Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (10/30/23)
Trick or treat, eat defeat!
Things that go bump in the night!
Crown Jewel is Saturday, but Halloween is tomorrow, so Monday Night Raw’s getting spooky! Will Natalya win her Trick or Street Fight with Chelsea Green?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley VS Ricochet; Dom wins.
- The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile; The Creeds win.
- DIY VS Imperium; DIY wins.
- Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell VS Xia Li; Xia wins.
- Seth Rollins VS JD McDonagh; Rollins wins.
- Trick or Street Fight: Natalya VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven; Chelsea wins.
- Sami Zayn VS Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day; Priest wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley is here!
Mami leads Dom Dom and the Irish Ace out to the ring, and she gets the mic to welcome us to Monday Night Raw, “the show that The Judgment Day runs.” But it’s not just a saying anymore, they’ve taken care of every single superstar that has stood in their way. Last week, Damian Priest absolutely shattered Cody Rhodes’ ankle! Fans boo but Rhea says that’s just the beginning. Tonight, her Latino Heat, which fans boo, is gonna put down Ricochet and remind him not to disrespect The Judgment Day. And then we have JD McDonagh, who will remind Seth Freakin’ Rollins exactly what it feels like to be an enemy of the Judgment Day.
As for Seth and McIntyre, they’ve got some decisions to make. And whichever one decides to make the right choice, then it really comes down to who walks out of Crown Jewel a loser like all of the fans, or as the World Heavyweight Champion! And speaking of Crown Jewel, Rhea has her own match, against four of the baddest women in the WWE. “But to me, that’s just another opportunity to prove to every single one of you who is the MOST DOMINANT woman in the WWE, and why Mami is always on top!” But then Sami Zayn shows up! Fans fire up as the Great Liberator makes his way out, and goes right to the ring.
Fans cheer Sami on, he apologizes for coming out when not invited, but he is so sick of hearing Rhea talk. He is so sick of her talking about power and how Judgment Day has all the titles, and how they run Monday Night Raw. But let him explain something about himself, in case they haven’t figured it out themselves. Sami’s entire career, his entire life, he has fought people like Judgment Day. People who think like the Judgment Day, that think that all that matters is power. And as long as you’re chasing power, you can do whatever you want! Be ruthless, cutthroat, rule with an iron fist, as long as it’s in the name of power!
So if that’s the name of their game, fine! But in that case, he isn’t Sami Zayn! He is rebellion! He is resistance! And he will fight, 1v1, 2v1, 3v1, 4v1, 5v1!! As long as he has breath in his lungs, he will fight, fight, FIGHT!! Fans fire up for Sami, and Sami says he will fight them and everything they stand for until the Judgment Day is no more. Rhea laughs, and tells Sami that it’s hilarious. Sami can resist all that he wants, it doesn’t matter! The Judgment Day doesn’t need numbers when it comes to him. So if management says it’s okay, why doesn’t Sami go 1v1 against… Damian Priest! Fans cheer that, and Dom says y’know what?
Fans boo Dom, but Dom continues by saying they should teach Sami a lesson right now! The mics drop, Sami is ready, but wait! Here comes Ricochet! The King of Flight has a fight with Dom tonight anyway, so he’s here now! Rhea bails out, but then JD rushes in! Ricochet DUMPSM JD, then swings on Dom! Dom falls back, but he’ll have to fight Ricochet anyway, after the break!
Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley & JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!
Raw returns and Ricochet dodges Dom to RANA! Fans fire up as Ricochet DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet brings Dom around, CHOPS him to a corner, and then ROCKS him! Dom staggers around, Ricochet ROCKS him again, then CHOPS again! Rhea is frustrated but Ricochet whips. Dom holds ropes to stop himself, then Ricochet runs in, Dom puts Ricochet on the apron, blocks a boot and YANKS Ricochet into rope! Then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet down! Rhea is happy now but fans boo. Rhea taunts Ricochet, Dom goes out, but fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Dom SMACKS Ricochet off the desk!
Dom soaks up the heat, Rhea & JD cheer him on, and Dom pushes Ricochet into the ring. Dom storms up on Ricochet, RAMS him into the corner, and again! Then Dom whips corner to corner hard, and Ricochet bounces off buckles. Fans taunt Dom but he just ignores them to bring Ricochet up. Dom stomps Ricochet, the ref counts, and Dom stands on the corner to soak up heat. Dom taunts the fans, then he stomps Ricochet back down. Dom drags Ricochet up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Ricochet falls! Fans continue to boo but Dom storms up on Ricochet. Dom throws hands, throws body shots, then whips.
Ricochet goes up and out and Dom hits buckles! Ricochet bumps Dom off buckles, then KICKS Dom away! Fans fire up and Ricochet springboards, but Dom gets under. Dom runs in but into a Tiger Wall Kick, and ENZIGURI! Fans fire up with Ricochet and he NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through to deadlift and BRAINBUSTER! Rhea panics as Ricochet STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Rhea can breathe again, and Dom gets out of the ring. Dom flops over and JD fans him off. Ricochet has the fans behind him, and Ricochet runs to DIVE! Direct hit on Dom! Fans are thunderous, Rhea freaks and JD seethes as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet down with a chinlock. Ricochet fights up, throws body shots, and then he ROCKS Dom with a right! And another! Dom kicks low, snap suplexes, and that’s Uno Amigo! Fans boo as Dom hits Dos Amigos! Fans boo more as Dom hits THREE AMIGOS! Rhea & JD like it as Dom gets the legs to CATAPULT Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up, 619 MISSES as Ricochet ducks! Ricochet handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ricochet sits up first, Dom crawls to ropes, and both men stand. Dom swings but Ricochet counter punches! Ricochet fires off, whips, but Dom reverses.
Ricochet RAANS Dom down, then handsprings up! Fans fire up as Ricochet runs corner to corner to RAM into Dom! Ricochet goes tot he apron, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Then LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Dom survives and Rhea is again relieved. Ricochet drags Dom up, fireman’s carries, but Dom claws the eyes! Dom then runs to NECKBREAKER! Rhea cheers as Dom goes up a corner. Dom aims, but Ricochet avoids the splash! SUPERKICK! Rhea panics again as Ricochet drags Dom to a drop zone! Ricochet goes up and fans fire up, but Rhea distracts! JD runs up but Ricochet avoids him!
JD avoids the superkick! Dom rolls Ricochet up! With tights and the rope!! DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
But Ricochet SUPERKICKS JD after all! And hits Dom with RECOIL!! Rhea is furious but that’s what her boys deserve! Ricochet goes up the corner but Rhea drags Dom to safety! Dom has to get ready for Halloween Havoc tomorrow night, will Nathan Frazer find a way past Mami to take that North American title?
Raquel Rodriguez speaks.
“I am going up against four of the most dominant women in this division. The biggest, the baddest, the best that this company has to offer. Not one of them has the fight that I have. The drive that I have. So they can consider me the underdog, they can put a chip on my shoulder. It’s okay. It’ll make it that much sweeter when I take each and every single one of them down. At Crown Jewel, I will show the entire world why I am the most dominant woman on Raw when I become Women’s World Champion.”
The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile!
In order to prove they’re still tag title worthy, Chad Gable & Otis put out an open challenge to any team from any brand! As such, NXT’s Julius & Brutus accepted! Will the Diamond Mine win big on their Raw debut? Or will Gable & Otis SHOOOOSH~ the doubters and get back to the tag titles?
Raw returns and the Creeds make their entrance. The teams sort out and Julius starts against Gable, They tie up, Gable wasitlocks but Julius slips around, They go facelock for facelcok, waistlock for waistlock, and Gable SLAMS Julius down! Gable brings Julius back up, but Julius arm-drags free. Julius shoots in to waistlock and SLAM! Julius brings Gable up, he slips free, and arm-drags! Julius arm-drags! The two stand off and the fans cheer the exchange. Gable and Julius shake hands, tie up, and Gable headlocks. Gable spins, spins and drop toeholds! Gable facelocks, but Julius deadlift suplexes from the floor!
Brutus tags in, he takes the handoff, and Brutus marches around with Gable! Brutus SLAMS Gable down! Fans fire up for the strength, and Brutus brings Gable up. Gable shoves to hip toss but Brutus handsprings through! Brutus fireman’s carries for the takeover! Gable hurries to his corner, tag to Otis! Fans fire up as those legs start shaking. Otis and Brutus tie up, Brutus waistlocks but Otis is too big! Otis throws Brutus away! Otis powers Brutus to a corner, the ref counts but Brutus gets away.
Otis runs to RAM Brutus down! Otis whips Brutus to a corner, runs in, but Brutus dodges! Otis hits buckles, Brutus pushes him away and leaps, DOUBLE AX HANDLES! Otis stays up but Julius tags in. The Creeds double whip Otis to the corner but Otis comes back to DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans fire up, Gable DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Then the Academy DOUBLE EXPLODER! Fans fire up, the Academy says, “A THANK YEW~!” and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Brutus has Gable’s arm but Gable reaches out. Otis reaches but Brutus keeps them apart! Brutus whips, Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges and rolls to get a leg, ANKLE LOCK!! Brutus scrambles, fans fire up, Brutus victory rolls! TWO, and Gable runs up, but Brutus catches him! Fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this and Maxxine is relieved. Brutus snarls, watches Gable rise, and Brutus runs in at the corner, but Gable gets around! GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Gable crawls for the corner! Brutus crawls, too, hot tags to Julius and Otis! Fans fire up as Otis runs through the double clotheslines!
Otis rolls under to come back and DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans are thunderous as Otis scoops and SLAMS Julius! And scoop SLAMS Brutus! Short arm LARIAT for Julius! Maxxine says go off, Otis! Otis SPLASHES Julius down, and he has a target! Otis rips the shirt off, and he starts up the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives, but Otis scoops. Julius slips free, JUMP KNEES, and he tags Brutus! Brutus goes up, to DOUBLE AX HANDLE! Down goes Otis, Julius STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Brutus STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, Gable breaks it! Gable dodges Julius and CROSSBODIES Julius and himself out of the ring!
Brutus and Otis stand and fans fire up! Otis runs up, Brutus dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Brutus tries again but Otis stays up! Brutus LARIATS again but Otis just fires up! They run in again, Brutus ducks and goes up, to then CROSSBODY, but Otis catches him! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Cover, Julius 450 SPLASHES it apart!! But Gable’s up top, to MOONSAULT the pile!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down! Maxxine gets on the apron but Ivy yanks her down! Ivy gets on the apron, but Maxxine yanks her down! Tozawa tells he ladies to relax, but Ivy just GERMAN SUPLEXES him for it!
Gable is distracted, Brutus DUMPS him out! Julius tags in, Otis CLOBBERS Brutus! Otis goes up but Julius CLUBS him! Julius gets Otis in an Electric Chair Lift?! Brutus goes up, for the BRUTUS BALL!! Cover, CREEDS WIN!!
Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall
Gable can’t believe it! He put out the challenge, only to lose! But Gable still shows the Creeds respect. Julius & Brutus have a Tables, Ladders & Scares match tomorrow night, will they survive to have a solid spot here on Raw waiting for them?
The Judgment Day talks backstage.
Finn Balor & Damian Priest are discussing things, but then someone knocks on the door. “Trick or Treat!” What?! Trick or treat! It’s the New Day! They’re cosplaying as the NEW~ Judgment Day! Trick or treat! Put the candy in the- Wait, what is that? Priest doesn’t know? It’s the Money in the Bank Briefcase! No candy? But the light’s on! Lame. They’ll just go to the next house. But as they exit, Rhea and Dom walk in. Woods says hi to Mami, but Kofi tells him to move along. Dom is confused, Finn asks if he’s okay. Good win but what happened after was no bueno. Ricochet needs to pay! And he would’ve, if the entire Judgment Day was out there.
Hey, Dom still won, it is fine. They need to focus on business, okay? Speaking of which… Priest has a lot to focus on. He has Cody at Crown Jewel, and he might even cash in on a broken down Seth Rollins, or even on Drew McIntyre. Maybe even on Roman Reigns! Or he gives LA Knight the shortest title reign of all time. But uh, we’re all equals here, right? No leaders? Finn says yeah, no leaders. Then did Priest miss a meeting where they decided they could make matches for each other? Priest looks at Rhea and Rhea asks if what Cody said last week is bothering him. There are no leaders here, they’ve been through that.
But Rhea made the match for Priest VS Sami is because Priest is the Punisher of the Judgment Day! He takes care of everyone in their way! It’s what he does! Right, guys? Yeah! Okay, okay, take it easy. Then let’s not make tonight about Priest, but about the Judgment Day! They’re gonna show the world who runs this, right? YEAH! JD puts his hand in and the others tell him stop. Right, sorry. But let’s do it! The team is united and Rhea says they run Raw. But will Sami Zayn be just the rebel needed to bring them down?
Nia Jax speaks.
“Ever since my return to Raw, I did everything I said I was gonna do. I’ve squashed everyone. Shayna Baszler: squashed. Zoey Stark: squashed. Raquel Rodriguez: squashed. On my very first night back, I squashed the most dominant women’s champion, Rhea Ripley. At Crown Jewel, I’m gonna show the world that I am the most dominant woman on Raw, and become the next Women’s World Champion.”
The Miz is here!
The Hollywood A-Lister is ready to host perhaps the most prestigious episode of MizTV yet, as he has the WWE Intercontinental Champion, Gunther! We find out what Miz has in store for Der Ring General, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz has the mic to welcome us back to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and says it is a very special Halloween edition. After the announcement of Bash in Berlin, Miz secured one of the biggest guests in MizTV history. And this is the very first time this man has been on any WWE talk show, so please welcome the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, THE RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! … Well, wait, where’s the music? Miz says it is Gunther’s first time, he must not know the protocol. Miz announces the guest, the guest comes out.
So once again, please welcome THE RING GENERAL…! GUNTHER! Still nothing. Does Miz have to say it in German? But Ludwig Kaiser comes out saying “Nein nein nein…!” He hates to break it to The Miz, but Der Ring General isn’t just gonna walk down because Miz tells him to! Ludwig & Vinci join Miz in the ring and Ludwig says especially not The Miz. The Miz is everything that is wrong with the WWE Universe today! The fans boo but Ludwig says Miz is the “embodiment of what we absolutely despise! You are nothing but a clown, Miz!”
Miz says he’s been called a lot of things, but he’s been another man’s sidekick like Ludwig. And that must make Vinci the third wheel! Vinci’s sorry, but wasn’t Miz Maryse’s sidekick on Total Divas? Miz takes his sunglasses off and says, “He talks! With such a deep voice! He said something! Give a round of applause, ladies and gentlemen! He spoke!” And um, it’s Miz & Mrs. And Vinci wishes could be yelled at by someone as hot as his wife, instead of being yelled at by Ludwig. By the way, Ludwig let Vinci talk? Isn’t he supposed to be in charge? Vinci says he talks when he wants to talk, but then Ludwig says Vinci talks when either Gunther or Ludwig wants him to!
But speaking of Gunther, here he comes! Gunther storms his way to the ring, belt on his shoulder as he wears a clean suit. Miz finally introduces us to Gunther! And he welcomes Gunther to the show and offers him a seat. Gunther does not sit, he just takes a mic. Since Miz didn’t understand the message, Gunther will say it: he is not Miz’s guest. He is here to make two things clear to Miz. First, it is the year 2023 and Miz wants to run a talk show? Second, this ring is SACRED to Gunther. And everything Miz does is beneath him. In fact, MIZ is beneath Gunther. Gunther does not respect Miz. Fans boo but Miz says that was one way to break the ice.
Miz says it’s also not the first time he’s heard all that, nor will it be the last. Miz will explain something to Gunther now: Miz interviewed Invisible John Cena, and that was more entertaining than Gunther. And he also explains that from movies to TV to this ring, Miz is the biggest star that WWE has! Gunther says see, this is Miz’s issue. Once the bell rings, it doesn’t matter how “entertaining” Miz is, when things get serious, the only thing that matters is how good of a wrestler you are! And that is why Miz is a talk show host, and Gunther is the GREATEST Intercontinental Champion of all time! Fans are a bit torn there.
Miz says if we’re talking serious, then he can be serious when he wants. He was serious when he beat Randy Orton to earn his first WWE Championship. Miz was serious when he beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania! Miz was serious when he won his SECOND WWE Championship over a decade later! And he wants Gunther to really understand this, so Miz will go slowly. Miz was very, very serious when he made the title on Gunther’s shoulder the most relevant title in ALL of WWE! Fans fire up for that one! And Miz has no problem doing it again. Gunther is amused now. Is Miz serious? Fans chant “YES HE CAN! YES HE CAN!”
Gunther says he gets it. Miz is one of the greatest sports entertainers of all time, he’s all about making moments. So why not create a MizTV moment we’ll never forget? Gunther tells Ludwig & Vinci in German what to do, and Ludwig takes one of the Jack O’ Lanterns. The one with the upside-down WWE logo that represents The Miz. Ludwig SMASHES it! Fans boo and Gunther asks what Miz is gonna do. Like always, NOTHING. Vinci & Ludwig get the chairs out of the ring, but Miz DECKS Ludwig and TOSSES Vinci! But Gunther CHOPS Miz down! Gunther looms over Miz and asks who he thinks he is! He is NOT in Gunther’s league.
Gunther takes his leave but Miz fires off haymakers! Fans fire up but the others are back for Gunther to BOOT Miz down! Fans boo as Miz is the one sent out of the ring. But wait! Here comes DIY! Gargano & Ciampa are going to face Ludwig & Vinci, will they get payback by proxy for Miz?
The Miz finds Adam Pearce in his office.
Miz asks if Pearce saw that out there. He has never been so disrespected and humiliated in his career! Is he sure about that? Not the point! Miz asks if Pearce is going to let Imperium do that to a future first ballot Hall of Famer. Pearce can’t imagine that felt good. No it did not! So Miz wants a match with Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship! Why should he do that? Does he need to rattle off the accolades? Two-Time Grand Slam Champion. EIGHT-Time Intercontinental Champion. EIGHT-Time Tag Team Champion. Yes, Miz, we know the credentials, but Pearce can’t just give Miz a title match!
If Miz will calm down, Pearce can give Miz the chance to earn one. In fact, Pearce is supposed to be meeting with someone who also has that in mind. Who? “ME!” Bronson Reed!? Unless Miz has a problem with that. Didn’t Bronson get his shot? Well, okay, Miz says it’s fine. Just know Miz is the one who takes that title off Gunther. Pearce and Bronson talk, what big plans are in store for the Intercontinental Championship scene?
DIY VS Imperium!
Raw returns and the teams sort out. Gargano starts against Vinci and they circle. They tie up, Vinci headlocks but Gargano powers out. Vinci runs him over, things speed up, and Gargano leaps, but into Vinci’s arms! Vinci scoops but Gargano slips free. Gargano ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA Vinci to the corner! Gargano CHOPS, then tags Ciampa. Gargano whips Vinci back into the corner, Ciampa taunts Ludwig before he and Gargano coordinate, DOUBLE KICK COMBO in the corner! Ciampa snapmares Vinci, stomps him down, then tags Gargano back in. Gargano dropkicks Vinci, then brings him around to tag Ciampa back in.
DIY mug Vinci, and Ciampa headlocks. Vinci claws the eyes, puts Ciampa on ropes, and he ROCKS and UPPERCUTS Ciampa. Fans chant “D I Y! D I Y!” as Vinci whips. Ciampa kicks but Vinci blocks to short arm LARIAT! Tag to Ludwig and Imperium stomps Ciampa to a corner. Vinci ROCKS Ciampa, Ludwig runs up, but blocks a boot! “NEIN!” UPPERCUT! Ludwig soaks up the heat, drags Ciampa up to whip but Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges. Gargano sneaks a tag, Ciampa CHOPS, Gargano CLUBS, Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Gargano wrenches an arm, Ciampa LARIATS! Gargano runs, Vinci grabs him but Ciampa KNEES Vinci down!
Fans fire up as Gargano builds speed. Ciampa holds the ropes open and Gargano DIVES onto Vinci! They sit on the apron to applaud and pat themselves on the back! Fans cheer, Gargano ROCKS Vinci but Ludwig UPPERCUTS Gargano! Ludwig slides in, Vinci APRON BACK SUPLEXES Gargano, and Ludwig DROPKICKS Gargano back out! Fans boo but Imperium taunts Ciampa as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ludwig grinds Gargano down with a chinlock. Fans rally, Gargano fights up and throws body shots. Ludwig whips Gargano, scoops with a gut wrench and SLAMS him! Tag to Vinci, and Ludwig whips Gargano, only for Gargano to TOSS Ludwig out! Gargano DUMPS Vinci, and hurries for his corner! Fans fire up, but Vinci drags Gargano back. Gargano ENZIGURIS Vinci, but Ludwig YANKS Ciampa down! Fans boo but Vinci pops Gargano up for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Vinci taunts Gargano, drags him back up, and SLAPS him! Vinci eggs Gargano on, so Gargano SLAPS back!
Vinci knees low, reels him in, but Gargano turns powerbomb into DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Gargano and Vinci crawl, hot tags to Ludwig and Ciampa! The Psycho Killer rallies on Ludwig! Then on Vinci! Then a clothesline in one corner! Clothesline in another corner! Then he ducks ‘n dodges and DOUBLE LARIATS! Fans are thunderous for Ciampa and he whips Ludwig. THESZ PRESS and fast hands! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and FOREARM! REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Ciampa drags Ludwig up. Ciampa reels Ludwig in, underhooks, but Ludwig wrenches out to HAYMAKER!
Ciampa fires haymakers back, but Ludwig shoves him away. Ciampa rebounds, into the ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Cover, Gargano breaks it! Vinci runs in but Gargano rolls him up, SCHOOLBOY KICK! But Ludwig PENALTY KICKS Gargano! Ciampa rolls Ludwig up, TWO! Both men scramble up, Ciampa BOOTS! Ciampa runs, into a DISCUS LARIAT! Fans boo but Ludwig huffs and puffs. Tag to Vinci, Ludwig goes up. Vinci brings Ciampa in, but Ciampa resists the bomb to back drop Vinci! Ludwig still leaps, into a SUPERKICK from Gargano! Ciampa sits on Vinci, TWO! Vinci has the sunset, TWO!
Vinci CHOPS, UPEPRCUTS and whips! Ciampa reverses, Vinci goes up and up and MOONSAULTS but FLOPS as Ciampa dodges! PSYCHO KNEE! Tag to Gargano, and they take corners! They MEET IN THE MIDDLE!! Cover, DIY wins!
Winners: DIY, by pinfall
Their first match together in three YEARS, and it’s like they never missed a beat! Will Gunther be furious with his men over this? Will DIY prove they are tag title worthy?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“I am still looking for the next sacrifice. Where are you? Do you want me to choose you? Or will you choose for me? Go ahead. Step forward. Awaken me. What are you afraid of? Poke the lion. That is what a strong, brave hero does. DO it! Show yourself! I am waiting.”
Xia Li speaks.
“A mighty warrior has their own way of fighting. Don’t turn away from your fears, embrace them. Destiny whispers softly in my ear, saying, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ I answer, ‘I AM the storm!'”
Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell VS Xia Li!
The Poison Pixie is still trying to find her way to the top, but The Exterminator will not stop until she is the one standing over everyone! Will Candice show Xia all she’s earned is a Wild Ride? Or will this be Xia’s first step towards the title?
Raw returns as Xia makes her entrance. The bell rings and Xia rushes in! Candice dodges to fire off haymakers! Fans fire up but the ref counts. Candice lets off, runs in and back body blocks! Candice snapmares Xia, then step-up SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Xia out of the ring, goes after her at the apron, but Xia drags Candice out. Xia spins Candice to ROCK her, and CHOP her! Xia then smothers Candice with the apron skirt and KNEES her in the back! Fans are torn as Candice gets away and the ref reprimands. Xia runs in but into a BOOT! Candice ELBOWS Xia, rolls her up, ONE! Xia JUMP KNEES back!
Candice rebounds, into a SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE! Fans boo and the ref checks Candice. Xia wants after Candice but the ref keeps her back. Fans rally, Candice does manage to stand but on shaky legs. The ref checks with Candice, again has to keep Xia back, and the ref calls it!
Winner: Xia Li, by referee stoppage
Indi checks on Candice while Xia smiles triumphantly. If Xia is that dangerous, will anyone be able to stop her? As for Candice, medics check her but she insists she is fine. But is she really? Or will she have to be very careful the next time she’s in the ring?
Jey Uso finds Sami backstage.
They say what’s up and Jey loves the passion! He’s all fired up, too! But he also wishes Sami good luck against Priest, Sami has this. Sami thanks Jey, but then in walks Jackie Redmond. She wants a quick word with Jey. Sami says that’s fine, he’s gotta bounce. Yeet! Jackie asks Jey about Judgment Day. Yes, she knows that’s a sore subject, especially with Finn Balor costing Jey against Damian Priest. Jey says he’ll slide on Finn soon, and Sami’s gonna handle business tonight. Cody will handle business at Crown Jewel. But Jey thinks he and Cody can get those titles one more time. And then, we’ll see how Mami feels about it. YEET.
Shayna Baszler speaks.
“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do. And what I plan on doing is ripping and tearing, limb by limb, four women who parade themselves around on Monday Night Raw as if they’re worthy competition. But not of them truly understand the pain that I am capable of inflicting. And at Crown Jewel, I’m going to show the world that I am the most dominant woman on Raw, and that I am the next Women’s World Champion.”
Candice gets checked backstage.
DIY is there for her, as are Kayden Carter & Katana Chance. Candice has an ice pack on her shoulder and is getting checked for a concussion. What will be the state of the Poison Pixie after tonight?
Drew McIntyre speaks.
The Scottish Warrior sits in the Performance Center. “One of the most memorable moments of my career happened during a time in history that nobody wants to remember. I find myself looking back and asking, ‘Was the sacrifice worth it?’ Of course. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t angry. Before the age of 30, I was named The Chosen One. Failed, then fired, forced to reinvent myself. And ultimately, I took my second chance. Finally, after 20 years of giving absolutely everything to this industry, I won the Royal Rumble. I had the fans behind me. There was gonna be a stadium full of people screaming my name when I slayed the Beast in the main event of WrestleMania.
“Then, everything changed overnight. WrestleMania was gonna be in front of nobody? You gotta be freakin’ kidding me. The Pandemic shut the world down. And although the WWE carried on, I was all alone. I beat Brock Lesnar, became WWE Champion, in this very building. The biggest moment of my career, with no one there to celebrate. Still, I did what I’ve always done: my job. I defended my title against the very best the WWE has to offer. Put my body through absolute hell. I needed to be a champion to be proud of. And when everybody finally returned, my moment had past.
“For years, I fought and clawed my way to get it back. When the WWE returned to the UK once again, everything aligned. I was gonna beat Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship with 60 thousand people screaming me on. Only for The Bloodline to cheat and take it all away from me. Unlike everyone else, I won’t forgive the Bloodline, I can’t erase the past. But at Crown Jewel, I can make it right. For Seth Freakin’ Rollins, this is just another defense in a Hall of Fame career. But for me, this is everything. We both live for this. Seth is willing to break his back to keep his championship. And I’m willing to break his back to take it from him.
“I need this. No more broken dreams. 2020 Seth Rollins was my first title defense. And at Crown Jewel, I will be his last.” The Scottish Warrior is ready, will he slay the Visionary?
Zoey Stark speaks.
“This match, this Fatal 5 Way match, is for me. See, when I’m inside that ring, I’m the Hunter. And the females that are standing in there with me, they’re my prey. Because I was born for this, this is my destiny, I am unstoppable! So at Crown Jewel, I am going to prove to the world that I am the most dominant female on the Raw roster, and become your new Women’s World Champion.”
Seth Rollins VS JD McDonagh!
Speaking of that Visionary, speaking of that Revolutionary, speaking of that WWE World Heavyweight Champion, he is here and ready to #BurnItDown! Will Rollins be rolling into Crown Jewel? Or will he be trumped by the Irish Ace?
Raw returns and Rollins revels in the fans singing his song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins then has the mic to tell Greenville, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” He is the Visionary, he is the Revolutionary, he IS Seth Freakin’ Rollins! And Greenville, he is feeling like getting a little loose out here tonight. So he graciously agreed to beat the bejeezus out of the Judgment Day’s bag boy here tonight, And he will do that in preparation for Saturday, Crown Jewel, Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship! And Rollins is a fan of McIntyre, so Rollins says this as respectfully as he can after hearing what McIntyre had to say earlier.
“Boo freakin’ hoo! Cry me a river, ya big Scottish baby! Nah, you wanna flashback to 2020, right? All of us were suffering in some way, alright? All of us were fighting our battles in some way! There were a lot of people who had it worse off than you did, okay? They didn’t know when they were gonna get their next paycheck. They didn’t know when they were gonna get their next batch of groceries. They didn’t know when they were gonna see their loved ones again. Some of them didn’t get to! So excuse me for not feeling sorry for you that you didn’t get to win the WWE Championship the way you dreamt it.”
Rollins says McIntyre wants to blame everything else on The Bloodline, his failures and shortcomings, again cry me a river and get in line! Look at Sami Zayn! At Cody Rhodes! You don’t hear those guys asking for pity, now do ya? But Rollins will say this: McIntyre was a hell of a champion. And Saturday at Crown Jewel, if McIntyre can take this title from Rollins, if he can pry it from Rollins’ waist, then Rollins will be the first man to shake McIntyre’s hand and call him the champ, just like he did back in 2020! Fans cheer that. But Rollins ain’t the same guy McIntyre beat back then. The Monday Night Messiah is long gone, he is not the Architect. There’s a reason the fans sing his song!
There is a reason- JD ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! Fans boo as JD stomps away on Rollins! The ref tries to stop him but JD fires down fists! JD lets off to take off his jacket and wants the match to start! The ref check with Rollins, and Rollins is fuming. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at JD, Rollins says do it. The bell rings, JD runs in, and Rollins BOOTS him down! Rollins TOSSES JD out, goes out after him, and fires haymakers! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Rollins keeps JD from running away into the crowd, and CHOPS him again! Rollins SMACKS JD off the apron, brings him around, and then RAMS JD into barriers!
Fans fire up with Rollins, Rollins puts JD in the ring, and JD wants him to show mercy. Fans sing the song, Rollins storms up, and he blocks the kick to CHOP! And CHOP! Rollins CHOPS JD in the corner, stalks him to another corner, but JD turns it around, JD swings, misses, and Rollins CHOPS JD down! JD crawls away while Rollins smiles. Fans rally and Rollins puts JD in a corner. Fans chant “WHOOP THAT TRICK!” as Rollins runs and RAMS JD into buckles! Rollins whips JD to then back drop him! Fans fire up while JD writhes, and Rollins storms up to drag Rollins up. “How do you like it, kid?”
Rollins whips JD to a corner, JD tumbles up and out and trips Rollins, to then slingshot and TORNILLO SENTON! JD snarls while Rollins goes to a corner. JD CHOPS Rollins, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. JD lets off at 4, Rollins sputters and JD CHOKES Rollins! The ref counts, JD lets off at 4 again, but fans rally for Rollins. JD drags Rollins up to DECK him! And DECK him again! Rollins hits back with haymakers! And a CHOP! Rollins storms up but into a JAWBREAKER! JD drags Rollins up, whips him to ropes, but Rollins holds ropes. Rollins ELBOWS JD away, JD runs in but Rollins TOSSES him up and out!
Fans fire up as JD hits the ground hard! Rollins builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and JD is sent over the announce desk! The fans are thunderous and singing Rollins’ song as we go to break.
Raw returns and JD has Rollins down in a rear bearhug. Fans rally as Rollins endures, and Rollins fights up to throw elbows. JD shoves Rollins into a corner, runs in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! JD sputters, Rollins catches his breath. Rollins ROCKS JD with haymakers, CHOPS, and repeat! Rollins fires CHOP after CHOP after CHOP and has JD against ropes! The ref counts, Rollins lets off but whips JD. JD reverses but Rollins reverses back to rally with clotheslines! Rollins mule kicks, front kicks and DISCUS LARIATS! Fans fire up and sing while JD goes to a corner. Rollins runs corner to corner, to forearm smash!
Rollins whips but JD dodges, only for Rollins to still LARIAT him down! Rollins hurries to get JD up, to suplex, but JD slips free! O’Conner Roll, TWO! JD goes to a corner, comes back, but into a SLINGBLADE! Rollins hurries to run and KNEE JD down! Cover, TWO! Rollins is frustrated but the fans continue to rally. Rollins aims from a corner, JD sits up, and Rollins run sin. But JD avoids the stomp! Rollins kicks first, underhooks, but JD slips under to then HEADBUTT Rollins down! Rollins flounders, JD goes up a corner! JD MOONSAULTS but has to roll through as Rollins moves! Rollins kicks low, underhooks, but JD trips and jackknife bridges! TWO as Rollins bridges up!
JD wrenches out of the underhooks and then ripcords, but Rollins KNEES JD down! Rollins runs, but JD gets him for a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and JD is furious! JD hurries around, drags Rollins up and in, but Rollins slips free to get JD up! BUCKLE BOMB! JD falls, Rollins goes up! Fans fire up but here comes Damian Priest! Rollins still FROG SPLASHES, into knees! JD cradles, TWO!! Rollins sputters, Priest has his own ref! Could he cash-in tonight!? JD goes up, but Rollins trips him! Priest smirks as Rollins goes up, and JD throws elbows! Rollins falls, fans rally for him, and Rollins springs back up!
Rollins gets JD up for a SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! Both men are down but Rollins fires back up! Priest still smirks and Rollins dares him to make his move. JD kicks Rollins and underhooks! But Rollins back drops! JD sunset flips, Rollins rolls through and flips JD into the PEDIGREE!! And then the CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
The Visionary stares Priest down, but Priest still smirks. Rollins then storms out to stare Priest down face to face. Rollins again dares Priest to make his move. Priest holds up the briefcase, and says it is inevitable. Be careful what you wish for. Rollins says Priest better not waste it. Will the Punisher take down whoever it is that holds onto the World Heavyweight Championship on Saturday?
Ricochet talks with Pearce backstage.
Ricochet knows Pearce saw, just as everyone did, what happened out there with Dominik. Pearce did, but Ricochet still had a great showing. Here’s a way to make it up for him. Ricochet can earn a shot at the Intercontinental Championship. Well, that does sound good, but Ricochet still has a bone to pick with Dom. Pearce feels that. Ricochet heads out, and then in storm Chelsea & Piper, cosplaying Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart. Chelsea is furious that her match with Natalya is a Trick or Street Fight! Is he for real? Are they for real in this get-up? He has no time to discuss this, Hitman & Anvil. He has a lot on his plate. Yeah, he does! And cute costume.
What? He turns around and sees The Viking Raiders! Sarah Logan says the gods demand they speak about the Intercontinental Championship. See you in your office. Ivar & Sarah head out, and Pearce says he needs a drink.
BREAKING NEWS for Crown Jewel!
As part of the Crown Jewel Kickoff Show, it will be Sami Zayn VS JD McDonagh! The Great Liberator said he would rebel against the Judgment Day, but will he be able to get through JD?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Jackie Redmond is with The Man, and says it has been a few days since the epic battle in which Becky lost the NXT Women’s Championship. What’s Becky’s takeaway looking back at that title reign? Well, she’s a little lighter around the waist and a little heavier in the heart. But if anyone was gonna take that title from her, it had to be someone passionate, hungry and eats, sleeps and drinks this business, and that is Lyra Valkyria. But Becky isn’t afraid of losing, because that doesn’t keep her down and never will keep her down. In just 42 days, Becky defended her title more than Rhea Ripley has all year! More than Roman!
Becky is the catalyst for change, and is the reason why everyone who wanted their shot got one. Becky doesn’t need a title, the title needs her. But then in walks Xia. Xia asks if Becky is so scared that she lost the title so she wouldn’t have to face Xia. What’s she doing? Becky says if Xia wants to fight, we can do that here and now. Xia says they will fight, on her time. Her time? It’s been three weeks! When is it her time?
Trick or Street Fight: Natalya VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven!
The Queen of Harts may not be a platinum recording artist, but she’s looking like bad bunny tonight. Will she quite literally whip the attitude out of the Hot Mess? Or will Chelsea look to establish herself as the best there was, the best there is, and the best there ever will be?
Raw returns and Chelsea makes her entrance, using the Bret Hart music! Natty is not amused. The bell rings and Chelsea kicks low then throws Natty by her bunny ears! Piper fetches a pie and Chelsea PIE FACES Natty! Then Chelsea dribbles Natty off the crust! But Natty trips Chelsea to get the legs! Chelsea kicks her away, BOOTS her down, then hurries out to get some candy bowls. Chelsea puts those in one at a time, and even a kendo stick and some chairs. Natty rushes out to kick Chelsea! Natty SMACKS Chelsea with the kendo stick! And DISCUS LARIATS her into the timekeeper’s area!
Fans rally as Natty hops up and over the railing, but then Chelsea SMACKS her down with a trash can lid! Piper fetches more items and Chelsea SMACKS Natty down again! The tag champs move the table closer and fans like that! Another SMACK with the trash can lid, and Chelsea puts Natty on the table. Piper helps Chelsea go up onto the barriers, and Chelsea grins as SENTONS through the table, but no Natty!! Natty avoided disaster, and she puts Chelsea in the ring. Chelsea hurries away but Natty pursues up the ramp! Natty drags Chelsea back to DUNK in the apple tank! Fans fire up as Chelsea sputters, but then Natty dunks her again!
Piper runs up but Natty SLAPS her! And trips her! Natty has the legs, but Chelsea runs up! Natty trips her, and has them both! But they both BOOT Natty into the POST! Piper tells Chelsea to keep on Natty, and Chelsea stomps Natty down. Chelsea drags Natty up to SMACK off the apron. Natty hits back, and has a pumpkin! Chelsea BOOTS Natty down first! Chelsea picks up the biggest pumpkin, something’s under it so Chelsea puts it back. Wait, what was under it? Chelsea picks that one up, and it’s NIKKI CROSS’S HEAD!? Chelsea freaks out, the pumpkin falls onto her head! She blindly staggers around and falls over!
Chelsea sits up, sees Nikki again and freaks outa gain! Natty dribbles Chelsea off the table! Natty whips, Chelsea reverses and Natty hits steel steps! Piper tells Chelsea to keep going and she puts Natty in the ring. Chelsea hoists Natty up top, Piper gets a black bag! Chelsea empties the bag out, to reveal CANDY CORN! Chelsea goes up the corner, but Natty slips under! POWERBOBM onto the candies!! Cover, TWO!!! But Natty gets the legs! SHARPSHOOTER!! Fans fire up, but Piper shouts at Natty! Natty runs up to ROCK Piper! Piper grabs Natty, Chelsea runs in, but Natty moves! The pie hits Piper! Natty runs in, Chelsea sends her into Piper!
Piper falls but Chelsea doesn’t care, she chicken wings for the I AM PRETTIER on the candy!! Cover, Chelsea wins!
Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall
The Hot Mess makes a mess of everything, but she still gets a win thanks to her tag partner! Will Natty ever live this down? Will Chelsea & Piper make it through Halloween Havoc and their tag title defense?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Every woman in this match thinks that this is their chance to make a name for themselves. Well, the reality is, it’s not. It’s nothing to do with them. It’s to do with me. This is MY chance to beat every single one of the top females here in this division all at once. To claim this as Mami’s show. And at Crown Jewel, I will prove to the world that I’m the most dominant woman here on Raw. And I will stay your Women’s World Champion.”
BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Raw!
To determine the next contender to the Intercontinental Championship, a Fatal 4 Way has been created! The Miz, Bronson Reed, Ricochet and Ivar will all battle it out, who will stand tall to challenge Der Ring General?
And to prove himself to Coach Gable, Akira Tozawa is accepting the somewhat open challenge put forth by Shinsuke Nakamura! Can the Stamina Monster defeat, let alone survive, the King of Strong Style?
Sami Zayn VS Damian Priest!
So long as the Judgment Day, or any force, thinks themselves the unstoppable dictators of the WWE, the Great Liberator vows to be there to stop them! Will he stop Senor Money in the Bank from rolling into Crown Jewel? Or will the Punisher make an example out of Sami Zayn?
Raw returns, the bell rings, and the two tie up. Priest powers Sami to a corner, the ref counts, but Priest lets off. Fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Sami but Priest ROCKS then DECKS Sami! Priest TOSSES Sami back to the corner, but Sami dodges to CHOP! CHPO! And fire haymakers! Sami bumps Priest off buckles, goes up and AX HANDLES him down! Cover, ONE! Priest bails out but Sami follows. Priest knees low, whips Sami at the barriers, but Sami goes up to QUEBRADA! Direct hit and fans fire up! Sami drags Priest up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally behind Sami. Sami runs in but Priest JUMP KICKS!
Priest snarls, soaks up the heat, and drags Sami up. Priest whips Sami to ropes, then DECKS him! Priest eggs Sami on as he paces around, then he drags Sami up to KICK him in the chest! And again! Then he ROCKS Sami with a forearm! Sami goes to a corner, Priest whips him corner to corner then runs in to STAGE DIVE ELBOW! Priest suplexes to BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest is annoyed but he stalks Sami back to the corner. Priest runs in, but into an ELBOW! Priest is annoyed, but Sami BOOTS him! Sami spins and wrenches to knuckle lock and CHOP! Sami goes up and up and TORNADO DDTS!
Fans fire up as Priest bails out. Sami takes aim, builds speed, but he has to stop as Priest moves. Sami goes out to rush Priest, but Priest catches him! APRON CHOKE SLAM! Sami writhes and fans boo as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the forearms are flying! Fans fire up, Priest ROCKS Sami, then kicks him low. Priest soaks up the heat, whips Sami to ropes, but Sami goes up and over. Sami then LARIATS Priest down! Fans fire up, but here come Dom & Finn! Fans boo, Sami swipes at them, but then Priest choke grips again! SOUTH OF- NO, Sami wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO!! Priest gets up, but runs into a BOOT! Dom gets up, Sami DECKS him! Sami storms up on Priest but Priest kicks low. Priest dragon sleepers, RECKONING!! AKA the Cross Rhodes! Priest grins and brings down the straps as he sends a message to the American Nightmare.
Priest goes back for Sami, hoists him up to a crucifix, but Sami slips free! Sami dodges the splash and Priest hits buckles! Finn gets on the apron to distract the ref, Dom DECKS Sami! Fans boo, but here comes JEY USO! Main Event Jey is gonna make sure his dawg has a fair fight, so he CLOBBERS Dom! And UPPERCUTS Finn! Dom gets up, Jey brings him around, but the ref reprimands them all. Jey lets Dom go so he can get in at Priest. Priest grabs at him, Jey SUPERKICKS Priest!
Winner: Damian Priest, by disqualification
Jey saves Sami but hands Priest the win. And now Finn & Dom attack anyway! Fans boo the 3v2 mugging, and Priest taunts Jey about where Cody went. But wait, here comes Cody! Priest says he’ll handle this! Cody runs in, and he fires hands with Priest! Fans fire up as Cody ROCKS then BOOTS Priest! Cody goes out to SMACK Priest off the desk! And again! And again! The brawl is now 3v3, and Jey DECKS Finn! Sami fires off on Dom! SUPERKICK for Dom, then Sami clotheslines Dom up and out! Sami & Jey nod, build speed, and they DOUBLE TOPE to take out the Judgment Day! Cody gets Priest and POSTS him!
Cody clears the desk! Fans fire up and Cody drags Priest onto the desk. But JD makes the save! Fans boo as Priest gets away, but a HELLUVA KICK hits JD!! Fans fire up again as Cody calls to Sami to set JD up. Sami says okay! They put JD on the desk, Cody drags him up, CROSS RHODES!! The Irish Ace suffers for sticking around the Judgment Day, and fans want that “One More Time!” Cody says why not!? Cody drags JD back up, for another CROSS RHODES!! Cody gets a mic to shout, “Hey, Damian! Last week, you took a steel chair, you wrapped it around my ankle and you tried to take me out. You were unsuccessful!
“I got back up, because that’s why my story is: the guy who gets knocked down and gets back up! What’s your story? 6’6″, 20 year pro, you’ve got a briefcase that you are this close, within a whisper of immortality, and yet you are not the leader of the Judgment Day? It’s because you’re a walk-behinder! You walk behind Finn Balor, you walk behind Rhea Ripley, and you even walk behind DOMINIK MYSTERIO! When you think it’s somebody else, when you’re like, ‘Oh, maybe, maybe it’s not Cody Rhodes.’ You gotta know something, Damian Priest. It’s ALWAYS me! I’m back on my path, and this Saturday at Crown Jewel, my path goes straight through you!!”
Fans are fired up with the American Nightmare, will he ruin everything for The Judgment Day this Saturday? Or can The Punisher still cash-in on the top champions to return stateside as a top champion?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Raw, but being a go-home, it still had that go-home vibe that can kinda kill momentum. Great promos from all five women in the Fatal 5, but uh, Rhea’s was a bit redundant since she already talked to open the show. Also nice of them to give everyone the same closing line about being the most dominant woman and becoming champion over Rhea. Great promo out of Sami with that fire. He already experienced and fought against one faction that tried to be the top of the mountain at all costs, he ain’t gonna stand for it here.
And Rhea making the main event of Sami VS Priest was great for feeding Priest’s promo. There continues to be tension within the group, but it’s shifting from “Who is top champ?” to “Who is on top?” aka the leader. They all claim there isn’t a leader but clearly Rhea acts like it. Hell, take a cue from Shayna’s favorite saying, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” Rhea takes charge, figures things out, comes up with a plan, she clearly wants to be a leader. Sami had a good promo with Jey and Jey had a good promo to say he still wants tag titles. That main event was great stuff, Jey makes a great save, as does Cody. Great momentum for Cody but I wonder if this means Priest wins their match now so he’ll be better primed for a cash-in.
Speaking of that, McIntyre had a great promo to reflect on his title history, and Rollins also had a great response. I see both sides, which is why the title match feels like it can go either way. Rollins VS McDonagh was great, as was Priest showing up to remind Rollins of the MITB. Now, the looming factor of Priest cashing in could be exactly what gets someone to lose. If McIntyre tries to stop Priest from cashing in, that could cost him against Rollins, but so could the reverse. Rhea said she’s just waiting for one of them to accept the offer, that could also come into play.
Pretty good stuff in the Trick or Street Fight, with Chelsea & Piper cleverly being the Hart Foundation to taunt Natty. Could’ve been a bit better, and maybe if Tegan Nox was healthy, Natty would’ve had her helping in this match. They didn’t really do a good job of that Nikki Cross under the pumpkin bit, and I don’t think fans are that into the black bag fake out. I believe AEW just did that on Saturday for their Fright Night Fight. But maybe with Nikki still hanging around, she and Natty will find a way to make this work to be a team. Great promo from Nakamura, and Tozawa is definitely getting destroyed, but Tozawa isn’t going to be that mysterious someone Nakamura needs to “awaken.”
Great tag match of Alpha Academy VS Creed Brothers, and I was really surprised the Creeds won. But at the same time, the Creeds easily could’ve been on RawDown by now, but maybe that moment is coming closer and closer. There’s half a chance Garza & Carrillo win tomorrow’s TLC tag match, sending Diamond Mine off to Raw in epic fashion. Really good MizTV segment with Miz standing up to Imperium as a Face of sorts, and great stuff setting up that Fatal 4 Way #1 contender’s match. On paper, Bronson and Ivar feel like top choices, but those guys work Heel and Miz can be rather opportunistic, I feel like Miz is going to find a way to win.
Great tag match from DIY VS Imperium, and great win for DIY. The Raw side of the tag division is getting really strong, there are plenty of teams that could take the Judgment Day on for. For that matter, I really liked New Day dressed up as Judgment Day to poke fun. I kinda wish Big E was at least traveling with Kofi & Woods, he could really add to moments like this. Candice VS Xia was good but I do appreciate them making Xia look strong with that knockout kick. And just as I figured last week after Becky lost to Lyra, Xia was gonna rub that in Becky’s face before they still have their own match. Becky’s promo was great, calling out Roman and Rhea, Becky will definitely be waiting on the other side of Crown Jewel.
My Score: 8.7/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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