckle, Magnum, and Tessa is still sexy.
The turnbuckle pads being on too well made the finish a little flat, but it was a damn good match. There’s also a joke in the match with Tessa coming out wearing Red and Gold (Yellow), so the racism allegations are never going away if she keeps making it easy.
I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana
There’s intensity but its all just technical tactics to take each other to the ground and grab a limb. But since we just came off of a pretty good match, things can’t start too hot. Every time Santana throws Josh to the outside, Josh scurries back to the ring, he’s playing scared. There’s a “He’s a bitch” chant that pops up. Santana cuts off Josh’s charge with a few well placed boots which sends Josh outside, Tope con Hilo levels the bald man. Santana throws Josh into a guardrail, Yakuza Kicks back to back rock Josh a bit. Fans call for tables and Santana slides one out to a huge pop. Santana sets it up, plays to the crowd, tries a Powerbomb onto the table but Josh slips it and Overhead Belly to Belly sends Santana crashing. A fan can be heard saying “That look like it hurt” to which Santana replies ” It did asshole”. Now Josh is dissecting Santana’s legs to soften him up for the Ankle Lock. Josh goes for the corner spot with the Figure Four around the post after bouncing the knee off the post a few times.
Josh tries to continue but Santana slides out and counters Josh and bounces his face off the post. Josh walks it off a bit as Santana stalks him and then a quick Chop Block has Santana writhing in pain. Josh decides to be a heel and do the Three Amigos instead of the Kurt Angle Germans. Disrespectful bald jerk. Santana gets throated, dropped to the apron on his ass, Low Crossbody but Santana flattens out and Josh goes flying! Santana tries a Dive, but Josh catches him and just drops him spine first on the apron. After a small resilient flurry of slaps from Santana Josh goes for the Germans. Santana brushes off on the third, goes for the Rolling Buck Fifty, gets caught in the Torture Rack, Santana fights off Josh’s shoulders, kicks him into the corner, Senton into the seated Josh. Perches him up top, points at the table, tries something but Josh fights him off, Moonsault from Josh misses and a Death Valley Driver gives both a moment to breathe.
Santana Spin the-BLOCK-ED! Josh sweeps the leg, Ankle Lock and Santana refuses to quit twice but slips the boot ala Eddie Guerrero. Josh pauses a moment, Santana charges and Josh dumps him over the top rope through the table! Santana says he doesn’t quit, Josh looks surprised, so he goes looking for more plywood. He also grabs the bottom set of stairs and throws them into the ring. Scoop Slams Santana into the broken table and continues looking for weapons, like a chair and zip ties. Santana crawls into the ring, Josh steps on the worked on leg and smashes it repeatedly with the chair. Josh goes into Full Mount, rains down strikes, exposes the elbow for Elbow Strikes and tries to soften him up for the zip ties. C4 Spike but Santana raises up like the Undertaker and fires into beating the piss out of Josh. Frankensteiner on Josh into the Frog Splash, Spin the Block! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana grabs the zip ties that Josh introduced, ties the hands behind Josh’s back, Spin the Block 2! Josh doesn’t quit. Santana sets up the steps as a ramp, table in front of Josh in the corner and Cannonballs through the table into Josh! Josh still doesn’t quit off the Jackass stunt. Santana finds a sock filled with quarters and starts beating Josh like it’s a slapjack. Josh still doesn’t quit. Santana tells Josh to bite the curb and is about to Curb Stomp him into the steps and Josh gets scared and quits.
TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardyz (c) vs The Rascalz
Fraxiom comes out to watch the match, so this nicely sets up a potential early angle between NXT and TNA for the crossover.Â
Trey and Matt start, but it’s a slow Headlock basic counters and feint spots. Jeff and Wentz want to play, so this is very Japanese in giving each member a free chance to interact before any cutoffs or tandems. The crowd likes both men, so this is interesting but more Stalemate spots. Jeff manages a Polish Hammer to tag in Matt and go for a quick tandem move and keep Wentz in the Hardy Corner bouncing his face off buckles in Delete fashion. Tag from Jeff for another tandem Rocket Launcher into the bottom rope and Leg Drop from Jeff. Wentz counters the Twist with a Jumping Knee so he manages a tag to Trey and then a few quick striking double team spots. Quick tag to Wentz, Matt comes in to break it up, drops Matt and Wishbone. Quick Tag, MCMG ACS Rush homage. Wentz Dives onto Matt on the outside, Matt catches him into the Side Effect on the floor! Jeff gets the best of Trey after he’s a little distracted. Manhattan Drop from Jeff, into a tag to Matt and then some double team strikes for a near fall. Delete Head Smashes again on Trey.
Vertical Suplex from Matt for another 2. Matt tags out and Hardys look for more Tandem attacks, Plot Twist but Wentz recovers and makes the break! Trey flips out of Jeff’s arms, tags in Wentz, and Wentz cleans house on both Hardys. Corner to corner, tags back in Trey they hit the Saki Kashima assisted Dropkick on each Hardy and then they dump the Hardys at the feet of Fraxiom. FIVE HOLE DIVE FROM RASCALZ! Misses the Hardys and hits Fraxiom! This builds heat for The Rascalz and Fraxiom as Hardys attack the Rascalz while distracted. Poetry in Motion off the stairs from Jeff!
Facebuster from Jeff for two! Wentz hits a Busaiku Knee on Jeff to stop him from hitting Trey, Side Effect drops Wentz, Enzuigiri from Trey drops Matt and all four are down to catch their breath a bit. Original Poetry in Motion on Trey! Twist of Fate from Matt but countered and Matt is thrown into Jeff who’s selling a knee. Superkick into Feed Em to the Lions! Wentz Dives on Matt but Trey can’t quite make a clean pinfall. Jeff eats a Cheeky Nandos and Top Rope Tiger Feint, Twist of Fates for everyone and Jeff re-NO Trey kicks out! Another Twist but eats a Superkick from Wentz, tries the UFO Cutter on Matt but Matt just throws him to the outside. A Twist of Fate from each Hardy Boy, Swanton Bomb and the Hardyz retain!
Thursday’s Live Show will have Fraxiom vs The Rascalz for the NXT Titles!Â
Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Rosemary
Do Rosemary’s shorts have Pokemon Gym Badges on em? Masha goes for the Staple Gun, it almost gets countered immediately, but she gets the first few clicks of the Staple gun, it actually doesn’t backfire, but she lets Rosemary powder and starts grabbing a few weapons. Masha finally decides to attack Rosemary with a cane, but Rosemary turns things around with the green mist. Slamovich gets some of the mist out of her eyes, chases her into the ring and eats a Drop Toehold into a Chair. Rosemary sets up the table, panders to the crowd and Masha launches herself over the top with a Crossbody, into Rosemary and then through the table! Masha finds her old chain she used to make Killer Kelly submissive and starts choking and dragging Rosemary around the ring and then Sabus the chair at Rosemary for emphasis.
Masha tries to hit the front flip Senton onto a seated Rosemary, but Rosemary moves and Masha hits the chair weird. Rosemary beats her with a chair a few times, looks under the ring, gets giddy and finds Janice! Rosemary swings Janice, breaks it, and then uses the two pieces to block the cane Masha had and then pressed the nail portion into Masha’s back! Rosemary is talking to Janice and goes to the back to find tacks that she spills out on the stage. Rosemary wants a Chokeslam into tacks, Masha counters, misses a Lariat and then eats the Spear into the tacks! Barbed Wire board is set up in the ring, Spicolli…nope! Russian Death Device into the Barbed Wire! Masha goes to the top, Footstomp into the barbed wire but only for 2 again! Masha goes to the outside and grabs a ladder.
A trash can lid gets thrown at Rosemary for good measure, Masha ascends the ladder and then Rosemary pushes the ladder and Masha goes crashing through one of two tables set up on the outside. Rough spot, rough looking, but Masha manages to move enough to break the pinfall since its falls count anywhere. Rosemary now goes full Kevin Steen and makes some chair art for a spot, drags Masha into the ring, sets he on the chairs and goes to the top. Masha sits up as Rosemary climbs, counters the momentum and Avalanche Requiem through the chairs! Masha retains.
Cora Jade’s music hits and sets up nicely after Masha was on NXT.Â
The Countdown Panel starts off with their main event picks they hinted towards and it’s necessary because they have to clean up the ring. Mark Henry picks Joe Hendry, and he better be correct. Ryan Nemeth interrupts with the “my brootthhheerrr” stuff, and Santino calls him “Fuck Face Guy”. It’s all good stuff, and I’m still a big fan of the Mokuba gimmick, but now they ban Ryan Nemeth.Â
TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry
Simple chain wrestling start until Nic has a few words and then snaps off a Dropkick, does his show off Dolph stuff so Hendry runs him over with a Shoulder Block and then a Knee Lift. Hendry tries his Stalling Suplex but Nic slips it into a Rear Naked Choke! Hendry spins Nic around, walks around with the Stalling Suplex before finally dropping Nic. Ryan Nemeth shows up with a ticket, so he’s sitting in the crowd now. Joe gets distracted just enough for Nic to jump up and hit a delayed DDT. After Nic tries to stretch Joe a little, Hendry goes into locomotion Cradles but Nic drops Joe to take a breather. Nic does his single Shot to the Heart Elbow and he’s really embracing the old Dolph Ziggler show off ego. Ziggler looks for a Rude Awakening after more arrogant moments, but Joe tries to fight it off, so Nic just snaps off a Jumping Neckbreaker.
Joe manages to hit a Cutter off the ropes to try and get some energy from the crowd. Strike exchange happens here, Uppercuts from Joe and Fists from Nic. Joe blocks one fist, throws a few of his own together and a Lariat levels Nic. Sack of Shit into the Kip Up! Counters galore from both men before Nic gets caught in the Pop-Up Powerbomb! Attitude Adjustment for just a near fall. You see moments of Nic trying to cheat or find an angle but he hasn’t done anything overtly heelish yet. Joe is rocking him with chops, perches Nic on the top, looks for the Superplex but Nic fights back, Hendry gets pushed off, Crossbody but Hendry rolls through, holds on and gets his Powerbomb countered into a FAMEasser for two! Nic crawls to a corner, looks to climb for something big, Hendry cuts him off, Avalanche Sack of Shit! Kaz walks out with the trophy as both men sell, but JBL comes out of the crowd and Clothesline from Hell on Kaz. JBL punches Ryan in the face as he comes out to say something. Then Tuxedo JBL leaves after doing his job. Standing Ovation from HENDRY! 1-2-NO! Nic kicks out!
The crowd chants “One More Time” and it fires up Hendry, he does the heel turn and goes full Queen Stomp, tries again, but Nic slips it. Superkick into Danger Zone and it’s….HENDRY KICKS OUT! Nic is tuning up the band, Hendry catches Nic, Sack of Shit, Kip Up, big fire, Standing Ovation! JOE HENDRY WINS!
Overall Score: 7/10
Even if the match quality wasn’t bonkers, mostly all the matches did what they needed to do, were fairly good and a good number of NXT talent showed up to make the Live iMPACT! and TNA really feel like something special right now. I’m an unabashed Tessa fan, so I’m giddy she won and Hendry finally getting the title is the latest they could’ve really dragged this out to, but at least it stops him from becoming Tetsuya Nai-Joe.
I’m not gonna be a hypocrite from previous complaints I made with too many champions being babyfaces, because that’s still bad and proves the next few title defenses could prove volatile. However, I of course just enjoy most of the current champions. So while it doesn’t erase the fact it’s bad, it makes it more palatable for me personally. Now if only PCO destroyed the Knockouts Tags instead of a different irrelevant belt.
Also let’s be very clear, anyone that believes the PCO stunt was a legit shoot doesn’t know wrestling. Everything is a work until it isn’t and then it still could be turned into a work. Don’t be gullible and just anticipate something to be worked out of it one way or the other.
Still though, good show with a lot of hype for the Live iMPACT, so Thursday should be fun! See you there!
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)Â
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 PodcastÂ
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!