Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/22/24)
What shape is Seth Rollins in?
How is the Visionary looking on the Road to WrestleMania?
We’re just FIVE DAYS away from The Royal Rumble, but Seth Rollins must first address his physical condition as WWE World Heavyweight Champion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Imperium w/ Gunther VS The New Day; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Ivy Nile w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Sarah Logan; Ivy wins.
- The Miz VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Finn Balor & JD McDonagh; Dom wins.
- Chad Gable VS Ivar; Ivar wins.
- Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark; Shayna & Stark win.
- Drew McIntyre VS Damian Priest; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
The fans fire up as The Visionary makes his way out to the ring, but that knee brace stands out against that volt green suit he’s wearing. The World Heavyweight Champion still high-fives fans and smiles for them as he goes down the ramp. Fans still sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins gets the mic. The fans cheer for Rollins, and even shift to “Thank You, Seth!” as they anticipate what he’s here to say. Rollins takes a moment, and he tells, “New Orleans! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins. And it has been a long week, so, I really appreciate that. Thank you, guys.”
Rollins continues by saying seven days ago, he was in this ring, defending the WHC against Jinder Mahal. Fans boo but Rollins says it’s okay, he beat him. But he jumps off ropes, moonsaults like he usually does, and he just felt his knee kinda go in in a way that it is not supposed to. He did what he does, he finished the match, beat Jinder. He went to the back, sat down, and that was the first time it set in that he might be out for a long time. Earlier that night, he’d spoken backstage about how every single title defense, he only gets better and stronger, so he couldn’t help but feel, sitting there all helpless, that he was a liar.
Fans say no, but Rollins is a bit emotional as he says this was the first time where it was a real possibility that he’d miss WrestleMania. Fans again chant “NO! NO! NO!” Rollins appreciates all that, but they still had to get the MRI, get a look at it, and middle of the week the results came in. They weren’t great. A grade two tear of the MCL, a partial tear of the meniscus, and the docs are saying that even with surgery, we’re talking three to four months. Now if it were up to him, he’d be back next week, stomping heads into the mat because it’s what he loves to do.
But unfortunately, it isn’t just up to him. He can’t just say no, as much as he’d like to. “We don’t really know what the future holds.” So he’s taking it day by day, week by week- And then Imperium interrupts… Der Ring General, Gunther, leads the way as he, Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci make their way out to the ring now. Fans boo as the Intercontinental Champion steps into the ring to stand across from the World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins says he has no time for this. If they’re gonna make an example out of him, then just do it. Don’t waste time, just bring it. Gunther says not to worry about Ludwig & Vinci, they have a match later tonight.
What Rollins should worry about is Gunther. Fans boo again but Gunther says he thought and Rollins were avoiding each other, and that today would be a great opportunity to just honestly let Rollins know what he thinks of him. Rollins chuckles and says okay, if that’s the case, should they let him say what he thinks? Fans are torn but Rollins says have at it. Gunther says no reason to be on edge. Just from the beginning, Rollins was in a tough spot. He was labeled the workhorse champion right from the start. He had to be the guy that came out here, every week, and fight honestly for every victory, becoming a champion that brings dignity, respect and honor to a title.
Gunther says Rollins became a champion that everybody can be proud of. Just like Gunther. But now, it pulls on Gunther’s heartstrings to see Rollins like this. And now we find Rollins might not make it to Mania, that honestly makes Gunther sad. Well, see, Gunther, he and his boys should’ve let Rollins finish. What he was about to say is that he doesn’t give a damn what the doctors tell him. He doesn’t give a damn how hard he has to rehab, how hard he has to push his knee, he WILL keep his promise and take this title into WrestleMania! The fans fire up for that! And Rollins will do every single thing in his power to walk out of Mania the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!
Fans fire up hearing that, and Gunther says that’s great! Happy to hear it! Because Gunther thought we were gonna see a great champion fall. But now Rollins is proclaiming to do everything it takes to be a champion at Mania. Gunther admires that. Because Gunther would do the same thing if he was in Rollins’ position. And in fact, Rollins reminds Gunther of himself. So from one great champion to another, on Saturday, Gunther will win the Royal Rumble. And then he will choose Rollins as his opponent for WrestleMania! But with all due respect, Gunther will target that knee, that back, and everything that is not 100%, and he will beat Rollins to become WHC!
Fans boo as Gunther smirks at Rollins, and even chant “You Suck! You Suck!” But Rollins says, “I appreciate your honesty, Gunther. Now here’s a little honesty from me. You can challenge me at WrestleMania if you win the Royal Rumble but I want you to remember one thing. Remember who you’re coming after.” Rollins drops the mic and offers a handshake. Gunther says, “You better remember who’s coming after you.” Gunther drops his mic and shakes Rollins’ hand. The challenge is made, but will either man be in that ring in Philadelphia?
Wait, Xavier Woods jumps out from the crowd to CLOBBER Ludwig & Vinci!! Kofi jumps in, too! The New Day gets the jump on Imperium, and Rollins gets out of the ring as quickly as he can so the brawl can get in the ropes! Woods TOSSES Vinci back out, Kofi clotheslines Kaiser up and out! Gunther is furious, will Imperium rebound from this embarrassing ambush?
Imperium w/ GUNTHER VS The New Day!
Raw returns and the match is already going. Vinci scoops, Kofi slips out to shove but Vinci ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY! Fans boo but Vinci CHOPS Kofi in a corner. Vinci BOOTS Kofi, stomps a mudhole, then lets off to BOOT Kofi again! Vinci talks trash on Kofi, brings him around, and Kofi fires off haymakers! Fans fire up as Kofi whips, but Vinci reverses. Kofi goes up and up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kofi drags Vinci up, bumps him off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in. Woods tags, he stomps away on Vinci, too! The ref counts, Kofi lets off but Woods keeps going! Fans fire up, the ref counts more, and Woods lets off.
Woods warns Kaiser, then he CLUBS Vinci. And CHOPS Vinci! And CHOPS again! But Vinci FLAPJACKS Woods off ropes! Vinci then LARIATS Woods down! Tag to Kaiser and he rains down fists. Kaiser then sits Woods up to PENALTY KICK! Kaiser stares Kofi down, then fires hands on Woods. Kaiser CHOPS Woods, fires off hands and stomps, then lets off. The ref reprimands, Kaiser storms up but Woods throws a body shot, then a CHOP! Kaiser snarls, he goes after Woods and he rains down fists! The ref counts, Kaiser lets off and fans boo more. Kaiser drags Woods up to kick, but Woods blocks!
Woods snarls, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ENZIGIRIS! Kaiser flops out of the ring, Vinci shouts to him, but the fans rally. Woods crawls, Vinci runs in but Woods TOSSES Vinci out hard! Fans fire up as Woods crawls, but Kaiser drags him out! Vinci gets Woods up to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Then Kaiser THROWS Woods into barriers! Kofi rushes over to back Imperium off, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Woods fires CHOPS on Vinci, but Vinci CHOPS back! The fans “WOO~!” with every CHOP, but Vinci kicks a leg out. Vinci whips Woods to a corner, runs up, but Woods BOOTS him down! The fans fire up as Woods and Vinci crawl for their corners, hot tags to Kaiser and Kofi! The fans fire up as Kofi springboards to AX HANDLE Kaiser! Kofi BLAST Vinci, fires off on Kaiser, but Vinci storms in to CLUB Kofi! Kofi DECKS Vinci! Kofi clotheslines Kaiser up and out, then he DIVES onto Vinci! Kofi keeps moving to DIVE onto Kaiser! Kofi rains down fists on Kaiser, then drags him up for forearms!
But Vinci WRECKS Kofi with a dropkick! Imperium mugs Kofi but Woods WRECKS Imperium with a dropkick! Woods fires off on Vinci, Kofi fires off on Kaiser, and the fans are thunderous! Kofi HEADBUTTS Kaiser, Woods CLUBS away on Vinci but Vinci throws hands back. Kofi sends Kaiser into barriers, the ring count hits TEN!!
Double Count-Out Draw
Fans boo but Kofi then sends Vinci into barriers! Kofi runs up but Vinci TOSSES Kofi up and over! Vinci goes out, this brawl continues in the crowd! Woods meanwhile POSTS Kaiser, then RAMS him into barriers by the timekeeper’s area! Kofi and Vinci brawl in the tech area, Woods and Kaiser ringside, Woods HAMMERS away! Woods KNEES Kaiser down! Vinci DECKS Kofi! Kaiser gets up to POST Woods! Kaiser TOSSES Woods into the timekeeper’s area! Kaiser stomps away on Woods, Vinci CLUBS Kofi, and fans boo as Kaiser grabs a chair! Kaiser shoves things around to make room, and Vinci brings Kofi over
Kaiser says they’re gonna end this once and for all! But then Woods BODIES Kaiser into road cases! Woods fires off on Vinci, then throws hands down on Kaiser! Woods brings Kaiser up onto the road cases!! The fans are going nuts as Woods fires off more haymakers on Kaiser’s face! Then Woods looks down below and smiles. Woods brings Kaiser around and fireman’s carries! But Vinci hurries up to attack Woods! Fans boo as Imperium mugs Woods! Imperium gets Woods up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Kofi makes the save! DOUBLE SPEAR off the cases and through some tables!! New Orleans loses their minds over it!
The refs hurry over to check on all four men. Assuming these four can stand back up, will they only go after each other with even more ferocity?
The Judgment Day talks backstage.
They just finished watching the hype package for Damian Priest VS Drew McIntyre, and Finn is fired up. Rhea can’t believe they’re going to war with Drew. Because it just feels to her that Priest wants to fight everyone. She just talked with Adam Pearce and he informed her that Priest & Finn defend the tag titles against DIY. So she really thinks McIntyre should be the least of their worries. Priest says he isn’t trying to go around fighting everyone! But McIntyre WILL be handled by Priest! And he’s not the one walking around here with a big head just cuz he’s on the cover of 2K24. And he’s also not the one going into Pearce’s office to make matches for the team every other week!
Here’s an idea, Rhea: stop going to Pearce’s office! Priest is gonna go clear his head for his match tonight, but he wants Rhea to understand Judgment Day business is under control. Priest storms out, Rhea complains to the others about what Priest just said. She then tells JD & Dom that DIY should’ve been handled a long time ago! Finn agrees, a long time ago. Rhea is disappointed in them. See? You disappointed Rhea! JD apologizes. And then Rhea turns his attention to Finn. What’s so funny? Why’s he smiling and snickering all the time? Finn says it’s kinda funny. Rhea says nothing’s funny. Priest will handle McIntyre alone.
Which means Finn is ringside for Dom’s match. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen that vicious side of Finn Balor. Oh, she wants vicious? He’ll show us vicious. Finn leads the boys out, will the Prince help Dirty Dom handle biz against The Miz?
Backstage interview with Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri.
Jackie Redmond is with them at gorilla position and says we’ve seen the workout videos, Ivy has been training so hard for this Saturday and the Royal Rumble. But she has “Valhalla” Sarah Logan tonight, what would this win do for her? Maxxine says here’s the thing: Lil’ Miss Val ain’t ready for Ivy Nile! She ain’t the Pitbull for nothing! The Creeds then walk in and hype up “big guy” Ivy. She has them calm down and says she’s got this. “Let’s get this barefooted freak.” Ivy heads out, Maxxine following, and Julius scolds Brutus for being too hyper. But will the Diamond Mine’s top dog show Sarah Logan who runs the yard?
Ivy Nile w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Sarah Logan!
Raw returns and “Valhalla is here” as Sarah makes her entrance. The bell rings and Sarah rushes in, but Ivy fireman’s carries! Sarah slips free, claws at Ivy’s face, but Ivy snapmares free and KCIKS her! Ivy whips, Sarah reverses and KNEES Ivy against ropes! Wait, is that Nikki Cross on the ramp? Sarah CLUBS away on Ivy, the ref counts and Ivy flops out of th ering. Sarah goes out to CLOBBER Ivy! Fans boo but Sarah hauls Ivy up to put her in the ring. Sarah then stalks Ivy, sits her up and smothers her into some fishhooks to the mouth. The ref counts, Sarah taunts Ivy as she brings her up, but Ivy fires forearms!
Sarah RAMS into Ivy but Iviy throws mroes hots! Sarah ducks the roundhouse but not the ENZIGIRI! Sarah goes to ropes, bites the ropes, and runs back in. Ivy UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, then dodges the counter punch to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Fans fire up and Ivy gts moinv, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Cover, feet on the ropes! Maxxine points it out, the ref stops Sarah, and Sarah snarls at Maxxine. Maxxine says it’s the rules! Sarah runs up on Ivy but Ivy dodges! Sarah hits buckles, Ivy runs in but Sarah puts her on the apron. Sarah climbs up, brings Ivy to the top, and Sarah bends Ivy! But Ivy SMACKS Sarah off the post!
Ivy climbs up, uses the post for balance, and the fans fire up for Ivy’s SUPER BULLDOG! Cover, Ivy wins!
Winner: Ivy Nile, by pinfall
The #Pitbulldog gets Ivy a huge win! Will Ivy fight harder than all of the 29 other women in the Rumble to get the biggest win of her career?
The New Day regroups backstage.
They made it through the medical exam, but Jey Uso walks over to say his bois the NEW~ DAY~ have new ways to get down ‘n’ gritty here in New Orleans. He is hyped up, and then Jackie walks over for an interview. This situation with Imperium is getting more and more intense, where does this end? Woods says first thing’s first, The New Day is sick and tired of people walking into the WWE and thinking at first glance, New Day doesn’t do this. They are not 12 TIME Tag Team Champions for no reason! They are the best tag team today and have been for a decade!
Kofi says people have it confused that because of the unicorns and the pancakes and the cereal, that they can’t get down when the time is right! What you saw out there with them taking out Imperium was an example of what happens when you push them too far and cross the New Day. Jey ain’t the only one planning on winning belts this year. New Day took out the henchmen, it’s time for the big boss! Wait, Damage CTRL walks in in the background, what’re they doing on Raw? But as Kofi says, he is challenging Gunther for that Intercontinental Championship next week, here on Raw! Jey adds, “Yeet!”
Win or lose in the Rumble this Saturday, Kofi is looking to get some gold of his own. He’s held the Intercontinental Championship before, will he take down the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion ever to hold it again?
Nia Jax is here!
The Irresistible Force has come to New Orleans and the fans boo her as she goes to the ring. Nia gets the mic to say, “The first time I came face-to-face with Rhea Ripley, one of the most dominant champions in our history, she got squashed. The first time I went 1-on-1 with Becky, excuse me, ‘The Man,’ Becky Lynch, one of the greatest superstars in the history of this business, she got squashed. Now I know you think I’m coming out here to complain that they were in this very ring last week saying, ‘I wanna face you at WrestleMania, Becky!’ ‘I wanna face you at WrestleMania, Rhea!’ I completely understand!
“Rhea wants to face Becky, who she thinks she can beat. She doesn’t wanna face me, who she knows she can’t beat! And Becky… Becky’s on her path to WrestleMania. And she knows that any path with me in it has her getting squashed again. So this Saturday at the Royal Rumble, I’m gonna kill both of their dreams. I’m gonna go to WrestleMania as-” WAIT! Here comes Becky! The fans fire up as we’ve just entered the Big Time, and Becky says, “Shut up, Nia, ya dope. Congratulations, you beat me. At least that gives you something new to talk about for the next five years.”
Becky gets in the ring with Nia and says what is interesting is, going into the Rumble, she knows she has a big target on her back. But nobody has a bigger target on her back than Nia. And not because she is literally bigger, but because that locker room, they don’t agree on anything. They don’t agree at all, except on one thing: Nobody likes Nia. Fans cheer that! Becky says yeah, Nia pushes them down, throws her weight around, probably injured half of them, and so, on Saturday, Becky isn’t sure what she’ll enjoy more: Winning the Rumble a second time in her career; or watching Nia lose the Rumble.
But wait! Here comes Bayley! “Ding dong, hello, guys! Actually, both of you idiots are gonna lose, ha ha!” Bayley says she wanted to talk to Rhea, but this is almost better. Her two old pals. She tells fans to shut up! Then she says this is quite the reunion here. Nia, long time, no see. But Bayley is here to make one thing absolutely clear: SHE is winning the Rumble! SHE is gonna point to the WrestleMania sign! Because 2024 is the Year of- SHE SHOVES BECKY INTO NIA! Bayley punches away on Becky but Nia puts Bayley in a corner for stomps! Becky runs up to fire off on Nia! Bayley returns, but gets a MANHANDLE SLAM!
Nia storms up to TOSS Becky up and out, a la the Rumble! Then Nia runs to drop the leg, brother! Bayley got squashed now, and Nia grins. The refs rush out here to stop this from getting any worse! But will Nia be able to squash and toss 29 other women to be #1 contender? Or will even she fail to defeat the odds?
The Miz VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Finn Balor & JD McDonagh!
The Awesome Truth tried but failed to bring down The Prince & The Punisher, but the Hollywood A-Lister is looking to avenge R-Truth. Will Miz make this a must-see chapter in his story with Judgment Day? Or will Dirty Dom win this one with help from the boys?
Raw returns and The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and Miz circles with Dom. They tie up, Miz powers Dom back but Dom puts Miz in a corner. The fans chant, “We Want Truth! We Want Truth!” but Dom lets off on Miz with a shove. JD says no, they don’t get Truth! Miz storms up on Dom, ties up with him again, and puts Dom back in a corner. Dom fights but Miz keeps him cornered, but then lets off at 4. Miz fakes chop and he gets Dom to flinch! Dom runs up but Miz arm-drags! And arm-drags! Dom avoids the third but Miz avoids a kick to roll Dom up! TWO, and Miz CHOPS! Miz whips, Dom KICKS! But then Miz LARIATS Dom!
Fans fire up with Miz as he taunts Finn & JD. Miz kicks Dom, throws haymakers, and he has Dom in a corner again. The ref counts, Miz lets off at 4, but Dom kicks a leg! Dom throws hands, then TOSSES Miz out! Dom distracts the ref and Finn DECKS Miz! Fans boo but Finn does as Rhea wants. Dom builds speed and DIVES, sending Miz into the desk! Fans boo as Dom flexes, and Finn & JD both flex with him. Dom puts Miz in, gives some Latino Heat, and then slingshot SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Dom stays on Miz with a rain of fists, then soaks up the heat. Fans boo more, but Dom stalks Miz. Dom sits Miz up but fans chant “YOU SUCK!”
Dom ROCKS Miz with a right, but the fans rally behind Miz. Dom throws more fists, Miz stands up, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Miz whips, then kitchen sink knees! Dom goes to a corner and gets the A-LIST LARIAT! Miz pushes Dom away, kicks at JD, but Dom kicks the ropes! Miz gets jammed up and Dom dumps him out! Dom soaks up more heat as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men are down after a collision during commercial! The fans rally as Dom and Miz stir, and Miz stands up first. Miz counter punches Dom as the fans rally behind him! Dom kicks low, runs, but into a LARIAT! Miz rallies, gets Dom for a dragon sleeper, BACKBREAKER to NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Dom survives the A-List Combination and that helps JD & Finn breathe. But Miz says, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” Finn distracts him, though! Dom rolls Miz up, TWO! Miz has the roll-up, TWO! Miz ducks ‘n dodges to WRECK Finn with a dropkick! Then Miz RANAS JD to join him!
Fans fire up as Miz shoulders into Dom, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Miz stands up again. Dom sits up, into a KICK! And KICK! KICK! “YES! YES! YES!” Miz winds up, to BUZZSAW! Dom wobbles, into a SUPERKICK! Miz KICKS Dom in the side, then full nelsons, but Dom victory rolls through! Miz ends up on ropes, Dom dials it up, but Miz ducks the call! Miz ELBOWS Dom away, but JD distracts the ref! Finn GAMANGIRIS Miz, Dom redials, 619!! Dom then goes up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Dom wins!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
Fans boo as Judgment Day steals this, and then Finn fires off fists! Finn is showing he’s vicious, but here comes DIY! Fans fire up for Gargano & Ciampa rush out there! Ciampa dodges Dom, Gargano SUPERKICKS him! Ciampa RAMS into JD & Finn, then Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS JD! Ciampa sends Finn running, so Gargano brings JD up! The Irish Ace is fed to Miz for the SKULL-CRUSHING FINALE! And then Miz sets JD up so DIY can- NO, Finn saves JD and the Judgment Day retreats! Fans boo, but we’re just one week away from DIY VS Prince & Punisher! Will Ciampa & Gargano soon be undisputed?
Backstage interview with Damian Priest.
Speaking of those tag titles, Jackie is with the other half of the Tag Team Champions. This match with McIntyre has been months in the making, so what is his mindset going into tonight’s main event? Priest first congratulates Dom on the win over Miz, just like Priest knew he would. As for McIntyre- Truth barges in. He has Priest’s cut for this week’s sales on the “Tom & Nick Mysterio” shirts. Now, we gotta do something about JD McDonagh, he added Truth on Venmo. Priest has Truth slow down. What Priest has going on is pretty serious. He appreciates Truth’s sense of humor, but not the right time. Oh, right, Truth understands.
Truth hurries out and says he’ll see DP later. Priest gets back to McIntyre. McIntyre likes to talk and “be real,” so here’s some real talk on McIntyre. “The guy talks about when he was the man around here, right? That was at a time when everyone was struggling. Then everyone was back to 100, and what happened? He couldn’t beat Roman, he couldn’t beat Gunther, and now he can’t beat Seth Rollins. And out of pure jealousy, he wants to make sure I don’t become champion.” One way or another, from cashing in or winning the Rumble to on to Mania, Priest will be World Heavyweight Champion.
As far as McIntyre goes, he WILL receive his punishment. Priest heads out, determined as ever, but will Senor Money in the Bank make an example out of the Scottish Terminator? Or will it be the other way around?
Bronson Reed speaks.
“I am fully aware that Jey Uso intends to become a singles champion here in the WWE. But Jey, like I’ve told you, so do I. And that means that eventually, our paths are going to cross. And the sooner, the better. Because nothing will stand in my way. So Jey Uso, face me next week on Raw so you can be made an example of by BIG Bronson Reed!” The Colossal Aussie has thrown down the challenge, will Main Event Jey be ready for a Tsunami?
Chad Gable VS Ivar!
Akira Tozawa pulled off the huge upset when he pinned the War Beard, but then Ivar was a sore loser and smashed Tozawa in return. Will Master Gable make sure Ivar loses a second match in a row? Or will nothing stop the Viking Raider on his way to the Rumble?
Raw returns and Ivar makes his entrance. The bell rings and Gable ROLLING KICKS Ivar! Ivar staggers, Gable shoves him and goes up, to FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Ivar stays up so Gable CHOPS and CHOPS! Gable whips, Ivar reverses but Gable goes up and over. Gable then ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Ivar scoops him for a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Ivar snarls and he CLUBS away on Gable! Ivar then BOOTS Gable, then hauls him up. Ivar back suplexes, Gable lands on his feet and DORPKICKS! Ivar rebounds but Gable avoids the elbow drop! Gable fires off forearms, uppercuts, and a throat chop!
Ivar swings, Gable dodges and he mule kicks! Gable runs to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Gable hurries up top, and he DIVING HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Ivar is still in this but Gable keeps his cool. Gable waistlocks and lifts, but Ivar elbows free! Ivar swings, but into a clinch! Ivar is too big for that lift and he UPPERCUTS! Ivar then suplexes Gable near the ropes! Gable tumbles up and out to the floor, then Ivar goes to the apron! Ivar DIVING SPLASHES to the floor! The War Beard is standing tall while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men are up top! Gable and Ivar brawl, and then Gable clinches! Gable brings Ivar to the very top, for a SUPER EXPLODER!! New Orleans goes wild while both men are down! Ivar flounders away but Gable drags himself up with the ropes. Gable runs up on Ivar to CROSSBODY Ivar and himself out of the ring! Ivar runs up, but Gable dodges! Ivar clips the post, Gable pushes Ivar in! Ivar hobbles around as Gable gets in, but then Ivar catches Gable into underhooks! TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Ivar is frustrated as Gable survives, but the fans rally up. Ivar goes back, Gable gets the leg! DRAGON SCREW!
Gable hurries, goes up, and he victory rolls Ivar, into the ANKLE LOCK! Fans fire up as Ivar flails and reaches out! Gable leans on the hold, but Ivar turns over to BOOT Gable away. Ivar goes to a corner, Gable runs in, but into a SEATED SENTON! Ivar has Gable in the drop zone and he goes up the corner! Ivar DIVING LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO?!? Gable survives and the fans fire up again! Ivar waits on Gable to get up, and Gable goes to the other corner. The fans rally, Ivar spins, but Gable blocks the heel kick!? And then he has the ANKLE LOCK!! Ivar flails, reaches out, claws his way forward, and has the ROPEBREAK!
Gable lets go in frustration, and storms up, but into a SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO! Ivar huffs and puffs and hobbles his way to the corner. Ivar climbs up again, the bad leg slowing him down. Fans freak out as Ivar DOOMSAULTS but FLOPS as Gable moves! Gable hurries to waistlock, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO?!?! Ivar is still in this and fans can’t believe it! But Gable hurries up the corner now, only for Ivar to CHOP him! Ivar ROCKS Gable, he climbs up after him, and he brings Gable up to SUPER- NO, Gable slips around, SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!! Gable hurries back up, to see Sarah there?!
Sarah SHOUTS at Gable, and Ivar ROCKET LAUNCHES Gable!! Gable is in the drop zone, Ivar goes up top, and he DOOMSAULTS!!! Cover, Ivar wins!
Winner: Ivar, by pinfall
“Valhalla” helped the chosen warrior, and Ivar is now 2-1 with The Alpha Academy. Will the raid continue on and find its way to WrestleMania?
Cody Rhodes is here!
New Orleans fires up for the American Nightmare as he makes his way to the ring, and sings along with his song, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off, Cody continues down the ramp to high-five fans and autograph signs. Cody then gets the mic and hears the fans chanting for him. But then here comes CM Punk! Fans fire up again as the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, makes his entrance, and now the fans sing along with Cult of Personality. Punk says “IT’S CLOBBERING TIME~!” and he high-fives fans on his way to the ring. Punk takes a moment to revel in the cheers before stepping in to be face to face with Cody.
Cody and Punk shake hands, and then Punk gets himself a mic. Punk says that they should just take a moment to enjoy this. They’ve been on very different paths to get to here. Saturday night changes everything, hopefully they’ll still be friends on Sunday morning, but let’s just enjoy this moment. The fans chant for Cody, for Punk, maybe both at the same time, it’s hard to tell. Cody then says, “So, NOLA…! More specifically, CM Punk… What do you want to talk about?” Punk thinks while the fans chant for him again, and he says he wants to talk about Cody’s dad.
Punk doesn’t know if Cody knows this story, but in 2007, Dusty calls Punk on the phone and says he is sending his youngest son to Ohio Valley Wrestler to start his journey as a wrestler. And Dusty told Punk to keep an eye on his boy. Punk wasn’t sure he was the right guy for the job, he surely didn’t know Cody then. But when the American Dream asks you for a favor, you say yes. Fans cheer that, and Punk says it wasn’t a hard job. Punk stayed out of Cody’s way, Cody didn’t get himself into any trouble that he couldn’t talk his way out of, and Cody didn’t fall for the same vices so many others did.
Punk watched Cody grow from a preliminary wrestler into the bonafide, main event caliber superstar that stands before us today. And it might sound a little condescending coming from Punk, but Punk is proud of Cody. Punk brings that story up and Dusty up, because on Saturday, Punk feels like he’s breaking a promise. When the Rumble is happening, when the bell rings, should they cross paths, Punk is not gonna be looking out for Cody, Punk is gonna be looking for him. Punk will do what he has to, from punching him in the face to throwing him over the top rope, because Punk vows to WIN the Rumble and main event WrestleMania.
Fans are torn there, but Cody says Punk isn’t alone in that feeling of talking to Cody but thinking about Dusty. Cody has met countless legends, luminaries and dignitaries in this industry, from Michael Hayes to Bruce Prichard to Triple H to even Mr. Heyman. When they see Cody, they can’t help but see The American Dream. It’s a very large shadow. But Cody knows Punk knows that Cody has done everything in his power to not be in the shadow but to be the light in that shadow, to subvert the expectations on his own last name and be his own man.
Talk about OVW, Punk isn’t lying. Cody showed up there, folk style wrestling only, no matches under his belt, a complete nepotism hire, and there Punk was. Punk had toiled on the indies for 10 YEARS. He could’ve treated Cody poorly, but he did not. Punk treated Cody as a peer, and from then on, they have been friends. That is what makes this all bittersweet. Because in the Rumble, there are no friends. Punk says what about on Sunday? Yeah, there’s no friends in the Rumble. Punk’s been in more than Cody has. But what about Sunday morning? Punk can separate business from personal. Can Cody?
Punk wasn’t born into this but Cody was. Cody grew up in this business, personal to him IS the business. Cody is the son of one of the most legendary pro-wrestlers of all time! And Punk said to start this, they have traveled very different paths. Punk had no famous dads. When Cody showed up to OVW, other people saw Dusty, but not Punk. Punk saw Cody. It wasn’t nepotism to Punk, because where everyone saw Cody being on third base and being afforded all these opportunities that Punk didn’t get because he had to scratch and claw to where he was, he saw the burden of Cody’s last name.
Punk saw how hard it’d be for Cody to get out of that shadow, and congratulations, because Cody has done that with flying colors. The fans cheer that, and Punk says for all the differences, such as Cody in his very nice and expensive suit and Punk in his workout clothes, they’ve had very different paths but have one very similar goal. Punk didn’t have the famous dad, Dusty Rhodes, American Dream, “Son of a Plumber” and global, international heavyweight champion superstar wrestler recognized on the streets, dined with kings and queens. How does the rest of it go? Cody says “Slept in alleys, dined on pork and beans.”
Yeah, Punk didn’t have the famous dad with all that. His dad was just a regular guy, an electrician. So it’s kinda ironic, huh? Punk is more The American Dream than Cody is. Cody says okay, then, “American Dream,” here is what Cody wants to talk about. Let’s talk about “The Pipebomb.” Punk throws the WWE logo off his mic and says go ahead. Cody reminds us that Punk sat on stage, said words, rattled off the formula for a revolution, and inspired countless numbers. There are wrestlers who got in this ring because of that speech. Count Cody as one of them. But then, Punk left. And when Punk left, he really left.
Punk didn’t pass the torch, he just dropped it on the way out. He didn’t care who picked it up, but Cody’s pretty sure Punk knows who did. Cody did. “Everything that you spoke about, I literally did! So where you talked, I walked. And what is actually ironic, that makes me more CM Punk than you!” Fans are fired up hearing all this! Punk takes off the hoody and puts that aside, saying it’s getting hot in here. Cody is more Punk than Punk? Well allow Punk to give Cody the full Road to WrestleMania CM Punk experience. Cody has carried this company on his back for a soul-crushing two years, and he’s right around the corner and he’s handed to cover of 2K24.
Congrats, by the way! On sale pretty soon, huh? And right as Cody’s about to cross the finish line and #FinishTheStory, what’s that in the distance? A much bigger superstar who hasn’t been here in a very long time, coming to take it all away from you! And Punk is talking about himself. Oh, there you go, Punk looking out for Cody. Punk might be right. He talked about the American Dream, so he should know Dusty was Cody’s best friend. Dusty frequently quoted John Wayne, and the one Cody heard the most is, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyways.” Punk may be right but Cody has only one direction he can go, and that is forward!
That direction in the Royal Rumble goes through Punk. Cody drops the mic, and then so does Punk. Cody goes to leave but Punk turns him right around! The fans fire up as these two are forehead to forehead, then the two back off. The fans are torn between these two, and both men exit the ring on opposite ends. This could very well be a collision that is destined to happen, will we see it in the Royal Rumble?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark!
While the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships are being defended this Friday, The Poison Pixie & #IndiWrestling are finding their way into the title picture. But the same can be said of The Queen of Spades & The Hunter! Will Candice & Indi or Shayna & Stark take one more step closer to the gold as we head down the Road to WrestleMania?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance are ringside to watch this, even though The Kabuki Warriors are coming for them on SmackDown. The teams sort out and Shayna starts against Candice. These two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Shayna trips Candice and then scuffs her. Candice gets up in a huff and she resets with Shayna. They tie up again, Shayna powers Candice back to a corner, but the ref counts. Shayna scuffs Candice again, then trips her to sit her down! Shayna taunts Candice, then runs up, but Candice dodges! Candice feints to trip Shayna now! Candice eggs Shayna on, and Shayna runs up, into an arm-drag!
Candice arm-drags again, and again, then taunts Shayna more. Stark tags in but Shayna says she had this. Stark says no, she’ll get this. But Indi tags in, kicks and JABS and DECKS Stark! Indi puts Stark in ropes, UPPERCUTS her, then runs side to side. Tag to Candice before Indi BOOTS Stark down! Shayna runs up, Indi TOSSES her, and Candice goes up! Indi helps her tightrope walk, to then FLYING RANA Stark onto Shayna! The fans fire up as Candice & Indi stand tall, and Indi copies Kayden’s dance moves as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Stark CLUBS away on Indi. Stark scuffs Indi around, then runs, to springboard, into a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up while both women are down, and Stark crawls. Chelsea green & Piper Niven are watching as hot tags are made to Shayna and Candice! Candice fires off on Shayna, LARIATS then DROPKICKS! Stark runs up but into a kick and ENZIGIRI! Candice UPPERCUTS Shayna in a corner, snapmares her, then runs up, CODE BREAKER SENTON COMBO! Cover on Shayna but Stark breaks it! Indi whips Stark but Stark reverse. Indi is on the apron, Stark SUPERKICKS her down!
Candice TOSSES Stark out, but Shayna grabs Candice for the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Candice RAMS Shayna into a corner, but Stark tags in! Shayna carries Candice in the sleeper, but Candice pushes back to roll back! But it won’t count as a cover, Stark is legal! And speaking of, Stark deadlifts Candice up to Z 360!! Cover, Stark & Shayna win!
Winners: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark, by pinfall
The champs like the teamwork they just saw, and they step into the ring to say they’ll be ready to take them on. But wait! The Kabuki Warriors attack! Shayna & Stark back off to let Asuka & Kairi beat down the champs! The showdown happens on SmackDown, will the party be over for Kayden & Katana?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Jackie is with the Scottish Terminator and says before talking about tonight’s main event, which has been fueled by months of animosity, does McIntyre have anything to say about what we saw from Cody and Punk? No. Everything he had to say, he already said to each of their faces. They’re the ones following in his footsteps. He won the Royal Rumble and then actually won at WrestleMania, so he has nothing for them. But he did hear what Priest had to say. Yeah, things weren’t 100% when McIntyre was champion, they weren’t 100% right in the world. But he is sick and tired of people trying to put a negative spin on that time! They needed a hero, he stepped up!
Here’s some names: Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, AJ Styles. That aside, that was the most proud McIntyre was of his entire career. People have literally come up and told him he saved their lives! But tonight, Priest is not ready to be WHC. You need to be physically and mentally tough enough and Priest just isn’t. Everyone talks about their story, but there’s only room for one Chosen One, and you’re looking at him! McIntyre is ready to tear Priest apart, will he do that and have one less obstacle on his journey back to WrestleMania?
DMG CTRL regroups backstage.
They’re all excited after their ambush on the tag champs. But how is Bayley feeling? Oh, she’s fine. But she feels much better after seeing what happened out there. But then Tegan Nox & Natalya confront them! DMG CTRL thinks they can just show up on Raw and get away with that stuff? Uh, why do they care? Uh, well, why are you here? They all shout and argue, and Adam Pearce storms in to say save it for the Rumble! He asks Nox & Natty to give him a moment with DMG CTRL, and the Queen of Hart says fine, they’re tired of being disrespected anyway.
Natty & Nox leave, and Pearce then says he invited them here for two reasons: promote The Rumble, and promote the tag title match. They were NOT supposed to go into business for themselves! Uh, if he has a problem, take it up with Aldis. Oh, funny. If he can pry Aldis away from staring himself in the mirror, Pearce will do that. Well, then get used to seeing DMG CTRL here. Once Asuka & Kairi win those tag titles on Friday, they’ll be showing up on Raw a lot more, buddy. Bye~! DMG CTRL heads out, Pearce turns around and Indus Sher is there. Jinder steps forward to say they need to talk.
What are Pearce’s plans for him, The Modern Day Maharaja, the most talked-about man of 2024, the man who stepped up to The Rock, and who is responsible for damaging Seth Rollins. Right now is good, right? Pearce says okay, just meet him in his office. Veer & Sanga leave with Jinder, and Pearce says he needs a drink. Will the Raw GM be spotted on Bourbon Street after tonight?
Drew McIntyre VS Damian Priest!
Ever since the uneasy alliance back at Survivor Series, the Scottish Terminator and Senor MITB have been wanting to throw hands against each other. And now, just days before the Royal Rumble, they will have that fight! Will McIntyre’s “jealousy” cost him his momentum going into this Saturday? Or will Priest’s pride be the cause of his fall?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. McIntyre and Priest slowly circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. McIntyre headlocks, Priest powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over! Fans fire up as Priest storms up and shoves McIntyre. McIntyre kicks low, headlocks, but Priest powers up and out again. They RAM shoulders, Priest rebounds and he runs McIntyre over! McIntyre gets up to shove Priest, so Priest ROCKS him! Priest stomps a mudhole in the corner, CLUBS away on McIntyre, then lets off as the ref counts. Priest whips, McIntyre rebounds to LARIAT!
Fans fire up as McIntyre fires off on Priest in a corner, then CHOPS! Priest storms around, then ROCKS McIntyre! McIntyre tumbles out of the ring, and Priest goes out around the way. Priest runs in and leaps off the step, but McIntyre catches him! McIntyre hits an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! McIntyre then puts Priest into the ring, storms in after him, and CHOPS him against ropes! Fans “WOO~!” and McIntyre brings Priest up to ROCK! Priest ROCKS McIntyre back! Priest runs, but McIntyre clotheslines Priest up and out! McIntyre storms out after Priest but Priest mule kicks him! Priest whips, McIntyre reverses, and he clinches again!
Priest claws the eyes and RAMS McIntyre into the post! Priest drags McIntyre up, reels him in, and aims for the desk! BROEKN ARROW on the desk!! The desk doesn’t break but maybe McIntyre just did! Priest stands tall and fans fire up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Priest fires shots on McIntyre. Priest talks trash, KICKS and KICKS and UPPERCUTS McIntyre around the ring, then KICKS him more. Priest talks more trash, but McIntyre CHOPS in return! And ROCKS! And CHOPS! McIntyre whips, Priest reverses but McIntyre KICKS the back drop away! McIntyre runs, Priest follows, and he LARIATS McIntyre down! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto McIntyre for a chinlock and he grinds McIntyre down. The fans rally, McIntyre fights up, and McIntyre pries the hold away. Priest lets off to CLUB McIntyre in the back!
Priest shoves McIntyre to ropes, McIntyre holds ropes and ELBOWS Priest! McIntyre runs up, DOUBLE BOOTS bring them both down! The fans fire up and McIntyre snarls as he sits up. McIntyre seethes as he runs up to LARIAT Priest! And LARIAT again! Priest gets up, McIntyre clinches him in the corner, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Then the NECKBREAKER! Both men are down again, but McIntyre kips up! The fans fire up with McIntyre and he aims from a corner. The countdown begins, “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Priest dodges the Claymore! Priest runs up, but McIntyre ducks the heel kick to CHOP!
McIntyre runs, Priest follows, but McIntyre SPINEBUSTERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! McIntyre seethes again, clutching his side from the crash on the desk earlier. McIntyre drags Priest up, fireman’s carries, but Priest fires elbows. And then BELL CLAP! Priest whips McIntyre to a corner, shakes the stars out and runs in, but into a BOOT! McIntyre runs in, but into a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Priest grows frustrated, but he runs in at the corner to- NO, McIntyre catches the jump elbow! McIntyre can’t hold on long, and Priest fires off KICK after KICK! Priest then spins, into the GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!
Priest goes to a corner, McIntyre runs in but Priest puts him on the apron! McIntyre goes right up top to FLYING- NO, Priest dodges! JUMP KICK! Then Priest runs up, tilt-o-whirls, but McIntyre slips free! So Priest suplexes for a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives and bails out of the ring! Priest builds speed and goes up the ropes, to ROLLING KICK!! Fans fire up as Priest then brings McIntyre up, puts him in the ring, but wait! Is that R-Truth? Fans fire up as Truth wants to give Priest his cut, but Priest shoves him down!? Truth realizes duh, put it in the briefcase! McIntyre storms up but Priest ROUNDHOUSES him from the apron!
Priest steps in, springboards, but into a kick! Underhooks and FUTURE SHOCK!! Truth asks what the password is for the briefcase’s lock! McIntyre aims from the corner, but Truth gets on the apron to talk to Priest. McIntyre’s fury turns to Truth, and he DECKS Truth! The money goes flying! Priest choke grips McIntyre, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, but the ref is busy with Truth!! Priest would’ve won! Priest is furious and he tells Truth to get out! Truth is trying to explain but Priest TOSSES him! Fans boo, but then CLAYMORE!!! Cover, McIntyre wins!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Truth tried to put the money in the bank for Priest, but that all backfired! McIntyre is rolling into the Royal Rumble, will he win his way back to former glory?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Raw, especially as a go-home to the Royal Rumble. Rollins opens with his announcement, which didn’t seem as heavy as I expected going into this, because Gunther also shows up to call him out for a possible match at Mania. Rollins said “three to four months,” but that could be exaggeration for the sake of making him look John Cena levels of superhuman in a return just in time for WrestleMania. No vacating of the title, too, so the leg must not be in as bad of shape as thought. As great as Gunther VS Rollins would be, I don’t know the likelihood of that, with all the other possibilities in the Rumble match itself.
To that point, we got an awesome promo from Cody and Punk, probably a top contender for promo of the year already. Honestly, all the promos we’ve gotten out of Cody, Punk and McIntyre have been great stuff. Also, we really need Cody VS Punk before Mania, that’d be such good stuff. I’d still lean towards Punk winning the Rumble to go for the World Heavyweight Championship. And in connection to Roman VS Rock in the works, I don’t think Cody even bothers shifting over and using the Elimination Chamber to get at the Universal Championship, he really will just have to wait until some later event.
Great opening match of Imperium VS New Day, and taking the count-out draw and making it into a wild brawl with the table spot. I was hoping they’d announce a Street Fight Tag rematch, but instead, Kofi just straight up wants Gunther and the Intercontinental Championship. Pretty sure Gunther retains, but he and Kofi are going to have an awesome match. Bronson also has a good promo calling out Jey, Jey VS Bronson is going to be great stuff, and Jey beating Bronson is definitely going to set him up for a match with Gunther. Not sure what happened to Pearce’s plans for the IC title, but Ricochet getting a concussion back in December that WWE kept quiet about probably tanked a lot of that. Maybe Ricochet makes a return during the Rumble.
Really good stuff out of Ivy VS Sarah, and great stuff out of Gable VS Ivar. Ivy gets a strong win with a new finisher, though honestly a flying bulldog is a bit riskier than a submission hold. Ivar gets the win because of Sarah, but he and Gable are both going strong into the Rumble that they’re not winning anyway. Really good surprise appearance of DMG CTRL tonight. I like that Bayley interrupts Becky and Nia confronting each other only for her to take the beating so that Becky and Nia are mostly even going into the Rumble. She wants to be Women’s World Champion per the DMG CTRL golden mission, so smart to have her here tonight.
Also good involvement of DMG CTRL going after Kayden & Katana to hype up the tag title match this Friday. I can’t be sure how the go-home math works out here, given how the DMG CTRL story is still heading for Bayley being kicked out. For now, I’ll stick with what I said last Friday that Kabuki Warriors could win the belts, that puts pressure on Bayley, and then when Bayley fails, she gets kicked out. And really good tag match of Shayna & Stark beating Candice & Indi, so maybe Shayna & Stark are the ones waiting for whoever comes out of this Friday’s match for at least a match at Elimination Chamber.
And of course, great stuff in the Judgment Day story tonight. Good little promo of them arguing with the tensions getting high again, and Rhea just kinda snapping at everyone there. Finn & JD of course help Dom beat Miz, but DIY of course runs Judgment Day off. Finn & Priest VS DIY is going to be great stuff, and at this point, it could go either way because Judgment Day looks close to imploding. Truth was again brilliant, and what a brilliant way for him to cost Priest against McIntyre. That main event was awesome stuff even with Truth getting involved, Priest losing adds to both the Judgment Day story and McIntyre’s story. McIntyre is looking strong going into the Rumble, and even though Punk seems like the likely choice, we could and should get McIntyre VS Punk on the way to Mania.
My Score: 8.8/10
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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!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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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.
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.
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)
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 Podcast
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!
4 Corners Podcast: Serving Up A Classic
Patrick returns as he and Dave discuss the Stanley Cup Finals, the NBA Finals, Coco Gauff's epic triumph, and a...
4 Corners Podcast: The Rematch & The Rebuild
Dave and PC Tunney preview the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals as the NBA and NHL reach the conclusion...
4 Corners Podcast: Blown Off Course
Dave and Tunney break down the Conference Finals in the NHL and NBA, discuss the NFL going to the Olympics,...
4 Corners Podcast: Bettor Late Than Never?
Dave, Patrick, and Tunney break down the NHL and NBA Playoffs and a pretty stunning decision from the MLB Commissioner's...
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?
POD is WAR: Now Without Baby Oil
Andrew Balaz, Rey Cash and PC Tunney invite you to come along on a trip inside the minds of Los...
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...
