Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (8/25/23)

RIP Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt.

Published

1 year ago

August 25, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Gone too soon, but never forgotten.

The WWE, and all of pro-wrestling, lost two greats this week in Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt. Tonight on SmackDown, we celebrate both men’s legacies.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Rey Mysterio VS Grayson Waller; Rey wins.
WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL VS Zelina Vega; Iyo wins and retains the title.
Terry Funk Tribute Hardcore Tag Match: The Brawling Brutes VS The Street Profits; The Profits win.
LA Knight VS Finn Balor; Knight wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE mourns the losses of Terry Funk and “Bray Wyatt,” Windham Rotunda.

All the superstars and staff are on stage as fans have the cellphones out to be the fireflies. Erick Rowan has even returned for this somber occasion. Michael Cole welcomes everyone to tonight, as this past week, we lost two beloved members of the WWE Family: Hall of Famer Terry Funk, and the one and only Bray Wyatt. Tonight’s SmackDown will be dedicated to honoring their legacies and celebrating their lives. “The lives of two incredible men who’ve touched all of us with their passion, their creativity, and their spirit. Please join us for a moment of silence and our traditional ten bell salute.”

After the ten tolls, the fans cheer for the memory of both men. After a video tribute to Bray, fans sing “He’s got the whole~ world, in his hands!” for Bray. Then the lights fade down, so we can all have one last look at the rocking chair. #ThankYouTerry, and #ThankYouBray.

Rey Mysterio VS Grayson Waller!

The King of Lucha Libre may have Austin Theory coming after his WWE United States Championship to worry about, but that’s at Payback on September 2nd. For now, he looks to humble the man who stirred the pot just last week. Will the Aussie Icon get called out by a 619? Or will Rey suffer more of the Grayson Waller Effect?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up, the two tie up, and Waller throws Rey down. Waller shows off with drop steps but fans boo. Rey resets and circles with Waller, they tie up, and Waller goes for an arm. Waller wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up to arm-drag free! Fans fire up and Rey shows off his drop steps! Waller runs in, Rey blocks a kick to ROCK Waller! Waller knees low in return, headlocks, but Rey endures the ground. Rey throws body shots, whips Waller away then ducks, but Waller runs Rey over on the rebound! Fans boo but Waller drags Rey up. Waller headlocks and hits the takeover.

Rey keeps his shoulders up, fights up to his feet, and throws body shots. Fans chant “GRAYSON SUCKS!” as things speed up. Rey blows past Waller to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Waller ends up in a corner, and Rey ROCKS him again! Rey climbs up and fans fire up as Rey rains down fists! The fans count along, Rey goes all the way to TEN, but Waller Alabama Lifts! Rey has the ropes and holds on tight, so Waller pops Rey up! Rey uses that to RANA! Waller is on ropes, Rey dials it up but Waller puts him on the apron! Rey RAMS into Waller, slingshots, but into a BOOT! Rey goes down and fans boo as Waller claps.

Waller builds speed, but he slides out, so Rey dodges! To RANA again! Waller hits barriers and fans fire up as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Rey fires forearms on Waller! Rey whips corner to corner, Waller goes up and STOMPS Rey down! Waller drags Rey to a cover, TWO! Rey is hanging tough, and Waller is frustrated. Waller throws down body shots and forearms! Waller shouts, “MY HOUSE!” but fans boo him. Waller drags Rey to center, goes back to the corner and goes up the ropes. Waller scoots out for the BALLER ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Waller mockingly applauds as Rey survives again. Waller drags Rey up, but Rey throws body shots! Rey whips, Waller reverses and LEG LARIATS Rey down! Cover, TWO!

Rey wags his finger, he’s telling Waller he’s tougher than that. Waller says Rey’s got nothing as he stands on Rey’s hand. Waller soaks up the heat from the fans as they rally behind Rey. Waller scuffs Rey, brings him up to wrench and whip, and Rey hits buckles hard! Waller looms over Rey, talks some trash, and kicks him around. Waller drags Rey up, whips him corner to corner again and Rey hits hard like before! Waller reels Rey in, grins, and gets Rey up, but Rey fights! Fans fire up as Rey RANAS Waller into the POST! Waller flounders as he leans against buckles, and Rey goes outside. Waller drops back, Rey goes up! SEATED SENTON!

Rey keeps moving, he dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Waller sputters, Rey whips him to a corner. Waller reverses, Rey goes up and over and keeps moving, another tilt-o-whirl, for a DDT! Cover, TWO! Waller is showing he’s tough, too, but Rey keeps focus. Waller goes to another corner, Rey storms up but into an elbow! And then a boot! Waller hits the ROLLING UNPRETTIER! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives but Waller seethes. Fireman’s carry, but Rey pops up to throw hands! Waller drops Rey to then CLUB him on the back! Waller runs, into a LARIAT! Rey runs to SENTON! Shoutout to Bray!

Waller staggers up, rushes in, but Rey dropkicks the legs out! Waller ends up on ropes, but AUSTIN THEORY appears! He distracts Rey, and Waller rolls Rey up! TWO!! Rey dodges Waller, but DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Fans boo Theory as he’s ringside now, talking trash. But wait! ESCOBAR CLOBBERS THEORY! Fans fire up as Santos brawls with Theory, but Theory RAMS Escobar into barriers, then CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Waller whips Rey, Rey WRECKS Theory with a dropkick! But Waller slides out to LARIAT Rey! Waller puts Rey back in, and DECKS Escobar! Waller soaks up the heat, somersaults in, but Rey dodges!

Rey RANAS, dial sit up fast, 619!! Fans are thunderous but Theory is back up! So Escobar SUPERKICKS him! DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

The LWO comes through for its own, and they get some payback on both Theory and Waller in one go! But will this be even sweeter when Rey retains the title against Theory? Or will The Now be The Future again?

Backstage interview with Damage CTRL.

Kayla Braxton is with Dakota Kai, Bayley and the WWE Women’s Champion, Iyo Sky, and says tonight is Iyo’s first title defense. It is against the fiery Latina, Zelina Vega, who has beaten Iyo twice this year. Bayley stops Kayla there. What biased statements from Kayla. Is she trying to join the LWO or something? She might be a fit, though, since they only hire short people! HAH! Anyway, Zelina’s wins were all flukes. “She got lucky! Because Iyo is a once in a lifetime, once in a generational talent! Look at her!

“Lemme remind you, Kayla, that Iyo is a former NXT Women’s Champion, a former one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! She IS Miss MITB 2023 and she IS your current WWE Women’s Champion! Okay?” This is the Iyo Era! So Bayley suggests you buckle up, idiot, and enjoy the ride! HAHA! DMG CTRL heads out now, but will the Evil Genius continue to fly? Or will she get got by La Muneca all over again?

WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL VS Zelina Vega!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Iyo avoids a hattrick from Zelina!

SmackDown returns and the match begins. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo waistlocks. Zelina pries free, wristlocks, but Iyo spins, wrenches and wristlocks again. Zelina uses ropes to flip through and wrenches back. Iyo throws body shots, headlocks, but Zelina throws body shots. Zelina powers free, Iyo handsprings up and over! Fans fire up, Zelina says okay then. Things speed up. Zelina blocks a hip toss to hip toss and arm-drag! Iyo staggers to ropes, and DMG CTRL is there to coach here up. But Zelina storms up to grab Iyo’s hair! So Iyo YANKS Zelina into ropes! Bayley laughs at Zelina and Iyo stomps Zelina down!

Iyo stomps away, the ref reprimands, and Iyo lets off to scoop Zelina, for a SLAM! Iyo grins, covers, TWO! Bayley and Dakota cheer Iyo on as she fires forearm son Zelina. Iyo scoops again, but Zelina slips free to roll her up! ONE, but Zelina KICKS Iyo down! Zelina goes up a corner, but Iyo ROCKS her first! And then ROCKET LAUNCHES her down! Fans are torn but DMG CTRL applauds. Iyo covers, TWO, into a CROSSFACE! Zelina endures and fans rally up. Bayley says it’s no use but Zelina fights up to her feet. Zelina throws body shots but Iyo knees low! Iyo whips, Zelina reverses and then gets around, SLEEPER!

But Iyo throws body shots! Iyo back suplexes, but Zelina lands on her feet! Zelina goes to a corner, Iyo runs in, but Iyo only gets buckles! Zelina kicks and bumps Iyo off buckles! Then Zelina runs, dodges, and returns to LARIAT! Fans fire up and Iyo swings, into a HAMMERLOCK DDT! Shoutout to El Idolo and Zelina goes up a corner! Latina Heat for Eddie Guerrero, METEORA!! Cover, TWO!! Roll-up, TWO!! Lateral press, TWO!! Iyo keeps escaping but Zelina runs in at the corner! Iyo dodges and now Zelina gets buckles! Iyo then springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! And kip up! Fans are torn but DMG CTRL is loving this!

Iyo scoops Zelina again, but Zelina DDTS!! Fans fire up and Dakota is stunned! Bayley is upset, but Zelina runs in at Iyo, and hops on, but Iyo pops her off! Iyo gets Zelina up, for a LAST RIDE!! Both women are down and fans fire up! A standing count starts but both women are down at 4. Iyo gets up and drags Zelina to a drop zone. Iyo goes up, but Zelina hurries to YANK her down! Zelina hops on again, CODE RED!!! But Iyo flounders out of the ring!! Zelina hurries after her and she brings Iyo up. But Iyo sends Zelina into the steel steps! DMG CTRL rallies for Iyo as the ring count passes 5 of 10!

Iyo gets Zelina in at 6, aims from the far side, and she runs in, SHINKANSEN!! But that’s not all! Iyo puts Zelina in the drop zone, goes up the corner, and goes OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Iyo wins!

Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)

DMG CTRL celebrates with Iyo as she puts away La Muneca and quiets all the doubters! Will The Evil Genius lead the way as DMG CTRL looks to once again take control of the WWE?

Cody Rhodes is here!

Fans fire up as The American Nightmare is in Louisville, but for very somber reasons. Cody gets his pyro, goes to the ring, gets more pyro, and then takes up the mic. Cody tells “Louisville, Kentucky… I know what I wanna talk about tonight. I wanna tell you about a time, 11 years old, I’m at the Denver airport, travelling with my father, and across the people-mover, I hear a man yelling the most peculiar insult. I hear a man calling my father, ‘an egg sucking dog.’ I don’t… Michael, can we say ‘egg sucking dog’ on Fox? Well, we said it. And choice words for my grandmother, as well. And again, I could not see the man yelling, so I’m assuming at 11 years old, we’re about to have some sort of domestic incident.

“And then I see him. It was the proprietor of the Double Cross Range, it was Terry Funk.” Fans cheer and chant for “TERRY! TERRY!” Cody says modern nomenclature being what it is, they that enter this ring get to say they are WWE Superstars. Over the years, it has been other things. Wrestlers, athletes, artists, competitors, maybe even carnies. But there’s a fabled few who earn the right to call themselves “Cowboys.” And both Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt were cowboys in the best of ways. Fans cheer that! Cody had the privilege to talk to us about Terry Funk, a second generation wrestler from Amarillo who wore ten pounds of gold and wore it proudly.

Terry was a man who, out of all the wrestlers who say they went to West Texas States, Terry actually attended classes there. “Terry Funk has been a constant in pro-wrestling and in sports entertainment for fifty years. And for fifty years, Terry Funk has constantly been changing.” There’s this concept of “the rub.” When someone with such legacy steps into the ring with those who don’t have it and then pulls them up to their level, some legends do that for a few. Terry did that for an entire company, movement and revolution! Fans cheer that, too! Cody wants us all to take a look back at this cowboy’s hall of fame career.

The video plays to honor Terry’s legacy. Terry didn’t wanna be president or anything but one thing: a wrestler. He was born into a wrestling family, and burst onto the scene with his brother, Dory Funk Jr, as part of their father’s company in Amarillo, Texas. Stone Cold says he’s always looked up to Terry Funk, both his ability and his unpredictability. Ric Flair admired Terry’s work ethic and learned a lot from him. Terry’s no-nonsense style gripped the NWA audience and catapulted him to the top. Terry Funk won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and proved himself the finest champion the world had ever seen.

His popularity even got him on Hollywood’s radar, appearing in classic 80s films like Over The Top and Roadhouse. Terry would captivate even around the world, and he’d make impacts in WCW, ECW and WWE. He and Mick Foley pioneered the “hardcore” style. Bret Hart says Terry was ahead of his time and thought of things no one ever had before. Funk & Foley would even be a team together, winning together at WrestleMania 14. Foley says that Funk was one of the nicest, kindest guys outside the ring, and brought out the best in Foley.

In 2009, alongside Dory Jr, Terry would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Dusty Rhodes being there for his friend and rival. Jerry Lawler says Terry is the greatest, and his 50 years in wrestling will never be replicated. The WWE Family will remember Terry as a family man, a fearless entertainer, and an unforgettable pioneer. We will love him… FOREVER!

Back to present, Cody says that from Texas to Tokyo, Terry was passionate. Tables, ladders, chairs, and hardcore! Cody is so glad to be the one to tell us, that this next tag team match is a TERRY FUNK TRIBUTE HARDCORE MATCH!! Fans are thunderous to hear that! Will things get extreme on… FIGHT NIGHT?!

Terry Funk Tribute Hardcore Tag Match: The Brawling Brutes VS The Street Profits!

SmackDown returns as Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins make their entrance. Being hardcore, that means no disqualifications, no count outs, and no telling what’ll happen! Fans cheer along “OH! OH! OH!” with every wave from Ford. The bell rings and the brawl is on! Ridge TOSSES Dawkins while Dunne stomps Ford out of the ring. Dunne CHOPS, but Dawkins RAMS Ridge into steel steps! Dunne twists Ford’s head, CLUBS him on the neck, then fishhooks his face! And then twists the ear! Dawkins sends Ridge into steps again! Dunne puts Ford in, but Ford headlocks. Dunne powers out, only for Ford to run him over!

Ford has everyone calm down about tables for a second. Ford runs, but Dunne dodges and leaps. Ford hurdles, but Dunne DROPKICKS him! And then he DROPKICKS Dawkins from the apron! Fans fire up, Dunne drags Ford back, and then steps through! But Dawkins THROWS Dunne out! But Ridge THROWS Dawkins out! Ridge spins Ford, knees low and facelocks to SWING Ford! Ford can only endure, and then Ridge hits a BIG DDT! Dawkins kicks Ridge, to hit the SILENCER! Ford rolls to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Dunne slides back in, he storms up to KICK Dawkins! And CHOP! And KICKS!

Dunne fires off more KICKS and CHOPS, but Ford CHOPS! Dawkins DECKS Dunne! The Profits double whip Dunne, then DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Ford says “SUCK IT!” then he and Dawkins go after Ridge! They fire off fast hands from all sides, then Dawkins runs at Dunne. Dunne BOOTS him away! Ford runs in but Dunne BOOTS him! Dunne goes up, to DOUBLE QUEBRADA! Fans fire up as Ridge now fireman’s carries Dunne! He swings Dunne into Dawkins! And then Ford! And repeat! It’s a Terry Funk ladder-copter, but with a person! Fans fire up and Dunne nods. Ridge goes out to CLOBBER Dawkins!

Fans still want tables but Ridge reels Dawkins in. Dawkins fights the bomb lift to back drop Ridge to the floor! But Dunne FLYING KNEES Dawkins down! But Ford FLIES to take them all out! Fans are thunderous, and here comes LASHLEY! The All Mighty has been the benefactor for the Profits as of late, will he help tip the scales back in their favor? We see, after the break.

SmackDown returns again and Ridge dodges Ford to scoop! POWERSLAM! Ford staggers up, Ridge DECKS him! Ford bails out to the apron, Dawkins goes to join him, but the Brutes get them both! For DOUBLE BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The Brutes go all the way to TEN, so 20 total, and Dawkins falls. Ford flops back into the ring, Lashley watches with a little bit of worry. Ridge SPLASHES Ford in a corner, Dunne GAMANGIRIS! Feed to Ridge, ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Ford survives, but Dawkins is up. Dunne PLANCHAS but Dawkins dodges to POUNCE! Dawkins hurries back in, Ridge swings and they start brawling!

Fans rally, Dawkins ROCKS Ridge, runs, and FLYING ELBOWS! Then CYCLONE SPLASH in the corner, with a GAMANGIRI on top! Dawkins hoists Ridge up in an Electric Chair Lift, and Ford is up top! “SUCK IT!” SUPER BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Dunne breaks it! Lashley applauds, he admits that was good. Dunne hurries to ENZIGURI Ford! Then Dunne STOMPS Dawkins’ hands! BUZZSAW! Ford returns, Dunne blocks a kick but not the ENZIGURI! Ford SUPERKICKS Ridge! Ridge rebounds to LARIAT! All four men are down and fans fire up again! They still want tables, though, since this is a hardcore match.

Lashley coaches his guys, Dawkins gets up, and he climbs a corner. Ridge ROCKS Dawkins first! Ridge climbs, brings Dawkins up and steadies himself, for the SUPERPLEX! Ford is up top! FROM THE HEAVENS on Ridge! Cover, Dunne STOMPS it apart! Dunne hurries outside, he says it’s time for a TABLE!! Fans are thunderous, but Dunne bumps into Lashley! Big mistake, Butch… The two stare down, fans fire up, but Dunne grabs the table. Dunne gets it int he ring, Lashley keeps out of it, and Ridge sets things up in the ring. But Ford DECKS Ridge, DECKS Dunne, and he takes ownership of the furniture!

Fans fire up as Ford gives the table a kiss then goes to Ridge. Ford reels Ridge in, grins, but Ridge throws elbows! Ridge picks Ford up, spins him around, but Dawkins returns! Ridge kicks him first! DDT SAMOAN DROP COMBO! Fans fire up, and Dunne has Dawkins’ arm! He bends the fingers and SNAPS them! Ridge HEADBUTTS Dawkins and puts him on the table! Dunne is up, but Lashley SHOVES him! No more staying out of it, he SPEARS Dunne! Ford GAMANGIRIS Ridge in the distraction! Dawkins shoves Ridge and pops him up on the rebound, SKY HIGH NECKBREAKER through the table!! Cover, The Profits win!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall

Ridge suffers a Revelation, and Ford holds up part of the table in triumph! The All Mighty Profits are standing tall, will they soon be back on top of the WWE?

WWE shares TMZ Sports interviewing The Miz.

The reporter asks about the beef between Miz and LA Knight. Wow, they actually know who he is? Yeah, he’s pretty popular. Oh, is he? Well, Miz still defends Knight is a fad, “like Napster, MySpace, Vanilla Ice.” If Knight keeps disrespecting Miz like he has been, Knight won’t make it to WrestleMania 40 in Philly. Wow, is that a threat or challenge? No, it’s a promise. Big words from The Hollywood A-Lister, will he follow through on it sooner rather than later?

LA Knight heads to the ring.

Speaking of The Mega Star, he had his own history with Bray Wyatt. Fans are all fired up for Knight as he gets the mic, and he says, “I’ll get to The Miz in a second. But from what I can tell, tonight’s about Bray Wyatt.” Fans cheer that! Knight says, “I walked out here into this building tonight, and I saw everybody out here representin’ with the fireflies. And it just got me thinking, it got me rewinding my mind a little bit, because it got me thinking about the fact that sometimes, your greatest foes can turn out to be your greatest helpers.

“Now lemme go ahead and be honest about this. Bray Wyatt and I went through Hell, that guy did everything imaginable to me, and I did everything that I could back to him. And through that, y’know what he was doing? He was getting me ready for anything.” Fans cheer that, too. Knight says that he will be honest, he held together so far tonight until he saw the pictures of Windham Rotunda’s family, and he has to say, his heart breaks for them. But as he looks around, he can hear it, he can feel it, and again, when he saw each one of those fireflies, he knows that we can all feel the spirit of Bray Wyatt in this building. Fans cheer that, too!

Knight hears the fans as they chant for Bray and bring the fireflies back out. “Thank You, Bray!” Knight says he won’t come out here and act like they were best friends, but Knight wants to repeat that sentiment: Thank you, Bray. That spirit they’re feeling is the spirit that allows Knight to stand here and say, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” Knight says Miz gets on screen, goes to TMZ, goes wherever he can and says the same old things! LA Knight’s a fad. Oh, wait, Knight has too much bass in his voice, hold on. “LA Knight’s just a fad~! LA Knight is just, he’s yesterday’s news!”

Well guess what? If he’s “just a fad,” Knight’s okay with that. Cuz Miz was never a fad! No one cared about him! Even when he had a stunt double, that guy was the star! Even when Miz talks about his world title reign from 12 years ago, and good for him, he was background to The Rock VS John Cena. And yet Miz still wants to talk about Knight? So guess what? Miz wants to end Knight forever, but forever is a mighty long time. Any time, any where! SmackDown, Raw, hell even TMZ! And we’ll see whose game it is, with everybody saying “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!”

“But one more thing. Miz, a wise man once told me, the next time you see me… RUN.” Fans love the Bray Wyatt shoutout, and now the Mega Star turns his attention to The Prince! Will Knight get even Finn saying “YEAH!” with the fans? That match is up next!

LA Knight VS Finn Balor!

SmackDown returns and Finn makes his entrance. The Prince also had his own spooky and spectacular rivalry with Bray Wyatt, but that was a long time ago. Will the front man of the Judgment Day bring the pain to LA Knight?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up as the two tie up, and Finn waistlocks to SLAM, float all over, and he slaps Knight around. Finn soaks up the cheers and jeers, but Knight shrugs that off. They tie up, Knight wrenches and hammerlocks and he slaps Finn around! Fans join in with saying “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Finn gets mad, runs in, but Knight blocks the kick to spin Finn around. Finn dodges a haymaker, kicks low, headlocks, Knight powers up and out to then run Finn over! Finn bails out, Knight pursues, and Finn hurries away. Knight chases him back into the ring, and then avoids the elbow drop!

Finn bails out again, and Knight stomps Finn’s hand from the apron! Knight goes out, SMACKS Finn off the desk, and again! And again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Finn back around, puts him in the ring, and then slingshots to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Finn sits up but Knight stomps him. Knight RAMS Finn in the corner, whips him corner to corner, but Finn goes up and over. Knight ELBOWS Finn back, goes up the corner, but Finn YANKS Knight down! Knight hits buckles on the way to the mat, Finn snarls, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Finn has Knight down in a chinlock. Knight endures and fans rally up. Knight fights up, but Finn throws knees! Finn whips Knight to a corner, runs in, but only gets buckles! And then a JUMP NECKBREAKER! Fans rally, both men stir, and Finn goes to ropes. Finn drags himself up but Knight is there to throw haymakers! Fans rally as Knight whips, but Finn reverses and swings. Knight dodges, kicks low, DDT! Cover, TWO! Knight frowns, whips, but Finn KICKS him away! Finn runs but Knight FLAPJACKS Finn, to then BOOT him down! Cover, TWO! Knight keeps cool, but has a bloody spot on his forehead.

Knight paces around, has the legs, and fans rally up as Knight grins. But Finn kicks him away! Finn hooks Knight up, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Finn checks his own head and jaw, then stalks Knight to ropes. Finn stomps away on Knight, then springboard stomps again and again and again! The ref counts, Finn lets off at 4 and he soaks up the heat. Finn then runs in, SLINGBLADE! Knight staggers up, Finn takes aim, but Knight LARIATS first! Finn flounders to a corner and Knight stomps away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight runs corner to corner and comes back, KNEE WASH!

Knight drags Finn up, brings him around, torture rack but Finn fights free! Finn trips Knight to STOMP 182! Finn takes aim from a corner again. Fans boo but Finn runs in, SHOTGUN! Knight is down in the drop zone! Finn hurries up top, COUP DE- NO, Knight moves! Knight scoops to pop and POWERSLAM! Fans fire up with Knight and he spells it out. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight is a bit frustrated but Finn is tougher than that. Knight kicks low cravats, but Finn rolls him up! TWO, and Knight hurries up. Finn gets around, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! And Finn goes back to a corner!

Finn climbs, aims, but Knight trips him up! Finn is stuck up top now, and Knight climbs up after him! Knight drags Finn up, but Finn fights with elbows! Knight staggers, but then springs right back up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! And then B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

A massive win for the Mega Star, and now he’s rolling into that showdown with The Miz! Their showdown is now set for Payback, will Knight shut Miz up once and for all?

The lights are powering down?

The fireflies come out as Bray’s lantern is in the ring! Fans chant “Thank You, Bray!” as the tron has a still from the last time Bray was in the ring. His silhouette stands there with the butterfly wings like angel wings. Thank you, Bray, we will never forget you.

My Thoughts:

It’s hard to give this episode a descriptor, only because saying it was “great” feels like it cheapens what happened tonight. Not all the plans for tonight’s episode were delayed in light of the passing of both Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt. This wasn’t a full tribute show as WWE has done other times, and it wasn’t quite as emotional as we might’ve expected, but we did get great video packages. Plus, we got such great shots with the rocking chair on stage at the start, and then the lantern in the ring at the end. Windham Rotunda passing at only 36 years old with so much life and career ahead of him is an incredible shame, and now there will be a large “what if” hanging in the air.

LA Knight had a really good promo to lead into his main event match, with a genuine farewell to Bray but also him calling out The Miz in great fashion. To think Knight would bring up Mizdow (Damien Sandow as Miz’s sidekick). Great match with Finn and great win for Knight, as now he and Miz will face off at Payback. Can’t wait to see how that one goes. And great tribute to Terry Funk, too. Cody Rhodes had a good promo to give us an idea of how Terry Funk was still Terry Funk in and out of the ring with how he poked fun at Dusty.

And great “hardcore” tag match out of Profits VS Brutes. Now, it wasn’t really all that hardcore, just a really good tornado tag, but this was also a bit impromptu so they couldn’t work out much more than that table spot. It was a great table spot, though. And Lashley does factor into the finish, but that worked with it being a No DQ tag. Hard to say if #TheAllMightyProfits are Heels or just Tweeners, but if they keep having fun matches like this, it probably won’t matter, fans will cheer them all and they can all get after titles.

Speaking of which, really good stuff out of the title stories featured tonight. Zelina has a good showing against Iyo, but I figured Iyo would retain one way or another. Still no word on who she’s facing at Payback, though DMG CTRL did take Bianca out last week. Now granted, Iyo just defended the title, and there are many times when a title or two takes a PPV off, so Iyo doesn’t have to be on the Payback card. Maybe there’s more a #1 contenders match next week on the Payback go-home, with the winner promised their shot at Fastlane in October. As I said last week, something about Bianca coming back and being part of the All Mighty Profits would make the most sense to me.

Really good opener from Rey VS Waller, even with the overbooking of Theory and Escobar. Great win for Rey, but there’s a tag match set for the go-home, so the math isn’t set in stone. But in the end, I really hope Rey keeps the belt. Theory lost the belt because they weren’t able to figure out how to make him and his story interesting enough. Bit of a dropped by from his big win on John Cena, even though he cheated that. In fact, with Cena returning next week, he might get back into this story with Theory, on top of plugging Superstar Spectacle in India on September 8th.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (8/25/23)

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (12/21/24)

Merry Collision!

Published

30 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!

The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; wins.
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; wins.
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; wins.
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; wins.
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!

Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!

Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.

He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him, and yes, they’re ready to brin gthe BOOM~! THeyr’e ready to watch the action toinght, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!

In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!

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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Classic POD is WAR

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (12/20/24)

Brody King is on a Rampage!

Published

22 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Have a Holly Jolly Rampage!

The Continental Classic rolls on, and Brody King takes on Komander in hopes of grabbing three more points towards the top of Gold League!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis; Konosuke & Cage win.
Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy; Lio & Action win.
Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron; Willow wins.
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander; Brody wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tony Schiavone is in the ring!

Schiavone welcomes out the Blue League’s current points leader, Kyle Fletcher, and of course… Don Callis. But they’re not alone as the rest of the Don Callis Family makes their way out to the ring. Wait, shouldn’t Brian Cage be in New York for Final Battle…? Well anyway, Schiavone says there’s a lot of gold and- Callis takes the mic, and he says, “I have something important to say.” The fans boo and Schiavone excuses himself as Callis says the Don Callis Family are the TRUE One Percenters of professional wrestling! They prove it each and every day!

Murder Machines: The most feared tag team in the world! “Don Callis’ favorite wrestler,” Kyle Fletcher, shows every day why he is THE One Percent! He beat Will Ospreay! He beat Kazuchika Okada! And now, he’s gonna beat Daniel Garcia and win the Continental Classic! Callis hands the mic over to Kyle and Kyle says it might be true that last Saturday wasn’t the best day for Kyle, but anyone watching that match saw the clear bias from the officials in this company! The fans boo as Kyle claims there is an agenda in AEW to see the Don Callis Family NOT succeed. But it doesn’t matter, it changes nothing!

Kyle WILL be the winner of the 2024 Continental Classic. That brings Kyle to Daniel Garcia. “You wanna talk about restoring the feeling, Daniel? I couldn’t care less about your feelings! All I speak are facts! And the fact is, I am the hottest young prospect in this industry, and I will be the future of this whole place!” The fans boo more but Callis says one last thing he wants to say, is when you’re the One Percent, you’re not like the other 99! They are not like all of these fans! They are not like “the boys in the back,” like Mark Davis & Will Hobbs, “a couple of scab workers!” They’re not even in the same business, Hobbs!

And Callis has waited to get Hobbs on a PPV so that the world could watch why they call Konosuke Takeshita “The Alpha.” And Hobbs, YOU are not in the same business as Konosuke, and you find that out at Worlds End! But speaking of, here comes the Powerhouse! Will he and Dunkzilla finish things with the Don Callis Family? Or will the AEW International and ROH World TV Champions get even for last week?

Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis!

The teams sort out and Konosuke starts against Hobbs to give the DC fans a preview of Worlds End. Hobbs and Konosuke step up, talk trash, and then the forearms go back and forth! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke! Hobbs even shouts “MEAT!” before he whips Konosuke. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Hobbs! Hobbs SPINE- NO, Konosuke flails free and Hobbs says it was that close. Konosuke says to cool off while he paces on the outside. Konosuke steps back into the ring, but he tags to Cage. The fans stay fired up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Cage and Hobbs circle.

Hobbs and Cage DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And again! And again! Cage kicks low, shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” But then Hobbs CLOBBERS him! Hobbs even gets Konosuke to back down with a glare. Hobbs brings Cage up to fire forearms, then he tags Davis. Davis & Hobbs double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Davis stalks Cage to a corner. Davis CHOPS Cage, and CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cage sputters but Davis scoops to SLAM Cage down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE! Cage stays in this but Davis bumps him off buckles.

Tag to Hobbs and he brings Cage out. Hobbs and Davis reel Cage in, fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! MEAT MEAT MEAT!” but Konosuke makes the save! Konosuke swings, Hobbs dodges, so the elbow DECKS Davis! Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke, Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage clinches, Konosuke returns, KNEE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cage covers, TWO! Cage rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Cage steps off. Cage drags Hobbs up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Konosuke. The Callis Family stomps a mudhole into Hobbs, but then Hobbs CHOPS Konosuke! Konosuke snarls, and he CHOPS in return!

Konosuke ROCKS Hobbs, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count but then Konosuke BITES Hobbs on the forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke lets off, and Hobbs sputters on the ropes. Konosuke tags to Cage and the Family gets Hobbs up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hobbs! Cage covers, TWO! Cage drags Hobbs up but Hobbs fires body shots. Hobbs UPPERCUTS but Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage ROCKS Hobbs again, Hobbs fires back, repeat! The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage gets the edge, then whips, but Hobbs KICKS him away! Cage swings, Hobbs bobs ‘n’ weaves, to then hit an EXPLODER!

The fans fire up while Hobbs crawls, hot tag to Davis! Davis fires hands on Cage, “MEAT! MEAT!” Davis DECKS Cage, then whips him to ropes. Cage reveres but Davis picks him up, BACKDROP! Davis SENTONS but onto knees! Davis writhes, Cage tags Konosuke! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee! Davis takes a swing but Konosuke ducks that, to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Davis survives and Konosuke snarls, but Rampage goes picture in picture.

Konosuke rains down fists on Davis, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Konosuke tags Cage and Cage drags Davis up. Cage ROCKS Davis, whips him into a corner, and Davis hits buckles chest first! Cage RAMS into Davis, and RAMS in again, then CHOPS! Davis staggers but Cage whips him to ropes. Davis reverses, to dosido with Cage, only for Cage to CLOBBER Davis! Cage BOOTS Davis down, covers, but Hobbs breaks it! Cage gets mad and the ref reprimands Hobbs, then Cage soaks up heat from DC. Cage stalks Davis to a corner and fires haymakers! The ref reprimands but Cage DECKS Davis! Cage soaks up more heat while he flexes.

Holiday Bash returns to single picture while Davis crawls. Cage storms over but Davis fires hands! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, but Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage whips Davis, Davis cartwheels and swings on Cage! Cage blocks, waistlocks, but Davis switches! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Davis rises and reaches out! Davis crawls, as does Cage, hot tags to Hobbs and Konosuke! Hobbs LARIATS Konosuke, LARIATS again, then runs up to LARIAT in a corner! Cage runs up but he’s send into Konosuke! Hobbs SANDWEICHES the Family! Hobbs whips, Cage reverses, but Hobbs comes back to CLOBBER him! Hobbs scoops Cage for a POWERSLAM!

The fans fire up but Konosuke runs up! Hobbs scoops him, too! POWERSLAM! Hobbs pumps up and the fans are with him! Hobbs stomps and shakes the ropes, then he goes back for Konosuke. Konosuke rises, Hobbs pops him up, but Konosuke ELBOWS him! Konosuke fires hands, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Hobbs staggers, Konosuke whips him, but Hobbs reverses! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Davis blocks Cage, but Cage SHOVES Davis onto the cover! Cage then TOSSES Davis out, and he goes back for Hobbs. Hobbs TOSSES Cage! Hobbs grins as he has Konosuke alone. The straps come down, and Hobbs runs up, only for Konosuke to dodge!

Konosuke runs, Cage tags in, and Konosuke BOOTS Hobbs in the corner! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! Hobbs flounders, Cage hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs survives and Cage is furious! Cage tags Konosuke, the Family gets Hobbs up, and they double wrench to double whip. But Hobbs breaks the double lariat and Davis tags in! Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS Cage & Konosuke! Davis runs up, they STEREO LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Davis and Cage waistlocks Hobbs. Konosuke runs but Davis GAMANGIRIS! Cage SUPERKICKS Davis!

Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS Cage! ALPHA ELBOW from Konosuke! Davis GERMAN SUPLEXES Konosuke! Cage fireman’s carries Davis, F5!! Cage runs up on Hobbs but Hobbs dodges! Hobbs LARIATS Cage and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up while Davis rises again! Konosuke also stands, and they run up! DOUBLE LARIATS! Davis GAMANGIRIS, Konosuke ends up in the corner! Davis goes side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans roar as Davis hauls Konosuke up! Konosuke fights the lift, dodges Davis, and comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down! But not for long as they both roar to their feet!

Konosuke swings, and he SWATS Davis’ enzigiri! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES!! And then, RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Callis Family wins!

Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage, by pinfall

The Alpha slam dunks on Dunkzilla, and now he has 8 days to prepare for the Powerhouse! Will Konosuke hold onto his International Championship against Hobbs? Or will taking that title be the perfect payback?

Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.

Renee Paquette is with the Babe with the Power who is in action later tonight. But first, Renee wants to congratulate Willow to making it to the finals of the inaugural International Women’s Cup. She heads off to Tokyo very soon, how is she feeling about it? Willow is very excited. Inaugural WrestleDynasty, one step closer to the inaugural International Women’s Cup winner, and so it is mind boggling after how- Kris Statlander steps in. Kris tells Willow that there is a lot she should say, but for now, she’ll say good luck at the Tokyo Dome. #BornAgainKristen takes Willow by surprise, will Willow win tonight and have momentum going to the New Year?

Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy!

The dysfunction in Top Flight Airlines led to The Bad Child & The Sight to See winning over Darius & Dante Martin, meaning they’re next up to face Private Party. Will this be little more than a tune-up for Lio & Action?

The teams sort out, Lio starts against Myles, but then Lio handspring kicks Goldy off the apron! Myles back suplexes but Lio lands out and then dodges! Myles falls out of the ring, Action handspring kicks him down! Lio DIVES onto Goldy! Action DIVES onto Myles! The fans fire up as Action puts Myles in fast. Lio joins Action and they mug Myles. Myles fights back with forearms and CHOPS! Myle runs, but Lio & Action split the difference. Lio spins Myles for Action to mule kick, knee lift and ROLLING ELBOW! Lio fires fast hands, then DECKS Myles! Goldy springboards but Lio & Action dodge! Lio eggs Goldy on, then he and Action split the difference again!

Action runs up, Goldy dodges, but Lio LARIATS Goldy on the other side! Myles whips Lio but Lio hits RUSH HOUR! Action torture racks Myles for a NECKBREAKER! Lio covers, Lio & Action win!

Winners: Lio Rush & Action Andretti, by pinfall

Fast win for this furious duo, but “Oh my gosh, is that Private Party?” Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy make their way out here and DC fires up! The AEW World Tag Team Champions call for “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Lio & Action get their shot in the near future, but wait! Dante & Darius make their way out here? Private Party looks to the tunnels, but Lio & Action CLOBBER them from behind! Dante, Darius & Leila don’t worry about the champs, they stare Lio & Action down. Lio & Action hold up the belts, then throw them at the Martins. The refs keep this from getting any more physical, but will Lio & Action take those belts from Quen & Zay soon enough?

Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.

Renee is now with the “multifaceted” Harley and notes she’s in action against Willow Nightingale tonight. Harley says yes, she IS multifaceted. She wants us to appreciate ALL her facets! Renee says yes, but she has yet to earn a singles win in AEW. Fine, ruin her fun. But then Harley asks if some person off camera is gonna say anything or just stand there. In steps Penelope Ford, and Mrs. Superbad says yes, she was simply observing. But Ford couldn’t help but notice that she and Harley share a lot of similar… facets. Harley asks how much Ford’s cost. Uh, no, not those…

Ford meant that she hasn’t had such a good 2024, either. So from The Bad Girl to the… Harley doesn’t have a good nickname yet. Well, don’t worry about it. Ford will watch Harley’s back and Harley will watch Ford’s. Wait, is something on Harley’s back? No, Harley… Just good luck. FEEL THE WRATH OF HARLEY CAMERON! No, she was being nice to you, Harley. Right, don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. There is nothing on your back, Harley, stop scratching. Wait! W-What? Nothing, sorry. But will Harley be feeling Willow’s wrath instead?

Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Harley pushes but Willow digs in her heels to SHOVE Harley down. Harley comes back, she and Willow reset and tie up again. Willow puts Harley in a corner, the ref counts, and Willow lets off. DC duels between Willow and Harley, and Harley wants a Test of Strength. Willow accepts the knuckle locks, but then Harley kicks low! Harley runs, wheelbarrows, but Willow turns that into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer as Willow runs, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Willow bumps Harley off buckles, then fires LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans count al the way to TEN!

Willow brings Harley out with a smile, and scoop SLAMS her! Harley flounders, Willow storms up on her for another scoop and SLAM, right as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Willow storms around while Harley staggers up. Willow scoops Harley again, then carries her around to put her in the Tree of Woe! Willow stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to run up! But Harley BOOTS her while upside-down! Harley gets free, ELBOWS Willow, then runs to knee her low! Harley runs with Willow to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Willow is stuck in ropes, and Harley AX KICKS her! Harley then headscissors Willow to CHOKE her in the ropes! The ref counts, Harley lets go at 4, and Harley soaks up cheers and jeers from DC. Harley stomps Willow, then drags her to the outside. Harley SMACKS Willow off the apron!

Harley paces while Willow flounders, and Harley has her against railing. Harley CHOPS Willow, then brings her around. Willow blocks the bump to SMACK Harley off the apron! Harley turns things around to SMACK Willow off the apron! Harley shoves Willow in, storms up on her, and stands her up for buckle bumps. Harley stomps Willow, digs her boots in, and she thrashes around! The ref counts, Harley lets off at 4, but Willow elbows her in return! Harley RAMS into Willow again and again, but Willow CLUBS Harley! Harley ROCKS Willow, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS Willow down! Harley soaks up more cheers and jeers while Rampage goes to break.

Holiday Bash returns and Willow CANNONBALLS, but Harley dodges! Willow hits only buckles and she hobbles after Harley. Harley kicks, KNEES, and ENZIGIRIS! Harley roars, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Harley grows frustrated. The fans rally while Harley waistlocks, but Willow switches! Harley kicks free to switch back, but Willow ELBOWS Harley back! Willow fireman’s carries, storms around, but Harley pops up! Harley fires down elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Willow escapes and ROCKS Harley! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!

Harley survives but Willow roars! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow gut wrenches for the BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall

Willow faced the wrath of Harley Cameron and she prevailed! But then PENELOPE FORD goes after Willow! The fans boo but Ford did say she’d back Harley up. They both beat up on Willow, but here comes Kris! Kris Statlander storms the ring, Harley & Ford run away! Willow is again surprised, but the fans want these two to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Kris says no, she doesn’t feel like it’s the right time. Kris lets Willow have the ring, is this proof that the #BornAgainKristen isn’t just a nickname?

Team Triple J speaks backstage.

Standing alongside Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt says, “They’ve asked us to look back and reflect on 2024, and Jeff, guys, what an incredible series of moments we’ve had in 2024.” The group agrees. From Wembley Stadium to Double J being in the Owen Hart Cup, some true career highlights that he will cherish forever. But Jarrett doesn’t like looking in the rearview mirror, he likes to look ahead. Next week, he’s not bringing resolutions, he’s bringing a game plan for 2025! What does the Last Outlaw have in store for himself and the team in the New Year?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander!

While the rest of Gold League stands at 6 points, these two men are struggling to keep up. Will the King of Death join that traffic jam at the front of the block? Or will the Commander of the Skies be a spoiler for Christmas?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Komander circle while the fans bark it up. There are fans who sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Komander as the two tie up. But then Brody picks Komande up with both hands, and puts him on the to rope. Brody pats Komander on the shoulder, and the fans bark more. Komander hops down, not intimidated by Brody’s size. Komander then dodges Brody, DROPKICKS him, but Brody CLOBBERS Komander on the return! Brody eggs Komander on and then scuffs him. Komander gets mad and CHOPS! Brody grins and eggs Komander on. Komander CHOPS, but Brody wants more!

Komander fires up to CHOP, but Brody CHOPS Komander down! The fans fire up and Brody grins. Komander sputters, Brody paces, and Brody drags Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS again, and Komander flounders away! Brody stalks Komander to the corner, CHOPS him again, and Komander falls over! Brody hauls Komander up, whips him, but Komander goes up and over! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Brody BACKDROPS Komander! The fans bark while Komander writhes, and Brody drags Komander up. But Komander fires body shots and a CHOP!

Brody KNEES low and Komander drops. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody asks, “Are you done?!” Brody whips Komander, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to then springboard, but Brody catches Komander with ease! Brody pops Komander up, but Komander pops free, sunset flip, ONE!! Brody drags Komander up and CLUBS him! Komander wobbles, Brody ROCKS him again! Brody drags Komander off the ropes, suplexes, but Komander slips around! SLEEPER! Big men still have to breathe, but Brody RAMS Komander into the buckles! Brody swings, misses, and that bad hand hits post! Komander fires KICKS on the legs!

Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks, mule kicks and ENZIGIRIS! Brody wobbles and the fans rally up! Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up and up and jumps around! But Brody breaks the grip and DOUBLE CHOPS Komander to the floor! The fans bark it up and the ref checks Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Brody storms out after Komander, who is somehow still in this. Brody drags Komander up, and he whips Komander hard into railing! Brody revels in the DC dogs barking, and Brody stands Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander off his feet, then refreshes the ring count. Brody drags Komander up, and whips him hard into railing! So hard, in fact, that Komander goes up and over! Brody hurries to haul Komander back up, and he suplexes Komander to the floor! Komander writhes more while Brody refreshes the count again. Brody goes back to Komander, scuffs him, and brings him back up.

Komander KICKS Brody, CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody revels in the noise from DC while he stands on Komander’s neck! The ref reprimands, Brody steps off and rolls into the ring. Brody again refreshes the count so he can fetch Komander. Brody puts Komander in the ring, covers, TWO! Komander is still in this but Brody is more amused than anything. Brody paces then brings Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander to a corner, then revels in the noise a bit more. Brody then digs his boot into Komander, but lets off as the ref counts. Brody drags Komander up to CHOP, but Komander CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Komander down!

Brody digs his boots in again, but the ref counts. Brody steps away, then drags Komander to his feet. Brody ROCKS Komander as the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Brody eggs Komander on, stands him up, and ROCKS him again! Komander flops against ropes but Brody dares him to keep fighting. Komander staggers up, but Brody CHOPS him! Komander is stinging but Brody ROCKS him! Brody whips, Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to QUEBRADA, but Brody catches him! But Komander slips down into the STANDING BONE LOCK! The fans fire up but Brody powers up! Brody THROWS Komander right off! SENTON FLOPS as Komander moves!

Komander hurries to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Brody and Komander both crawl to ropes! They both stand, Brody runs up, but Komander swings around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Brody flops out to the floor! Komander sees that and the fans fire up! Komander builds going side to side, and he goes up and up and CROSSBODIES, but Brody catches him! Brody RAMS Komander into the railing! And then whips him hard into more railing! Brody makes Komander take a seat, then CHOPS him! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs back in, but Komander ducks! Brody CRASHES into railing!!

Komander has the fans all fired up as he rises! Komander rolls into the ring, the count is climbing, but Brody is rising! So Komander runs corner to corner to go up, up and AWAY!! Direct hit with that escalara cannonball! The fans fire up as Komander rises again! Komander and Brody both head for the ring while fans sing again, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Komander has Brody in the drop zone! Komander goes up the corner, but Brody CLUBS him first! Brody has Komander in the Electric Chair Lift, then goes up the corner!? But Komander fights, shifts, and SUPER SUSNET FLIP POWERBOMBS!!

Brody is in the drop zone again and Komander rises! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Komander cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises and goes to another corner. Komander tunes up the band, runs corner to corner, but Brody SLAPS him first! Brody runs but Komander dodges, Brody POSTS himself! Komander is on the apron and he runs up, to SHOTGUN Brody to the floor! Brody sputters, Komander climbs the corner, and the fans are thunderous! Komander springboards to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Another direct hit and Komander feels so close to his first points in the C2!

Komander hurries to get in the ring, but then slides out to start a new ring count. Komander climbs again while Brody rises. Komander watches Brody slide in, then tightrope walks to CIELITO LINDO!! But that was on Brody’s back! Komander pushes Brody but that’s a lot of dead weight to push! Brody sits up but Komander KICKS him! Komander roars, the fans fire up, handspring- TORTURE RACK! Brody flips Komander around, GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!!

Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)

If it wasn’t clear before, this was a painful punctuation mark, Komander is mathematically ELIMINATED from the semifinals. However, Komander’s final C2 match is Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street against Claudio Castagnoli! Can Komander be the biggest spoiler of this entire tournament? Can Brody prove to everyone in the Gold League that the House Always Wins?

My Thoughts:

A great Rampage here for Holiday Bash, though some clear redundancies from last week’s Winter is Coming edition. We got another group Don Callis Promo, and we barely got anything different from Callis and Kyle. The tag match’s only changes were Cage switching in for Archer, even though Cage is in reality defending his ROH World TV Championship in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Final Battle, and then the Callis Family wins this time so Hobbs and Konosuke can be even going towards Worlds End. Now, Konosuke could very well retain the International Championship at Worlds End because NJPW is totally open to Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi being Winner Takes All, AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles on the line together.

Lio & Action of course won their match, but the real purpose was to get a confrontation out of them, Private Party and OG Top Flight, Darius & Dante. Good stuff, and it teases anywhere between a Triple Threat to Lio & Action VS Darius & Dante Round 2. Very good promo from Triple J to set up for something, anything really, for 2025. Fight for the Fallen can even be the start of whatever that plan is as part of the “mother of all streams.” And good stuff with the women’s division tonight. Ford & Harley makes a natural duo now given their names, and Willow and Kris could possibly reunite now that Kris is a Face again. That wouldn’t really make up for the weird fumble in the middle where Tony Khan just wanted Kris to get away from Stokely, but hey, this story itself could be really well done.

And great stuff out of Brody VS Komander, really got the drama going before the end. I mean, we all knew Komander was out of the running before tonight, and was most certainly taking the loss here, but Komander got to really show some grit. And now, five people at 6 points going into the final round, they’re really adding great drama to Gold League. Collision tomorrow and then Dynamite Miracle on 34th Street will be some great stuff, but I still think Ospreay should be one of the semifinalists, the second spot can be whoever they want.