Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (12/1/23)
A Block, round 5!
Will it be Chaos for the Reiwa Musketeers?
Shota Umino & Ren Narita are just outside the top spot in A Block, can they take over and truly lead NJPW’s future in World Tag League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Tiger Mask, Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr; Just5Guys win.
- Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki VS Ryusuke Taguchi, Lance Archer & Alex Zayne; Wato, Nagata & Suzuki win.
- 8 Man Tag: Yoh, Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Yoh, Bishamon & Oleg win.
- 2023 World Tag League, Block A: The Gates of Agony VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi; Evil & Yujiro win.
- 2023 World Tag League, Block A: TMDK VS Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa; TMDK wins.
- 2023 World Tag League, Block A: Great-O-Khan & Henare VS Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin; Kidd & Coughlin win.
- 2023 World Tag League, Block A: Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii; Yano & Ishii win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings.
TMDK: 3-1, 6 points
Shota Umino & Ren Narita: 3-1, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-2, 4 points
War Dogs: 2-2, 4 points
The United Empire: 2-2, 4 points
Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii: 2-2, 4 points
The House of Torture: 1-3, 2 points
The Gates of Agony: 1-3, 2 points
2023 World Tag League, Block A: The Gates of Agony VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi w/ The House of Torture!
Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona finally got on the board, beating the War Dogs. Meanwhile, the House of Torture is falling apart as they just keep losing! Will the Gates slam shut on them, too? Or will the King of Darkness & Tokyo Pimp find a way to lie, cheat and steal a win once again?
Wait, the Gates are coming out wearing House of Torture shirts? And then they wait for the House to make their entrance? Is this a sign that they’ve become allies? Dick Togo, Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and of course Evil & Yujiro all come out together and they seem pretty chummy with the Gates. All seven go to the ring now, and this is a rather interesting development. Did Prince Nana approve this deal? Everyone shakes hands and “put one out” so clearly there’s something to this. They even pose for photos! But then Kaun & Liona quickly and quietly TOSS Sho & Kanemaru, then they TOSS Dick! Yujiro & Evil don’t understand!
Kaun & Liona throw forearms, the bell rings and the Gates whip Evil & Yujiro. Yujiro & Evil hold ropes to then BOOT in return! But they run into double scoop SLAMS! The Gates tear off the House of Torture shirts, and Liona even wipes his butt with it! Evil & Yujiro are in opposite corners, Kaun runs in to ELBOW Yujiro and Liona SPLASHES Evil! Then the Gates trade, ELBOW for Evil and SPLASH for Yujiro! And back the other way! Fans fire up as the Gates tricked the tricksters! They fire each other up, and Kaun sends Liona into SPLASH Evil! The fans rally up, the Gates run in to SPLASH SANDWICH Evil!
Liona stands Evil back up, he and Kaun OPEN- NO, Yujiro saves Evil and they bail out. The House falls back, daring the Gates to come out after them. The Gates storm out after them, but going all the way to the entrance is suspicious. Sho & Kanemaru attack from behind with chairs! Fans boo as Dick distracts the ref so that the House can mug the Gates! Sho CHOKES Liona with his chair, but Liona bench presses it away! Yujiro helps Sho while Evil drags Kaun around, to RAM into the timekeeper’s area! Poor Abe-san! The fans boo but Evil gets on the mic to basically say this is what they get for messing with the House!
Yujiro SMACKS Liona off the timekeeper’s table, but Liona roars! So Yujiro POSTS Liona to knock him down! Evil drags Kaun up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally up. Evil CLUBS Kaun, CLUBS him again, and calls to the ref. Marty Asami returns and Evil stomps Kaun. Evil drags Kaun up, wrenches the arm and tags in Yujiro. Yujiro CLUBS Kaun’s arm, then reels him in to snapmare and ROCK with a haymaker. Yujiro looms over Kaun to rain down more fists but the ref reprimands. No closed fists! So Yujiro fishhooks Kaun’s nose! Yujiro sits Kaun up to run and basement BOOT! Cover, ONE!!
Yujiro is annoyed but he drags Kaun back up. Yujiro wrenches, wristlocks, and he CLUBS the arm. And stomps it! Kaun clutches the arm, it is taped up from that fight with the War Dogs. Yujiro wraps the arm around ropes! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off at 4 but the House all complains. Tag to Evil and he throws his shirt at Liona. Now the ref has to keep Liona out, and Evil throws Kaun out for the boys to stomp away on! Fans boo these vultures, but then Sho puts Kaun back in for Evil. Cover, TWO! Evil argues with the ref but the fans rally up. Evil tags Yujiro then runs to BLAST Liona! Liona stays up and roars, so Evil pokes him in the eyes!
Evil and Yujiro drag Kaun up, whip him to a corner, and Yujiro runs in but into Kaun’s BOOT! Kaun catches Evil for an URENAGE! Then Kaun uses Evil as a step to SHOTGUN Yujiro! Fans fire up while they’re all done, and Kaun crawls over. Hot tag to Liona! Liona rallies on Yujiro, BOOTS him, then catches Evil for a spin and LARIAT! Fans fire up more and Liona has targets in opposite corners. Liona roars, then SPLASHES Evil! SPLASH for Yujiro! SPLASH for Evil! SPLASH for Yujiro! Liona just keeps going, then he whips Evil into Yujiro! Fans fire up with Liona, and he runs back in, but both Yujiro and Evil dodge!
Yujiro & Evil kick low, double whip to ropes, but Liona breaks the line to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Fans fire up again and Liona roars for Kaun! Kaun rises and tags in, and the Gates get Yujiro up! But Yujiro moves, the double lariats collide! Kaun hurries to grab a leg but Yujiro BOOTS Kaun into Liona! Evil tags in and he storms up to CLUB Kaun! Evil stomps Kaun, Yujiro joins in, and the ref reprimands. Yujiro drags Kaun to a corner, he and Evil double whip Kaun corner to corner. Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to clothesline! Snapmare and then they set Kaun up while Sho distracts! Dick hops up, DICK CHOP!!
Fans boo as Evil covers, TWO!! Kaun survives and the fans fire up again! Evil slashes his throat, drags Kaun up, and spins him around, but Liona is back! HELL STAB! Then a HEADBUTT for Yujiro! Liona & Kaun BLAST Dick & Sho off the apron! The fans fire up as now Evil is alone! Kaun & Liona high five and LARIAT SANDWICH! They roar again and they get Evil up. HEAVEN’S GATES!! Cover, but Dick YANKS the ref out!! Fans boo, but Yujiro slips back in to CLUB the Gates! Kaun ROCKS Yujiro in return! Kaun & Liona set Evil & Yujiro up, but they block double low blows! Kanemaru and Sho get in, they DOUBLE LOW BLOW!!
Fans boo as the House stomps away on the Gates! Yujiro has his cane, Dick has the Spoiler Choker. Liona shoves Sho aside but gets the CANE SHOT! Dick CHOKES Kaun, Kanemaru gives him WHISKEY MIST! And then Sho CLOBBERS Kaun with his wrench! Dick gets the ref back in as Evil hits EVERYTHING IS EVIL on Kaun!! Cover, The House wins!
Winners: Evil & Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Gates of Agony earn 0)
Kaun & Liona lured the House in, but one good trick wasn’t enough to beat the numbers game. The House even mugs the Young Lions trying to help The Gates! Will this be the beginning of the most unwanted comeback in World Tag League history?
2023 World Tag League, Block A: TMDK w/ Kosei Fujita VS Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa!
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls did fall for the trickery of Toru Yano. Will TMDK be able to rebound and stay at the top of the block? Or will the Green Supernova and his protege still #CreateTheFuture?
The teams sort out and Mad Mikey starts against Oiwa. They tie up, fans rally up, and Oiwa pushes Mikey back, only for Mikey to put him on ropes. Mikey lets off but shoves Oiwa. Oiwa shoves back! They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Mikey claws eyes, headlocks, and brings Oiwa over. Shane tags in, Oiwa gets away, and then Oiwa arm-drags Mikey! Shane runs in, but into an arm-drag! Oiwa wrenches and whips Shane to ropes, Kaito joins in so they can DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! And then DOUBLE DROPKICK! The fans fire and Oiwa has Shane in a corner. Shane throws a chop, but Oiwa stomps and ROCKS Shane in return.
Oiwa drags Shane up to wrench and wristlock, then he scoops to POWERSLAM! Oiwa runs, but Shane gets up to DROPKICK back! Shane puts Oiwa on ropes, stomps away, and then BLASTS Kaito! Mikey smothers Oiwa on the apron, lets off before he gets caught, and then Shane slides to SHOVE Oiwa to the floor! The ref has to keep Kaito back, so that lets Mikey stomp Oiwa. Mikey puts Oiwa in, Shane covers, TWO! Shane drags Oiwa up, brings him around and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Mikey and he CHOPS! Fans rally, Mikey eggs Oiwa on then CHOPS him again! Mikey ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa ROCKS Mikey!
Oiwa fires off on Mikey but Mikey ROCKS him right back! And CHOPS him right down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Mikey sits Oiwa up and runs. Oiwa avoids the sliding lariat! Mikey hobbles up, throws a forearm but Oiwa throws back a flurry! Mikey fires a flurry of his own! Mikey runs, into an UPPERCUT! Oiwa runs and ROLLING ELBOWS Mikey down! Fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tag to Kaito! Kaito rallies on TMDK, whips Mikey and DROPKICKS him down! Shane kicks and runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up again and Kaito whips corner to corner. Mikey reverses but Kaito comes back to NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up again as Kaito drags Mikey up and reels him in. Mikey fights the suplex, but Kaito fires forearms! Kaito reels Mikey in but Mikey suplexes! Kaito slips free, ducks Mikey’s elbow, but Mikey DDTS! Fans fire up while both men are down, Mikey crawls to hot tag Shane! Shane UPPERCUTS again and again on Kaito, whips him to a corner then BLASTS Oiwa before he UPPERCUTS Kaito! Shane keeps moving, CANNONBALL! Fans fire up with Hysterical Haste and he drags Kaito up, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Kaito survives and fans rally up. Shane calls his shot and he drags Kaito back up to reel him in.
Shane underhooks the arms, lifts, but Kaito fights free to chicken wing! Shane fights that to ROCK Kaito! Shane eggs Kaito on then UPPERCUTS him! Kaito comes back to UPPERCUT Shane! Shane UPPERCUTS Kaito! Kaito grits his teeth and shakes his head. Kaito UPPERCUTS, Shane UPPERCUTS, repeat! Fans rally, Shane gets the edge with UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, but Kaito rebounds to RUNNING UPPERCUT! Both men are down again, and the fans fire up! Shane crawls to an open corner, Kaito crawls to hot tag Oiwa! Oiwa runs in to forearm smash, then he whips Shane corner to corner. Oiwa runs in to DROPKICK!
Fans rally up again as Oiwa clamps on a gut wrench, for a GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Oiwa drags Shane up again, GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Oiwa isn’t done, he drags Shane up for a GUT WRENCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO! Oiwa BLASTS Mikey and Kaito slides in. They double whip Shane, then Kaito sends Oiwa in to ELBOW! Kaito runs in to forearm! Feed to the SPIN POWERSLAM! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Kaito TOSSES Mikey and Oiwa fires up! Oiwa drags Shane up in a waistlock but Mikey makes the save! Mikey CHOPS and Shane LARIATS! They coordinate, fireman’s carry, HIGHWAY TO HELL! Cover, Kaito breaks it!
The fans fire up again but Mikey tosses Kaito out. Shane kicks Oiwa around, eggs him on, but Oiwa sits up. Kaito gives more kicks, and a boot! Shane aims from a corner, runs in, but Oiwa dodges the Shane-ing Wizard to single leg, ANACONDA SUPLEX! Shane staggers back up, Oiwa gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but Mikey sweeps Oiwa’s legs! Mikey whips, Oiwa reverses and DROPKICKS! Oiwa calls to Kaito and he returns. They get Shane up and fans fire up with them. Oiwa Electric Chair Lifts while Kaito climbs. But Shane victory rolls under the crossbody! TWO!! Mikey catches Kaito for a MIKEY BOMB!
Oiwa fires off on Mikey and DOUBLE CHOPS! But Shane SUPERKICKS! Mikey scoops, TANK BUSTER!! Cover, TMDK wins!!
Winner: TMDK, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kaito & Oiwa earn 0)
A powerful battle from both teams, but only one team was mighty! Will Shane & Mikey still be the A Block finalists
2023 World Tag League, Block A: Great-O-Khan & Henare w/ Callum Newman VS Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin!
The Dominator & Face of Fury are holding on at 2-2, but so are #WarReady and the Dreadnought! Will the United Empire conquer these War Dogs and stay strong? Or will Kidd & Coughlin win won for the Rebel?
But of course the War Dogs attack at the ramp! But the Empire is ready, and Khan JAMS Kidd with his banner’s staff! Henare fires hands on Coughlin, HEADBUTTS him, and Khan CHOKES Kidd with the staff! Khan throws Kidd down, Henare CLUBS away on Coughlin, and the Empire gets the Dogs set up for Callum! Callum FLIES! Direct hit and he even lands on his feet! Fans fire up with the Empire and they throw the crowns up. Khan CLUBS Kidd, Henare LASHES Coughlin with his vest, and then Khan whips Kidd hard into railing! Red Shoes says fine then, and the bell rings to get this on record.
Fans cheer while Henare puts Coughlin in and throws forearms. Henare runs to then run Coughlin over! Fans cheer more, and Henare aims. Henare KICKS Coughlin in the back! And KICKS him again! Henare snapmares Coughlin to KICK him again! Then he SENTONS onto knees! Coughlin deadlifts and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Coughlin stomps Henare while Kidd whips Khan hard into railing, sending him up and out! Kidd then drags Khan to the back area of the stands, and whips him all the way into a wall! Coughlin digs his boots into Henare in a corner, then his knee. Red Shoes reprimands and Coughlin lets off.
Kidd and Khan keep brawling in the back as Coughlin CHOPS Henare! Coughlin whips Henare corner to corner then clotheslines! Coughlin then scoops Henare, and hits a FALL AWAY SLAM! Henare tumbles and writhes while fans applaud the show of strength. Coughlin covers, TWO! Tag to Kidd, and the War Dogs get Henare up. Coughlin holds the arms back so Kidd can CHOP Henare! And CHOP again! Kidd then stands on Henare’s head but Red Shoes reprimands. Kidd steps off to storm around. Kidd mockingly asks where Will Ospreay went. Kidd says he’s beating up Ospreay’s boys like they’re his b*tches!
Kidd DECKS Henare, then digs his knee in again. Tag to Coughlin, he drags Henare up, and says “Knock knock” as he taps Henare on the head. Henare snarls but Coughlin SLAPS him down! Coughlin says Henare’s supposed to respond, “Who’s there.” Coughlin kneels on Henare but Khan knocks him over! The War Dogs mug Khan, Kidd drags him out of the ring, then whips him hard into railing! Kidd even DECKS Callum for the hell of it! Fans boo but Kidd says he’s a madman! Coughlin stomps Henare, drags him up, and RAMS him into the corner. Tag to Kidd and Kidd RAMS into Henare. Kidd then snapmares Henare to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO!
Khan runs back in but Kidd DECKS him! Kidd drags Khan up to throw him out, and Coughlin hauls him up to whip hard into more railing! Kidd storms around, kicks Henare, but Henare grits his teeth. Kidd eggs Henare on, kicks again, but Henare blocks! Henare steps over to WHEEL KICK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Henare crawls, Khan drags himself up! But Coughlin runs in to BLAST Khan off the apron! Coughlin then goes out to stomp on Khan, and Kidd CLUBS Henare. Coughlin sends Khan into railing again! Kidd drags Henare up, ROCKS him, then bumps him off buckles. But Henare just growls!
Kidd bumps Henare off more buckles, but Henare just headbutts the buckles! Kidd eggs Henare on, CHOPS him, then whips him. But Henare reverses to SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up as Henare crawls for his corner. Hot tag- NO, Coughlin YANKS Khan down! Red Shoes reprimands, Coughlin whips, but Khan reverses to send him into railing! And then Khan BOOTS Coughlin down! The fans fire up, hot tag to Khan! Khan runs Kidd over, whips him to a corner and clotheslines! Then torture rack and swing, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kidd is still in this but the fans rally behind Khan. Khan sits Kidd up, into the IRON CLAW SLEEPER!
Kidd BITES the fingers! And SNAPS them! Kidd runs, rebounds, but Khan gets under! Henare runs in, ASSISTED SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Kidd survives but Henare and Khan coordinate. Shoutout to Aussie Open, RUNNING KICK SANDWICH! Scoop, HEEL KICK T T D!! Cover, Coughlin breaks it! Coughlin and Henare trade big forearms! Fans fire up as they go back and forth! Coughlin gets the edge, but Henare BODY BLOWS! And ULTIMA- NO, Coughlin fights the full nelson! So Henare shoves him to a corner for a SHINING WIZARD! Then snapmare and RUGBY KICK! And then the Monster Rage boils over!
Henare drags Kidd up, fireman’s carries, and Khan runs. But Kidd slips free to shove Henare into Khan! Kidd BITES Henare, TOSSES him out, talks trash, but turns around into the HELL STAB! IRON CLAW, but Kidd grabs at Red Shoes! RIGHT HAND!! Kidd and Khan fall over after that closed fist shot! Fans rally up as hard as they can but Kidd snarls as he drags Khan up. Kidd runs, springboards, OSCUTTER?!? Kidd sends a message to Ospreay, and Coughlin is back in! Gut wrench, Coughlin goes up, HIJACK TOMBSTONE!! Cover, War Dogs win!!
Winners: Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Khan & Henare earn 0)
That madman tells Ospreay that he’s dead when they finally face off 1v1! December 16th is still two weeks away, is Kidd going to overlook the rest of the WTL all because he wants after the Kingpin?
2023 World Tag League, Block A: Shota Umino & Ren Narita VS Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii!
The Reiwa Musketeers are coming off a big main event win last round, and are near the top of the block! But the Clown Prince & Stone Pitbull just took down the top of the block last round against TMDK! Will Yano & Ishii pull off another shocker to get to the front of the line? Or will the Roughneck & Son of Strong Style make it through the Chaos?
The teams sort out and Ishii starts against Narita. The fans rally, the two tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Every step Narita pushes Ishii back, Ishii pushes Narita back. Ishii uses his stockier frame to keep pushing Narita, and they end up on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Ishii lets off, but Narita intercepts the forearm with a forearm! Narita fires off more shots, but Ishii eggs him on! Ishii and Narita trade forearms back and forth, fans fire up as they pick up speed! Narita ROCKS Ishii, runs, but Ishii avoids the boot. Narita avoids the lariat to BOOT Ishii down after all! Fans fire up and Narita stomps Ishii. Narita then stands Ishii up to bump off buckles.
But then Ishii hits Shota! Shota hits back, Ishii fights both Musketeers at once! That doesn’t go well and they mug him 2v1. Tag to Shota and he digs his boots in while Narita BLASTS Yano! Red Shoes counts, Shota & Narita double whip Ishii to ropes, then DOUBLE ELBOW! SENTON! SOMERSAULT SENTON! Then they shake hands to DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Shota kicks Ishii around, eggs him on, but Ishii stands. The two stare down, and Shota throws a forearm. Ishii eggs Shota on now, so Shota throws more forearms. Ishii leans into the shots and backs Shota down like that! Shota keeps throwing shots, but Ishii DECKS him!
Fans fire up and Ishii rains down more shots on Shota! Red Shoes counts, Ishii lets off, and then Ishii eggs Narita on. Red Shoes keeps Narita back and Yano tags in. Yano fires up, and he unties a buckle pad! Then he throws it to Shota and tattles on him to Red Shoes! Shota gives the buckle pad over, and Yano SLAPS Shota in the head! Fans cheer but Shota scowls. Yano claws the eyes! Yano runs, Shota ELBOWS him then runs to basement dropkick! Tag to Narita, and Narita whips Yano to ropes, for a NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Yano is still in this and fans rally up. Narita brings Yano up but Yano pulls hair!
Narita kicks and whips but Yano reverses to throw Narita down by his hair! Yano drags Narita up and whips him into the bare buckles! Narita writhes, Yano BLASTS Shota, and Ishii rushes over to go after him! Yano throws Narita out and then goes out after him. Yano whips Narita hard into railing! Ishii whips Shota hard into railing, too! Yano drags Narita back up, puts him in the ring, and he stomps Narita around. Yano drags Narita up, tells haters to shut up, then tags in Ishii. Ishii CHOPS Narita, stalks him, and CHOPS him against the ropes! Ishii eggs Narita on and CHOPS him again. Ishii continues to egg Narita on, so Narita throws a forearm!
Ishii slaps Narita around, Narita throws more shots, but Ishii CHOPS him back down! Fans applaud, and Ishii taunts Shota. Shota coaches Narita but Ishii gives Narita toying kicks. Ishii HEADBUTTS Narita, CHOPS him, then CHOPS and CHOPS again! Narita roars but Ishii CHOPS him back down! Ishii whips Narita corner to corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Narita runs up, Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii swings, but into a HALF HATCH! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Hot tag to Shota! Shota fires off on Ishii, whips him to ropes, but Ishii reverses. Shota CLOBBERS Ishii, then BLASTS Yano! Fans fire up behind Shota and he sends Ishii to a corner.
Shota runs in to UPPERCUT, then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota keeps going, and he turns Ishii over into an STF! Yano stomps Shota, so Shota kicks Yano and tosses him out. Shota goes back to Ishii, stands him up, and clinches. Ishii fights the lift with elbows! Shota ROCKS Ishii, gives him taunting kicks, but Ishii ROCKS Shota back! Shota and Ishii stare down, and Shota fires off forearm after forearm! Shota has Ishii in the corner for more shots! Red Shoes reprimands but Ishii roars and turns things around to CHOP and ROCK Shota on repeat! The fans rally up as Shota sits down, only for Ishii to stand him back up for more!
Ishii CHOPS and ROCKS Shota into sitting down again, and the fans fire up! Ishii eggs Shota on, kicks him around, slaps him even, and Shota scowls. Shota storms up on Ishii, Ishii throws a forearm. Shota eggs Ishii on, and leans into the shots a la Ishii. Shota then ROCKS Ishii and he staggers away! Ishii comes back, Shota clinches but Ishii slips around. Shota elbows Ishii, whips, but Ishii reverses to SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down! Shota and Ishii crawl, hot tag to Yano! Yano fires up and whips Shota, but Shota reverses. Yano avoids the bare buckles, to then bait Shota into them! Roll up, TWO!
Yano runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up again, and Shota crawls to hot tag Narita! Narita runs up on Yano, BACK ELBOW! Then HALF HATCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO! Yano escapes, but Narita BLASTS Ishii to cut off the tag. Narita clinches but Yano fights the lift! So Narita trips Yano, and rolls him, CROSS ANKLE CLOVERLEAF! Yano endures, the fans rally up, but Narita drags Yano from ropes! Yano keeps fighting around, he reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Narita lets off in frustration but the fans rally up again. Narita stands Yano up, reels him in, COBRA TWIST! But Yano powers free with a hip toss!
Narita runs in but Yano trips him! CATAPULT into the bare buckles!! Ishii clotheslines Narita, too! Then he BLASTS Shota! Yano fires up and he hauls Narita up. ONI- NO, Narita fights free! Narita gets around, SLEEPER! Yano is fading fast, but Narita goes to the COBRA TWIST now! Yano endures, fans rally up, and Yano fights his way around. Shota keeps Ishii out, and Narita brings Yano away with the SLEEPER! Then back to COBRA TWIST! Yano is turning red like his favorite chair! But Ishii sends Shota into railing, to then TACKLE Narita! Fans fire up while Narita tosses Ishii back out. Narita roars and goes back for Yano.
Narita drags Yano up but Yano fights the suplex. Narita knees low, runs, but Yano avoids the boot to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up while both men are down! Yano and Narita crawl, hot tag to Ishii, and he BLASTS Shota! Ishii drags Narita up, throws him into Shota, then runs, but Narita BOOTS! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii escapes and the fans fire up again. Narita crawls, hot tag to Shota! Shota aims at Ishii, BANG and V-TRIGGER! Shota then slingshots to APRON DDT Ishii!! Fans are thunderous and Shota stands tall as Ishii flops over. Red Shoes checks but Ishii is somehow still in this.
Shota drags Ishii up as the ring count begins. Shota puts Ishii in, climbs up a corner, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS Ishii down! Then Shota resets, to slingshot CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans fire up again! Shota drags Ishii up, dragon sleepers, but Ishii fights free. Ishii runs, into a snap cradle, that then shifts into a BONE LOCK!! Ishii endures the over-the-shoulder crossface, but Narita keeps Yano out! Shota pulls on the hold, but Ishii still fights around! Ishii reaches out, but Shota pulls back more! Ishii flails and kicks around, to have the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go and the fans fire up again.
Narita slides in, he and Shota coordinate. Shota wrenches Ishii, dragon sleepers, and then gets Ishii up. Narita runs, BOOT into SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous again! The Musketeers stay focused, though, and they haul Ishii up. They double whip him to a corner, Shota runs in to ELBOW! Narita runs in to JUMP KICK! Feed to Shota’s forearm! Narita’s BOOT! Shota’s ROLLING ELBOW! Another BOOT! And then the lift, for the HART ATTACK! Cover, YANO BREAKS IT! Fans fire up but Narita fires off on Yano! Yano gets around, fireman’s carry takeover! Yano kicks and whips Shota, but Shota reverses!
But Yano denies the tornado DDT! Yano atomic drops Shota, then pops him up. Shota fights the Onigoroshi, underhooks Yano, but Yano RAMS Shota into bare buckles! Ishii reels Shota in, hoists him up, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again! Ishii roars, the fans duel, and Shota flounders up. Ishii runs, Shota BOOTS him, blocks the lariat, and ENZIGURIS! Narita is back to WHEEL KICK! Narita hurries to get Ishii up and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Then a clinch, but Ishii HEADBUTTS free! Narita ENZIGURIS, Shota full nelsons! Narita runs, but Ishii gets free, the BOOT hits Shota!
Ishii shoves Shota into Narita, Yano drags Narita out! LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Shota survives and fans are thunderous again! Ishii grits his teeth and he stands back up. Ishii roars and looks to finish this off. We’re at 20 minutes, Ishii suplexes, but Shota slips free! HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Ishii gets right up to CLOBBER Shota! But Shota’s right up to SHOTGUN Ishii! Ishii’s back, but Shota pop-up KNEES, and LARIATS! Fans fire up again and Shota drags Ishii up. HALF ‘N’ HALF BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and Shota just fires up again! Shota aims from a corner, vowing to end it here!
Ishii slowly rises, Shota runs in, BLAZE BLADE!! But Shota isn’t done! Underhooks and- NO, Ishii wrenches out to PELE!! Both men are down and the fans are electric! Ishii goes to the corner while the fans duel, and he SLIDING LARIATS!! Cover, NARITA BREAKS IT! Yano runs in to toss Narita out! Ishii roars and he drags Shota back up. Ishii suplexes, but Shota fights free! Shota wrenches, ROCKS and ROLLING- NO, Ishii ROCKS Shota! But Shota catches Ishii, only for Ishii to wrench out! Shota POP-UP UPPERCUTS! And then V- NO, Ishii blocks to HEADBUTT! And then Ishii spins Shota to a BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, CHAOS WINS!
Winners: Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Narita earn 0)
There weren’t any tricks needed here, Ishii & Yano beat the Musketeers straight up! Is it still too soon for Shota & Narita to say the Paradigm Shift is coming?
And because it’s Ishii who won this, he’s a true strong silent type, so he and Yano just get outta here! No closing address tonight, but will actions speak louder than words for the Stone Pitbull in this tournament’s second half?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
TMDK: 4-1, 8 points
Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino & Ren Narita: 3-2, 6 points
War Dogs: 3-2, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-3, 4 points
The United Empire: 2-3, 4 points
The House of Torture: 2-3, 4 points
The Gates of Agony: 1-4, 2 points
My Thoughts:
Another great round for World Tag League and this block, with some rather shocking moves. I really thought The Gates were going to get going after their win last round, but I guess the House of Torture couldn’t just drop off that badly so they had to win this here. And as we saw in that main event, Yano & Ishii are making a go of it in this block. They beat Shota & Narita, who are certainly still frontrunners, but that was great stuff to make a point that Shota & Narita aren’t ready to beat the real “old guard” they’re talking about replacing here. War Dogs beating the Empire seems fine, they’re mostly just keeping pace so they could cost somebody later.
And great match from TMDK VS the Noah duo, and a great win for TMDK to again be the clear first place team. 4-1 at the halfway point, this block is on Shane & Mikey to win or lose, and as I’ve been saying, TMDK as both a group and as just these two, the OG members, have been solid a long time. It’d be great if they got to the tournament finals here, maybe even get that title shot at WrestleKingdom.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Who gets lucky on Friday the 13th?
With Elimination Chamber on the horizon, Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, and Sami Zayn fight for a spot in tonight’s Triple Threat Qualifier!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky VS Nia Jax & Lash Legend; No Contest.
- 10 Man Tag: MFT VS Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov, Apollo Crews, Matt Cardona & Shinsuke Nakamura; MFT wins.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Alexa Bliss VS Giulia VS Zelina Vega; Alexa wins and advances.
- Rey Fenix VS Trick Williams; Trick wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill VS Jordynne Grace; Jade wins and retains the title.
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Cody Rhodes VS Jacob Fatu VS Sami Zayn; Cody wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tiffany Stratton is here!
Dallas, Texas cheers as SmackDown is now on #TiffyTime! Tiff goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and asks Dallas, “What time is it?” “TIFFY TIME!” Tiffy says three months ago, she lost the WWE Women’s Championship after having the rookie year most women dream of having. That’s why Tiff decided to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. Not because she asked, not because she got lucky, but because when she says she’s gonna do something, she does it! Five women walking into the chamber hoping to get the match at WrestleMania. But Tiff doesn’t walk in just hoping. She walks in expecting to win! The fans cheer that.
Tiff says based on what she’s seen the last few months, the WWE Women’s Championship misses Tiff! But wait! Nia Jax & Lash Legend walk out here to interrupt! They’re dressed in Valentine’s Day red and pink as they have the mics in hand. The fans boo but Nia says, “Tiffy, i would love to say it’s so good to see your face again, but you know I’m not a liar.” Lash says they keep it real around here. And uh, the truth is, Tiffy DID get lucky last week. Oh, okay, Lash, Nia, but why are you so obsessed with Tiff? Didn’t they already learn their lesson? And seems Nia simply got herself a replacement for Tiff. Lash says haha, calm down that, Bitter Betty, before Lash lashes out.
And the reality is, Lash is an upgrade! Now, after tonight, when Lash & Nia win the Women’s Tag Team Championships, then Nia will win her qualifier next week, and then, y’all will be locked up in the Chamber, and Nia will pin her fast than she can say, “It’s Tiffy Time~!” The fans chant “Tiffy Time!” but Nia says maybe they can just take care of this tonight. Nia & Lash step up to the ring as Nia says Tiff knows what she’s capable of. Tiff says yeah, losing a title match. But wait! Here comes Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky! The fans cheer as Mami & The Genius make their way to the ring, and Tiff says she’ll let Nia & Lash handle their business.
Rhea has a mic to say, “Don’t get ahead of yourselves, ladies. Because neither of you are going to be walking out of the Elimination Chamber, let alone walking out with the golden opportunity to go to WrestleMania. You wanna know why? Because I’m in there. And soon, Iyo’s gonna be in there, too. And we’re gonna do what we do best, and that’s work together until we are the last two standing.” The fans like the sound of that! Rhea says don’t let herself get ahead of herself, either. Because first, #RheYo needs o beat the crap outta Lash & Nia thinking they’re walking out of Dallas with THEIR Women’s Tag Team Championships!
The fans fire up as we get a star-studded match to open the night! But will Mami & The Genius still be on top? Or will the Irresistible Force & Bougie Bully bully their way to being champions?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky VS Nia Jax & Lash Legend!
The teams sort out, Iyo starts against Nia, and Iyo SHOTGUNS Nia at the bell! The fans fire up as Iyo fires forearms. Iyo runs, but Nia POP-UP HEADBUTTS! And ELBOW DROP! Nia drags Iyo up, HEADBUTTS her to a corner, then storms up to CHOP! Iyo is stinging already but Nia whips her into the corner again. Nia stands Iyo up to SLAP instead! Nia scoops but Iyo slips free! Iyo BOOTS Nia, then dodges her! Iyo keeps moving, redirects, and handsprings! Iyo then ducks a boot to KICK the leg out! Iyo keeps moving and she SHOTGUNS Nia down! The fans fire up with Iyo, and she tags Rhea!
The fans fire up even more while Iyo wheelbarrows, Rhea CLUBS Nia into the STOMP 182! Rhea runs and she basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Rhea drags Nia up but Nia shoves her away. Rhea DROPKICKS Nia outta the ring! Lash runs up but Rhea TOSSES her out! Rhea then tags Iyo and Iyo takes aim! ASAI MOONSAULT! Down go Lash & Nia and the fans fire up with Iyo! Iyo gets Nia up, CLUBS her against the apron, then pushes her in. The fans rally behind Iyo as she climbs the corner. But Lash runs up! Iyo BOOTS Lash away, but Nia ROCKS Iyo! Nia fireman’s carries for the SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally while Nia seethes, and she drags Iyo over. Lash tags in, CLUBS Iyo, then DRIBBLES her in the ropes! Lash taunts Rhea, then she swings Iyo for a BACKBREAKER! Cocky cover, ROPEBREAK! Iyo survives but Lash drags her into a chinlock. Iyo endures as Lash squeezes tight, and Iyo fights up for elbows. Lash CLUBS Iyo, puts her in the corner, then tags Nia. Lash sits Iyo down fir Nia to HIP ATTACK! And rubs it in, literally! The fans boo but Nia tells Rhea to kiss this! Nia then has the ref check her eyes while Lash gets a cheap shot in! Nia covers Iyo, TWO! Iyo toughs it out, but Nia drags her up to scoop.
Nia tags Lash, then has Iyo in the ropes for Lash to CLUB again and again! Then SIDEWALK SLAM, and Lash adds a SPALSH DOWN! SmackDown goes picture in picture with the cover, TWO! Lash steps on Iyo, drags her over, and tags Nia back in. Lash whips Iyo to lift, and she throws Iyo into Nia’s fireman’s carry! But Iyo makes that a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO! That almost backfired on the challengers! Lash runs up, but Iyo DUMPS her out! Iyo crawls for her corner, but Lash YANKS Rhea down! Nia stomps Iyo down, then soaks up heat. SmackDown returns to single picture as Nia tags Lash.
Nia & Lash double whip Iyo to the corner while fans chant, “You Suck!” But Iyo goes up and over Nia, and leaps off her to MISSILE DROPKICK Lash! The fans fire up as Iyo crawls, hot tag to Rhea! The fans fire up as Mami dodges Lash to DROPKICK Nia! Then she LARIATS Lash! And LARIATS! But Lash guzels! But Rhea turns the lift into a wheelbarrow! Lash back suplexes outta that, only for Rhea to land out! Rhea then CHOPS Lash, knuckle locks, and goes up the ropes to FLYING RA- NO! Lash stops that, but Rhea fires fists! Nia tags in before the RANA! Rhea dodges Nia, tilt-o-whirls, and DDT! Cover, TWO!
Nia survives but the fans rally behind Rhea. Rhea tags Iyo, Iyo goes up, but Nia fights the Riptide! Nia CLUBS Iyo, then goes up, but Iyo fires elbows! Rhea CLUBS Nia, and POWERBOMBS her down! Then Iyo goes OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, BUT LASH USES RHEA TO BREAK IT! Lash TOSSES Iyo out, then SMACKS Iyo off the apron! “This is Awesome!” even as Lash POSTS Iyo! Lash SMACKS Iyo off the desk, then dribbles her off it! Lash snarls as she pushes Iyo down, but Rhea WRECKS Lash with a dropkick! The ref says this is too much, and he has them ring the bell!!
No Contest; Rhea & Iyo retain the titles
The fans boo but Rhea keeps hitting Lash off the desk! Lash hits back, Iyo jumps on Lash, but Nia CLOBBERS Rhea! Lash POSTS Iyo again! Nia brings Rhea up but Rhea hits back! Rhea fires forearms, then a HEADBUTT! Lash BOOTS Rhea down! Lash pumps the brakes on Mami, and she brings out a TABLE! Dallas is torn, they love tables but aren’t as big on this match being a wash. Nia & Lash set their table up nearby, then Nia climbs into the ring. Lash puts Rhea on the table, and Nia goes up the corner?! The fans are already scared for what’s coming! But Rhea BOOTS Lash away! Iyo GAMANGIRIS Nia!
Iyo fires up, builds speed, and DIVES into Nia to go down through the table!! But then Lash TACKLES Rhea through barriers!! Dallas is going nuts as all four women are down in wreckage! Refs and security hurry out here, but clearly nothing is settled between these teams. Will #RheYo and the Irresistible Forces look to run it back?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Cathy Kelley is with the American Nightmare and knows Cody’s already spoken with conviction that Drew McIntyre wouldn’t even make it to WrestleMania. But for Cody to make it to Mania, he has to win tonight’s qualifier, and then win what will certainly be a stacked Elimination Chamber match. How can Cody be so confident he will make it to Mania? Cody says he could speak with conviction, he could be angry, fuming, spitting, or he could do the “Golden Boy” thing and, per SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis, “control his emotions.” Everyone knows the pressures of this gig. As they’re talking, there are people posting along live with the show.
There are streamers broadcasting reactions to every word they say. There are 300+ employees at WWE HQ who are hoping and waiting that Cody, Jacob Fatu, and Sami Zayn all rip each other apart to have an all-timer of a main event tonight. And when that noise fills the ears and that pressure adds up, Cody asks himself one thing: Where is he? Cody is two matches away from the dream of main eventing WrestleMania. And in addition to that, he’s down the road from Reunion Tower, around the corner from the Cotton Bowl, and currently in the American Airline Center! This is Von Erich Country, and he is in Dallas, Texas.
Cody says don’t bet against him, so definitely don’t do that here. Cody heads out, but will he win that one-third odds tonight? Or will the numbers spell disaster for Cody in Dallas?
Carmelo Hayes encounters Apollo Crews and Matt Cardona.
They all say hey, and Apollo says he’s been watching H1M. Apollo admires the US Championship Open Challenge. As a former champion himself, Apollo would love to be back in the conversation himself. Melo says yeah, it’s the hottest ticket in town. Cardona says he’s also a former US Champion. And as he’s said, he’s not just back to be back, he’s back for gold. Well, the Open Challenge is open every Friday, but tonight, it’s already closed. Melo heads out, but then The Miz is right around the corner. Miz says Melo is just handing opportunities to anyone now? Yeah, anyone but Miz. Miz says he is a locker room leader, filling the void left by John Cena!
And right now, Melo is violating Miz’s three core values! Oh, and what’re those? Master, Inspire, Zone-in! And right now, he’s zoned in on Melo and teaching H1M a lesson in respect! Oh? Well, hopefully Miz teaches better than he wrestles. Melo heads out, and Cardona points out that “Zone-in” might be two words. Miz says it’s a hyphen! It’s M I Z! Who even asked you!? Miz storms off, but if the open challenge is closed, who filled the card?
Aleister & Zelina speak.
The Dark Father gives credit where credit is due: Randy Orton is undoubtedly still one of the greats. That match was shades of 2009 Orton. But Aleister can’t help but wonder… What if Cody Rhodes qualifies tonight. What roads will Orton take? Maybe we’ll see it really soon. La Muneca calls out Alexa Bliss and Giulia, saying one of them holds her title, while the other holds onto a fragile friendship. Zelina can’t help but wonder how much she can poke and play until all those porcelain egos finally break. Zelina says Alexa got in her head a long time ago, but that time will come. Tonight, Zelina makes sure that she goes to Elimination Chamber. “Tonight, change will come.”
Carmelo Hayes heads to the ring.
Dallas is fired up to see H1M out here, and he even gives some autographs to the front row. The US Champ grabs himself a mic to say, “Let’s go, Dallas, c’mon!” The fans cheer and Melo says he just wants to talk real quick. Melo says for the last 48 DAYS that he has been champion, he has chosen to bring prestige and honor to this title the same way as the guys before him did. Now listen, it’s one of those things that they say, “Banger after banger,” Match of the Night,” most defenses on main roster. Melo says Raw or SmackDown, he said what he said. And so as your U S A Champion, we’re on the Road to WrestleMania!
And Melo has earned his opportunity at WrestleMania! And since he’s gonna shoot his shot, might as well shoot for the main event. Next week, Melo will be qualifying for the Elimination Chamber! He knows everyone in Dallas knows, when he shoots, #MeloDon’tMiss. But to business tonight, he made a promise and he’s gotta keep it. There’s a man who’s been chasing H1M, Melo owes him one, so Ilja Dragunov, come on down! The fans cheer as the Mad Russian Dragon makes his entrance! It is time to right a wrong, but will Melo regret giving The Czar this match? Or- WAIT! Solo Sikoa & MFT are interrupting?!
Solo tells Melo, “You talk about having a United States Championship match. Well it for damn sure doesn’t start with Ilja! How many times did you lose, huh? Twice? Hey, ya shot, and ya missed. So get your ass to the back of the line, cuz the line starts with ME!” Ilja tells Solo that Solo is calling his shots. But didn’t his family abandon him during his qualifier? Solo says shut up! Don’t ever talk about his family like that again! The same thing that happened to the Wyatts is what’s gonna happen to Melo & Ilja! Oh, well, seems someone wants a fight! That means Melo & Ilja are ready for one! Melo says he was gonna leave here with one title, but why not try for two? What does MFT say?
Solo mocks Melo, then says shut the hell up! Solo says Melo & Ilja can keep running their mouths, but just know that it did not have to be like this. MFT swarms the ring and it is a 5v2 beating! The fans boo but Solo soaks up the heat! JC Mateo sends Melo into a corner while the Guerrillas stomp away on Ilja! But then Cardona & Crews rush out here! The fans cheer as the numbers are more even now! It is still 5v4, though! The fans boo as Cardona and Crews also get beat up, but SHINSUKE NAKAMURA is here! The King of Strong Style fires off on Tonga Loa, then THRWOS him aside! Then he GAMANGIRIS JC!
Nakamura DUMPS Talla out, Ilja and Cardona TOSS the rest! The fans fire up as we now have 5v5! And Nick Aldis walks out here to say this night started with chaos, so why not keep that going? He likes the intensity, it’s good for business. So clearly, we’re taking a rain check on the US title, and it is time for a Texas-sized TEN MAN TAG! Ring the bell! The fans fire up as the teams sort out, but the fight starts after the break.
10 Man Tag: MFT VS Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov, Apollo Crews, Matt Cardona & Shinsuke Nakamura!
SmackDown returns as Crew CHOPS JC! Then tag to Cardona! They handoff the wrench and Cardona HEADBUTTS the arm! Cardona CLUBS away on JC’s arm, but JC DECKS Cardona! Tag to Loa and Cardona FLATLINERS! Cardona runs up to ROCK him in the corner! Cardona whips, Loa reverses, but Cardona KNEES Loa away. Cardona goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Cardona drags Loa up, but Loa almost pantses Cardona! Loa RAMS Cardona into the corner, Cardona ELBOWS him away, but Loa distracts the ref so Solo can ENZIGIRI Cardona! The fans boo but Loa LARIATS Cardona down!
Loa snarls and he drags Cardona up. Loa scoops and SLAMS Cardona into the drop zone, then tags Tama for the SLINGSHOT SENTON! Tama taunts Melo’s team, then CHOKES Cardona on the ropes! The ref counts, Tama tops, but Solo KNEES Cardona down! Solo soaks up heat while Tama tags Talla. Talla looms over Cardona while the fans chant, “SOLO SUCKS!” Talla CLUBS away on Cardona, then drags him up to whip to the corner. Talla runs in and LARIATS! Talla then fireman’s carries Cardona for a SAMOAN DROP! Talla soaks up heat, then he stomps Cardona down. Talla tags Loa, Loa HEADBUTTS Cardona, then Loa whips but Cardona SMASHES him on the mat!
The fans fire up as Cardona hot tags Ilja! Ilja CHOPS away on Loa! Loa kicks low, HEADBUTTS, then whips Ilja to a corner, Loa runs up but into a BOOT! Ilja BOOTS Loa again, then runs up to KNEE Loa! Ilja goes side to side and he BOOT WASHES Loa down! Ilja goes up the corner, but he has to ROCK JC first! Loa ROCKS Ilja, and Ilja falls hard to the apron! Loa tags Talla, and Talal LARIATS Ilja! The fans boo but MFT soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and JC squeezes Ilja with a chinlock. Ilja fights up as the fans rally, and Ilja fires elbows. Ilja CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but JC ROCKS Ilja! Ilja springs up but JC ducks the enzigiri! Hot tag to Solo! Solo BLASTS Cardona and Crews, then taunts Melo. But Ilja ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ilja and Solo stagger, hot tag to Melo! The fans fire up as Melo fires off on Solo with forearms and CHOSP! Melo runs, RAMS Solo, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Solo staggers around, takes a swing, but misses! M elo hits the springboard FLYING CLOTHESLINE!
Tama runs in, Melo puts him in a corner, and he blocks a boot! Melo puts Tama in the ropes, ENZIGIRIS, then hits the FADE AWAY JUMPER! The fans fire up but Solo ROCKS Melo! Melo rebounds for LA MYSTICA! Cover, Loa breaks it! Nakamura is in, Loa ducks one kick but not the WHEEL KICK! But Tama gets Nakamura for a TONGAN TWIST! Crews GERMAN SUPLEXES Tama! JC GERMAN SUPLEXES Crews! Cardona hits RADIO SILENCE! Cardona dodges Solo to ROUGH RYDER! But Talla LARIATS Cardona! The fans boo but Talla soaks up heat. But then Ilja & Melo stand together, and they fire off on Talla!
The fans fire up as they back Talla down! Talla SHOVES Melo, UPPERCUDTS Ilja, but Melo comes back, springboard- But into the guzel! Talla gets Ilja, too! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAMS!! But Crews ENZIGIRIS! Cardona ROCKS Talla, Crews dropkicks a leg out, and Cardona KNEES Talla! Talla just shakes it all off! Double guzels for- KNEE from Nakamura! Then Crews & Cardona DOUBLE LARIAT Talla up and out! Cardona WRECKS Talla with a dropkick, then Crews FLIES! Down goes Talla!! Nakamura fires a strike fest on JC, but JC reels him in for an ATHLETIC PLEX! But Ilja is up to GERMAN- NO, JC fights it!
JC switches, Ilja fights free! Ilja SWATS the lariat, then TORPEDO MOSCOW!! H-BOMB FOREARM!! But then Solo POSTS Ilja! The fans boo, but Melo SUPERKICKS Solo! But Melo runs into a fireman’s carry! Melo slips free, dodges Solo, but Tama tags in! FIRST 48 on Solo!! Melo goes up, but Tama SHOVES him into the SAMOAN SPIKE!! TORPEDO MOSCOW on Solo!! But Tama has Melo in his crosshairs, for the CUTTHROAT ELBOW!! Cover, MFT wins!!
Winners: MFT, by pinfall
MFT used the numbers and the chaos in their favor! And bigger than that, Tama just pinned the US Champion! Will nothing stop The Good Bad Guy from taking that title from H1M? WAIT! The lights go out! And the fireflies come out! MFT looks up to the skybox, and there are the Wyatts! Uncle Howdy has warned them, this is far from over. When and where will the Wyatts take back the WWE Tag Team Championships and the lantern?
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair talk backstage.
They tentatively say hi, and Charlotte apologizes about the Royal Rumble. Alexa says it’s okay, Charlotte didn’t really eliminate her, Nia did. Charlotte says yeah, Nia ruins everything. But what Nia won’t ruin is tonight. Because tonight is #Galentine’sDay. Will Alexa be Charlotte’s Galentine? She got Alexa’s favorite flowers, black roses, and a picture. It’s an autographed picture of Charlotte. This is supposed to be a gift to Alexa? Alexa says it’s fine, Royal Rumble has the rule of every woman for herself. Yeah, and Chamber is the same. But now back to the presents. The best present is that Charlotte will be in Alexa’s corner. As her Galentine?
No, cuz Charlotte will woo her. Get it? Woo. Alexa sighs and says fine, she can bring the picture. Charlotte knew Alexa loved it. #Charlexa heads out, but will Lil’ Miss Bliss be headed to Chicago? Or will Galentine’s be ruined this year?
Damian Priest and R-Truth meet with Nick Aldis.
The Archer of Infamy and the SmackDown GM talk Elimination Chamber qualifiers. Next week, it will be another Triple Threat: Priest VS Melo VS Trick Williams! Priest likes that. And then Kit Wilson steps in. Kit demands to know what that stunt was with sending Oba Femi out there. Kit says Aldis is lucky Kit chooses to use his words and not his fists. Speaking of, he wrote a poem! “Monday Night Raw is red, Friday Night SmackDown is blue, real men express feelings, unlike you!” Truth says aw. Kit continues, “You reward meatheads, your leadership is obnoxious! Wake up, Nick! You are toxic!” Truth says okay, not bad.
Kit says of course Aldis and Priest laugh! They lack emotional intelligence! They can’t enjoy a good poem from the only real man in the room! Truth calms Priest down and asks to handle this himself. Wepa! Priest says okay, sure. Truth says violets are blue, roses are red, but did y’all see when Oba slammed Kit on his head? Kit says he a real man, but he can’t even go. Uh oh, Kit might’ve lost his manhood! Truth sees a camel toe! Kit says that is vile! They’re all immature children! Kit is not finished! You’re all TOXIC! Kit storms off, but will he make another scathing entry in his diary about this?
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Alexa Bliss VS Giulia VS Zelina Vega!
This is a battle of small yet mighty superstars who have accomplished big things in their careers, but nothing is bigger than the Grandest Stage of Them All! Who takes one small step this match, and one giant leap into the Elimination Chamber?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the three stare down. They circle, feel things out, but Alexa TACKLES Zelina to a jackknife bridge! ONE, and Giulia hits an Oklahoma Roll! ONE, and Zelina rolls Giulia up, ONE! The three stand off and the fans cheer. They reset, Giulia runs up on Alexa but is sent into Zelina! Then Alexa clinches! But Zelina CLOBBERS Alexa, hops on, but Alexa pops free! Giulia ROCKS Zelina, scoops, but Alexa CLUBS Giulia! Zelina bumps Alexa off buckles, then stares down with Giulia. They circle, tie up, and Zelina waistlocks. Giulia throws her away, then avoids the kick!
Giulia catches a shot to ROCK Zelina, then she reels Zelina in for a snap suplex! The fans cheer while Giulia then stalks Zelina. Giulia ties up Zelina’s legs, grabs the arms, and SURFBOARD STOMPS her down! Cover, TWO! Zelina is tougher than that, but Giulia runs up, only for Zelina to block and ELBOW! Then SAIDO! Zelina kips up, the fans fire up, and Alexa is back! She guzels Zelina but Giulia grabs Alexa’s hair! Alexa STOs Giulia, then SOMERSAULT SENTONS! The fans fire up for Alexa while she goes to the apron. Alexa CANNONBALLS Giulia down! But then Zelina is there to METEORA Alexa! Zelina mockingly makes sure Alexa is alright while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Zelina RAMS Alexa into a corner! Giulia THROWS Zelina back to then stomp away on Alexa! But Zelina THROWS Giulia down! Zelina fires off on Alexa, RAMS her, but Giulia wrenches Zelina by her hair! Giulia THROWS Zelina, then DOUBLE KNEES Alexa! Giulia runs but Zelina BOOTS her! Zelina goes up, soaks up cheers and jeers, but Giulia ROCKS her first! Giulia goes up after Zelina, underhooks the arms, but Zelina resists the lift! Giulia still gets Zelina up for a SUPER DUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX! The fans fire up with Giulia, but then Alexa CLOBBERS her! And CLOBBERS her!
Alexa DROPKICKS Giulia down, then wrenches Zelina to SLAP, ROCK, KNEE, and SHOTGUN her down! Giulia runs up, wrenches, but Zelina SLAPS, ROCKS, KNEES, and SHOTGUNS Giulia! The fans fire up with Alexa and she runs, DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTER! Cover on Giulia, TWO! Cover on Zelina, TWO! Both Giulia and Zelina survive but “This is Awesome!” Alexa steps on Giulia, she goes up the corner, but Giulia rises! UPPERCUT! Giulia goes up to get Alexa, but Zelina CLUBS Giulia! Zelina joins in, and she SUPER BACK SUPLEXES Giulia! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives and Zelina grows frustrated!
Zelina throws hands on Giulia, Giulia hits back, and they stand up. Giulia ROCKS Zelina, Zelina ROCKS Giulia, repeat! Giulia HEADBUTTS away on Zelina! Alexa is up to CLUB them both! Giulia ROCKS Alexa, Zelina ROCKS Giulia, then Zelina whips. Alexa dodges and ROCKS Zelina! Giulia is down from hitting buckles, and Alexa stomps her down! Alexa goes up, up, and TWISTED BLISS but onto knees! Zelina hops onto Giulia! CODE RED!! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all three women are down! Zelina stands but Alexa clinches! TWISTED- NO, Zelina slips out, but Alexa still hits a DDT! But Giulia KNEES the cover apart!
Giulia drags Alexa up, scoops, NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, ZELINA BREAKS IT! The fans are torn as all three women are down again! Alexa flounders out of the ring while Zelina drags Giulia up. Kiana shouts at the ref, storms into the ring, but Zelina BLASTS her! And dodges Giulia! Giulia tumbles out, Zelina fires up, and the fans cheer as Zelina builds speed! Alexa catches her to the clinch! TWISTED SISTER BLISS!! Cover, ALEXA WINS!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to the Elimination Chamber)
Giulia is beside herself, she was fingertips away from breaking that up! But in the end, Alexa is the third woman in the match! Who else will join them in Chicago?
Tiffany Stratton encounters Jordynne Grace backstage.
The Juggernaut tells the Wrestling Barbie welcome back. Tiff thanks her and says things are a little different around here. As much as Tiff wants to beat Jade Cargill, she doesn’t mind if Grace does first. Grace says when she wins tonight, she wouldn’t mind seeing Tiff at WrestleMania. Grace heads out, but then Chelsea Green runs into Tiff with her wheelchair! Chelsea says look long and hard at what Tiff did to her! This beautiful foot is now grotesque! All because “Tacky Time” took her spot at Elimination Chamber! And y’know what?! Jealousy is a disease, and Tiff is riddled with it! Alba Fyre agrees!
And they demand an apology! Maybe even compensation! Tiff tells Chelsea that if she wants to fight Tiff, all she has to do is step up and- Oh, wait! She can’t! Tootles! Tiff walks away, Chelsea says after her! Wait, the comfy blanket gets caught up in the wheel. But will the Hot Mess make a full recovery in time to ruin Tiffy Time?
Sami Zayn talks with Rey Fenix backstage.
#BigMatchSami checks on on the Immortal Firebird and Fenix says he’s good. Sami knows Fenix has his match with Trick Williams tonight, so just do Sami a favor: Teach that guy a lesson. Trick’s talked a lot of trash on everyone, and Sami’s seen this type before. Trick has all the talent in the world, he just needs someone like Fenix to teach him a lesson in respect. Fenix says no problemo, amigo, he’s got this. See you later. Sami says he also has one more thing. Last week, Fenix was trying to talk to him but Sami admits, he wasn’t really all there. It has been a tough couple of weeks, losing out on the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble, but that no longer matters.
Sami is focusing on tonight to punch his ticket to Elimination Chamber, which will punch his ticket to WrestleMania. What Fenix said to him about inspiring the others, giving hope to others, that if Sami can do it, anyone can… Sami just wants Fenix to know that meant a lot to him. Sami will take that hope and carry it with him to the ring. Fenix says he knows that tonight, Sami will do it. But then they hear Trick’s music, so that means Fenix has to get going. Sami wishes Fenix luck, will Fenix #WhoopDatTrick? Or will those lemon pepper steppers have momentum going into next week’s Triple Threat qualifier?
Rey Fenix VS Trick Williams!
Trick grabs a mic while the fans chant, “Whoop Dat Trick!” “Huh? Yeah! I like it!” Trick is fired up with Dallas, and he tells Sami Zayn, “Lemme do you a favor, big dawg: Nobody here in Dallas wants to hear Mr. Can’t Get the Job Done tell his sob story.” The fans are torn on that, but Trick says Sami comes out here, backstage, moping around, Sketchers on his feet, ain’t combed his hair, breath smelling like ten pounds of ass! And he’s beggin’ for another opportunity? You make Trick sick! The fans are torn again, but Trick says newsflash, Sami! You got your opportunity tonight, you got a qualifier with Jacob Fatu and Cody Rhodes! Those are some big dogs.
But if you come in here moping around, they’ll eat you alive, let’s talk about it. But on to Trick Willy! Next week, he’ll come out here, put on his mink coat, take off his lemon pepper steppers, and do whatever it takes to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. Now as for tonight, Trick has Rey Fenix. Lemme tell you something, Fenix. You come out here every single week, you do backflips, kicks, but lemme tell you. When Dallas goes to the zoo, they don’t wanna see a squirrel doing flips, they wanna see a lion get up! And if you think Trick’s gonna lie down for one second just cuz he’s new here, then you must be stupid!
But then Fenix makes his entrance and that shuts Trick up. Fenix is ready to Whoop Dat Trick, but this rematch gets started after the break.
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Fenix and Trick tie up, Trick headlocks, but Fenix fires body shots. Fenix powers up and out but Trick RUNS him over! The fans chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” and it might be for both meanings. Fenix gets up and he resets with Trick. They tie up, Fenix waistlocks, but Trick throws Fenix away! Trick flexes and says he can do this all day. Fenix stands up but Trick pie face shim. Trick CHOPS then fires forearms! Trick knees low, whips Fenix to a corner, but Fenix BOOTS back! Fenix SOBATS, FRONT KICKS, then whips, but Trick blocks! Trick whips Fenix but Fenix handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Cover, ONE!!
Trick shakes his head but Fenix waits on him to stand, Somersault and- NO, Trick catches Fenix to TOSS him to the corner! The fans cheer for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” Trick CHOPS Fenix, then runs up, but Fenix dodges! GAMANGIRI! Fenix pushes Trick out, then goes up and up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Fenix is feeling it. Fenix aims from a corner, “ANIMO!” ROLLING- LEG LARIAT from Trick! Trick fires up and the fans cheer while Fenix sputters. Trick drags Fenix up, whips him to the corner, then CHOPS! Trick whips corner to corner, runs up again, and CHOPS! The fans fire up while Trick snarls.
Trick whips corner to corner again, but Fenix comes back to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! But Trick scoops and SLAMS Fenix! Trick snarls as he brushes off his stinging chest, and he dares Fenix to get up. Trick scuffs Fenix, brings him up, and scoops, but Fenix slips free! Fenix rolls Trick up, TWO! Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Trick scoops to BACKBREAKER! Trick hits a JUMP NECKBREAKER! The fans cheer and Trick tells Fenix to get up. Fenix stands, Trick runs up, LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives but Trick just cheers himself on while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again as Fenix fires body shots on Trick! Then CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP, then Fenix runs to LARIAT! Trick wobbles but Fenix keeps moving, only for Trick to FLAPJACK! The fans fire up as Trick checks the hands. Trick CHOPS Fenix down! Booker T would be proud! Trick whips, Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges, then tiger feint rewinds to HEEL KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Trick and Fenix slowly rise up, “This is Awesome!” Trick stalks Fenix to a corner, brings him up, but Fenix SUPERKICKS! Fenix bobs ‘n’ weaves to SUPERKICK again!
Trick staggers, Fenix runs up, JUMP SOBAT! Then he goes up, up, and ADIOS AMIGO! Cover, TWO! Trick survives and Fenix is a bit surprised, but the fans continue to rally up. Fenix goes up the corner, waits on Trick, and CROSSBODIES! Then he hurries right back up the corner, to FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Trick survives the double impact and Fenix is beside himself! The fans are thunderous as Fenix stalks Trick to the ropes. Trick bails out of the ring to the ramp, but Fenix goes up the corner! Fenix SUPER DUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Trick and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Fenix hurries to get Trick back in!
Fenix goes back to the corner, but Trick UPPERCUTS first! Trick climbs up, then he fireman’s carries Fenix! Fenix fires elbows, CLUBS away on Trick, then he goes to the post! Fenix counts it out, UNO, DOS, TRES! SUPER FIRE STOMP!! Cover, TWO?!? Trick survives and Fenix cannot believe it! Dallas is electric as Fenix goes right back up, jumps around, but Trick avoids the Quebrada! But Fenix avoids a lariat! And an elbow! But not the TRICK SHOT! Cover, TRICK WINS!
Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall
The sequel was better than the first, but it ends all the same! Trick gets a win over the former AAA Mega Champion, and now he has momentum going into his own Triple Threat qualifier! Will Hollywood Trick be headed to Chicago?
Rhea & Iyo regroup backstage.
They’re both upset that the tag title match was a wash, but Rhea is sure they’ll get even with Nia & Lash soon enough. But for now, Iyo has to focus on Monday and her qualifier. And then Giulia storms in, just as upset missing out on qualifying for Elimination Chamber. Kiana James tries to calm her down, and Rhea mockingly asks if someone’s a little sad about losing their match. Giulia snarls but Kiana suggests they not provoke Giulia. Or what? Iyo beat Giulia last week, so maybe Iyo will do it again and take that Women’s US Championship. Giulia goes into a rage but Kiana holds her back. Giulia warns Iyo in Japanese, but Iyo taunts her back with a “Mattane. <See you later.>”
But then Jade Cargill passes by. She looks at both Iyo and Rhea, then smirks. The Storm does not seem to see them as a threat, but will she even be a champion after facing The Juggernaut?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“My whole life, the odds been stacked against me. And to keep it 100, I never been in no Elimination Chamber. But hold on, don’t get it twisted now. I know what that cold steel feels like from being in a cell, nobody around, locked down. People even like to speak and talk about you. ‘Jacob Fatu, he’s unpredictable.’ Hell, all the way to, ‘Jacob Fatu, he’s a real-life criminal.’ Man, c’mon with it. I’ve been written off, scratched off. Hell, I ain’t even supposed to be here right now. All week, Cody and Sami, I know for a fact they been worried about what Jacob is about to do. Nah, lemme break it down for you two. Tonight, I’m winning.
“Elimination Chamber, c’mon with it. I done been locked up before. The only difference is, there ain’t no WrestleMania sign to point to on this yard. When it comes to Elimination Chamber, got that in the bag. Then I’m on my way to WrestleMania 42, leaving nobody with no doubt about what Jacob Fatu is gonna do. And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it.” The Samoan Werewolf is ready to bare his fangs, but will he sink his teeth into a golden ticket to Chicago?
WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill VS Jordynne Grace!
The Storm ended Tiffy Time and has blown away anyone who could even possibly challenge her, but a new force of nature has arrived on SmackDown. It’s about to be a Clash of the Titans in Texas, will anything be left standing when the smoke clears?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes it reign!
Wait, Liv Morgan is here? She brings Dominik Mysterio & Raquel Rodriguez with her, and also has a mic. “Excuse meee~! Sorry, excuse me.” Dom says they won’t take long, but Dom knows Liv so well that he knew she would want to watch this match in person. Liv says exactly. And they need to acknowledge that Jade’s been champion for 100 days! That’s a big deal! And Dirty Dom being the super amazing double champion that he is, he also planned a romantic date for him and Liv. Ringside staff brings in a table for two, and Liv says this is why Dom is the greatest boyfriend of ALLLLLLLL~ TIIIME~! Liv loves dinner and a show!
So don’t mind them, they’re gonna sit back, relax, and watch her potential WrestleMania opponents tear each other apart. Happy Valentine’s Day~! The bell rings, Grace and Jade tie up, and they go around in the collar ‘n’ elbow. Jade powers Grace to a corner, Jade turns it around, and the ref gets in there to back them off. Jade is upset but she and Grace reset. They tie up, Grace waistlocks, but Jade switches. Grace headlocks, Jade powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! And RAM shoulders! And RAM shoulders! Grace ducks a lariat but Jade suplexes first! Grace goes to a corner, Jade runs up, but Grace BOOTS her!
Grace whips, Jade reverses, but Grace goes up and- NO, Jade catches her! Only for Grace to make it a SLEEPER! Jade RAMS Grace into buckles, RAMS her in again, but she’s already fading! Jade fights up, and BACKPACK SENTONS! But Grace holds on! Jade fights around, rolls and rolls, and they go to the outside! Grace is still wrapped on tight, but Jade POSTS her! Jade is free, then she winds up, but Grace ducks! Jade’s elbow hits the POST! Jade goes into the ring but Grace drags her out, ARM BREAKER DDT to the floor! Jade writhes, and Garde uses the desk for a VADER BOMB! Jade sputters while Grace refreshes the ring count.
Grace drags Jade up, and she brings her around to reel her in. But Jade fights the lift and BACKDROPS Grace on the barrier! Jade now refreshes the ring count, and she glares at Liv. Jade snatches a chicken nugget, and eats it! The Storm is not sweating Liv while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jade has Grace in a chinlock. Grace fights up but Jade wrangles her back down. Dom shows off his own bottle of bubbly, but who knows how it tastes. Grace fights up, knees low, then wrenches to UPPERCUT the bad arm! Jade clutches the elbow, but Grace BOOTS her and goes to the apron. Grace blocks the shots, and HEADBUTTS away in the ropes! Grace pushes Jade back but Jade runs in! Grace slips around to RAM Jade into buckles again and again! Backslide, roll through, BACKHAND! Grace then suplexes Jade up for the JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and Grace is a bit surprised. Is Liv even paying attention?
Grace fireman’s carries, but Jade slips free! Jade fireman’s carries but Grace fights free! But Jade BOOTS Grace, lifts, but Grace hits a flying-mare! Jade headscissors, Grace kips free, and Grace hits a SPINEBUSTER! Grace brings Jade up, in, and lifts, but Jade lands out! SPINEBUSTER on Grace! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both women are down! Jade rolls to a corner, drags herself up, and takes aim! But Grace ducks the boot to roll Jade up! TWO, and Grace wheelbarrow to a victory roll! TWO, and Jade scoops Grace! Grace fights free, and gut wrenches Jade up for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives and Grace is shocked!
The fans rally up again as Jade sputters. Grace and Jade go forehead to forehead, then they SLAP and SLAP and fire forearm after forearm! The fans fire up as Grace BACKHANDS again! Grace torture racks Jade for a BURNING- NO, Jade lands out! And BOOTS Grace down! Jade then chicken wings Grace for JADED!! Cover, JADE WINS!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)
The Juggernaut pushed Jade, but Jade had grace under pressure. Jade then goes to Liv and tells her that if Liv chooses her for WrestleMania, that’ll be her ass. Jade heads out but Liv brushes that off. Will Liv be unable to play it cool once she’s facing The Storm head on?
Fraxiom and MCMG can’t even.
Nathan Frazer, Axiom, Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin chuckle as Johnny Gargano is still depressed and sulking. Candice LeRae tries to encourage him, but Johnny asks, “What’s even the point?” Candice says who cares about the stupid mask! Johnny says it’s more than just the mask and she knows it! His tag partner is gone, he has no friends, no title. He has nothing left. Wow, really? Nothing left? Johnny says nothing. Uh, his wife is right here! Fine, whatever, do whatever this is, she will fix this! She then literally wheels the road case Gargano is curled up on, and the others have another laugh. Shelley says he’s starting to feel bad for the guy. Not!
But then MFT walks in, and Solo says the Wyatts don’t want a real showdown. Then he tells the “chumps” that they should take notes. If they want a shot at the tag titles, then get in line. Solo continues on, but then he spots a picture on their locker room door. It’s a drawing by Lumis of Solo’s head as the new lantern! Solo rips it down, but it is clear this will not end until one side wins once and for all.
Oba Femi speaks.
“Man has always struggled with the concept of change. People fear change. When the tides start to shift around them, they cling to their idols and false prophets, holding onto what once was. What they don’t understand is that change is inevitable. And if you do not adapt, you perish. After a long time, I’ve been saying, ‘A change is coming, a change is coming.’ But now, change is here. So you will hear my drums, and you will see my strut, and you will look when the deed is done. Because change has sent Oba Femi.”
Nick Aldis meets with Oba Femi.
Speaking of The Ruler, the SmackDown GM hands him his potential contract, and would love if Oba signed full-time with SmackDown. But then Kit Wilson storms in again! Aldis cannot believe this. Is Kit serious? They’re in the middle of something, and what? Kit wants to read another poem? Oh, it’s even bookmarked. It’s about Oba! Let’s read it for the class. Aldis grabs the book to read: “Roses are red, but I don’t give a damn. You may be big and strong, but really, you’re an insecure little man. Your actions are toxic, it’s plain to see. You’re not match for a real man, a real man like me. You march and you stomp through every town. They’re laughing at you, you sad little clown.”
Aldis sarcastically says that’s profound stuff, Kit. Oba asks if that’s how Kit feels. Kit says yeah, that’s how he feels. In that case, they can meet in the ring next week and “discuss” their feelings. Aldis says that sounds great. Kits shouts TOXIC, then runs away. Will Oba change The Topic from “Why is WWE toxic?” to “Whatever happened to Kit Wilson?”
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Cathy Kelley is with the Scottish Terminator and says that Elimination Chamber is taking shape. Three men are about to step into the ring for their qualifier, all three men having long histories with Drew. What are Drew’s thoughts? Drew says let’s focus who’s already in there: Randy “Can’t Win The Big One Anymore” Orton, and the Catchphrase Merchant, LA Knight. The fans can be heard saying, “YEAH!” and Drew says point proven. Those two don’t want any of this. But Drew heard what Cody had to say earlier tonight. He makes Cody a promise: Cody will be nowhere near Drew, this title, or the main event of WrestleMania.
Jacob Fatu may have the best chance in the Chamber, because out of everyone in the field, he’s spent the most time behind bars. But if Fatu makes it to Mania, Drew will make Fatu wish he was back in the slammer. And then there’s Sami Zayn. Drew trails off as the man himself steps in on his way to gorilla. Sami says he’s not gonna interrupt, Drew can say what he wants to say. But Sami can guess, Drew will mock Sami with how it’s a forgone conclusion because Drew has Sami’s number, right? Drew says no, that’s not what he was going to say at all. Oh, no? No. Drew brings up the night he won this title.
In front of the world, Sami said there was a small part of him that wanted Drew to win. And Drew will tell Sami now that a BIG part of him wants Sami to win tonight. Not for the reason Sami thinks, but because he’s a good man. Sami’s paid his dues, he’s earned this opportunity. And Drew has a feeling that Sami will win the big one tonight. Good luck, Sami. Drew leaves, leaving Sami speechless. But is Drew genuine about his encouragement? Or is he trying to use some sort of reverse psychology?
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Cody Rhodes VS Jacob Fatu VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns and Fatu makes his entrance. This leaves Cody for last but certainly not least. Dallas sings along with Kingdom, “WHOA~ OH~!” and the pyro. The bell rings and the fans fire up as all three men stare down. They feel things out, and then Fatu SUPERKICKS Sami! Sami flounders out of the ring and Fatu stares down with Cody. Cody fires up, he and Fatu start throwing hands, and Fatu RAMS Cody into the corner! Fatu RAMS Cody, UPPERCUTS him, then HEADBUTTS him! Cody sputters but Fatu whips him, only for Cody to reverse, kick, and RHODES UPPERCUT! Then a springboard and CODY- NO, Fatu handstands outta the cutter!
Fatu SUPERKICKS Cody down, and the fans fire up with Fatu. Fatu runs, but Cody avoids the senton! Cody gets moving, and he LARIATS Fatu up and out! Sami is back, only for Cody to CHOP him! Sami turns things around to CHOP and CHOP, then wrench and whip. Cody reverses, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Cody up and out! The fans are torn as Sami builds speed, and he FLIES! Down goes Cody AND Fatu! Sami stands tall and Dallas is fired up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Sami hobbles his way back to ringside, and he follows Cody around the way. Sami puts Cody in the ring, storms up on him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in. Sami stands Cody up to CHOP! Cody puts Sami in the corner and CHOPS in return! Cody winds up but Sami dodges to CHOP in return! Sami bumps Cody off buckles, goes up the corner, and AX HANDLES Cody down! Cover, TWO! Cody is tougher than that but Sami brings him back up. Sami reels Cody in, suplexes, but Cody fights that! Cody suplexes but Sami fights that back! They go back and forth as they fight for control, and Cody holds Sami up for TEN before the SLAM!
Fatu rushes back in and he CLOBBERS Cody! Fatu stomps away on Cody in a corner, then drags him up to rain down fists! Fatu HEADBUTTS Cody, then pushes him onto the ropes! Fatu CHOKES Cody, then stops to go after Sami. Fatu HEADBUTTS Sami down, then runs to SPLASH Cody in the corner! Fatu goes back to Sami but Sami CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Fatu HEADBUTTS Sami back down! Cody runs up but Fatu SMACKS him down! Fatu brings Sami up and whips him hard into a corner! Fatu brings Cody around and whips him hard into a corner! Fatu ROCKS Cody, but Cody hits back! SmackDown returns to single picture as Cody fires hands.
Cody whips, Fatu reverses, but Cody BOOTS Fatu away. Fatu returns, but gets another BOOT! Fatu still tries, but Cody dodges! Fatu hits buckles, then Cody dodges Sami! SNAP POWERSLAM! Fatu is back, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans are torn as Cody stands tall again! Cody then JABS Sami again and again, then flips, flops, and- NO, Sami ducks the elbow! Cody fights the Blue Thunder, then he springboards for the BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Cody grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally up. Cody sees Sami go to ropes and waits for him to stand. Cody dragon sleepers, but Sami knees free!
Cody runs back up, but Sami clinches! Cody fights the Exploder, and Fatu CLOBBERS them both! The fans cheer Fatu on and he stomps Sami. Fatu then runs to handspring and MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Sami survives, but Cody runs up! Fatu dodges, then pops Cody up! Cody fights the Samoan Drop, has the dragon sleeper, but Fatu snapmares free! Only for Sami to roll Cody up! TWO and Cody jackknife bridges Sami! Fatu SENTONS on it! The fans fire up again as Fatu stands up. “This is Awesome!” as Fatu stalks Sami to a corner. Fatu CHOKES Sami, Sami tries to fight back, but Fatu stops to throw haymakers.
Fatu HEADBUTTS Sami, then runs to SPLASH Cody in a corner! Fatu sits Cody down, runs back up on Sami and SPLASHES! Sami sits down now, and Fatu shouts, “YADADA MEAN!?” Fatu stomps Sami, then he rains down fists on Cody. Fatu has targets in both corners, and he runs to HIP ATTACK Cody first! Then he geeks out and the fans fire up! But Sami runs in! Fatu dodges to then POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, Cody breaks it in time! The fans are torn again while all three men are down, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Cody rises up, he throws hands on Fatu, but Fatu hits back! They go forearm for forearm, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Cody kicks low, whips, but Fatu reverses to send Cody out! Then Fatu DIVES! Down goes Cody in front of commentary! But then Sami CLOBBERS Fatu from behind! Sami SMACKS Fatu off the desk, and again, but then Fatu hits back! Fatu whips Sami into the steel steps! Fatu then storms up and SMACKS Cody! Fatu brings out a TABLE! Dallas likes that! But then Fatu puts the table back under the ring? Wait, Cody brings the table out! But Fatu CLOBBERS Cody and puts the table back!
Cody rolls into the ring, Fatu puts Sami in, then Fatu climbs a corner. Cody ROCKS Fatu first! Cody climbs up, CLUBS away on Fatu, then goes to the very top rope! Fatu fires body shots, then HEADBUTTS Cody down! But now Sami ROCKS Fatu! Sami climbs, CLUBS away, and brings Fatu up! Fatu still resists by holding onto the ropes! Fatu UPPERCUTS and HEADBUTTS Sami right down! But now Cody is back up top! He brings Fatu up but Fatu fires more body shots! SmackDown returns to single picture as Cody falls back. Sami ROCKS Fatu, Cody joins in, and they work together to get Fatu to the very top! DOUBLE SUPERPLEX!
The fans are thunderous as all three men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Sami and Cody find each other. They start throwing hands, the fans torn with each punch. Cody ROCKS Sami, Sami ROCKS Cody, and repeat! Sami gets the edge, but Cody takes it back! They throw fast ‘n’ furious fists, then Cody kicks low! RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs corner to corner but Sami clinches! CORNER EXPLODER! Sami fires up as he goes to the far side! Sami lines up his shot, but Fatu SUPERKICKS first! Then he SUPERKICKS Cody! Fatu gets moving again, handspring and- BOOT from Sami! Fatu flounders, Cody reels Sami in! But Sami drops, victory rolls, TWO!
Sami gets Cody but Cody fights the lift! Cody CLUBS away on Sami’s neck, then he fires up! Cody springboards, but Sami catches him! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and the fans are thunderous again! The fans cheer on Fatu to get back in this, but there are still plenty of cheers for Sami and Cody. Sami looks to the WrestleMania sign, he drags Cody up in a facelock, and he CHOPS! Cody staggers, stumbles, and Sami points to the sign. Cody CHOPS in return! Sami ROCKS Cody! Cody ROCKS Sami! Both men wobble, but the shots keep going! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly, BIONIC ELBOW!
Sami falls and the fans fire up! Cody stands over Sami, but Fatu CLOBBERS Cody again! Fatu TOSSES Cody out, then runs up to LARIAT Sami in the corner! Fatu shouts all gas, no brakes with it! Then he SLAPS Sami! Fatu goes corner to corner and back again to LARIAT! Fatu says get this ass whipping live and direct on Sami’s punk ass! Fatu runs, but Sami follows! Only for Fatu to dodge the Helluva Kick! Sami falls back, Fatu goes up, and FROG SPLASH into knees and a cradle! TWO!!! Fatu survives as Sami turns things around, but he brings Fatu up. B ut Cody goes up, up, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! But then Fatu TOSSES Cody back out!
Fatu goes up, up, MIGHT MOONSAULT!! Cover, DREW MCINTYRE BREAKS IT!! The fans boo because this is what the Scottish Terminator meant about wanting Sami to win! Drew POSTS Fatu, then he TOSSES Fatu over the desk! Drew almost takes out Wade Barrett in the process! Drew clears the desk, but Cody DIVES! Direct hit into the desk! Cody rains down fists on Drew, then brings him up, only for Drew to POST Cody! Drew snarls as he then sees Fatu getting up. Drew reels Fatu in, and POWERBOMBS him through the desk!! The fans are going nuts as Drew then aims at Cody! “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAYMORE on Cody!!
Drew sees Sami is down, so he drags Sami over onto Cody! Drew leaves it at that, and the ref counts the cover! TWO?!!? Cody survives?!? Drew is shocked and furious! Drew goes back into the ring to HAMMER away on Cody! Drew beats Cody down in the corner, but a HELLUVA KICK on Drew!! Sami wants to win this himself! But then Cody snatches him for a CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to the Elimination Chamber)
Drew was trying to screw over his most hated rival, but he didn’t account for Sami not accepting the handout. Now Cody is headed for Chicago and the Elimination Chamber! Will the American Nightmare stop at nothing until he and the Scottish Terminator fight on the Grandest Stage of Them All?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown, maybe even awesome, with a red hot Dallas crowd. Very good opening promo from Tiffany, Nia, Lash, and then Rhea & Iyo to help segue into the tag title match. Great match, and at least for being a “No Contest,” the table spot and barrier spot were great ways to have all four wipe out. Then good promo from #Charlexa ahead of the Triple Threat qualifier, which was a really good match. I figured Alexa would win that, as Giulia has her US Championship to defend and Zelina just doesn’t feel primed for anything big right now. She and Aleister had a good promo to call out Randy Orton, it feels like that will be their WrestleMania program.
Very good promo from Rhea & Iyo with Giulia & Kiana, and we honestly do need to see Giulia VS Iyo for the Women’s US Championship. That match could probably go either way, but I think it’d be best for Giulia to win, because that’s a win over Iyo, a great accomplishment in itself. Jade VS Grace was a really good Women’s Championship match, but I feel like the entire thing would’ve been better if Judgment Day wasn’t hanging out ringside to watch the match. It literally drew attention away from the match yet added nothing. Great showing for Grace but I figured Jade would win since this was just SmackDown. And as I’ve said, Liv isn’t choosing Jade, there’s a lot more to use in Liv VS Vaquer.
Good stuff with MFT and pretty much the entire Men’s Midcard tonight. MFT “interrupting” Melo VS Ilja and then that 10 Man Tag was definitely about getting quantity and quality on the card. Tama pinning Melo was perhaps a bit surprising, but it makes for a clear story direction of Melo VS Tama for the US Championship. Good promo from Fraxiom, MCMG and Gargano for them to work in how Gargano feels without Ciampa. I wouldn’t mind Gargano & Candice trying for the AAA Mixed Tag titles now that the champions are Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana. MFT putting the tag teams on notice is good, too, can’t wait to see if WrestleMania builds up a HUGE tag match like we got at SummerSlam.
Hilarious promos involving Kit Wilson and all the “toxic masculinity” he’s challenging. Truth legit broke Priest and Aldis with his diss rap on Kit, and Kit regretting that second visit was great. It was very much Kit being immediately faced with the consequences of talking tough behind someone’s back. Oba VS Kit is obviously going to be Oba’s win, and hopefully a sign that Oba is “signing” with SmackDown over Raw. And of course, great stuff in connection to Elimination Chamber and the Undisputed Championship. Good promo from Sami thanking Fenix and Trick talking trash on Sami. Awesome rematch for Trick and Fenix, but I figured Trick would win out. Trick, Melo and Priest in a Triple Threat is an interesting mix, and with Melo still US Champ, I feel like he’s the odd one out.
Very good promo from Drew with Sami, and I could just feel Drew interfering during what was an awesome main event. Dallas definitely had Sami as their third choice, and it seems they got what they wanted with Sami losing after he rejected Drew’s help. Drew then also ends up his own worst enemy because this helped Cody win and go to Chamber. I feel like Aldis needs to tell Drew that he can’t try this stunt again during the Chamber or he’ll be stripped of the title. It’d be really redundant not just for this story build but to last year’s Elimination Chamber with how Rollins made sure to screw over CM Punk, and I think even before when Logan Paul did something to AJ Styles. At this point, though, it’s clear Cody wins Chamber to give us one more match with Drew at Mania.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will the Blackbelt add a gold belt to her collection?
After building up momentum week after week, Karmen Petrovic now challenges Kendal Grey for the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Swipe Right w/ Jackson Drake VS Eli Knight & Mike Cunningham; Swipe Right wins.
- Aaron Rourke VS It’s Gal; Rourke wins.
- WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kendal Grey VS Karmen Petrovic; Grey wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
The WrenQCC talks backstage.
Kendal Grey wants to confirm that the vibe in here is weird. Wren Sinclair checks the air, and says yeah, it’s a little weird. Kendal says the Women’s Division is insane right now. The woman who ran this place six months ago is now a shell of her former self. Wren feels so bad for Kali Armstrong. Surely she’ll find what she needs to get back up, she is the Difference Maker. Kendal agrees there. Then there’s Tyra Mae Steele rising up the ranks, and PJ Vasa is breathing down Kendal’s neck for another title match! Wren says tonight, Kendal has Karmen Petrovic. Why does Kendal keep doing this to herself?
Kendal says going back and forth between NXT and Evolve is the grind, but she loves it. Wren says Kendal’s crazy. That’s way too much pressure. Kendal says pressure is a privilege, it means people expect things from her. So tonight, Kendal will beat Karmen and retain the title. Wren adds to watch for the kicks. Kendal says that’s true, Karmen is sneaky good. But Kendal won this title at the first Succession, so she’s gonna walk in the champion for Succession 2. Wren has no doubt Kendal will kill it. Now, let’s get dressed so Kendal can get a warmup in. The WrenQCC is confident in Kendal, but will Karmen use the Shing-Shing to cut down The Grey Area?
Swipe Right w/ Jackson Drake VS Eli Knight & Mike Cunningham!
While they were all on the same side against Kam Hendrix & Team Performance Center, it’s back to Vanity Project VS Team ID to prove who does this better! But will Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes be able to focus when they’ve got the #1 contenders Fatal 4 Way next week? Or will the Disrespectfully Athletic & #MainManMike show them they still need to Evolve?
Meanwhile, the Modern Day Cowboy, Tate Wilder is watching from the VIP Lounge. He might be a Performance Center guy but we know he’s more on Team ID’s side. The teams sort out and Mike starts against Smokes. They tie up, go around, and Smokes powers Mike to the ropes. The ref counts, Smokes stops at 4 but he messes Mike’s hair. Mike shoots around to waistlock but Smokes switches. Smokes SLAMS Mike, then scuffs him before shouting, ‘Swipe Right!” The fans boo, but Mike shoots around, waistlocks, but Smokes switches again. Tag to Brad and Brad takes the waistlock to SLAM Mike!
Brad wrenches Mike, wristlocks, but Mikes wrenches through to wristlock. Brad rolls, tags Smokes, and they handoff the wristlock. Smokes wrenches and RAMS Mike’s shoulder. Mike spins through, headlocks, and he gives Smokes a noogie! Smokes powers up and out but Mike RUNS him over! Mike does a dance, speeds things up, then ducks a shot to shove, hurdle, and HIP TOSS! The fans fire up while Mike DROPKICKS Smokes down! Brad runs in but Mike dodges! Mike SHOTGUNS Brad down! The fans cheer, and Mike wrenches Smokes to tag in Eli. Eli goes up to DOUBLE STOMP Smokes’ arm!
Eli wrenches the arm, tags Mike back in, and Mike goes up to HIP DROP Smokes’ arm! Even Tate likes that one. Mike wrenches Smokes then tags Eli back in. They double whip and BODY BLOW, then JUMPING DOUBLE STOMP! Then a NECK BREAKER DROP! And a BIG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Smokes stays in this but Eli stays on him with a wrench. Smokes fires a body shot then tags Brad. Brad DECKS Eli, then whips him into the corner. The fans chant “Swipe Left!” but Brad CHOPS! Eli CHOPS! Brad CHOPS again! Tag to Smokes, Drake says those are his boys! Smokes whips Brad in, but Eli goes up and out!
Eli then goes up and over as Smokes runs in, then a somersault and hot tag to Mike! Mike ELBOWS Smokes, LARIATS Brad, and whips Smokes. Smokes reverses to CHOP! Smokes runs, but Mike FLYING UPPERCUTS! Mike goes to the corner, climbs up top, but Drake distracts the ref! Brad SHOVES Mike down! Tate protests, the fans boo, but Evolve goes to break.
Evolve returns as Smokes holds Mike back from Eli. Eli and Mike reach out, but Smokes ROCKS Mike! Smokes whips Mike to the corner, runs in, but is put on the apron! Mike staggers forward but Smokes SLINGSHOT SPEARS him down! Tag to Brad and he steps in for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Brad CLUBS away on Mike for it, then shouts, “V’s up!” The fans boo and Tate says V’s down! Brad drags Mike up and reels him into a COBRA TWIST! Mike endures, but Smokes and Brad link up! The fans boo, Tate points it out, and the ref reprimands Swipe Right! Drake argues with Tate for being a goody goody while Smokes tags in.
But Mike HIP TOSSES Brad away! Smokes hurries to reel Mike in, but Mike HIP TOSSES him, too! The fans fire up for Mike but Swipe Right stands in his way! Mike ducks the lariats to hot tag Eli! Eli springboards to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! Eli kips up and the fans fire up! Eli LARIATS Smokes, BOOTS Brad, then he wrenches Smokes’ arm for the facelock. Eli kicks off Brad to hit the TORNADO DDT on Smokes! The fans fire up with Eli and he gets moving! DOUBLE QUEBRADA! Cover, Smokes! Smokes survives and Drake is relieved, but Eli scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!
Eli is shocked and the fans boo, but Smokes survives. Eli powers up and brings Smokes to the drop zone. Eli goes up, up, SUPERMAN- NO, Smokes avoids the diving body press! Eli rolls through, and he SMACKS Brad! Smokes DROPKICKS Eli! Tag to Brad and feed to the lift! DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER COMBO! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Eli survive and Drake is frustrated. Brad rains down fists on Eli, then he tags Smokes back in. Smokes rains down fists of his own, then snarls as he drags Eli up. Tag to Brad and he scoops Eli while Smokes runs. But Mike trips Smokes! Eli cradles Brad, TWO!! Brad escapes, but the JUMP KNEE hits!
Eli tags Mike, then he dodges Brad! Mike BOOTS Brad, Eli GERMAN SUPLEXES, and Mike hits the FAMOUSER! #MainObjective! Cover, TWO!! Brad survives the string of attacks but Mike tags Eli back in. The fans rally up as Mike fireman’s carries and Eli climbs. But Smokes makes the save! Eli leaps over as Smokes POSTS Mike! Eli turns around but into Brad’s JUMP KNEE! Brad tags Smokes and they get Eli up. Scoop and SUPER SWIPE!! Cover, BUT MIKE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Drake is begging Eli to just give up if he knows what’s good for him. Eli and Smokes slap each other around, then stand up to throw hands!
The fans rally as Smokes SMACKS Eli, and Eli ROCKS Smokes! Smokes winds up to ROCK Eli, but Eli ROCKS Smokes! Eli then SOBATS, UPPERCUTS, but Smokes BACKHANDS! Tate admits, that was good. Eli goes to a corner, but he BOOTS Smokes away. Eli goes up, but Smokes jumps up to KNEE him! Smokes then climbs up, but Eli fights him off! Brad tags in and he joins them up top! But Eli DECKS Brad! Mike gets under Smokes for a fireman’s carry! Eli goes up and he uses Smokes and Mike as a platform to hit the SUPERMAN BODY PRESS!! Cover, SMOKES USES MIKE TO BREAK IT!
Drake is freaking out, but the fans know “This is Awesome!” Mike and Brad crawl outside, but then Mike goes up?! “MAIN MAN ENERGY!” FLYING UPPERCUT on Smokes! Brad is back in, and he suplexes for a GHOST BUSTER! Brad has Eli but Eli turns the suplex into a STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE, and then a SLICE O’ KNIGHT! Eli builds speed and FLIES, but onto Mike!! Swipe Right avoided disaster, and now they swarm Eli! Eli DECKS Smokes, but Brad LARIATS Eli! Brad puts Eli in and he tags Smokes. Brad has the dragon sleeper, Smokes goes up, DOUBLE STOMP DDT COMBO!! Cover, Swipe Right wins!
Winners: Swipe Right, by pinfall
Eli and Mike brought the energy, but the momentum is all behind Swipe Right! Even Tate has to admit, they earned that one. Drake gets a mic to say, “Yep! Yep! Those’re my boys! Swipe Right with the W! Now listen, I don’t know if you guys have noticed or anything like that, but um, since last week, we’ve kinda been on a little bit of a roll. I mean, I’m still the champion. Those PC thugs are down bad crying somewhere. And most importantly, we carried the entire WWE ID Program on our shoulders last week!” The fans cheer, and Drake says they know he doesn’t mean to kill the vibe or anything like that… Smokes says they call him Heartbreak Drake for a reason.
Well, anyways, time to get down to brass tacks. As painful as this is for Drake to say, Drake does owe Cappuccino Jones a favor. So at Succession 2 in three weeks, Jones gets his shot at THE Evolve Championship! Brad & Smokes laugh, but that’s because Jones is light work. But wait, HARLEM LEWIS is here! And he says no, no, no. Drake, that’s not how this works. Lewis EARNED a title shot a couple weeks ago, so he DEMANDS his shot at Succession! Drake says hold on, that was Kam Hendrix’s deal, and you saw how that ended up last week, right? Lewis says well, he’ll just have to kick all three VP’s asses then.
Lewis storms to the ring, but BROOKS JENSEN attacks! The fans boo as the Lost Cause hammers away on Lewis! Jensen won’t let anyone cut in front of him! The fans boo but Jensen stomps and KICKS Lewis around! The Bad Man from Ala-Bam-Bam-Bama clearly thinks he’s higher in the pecking order, but will he regret getting in the way of the bad man from the Big Apple?
Arianna Grace & Nikkita Lyons are backstage.
The Pageant Queen isn’t sure, but she thinks she’s hallucinating. Big Kat Kita has a headache. She doesn’t know how much longer she can just be… nice! Arianna had to gouache her face for hours last night to get the fake smile out, and she might be stuck. She moves her jaw and it creaks. Lyons points out her acne returning from the stress, but then Masyn Holliday & Layla Diggs walk in. They’re very excited about how things have been going. They never thought they’d see the day where Grace & Lyons were nice to them. Lyons says it is their pleasure. Anything they need, just ask. Anything? Well, there’s one thing.
Do they mind switching lockers with them? Grace & Lyons have the bigger lockers, and they’re in a great location. Lyons shouts, “ENOUGH! Enough! Enough~!” Grace reminds Lyons about the omen but Lyons says no! They did that HEINOUS TikTok with Masyn & Layla, they posted it, and by the way, it did NOTHING for Lyons’ brand! But she is not giving up her Big Kat locker! Layla knew these two couldn’t be saved. Not even the psychic- Wait, what? They know about the psychic? Masyn says yeah, these two have no redeeming qualities, even when you scare the mess out of them.
Wait, wait, wait. That psychic… wasn’t real? Layla admits that no, that was just her chiropractor, Doris, she’s from Daytona. Grace is relieved, but Lyons says this is perfect. Because you’re gonna need chiropractors after Lyons breaks you in half! Well, fine! Masyn & Layla have tried it nice, they’ve tried it with a very, very elaborate plan, but have it your way. They’ll do this in the ring! See you next Wednesday. Masyn & Layla leave, Grace asks if they can just sue. But now that we know what’s really in store for the future, can Masyn & Layla humble Grace & Lyons directly? Or will the mean girls unleash the worst in themselves?
Team Performance Center are… in the Performance Center.
They’re quite literally working out their frustrations as Keanu Carver pushes the weight sled and Kam Hendrix does bicep curls. Kam grumbles about Tate Wilder and that crooked ref! Harley Riggins tells him that Kam was robbed last week! Keanu says the ID clowns always do something funny! Jax Presley says time to nuke Team ID! Braxton Cole says they need a new game plan. No more divided and conquer, no more 1v1. They just work as one and steamroll everyone in their way! Kam says that’s a great idea! Ten man tag, 5v5! Look at Team ID, look at Team PC! These five are fired up, but will it really be as easy as overwhelming with size and strength?
Aaron Rourke VS It’s Gal!
While Team ID was helping Sean Legacy with his burden, The Dime Piece confronted Mr. Mint Condition for not helping. Rourke isn’t about that kind of pride, so will he humble this big red meathead once and for all? Or will It’s Gal be the one standing tall?
Now Trill London has joined Tate in the VIP to watch this one. The bell rings, Rourke and Gal rush right up, and Gal goes for a leg! Rourke CLUBS away on Gal but Gal RAMS him into a corner! Rourke dodges a shot to fire hands, but Gal puts Rourke in the corner. Gal returns fire, then whips Rourke back into the corner. Rourke goes up and over, handsprings and DROPKICKS! Then Rourke RAMS into Gal again and again! Rourke rolls back, runs up, and RAMS Gal again! Rourke CLUBS Gal while the fans fire up. Rourke fires a body blow, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Rourke stops at 4, but Rourke comes back to CHOP! And CHOP! And CLUB!
Rourke stomps away on Gal again but the ref backs him off. Rourke storms up on Gal, but Gal ROCKS Rourke! Gal huffs ‘n’ puffs and knees low! Gal CLUBS Rourke, whips, but Rourke ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Gal tumbles out but Rourke builds speed! Rourke DIVES and down goes Gal! The fans fire up and Rourke gives Gal some SPANKS! The fans cheer, but Gal swings back! Rourke dodges and DECKS Gal! The ring count climbs but Gal ELBOWS Rourke! Gal SPANKS Rourke, SMACKS him off the apron, then whips him at the apron, only for Rourke to tiger feint and ROLLING ELBOW!
The fans fire up while Gal sputters and Rourke “kicks dirt” at him. Rourke puts Gal in the ring but Gal uses ropes as a defense. The ref keeps Rourke back, but then Rourke blocks the cheap shot! Gal swipes at Rourke but Rourke spins him and ROCKS him in the back! Rourke whips, Gal reverses, but Rourke tilt-o-whirls again, only for Gal to block it! Gal swings Rourke up to HOTSHOT him off the ropes! Then Gal runs, DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rourke survives the “Flexline,” but Gal says he is tanned and jacked, ready to attack! Gal sits Rourke up to BOOT him down! The fans boo but Gal flexes and grins.
Gal drags Rourke up, UPPERCUTS him, then talks more trash. Gal CHOPS Rourke, soaks up heat, and he drags Rourke up by his beard. But Rourke fires body shots and forearms! The fans rally as Rourke ROCKS Gal, but Gal SHOVES Rourke away! Rourke comes back, but Gal pops him up to THROW him away! And then BOOT him down! Cover, TWO! Rourke survives but Gal grows frustrated. Gal drags Rourke up, talks trash, but Rourke pulls Gal’s beard to tell him shut up! But Gal BACKDROPS Rourke! Rourke sunset flips, Gal flexes, but Rourke avoids the fist drop! And then UP KICKS! Rourke kips up to LARIAT!
Rourke ELBOWS Gal, SUPERKICKS him down, then takes aim from a corner. Rourke runs corner to corner, but Gal gets up for a DOUBLE LARIAT! Rourke staggers back, Gal hops up the corner, but Rourke runs up for a STRATUSPHERE! The fans fire up as Gal flounders to the far corner. Rourke says kiss this! Rourke runs in, HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Gal survives and the fans can’t believe it! Rourke waits on Gal to get up, then fireman’s carries! But Gal pulls the beard to get free! Gal shoves Rourke, Rourke ELBOWS Gal, then Rourke goes up! CROSSBODY, but into Gal’s arms! Gal fireman’s carries for a GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Rourke survives, and both Tate and Trill cheer Rourke on. Gal is frustrated as he tells the fans to shut up. Gal fireman’s carries, then he drops Rourke on the top rope! Gal climbs up, brings Rourke to the top, and fireman’s carries, only for Rourke to SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Rourke then skins the cat and takes aim, OVER THE RAINBOW SEATED SENTON! Cover, Rourke wins!
Winner: Aaron Rourke, by pinfall
It was put up or shot up, and “Big Daddy Red” is pretty quiet now. Will this win help The Dime Piece head for some gold?
Chuey Martinez meanwhile goes to the VIP Lounge to talk with Tate and Trill. They gonna be hanging out for the whole show? Tate says he just wanted to check on the ID talent, and he talks with Trill as he admits, ID’s got something going on. Trill says facts. Chuey brings up how Tate helped the ref last week, but Tate says he wasn’t gonna stand by and watch that injustice. Team PC breaks all the rules and does whatever they want! It’s time someone stands up and ends the chaos! Trill says yeah, a lot of bad stuff going on. Trill & Tate head out, will they show everyone how to do things the right way?
Tyra Mae Steele speaks.
The Olympic Gold Medalist says, “I dipped my toe in the Evolve water, and now it’s time to make it my own! In 2020, I captured gold in the Tokyo Olympics. And with that same grit, drive, and determination, I’m gonna make it to the top of Evolve. In 2026, I’m going to be the Evolve Women’s Champion!” Who will be next to test Steele’s iron will on her road to the top?
Wendy Choo talks with Kali Armstrong.
Wendy is careful as she says hi. She knows they don’t really know each other, but Wendy heard Kali talking down on herself, so Wendy just thought there was something- Kali says get to the point. Wendy says she knows that therapy was a great start for her to figure herself out, so maybe it could help Kali? Kali nods as she thinks on that, then she gives Wendy a BODY BLOW! Kali says this is all the therapy she needs. Kali storms off while Wendy frowns. Not everyone wants help, but will Wendy have to show Kali what she needs to get out of her slump?
WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kendal Grey VS Karmen Petrovic!
Just as the WrenQCC said, the Women’s Division is stacked, and that means there is a line of contenders out the door. The Ice Woman enjoys the grind, but will she end up Petrofied tonight? Or can she prove no one survives the Grey Area?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who heads for Succession as the champion!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Kendal waistlocks. Karmen bucks the O’Conner and the fans applaud. The two reset, Kendal waistlocks, but Karmen throws her away. Kendal comes back but Karmen sweeps the leg to cover, ONE! Kendal sweeps to cover, ONE! Karmen sweeps the legs with a kick to cover, ONE! The fans cheer the standoff! Kendal and Karmen reset again, and Karmen tests the waters by showing kick. They tie up again, Kendal grabs an arm and wrenches to wristlock. Karmen high kicks to step over, then she whips Kendal to a corner. Karmen ELBOWS Kendal, snapmares, and runs up to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Kendal stays in this, but Karmen clamps onto the arm. The fans rally and duel while Karmen wrenches the arm. Kendal rolls and handsprings up to wrench and fireman’s carry takeover! The fans cheer while Kendal has Karmen in an armlock. Karmen fights around, fights up, but Kendal whips her to a corner. Kendal runs up, Karmen dodges, but Kendal ROCKS her! Kendal goes up, over, and out to then slide under and get moving! Kendal redirects Karmen, trips her up, and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Karmen toughs it out but Kendal facelocks. Kendal whips Karmen to a corner, but Karmen goes up to JUMP SOBAT!
Karmen runs and BULLDOGS Kendal down! The fans cheer while Kendal bails out, and Evolve goes to break.
Evolve returns again as Kendal rolls Karmen up, TWO! Karmen leg scissor cradles, TWO! Karmen ducks a shot but Kendal ducks a kick! Both women run, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both women are down! Karmen and Kendal crawl to opposite ends, then drag themselves up with ropes. The fans rally again as Kendal runs up and UPPERCUTS at the ropes! Kendal runs again, but Karmen follows to ROCK her! Karmen runs, but Kendal follows to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer as they go again and Karmen KNEES low! Karmen runs, but Kendal UPPERCUTS one more time!
Kendal gets moving, but Karmen KNEES her again! Then Karmen fakes Kendal out to trip her and have the legs! Karmen uses what Nattie taught her in the SHARPSHOOTER! Kendal endures while the fans fire up! Kendal reaches out but Karmen sits deep! Wren coaches Kendal and Kendal fights her way forward. Kendal struggles, but she pushes up so she can reach out, but Karmen drags her back to center! The fans rally harder as Kendal pushes up again! Kendal digs in and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Karmen lets go in frustration. Wren coaches Kendal up while Karmen storms back after her.
Karmen drags Kendal up, but Kendal hits the ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans fire up again as Karmen endures and fights around! Kendal pries at the grip but Karmen stacks her, TWO! Both women run up, and Kendal POP-UP POWERBOMBS! High stack, TWO!! Karmen survives and Kendal is shocked! Kendal drags Karmen up, fireman’s carries, but Karmen fights free. Karmen waistlocks but Kendal fires elbows. Kendal goes up, up, and leaps, but into a SUPERKICK! Karmen then reels Kendal in for the TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Karmen is shocked now as Kendal survives! The fans fire up for “Women’s Wrestling!”
Karmen huffs ‘n’ puffs and gets the legs. Kendal stops the step through this time, and she BOOTS Karmen outta the ring! Karmen hurries back up as Kendal runs in, and Karmen ROUNDHOUSES Kendal down! Karmen goes up, but Kendal leaps up to get her! SUPER BELLY2BELLY! Karmen staggers around, into the SHADES OF GREY! Cover, Kendal wins!
Winner: Kendal Grey, by pinfall (still WWE Evolve Women’s Champion)
Karmen got caught and Grey stays golden! Wren celebrates with her friend and teammate, but PJ VASA is here! And she has a mic to tell Kendal, “Hey, hey, hey, Kendal Grey! Come getcho issue! At Succession 2!!” The fans like the sound of that! Kendal says bring it! March 4th marks the next chapter for Evolve, but will that include a new champion? Or will Kendal stay undefeated as Evolve Women’s Champion?
My Thoughts:
A very good episode for Evolve, especially as we build towards the “season one finale” and then Succession 2 as the “season two premiere.” Swipe Right VS Mike & Eli was an awesome tag match, on the level of what you’d get for NXT or even main roster, but I figured Swipe Right would find a way to win. Mike’s new “Main Man” gimmick is clearly because there can’t be two cowboys and Tate Wilder has dibs on that gimmick. Harlem Lewis rightfully points out he won a title opportunity, but then Jensen seems to have already become Mr. Succession doing the major side story match. Jensen VS Lewis will be great, and will help Lewis be strong going into his own title match.
Drake VS Jones is going to be great, too, especially as a showdown between Evolve Champion and WWE ID Champion (and Jones is certainly still WWE ID Champion or they would’ve told us otherwise). It’d be kinda wild if Jones also becomes the first-ever Evolve & ID Champion, but something needs to happen where Drake is no longer Evolve Champion now that he’s on NXT. Rourke VS Gal was good stuff, and Rourke gets a great win for it. Good promo from Tate & Trill to put themselves forward as Faces against Team PC. Good promo from Team PC to set up a 5v5, that could probably be put on the season finale or even Succession.
Very good promo from Lyons, Grace, Masyn & Layla, and I knew they were gonna break the Heels. They’ll have a very good tag match, and I would think the Faces win since Layla & Masyn both lost before this point. Kali and Wendy had a good promo for it being so quick. I figured Kali would react that way when talking about therapy, and she’ll have a great match with Wendy. And great main event from Kendal and Karmen. Kendal of course won out, it’s a much bigger deal for her to lose that title at Succession. I feel like PJ should win at Succession to carry the title as the new Heel champion, with faces like Tyra Mae Steele chasing her.
My Score: 8.7/10
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