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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/21/23) | The Chairshot
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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/21/23)

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Will Chad Gable stop Der Ring General?

Gunther is weeks away from the all-time longest WWE Intercontinental Championship reign, but Chad Gable looks to stop him tonight on Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle VS The New Day; The New Day wins.
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Chad Gable; Gable wins by count-out, Gunther retains the title.
  • Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell; Rhea wins.
  • The Miz VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins.
  • Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Chelsea & Piper win.
  • Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor & Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day; Finn & Priest win, by disqualification.
  • Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes VS The Judgment Day; Kevin, Sami & Cody win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Sami Zayn is here!

Quebec City, Quebec is all fired up for their hometown hero! The Great Liberator heads to the ring, borrowing a fan’s Quebec flag for a moment to show his love for his home. Fans continue to sing along with his theme and Sami revels in the moment. The music dies down but the fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” as hard as they can. Sami gets the mic, and the fans change to singing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Sami fires up and the fans fire up with him! Sami shows the goosebumps on his arm and the hair standing on end, and the singing just keeps on going! Then the chanting for “SAMI! SAMI!” returns!

Sami finally says, “Madame and monsieur! Bienvenu to Monday Night Raw!” But then The Judgment Day makes their way out! Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio and even Finn Balor walk out and head for the ring as fans boo. The Judgment Day flanks the ring and have Sami all alone. Sami says, “Alright, hey. Before you do whatever it is you’re about to do, I just have one question for you.” In French, he asks, “You know you’re in Quebec, right?” So did they think he’d come here of all places, alone? HERE COMES KEVIN OWENS! He DECKS Dom and stomps him down!

Fans fire up, Sami dodges Finn and Kevin trips Finn to drag him out! Damian has Sami, Sami fights free, and Kevin gives him a STUNNER! The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions stand tall and Quebec is all fired up! Sami picks up the mic and hands it to Kevin, and fans fire up more as Kevin stares the Judgment Day down. Fans chant for “KEVIN OWENS! KEVIN OWENS!” and Kevin says, “It’s uh… It’s been far too long since I’ve had a match on Raw, so how ’bout this? Right here, tonight, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn against any two of you!” Finn and Priest say they’re ready, so Kevin says, “Guess what?” In French, Kevin basically says they’re gonna kick Judgment Day’s ass!

Will The Prizefighter & Great Liberator not just #FightTogether but win together? Or will The Prince & The Punisher prove Judgment Day is on the same page?

 

Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle VS The New Day!

The Scottish Warrior & The Original Bro are giving it a go in the tag division, but they’re up against one of the very best to ever do it! Will #GlasBro be a force to be reckoned with? Or will Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston remind us all that New Day Rocks?

Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, followed by McIntyre’s. The teams sort out, Woods starts against Riddle and the two tie up. Woods headlocks, Riddle powers out, things speed up and Riddle hurdles. Woods stops to pie face Riddle! Woods says, “You are NOT a real tag team!” Riddle says, “Yes we are!” Woods dodges Riddle to DROPKICK him! Woods kips up, runs in, clothesline and a tag to Kofi! Feed to the GAMANGIRI, then BIG back suplex to a double-jump SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kofi brings Riddle up but Riddle slips around to back suplex! Kofi lands on his feet, and he dropkicks Riddle down!

Riddle scrambles to his corner, tag to McIntyre! Fans fire up as the two former WWE Champions tie up. Kofi waistlocks, headlocks, but McIntyre powers up and out. Kofi ducks ‘n’ dodges and slips around to then DROPKICK! McIntyre goes to a corner, Kofi runs in to clothesline! Kofi whips, McIntyre reverses but Kofi goes up and up and leaps, into McIntyre’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Woods runs in, he gets an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Riddle runs in and he hugs McIntyre! Fans cheer and Riddle goes on about how cool that was. McIntyre grins, and he clinches Riddle? To OVERHEAD TOSS him onto the New Day!

Fans fire up and Riddle is surprised! He gives a thumbs up and McIntyre gives it back, #GlasBro is rolling as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Kofi covers Riddle, TWO! Kofi drags Riddle around with a double wristlock, but Riddle endures. Fans rally up, Riddle fights up, but Kofi waistlocks. Riddle reaches out for McIntyre, but he elbows free. Kofi clamps onto the other arm, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Kofi snapmares Riddle, runs and tags Woods, PENALTY KICK to SLIDING FOREARM to IMPLODER SPLASH to FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps cool, Riddle flounders, and Woods clamps on with an armlock and chinbar. Woods grinds his forearm into Riddle’s face but he endures. Fans rally, Riddle fights up, and Riddle breaks free!

Riddle fires off fast hands, but Woods blocks a kick! Woods ducks the enziguri! Woods runs, tag to Kofi before the SLIDING COMPLETE SHOT! Kofi goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY to the back! Cover, TWO! Riddle survives but Kofi clamps on with another armlock and chinbar. Riddle endures all over again, and fights up as the fans rally. Riddle reaches out, McIntyre reaches out, but they’re fingertips away! Kofi kicks low, CLUBS and whips and trips Riddle, then hurries up a corner. Kofi aims as Riddle rises, FLYING- KNEE!! Riddle’s knee takes Kofi outta the sky! Hot tag to Woods and he CLOBBERS Riddle!

Woods wags his finger at McIntyre, puts Riddle in a corner, but Riddle puts Woods up top! Riddle paint brushes Woods with SLAPS! Riddle climbs up, fires off hands, then goes to the very top! Woods fights and fans fire up, Riddle has a leg! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Fans are thunderous and McIntyre is feeling it! Riddle crawls, Woods stirs, and Woods grabs a foot. Riddle kicks at Woods with the other foot, but THE VIKING RAIDERS trip McIntyre!? Where’d they come from!? Kofi tags in, leaps over Riddle, spins him around, TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Cover, New Day wins!!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall

Then the Viking Raiders attack the New Day! They stand Woods up to CLOBBER him! And then they drag Kofi up, he fights back, but gets the HEEL KICK O’ DOOM! Fans boo but McIntyre is back! He GLASGOW KISSES Erik, but Ivar BOOTS him! Ivar runs, into a SPINEBUSTER!! McIntyre is all fired up, he clotheslines Ivar up and out! The Vikings regroup but McIntyre still wants more! Will #GlasBro look to end the raid once and for all?

 

Backstage interview with JD McDonagh & Finn Balor.

Jackie Redmond welcomes the Irish Ace and Prince, and asks McDonagh about this friendship with Finn and if it’s created only more tension between Finn and the Judgment Day. Finn shakes his head and McDonagh says he hopes not. He’s known Finn his whole life, Finn’s like his older brother. And if anything, he hopes this friendship makes the Judgment Day stronger. Finn adds that he isn’t sure what she’s doing, trying to stir the pot. They’re not having it. Last week, the Judgment Day laid out Sami Zayn AND Cody Rhodes because of JD! And if anything- Wait, Rhea & Dom walk in. They apologize to Finn & JD, but not to Jackie.

Jackie scoots away while Rhea says they need to talk about just who is facing Sami & Kevin. They go, but Rhea tells McDonagh to stay. Judgment Day only. Finn says it’s okay, he’ll catch McDonagh later. Will the Irish Ace be on the outside looking in?

 

Shayna Baszler speaks.

“Opera Non Verba. You are what you do, not what you say you do. I’ve watched all these frail toy soldiers parading as opposition for long enough. You’ve all got me in a vendetta kind of mood.” Highlights play of Shayna’s win over Ronda Rousey, and Shayna says no one understands. She’s not here to be a hero. She’s gonna set it all on fire. Their only hope is to survive. “Let the world burn.” Who will the Queen of Spades use to stoke the flames next?

 

Gunther speaks.

“Tonight, the world will witness the glory of the greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all-time, Der Ring General, Gunther. Chad Gable thinks that time is my enemy. But indeed, time is my friend. Because with every day passing, I keep building my lifelong legacy. Chad Gable, I respect all your accomplishments. But you will not make a name for yourself on my expense. Your little fairytale story will end tonight!”

 

Chad Gable & The Alpha Academy are at gorilla position.

Byron Saxton is with them and brings up what Gunther had to say. Does Gable have any final comments before the biggest match of his career? Otis takes this first. “Coach, at the lowest point of my career, you brought me into the Alpha Academy, we became world tag team champions together. OH YEAAAAH~! But tonight, live in Quebec City, it’s your own golden opportunity.” Maxxine Dupri says that she could never have imagined becoming an in-ring competitor until Coach Gable showed her the way. “Chad has been working for this moment for ten YEARS! Some of you may think that disgusting ogre is unbeatable. Okay, but let me remind you, Byron, if anyone can do the impossible, it’s Chad Gable.”

Gable says he’s blushing. In this moment, there’s only one thing left to say. “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy heads out, will they leave Quebec with that Intercontinental Championship?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Chad Gable!

Raw returns as Gunther makes his entrance, without Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci. This looks to be a truly 1v1 match-up so that there is no doubt when one of these great wrestlers wins the war. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if an American Alpha can stop an Austrian Juggernaut!

The bell rings and fans rally up behind Gable. They circle, tie up, and Gunther powers Gable back to a corner. The ref counts, gets in there, and Gunther swings! Gable dodges to CHOP! Gunther storms up on Gable but Gable gets back. They tie up, Gunther wrenches and wristlocks then knuckle locks for the straight arm lever and SLAM! Gunther drops a knee on the arm, then shifts to have a cording hold. Gable endures, fights up, but Gunther twists the arm as part of a double wristlock. Gable endures, fans rally, but Gunther wrenches to hit a hip toss! Then back to the wristlock! Gable endures and fights up again.

Gunther keeps on that arm, but Gable CHOPS! And then rolls, bridges, handsprings and spins to headlock, spin, and drop toehold! Fans fire up as Gable facelocks! Gunther rolls, Gable rolls with him! And again! Gunther picks Gable up, and TOSSES him out of the ring! Gable tumbles, fans boo but Gunther eggs Gable on. The ring count climbs, Gunther crawls his way over, and he slides in at 5 of 10. Gunther CHOPS him down! Fans boo more while Gunther paces around, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Gable is outside the ring. The ring count is 6 of 10 but Gunther goes out to BOOT him down! And then BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Gable flops to the ground and Gunther goes back into the ring. The ring count starts again, Gunther waiting on Gable. Gable crawls over, flounders at 6 of 10, drags himself up at 8 and in at 9! Fans fire up but Gunther drags Gable up, underhooks and lifts for a stalling Butterfly Suplex! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this and Gunther is getting frustrated with him! Fans rally, Gunther drags Gable up and whips him hard into a corner! Gable bounces off buckles and falls back!

Gunther talks trash how this is HIS ring, then he kicks Gable around. Gunther drags Gable up, whips him to a corner, but Gable flops over before even making it! Gunther grins and mocks Gable, and the ref checks if Gable is okay. Gable drags himself to the corner, Gunther gives him kicks and mockingly asks what’s going on. The ref counts, Gunther lets off, but then grabs for a foot. Gable BOOTS him! And BOOTS him again! Gable goes up, BOOTS Gunther again and again and again! Gunther gets Gable’s leg, swings, but the chop is blocked! HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Gable lets go at 4!

Gable sits up, leaps, but into a CHOP!! Gunther watches Gable stagger up, and runs in to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Gable is still in this and fans fire up! Gunther storms around, eggs Gable on, and then runs, into a DROPKICK! Gable gets up again, but Gunther LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Gunther is losing his cool as Gable keeps finding power to kick out! Gunther watches from the corner, shouts at Gable, and runs in, into an arm-drag! Ghost pin! TWO!!! Gunther CHOPS, then clamps on a SLEEPER!! Gunther falls back into body scissors! Gable flails, claws at the grip, and fans rally up! Gable fights around, Gunther is a backpack now!

Gable stands up with Gunther on his back?! But then Gunther CLUBS Gable! Gable comes back to throat chop! Gable runs, and forearms! And again! Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Gunther gets another sleeper! But Gable spins it to a BIG back suplex!! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Gable crawls, as does Gunther, and Gable stands up first. Gable storms up to waistlock, but Gunther fights the lift! Gunther knees low and hard, backs away to a corner, then runs in, but Gable blocks the knee! Gable glares at Gunther, before the DRAGON SCREW! Into the ANKLE LOCK!! Gunther flails and freaks out!

Fans fire up as Gable leans on the hold! Then he drags Gunther from ropes! Gunther rolls and kicks at Gable! Gable holds on but Gunther kicks and kicks until he’s free! Gunther CHOPS Gable, Gable TACKLES Gunther! And fires off some fists for ground ‘n’ pound! Gable ROCKS Gunther, CHOPS Gunther, and deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and fans know “This is Awesome!” Gable goes to a corner, he climbs up, but Gunther SHOVES him off! Gable hits barriers on the way down! A ring count starts again and fans rally up. Gable rises, Gunther storms out after him, and CHOPS him again the barriers!

Gunther BOOTS Gable, has him against barriers, and says this is HIS ring! Gunther CHOPS Gable down again! Gunther shoves Gable, swings, but Gable dodges! The chop hits POST!! And then Gable POSTS Gunther! And then GERMAN SUPLEXES Gunther into the timekeeper’s area! Gable slides in, the ring count hits TEN!!

Winner: Chad Gable, by count-out (Gunther retains the title)

It’s a huge victory for Chad Gable, but he doesn’t win the Intercontinental Championship! And yet, Gunther is furious! He is more upset that he lost to Gable than anything! Imperium rushes out and they tell Samantha to announce the last part! Yes, and STILL champion, Der Ring General! That is the silver lining for Gunther, but Gable still rubs it in that he won! Gable will be back for more, will he take that title the very next time these two face off?

 

The Judgment Day talks backstage.

Rhea says they’ve been going on for too long, they need to figure out who is facing Kevin & Sami. Finn says he doesn’t know how many times he has to say it! He thinks the team should be him and Dom. Priest says yeah, fair, they’d make a great team. But seeing as how Dom is already NXT North American Champion, and Priest is Mr. MITB, that makes more sense. Finn asks what that’s supposed to mean. Priest says don’t get hot. Dom, what do you think? U-Um, Finn & Priest are both amazing. Mami, what’s your vote? She thought they buried the hatchet! They did! Then stop doing this! They don’t have time for this!

Rhea has her own beef with Candice LeRae, so it’s not like she can be in the match! Someone decide before Rhea & Dom get back, or she’ll make it for them. Mami & Dommy head out, are things not okay in the Judgment Day?

 

Imperium regroups backstage.

Gunther is upset with Ludwig & Vinci, again. He then storms off, and Ludwig says they have to make this right. What’s Vinci gonna do? Ludwig storms off and Vinci is left speechless. Why is it on him to do something? Is there anything Imperium can do about this?

 

Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.

Byron Saxton is with the American Nightmare and congratulates him on last week’s win over Finn Balor. But how did he feel the way Raw ended last week? Cody smirks and says Finn sat on him like a piece of furniture. And what the hell is wrong with JD McDonagh? Head so big on a little body, he’s like a Funko Pop. Byron, y’know what? Sorry, but this isn’t working. This setting isn’t his vibe. Let’s take a walk. Cody wants to introduce Byron to some friends. They go from the backstage area to gorilla, to right on stage! Fans fire up for getting to see Cody with their own eyes, and Cody asks Quebec, in French, “Whaddya wanna talk about?”

Byron then asks Cody that since we’re out here now, what would Cody like to talk about? Cody says that first order of business, down the aisle from here, hello and welcome to the newest commentators, Wade Barrett and “the voice of the WWE,” Michael Cole! Fans cheer for them, and for Cody, it feels like the JBL Cole Show. Shoutout to the Cowboy, John Bradshaw Layfield. But we’ve all seen the clips, Judgment Day vying to be the strongest group in all of sports entertainment, and what do they have on their side? The numbers! Gotta respect that.

“But if there was one place on the map where the numbers didn’t matter, if there was one place on the map where the odds weren’t in their favor, it’d be down the road from where Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn grew up!” Cody wants to hear ya! Quebec gets louder and Cody says he wants the Judgment Day to hear this! Will they be in the corner of Kevin & Sami tonight? The fans cheer so that’s a yes! And Cody says they won’t be alone, either. There is no love lost between him and the Judgment Day. He will be watching very closely, but tonight is about Kevin and Sami as we watch the Judgment Day rise… and fall!

Fans cheer that, but will Cody’s backing help the tag team champions make it through the night?

 

Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.

In Japanese, the King of Strong Style says, “Everyone asks me what I whispered to Seth Rollins. What could I have possibly said to fill him with fear? Seth is a man who acts like he has it all. Prosperous, charismatic, a champion. But… I know Seth. And I know his weaknesses.” In English, he tells us, “I whispered to Seth, ‘I know about your back.’ Seth’s back has been broken for many years. He lives in pain, and this pain creates a void inside of him that nothing can fill. No matter how successful he is, he is still in pain. When he hugs his wife, he is in pain. When he picks up his child, he is in pain.

“He is a world champion, yet every day of his life is filled with pain. And now his worst fears are coming true. He knows that I can break him once and for all! You see, Seth and I are not so different. I have a void, too. We live by a code that others do not. In fact, that code is displayed on his back. The very same back that is failing to hold him together, just like he is failing to live by that code. His body has crumbled, under the pressure of his own vanity. Are you satisfied, Seth? With what you have done with your life? Are you satisfied, Seth? Because I will not be satisfied until I take this burden from you when I break you once and for all. Watch your back.”

 

Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!

The Women’s World Champion may be #MondayNightMami, but she isn’t going to be kind or caring here against #MamaWrestling! Will Rhea have her way with Candice? Or will Candice avoid being eradicated?

Raw returns and Candice makes her entrance, Indi by her side for the no-look high-five. The bell rings and the two rush in! They tie up, Rhea powers Candice back to a corner and fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Rhea lets off, and then runs in, but into a roll-up! ONE, Candice dodges and Rhea hits buckles! Rhea staggers, Candice goes up, but Dom gets on the apron! Indi drags him down! Indi chases Dom off, but Rhea catches the crossbody to a BACKBREAKER! And then pop into the pump handle! RIP- DDT!! Candice turns things around, then hurries to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally and Candice fires off haymakers! Rhea choke grips back! CHOKE- NO, Candice wheelbarrows, but Rhea blocks! PRISM TRAP!! Candice taps, Rhea wins!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission

Dom says that’s right! Mami breaks Candice down one way or another, but wait! Here comes Raquel Rodriguez! She’s on a crutch, did her knee only get worse as she tried to get back to 100%? Dom & Rhea laugh at Raquel, but then Raquel holds the crutch up to throw it at Rhea! And BOOTS her down!! It was a fake out! Big Mami Cool RAMS Mami Rhea all around ringside! Fans fire up as Raquel puts Rhea in the ring, but Rhea BOOTS her! Rhea CLUBS away, but Raquel throws hands in return! Raquel TOSSES Rhea to a corner, then fires off more shots! Raquel brings Rhea around, but Rhea breaks free!

Rhea ducks one lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW! And then Raquel scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Rhea tumbles out and retreats! Fans fire up and Raquel gets a mic to tell Rhea not to go anywhere. If it isn’t obvious, as of today, Raquel has been medically cleared for action! And don’t worry, she already spoke to Adam Pearce. It will be Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez at PAYBACK! Fans fire up for that, and Raquel tells Rhea that there can only be ONE Mami, and there can only be ONE Women’s World Champion! Rhea says bring it on! Who will be La Mami del Mundo after these two throw down?

 

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“It has been nine weeks since I’ve returned to Monday Night Raw. A long, 63 days to reflect on the man I’ve been since returning. I’m the man who lied in that ring two weeks ago as Chad Gable celebrated with his son. And this is nothing against Chad Gable, he is a workhorse. But I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t want that Intercontinental title opportunity versus Gunther. This close. And heck, even before Chad Gable, I’m the man who Shinsuke Nakamura defeated, and now look at him: Challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship. This close.

“But I didn’t come back to be this close! I didn’t come back to be that guy. I came back to be THE guy! I’ve been him before, I know that feeling, I know that pressure. It’s like oxygen and I am dying to take a breath. So I’m going to be the change that I want to see. Do It Yourself! Because I ain’t here to play no more games. I am here to take over the game.” Ciampa storms off, just what is he aiming to do next?

 

The Miz VS ???

All to prove he’s the bigger and better “mega star,” The Hollywood A-Lister promised us last week that he’d be facing someone bigger, faster and stronger than anyone LA Knight has ever face! Then just who is going to face The Miz tonight? We find out, after the break!

Raw returns, Miz has the mic, and fans chant for Maryse. Miz says she is from Montreal, she would never come to Quebec City. Fans boo but Miz says in his best French, “Let me talk to yah!” Friday on SmackDown, LA Knight lost a match to earn a US Championship match, and everyone is blaming Miz! What Knight fails to realize is that on the big show, there is no room for excuses. Things happen! Champions know that! Roman Reigns knows it, Gunther knows it, and in the main event of WrestleMania, The Rock messed with The Miz’s match with John Cena and The Miz still retained the WWE Championship, because that is what champions do!

Miz is not a trend! Trends come and go! Miz evolves! 20 years from now, fans will remember Miz as a game changer, a trend setter! A two-time Grand Slam Champion and a WrestleMania main eventer! 20 years from now, we will remember Knight as “a blip on the radar, a human fidget spinner. The Hoobastank of WWE!” Miz says LA Knight is NOT on his level! And to prove it, Miz talked with Pearce and he got Pearce to let Miz handpick his opponent tonight. Miz went with someone faster, stronger, bigger and more dominant than anyone Knight has ever faced ever! So ladies and gentlemen, Miz’s opponent tonight is… Akira Tozawa?!

The Stamina Monster isn’t bigger than Knight himself! He’s a former Cruiserweight Champion who would still qualify as a Cruiserweight! Miz gives Tozawa his introduction, and brings up that Tozawa is a former WWE 24/7 Champion. A shame that title doesn’t exist anymore, because it is the perfect title for someone like LA Knight: “a watered-down throwback to the Attitude Era.” But this isn’t about Knight, this is about Tozawa! Is this the biggest match of Tozawa’s career? YEAH. Wow, Miz thought Tozawa would have more to say. YEAH! No, he didn’t finish his next question. And don’t say that word, Miz doesn’t like that word!

Tozawa asks, “Say what?” “Yeah-” “YEAH!” Really? YEAH! Really? YEAH! Really? YEAH! Really really really? YEAH YEAH YEAH! STOP IT, THIS IS STUPID! Miz is giving Tozawa the opportunity of a lifetime! Does he think this is funny?! Tozawa grins as fans say “YEAH.” And then Tozawa says “YE-” BOOT from Miz! Fans boo, the ref reprimands and Miz backs off. Miz puts his jacket aside and Tozawa gets back up. Tozawa still wants to fight, sot he bell rings. Miz and Tozawa approach, but then LA KNIGHT is here!! Quebec goes wild and Miz is furiously shocked! Tozawa SHOTGUNS Miz out of the ring!

Fans fire up as Knight goes to the ring and gives Miz some tissues so he can cry more. Fans fire up and Knight joins commentary! Miz gets in the ring, rushes up but Tozawa dumps Miz out! Miz sees Knight again and Knight tells him to pay attention. Tozawa DIVES and hits Miz into the desk! Fans fire up with Tozawa and Knight, “YEAH!” and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns as Miz hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Miz dumps Tozawa out of the corner, climbs up and leaps, AX HANDLE! Knight is on commentary saying Miz is going on about stuff that happened 12 years ago when he was a background dancer for The Rock and John Cena. Good for him! Talk about flash in the pan, but Miz hasn’t been a trend in the last 10 years. Miz gives Tozawa It Kicks and says Knight is in HIS space! Miz hits more kicks, then soaks up the heat. Miz runs in to BUZZSAW Tozawa down! Cover, TWO! Knight continues to mock Miz over him constantly bringing up his early years.

Miz runs but Tozawa ducks the boot! Tozawa KICKS and KICKS and stands up. Miz swings, Tozawa dodges and fires off haymakers! Miz throws hands, whips and pops Tozawa up, but Tozawa RANAS! Fans fire up for Tozawa and he runs to SHINING WIZARD! Fans fire up while Miz is down and Tozawa goes up the corner. But Miz BOOTS Tozawa down to the floor! Then Miz builds speed, to WRECK Tozawa with a dropkick! Miz asks Knight if he saw that! Knight says to keep his attention on Tozawa. Miz drags Tozawa up, and then sends him at Knight! But Tozawa goes up the desk to FLYING RANA! Miz is sent into steel steps!

Knight says that’s what he was talking about. Tozawa puts Miz in, then GAMANGIRIS! Tozawa goes up the corner, fans fire up, TOKYO TOWER SENTON onto knees! Knight says “Miz is what you get if Biff Tannen banged a frog and then pushed it down the stairs.” Miz glares at Knight and then soaks up the heat. Knight says Miz is an inspiration. Miz proved that even if you’re awful and boring, you can still make it in this business. Miz full nelsons Tozawa and mocks Knight’s usual spelling it out with “You Are Not Miz, YEAH!” But then Tozawa drops down to victory roll! TOZAWA WINS!!

Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall

Knight says look at that! That IS a game changer! Tozawa celebrates for the first time in a long time and Miz is going nuts! But then Knight hits Miz with B F T!! YEAH!! Will Miz ever get over this? Will he ever get past LA Knight?

 

McIntyre & Riddle regroup backstage.

Riddle says it’s okay, they’re 2-1 and that loss wasn’t even their fault. They still have a future, just keep trying. McIntyre says okay, but just listen for a second. McIntyre appreciates Riddle’s enthusiasm, but we’ve seen what’s happened with McIntyre these last couple of years. He has enough drama of his own, and now the Viking Raiders. This team isn’t gonna work out. The New Day walk over and can’t believe what they’re hearing. Did they not hear the people out there? Don’t go so fast, they’ve got a good thing going! And they really showed The New Day something out there. They’ve got potential.

Matter o’ fact, The New Day has a name for this team. “McRiddle.” Get it? Bada ba ba ba~~! Riddle’s loving it! Is McIntyre loving it? Yeah, can’t get enough… Now, they have issues with the Viking Raiders, but so does the New Day. New Day VS Erik & Ivar is next week, and then after that, if #McRiddle wants a rematch, Woods & Kofi are down. And thanks for having their backs. Pound it. Fist bumps! And then paper covers rock. Thanks, Riddle, kinda ruined the moment. Oh, sorry. New Day heads out, and Riddle is fired up! If New Day says they have potential, and those guys won the tag titles tons of times, don’t give up on this yet!

McIntyre doesn’t give an answer, and Riddle says it wasn’t a no! Will #McRiddle get cooking and go for some gold?

 

Rhea & Dom return to the Judgment Day lounge.

Priest asks where’ve they been, and Rhea asks if he and Finn worked out the tag team problem. No. Priest tried, Finn didn’t wanna hear him out, claims he doesn’t trust Priest, and then went off to talk with JD McDonagh. Rhea says Priest also isn’t trusting Finn. Uh, do you blame him? He’s here, there, all over the place! What can Priest do? Oh, fine, then that’s how this is gonna be? Rhea gave them a chance to work it out, so now they do things Rhea’s way! Rhea storms off, and Dom says Mami is not happy. What is Rhea going to decide for the team? Will it work out in their favor?

 

Becky Lynch is here!

Time and time again, The Man has been denied vengeance on Trish Stratus! But a big time Steel Cage match is coming, what are Becky’s thoughts on that? We’ll hear her out, after the break.

Raw returns and Becky has the mic to say, “The Man has come around to Quebec City! And The Man has Trish Stratus in a Steel Cage at Payback! Now, over the last few brutal months of this rivalry, there’s been a lot talk about who’s the best. Who is the greatest? And really, ultimately, it comes down to legacy. What do you want your legacy to be? What are you in control of? What are you not in control of? And how can you take those so-called lemons,” as she points out her new merch shirt, “and turn them into lemonade?”

And Becky has realized that her legacy will not be defined by wins or losses, or by championships, but by survival! Fans like the sound of that. Because you can beat Becky, put her on the shelf for months on end, break her bones and tear hear ligaments, but she will always come back! And not because she is unbeatable, but because she is unstoppable! And she is unstoppable because she always wins, but because she always, always, ALWAYS FIGHTS! Which brings us back to Trish. Trish and Becky are going into a Steel Cage, but there is still business with Zoey Stark. Becky talked with Adam Pearce and-

Wait! Here comes Trish & Zoey! Trish asks what’s up Quebec, it is so nice to hear them. They’ve been having to be south of this beautiful country, dealing with those silly USA-Holes. To be in her home country of Canada, Trish is very emotional. The fans chant “Thank You, Trish!” But she says she should be saying, “Merci beaucoup, Quebec.” Fans cheer and Trish says she can’t tell us what it means to be here in her home country, and in Quebec City, because it means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! HA! It’s not like this is Montreal. Or even Toronto! Fans boo but Trish says at least the Leaves made the playoffs.

Trish continues to the ring and says she wouldn’t be here tonight if not for this sourpuss running her mouth. Trish would’ve made like Trudeau and split. Trish steps into the ring with Becky, Zoey still by her side. The fans chant at Trish in French and she’s a bit surprised. But she also tells them the rest of the world doesn’t understand what they’re saying so this is pointless. As for Becky, Trish has some good news and some bad news. Good news: When Trish beats Becky 1v1, she will finally prove she is the greatest of all time. Not only of her generation but of this generation!

And the bad news: Becky has Trish in a steel cage. Trish has never been in a steel cage match. And is she scared? Is she? Fans think so, and Becky asks if she is. Trish admits, she is scared! But was she scared at 24 years old, and thrown into the WWE ring with almost no experience? Yes, but she killed it! Was she scared as the first female to ever main event Raw? Yeah, but she killed it! Trish’s entire career has been her thrown into the fire and shining! She has proven herself. Shove her into a steel cage? Guess what? She will stand tall! Fans continue to chant at Trish and she asks what the frogs are doing.

Trish continues to tell Becky that if we’re talking survival and legacy, then here she is, 23 years later, face to face with one of the best in the business. And y’know what? Trish finds herself once again having to prove herself to everyone! She is sick and tired of proving herself to everyone! And y’know what? When Becky gets into that cage with Trish, you’ll see a side of Trish we’ve never seen before, and if Trish were Becky, Becky would be scared! Because Becky will NOT survive this one, b*tch! Becky says she’s so~ scared~! Trish brings up how Becky brought up Zoey. Oh, yes, Becky had something to say before Trish so rudely interrupted!

Trish, in two weeks, it will be you and Becky locked in a steel cage. But next week, Zoey, it’ll be the exact opposite! It will be Becky VS Zoey, FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE! Welcome to the Big Time! Becky drops the mic and is all fired up! She even takes Trish’s cowboy hat! Will Trish’s protégé survive when Becky can take her anywhere and do anything to her?

 

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven are at gorilla position.

Byron Saxton walks over to ask The Hot Mess and her newest tag team partner that as the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, where are their heads at- Chelsea stops him there. She doesn’t know whatever “Bryan” was gonna talk about, but let’s talk about how Chelsea had to authorize WWE Management to make them the new Tag Team Champions after Sonya’s injury. Piper seems confused by that, as Chelsea was about to be stripped of the gold, but Chelsea continues to say she handled it, as she always does. And now they will do what champions do. This chemistry is off the charts!

Piper steps in to put a stop to this interview but Chelsea keeps wanting to talk. Piper then gets Chelsea’s attention. “Did I stutter? Move.” Piper ushers Chelsea on, and this new duo heads for the ring! Will the chemistry really be all Chelsea says it is? Or will they simply be added to the Highlight Reel?

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

Raw returns as KC Squared make their entrance. The teams sort out, Katana starts against Chelsea. The two tie up, go around, and Chelsea tosses Katana aside. Chelsea taunts Kayden but Katana DROPKICKS her down! Tag to Kayden, she trips Chelsea and drags her halfway out so that Katana can backflip and KNEE DROP! Then Kayden slides back in, facelocks to keep Chelsea from Piper, but chelae powers out to kick a leg! Chelsea then sucker punches Katana! Kayden swings, misses, and Chelsea ROCKS her with a right! Chelsea talks trash but Kayden ROCKS her in return! Chelsea staggers back and Piper tags in!

Chelsea runs in, Kayden dodges and she SUPERKICKS Piper! Chelsea superkicks but Kayden blocks, to then spin Chelsea and SUPERKICK her now! Hot tag to Katana and KC Squared set up in a corner. Kayden carries Katana on her shoulders, HANDSTAND SPLASH! Cover, but Piper is the legal one! And speaking of, Piper drags Kayden out to TOSS her at the desk! And then Piper storms in, Katana storms up, and Piper DECKS her! Piper runs to SPLASH! Cover, Piper & Chelsea win!

Winners: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, by pinfall

Piper the Viper singlehandedly handles KC Squared, and singlehandedly celebrates while Chelsea writhes in the corner. Will Piper be just the thing Chelsea needs to make it through the Summer as champion?

 

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Jackie is with the World Heavyweight Champion, but he stops her from asking her question. He knows they’ve been waiting all night long. Before they get to business, can’t we just take a second to “let, them, sing?” Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~” for Rollins and he soaks it all in. Rollins says now he presumes she’s going to ask about his back. Yes, is there an injury update? Or any truth at all to what Nakamura said about Rollins? Rollins takes off the sunglasses and says Shinsuke… He caught Rollins off guard bringing up the back injury, because the truth is, it isn’t something he talks about publicly.

“But if we’re being completely open here, I do have two fractures in my lumbar spine. I have been living with that injury for over four years, and it doesn’t get better by itself. As a matter of fact, it gets worse, and the truth is, I don’t really know, um… I don’t know what the endgame is, I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna be able to do this at the level I’m currently running at. And um, y’know what? That’s part of the gig. And it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke wants to bring up and target my injuries. And it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to take cheap shots, if he wants to play mind games.

“Hell, it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to question my character! Many have! He’s not the first, he won’t be the last. But if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to bring my family into it… My wife, and my daughter, and my livelihood into this, then he better be prepared… to face me man to man. But you’re not, are you, Shin? You’re not even here tonight, are you, Shin? You’re in a TV studio a thousand miles away, too afraid to face me!

“So here’s what I’m gonna do for you. Next week, I’m gonna give you one more chance to play your little mind games. Prove to the world that you are an honorable warrior, and I’ll repeat to you what I told you last week. I’m not a hard guy to find! I’ll be in the center of that ring, dressed to the nines, world title wrapped around my waist, with the whole world singing, my, song.” Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Will the Visionary and the King of Strong Style be face-to-face just days before their match at Payback? And what happens if they will?

 

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS ??? w/ The Judgment Day!

The Prizefighter is back in action, because he will always #JustKeepFighting! And with his best friend by his side, they #JustKeepFighting The Judgment Day! But who will it be that Mami decided will step up to them? And will it not keep the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions from getting a huge hometown win?

Raw returns and the Judgment Day makes their entrance. Priest is storming out, and Rhea drags Finn along?! She says THEY are tagging! So get it together already and win! Will the Prince & Punisher have no choice but to do that with Mami on their case? Finn & Priest rush in, they brawl with Kevin & Sami! Fans fire up but the ref wants this to sort out! Sami TOSSES Finn, Kevin TOSSES Priest, but then Finn & Priest drag them both out! So the brawling just continues outside! Kevin ROCKS and CHOPS Priest, Sami RAMS Finn into barriers! Priest throws hands, fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!”

Sami goes after Priest now, puts him in the ring, and the match begins! Priest ROCKS Sami, CLUBS away on him, then fires off hands! Fans boo but Rhea cheers Priest on. Priest CLUBS Sami, whips him to ropes, but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges and comes back to clothesline! Priest goes up and out, Sami goes out after him, on the desk! Sami fires hands, Finn runs over but Sami SMACKS him off the desk! Sami fires off on Finn now, but Priest UPPERCUTS Sami! Priest puts Sami back in the ring, then DECKS him with a big forearms! Fans boo, Finn tags in, and Finn brings Sami in, but Sami suplexes first!

Fans fire up as Sami tags in Kevin! Kevin dodges Finn, DECKS Priest, then fires off on Finn! Fans fire up with every haymaker, and then Kevin stomps away on Finn at the ropes! Kevin lets off and he’s all fired up! Fans are even more fired up as he goes out to LARIAT Finn and then LARIAT Priest! Kevin hurries right back into the ring, he DECKS Finn, and then CANNONBALLS Priest down! Kevin goes up a corner, takes aim, SWANTON BOMB!! Fans are thunderous for the Prizefighter as he watches Finn flounder. Finn stands up, Kevin kicks low, but no Stunner! Finn SLINGBLADES in return! Both men are down and fans boo.

Priest has the briefcase? But Sami CLOBBERS him first! Rhea is shocked, but now Sami’s bad elbow bothers him! JD McDonagh is here! McDonagh tosses the briefcase into the ring, but Kevin intercepts it! And CLOBBERS Finn with it! But the ref saw that!!

Winners: The Judgment Day, by disqualification

Kevin argues that the Judgment Day brought the briefcase in! But then Priest CLOBBERS Kevin! Priest asks what McDonagh is even doing! Why’s he touching Priest’s stuff!? McDonagh says he’s just trying to help! But then Sami CLOBBERS McDonagh! But then Dom attacks Sami! The Judgment Day beats down Sami and fans boo! Kevin gets up, but that’s still 3v2! Fans want to see Cody, and so here comes Cody! He runs down, weight belt in hand so he can LASH Dom! Finn & Priest get away, and now the American Nightmare stands tall with the hometown heroes as he says they are NOT ending Raw like this! THREE VS THREE, LET’S GO!

Quebec fires up and Judgment Day is upset. But they have no choice, because here comes Adam Pearce! He says they ARE doing it! Will Judgment Day finally pay for what they’ve been up to?

Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes VS The Judgment Day!

Raw returns with this match underway! Dom whips Cody but Cody ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides under, to then kick low and RHODES UPPERCUT! Dom staggers, Cody bumps Dom off buckles, and then tag to Sami. Fans cheer as Cody holds Dom and Sami goes up, AX HANDLE! Sami brings Dom around, ROCKS him with rights, but Dom knees low! Dom fires haymakers, fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” but Dom fires more hands and knees against ropes. The ref reprimands, Dom gives us some Latino Heat but the fans boo. Dom whips, Sami reverses and back drops Dom high and hard! Dom flounders to a corner and Sami storms over.

Sami brings Dom up but Dom powers him to a corner! Tag to Finn, he stomps Sami and bumps him off buckles. Finn fires off hands, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Sami LARIATS first! Fans cheer as Sami bumps Finn off buckles and tags in Kevin. Kevin CHOPS Finn, whips him, and then body shots to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP and SENTON! “SUCK IT!” to Priest and Dom! Fans fire up, but the ref keeps the Judgment Day back., Finn knees low and bumps Kevin off buckles! Tag to Dom and fans boo as he stomps a mudhole in. Dom throws hands, knees low, but Kevin ROCKS Dom in return!

Kevin and Dom scrap, Dom ROCKS Kevin then gives us more Latino Heat! “I run this!” Dom wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Kevin down. Fans taunt Dom more, but Rhea tells him to grind that hold. Kevin endures, fights up, and fans rally as Kevin fights up. Kevin throws body shots, but Dom knees low and TOSSES Kevin out. Fans boo as Dom goes out and leaps, into a body shot! Fans fire up again as Kevin brings Dom up to put him in the ring. But Priest runs up! Kevin ELBOWS him down, then DECKS Dom, and ELBOWS Finn! Dom HOTSHOTS Kevin, tags Finn, and Finn sweeps the legs!

Kevin lands hard on the apron, Finn & Dom distract the ref so Priest can RAM Kevin into barriers, and so Rhea can scoop SLAM Kevin! Rhea high-fives Priest and tells Kevin to suck it! Fans boo as Judgment Day soaks up the heat. Finn goes out to get Kevin, RAMS him into the apron, and shoves him in the ring. Finn then slingshot stomps Kevin down! Fans boo but Finn tags Priest. Priest taunts Cody and Sami, goes back to Kevin and brings him up, but Kevin ROCKS Priest! And again! And again! But Priest LARIATS Kevin down! Cover, TWO! The Judgment Day is still in control and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Finn stomps away on Kevin at the ropes! Fans rally for Kevin, the ref counts, and Finn lets off at 4. Kevin goes out, Finn goes out after him, but Kevin hits a back suplex to the desk! Rhea is stunned and Kevin flounders back to the ring. Rhea tells Finn to get up, Finn hurries in and tags Priest. Priest CLOBBERS Kevin, then taunts Sami and Cody. Priest drags Kevin over, tags Finn back in, and they mug Kevin. Finn fires hands, then snapmares Kevin to elbow him in the neck. Finn wraps on a chinlock but fans rally for Kevin. Kevin endures, fights up, but Finn facelocks now to grind him down!

Kevin still fights, but Finn powers him back. Kevin powers his way forward, but Finn powers him back! Kevin powers forward, then JAWBREAKERS free! And SUPERKICKS! But Finn bumps into Cody and sends him off the apron! Finn then staggers, HEADS COLLIDE! Both men go down and fans rally up! Finn and Kevin crawl, flounder, hot tags to Priest and Sami! Fans are all fired up for Sami as he fires off on Priest! Sami whips, Priest reverses but Sami springboards to go up and over and then LARIAT! Sami BLASTS Finn & Dom, then baits Priest into an ELBOW! Sami goes up, to AX HANDLE!

Fans fire up again as Sami spins Priest around, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up and up and TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Priest is still in this and Rhea can breathe again. Sami positions Priest in a drop zone and fans rally up as he climbs. Rhea shouts to Dom, Dom hurries up but Sami DECKS him! Sami sees Finn and points him out to the ref, but that allows Rhea to trip Sami up! Fans boo as Sami staggers up, into Priest’s choke grip! SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!! Cover, Kevin breaks it! Fans fire up, but Finn whips! Kevin reverses to TOSS Finn! Priest LARIAT Kevin down! Hot tag to Dom!

Dom climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Sami saves himself, and Cody rises! Fans fire up as Sami crawls his way over, hot tag to Cody! Cody runs in, dodges Dom, then springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody dodges Priest, to hit DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives but fans fire up with Cody! Cody stalks Dom, drags him up, dragon sleeper but Finn runs in! So Cody gets Finn for CROSS RHODES instead! But Dom runs up, rolls Cody up, TWO!! Cody escapes, spins Dom around, CROSS RHODES!! Dom is in the corner, and Sami is back! Fans want it, Cody tags in Sami!

Sami aims at Dom, tags Kevin in first, then HELLUVA KICK!! Then feed to the STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin’s team wins!!

Winners: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

A massive victory for the WWE Tag Team Champions and American Nightmare, and a massive defeat for The Judgment Day! Sami gets the mic to say, “Hey, Judgment Day. Better luck next time, hey bud?” Then in French, Sami says that this title run is for Canada, and it is for Quebec. Merci beaucoup! Will anyone stop Kevin & Sami as they #FightTogether? Will this only cause Judgment Day to fight each other?


My Thoughts:

A really good Raw here, though maybe a bit redundant with how we got another Judgment Day VS Cody, Kevin & Sami match. Don’t get me wrong, all great stuff leading to it, like this returning dysfunction between Finn and Priest and how they played it with JD McDonagh. But it just seems like they’re relying a little too much on that combo again and again. JD McDonagh technically not costing them that 2v2 match was also clever, because Priest wasn’t even upset about the result but that it was McDonagh getting in the mix. This has to come down to like Finn & McDonagh VS Priest & Dom as Judgment Day starts falling apart more.

Rhea also had some great stuff tonight, with another quick win this week but against Candice. But then Raquel showing up and revealing she’s 100% and ready to go, we’re going to get a great title match from them at Payback. No idea who wins that, but I feel like Rhea finds a Heelish way to win so that she’s the one person in Judgment Day with any success. Great stuff out of the tag match of Chelsea & Piper VS KC Squared, especially that handstand splash combo KC Squared cooked up. Piper being the powerhouse keeping that team from losing is going to be a fun story, like the combo of Piper & Eva Marie if Eva Marie had a Heel persona that worked.

Great tag match from McIntyre & Riddle VS New Day, though I did not see them throwing Viking Riders into this. I’m not going to outright say this is just a rehash of RKBRO, but it’s dangerously close to it. The nickname, “McRiddle,” is pretty clever, though. If it comes down to it, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Triple Threat Tag to determine #1 contenders to Sami & Kevin, assuming Judgment Day falls apart before getting their own shot. Then, if #McRiddle loses, McIntyre turns on Riddle for their feud. At least, if WWE isn’t going to try and make McRiddle a thing. Which they might, though McIntyre deserves a shot at the new world title.

Speaking of, great promo from Nakamura, especially with that plot twist of the aggravating back injury for Rollins. And great promo from Rollins in response, with some real heat going into next week’s go-home episode. The back injury (assuming it is exaggerated for sake of story) could very well be how they have Rollins lose and write him off TV so he can do filming with the next Marvel Captain America project. But if not and he keeps going past Payback, then Rollins VS Heel McIntyre for Fastlane in October.

Becky had a really good promo segment with Trish and Zoey, and I like that Zoey was keeping Trish back as Trish was trying to step to Becky while also finally raising her voice. Becky VS Trish in the Steel Cage for Payback will be great, but Becky VS Zoey in Falls Count Anywhere for the go-home is a wild choice. But at the same time, that could be how Becky takes Zoey out of the equation, or at least thinks so until Zoey shows up and still interferes with the cage match anyhow. And again, please let Lita show up and get back in the story, it just makes sense.

Really good promo from Ciampa about how he has been the guy who others springboard off of to get to the titles. And he used the phrase “Do It Yourself,” DIY, his old tag team with Johnny Gargano. I hope they get back together and get into the tag title scene, too. And just great stuff from Miz, LA Knight and Tozawa. I should’ve known Miz wasn’t going to face someone actually big and strong. And Knight got me to legitimately laugh out loud with that line about Biff Tannen banging a frog, as stupid as that is. Great win for Tozawa out of this story, and we have to see Miz VS Knight at Payback at this rate. Miz probably even shows up on Friday to make the challenge.

And great stuff out of the Intercontinental Championship scene. Really good promos before the match, and the match itself was awesome. Maybe a bit too like “Lex Luger beating Yokozuna by count-out” from 30 years ago, just without the locker room celebrating with Gable. But Gunther getting so upset was great, because he was so confident he’d beat Gable. I’m sure we get yet another rematch at Payback, because then the deadline to Honky Tonk Man’s record reign will be even closer. If they can take the same energy from tonight’s match and somehow escalate it, the Intercontinental Championship could steal the show.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/30/25)

The greatEST SmackDown!

Published

on

Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?

SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
  • R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
  • Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
  • Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
  • Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bianca Belair is here!

Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!

Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!

Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!

Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.

Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!

Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!

SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!

Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!

Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.

Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!

Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!

Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”

Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?

 

Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.

Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.

Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?

 

Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.

The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!

Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”

The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?

 

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.

Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?

 

R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!

To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?

SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!

JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!

Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall

Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?

 

The Street Profits are here!

The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”

The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…

Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!

Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.

Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!

Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?

 

Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!

Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?

Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!

Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!

Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.

Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.

Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.

Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.

Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!

Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!

Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!

Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall

All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?

 

The Wyatts speak.

“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?

 

Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!

La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?

The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.

Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!

The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!

The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.

Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!

Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall

Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?

 

The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.

Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.

But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?

 

Giulia speaks.

“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”

Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?

 

Zelina returns backstage.

She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?

 

Damian Priest is here!

Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.

“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!

The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.

Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?

Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!

SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!

Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!

Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.

Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.

Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.

Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.

Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.

Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.

Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!

The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!

The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!

Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!

But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!

Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?

 

Backstage interview with LA Knight.

Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!

“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.

“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?

 

Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.

Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”

 

Cody Rhodes is here!

Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.

Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.

The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.

Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.

“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!

The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!

The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.

The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”

Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.

“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!

Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!

Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!

Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?


My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.

The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.

Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.

R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.

Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25

Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.

Published

on

Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.

Ratings:

  • The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
  • Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
  • ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
  • Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
  • Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
  • International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***

 

Results:

The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System

Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb. 

Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.

KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.

AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.

Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali

Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.

Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.

Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.

This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”. 

ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee

ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.

Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!

Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber

Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.

Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa

Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.

Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.

International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona

A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.

Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!

Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!

 

Overall Score: 4.5/10

Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?

Go home TNA, you’re drunk.

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