Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Press Event Coverage! (2/8/24)

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Published

1 year ago

February 8, 2024

Steven Mitchell

WWE says Viva Las Vegas!

To set the stage for WrestleMania 40, WWE is going XL! It’s a huge press event in Las Vegas to officially declare the Universal Championship match!

The WrestleMania XL Kickoff begins!

On the road to the BIGGEST WrestleMania of all time, WWE enters the T-Mobile Arena, with Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Big E Langston and CM Punk as our hosts! Pat is excited to stand alongside the handsome Big E and the legendary Punk as a major decision will be made, a decision that will be talked about until the end of time! Big E says he’s here so Punk doesn’t get fined. And The Voice of the Voiceless, arm in a heavy brace, has the fans chanting for him as he says it helps his heart to be here. And to be here with Cole and the “Cole Miners” is great, too.

Before getting to business, how is Big E’s neck? Oh he’s doing good. He loves everyone for checking in and sending the love. And Punk, how are the triceps? Well, this sucks, for one. He is one week out from surgery and yet he’s not 100%, he’s a little disappointed in himself. He is heartbroken he won’t be competing at WrestleMania, but don’t worry, he’ll still piss a lot of people off because his mouth and brain still work. Cole brings up Pat having The Rock on the Pat McAfee Show today, which fans boo, but others chant for “Rocky! Rocky!” Pat says The Rock brought the WWE to new heights and has a massive legacy.

Fans duel, “We Want Cody!” “No We Don’t!” Pat says there’s the fans who have respect for the American Nightmare, who wants to finish the story as he has rightfully earned. Of course, The Rock called many of those fans, “Cody Crybabies.” Cole brings up Punk how he had a similar situation happen, and Punk says, yeah, where were all these fans in 2013? But what then should happen in Punk’s opinion? Punk thinks that the Road to WrestleMania will be really spicy. If everyone plays their cards right, and he’s talking about Cody, about Roman, and even about Seth Rollins and The Rock, we could be in for a hell of a roller coaster.

But what needs to happen from all these guys is chips on shoulders. From an NFL perspective, which Pat should get, there are a lot of Quarterbacks, Tom Brady got in the Super Bowl after those other guys carried the team into the championship. If Punk is that other guy, he’s not happy about it, but he also understands how it goes. He understands the box office, but also about making a name for yourselves. Cody and Rollins are in such a position to truly make a name for themselves, but especially Cody.

Cole then turns to Big E, who also had to fight to get to the top. That is what Cody is also trying to do, so where does Big E see this? Big E says he is here to “beat the drum for Cody.” Cody is someone who has a special connection with the fans, who does the Make A Wishes, and really relates to people authentically. Big E saw how Cody reached out to the Huber family after Brodie Lee/Luke Harper past. That connection is what you want out of your top guy, who will carry this show every week and even go to the live events. Big E knows pro-wrestling isn’t a pure meritocracy, it’s just not how it works. BUT what Cody has done in and out of the ring is proof he is the guy to carry WWE forward.

Michael Cole sends it backstage.

Jackie Redmond confirms The Rock is here, making the rounds, including that “feisty” appearance on Pat McAfee’s show. The Rock says tonight will be historic and it will cement his Road to WrestleMania.

Byron Saxton is with Paul Heyman, and asks The Wise Man what Roman Reigns’ mood is, given he has to prepare for WrestleMania and his face-to-face with- Heyman cuts Byron off to repeat, “Mood? Mood?! Oh, he’s honored to be here since you’re in The Bloodline locker room, Byron. Thank you so much. It has made his mood so much better to come to Vegas just to see you. Did that answer your question about his mood? Here’s the mood in the Bloodline locker room, ladies and gentlemen. The mood in the Bloodline locker room is no different than it has been for three and a half years.

“We look out at the outside world, and what do we hear? We Want Cody! We Want Cody! And then we also hear everybody chanting, we also hear everybody cheering, we also see all the love for the biggest movie star in history, The Rock. And for once it’s not about Cody, everybody wants to talk about The Rock. But do you know what everybody’s really talking about? Which one of them gets to main-event WrestleMania with Roman… Reigns! That’s what this is all about. That’s what the hype is about. That’s what the controversy is about. That’s what the discussion is about.

“Who gets to fight the Tribal Chief? Who gets to share the spotlight with the Head of the Table? Who gets to step into the ring with the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion? Who gets to main event WrestleMania? And until someone beats Roman Reigns, that’s where the main event of WrestleMania will remain to be.” Heyman grins, then tells Byron that is Roman’s mood. The Wise Man storms off, and mockingly asks Roman his mood since Byron wants to know! Heyman said what he said, but will that “mood” change before the end here?

We return to the panel.

Michael Cole brings up that Seth Rollins wants to face Cody Rhodes, so a quick check: who does everyone think Roman wants to face? Pat says Roman should want The Rock so that we can all finally see who the TRUE Head of the Table is, because that is a story that’s been going on their entire lives. Big E agrees with that. The Rock is a global superstar, there’s the family connection, and as much as Big E wants Cody to #FinishTheStory, Roman surely wants The Rock. Punk understands box office, so Roman wants The Rock. But The Rock didn’t eliminate CM Punk from the Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes did.

Punk feels this is really more who Roman doesn’t want, and he doesn’t want Cody. Cole says we all saw WrestleMania last year, and Cole says we’ll get more opinions later, but BREAKING NEWS! WWE Speed comes to Twitter/X! Matches with a five minute time limit, starting in Spring 2024! It’ll be a fast-paced new format featuring fresh match-ups, make sure to tune in!

Cole then welcomes the WWE Chief Content Officer, The Game, Triple H, Paul Levesque! The fans fire up as HHH walks out on stage, mic in hand. HHH says, “In 1985, in a sold-out Madison Square Garden, a tag team match took place between ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ Paul Orndoff and his partner, ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper. They would take on the team of Mr. T and ‘The Immortal’ Hulk Hogan. That night was so big, anybody that was anybody had to be there. It drew pop culture icons and celebrities from all over the globe. Muhammad Ali was a special guest referee. Cindy Lauper was there, Liberace was there, the Rockettes, everybody was there.

“And it was named… WrestleMania.” The fans cheer that! Now, WrestleMania would launch the WWE from a small regional promotion to a global juggernaut that you see today, selling out stadiums all over the globe. In those 40 years since then, a lot would change. WWE would see the cable TV boom, closed circuit TV, and pioneer the PPV industry as well as internet streaming and direct-to-consumer content with the WWE Network. And just recently, it would announce a deal with Netflix for over five BILLION dollars!

Along the way, it’d create global superstars, icons known the world over: Hulk Hogan; Randy Savage; Andre the Giant; Ric Flair; Bret Hart; Shawn Michaels; Stone Cold Steve Austin; The Rock; The Undertaker; Mick Foley; Batista; John Cena. The list goes on and on! Those people would catapult the WWE to where it is today. But on April 6th and 7th in Philadelphia, HHH vows the WWE will take it to a whole new level. It is a new era, and it is an all-new WWE! HHH promises us this: “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” Fans like the sound of that! “So Las Vegas…” The fans already know what’s coming!

“ARE… YOU… READY…?! You better be, because right now, we start the Road to WrestleMania 40!” The Game heads out and the fans fire up, and then Cole & Pat walk on stage. They have us take a special inside look at their first guest, The EST, Bianca Belair! After the video plays, Pat says a champion since birth, from college and into the WWE, she won and won and won, et cetera! An absolute beast! Bianca Belair makes her entrance and the fans cheer. Bianca has a mic of her own, and she says, “Las Vegas~!” The fans cheer for “E S T! E S T!” and she says, “How amazing is it that we are in Vegas the week of the Super Bowl to talk about OUR Super Bowl, WrestleMania?”

The fans cheer and Bianca says the Road to WrestleMania is one of the most exciting times of the year. It is why she and her hubby, Montez Ford, decided to share with the world how amazing WrestleMania is through their docuseries, Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez, now on Hulu. But they wanted to show the world the ups, the downs, the ins, the outs, the sacrifices and the triumphs. Because WrestleMania is a spectacle! The best entrances, the best gear, the best matches, and where history is made. It is where Bianca made history, which fans cheer.

There was WrestleMania 37 with Sasha Banks! The first two Black females to main event, and Bianca walked out as champion. Then there was WrestleMania 38, where she faced off against Becky Lynch, and again walked out as champion. And then WrestleMania 39 where Bianca beat Asuka to threepeat to leave as champion again! The fans cheer, and Bianca says she’s only been here a short amount of time but has had an amazing time. However, this year is different because she’s not walking in as champion. A young fan says, “That’s okay!” And Bianca says yes, it is okay. Because she’ll do whatever it takes to continue the Mania streak.

She might not know what her journey is, what lane she’ll be in, but she vows to be on the Road to WrestleMania, cuz you cannot spell it without E S T! The fans cheer, what championship story will Bianca write this year? Speaking of, she’s in a qualifier match for SmackDown to get into the Women’s Elimination Chamber, which will determine the #1 contender to the Women’s World Championship. Pat is sure Bianca will figure this one out, because did you hear the fans when she showed up? This crowd, you can feel their energy! Pat is excited, too! And speaking of Elimination Chamber and Australia, here comes The Eradicator!

Pat says “Mami” is running the WWE, and when she returns to Australia, Perth is gonna be throwing vegemite all over the place. Cole introduces the WWE Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley! The fans fire up as Rhea makes her entrance, a mic of her on in hand. “Las Vegas! Mami’s here!” Fans cheer and Rhea has them go on. She thanks them and says we are on the Road to WeestleMania. “The one event that people dream to be a part of! They scratch and they claw just to make it. But this isn’t any WrestleMania. This is WrestleMania 40! And y’know what makes it so special, guys? Because Mami is walking in and out as the most dominant woman to hold a championship within this company!”

Fans cheer and Rhea wants them to get louder! So they get louder! There it is. Rhea says it was no surprise to her as to why the Royal Rumble winner, Bayley, chose to turn on her friends and challenge Io Shirai instead of Rhea. Why waste your golden ticket when you know you’re gonna lose? Now for Rhea, she has a Mania before Mania. She has the Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia, her home country. And once she’s done dealing with Nia Jax, which the fans boo, Rhea will be ready for whoever wins the Chamber. It really doesn’t matter to Rhea, and why? Because- BECKY LYNCH IS HERE!? Rhea is furious that The Man is interrupting but the fans fire up!

Becky has a mic and says, “You didn’t think that you could have a big time WrestleMania press conference without Big Time Becks, now did ya?” The fans cheer as Becky says The Man has come around to Las Vegas! “And as of Monday, The Man is officially in the Elimination Chamber for the first time ver. Which means that The Man will WIN the Elimination Chamber for the first time ever. Which means that in front of all your little friends and family in your home country, The Man will challenge you for your title at WrestleMania, where it will be Mami VS The Man for the first time ever!” Fans love that!

That is… if Rhea can get past Nia. But Rhea says it doesn’t matter who she faces? It doesn’t matter because Mami is always on top? Fans cheer that, but Becky says it does matter. Because Becky has made a legendary career out of knocking golden girls off their top spot. So Mami is gonna learn what it’s like to be a bottom! Because that’s what happens when The Man comes around! Fans fire up for the stare down, and Adam Pearce storms in to keep this from getting physical! But with Becky and Rhea all fired up, is this showdown all but inevitable?

Cole & Pat are back on stage.

After a short break, the press event continues and Pat says that the world has bestowed great things upon Las Vegas, this city is fantastic for hosting the Super Bowl, and then oh snap! The week got bigger because a massive decision is going to be made that will be talked about for generations to come. This is the perfect time for the perfect event in the perfect place. That said, our next guest is the self-proclaimed workhorse champion, the “real” champion, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and perhaps the name that’s gone forgotten in all of this… Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!

The fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins struts out in a velvet tuxedo that is a Philadelphia Eagles shade of green. “Laaaas~ Vegas! Oh~, it’s a party in here tonight!” The fans continue to sing so Rollins takes a moment to revel in it. Rollins says he loves Vegas. And yes, he is a Visionary, a Revolutionary, and your World Heavyweight Champion, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! Still a pretty big pop, right? Now, Vegas, we are on the Road to WrestleMania, WrestleMania 40, XL, Extra Large, the biggest Mania of ALL TIME! Now, what do you say they cut to the chase and get ourselves a main event?

Now, Rollins isn’t the man to make that decision, he is just the prize at the end of the road. So let’s get the man who can make that decision out here. The TWO-TIME Royal Rumble winner, the American Nightmare himself, Cody Rhodes! Wait, that’s Roman Reigns’ music! Rollins is upset that the Head of the Table, the Tribal Chief, the WWE Universal Champion walks out here instead, accompanied by his Wise Man. Rollins and Roman are face to face again after roughly two years, their Universal Championship match at Royal Rumble 2022. Rollins yawns at how long the entrance is taking.

The fans are torn as Heyman hands Roman a mic. Roman tells “Las Vegas…! ACKNOWLEDG ME.” The fans are still torn but Rollins says, “Hey, guys, he showed up for work for once. I love to see it! Good to see ya, big brother.” Roman says, “And he showed up to work in his wife’s shoes.” Rollins says don’t be mad that he can still run circles around Roman. Roman says let’s talk about someone who matters right now. The fans chant “Cody! Cody!” and “Rocky! Rocky!” Roman says yeah, let’s talk about Cody Rhodes! “The man who can’t make his own choice, huh? Mr. Hesitation. Here’s a life lesson, kids. If you hesitate, your moment’s gonna move on.

“And that’s what’s happened to Cody Rhodes. It’s no longer his decision. It’s now Your Tribal Chief’s decision.” Rollins asks if that’s really how it is, and Roman says yes, that IS how it is. So tonight, Roman chooses who faces him in the main event of WrestleMania! So get this bum outta here already, huh? Roman chooses… Fans chant and duel, “Cody!” “Rocky!” “Cody!” “Rocky!” Roman is amused as he says HE chooses The Rock! Rollins says that’s not how this works! But here comes The Rock! Fans fire up as Dwayne Johnson walks out on stage and raises the iconic eyebrow, and then raises the fist.

Fans boo, Rollins smirks, but The Rock smirks back. The Rock says, “Finally…! The Rock has come back to Las Vegas…! Now let The Rock ask you a question. Do you think that Roman Reigns is gonna beat The Rock at WrestleMania?” Fans sound torn and Roman grins. The Rock then says, “Or… do you think that The Rock is gonna beat The Tribal Chief at WrestleMania?” The fans are again torn and Roman shakes his head. The fans are all over the place, but “We Want Cody!” “No We Don’t!” shows up again. The Rock says, “Or… do you think that The Rock and Roman Reigns will be the biggest main event in the history of the WWE?”

Fans are really torn here. Roman is annoyed, but The Rock loves the passion from the fans. So then, to members of the press, welcome, glad you’re here. To the WWE Universe… The fans continue to duel! Rollins is amused, at least. The Rock continues to welcome the fans. To everyone watching around the world, welcome. And certainly to the millions, “AND MILLIONS!” of The Rock’s fans, welcome. World watching, The Rock introduces you to “The Cody Crybabies.” Fans are torn again but Roman and Heyman find that one funny. The Rock wants to show us all something that is very important, very cool, and he’s sure we’ll like it a lot.

But whether you like it or you don’t, love it or hate it, one thing for damn sure, you are gonna respect it. Take a look. Rock cues up the true Bloodline family tree. Rollins sighs but The Rock and Roman take a moment to show respect to the tree. When you look at this incredible family tree, and really take a look at the top of it. There’s The Rock’s grandfather, and Roman’s grandfather. They made a blood oath said “family forever.” If you can’t see the fact that this is proof there is only one dominant and powerful royal family in pro-wrestling, and if you think that The Rock VS Roman Reigns isn’t the biggest main event in WrestleMania history, then in simple terms: It doesn’t matter what you think!

Fans boo but The Rock and Roman nod to each other. The Rock says WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, The Rock VS Roman Reigns, People’s Champion VS Universal Champion, whether you like it or not, THE People’s Champion in the biggest main event in the history of pro-wrestling, bound by blood, is happening. Roman and Rock shake hands, and fans boo what is really a conspiracy. Wait, someone says to hold on? It’s CODY RHODES! Rollins and the fans fire up as Cody says this is BULL SH*T!! The fans cheer that!

Cody says Roman is out here, calling the shots, dictating WrestleMania. And as Tribal Chief, Universal Champion, he has a lot of stroke. But it is not his right to determine the main event, it is CODY’S, as winner of the Rumble! The fans cheer that, too! Cody then tells The Rock that while they had a great conversation, Cody had many great conversations, and he has finally made his decision! Cody looks to Rollins, then to the fans. “At WrestleMania 40, in the main event… I choose YOU, Roman Reigns!” The fans fire up and Rollins is disappointed, but Roman is shocked most of all! Cody must be crazy! Or stupid, or something!

This was a done deal! Cody’s old news, he should go over to join Number Two at the loser table! Fans boo but Roman says Cody should leave with the dummy in green. Last year was Cody’s moment, he was but a chapter in Roman’s book. No one cares about Cody’s story or if he finishes it. H e is embarrassing his entire family now. Cody is irrelevant, just like his DAD! Cody is fuming from that one. HHH, Adam Pearce & Nick Aldis have appeared on stage now as this gets heated. Cody says Roman talks about his family, isn’t that what The Bloodline is? Cuz Cody has a question: How’s Jey? Roman drops his mic, he’s that mad now.

Cody continues to say that’s not a family! Roman doesn’t care about them, they’re just lackeys, yes men and goons to Roman! And what is this match all about? Who sits at the Head of the Table? What does it matter when neither Roman or Rock has done any of the cooking the last two years?! Heyman tries to keep Roman calm but Cody says they had that family tree. And they’ve used Cody’s father against him before, so he’ll do the same. If Roman’s grandfather was here… If the HIGH CHIEF, The Rock’s grandfather, was here… They’d both be ashamed! GASP! The mics drop on all sides, and even The Rock steps up now.

Cody stares Roman and Rock down, and The Rock tells Cody, “Lemme make something perfectly clear to you. When you talk about his family, you’re talking about my family. When you’re talking about his ancestors, you’re talking about MY ancestors. And when you’re talking about his blood, you’re talking about my blood. So now, we have a problem.” The Rock SLAPS Cody! Rollins steps up, HHH and the GMs step in, and the fans are going nuts! Rock & Roman want them to let the others bring the fight, but HHH talks Rollins down and Pearce gets Cody off stage. Rollins says these two can’t just do whatever they want!

Roman dares Rollins to do something and Rollins says bet, he’s beat Roman every single time and he’ll do it again! Fans boo as Rock and Roman seethe. HHH reprimands Heyman but Heyman says he doesn’t represent Rock!

We return to the panel.

Cole recaps what we just saw, and asks Punk. What does the master of the pipebomb think about that? Punk says this is like Valentine’s Day, “I choose you, I want you.” Cody is way too diplomatic. You get slapped in the mouth, you bust them right back, that’s what Punk would’ve done. Cody should’ve punched The Rock out. Do the fans want to see that? The fans cheer! Punk says it should happen. But Rock didn’t throw Punk out of the Rumble, Cody did, so it is Cody’s shot to call. Big E’s thoughts: This was explosive! He doesn’t know where we’re going. A tag match on the horizon, maybe? But he loves it, with just two months until Mania.

Cole says this also leaves the World Heavyweight Championship match in question. Pat says The Rock just went to bat for his family, got offended, and smacked Cody in the mouth. Rollins almost defended Cody, and on the way out, The Rock said they could do whatever they wanted. Seems like a power flex to Pat. Rock is of course Wrestling Mount Rushmore, Roman’s earned his own mountain to himself really, they were just reminding everyone about that. Cole says #WeWantCody has been trending, and Pat points out it is clearly popular in here. Cole says Cody did earn the right to pick his opponent.

So Cody went with Roman, does he #FinishTheStory? Punk says he can, but he’ll have to hit back. Can’t let someone slap you like that. Punk would be gouging eyes and punching people, even with one arm. Big E says yeah, talk about the odds stacked against you. The Rock is one of the biggest stars in the world, and is now a member of the board! He’s basically Cody’s boss. The Rock has his ties with Nick Khan, too, so Cody’s got a lot up against him. Pat says that is valid, and The Rock pointed out his ties to The Bloodline. When you talk about one, you talk about the other. What’re those two plotting for the WWE now?

Cole steers it back to Rollins. He’s being left out of this talk, despite being World Heavyweight Champion. He’s being called B Team, secondary title, all that. Punk says he’s the wrong guy for this one. Rollins said he hates Punk’s guts, so no love lost. But Rollins does need to stop with the stylist, get his balls out of Becky’s purse and hit someone back, period. Cole goes back to how they talked before, Big E’s own climb to the top. Cody has to finish the story, this is massive pressure. There won’t be a third chance, right? No, not at all. Big E got chills hearing Cody talk.

Big E thought back to where Cody was before he left, “languishing in the midcard,” and then left to come back with the fans behind him, to have this much support, this much live, and that fire in his belly. His time is now. Not next year, not even SummerSlam, he has to get it done now. Pat says yeah, that’s what we learned: Cody VS Roman at WrestleMania. Rollins is in the air, but where does The Rock stand? Roman VS Rock was big, but what happens with that? Punk isn’t sure what is official anymore. Is it JUST Roman VS Cody now or what? Pat wants Cole to tell us. Cole says Cody had his chance to choose, and he said Roman.

Punk points out Pat has a good point: Rock is on the board. Boss man put hands on his employee. Punk would be throwing hands back. Big E says there are two nights, though. What if we get both? Cole says that’s a good point, and this is all so up in the air. Pat says just look around. There’s a lot going on in Vegas, but a few THOUSAND people came in here to show how much then want to see Cody #FinishTheStory. This was the perfect presser! But he still can’t figure it out what happened! Cole says Pat better figure it out, they gotta talk about this in a couple nights on Monday Night Raw. Pat’s summary: Rock smacked Cody in the mouth, then chewed out Rollins.

Backstage interview with HHH.

Jackie is with The Game, can we get a comment on what is going on here? HHH says in moments like this, everyone goes into business for themselves. Hard to say what that was, but there’s a lot of tension, a lot of ego, and… The Bloodline passes by, glaring at HHH. Rock tells HHH to fix it. Cody can’t talk crap on the family like that. HHH says what The Rock did was out of line. That was not out of line, what Cody did was out of line. Either HHH fixes it or they will. The Rock says HHH is lucky HHH can’t wrestle anymore, then leads Roman & Heyman away. HHH says The Rock is the one who’s lucky.

Back to the panel!

Cole says how can HHH fix it when Cody made his choice? There’s no fixing! Punk says here it is: personal issues can be solved when men fight! Let ’em fight! If Rock’s mad about what Cody said, then he can punch Cody in the teeth! If Cody’s mad about what The Rock did to him, Cody can punch Rock in the teeth! That’s how you solve things in pro-wrestling! Big E seconds that! He wants to see the violence! Punk says since coming back, there are a lot of manbuns in the WWE and he doesn’t see any men attached to ’em! Punch people in the teeth! Cole says that’s fine, those guys can fight while he and Pat talk about it! Pat agrees there!

By the way, Pat hasn’t seen The Rock like that before! Is this where the new WWE is going? Cuz he loves it! Cole thanks us all for being here and tuning in, and we’re just 58 days away from WrestleMania! What will the fallout of this press event be on both Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night Raw?

My Thoughts:

WOW! Who knew a kayfabe press conference/press event could be this good? And y’know what? The Rock and Cody were putting on social media stuff about how we gotta trust them on where this is is going, and this proved we should have faith in them. Just as it seemed like they weren’t going to give us Cody VS Roman, they do this and scramble things up. Now, great stuff for Bianca, Rhea and Becky tonight to really heat up the Women’s World Championship scene, and while I do feel Bianca gets into the Chamber match, it’s clear Becky is gonna win. Bianca isn’t leaving SmackDown until Montez Ford is leaving SmackDown, that’s how couples in WWE work.

But man, the top title story was so good here. Rollins was hoping Cody would still choose him, but then they gave us this great new twist on why they were even teasing Roman VS Rock. I love that they were making this about family, but not even about which branch is superior, but that the entire family tree is going to run WWE one way or another. Maybe The Rock is the new Heel Authority Figure in HHH’s new WWE kayfabe, and that sounds like a lot of fun. And a tag team match was mentioned at the end, and HHH even mentioned a historic tag match at the original Mania. That could be night one before we get whatever match we get on night two, but who knows, and that’s the fun of it all, isn’t it?

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Up Next

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.8.2024

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Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/8/24)

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025

So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?

Published

15 hours ago

February 20, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.

This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!

No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025

Ratings:

Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4

Results:

Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.

Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin

Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.

Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.

It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.

After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.

Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.

This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.

.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025

Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary

Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!

After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.

Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.

NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC

I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.

Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.

JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.

Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.

The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.

The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.

Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore

Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.

Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.

Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.

Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons

Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.

We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.

Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!

Overall Score: 6/10

Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.

Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.

So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.

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Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (2/20/25)

Anillo de Honor!

Published

19 hours ago

February 20, 2025

Steven Mitchell

ROH brings the lucha libre!

On a night full of ROH & CMLL crossover, Komander defends the ROH World Television Championship against “Big Shotty” Lee Johnson!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Fuego Del Sol VS Wheeler Yuta; Yuta wins.
Rachael Ellering VS Abadon; Abadon wins.
12 Man Tag: The Premier Athletes & The Frat House VS Top Flight, The Outrunners & The Von Erichs; Top Flight, The Outrunners & The Von Erichs win.
Billie Starkz VS Hyan; Billie wins.
ROH World Television Championship: Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Lee Johnson w/ EJ Nduka; Komander wins and retains the title.
Gates of Agony VS Exodus Prime & Josiah Jean; Gates of Agony win.
Six Man Tag: Sammy Guevara, Fuego & Dark Panther VS Hechicero, Barbaro Cavernario & Soberano Jr; Hechicero, Barbaro & Soberano win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Fuego Del Sol VS Wheeler Yuta!

Lucha night opens with a hot start as the Fire of the Sun returns to ROH, but so does The Decoder! Will Fuego Del Sol get one up on a former ROH Pure Champion turned current AEW World Trios Champion? Or will Yuta do the Death Riders proud in Houston?

Houston cheers on the Texas star, and Fuego offers the Code of Honor. Yuta reaches out, but then SLAPS Fuego! The fans boo and the bell rings, Yuta slips around to CLUB Fuego down! Yuta mocks the fans cheering on Fuego, then scoops him for a SLAM and SENTON! The fans boo but Yuta brings Fuego up. FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO, but Yuta holds onto the leg! Yuta taunts Fuego, but Fuego kicks at him! Yuta lets go and the fans rally up. Yuta runs up, Fuego ELBOWS him away, then goes up, up and FLYING RANAS! The fans fire up as Fuego then DROPKICKS Yuta down!

Yuta staggers up, Fuego SLAPS him! But Yuta LARIATS in return! The fans boo but Yuta rains down fists! And then stops, to rain down more fists! The fans boo but Yuta soaks that up while he “kicks dirt” on Fuego. Yuta stands Fuego up, CHOPS him, then has him in a corner. Yuta CHOPS Fuego again, the fans boo, but Yuta whips corner to corner hard! Fuego staggers forward, Yuta says they ain’t done yet. Yuta whips Fuego to the corner again, then FLAPJACKS on the rebound! Yuta adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans boo but Yuta soaks up heat. Yuta hits a spinning toehold, then has a DEATHLOCK!

Fuego endures and Yuta mockingly asks if he’ll give up. Fuego refuses to give in, and he SLAPS Yuta! So Yuta bridges and puts on more pressure! Yuta shows off by not even using his hands, but Fuego fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Yuta lets go at 4, and he reminds the ref, “I have ’til five!” The fans boo Yuta parodying Bryan Danielson, then Yuta kicks Fuego around. Yuta eggs Fuego on, so Fuego ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And again, and again, and again! But Yuta gets under the big haymaker! Yuta back suplexes, but Fuego lands out! Fuego dodges Yuta to then springboard QUEBRADA! Down goes Yuta!

The fans fire up as Fuego kips up and SUPERKICKS! Yuta sputters, Fuego runs and STEP-UP DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans fire up again as Fuego climbs a corner! Yuta stands, Fuego MISSILE- NO, Yuta gets under and comes back, BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Yuta wins!

Winner: Wheeler Yuta, by pinfall

Another thing he took from The American Dragon is that big knee, and Yuta takes the victory. Yuta sits Fuego up, and thinks about Hammer ‘n’ Anvil elbows, but he decides not to. Because he gets an even more sadistic idea! Yuta looks under the ring, and he brings out a steel chain! Yuta threatens the ref, then he goes to Fuego! The fans boo but Yuta hooks Fuego’s legs up, then uses the chain to go up, up and away, ROMERO SPECIAL!! Yuta taunts Fuego but Fuego is coughing up blood! Yuta lets Fuego go, the fans boo, but Yuta mockingly gives the Code of Honor handshake. Yuta no longer has honor, but will someone find a way to humble him?

Rachael Ellering VS Abadon!

The Queen of Strong Smile is feeling good being in Houston, ready to bring that Comet energy. However, she’s up against the Living Dead Girl, who brings a very different vibe. Will Rachael learn why everyone fears Abadon? Or will Rachael’s smile see her through?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, but uh, Abadon doesn’t let go. Rachael tries to get free, and now it is a tug-o-war. The fans rally, Rachael reels Abadon into a headlock, but Abadon BITES Rachael’s hand! The ref reprimands, Abadon lets go, and Abadon doesn’t get what’s wrong. Abadon runs up on Rachael but Rachael gets around to waistlock. Abadon switches, but Rachael goes to ropes to buck the O’Conner! Rachael CLOBBERS Abadon, but Abadon sits up! The fans rally, Rachael is frustrated, and then runs up. Abadon gets around, trips Rachael, then runs to basement dropkick! Rachael flounders to a corner and the fans rally again.

Abadon aims from a corner, runs in at Rachael, but Racahel ELBOWS Abadon away! Abadon says nuh-uh, comes back, but runs into a BOOT! Rachael runs and UPPERCUTS Abadon down! The fans fire up and Rachael aims from a corner. Rachael calls for the “SQUISH~!” and runs up, SENTON onto knees! Abadon avoids disaster and stalks Rachael to the apron. Abadon CLUBS Rachael, pushes her onto the apron, and springboards for a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! The fans fire up and Abadon pushes Rachael into the ring. Abadon runs corner to corner for a METEORA! Abadon pushes Rachael to a cover, TWO!

Abadon is annoyed but brushes it off. Abadon drags Rachael up, but Rachael fights the suplex! Rachael wrenches out, trips Abadon, and high stacks, ONE!! Rachael ROCKS Abadon, then tries again. FISHERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up for the “MD Collapse” and Rachael aims again. SQUISH~ SENTON hits! Cover, TWO! Abadon survives and Rachael is a bit surprised. Rachael throws off the headband, double checks her teeth, and the fans duel. Rachael CHOPS Abadon at the ropes, then ROCKS Abadon with a forearm! Rachael whips but Abadon blocks! So Rachel CHOPS again! Rachael whips, Abadon grabs ropes, and laughs!

Rachael runs up, Abadon ELBOWS and CUTTERS! Then BLACK DAHLIA!! Cover, Abadon wins!

Winner: Abadon, by pinfall

Abadon continues to be terrifying, as well as victorious. Will the ROH Women’s Division, and especially the champions, have to watch their backs?

Backstage interview with Jacked Jameson.

Lexy Nair is with the former Iron Savage, and he’s counting his abs. She brings us back to a few weeks ago when he walked up to Griff Garrison, Preston Vance & Cole Karter in hopes of forming a group with them. Then in Jacksonville, Jameson actually interfered in their match on their behalf. The question is, what’s going on here? Jameson says those are his boys! His guys! His dudes! Jameson went out there, helped them, it was huge! It was awesome! Speaking of, the boys walk in! Vance tells Jameson that they’ve heard his offer, they loved what he did in Jacksonville, and tonight is a big match and… They’d love if he was a part of it.

So then, it’s official! They got him some Frat House gear! But first… he has to do something. Yeah, sure! Anything! Vance, Griff & Karter pour all of their drinks into one red Solo cup, and Jameson asks what’s in it. The boys say don’t worry about it. Jameson says don’t have to tell him twice. He chugs the concoction, and he is PUMPED! The Frat House is now four men strong, and Jameson says after tonight, party at the Frat House! Vance tells Jameson that one thing about them: win or lose, they booze! The Frat boys head out, Lexy can finally breathe from whatever was in that cup, and it’s time to see if Jameson passes the test!

12 Man Tag: The Premier Athletes & The Frat House VS Top Flight, The Outrunners & The Von Erichs!

Instead of “Smart” Mark Sterling, Tony Nese has the mic to tell Bobby Cruise to shut up, “no one wants to listen to your stupid voice.” Nese then tells the “fat boys and fat girls” of Houston, Nese & Daivari couldn’t think of a better partner for this match than an athlete that makes every single one of them put to shame! Yes, it’s SMART MARK himself! Wait, seriously? Sterling takes the mic to say that’s right, he is still here to make sure that the losers of Texas can take part in their winning cheer. So please, get this right. When he says, “Athletes,” you say, “Rule!” NOTHING ELSE! Hands in, boys. Ohhh…! “ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” Gottee!

But with that, Dante & Darius Martin enter, accompanied by Leila Grey. Then Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd enter, and last but not least, Texas’ own, Marshall & Ross Von Erich! The massive teams sort out, and Darius starts against Nese. The fans rally up and Darius circles with Nese. Nese says wait, wait! He knows what the fans are here to see. Nese flexes, but the fans boo. Nese shouts, “ATHLETES!” The fans respond, “SUCK!” Nese and Darius circle, but then Nese kicks low! Nese bumps Darius off buckles, then tags in Daivari. “We’ll show you who sucks!” Nese & Daivari fire hands in the corner while the fans boo.

The ref counts, The Premier Athletes stop, and they both shout, “ATHLETES!” Again, the fans say, “SUCK!” Daivari tags Griff and they mug Darius. Griff ROCKS Darius, has him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Darius goes up and over, rolls and arm-drags, then he DROPKICKS! The fans cheer, and Darius whips Griff into Dante’s BOOT! Tag to Dante, Darius CHOPS, Dante trips Griff, and Darius adds DOUBLE STMOPS! Griff scrambles, tag to Jameson, but Dante arm-drags Jameson! Dante keeps the armlock, he tags in Ross, and Ross wrenches to a wristlock. Ross YANKS the arm, then tags Marshall.

The Von Erichs double whip Jameson, then Marshall sends Ross in, FLYING BOOT! FLYING LARIAT and then Marshall snapmares Jameson for Ross’s PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT and Marshall covers, TWO! Marshall fires the fans up, then hauls Jameson up to headlock. Tag to Truth and he wrenches Jameson. The fans rally but Jameson fires hands! Jameson whips, Daivari gets a cheap shot in, but Truth DECKS Daivari! Only for Vance to CLOBBER Truth! The ref has to keep Truth’s team back, so he missed all that! Jameson stomps Truth, tags Vance, and Vance covers, TWO!

Vance ROCKS Truth, has him in the corner, then CHOPS! Tag to Daivari, he CHOPS Truth, then he tags Nese. The Premier Athletes mug Truth with haymaker after haymaker, but the ref is still too busy keeping Top Flight, Turbo & The Von Erichs back! Nese drags Truth up, and he tags in Sterling!? The fans boo but Sterling gets to throw hands on Truth! “ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” Sterling drags Truth back, anchors a leg, and tags in Vance. Vance stomps Truth, tags Jameson, and Jameson tags Griff. Vance puts Truth in a corner, Griff sends Jameson in to LARIAT! Vance adds a BOOT, and then Griff BOOTS Truth down! Cover, TWO!

Griff tags Vance back in, they mug Truth, and Vance keeps Truth from the corner. Vance suplexes, covers, TWO! Truth stays in this but Vance stays on him with a chinlock. Truth endures, the fans rally up, and Truth stands. Truth fires body shots, but Vance CLUBS him! Vance whips, Truth ducks ‘n’ dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down! The fans fire up again as Truth and Vance crawl. Truth pushes past Vance, but Leila has to get out of the way as The Premier Athletes & Frat House all run up! They all YANK Top Flight, Turbo & The Von Erichs off the apron, leaving Truth stranded! But at least Truth’s team fights back!

The fans fire up, but Truth turns around into a BOOT! Truth ends up on the apron, Vance runs up, and Vance SPEARS Truth onto the entire cluster! The fans fire up as Vance drags Truth into the ring. Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Truth stays in this. The teams regroup, Vance whips Truth to the corner, but Truth BOOTS back! Truth fires hands on everyone else, and then storms up, but Vance keeps him from his corner! Vance whips and catches Truth to a SLEEPER, but Truth hits a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Truth crawls! Leila coaches Truth, hot tag to Turbo! And to Sterling!? Sterling panics, he wants nothing to do with Turbo!

Jameson runs in, Turbo DECKS him! Griff runs in, Turbo DECKS him! Nese runs in, Turbo DECKS him! Daivari runs in, Turbo DECKS him! Turbo then scoops and SLAMS Nese! And he scoops and SLAMS Daivari! The fans fire up as Turbo ELBOWS Daivari in a corner, headlocks, BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO on The Premier Athletes! The fans are thunderous as Turbo flexes, but Sterling slithers in! Sterling CLUBS Turbo on the back, the fans boo, but Turbo just frowns and turns around. Sterling apologizes but Turbo grabs him by his shirt. Only for Jameson to get in and scoop SLAM Turbo! Jameson shouts, “Mark Sterling! You sonova b*tch!”

Jameson and Sterling look to parody the handshake, but Truth CLOBBERS Jameson! Sterling again apologizes, but Turbo stands back up! Sterling backs up into Turbo, panics, but Truth scoops Sterling! SLAM! The fans fire up as we get the real deal! Except Nese & Daivari get in! Wait, Marshall & Ross get them first, with DOUBLE IRON CLAWS! “Turbo Floyd! You sonova b*tch!” DOUBLE ELBOW DROP on Sterling! And then Sterling flounders up, into a scoop, but Griff & Vance get in! Top Flight DOUBLE SUPERKICK them back out! Truth runs, TOTAL RECALL!! Dante runs, Darius sets up, FLIGHT IN MOTION for Griff! Turbo covers Sterling, #TopVonRunners win!

Winners: Top Flight, The Outrunners & The Von Erichs, by pinfall

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and that includes this win as the super team everybody loves stands tall! But with The Von Erichs holding gold with Dustin Rhodes, will The Sons of Texas soon be everyone’s top priority?

MXM Collection speaks.

ROH Media found Mansoor & Mason Madden after their loss at ROH Global Wars: Australia, but they still had their remodeled ROH World Tag title belt. As such, they act triumphant and victorious because they “successfully defended” their ROH World Tag Team Championship. Because as you can see, they still have the belt! Shoutout to Dustin Rhodes, he is a great fellow tag team champion, he really tested MXM. But then they ran away with this here title, and there is nothing anyone can say about it! Fingertip touch and MXM heads out, but they do know possession is NOT nine-tenths of the law in ROH, right?

Billie Starkz VS Hyan!

As if tensions weren’t already high between these two, Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths is being belittled because she lost to Harley Cameron on the Jericho Cruise while The Fallen Goddess is still ROH Women’s World Champion after beating Alex Windsor in Australia. The Athena World Tour returns home to Texas, but will Billie make “Boss” proud? Or will even disappointment be bigger in Texas?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally up for Hyan. Billie is annoyed, the two tie up, and Billie wrenches to a wristlock. Hyan cartwheels, wrenches to a wristlock, but Billie rolls, rolls back, then trips Hyan. Billie flexes, the fans are torn, but then Billie throws Hyan down by her hair! Billie talks smack on Hyan, Hyan runs up, but Billie dodges to waistlock and shove. Billie then bypasses Hyan to sunset flip. Hyan rolls through, but Billie basement ENZIGIRIS! Billie then drags Hyan up to waistlock. Hyan fires elbows, runs to ropes, but Billie holds on! Billie CLUBS Hyan’s arms from the ropes, to STRAITJACKET GERMAN!

Billie scowls, then she stalks Hyan to the corner. Billie stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts. Billie tells him to back off! The fans boo, but Billie asks, “What do you want from me!?” Billie runs in, but Hyan dodges and Billie POSTS herself! The fans fire up, Hyan storms over, and Hyan brings Billie up to suplex high and hard! The fans fire up and Hyan feels that energy! Hyan runs to SPLASH in the corner! Hyan keeps moving, but Billie ELBOWS her away. And BOOTS her! Billie goes up, Hyan stops the boot, but not the rebound ENZIGIRI! Billie goes up top, leaps, but Hyan gets under! Hyan ELBOWS Billie, cravats to KNEE and KNEE SMASH!

Hyan hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Billie stays in this, it’s why she’s the inaugural ROH Women’s TV Champion. But she sits up into a CHOP! Hyan CHOPS again, and again, but Billie blocks! Billie scowls, and then she ROCKS Hyan again and again! Billie has Hyan in the corner, fires more shots, but the ref counts. Billie stops at 4, then backs up just to run up, HEEL KICK! Billie then puts Hyan up top, Electric Chair Lifts, and she tucks Hyan in for a DRIVER!! Cover, Billie wins!

Winner: Billie Starkz, by pinfall

Well, if Kenny Omega uses a One Winged Angel, was that a Two Winged Angel? The bottom line is Billie is back in the win column, but will she ever fight her way out from under Athena’s tyranny?

ROH World Television Championship: Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Lee Johnson w/ EJ Nduka!

After failing to finish the Proving Ground match in under ten minutes, the Commander of the Skies has owed Big Shotty this title shot. Will Komander get the job done now that there’s a thirty minute time limit? Or will Lee prove this is all too easy?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is really the star of ROH TV!

The Code of Honor is not upheld as Lee leaves Komander hanging. The bell rings, the fans rally for Komander, and the two circle. Lee chuckles, tells Houston to calm down and shut up, then he ties up with Komander. Lee arm-drags, but Komander holds on. They stand, Lee waistlocks, Komander switches, but Lee switches. They switch again and again, but then Lee headlocks. Komander headlocks, Lee slips out and hits a takeover. Komander headscissors, Lee kips free, and things speed up. Komander QUEBRADA but Lee dodges! Komander still headlocks for a takeover, Lee headscissors, and Komander kips free. The two stand off and the fans cheer.

Lee and Komander reset, circle again, and Lee mockingly applauds. Lee pie faces Komander and talks trash. Komander storms up but Lee pie faces him again! Lee goes for another, Komander blocks to CHOP, go up and up, but Lee yanks him down! Lee says Komander’s not gonna do lucha on him! But Komander CHOPS! And CHOPS! Komander goes up and up and jumps around, to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Lee tumbles out, EJ is there, but Komander builds speed! Komander rolls, slow-mo up and over to then RANA! EJ can’t believe it but the fans fire up! Komander puts Lee back in the ring, then he springboards, flying sunset flip! TWO!!

Lee escapes then bails out, and Komander keeps an eye on him. #LEE-J regroup and EJ coaches Lee up. Lee storms up to the apron, but Komander DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up, Komander builds speed, but EJ stands in the way! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Lee slides in and CLOBBERS Komander! The ref says this is EJ’s last warning, but Lee says Komander is nothing! Cover, TWO! Lee is frustrated and he drags Komander up. Lee bumps Komander off buckles, then brings him around to fire body shots. The fans rally, the ref counts, but Lee stomps away on Komander. Lee digs his boots in, but steps off at 4.

Lee storms back up on Komander, brings him around, and whips him corner to corner hard! Komander bounces off buckles, Lee shouts, “You’re NOTHING!” Lee covers, TWO! Lee is frustrated, but he rains down fists! The fans rally with “SI SE PUEDES!” Lee hammers away, then lets off to talk trash. Lee drags Komander up, TOSSES him to the outside, and EJ stays back. Lee taunts Houston, the ref watches EJ closely, but The Judge defends his own innocence. Lee goes out the side to fetch Komander, and he CLUBS Komander down! Lee puts Komander in the ring, drags him up, and snapmares for a chinlock.

The fans boo Lee while Komander endures, but Lee says Komander is still nothing! Abrahantes rallies the fans for Komander, and Komander fights up to his feet! Komander throws body shots, but Lee wrangles Komander back down! “This is your guy? This is too easy!” The fans boo, then they rally back up. Komander rises, fires body shots and forearms, and he CHOPS! The fans fire up with Komander as he fires even more shots! Komander runs up at the corner, but Lee puts him on the apron! Komander BLINDSIDE LARIATS Lee! Komander goes up, but Lee goes out! Komander hops down, Lee SUPERKICKS him!

Lee huffs ‘n’ puffs and reels Komander in! Canadian Rack, but Komander slips free! Komander scopos, Lee slips free, and Lee CLUBS Komander! The fans boo but Lee suplexes, but Komander lands inside! Komander catches Lee in the ropes and fires KNEE after KNEE! Komander UPPERCUTS, then ROCKS Lee, and he runs side to side! RANA-DRIVER!! A rough landing for both men, but the fans rally up even harder! Komander sits up, Lee follows, and both men stand. Komander fires forearms and CHOPS! And then another! Lee ducks the chop, back suplexes, but Komander lands out! KICK! KICK! BLINDSIDE SOBAT!

Komander runs, QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! Lee survives, the fans rally up, and Komander rises again. Komander has Lee in a drop zone and hurries to the corner! Houston fires up as Komander climbs, but Lee rolls to the far side. Komander hops down, runs up, then goes up the corner to RA- NO! Lee stops Komander, runs for a corner, but Komander RANAS Lee into buckles! Komander mule kicks, SUPERKICKS, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Lee shouts, “I am not playing with this guy!” Lee hauls Komander up, reels him in, and lifts, but Komander SPINNING POISON-RANAS!!! Cover, TWO!!!

Lee survives and Komander is stunned! Houston rallies behind him again and Komander rises back up. Komander hurries to the corner and back up top! Lee sputters, but he manages to trip Komander up! Lee rises up, he fires hands on Komander, but Komander fires body shots! Komander SHOVES Lee, Lee backflips through! Lee comes right back! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! And he rolls through, to the outside? BRAINBUSTER to the floor!! EJ is fired up and the fans lose their minds! The ref checks both men, and somehow they’re both okay to continue. Lee and Komander stir while the ring count begins.

Both men are down at 5 of 20, then 8. Lee staggers up at 9, and he grabs Komander’s leg to SLAM it against the LED barrier again and again! Then he KICKS the leg! The ref reprimands, finish this in the ring! Wait, EJ has the title belt! The ref spots that, tells EJ to back off, but then Abrahantes snatches the belt from EJ! The fans cheer, EJ storms upon Abrahantes, but Lee puts Komander in the ring. Lee snarls while Komander unties his boot. Komander is getting pressure off the bad ankle, but Lee has him by the other leg. Komander ENZIGIRIS, but that was the bad foot! Komander writhes, but Abrahantes helps with the boot.

Lee hurries to stomp away on Komander’s legs! Lee punches away on the foot, YANKS the boot off, and EJ grabs it to mockingly show it off! Lee stomps away on the ankle more, then he goes up! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives but Lee hauls him right up! AOI SHODOU!! Cover, TWO!?! Komander survives and #LEE-J doesn’t understand! The fans rally as hard as they can for Komander as he crawls to a corner. Lee hauls Komander up to the top rope, climbs up after him, but Komander fires body shots! Komander SHOVES Lee down, and Lee is in the drop zone! Komander rises up, but EJ drags Lee to safety!

The fans boo, but Komander says bet! SUPER CROSSBODY! Komander takes down LEE-J, grabs his boot back, and he throws the boot at EJ! The fans are thunderous and Komander drags Lee up. Komander puts Lee in, hurries back up the corner, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Komander tightrope walks, and CIELITO LINDO!! Cover, KOMANDER WINS!

Winner: Komander, by pinfall (still ROH World Television Champion)

Even with all that damage done by Big Shotty, Komander shows the grit of a champion and pulls out the victory! Will he still find ways to win, no matter the odds?

Red Velvet speaks.

When it comes to her by-any-means-necessary way of winning, The Chef knows we all want to know “Why? Why? I have been on a roll lately. The hottest of my career. Why? Why? I’m starting to get real tired of the same questions. Why? I’m just getting started.” When and where will Red Velvet serve up another L fresh from the kitchen?

Six Man Tag: Sammy Guevara, Fuego & Dark Panther VS Hechicero, Barbaro Cavernario & Soberano Jr!

Lucha night comes to an end with a huge crossover between ROH and CMLL! And it will be lucha rules! That means if the legal man falls out of the ring, someone can jump in and take their place! Will the Spanish God be able to help The Flame of Mexico and El Latigo Lagunero win big in Texas? Or will the Alchemist, El Australopithecus Apestosus y The Luxury of Lucha prove they are primero del mundo?

Wait, MXM appears on stage to taunt Sammy with his ROH World Tag Team title belt. Sammy ignores them while the trios sort out. But then Hechicero DROPKICKS Sammy out! Panther CLOBBERS Hechi, Barbaro BOOTS Hechi, but Fuego DROPKICKS Barbaro! Soberano runs up but Fuego goes Matrix! Fuego bridges, then stands back up to dance! Fuego and Soberano RAM shoulders, go again, and then Fuego runs. Soberano follows, pops Fuego up and over, but Fuego ARM-DRAGS Soberano! Barbaro y Hechi run in, Fuego dodges them to then handspring and DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up, Panther & Sammy join in!

The trio builds speed, but Hechi’s team CLOBBERS them all! Hechi stomps Sammy, Soberano stomps Panther and Barbaro stomps Fuego. Fuego and Panther fall out so Soberano is the legal man. Hechi CHOKES Sammy, Soberano BITES Sammy’s foot! The fans rally and duel, and Hechi drags Sammy around. Hechi puts Sammy’s leg through the ropes, Soberano CHOKES Sammy while Hechi pulls on the leg, and Barbaro stands on the other leg! The ref reprimands and counts, Hechi YANKS the leg as he lets off, and Soberano looms over Sammy. Soberano y Barbaro taunt Sammy’s team by holding Sammy’s arms out to them.

Soberano y Barbaro double wrench then DOUBLE KICK! Hechi drags Sammy up to rain fists! The ref counts, Hechi lets off, and Soberano stomps Sammy in the corner. The fans boo but Soberano drags Sammy up to GAMANGIRI! Sammy drops down, Soberano hooks his arms and digs a knee into Sammy’s back. Sammy endures, even as Hechi taunts him. The fans rally, Sammy fights up, but Hechi blocks the kick so he and Soberano can mug Sammy! They have Sammy on the ropes and hold his legs open! Barbaro runs up and KICKS the hamstring! MXM laugh while the fans are torn. Barbaro taunts Fuego, then BLASTS him and Panther!

Hechi twists Sammy’s arm, stands him up to wrench, and Soberano wrenches the other arm. They lift Sammy up, Barbaro runs, PENDULUM BOMB! Then TRIPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Sammy bails out, Panther is there to help him, and Fuego slides in. But Barbaro BOOTS him down! Barbaro y Soberano mug Fuego, whip him to the corner, then Soberano LARIATS! Barbaro LARIATS, then Hechi STEP-UP KNEES Fuego! Fuego falls, MXM is amused, and Hechi hooks Fuego up! Soberano y Babaro grab the arms, and they help Hechi get Fuego up! It’s a MEXICAN SURFBOARD, but then Soberano gets a boost from Barbaro, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!!

The fans fire up and Soberano covers, ONE because Soberano lets off?! Soberano seems to be demanding more respect from the ref, but then Fuego bails out and Panther storms in! Soberano stops Panther in his tracks by kneeling and offering a handshake. Panther kicks, Soberano blocks it, and Barbaro KICKS Panther’s leg! Barbaro DECKS Panther, Hechi brings Panther back up, and they double whip. Double drop toehold and now Hechi hooks Panther up! We now get a ROMERO SPECIAL, and then Soberano y Barbaro run, DOUBLE BULLDOG!! Hechi and team soak up the cheers and jeers from Houston!

Barbaro drags Panther up, DECKS him again, then they all soak up the heat. Hechi fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then fast hands! Hechi DECKS Panther, then puts him in a corner. Soberano DROPKICKS Panther down, then he and Barbaro double whip corner to corner. Hechi sends Soberano in but Panther dodges! Panther dodges Hechi, scoops Barbaro for a BACKBREAKER, then scoops Hechi for a BACKBREAKER! Soberano gets a BACKBREAKER! Panther BLASTS Barbaro out, then DIVES into him! The fans fire up, MXM likes what they see, and it’s Sammy that steps in!

Hechi storms in after him, the fans rally and duel, and things speed up! Sammy sidesteps, hurdles, backflips over, and he DROPKICKS Hechi down! Sammy kips up so smooth and he takes a bow. Soberano runs up but Sammy DUMPS him out! Sammy hurries to PLANCHA onto Hechi! The fans fire up with Sammy, he slides back in and builds speed, to FLY onto Soberano! The fans fire up with Sammy, MXM gets upset and even storm a few feet closer to ringside. Barbaro is in, he wrenches and hammerlocks Sammy, lifts and suplexes! Barbaro stomps away, then does his caveman dance. Fans join in, Barbaro runs, IMPLODER SPLASH! Cover, Fuego breaks it!

Sammy bails out, Fuego CHOPS Barbaro, then he whips. Barbaro reverses but Fuego BOOTS him! Barbaro does the worm!? Barbaro runs up, but Fuego goes up and over to stack! Hechi BOOTS Fuego! Barbaro bails out, Hechi whips, but Fuego reverses and RANAS! Hechi handsprings through! He then wrenches and shoves Fuego, then runs up, and he YANKS Fuego’s hurdle out of the air! Fuego bails out, Panther runs in, but Hechi avoids the dropkick! But then Panther avoids the senton! Panther rallies the fans, runs to RAM Hechi, then runs again. Hechi follows, but Panther hits a Tiger Feint to dodge, and Hechi’s dropkick goes flying out to the floor!

Panther hurries to a corner and then runs, FLYING RANA! Hechi flounders away, and Panther hurries back in. Soberano runs up, Panther puts him on the apron, but Soberano GAMANGIRIS! Soberano fires up, the fans are torn, and Soberano goes up top for a TORNILLO CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Panther survives that wild 1080, but then Soberano dodges Panther! Panther ends up stuck in ropes, Soberano LIONSAULTS but misses as Panther slips out! Panther takes aim, but Barbaro uses Soberano for POETRY IN MOTION! Down goes Panther and the fans fire up! Soberano builds speed and he FOSBURY FLOPS to then inverted suplex!

Soberano SLAMS Panther down, Barbaro is up top! SUPER DUPER SPLASH to the floor!! MXM is fired up, and then Fuego QUEBRADAS Soberano! Fuego slides, in does a dance, and then FLIES onto Barbaro! Hechi is in, but so is Sammy! The fans fire up and Hechi roars! Sammy runs up, but into a single leg takedown! Hechi stands Sammy up to whip, but Sammy reverses. Hechi ducks the hurdle, but Sammy JUMP KNEES him down! The fans fire up and Sammy whips corner to corner. Hechi reverses, runs up, and STEP-UP KNEES! The fans fire up and Hechi rolls back, summons the power of lucha, but Sammy SUPERKICKS him!

Sammy runs to JUMP KNEE again! Hechi flounders, Sammy torture racks him! But Mason gets on the apron! The ref tells him to hop down, but Mansoor slithers in, and he BELT SHOTS Sammy!! The fans boo, Sammy flops out of the ring, but Fuego steps up! Fuego runs, slips through a tilt-o-whirl, but Hechi victory rolls, only to stand up and INVERTED MONKEY FLIP Fuego into a LEG SCISSOR NELSON! But that’s not all, Hechi makes it a ROLLING CRADLE! They go around and around and around, into the cover! Team Hechi wins!!

Winners: Hechicero, Barbaro Cavernario & Soberano Jr, by pinfall

Give an assist to MXM as they celebrate their part to play in this victory. They even get Hechicero to touch fingertips with him! But then they aim at Sammy! Only for Fuego y Panther to get back in! MXM flips the belt around to swing on them! Fuego y Panther dodge, and they DOUBLE DROPKICK MXM out! The fans cheer, but Sammy, Fuego & Panther grab Mansoor! Mansoor says save yourself! He lets the belt go, Sammy has Mansoor in the torture rack! GO TO HOSPITAL!! Mason shouts, “NOOO~!” but he keeps the title belt away from Sammy. Will Sammy & Dustin just have to take the fight to MXM to get their stolen property back?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH clocking in at an hour and 21 minutes, it feels like they’ve almost got this mastered for a good cable TV runtime. Though at the same time, we still had filler in Gates of Agony squashing Exodus & Josiah, and then both women’s matches were fairly quick. Billie squashing Hyan was in part to serve story as we did see Athena tell Billie to take things seriously, and then Billie takes her frustrations out on Hyan. Rachael VS Abadon could’ve been a little longer to build them both up in the standings, but Abadon winning makes sense as Abadon’s gotten closer to titles than Rachael has. And good promo from Velvet, but I’m not sure why we’re waiting so long to get to her and Leyla’s rematch.

Additionally, while that 12 Man Tag was some fun, just smashing together multiple teams for that was bordering on filler. Good to see The Von Erichs back given ROH was in Texas. And between The Von Erichs being in Texas and Sterling being introduced as one of the competitors, it was a given The Von Erichs and their team would win. Though it did work that The Outrunners got the finish, they’re the team riding high right now. I will say it’s good that “The Frat House” is a faction, but like, can’t the name have just be The Fraternity? Or like, Greek letters that make a fraternity name, but also is a funny pun when you boil it down to letters.

But of course, great stuff throughout the night involving luchadores. Fuego Del Sol VS Yuta was a very good opening match, but I figured Yuta would win that. Him going the extra mile with that steel chain was rather vicious, I feel like Fuego should want payback, teaming with some other AEW wrestlers who have beef with the Death Riders. Komander VS Lee was a very good ROH TV Championship match, but given this wasn’t the main event, I figured Komander would retain. Maybe EJ gets his shot next?

And then a very good Six Man main event. The lucha rules made it constant motion because there was no need for tags, and apparently the ref didn’t need to count when Hechi’s team was in there together. MXM getting involved makes sense, as they’re still not happy just possessing the tag title. They screwed Sammy over, Hechi’s team wins, but then Sammy’s side stands tall over MXM. I would think we do get Sons of Texas VS MXM one more time, who knows how that goes, but it’ll be a lot of fun either way.