Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/22/23)
NXT is on fire!
Will the Heatwave get to HIM?
NXT brings back the Heatwave, and Carmelo Hayes defends the NXT Championship against Wes Lee! Who survives this scorching Summer night?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Trick Williams VS Ilja Dragunov; Dragunov wins.
- Ivy Nile VS Ava Raine w/ The Schism; Ivy wins.
- Undisputed NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Nathan Frazer w/ Tyler Bate VS Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four; Dar wins and is the Undisputed NXT Heritage Cup Champion.
- Mixed Tag: Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio VS Lyra Valkyria & Dragon Lee; Lyra & Dragon win.
- Baron Corbin VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone; No Contest.
- NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes VS Wes Lee; Melo wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony D’Angelo gets a phone call.
It’s from Stacks! And he says The Don has to get back quick, there’s a situation that needs handling. What does he need Tony for? Tony’s in enough heat as it is. Well there’s a heatwave going through and Tony needs to see this. Stacks dives into the pool and splashes Tony! Okay, it’s gonna be like that? Go get him, guys! The boys jump in! That was good, huh? Yeah, almost as good as tonight’s Mixed Tag match will be. Mami & Dommy VS Lyra “Val-Cree-Uh,” did he say that right? Close enough. And Dragon Lee! That’ll be a banger. And speaking of dragons, The Mad Dragon wants to put a whooping on Trick!
Hey, the streets are all about respect. And they gotta respect what Trick’s trying to do. Trick wants to prove he’s more than a talking head, but taking on Ilja Dragunov is a tall task. Hey, Tony! The ladies are here! The boys stand up and say more the merrier. Now it’s a party. But who do they have in the main event? Tony’s cousin is going with Wes Lee, “the human stick of dynamite.” He’ll bring everything he’s got to take the title away from HIM. Him? Yeah, HIM, Carmelo Hayes! But the streets are putting a lot of money on both guys. Stacks thinks Wes is gonna score big. Hey, Stacks, you talking ’bout Wes or yourself?
Oh, uh, Wes, of course. But now listen. When they celebrate int he family, they raise a glass. Summer’s coming to an end, so let’s go out with a bang. Here’s to an unforgettable Summer!
Trick Williams VS Ilja Dragunov!
Just as The Don said, Trick wants to prove he isn’t Carmelo’s sidekick but his equal. Plus, he looks to settle some scores with The Mad Dragon. Will Dragunov get back at Trick for the controversy behind what happened at the Great American Bash? Or will UNBESIEGBAR fail to #WhoopDatTrick?
The bell rings and the two run in! Dragunov BOOTS Trick, CHPOS him in a corner, then bumps him off buckles. Dragunov throws knees, then fires forearms! Dragunov CLUBS Trick, CHOPS him again, then brings him around to bump off more buckles. But Trick fires forearms in return! Trick scoops, Dragunov slips free and waistlocks, but Trick fights the suplex! Trick runs, RAMS Dragunov, btu Dragunov returns to ENZIGURI! Down goes Trick and fans fire up! Dragunov drags Trick up in a waistlock, Trick fights, but Dragunov CLUBS him again! And again! And then against ropes!
Dragunov brings Trick around to spin and CHOP! Trick sputters and fans fire up! Dragunov BOOTS Trick, Trick goes to a corner, and Dragunov CHOPS him again! Dragunov brings Trick out to spin and CHOP again! Dragunov BOOTS Trick down, but then Trick blocks a kick! Trick spins Dragunov to ROCK him with forearms! They go back and forth, and Trick DECKS Dragunov! Dragunov gets up, Trick whips but Dragunov reverses to wrench and CHOP! Trick DROPKICKS in return! Fans fire up and Trick roars! Trick brings Dragunov up, whips him to ropes, but Dragunov ducks and CONSTANTINE- POP-UP HAYMAKER!
Dragunov stumbles and falls! He bails out, but Trick is after him! Dragunov RAMS him into the apron, BOOTS him, then GERMAN SUPLEXES to the floor! Fans fire up and the ring count starts, Dragunov puts Trick in, stalks him, and fans rally as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragunov stomps Trick, storms around, then brings him up to ROCK with a haymaker! And CHOP! Dragunov brings Trick around, to hit a headlock takeover! Trick keeps his shoulders up, but Dragunov throws furious fists! Trick endures, even as Dragunov grinds the headlock. Trick fights up, powers out, but Dragunov RAMS him! Dragunov BOOTS Trick, then CLOBBERS him from behind! Trick writhes and Dragunov seethes. Dragunov KNEES Trick in the side! Dragunov brings Trick up, suplexes, but Trick fights it! Trick suplexes but Dragunov fights back! They fight for suplex control, Trick gets Dragunov up but he slips free!
Dragunov shoves Trick, then spins to CHOP! Then he CHOPS the leg, then he KNEES Trick down! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this but Dragunov jumps on him! Dragunov has a chinlock and he grinds Trick down. Trick fights up again, but Dragunov UPPERCUTS him! Trick ROCKS Dragunov in return! The forearms fly back and forth, and then Dragunov CHOPS, ROCKS and SLAPS Trick down! Both men are on the mat as Dragunov also catches his breath. Dragunov runs in at Trick to BOOT him down! Dragunov YANKS the rope to tweak Trick! Dragunov runs in CHOP Trick in the corner!
Trick sputters, the ref checks on him, but then Dragunov runs in to BOOT WASH! Dragunov backs away as NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally up, Trick drags himself to his feet, and Dragunov storms back up. MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Trick sits down but Dragunov stands him back up. But Trick CHOPS back! Dragunov grins, and he MACHINE GUN CHOPS again! Dragunov tries another round but Trick blocks it! Trick and Dragunov stare down and Trick fires forearms! Dragunov throws them back and fans are thunderous! Trick LARIATS, Dragunov kips up to PELE! But Trick EDDY GORDO KICKS!
Fans are thunderous as both men are down! They chant for “NXT! NXT!” giving them this wild opener. They both stand, and the forearms start going back and forth again! Trick gets the edge, then ducks the back hand to fire off fast hands! Trick DECKS Dragunov! And BOOTS him down! And again! And again! Dragunov leans against ropes and he eggs Trick on! Fans fire up again as Trick stomps Dragunov! Trick drags Dragunov up but Dragunov fires clubbing shots! Dragunov trips Trick, but Trick BOOTS him away! Both men rise, Trick runs up to whip, and he FLAPJACKS Dragunov! Trick aims, runs in, TRICK TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!!
Dragunov survives that shot right to the head, but there’s blood from his forehead! Trick jumps and ripcords Dragunov up, but Dragunov DDTS! And then another DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Trick survives, fans are thunderous, and Dragunov puts Trick in a corner. “This is Awesome!” as Dragunov puts Trick up top. Dragunov ROCKS Trick, climbs up, but Trick throws hands! They fight up top, and Trick hits a SUPER BOOKEND!! Cover, TWO!?!? Dragunov survives and no one can believe it! Trick is furious, but he aims again. Dragunov rises, Trick spins, but Dragunov blocks the kick! GERMAN SUPLEX!
Dragunov PUNTS Trick in the side of the head! And then reels him in, but Trick still fights the lift! Dragunov tries again, but Trick is fighting! Even so, Dragunov powers through to POWERBOMB!! And then FALLING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!??! Trick survives and again, no one can believe it! Trick SLAPS Dragunov from below! So Dragunov stomps Trick! Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow. Dragunov goes up a corner, SUPER FALLING HAMMER!! Cover, Dragunov wins!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall
The Mad Dragon got one hell of a fight out of Trick, but in the end, he still won! However, as Trick sits up, Dragunov seems to nod his respect. Did Trick prove he is a top contender in his own right?
Tyler Bate meditates with Tai Chi.
The Big Strong Boi is Zen enough that he knows it is Nathan Frazer who walks in. Bate says hello, and Nathan asks what he’s up to. Bate brings up how Dabba-Kato hurt him last week. This is how Bate embraces the pain and moves forward. Right, that was brutal. Yes, but that was last week. Tonight, Nathan will show the world who the true Heritage Cup Champion is. Is he ready? Yeah, he is! But that’s kinda why he’s here. Meta Four has a second, third and fourth, so Frazer could use someone out there to watch his back so they can settle things with Noam once and for all. Bate gets that. He’ll have Frazer’s back.
Frazer thanks Bate, and acknowledges that this is two favors now he owes Bate. So should Frazer win tonight, Bate will be the very first challenger to the TRUE Heritage Cup Champion. Bate likes that. Let’s take care of the Meta-Four Massive Frauds. Frazer nods, but will one Big Strong Boi be enough to stop Noam’s main man and leading ladies?
Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio prepare backstage.
Dom says Mami inspires him. Rhea asks Dom what they’re gonna do tonight. Dom says, “Punish.” Rhea says that’s right, cuz punish is what Mami likes to do. But then Mustafa Ali walks in. Hey, Dom-Dom! Oh, sorry, is he interrupting? Well, this is their locker room, so go away. Guys, c’mon, he was gonna wish them luck. Go out there and break a leg. But like, actually, Dom. Into a million pieces. Then Dom can go away and NXT can have a North American Champion they can be proud of. Dom says he doesn’t care about NXT. He just cares about Mami. Rhea says Dom is a champion everyone can look up to.
But Ali, you have ten seconds to get out of here before they give him a preview of what happens to Lyra & Dragon tonight. Wow, just ten seconds? Sounds like something they might be used to. Ali does leave, and Rhea is confused as to what he meant. But will Rhea & Dom have more than they bargained for against Lyra & Dragon?
Ivy Nile VS Ava Raine w/ The Schism!
Diamond Mine lost the Losers Leave NXT match, and yet something a little fishy seems to be up. The Diamond Pitbull will neither confirm nor deny, but will she put Ava in her place? Or will The Schism have the last laugh after all?
NXT returns as The Schism make their entrance, the yellow masked minions following. The bell rings, the two circle, but The Schism already starts distracting Ivy. Ava CLOBBERS Ivy, the ref reprimands The Schism, but Ava RAMS Ivy into buckles! Ava then brings Ivy out, scoops and SLAMS her! Then scoops and SLAMS her again! Ava tells Ivy to just give up already. She whips Ivy to a corner then SPLASHES! Ava fires off hands on Ivy, brings her around, scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Ivy writhes, Ava covers, TWO! Ava drags Ivy up, whips her to a corner, then runs in, but Ivy dodges! Ivy fires off forearms!
Ivy KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Ivy whips, Ava reverses and HEEL KICKS Ivy down! Cover, TWO! Ava CLUBS Ivy, drags her up to SLAM her off the mat, and then soaks up the heat. Ivy crawls to ropes, but Ava CHOKES her! The ref counts, Ava YANKS the ropes to send Ivy tumbling! Ivy gets up, but Ava runs her over! Ava drags Ivy up again, scoops, but Ivy slips into the DIAMOND DRAGON!! Ava TAPS, Ivy wins!!
Winner: Ivy Nile, by submission
The Schism is shocked! They didn’t think Ivy would be able to break Ava so easily, but now the yellow masks get on the apron! Ivy holds onto Ava, but the minions still storm in! Ivy SUPERWOMAN PUNCHES one, then dodges another to GERMAN SUPLEX! And then CALF KICK! Some of the minions drop back and a few get Ava out of the ring. Ava grins as she gets away, but this was still a hit to The Schism. Will the roots still be strong after this newest failure?
Wes Lee is on the phone.
He just wishes that they could be here. But then Dragunov walks in, still very sore from his match with Trick. Wes asks if he’s good, and Dragunov says yes, he is good. Because Trick is no longer an issue. And nothing stands in his way to the title! Nothing will get between him and his destiny! Wes almost has a spit-take hearing that. Dragunov needs to hold on. He does know there will be a new champion tonight? Oh, we’ll see. Dog, you’re looking at him right here! The title that Dragunov wants so badly that he claims to be destined to have will be on Wes’s shoulder!
Wes wasn’t destined for any of this. Not the main event or even in this building, but he makes his own destiny! And tonight, he beats Carmelo Hayes. And from that reaction, maybe Wes will go one-on-one with the Mad Dragon. He looks forward to it as NXT Champion! Wes storms off, will he come through to change Dragunov’s destiny?
Undisputed NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Nathan Frazer w/ Tyler Bate VS Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four!
Through excuses, legalities and technicalities, the British Rocket must defend his Heritage Cup Championship against the former Heritage Cup Champion to finally get to the bottom of this. Will Frazer prove he was the real champ all along? Or will the Scottish Supernova snatch this cup back by any means necessary?
The introductions are made, the cup’s on display, and we see if Frazer denies Dar once and for all!
The bell rings and we’re on the clock for the first round. The two circle, feel things out, then tie up. Dar goes for an arm, wrenches to a wristlock, but Frazer rolls. Frazer hooks a leg but Dra still wrangles him down to a wristlock. Dar bends and twists the arm against his leg, then spins Frazer around to wrenches and ELBOW BREAKER! Frazer reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Frazer flips and wrenches back to hit an ELBOW BREAKER of his own! Frazer clamps onto the shoulder but Dar pulls hair. They end up on ropes, Frazer lets off and dares Dar to come back. The two reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock.
Dar rolls, wrenches and wrangles Frazer again. Dar steps over and he hip drops the arm! Dar then snapmares, covers, TWO! Dar keeps on Frazer’s arm, but Frazer fights through to have a headlock. Dar endures, Frazer hits a takeover, but Dar pulls hair! The ref reprimands, the two stand up, and Dar brings Frazer down to a knee. But Frazer fights back up! Dar powers out of the headlock, they RAM shoulders, and Dar KICKS a leg! Dar headlocks as we go under a minute, but Frazer pries the hold open. Frazer headlocks back, Dar powers up and out, but Frazer redirects, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then rolls Dar up! TWO! Dar has an omoplata!
Frazer rolls, gets free, dodges but Dar dodges back! Frazer dodges stomps, runs and springboards but Dar stays back, to SLAP Frazer! Frazer DECKS Dar! Fans fire up as Frazer gives Dar ground ‘n’ pound! We reach the last 10 seconds, Frazer keeps after Dar, but the time is up!
Frazer: 0; Dar: 0
Fans fire up as Frazer holds back that last punch. The ref has Frazer let off, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Meta Four hurries to refresh Dar while Bate and Frazer are much more relaxed themselves. The grace period is over, and round two begins. Dar puts his dukes up, he and Frazer circle, and Dar gets a shot in. Dar grins, the two tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Dar manages to push Frazer to ropes, but Fraezr gets away before the kick! Frazer hits a headlock takeover! Dar keeps his shoulders up, he rolls Frazer to a cover, TWO! Dar headscissors, then SLAPS Frazer on the chest! Frazer fights around, headstands, and he pops free to then dropkick! And back to the headlock! Frazer grinds Dar down but Dar fights up.
Dar trips Frazer, drops an elbow on the leg, and Frazer clutches the knee. Dar kicks Frazer around, flexes on Bate, then brings Frazer up. Dar snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Dar clamps onto Frazer with a chinlock, but then grinds his forearm in Frazer’s face. The ref counts, Frazer fights up, but Dar knees low before the jawbreaker! Frazer goes to ropes as we hit one minute, and Dar fires off hands! Dar whips, Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges and DYNAMIC DROPKICKS Dar down! Fans fire up, but DABBA-KATO ATTACKS BATE AGAIN!! APRON CHOKE SLAM!! Refs rush out to stop Dabba, but Dar rolls Frazer up! DAR SCORES!!
Frazer: 0; Dar: 1
The Supernova sneaks one because the behemoth Dabba beat down Bate! Dar then scrambles away to maximize his refresh period. Frazer is furious at both Dar and Dabba, but Bate is being checked on by medics. NXT returns to single picture as Frazer isn’t sure what to do now. Meta Four is confident Dar has this now, and we start round three. Dar rushes right in to fire off on Frazer! The ref counts, Dar backs off, and Frazer hits him back! Frazer whips, Dar reverses but Frazer goes up and over and handsprings away while Bate is helped to the back. Frazer runs up, he rolls Dar into an STF!!
Fans fire up as Meta Four freaks out! Dar endures, reaches out, scrambles around, but he’s turning red like Frazer’s tights! Dar reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Frazer lets go in frustration and Dar goes to a corner. Frazer runs in, but Dar puts him on the apron. Frazer ROCKS Dar, springboards, but Dar trips him up! Rough landing for Frazer and Meta Four is loving it! Dar drags Frazer through the ropes, drops him and PUNTS him! Cover, TWO! Dar is annoyed but he walks around Frazer. Dar lines up a shot and boots Frazer down! Fans rally for Frazer, but Dar UPPERCUTS him! Dar brings Frazer up to CLUB him on the neck!
Dar pretends he can’t hear the ref, and then he snapmares Frazer to stomp the arm! We go under a minute and Dar stomps Frazer more. Fans duel, “SUPERNOVA!” “SUCKS!!” Frazer fires body shots in return, but Dar blocks a kick! Dar counters enziguri with a DRAGON SCREW! And AKNLE LOCK! But Frazer rolls to send Dar out! And then he DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Frazer puts Dar back in the ring, and QUEBRADA DDTS! Frazer RUNNING HSOOTING STARS a la Bate! Cover, TWO!! We’re under ten seconds! Dar hurries away, saved by the bell! BUT HE CHEAP SHOTS FRAZER!!
Frazer: 0; Dar: 1
The ref warns Dar on this one, even as Meta Four argues that’s a “Buzzer beater.” They hurry to refresh Dar again, and now we’re on to round four. Frazer is getting angry now, and he dodges Dar to mule kick, run and DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Frazer sees Dar go to a corner, runs in and CHOPS! Frazer whips, Dar reverses, Frazer goes up and over to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Frazer hurries up a corner, aims, PHOENIX- NO, Frazer rolls through as Dar moves! Dar runs in, Frazer rolls him up, TWO! Dar blocks a kick, to BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives and Dar is frustrated.
Meta Four coaches Dar and he drags Frazer to ropes. Dar puts the leg on ropes, goes up a corner, but Frazer runs up! Dar ROCKS Frazer, but Frazer is right back on him! SUPERPLEX! Roll through, FINAL CUT!! Cover, Frazer scores!!
Frazer: 1; Dar: 1
Meta Four has to drag Dar back to his corner, he is in bad shape after that one! Frazer catches his breath as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dar sputters, Jakara & Lash fan him off, but it could come down to the very next round. Oro stands Dar up as best he can, Frazer watches and waits. Round five starts, and Frazer runs in! Dar dodges, but then Frazer comes back to TACKLE Dar! Frazer rains down fists! Frazer goes to a corner, climbs up, and POHENIX SPLASHES into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Dar holds onto Frazer as Frazer fights the hold! Frazer deadlifts Dar to SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives and Frazer is stunned! But Frazer drags himself to the apron, gets to his feet, and he feints the springboard to make Dar move!
Dar is on the apron, Frazer gets him from across the corner! They brawl, climb, and Dar pulls on an arm! Frazer throws hands, but they both DECK each other! Frazer AND Dar fall to the floor! A ring count starts, Meta Four panics, but both Dar and Frazer are down at 5 of 10. Lash drags Dar up and puts him in!? She got away with it cuz the ref was checking Frazer! And she even tries to stop Frazer from getting in! The ref reprimands, Frazer gets away but Dar HOOK KICKS! And FISHERMAN BUSTERS! cover, TWO!!! Dar is shocked that his team couldn’t cheat this one for him!
Frazer goes to a corner as we hit 45 seconds. Dar flexes, runs in, but Frazer hits a BUCKLE SHOT a la Seth Rollins! NXT returns to picture in picture as Frazer then skins the cat to the top rope a la Sheamus. Fans fire up, Meta Four freaks out, but Dar gets out. So Frazer SUPER CANNONBALLS Dar & Oro down!! Frazer puts Dar in, but Dar distracts the ref and both Lash & Jakara try to stop Frazer! Frazer gets in but Lash has a foot! Cover, TWO!! And then the bell!
Frazer: 1; Dar: 1
The Meta Four didn’t cheat the win out but they did cheat to keep Dar alive! They help Dar get back to his corner while Frazer crawls to his. The refresh period is over pretty quickly this time as we go to the sixth round! Will this one end in regulation?
Dar and Frazer stand, fans fire up, and the two storm up to throw forearms! They go back and forth, Dar KICKS, but Frazer knees low! Dar KICKS, fires off forearms, then flexes. But Frazer fires them all back! Frazer DECKS Dar! But Dar kicks a leg out! And kicks Frazer from below! Dar holds a wrist and kicks away on Frazer’s face! Dar goes to a corner, takes aim, NOVA FEINT! But Frazer avoids the leg sweep! Frazer runs in but into a SUPERMAN PUNCH! But Frazer ENZIGURIS! Frazer storms up but Dar dodges to sweep the legs after all! Dar goes to the corner, climbs up, but Frazer avoids the guillotine stomp!
Frazer SUPERKICKS! And QUEBRADA- NO, Dar slips out of the reverse DDT to get the CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR!! Frazer endures, but we have 90 seconds to go and he’s so far from the ropes! Frazer manages to roll over, and he throws hands on Dar! Dar lets go, and we’re still at one minute left! Frazer goes to ropes, drags himself up, and fans rally. Dar stands, Frazer DECKS him! Frazer goes up the corner, but Dar goes after him. Frazer ROCKS Dar, BOOTS Oro onto the ladies, and then PHOENIX FLOPS as Dar moves! NOVA ROLLA!!! Cover, DAR WINS!!
Winner: Noam Dar, 2-1, by pinfall (NEW NXT Heritage Cup Champion)
Meta Four does it again! They CHEAT to WIN! Is Dar ever going to stop being the Heritage Cup Champion with all these pawns in his corner?
Ava Raine speaks.
“Thanks to the bravery of these two loyal and devoted followers, I am once again standing safely underneath The Schism’s Tree. Ivy, you tried to end my career! You tried to inflict permanent damage! But Ivy, you failed. You are a failure, just like The Creed Brothers, and just like all of Diamond Mine. Ivy, if you wanna prove me wrong, you know exactly where I am. So come and find me.” Ava has called Ivy out to fight under the shade of the Tree, will Ivy look to tear The Schism out of NXT, roots and all?
Tiffany Stratton is here.
NXT returns with The NXT Women’s Champion already in the ring, and with mic in hand. “The Summer of Tiff Tiff is coming to an end, and let me tell you all, it has been a hot one. It officially began at Battleground, where I won the NXT Women’s Championship. And then, I went on a winning streak, retaining my title against Thea Hail at Gold Rush, and then again at the Great American Bash. And with Summer coming to an end, and the Fall of Tiff Tiff is right around the corner, I am going to make this much, much better. And I’m sure you’re all wondering, how can it get better than it already is? I’m basically a perfect champion!
“And I know the word ‘perfect’ scares some people, but when you’re Tiffany Stratton, perfection comes easy. Which is why this title isn’t going anywhere. Matter of fact, I’m gonna go down in history as one of the best NXT Women’s Champions of all time!” Fans boo but Tiff says she will be better than Bayley! Than Asuka! Than Becky Lynch! And even Charlotte Flair! The list can go on and on and on, but for now, she remains at the #TiffyTop. Wait, who is this coming out? Gigi Dolin! She tells Tiffany that while she’s at the top, do us a grand favor and SHUT THE HELL UP! Fans cheer that!
Gigi says she gets it, the Summer of Tiffany. But what Gigi is dying to see is the Fall of Tiffany, as in falling off being champion. So look no further for your next challenger than Gigi Dolin! Tiff isn’t sure what hole Gigi crawled out of, and doesn’t care, but if this is Gigi shooting her shot, then consider this Tiff shooting it down. Gigi doesn’t deserve a shot against Tiff! Oh, deserve? Deserve? The audacity! Tiff doesn’t deserve to stand here and call herself a champion cuz the last time she defended that title here on NXT TV, she TAPPED OUT! Tiff did not! But wait, now Kiana James walks out. And she says Gigi must be lost.
Kiana doesn’t know what delusional world Gigi lives in, but there is not a shot in Hell that Gigi deserves a title match. Tiff thanks Kiana for saying that. Kiana says Gigi’s record against Kiana is terrible. Gigi doesn’t deserve the match, but Tiff can bet her Barbie wannabe little ass that Kiana sure does! Rude. But then Blair Davenport walks out! “Ladies, ladies, ladies. You know I’m sure we can stand here and argue all night long about who has the fanciest materialistic possessions, the biggest, gaudiest shoes, and even the most social media followers. But I don’t care about any of that crap!”
It was a cruel Summer in the NXT Women’s Division, courtesy of Blair Davenport. If you don’t believe her, just ask around. Blair joins everyone else in the ring, and says that one thing that is not up for debate is that Blair deserves a shot at the title, because it’s Blair! Gigi says Blair and her haven’t crossed paths, but before laying claim to the division, she has to go through the division! And Gigi knows that everyone knows Blair beat Dana Brooke, Kelani Jordan, but nobody has forgotten that little trip to the convenience store! Kiana adds on, “Clean up on aisle Blair!” Though Gigi says she would’ve rather seen it be “business b*tch” Kiana!
But seeing Blair’s face ping pong off that frozen food door was priceless! Blair mockingly says “Look at the dark side of Gigi Dolin finally coming out. Aw, cute.” But Gigi doesn’t want to mess with Blair. If you thought that kick from Jacy Jayne was bad, wait until Blair pounds Gigi’s face so bad, her own brother won’t recognize her! Tiff says this is all getting out of hand. They can figure this out on their own and she’ll just go. But wait! Here comes Roxanne Perez! “Hey, Blair. Hi. Y’know, it’s mind boggling to me that you’re out here running your mouth, cuz I thought I ended things with you at the Great American Bash when I put your ass through a table and a bed of chairs. In case you forgot.
“But more importantly, Tiffany, I actually have something to tell you.” Tiff says it better be good. Roxie DECKS Tiff!! And then a brawl breaks out! Tiff runs away while Gigi is after Blair and Kiana is after Roxie! The refs rush in to stop this and Tiff actually thinks this is funny. But will all four of these women get their shot at the Center of the Universe?
Damon Kemp trains with Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak.
Gulak coaches them through the hand grappling, and Myles Borne runs over. Gulak has him wait as the two in the ring get loose. Gulak then asks Myles what he wants to say. Myles says he washed the mats, swept the ring, and even sprayed the ropes. Good boy, Myles. Is he tired? No, sir. Good, because they don’t get tired. Dempsey then clamps on a SLEEPER on Myles!! Myles taps but Gulak says no, you gotta fight! They don’t get tired! Will Myles be able to keep up with the technical savages he’s following?
Ava speaks again.
“With each passing second, Ivy proves exactly what I was saying. She’s weak, she’s a failure, and most of all, she’s way too scared to stand on her own two feet. Don’t fall for the façade, because behind that strong physique-” But then Ivy shouts at Ava. Speak of the devil, here she is. Get her, boys! The “boys” don’t respond. SIURPRISE! They’re the Creed Brothers! And then Ivy snatches Ava! Julius asks The Schism, “Do we have your attention now? If you want to see Ava again, then next week, we get a match against The Dyad, and when we win, we’re reinstated in NXT.” Brutus says, “And this time, so no Schism followers interfere, it’s gonna be a Steel Cage Match!”
Julius says, “Don’t keep us waiting.” They drop the camera and take Ava who knows where. Will The Schism have no choice but to accept the challenge?
The Meta Four celebrates backstage.
They drink champagne and Dar says he is UNDENIABLE! He’s been the best at this since day one, and now, nobody can touch him! Jakara says they’re not back, they’re better. And finally, Nathan’s phony reign is over. Lash says it should’ve have happened anyway, so really, it doesn’t count in their books! They fill the Heritage Cup and Oro says the world is right again. But someone serves Dar documents from the NXT Heritage Cup Committee?! What?! Dar has Oro read this for him. Oro looks the letter over, and says, “Dear Mr. Dar, congratulations on winning the NXT Heritage Cup.”
Winning?! What? No! Retaining! But the letter goes on to say that in order to assure Dar has a proper contender for the cup, next week will be the NXT Heritage Cup Global Invitational. An eight man tournament where the winner gets their shot at the Cup at NXT No Mercy! Dar says that means he doesn’t have to do anything for five weeks! They celebrate even more! But Dar says it makes sense they’d have to look around the world to find enough people to fight for this opportunity. Let’s go to California! NXT is putting together quite the event, who will make it through to face Dar on September 30th?
Mixed Tag: Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio VS Lyra Valkyria & Dragon Lee!
Judgment Day is still looking to dominate Mondays and Tuesdays, but they’re running into some stiff opposition. Will the Morrigan & The Wonder Boy bring down the Women’s World Champion & NXT North American Champion? Or will Mami & Dommy do them dirty like they do everyone else?
NXT returns as Dragon makes his entrance, followed by Dragon’s. The teams sort out, and Dragon starts against Dom. They circle, fans rally, and the two tie up. They go around, Dom puts Dragon in a corner, but he lets off. Dragon dodges the chop to CHOP back! Dom runs up but Dragon trips him to rain down fists! Dom gives those back, then knuckle lock covers, TWO as Dragon bridges up! Dom pushes Dragon down, TWO as Dragon gets an arm up. Dom jumps but Dragon uses that to get up and wheelbarrow to a victory roll! TWO! Dom scrambles up, kicks low and he throws hands!
Dom has Dragon in a corner, whips corner to corner, Dragon reverses, Dragon runs in but is put on the apron. Dragon bumps Dom off buckles, KICKS him away, then goes up and in and somersaults, but Dom fireman’s carries! Dragon slips free, Dom switches, but Dragon elbows free. Dom BOOTS back, dodges a boot, then CHOPS! Dom runs, but Dragon DROPKICKS him down! Dom staggers up and Rhea calls to him. Dom hurries over and he tags her in. Lyra steps in and fans fire up as she and Rhea step to each other. They talk some trash, Rhea pokes Lyra in the head while she says she was giving Lyra advice.
Lyra pushes back and says Rhea was just keeping her down. Rhea shoves back, so Lyra shoves again! Then headlocks! Rhea powers up and throws Lyra way, but Lyra comes back to wrench and YANK the arm! Lyra whips, Rhea blocks and reverses. Lyra goes up and over and then hip tosses! Lyra runs up on Rhea, Rhea blocks the hip toss to body shot and choke grip! But Lyra wheelbarrows, but Rhea back suplexes! Lyra lands on her feet, shoves, but Rhea runs Lyra over! Fans rally up and Rhea reaches down, but Lyra KICKS her away! Lyra almost gets the heel kick! Rhea keeps away as Lyra keeps spinning!
Fans fire up as Rhea stays in the ropes. The ref has Lyra back up, and rhea SLAPS Lyra down! Rhea tells Lyra not to test her, but Lyra swings! Rhea blocks to short arm LARIAT! And again! Rhea reels Lyra in, she gives some Latina Heat, and suplexes, but Lyra slips out! Lyra CHOPS Rhea on the back! And SLAPS her across the face! Lyra eggs rhea on, bobs ‘n’ weaves then fires off fast hands! SOBAT! Front kick! HEABUTT! Rhea blocks the roundhouse to pick Lyra up! Lyra sunset flips but Dom tags in! Rhea scrambles away and Dom storms up on Lyra. Dom eggs her on but Dragon SUPERKICKS him down!
Dragon is all fired up and so are the fans! Rhea returns, Lyra dodges and springboards, but Rhea moves so the CROSSBODY hits Dom! Fans fire up more as Rhea pops Lyra up, but Lyra RANAS! The Judgment Day regroups, Dragon & Lyra build speed together to WRECK Rhea and FLY onto Dom! Fans fire up as Dragon & Lyra stand tall as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragon drags Dom up, puts him in the ring, and he stalks Dom. Dom wants mercy, but Dom BOOTS him down! Dragon bumps Dom off buckles, fires hands, then has everyone hush. He CHOPS Dom! Fans fire up, Dragon says one more, and he puts Dom back in the corner. Dragon climbs up onto the corner, but then lets off to take a big swing! Dom gets away, but Dragon is still after him. Dom kicks low, bumps him off buckles, then swings, but Dragon dodges! Dragon CHOPS Dom again! Dragon snapmares, covers, TWO, but then he clamps on a chinlock! Dom endures, fights up, and throws body shots!
Dom knees low, whips Dragon but Dragon reverses. Dom slips out as Dragon run sin, and Dom HOTSHOTS Dragon down! Dom gives some Latino Heat before the slingshot SENTON! Cover, TWO! Dom looms over Dragon, talks some trash and kicks him around. Dom clamps onto a chinlock and he grinds Dragon down. Fans rally as Dragon endures, but Dom pulls back on the hold. Dragon still fights up, still throws elbows, but Dom knees low. Dom whips Dragon to a corner, runs in, but into a boot! Hot tag to Rhea! Rhea storms up but Lyra CROSSBODIES her down! They stand, Lyra LARIATS! Lyra LARIATS again!
Lyra ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! Rhea flounder sup into knees! Lyra fires off, puts Rhea in a corner, then climbs up to rain down fists! But Rhea stops Lyra at 4! Lyra fights the bomb, slips free, and SOBATS! But Rhea throws Lyra down by her hair! The ref reprimands, Rhea slaps Lyra around, then CLUBS her down. NXT returns to single picture as Rhea wraps Lyra up in body scissors. Lyra endures the squeeze and fans rally up. Rhea slaps Lyra around some more while putting on the pressure. The ref counts as Rhea pulls hair, so Rhea keeps on the body scissors. Lyra reaches out, but Rhea talks trash.
Lyra pushes back to a cover, TWO! Rhea keeps on the body scissor but Lyra throws elbows. Another push back to a cover, TWO! Rhea turns Lyra over so she can have the rear mount. Rhea slaps Lyra around, grinds her forearm into Lyra’s neck, but Lyra throws headbutts! They roll, Lyra is still caught in the scissors, but Lyra powers up and manages to turn around! Lyra throws down forearms! Rhea lets off the body scissors to get up and BOOT Lyra down! Rhea stands Lyra up, throws kicks then KNEE SMASHES Lyra! Rhea reels Lyra in, double pump handle and flip into a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO!
Lyra is still in this but Rhea looms over her. Rhea stares Dragon down, fans rally up, and Lyra grabs at a foot. Rhea KICKS Lyra in the side! Rhea CLUBS Lyra, tells Dragon to “SUCK IT!” then goes back to Lyra. Rhea CLUBS Lyra more, but Lyra throws body shots! Rhea CLUBS and HAMMERS Lyra down to the mat! Fans boo but Rhea looms over Lyra. Rhea brings Lyra in, pump handles again, but Lyra turns suplex into DDT!! Fans fire up while Rhea is dazed! Both women crawl, Rhea grabs at Lyra’s feet. Lyra kicks Rhea away, hurries up but Rhea YANKS her back down! Rhea pushes Lyra around but Lyra stands up.
Rhea has Lyra’s leg, but Lyra dodges Rhea’s boot! HEEL KICK! Rhea wobbles, Dom reaches out, he tags in! Dragon runs in to dodge and rally on Dom with elbows! dragon whips, Dom reverses but Dragon RANAS! Dom staggers to the corner, Dragon runs up to put legs in the ropes! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! And then Dragon hangs Dom out to dry, CLUBS away, then goes up a corner! Dragon GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives but Dragon waistlocks. Dom elbows free so Dragon schoolboys and then reels Dom in. Dom knees low! Dragon fires back! Dom runs, Dragon follows, but Dom drop toeholds him onto ropes!
Dom dials it up, but Dragon ducks 619! Dragon runs in, flips through a lariat, and hits a SITOUT POWERBOMB! Cover, Rhea breaks it! But Lyra goes after Rhea and TOSSES her out! Lyra then goes to the apron, leaps, but Rhea blocks the flying rana! Rhea SWINGS Lyra into barriers! Rhea fires up, goes to her corner, but RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ is here!! They brawl like they did on Raw! Big Mami Cool fires off on Mami Rhea and they go to the back! Dragon runs in to tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!!! Cover, Dragon & Lyra win!
Winners: Dragon Lee & Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall
Dragon just pinned the NXT North American Champion! Despite Mustafa Ali’s campaigning, is Dragon going to be the one to take that title off Dom?
Carmelo Hayes mentally prepares backstage.
Trick finds him and asks if the champ is ready. Melo is ready, he’ll have Wes in the bag. Melo says he’s proud of Trick for tonight. Trick thanks Melo, and says that his singles run isn’t really going the way he wanted, but he’s putting the work in. Hey, tonight started with Trick, and it ends with Melo. First defense without Trick by his side, is Melo okay? Yeah, he’ll be fine. But last time at the Bash, with how things went down between Trick and Dragunov, there’s an asterisk on that win, Melo can’t have that on the reign. Trick asks if Melo’s blaming him or something. No, no, no! He just wants to silence the doubters, starting tonight against Wes Lee.
Trick gets that. He hands Melo the belt, and they secret handshake. Melo heads out, will he return with the title?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
She’s scrolling through her phone while McKenzie Mitchell asks that she requested this time, so what is this about? Tiff says she knows, her mentions are through the roof! All the Twitter trolls, X trolls, whatever trolls, she gets it! Becky was never NXT Women’s Champion. But in Tiff’s defense, Becky may be Big Time to all of them, but to Tiff, she is quite literally irrelevant. Moving on to things that matter, like Tiff, the title, and duh! Did you see the atrocity that happened out there? McKenzie has eyes, right? That is not how she wanted to end the Summer of Tiff Tiff.
However, as champion, Tiff has the inside scoop. Those four wannabes are gonna have the opportunity to fight it out for a chance against Tiff. Now say it back. McKenzie says that next week, it will be Roxie VS Gigi VS Kiana VS Blair, #1 Contender’s match. Good enough. Tootles. Tiff heads out, who will be up next to fight the Pro-Wrestling Barbie?
NXT shares footage from last week.
Thea Hail pleaded with a ref that the decision in her match can’t count because of the interference. But the ref apologizes, there’s nothing he can do. Thea says her life sucks now! She had momentum but now it’s gone, poof, and it’s all Mr. Chase’s fault, all because he knows best or whatever. Jacy walked over, Thea is ready to go, but Jacy says relax. Jacy just wants to say that “that beast” she just fought out there is not the same Thea that walked into the locker room a year ago. Thea knows, she’s a grown woman. Well, sure. Don’t get hot at Jacy. But if it makes Thea feel any better, everyone’s let down by someone in their lives.
Jacy and Thea both sigh, and Jacy gives Thea advice: you can get through it; people like them always do. Thea wonders if that’s true. Will Thea start doing things her way instead of Mr. Chase’s way?
Baron Corbin VS Von Wagner w/ Robert Stone!
Corbin says he’s No BS this time, but he sure talked a lot of trash on Von. Von gave it back, and then bodied him in their brawl. Will Von do it all again? Or will there be no need for a table tonight when Corbin #BurnsTheShips?
But speaking of Corbin, he attacks Von during his entrance! And keeps after him! Fans boo, Stone can’t do anything to stop this as Corbin RAMS Von into steel steps! The ref reprimands, but Corbin storms his way up to the apron. Corbin FLYING CLOTHESLINES Von down! But Von fights up to RAM into Corbin! Von fires off hands, SMACKS Corbin off apron, and then throws knees! Corbin throws them back, then aims for the post! Von stops himself, to then POST Corbin! Fans fire up as Von now has control, but Corbin throws hands! Corbin SMACKS Von off steel steps! And then brings him around to ROCK with a right!
Fans are torn but Von comes back to throw more shots! Corbin ROCKS Von, Von ROCKS Corbin, repeat! They go back and forth, fans cheer as Von RAMS Corbin into steps! And now he eyes the desk! Fans fire up as Von clears the desk, but Corbin DECKS Von! Corbin drags Von up and around, to back suplex to the floor! Corbin then grabs Stone! Fireman’s carry, but Von ROCKS Corbin! Stone is saved, and Von BOOTS Corbin! Fans fire up as Von stalks Corbin. He clears the desk, drags Corbin up, but BRON SPEARS VON!! The “Best Spear in the Business” just hit Von outta nowhere, and Bron says if Corbin doesn’t fear him, he will.
Bron barks it up, fans join in, and there’s not gonna be a match tonight. But will there be no mercy in the future for these three monsters?
The Schism speaks.
Joe Gacy tells The Creeds, “Where is your morality!? You disguised yourselves and infiltrated our family, and tarnished the purity of The Schism!” Rip Fowler says now this kidnapping and ransom of their dear Ava, for what?! Jagger says, “For one more chance to save your floundering careers?” Gacy says there is nothing The Dyad wouldn’t do for their sister in the Schism! Return her safely and they will agree to the Creeds’ demands. Rip knows the Creeds think the cage will keep the others out, but what they need to realize is who they are locking themselves in with! Jagger says grit your teeth! They beat The Creeds before, and next week, The Dyad ends this once and for all!
Dijak speaks.
“The opportunity at the NXT Championship, the reason that I returned to NXT, and you diverted my attention. Eddy Thorpe, you’re the reason I’m not becoming NXT Champion tonight. I don’t need to look up to the stars or perform an ancient ritual to know what your future holds. If you thought the beating that I gave you last time that sent you into the wilderness was bad, you have seven days to become one with the spirits. Because this time, once I’m through with you, not only will your body be broken, but so will your spirit!” Hard Justice has spoken, will he bring down the Alpha Wolf?
Becky Lynch tweets. (Or whatever it’s called on X)
“I haven’t been NXT Women’s Champion… yet.” Becky’s watching you, Tiff Tiff! Be careful not to get into big time trouble!
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes VS Wes Lee!
While there is still the cloud of controversy on Hayes VS Dragunov, Trick took Dragunov on a detour, and that opened the way to the #WesSide. Will the Cardiac Kid have his most exciting, most incredible and most historic victory yet? Or will NXT still belong to HIM?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes it through the Heatwave!
The bell rings, the two circle and they tie up. Fans chant for “Both These Guys!” as Melo headlocks. Wes powers out, Melo whips and ELBOWS Wes back! Melo snapmares but Wes ducks the Penalty Kick! Wes rolls Melo up, Melo rolls through, but Wes headlocks. Melo powers out, things speed up, Melo drops down then hurdles but Wes also rolls. Wes comes back, Melo dodges and leaps, but no Code Breaker as Wes throws him away. Wes handsprings, Melo avoids the kick to get legs, but Wes rolls to throw Melo away. They both rush back in, both block a kick, then both push back and dropkick! Those cancel out and both men kip up!
Fans fire up as the two stand off, Wes a touch steadier than Melo. Fans rally, Melo runs in but Wes DROPKICKS! Cover, ONE! Melo says okay, and the two reset. Melo ROCKS Wes! Wes JABS Melo! Melo ROCKS Wes, Wes ROCKS Melo back! They go back and forth, and DOUBLE BOOT! Then both go down, then they both kip up! DOUBLE FOREARMS! Melo staggers, rebounds, but into a SPANISH FLY! Both men are down and fans fire up as NXT goes picture in picture!
Melo checks his chin and shakes out his arms. Melo stands, Wes goes to ropes. Wes runs in, Melo dodges and clotheslines! Melo snapmares, Wes gets up and he sweeps low! Melo jumps over the kick but Wes fires off hands! Wes snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Wes keeps cool as Melo goes to a corner. Wes runs in, Melo goes up and over, things speed up and Melo springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Wes is still in this but Melo drags him back up. Melo brings Wes up, reels him in, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Melo brings Wes around, headlocks and grinds Wes down.
Wes endures, fans rally up, and Wes fights to his feet. Wes pops out the back to throw body shots. Melo goes to a corner, Wes runs in, but Melo dodges! Melo storms up, blocks boots and puts Wes in the ropes to ENZIGURI! And then FADE- NO, Wes kicks Melo’s legs! DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wes keeps cool as he storms up on Melo. NXT returns to single picture, Wes brings Melo up but Melo RAMS him into a corner! Melo digs his shoulders in but Wes CLUBS Melo. The ref counts, Wes CLUBS Melo again but Melo RAMS Wes. Wes CLUBS Melo, ROCKS him, but Melo BOOTS Wes!
Wes ROCKS Melo again! Melo ROCKS Wes again! Wes GAMANGIRIS! Wes goes up while Melo wobbles, but Melo GAMANGIRIS back! And ENZIGURIS as Wes is in the ropes! FADE AWAY JUMPER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Melo snarls as he watches Wes rise. Melo storms up on Wes, ROCKS him with a right, but Wes ROCKS Melo back! They go back and forth again, fans rally and duel with each shot. They go faster and faster, shot for shot! Melo eggs Wes on, then kicks low! Front kick! CHOP! Wes stays up to CHOP back! Melo CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Melo whips, Wes reverses but Melo rolls off his back to LARIAT!
Wes is right up but into an atomic drop! Melo whips Wes to a corner hard, then runs in to forearm smash! Melo then snapmares and SUPERKICKS Wes down! Cover, TWO!! Wes is still in this and fans cheer. Melo is a little annoyed but he nods in some respect. Melo drags Wes up as fans duel again. Wes fights the suplex, Melo still drags him up and CLUBS him on the back. Melo suplexes but Wes knees free! Wes shoves, Melo springboards but Wes dodges to RUNNING METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Melo escapes and Wes is seething! Wes hurries up on Melo, but Melo ELBOWS him! Melo jumps, but into a SUPERKICK!
Wes brings Melo around, scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Wes hurries to a corner, goes right up top, and SKY TWISTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Melo survives what finished Dijak just last week, and Wes is frustrated. Wes drags Melo up, reels him in, but Melo wrenches out to facelock. Melo suplexes, but Wes fights the cutter! Wes shoves Melo away to then ENZIGURI in the corner! Wes pushes Melo down, CARDIAC- NO, Melo catches Wes, flips him, and suplexes! CUTTER!! Melo aims from the corner, runs in, CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!!! Wes survives the First 48, and Melo is surprised.
Melo tosses Wes out, goes out after him, but Wes ELBOWS Melo! Melo BOOTS Wes! Wes ends up on the desk, and Melo goes to the apron!? Fans fire up for the SUPER NO LOOK JUMPER, through the table!! The fans lose their minds while the ref checks both men. They’re both conscious, so Melo drags Wes up and puts him in the ring. Melo then goes up the corner, NOTHING BUT- NO, Wes dodges! CARDIAC KICK!!! Melo flounders around, Wes hurries after, but Melo gets out of the ring! Fans fire up while Wes is furious! Wes grits his teeth, aims from the corner, and he runs to DIVE! But he FLOPS as Melo moves!
The ref checks Wes again, his head having hit barriers! Wes jarred that one loose, even! Melo hurries back into the ring as the ring count climbs. It’s past 5 of 10, Wes flounders around at 7 and drags himself up at 8. Melo shakes his head but Wes is still in at 9.99!! That’s a buzzer beater! But Melo is up top, for NOTHING BUT NET!!! Cover, Melo wins!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
Wes took a shot from downtown not even Melo would’ve tried, and that cost him in the end! Melo continues his reign, will he now look to settle things with Dragunov? As for Wes, will he be able to recover from having his shot blocked?
My Thoughts:
A great Heatwave, though it sure felt like Heel Heatwave at one point. I cannot believe Dar has the Heritage Cup back again. Dabba-Kato going after Tyler Bate again was expected, but I guess I should’ve expected Meta Four to get involved in things again. I just didn’t think it would be to that level, with Lash & Jakara getting away with anchoring Frazer’s feet. I get the logic of Faces being (considered) better in the chase, but c’mon! I’ve said it before here, I have no choice but to say it again: How many times are we going to have a Heel Faction holding onto a title/prize like this? Where are Heels with the grit and power to win on their own?
The silver lining they gave us is that there’s going to be a “global” invitational, meaning it will be a diverse tournament with representatives from various countries. That is going to be a lot of fun, and I bet Dabba VS Bate happens through that as Dabba will represent Nigeria by way of Poland, and of course Tyler Bate represents England and the UK. Frazer could argue he deserves a spot in the tournament after getting screwed over, so he can represent Jersey Islands, and we can throw in at least one American wrestler like from Gulak’s new faction. Poor Myles, though. I hope he costs whoever it is (Gulak, Kemp or Dempsey) in the tournament as his way of breaking from their group.
Good stuff in setting up the NXT Women’s Championship story. Gigi, Kiana, Blair and Roxie all get their own bit with Tiffany, Roxie’s being the best. But of course they’ll all fight now in a Fatal 4 Way with Tiff just relaxing. But I do like that Becky responded to Tiffany talking some smack. An NXT “callback” for Becky would be interesting, but she’s not taking that title off Tiff and I don’t like the idea that Tiff might beat Becky, no matter how they protect it. Great brawl from Von and Corbin in place of a match, and Bron adding on was great. While Bron’s shirt says he’s got the best spear in the business, I don’t know about that. But the one he hit tonight was really good. Pretty sure this will end up a Triple Threat for No Mercy, as an unofficial #1 contender’s match to the top title.
Good promo from Dijak to call out Eddy, they’re gonna have a great match of their own. And good promo from Thea and Jacy. Jacy showing some respect to Thea isn’t gonna turn Jacy Face, especially because Jacy is too good at being obnoxious. Thea might turn Heel, or at least have a gimmick change. I wonder if these two stick together as a team, united by this “we’re survivors” mentality Jacy introduced. Hopefully NXT properly returns to being in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships story. Piper & Chelsea only just got started on their run together, maybe they get a match for No Mercy because it just doesn’t feel like there’s time to do something for Payback.
Ivy VS Ava was good but of course just a big vehicle for setting up Diamond Mine abducting Ava. The Creeds reveal themselves to The Schism, but I don’t know why we’re getting another steel cage match with the Trish VS Becky one for Payback. Did they need to dust the cage off before it rusted? Cage matches don’t actually stop interference. But I would love seeing the yellow masks storm the cage like zombies trying to get in. But since this is to reinstate The Creeds in NXT, I would think they win. It’d seem silly for them to do all these shenanigans if they still end up on RawDown. Though that does beg the question of just what is The Schism to do? Their one big win in banning The Creeds isn’t even holding up, so what else do they have to lose? Other than being a faction at all.
Great mixed tag match, and what a nice surprise that Raquel followed Rhea back to NXT to continue where they left off on Raw. And Dragon pinning Dom is great, those two can have a great title match, with Ali facing the winner. Heck, Ali should cost Dom so that he and Dragon can have a match at No Mercy instead, letting Dom focus on the Judgment Day dysfunction. And then great bookending (pun intended maybe) of Trick VS Dragunov to open and Melo VS Wes to close. That opener was wild! One of, if not Trick’s very best match.
And a good promo between Dragunov with Wes to fire Wes up, and one from Trick and Melo where there’s a little passive aggressiveness from both sides. Being this was TV, I figured Melo would win, but what a way for Wes to look strong in defeat. It’s pretty clear Melo VS Dragunov Round 2 is gonna happen at No Mercy, paralleling how Melo had multiple matches with Bron, but no idea which way that goes. Personally, I still want Dragunov to finally be top guy, but there’s a good chance Melo retains cleanly this time just to prove a point.
My Score: 8.9/10
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London calling to the champion crowns!
SmackDown brings gold to London as LA Knight defends his WWE US Championship and The Street Profits defend their tag team titles! Will the landscape change this close to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly; The Profits win and retain the titles.
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green; The Secret Her-vice wins.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins, by disqualification, and Knight retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab; Charlotte wins.
- Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Jimmy Uso VS The Miz; Jimmy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
We follow The American Nightmare as walks to gorilla, then through the curtain, and London sings along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, says hello to fans along the ramp, and then we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, then kneels down to kiss the WWE logo on the mat. The fans continue to sing along all the way to the end, “I AM MY KINGDOM!” The fans then cheer, and Cody holds up the belt to fire them up even more! The fans now sing for “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and he soaks it in. The fans cheer again as Cody smiles, and he finally says, “So, London~! Whaddya wanna talk about?”
The fans chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody hears that dueling, and he smiles again. The song of “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” returns, then they cheer. Cody says, “At WrestleMania 41, I will be facing John Cena…” The fans boo, but Cody says, “I will be facing John Cena as he goes to break the record and win 17. But that is WrestleMania 41. In just a few nights, I will be standing face to face with John Cena in this very same city, in this very same arena.” The fans cheer that, but then here comes Randy Orton! Now the fans sing along with Voices as The Viper heads to the ring. Orton also high-fives fans before he joins Cody.
Orton grabs a mic, paces while the fans keep singing on their own, and then the fans cheer. Orton says he’s not really the sentimental type, but for Cody and for London, screw it. The fans chant “R K O! R K O!” and Orton tells Cody, “Look at you. Look at who you are now, the man you are now. Look at where he came from.” The fans cheer and sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and Orton says he remembers a Cody in his early 20s, just breaking into the business. Cody was busting his ass harder than anyone else. He wasn’t exactly happy, and in fact, he was frustrated. But Cody was man enough, smart enough, to know he needed to grow, and that he couldn’t grow in the WWE.
Cody wasn’t exactly treated fairly in the WWE, so Cody left the WWE! That took some big ass balls to do what he did! Cody changed the business singlehandedly, and everyone in the back knows it. And Orton appreciates Cody for it. But then Cody came back, as they all knew one day he would. And the industry has been changed forever since the day Cody came back to the WWE. Cody is a bit teary eyed as Orton says Cody’s still the same guy, he just did what he set out to do, and he grew. Orton teases he would sing along with the fans, but the fans might leave. The fans again sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!”
Orton asks if they remember when Cody Rhodes faced Seth Rollins in Hell in a Cell. The fans cheer because they do. Orton says that was impressive, and even impossible, as he started with a partially torn pec and then ended with a fully torn pec! His body changed all kinds of shades of purple that Orton’s never seen on a human body. The pain he must have been in. Cody persevered not just for himself. Maybe not even at all for Cody. It was not even for his family legacy; it was for each and every single fan out there! Then Cody went on to WrestleMania, beat Roman Reigns and finished the story!
But there’s always another story, isn’t there? And Cody’s right in the middle of one. Cody is in charge of his legacy, and it is a privilege for Orton to watch Cody take control of it. Ticket sales have been up, there’s more intrigue around the world, and listen to the people! It is 99.9% all because of Cody! The fans cheer that, and of course they sing. Orton says what he’s trying to say is a long-winded version of he respects Cody, loves him, and is very, very proud of him. The fans cheer that! Orton then says, “But… But now it is time for WrestleMania.” They both look to the sign, and Orton says he can guarantee Cody that Orton will kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head…!
Orton can just feel it already! He forgets how many days are left, but he can’t wait to remove Kevin’s head from his shoulders. And Orton knows Cody will enter champion, exit champion, but not before he beats the holy hell outta Cena all up and down the Vegas strip! But after all the smoke clears and the dust settles, just like Orton wants Number 17, there will come a time when Orton will want Number 15. But Orton won’t kick Cody in the balls like a coward. Orton will look Cody in the eye because he respects Cody, is proud of Cody, and sees him as an equal. Orton will look Cody in the eye and tell him that he’s coming for the title.
The fans cheer but wait! Drew McIntyre is here! The fans cheer the Scottish Terminator as he steps out on stage, mic in hand, and has a wry smile on his face as he looks at the ring. Drew waves as the fans now sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Drew says, “Isn’t this wonderful? A couple of nepo babies having a love fest in the middle of the ring> It makes me absolutely sick. What’d you just say, Randy? if Cody gets through Cena at WrestleMania, you’re coming for that title? What exactly have you done since that big comeback to justify that title match? Aside be Randy Orton. The only big moment I can remember is you being on the shelf for months and months and months.
“People like to make jokes about it, but more people talk about my five-minute-45-second title reign than your entire comeback so far! So get to the back of the line, sunshine! As for you, Cody, you should’ve listened to me. But you shunned me. You attacked me. Everybody should’ve listened to me about John Cena, but they didn’t. And the next night, he kicked you right in the twig ‘n’ berries, proving me right as usual. And the main event of WrestleMania should be Cody Rhodes VS The UK’s only ever world champion, Drew McIntyre!” Fans do like that idea. But sadly, it’s not, because of that guyliner wearing Temu Undertaker, Damian Priest!
Drew wants to talk about what is happening. And what’s gonna happen! Drew steps up to the ring while fans sing for him again. Drew says it will not be Randy that takes the title from Cody, should he get through Cena; it’ll be McIntyre. The fans cheer, but Orton says they were trying to have a moment. Can Drew just cut the crap already? Drew says okay, sure. He’ll tell the truth, because that’s all he ever does. The truth is, Kevin might have a point! If those Voices are talking to Orton again, then they know Drew very, very well. And he’s thinking, “My God, Randy looks great! Absolutely jacked! On the outside.”
On the inside, that back is hanging by a thread. And if Orton provokes McIntyre, McIntyre will break him. And as for Cody- Cody kicks Drew and UPPERCUTS him! The fans fire up, and Orton R- NO, Drew gets away! The fans boo, but the battlelines are drawn! Even if Cody makes it out of the frying pan that is Las Vegas, it’ll be into the fire that is these contenders waiting in line! Will the American Nightmare be ready for whoever comes for the crown?
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are finally golden again, but it’s time to put the titles on the line already! And while they’re ready for the grind, they’re up against the hometown heroes! Will the Profits still be up in the O2? Or will Kit Wilson & Elton Prince say #YESBOY to a new reign of their own?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really wants the smoke!
The teams sort out and Kit starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks, but Kit powers up and out. Dawkins runs Kit over, the fans fire up, and Dawkins fires hands on Kit in the corner! The fans rally for Pretty Deadly, Dawkins whips Kit to a corner, but Elton takes that bump! Kit CLOBBERS Dawkins, then tags Elton! Atomic drop into DROPKICK! Ford runs up, but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Dawkins whips, Elton reverses, and then Elton hurdles so Kit can DDT! The fans fire up with Pretty Deadly while the Profits bail out. Pretty Deadly has control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Elton is right on Dawkins as he gets in, and UPPERCUTS him to the corner. Elton clinches Dawkins for another UPPERCUT! Tag to Kit, and Elton RAMS into Dawkins so Kit can UPPERCUT! Dawkins flops over, Kit drags him up to wrench the arm. Kit whips, Dawkins reverses, but Kit grabs ropes. Kit ELBOWS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but Dawkins CLOBBERS Kit! The ref reprimands but Dawkins RAMS Kit into the corner again and again! The ref counts, Dawkins fires fast hands, then he tags in Ford. Ford says, “SUCK IT!” then he KICKS Kit! Ford scuffs Kit, then drags him to a cover, TWO!
Ford keeps Kit down with a facelock, but Kit endures the grind. Kit fights up, fires body shots, but Ford whips him away. Kit sunset flips! Ford rolls through, and PENALTY KICKS! Ford mocks Elton with the Scott Hall fingers, and the ref has to keep Elton back. Ford drags Kit up, tags Dawkins, and the Profits mug Kit. Dawkins CLUBS Kit down, then stalks him. Dawkins stays between Kit and Elton, then whips Kit into the Profits’ corner. CYCLONE- NO, Kit dodges! Ford tags in, he keeps Kit from Elton now, but Kit slips out of the suplex! Kit fakes high to go low, hot tag to Elton! Elton rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT!
Elton kicks and whips Ford to a corner, then UPPERCUTS! Elton whips the other way, UPPERCUTS again, and then does it again! Elton adds to the hattrick with a lift, Ford says a quick prayer before the SUPLEX! Ford flounders, gets to his feet, but Elton dodges to springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this, but Elton stays on him. SmackDown returns to single picture and fans rally for Pretty Deadly as Elton gives Ford a back suplex. Ford lands out, waistlocks, but Elton switches and shoves Ford. Ford CLOBBERS Elton in return! Ford is also dazed but he covers, ONE!
Kit reaches out, Elton and Ford both crawl, hot tags to Kit and Dawkins! The fans fire up as Dawkins wrenches Kit, underhooks and SILENCER! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Kit, Ford climbs, but Kit slips free! Kit shoves Dawkins into Ford! Ford falls to the floor, but Dawkins ENZIGIRIS Kit! Elton tags in, and Kit LARIATS Dawkins! Pretty Deadly combine for DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives and the Profits are a bit unsure of what to do next. Dawkins crawls to a corner, Elton runs up, but Dawkins dodges! Elton hits buckles and Dawkins TOSSES Kit, then Dawkins hits a SKY HIGH on Elton!
Dawkins hurries to tag Ford and Ford climbs up! But Kit pushes Elton out of the way! Kit takes FROM THE HEAVESN, and Elton ghost pins Ford! TWO!! Ford escapes, and he ROCKS Elton! Elton UPPERCUTS Ford! Dawkins sneaks a tag, Ford SUPERKICKS! POUNCE SAIDO COMBO!! Cover, KIT BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! The teams go to opposite ends, then they all stand up in the corners. They all roar, all run in, and Kit SPEARS Ford while Elton FLYING UPPERCUTS Dawkins!! London is thunderous, and Kit hurries to tag in! Pretty Deadly gets Dawkins up, for SPILT MILK!! Cover, FORD BREAKS IT!
The fans are shocked, as is Elton, but Ford saves this for his team! “This is Awesome!” as Ford runs up and Elton TOSSES him out! Now DRY MARTI- NO! Dawkins doesn’t accept the second serving, and he DUMPS Kit out! Kit skins the cat while Dawkins DECKS Elton! Dawkins catches Kit to an Electric Chair! Ford rises, DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Pretty Deadly put up a heroic fight, but the hometown heroes could not capture the gold. Dawkins & Ford hold onto the gold, will this be the strongest the Profits have ever been?
Kayden & Katana talk with Zelina Vega.
Carter & Chance know La Muneca got screwed over by The Green Administration. Chelsea thinks she’s untouchable, but someone’s gonna stop them eventually. Well, speaking of, Alba Fyre leads the way in as she & Piper Niven “scope the perimeter.” There’s one small threat. They frisk the “miniscule” threat, but nothing they haven’t dealt with before. Chelsea struts in and says, “The Eagle has landed~!” Zelina says she is so glad the “Bootleg Men in Black” have crashed the party. Now, yeah, they all know she’s small. But clearly this small “threat” is a big threat to Chelsea’s title reign. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken all three of them to beat her.
KC Squared agree with that. How about tonight, we see what happens when the odds are even? Chelsea says that’s fine, because Agents P & A are ready. The Secret Her-vice has been given their next mission, but will they be able to crash the party? Or will the party crash them?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice!
SmackDown returns and The Green Administration makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Alba starts against Katana, and the two tie up. Alba KNEES low, CLUBS Katana down, then fireman’s carries. Katana fights free, tags Kayden, and they KICK, double whip, and then trip Alba up for the basement DROPKICK! Katana adds a slingshot SENTON, Kayden covers, TWO! Kayden tags Katana, they double whip Alba to a corner, then Kayden runs in. Alba DUMPS Kayden out, ROCKS Katana, and she tags Piper! Katana arm-drags Alba out, then goes out to run up. Kayden gives her a boost, Katana CROSSBODIES Alba down!
The fans fire up, but Piper goes up and out?! CANNONBALL and down goes KC Squared! Piper salutes Chelsea and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Kayden rallies on Alba while the fans rally up. Kayden fires up, runs in and whips, but Alba reverses. Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls, then SUPERKICKS! Kayden fires up again but the fans are torn. Kayden runs in at Alba to BOOT WASH her against the ropes! Chelsea protests, Kayden kicks at her, then Kayden springboards for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Alba survives, Kayden whips, but Alba KICKS back! Tag to Piper, but Kayden jackknife bridges Alba! The ref explains bout the tag, Piper runs up, but Kayden moves! The SENTON hits Alba! Piper panics, Kayden tags Katana!
Katana goes up onto Kayden’s shoulders, VICTORY ROLL LAUNCHER, but Piper catches Katana! Katana fires hands, BOOTS, and then hurries to go up again. Kayden ROCKS Piper, and fireman’s carries?! SAMOAN DROP! Kayden then gives Katana the boost, for the KEG STAND SPLASH!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Kayden runs up on Alba to BOOT her out! Katana gives Kayden the boost now, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Alba! Kayden hurries to tag back in, and she brings Piper up. Piper swings, Kayden dodges and SUPERKICKS! Katana goes up, Piper staggers over that way, but Chelsea distracts the ref!
The fans are torn as Alba grabs Katana. Katana kicks Alba down, chases Chelsea off, but Piper sends Kayden into her! Piper scoops to PIPER DRIVER!! Cover, Secret Her-vice wins!
Winner: The Secret Her-vice, by pinfall
The Women’s US Champion helps her team, and now they all mug Kayden & Katana! But here comes Zelina! Vega runs down the ramp, CLOBBERS Alba, and then she gets in the ring! Zelina tilt-o-whirl DDTS Piper! And she KNEES Alba off the apron! But Chelsea CLOBBERS Zelina! Chelsea fires up, the UK is oddly with her, and she chicken wings Zeina. But Zelina fights free to fire forearms and body shots! And a BACK ELBOW! Zelina reels Chelsea in, CODE- SUPERKICK from Alba! SENTON from Piper! The Green Administration is just too much for Zelina to fight against alone! But can she, Kayden & Katana find a way to turn things around?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman!
Did the Mega Star just get this title back from Shinsuke Nakamura? YEAH! Did he help the Monster of All Monsters fight off Solo Sikoa’s rouge bloodline? YEAH! And now, does he have to defend this title against the monster he just helped? YEAH!! But will Knight still reign this close to WrestleMania? Or will Braun #GetTheseHands back on a championship?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for Knight’s biggest challenge, YEAH!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. The two tie up, and Braun SHOVES Knight away. Knight comes back, Braun SHOVES him down again! Knight gets up, gets around, and he headlocks. Braun powers up to back suplex, but Knight lands out! Knight tries but Braun’s too big to suplex! Braun ELBOWS Knight, storms up on him, but Knight fires haymakers! Knight whips, Braun reverses, but Knight KICKS back! Knight runs, but Braun HIP TOSSES! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this, but Braun brings him up. Braun puts Knight in a corner, CHOPS, then runs, for a SPLASH! Knight sputters along ropes, Braun keeps moving, but Knight DUMPS him out!
The fans fire up as Knight then WRECKS Braun with a dropkick! Knight keeps moving, and he WRECKS Braun again! The fans fire up with Knight, but then Braun BOOTS Knight down! The fans are torn but Braun stands tall as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Braun puts Knight back in the ring. The fans cheer as Knight KICKS Braun! Knight tries again, but Braun’s still too big to back suplex! Braun CLUBS Knight, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS Braun, goes up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Knight and Braun rise back up, and Knight dodges a shot to JAB! Then he dodges to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Braun KNEES low! Braun scoops, Knight slips free, and Knight RAMS Braun into buckles! Then the BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Knight rises again! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
Braun has plenty left in the tank but the fans rally for Knight. Knight stands Braun up to kick low, but Braun THROWS Knight away! Knight rises, and Braun LARIATS Knight up and out! The fans fire up as Braun rips the shirt! Braun gets on the track, and he runs in, STROWMAN EXPRESS MEETS JACOB FATU!! The Samoan Werewolf strikes Braun down!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification; LA Knight retains the title
The fans boo as Jacob now goes after Knight! He just ruined what was becoming a great match, but Jacob fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT on Braun! SAMOAN DROP onto the desk!! The desk doesn’t budge, but Braun might’ve been broken in half! The UK fires up for Fatu as he puts Braun in the ring! Jacob fires more HEADBUTTS, then HEADBUTTS away on Braun in the corner! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE, FATU~, FATU~!” Jacob runs corner to corner, but Knight kicks him first! Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jacob denies the BFT to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! And then HIP ATTACK for Braun anyway!
Jacob keeps going, HIP ATTACK for Braun again! Jacob throws off his jacket, glares at Braun, and he runs in for a third HIP ATTACK! Braun flounders into the drop zone, so Jacob goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Direct hit on Braun, but the fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Jacob obliges, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The Samoan Werewolf just tore up #OneBigSOB and LA Knight, will there be no stopping him from taking the United States Championship?
Backstage interview with Jimmy Uso.
Jackie Redmond is with #BigJim, and she says that while she knew WWE was going global this month, she did not know they’d get the slap heard ’round the world! Jimmy says he’d do it again, and he’ll slap Gunther as many times as he needs! Jimmy knows Jey is up in his own head, doubt is creeping on him. But just because Jey’s 0-3 against Gunther doesn’t mean Gunther’s unbeatable! The Ring General CAN be got! Jimmy’s going to Raw this Monday, he will bust Gunther’s ass, Jey will go to Mania and bust Gunther’s ass to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And then they leave Las Vegas just like this: YEET!
Jimmy heads out, but then The Miz & Carmelo Hayes walk by. Miz is mocking Jimmy’s words, and he asks excuse me. Miz says it’s just funny that suddenly, Jimmy is a tough guy, even though for most of his career, he’s been “The Other Uso.” Doesn’t Jimmy get it? Jimmy and Jey are career sidekicks while Gunther is a main character. Gunther is the lead, neither Jimmy nor Jey can beat him. And here’s another thing: The Usos are just blips on the trailer that was Roman Reigns’ Bloodline. Melo says Jimmy & Jey are stuck outside the club, they can’t even get in.
Miz says as a former WWE Champion, a former WrestleMania main eventer, Jimmy will never know what it is to carry this industry. And after this year’s WrestleMania, neither will Jey. Oh, and by the way, if Jimmy ever slapped Miz like that, Jimmy would still be on the ground. Jimmy feints the slap and Miz freaks out. Jimmy says it may be him and Gunther on Monday, but he’ll holler at Aldis real quick so it can be Jimmy VS Miz here tonight. Yeah, YEET! Jimmy heads out, Melo says he thought Miz was gonna do something about the slap. Will Miz have to do something about running his mouth before he gets his teeth kicked in?
Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga find Jacob Fatu backstage.
Solo asks Jacob what the Hell he was doing out there. Jacob goes out there alone without saying a thing to them? Jacob says he ain’t gotta say nothing to nobody! Matter fact, didn’t Solo not tap in with him last week? Tama says, “But Jacob,” only for Jacob to say, “But nothing, Tama!” Solo wants Jacob to lower his tone, but Jacob says okay. Let him be very clear with them. When it comes to Braun Strowman, Jacob WILL be the last man standing. Y’all better get in where you fit in, cuz that US title? Oh, Jacob’s bringing it home to the family. And he will do it with them, or without them! Yadada mean? Fatu heads out, is the Samoan Werewolf no longer following Solo?
Naomi speaks.
“I mean… How did we even get here? I don’t know. One thing that I do know is that I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. So Bianca, what makes you think that my attack on Jade was anything different from me doing the right thing? When I sit here and I think about all that I’ve sacrificed, all that I’ve given, and that’s what really breaks my heart. Because through all of that, I’m made to be the bad one in this situation. I just don’t understand, how does Jade come in outta nowhere and take my place with you? I want you to ask yourself this, Bianca. Who inspired you? Hmm?
“Who’s inspired women over the last decade? Who’s always had your back from day one of you being here? Me. Not Jade. Hmm. But you know what? What I’ve learned through all of this: You teach people how to treat you. And I’m done with being treated as a third wheel. I’m done being pushed to the side, I’m done with being too nice, I’m done with being undervalued, underutilized, underappreciated! So moving forward, hmm… Moving forward, here’s my message to you, Jade. If you continue to be in my way, I strongly advise you to proceed with caution.” The Glow shows her dark side, but will the storm be moved?
Nick Aldis meets with Jade Cargill.
Speaking of, the SmackDown General Manager understands things have been rather difficult for her as of late. Jade says she’s been trying to get her hands on Naomi for the past few weeks, now where is she? No one has seen her all day, so as far as anyone knows, Naomi’s not here. Well, when Jade catches Naomi, it’s on sight. Jade leaves, B-Fab & Michin are there. They let her know that what Naomi did to her was straight trash, totally uncalled for behavior. And after Jade gets her hands on Naomi, she’ll handle that business. Jade agrees. Mia says they’ve all got business to handle. Jade’s got Naomi, and Mia’s gonna get Charlotte for messing with her girl, B.
B-Fab says Naomi’s got what’s coming to her: no sympathy, no regrets. Jade, just do what you gotta do. Oh, she will. Jade also wishes Mia luck tonight. Mia & B-Fab head out, will the Head Baddie in Charge make the Queen bow down in London?
The darkness approaches.
“You are as I was. As I am, you will be.” The shadows are starting to take shape, but is SmackDown about to fade to black?
Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!
The Queen looks down on everyone, so it’s no surprise that everyone else wants to take her down. Charlotte may have checked off B-Fab, but will the HBIC be a much different story? Or will Charlotte only sharpen her edge before facing Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania?
WAIT! NAOMI ATTACKS B-FAB & MICHIN! Naomi drags Mia up for a FACEBUSTER! Naomi rains down fists, the ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Naomi tells the ref to back off. Naomi then BOOTS B-Fab off the apron! Naomi goes out after B-Fab to THRWO her into barriers! Naomi SLAPS B-Fab, tells her to stay down, but B-Fab gets up. Naomi fires hands, then she SMACKS B-Fab off the desk! Naomi rains down fists, but here comes Jade! Jade hurries down the ramp, she runs around the way, but Naomi runs away! Jade makes sure B-Fab is okay, but refs have to help her to the back. And what of Mia? Will she even be able to compete?
Charlotte makes her entrance, not really caring about what Naomi just did to Mia. But that means she also crosses paths with Jade. The fans like the look of this stare down, but Jade and Charlotte both let the other slide. Charlotte gets her pyro, and it seems she’ll still get her match. Will Mia be little more than an appetizer now?
The bell rings, and Charlotte BOOTS Mia down! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this and the fans rally up. Charlotte just struts around while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Charlotte has Mia down with a chinlock, but the fans rally up. Mia fights up, fires body shots, and she then blocks a shot to ROCK Charlotte! Mia ROCKS Charlotte again and again, then reels her in for a TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Mia drags Charlotte up, wrenches, but Charlotte says no to Da Feet! BIG back suplex! Mia stagger sup, Charlotte whips her, but Mia reverses! Charlotte goes up and out, BOOTS her away, then slingshots in and rolls Mia! Mia rolls through and BUZZSAWS! Mia runs corner to corner, but Charlotte avoids the cannonball!
Charlotte YAKUZA KICKS Mia down, then fires herself up! The fans “WOO~!” as Charlotte has Mia in the drop zone,. Charlotte steps on her, goes up the corner, but Mia gets underneath her! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and Mia is shocked! Mia nods as the fans rally back up, and she brings Charlotte up. But Charlotte ROCKS Mia! Mia SOBATS, PELES, and then runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Charlotte stays in this, Mia grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Mia uses that energy to stay focused, and she stalks Charlotte to waistlock. But Charlotte ELBOWS her away!
Charlotte CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOSP! Charlotte winds up, and she CHOPS again! Mia sputters, but then she dodges the boot! Charlotte is caught, and Mia hits a SAIDO! Charlotte flounders to a corner, the fans rally behind Mia, and Mia runs up, CANNONBALL! Mia hurries to wrench and EAT- NO, Charlotte shoves Mia away! Charlotte gets under, back suplexes, but Mia lands out! EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Charlotte’s long legs help her survive by a literal foot! Mia is beside herself while Charlotte bails out. Mia storms after Charlotte, runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Mia’s kick hits steel steps!
Mia hobbles away, goes to the apron, but Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg out! Charlotte grabs Mia’s leg, drops a KNEE on the knee, but fans chant, “We Want Tiffy!” Charlotte just steps through, FIGURE FOUR, into FIGURE EIGHT!! Mia taps, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
Charlotte got more of a fight out of Mia than expected, but she still won. Will The Queen be more than ready to reign again after WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Jackie Redmond is with the WWE Women’s Champion and says Charlotte certainly looks confident. Let’s be real, Charlotte came at Tiff pretty hard. It got a lot of people talking. Tiff says yes, people talk. And Charlotte sure loves to hear herself talk. Ten years into the business and Charlotte is still so insecure that she can’t let a “rookie” get a word out. But last week, Tiff did learn something: She learned that walking into WrestleMania, she isn’t the one with something to lose. Truth is, if Tiff loses, then she lost to the great Charlotte Flair, as just a 25-year-old rookie with one year into SmackDown.
But if Charlotte loses… Well, then she lost to an “undeserving, delusional, unoriginal, backflip doing, blonde-hair-having, little girl.” Did she get it all? And Tiff can’t wait to hear the look on Charlotte’s face when they hear the words, “And STILL!” Then maybe Charlotte will finally shut up for the sake of literally everyone! They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and Tiff will make damn sure what stays is Charlotte’s massive ego. Tiff is walking into and out of Mania as the WWE Women’s Champion. Tootles! Tiff heads out, will it still be #TiffyTime after WrestleMania?
Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre!
The Viper told Cody how proud he was, but also how he wants the next shot after John Cena. The Scottish Terminator took offense to that, and basically said he is taking that shot instead. Will this match be an unofficial #1 contender’s match between these two former world champions?
SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans sing, “OH~, Drew McIntyre~!” and chant “R K O! R K O!” Drew and Orton circle, tie up, and they go around in a deadlock. Drew powers Orton to a corner, but Orton headlocks back. Drew powers up and out, then he runs Orton over! Orton hurries to ropes and Drew mockingly asks, “How’s the back feel, Randy?” Orton stands, he and Drew reset, and the fans duel some more. Drew calls for a knuckle lock, Orton accepts, but then Drew kicks low! Drew bumps Orton off buckles, then climbs up, but he panders for too long and Orton YANKS him down!
The fans fire up as Orton climbs now! Orton rains down fists, and the fans count to nine. Orton hops down, brings Drew around, and POSTS him for ten! Drew tumbles out of the ring, Orton goes out after him, and they’re by the desk! But Drew kicks Orton first and SMACKS him off the desk! Drew clears the desk, and he brings Orton up for the DESK- NO, Orton fights free! Orton turns things around, DESK BACK SUPLEX for Drew! The fans fire up while Orton leaves Drew behind, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew writhes on the floor, but Orton goes out to fetch him! Orton brings Drew around, UPPERCUTS him, then says one more time! DESK BACK SUPLEX! Drew writhes as that desk stays standing! Orton grins, refreshes the ring count, and then he storms up on Drew. Drew pokes Orton in the eye! Drew POSTS Orton now, then brings him around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into barriers! Orton slumps down, and Drew also grits his teeth from that double-edged attack, but Drew fires up as he stands tall. Drew drags Orton up, puts him in the ring, then stalks Orton. Drew looms over Orton, and HIP DROPS him!
Orton sputters, Drew says one more time, and he winds up for the HIP DROP! Drew paces around Orton, says maybe one more time, and he pretends he can’t hear the fans. Drew winds up again, but Orton flips over! Hip drop meets kneecaps! And then Orton pokes Drew in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Orton rises up. Drew sputters and flounders, Orton ROCKS him with a right! Drew ROCKS Orton back! Drew storms up, Orton kicks low, but Drew fires another haymaker! The haymakers go back and forth, Orton gets the edge, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Drew clamps onto Orton with an armlock!
SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans rally up. Orton fights up, pries at the chinbar, and then throws right hands! Drew CHOPS Orton in return! The fans “WOO~” and Drew winds up. Drew ROCKS Orton again, eggs him on, then CHOPS again! Drew shoves Orton to a corner, CHOPS again, then dares Orton to fight! Drew whips corner to corner, but Orton comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Drew swings, Orton dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Orton stalks Drew to the apron. Drew HOTSHOTS Orton first! Drew then runs in, but Orton puts him through the ropes!
The fans fire up as Orton has Drew for the DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up for Orton, and Orton hears those voices! Drew rises, but then Orton spots KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter is on the ramp, Orton glares at him, but then he turns around into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, DREW WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Kevin’s mere presence costs Orton, and now Drew has a huge win propelling him down the Road to WrestleMania! As for Orton, Kevin drags him out of the ring, SMACKS him off the desk, and then climbs up to join him! The fans boo but Kevin and his hot pink sneakers have Orton in position, but Orton slips free and TRIPS Kevin up! Kevin hits the desk then the floor! Orton staggers around, the fans rally behind him, and Orton stalks Kevin to the corner of the barriers. Orton lines up the shot! Orton runs in, but Kevin jumps over barriers! Security is there to stop Orton from pursuing, so Kevin runs away into the night!
The fans boo, but The Viper was that close! Will Orton be able to strike Kevin down and completely take him out?
Fire, thunder, smoke…
The force of nature is drawing ever closer. And he’s ready to fly! REY FENIX arrives next Friday Night SmackDown!
Jimmy Uso VS The Miz!
#BigJim gave Gunther a piece of his mind and a mark on his cheek, but it seems not everyone got the message. Will the Hollywood A-lister soon star in the Uso Penitentiary? Or will he prove Jimmy is NOT ready for a world champion level opponent?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Jimmy powers Miz to a corner, Miz turns things around, and the ref counts. Miz takes a swing, Jimmy ducks it to CHOP! And CHOP! Miz shoves Jimmy back, then runs up, but Jimmy TACKLES Miz! Jimmy rains down fists, Miz shoves him away to go to ropes, but Jimmy storms back up. Miz ELBOWS Jimmy away, then runs back up, only for Jimmy to LARIAT him down! The fans fire up while Jimmy storms up on Miz. Jimmy CHOPS Miz, has him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, then UPPERCUTS! Miz staggers back to ropes, but Jimmy is right on him.
Jimmy whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then basement BOOTS! The fans fire up, Miz scowls, and Miz KNEES Jimmy in the back again and again. Miz stalks Jimmy to the ropes now, and he CHOKES Jimmy! The ref counts, Miz runs, and Miz STRADDLE ATTACKS! The fans boo, but Miz runs again. Jimmy ducks the boot, then dodges a lariat! Jimmy runs up to LARIAT Miz up and out! The fans fire up and Jimmy builds speed, but Miz runs away! Jimmy smirks as he goes out the side, and UPPERCUTS Miz over the barriers! Jimmy makes sure Gunther knows he’s coming to get him, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both men are down. Miz and Jimmy crawl, and Jimmy pounds the mat. The fans rally, Jimmy rises and runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And mule kick! Jimmy then UPPERCUTS Miz, dodges a lariat, then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up, Jimmy goes to the corner, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but Miz puts him on the apron! Jimmy UPPERCUTS again! Jimmy climbs, leaps, but Miz gets under! Miz then waistlocks, ripcords, and MOVIE MAKER! Fans boo that blatant parody, but Miz full nelsons! Jimmy drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz has the cover, TWO! Miz hurries to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up as Jimmy survives! Miz stalks Jimmy, the fans rally up more, and Miz fires a KICK! And then another KICK! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, but then Miz winds up. Jimmy ducks the buzzsaw, Miz blocks the superkick, but the DRAGON WHIP connects! Miz rebounds to B-MOVIE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! The parodies don’t get it done, but Miz still has his original work to fall back on. The fans rally for “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Miz runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Jimmy down, then springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy hurries up top, for the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Miz may be a movie star, but Big Jim’s the one winning this main event! Jimmy then borrows Joe Tessitore’s headset to call out Gunther! He’s coming after dat ass on Monday! Gunther won’t be the ring general, he will be “Private Gunther,” and he will salute Big Jim! Uh, uh, YEET! Will Jimmy be the one making examples out of the World Heavyweight Champion? Or will everything come crashing down when Gunther gets his turn?
Drew McIntyre returns backstage.
And he says hey to Lewis Capaldi, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and also a big fan of Drew’s. They’re ready to have a good night in the pub, but Jackie Redmond walks over to congratulate him on the win tonight. She was hoping to get some thoughts on that victory and what happened with Orton and Kevin. Drew says it’s alright, this is what happens. He doesn’t care about anybody else’s business, but no one gets away with screwing him over. And when no one meddles in his business, he wins! Drew called out Priest, where is he? Priest doesn’t have the balls! So time to get mad in the pubs, everyone’s invited!
Drew turns the corner, but PRIEST IS THERE! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the door, then throws him into road cases! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the trunk of a car, and then again! Or since it’s London, “the boot.” The driver complains, but Priest BODY SLAMS that guy through a table! Drew comes back to KNEE Priest low, SMACK him off the trunk, and then off the side! They go to the hood, or bonnet for UK. Drew drags Priest up, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s eyes! Priest then sends Drew SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the windshield! Priest tells security that he’s done for now. Any more jokes, Drew? Didn’t think so! RIP, jackass!
Priest leaves, the producers hurry to help Drew, and Drew’s got glass in his eye! Will that glass help Drew see why he shouldn’t piss off the Punisher?
CM Punk heads to gorilla.
He has a security detail with him, and he passes by Drew writhing in pain. Punk chuckles, then continues on. Will his contract signing with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins be just as brutal? We find out, after the break.
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
The SmackDown General Manager welcomes us back, and says it is his honor and privilege to be here in the O2 in London. Now, we all know why he and this table is here, and why additional security is here tonight. Tonight, we are here to sign a contract for a Triple Threat. Perhaps the biggest Triple Threat in the history of WrestleMania: Seth Rollins VS CM Punk VS Roman Reigns! The fans cheer all those names, and here comes the OTC! London puts the ones up, and Paul Heyman accompanies THE Tribal Chief out on stage. Roman raises his finger to the sky for the pyro, then security follows him to the ring.
SmackDown goes picture in picture as Roman’s entrance continues, and he raises his finger to the sky for the second round of pyro. Roman steps into the ring, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Heyman hands him a mic. The fans sing, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!” Roman nods, the fans cheer, and now they chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman tells London, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and again chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman smiles, but he sees the chairs are not to his liking. Heyman makes sure to put one at the head of the table. Heyman also dusts the chair off while Roman enjoys the singing of, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!”
Roman takes a seat and says that was beautiful. The way they sing to their Tribal Chief, it’s just beautiful. The singing continues, and Heyman even joins in! Roman smiles, and he says that is what he’s talking about. That’s the OTC for you, baby! The biggest star on the planet! The OTC came here for two reasons. One: to be acknowledged; check! And two: to sign this contract. Roman does just that, and he says he’s checked both boxes. That means- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins interrupts! The fans now sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in his red wine paisley suit and conducts the O2 Choir all the way into the ring.
The fans cheer while Roman frowns, but Rollins takes the seat to Roman’s left. Rollins offers Heyman a chance to sing to this song, but Heyman frowns. Rollins chuckles, and he says the fans do have beautiful singing voices. He doesn’t know why Roman is in such a hurry to leave, though! This is their building! There’s a lot of history here! 12 years ago, they landed on the roof of this place in a helicopter! They came down those stairs over there, “ready to burn down the old guard!” They put the Undertaker down through the desk, and they were going to remake this company in their image!
Now don’t get him wrong, Rollins knows a lot has happened since then. They fought against each other, with each other, a little bit of love and a whole lot of hate. But Rollins dare says, as the fans continue to sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~,” that Rollins and Roman accomplished their mission. The fans start to chant for CM Punk, but Rollins tunes them out. Roman says, “We? We? You keep saying we. Our mission? We died a long time ago. It’s only been ME. You been here, but I done all the work! I’ve made this place what it is today! I took us to the level that we are here today! I made this place better than we found it!
“I’m the one that made us desirable to Netflix! I’m the one that took us into billion-dollar deals! Tell me, what have you done?” Rollins shouts, “I’ll tell you what I’ve done! YOU, YOU, YOU, it’s that mindset that keeps me having to screw you! You understand that? And your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger that’s right in front of us! The danger that’s right in front of you! You let the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden! And you could’ve cut his head off at WarGames! But instead, you shook his hand. You could’ve let me finish him inside the cage at The Garden, but you didn’t. And now, I am left to do what I always do: Clean up your mess, again.”
Rollins drops his mic, picks up the pen, and signs his part. And now, here comes CM PUNK! The fans fire up and sing along with Cult of Personality, then join in on saying, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, but as he grabs a mic, he goes up a corner, just like he did last Friday. “I have come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract. And I’m all outta bubblegum.” The fans cheer the Rowdy Roddy Piper reference, and Punk hops down to take his seat on Roman’s right. Punk looks over said contract, but Roman asks if Punk needs a highlighter or something. What’s he doing? Just go to page four, clause five.
Punk does as Roman says, but Roman says Punk needs to hurry, this is precious TV time. Punk reads the segment, Roman tells Heyman to just smarten Punk up. Heyman tells Punk he knows what Punk is looking for. It is in there. They’re closing the show at WrestleMania. The fans go wild hearing that! Heyman tells Punk that he gets to live his dream of dreams. CM Punk will be a WrestleMania main eventer! The fans cheer and while Roman smiles, Rollins is furious. Roman says, “One man’s dream is another man’s favor! CHECK!” Wait, this was the favor? Rollins says no! This is not something to laugh at, and Punk does not get to tear up!
Punk is NOT deserving! He does NOT deserve this! The fans boo but Rollins continues to throw a fit! Main eventing WrestleMania is SACRED, the most important thing in the world to Rollins! More than anything! Except the fact that Punk NEVER gets to main event! This is all Roman’s fault! This is all Heyman’s fault! Rollins THROWS his mic down, paces angrily, but Punk picks up the mic. The fans cheer Punk on again, and Punk stands to thank London, to thank Chicago, to thank Louisville, Kentucky, and to thank ALL the fans. As corny as it sounds, he thanks the WWE Universe who stood by him and chanted his name for TEN LONG YEARS!
Roman says hold on, hold on. Punk shouldn’t be thanking the fans! He should be thanking the Tribal Chief! It is because of Roman that Punk gets this honor! So please, take this moment, close the show with that acknowledgement! Do this the right way. The credits are already rolling as Punk kneels before Roman!? Punk smiles, and he thanks “My Tribal Chief, the holder of the ula fala, the Head of the Table, the… Big Dog? Thank you for allowing a kid from Chicago to be graced by your presence. Thank you, My Tribal Chief, for allowing me to stand in your ring. And thank you so much. Thank you, Roman Reigns, so very much.
“But because of you, I will see you in the main event of WrestleMania.” And again, Rollins is agonizing over this. Punk finishes putting his signature on the contract, and London tells him, “You Deserve It!” Punk thanks Roman again, and then says, “But that’s not the favor that I’m owed.” WHAT?! Roman looks at Heyman and Heyman can’t look him in the eye! If getting this Triple Threat made into the main event isn’t the gift of the Wise Man, then what is?!
My Thoughts:
A good SmackDown, but they pulled off quite the paradox. They made it feel like they were struggling to fill three hours, yet they also filled the show to the point where that contract signing segment was almost bleeding over the three hour mark. Ironically, part of the problem was just how excited the London crowd was for this. The superstars still wanted to enjoy the chants and songs, but that’s time SmackDown doesn’t have to spare. It made the opening promo from Cody, Orton and Drew take longer, and it kinda did the same to the contract signing at the end. Even so, we still got a very good promo, and good stuff to set up Orton VS McIntyre.
Orton VS McIntyre was a great match, but of course Kevin costs Orton. McIntyre gets his win, Kevin and Orton have a bit of a brawl, but of course Kevin ends up on the losing end and runs off. McIntyre’s trash talk also comes back to bite him as Priest gets the better of him in their brawl. Here’s hoping Drew didn’t actually get glass in his eye, but that being the thing in kayfabe can be some good stuff. I can imagine McIntyre with an eyepatch, and he takes it off at the opportune time to get the better of Priest in their match. Also what a fitting choice for Punk to be passing by Drew suffering because of real glass.
Very good title matches tonight, but of course the status quo was kept. Pretty Deadly gets to look great here in London, but the Profits only just got the belts, they’re not going to be transitional champions like that. And Knight VS Braun was really good stuff, but honestly, Jacob Fatu going after them both should’ve been a given. Jacob also had a great promo with Solo & Tama to start adding to that divide between Jacob and Solo. I would hope Solo doesn’t screw Jacob out of the US Championship, but it feels like he will as Solo won’t stand for Jacob defying his authority, even though Solo’s been trying to make Jacob the champion all along.
Very good stuff from Jimmy Uso tonight, from his promo with #MeloDon’tMiz and then a great match with Miz. Their match ended up the de facto main event match, so that’s also great for both guys. Great win for Jimmy, but that’s likely because Jimmy is losing big time to Gunther on Monday. And it might just be me, but it feels like only now is the Jey VS Gunther build really moving, largely in part because Jimmy got involved. Jimmy’s promo after his match is something along the lines of what Jey should be saying. But I suppose as brothers, Jimmy is the one who knows Jey best and knows what Jey needs to be motivated again. And seeing Jimmy get beat up by Gunther will definitely motivate Jey…
Good final vignettes for Rey Fenix and Aleister Black. I’m a little surprised they confirmed Rey Fenix is showing up next week, and that they confirmed who Rey Fenix even is. I believe commentary confirmed Rey Fenix is Penta’s real brother, even namedropped “Lucha Brothers,” but all that is still surprising considering Fenix is going to start on SmackDown. Aleister’s vignette (at least I am fairly confident it’s his) was giving us glimpses of his silhouette, but I think there was usage of AI in the snake imagery. It was fine they did it for El Grande Americano because that is all trolling, but they really should try and do things the old fashioned way of photoshop and stock imagery.
Very good stuff in the Women’s Division tonight, though the WWE Women’s Championship portion was the weaker. Naomi’s got a great Heel persona going, her promo was great, and her going after B-Fab & Michin over them supporting Jade was a great detail. Jade runs Naomi off, helps B-Fab, but there was no helping Michin in being fed to Charlotte. Tiffany had a decent promo, and it does fit how Charlotte kept her from speaking so she finally gets things out here. It didn’t really add that much, though, but they already gave us a great brawl so not sure what more they can give.
KC Squared VS The Secret Her-vice was a very good match, but of course Chelsea made sure her team won. A Six Woman Tag of Zelina & KC Squared VS The Green Administration is certainly coming, to help give us Zelina VS Chelsea for the Women’s US Championship.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.27.2025
Bad news out of the TNA management side, but this is a taped episode from El Paso! So we won’t see any of the fallout just yet!
Now we all heard the news about the TNA change in hierarchy, and I…have no positive outlook on that. Delirious sucked at booking and creative in the dying days of ROH before it got bought as a B show. Dreamer having even more control is concerning because his ideas the last two years haven’t been much better.
Gail leaving makes more sense to me. Be it firing or a “you can’t quit, you’re fired” kind of situation, the Knockouts division is the worst it’s been in a long time and Gail was close with Scott D’Amore. So I don’t think Gail parting ways is as big of a problem since TNA has slowly been bleeding out with the Scott faithful.
Granted, I think the next few shows were already taped before the firing so things shouldn’t be completely unwatchable for at least a week or two. So let’s see where we’re going.
.@WeAreRosemary sends @XiaBrookside a CHILLING message!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/srciTTbel0
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Ratings:
- Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge: Ash wins via Rarefied Air – ** 1/4
- Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr: Chavo wins via Gory Bomb into Frog Splash – *** 1/4
- Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich: Masha wins via Russian Death Device – ***
- Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin: Eric wins via Piledriver – ** 1/2
- Seto & Mokuba – I mean – Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater: Nic wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4
Results:
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge
Ash and Gigi start off, Gigi with a little Rascalz after her first takedown. So both her and Wentz are making it obvious something’s going on between them, and I’m not mad at it. Good for my man Wentz.
Tatum and Gigi get some quick tandem offense in, Ash does manage to scurry off to a tag and Heather gets bent into a Pretzel. Some kind of Inverted Tarantula from Tatum, Gigi tags in, Bronco Buster on Heather followed by Kawada Kicks. Heather sells against the ropes, Gigi goes for a Hesitation Dropkick, but Concierge pulls her away so Gigi crashes and burns. Ref is distracted, Ash gets in some cheap shots and then the Elegant duo starts working over Gigi. A few quick tags, but once Heather comes in, Gigi fights out of the corner, gets the hot tag to Tatum. Tatum stacks up both Elegance members, Corner Stacked Crossbody, Butterfly Suplex and an Elbow Drop with some some flare. Tatum goes to the top rope, Heather pulls Gigi off the apron, Concierge shoves Tatum off the turnbuckle and Ash hits Rarefied Air for the win.
Post match the Elegance Clique wants to make their wish with the cake, they light the candles and Tatum and Gigi recover enough to do what we all expected last week, the cake in the face spot. Some…suggestive licking from both of our Hot Topic Hotties, so…no complaints here.
.@Ashamae_Sebera, @Heathereckless and @IamGeorgeIceman are having a meltdown!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/FnKwPqm2ff
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr
Chavo and Kaz start since he’s King Petty, a quick rope run turns into a Headscissor from Chavo. Kaz recovers, they lock up, Kaz hits the Knee Lift during the lock up to tag out to KC. KC pulls off some athletic dodges, gloats a bit so Chavo waits, measures and nails a gorgeous Dropkick. Laredo comes in on fire, quick high spots that send KC bouncing around like HBK against Hulk. KC powders after sells the Satellite Takedown, AJ checks on him and we go to commercial.
Back from commercial, Octagon is lighting up KC’s chest with overhand chops, he perches, Sunset Headscissor Flip from corner to corner, KC tries to Back Drop him but Octagon does a headstand, kicks KC away and lays him out with a high spot. AJ gets on the apron to stop Octagon from running the ropes, the referee has a stroke or something because he stops paying attention and AJ pulls Octagon out of the ring and chucks him. KC with the Tope con Hilo and tag (tag ropes haven’t mattered since the 80s we all know this). So AJ is getting taunted by the crowd in Spanish, but he’s manhandling Octagon since it looks like a Child fighting their parent. AJ knocks off Chavo and Laredo, Laredo pops up and tries to get involved but he’s caught on the shoulders, Octagon goes for the Crossbody but gets caught and AJ pulls off “World’s Strongest Wasteland” but Chavo breaks up the pinfall. AJ throws Octagon into the corner, Tennessee Whiskey, and tag out to KC. KC hits a few moves, but starts to lose the momentum until he connects with a Super Kick. Simultaneous rope run into the Dueling Crossbodies, so we get the timely tag outs from both sides. Kaz and Laredo come in, Laredo lands like two moves before Kaz hits a Sole Butt, Lariat and eats his lunch. KC and Kaz try to double team Laredo but he fights out and the crowd is chanting for Chavo.
Chavo tags in, and he’s rocking KC, Saito Suplex, Low Bridge to AJ, Reverse the Whip so Chavo goes to the corner and perches, KC feeds, Chavo Backflips to safety, rolls through and lays out KC. Chavo is feeling himself, 3 Amigos start on KC but only 2, Kaz comes in and Chavo switches to Kaz for the Amigos, only 2 again before AJ breaks it up. AJ goes for the disrespect, but Chavo counters and hits the 3 Amigos on the biggest Culero. Aztec Warriors dive to stop AJ and Kaz, KC tries a Dirty Victory Roll but Chavo kicks out. GORY BOMB into FROG SPLASH!
Chavo looked fantastic and he’s the one in the best shape in the ring. I wouldn’t be mad at more Chavito.
Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich
I expect very little from this match.
Collar and Elbow, gator rolling for the first 30 seconds or so, then Jacy goes to some Hair Pull takedowns and does a little taunt before Masha pops back up and hits a Lariat into a Dive. Jacy sells it like she’s really hurt, even the ref tries to hold Masha back a little before Masha gets annoyed and just grabs her, Masha throws her in, looks for a Dive and Jacy sees it and powders. Masha tries to go back to the well for the Dive again but Jacy hits the Uppercut and then an Apron Run PK to drop Masha. Forearms rain down into a Foot Choke as Jacy continues to arrogantly play to the crowd. Another Foot Choke into a Cannonball, and near fall.
Masha gets space with a Sole Butt, tries to snap off Requiem but Jacy fights off, fights through a Sunset Flip another effective PK keeps Masha on her ass. Jacy looks for a kinda half-assed Camel Clutch as Masha is fighting up, but Jacy runs her into the corner, gets distracted mouthing off to the crowd, so Masha recovers, 5 Hole Up Kick sends Jacy into the corner, Yakuza Kick into Capo Kick for two. Requiem attempt again, but Jacy pushes off, a little back and forth, Masha tries a Backslide but Jacy gets away and hits a V-Trigger but only a 2 count. Jacy looks for the Discus Punch but Masha ducks it, they strike back and forth, but some dodges from both leave the exchange more even. Jacy with the Front Kick to the face sends Masha to the outside. Jacy wants another PK, but Masha blocks, Electric Chair Apron Snake Eyes. Masha throws her in, a PK into a near all. Requiem attempt 3, and thwarted from Jacy with a Superkick into a Neckbreaker. Senton misses from Jacy, Buzzsaw Kick, into Spinning Back Kick and Russian Death Device for the win.
Better than I expected, and Tessa attacks as soon as the bell rings. Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Li make the save after Tessa grabs the belt.
Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin
Ace and Eric tie up, World of Sport start but as soon as Ace starts to get away EY punches him in the face. Eric looks at the camera and says “This is what trust looks like”, turns his back on Ace, when Ace looks to attack, the loser duo cut him off. EY takes advantage of the weird situation, but Ace with some Up and Over quick spots, into an Inside Cradle and La Magistral. EY kicks out of the quick flash attempts, but eats a Dropkick, and Ace goes all Speed Kils on him with fast strikes and then a face buster for another near fall. Strike spot very early in the match, Ace gets the best of it, goes for a Tear Drop Suplex but EY sits on it to block, Headlocks to keep him close and then a snap Lariat into beatdown bully tactics. EY takes the referee’s attention and one of the nerds punch Ace in the face.
Eric tries to lean on Ace, but Ace fires, a few strikes, Click Click Boom, the Miz Seated Lariats in the corner, Mochizuki Triangle Kick connects! Only a 2 count, but Ace seems to be in control. Ace puts EY on the ropes, a few strikes to keep him rocked, wants a Superplex, but EY blocks, bites the face and Macho Elbow gets a very close two count. EY tries the Piledriver but Ace turns it into a Jacknife Cradle,Spinning Heel Kick, calls for The Fold, but the losers hop on the apron to distract, Ace attacks them. Ace tries to time out the Triangle Kick again, but Eric dodges, throws Ace head first through the buckles. As Ace stumbles out of the corner, Piledriver, and it’s over.
Oh look it’s the “we’ll hear from Joe Hendry” segment. Again, I’ve loved this gimmick since Day 1, even didn’t hate his What Culture Pro stuff, but there is such a thing as milking a cow too much.
Elijah interrupts the whole “Who’s next” speech. When Elijah comes out he says he’s not the challenger and he believes in Joe. The crowd wants Elijah to turn on Hendry. Elijah pauses for a moment, and starts proving his friendship with stating his favorite color and a little “You Got a Friend in Me”. The crowd is into singing along and waving their cameras like Lighters to a 30 year old song. THANKFULLY Kaz breaks up the hug fest. Now he gets the “Culero” chant.
Kaz pulls out a Bass…what the hell is this Jam Session. Kaz has to warm up so he plays “La Cucaracha” on the bass. Kaz…is a national treasure. Hendry kicks Kaz out of the ring after his Heelish and playfully racially charged song choices. Kaz tries to sow dissension, but Joe and Elijah pinball Kaz between them. Kaz slips a power move and tries to shove Elijah into Joe but Elijah puts the brakes on, a small tense moment. But then Joe and Elijah play “Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye”…and that goes right into a commercial. Oddly…perfect.
Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater
Nic shoots the half immediately for a flash pinfall but Leon kicks out at one. Nic continues to keep things grounded with his amateur wrestling skills, and then does a little Dolph Ziggler show off. So Nic isn’t really taking this seriously, and Leon starts getting the best of things with an Arm Wringer, into drag, Shoulder Tackle and rope run as Nic tries to Leap Frog and Leon puts on the brakes and just shoves Nic on his ass. Nic gets annoyed, a few strikes, grinds his face along the ropes, but Leon keeps stringing some offense together, Back Handspring Elbow into his Corner con Hilo.
Ahh the classic formula of the commercial gives the heel the advantage, Twisting Suplex from Leon stops Nic’s offense momentum, right hand, Leon lifts Nic up for something, Nic slips it, kicks him in the gut, looks for the FameAsser, but Leon catches him into a Blue Thunder Bomb variation. Slater wants the Swanton 450, but Nic powders. Leon tries to adjust into a Dive, but Nic cuts him off, counter for counter and a FameAsser out of the counters for a two count. Nic starts the big brother tactics, bootwashes and arrogance, Slater fires, punches into a Yakuza Kick. Leon wants another Lethal Injection variant, but Nic catches him into a Rear Naked Choke. Slater tries to turn it into a pin so Nic breaks it. Leon wants a Leg Lariat but misses and gets unceremoniously dropped by Nic. Nic puts Leon up on the buckles, Superplex possibly but Slater counters, tries to collect himself for a move, but Nic falls into the ropes to crotch Leon, and finally hits the Superplex.
Twist of Slate from Leon, Swanton 450 but knees get up. Locomotion Cradles from both but they kick out, Ryan picks the ankle to trip up Leon just a touch and then Danger Zone ends the match.
Ryan starts the post match beatdown, but the Hardy’s music hits and they come down to the ring for the save. Matt challenges the Nemeths for Rebellion because they’re not medically cleared yet.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Decent story motion, no match was offensive, and there was actually some solid match action for television standards. I don’t have a ton to complain about aside from the Knockouts Division is in a weird spot, and giving Hendry a lot of just talking and hollow payoff segments feels stupid. If we need to hear from him every week, give him a talk segment like Highlight Reel or something. Yes I know First Class just got The Penthouse, but if Hendry is going to talk more than wrestle, give him a talk segment for us to sink our teeth into.
There was the announcement that Xia, Lei Ying and Masha will face Tessa, Jacy and a mystery partner. So you gotta wonder if there’s going to be another NXT mercenary, a surprise return or if it’ll just be Rosemary since she’s got her issues with Xia. Also I just realized that Unbreakable is going to be on a Thursday, seemingly after iMPACT? I’m gonna have to see how they do it, because if there’s an Impact episode and 2-3 hour PLE…I do not want to be awake until 1am. People need to work, and I will be Unwakeable if things go that long.
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