Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/21/23)
SHOOOOOOOOOOOSH!
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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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – NFL Conference Championships and Jimmy Butler
The Chairshot presents a new episode of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, with an NFL Conference Championship preview, and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Conference Championships
It's Championship Sunday and the gents have you covered as we breakdown both AFC and NFC title games!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: NFL Divisional Playoffs
Rey, Andrew and Tunney catch you up on the NFL coaching carousel and breakdown the Divisional round matchups.
Bandwagon Nerds #276: Do You Style Your Moustache?
The Nerds continue their review of Season 3 of Invincible, review Captain America: Brave New World, and check out trailers...
Bandwagon Nerds #275: Master of Porpoise
The Nerds begin their review of Season 3 of Invincible and look at the latest trailers for Final Destination, Jurassic...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (2/5/25)
There’s a lot going on this time around!
Bandwagon Nerds #274: Rey Cash Caught Sleeping On The Job
Tune in for another episode of BANDWAGON NERDS for your weekly fix in the world of Comics & Pop Culture!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (1/31/25)
The Bracket of Courage!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Weekend Wrasslin’ Wrap-up!
DJ, Rob and Jason break down NXT Vengeance Day and AEW GrandSlam Australia. Plus, Rob's SmackDown adventure and some beer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)
The Final Boss is back!
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)
Anillo de Honor!
DWI Podcast #464: NXT Vengeance Day & SNL 50
NBA All-Star weekend, SNL 50th anniversary and plenty of Rasslin' talk this week on the DWI podcast.
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (2/19/25)
Phoenix is Dynamite!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/18/25)
NXT is Absolute!
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
G'day, mates!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)
Visionary VS Prince!
#TheOddity 028: One Monkey = Total Chaos
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
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Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s WWE Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/15/25)
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AEW Coverage7 days agoMitchell’s AEW Grand Slam: Australia Results & Report! (2/15/25)
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Coverage4 days ago
Mitchell’s ROH Global Wars Australia Results & Report! (2/17/25)
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Coverage5 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/17/25)