Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/19/23)
Dragon Lee VS…?
Who from Gulak’s crew steps to the plate?
Drew Gulak and his No Quarter Catch Crew stepped to the NXT North American Championship Open Challenge, but who will actually face Dragon Lee?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Fallon Henley VS Tiffany Stratton; Fallon wins.
- Men’s Breakout Tournament, Opening Round: Lexis King VS Dion Lennox; King wins and advances.
- Thea Hail & Jacy Jayne VS Kiana James & Izzi Dame; Kiana & Izzi win.
- NXT North American Championship Open Challenge: Dragon Lee VS ??? w/ The No Quarter Catch Crew; changed to…
- NXT North American Championship Open Challenge Triple Threat: Dragon Lee VS Charlie Dempsey w/ The No Quarter Catch Crew VS Joe Coffey w/ Gallus; Dragon wins and retains the title.
- Men’s Breakout Tournament, Opening Round: Tavion Heights VS Luca Crusifino; Heights wins and advances.
- Nikkita Lyons VS Tatum Paxley; Lyons wins.
- Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Gallus; Gallus wins.
- Ilja Dragunov VS Ridge Holland; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
Fallon Henley VS Tiffany Stratton!
NXT Deadline was a wild night, but it wasn’t won by the Cowgirl nor the Wrestling Barbie. But it didn’t end the animosity between these two, either! Will Fallon go #YEEHAWB*TCH all over the Center of the NXT Universe? Or will NXT still run on Tiffy Time?
The bell ring, the shoving starts and fans fire up. Fallon waistlocks, Tiff elbows free and snapmares to run, but Fallon avoids the stomps to sunset flip! TWO, Tiff runs in but Fallon waistlocks. Fallon sits Tiff down but Tiff avoids the calf kick! Fans rally and duel as the two stare down. They storm up, knuckle lock, and Tiff kicks low! Tiff whips, Fallon reverses to ELBOW, snapmare, and CALF KICK! Fans fire up as Fallon runs, slides, but Tiff uses the apron skirt to catch Fallon! Fallon gets free fast and she ROCKS Tiff first! Fallon puts Tiff in, Tiff goes to a corner, and Fallon runs up to ELBOW! Tiff staggers, Fallon goes up, but Tiff SHOVES her down!
Tiff goes out after Fallon while fans boo. Tiff tells Fallon she’s a loser, SMACKS her off the apron, then puts her in the ring. Tiff drags Fallon up, bumps her off buckles again and again, then stalks her. Tiff talks trash, whips Fallon to a corner, and SPLASHES! Tiff whips corner to corner hard and Fallon bounces off buckles! The fans rally, Tiff CHOKES Fallon on ropes, but the ref counts. Tiff lets off to run side to side, HIP ATTACK! Fallon falls, Tiff covers, TWO! Tiff storms up on Fallon, pie faces her, and then stomps her. Tiff taunts Fallon but Fallon fires forearms! Tiff ROCKS Fallon back, but Fallon ROCKS Tiff!
Tiff whips Fallon to a corner, but Fallon dodges to then go up and rain down fists! Fans fire up as Fallon goes all the way to nine, but Tiff stops her! Only for Fallon to RANA free! And CHOP! Fans fire up, Fallon ducks ‘n’ dodges but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fallon is still in this and Tiff is furious! Tiff drags Fallon up, fireman’s carry, but Fallon sunset flips! TWO, and Tiff high stacks! TWO and Fallon hast he sunset, FALLON WINS!!
Winner: Fallon Henley, by pinfall
Tiff gets caught, but she just DECKS Fallon! Tiff is a sore loser and she brings Fallon out to SMACK off the desk! And again, and again! Fans boo as Tiff dribbles Fallon! Tiff then THROWS Fallon into barriers! And drags Fallon by her hair! Tiff brings Fallon tot he back, throws her into a trash can and then throws things around! Tiff uses a mop to smother Fallon, calling her trash! Tiff DUMPS trash all over Fallon! Fans boo, the refs rush in, and Tiff says Fallon is in the trash where she belongs. But will Tiff come to regret making this personal?
Trick Melo Gang meets up backstage.
And Trick is all pumped up. Melo did his thing on SmackDown, and Melo is on to the US Championship contender semifinals. But Melo wants to talk about last week. He apologizes for what happened, that accidental title belt shot. But Dragunov, what he was doing, it- Trick says no need to apologize, they’re good. Accidents happen. But now Trick has a question for Melo. Trick was gonna ask last Tuesday, but he got hit in the head with the belt. Nah, just playing. But for real. Did Melo really see who attacked him? Does he really know it’s Dragunov? No, Melo got ambushed just like Trick. But Melo is just feeling it. The only one who could hit him that hard IS Ilja.
But Melo has something to ask Trick, too. It may be a long shot, but what if they made the NXT Championship match at New Year’s Evil into a Triple Threat? Trick asks why would they do that. Well, they don’t have to fight each other, but then it becomes Trick Melo Gang VS Dragunov, he isn’t making it through that, and they’ll both get revenge and take the title home with them. But Melo just said he doesn’t really know it was Dragunov because he didn’t see who it was. And plus, a Triple Threat? Trick won the Iron Survivor Challenge so that he could get the title shot. Yeah, no, Melo was just thinking, coming up with an idea. Doesn’t matter who wins, so long as they have it, right?
Trick says it does matter. When Melo won his titles, he won those 1v1. Now Trick gets his shot, and he wants it 1v1, just like Melo. Right, right. Melo just wants Dragunov to pay is all. That’s all good. Trick hopes Melo understands where he’s coming from. No, Melo does, he does. Trick’s gotta whoop dat trick. If they wanna do this, they gotta do this the right way. If Trick’s gonna beat Dragunov, he needs Melo to train him. Trick needs Melo by his side. Aight, Melo will help out. That’s what Trick’s talking about! Trick Melo Gang, baby! Trick heads out and Melo nods, will Trick be able to slay the Mad Dragon with help from HIM?
Ilja Dragunov is here!
The fans cheer as the NXT Champion heads to the ring and gets himself a mic. “I don’t know how I got caught up into this Trick & Melo saga. It almost feels like I’m the third wheel in some bad bromance movie. And this I did not have on my 2023 Bingo card. But what I did have was moving to America, chasing down and capturing the NXT Championship. This year, I showed the whole world who Ilja Dragunov truly is. A human who uses his body as a weapon. A human sacrifices himself . A human who puts every single gram of himself into this ring, just because this championship deserves it.” The fans cheer that.
And 2024 will start with an unpopular move as Dragunov defeats the fastest rising… Wait, Ridge Holland is here? Ridge interrupts but says he’s not here to cause problems or issues. For the past couple of weeks, he has bene struggling mentally. He needs to figure out who he is, where he’s going, and to rewrite his story. So here he is. Ridge Holland is back in NXT. Well welcome back. But what does he want? Ridge knows what it is to be seen a certain way. To be weighed down by stigma. Stigma? Yes, this situation with Trick & Melo. Fingers pointed at you from all directions. Ridge’s career to this point has been nothing but a series of unfortunate events.
One step forward, 10 steps back. Accident after injury, injury after accident. Ridge is here to prove himself! To redeem himself! Fans appreciate that. Ridge says Dragunov can help him not only prove himself, not only find redemption, but earn it. Ridge needs to prove he’s the kind of man who belongs in the main event. And that title right there, that makes Dragunov the measuring stick. So Ridge is honestly asking for a title match right now? Ridge has way too much respect for Dragunov and NXT just to walk in here and beg for anything, even a title shot.
But he needs to prove himself, so he’ll tell everyone back there that he’ll run through ever single one of them until he and Dragunov are having this moment again in the future. So listen to Ridge when he says, it will be inevitable, and it will be Ridge’s honor. This is the first chapter of the redemption story of Ridge Holland. Dragunov says he is tired of people getting in his face, threatening of him, questioning him, when he promised to bring unbridled passion as champion. So Ridge wants his chance at redemption? He wants to know where he stands? He won’t have to wait. He will find out where he stands, TONIGHT!
Fans cheer that! Ridge and Dragunov shake hands but also stare down. Will Yorkshire Grit make an impact in his full-time return to NXT?
Lexis King speaks.
“I’m already Breakout Star of the Year, and after I win this tournament, I’ll have the contract to prove it. So guys, excuse me while I take my first steps towards becoming a champion.” NXT’s Mad King took this moment away from Trey Bearhill, will he come to regret that move very quickly?
Trick finds Dragunov backstage.
And he asks what the hell. He thought it was the two of them at New Year’s Evil. Dragunov says Ridge will find out where he stands. He is the champion, Trick is the challenger, and so the champion dictates what the challenger does. Right, Dragunov is the champion. Until New Year’s Evil. Well, we’ll see. Dragunov looks to simply use Ridge as a tune-up, but will Trick be facing someone else in the New Year?
Men’s Breakout Tournament, Opening Round: Lexis King VS Dion Lennox!
The chairshot that changed the brackets pits the second generation superstar against a veritable Bruce Banner/Incredible Hulk. Will King be able to capitalize on his bold actions? Or will he get sacked out of the tournament by the former LA Ram?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans boo King as he offers a handshake. Lennox slaps that aside so King kicks him low! And CHOPS! King headlocks, punches, then GRINDS Lennox’s face on the ropes! The ref reprimands, King lets off to clothesline and HCOP int he corner! King uses the ropes to get leverage for digging his boots in! The ref counts, King lets off, but Lennox fires off fists! King knees low, CLUBS Lennox then whips. Kitchen sink knee! And a KICK! King runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Fans boo but King drags Lennox up just to push him around. Lennox snarls but King KICKS him! And KICKS him! Lennox fires up!
Fans fire up with Lennox, King pie face shim, but Lennox fires off the forearms! Lennox whips, King reverses but Lennox rolls him up! TWO, Lennox dodges to CLOBBER King! And LCOBBER him again! The fans fire up as Lennox DROPKICKS King! King staggers around, into a scoop and SLAM! The fans fire up with Lennox and he runs corner to corner, SPLASH! And then a clinch, for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! King survives but Lennox snarls. King bails out, grabs the contract and tries to run away with it! Lennox runs up, brings King back, and SMACKS him off the apron! The fans fire up as Lennox SMACKS King again!
Lennox slides in after King, whips, but King reverses to POST Lennox! Fans boo but King grins as he reels Lennox in. Crossarm and SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, King wins!
Winner: Lexis King, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Drama King has his #Coronation, but he is far from the Breakout star. He has Riley Osborne in the next round, but wait! Trey Bearhill is here, with a chair of his own! King runs away to celebrate, but Bearhill dares him to come back! King says Bearhill hasn’t earned anything yet. Then will Bearhill just have to wait to get his claws into King after the tournament?
Eddy Thorpe speaks.
“This year has been a trial by fire for me in NXT. And it put me directly in the fight of my life against Dijak. Each battle has been grueling on me, and heart-wrenching on my family. But to keep true to myself, I fight through the pain and I move forward without fear. Dijak, the universe has pulled us back together to settle this. You took me out of action, and I took the Iron Survivor away from you. And it appears that the ropes can’t even contain us any longer. So I want a match where that isn’t a factor. No ropes, no excuses. What do you say, Dijak? Next week, let’s finish this once and for all, in NXT Underground! Hoka hey!”
Thea Hail & Jacy Jayne VS Kiana James & Izzi Dame!
Chase U has their backs against the wall, but there’s also love in the air. And that makes The Calculator and her new sidekick sick. Will Kiana & Izzi be the newest bullies on the block? Or will Thea & Jacy put them in their place?
NXT returns as Kiana & Izzi make their entrance. The fans boo, but the teams sort out. Thea starts against Izzi and fans rally behind Thea. Izzi storms up, Thea gets around to heaadlock and trash Izzi. Izzi powers up and out, Thea wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Thea is even surprised, and fans cheer her on. But Izzi DECKS Thea! Izzi blows a kiss to Riley in the student section, but Thea jumps on froa THRASHING sleeper! Izzi backs upb ut Jacy tags in to CHOP BLOCK and KICK! And KICK again! Cover, ONE!! Izzi shows her toughness but Jacy taunts Kiana. Jacy CHOPS Izzi, CHOPS again, then eggs her on. But Izzi SHOVES Jacy to a corner!
Izzi runs in, Jacy dodges, and Jacy runs in to back body block! Jacy dodges Kiana’s cheap shot to DECK her! “SUCK IT!” Fans fire up, but Thea warns Jacy. Izzi runs in, Jacy gets around to crucifix but Izzi stays up. But Jacy swings, arm-drags, and covers, ONE! Izzy swings, Jacy slips around, backslide to a cradle, TWO! Izzi staggers up, Jacy kicks her low. Jacy whips, Izzi blocks and reverses, to LARIAT! Izzi talks trash, she tags Kiana, and Kiana stomps Jacy. Jacy tells Thea off then she brings Jacy up to knee low. And knee low again! And again! Jacy falls, fans boo, but Kiana runs to BOOT Jacy down! Cover, TWO!
Kiana drags Jacy up, taunts Thea, then whips Jacy to the corner. Kiana runs up to fire off hands and stomps, then tags Izzi. Izzi whips Kiana in to RAM Jacy in the corner! Kiana moves aside, Izzi reels Jacy in to fireman’s carry, and Izzi hits a FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Jacy hangs tough as a former tag team champion, but Izzi clamps on with a chinbar and armlock. The fans rally as Jacy fights up, and Jacy slips around to roll Izzi up! TWO, and Jacy ROCKS Izzi! Izzi scoops but Jacy slips free, DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down! Izzi crawls, hot tag to Kiana! Kiana drags Jacy from Jacy but Jacy hops and hops, hot tag to Thea!
Fans fire up as Thea rallies on Kiana! Thea runs to back body block Kiana! Thea waves to Riley, then clinches Kiana for an EXPLODER! The fans fire up as Thea SOMERSAULT SENTONS, then shakes the ropes! Springboard TRUST FALL! Thea fires up, stands Kiana up, but Kiana throat chops! The ref reprimands but Kiana hauls Thea up to scoop. Thea slips free, waistlocks but Izzi tags in before the O’Conner. Thea shifts to the KIMURA!! Kiana taps but Thea doesn’t know Izzi is legal! Izzi BOOTS Thea down!! Cover, Izzi & Kiana win!
Winners: Kiana James & Izzi Dame, by pinfall
Kiana’s new investment pays off, and it Izz what it Izz. Will Kiana & Izzi start building towards the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships?
The NXT Women’s Division watches backstage.
Arianna Grace admits, Izzi & Kiana make a great combination. But Roxanne Perez says she’s far from done with either of those two. Arianna says Roxie is still upset about Deadline. She understands, but Roxie needs to remember: it isn’t about wins and losses, but good sportsmanship, and how you play the game. Roxie wouldn’t want to fail at that too, would she? Actually, it IS about wins and losses. SLAP!! Roxie leaves Arianna crying, was that Arianna getting off easy?
Chase U plays a game of dice with Out The Mud.
Andre Chase rolls, and TEN! He’s on fire~! Bronco Nima isn’t sure whether to be impressed or upset that Chase is pulling this off. Duke Hudson says now that they’re up, they should go. No, Chase has the hot hand, he’s gotta keep going. Clack clack clack! EIGHT!! BOOM! Okay, okay, now let’s quit while we’re head. But Nima says Chase is a grown man. He can decide things for himself, can’t he? Y-Yeah, of course Chase can! In fact, doesn’t Chase tell Duke what to do? Duke gets heated but Chase calms him down. Scrypts says that this ain’t no bake sale or car wash. That’s a whole lotta money right there. He really should leave while he can.
But Chase says one more roll. Scrypts smiles, but then Chase has an idea. Or rather, a proposition for Scrypts. Okay, shoot. Next week, Duke & Chase VS Bronco & Lucien. If Chase U wins, Scrypts pays up double what Chase just won here. If Chase U loses, well, he walks away with what he came here with. Which wasn’t much… Scrypts says okay, but on one condition. When Chase U loses, OTM get a tag title shot. If Chase can swing that, wink wink. Yeah, Tony & Stacks aren’t gonna go for that. Chase tells Duke that they will. Because in walks Adrianna Rizzo. She sees Mr. Chase is making “wise” decisions again.
She calls The Don, and tells him that Mr. Chase is out here making promises. Chase says Tony knows he’s good for it. But The Done replies and she says okay, he is the boss. Tony has accepted the deal. Chase knew it! And so now, after next week, Chase U can pay in full. Chase drops the dice, and ends up with a SEVEN!? They would’ve won big already?! Well, luck aside, will Mr. Chase clean up his own mess? Or will he regret taking fate into his own hands?
The NXT Year End Awards are coming!
Vote on the superstars and moments you feel deserve recognition via WWE’s official website! The polls open tonight, 10 PM Eastern!
NXT North American Championship Open Challenge: Dragon Lee VS ??? w/ The No Quarter Catch Crew!
The Boy Wonder established his Open Challenge series last week, and Drew Gulak was more than happy to accept, on behalf of his entire team. The Philly Stretcher is playing shell games, but will Dragon Lee still win his own gamble?
Dragon watches Gulak and his goons closely, and it’s Charlie Dempsey stepping up! But wait, what is Gallus doing coming out here? Joe Coffey is dressed, and he didn’t hear a bell yet, so he’ll just get in on this while he can. Dempsey is upset, but the Iron King gets in. Joe tells Dragon has to decide between him or Dempsey. Dragon hears the fans, and he says it’ll be BOTH! TRIPLE THREAT!! The belt is raised along with the ante, who comes away now that the odds have drastic gone down?
NXT North American Championship Open Challenge Triple Threat: Dragon Lee VS Charlie Dempsey w/ The No Quarter Catch Crew VS Joe Coffey w/ Gallus!
The bell rings and the fans fire up! Dragon ROCKS Joe, dodges Dempsey and sends Dempsey into Joe! Roll up on Dempsey, ONE! Dempsey knees low, whips, but Dragon reverses. Dragon runs in, is put on the apron but he ROUNDHOUSES back! Dempsey staggers, Dragon SLINGSHOT RANAS! Dempsey hits buckles, fans fire up and Dragon runs back in. But Joe CLOBBERS him first! Joe whips Dragon in, Dempsey BOOTS him, then Joe scoops to BACKBREAKER! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER for Dempsey! Joe goes up and up but Dempsey avoids the Vader Elbow! Dempsey waistlocks but Joe fights the lift!
Joe switches, Dempsey wrenches free but Joe HEADBUTTS! Dragon gets Joe but Joe ROCKS him first! Joe runs up but into a BOOT! Only for Gallus to grab at Dragon! So the ref EJECTS them! Wolfgang is furious but Markus drags him away. Now things are a bit more fair, and Joe runs into a SNAP GERMAN! SUPERKICK! Cover, Dempsey breaks it with a GUTWRENCH SUPLEX! Fans fire up while all three men are down, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragon writhes while Joe and Dempsey stir. Joe sits up, Dempsey follows, and they egg each other on. Joe shoves, Dempsey shoves, but Dragon is back up. So they DOUBLE ELBOW him down! Dempsey kicks low and HALF HATCH SUPLEXES Joe away! Dempsey drags Dragon up, wrenches and hammerlocks to wrangle Dragon. Dempsey goes after the other arm, throws down some elbows, then bends Dragon’s arm, and even the fingers! Dempsey twists the wrist, pushes the arm down, and even adds a leg for a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow! But Joe is back to stomp Dempsey down! Joe stomps and stomps and stomps!
No Quarter protests but Joe whips Dragon to ropes. Dragon sunset flips, Joe rolls through and has the legs, BOSTON CRAB! Dempsey returns, and he has a GUILLOTINE on Dragon! Dragon endures, Joe lets go to get Dempsey with a SLEEPER! Joe thrashes Dempsey around, but Dragon is free to DRAGON SLEEPER Joe! Joe snapmares free, clinches, full nelsons, and SWINGS Dragon around! Dempsey runs up, Dragon BOOTS him and then drops down, victory roll! Dempsey breaks it! Dempsey KNEES Joe, drags Dragon up, and UPPERCUTS! Dragon goes to a corner, Dempsey fires off knee after knee!
Dempsey whips Dragon around into a corner, then UPPERCUTS! Dempsey facelocks and brings Dragon around in a cravat. Dragon endures the neck wrench, throws body shots and snapmares free. Dempsey staggers back up, runs to BOOT Dragon down, then drags Dragon back up. Dempsey whips Dragon to a corner, runs up and UPPERCUTS! Dempsey puts Dragon up top, NXT returns to single picture and Joe gets involved. Dempsey kicks Joe away, focuses on Dragon, but Joe still gets involved! TOWER OF DOOM!! The Superplex Powerbomb combo has the fans all fired up for “NXT! NXT!” Dempsey and Dragon writhe while Joe catches his breath.
Gulak is worried as Joe crawls after Dragon. Dempsey rises, but so does Joe. They work together to double whip Dragon, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he uses Dempsey’s pop-up to RANA Joe! Fans fire up, Dragon dodges Dempsey and CLOBBERS him! Dragon has Dempsey in a corner, he JUMP KICKS and trips Joe, to COMBINACION DRAGON! Then Dragon aims, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK for Dempsey! HYDRAULIC DROPKICK for Joe! Cover on Joe, TWO! So Dragon drags Dempsey to a cover, TWO! Fans rally behind Dragon and he fires hands on Joe. Joe blocks the whip to reverse, then runs in. Dragon BOOTS Joe, then BOOTS Dempsey!
Dragon goes up and leaps, but the double DDT is blocked! DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS! Dempsey covers, Joe drags him away! Joe covers, Dempsey stomps him! Joe stands, Dempsey UPPERCUTS, ROCKS, but Joe hits back! They brawl, Dempsey bridges to whip! Joe stops from hitting buckles, elbows Dempsey away, and goes up, up and CROSSBODIES into an UPPERCUT! Dempsey hauls Joe up, waistlocks, but Joe grabs ropes! Dragon is there to slingshot and sunset flip! Dempsey resists, Joe drags Dragon up! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO!! The fans fire up as all three men are down!
Dragon clutches his back, No Quarter coaches Dempsey, and “This is Awesome!” as Joe and Dempsey trade uppercuts! Dragon joins in with haymakers! Dempsey kicks, then he uses joe to kick off, TORNADO DDT on Dempsey! Dragon then staggers, runs in at Joe, but Joe pops him up for an UPPERCUT! Dempsey is up, Joe roars and runs in, GLASGOW SENDOFF sends Dragon into Dempsey! Dempsey falls out of the ring, Joe covers Dragon, TWO!! Dragon survives and Joe is frustrated. Joe drags Dragon up and to the top rope. Fans rally as Joe CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then climbs up.
The fans duel between Joe and Dragon, but Dragon trips Joe! Joe is in the Tree of Woe, so Joe gets WOE STOMPS!! Dragon then DIVES to take out Dempsey! Dragon brushes that off, gets right back in, and V-TRIGGER on Joe! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives and Gulak is relieved because it means Dempsey is still in this. Dragon keeps an eye on Dempsey, PLANCHAÂ but into an UPPERCUT! Dempsey’s antiair pays off again, and he brawls with Dragon now. But Joe builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit on both men and all three are down at ringside! The fans are thunderous, and t hen Joe Gacy crawls out from under the ring!?
Gacy grins at Coffey, but then slithers back under. Coffey puts both Dempsey and Dragon in the ring, but Gacy drags Coffey down! Coffey can’t get away, Gacy brings him down into the Upside-Down! Dempsey runs in at Dragon, Dragon pops him up to SUPERKICK in the corner! Dempseys taggers, Dragon runs in, but Dempsey turns crossbody into FALL AWAY SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Dempsey hauls Dragon up to a full nelson, but Dragon breaks that! Dempsey still waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEXE! Dragon lands on his feet! And dodges Dempsey to tilt-o-whirl, OPERACION DRAGON!! Cover, Dragon wins!!
Winner: Dragon Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Coffey added to the mix certainly spiced this one up, but then Joe Gacy slithers back out from under the ring? What did he even do to Coffey while they were under there? And then No Quarter CLOBBERS Dragon! These sore losers want to beat Dragon down, but wait! THE LWO is here! Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde are back in NXT and they fire off fists! They TOSS Dempsey, clothesline Borne & Kemp out, then RANA Gulak! The fans are thunderous for LWO, and Dragon has some amigos of his own now! Will they humble No Quarter until they’re not even worth two cents?
Trick Melo Gang regroups backstage.
Trick still has no idea what Dragunov is thinking. Trick is supposed to be first to get his shot, and then Dragunov takes this match? With Ridge Holland?! And if Ridge wins, they probably make New Year’s Evil into a Triple Threat! Wow, really? Melo should’ve thought of that. Oh wait. But see, Trick’s gotta listen to Melo, Melo knows what he’s talking about. Trick says Dragunov can probably take Ridge. Dragunov’s been unbeatable, untouchable. But Trick is supposed to be the one to take him out. Trick is supposed to be the one that has done what no one else could, and take that title from Dragunov.
Melo tries not to be upset by that, but Trick asks if he gets what he’s saying. he does. That’s why they’re dawgs. Trick heads out and Melo is a bit frustrated. Will Trick stop worrying about Ridge and worry more about HIM?
Cora Jade walks into the women’s locker room.
“She’s baaack~!” Cora asks if they missed her, because she missed all of them. But don’t worry, the savior of the NXT Women’s Division is back. Who is she kidding? She’s the savior of ALL of NXT. And first thing’s first: pin the champion. Check. Secondly: reclaim HER locker. Check. She replaces the nametag on the wall, sorry not sorry to Karmen Petrovic. But feels good to be back. Cora also throws Karmen’s things on the floor and steps away. Gigi says some things never change. Karmen returns and asks if Cora really just did that. And disrespected her gi! Gigi says there’s only one way to deal with Cora. Karmen nods, understanding just what she has to do.
Men’s Breakout Tournament, Opening Round: Tavion Heights VS Luca Crusifino!
There’s one spot left in the semifinals, and it goes to the winner of this match! Will the World Wrestling Bronze Medalist look to go for gold? Or will the Legal Eagle OBJECT and win this one for himself?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Tavion. He and Luca tie up, Tavion trips Luca to a cover, ONE! They reset, tie up, and Tavion wrenches to a hammerlock. Luca rolls, slips around, wristlocks, and hammerlocks. Tavion switches that on to Luca, but Luca moves around. Luca elbows free, but Tavion ROCKS Luca! They clinch, Luca kicks low but Tavion shoves and scoops, tilt-o-whirl SLAM! Cover, TWO! Luca sputters but Tavion headlocks. Tavion spins and waistlocks, Luca grabs ropes and the ref counts. Luca stomps a foot! Then ELBOWS Tavion away! Luca runs up, clinches, and ROCKS Tavion!
Luca kicks the legs out and Tavion flounders. Fans boo but Luca CLUBS Tavion down! Luca eggs Tavion, throws hands, and has Tavion on the ropes. Luca whips, Tavion blocks to ROCK Luca! Luca ELBOWS Tavion then hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Tavion is tough and Luca is frustrated. Luca whips, hip toss NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tavion survives the Quick Draw but Luca CLUBS him down again. Luca fires hands at the ropes, then in a corner. Luca bumps Tavion off buckles, whips corner to corner, then storms up. Luca hip tosses, but Tavion handsprings through! Tavion hits a BIG Belly2Belly! Both men are down but Tavion rises first.
Fans rally up, Tavion fires hands and he DECKS Luca! And then whips to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Then a HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Luca kicks, Tavion blocks and slips under, T-BONE BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up with Tavion and he runs, RUNNING BELLY2BELLY!! Cover, Tavion wins!
Winner: Tavion Heights, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
And with that, the field is set! Riley Osborne VS Lexi King, and Tavion Heights VS Oba Femi! Will Tavion reach the highest heights in NXT? Or will he be thrown far, far away from the finals?
NXT takes a closer look at the coming Women’s Championship match.
“Two women crossed an ocean to be in NXT. But both have chosen very different paths. Lyra Valkyria, NXT Women’s Champion, left her native Ireland to chase a dream. Her opponent at New Year’s Evil, the Iron Survivor, Blair Davenport, went from New Zealand to the UK to Japan and back again in her quest for glory. Somehow, they have never crossed swords before. Even in NXT UK, they looked set to collide, but an injury to Lyra meant the WWE Universe was denied a chance to witness these two battle.
“Each woman is the polar opposite of the other. Lyra doing everything she could to fairly claw her way to the top of NXT, doing things the right way, beating her hero, Becky Lynch, and earning the respect of The Man in the process. Blair chose the darker route, hiding in the shadows, picking off her rival with sneakily savage skullduggery. At Deadline, Blair Davenport showed that she is virtually untouchable by beating four other women. Not just by showcasing her skill and intelligence, but by showing she can and will do anything to succeed.
“Will Lyra Valkyria’s virtuous journey keep her on track as NXT Women’s Champion? Or will Blair Davenport’s trail of destruction lead her to championship gold? Their paths will finally cross at New Year’s Evil!”
Lyra Valkyria finishes watching the video package.
And Nikkita Lyons walks in. She didn’t have a problem with creepy Tatum before last week, but then Tatum had to go and put hands on her. Lyra has no idea what is going on with that girl’s brain. Lyons says she’ll take care of their freak problem tonight, but just so Lyra knows, Lyons came back for Blair, but also for the title. Lyra understands that, but will Lyons roar her way into the new year?
Backstage interview with The Meta Four.
Kelly Kincaid can tell they’re all in the holiday spirit, but Noam Dar wants her to listen. Jingle jingle! Ho ho ho, Kelly! Happy holidays! Now, what is Noam’s answer to Josh Briggs’ challenge? Well, this is the time of year that we should think about the less fortunate. And Dar is nothing if not a man of charity with a heart of gold. Noam Claus! Oh, these guys are the best, aren’t they, Kelly? That was rhetorical. But Briggs has a Christmas miracle coming his way, for Supernova 11, Father Christmas, will be defending his Heritage Cup against “that little drummer boy.” Okay? Thank you, bye-bye, Happy Festivus!
Dar gives Briggs what he wants, but will Briggs give Dar what he deserves in another Clothesline From Hell?
Nikkita Lyons VS Tatum Paxley!
NXT returns as Tatum makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans are on Lyons’ side, and she does the splits as Tatum goes for a leg! Lyons wags a finger, then KICKS Tatum! Tatum bails out, but Lyons storms out after her. Lyons CHOPS Tatum and Tatum sits down in front of the steps. Lyons runs up but Tatum moves, the chop hits the steps! Tatum then SLAMS the bad hand into the steel! Tatum slithers into the ring, waits on Lyons, and she stomps the bad hand! Tatum stands on the hand against ropes! The ref counts, Tatum lets off and laughs at Lyons’ pain. Tatum snapmares Lyons, then runs up to SLIDING FOREARM!
Lyons flounders, Tatum clamps onto her and smothers her into the mat. Tatum rolls, Gedo Clutch into a bridging cover! TWO, Lyons cradles, TWO! Tatum runs up to kick low! Tatum wrangles Lyons and stomps the bad hand! And stomps it again! Tatum laughs as she drops a knee on the bad arm! Tatum taunts the pain, then JUMP ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Lyons is still in this but Tatum goes after the bad arm. Tatum bends the fingers, Lyons fights around, then she rolls Tatum up! TWO!! Tatum runs up but into an EDDY GORDO KICK! Tatum returns again, into a drop toehold! Tatum flounders, Lyons runs corner to corner, and KICKS Tatum down!
Lyons KICKS again, then fires off shots with both hands! Lyons shakes and DECKS Tatum! Then Lyons SWINGING HIP ATTACKS! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! Tatum staggers up, Lyons roars and SPIN KICKS! Fans fire up for the SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, Lyons wins!
Winner: Nikkita Lyons, by pinfall
Lyons fights through the pain and takes the win! Will this stop Tatum from stalking Lyra or only make the obsession grow? As for Nikkita, will 2024 be the Year of the Lion?
Hank ‘n’ Tank talk backstage.
All they wanted was a shot. All they wanted was a chance to prove themselves against the best, and dammit, they’ve got it! Now, they are underdogs who flip the script on Gallus! When that bell rings, body shots become knockouts! Slug fest! They hit first, and they hit last! Hank ‘n’ Tank are all fired up, but will it still be Gallus Boys On Top? We find out, after the break!
Fallon regroups with Briggs & Jensen.
The guys cannot believe Tiffany would say that stuff. Is she okay? Fallon is embarrassed, humiliated and pissed. Tiffany has had everything in her life handed to her on a silver platter. She doesn’t know what hard work means! What it means to get your hands dirty! The last thing we see in Tiff is a hard worker, and Fallon is NOT done with her! Fallon storms off, and Jensen says he’s never seen her that pissed. But hey, on a better note, Dar took Briggs’ challenge, Heritage Cup on the line next week! Briggs is ready to rock it. How many times has Jensen said 2023 is gonna be their year? Like, 2023 times!
And Briggs is feeling like he’s gonna end 2023 as the NEW Heritage Cup Champion. Jensen says Meta Four will be ringside, so he’ll make sure he and Fallon are there to support Briggs and make sure Meta Four doesn’t cheat him. Briggs says he appreciates that. But… He needs to do this on his own. What? Why? Briggs isn’t sure he can explain it or if Jensen would understand. But Briggs just feels he needs to ride solo here. Alright. Good luck then, man. They shake hands and Briggs heads out. What is happening to the trio that is Country Strong?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Gallus!
NXT returns as Gallus makes their entrance, and Joe has miraculously returned from under the ring. He’s still wary of where Gacy might be, but he stays ringside for Markus & Wolfgang. The teams sort out and Hank starts against Mark. The bell rings and Hank runs in to run Mark over! Hank wrenches, Mark tags Wolfgang but Hank is ready. Wolfgang headlocks, Hank powers out and RAMS shoulders! And then Hank wrenches, whips, but Wolfgang reverses. Hank anticipates the back drop to whip and RAM Wolfgang down! SENTON! Cover, ONE! Hank wrenches, tag to Tank, and Tank takes the handoff.
Wolfgang ROCKS Tank, tags Mark, then Mark runs in but into an arm-drag! Tank has an armlock, he wrenches and RAMS Mark down, and the fans fire up. Tank wrenches and runs Mark over again. Tank wrenches one more time, but Mark ROCKS him! Mark whips, Tank goes up and over and keeps moving to UPPERCUT Mark down! Fans fire up with Tank, he whips Mark to a corner and SPLASHES! Tag to Hank, they double whip and double shoulder! Wolfgang runs in but into DOUBLE ELBOWS! Hank ‘n’ Tank DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE Wolfgang up and out! Mark staggers up, into a headlock takeover from Hank!
Fans fire up, Mark fights up, and Mark powers out. Wolfgang tags in, waits and trips Hank up! Mark KNEES Hank out, then Wolfgang POSTS him! Fans boo and Tank coaches Hank up but Gallus stands tall. Hank flounders, Wolfgang gets Hank on the apron and CLUBS away on the arm! Wolfgang slides in, clamps onto the bad arm and he grinds the shoulder. Hank reaches out, fights Wolfgang, but Mark runs up on Tank! That distracts Tank and he misses the tag! Wolfgang whips Hank into the Gallus corner, Mark tags back in and the Gallus Boys mug Hank. Mark snapmares then covers, ONE! Hank is tough but Mark stomps him down.
Mark stays between Hank ‘n’ Tank, whips Hank back to the corner, then runs in, but into an elbow! Hank ROCKS Wolfgang, ROCKS Mark, repeat! But then Mark ROCKS Hank! Mark whips Hank to a corner, but Hank rebounds to POUNCE Mark! Fans fire up and Hank crawls! Wolfgang is down from that last forearm shot, but Mark anchors a foot! Mark drags Hank, but Hank BOOTS him away! Tank tags but nowhere near the corner! The ref reprimands and stops Tank, Mark GAMANGIRIS Hank down! Cover, Gallus wins!
Winner: Gallus, by pinfall
Tank’s emotions got the better of him, he forgot the tag team basics! Gallus Boys On Top, but Gacy is watching from the crowd. Will Gacy rediscover himself by tearing the Iron King down?
Dijak speaks.
“Eddy Thorpe. What’re you thinking, my friend? NXT Underground with those injured ribs? Every breath you take more painful than the last. I don’t have to remind you that I put you in the hospital last time after our Strap match, leathering you right in front of your family. Now you wanna face me in a match with barely any rules? Yeah, you cut me last week. And then what happened? I snapped the ring ropes and mercilessly drilled the buckle right into your ribcage! That internal wound opened right back up. What’re you gonna do when nothing and no one can save you? The last NXT of 2023 will be your last match ever! See you in the Underground.”
Tiffany Stratton speaks.
She takes in a deep breath and says, “It feels good to finally put you in your place, Fallon Henley, where you’re supposed to be: A servant in society. But I’m sure you’re used to that, serving people like me, waiting on people like me. A person like me wouldn’t even set foot in your trashy bar. A person like Tiffany Stratton doesn’t even belong on the same world as Fallon Henley. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: You will never be me. No matter how many classes you take, no matter how hard you work, no matter what clothes you wear, you will always be trash! Something that you’re very familiar with.
“And you like to work, right? So I’ll put you to work. You VS me at New Year’s Evil. And when I win, you will become my servant, just the way it’s supposed to be. Tootles.” Tiffany is raising the stakes, but will her pride come before her fall?
Ilja Dragunov VS Ridge Holland!
The title isn’t on the line, but the Mad Dragon is still taking a chance facing someone as big and strong as Yorkshire Grit ahead of his match with Trick Williams. Will Dragunov prove #UNBESIEGBAR is still head and shoulders above Ridge’s level? Or will this Brawling Brute prove he is worthy?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Draugnov headlocks but Ridge power sup. Dragunov holds on, Ridge powers out and they RAM shoudlers! Dragunov runs to RAM Ridge again! And again! Ridge rebounds to CLOBBER Dragunov! Dragunov is right up and he fires a flurry of forearms! Dragunov whips, Ridge reverses, Dragunov ducks one lariat but not the SOUTHPAW! Ridge snarls, he drags Dragunov up, and he scoops. Dragunov silps free, waistlocks and lifts, but Ridge fights that with elbows. Ridge switches, Dragunov headlocks and CLUBS away. ridge whips, but the CONSTANTINE SPECIAL comes in!
Dragunov then CHOPS Ridge, CHPOS, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up, Dragunov lets off, and he CHOP- NO, Ridge blocks! And HEADBUTTS! Dragunov flounders away, Ridge runs up, but Dragunov blocks a boot to HEADBUTT inr eturN! Dragunov reels Ridge in, but Ridge is pretty big! Dragunov almost has him but Ridge powers up to Alabama Lift! ALABAMA SLAM! Ridge drags Dragunov by his legs, but Dragunov boots him away! Dragunov then JUMP BOOTS! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! Dragunov holds on, Ridge throws elbows to fight, but Dragunov GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Fans fire up as Dragunov drags Ridge up again.
Ridge throws elbows, Dragunov CLUBS and CHOPS him! Ridge ROCKS Dragunov, but Dragunov springs up to PELE! And GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up more as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragunov roars, waits on Ridge, and then runs up to CLUB him back down! Dragunov stomps Ridge, stands him up and CHOPS! Ridge CHOPS back! Dragunov CLUBS Ridge, and Ridge drops to his knees. Dragunov storms up to DROPKICK Ridge to ropes. Dragunov stomps Ridge, storms around, then CLUBS Ridge back down. Dragunov clamps on with a chinlock, almost a Bully Choke, but Ridge endures. Ridge fights up, torture racks, but Dragunov slips free to ROUNDHOUSE! Ridge staggers to a corner, Dragunov ROCKS him! Ridge SHOVES Dragunov away, so Dragunov comes back with a JUMP KICK! Dragunov snapmares Ridge and SENTONS! Cover, TWO!
Ridge snarls but Dragunov keeps after him. Dragunov drags Ridge up but Ridge resists the suplex. Dragunov wrenches to waistlock, but Ridge resists another lift. Dragunov still hoists Ridge up for another GERMAN SUPLEX! NXT returns to single picture and the fans are thunderous! Dragunov dares Ridge to get up, then kicks him. Ridge rises, Dragunov kicks him more. Dragunov kicks again, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Ridge snarls and ROCKS Dragunov! And bumps him off buckles! Ridge KICKS then CLUBS Dragunov down! Ridge huffs and puffs and slaps some sense back into himself. Ridge runs up to SPLASH in the corner!
Dragunov staggers, Ridge runs in again to SPLASH in another corner! Then clinch for the EXPLODER! Dragunov flounders, Ridge hurries to cover, TWO! Ridge grows frustrated but the fans rally behind Dragunov. Dragunov rises, Ridge takes aim, and Ridge waistlocks to half nelson. Dragunov fights that, elbows Ridge, elbow shim again, then CLUBS him! Dragunov runs, CONSTAN- NO, Ridge KNEES Dragunov tot he apron! Ridge drags Dragunov up, for… No, Ridge reconsiders using Sheamus’ Beats of the Bodhrain, so Dragunov CHOPS him! And CLUBS away on him in the ropes! Dragunov’s own version of Bodhrain, but Ridge ROCKS Dragunov in return!
Ridge then suplexes Dragunov up and in, only for Dragunov to DDT counter!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Dragunov drags Ridge back up, reels him in, and tries to lift him! Ridge fights to Alabama Lift again, but Dragunov sunset flips! TWO, H-BOMB FOREARM!! Fans fire up and want that “One More Time!” Dragunov drags Ridge back up, reels him back in, but Ridge back drops free! Dragunov returns to ENZIGURI! Ridge returns to BOOT! Push to a cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives and Ridge is stunned! Ridge snarls while the fans rally up. Ridge deadlifts Dragunov into the suplex, but Dragunov throws knees!
Dragunov has a GUILLOTINE, but Ridge makes it a bearhug! So Dragunov throws headbutts! Ridge stays standing, and he facelocks Dragunov, for a PACKAGE DDT!! Both men are down but the ref checks Dragunov. That shot really did a number on Dragunov, the ref has Ridge stay back. Ridge and the fans all quiet down, and the ref calls in medics. Ridge feels awful, he can’t believe he’s done this again! Refs and medics all hurry in to check Dragunov, who can barely move that left arm. A stretcher is brought in, as well as back board and neck brace. The medics secure Dragunov and Ridge is beside himself.
The ref assures Ridge that this comes with the territory, but that doesn’t do much to help. Dragunov is carefully slid from ring to stretcher and strapped in, and fans applaud as Dragunov is able to respond. The stretcher leaves, and fans cheer Dragunov on, but was Trick perhaps right about Dragunov taking a risk too close to the New Year?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here as a combination go-home to next week’s NXT After Christmas as well as setting up more stuff for New Year’s Evil the Tuesday after. And just to address the ending moment now, do not worry. Given NXT still records in batches, it was essentially spoiled last week that Dragunov needing medical attention is all part of story, as confirmed by Sean Ross Sapp & Corey Brennan of Fightful. Perhaps a little controversial to kayfabe Ridge Holland being legit dangerous, but we’ve had Pretty Deadly use Elton’s arm injury for some comedic drama, and Bryan Danielson in AEW used his concussion history to fake out Kazuchika Okada, blurring the lines is nothing new.
But it does play well with the story building with Trick Melo Gang. Melo keeps trying to deflect that Dragunov is the one who attacked them both but Trick still isn’t buying it. And Trick doesn’t mean to, but he’s saying stuff that is getting under Melo’s skin, so it is only a matter of time until Melo just snaps and goes after him in the open with a very “It was ME, Austin! It was me all along!” moment at like New Year’s Evil. Then that sets up Trick VS Melo for Vengeance Day 2024, title optional because the story alone is enough to eat that match up. At the same time, depending on how they play this Dragunov angle, Trick could end up champion and his first defense is an incredibly heated defense because it’s Melo.
Great stuff from Fallon and Tiffany to open the night, but they made sure this wasn’t the blowoff by having Fallon win with a roll-up rather than a finisher. And now we get a grudge match, Fallon fighting for her independence against Tiffany in a borrowed idea from NXT UK where Xia Brookside and Nina Samuels had that Loser Works for the Winner match. Good promos from Fallon and Tiff, and good promos to set up Dar VS Briggs for the Heritage Cup. I’m also a little surprised Briggs doesn’t want Jensen ringside, it just makes sense someone should be there to keep Meta Four from screwing Briggs over. While I like the idea of Briggs winning because he wallops Dar, I could see Jensen still showing up ringside, that costs Briggs, and Briggs gets mad at Jensen.
Great tag match from Thea & Jacy VS Kiana & Izzi, but of course the Heels win that. Chase U as a whole is going through hard times, and Thea’s partially distracted by Riley Osborne. And good bit of Roxie slapping Arianna for her stupid platitudes. Roxie VS Arianna is def happening, giving Roxie momentum into one more rematch with Kiana James. Good promo of Cora being so obnoxious and disrespectful, and now getting on Karmen’s bad side. Karmen probably won’t win, but she can have a great showing against Cora. And Lyons beats Tatum, of course, but it feels like Tatum isn’t going to leave Lyra alone. Great vignette to hype Lyra VS Blair, but with Lola Vice and her Breakout contract, who knows who comes away as champion there.
Great stuff in the Men’s Breakout Tournament. Lexis King of course wins his match, even with as good as Lennox looks and how well he moves. And naturally, Bearhill returns, wanting after King. A little hard to say a single chair shot kept Bearhill out of this whole tournament when he didn’t even need to wrestle last week, given he’s up and chasing King now. But Bearhill VS King is a given for whatever event you want after the tournament is over. Tavion Heights looked awesome against Crusifino and that is a great choice to move to the next round. King VS Riley will be good stuff but Heights VS Femi will be awesome stuff.
Good promo out of Chase, Duke, OTM and Rizzo. I didn’t think shooting dice would be Scrypts’ idea, but perhaps I should’ve figured that. And it could’ve been part of Scrypts’ plan all along to get Chase high on himself and make him offer a title opportunity. I’m leaning towards OTM winning out, setting up a title match for New Year’s Evil, making it an even more stacked episode. Dijak and Eddy Thorpe have really good promos, and an NXT Underground match between the two of them is going to be awesome stuff for next week. They’ve gone back and forth, but it really depends on what the winner is going to move on to after this.
And great stuff with the North American Championship tonight. I like that they made it a Triple Threat, that really upped the excitement and it also allowed Joe Gacy to get his story beat with Joe Coffey in smoothly. Gallus wins against Hank ‘n’ Tank but maybe Gacy joins them in a Six Man Tag for whatever reason? And LWO returning to back Dragon Lee up is great, I would think Dragon Lee joins the faction not so much to replace Santos but because he actually respects Rey Mysterio. A Six Man Tag of Dragon, Cruz & Wilde VS any three of No Quarter has to be happening before Gulak goes for a title shot himself.
My Score: 8.9/10
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SmackDown’s on the road to Riyadh!
John Cena dared CM Punk to challenge him at Night of Champions, and Miss Money in the Bank, Naomi, wants all champions to Proceed With Caution!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes; Orton wins and advances to the next round.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim; Jade wins and advances to the next round.
- Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis w/ The Wyatt Sick6; Gacy & Lumis win.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS
Chelsea GreenAlba Fyre; Alexa wins and advances to the next round. - King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Cody wins and advances to the next round.
PLAY BY PLAY
John Cena is here!
Lexington, Kentucky sings, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he makes his way out in the University of Kentucky white ‘n’ blue. Cena goes to the ring, and while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena signals to Mark Nash to give the proper introductions: Please welcome the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Lexington with his presence one last time, he is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA! The fans boo as Cena holds up the belt. Cena then grabs a mic and says, “Wrestling’s Mount Rushmore… is John Cena, John Cena, John Cena, and John Cena.” The fans boo but Cena says, there have been great wrestlers and great talkers.
But no one in the past, and certainly no one in the present nor the future, is comparable to him. And the very reason Cena will always outmaneuver the fans is not because he never gives up. It is because he is smarter than us. “You Can’t See Me, but you all wanna be me.” And whether watching at home or being mesmerized in this very arena, Cena is always 1000 steps ahead because everyone is worried about here and now, when he had already “won” this title over a year ago. Cena announced his retirement early so that he could have an extra six months to scout his potential opponents.
Cena knew anyone could enter the Rumble, so he did. And he knew that if he lost in the Rumble, he could use his seniority to enter the Elimination Chamber. And he knew that in the Chamber, Rollins and Punk would melt down to give Cena an easy win. Plus, Cody Rhodes was so focused on The Final Boss, Cena just had to seize the moment, shock the world, and become unpredictable. Then all he did was use Cody’s obsession with everyone’s love to guarantee the WrestleMania win. Cena used the fanfare and love of the 25 year rivalry to get a match in Randy Orton’s hometown, all to lull Randy into a false sense of security.
Cena put R-Truth in the Saturday Night’s Main Event so that all the fans would care, and the fans took the bait! While the fans tried to save Truth, Cena made friends with Logan Paul, just to eliminate him as a threat, and all to size up his next opponent in CM Punk. The fans boo but Cena says he used Punk’s rebellious nature and sociopathic self-confidence to back him into a corner. The fans cheer for Punk, but Cena says if Punk wants to take the title, he has to admit that he is a hypocrite! And Cena doesn’t even have to worry about Mr. Money in the Bank, Rollins will never cash in on Cena while he holds this!
Cena knows Rollins wants Cena to leave with the Undisputed title, Rollins becomes your only champion! Cena is the greatest for a reason! The fans boo but Cena says while they’ve been busy using their pathetic brains to come up with fake stories like if Cena “sold his soul,” all Cena has to do is put the math in his favor. He wins before the matches even start! In 25 years, he crunched every number, solved every puzzle and cracked every code. And thank God Cena doesn’t need the fans’ appreciation, because they won’t realize how good he is until three years after he’s gone! This is the greatest moment of their lives, but to Cena, they are just a mathematical equation.
And the math says that there is no one ever worthy enough to earn the right to hold the Undisputed title ever again. But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! Lexington sings along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” as the American Nightmare makes his way to the ring. Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans in the front row, then steps up onto the corner for the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody throws his track jacket to the crowd as a free souvenir, then he grabs himself a mic. The fans cheer as Cody and Cena are face to face again, and then Cody gets the fans to fire up a bit more. Cody takes a moment, then asks Cena to go over what he just said.
Cena claims to be 1000 steps ahead because he’s so smart? No, no, he isn’t just smart! Cena’s a genius! It is unfortunate that everything Cena’s said has come true: Rollins and Punk melted down, Cody was distracted, and they all took their eyes off the prize. The homefield advantage was used against Randy, and the Mount Rushmore being all Cena, sure. But here we are, some sort of 25 year master plan, and there’s this variable that he didn’t account for, and it is simple. Cena laid out his whole story since his return, but why didn’t he include the simple fact that this past Saturday, he was looking up at the lights when Cody pinned him in the middle of this ring?!
The fans cheer, and Cody says he isn’t part of Cena’s plan, Cena is part of Cody’s. So “John Rushmore,” where does that leave the two of them? Well it isn’t just the two of them, because here comes Randy Orton! The fans fire up as The Viper goes right to the ring, gets right in Cena’s face, then pushes past him to grab himself a mic. Randy is back a month after Backlash, and he tells anyone and everyone that had a pulse and was watching Backlash knows Orton had Cena BEAT! Down and out, dead to rights, and about to remove Cena’s head from his shoulders! Until somebody out there decided to come and save John Cena.
Orton realizes now that he has to do whatever it takes. It doesn’t matter what or who it is he has to go through to get his fifteenth. Even being in the King of the Ring Tournament. Cody, Orton loves you like a brother, you know that… But if Orton has to put Cody’s ass down to get to Cena, he won’t hesitate to do it! But wait! Here comes LA Knight! Lexington fires up for The Mega Star as he already has a mic to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” “YEAH!” LA Knight says all week long, he’s heard the whole world saying #WeWantLAKnight! “YEAH!” Knight knows what they want, and he knows for damn sure what none of the other guys in the ring want, and that’s Knight walking down there.
So, why don’t we take a walk? Knight understands what this is as he defiantly walks down there. He is looking at the WEW Establishment! “YEAH!” Knight is the sore thumb sticking out here, and that’s how he likes it, YEAH! “YEAH!” But you gotta understand something. Cena, you have this great little master plan, BAH GAWD, it is genius. But Knight knows damn sure that the plans didn’t include Knight, YEAH! So let’s go ahead and throw the plan on it’s head. KOTR is around the corner, which means Knight has a shot at Cody, Orton, and Cena, all on the way to taking what is his! “YEAH!”
So unbreakable as Knight is walking in here, he’s gotta drop a viper, a nightmare, and if he has to drop “a genius balding b*tch John Cena,” he’ll do it to be WWE Champion, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Cena chuckles and steps out. The fans boo as Cena goes back up the ramp, but then R-TRUTH GETS HIM! Or, well, Ron Killings gets him! And he rains down furious fists on Cena right at the ramp! Security rushes out there, as do producers, and the fans boo. Cena kicks free as it takes everybody to hold Killings back! Will Cena even make it to Night of Champions with the walls closing in?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns as Melo joins Orton and Knight out here, followed by The Dark Father. The King of the Ring has a new format this year, which one of these four survives to head into the semifinals?
The bell rings and the four watch each other. Melo locks eyes with Knight, but then he goes after Aleister! They brawl with forearms and haymakers, then Melo throat chops! Melo whips, Aleister grabs ropes and BOOTS H1M back! Aleister TOSSES Melo, Knight and Orton tie up and they end up in a corner. Aleister whips but Melo reverses to send Aleister into barriers! Orton fires hands on Knight, then a KNEE! Knight turns thing around, only for Melo to roll him up! TWO, and Orton kicks Melo! Orton UPPERCUTS Melo, Aleister UPPERCUTS Melo, then Knight DECKS him! And LARIATS him up and out!
Aleister goes up, out, and TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Down goes Melo and Knight has Orton! Orton denies the BFT, but then Knight denies the RKO! Aleister runs up, Knight ducks the Black Mass! The fans fire up the huge standoff, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Melo has Knight in a corner. Melo rains down fists, but Knight stops him quick! Atomic drop and a LARIAT! Knight storms up on Melo to stomp him into a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then goes to Orton in the other corner and stomps away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes back to Melo, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Aleister is back, Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! But then Knight runs up, only to be put on the apron. Knight slingshots but into a CUTTER! Melo has Knight in the ropes, FADE AWAY LEG DROP! DROPKICK for Orton, but Aleister ROCKS Melo!
Aleister whips, Melo springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Melo shoots his free throw, then FLIES to take out Aleister! The fans fire up and Melo goes back to the ring, but Knight WRECKS him with a dropkick! “YEAH!” Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Melo up to SMACK him off the desk! Knight dribbles Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Orton has Knight for a back suplex, but Knight lands out! Orton blocks Aleister’s boot, spins him around, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Knight then RAMS Orton into the apron! The fans rally, Knight fetches Melo, and Knight puts Melo in the ring. Knight storms up, “This is Awesome!” as Knight hoists Melo up top.
Knight climbs but Melo throws hands! Knight CHOPS, they brawl some more, and Knight fires a flurry! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight steadies himself, brings Melo up, but Melo fights the lift! Melo fires body shots then he shoves Knight down! But Orton runs up to ROCK Melo! Orton gets Melo up but Melo CLWWS the eyes! Aleister STEP-UP KICKS Melo! Melo wobbles, Aleister TOSSES Orton, but Orton drags Aleister out! Orton whips, Aleister reverses and he POSTS Orton! Knight springs up to get Melo! Melo shoves Knight away, aims, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Aleister breaks it! The fans fire up as this one continues, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns once again and Aleister KNEES Melo, then ENZIGIRIS! Knight runs u;, Aleister goe sup and over, then he spins Knight to ELBOW him! Orton stumbles up but Aleister stops the RKO! Orton avoids Black Mass, Aleister grabs Knight but Knight rolls him up! ONE, and Aleister aims, but Knight dodges so the BOOT hits Orton! Knight has Aleister but Aleister denies BFT to KNEE Knight down! Melo headlocks but Aleister handsprings out of the bulldog! Aleister fires off a strike fest and a BOOT! Cover on Melo, TWO! Aleister grows frustrated but he has all three opponents down! The fans fire up as Aleister aims, runs up, but Orton LARIATS!
Orton LARIATS again, then dodges to SNAP POWERSLAM! But Knight runs up, he gets a SNAP POWERSLAM! Melo ROCKS Orton, runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up for Orton as he drags Melo up. Orton puts Melo in the ropes, but then Aleister runs up. Orton kicks Aleister, has him in the ropes, but then Knight adds on! JUMPING NECKBREAKER DOUBLE DRAPING DDT COMBO!! Cover on Orton, TWO!! Orton stays in this for everyone’s sake and Knight is a bit stunned. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” Knight watches Melo rise, kick and B- NO, Melo powers out! Knight swings on Orton but Orton ducks!
Orton aims, but Knight denies the RKO, and he sends Orton into Melo’s FIRST 48! Aleister BOOTS Melo! Knight has Aleister, B F T!! Cover, MELO BREAKS IT!! Melo denies Knight that game winner, and now they rise up. Melo vows to end this, but Knight wrenches and kicks, to then whip and POP-UP and POWERSLAM! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes to the corner. The fans rally as Knight climbs, “L! A! KNIGHT!” BUT BRONSON REED YANKS KNIGHT DOWN! The Colossal Aussie gets revenge for Monday, but speaking of! BRON BREAKKER SPEARS KNIGHT!! They cost Knight at MITB, he cost them in KOTR, so now they get him out of KOTR!
Melo grins and takes aim, NOTHING BUT RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just when Melo thought he was taking advantage of an opening, he left himself open to The Viper! Will Orton be meeting Cody Rhodes at the end of this tournament? Or will Sami Zayn make sure he isn’t just someone’s stepping stone?
Jacob Fatu walks ‘n’ talks backstage.
“Lexington, Kentucky. The United States Champion is here. Hell, the United States Champion is America’s Most Wanted, and I’m coming live and direct inside The Rupp Arena! YADADADADADADA mean?!” The Samoan Werewolf is all fired up, but what more will he say on how Saturday was the night he broke free from Solo Sikoa? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Fatu heads to the ring! Lexington cheers the Samoan Werewolf, and he grabs the mic to say, “Lexington, Kentucky! Let’s keep it 100! Just because you’re family don’t mean that you can go behind their back and try to snake ’em. Just because we both come from the same bloodline don’t mean that they can take all the credit for your hard work! So Solo says I wouldn’t be nothing if it wasn’t for him. Solo says Jacob Fatu would be nothing if it wasn’t for him!” The fans boo that, and Fatu says this is why he had to remind Solo at MITB what happens when you don’t get in where you fit in! The fans cheer that!
So now, it is Fatu against the world! Cuz Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA MEAN~?! But wait, Solo Sikoa is on the tron, sarcastically applauding. Solo says that’s it, Jacob, tell ’em how you feel. Solo leans in close and asks Fatu if he’s done getting it all off his chest. At MITB, Fatu could’ve made the biggest mistake of his life. And Solo can forgive him for that. One year ago, when Solo visited Fatu in Sacramento, Fatu was doing nothing. NOTHING. No one wanted Fatu around until Solo brought him here to the WWE. Solo made Fatu into a WWE Superstar, put money in his pocket, put him in the position for success, and even made him a champion!
This is all because of SOLO, you stupid…! Solo holds back, and he says next week, Solo will be in the ring with open arms, willing to take Fatu back. But there is something Solo needs from Fatu. He needs those four words from him: I Love You, Solo. And just remember… Solo brought Fatu into the WWE, and he can take him out of it. Yadada mean? Solo leaves Fatu to think on this ultimatum, but is it already obvious what Fatu will say to Solo next week?
Nick Aldis meets with The Secret Her-vice.
“Special Slaygent” Piper informs the SmackDown General Manager that Chelsea Green needs to speak with him. But Chelsea isn’t here in the room…? She’s on the phone. And Chelsea apologizes, she had an impossible time finding a flight to get her to Lexington, so can they postpone her Fatal 4 Way until next week? Aldis says no, they’re not postponing anything for little ol’ Chelsea. But if her Secret Her-vice is here… Alba is ready for competition, right? So then Alba will take Chelsea’s place! Perfect! Chelsea says no, she will filibuster and- Oh, sorry, no, Aldis authorized it, he doesn’t care what Chelsea has to say, so Alba has to go get ready now.
Alba grumbles that she has to change from her security suit to her wrestling suit. Chelsea complains and complains, but then Zelina Vega steps in. Zelina takes the phone and hangs up on Chelsea so she can talk with Aldis. She wants Giulia now! Well, she’s not here tonight. Oh, that’s convenient. Aldis says he understands that Zelina wants after Giulia after last week. Zelina says first of all, she’s been snatched unawares much harder by much better. Second, don’t worry about the girl that does the sneak attacks, worry about the girl that gets up after every beating. One sneak attack isn’t gonna scare her, she is THE Women’s US Champion!
So next week, Zelina will confront Giulia, because she doesn’t need to pretend or hide. The smallest girl with the biggest mouth is gonna make Giulia look stupid! Zelina storms off, will the Beautiful Madness learn not to get on La Muneca’s bad side?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim!
A storm has come to Lexington, and she wants to make her way to Riyadh! Will the Irresistible Force, the Special Slaygent and even the Head Baddie in Charge be unable to slow her down? Or will someone else grab that spot in the semifinals?
SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, joining Jade and Piper, leaving Nia for last. Nia says she won the crown last year, she’ll just do it again. The bell rings and Piper fires off on Mia while Nia RAMS Jade! The fans boo but Jade elbows Nia and bumps her off buckles! Jade RAMS into Nia but Piper has Mia on the outside. Piper whips Mia into barriers! And then puts her up against the post. Nia and Jade have moved their brawl outside while Piper runs up on Mia. Mia dodges so Piper POSTS herself! Nia whips, Jade reverse, Nia hits steel steps! The fans fire up as Jade and Mia meet in the ring.
Mia and Jade run up, Mia slips around to waistlock, but Jade switches to SLAM Mia down! Mia fights up while Jade holds on, but Jade whips. Jade hurdles, then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this but Jade stays on her. Jade suplexes, holds Mia up, but Mia slips free! Mia goes to a corner, dodges Jade, but Jade keeps moving! Mia ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ redirects to RANA! Mia runs and SHOTGUNS Jade down! The fans rally, Mia covers, TWO! Jade is tougher than that but Mia stomps her. Mia runs but Piper trips her up! Piper drags Mia out and scoops to SLAM her on the floor!
Nia drops an ELBOW on Jade! Piper SENTONS Mia! Nia soaks up the heat, drags Jade up, and Nia bumps Jade off buckles. Nia CHOPS Piper, then shakes her hand. Nia whips corner to corner, Jade bounces off buckles, and Nia signals for that crown. Jade fires forearms but Nia HEADBUTTS her down! Nia fireman’s carries and SAMOAN DROPS! Piper adds a SENTON! Piper and Nia stare down, but they decide to work together on Jade. Nia & Piper mug Jade in a corner, then whip corner to corner. Jade ELBOWS Piper away, dodges Nia, and Nia POSTS herself! Jade runs to PUMP KICK Piper outta the ring!
But Nia drags Jade out of the ring! The mugging continues, but Mia goes up and up to ASAI MOOONSAULT! Direct hit and all four are down! The fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Jade SPLASHES Piper in one corner, then SPLASHES Nia in the other! And repeat! But then Nia follows, only for Jade to dodge! Nia SPLASHES Piper, then Jade ROCKS her! But Piper CLOBBERS Jade! Nia DRIBBLES Jade off the mat, the fans boo, and Nia salutes with Piper. They drag Jade up, whip her to a corner, then Nia runs to SPLASH! Piper adds a SPLASH of her own! Jade sits down, Nia HIP ATTACKS! Piper CANNONBALLS! Cover, but Nia won’t let Piper get it! Piper says okay, okay, she was just kidding around. But Nia shoves Piper! Piper shoves Nia! Mia RANAS Nia, then JAWBREAKERS Piper!
Mia has Piper for a TORNADO BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Piper stays in this but Mia drags her up. Jade CLUBS Mia, whips her, but Mia RAN- NO, Jade blocks it! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives, and Piper SPLASHES Jade! Piper drags Mia up, reels her in, but Mia slips out of the scoop! SLICED BREAD! Mia hurries to cover, but Nia breaks it! Nia SENTONS onto Mia! Cover, TWO! Mia toughs it out and Nia grows frustrated. Nia & Piper go after Jade on the outside but Jade fights them off! SUPERKICK for Piper! HAYMAKER for Nia! Piper HEADBUTTS Jade, Nia ROCKS Jade, and then they two TOSS Jade over the desk!
Wade Barrett gets wiped out by The Storm and Nia just flips them both off! But Mia WRECKS Nia with a dropkick! Piper is up, Mia dodges and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, Nia breaks it! Mia drags Nia up to fire hands, then she fires hands on Piper! The fans rally, Mia runs, but into double guzels! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Nia applauds, the fans boo, and Wade is apparently okay, but then Nia DECKS Piper! Nia dumps Piper out, drags Mia to a drop zone, then she goes up! The fans boo the A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, PIPER BREAKS IT! Piper and Nia go outside, and Piper POSTS Nia! Piper then runs to SPEAR Nia through the barriers!!
The fans go nuts as Piper proves she’s the more destructive powerhouse! Piper then storms over to Mia, she goes up the corner, VADER BOMB! But Jade is up!! Chicken wings on Piper, JADED for Piper!!! Cover, JADE WINS!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just as it looked like she was done for, Jade snatches this win away for her own! The Storm is in the semifinals, will she make quick work of The Prodigy, Roxanne Perez?
Naomi watches this backstage.
She’s not exactly pleased that Jade is advancing, but she’s also the one holding the Money in the Bank briefcase. Naomi heads for gorilla, what will she have to say about her huge victory? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Lexington fires up as Naomi heads to the ring! “Yes, I see some o’ y’all looking real surprised! Real shocked! Real stupid! I dunno why, because I told y’all I was done accepting scraps. I took what I deserve, and look at me now. Miss Money in the Bank! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” The fans are torn, but Naomi says what’s really funny is the entire time, when she was trying to beat Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship, y’know who was there with a briefcase to stop it? Y’know who distracted her? Who bashed her in the head?! It was Tiffany Stratton. “Too Nice Naomi” just let it happen. But the Naomi now aini’t lettin’ nothing sliding! She’s here for payback!
And when Naomi CLOCKS Tiffy Time in the head with this briefcase, it’ll feel so good when Naomi becomes the NEW WWE- Well, here comes Tiffany herself! The fans cheer as Tiff goes to the ring, and she grabs a mic to say, “You talk a big game, Naomi. So why don’t you just do it? Just cash in and take my title… right now.” The fans chant “DO IT! DO IT!” Tiffy says see, she’s still the same ol’ Naomi: all talk and no action. That is why Naomi never beat Nia. But please, prove us all wrong! The fans cheer, Naomi snarls, and she says, “Do I look stupid to you?! Do I look like Booboo the Fool? I ain’t gonna cash in on you now. I’ma cash in when you least expect it.”
Fans go, “What?” and Naomi shouts, “B*tch, you heard me!” Naoim says in the meantime, she will enjoy making Tiffy’s life HELL! Naomi says tick-tock, Tiffy, time is almost up! So Naomi strongly advises to #ProceedWithCaution. The fans are torn, but while Naomi holds up the briefcase, Tiffy holds up the belt. When and where will we see- WAIT! NIA is here! Nia and Tiff brawl, the fans fire up, and Nia shoves Tiff. Tiff DROPKICKS Nia’s legs, then DROPKICKS Nia in the face! Naomi runs up, Tiff DECKS her, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff! Nia may not be going to Riyadh, but she wants to get hers now! A-NIA-LATOR on Tiff!!
Naomi hurries back up, but Nia steps in the way! Nia tells Naomi to back off, so Naomi backs off. Will Nia get payback on the Wrestling Barbie before Naomi can? Or will Tiffy still have time on the clock?
Nick Aldis meets with the SmackDown Tag Division.
He thanks the Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom & DIY for coming to discuss the Wyatt situation. Johnny Gargano interrupts, saying this is a big decision. DIY feels this is a huge opportunity… for Fraxiom. Everyone else says they knew DIY would pull that. Fraxiom says they’re not afraid, but Tommaso Ciampa says if nothing else, the Street Profits should step up as the champions. Angelo Dawkins says bet, they’re already ready. Aldis suggests they all let him finish his explanation. Taking all this into account, MCMG are the veterans, so they will set the tone. They get the Wyatts tonight.
The others applaud and Dawkins says yes, set that tone. Will Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin be able to have an impact on the Wyatt Sick6? Or will the Motor City Machine Guns have no effect on what goes bump in the night?
Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis!
SmackDown returns as the lights go down and the fireflies come out. The chair and the lantern wait on stage as the Wyatts make their entrance. Uncle Howdy sits in the chair, Nikki Cross & Erik Rowan stay close, and Gacy & Lumis rush the ring! The fans cheer as the brawl is on! The bell rings, Gacy has Shelley while Lumis has Sabin! The ref reprimands, Gacy whips Shelley to a corner then CLOBBERS him! Lumis & Gacy whip Sabin, DOUBLE ELBOW, then Lumis drops an AX HANDLE! Gacy drops a SENTON! Cover, ONE!! Gacy drags Sabin up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Lumis.
Lumis brings Sabin around but Sabin swings. Lumis duck sot hit a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Sabin is tougher than that, but Lumis drags him up. Gacy tags in, they mug Sabin, and then Gacy whips. Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Gacy goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gacy BLASTS Shelley off the apron and he tags Lumis in. They get Sabin up, UPPERCUT and then a kick down low. Lumis wrenches Sabin, tags Gacy back in, and the mugging continues. They double whip, but Sabin breaks the double lariat! Gacy runs up but Sabin DUMPS him out! And then he TOSSES Lumis!
Tag to Shelley and MCMG set up! The fans fire up as the Machine Guns DOUBLE DORPKICK! Then they DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go Lumis & Gacy and the fans fire up! MCMG stare down with Rowan while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and both Shelley and Gacy are down. The fans rally, Shelley crawls, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin goes up to MSSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders, Lumis tags in, but Sabin dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Sabin whips, Lumis reverses but Sabin BULLDOGS! The fans fire up and Lumis staggers up. Sabin runs and GAMANGIRIS! Sabin drags Lumis to a cover, TWO! Howdy is antsy as Sabin tags Shelley. Shlley goes to the apron, Sabin follows, and MCMG DOUBLE SUPERKICK Lumis! Lumis sputters, MCMG drags him inside, and Shelley whips Lumis to the corner. LARIAT, then he tags Sabin!
Shelley clinches but Lumis ELBOWS free! Lumis trips Sabin up, then hurries to tag Gacy! Gacy runs in to handspring, and DOUBLE UPSIDE-DOWN!! Tag back to Lumis and they have Sabin! Whip and POP-UP POWERBOMB onto Sabin! The fans fire up as Lumis covers, TWO!! Sabin survives but Lumis snarls. Lumis watches Sabin stir, drags him up and wrenches to then whip him to the corner. But Sabin DROPKICKS Gacy! Lumis runs in, Sabin BOOTS him away, then Sabin runs up, DDT! Hot tag to Shelley! Lumis staggers up, Shelley whips, BIG atomic drop! Then the DREAM SEQUENCE!
The fans fire up with MCMG and Howdy doesn’t like that. Sabin tags back in, he drags Lumis up while Shelley climbs. Sabin turns Lumis but Gacy trips Shelley! Gacy HEADBUTTS Sabin, he and Lumis aim, HIGH LOW!! Cover off the superkick and leg sweep combo, but they ask Howdy for permission. “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH~!” Lumis goes up, Gacy CLOBBERS Shelley, and Lumis hits a SUPER LEG DROP!! Cover, The Wyatts win!
Winners: Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, by pinfall
The chaos is back and it is on top as Lumis & Gacy break the Machine Guns. Will they tear through the rest of the division until they’re the champions?
John Cena encounters Jimmy Uso backstage.
Cena and #BigJim stare down, and Cena asks if Jimmy has seen R-Truth. No, he hasn’t. Then has he seen Ron Killings? Listen, man… Jimmy ain’t seen either one of ’em. Cena says he knows Jimmy and Truth are close. So let Killings know that Cena’s going back to the ring, and he wants Killings to meet him there. Cena heads out, will Ron get the message? Will Cena get the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth?
SmackDown returns and…
“JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he goes right back to the ring, just as he promised. And he tells everyone to shut up! Cena paces and says, “There is a level of disrespect that I can tolerate. R-Truth, you just crossed the line!” The fans chant, “We Want Truth!” and Cena frowns. Cena says for once, he agrees. There is a time to talk and there is a time to fight, so Truth, get out here so they can fight! BUT WAIT! CM PUNK is here instead! Cena is stunned and maybe even a little scared to see Punk here on SmackDown. Punk goes right to the ring as the fans cheer, and he grabs himself a mic before sitting on the top rope.
The fans cheer Punk on even more and Punk asks, “Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Lexington, Kentucky or what?” The fans cheer that! And Punk asks Cena if he said something about disrespect. Cena is tired of being disrespected? “John, these people are tired of being disrespected! But now, CM Punk has a microphone, and I think you can trust when I say that we have yet to begin the reach the levels of disrespect that we are capable of.” Punk says for old time’s sake, he’ll give Cena a chance, the benefit of a doubt. Maybe Punk’s empathy is too much, too Obi-Wan talking to Darth Vader, hoping to see Anakin still in there.
So Punk will give Cena a chance in front of this legendary wrestling town. “Stop what you’re doing, let these people celebrate who and what you are, let them put you on a pedestal on your way out. Let them celebrate the sacrifices you have made for them and this business. Give them a happy ending!” Punk steps back and Cena steps up. Cena asks, “Why? Why would I waste my time?” The fans boo, but Cena says the people don’t matter, this place doesn’t matter, basketball doesn’t matter, horse racing doesn’t matter! THIS Undisputed Championship is the only thing that matters! So Cena is to eat crow to the same idiots wearing his shirt but singing Punk’s song? Fat chance!
Punk says okay, okay, let the record show that Punk and Lexington gave Cena an out. But now, let’s do it Cena’s way. Let the disrespect being. Ironically that is the Punk way! When the static hits and Cult of Personality plays through sold-out arenas, everyone knows it is about to get real. And ladies and gentlemen, watching and working at USA Network, it’s about to get real. Here’s the truth Cena wants so badly. The saying goes, “You tell a strong man a lie to offend him.” That’s why it pisses Punk off when Cena calls him the hypocrite. Conversely, you tell a weak man the truth and that offends him.
Fans chant, “We Want Truth!” Punk says the truth here is… Cena can’t beat Punk. When Punk is at his best, Cena never could. And now Cena wants to ruin wrestling? Well, Punk is going to take it upon himself to save it. Bare with Punk, because as always, he has a lot to get off his chest. That other thing about sociopathic confidence? Punk takes that as a compliment. Because it is that confidence that brought Punk to the mountaintop time and time again. Especially when people like Cena say they wanna see it but claim Punk didn’t have it. But Punk is not as confident as Cena, because Punk would never dress like a toddler who looks like he struck out at T-Ball.
The fans laugh, Punk says he wants that stricken from the record, because y’know who that sounds like? That sounds like the PG John Cena. Which is ironic, because right now, y’know who Cena sounds like, saying he’s gonna ruin wrestling, take the strap and go home… That sounds like C M PUNK! And yes, that is ironic. Cena is stealing Punk’s best material. Punk won that title, he left with the title, and Cena is trying to follow in those footsteps. Punk did it! He said he would and he did, and Cena couldn’t stop him. Cena thinks challenging Punk at Night of Champions is going to stop him? “John Boy, just like old times, here’s CM Punk to make your title run interesting.”
Here comes CM Punk to make John Cena’s retirement tour interesting! Watchable! Get the rocket fuel to fuel that private jet! Punk would go to MARS to beat Cena’s ass! Punk will follow Cena to Hell to prove he is better than Cena! But here’s more truth, it isn’t all bad. Cena IS a GOAT, but so is Punk. Punk beat Cena in Chicago, he beat Cena in Boston, and he will beat Cena at Night of Champions. Cena is the “Goat” that Punk will spit-roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling! Legends who actually belong on the Mount Rushmore! Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero! The AUDACITY of Cena to put himself on that mountain once, let alone all four times. What a joke.
The fans cheer but Cena smirks. Punk says here’s more truth: You can’t see me? No, Punk sees through him, and always has, and that’s the truth. Punk leaves Cena with that, and then KILLINGS STRIKES AGAIN!! And he puts Cena in the STF!! Punk mockingly says, “I’m sorry~! But the Truth hurts!” Cena suffers his own signature submission but security rushes out here! The fans boo as they drag Killings off Cena and Cena scrambles away! Cena hops and hobbles on one good leg, are the bridges he burned going to take them down with him?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron Saxton is with Lil’ Miss Bliss at gorilla, and notes that she took a tough loss at MITB. What is the mindset going into the future? Alexa says she’s won MITB, cashed in, made history, so she isn’t rattled. Tonight, she reminds everyone of who she is, and will be one step closer to becoming Queen of the Ring. But then in steps Charlotte Flair. And she says, “Sweetie, did you say, ‘Queen?’ There’s only room for one queen in this division. WOO~!” Charlotte makes her entrance first, but both she and Alexa will have to fight their way into the next round. Will it be either of them that moves forward? Or are they overlooking the Poison Pixie and the Firestarter?
Nick Aldis finds R-Truth/Ron Killings backstage.
Aldis asks Truth what the hell he’s doing, he can’t just keep jumping Cena like that! What’s Aldis supposed to do? Truth says he wants a match with Cena next week. Next week? Yeah. Done. Killings says he’s driving now! Will he run Cena right off the road?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS Alba Fyre!
SmackDown returns and Candice makes her entrance to join Charlotte, Alexa, and Alba. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The four watch each other, but Alexa and Charlotte stare down as they step up. Alba and Candice jump on them! Candice is after Alexa, Alba is after Charlotte, and they put the two in corners. Alba RAMS into Charlotte again and again while Candice stomps a mudhole into Alexa. Alba digs her boots in, Candice SPLASHES Alexa, and then Candice fires elbows. Charlotte CHOPS Alba, storms up to RAM Alexa into Candice, then Charlotte POSTS Alexa! Alexa tumbles out and the fans are torn for Charlotte.
Charlotte dusts herself off, then THROWS Candice into Alba! Charlotte drags Alba to a cover, ONE!! Cover on Candice, ONE!! Charlotte CHOPS Alba, CHOPS Candice, and repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! But then Candice grabs a leg, Alba BOOTS Charlotte down, and they mug Charlotte! Alba smothers Charlotte using her tie! Alba CLUBS Charlotte down, then she and Candice mug her, returning the CHOPS! Alba kicks Charlotte, she and Candice have Charlotte on the ropes, and they CHOP again! They double whip Charlotte, but Charlotte grabs ropes. Charlotte KICKS Candice, ROCKS Alba, then LARIATS Candice!
Alexa is back and she CROSSBODIES onto Charlotte! Cover, ONE! Alexa clinches, but Candice & Alba mug Alexa! Charlotte gets away while Candice bumps Alexa off buckles. Alba stomps Alexa, Charlotte DECKS Candice, and she DECKS Alba! Cover on Alba, TWO! Charlotte scowls as she stands back up. The fans rally while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Charlotte storms up on Candice, reels her in, but Candice fights the suplex. Alba joins in, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte! Cover, but Alba stops Candice. A parallel to Piper and Nia, we know how that turned out… But Alba & Candice still mug Charlotte together for now. Charlotte JAWBREAKERS Alba, dodges Candice, but Candice tilt-o-whirls to RANA! And then ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is tougher than that and that annoys Candice. Alba BLASTS Alexa off the apron, Charlotte RAMS Candice into a corner, but Alba CLUBS Charlotte down. Candice climbs the corner while Alba stands Charlotte up, but Charlotte ELBOWS free!
Charlotte BOOTS Candice off the corner, but Alba rolls Charlotte to BOOT her down! Cover, WTO! Alba seethes and throws her suit jacket at Charlotte. Alba stomps a mudhole into Charlotte, then stands on her hair! Alba salutes while Candice SMACKS Alexa off the apron. Alba pulls Charlotte’s arms and Candice SMACKS Alexa off the desk! Alba & Candice work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte, but Alba has Candice stay back. They drag Charlotte up again, but she ROCKS Alba and ROCKS Candice! Then repeat! Alba kicks low, Candice comes back, and they double whip Charlotte to a corner.
SmackDown returns to single picture as Charlotte goes up and out! She BOOTS Alba, RAMS Candice, then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Candice SMACKS Charlotte first! And SMACKS her again! Alba climbs up to join them, but Alexa sneaks in underneath! TOWER OF DOOM! The fans fire up and Alexa crawls to cover Charlotte, TWO! Alexa is frustrated but the fans fire up. Alexa and Candice stand, Alexa RUNS her over! She even RUNS Alba over! Alexa SLAPS Candice, DECKS her, then blocks Alba’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Charlotte runs up, Alexa clinches to S T O! And then INSULT2- NO, Candice makes it a CODE BREAKER SENTON!
Alba has Candice, wrenches and reels her in, GOURD BUSTER! But Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Candice hits NATURAL SELECTION!! Charlotte drags Alexa around, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! And the push-up into the FIGURE EIGHT! But Candice LIONSAULTS it all apart!! Alba SUPERKICKS Candice! Charlotte is up, Alba spins her around, Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up and Alba drags Alexa up. Alexa mule kicks, DDTS, and then hurries for a corner! Lexington cheers on Alexa, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, CHARLOTTE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but Charlotte TOSSES Alexa!
Alexa is on the apron, Charlotte BOOTS her down! But Candice rolls Charlotte! TWO!! Charlotte escapes, Candice ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, TWO!! Candice shows that toughness and Charlotte is frustrated. Charlotte has the legs, steps through, but Alba SUPERKICKS Charlotte! Alba roars, turns her, but Charlotte powers out of the Unpretty-Her! BOOT!! FIGURE FOUR!! Then FIGURE EIGHT!!! Alba endures, but Alexa catches Candice!! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, ALEXA WINS!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Charlotte lets go of Alba and is in disbelief! But Alexa smiles as she snatches this win right out from under Charlotte’s nose! Charlotte may call herself the queen, but will Alexa be the one to wear the crown?
Cody heads to gorilla.
And he crosses paths with Punk. Cody says they can’t run away from each other forever. Punk says he knows. But good luck tonight. After Night of Champions, we’ll see who’s chasing who. Cody moves on, but will he move on in the tournament? Or will the American Nightmare’s nightmare of losing that Undisputed Championship only get worse?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
SmackDown returns as the King of Strong Style makes his entrance, followed by El Idolo, leaving the Archer of Infamy for last. The bell rings and the fans rally. All four men are wary of each other, but Nakamura winds up, only to not say his signature “C’mon” to just bail out. But then Cody DIVES onto him! Priest swings on Andrade, Andrade dodges to WRECK Cody! Priest KICKS, KICKS, and ROLLING ELBOWS Andrade! Priest winds up, Andrade dodges, FLYING FOREARMS! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies the fans with ‘SI! SI! SI!” But Cody stops Cien Knees to take an elbow!
Priest mule kicks Andrade, then suplexes for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop- BELL CLAP from Priest! But Cody rebounds to LARIAT Priest up and out! Priest drags Cody out, they brawl, and Cody SMACKS Priest off the apron! Nakamura FLYING KNEES Priest! Nakamura kicks Cody, ROCKS Priest, they all brawl outside, but Andrade goes up! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and everyone is down while the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture!
All four men stir and Andrade is first up. Andrade puts Nakamura in the ring, covers, TWO! Andrade whips Nakamura to a corner, runs in, but Nakamura dodges! Andrade’s knee hits buckles and he tumbles out! Nakamura goes after Andrade to put him on the apron, and then runs to KNEE Andrade down! Priest and Cody brawl in the ring, and Priest ROCKS Cody to a corner. Priest whips, Cody reverses to kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody whips, Priest reverses, and Priest runs up, only for Cody to go up and over. Priest feints running up so Cody’s snap powerslam gets nothing! Priest then KICKS Cody down!
Cody sputters but Priest is on him. Priest ROCKS Cody again, Nakamura stomps Andrade, then Nakamura KICKS Priest! Nakamura fires off fists and kicks in the corner, so Andrade rolls Cody! TWO, and Cody powers Andrade to a corner. Cody climbs up to rain down fists, only for Andrade to slip out at nine and YANK Cody down! Nakamura brings Priest around but Priest DECKS him! Priest stomps away on Nakamura, then he goes over to Andrade, Priest stands Andrade up to DECK him! Cody SMACKS Nakamura off the desk! Priest drags Andrade up while Nakamura SMACKS Cody off the desk! Priest ROCKS Andrade, then he has Cody in another corner.
Nakamura fires off on Andrade, Priest digs his boots into Cody, and then Nakamura bumps Andrade off buckles. Cody turns things around on Priest to CHOP, but that just pisses Priest off. Priest DECKS Cody! Cody sputters, Priest puts him in the corner, but Nakamura fires off strikes on Priest! Nakamura has Andrade on the top rope, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Nakamura runs in for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Andrade falls to the floor, but then Priest runs up! Nakamura dodges, runs back in, and he blocks boots to ROUNDHOUSE Priest! Nakamura puts Priest in the ropes to SLIDING GERMAN!
Nakamura hurries back in while fans fire up. Cody swings, misses, but then Cody ducks a roundhouse, only for the WHEEL KICK to hit! The fans fire up as Nakamura gives Cody some BAD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura goes corner to corner and the fans rally. Cody dodges, Nakamura hits buckles, and Cody grabs a leg! Cody trips Nakamura, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Nakamura endures, fights the main leg, but Andrade is up top! FROG SPLASH onto Cody! Nakamura is free, but then Priest JUMP KICKS Andrade! Priest drags Cody up, ROCKS him, and then runs to ELBOW Andrade! ELBOW for Cody! SHOULDER TACKLE for Andrade!
The fans fire up for Priest and he goes to the outside, to leap off the steel steps and AX HANDLE Nakamura! Priest puts Nakamura back in the ring, drags him up at the ropes, and he knuckle locks so he can climb! The fans cheer as Priest goes Old School, only for Cody to jump up after him! But Priest then grabs Cody in a guzel! Nakamura trips them both up! Nakamura CLOBBERS Priest, Andrade rolls Nakamura, TWO! Andrade swings, but into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! The fans fire up as Cody DIVING SPLASHES! Cody TOSSES Nakamura, covers Andrade, TWO! Cover again, TWO! Cody is frustrated but he goes outside.
The fans fire up as they sense what’s coming! Cody brings out a TABLE! Cody sets “Slim Jim” up at ringside, goes back to the ring for Andrade, and he lines up the shot. But Andrade hooks the ropes to block! Andrade suplexes but Cody blocks! They fight for control, but Priest CLUBS Andrade. Priest and Cody stare down, but they decide to work together! The fans fire up as they hoist Andrade up, but Nakamura makes the save! Only to INVERTED EXPLODER Andrade! DYNAMIC DROPKICK and Cody falls through the table! Cody snaps into a Slim Jim and the fans go nuts! Nakamura goes outside while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nakamura fetches Priest, brings him over, but Priest blocks the desk smack to ROCK Nakamura! Priest SMACKS Nakamura off the desk now! And again! Priest brings Nakamura around to DECK him, but then Andrade CLUBS Priest! Andrade SMACKS Priest off the desk, then he and Nakamura actually work together to BOOT Priest onto the desk! But they’re not done as they TOSS Priest over the desk! Wade got outta there this time! Andrade then clears off the desk! Nakamura & Andrade bring Priest around to TOSS him over barriers! Then Nakamura CLOBBERS Andrade! Nakamura applauds his trickery before putting Andrade in the ring. Nakamura covers, TWO!
Nakamura is annoyed and he KICKS Andrade in the side. Andrade sputters but Nakamura paces. Andrade rises to CHOP! Nakamura dusts himself off to KICK Andrade down! Andrade stands but into KNEES and KICKS! Andrade blocks one, but not the ENZIGIRI! Andrade ends up in a corner, Nakamura whips corner to corner, but Andrade reverses. Andrade runs up, Nakamura puts him on the apron, but Andrade ROCKS him! Andrade climbs, but Nakamura ROCKS him! Nakamura climbs now but Andrade fires back! They brawl up top, and Andrade HEADBUTTS Nakamura down! Nakamura GAMANGIRIS in return!
SmackDown returns to single picture again as Nakamura climbs back up. Priest returns to CLUB Nakamura! He has Nakamura in the crucifix, but Nakamura fights free! Priest drags Nakamura down, Nakamura fires a strike fest! Priest clinches to FLATLINER! Andrade MOONSAULT DOUBLES! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura LARIATS! Andrade BOOTS! Nakamura PELES! These three are down, and Cody rises from the wreckage! The fans fire up for Cody as he drags himself into the ring. Cody runs up to LARIAT Andrade! And LARIAT Nakamura! Cody whips Priest, Priest reverses, but Cody goes up and over, and this time, SNAP POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up and Cody blocks Andrade’s kick to then run and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody catches Nakamura, Nakamura drops down to UP KICK! Snapmare and SLIDING KNEE! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT!! Priest has Andrade, Andrade schoolboys him into buckles! The fans fire up, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, CIEN KNEES for Nakamura! Then Andrade goes again, CIEN- NO, Priest has Andrade by the neck! Andrade breaks free to CHOP, but Priest ROCKS Andrade! Andrade comes back, SHADOW ELBOW! THE MESSAGE!! Cover, NAKAMURA AX KICKS IT APART! Nakamura drags Andrade up, but Andrade ROCKS him first!
Nakamura snarls and ROCKS Andrade back! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Andrade CHOSP! Nakamura KICKS! Nakamura CLUBS Andrade, KNEES him low, but Cody is back! Cody dodges Nakamura, to DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Not the cleanest but it didn’t need to be! Priest kicks Cody low, reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Cody slips free! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Priest tumbles out of the ring and Cody roars! He catches Andrade, CROSS RHODES!! And then he drags Andrade up again, only for Nakamura to clamp on a SLEEPER!! Cody flails, claws at the grip, but Nakamura dragon sleepers!
Nakamura vows to end this, but Cody flips that around on him! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Lexington cheers and sings with Cody’s song as he comes out on top! We know Sami Zayn and Randy Orton are one semifinal match, but Raw will determine the other! Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed, or MAIN EVENT JEY USO, who survives to then meet Cody in the next round?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with a lot of action from doing all the SmackDown Fatal 4 Ways in the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments. And each Fatal 4 Way was great, because Fatal 4 Ways always lend themselves to fast, chaotic action. Great opening promo from Cena with Cody, Orton and Knight to help segue into the first match, but also great stuff with R-Truth going after Cena. Orton winning was a bit of a surprise, and makes for a very interesting match with Sami Zayn. I suppose Sami going hard against Orton and finding a sneakier way to win could go with how Karrion Kross has been working to bring that side out of Sami.
Jade winning her match made sense, as Piper is still just Chelsea’s sidekick and Mia isn’t quite at that QOTR top title level. It also puts her in line with Naomi’s story of being Miss MITB, because Naomi can mess Jade over in a title match just as much as she can Tiffany. Very good promo from Naomi with Tiffany to tease a cash in, but also set up Tiffy VS Nia one more time. Chelsea also had a hilarious video call promo, and good on Aldis to stand up to her by putting Alba in the match instead. Alexa winning was only a little surprising, as she’s on that return push. And it makes for a fresh match-up no matter who from Raw wins the final Fatal 4.
Awesome main event Fatal 4 but I figured Cody would win, as it makes for a unique match-up of Cody VS Jey. Jey being put in was a bit of a surprise, but perhaps the wrestlers we’re waiting to return (Roman Reigns, but maybe even Ilja Dragunov) just aren’t ready yet. And given Bronson & Bron screwed Knight over, Knight will surely show up on Raw again to keep that feud going. Sheamus and Rusev have their own story, so Jey is the default choice. I almost feel like they should’ve flipped the brackets so that it would give us Orton VS Cody and Sami VS Jey in the semifinals, but those combos probably serve for stronger finals matches.
Very good stuff with the tag division, but MCMG VS Gacy & Lumis could’ve been a bit better. Part of the problem that comes with the Wyatts being gone away so long is that there might be some ring rust. Lumis & Gacy were on point, but they needed time to coordinate some things first and that slowed the overall pace down. The Wyatts won, of course, and will likely deal with Fraxiom next, what with DIY volunteering Fraxiom and Profits ahead of them. Then, Cena and Punk had a great promo, with it mostly being Punk tearing into Cena. Surprisingly, no allusions to Punk’s incendiary comments from years ago, but that’s very Punk of Punk.
And Killings going after Cena again was great stuff. Cena VS Killings will be a great match next week, and Cena probably rubs it in that he’s using one of his precious final appearances was used to beat Truth again. Though, to build Killings up, I would think they find a way for him to win that “isn’t definitive,” like a count out victory or some kind of disqualification. I was hoping for an R-Truth celebration at Saturday Night’s Main Event akin to Lex Luger over Yokozuna, but maybe that happens next week.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.12.2025
DO SOMETHING WITH JASON HOTCH AND KC NAVARRO – that is all.
So Against All Odds…was barely passable and that’s only with Xanax. The Knockouts title match was awful, the 4 Man “Home Town Man” was stupid and the only good part was remixing the old Jerry Lynn & AJ Styles “Born in the USA” theme for Home Town Man. Maclin needs to stop having brawls, they’re boring, give him a bump guy. Kaibas and Rascalz was underwhelming. Santino vs Robert Stone was funny, Elias vs Trick was too chalk and lame. IInspiration (IIconics) returning was big news at least. Hendry losing to Kaz was also obvious since Kaz hasn’t won a match in forever.
The show dragged, and as much as I usually like Masha’s wrestling ability…her last 3 title matches have sucked and its not her opponents fault. Killer Kelly returning is sexy though…I mean, good. Yes, good. Saving the best for last, Mustafa Ali vs Jason Hotch was the best match of the show, and really damn good in general. Workrate was great, Tasha and Skyler being conflicted and popping for Hotch when he was doing well was great character work. Hotch looked amazing in the loss, if they don’t capitalize on it, that would be a huge screw up from TNA.
Not really sure what kind of shows we’ll be getting, and I’m not excited.
.@MATTHARDYBRAND and @JEFFHARDYBRAND have a message for FIR$T CLA$$ ahead of TONIGHT's MAIN EVENT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/mTnNBEFBcb
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Ratings:
- The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes: IInspiration wins via Idolizer – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater: Leon wins via Swanton 450 – ** 3/4
- 8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz: Indi wins via Hurts Don’t It – ** 3/4
- Indi Hartwell vs Killer Kelly vs Jody Threat vs Tasha Steelz: Kelly wins via Hurts Don’t It – ***
- Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz: Hardyz win via DQ – ***
Results:
Santino opens the show informing Santana of a suspension, kicking Robert Stone out and recapping his victory party before introducing the IInspiration for their first match back.Â
The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes
A bit of talking and pandering from IInspiration, they’re dominating the jobbers and there’s not much to discuss here. They do the IIconics Pose and actually keep the control. Cassie pulls off some kind of Butterfly Facebuster which looks cool, Jess comes in and the Jobbers cheat a little to take over. Jess tags in Cassie and Scorpion Kick, decent comeback, corner Hip Attacks, Neckbreaker, Jumping Kick to the Head into Fisherman’s Suplex Hold for 2. Idolizer (Magic Killer variant) is hit and IInspiration win, and didn’t look bad. Cassie (Peyton) is still the better wrestler of the two, but neither looked bad.
Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater
I don’t hide the fact I heavily dislike Slater. He has no personality, he’s all flips, no ability to talk…he’s boring. He’s ROH Will Ospreay or Flip Gordon, does flippy crap to pop morons but he’s a worthless character. Since he wants to become the Youngest X Division champion, and they’ve talked about for like the last 7 months…sadly it’s probably going to happen.Â
Chain wrestling start and Hotch already looks like the better wrestler. Hotch is on his SANADA in LIJ arch where he looked great losing to the leader, falls back in line but then he hits a Spinning Overhead Kick for a near fall, so I’m not allowed to finish my thought because Hotch is fun to watch. Leon is such a bad wrestler…he held the rope and looked back to take a forearm shiver, the nerd had to watch it to sell it. Man’s not talent.
Hotch has Leon in an Arm Iso Cravat, Leon tries to fire and then Hotch keeps him down. Leon counters a Slingshot Suplex into his own Final Cut to get space to breathe. Double sell, Leon leap frogs, then rope runs, Lariats and Lethal Injection from Leon for 2. Hotch is so fluid, dodges the corner attack, rope assisted side kick, Outside In Neckbreaker for a near fall! Hotch will probably lose, but he looks like the better wrestler by miles. Heavy Irish Whip counter from Leon, into Blue Thunder Bomb. Leon goes to the top, Hotch cuts off, Leon dodges, hits the Knife Edge Chop and they wrestle on the apron, Front Kick from Hotch sends Leon into the post, Double Stomp onto the apron, Hotch wants a finish but counter, Cradle trades and then Hotch gets caught by a Leg Lariat, Swanton 450, selling from Leon was spotty and bad during this whole match.
Fun moments but the wrong kid died…
.@MeanGiaMiller gets Tessa Blanchard's thoughts ahead of TONIGHT's 8-4-1 Match!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/kurcKH2vtH
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz
Dani and Jody start, so at least there’s a measure of story telling, but I still detest Jody. Sloppy counter wrestling start, Jody stops herself from punching Dani and tags in Tasha. Tasha pauses and jaws to her team and gets Back Body Dropped by Dani, Dani tags in Xia and Tasha pokes her eyes immediately and lights up Xia. Xia fights back, Rope Assisted Headscissors, Crossbody and near fall. Xia tags in Rosemary and Rosemary looks at her like death, then Rosemary goes after Xia, but a Codebreaker from Tasha gives space to tag in Kelly. Kelly kisses Rosemary and then they brawl in full mount. I’m not sure if I clicked the orange website or TNA…oh there’s a Lariat…it’s wrestling again.
Jody doofus tags in, the crowd wants Indi, no one wants Jody and Rosemary Upkick, Drop Toe Hold, Tessa tags in, works over Jody, Jody tries to go to the top, Victoria Crawford fka Alicia Fox trips her, Tessa gets the momentum back, a bunch of distraction and Tessa tags in Dani. Then Dani tags out to Rosemary. Whip, Rosemary misses the Spear, Tessa tags herself in and they’re keeping Indi out of the ring. Tessa crashes and burns as Jody dodges and fights back. Rosemary tags in, Indi gets the tag. Bunch combo, Spinebuster, Dani breaks the pin and now signature spam spot.
Indi is the last on to hit her moves, Hurts Don’t It takes out Rosemary after Tessa just walks out.
Indi Hartwell vs Jody Threat vs Killer Kelly vs Tasha Steelz
Commercial happened and we’re back and it’s Indi vs Jody. Jody takes her down with a Shoulder Tackle, Jody hits the Exploder, and Indi finally stalls some of the offense, Indi throws Jody into the ropes and Jody takes it bad. Jody Drop Toe Hold, looking for her Knees into German spot, but Kelly pulls her out, Tasha tries to pick the bones but Kelly comes in and attacks Indi. Tasha and Kelly have a heel agreement to gang up on Indi. Kelly goes for the pin, so hells are arguing, throw forearms, Kelly with the Double Overhooks, Headbutts, Angel’s Wings gets hit from Kelly but Tasha kicks out. Jody Crossbody takes out both heels.
Jody and Indi team up and 10 Count Lariats on the Heels, pop spot for the crowd since Indi is in the driver’s seat, Simultaneous Lariats each other and everybody down. Mickie James Bulldog from Tasha but Jody pushes her off, Indi tries the Cradle for two. Indi misses the Boot, eats a German. Tasha hits the Mickie Bulldog, but Jody kicks out. Indi grabs Tasha, Hurts-nope. Tasha wanted Blackout, Indi says no, Hurts Don’t It, but Kelly takes out Indi and steals the pinfall. Kelly wins.
.@TheEricYoung will see @TheSamiCallihan NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmMmT pic.twitter.com/NtKjpYIIRa
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz
AJ charges before the bell, Hardyz dodge and Lariat AJ to the floor and work over KC with their usual Arm Bar Extreme Elbow, Delete Arm Breakers and Back Elbow Hardyz combo. AJ tries to get back in and the Hardyz attack, Poetry in Motion, AJ is back to the outside. Commercial break time, I wonder if the heels will be winning coming back…OH no, Jeff is still isolating KC. Pleasantly surprised I suppose.
Arm Wringer, simple offense, Jeff tags in Matt, Stalling Tandem Suplex and Matt covers, only 2. Matt with Short Arm Shoulder Tackles, close quarters forearms and the Rocket Launcher into the middle rope followed by a Leg Drop onto the apron, KC keeps kicking out but he’s getting dog walked. Stomps into Splash, KC needs to tag out, but Jeff stays on him, AJ finally pulls out Jeff, KC flies into Jeff and tags out. Finally AJ gives KC a break and bends Jeff back in a Bow and Arrow Stretch. Jeff tries the comeback, AJ pulls the hair to throw him down, stomps his face and AJ is manhandling Jeff as KC is sucking wind. Little Bro deserves a big break.
Tennessee Whiskey from AJ, connects and “Money, Money, Money”. AJ gets a little distracted trying to one up Matt, Jeff hits two Twists, and tags in Matt, so Delete Face Smashes and AJ is getting rocked. AJ reverses the Irish Whip, but Back Elbow from Matt into a Middle Rope Side Effect. Trick Williams comes out to attack the Hardyz. Hardyz win via DQ, but then Hendry and Elijah come out for the save. System is out…old school TNA donnybrook.
Overall Score: 5.5/10
The ring work was mediocre at best, but nothing miserable. Cassie and Jess look like they never missed a beat, take that for what you will if you loved or hated the IIconics. Trick solidifying his alliance with First Class makes for interesting cross promotion. If Fir$t Cla$$ ends up with the NXT Tags while Trick is the TNA Champ…that’s…a pretty neat visual I ain’t mad at. Yes I’m bias because KC is awesome, but AJ has done good work in TNA, so he deserves some flowers. Tessa keeping Victoria Crawford in the Robert Stone ejection is wonderful. I’ve always loved Alicia Fox and teaming her with Tessa is very interesting for the obvious reasons I don’t need to mention again, just search Twitter, you’ll understand.
Sami looks like a doofus getting sideswiped, Jay-SANADA Hotch is the best thing TNA has right now for home grown talent. Slater is still useless but oooo he can flip…I hate no personality flip-tards. Indi getting screwed sets things up nicely to not push her too quick to the top of the card, but she’s very over. The lack of Lei Ying Lee is annoying since I really don’t think the poor match was her fault. Also, putting her in a throwaway tag match against the Elegance girls next week? TNA really doesn’t know what to do with Lei, do they? She’s been mishandled the entire time since debut.
So even with my nitpicks, there were a lot of building blocks in the show. Hell Tessa insulting Gia is also probably something brewing…but I’m glad we didn’t lose Gia when we lost Ace. Gia is the best backstage interviewer since Lauren Brooke. So very middle of the road show, either things will get slightly better going to Slammiversary, or it’s the calm before the storm. We…shall see.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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4 Corners Podcast: Never Over Until Its Over
Dave and Patrick break down the latest developments, scores, and stories from the NBA and NHL Playoffs.
Bandwagon Nerds #292: Where’s Michael’s Guitar?
The first ever Movie Year Draft highlight's this week's Episode. Plus, the Trailer Park rolls on, as does the search...
Attitude Of Aggression #310- Unidentified History: The Battle of Los Angeles
Unidentified History returns as Dave recaps his visit to Contact in the Desert and the guys do a deep dive...
Bandwagon Nerds #291: Its Pronounced Tuh-Doom
The Nerds cover all the best trailers from Tudum, discuss DC- Marvel crossovers, and get concerned for the future of...
Bandwagon Nerds #290: Norm!
The Nerds recap trailers for Jurassic Park: Rebirth and Welcome to Derry, discuss delays to Avengers movies, and pay their...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/23/25)
What's with all the glowing?
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: World’s Collide And That’s The Truth
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/13/25)
It's only a matter of time...
DWI Podcast #478: The Whole Truth
Don't drink and drive, drink and podcast! Join AJ, DP and PC weekly for their thoughts on RAW, SmackDown and...
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.12.2025
DO SOMETHING WITH JASON HOTCH AND KC NAVARRO - that is all.
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (6/12/25)
Prove you are worthy!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (6/11/25)
Winning is just the beginning!
Classic POD is WAR: The Dollar Man (6/10/2021)
Tune in for another CLASSIC episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (6/11/25)
Lights, Camera, Action!
RETRO Babyface Heel Podcast: WWE Money In The Bank and More! (2021)
On the heels of WWE Money In The Bank, we go retro with the OG Babyface Heels reacting to the...
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/10/25)
NXT LFG!
