Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/25/24)
LOOK IN MY EYES~!
What do you see~? CM Punk on your TV!
With Monday Night Raw coming to Chicago, it was only natural that CM Punk would be here! What will he have to say this close to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ricochet VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Ricochet wins.
- Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile; Candice wins.
- The New Day VS #DIY; No Contest.
- Andrade VS Giovanni Vinci; Andrade wins.
- Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins.
- Jey Uso VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Jey wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
Chicago fires up for the American Nightmare and sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets both rounds of pyro, then steps into the ring. The fans cheer in him and he revels in it a moment before saying, “So, Chicago…! What do you wanna talk about? I mean, I could say nothing. You get it, right? We’re in that final, awkward two weeks before WrestleMania where the time for talk is really over, the time for action has arisen, the wagon is in the barn. Last week on SmackDown, well even before SmackDown, in his media rounds, Roman Reigns…” The fans boo here. “Roman Reigns said a lot, particularly on my friend, Pat McAfee’s show. Let’s hear it for Pat.” The fans cheer here.
Cody says there’s 15 THOUSAND here, let’s hear it for Pat! The fans cheer more, and Cody has them dial it back, it’s just Pat. What about Michael Cole? The fans cheer for Cole, and Cody says see, that awkward two weeks. There are people freaking out backstage, Cody isn’t sure where they’re going with this. Oh, right, Roman Reigns. The fans boo again. Cody says yes, Roman Reigns, he referred to Cody as a politician. The fans chant “Roman Sucks! Roman Sucks!” Cody continues by saying Roman would double down in their face-to-face and say Cody’s been making promises he cannot keep, and that got under Cody’s skin.
The reason being: this city more than any other that when Cody makes a promise, he absolutely, 100% keeps it! The fans are all in on that! Cody says there was a unique ask. A man last night used a sign to ask Cody if he’d be the best man and the guy’s wedding. So explain that to Cody’s wife: Cody is going to this guy, Anthony’s wedding, and paying for the bachelor party. Honey, who is Anthony? No idea. But he’s still doing it! A little boy named Hudson is having a birthday party, asked if The American Nightmare would be there, and Cody said absolutely!
The Wrestling Club, men and women just wanting to attend WrestleMania, both nights. Cody says this and asks for nothing in return. The reason Cody does what he does is lost on Roman Reigns. Roman thinks it is desperation. Maybe it should be, as this is Cody’s final crack at the Universal Championship. But it isn’t desperation. Cody dresses how he dresses, talks how he talks, walks how he walks and spends all this time for a simple reason. He pretends to be the champion because the champion isn’t here! The fans fire up and chant for Cody again.
Cody says he has filled the air, filled the ring with positive platitudes. He clearly respects The Tribal Chief. But make no mistake, Cody is fully aware that Roman Reigns is the man who screwed Cody out of the biggest dream he’s ever had in his life last year at WrestleMania. So while Cody respects Roman, please understand that he also hates Roman’s guts! And it is totally fine if Roman hates Cody, too. It is Cody’s fault that Roman and his cousin can’t have this “wank fest” they were hoping to have at Mania. And it is pretty simple: It is Cody’s fault because he won the Royal Rumble! Not once, but twice!
Now, everyone knows the winner of the Rumble points at the sign. And if Cody has learned anything, pointing at that sign, WrestleMania 39 and now WrestleMania 40, Cody cannot do it alone. He said he’d ask for nothing back but this time, he is. April 6th, the biggest tag match in WWE history, Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins VS Roman Reigns & The Rock, will you, the fans, ride with him? The fans cheer yes! Cody says on April 7th, hopefully what will be a fair fight with Roman Reigns, will the fans fight with him? The fans cheer yes again! Then how about we have a little moment here with 15 thousand strong.
If Cody is going to point at the WrestleMania sign, please point along with him. Cody looks around and asks if they’re ready. The fans cheer, and Cody points. Everyone points with him! And pointing at the sign means just what Cody said: WrestleMania 40, two main events, defeating The Final Boss, defeating- WAIT! The Rock is here tonight!? The Final Boss promised he’d be here on April 1st but maybe that was the prank all along! Chicago can’t believe it, but The Rock, in another Versace vest, goes right to the ring. The Rock hits his pose on the corner, then steps inside. The Rock walks past Cody to pose on another corner.
The Rock then paces around Cody, and the fans are torn between cheers and jeers. The Rock stares Cody down, the fans start losing their minds, and then they calm down as the stare down continues. “This is Awesome!” as The Rock and Cody continue to stand still. The Rock finally steps forward, and now Chicago chants for “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” The Rock then holds his hands out to his side, showing that he comes in peace. He even puts his hands behind his back before stepping closer. The stare down intensifies and The Rock says something without a mic. Fans want to know what he said, but then The Rock steps away.
Cody seems confused, and then The Rock exits the ring. Fans boo, hoping there was more to this surprise than just the surprise. Cody’s confusion shifts to frustration but The Rock just goes up the ramp to take his leave. The fans chant “ROCKY SUCKS! ROCKY SUCKS!” but The Rock just smirks and chuckles. The Final Boss exits to the back, but just what was this visit about?
Backstage interview with The Rock.
Jackie Redmond waves him down and asks what we all want to know: What exactly did he just say to Cody out there? The Rock says to go ask Cody. The Rock continues making his exit, will we be able to get an answer out of Cody?
The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Priest is throwing darts with Finn while Rhea & Dom talk. Rhea gets it, Dom has unfinished business with his dad, but he could’ve told them his plan. Rhea would’ve loved to join in. Plus, communication is key. Dom says Mami’s right, sorry. Won’t happen again. Priest says cool, and now to the business at hand tonight. JD, you better handle Ricochet like they know he can. Finn is sick and tired of JD & Dom being made to look like fools against that clown! Priest has Finn calm down, and they trust JD will take care of things. Priest also has a plan for how the odds can be in their favor at WrestleMania. Finn loves it!
JD says no worries, he’s got Ricochet’s number tonight. Rhea says just win. Please? Dom assures Rhea that he will make sure things go their way. Good. They all fist bump and the boys head out.
Ricochet VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
The One and Only is currently 2-0 with Judgment Day, having beat The Prodigal Son 1v1 then beating the Necessary Evil at the start of the Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet. Will it be a hattrick for the human highlight reel? Or will the King of Flight fail to trump the Irish Ace?
The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Ricochet puts JD on ropes but JD turns things around. The ref counts, separates the two, and the fans chant “DOM, YOU SUCK!” Ricochet gets distracted by Dom and JD sucker punches him! JD brings Ricochet up to whip, then he ELBOWS Ricochet down! Dom cheers, the fans boo, and JD lifts Ricochet up. JD back suplexes but Ricochet lands on his feet! Ricochet rolls off JD’s back, rolls under then handsprings back to headscissor! Kip up and DROPKICK!
JD tumbles outside, Ricochet builds speed, but he fakes JD out with the handspring! Then he FLIES the other way! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Ricochet is feeling it as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and JD has Ricochet in a corner. JD RAMS into Ricochet, stands him up, and the fans rally for Ricochet as JD CHOPS! Ricochet fires forearms in return! Ricochet runs, but JD kitchen sink knees! The fans boo but JD clamps on a rear bearhug! Ricochet endures the squeeze, throws elbows, then reaches out, tot he ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, JD holds on, but Ricochet fires elbows! JD lets go, Ricochet swings, but into an URENAGE! STANDING MOONSAULT FLOPS as Ricochet moves! The fans fire up and Ricochet dodges a haymaker to handspring and BACK ELBOW! Both men are down but Chicago rallies up!
JD goes to ropes, Ricochet stands, and JD swings! Ricochet blocks, fires shots in return then a JUMP KNEE! JD goes to a corner, Ricochet runs corner to corner, but JD puts him on the apron! Ricochet RAMS into JD, springboards and FLYING LARIATS! The fans fire up for the STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this, but Ricochet stays cool. Ricochet waits on JD to rise, the fans rally behind him, and JD stands. Ricochet fireman’s carries, pop-up, but JD blocks the kick! JD stands Ricochet up but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS then ENZIGIRIS! Ricochet runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!
JD hurries to suplex, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and Dom is beside himself! JD goes to ropes, Dom coaches him up, but the fans rally for Ricochet. JD storms back up on Ricochet, drags him up, and puts him in a corner. JD puts Ricochet up top, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! JD climbs up after Ricochet now, but Ricochet fights the clinch! Ricochet CLUBS JD again and again, then adjusts his position. SUPER POISON-RANA!! Ricochet fired up, he runs in, RECOIL!! Cover, Dom helps with the ropebreak!! The fans boo as Dom saves JD! Ricochet is mad at Dom but Dom gets away.
Ricochet hurries to springboard and 450 onto knees!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and the fans are thunderous as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Ricochet trades forearms with JD. Ricochet BOOTS JD, but JD ducks the heel kick to DISCUS LARIAT! JD reels Ricochet in to SITOUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Ricochet stays in this! JD is beside himself, but Dom coaches him back up. JD has an arm, but Ricochet ROCKS JD first! JD kicks Ricochet, Ricochet fires SLAP after SLAP, but JD fires Kawada Kicks! Ripcord, but DESTROYER!! Ricochet turns things around on JD and he hurries up a corner! The fans are thunderous ag Ricochet climbs! Dom panics, he gets on the apron! The ref tells him to stop!
The fans boo, but Dom SLAPS the ropes to trip Ricochet! The ref says that was blatant, so he EJECTS Dom! The fans fire up as Dom gets what he deserves! JD panics now, but he hurries to go after Ricochet! But Ricochet shoves him back down! SHOOTING STAR CROSSBODY!!! Cover, Ricochet wins!!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
Dom tried to screw Ricochet over but he just gave Ricochet the highlight of the night! Now that he’s 3-0, does The One and Only just have Judgment Day’s number?
CM Punk is here!
Chicago’s own gets a warm welcome as he steps out on stage in the Allstate Arena. His arm is in a brace, but he’s still able to check and say, “It’s Clobbering Time!” Punk also high fives and shakes hands on his way down the ramp and around the ring. Punk gets a mic then stands on top of the desk! The fans cheer, then Punk hops down to get in the ring. “Oh, I gotta lot of things I wanna say and a lot of business I gotta get to, but before that, is it good to be alive in Chicago on a Monday night or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk continues by saying everyone is asking Punk if he’s gonna be at WrestleMania. The short answer is: YES!
Punk says everyone is asking how his elbow is doing. Not great, not 100%. Not medically cleared, but dammit, his mouth works. We’re not on Netflix yet, April knows what he’s talking about. But not only are people asking if he’ll be at Mania, but people have suggestions. Is he gonna host it? Who knows. Ten years ago, he would’ve thought hosting Mania was beneath him. But he wants to be in front of the fans, he wishes Mania was in Chicago. Hint hint. But people say Punk’s great in the ring, on the mic, at commentary, why not be a referee? He thought, “Hmm… Is there a title match that maybe needs the ‘most impartial’ referee?” Who knows.
But is seems people also talk about him. A lot of people talk about him. Even if they hate him, they certainly need to talk about him. Pat McAfee! You got a little program, right? Punk apologizes for not being a regular listener, but he had a guest on that show by the name of Roman Reigns. Fans boo Roman again, as they did earlier. Punk sat back and thought why did Roman need to bring little ol’ one-armed Punk up? Roman earned that right, Punk respects him for it. But Punk has a feeling that him coming back and climbing his way up, while Roman’s on the way back down, they’ll see each other soon.
Another guy that likes to talk about Punk is Seth Rollins. Fans are torn here but Punk says they go way back. They don’t see eye to eye, mostly because Rollins wears high heels now and has somehow found a way to make himself taller than Punk. But LOL’ing that Punk hurt his arm paying the price of being a pro-wrestler since he was 15 years old, maybe Rollins has earned that right. Though coming from someone with two bad knees, that’s funny. Someone who has NOT talked about Punk, not a word, is The Rock. Maybe because 10 years ago, The Rock remembers coming face to face with The Second City Saint, and realizing his arms were just too short to box with God!
The fans fire up remembering back to those days. Punk says, “Then there’s Drew McIntyre.” Punk hasn’t said a word, because he doesn’t perpetually live on the internet. Punk handles business live and in living color! Because when you’ve got a problem in Chicago, you handle it face to face like a man! Well speak of the Scottish Terminator, and here he comes! Punk tells them to turn off that stupid song off, no one wants to listen to it! The fans cheer that! Punk says he ain’t medically cleared but he ain’t looking for a match, so McIntyre should get his b*tch ass in here! Fans chant “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” for that one.
McIntyre says he would love to get into that ring and beat Punk’s arse, but doesn’t he remember what happened the last time? McIntyre stomped that stupid little arm because Punk deserved it. McIntyre prayed for this, and it happened. Punk asks if McIntyre is really the Scottish Psychopath in a kilt, or just a troll in a skirt? Let’s find out! McIntyre says this is 2024, you could get canceled for talking like that. But no, tonight is perfect. McIntyre couldn’t have prayed for better. Punk is in the ring, hurt, we’re less than two weeks to Mania, we’re in Chicago, McIntyre is in the World Heavyweight Championship match. This is divine intervention!
McIntyre realizes he’s wearing the shirt, this was bad manners. McIntyre shows off that first on the checklist that’s on the back is “Injure CM Punk.” Punk tells McIntyre that he never had to put another man’s name on a shirt just to sell it! McIntyre takes off that shirt to show off his other shirt, the tombstone meme. McIntyre says that was a struggle because of his big biceps, something else Punk’s never had. McIntyre then gets on the desk so everyone can see him. McIntyre the most ironic thing about this: Punk is straight edge. Never drinking, never doing drugs, yet he spends all his time in rehab.
McIntyre sees in Punk’s eyes that he doesn’t like McIntyre. And Punk thinks McIntyre hates Punk like Rollins does. Maybe at one time, McIntyre did hate Punk. And maybe those issues do need resolving. But right now, McIntyre doesn’t hate Punk. Punk completes him! Punk says boo this man, tell him who you paid to see. But McIntyre says no, when he can’t get that last rep using weights Punk could never manage in his prime, that weight magically goes up. In the Elimination Chamber, when McIntyre was the first man up, 30 minutes in, burst eardrum, equilibrium shot, couldn’t possible win, McIntyre thins of Punk and he gets the job done! Punk is his muse!
Punk says he can’t hear a word McIntyre’s saying from way over there. Maybe get in this ring and say it right into Punk’s good ear. C’mon, coward! McIntyre says he’d love to get into the ring, but he knows what Chicagoans are like! Punk probably has a weapon to shank McIntyre with before Mania! Punk rests on the mat, but then McIntyre sits cross-legged. Don’t look up the kilt, pervs. But c’mon, Punk, listen to McIntyre. McIntyre knows Punk wants to be at Mania, so does McIntyre. McIntyre wants Punk to be in the front row. Punk honestly believes he should be in McIntyre’s spot, but he shouldn’t.
People are starting to realize what McIntyre has known all along, and that is that McIntyre has always been The Chosen One! Chosen One?! Who chose you!? Who?! What was that guy’s name?! You got the balls to say that? Then what paragon of virtue chose McIntyre back in the day? It ain’t anyone in Chicago! It ain’t anyone in San Antonio, when they went off the air chanting “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” McIntyre says yes, please, get it all in while you can. Punk’s still gonna be out for months anyway! McIntyre’s all excited, he feels like a fan right now.
But maybe, since McIntyre is on commentary, if Punk wants to be part of the show, and he’s only good at talking, Punk could be guest commentator for the World Heavyweight Championship! Then he’d have to watch as McIntyre finally has his moment when he raises the world title in front of live fans! But wait, here comes THE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins! The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins struts his way down to ringside. Rollins steps into the ring with Punk, looks him up and down, then gets a mic for himself. The fans continue to sing as Rollins also looks at McIntyre.
Rollins turns around to stare Punk down, the singing giving way to “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” Rollins then tells Chicago, “Welcome to Monday… Night… Rollins! And now that we’ve firmly established whose show this is, whose show this has been, and whose show this is going to be…” The fans continue to chant “CM PUNK!” “If you two children…” Punk says this may be Rollins’ show but this is HIS city. Rollins says yes, this may be an away game for him, but if Punk and McIntyre are done trying to out troll each other, let’s get to business.
If these morons had even one brain cell between the two of them, they’d know they don’t make decisions in regard to the world title match when you’re NOT in it! Rollins then says since they wanna take everyone’s opinion’s into account aside from the champ’s, why not take a poll of the entire city of Chicago? So, WrestleMania 40, Drew McIntyre VS Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, should Punk be on commentary? Chicago starts chanting “REFEREE! REFEREE!” Punk smiles at that. But Rollins says if you don’t know, the bad arm is his counting arm. Punk then gets down and uses his left arm to count three!
The fans cheer, and Punk says in all fairness, he probably wouldn’t be able to be fair “with these two dip*hits” anyway. McIntyre says keep it PG, Punk. Rollins is amused and the fans continue to chant for Punk. Rollins says you wanna know what he thinks? Nope. Oh, well, that’s ironic. Because Rollins doesn’t think about Punk. In fact, Punk hasn’t crossed Rollins’ mind since the last time they were in this ring together. Rollins doesn’t give a damn about Punk. If Punk wants to be on commentary, a referee, it doesn’t matter! But the irony is, Punk talks about everyone needing him, but the fact is… Punk needs Rollins to have a WrestleMania moment.
Commentary is great to Rollins, as the irony of Punk narrating Rollins’ finest hour is not lost on Rollins. And truthfully, the way things are going for Punk, that’s about as close to a world title as Punk’s gonna get again. So look, Punk can do whatever he wants at Mania, but the one thing Rollins needs him to know and to do… is stay out of Rollins’ way. Punk nods and says okay, it is decided. Punk will put some cans on, sit with Michael Cole and the Cole Miners, and even Pat, do some commentary.
And Punk will guarantee, he will do something that McIntyre, with the lipstick on his boots, polish in his beard and that stupid sword, and something that Rollins, with his bellbottoms, his world title, his wife, and Punk’s ten year absence could never do: Make these two interesting! Now hit the music! Cult of Personality plays, Punk takes his exit, but McIntyre says no, Punk doesn’t get the last word! He’s not even in the match! McIntyre says the only thing he is obsessed with is the title! Punk is obsessed with McIntyre because McIntyre is living the dream! Punk is McIntyre’s biggest stan, write him back just to chill. Truly yours, This is Phil.
Rollins SUPERKICKS McIntyre! The fans fire up, and Rollins runs up, to CURB STOMP!! McIntyre may have had the last word, but Rollins is the one who sends a message! If Punk is going to be on commentary, will he have to eat his words when The Visionary makes it through Mania? Or will he have to eat his words when the Scottish Terminator stands tall?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“Jey Uso gets to go to WrestleMania XL to have his dream match against his brother. It’s unfair. Why? Why does Jey’s dream get to come true? What about Shinsuke Nakamura’s Dream? Tonight, Nakamura is going to turn Jey’s dream into a nightmare!” The King of Strong Style wants to ruin the Road to WrestleMania, but will nothing stop Uso VS Uso from happening?
Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile!
The Poison Pixie has been getting more and more toxic, and the Diamond Pitbull isn’t standing for it anymore! Will Ivy get back at Candice for how she treated Maxxine Dupri? Or will Candice find a way to get through this tiny titan?
The bell rings, the two rush in, and Ivy hits a SPINEBUSTER! Ivy rains down fists on Candice, then runs up to run Candice over! Candice goes to a corner but Ivy runs up to DROPKICK! Ivy then brings Candice around, suplexes, and she holds Candice up! The fans fire up and Candice tries to get free, but Ivy SLAMS her down first! Cover, TWO! Candice flounders to ropes, Ivy runs up, but Candice drop toeholds her onto ropes! Candice dropkicks Ivy to the floor, wants the ring count, but also wants Indi to get involved. Candice distracts the ref, and Indi hesitates. Ivy gets int he ring but Candice hammers away on her!
Candice TOSSES Ivy back out, again distracts the ref, and again wants Indi to get toxic with her! But Maxxine gets on the apron tot ell Candice to stop that. Candice BLASTS Maxxine, then she fakes a knee injury! She blames Maxxine for it! The ref is distracted again, this is Indi’s third chance, but she doesn’t do anything. Ivy runs up but the ref holds her back! Candice then trips Ivy, high stack with feet on the ropes! Candice wins!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
Another win by bending the rules of decency, and Candice celebrates all the way up the ramp! Indi has no idea what to make of this, is Candice losing her way?
The New Day talks with #DIY backstage.
Kofi Kingston wants to know why is it DIY, Do It Yourself, when there’s two of them. It makes no sense! Ciampa laughs that off and says why’re they still The New Day when they’re no longer new. Wait, is that Paul Heyman in the back talking with McIntyre? Anyway, Woods says what’ll be new is DIY at Mania, since they’ve never been good enough to get there before. Gargano says New Day has how many wins at Mania? ZERO! Kofi says tonight is friendly competition, okay? But Mania will be real interesting. Wait, in step The Awesome Truth, with R-Truth sporting the Chicago Sox MLB Legacy title, as made by WWE.
Truth says this is gonna be the best match ever! Yeah, the Six Pack Ladder Match is gonna be something else. No, Truth is talking about tonight. The NEW~ DAY~ VS DX! Truth is so hyped, he told JBL that Miz & Truth are going to join commentary. Miz says it’s McAfee, and Truth says gesundheit. What? Miz tries to explain to Truth that it isn’t JBL, it is McAfee now. Oh so JBL changed his name again? Never mind… Truth is still hyped! Will “DX” be able to do it themselves tonight? Or will the New Day show they’re still as fresh as they were on day one?
The New Day VS #DIY!
Raw returns as these teams are already in the ring, with The Awesome Truth on commentary. Truth asks where JBL’s cowboy hat went, and McAfee tries to explain he’s Pat. Kofi starts against Ciampa, they circle, tie up, and Ciampa headlocks. Kofi tops wristlocks, then spins to a headlock, then spins to a waistlock. Ciampa throws elbows to get free, runs up and CHOPS! The fans rally as Ciampa goes up to MONKEY FLIP, but Kofi flips through to land on his feet! Kofi then dodges and DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Kofi brings Ciampa up to whip, Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges then tags Gargano! Ciampa slides under, CHOPS, and Gargano LARIATS!
Ciampa JAWBREAKERS, Gargano ripcords and Ciampa LARIATS! The fans fire up and Gargano CHOPS Kofi in a corner. Gargano whips, Kofi reverses but Gargano goes up and rolls Kofi to schoolboy, but Kofi ducks the kick to FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps on Gargano, HEADBUTTS him to the corner, and Woods says it is time to turn up! The stomping stampede begins! Kofi tags Woods, stomp stomp stomp, then tag back to Kofi. Kofi stomps again, then Woods tags back in. Woods stomps away, then tags back to Kofi. Ciampa runs up, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Ciampa falls into a corner, New Day runs to DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICK!
The fans fire up, and Truth says we’ll be right back with action after this break!
Raw returns again and Ciampa has New Day in corners! He clotheslines Woods, clotheslines Kofi, then back to Woods! Ciampa keeps going, he dodges New Day to DOUBLE LARIAT them down! The fans fire up with Ciampa and he tags in Gargano. Ciampa & Gargano ENZIGIRI-KNEE COMBO on Kofi! Then Woods runs up, but Ciampa catches him! ENZIGIR, FOREARM, and ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! New Day ends up on the apron, Ciampa KNEES them down! Ciampa holds the ropes open for Gargano to DIVE! Down goes New Day! But then JUDGMENT DAY attacks them all!
No Contest
The fans boo and Truth says they’re on commentary, they can’t fight right now! Woods is sent into steps, Finn & JD have Gargano and Kofi int he ring, then Priest CLOBBERS Kofi! And he stomps Gargano! Ciampa gets in to DECK JD! Ciampa fires off on Finn but Priest POSTS Ciampa! The fans want Truth to do something but Finn hits a DDT on Gargano! Dom goes up top to FROG SPLASH! Miz has had enough! Miz and Woods get in to fire hands! Truth says he’s on commentary, he wasn’t gonna fight! FLATLINER for Woods! Miz gets mugged! SOUTH OF HEAVEN for Miz! Then they see Truth and Truth panics! They owe him money!
Truth wants this to go to break but it doesn’t work like that. Finn tells Truth if he wants a break, they’ll break him! Priest puts Truth in the ring! But Truth DECKS Finn! And DECKS Dom! And CALF KICKS JD! And TACKLES Finn! Priest storms in, drags Truth up, and has him right up for the RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest then drags Truth into position for Finn’s COUP DE GRACE!! Priest’s plan of beating the absolute snot out of Raw’s contenders is a success, but will this really make things easier for them at WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Jackie is with the American Nightmare and of course everyone is talking about that moment in the ring with The Rock. The Rock told us to ask Cody for what he said, can Cody share that? Cody apologizes to everyone but it isn’t something Cody would like to repeat. However, it was a promise that The Rock cannot keep. Cody heads out, is nothing going to stop The American Nightmare from finishing his story?
Backstage interview with Gunther.
Cathy Kelley is with the Intercontinental Champion and says in a few moments, we will see Giovanni Vinci face Andrade. But before that, Cathy wants to ask his thoughts on what Sami Zayn said last week, that Gunther is looking in the eyes of the man that will take him down at WrestleMania 40. Gunther says he would’ve answered directly, but Sami then stormed out like a child. So Gunther has thought to it, there isn’t much to say. Those words were empty. Deep down, Sami doesn’t believe he can win. And we’re in Chicago tonight. There are thousands of “shlubby nerds” sitting out there who are just like Sami Zayn. And all of them don’t believe Sami can win, either.
Matter of fact, Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can even beat Bronson Reed tonight. Then will Gunther be out there to watch that match and scout Sami tonight? Gunther chuckles and again says he doesn’t believe Sami will win tonight. Gunther takes his leave, but will he regret underestimating the underdog?
Andrade VS Giovanni Vinci!
El Idolo promises to make this his era, but he’s still gotta prove it. Will this be the first big step towards making WWE tranquilo? Or will Imperium make the mat sacred?
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, then Vinci pie faces Andrade! So Andrade CHOPS Vinci! Vinci throws hands, CHOPS, and whips, but Andrade reverses. Vinci whips Andrade away but Andrade tranquilos int he ropes! Vinci runs up, but Andrade blocks a kick to CHOP and whip. Vinci reverses, runs up, but is put on the apron! Vinci ROCKS Andrade, springboards in, but into a DROPKICK from Andrade! Vinci bails out, the fans rally up, and Andrade hurries to the corner. Andrade smiles as he climbs, and SUPER MOONSAULTS! A shoutout to his Queen, and Andrade puts Vinci back in.
Andrade goes up the corner again, to MOONSAULT, land on his feet, and MOONSAULT again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Andrade stalks Vinci. Andrade hauls Vinci up, snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Andrade brings Vinci up but Vinci throws hands! Vinci suplexes, Andrade lands out but Vinci UPPERCUTS! Vinci runs, into a BOOT! Andrade runs, Vinci follows and CROSSBODIES! Vinci fires up while fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Vinci has Andrade in a cobra twist. But Andrade powers out to hip toss Vinci away! Andrade ROCKS, CHOPS and CHOPS again! Vinci kicks, Andrade blocks, and DRAGON SCREW! Andrade gets that leg again, another DRAGON SCREW! Andrade runs, CLOBBERS Vinci, then kips up! The fans fire up and Andrade aims as Vinci goes to a corner. Andrade runs corner to corner and back again, CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO! Vinci survives but Andrade stays cool. Andrade drags Vinci up, waistlocks, but Vinci throws elbows. Vinci puts Andrade in a corner, blocks a boot and CLOBBERS Andrade!
Vinci hauls Andrade up, reels him in, but Andrade slips out of the bomb! Andrade waistlocks, Vinci fires elbows and a CHOP! Vinci runs, into the boot feint and ELBOW! Underhooks and ANARCHY SUPLEX! Or as Andrade calls it, THE MESSAGE! Cover, Andrade wins!
Winner: Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall
The Message was sent and it was clear! But will anyone heed that message? Or will Andrade make his way to the top of the WWE despite no one listening?
Rhea Ripley heads to the ring!
Chicago fires up as The Women’s World Champion, with Dominik Mysterio by her side, makes her way down the ramp. They step into the ring and fans cheer for “MAMI! MAMI!” as Rhea gets the mic. Rhea tells Dom, “I feel like I’m not getting enough attention.” Fans cheer more, but Rhea says she feels like a certain someone isn’t giving her their full attention. Dom says it’s not him. Rhea says Becky Lynch continues to fight week after week, and honestly, Rhea could’ve gotten Becky’s attention by attacking her. But no, Rhea was being respectful. But now she’s getting impatient! WrestleMania is just around the corner, and don’t you think Becky should be giving Rhea her full attention?
Tell ’em, Dom. Dom takes the mic and fans boo. Dom says Becky- IS HERE! The Man interrupts Dirty Dom since no one wanted to hear him anyway, and Chicago fires up as she heads to the ring. Becky gets in the ring, checks all sides to get the fans cheering, but Rhea just smiles. Becky gets a mic to say “The Man has come around to Chicago!” The fans cheer, and Becky says look at her coming out here when Rhea’s fresh as a daisy. Becky doesn’t have to wait until Rhea’s wrestled a 20 minute match before feeling confident enough to confront her, which is what Rhea’s done the last month now.
But no, no, Rhea, Becky could never do that to Rhea. Because Rhea doesn’t wrestle on TV anymore! Rhea laughs that off and asks, why would she want to compete before the biggest match in her career? Rhea doesn’t have to get in this ring just to get these people’s attention. She could just post a photo or video online, and watch the freaks eat it up! Right, Dom? Exactly. It is that easy for Rhea. Rhea doesn’t have to prove herself again and again, week after week- Becky fakes gagging and says listen to yourself, Rhea! This is the problem! They have very different interpretations of what it is to be a champion.
Rhea thinks all she has to do is post her ass on the internet. But for Becky, it is about busting her ass night in and night out! The fans seem to be of both minds, but Becky says this is the thing: there will always be someone newer and younger, someone hotter. But the long game in this business is skill and merit. And survival! It is how you come back after you are in the muck, when the chips are down, and when you’re not “The Chosen One” anymore. But Rhea hasn’t felt that yet. But at WrestleMania, The Man will give Rhea that experience. Rhea says okay, yeah, Becky’s right. Becky’s been through everything. We get it.
Becky IS a survivor, no one can take that from her. In fact, she reminds Rhea of something! Becky’s a roach! Really hard to kill, but it isn’t impossible. Now while Rhea won’t take it that far, she wants to leave Becky alive to sit on the couch and watch Rhea do what she does, with her daughter calling Rhea “Mami!” The fans fire up now as Becky squares her jaw. Becky tells Rhea this is her one pass. You mention Becky’s daughter again, those will be the last words you ever say. You think that’s just a fun little line you can throw out? It’s not funny! Understand, Becky’s dad never got to meet his granddaughter.
Becky knows her dad was proud of her for everything she’s ever done in this ring, but the one thing he would’ve been most proud of is the mother she’s become! So that might be a joke to you, but that ain’t a joke to her! The fans fire up again but Rhea rolls her eyes. Becky says again that is NOT a joke to her! And Rhea says she didn’t attack out of respect? There is nothing respectful about Rhea! Rhea didn’t attack because she knows when she throws the first punch, there’s no going back. At WrestelMania, neither one of them will ever be th esame gain. The mics drop and the two get face to face. Dom has Rhea stand down and fans boo.
Becky says yeah, hide behind your boy. That’s a first. Dom gets up in Beck’s face now, so Becky DECKS him! Then the hands start flying between Man and Mami! Rhea shoves Becky, BOOTS her down, then POSTS her! Becky falls back and Rhea says you don’t do that to HER Dom! Rhea goes out to help Dom up and they retreat. But Becky runs out to CLOBBER them both!! The fans fire up as Becky and Rhea brawl on the ramp! Refs rush in to stop this, Dom hurries to get Rhea to safety, but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Becky gets free and DECKS Dom again! The brawl resumes and more refs hurry!
Dom again gets up to keep Rhea back but things are explosive to say the least! Who will be standing when they’re finally allowed to have it out?
Chad Gable and Sami Zayn cross paths.
Gable finishes his talk with Maxxine to then talk with Sami. Gable wants to talk about how they ending things last week. Sami says no, there’s nothing to say. Gable said his part, thinking Sami can’t beat Gunther, and that’s his opinion. Gunther feels the same, and that’s his opinion. Gunther even thinks Sami can’t beat Bronson, so tonight is about proving Gunther wrong. Gable says no, it’s not about Gunther. Bronson Reed is who is in front of Sami, and this is what Gunther wants. Gunther wants to ruin Sami’s focus! Sami’s gonna let him? Focus on the task at hand, get your head outta your ass!
Sami stares Gable down, and says yeah, he’s right. WrestleMania is two weeks away, Sami knows what he needs to do tonight. And he appreciates that Gable said it. They shake hands, Sami heads out. But will the Great Liberator be able to avoid the Tsunami? Or will he be crushed by the Colossal Aussie heading his way?
Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed!
Raw returns as Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Sami headlocks, but Bronson picks Sami up. Sami thrashes the hold, the fans sing “Ole~ Ole ole ole~!” Bronson powers out and he runs Sami over! Bronson drags Sami up, HEADBUTTS him, then whips. Sami holds ropes to stop himself, then ELBOWS Bronson away! Sami dodges Bronson, drops down, then hurdles over, to bypass and TOSS Bronson out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Bronson! The fans fire up again as Sami stands again. Sami puts Bronson in the ring, then goes to the corner.
Sami climbs, leaps, but Bronson catches him! But Sami fires elbows to get free! Sami CHOPS ROCKS and whips, but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Sami, Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson stalks Sami, drags him up, and then ROCKS him with a right. Sami leans against ropes, and Bronson CHOPS him! Sami sputters and falls out of the ring, but Bronson goes to the apron! Bronson waits as Sami rises, and then runs to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Sami takes a tumble while Bronson soaks up the heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami fights up from a facelock. Sami throws body shots, forearms, but Bronson scoops to SLAM! Bronson then runs to ELBOW DROP! Sami sputters, Bronson has a bloody nose, but Bronson stands up and brings Sami around. Bronson whips, Sami KICKS back! Sami runs up, LARAITS, but Bronson stays up! Sami CHOPS, CHOPS and runs, to LARIAT again! Bronson is still standing, so Sami fires more CHOPS! Bronson CHOPS in return! Bronson whips again, Sami goes up and over! Then LARIAT!! Bronson falls and the fans fire up! Sami stands, but wait, Gunther is on stage!
The fans boo as Der Ring General ends up scouting after all. Sami stares Gunther down, but Bronson waistlocks! Sami fires elbows, gets around, but he can’t lift Bronson! Or can he!? Bronson fights with elbows, then HEADBUTTS! Bronson runs in at the corner, but Sami dodges the splash to roll Bronson up! TWO!! Bronson escapes, Sami is frustrated but Gunther smirks. Sami brings Bronson up, kicks low, and clinches. Sami scoops, but falls over under Bronson’s weight! Bronson then kicks Sami, gets him up, ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Sami stays in this but Bronson snarls.
The fans rally for Sami as Bronson has him in a corner. Bronson CHOPS, CLUBS and repeat! The ref counts, Bronson puts Sami up top but Sami fires hands! Sami kicks and kicks and kicks, then he reels Bronson in! TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Bronson ends up in a corner! Sami glances at Gunther, runs in, but into a LARIAT! SENTON! Bronson puts Sami in the drop zone and goes up! TSUNAMI!! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
Gunther said Sami couldn’t beat Bronson, and his very presence made that a reality! Can Sami win the mind games Gunther is playing? Bronson says he should be the one going to Mania, will this win make sure he’s first in line on the other side?
Jey Uso speaks.
“Okay! C’mon, Shinsuke Nakamura Uce! Huh!? You hating on me, saying my dream match about to become a nightmare. Look! The problem is, you’ve been sleeping on Main Event Jey Uso for way too long. And tonight, you about to get woke, Uce!” But then in steps Solo Sikoa. And Jimmy Uso. Jimmy says, “No Yeet.” The Bloodline leaves, simply giving Jey a warning. Will Jey stay strong going towards Uso VS Uso? Or will the King of Strong Style make his own dreams come true?
Sami Zayn is furious backstage.
Gable finds him and has him calm down. Also we can see Dom talking with Andrade in the background, perhaps working on that recruitment spiel. Sami says he let Gunther get in his head. He knew what Gunther was doing and still let him get in his head! How?! How does Sami let that happen!? With everything at stake, how… Gable says this is what Gunther does, he’s been telling Sami. Gunther plants the seeds of doubt. Gable was in the ring with Sami, Sami showed physicality and resilience. Sami is one of the best Gable’s ever been in the ring with. But with Gunther, it’s about m ore than physicality. It is mental!
Gunther will beat you down again and again with those doubts, and you can’t do that. You wanna make it to the other side of Mania with your hand raised? You need a different approach. And if that’s what Sami wants to talk about, he and Gable can talk. Sami says okay. Is Gable going to help Sami do things the Alpha way?
Rollins finds Jey at gorilla.
Jey’s getting ready for the main event but Rollins says something doesn’t feel right about tonight. Rollins and Cody have Jey’s back if he needs it, but just get that W. They fist bump and Jey says, “YEET!” Main Event Jey heads to the ring, will he be able to handle the King of Strong Style before The Bloodline decides his time is up? We find out, after the break!
Jey Uso VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Raw returns as Nakamura makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The two tie up, Nakamura puts Jey in a corner, and the ref counts. Jey turns things around, but Nakamura pulls hair! Nakamura swings, Jey dodges and he fires body shots and haymakers! “YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Nakamura reverses but Jey stops himself to come back and UUPPERCUT! Nakamura bails out, Jey builds speed and he DIVES into a GAMANGIRI! Nakamura runs in to AX KICK Jey down! Nakamura then whips Jey to a corner, but Jey reverses! Jey runs in but Nakamura dodges the splash, and Jey hits post!
Nakamura puts Jey on the top rope, then runs up to TOP SHELF KNEE! Jey is still up there, so Nakamura hushes the fans and runs in to TOP SHELF KNEE again! Jey tumbles to the floor, Nakamura mocks the bounce, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and both men are down. They both stand, Jey blocks a haymaker to fire haymaker! “YEET! YEET! YEET”! Jey pops ‘n’ locks and puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! Jey whips, Nakamura reverses but Jey ducks and mule kicks! Then UPPERCUTS! Then kicks, but Nakamkura blocks! The DRAGON WHIP still hits! Nakamkura falls into a corner, the fans fire up and Jey says “UCE! OH!” HIP- NO, Nakamura dodges the hip attack! Nakamura comes back, blocks boots, puts Jey in ropes and KICKS, to then SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura hurries in to cover, TWO! Nakamura is frustrated but the fans rally.
Nakamura goes up a corner, takes aim as Jey rises, and FLYING- NO, Jey gets away! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up but Nakamura BLINDSIDE KINSHASAS!! The fans fire up, but then they boo as Jimmy & Solo storm over the barrier! But wait! Cody & Rollins intercept! They brawl with the Bloodline, and Cody brings Jimmy up the ramp! Cody sends Jimmy into the LED boards and then backstage. Meanwhile, Rollins POSTS Solo, then CLOBBERS him over the barrier! Only for McIntyre to attack Rollins! Now Rollins meets POST! And then FUTURE CSHOCK to the floor! The fans chant for Punk but what can he do?
Jey snarls at McIntyre, but Nakamura gets him for a SLEEPER! INVERTED EXPLODER but Jey lands out! SUPERKICK! And SPEAR!! Cover, Jey wins!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
The Bloodline tried to ruin Main Event Jey’s night, but he comes away with a win! Rollins still got got for it, and we see Jimmy and Cody brawling even in the back! Cody ROCKS Jimmy with haymaker after haymaker, then THROWS him into doors! But Solo has caught up! Cody fights Solo, SMACKS him off a table, then rains down fists! But then THE ROCK sucker punches Cody!! The Rock SMACKS Cody off the table! “Look at you now, boy!” The Rock SMACKS Cody off trash cans, then shoves him around. The Rock CHUCKS the can at Cody! You think Rock was just gonna let Cody talk trash!?
The Rock brings Cody around to RAM him into production cases! The Rock dumps a toolbox’s contents all over Cody and continues to say, “Look at you now.” The Rock whips Cody into spare railing! And he chucks another trash can! They spill out into the parking lot in the back and The Rock says this is perfect, Chicago! They were upset The Rock didn’t say anything? He’s got your attention now, doesn’t he? The Rock cusses Chicago out, and he stalks Cody into the rain. The Rock rips Cody’s shirt up, and kicks him around in the puddles. The Rock stands Cody up to ROCK him with another right, and eggs him on.
Cody hobbles and crawls but The Rock just kicks him down. The Rock says he’s the Final Boss. You wanna run your mouth and be a hero? The Rock has Cody against the ledge! The Rock then whips Cody into the side of his own buss! Cody staggers around, and The Rock says just look at your hero now, world. The Rock tells Mama Rhodes to look at her son. The Rock has a special gift for you now, Mama! Another throw into bus! The Rock stomps Cody’s legs, and says this is what happens. The Rock again throws Cody into the Nightmare Express one more time!
The Rock tells the world that if they wanna know why The Rock is the Final Boss, “Did you think for one single, solitary second that The Rock was gonna let this piece of trash talk a bunch of s*it? NO! Not by a long shot! Because at the end of the day, to all you Cody Crybabies, to him, to Mama Rhodes, and to everybody, at the end of the day, it didn’t have to be like this. But it is like this now, because of him, of Cody Rhodes! He stuck his nose in The Rock’s business. Oh, and the prophecy has come true. Look at this.” Cody sits up, forehead bloodied. The Rock DECKS Cody, then looks at the blood on his hand.
The Rock wants Mama Rhodes to watch as he SMACKS Cody off the picture of Pharaoh. And then SLAPS Cody! Mama Rhodes, here is that special gift. The Rock brings out a custom weight belt, but it now has “MAMA RHODES” on it instead! The Rock is a man of his word! He said he’d put Cody’s blood on this belt, and then her tears. The Rock makes sure the cameraman looks at this as The Rock smears Cody’s blood all over the white leather. There’s the blood, and then The Rock brings Cody up. Look at your son, Mama Rhodes! The blood on his face! This is gonna happen at Mania, too! Cody’s blood, on The Rock’s hands.
Cody’s dad talked about hard times, and Cody’s gonna learn about hard times. The Rock will learn you some hard times, for life! This is what happens, MOTHER EFFER, when you mess with The Final Boss! The Rock RAMS Cody into the door of the bus one last time, and lets him fall over. The Rock spits on Cody, then looks to the camera. “Look at your son, Mama Rhodes. It didn’t have to be this way. But now, this is the only way.” Is this how Cody’s story will end at WrestleMania 40?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, though the major bulk of what was so great was The Rock. He surprised us during Cody’s promo to open the show, and then holy crap everything we just saw to end the show. Cody getting beat down, bloodied, in the rain, like a gritty action movie, was definitely not expected, but it definitely amped things up. At the same time, how can Cody not be winning in the end? The Rock cut a promo aimed at “Mama Rhodes” the entire time, put Cody’s blood on the belt, Cody has to win the Universal Championship belt from Roman. And that is regardless of what happens on Night One in the dream team tag match. Cody will win if it’s fair and square, he will win if it’s Bloodline Rules, because that is what the hero does after facing all this adversity.
On the side of all that, great stuff with Bloodline. Jimmy & Solo showing up wasn’t just to intimidate Jey, they wanted after Jey, too. Great match of Jey VS Nakamura even with that, and with how Cody & Rollins set both men up for taking falls. Heyman talking with McIntyre after that really good promo segment of McIntyre, Rollins & Punk was a great detail in this story, as this HHH Era has been great about doing. Now, there’s still next week, so you can’t say McIntyre standing tall tonight automatically means Rollins wins. Go-home math might not even apply to this feud with Punk now on commentary, and let’s be honest, even Priest still being Mr. MITB is a factor on this title.
As such, great stuff from Judgment Day all night. Great group promo before the great match of Ricochet VS JD, and great win for Ricochet. Great promo from New Day, DIY & Awesome Truth with Truth again being a comedic genius. But then Judgment Day “ruining” the great tag match of New Day VS DIY was of course the move Priest was talking about. They wipe out the Raw field but I wonder if they try to do the same this Friday on SmackDown to at least one of the winners in the little tag tournament that’s going on. Maybe to New Catch Republic since those guys came super close to winning 2v2.
We got an awesome promo segment turned brawl with Rhea, Dom & Becky. That punch to Dom was so good, and kudos to him for taking it. And in relation to Judgment Day, Andrade got a great match out of Vinci and a great win. The match was originally supposed to be against Ivar, commentary said Ivar wasn’t cleared to compete, hopefully it isn’t anything serious for Ivar, he just got going again. Maybe part of this was they didn’t want Andrade beating Ivar, and also that Andrade’s new finisher wouldn’t work on a man as big as Ivar.
Candice VS Ivy went pretty quick but Candice faking the bad leg was very clever, especially with how she didn’t show mercy to Katana’s “bad leg” last week. Indi has to confront Candice and have it out with her, even if it isn’t at Mania or in a kickoff show. I’d also appreciate if there was some connection between this story and DIY, Gargano should also be concerned why Candice is getting like this. Meanwhile, great stuff with Sami, Gable, and Gunther. Good promos, great match from Sami VS Bronson, and it was actually a good move for Sami to lose. Sami is frustrated, but Gable is there to apparently be his coach now, so that’ll be good stuff.
My Score: 9/10
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Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?
SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
- Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
- Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair is here!
Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!
Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!
Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!
Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.
Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!
Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!
SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!
Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!
Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.
Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!
Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!
Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”
Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?
Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.
Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.
Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?
Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.
The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!
Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”
The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.
Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?
R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!
To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?
SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!
JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?
The Street Profits are here!
The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”
The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…
Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.
Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!
Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?
Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!
Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?
Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!
Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!
Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.
Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.
Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.
Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.
Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!
Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!
Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!
Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall
All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?
The Wyatts speak.
“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?
Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!
La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?
The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.
Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!
The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!
The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.
Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!
Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?
The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.
Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?
Giulia speaks.
“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”
Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?
Zelina returns backstage.
She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?
Damian Priest is here!
Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.
“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!
The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.
Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!
Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!
Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.
Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.
Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.
Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.
Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.
Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.
Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!
The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!
The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!
Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!
But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!
“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.
“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?
Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.
Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”
Cody Rhodes is here!
Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.
Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.
The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.
Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.
“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!
The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!
The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.
The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”
Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.
“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!
Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!
Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!
Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.
The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.
Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.
R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.
Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.
Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
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