Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (8/25/23)
RIP Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt.

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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London calling to the champion crowns!
SmackDown brings gold to London as LA Knight defends his WWE US Championship and The Street Profits defend their tag team titles! Will the landscape change this close to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly; The Profits win and retain the titles.
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green; The Secret Her-vice wins.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins, by disqualification, and Knight retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab; Charlotte wins.
- Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Jimmy Uso VS The Miz; Jimmy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
We follow The American Nightmare as walks to gorilla, then through the curtain, and London sings along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, says hello to fans along the ramp, and then we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, then kneels down to kiss the WWE logo on the mat. The fans continue to sing along all the way to the end, “I AM MY KINGDOM!” The fans then cheer, and Cody holds up the belt to fire them up even more! The fans now sing for “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and he soaks it in. The fans cheer again as Cody smiles, and he finally says, “So, London~! Whaddya wanna talk about?”
The fans chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody hears that dueling, and he smiles again. The song of “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” returns, then they cheer. Cody says, “At WrestleMania 41, I will be facing John Cena…” The fans boo, but Cody says, “I will be facing John Cena as he goes to break the record and win 17. But that is WrestleMania 41. In just a few nights, I will be standing face to face with John Cena in this very same city, in this very same arena.” The fans cheer that, but then here comes Randy Orton! Now the fans sing along with Voices as The Viper heads to the ring. Orton also high-fives fans before he joins Cody.
Orton grabs a mic, paces while the fans keep singing on their own, and then the fans cheer. Orton says he’s not really the sentimental type, but for Cody and for London, screw it. The fans chant “R K O! R K O!” and Orton tells Cody, “Look at you. Look at who you are now, the man you are now. Look at where he came from.” The fans cheer and sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and Orton says he remembers a Cody in his early 20s, just breaking into the business. Cody was busting his ass harder than anyone else. He wasn’t exactly happy, and in fact, he was frustrated. But Cody was man enough, smart enough, to know he needed to grow, and that he couldn’t grow in the WWE.
Cody wasn’t exactly treated fairly in the WWE, so Cody left the WWE! That took some big ass balls to do what he did! Cody changed the business singlehandedly, and everyone in the back knows it. And Orton appreciates Cody for it. But then Cody came back, as they all knew one day he would. And the industry has been changed forever since the day Cody came back to the WWE. Cody is a bit teary eyed as Orton says Cody’s still the same guy, he just did what he set out to do, and he grew. Orton teases he would sing along with the fans, but the fans might leave. The fans again sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!”
Orton asks if they remember when Cody Rhodes faced Seth Rollins in Hell in a Cell. The fans cheer because they do. Orton says that was impressive, and even impossible, as he started with a partially torn pec and then ended with a fully torn pec! His body changed all kinds of shades of purple that Orton’s never seen on a human body. The pain he must have been in. Cody persevered not just for himself. Maybe not even at all for Cody. It was not even for his family legacy; it was for each and every single fan out there! Then Cody went on to WrestleMania, beat Roman Reigns and finished the story!
But there’s always another story, isn’t there? And Cody’s right in the middle of one. Cody is in charge of his legacy, and it is a privilege for Orton to watch Cody take control of it. Ticket sales have been up, there’s more intrigue around the world, and listen to the people! It is 99.9% all because of Cody! The fans cheer that, and of course they sing. Orton says what he’s trying to say is a long-winded version of he respects Cody, loves him, and is very, very proud of him. The fans cheer that! Orton then says, “But… But now it is time for WrestleMania.” They both look to the sign, and Orton says he can guarantee Cody that Orton will kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head…!
Orton can just feel it already! He forgets how many days are left, but he can’t wait to remove Kevin’s head from his shoulders. And Orton knows Cody will enter champion, exit champion, but not before he beats the holy hell outta Cena all up and down the Vegas strip! But after all the smoke clears and the dust settles, just like Orton wants Number 17, there will come a time when Orton will want Number 15. But Orton won’t kick Cody in the balls like a coward. Orton will look Cody in the eye because he respects Cody, is proud of Cody, and sees him as an equal. Orton will look Cody in the eye and tell him that he’s coming for the title.
The fans cheer but wait! Drew McIntyre is here! The fans cheer the Scottish Terminator as he steps out on stage, mic in hand, and has a wry smile on his face as he looks at the ring. Drew waves as the fans now sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Drew says, “Isn’t this wonderful? A couple of nepo babies having a love fest in the middle of the ring> It makes me absolutely sick. What’d you just say, Randy? if Cody gets through Cena at WrestleMania, you’re coming for that title? What exactly have you done since that big comeback to justify that title match? Aside be Randy Orton. The only big moment I can remember is you being on the shelf for months and months and months.
“People like to make jokes about it, but more people talk about my five-minute-45-second title reign than your entire comeback so far! So get to the back of the line, sunshine! As for you, Cody, you should’ve listened to me. But you shunned me. You attacked me. Everybody should’ve listened to me about John Cena, but they didn’t. And the next night, he kicked you right in the twig ‘n’ berries, proving me right as usual. And the main event of WrestleMania should be Cody Rhodes VS The UK’s only ever world champion, Drew McIntyre!” Fans do like that idea. But sadly, it’s not, because of that guyliner wearing Temu Undertaker, Damian Priest!
Drew wants to talk about what is happening. And what’s gonna happen! Drew steps up to the ring while fans sing for him again. Drew says it will not be Randy that takes the title from Cody, should he get through Cena; it’ll be McIntyre. The fans cheer, but Orton says they were trying to have a moment. Can Drew just cut the crap already? Drew says okay, sure. He’ll tell the truth, because that’s all he ever does. The truth is, Kevin might have a point! If those Voices are talking to Orton again, then they know Drew very, very well. And he’s thinking, “My God, Randy looks great! Absolutely jacked! On the outside.”
On the inside, that back is hanging by a thread. And if Orton provokes McIntyre, McIntyre will break him. And as for Cody- Cody kicks Drew and UPPERCUTS him! The fans fire up, and Orton R- NO, Drew gets away! The fans boo, but the battlelines are drawn! Even if Cody makes it out of the frying pan that is Las Vegas, it’ll be into the fire that is these contenders waiting in line! Will the American Nightmare be ready for whoever comes for the crown?
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are finally golden again, but it’s time to put the titles on the line already! And while they’re ready for the grind, they’re up against the hometown heroes! Will the Profits still be up in the O2? Or will Kit Wilson & Elton Prince say #YESBOY to a new reign of their own?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really wants the smoke!
The teams sort out and Kit starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks, but Kit powers up and out. Dawkins runs Kit over, the fans fire up, and Dawkins fires hands on Kit in the corner! The fans rally for Pretty Deadly, Dawkins whips Kit to a corner, but Elton takes that bump! Kit CLOBBERS Dawkins, then tags Elton! Atomic drop into DROPKICK! Ford runs up, but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Dawkins whips, Elton reverses, and then Elton hurdles so Kit can DDT! The fans fire up with Pretty Deadly while the Profits bail out. Pretty Deadly has control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Elton is right on Dawkins as he gets in, and UPPERCUTS him to the corner. Elton clinches Dawkins for another UPPERCUT! Tag to Kit, and Elton RAMS into Dawkins so Kit can UPPERCUT! Dawkins flops over, Kit drags him up to wrench the arm. Kit whips, Dawkins reverses, but Kit grabs ropes. Kit ELBOWS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but Dawkins CLOBBERS Kit! The ref reprimands but Dawkins RAMS Kit into the corner again and again! The ref counts, Dawkins fires fast hands, then he tags in Ford. Ford says, “SUCK IT!” then he KICKS Kit! Ford scuffs Kit, then drags him to a cover, TWO!
Ford keeps Kit down with a facelock, but Kit endures the grind. Kit fights up, fires body shots, but Ford whips him away. Kit sunset flips! Ford rolls through, and PENALTY KICKS! Ford mocks Elton with the Scott Hall fingers, and the ref has to keep Elton back. Ford drags Kit up, tags Dawkins, and the Profits mug Kit. Dawkins CLUBS Kit down, then stalks him. Dawkins stays between Kit and Elton, then whips Kit into the Profits’ corner. CYCLONE- NO, Kit dodges! Ford tags in, he keeps Kit from Elton now, but Kit slips out of the suplex! Kit fakes high to go low, hot tag to Elton! Elton rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT!
Elton kicks and whips Ford to a corner, then UPPERCUTS! Elton whips the other way, UPPERCUTS again, and then does it again! Elton adds to the hattrick with a lift, Ford says a quick prayer before the SUPLEX! Ford flounders, gets to his feet, but Elton dodges to springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this, but Elton stays on him. SmackDown returns to single picture and fans rally for Pretty Deadly as Elton gives Ford a back suplex. Ford lands out, waistlocks, but Elton switches and shoves Ford. Ford CLOBBERS Elton in return! Ford is also dazed but he covers, ONE!
Kit reaches out, Elton and Ford both crawl, hot tags to Kit and Dawkins! The fans fire up as Dawkins wrenches Kit, underhooks and SILENCER! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Kit, Ford climbs, but Kit slips free! Kit shoves Dawkins into Ford! Ford falls to the floor, but Dawkins ENZIGIRIS Kit! Elton tags in, and Kit LARIATS Dawkins! Pretty Deadly combine for DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives and the Profits are a bit unsure of what to do next. Dawkins crawls to a corner, Elton runs up, but Dawkins dodges! Elton hits buckles and Dawkins TOSSES Kit, then Dawkins hits a SKY HIGH on Elton!
Dawkins hurries to tag Ford and Ford climbs up! But Kit pushes Elton out of the way! Kit takes FROM THE HEAVESN, and Elton ghost pins Ford! TWO!! Ford escapes, and he ROCKS Elton! Elton UPPERCUTS Ford! Dawkins sneaks a tag, Ford SUPERKICKS! POUNCE SAIDO COMBO!! Cover, KIT BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! The teams go to opposite ends, then they all stand up in the corners. They all roar, all run in, and Kit SPEARS Ford while Elton FLYING UPPERCUTS Dawkins!! London is thunderous, and Kit hurries to tag in! Pretty Deadly gets Dawkins up, for SPILT MILK!! Cover, FORD BREAKS IT!
The fans are shocked, as is Elton, but Ford saves this for his team! “This is Awesome!” as Ford runs up and Elton TOSSES him out! Now DRY MARTI- NO! Dawkins doesn’t accept the second serving, and he DUMPS Kit out! Kit skins the cat while Dawkins DECKS Elton! Dawkins catches Kit to an Electric Chair! Ford rises, DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Pretty Deadly put up a heroic fight, but the hometown heroes could not capture the gold. Dawkins & Ford hold onto the gold, will this be the strongest the Profits have ever been?
Kayden & Katana talk with Zelina Vega.
Carter & Chance know La Muneca got screwed over by The Green Administration. Chelsea thinks she’s untouchable, but someone’s gonna stop them eventually. Well, speaking of, Alba Fyre leads the way in as she & Piper Niven “scope the perimeter.” There’s one small threat. They frisk the “miniscule” threat, but nothing they haven’t dealt with before. Chelsea struts in and says, “The Eagle has landed~!” Zelina says she is so glad the “Bootleg Men in Black” have crashed the party. Now, yeah, they all know she’s small. But clearly this small “threat” is a big threat to Chelsea’s title reign. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken all three of them to beat her.
KC Squared agree with that. How about tonight, we see what happens when the odds are even? Chelsea says that’s fine, because Agents P & A are ready. The Secret Her-vice has been given their next mission, but will they be able to crash the party? Or will the party crash them?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice!
SmackDown returns and The Green Administration makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Alba starts against Katana, and the two tie up. Alba KNEES low, CLUBS Katana down, then fireman’s carries. Katana fights free, tags Kayden, and they KICK, double whip, and then trip Alba up for the basement DROPKICK! Katana adds a slingshot SENTON, Kayden covers, TWO! Kayden tags Katana, they double whip Alba to a corner, then Kayden runs in. Alba DUMPS Kayden out, ROCKS Katana, and she tags Piper! Katana arm-drags Alba out, then goes out to run up. Kayden gives her a boost, Katana CROSSBODIES Alba down!
The fans fire up, but Piper goes up and out?! CANNONBALL and down goes KC Squared! Piper salutes Chelsea and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Kayden rallies on Alba while the fans rally up. Kayden fires up, runs in and whips, but Alba reverses. Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls, then SUPERKICKS! Kayden fires up again but the fans are torn. Kayden runs in at Alba to BOOT WASH her against the ropes! Chelsea protests, Kayden kicks at her, then Kayden springboards for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Alba survives, Kayden whips, but Alba KICKS back! Tag to Piper, but Kayden jackknife bridges Alba! The ref explains bout the tag, Piper runs up, but Kayden moves! The SENTON hits Alba! Piper panics, Kayden tags Katana!
Katana goes up onto Kayden’s shoulders, VICTORY ROLL LAUNCHER, but Piper catches Katana! Katana fires hands, BOOTS, and then hurries to go up again. Kayden ROCKS Piper, and fireman’s carries?! SAMOAN DROP! Kayden then gives Katana the boost, for the KEG STAND SPLASH!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Kayden runs up on Alba to BOOT her out! Katana gives Kayden the boost now, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Alba! Kayden hurries to tag back in, and she brings Piper up. Piper swings, Kayden dodges and SUPERKICKS! Katana goes up, Piper staggers over that way, but Chelsea distracts the ref!
The fans are torn as Alba grabs Katana. Katana kicks Alba down, chases Chelsea off, but Piper sends Kayden into her! Piper scoops to PIPER DRIVER!! Cover, Secret Her-vice wins!
Winner: The Secret Her-vice, by pinfall
The Women’s US Champion helps her team, and now they all mug Kayden & Katana! But here comes Zelina! Vega runs down the ramp, CLOBBERS Alba, and then she gets in the ring! Zelina tilt-o-whirl DDTS Piper! And she KNEES Alba off the apron! But Chelsea CLOBBERS Zelina! Chelsea fires up, the UK is oddly with her, and she chicken wings Zeina. But Zelina fights free to fire forearms and body shots! And a BACK ELBOW! Zelina reels Chelsea in, CODE- SUPERKICK from Alba! SENTON from Piper! The Green Administration is just too much for Zelina to fight against alone! But can she, Kayden & Katana find a way to turn things around?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman!
Did the Mega Star just get this title back from Shinsuke Nakamura? YEAH! Did he help the Monster of All Monsters fight off Solo Sikoa’s rouge bloodline? YEAH! And now, does he have to defend this title against the monster he just helped? YEAH!! But will Knight still reign this close to WrestleMania? Or will Braun #GetTheseHands back on a championship?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for Knight’s biggest challenge, YEAH!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. The two tie up, and Braun SHOVES Knight away. Knight comes back, Braun SHOVES him down again! Knight gets up, gets around, and he headlocks. Braun powers up to back suplex, but Knight lands out! Knight tries but Braun’s too big to suplex! Braun ELBOWS Knight, storms up on him, but Knight fires haymakers! Knight whips, Braun reverses, but Knight KICKS back! Knight runs, but Braun HIP TOSSES! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this, but Braun brings him up. Braun puts Knight in a corner, CHOPS, then runs, for a SPLASH! Knight sputters along ropes, Braun keeps moving, but Knight DUMPS him out!
The fans fire up as Knight then WRECKS Braun with a dropkick! Knight keeps moving, and he WRECKS Braun again! The fans fire up with Knight, but then Braun BOOTS Knight down! The fans are torn but Braun stands tall as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Braun puts Knight back in the ring. The fans cheer as Knight KICKS Braun! Knight tries again, but Braun’s still too big to back suplex! Braun CLUBS Knight, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS Braun, goes up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Knight and Braun rise back up, and Knight dodges a shot to JAB! Then he dodges to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Braun KNEES low! Braun scoops, Knight slips free, and Knight RAMS Braun into buckles! Then the BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Knight rises again! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
Braun has plenty left in the tank but the fans rally for Knight. Knight stands Braun up to kick low, but Braun THROWS Knight away! Knight rises, and Braun LARIATS Knight up and out! The fans fire up as Braun rips the shirt! Braun gets on the track, and he runs in, STROWMAN EXPRESS MEETS JACOB FATU!! The Samoan Werewolf strikes Braun down!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification; LA Knight retains the title
The fans boo as Jacob now goes after Knight! He just ruined what was becoming a great match, but Jacob fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT on Braun! SAMOAN DROP onto the desk!! The desk doesn’t budge, but Braun might’ve been broken in half! The UK fires up for Fatu as he puts Braun in the ring! Jacob fires more HEADBUTTS, then HEADBUTTS away on Braun in the corner! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE, FATU~, FATU~!” Jacob runs corner to corner, but Knight kicks him first! Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jacob denies the BFT to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! And then HIP ATTACK for Braun anyway!
Jacob keeps going, HIP ATTACK for Braun again! Jacob throws off his jacket, glares at Braun, and he runs in for a third HIP ATTACK! Braun flounders into the drop zone, so Jacob goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Direct hit on Braun, but the fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Jacob obliges, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The Samoan Werewolf just tore up #OneBigSOB and LA Knight, will there be no stopping him from taking the United States Championship?
Backstage interview with Jimmy Uso.
Jackie Redmond is with #BigJim, and she says that while she knew WWE was going global this month, she did not know they’d get the slap heard ’round the world! Jimmy says he’d do it again, and he’ll slap Gunther as many times as he needs! Jimmy knows Jey is up in his own head, doubt is creeping on him. But just because Jey’s 0-3 against Gunther doesn’t mean Gunther’s unbeatable! The Ring General CAN be got! Jimmy’s going to Raw this Monday, he will bust Gunther’s ass, Jey will go to Mania and bust Gunther’s ass to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And then they leave Las Vegas just like this: YEET!
Jimmy heads out, but then The Miz & Carmelo Hayes walk by. Miz is mocking Jimmy’s words, and he asks excuse me. Miz says it’s just funny that suddenly, Jimmy is a tough guy, even though for most of his career, he’s been “The Other Uso.” Doesn’t Jimmy get it? Jimmy and Jey are career sidekicks while Gunther is a main character. Gunther is the lead, neither Jimmy nor Jey can beat him. And here’s another thing: The Usos are just blips on the trailer that was Roman Reigns’ Bloodline. Melo says Jimmy & Jey are stuck outside the club, they can’t even get in.
Miz says as a former WWE Champion, a former WrestleMania main eventer, Jimmy will never know what it is to carry this industry. And after this year’s WrestleMania, neither will Jey. Oh, and by the way, if Jimmy ever slapped Miz like that, Jimmy would still be on the ground. Jimmy feints the slap and Miz freaks out. Jimmy says it may be him and Gunther on Monday, but he’ll holler at Aldis real quick so it can be Jimmy VS Miz here tonight. Yeah, YEET! Jimmy heads out, Melo says he thought Miz was gonna do something about the slap. Will Miz have to do something about running his mouth before he gets his teeth kicked in?
Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga find Jacob Fatu backstage.
Solo asks Jacob what the Hell he was doing out there. Jacob goes out there alone without saying a thing to them? Jacob says he ain’t gotta say nothing to nobody! Matter fact, didn’t Solo not tap in with him last week? Tama says, “But Jacob,” only for Jacob to say, “But nothing, Tama!” Solo wants Jacob to lower his tone, but Jacob says okay. Let him be very clear with them. When it comes to Braun Strowman, Jacob WILL be the last man standing. Y’all better get in where you fit in, cuz that US title? Oh, Jacob’s bringing it home to the family. And he will do it with them, or without them! Yadada mean? Fatu heads out, is the Samoan Werewolf no longer following Solo?
Naomi speaks.
“I mean… How did we even get here? I don’t know. One thing that I do know is that I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. So Bianca, what makes you think that my attack on Jade was anything different from me doing the right thing? When I sit here and I think about all that I’ve sacrificed, all that I’ve given, and that’s what really breaks my heart. Because through all of that, I’m made to be the bad one in this situation. I just don’t understand, how does Jade come in outta nowhere and take my place with you? I want you to ask yourself this, Bianca. Who inspired you? Hmm?
“Who’s inspired women over the last decade? Who’s always had your back from day one of you being here? Me. Not Jade. Hmm. But you know what? What I’ve learned through all of this: You teach people how to treat you. And I’m done with being treated as a third wheel. I’m done being pushed to the side, I’m done with being too nice, I’m done with being undervalued, underutilized, underappreciated! So moving forward, hmm… Moving forward, here’s my message to you, Jade. If you continue to be in my way, I strongly advise you to proceed with caution.” The Glow shows her dark side, but will the storm be moved?
Nick Aldis meets with Jade Cargill.
Speaking of, the SmackDown General Manager understands things have been rather difficult for her as of late. Jade says she’s been trying to get her hands on Naomi for the past few weeks, now where is she? No one has seen her all day, so as far as anyone knows, Naomi’s not here. Well, when Jade catches Naomi, it’s on sight. Jade leaves, B-Fab & Michin are there. They let her know that what Naomi did to her was straight trash, totally uncalled for behavior. And after Jade gets her hands on Naomi, she’ll handle that business. Jade agrees. Mia says they’ve all got business to handle. Jade’s got Naomi, and Mia’s gonna get Charlotte for messing with her girl, B.
B-Fab says Naomi’s got what’s coming to her: no sympathy, no regrets. Jade, just do what you gotta do. Oh, she will. Jade also wishes Mia luck tonight. Mia & B-Fab head out, will the Head Baddie in Charge make the Queen bow down in London?
The darkness approaches.
“You are as I was. As I am, you will be.” The shadows are starting to take shape, but is SmackDown about to fade to black?
Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!
The Queen looks down on everyone, so it’s no surprise that everyone else wants to take her down. Charlotte may have checked off B-Fab, but will the HBIC be a much different story? Or will Charlotte only sharpen her edge before facing Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania?
WAIT! NAOMI ATTACKS B-FAB & MICHIN! Naomi drags Mia up for a FACEBUSTER! Naomi rains down fists, the ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Naomi tells the ref to back off. Naomi then BOOTS B-Fab off the apron! Naomi goes out after B-Fab to THRWO her into barriers! Naomi SLAPS B-Fab, tells her to stay down, but B-Fab gets up. Naomi fires hands, then she SMACKS B-Fab off the desk! Naomi rains down fists, but here comes Jade! Jade hurries down the ramp, she runs around the way, but Naomi runs away! Jade makes sure B-Fab is okay, but refs have to help her to the back. And what of Mia? Will she even be able to compete?
Charlotte makes her entrance, not really caring about what Naomi just did to Mia. But that means she also crosses paths with Jade. The fans like the look of this stare down, but Jade and Charlotte both let the other slide. Charlotte gets her pyro, and it seems she’ll still get her match. Will Mia be little more than an appetizer now?
The bell rings, and Charlotte BOOTS Mia down! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this and the fans rally up. Charlotte just struts around while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Charlotte has Mia down with a chinlock, but the fans rally up. Mia fights up, fires body shots, and she then blocks a shot to ROCK Charlotte! Mia ROCKS Charlotte again and again, then reels her in for a TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Mia drags Charlotte up, wrenches, but Charlotte says no to Da Feet! BIG back suplex! Mia stagger sup, Charlotte whips her, but Mia reverses! Charlotte goes up and out, BOOTS her away, then slingshots in and rolls Mia! Mia rolls through and BUZZSAWS! Mia runs corner to corner, but Charlotte avoids the cannonball!
Charlotte YAKUZA KICKS Mia down, then fires herself up! The fans “WOO~!” as Charlotte has Mia in the drop zone,. Charlotte steps on her, goes up the corner, but Mia gets underneath her! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and Mia is shocked! Mia nods as the fans rally back up, and she brings Charlotte up. But Charlotte ROCKS Mia! Mia SOBATS, PELES, and then runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Charlotte stays in this, Mia grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Mia uses that energy to stay focused, and she stalks Charlotte to waistlock. But Charlotte ELBOWS her away!
Charlotte CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOSP! Charlotte winds up, and she CHOPS again! Mia sputters, but then she dodges the boot! Charlotte is caught, and Mia hits a SAIDO! Charlotte flounders to a corner, the fans rally behind Mia, and Mia runs up, CANNONBALL! Mia hurries to wrench and EAT- NO, Charlotte shoves Mia away! Charlotte gets under, back suplexes, but Mia lands out! EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Charlotte’s long legs help her survive by a literal foot! Mia is beside herself while Charlotte bails out. Mia storms after Charlotte, runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Mia’s kick hits steel steps!
Mia hobbles away, goes to the apron, but Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg out! Charlotte grabs Mia’s leg, drops a KNEE on the knee, but fans chant, “We Want Tiffy!” Charlotte just steps through, FIGURE FOUR, into FIGURE EIGHT!! Mia taps, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
Charlotte got more of a fight out of Mia than expected, but she still won. Will The Queen be more than ready to reign again after WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Jackie Redmond is with the WWE Women’s Champion and says Charlotte certainly looks confident. Let’s be real, Charlotte came at Tiff pretty hard. It got a lot of people talking. Tiff says yes, people talk. And Charlotte sure loves to hear herself talk. Ten years into the business and Charlotte is still so insecure that she can’t let a “rookie” get a word out. But last week, Tiff did learn something: She learned that walking into WrestleMania, she isn’t the one with something to lose. Truth is, if Tiff loses, then she lost to the great Charlotte Flair, as just a 25-year-old rookie with one year into SmackDown.
But if Charlotte loses… Well, then she lost to an “undeserving, delusional, unoriginal, backflip doing, blonde-hair-having, little girl.” Did she get it all? And Tiff can’t wait to hear the look on Charlotte’s face when they hear the words, “And STILL!” Then maybe Charlotte will finally shut up for the sake of literally everyone! They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and Tiff will make damn sure what stays is Charlotte’s massive ego. Tiff is walking into and out of Mania as the WWE Women’s Champion. Tootles! Tiff heads out, will it still be #TiffyTime after WrestleMania?
Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre!
The Viper told Cody how proud he was, but also how he wants the next shot after John Cena. The Scottish Terminator took offense to that, and basically said he is taking that shot instead. Will this match be an unofficial #1 contender’s match between these two former world champions?
SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans sing, “OH~, Drew McIntyre~!” and chant “R K O! R K O!” Drew and Orton circle, tie up, and they go around in a deadlock. Drew powers Orton to a corner, but Orton headlocks back. Drew powers up and out, then he runs Orton over! Orton hurries to ropes and Drew mockingly asks, “How’s the back feel, Randy?” Orton stands, he and Drew reset, and the fans duel some more. Drew calls for a knuckle lock, Orton accepts, but then Drew kicks low! Drew bumps Orton off buckles, then climbs up, but he panders for too long and Orton YANKS him down!
The fans fire up as Orton climbs now! Orton rains down fists, and the fans count to nine. Orton hops down, brings Drew around, and POSTS him for ten! Drew tumbles out of the ring, Orton goes out after him, and they’re by the desk! But Drew kicks Orton first and SMACKS him off the desk! Drew clears the desk, and he brings Orton up for the DESK- NO, Orton fights free! Orton turns things around, DESK BACK SUPLEX for Drew! The fans fire up while Orton leaves Drew behind, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew writhes on the floor, but Orton goes out to fetch him! Orton brings Drew around, UPPERCUTS him, then says one more time! DESK BACK SUPLEX! Drew writhes as that desk stays standing! Orton grins, refreshes the ring count, and then he storms up on Drew. Drew pokes Orton in the eye! Drew POSTS Orton now, then brings him around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into barriers! Orton slumps down, and Drew also grits his teeth from that double-edged attack, but Drew fires up as he stands tall. Drew drags Orton up, puts him in the ring, then stalks Orton. Drew looms over Orton, and HIP DROPS him!
Orton sputters, Drew says one more time, and he winds up for the HIP DROP! Drew paces around Orton, says maybe one more time, and he pretends he can’t hear the fans. Drew winds up again, but Orton flips over! Hip drop meets kneecaps! And then Orton pokes Drew in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Orton rises up. Drew sputters and flounders, Orton ROCKS him with a right! Drew ROCKS Orton back! Drew storms up, Orton kicks low, but Drew fires another haymaker! The haymakers go back and forth, Orton gets the edge, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Drew clamps onto Orton with an armlock!
SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans rally up. Orton fights up, pries at the chinbar, and then throws right hands! Drew CHOPS Orton in return! The fans “WOO~” and Drew winds up. Drew ROCKS Orton again, eggs him on, then CHOPS again! Drew shoves Orton to a corner, CHOPS again, then dares Orton to fight! Drew whips corner to corner, but Orton comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Drew swings, Orton dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Orton stalks Drew to the apron. Drew HOTSHOTS Orton first! Drew then runs in, but Orton puts him through the ropes!
The fans fire up as Orton has Drew for the DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up for Orton, and Orton hears those voices! Drew rises, but then Orton spots KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter is on the ramp, Orton glares at him, but then he turns around into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, DREW WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Kevin’s mere presence costs Orton, and now Drew has a huge win propelling him down the Road to WrestleMania! As for Orton, Kevin drags him out of the ring, SMACKS him off the desk, and then climbs up to join him! The fans boo but Kevin and his hot pink sneakers have Orton in position, but Orton slips free and TRIPS Kevin up! Kevin hits the desk then the floor! Orton staggers around, the fans rally behind him, and Orton stalks Kevin to the corner of the barriers. Orton lines up the shot! Orton runs in, but Kevin jumps over barriers! Security is there to stop Orton from pursuing, so Kevin runs away into the night!
The fans boo, but The Viper was that close! Will Orton be able to strike Kevin down and completely take him out?
Fire, thunder, smoke…
The force of nature is drawing ever closer. And he’s ready to fly! REY FENIX arrives next Friday Night SmackDown!
Jimmy Uso VS The Miz!
#BigJim gave Gunther a piece of his mind and a mark on his cheek, but it seems not everyone got the message. Will the Hollywood A-lister soon star in the Uso Penitentiary? Or will he prove Jimmy is NOT ready for a world champion level opponent?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Jimmy powers Miz to a corner, Miz turns things around, and the ref counts. Miz takes a swing, Jimmy ducks it to CHOP! And CHOP! Miz shoves Jimmy back, then runs up, but Jimmy TACKLES Miz! Jimmy rains down fists, Miz shoves him away to go to ropes, but Jimmy storms back up. Miz ELBOWS Jimmy away, then runs back up, only for Jimmy to LARIAT him down! The fans fire up while Jimmy storms up on Miz. Jimmy CHOPS Miz, has him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, then UPPERCUTS! Miz staggers back to ropes, but Jimmy is right on him.
Jimmy whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then basement BOOTS! The fans fire up, Miz scowls, and Miz KNEES Jimmy in the back again and again. Miz stalks Jimmy to the ropes now, and he CHOKES Jimmy! The ref counts, Miz runs, and Miz STRADDLE ATTACKS! The fans boo, but Miz runs again. Jimmy ducks the boot, then dodges a lariat! Jimmy runs up to LARIAT Miz up and out! The fans fire up and Jimmy builds speed, but Miz runs away! Jimmy smirks as he goes out the side, and UPPERCUTS Miz over the barriers! Jimmy makes sure Gunther knows he’s coming to get him, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both men are down. Miz and Jimmy crawl, and Jimmy pounds the mat. The fans rally, Jimmy rises and runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And mule kick! Jimmy then UPPERCUTS Miz, dodges a lariat, then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up, Jimmy goes to the corner, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but Miz puts him on the apron! Jimmy UPPERCUTS again! Jimmy climbs, leaps, but Miz gets under! Miz then waistlocks, ripcords, and MOVIE MAKER! Fans boo that blatant parody, but Miz full nelsons! Jimmy drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz has the cover, TWO! Miz hurries to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up as Jimmy survives! Miz stalks Jimmy, the fans rally up more, and Miz fires a KICK! And then another KICK! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, but then Miz winds up. Jimmy ducks the buzzsaw, Miz blocks the superkick, but the DRAGON WHIP connects! Miz rebounds to B-MOVIE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! The parodies don’t get it done, but Miz still has his original work to fall back on. The fans rally for “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Miz runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Jimmy down, then springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy hurries up top, for the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Miz may be a movie star, but Big Jim’s the one winning this main event! Jimmy then borrows Joe Tessitore’s headset to call out Gunther! He’s coming after dat ass on Monday! Gunther won’t be the ring general, he will be “Private Gunther,” and he will salute Big Jim! Uh, uh, YEET! Will Jimmy be the one making examples out of the World Heavyweight Champion? Or will everything come crashing down when Gunther gets his turn?
Drew McIntyre returns backstage.
And he says hey to Lewis Capaldi, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and also a big fan of Drew’s. They’re ready to have a good night in the pub, but Jackie Redmond walks over to congratulate him on the win tonight. She was hoping to get some thoughts on that victory and what happened with Orton and Kevin. Drew says it’s alright, this is what happens. He doesn’t care about anybody else’s business, but no one gets away with screwing him over. And when no one meddles in his business, he wins! Drew called out Priest, where is he? Priest doesn’t have the balls! So time to get mad in the pubs, everyone’s invited!
Drew turns the corner, but PRIEST IS THERE! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the door, then throws him into road cases! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the trunk of a car, and then again! Or since it’s London, “the boot.” The driver complains, but Priest BODY SLAMS that guy through a table! Drew comes back to KNEE Priest low, SMACK him off the trunk, and then off the side! They go to the hood, or bonnet for UK. Drew drags Priest up, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s eyes! Priest then sends Drew SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the windshield! Priest tells security that he’s done for now. Any more jokes, Drew? Didn’t think so! RIP, jackass!
Priest leaves, the producers hurry to help Drew, and Drew’s got glass in his eye! Will that glass help Drew see why he shouldn’t piss off the Punisher?
CM Punk heads to gorilla.
He has a security detail with him, and he passes by Drew writhing in pain. Punk chuckles, then continues on. Will his contract signing with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins be just as brutal? We find out, after the break.
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
The SmackDown General Manager welcomes us back, and says it is his honor and privilege to be here in the O2 in London. Now, we all know why he and this table is here, and why additional security is here tonight. Tonight, we are here to sign a contract for a Triple Threat. Perhaps the biggest Triple Threat in the history of WrestleMania: Seth Rollins VS CM Punk VS Roman Reigns! The fans cheer all those names, and here comes the OTC! London puts the ones up, and Paul Heyman accompanies THE Tribal Chief out on stage. Roman raises his finger to the sky for the pyro, then security follows him to the ring.
SmackDown goes picture in picture as Roman’s entrance continues, and he raises his finger to the sky for the second round of pyro. Roman steps into the ring, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Heyman hands him a mic. The fans sing, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!” Roman nods, the fans cheer, and now they chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman tells London, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and again chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman smiles, but he sees the chairs are not to his liking. Heyman makes sure to put one at the head of the table. Heyman also dusts the chair off while Roman enjoys the singing of, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!”
Roman takes a seat and says that was beautiful. The way they sing to their Tribal Chief, it’s just beautiful. The singing continues, and Heyman even joins in! Roman smiles, and he says that is what he’s talking about. That’s the OTC for you, baby! The biggest star on the planet! The OTC came here for two reasons. One: to be acknowledged; check! And two: to sign this contract. Roman does just that, and he says he’s checked both boxes. That means- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins interrupts! The fans now sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in his red wine paisley suit and conducts the O2 Choir all the way into the ring.
The fans cheer while Roman frowns, but Rollins takes the seat to Roman’s left. Rollins offers Heyman a chance to sing to this song, but Heyman frowns. Rollins chuckles, and he says the fans do have beautiful singing voices. He doesn’t know why Roman is in such a hurry to leave, though! This is their building! There’s a lot of history here! 12 years ago, they landed on the roof of this place in a helicopter! They came down those stairs over there, “ready to burn down the old guard!” They put the Undertaker down through the desk, and they were going to remake this company in their image!
Now don’t get him wrong, Rollins knows a lot has happened since then. They fought against each other, with each other, a little bit of love and a whole lot of hate. But Rollins dare says, as the fans continue to sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~,” that Rollins and Roman accomplished their mission. The fans start to chant for CM Punk, but Rollins tunes them out. Roman says, “We? We? You keep saying we. Our mission? We died a long time ago. It’s only been ME. You been here, but I done all the work! I’ve made this place what it is today! I took us to the level that we are here today! I made this place better than we found it!
“I’m the one that made us desirable to Netflix! I’m the one that took us into billion-dollar deals! Tell me, what have you done?” Rollins shouts, “I’ll tell you what I’ve done! YOU, YOU, YOU, it’s that mindset that keeps me having to screw you! You understand that? And your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger that’s right in front of us! The danger that’s right in front of you! You let the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden! And you could’ve cut his head off at WarGames! But instead, you shook his hand. You could’ve let me finish him inside the cage at The Garden, but you didn’t. And now, I am left to do what I always do: Clean up your mess, again.”
Rollins drops his mic, picks up the pen, and signs his part. And now, here comes CM PUNK! The fans fire up and sing along with Cult of Personality, then join in on saying, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, but as he grabs a mic, he goes up a corner, just like he did last Friday. “I have come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract. And I’m all outta bubblegum.” The fans cheer the Rowdy Roddy Piper reference, and Punk hops down to take his seat on Roman’s right. Punk looks over said contract, but Roman asks if Punk needs a highlighter or something. What’s he doing? Just go to page four, clause five.
Punk does as Roman says, but Roman says Punk needs to hurry, this is precious TV time. Punk reads the segment, Roman tells Heyman to just smarten Punk up. Heyman tells Punk he knows what Punk is looking for. It is in there. They’re closing the show at WrestleMania. The fans go wild hearing that! Heyman tells Punk that he gets to live his dream of dreams. CM Punk will be a WrestleMania main eventer! The fans cheer and while Roman smiles, Rollins is furious. Roman says, “One man’s dream is another man’s favor! CHECK!” Wait, this was the favor? Rollins says no! This is not something to laugh at, and Punk does not get to tear up!
Punk is NOT deserving! He does NOT deserve this! The fans boo but Rollins continues to throw a fit! Main eventing WrestleMania is SACRED, the most important thing in the world to Rollins! More than anything! Except the fact that Punk NEVER gets to main event! This is all Roman’s fault! This is all Heyman’s fault! Rollins THROWS his mic down, paces angrily, but Punk picks up the mic. The fans cheer Punk on again, and Punk stands to thank London, to thank Chicago, to thank Louisville, Kentucky, and to thank ALL the fans. As corny as it sounds, he thanks the WWE Universe who stood by him and chanted his name for TEN LONG YEARS!
Roman says hold on, hold on. Punk shouldn’t be thanking the fans! He should be thanking the Tribal Chief! It is because of Roman that Punk gets this honor! So please, take this moment, close the show with that acknowledgement! Do this the right way. The credits are already rolling as Punk kneels before Roman!? Punk smiles, and he thanks “My Tribal Chief, the holder of the ula fala, the Head of the Table, the… Big Dog? Thank you for allowing a kid from Chicago to be graced by your presence. Thank you, My Tribal Chief, for allowing me to stand in your ring. And thank you so much. Thank you, Roman Reigns, so very much.
“But because of you, I will see you in the main event of WrestleMania.” And again, Rollins is agonizing over this. Punk finishes putting his signature on the contract, and London tells him, “You Deserve It!” Punk thanks Roman again, and then says, “But that’s not the favor that I’m owed.” WHAT?! Roman looks at Heyman and Heyman can’t look him in the eye! If getting this Triple Threat made into the main event isn’t the gift of the Wise Man, then what is?!
My Thoughts:
A good SmackDown, but they pulled off quite the paradox. They made it feel like they were struggling to fill three hours, yet they also filled the show to the point where that contract signing segment was almost bleeding over the three hour mark. Ironically, part of the problem was just how excited the London crowd was for this. The superstars still wanted to enjoy the chants and songs, but that’s time SmackDown doesn’t have to spare. It made the opening promo from Cody, Orton and Drew take longer, and it kinda did the same to the contract signing at the end. Even so, we still got a very good promo, and good stuff to set up Orton VS McIntyre.
Orton VS McIntyre was a great match, but of course Kevin costs Orton. McIntyre gets his win, Kevin and Orton have a bit of a brawl, but of course Kevin ends up on the losing end and runs off. McIntyre’s trash talk also comes back to bite him as Priest gets the better of him in their brawl. Here’s hoping Drew didn’t actually get glass in his eye, but that being the thing in kayfabe can be some good stuff. I can imagine McIntyre with an eyepatch, and he takes it off at the opportune time to get the better of Priest in their match. Also what a fitting choice for Punk to be passing by Drew suffering because of real glass.
Very good title matches tonight, but of course the status quo was kept. Pretty Deadly gets to look great here in London, but the Profits only just got the belts, they’re not going to be transitional champions like that. And Knight VS Braun was really good stuff, but honestly, Jacob Fatu going after them both should’ve been a given. Jacob also had a great promo with Solo & Tama to start adding to that divide between Jacob and Solo. I would hope Solo doesn’t screw Jacob out of the US Championship, but it feels like he will as Solo won’t stand for Jacob defying his authority, even though Solo’s been trying to make Jacob the champion all along.
Very good stuff from Jimmy Uso tonight, from his promo with #MeloDon’tMiz and then a great match with Miz. Their match ended up the de facto main event match, so that’s also great for both guys. Great win for Jimmy, but that’s likely because Jimmy is losing big time to Gunther on Monday. And it might just be me, but it feels like only now is the Jey VS Gunther build really moving, largely in part because Jimmy got involved. Jimmy’s promo after his match is something along the lines of what Jey should be saying. But I suppose as brothers, Jimmy is the one who knows Jey best and knows what Jey needs to be motivated again. And seeing Jimmy get beat up by Gunther will definitely motivate Jey…
Good final vignettes for Rey Fenix and Aleister Black. I’m a little surprised they confirmed Rey Fenix is showing up next week, and that they confirmed who Rey Fenix even is. I believe commentary confirmed Rey Fenix is Penta’s real brother, even namedropped “Lucha Brothers,” but all that is still surprising considering Fenix is going to start on SmackDown. Aleister’s vignette (at least I am fairly confident it’s his) was giving us glimpses of his silhouette, but I think there was usage of AI in the snake imagery. It was fine they did it for El Grande Americano because that is all trolling, but they really should try and do things the old fashioned way of photoshop and stock imagery.
Very good stuff in the Women’s Division tonight, though the WWE Women’s Championship portion was the weaker. Naomi’s got a great Heel persona going, her promo was great, and her going after B-Fab & Michin over them supporting Jade was a great detail. Jade runs Naomi off, helps B-Fab, but there was no helping Michin in being fed to Charlotte. Tiffany had a decent promo, and it does fit how Charlotte kept her from speaking so she finally gets things out here. It didn’t really add that much, though, but they already gave us a great brawl so not sure what more they can give.
KC Squared VS The Secret Her-vice was a very good match, but of course Chelsea made sure her team won. A Six Woman Tag of Zelina & KC Squared VS The Green Administration is certainly coming, to help give us Zelina VS Chelsea for the Women’s US Championship.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.27.2025
Bad news out of the TNA management side, but this is a taped episode from El Paso! So we won’t see any of the fallout just yet!

Now we all heard the news about the TNA change in hierarchy, and I…have no positive outlook on that. Delirious sucked at booking and creative in the dying days of ROH before it got bought as a B show. Dreamer having even more control is concerning because his ideas the last two years haven’t been much better.
Gail leaving makes more sense to me. Be it firing or a “you can’t quit, you’re fired” kind of situation, the Knockouts division is the worst it’s been in a long time and Gail was close with Scott D’Amore. So I don’t think Gail parting ways is as big of a problem since TNA has slowly been bleeding out with the Scott faithful.
Granted, I think the next few shows were already taped before the firing so things shouldn’t be completely unwatchable for at least a week or two. So let’s see where we’re going.
.@WeAreRosemary sends @XiaBrookside a CHILLING message!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/srciTTbel0
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Ratings:
- Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge: Ash wins via Rarefied Air – ** 1/4
- Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr: Chavo wins via Gory Bomb into Frog Splash – *** 1/4
- Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich: Masha wins via Russian Death Device – ***
- Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin: Eric wins via Piledriver – ** 1/2
- Seto & Mokuba – I mean – Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater: Nic wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4
Results:
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge
Ash and Gigi start off, Gigi with a little Rascalz after her first takedown. So both her and Wentz are making it obvious something’s going on between them, and I’m not mad at it. Good for my man Wentz.
Tatum and Gigi get some quick tandem offense in, Ash does manage to scurry off to a tag and Heather gets bent into a Pretzel. Some kind of Inverted Tarantula from Tatum, Gigi tags in, Bronco Buster on Heather followed by Kawada Kicks. Heather sells against the ropes, Gigi goes for a Hesitation Dropkick, but Concierge pulls her away so Gigi crashes and burns. Ref is distracted, Ash gets in some cheap shots and then the Elegant duo starts working over Gigi. A few quick tags, but once Heather comes in, Gigi fights out of the corner, gets the hot tag to Tatum. Tatum stacks up both Elegance members, Corner Stacked Crossbody, Butterfly Suplex and an Elbow Drop with some some flare. Tatum goes to the top rope, Heather pulls Gigi off the apron, Concierge shoves Tatum off the turnbuckle and Ash hits Rarefied Air for the win.
Post match the Elegance Clique wants to make their wish with the cake, they light the candles and Tatum and Gigi recover enough to do what we all expected last week, the cake in the face spot. Some…suggestive licking from both of our Hot Topic Hotties, so…no complaints here.
.@Ashamae_Sebera, @Heathereckless and @IamGeorgeIceman are having a meltdown!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/FnKwPqm2ff
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr
Chavo and Kaz start since he’s King Petty, a quick rope run turns into a Headscissor from Chavo. Kaz recovers, they lock up, Kaz hits the Knee Lift during the lock up to tag out to KC. KC pulls off some athletic dodges, gloats a bit so Chavo waits, measures and nails a gorgeous Dropkick. Laredo comes in on fire, quick high spots that send KC bouncing around like HBK against Hulk. KC powders after sells the Satellite Takedown, AJ checks on him and we go to commercial.
Back from commercial, Octagon is lighting up KC’s chest with overhand chops, he perches, Sunset Headscissor Flip from corner to corner, KC tries to Back Drop him but Octagon does a headstand, kicks KC away and lays him out with a high spot. AJ gets on the apron to stop Octagon from running the ropes, the referee has a stroke or something because he stops paying attention and AJ pulls Octagon out of the ring and chucks him. KC with the Tope con Hilo and tag (tag ropes haven’t mattered since the 80s we all know this). So AJ is getting taunted by the crowd in Spanish, but he’s manhandling Octagon since it looks like a Child fighting their parent. AJ knocks off Chavo and Laredo, Laredo pops up and tries to get involved but he’s caught on the shoulders, Octagon goes for the Crossbody but gets caught and AJ pulls off “World’s Strongest Wasteland” but Chavo breaks up the pinfall. AJ throws Octagon into the corner, Tennessee Whiskey, and tag out to KC. KC hits a few moves, but starts to lose the momentum until he connects with a Super Kick. Simultaneous rope run into the Dueling Crossbodies, so we get the timely tag outs from both sides. Kaz and Laredo come in, Laredo lands like two moves before Kaz hits a Sole Butt, Lariat and eats his lunch. KC and Kaz try to double team Laredo but he fights out and the crowd is chanting for Chavo.
Chavo tags in, and he’s rocking KC, Saito Suplex, Low Bridge to AJ, Reverse the Whip so Chavo goes to the corner and perches, KC feeds, Chavo Backflips to safety, rolls through and lays out KC. Chavo is feeling himself, 3 Amigos start on KC but only 2, Kaz comes in and Chavo switches to Kaz for the Amigos, only 2 again before AJ breaks it up. AJ goes for the disrespect, but Chavo counters and hits the 3 Amigos on the biggest Culero. Aztec Warriors dive to stop AJ and Kaz, KC tries a Dirty Victory Roll but Chavo kicks out. GORY BOMB into FROG SPLASH!
Chavo looked fantastic and he’s the one in the best shape in the ring. I wouldn’t be mad at more Chavito.
Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich
I expect very little from this match.
Collar and Elbow, gator rolling for the first 30 seconds or so, then Jacy goes to some Hair Pull takedowns and does a little taunt before Masha pops back up and hits a Lariat into a Dive. Jacy sells it like she’s really hurt, even the ref tries to hold Masha back a little before Masha gets annoyed and just grabs her, Masha throws her in, looks for a Dive and Jacy sees it and powders. Masha tries to go back to the well for the Dive again but Jacy hits the Uppercut and then an Apron Run PK to drop Masha. Forearms rain down into a Foot Choke as Jacy continues to arrogantly play to the crowd. Another Foot Choke into a Cannonball, and near fall.
Masha gets space with a Sole Butt, tries to snap off Requiem but Jacy fights off, fights through a Sunset Flip another effective PK keeps Masha on her ass. Jacy looks for a kinda half-assed Camel Clutch as Masha is fighting up, but Jacy runs her into the corner, gets distracted mouthing off to the crowd, so Masha recovers, 5 Hole Up Kick sends Jacy into the corner, Yakuza Kick into Capo Kick for two. Requiem attempt again, but Jacy pushes off, a little back and forth, Masha tries a Backslide but Jacy gets away and hits a V-Trigger but only a 2 count. Jacy looks for the Discus Punch but Masha ducks it, they strike back and forth, but some dodges from both leave the exchange more even. Jacy with the Front Kick to the face sends Masha to the outside. Jacy wants another PK, but Masha blocks, Electric Chair Apron Snake Eyes. Masha throws her in, a PK into a near all. Requiem attempt 3, and thwarted from Jacy with a Superkick into a Neckbreaker. Senton misses from Jacy, Buzzsaw Kick, into Spinning Back Kick and Russian Death Device for the win.
Better than I expected, and Tessa attacks as soon as the bell rings. Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Li make the save after Tessa grabs the belt.
Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin
Ace and Eric tie up, World of Sport start but as soon as Ace starts to get away EY punches him in the face. Eric looks at the camera and says “This is what trust looks like”, turns his back on Ace, when Ace looks to attack, the loser duo cut him off. EY takes advantage of the weird situation, but Ace with some Up and Over quick spots, into an Inside Cradle and La Magistral. EY kicks out of the quick flash attempts, but eats a Dropkick, and Ace goes all Speed Kils on him with fast strikes and then a face buster for another near fall. Strike spot very early in the match, Ace gets the best of it, goes for a Tear Drop Suplex but EY sits on it to block, Headlocks to keep him close and then a snap Lariat into beatdown bully tactics. EY takes the referee’s attention and one of the nerds punch Ace in the face.
Eric tries to lean on Ace, but Ace fires, a few strikes, Click Click Boom, the Miz Seated Lariats in the corner, Mochizuki Triangle Kick connects! Only a 2 count, but Ace seems to be in control. Ace puts EY on the ropes, a few strikes to keep him rocked, wants a Superplex, but EY blocks, bites the face and Macho Elbow gets a very close two count. EY tries the Piledriver but Ace turns it into a Jacknife Cradle,Spinning Heel Kick, calls for The Fold, but the losers hop on the apron to distract, Ace attacks them. Ace tries to time out the Triangle Kick again, but Eric dodges, throws Ace head first through the buckles. As Ace stumbles out of the corner, Piledriver, and it’s over.
Oh look it’s the “we’ll hear from Joe Hendry” segment. Again, I’ve loved this gimmick since Day 1, even didn’t hate his What Culture Pro stuff, but there is such a thing as milking a cow too much.
Elijah interrupts the whole “Who’s next” speech. When Elijah comes out he says he’s not the challenger and he believes in Joe. The crowd wants Elijah to turn on Hendry. Elijah pauses for a moment, and starts proving his friendship with stating his favorite color and a little “You Got a Friend in Me”. The crowd is into singing along and waving their cameras like Lighters to a 30 year old song. THANKFULLY Kaz breaks up the hug fest. Now he gets the “Culero” chant.
Kaz pulls out a Bass…what the hell is this Jam Session. Kaz has to warm up so he plays “La Cucaracha” on the bass. Kaz…is a national treasure. Hendry kicks Kaz out of the ring after his Heelish and playfully racially charged song choices. Kaz tries to sow dissension, but Joe and Elijah pinball Kaz between them. Kaz slips a power move and tries to shove Elijah into Joe but Elijah puts the brakes on, a small tense moment. But then Joe and Elijah play “Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye”…and that goes right into a commercial. Oddly…perfect.
Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater
Nic shoots the half immediately for a flash pinfall but Leon kicks out at one. Nic continues to keep things grounded with his amateur wrestling skills, and then does a little Dolph Ziggler show off. So Nic isn’t really taking this seriously, and Leon starts getting the best of things with an Arm Wringer, into drag, Shoulder Tackle and rope run as Nic tries to Leap Frog and Leon puts on the brakes and just shoves Nic on his ass. Nic gets annoyed, a few strikes, grinds his face along the ropes, but Leon keeps stringing some offense together, Back Handspring Elbow into his Corner con Hilo.
Ahh the classic formula of the commercial gives the heel the advantage, Twisting Suplex from Leon stops Nic’s offense momentum, right hand, Leon lifts Nic up for something, Nic slips it, kicks him in the gut, looks for the FameAsser, but Leon catches him into a Blue Thunder Bomb variation. Slater wants the Swanton 450, but Nic powders. Leon tries to adjust into a Dive, but Nic cuts him off, counter for counter and a FameAsser out of the counters for a two count. Nic starts the big brother tactics, bootwashes and arrogance, Slater fires, punches into a Yakuza Kick. Leon wants another Lethal Injection variant, but Nic catches him into a Rear Naked Choke. Slater tries to turn it into a pin so Nic breaks it. Leon wants a Leg Lariat but misses and gets unceremoniously dropped by Nic. Nic puts Leon up on the buckles, Superplex possibly but Slater counters, tries to collect himself for a move, but Nic falls into the ropes to crotch Leon, and finally hits the Superplex.
Twist of Slate from Leon, Swanton 450 but knees get up. Locomotion Cradles from both but they kick out, Ryan picks the ankle to trip up Leon just a touch and then Danger Zone ends the match.
Ryan starts the post match beatdown, but the Hardy’s music hits and they come down to the ring for the save. Matt challenges the Nemeths for Rebellion because they’re not medically cleared yet.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Decent story motion, no match was offensive, and there was actually some solid match action for television standards. I don’t have a ton to complain about aside from the Knockouts Division is in a weird spot, and giving Hendry a lot of just talking and hollow payoff segments feels stupid. If we need to hear from him every week, give him a talk segment like Highlight Reel or something. Yes I know First Class just got The Penthouse, but if Hendry is going to talk more than wrestle, give him a talk segment for us to sink our teeth into.
There was the announcement that Xia, Lei Ying and Masha will face Tessa, Jacy and a mystery partner. So you gotta wonder if there’s going to be another NXT mercenary, a surprise return or if it’ll just be Rosemary since she’s got her issues with Xia. Also I just realized that Unbreakable is going to be on a Thursday, seemingly after iMPACT? I’m gonna have to see how they do it, because if there’s an Impact episode and 2-3 hour PLE…I do not want to be awake until 1am. People need to work, and I will be Unwakeable if things go that long.
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