Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE WrestleMania 40 Results & Report! (4/6/24)
And so it begins!
It’s the biggest dream team tag match in WrestleMania history!
To determine if the WWE Universal Championship is fair and square or Bloodline Rules, Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins take on The Rock & Roman Reigns! Will this weekend become a #FreakinNightmare for The Final Boss & Tribal Chief? Or will that be the other way around?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Becky Lynch; Rhea wins and retains the title.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Six Pack Ladder Match: Finn Balor & Damian Priest VS #DIY VS The Awesome Truth VS The New Day VS New Catch Republic VS A-Town Down Under; A-Town Down Under win the SmackDown titles and Awesome Truth win the Raw titles.
- Rey Mysterio & Andrade El Idolo VS Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar; Rey & Andrade win.
- Jey Uso VS Jimmy Uso; Jey wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Damage CTRL; Naomi, Bianca & Jade win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins and becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
- The Dream Team Tag Match: Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins VS The Rock & Roman Reigns; The Rock & Roman win and establish Bloodline Rules for the Universal Championship match on Night Two.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff Show!
Join Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, CM Punk and Big E for this TWO HOUR kickoff show, as they discuss, analyze and predict all of the action on the first night of the biggest WrestleMania Weekend of all time! Punk even says you can’t have a Philly WrestleMania without #PhilE! Get it?
Meek Mill speaks.
“Every city lives by a code. Only difference is, when you crack that Philly code, you put the whole world on notice. Tonight, we got some mess around and find out type o’ guys. Straight up code breakers. So if you come for The Bloodline, you best not miss. We been showin’ out for 40 years, and we got forever to go. And it’s about to be legendary. Philly, WrestleMania, let’s get it!”
Triple H has a sit-down interview.
Megan Morant is with the The Game, the Cerebral Assassin, the Chief Content Officer of the WWE at the WWE headquarters. She thanks him for taking this time during this busy part of the year, and starts with a tough one: How’s he doing? He’s great. There’s no better time than WrestleMania season, and especially for the biggest Mania ever. First Mania under TKO, what’s that like? TKO sort of coming in allowed WWE to think outside the box. They’ve been able to look at things with fresh eyes and you’ll see that going forward from now on. It is different, but it is fun.
Six weeks ago, the Mania main event looked rather different. But here we are, Mania Saturday. How does HHH adapt and evolve? HHH notes that things were different. It started with The Rock saying he wanted to come back and get involved. There’s one thing about The Rock is that he’s known this business his entire life. He listens to fans, hears their reactions. The best stories are when you can blur the lines of real-life and fiction, and they have followed the path most intriguing to the fans. This is now everything it should be.
Megan notes the “complicated” history between HHH and The Rock. What is the dynamic now that they both have executive level responsibilities? It is funny to think of how their careers are wildly different yet also parallel. It’s rather poetic going into WrestleMania 40. Looking back at Rocky Maivia and Hunter Hearst Hemsley, it’s so hard to imagine them both being where they are today. The Rock is the biggest star in the world yet HHH still sees him as that young guy. It’s just fun.
Megan notes HHH also has the most experience in a WrestleMania ring than anyone in WWE today. Does he miss any part of performing? Not the physicality. But it is interesting that in your career, it is rather self-centered. “Can I deliver? Can I still do it?” Being in the leadership role is now more external, more collaborative, and having a building full of talented people, the roster and the crew. It is more fun and exciting than even his wrestling career. They’re an entertainment company, they keep that in mind as they work on it. If they’re having fun working, you’ll have fun watching.
This is just part one of this interview, watch the rest of this interview tomorrow as part of night two!
Peter Rosenberg and Braun Strowman are at Cheekie’s & Pete’s!
They’re having some Wheatley American Vodka, and they’re talking the Dream Team Tag Match. Braun would be nervous but confident, because Cody Rhodes is gonna #FinishHisStory. Big day, big weekend, big thirst! Braun wants to make some American Mules for the fans! The fans cheer as he starts pouring the drinks, and they all toast “CODY! CODY!” Will everyone be drinking to Cody’s success? Or will there be some drowning of sorrows instead?
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Jackie Redmond is with the Great Liberator and speaks to how she’s been along for the ride on Sami’s WrestleMania journey. He said he’d find a way, here it is, he faces Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship. There have been highs and lows, but where is Sami at right now? Sami says the interesting part is the “right now” thing. Maybe an hour ago, his answer would be different, and an hour from now it’ll be different again. It’s been that crazy of a day, and part of it is that reality is setting it about what’s going down. Sami knows others wouldn’t admit this, but he’ll say it: he’s nervous.
And he knows others interpret that as self-doubt but that’s not this. These are the kinds of nerves that happen when you’re ready to go to war. Ready to push through something you didn’t know you had, ready to be tested in a way no planning could prepare you for. So right now, Sami will say that he’ll use that. He’ll ride the nerves, accept them, and use them as he goes to war. Jackie says Sami wanted to prove to everyone that they were right about him, so she wishes him luck. Will Sami be able to take everything he’s felt up to this point and use it against Der Ring General?
Backstage interview with Trish Stratus.
Cathy Kelley is with the living legend, and she has had many Mania moments, and even faced Becky Lynch. Does she have any predictions? Trish has faced off with Becky inside a steel cage, a Match of the Year contender. And Trish will say that Becky is the best she’s ever stepped in with. Now “Mother” Trish hasn’t stepped into the ring with Mami Rhea, but we all know Rhea’s been unstoppable since winning the world title. Hard to stay if Becky can stop Rhea. Speaking of stepping into the ring, is Trish returning to action in WWE any time soon? Trish says never say never.
Backstage interview with JBL.
Kayla Braxton is with John Bradshaw Layfield and asks how excited he is for the weekend. JBL says his first Mania was HBK ziplining in from the ceiling. JBL retired at Mania, he saw the greatest matches ever, such as HBK VS Taker. His college buddies pitched in so they could all watch Hogan scoop slam Andre! Mania makes you immortal. Hearts will be broken, legends will be created, he can’t wait. Any particular match? Yes, JBL met Rey Mysterio when Rey first came to the WWE, and JBL knew Rey was a deadbeat dad even then. He’s like a lucha libre Darth Vader, it’s horrible. But Dominik Mysterio is like Gandhi, a man who persevered through prison and then turned his life around to be a great role model. JBL can’t wait to see Dom get justice on his father.
And then of course, the main event. Roman Reigns is a modern day Bruno Sammartino, and he’s gonna team with The Rock to take on Daddy’s Boy Cody and Seth Freakin’ Rollins, he can’t wait.
Tom Rinaldi relates a story of sports and charity.
In one crucial moment, a championship belt sparked a bond between a boy in need and the player who helped. The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII, from offensive lineman Trey Smith to the Chiefs Assistant GM Mike Borgonzi. They had their parade on Valentine’s Day 2024, and the community was all united by that moment. To match the rings, the WWE gave the team a Legacy belt. Trey loved having that belt, it was glorious. But as the parade was ending, everything changed as a shooting between angry teens broke out. The Chiefs staff was evacuated, and Trey saw Joey, Mike’s son.
Joey was really scared seeing everyone running to get away. There were so many ambulances, he was really nervous. Trey sat with Joey, could tell Joey was panicked, and his parents didn’t know what to do to calm him down. Mike was sure the fear came from the possibility that the shooter was on the bus. Trey thought how to calm Joey down, and behold, his WWE Legacy belt. Little did Trey know, Joey loves the WWE. Rey threw his shirt to the crowd, and Joey caught it! Joey got to even be Rey for Halloween with that shirt. Joey held onto the belt, and just talked pro-wrestling. He calmed down, and that was a great relief.
Trey telling Joey he was a champion helped Joey forget about the chaos outside. Jill, Joey’s mom, was so grateful that Trey was there with them. Joey thought about his two favorite things, the WWE and the NFL, and it helped him be brave. These childhood moments do carry over into adulthood, so Mike is sure that moment in time changed Joey. When looking back on that day, Joey brings up Trey, the WWE Legacy title, and that Trey let Joey have the belt because he’s the champ. It meant a lot to Joey, he keeps the title by his bed at night to encourage him.
So what is a hero? Joey says a hero is someone who, just like Trey, can help those who are afraid and cheer them up. Trey helped Joey through that scary time, so that’s why Trey’s a hero. And speaking of, Tom welcomes Joey and Trey to the show! Joey got to meet Rey, and Joey thanks Rey and the WWE for giving him such a great experience. Tom says Joey’s an incredible kid. Trey, could this be part of his future? Trey thinks back to being a kid watching WWE, he loves it. Tom says this is a great story, a special bond, and that’s what WWE helps bring into the world. Stay tuned for more kickoff show after this.
Jackie Redmond and Wade Barrett tag in for the panel.
Obviously Michael Cole & Pat McAfee need to make their way to commentary, it’s probably gonna take all 45 minutes left to get there. The fans chant for CM Punk, but then they even chant for Jackie.
Backstage interview with Judgment Day.
Cathy Kelly is with Finn & Priest, and note they’ve been dominant the past few months. But are the odds stacked against them tonight? Priest is pissed because of course they’d be pissed about this situation! They’re the best, no one team can beat them, so now they stack the odds! Five teams?! Seriously? But Finn says they can keep stacking them up so Judgment Day can keep knocking them down! Finn & Priest fist bump, united, but will they still fail to retain all their titles?
WWE honors local Philadelphia non-profits.
Fly Forward, Yeah Philly and The Lighthouse are all given commemorative titles, but that’s not all! In partnership with Slim Jim, WWE awards these organization $50 THOUSAND!! The fans cheer the community champions, here’s hoping that money helps even more people.
Backstage interview with Natalya.
Cathy is with the Queen of Harts who has a lot of Mania moments, but what match is she looking forward to? Well, Philly is the City of Brotherly Love, so she wants to see Yeet VS No Yeet, Jey VS Jimmy. She’s Team YEET, but she’s so excited to see how far these two came. Naturally, she loves looking back to Bret VS Owen, Hart VS Hart, WrestleMania 10, so it’s fitting that WrestleMania 40 is also Brother VS Brother. Cathy says Natty looks so lovely right now she’ll just leave it at that, and sends it over to Kayla.
Backstage interview with Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar.
Kayla Braxton is with Dom & Santos, but how much does strategy change – Dom says nothing changes, they just want to destroy The LWO. Andrade will learn what happens when you turn on Santos, and Rey will finally pay for turning on those who loved him. Santos agrees with Dom: the strategy remains the same, they will ERADICATE Rey and the LWO. Will Dirty Dom and the Emperor finally get what they want? Or just what they deserve?
Sit down interview with Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond asks them… What do they wanna talk about? Clever, and they fist bump Jackie over it. Jackie says after all the history they had, what is it like to be teaming together? Cody knows they put each other through hell, but they both know what it’d mean if this were to become a Bloodline dominated WWE. The Rock has power on the Board of Directors, what else was Rollins supposed to do? Who else would step up if not Rollins? Jackie also brings up how Rollins got to know Dusty Rhodes back in the day. How much did that motivate this partnership?
Rollins takes the sunglasses off to get serious. Dusty believed in Rollins when he didn’t even believe in himself. Dusty was the first person in the WWE that told Rollins to be himself. And so Rollins being under that learning tree means a lot. What would Dusty make of this partnership? A Dusty Kid and one of his sons. Cody is sure that Dusty seeing the inaugural NXT Champion at WrestleMania, he’d be so proud. Dusty’s fingerprints are all over the WWE in 2024. Then this will probably also be hard to talk about, but what about the confrontation with The Rock in Chicago?
Cody says it was embarrassing more than anything. And the last thing The Rock should’ve done was embarrass Cody. Cody wants to see what it’ll be like facing The Rock in a fair fight. Jackie brings up the ambush in Brooklyn, and Rollins says The Bloodline underestimates their opponents. Rollins has had Roman’s number every step of the way, and that hubris and complacency for Roman is gonna bite him on the ass. The Rock hasn’t wrestled in 12 years, and got hurt the last time he did. Roman has been holding on by fingertips, needing the Bloodline in every title match. Bet it all on Cody & Seth for this one.
Then final question: If they lose, Cody’s match becomes Bloodline Rules, Anything Goes. How massive are the repercussions if this doesn’t go how they hope? The reality is, it was always Bloodline Rules. So it can’t be anything other than a win this time. This is their moment, their time, they are united: just win. Some risks are worth taking, they need this win, and that’s what they will do. Confident as they are, can Team Freakin’ Nightmare pull it off?
Coco Jones sings the American National Anthem.
Triple H steps out on stage!
Philly knew The Game was here, but now The Game walks out to see the people! He takes a moment to revel in their cheers, then heads down to the ring. HHH gets on the corner for his signature pose and the fans cheer even more. HHH then gets a mic to say, “Man, I live for this. Welcome to a new time. Welcome to a new era! Welcome to WrestleMania!!” The fans fire up for that, and HHH takes his leave, having made his message short and sweet. Are you ready for The HHH Era?
WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Becky Lynch!
When it comes to the Raw Women’s Division, Mami has been on top for an entire YEAR, having taken this throne from The Queen, Charlotte Flair. But now, Rhea runs into The Man, and The Man wants to get back to the Big Time! Will Becky show Rhea that dominance doesn’t last forever? Or will Rhea simply eradicate another of the Four Horsewomen?
Becky’s entrance includes a quote from her autobiography, Not Your Average Average Girl. “If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will complete you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will destroy you.” Becky found what she loved. She wasn’t good at it, but she wanted to be, and that was enough. She was addicted to the euphoria, and couldn’t believe anyone wanted to do anything else. Average height, average weight, average upbringing, average anxieties, yet she has done some extraordinary things. For she is… THE MAN! Becky steps through the cover of her book and WEARS her book, because she lives it!
As for Rhea, she has Motionless In White live to perform her theme song! They eat, sleep, bleed the demons in your dreams, and Rhea is ready to rock Philadelphia! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly on top tonight!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two stare down. They circle, tie up, and Rhea shoves Becky down! The fans duel already as Rhea eggs on The Man. Becky scowls, and then SLAPS Rhea! Rhea SLAPS back! Then Rhea whips Becky to a corner, runs up, but Becky dodges. Rhea blocks the jump kick, puts Becky on the apron and bumps her off buckles! Becky sputters, Rhea brings her in but Becky HOTSHOTS an arm and POSTS Rhea’s shoulder! Becky goes up, MISSLE DROPKICKS, and Rhea tumbles out. Becky builds speed and slides, but Rhea blocks the kick! Rhea Electric Chair Lifts, but Becky gets free to kick the arm! Then FLYING FOREARM!
Becky hurries after Rhea, puts her in the ring, then storms back in. Rhea swings, Becky bobs ‘n’ weaves and ROCKS her back! Becky swings, but Thea gets under, atomic FACEBUSTER right on the Prime logo. Then Rhea NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Becky scrambles away but Rhea smiles. Rhea sees Becky go to ropes. kicks her around, then puts her in a corner. Rhea bumps Becky off buckles, RAMS into her, and RAMS in again. The ref counts, Rhea lets off, Becky kicks back. Rhea ROCKS and DECKS Becky! Rhea hauls Becky up, reels her in, and she suplexes, but Becky cradle counters! TWO, and Rhea deadlifts Becky!
Rhea SLAMS Becky on the mat, covers, TWO! Rhea is a little amused that Becky’s hanging in there. Rhea pushes Becky around, but Becky fires forearms! Rhea kicks low, CLUBS Becky and CLUBS her again. Rhea whips, DROPKICKS and Becky flounders. The fans rally up as Rhea dusts herself off. Rhea stalks Becky, gets a leg, drags her around with it, then stomps her into a drop zone. Rhea shows some Latina Heat and goes up top. The fans are torn but Becky is after Rhea to SUPER ARM-DRAG! Both women are down and the fans rally up again! Becky crawls her way to ropes, Rhea runs up but Becky counter punches! And again, and again!
They trade haymakers, body shots, and forearms! Becky UPPERCUTS, SOBATS, but Rhea kicks low, stomps a foot, and SMASHES Becky off a knee! But Becky fights the suplex to TORNADO DDT! Becky hurries to cover, TWO! Rhea is still in this but Becky keeps her cool. Becky stands, gets the fans fired up again, then brings Rhea up. Rhea fights the clinch, whips Becky to a corner, then runs up, but Becky dodges! JUMP KICK! Rhea is stuck in the ropes now, and Becky goes up to APRON LEG DROP! Becky gets Rhea up to clinch and BARRIER BECKSPLODER! Rhea writhes, Becky puts her in the ring, and Becky climbs a corner! THE MAN’S LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!
Rhea is still in this and seething, but Becky brings her around. Becky SLAMS the bad arm off the mat, SLAMS it again, and again! Becky goes to mount but Rhea pushes her away! Rhea runs up, into an ELBOW! Becky goes up and up and leaps, into Rhea’s arms! Rhea pops Becky up to a fireman’s carry, for a DROP! And a KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Rhea is shocked! Rhea seethes, dribbles Becky off the Prime logo, then drags her up. Rhea pump handles, RIP- NO, Becky slips free and shoves, BACKSTABBER! Shoutout to The Boss, and Becky gets the ARMBAR! Rhea flails, kicks around, but she’s going away from the ropes!
Becky keeps the arm extended, but Rhea stacks her, and deadlifts, to POWERBOMB! Becky holds on, so Rhea BOMBS her again! And BOMBS her again!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Rhea is beside herself! Rhea looks around as she thinks of what she has to do now. Becky drags herself up, elbows back, but Rhea HEADBUTTS! Rhea whips, but Becky wrangles an arm to TWEAK it! But Rhea BOOTS her for it! Cover, TWO! Rhea is losing her cool, and she hammers away on Becky! Rhea KICKS Becky in the side, CLUBS away, but Becky CHOPS! Rhea CHOPS, they CHOP and CHOP and SLAP and CHOP!
The fans fire up and “WOO~!” and Rhea HEADBUTTS again! Rhea runs in, but Becky POSTS her! Then Becky has Rhea in the ropes, DISARM-HER!! The ref counts, Becky lets off at 4.52! Becky BOOTS Rhea into the post! Rhea falls back, Becky adjusts, THE MAN’S LEG DROP BLOCKED into the PRISM TRAP!! Becky endures the Cloverleaf and reaches out, but Rhea drags her back! Becky still fights forward, but Rhea drags her back again! And then drops down to body scissor! Becky is caught right on the Prime logo, but she uses her arms as best she can to fight around! They roll and roll, into a cover! TWO!!
Rhea gets up, ROUNDHOUSES Becky, but Becky stays up. Rhea pump handles, RIP- NO, Becky slips free to MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!!! Rhea survives and shocks everyone, especially Becky! “This is Awesome!” as Becky thinks on what she has to do now. Becky grabs the arm but Rhea moves around. Rhea shoves Becky away, but Becky gets around. Rhea turns the backslide around to flip Becky up and over! Pump handle, RIPTIDE!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Becky survives and everyone’s shocked all over again! Rhea asks just what the what, and she pushes Becky to a drop zone. Rhea goes up top, but the bad arm bothers her.
Becky hits ropes to trip Rhea up! Rhea gets stuck up top, Becky ROCKS her! Becky climbs up, throws haymakers, windmills away on Rhea, then climbs to the very top. Becky brings Rhea up, for a SUPERPLEX! Roll through, ARMBAR! Rhea moves around, but Becky uses that to get the DISARM-HER!!! Rhea is caught now, but she kicks and pushes up! Rhea Electric Chair Lifts! Becky throws hands, then victory rolls to the outside! Rhea lands on her feet to bring Becky around, ELECTRIC CHAIR SLAM to the floor!! Rhea fires up and the fans fire up, too! Rhea puts Becky in, climbs a corner, and FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Becky does it again, but how?!
Rhea is furious, and she tells Becky she could’ve made this a lot easier on herself. Becky’s on the apron, Rhea goes up the corner. Rhea drags Becky up, to deadlift SUPER- NO, Becky fights that off! Becky pops free to UPPERCUT, HOTSHOT, and then climb up after Rhea! Becky clinches for a SUPER MAN- NO, Rhea slips free! HAYMAKER! Pump handle, RIPTIDE BUCKLE BOMB STYLE! Then another RIPTIDE!!! Cover, Rhea wins!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)
One year and counting for Mami! It took more than even she expected it to, but if Rhea can beat even the Big Time, will anyone ever stand a chance of stopping her?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Six Pack Ladder Match: Finn Balor & Damian Priest VS #DIY VS The Awesome Truth VS The New Day VS New Catch Republic VS A-Town Down Under!
From Judgment Day to Judgment Day, we see if the boys can follow Mami’s example. However, The Prince & The Punisher aren’t just facing one team, or even two teams. FIVE teams from both Raw and SmackDown get their shot in what very well could be the biggest tag team championship match then, now and forever! Now, there is a sliver of hope: the match doesn’t end until BOTH the red and the blue belts are brought down! Can Finn & Priest come away with at least a little gold? Or will it all be gone in one fell swoop?
To go along with R-Truth thinking they’re DX, Gargano & Ciampa have a very DX inspired graphics package and ring attire so that Truth won’t have to face the truth. Meanwhile, Kofi Kingston is Rocky while Xavier Woods is Creed, and they’re ready to go as many rounds as needed! All the introductions are made, the belts are already hanging in the balance, and we see if the Judgment Day stays golden!
The bell rings and all five challenger teams go after the champs! The fans fire up as Finn gets mugged outside while Priest gets mugged inside! Then things spill out as everyone goes for ladders! The different teams go after each other, Finn hits a POST, and then A-Town Down Under get ladders under each set of belts! They want to get it all done all at once! DIY, Awesome Truth and New Catch Republic stop them, then they all fight over who gets to climb! Miz gets ahead on the Raw belts, as does Truth for SmackDown, but everyone goes after them now! NCR brawl with DIY, A-Town Down Under join in, and then new Day sneak in the middle!
Kofi tips the Raw Ladder! Woods tips the SmackDown ladder! They each reach for belts but the Judgment Day go after them! Kofi gets SMACKED off rungs, Woods is put in an corner! UPPERCUT from Priest! Kofi keeps Finn from climbing so Finn TOSSES him out! Dunne goes after Finn, Finn ROCKS Dunne! Priest CHUCKS a ladder at Waller & Theory! Dunne is sent into a ladder by Finn! Ciampa’s back, but Priest sends a ladder into him! The Judgment Day put ladders in corners, they mug Bate, and then puts Bate against a ladder. Priest runs up, but Bate moves, Priest splashes onto the rungs! Bate ROCKS Finn, then torture racks him and a ladder!
The fans fire up as the AIRPLANE SPIN gets going, Jumbo Jet style! Kofi gets in but gets SMACKED! The ladder falls away but the spin continues for Finn! Bate stops at about ten, then TOSSES Finn onto the ladder! Bate calls to Dunne but Woods drags Bate out! Ciampa CHOPS Waller down, Woods brawls with Bate, Dunne BOOTS Theory! Bate & Dunne climb the tallest ladder standing! The other teams are brawling, and so NCR say go! DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!! The fans are thunderous as all the other teams get wiped out! NCR get the ladders in the ring and go for the SmackDown belts first.
Dunne RAMS into Priest to keep him away as Bate goes up. But Priest lifts Dunne, to RAZOR’S EDGE him into Bate and the ladder! Bate takes the worse of the falls, and Priest goes up! Priest has to choose which belt first, but Miz CLUBS him down! Miz full nelsons, but Priest fights it! The ladder is tipped over, Priest ROCKS Miz! Finn joins in to CLUB away on Miz and knee him down! The Judgment Day move the ladder aside, but Truth… wants to tag in!? Did he get hit so hard he forgot what kind of match this is?! Judgment Day whips Miz to a the ladder, Miz stops himself and doges, hot tag to Truth! Truth does the splits to dump Priest!
Truth runs to rally with the big shoulder tackles! Finn swings, into the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth gets up and the fans are with him as he says, “YOU CAN’T SEE ME~!” Truth runs, shimmy and FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then fireman’s carry, and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT through a ladder! Truth covers but that’s not the kind of match this is! Truth counts it, he feels he won. Miz reminds him, this is a LADDER match! GO up! Priest choke grips Awesome Truth but they kick back! THE AWESOME FINALE! Truth tells “HBK” to tune up, so Gargano tunes up! SWEET CHIN MUSIC for Priest! And then a PEDGIREE from “HHH!”
The fans fire up as #RegenerationX coordinates, and they get ladders up under the belts! Miz & Truth have the blue ones in sight, DIY has the red! The fans cheer this on, but then Waller TIPS Awesome Truth! Theory TIPS DIY! The fans boo as A-Town Down Under now has to go and climb! Waller has the blue belts down, they’re the SmackDown champions!
A-Town Down Under are NEW Smackdown Tag Team Champions
Well, whether we like it or not, they’ve got half the prize here! Theory gets the ladder set up for the red belts, but New Day mugs him first! Bate says Bop up, BANG on Waller! He and Dunne then get Waller up to DOUBLE POWERBOMB through a ladder bridge!!! The fans lose their minds as the Grayson Waller Effect just got brutally neutralized! New Catch Republic then moves on to WRECK the New Day with dropkicks! They hurry to stop Ciampa getting his ladder in, and they RAM him into barriers! Gargano is up, Dunne runs up but Gargano DUMPS him! Bate runs up into a GAMANGIRI! Gargano CANNONBALLS onto Dunne and Finn!
Ciampa RAMS Bate into the Prime drink tank! DIY say, “GET THE TABLES!” Philly fires up as now they go Team 3DIY! Truth helps out to set things up ringside as fans cheer for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” And not just one but THREE tables! Dunne DECKS Truth, Ciampa has Woods at the ropes. Gargano joins in, but Kofi saves Woods from the double suplex! Kofi hits TROUBL EIN PARADISE, Ciampa keeps Gargano from falling in ladders! Woods KNEES Ciampa, he and Kofi mug Ciampa, then SMACK him off another ladder bridge! Woods goes to the top and takes aim! Tightrope and LIMIT BREAKER on the ladder!!
Woods writhes, Kofi gets the ladder bridge outta the way, then TOSSES Dunne as he runs in! Kofi BOOTS Miz, Woods climbs, but Finn is back! Kofi kicks him, kicks Priest, brawls with Bate, and then kicks Miz! Woods and Kofi both climb, so Kofi SUPER TRUST FALLS to take everyone out!! Woods reaches out for the red belts in hand, but Theory CLUBS him! And KNEES him, and TOSSES him! Theory hurries to adjust the ladder, the fans boo! But NCR return! They drag Theory down, and bend his fingers! Dunne SNAPS Theory’s digits, then he and Bate hit the BIRMINGHAMMER!!
Dunne holds the ladder in place, Bate climbs, but Gargano’s back. Dunne runs up but Gargano puts him on the apron, GAMANGIRI! Ciampa climbs to intercept Bate! Gargano slingshots, ONE FINAL BEAT through a table!!! Bate and Ciampa brawl while fans lose their minds, and Bate touches belts! But Ciampa Alabama Lifts! SUPER AIR RAID CRASH!!! The ladder falls with them!! Philly again loses their minds, and wait! Truth rises up! Truth sees the belts, he sees the ladder, and the fans cheer him on! Truth stands the ladder back up, hurries to climb, but JD MCDONAGH attacks!? The Irish Ace YANKS him down, DEVLINSIDE!!
JD calls to Judgment Day as the fans boo as hard as they can! JD hurries to get Finn in and up the ladder! JD even helps Finn climb! Finn reaches out, but Woods returns! And Kofi! Kofi has a chair to SMACK JD! Woods fires off on Finn, then lets Kofi SMACK him, too! And again! JD sees he’s alone now, and the New Day carries the ladder over to tip it! JD falls through the tables!!! And then New Day resets the ladder, only for Priest to BOOT Woods! Priest CLUBS Kofi down, has him in the crucifix, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a chair!! Priest storms up the ladder while fans boo, but Priest just soaks up all that heat.
Priest grabs the belts, but MIZ returns! Miz fires off hands to bring Priest down! Miz grabs onto the belts, but Priest choke grips Miz! SUPER SOUTH OF HEAVEN! It wasn’t the cleanest given the ladder itself is beat up, but Priest chucks it to get a new one. Truth is there but Priest BOOTS him! Priest stands this new ladder up, and the fans rally for Truth to get up! Truth rises again and he TIP the ladder! Priest hotshots off ropes, and into a fireman’s carry! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT out of the ring! Truth hurries to get the ladder up again! Truth climbs and the fans are thunderous already! Truth grabs the belts, brings them down, and Awesome Truth win!!
The Awesome Truth are the NEW Raw Tag Team Champions
Judgment Day loses it all as Truth finally has a WrestleMania moment! He and Miz celebrate finally reigning together, will they make the rest of 2024 truly AWESOME?
Rey Mysterio & Andrade El Idolo VS Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar!
It was just last year that the father and son battled, and now on the biggest WrestleMania ever, this blood feud has escalated! The former La Sombra and the former El Hijo Del Fantasma are themselves multi-generational luchadores, each with their own ideas of what lucha libre should be. In shocking fashion, Andrade rejected Dom & Santos to join Rey, will they make him regret it? Or will the Prodigal Son and the Emperor of Lucha finally be humbled?
Naturally, both sides bring all their back up in the rest of the LWO and Legado Del Fantasma. The teams sort out and Rey starts against Santos. Santos JUMP KNEES, whips, then drops. Rey ducks ‘n ‘dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Santos staggers, Dom tags in and the fans boo. Dom stares Rey down but Rey smirks. Rey runs up, Dom dodges and kicks low! Dom reels Rey in, gives some Latino Heat, but Rey slips right out! Rey BOOTS, then tags in Andrade! Andrade CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Dom! Dom falls, Andrade DECKS Santos! Dom kicks low, CHOPS back, then runs, but into the boot feint and ELBOW!
Dom bails out, Andrade tags Rey, and they combine to wheelbarrow RANA to send Santos out! Andrade then climbs up, Rey climbs up onto Andrade’s shoulders, and they DOUBLE DECKER CROSSBODY! Direct hit and the fans all fire up! Rey bumps Dom off barriers, then brings him around to SLAP him! Dom gets into the ring, Rey goes up a corner to slingshot and RANA! Dom hits POST, then Rey takes off his belt! The ref reprimands, but Dom mule kicks! Dom whips Rey to the apron, but Rey ROCKS him! Rey springboards but Dom DECKS him! The fans boo but Dom KNEES Andrade off the apron!
Dom has the ref pay attention as he tags in Santos. Santos then KICKS Rey in the side! Fans boo as Santos puts Rey in the ring. Santos steps in to LEG DROP! Santos rains down fists, then he drags Rey up. Santos talks trash, whips Rey to ropes, and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Rey is tougher than that but Santos drags him up. Tag to Dom then Santos whips, BACKBREAKER and Dom slingshot SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Dom is annoyed but the ref defends his count. Dom facelocks to keep Rey away from Andrade. Rey fights up as the fans rally, and he throws body shots! Rey runs, but Dom UPPERCUTS him down! Cover, TWO!
Dom is annoyed and he brings Rey up to tag in Santos. They double whip Rey to ropes, then ELBOW him down! They both run to DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Santos is annoyed, and he drags Rey up to put him up top. Santos climbs, he pulls on the mask, but the fans boo! The ref reprimands, Santos lets go to then bring Rey into the Tree of Woe. Santos goes corner to corner, runs in, and PENALTY KICKS Rey out of the Tree! Santos smiles as he drags Rey up, snapmares, and clamps onto a seated Cobra Twist! Rey endures, the fans rally, and Andrade reaches out. Rey fights up, throws hands, but Santos shoves him to a corner.
Santos runs up but Rey BOOTS him! Rey bumps Santos off buckles, climbs up and he rains down fists! But Santos Electric Chair Lifts Rey! Rey throws hands, shifts around, but Santos blocks the sunset! Rey sits up to go again, CODE RED! Both men are down, the fans rally up, hot tags to Dom and Andrade! El Idolo rallies on Santos and Dom, DRAGON SCREW for DRAGON SCREW! Andrade ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Dom! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade sees Dom in a corner! Andrade has the fans chanting “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs to CIEN SHADOWS! Andrade then goes up the corner, MOONSAULT!
Dom moves, but Andrade STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Dom stays in this but Andrade whips him to ropes. Dom reverses, dodges, and NECKBREAKERS! Dom crawls, as does Andrade, hot tags to Santos and Rey! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Then he runs to RANA Santos onto ropes! Rey dials it up and the fans love it, but Dom runs in! Rey TOSSES Dom, redials, 619!! Andrade goes up to ARIHARA MOONSAULT Dom down! Rey then goes up but Angel distracts the ref! Humberto anchors Rey and Santos GAMANGIRIS! Santos then goes up to get Rey for a SUPER DUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Rey survives! Lopez gets mad at the ref, but Zelina YANKS her down! Zelina goes up the corner now to ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes Lopez, Angel is mad, and Carlito has to keep Zelina from getting after him! That’s fine, Cruz Del Toro FLIES out onto Angel! Humberto DIVES onto Cruz! Carlito RAMS Humberto into Angel! Wilde says let’s get a Mania moment! Carlito and Cruz agree! BOOSTED CROSSBODY takes out Angel & Humberto!! The fans are thunderous, but Santos runs up at Rey! DOUBLE KNEES in the corner, then Santos POSTS Rey! The ref sorts out the chaos on the outside as Santos tells Dom to bash Rey’s head out!
Wait, who are these guys in lucha masks!? They’re huge! They POST Dom, then put him in the ring! Just what happened here!? Santos is freaking out, Andrade CLUBS Santos and Rey puts him on ropes, too! DOUBLE 619!! Then Andrade gives Dom THE MESSAGE! Rey hits the FROG SPLASH on Santos! Cover, LWO wins!!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall
But seriously, who’re these towering dudes in the lucha masks? They take off the masks, and surprise! Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles! Fly, Eagles, Fly indeed! Will this finally be enough to humble Legado?
Jey Uso VS Jimmy Uso!
Two twins that were down since day one, but torn apart by pride and jealousy, these two will battle in just the third-ever Brother VS Brother singles match in WrestleMania history. This is twin VS twin, Uso VS Uso, YEET VS NO YEET, who will establish their own identity once and for all?
Given the deal they made just this past week, Jey gets Lil’ Wayne to be part of his entrance! Jimmy comes out here solo, so Jey DIVES right onto him! The fans fire up and “YEET! YEET! YEET!” as Jey POSTS Jimmy! Jey ROCKS Jimmy, POSTS him again, and then pushes Jimmy into the ring. Jimmy gets up, swings, but the bell rings as Jey dodges! Jey fires haymakers, whips, but Jimmy holds ropes. Jey clotheslines Jimmy up and out! Jey throws off the vest and he DIVES onto Jimmy again! The fans fire up as Jey gets Jimmy up and into the ring. Jimmy comes back, into a GAMANGIRI! Jey goes up, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!
Jimmy sputters but he survives and flounders to the corner. Jey takes aim from across the way, runs in, but Jimmy pops him up, SAMOAN DROP! Not the cleanest but Jimmy finally gets his vest off. Jimmy aims from the corner now, runs in, HIP ATTACK! Jey sputters now while fans boo. Jimmy keeps going, and he HIP ATTACKS again! Big Brother Jimmy shows no mercy as he then runs up to BOOT Jey down! Jimmy soaks up the heat for being Mr. No Yeet, then runs in again. Jey BOOTS Jimmy back! Jey goes up, leaps, but into an UPPERCUT! Jimmy grins as he says this is too easy. Jimmy eggs Jey on as Jey slowly rises.
Jey stands, into a SUPERKICK! Jey falls, Jimmy throws up the one, but the fans boo. Jimmy runs up to SUPERKICK again! Jimmy eggs Jey on more, and Jey stands again. SUPERKICK! Jey leans against ropes as Jimmy eggs Jey on. Jimmy aims, SUPERKICKS, and Jey flops around against ropes! The fans chant “JIMMY SUCKS! JIMMY SUCKS!” Jimmy says he doesn’t suck, and he SUPERKICKS Jey back down! The fans boo more but Jimmy just revels in it. Jimmy goes up the corner, mocks Jey’s bounce, but the fans give thumbs down. Jimmy aims at Jey, to USO SPLASH, but he has to roll out as Jey moves! Jey SUPERKICKS now!
Both Usos are down and the fans rally up! Jey and Jimmy slowly rise, they stare down, and oddly they both smile. Jimmy throws a haymaker, so Jey gives it back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, to Jey HAYMAKERS! “NO YEET! YEET! NO YEET! YEET!” and repeat! Jey ducks to fireman’s carry, but Jimmy fights free! Jimmy mule kicks, UPPERCUTS, but Jey returns the mule kick and the uppercut! Jey blocks a kick but Jimmy DRAGON WHIPS! So Jey PELES! The fans fire up as both Usos are evenly matched! This will come down to who makes the smarter move! Jey grins, Jimmy gets mad, and the fans rally up as the hands fly!
Jey fireman’s carries again, but Jimmy fights free again. SUPERKICK! Jey wobbles, but then he SUPERKICKS! Jimmy goes to ropes, Jey eggs him on now! Jimmy returns, to SUPERKICK! Jey rebounds to SUPERKICK! Jimmy goes to a corner, Jey eggs him on, so Jimmy SUPERKICKS again! Jey SUPERKICKS again! It’s a Superkick Party as Jey SUPERKICKS Jimmy in a corner! Jimmy’s dazed and Jey fires up! The fans rally, Jey SUPERKICKS again! Jey wants Jimmy to get up, and eggs him on! “I’m your twin brother!” Jimmy wobbles, the fans rally, and Jey goes corner to corner to SUPER SUPERKICK!! Jimmy falls in a heap!
The ref checks Jimmy but somehow, he’s still in this! Jey tells Jimmy to get up, he knows this isn’t it. Jimmy rises up, Jey says “Line ’em all up, knock ’em down!” SUPER- NO, Jimmy puts up the guard and Jey holds back! The fans boo, they don’t think Jimmy is sincere. Jimmy is apologizing?! He’s sorry for what he’s done!? The fans still don’t believe Jimmy, but what does Jey believe? Jimmy reaches out a hand, apologizes some more, and Jey takes it! The Usos hug it out! But then Jimmy SUPERKICKS!! The fans knew it all along! Jimmy hurries up top, to USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Jey survives and Jimmy is shocked!
The fans fire up with “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey crawls to a corner, Jimmy aims from the other. Jimmy glares at Jey as he rises, and then Jimmy runs in, SPEAR from Jey!! Jey drags Jimmy to the drop zone, goes up the corner, and USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
It was Uso VS Uso, twin VS twin, and YEET wins out! Jey stands tall, is this the end of the family feud?
Six Woman Tag: Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Damage CTRL!
While Bayley got betrayed by her own team, she isn’t the only one that has beef with Damage CTRL. The Glow, The EST and even SmackDown’s newest star can’t stand how Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai think they run this, and they’re taking a stand! Will this power trio tear down DMG CTRL once and for all? Or will not even the GlowEST Storm be ready for the Empress of Tomorrow, the Pirate Princess and #CobraKai?
Fitting of the Kabuki Warriors’ style, they have Japanese maidens waving fans and sprinkling cherry blossoms around for their entrance. The theme song seems to even have a Japanese remix now. As for Naomi, Bianca & Jade, they descend from the sky, ready to not just glow but to shine! The trios sort out, Asuka starts against Naomi and the fans rally up. Asuka and Naomi circle, tie up, and go around. Naomi headlocks, Asuka powers up and out and tags Kairi. Naomi ducks the Kabuki Warriors to SHOTGUN them both! Naomi kips up, runs at Kairi, basement dropkick! Naomi drags Kairi int position, SPLIT LEG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Kairi scrambles up, Naomi runs in but is put on the apron. Kairi runs up but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi goes up, but Asuka runs over! Naomi ROCKS Asuka but Kairi goes after the hair! The ref backs Kairi off but Dakota BOOTS Naomi down! The fans boo but DMG CTRL uses numbers to their advantage as always. Kairi goes up to SUPER FLYING KABUKI ELBOW! DMG CTRL talks trash and soaks up the heat, then Kairi puts Naomi in. Cover, TWO! Naomi stays in this but Kairi clamps onto Naomi. Kairi drags her over, bumps her off buckles and tags Asuka. The Kabuki Warriors double whip to bypass, KICK, AX KICK, BULLDOG and BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Naomi stays in this but Asuka stays on her. The fans rally, Asuka gives thumbs down, but Naomi throws body shots! Asuka SLAPS Naomi, but Naomi blocks the buzzsaw! Naomi spins Asuka but Asuka SLAPS her down! Asuka whips Naomi to the corner, runs in, but Naomi BOOTS back! Naomi fires off on Dakota and Kairi, then DOUBLE STUNNERS! The fans fire up and Naomi stands, but Asuka runs in! Asuka blocks kicks but not the REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Naomi crawls, but Asuka tags Dakota! Dakota anchors Naomi’s feet, brings her back, and Kairi runs up! Jade BOOTS Kairi, Naomi gets free to hot tag Bianca!
Bianca rallies on Dakota, DROPKICKS her down, then gets Asuka for a BACKBREAKER! Kairi returns, but Bianca wrenches and suplexes! Bianca holds Kairi up, marches around then SLAMS her down! Bianca kips up, the fans fire up, and Bianca runs to RAM both Kabuki Warriors in a corner! Bianca climbs up, and she rains down fists on them both! The fans count all the way to TEN, but Dakota runs in! Bianca backflips up and over, then scoops Dakota to a GUTBUSTER! Asuka runs up, SPINEBUSTER! Kairi goes up but Bianca ROCKS her first! Bianca trophy lifts Kairi to then DROP her onto Asuka and Dakota!
Bianca fires up, builds speed and handsprings to MOONSAULT! Three for one, triple cover! TWO!! The fans fire up as Bianca points to Jade! But Dakota gets the hair! Dakota puts Bianca on the apron, avoids Bianca’s shoulder and STOMPS her down! Cover, TWO! Tag to Kairi, and she tags Asuka. DMG CTRL gets Bianca up, Asuka CODE BREAKERS and Kairi BLOCKBUSTERS! Asuka then SLIDING KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Bianca’s the toughEST for a reason, but Asuka brings her up. Asuka whips Bianca to the corner, runs up, and ELBOWS! Dakota tags in, but Bianca fires off forearms on everyone!
Asuka mule kicks, she and Dakota bring Bianca around. But Bianca handsprings out of the double suplex, dodges the double lariats, hot tag to Jade! DMG CTRL is worried now! They run up, Jade DECKS Asuka, BOOTS Dakota, then choke grips Asuka for a CHOKE SLAM! Kairi is up top, she leaps at Jade, but Jade catches her! Jade swings Kairi around to a BACKBREAKER! Jade says Kairi chose the wrong one! Dakota runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Jade back drops her hard! Jade fires up, runs up, and STINGER SPLASHES! Jade brings Dakota around, suplexes to a MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, Kabuki Warriors break it!
Bianca gets in, she wrenches Kairi to a torture rack! But Asuka makes the save! Kairi waistlocks, but Bianca ducks, BLUE MIST into Kairi! BUBBA BOMB for Kairi, Bianca LASHES Asuka with the braid!! Torture rack, KISS OF DEATH!! Dakota runs up at Jade, but Jade turns wheelbarrow into chicken wings! JADED!! Cover, Jade’s team wins!
Winners: Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Her first WrestleMania, and Jade makes it a victorious one! Will this win lead all of the #Big3 to big things in the near future?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Sami Zayn!
Der Ring General has reached Day 667 of his reign, adding to the historic record with every defense. However, the Great Liberator vowed to do something truly historic for this WrestleMania, and dethroning the “greatest Intercontinental Champion in history” would certainly fit the bill! Chad Gable helped train Sami to be ready for this, will it all pay off? Or will nothing stop Gunther from keeping this mat sacred?
Before the match, Sami’s wife and son visit him backstage. They tell him tonight is the night. He can do it! Sami is so happy his son believes in him, and blows a kiss. Gable is there to tell him it’s time. Sami is ready, but Gable says he can’t go out there with him. Really? After all that training? Gable says Sami got this on his own, he always did, but don’t forget: you owe Gable a favor. Sami nods and shakes Gable’s hand. Sami goes up the long ramp to gorilla, then turns the corner to see Kevin Owens there! Kevin gives him a push and a hug, and tells him to go do it! Sami goes through the curtain to gorilla, then out on stage because it’s time!
As for Gunther, he has Imperium accompany him on stage, and they take his coat for him before he goes down to the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see just what kind of history is made here tonight!
The bell rings, the fans rally up for Sami as he circles around Gunther. They feel things out, circle some more, and they tie up. Gunther puts Sami in a corner, the ref counts, but Gunther lets off slowly. Sami sees chop and puts up his guard, and Gunther laughs. Gunther pie faces Sami, so Sami CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther shoves Sami back, Sami dodges the chop to CHOP, CHOP and then climb up! Sami rains down fists and the fans count. Gunther stops Sami at 7, swings, but Sami dodges to CHOP! CHOP! And whip, but Gunther reverses! Sami goes up but Gunther catches him to a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Sami writhes while Gunther paces. Gunther drags Sami up, CHOPS again, and Sami staggers away to ropes. Gunther gives Sami kicks then BOOTS him down! Gunther drags Sami up, scoops him and SLAMS him! Sami writhes more, but Gunther paces. Gunther stands Sami up just to CHOP him down! Gunther eggs Sami on, CHOPS him again, and Sami falls back over. Sami shakes his head as he rises back up, but Gunther UPPERCUTS! Sami goes to a corner, the fans duel, and Gunther storms up. Sami CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Gunther UPPERCUTS! Gunther runs to clothesline! Gunther puts Sami up top to CHOP again!
Gunther climbs up to STAND on Sami and bend him against the top rope! The ref counts, Gunther lets off, and Sami flops down to the mat. Gunther soaks up the heat and grins as Sami sits up. Gunther storms up on Sami and stands him up, to CLUB him on the back! Sami scowls but Gunther UPPERCUTS Sami right down! Sami’s wife is in the front row coaching Sami but Gunther talks trash. Gunther stands Sami up to KICK, and KICK, and CHOP! Sami flops down, but Gunther stands Sami up. Sami CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS! Repeat! The fans “WOO~”, Sami dodges Gunther to LARIAT! The fans and Mrs. Zayn fire up!
Sami brings Gunther up, but Gunther CHOPS! Sami roars as he stays up, so Gunther CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Sami CHPOS, JABS, fires off haymakers and fast hands! The fans fire up as Gunther has to cover up! Gunther shoves Sami, Sami BOOTS the lariat, then HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES! Gunther staggers up, into another HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Gunther LARIATS Sami right down! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and Gunther is annoyed. Gunther storms up on Sami, stands him up, but Sami CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Sami down! Gunther hauls Sami up but Sami fights the lift! Sami wrenches, CHOPS, CHOPS and SLAPS!
Sami goes up and up and TORNADO DDTS! Gunther flounders to a corner and the fans fire up! Sami takes aim, runs in, HELLUVA- SLEEPER! Gunther squeezes tight but Sami arm-drags free! Sami gets around, but Gunther headlocks to fight the Blue Thunder! Sami slips out the back to CLUB, CLUB, crossface forearm and repeat! Sami lifts, Gunther slips out, SLEEPER! Body scissors added on, Sami is caught on top of the Prime logo! The fans rally as Sami endures and reaches out! Sami moves around, fights to his feet, and Gunther’s a backpack on him! Sami marches his way forward, reaches his hand out, but he’s also turning red!
Gunther shifts to GERMAN SUPLEX Sami away from ropes! Sami flounders to a corner, Gunther runs in, but into a clinch! CORNER EXPLODER! The fans fire up as Sami goes to the opposite corner, then runs in, but into a T-REX SHOTGUN! GUNTHER BOMB!! High stack, TWO?!?! Sami survives and the fans fire up! Gunther is surprised and thinks on what he has to try now. The fans rally as hard as they can for Sami as he rises up. Sami wobbles and hobbles his way to a corner, Gunther runs in, and Gunther HELLUVA KICKS!? Gunther grins as he parodies Sami’s best move, and then stands Sami up.
Gunther runs, Sami follows! HELLUVA KICK!!! Cover, TWO!!! Gunther survives and Sami can’t believe it! Sami refocuses, goes back to a corner, and he waits on Gunther to stand. Sami runs back in, but into a LARIAT!! Gunther hauls Sami right up, GUNTHER BOMB!! Deadlift and ANOTHER GUNTHER BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sami shocks everyone, including Gunther! Philly is thunderous as Sami is still in this, but Gunther talks trash to Sami’s wife! Sami’s wife gives it right back to Gunther, so Gunther SLAPS Sami, CHOPS Sami, and stands over him. Gunther sits Sami up to KICK him!
Sami is on ropes, Gunther CHOKES him! The ref counts, Gunther steps away, but then stomps a mudhole in! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” but Gunther stomps more! The ref backs Gunther down, Sami drags himself up with ropes. Gunther soaks up heat, runs up, and LARIATS Sami back down! Gunther wants the ref to check Sami, but Sami is already sitting up! Gunther is annoyed, he again talks trash to Sami’s wife and family, and even says Mrs. Zayn should get in the ring to check on her husband. She just coaches Sami on instead, so Gunther hauls Sami up, GUNTHER BOMB right on the Prime logo!
Commentary is starting to get worried for Sami, but the fans are torn. Gunther grins as the ref checks Sami, but Sami still wants to fight! Gunther goes up, GUNTHER SPLASH! Gunther smiles, he’s just toying with Sami now! Gunther goes up the corner again, to GUNTHER SPLASH again!! The fans boo, but Gunther decides he’ll top it off. Gunther taunts Mrs. Zayn, but Sami is stirring! Sami is rising! The fans are firing up as Sami is firing up! Gunther can’t believe this, but he hurries up top! Sami HELLUVA KICKS the legs!! Sami goes up, brings Gunther to the top rope, for a TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER!!! The fans lose their minds!
Sami aims, Gunther stands, and Sami gives him a HELLUVA KICK!!! Gunther sits down int he corner, Sami goes back to the other side, and the fans are thunderous for the HELLUVA KICK!!!! Gunther falls, Sami covers, SAMI WINS!!!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)
“Historic” might be an understatement! Something about this is miraculous yet also inevitable! Sami once again holds the Intercontinental Championship after making the impossible possible! The Zayn family celebrates Baba Sami bringing home the gold, will this be the best reign Sami’s had yet?
Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce are here!
The General Managers of SmackDown and Raw want to take a moment to thank everyone live and everyone around the world making this truly the biggest WrestleMania of all time! And they’ve only just begin. All night long, the fans have given the WWE their passion and energy, and as we prepare for the biggest tag team match of all time, please give a little bit more. On behalf of the WWE, and the 72,543 beautiful souls that have filled the seats in The Linc, thank you!
The Dream Team Tag Match: Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins VS The Rock & Roman Reigns!
The American Nightmare won the Royal Rumble for the second year in a row, and his moment of hesitancy created this entire mess we’ve found ourselves in. The Final Boss and Tribal Chief who escalated things, and now this main event will directly affect tomorrow night’s main event! If The American Nightmare & Visionary win, Roman Reigns must finally have a title match that is fair and square, no Bloodline allowed ringside. However, if Cody & Seth lose, it’s the exact opposite! Bloodline Rules, anything goes, and The Rock has promised time and again to make Cody suffer and bleed! Then will Night Two be by the book? Or will it turn into a #FreakinNightmare?
The fans of course sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and he gets his pyro. Cody also hugs his mom, Michelle, at ringside before handing the Freakin’ Nightmare belt to his father-in-law, Otis Friedman, who battled cancer and chemo to be here. Rollins makes his entrance and the fans again sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins’ robe has quite the long train, and it’s a hybrid of blue velvet on one side and a gold ‘n’ black leaf pattern on the other. But then the lights drop down for The Rock’s Brahma Bull Black Adam entrance, “ACTIVATING V.10.0. FINAL BOSS ENGAGED.” Lightning and fire, and The Rock steps out on stage!
The Rock shows off The People’s Championship, as bestowed upon him by Lonnie Ali, wife to the late, great Muhammad Ali. And after The Rock makes it down to the ring, Roman finally makes his entrance, Paul Heyman by his side once again. Roman holds up the Universal Championship and gets his pyro as he stands her on Day 1315. Roman makes his way into the ring, holds the belt up again, and has his second round of pyro. The introductions are made, because the stakes are raised, and we see if The Bloodline gets their way like always!
The teams stare down and the fans fire up, but this still has to be 1v1. The ref wants them all to calm down and sort things out, but the stare downs only get more intense! Neither side is budging, not wanting to be the side that concedes first. The ref still insists, there have to be legal men and men waiting on the corner. Rock and Roman talk it out, fist bump, and Roman steps up! Cody and Rollins shake hands as Rollins steps up. Roman is amused and the fans fire up as we see the Shield brother rematch. They circle, the fans sing “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins is amused now while Roman is annoyed.
Roman and Rollins feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They go around, Roman headlocks, but Rollins powers up and out. Roman runs Rollins over and Rollins tumbles. Roman puts up the one, as does The Rock, and Roman says Rollins already knows, “I’ll run the b*tch over real quick.” Rollins and Roman reset, go again, and they tie up. Roman headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, but Rollins drops down to hurdle and redirect! Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges to mule kick! Roman sputters, Rollins wrenches and reaches for Cody, but Roman breaks free! Rollins smirks as Roman seems to be avoiding Cody.
Cody still wants to tag in and the fans want to see it, so Rollins tags Cody! We get our appetizer of the Universal Championship match as these two circle, and they tie up. Cody wrenches, wristlocks, and UPPERCUTS the arm! Cody CLUBS the arm, wrenches again, then whips. Roman reverses, runs in and clotheslines! Roman mocks the fans chanting for Cody, then CLUBS Cody down. Roman CLUBS Cody along the ropes, headlocks, but Cody powers up and out. Cody drops, hurdles, and kitchen sink knees! Cody ROCKS Roman, ROCKS him again, then UPPERCUTS! Roman headlocks, Cody powers up and out, but Rollins misses the tag.
Roman ducks ‘n’ dodges but hesitates, unsure if Rollins is making a move. Cody and Roman reset, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder. The Test of Strength goes around, and Cody wrenches to wristlock then headlock. Now Rollins tags in as Roman powers up and out. Cody ducks, Roman stops as he sees both Cody and Rollins there. The fans rally up as The Rock reaches out! Rollins smirks and Roman looks around. The fans chant “ROCKY! ROCKY!” so Roman tags him in! The fans fire up as the World Heavyweight Champion and the People’s Champion finally circle and feel things out. They tie up, and Rollins digs his heels in.
Rollins starts to push The Rock back, but Rock SHOVES Rollins down! Rollins sits up and nods as he admits, that was good, The Rock’s not just putting on Hollywood muscles here. They reset, tie up, and Rollins waistlocks, headlocks, hammerlocks then shoves The Rock! Rollins mocks The Rock to show it takes more than size to keep up with him. The fans sing “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” but also chant for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” The two tie up again, go around, and Rock puts Rollins in the ring. The ref counts, Rock lets off slowly, but then kicks low and hard! The Rock talks trash, throws hands, then DECKS Rollins!
Rollins flounders up, The Rock swings again but Rollins counter punches! And again and again and again! Rollins whips Rock to the corner but Rock comes back to LARIAT! Rock dares Cody to #JustBringIt! The fans fire up, they want to see it, too! Rollins stands, and he tags in Cody! The fans fire up as now Cody gets a chance to avenge that attack in Chicago! Cody and Rock stare down, circle, and tie up. Cody powers Rock back but Rock puts Cody in a corner. They go along the ropes, then back to center, then break. The fans rally as the two stare down again. Cody and Rock hear the energy building, and then the hands fly!
Cody counter punches, throws hands, but Rock kicks low! Rock whips, Cody reverses to kick and drop, RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody bumps Rock off buckles, CHOPS him, then ROCKS him! Cody stomps a mudhole in, then fires more hands! Cody bumps Rock off buckles, throws more hands, and he ROCKS The Rock! Tag to Rollins, they mug Rock and Philly fires up! They double whip Rock, DOUBLE ELBOW him, then Roman runs in! Cody kicks, RHODES UPPERCUTS, and Rollins SLINGBLADES! The fans fire up as Cody and Rollins watch Rock and Roman regroup. The ref wants things to calm down, one in and one out.
Cody and Rollins say okay, but then they fire off on Roman & Rock! Cody TOSSES Roman out, Rollins pursues Rock. Cody SMACKS Roman off the apron, Rollins sends Rock into the #HydrationStation! Roman turns things around on Cody, Rollins SPITS Prime into Rock’s face! Rock’s mama is there to yell at Rollins! Rollins ROCKS Rock, Rock CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rock SMACKS Rollins off steps! Rock says the ref counts this match out, he’s fired! Rock says IDGAF, The Rock is The Final Boss! Roman and Cody keep brawling up the ramp, Rock brings Rollins up, and Rollins CLOBBERS Rock with a Prime tank! Cody SMACKS Roman off the ramp!
Rollins DUMPS Rock over barriers and right into the crowd! Rollins pursues, the fans fire up as the brawling gets even closer! Rock SMACKS Rollins off the girder support! Rock tries again but Rollins blocks to SMACK Rock off the support! Then he SMACKS Rock off railing! Roman is sent into the giant L on stage! Foreshadowing? Rollins winds up to ROCK Rock! Roman kicks Cody, Rollins and Rock keep brawling! Roman suplexes but Cody blocks! Rock SMACKS Rollins off a trash can! Cody snap suplexes Roman on stage! Rock CLOBBERS Rollins with a trash can! Rock drags Rollins up but Rollins blocks the railing bump!
Rollins bumps Rock off railing, then ROCKS him again. Rock staggers away, Rollins pursues, and HEADBUTTS him! Rock and Rollins are returning to ringside as they go, but then Rock SMACKS Rollins off railing. Rock takes a swig and SPITS water in Rollins’ face! Probably tastes better than Prime. Anyway, Rock brings Rollins around, Rollins throws body shots and he TOSSES Rock back over. Meanwhile, Roman and Cody are now brawling down the ramp to ringside! Rollins goes up the barrier, to AX HANDLE Rock down! Rock flounders, Rollins stalks him, and Rollins whips Rock into barriers! Rollins puts Rock in the ring and says it’s harder to do this bell to bell, isn’t it?
Rollins goes up the apron, but Rock distracts the ref and Roman CHOP BLOCKS Rollins! Rollins’ leg only just recovered to 100%, he’s already clutching the knee and hobbling around. Rock goes out to KICK the bad leg! Rock finds Cody and DECKS him! Rock & Roman get Rollins in the ring, and Rock gets the leg to SMASH the knee on the mat! Rollins writhes but Rock brings him over to a corner. Rock SLAMS the bad leg against the post! Rock gets the leg again and he SLAMS the leg against post again! Cody protests but the erf’s hands are tied by The Final Boss. Rock rolls into the ring, tags Roman, and they stomp Rollins around.
The Bloodline picks Rollins apart, and then Roman bumps Rollins off buckles. Roman gets the bad leg in the ropes and pulls! Rollins fights but Rock kicks the leg from the outside! Cody protests, but again the ref is too scared of The Final Boss’ authority! Roman gets Rollins’ leg, trips him, and then steps over to a HALF CRAB! Rollins endures, the fans rally up, but Roman sits deep! Cody coaches Rollins, the fans rally up, and Rollins grabs at a leg. Rollins turns back over and he KICKS Roman away! Rollins throws hands, CHOPS, but Roman kicks low! Roman DECKS Cody with a sucker punch! Rollins dodges Roman to clothesline him out!
Roman staggers up, Rollins goes to the apron, but The Rock is there to attack! Rock whips Rollins into steel steps! The fans boo as Rock continues to abuse his authority! He whips Rollins back into the steel steps! Roman stomps Rollins, the ref keeps Cody back but that’s because Cody isn’t the boss. Rock puts Rollins in for Roman while Roman taunts Cody. The fans boo as Roman holds up the one to the sky, then Roman brings Rollins up. Roman whips Rollins hard into the corner and Rollins falls! Rock tags in, he drags Rollins up, and Rock whips Rollins back in hard! Rollins falls in a heap, Roman tags back in.
Rock & Roman get Rollins up, they double whip him into the corner hard, and Rollins falls again! Rock intimidates the ref, Roman taunts Cody, and then Roman also intimidates the ref. Rollins slowly rises, hobbles along the ropes and to a corner, but Roman HEADBUTTS him. Roman winds up to fire off the point-blank clotheslines! Roman goes all the way TEN, then brings Rollins around so he can run and BOOT Rollins down! Roman stares Cody down, puts up the one, and smiles as he soaks up the heat. Roman goes to the open corner, he locks ‘n’ loads, then takes aim at Rollins. Rollins stands, into the SUPERMAN- NO, Rollins gets around to NECKBREAKER!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins and Roman crawl, hot tag to Rock and Rock gets Rollins’ legs! Rock drags Rollins away, then LOW BLOWS quite blatantly! But the ref is too intimidated to say anything about it! Rock whips Rollins to CLOBBER him! Rollins sputters but Rock stomps him around. Rollins glares in defiance but Rock stands him up. Rollins ROCKS Rock! Rock ROCKS Rollins! Rollins ROCKS Rock, Rock ROCKS Rollins, repeat! Rock gets the edge with those haymakers, but Rollins PELES! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Rollins crawls, Roman panics and calls to Rock! Roman just runs in, Rollins TOSSES him!
Rollins hurries but Roman YANKS Cody down! The fans boo but Rock is on Rollins with a takedown, step through, and THE PEOPLE’S SHARPSHOOTER! The fans are torn as Rollins endures! Rollins grips his hair, grits his teeth, reaches out, but Cody gets in to SLAP Rock!! The fans fire up as Cody defies The Final Boss’ authority! Rock runs up, so Cody HOTSHOTS him! Rollins SUPERKICKS him! CURB STOMP!!! But the bad leg gives out!! Rollins clutches the knee, the fans are thunderous as he and The Rock crawl! Hot tags to Roman and Cody! Cody rallies on Roman with haymakers! Cody whips, Roman reverses but Cody CLOBBERS Roman!
Cody goes to a corner, goes up and over, then SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans are thunderous as Cody takes aim, runs, and springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! The fans fire up again as Cody drags Roman up and runs to springboard, CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives and Cody is frustrated, but he still has some cards to play. Cody storms around, glares at The Wise Man, and then calls his shot! Dragon sleeper, CROSS- NO, Roman snapmares! Cody avoids the Superman Punch, springboards, into a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and Roman is a little surprised!
Roman sees he has a bloody nose, and he’s furious! Nobody makes Roman bleed his own blood! NOBODY! Cody rises, Roman aims from the corner, “OOOAH~!” Roman runs in, but Cody sunset flips the spear! TWO!! Cody dodges the Superman Punch, goes up and up and Rollins tags in before a SUPER CODY CUTTER!! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Roman survives and Rollins can’t believe it! Rollins taunts Heyman, and Heyman says he hates Rollins’ song! The fans sing it anyway, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins aims from the corner, runs up, but Roman pops him up! POWERBOMB! Rollins flounders, Roman staggers, but “OOOAH~!”
Roman runs in, Rollins KICKS him! Cody tags, SUPERKICKS, and then Rollins SUPERKICKS! Roman rebounds, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! Cody says this is it, and Rollins runs up, CURB STOMP!! CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, Rock YANKS the ref out! The fans boo as The Rock skips intimidation and just abuses the ref! Rollins runs up but Rock kicks low! Rock whips Rollins into barriers, then dares Cody to do something. Roman LOW BLOWS Cody first!! Roman runs to SPEAR!! Rock shoves the ref in to count this, TWO?!?! Cody survives and Rock is furious! Roman can’t believe it but the fans are thunderous!
Roman is losing his cool, and he hammers down fists on Cody’s head! Roman scuffs Cody with the heel of his boot, then drags him up into the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Cody flails, grabs at Roman’s leg, but he’s fading! The fans rally, Cody gets a second wind, but even that is being squeezed out of Cody! The ref checks, but Cody comes back to life! Roman is shocked, so Rock trips Cody! They’re under the ropes, this should be a ropebreak! The Rock dares the ref to defy him, but Rollins CURB STOMPS Roman!! The leg hurts again, but Rock is on Rollins to TOSS him out! The Rock storms back to his corner and tags himself in.
The Rock hears the fans booing, which only upsets him more. The Rock then remembers his promise to Mama Rhodes, aka Michelle. Rock takes out the Mama Rhodes weight belt! He tells her the belt already tasted blood, now it’ll taste Mama’s tears! Rock storms into the ring, but Cody kicks back! Cody has the belt! Rock ROCKS Cody first! Rock wags his finger, the ref gets the belt away, Cody JABS! JABS! And JABS! Flip, Flop, Fly, BIONIC ELBOW! The fans fire up for Dusty as Cody powers up! Cody runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! The fans go nuts because they know what follows! The Rock stands over Cody, and he takes off an elbow pad!
The Rock runs side to side, but Cody gets up to CODY CUTTER!! The fans are thunderous all the same, and Cody roars as Rock rises up. Cody dragon sleepers, but Roman’s back to SUPERMAN PUNCH! Rock, Roman and Cody are down, Rollins is on the outside with his bad leg. The fans rally as Roman seethes and stands back up. Roman aims from the corner as Cody slowly rises. “OOOAH~!” Roman runs in, Rollins gets Cody outta the way, SPEAR TO ROCK!!! The fans go nuts, Cody and Rollins each get Rock and Roman! DOUBLE PEDIGREEES!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? HHH isn’t gonna be happy his finisher just failed twice in the same match!
The fans are thunderous as Cody and Rollins regroup. They strategize, fire themselves up, and then they go out to get each man. Cody fires off on Rock but Rollins goes up! SUPER CROSSBODY onto Roman! Cody clears off the English commentary desk but Rock CLAWS Cody’s face! Rock SMACKS Cody off steps, then clears off the Spanish commentary desk! That desk sure has been through a lot today… Rock SPITS water at Cody, then brings him around to SMACK off the Spanish announce desk. Rock scoops, tells Mama Rhodes to watch her son. Rock SLAMS Cody on the desk, then gets up on the desk with him.
Rock drags Cody up, clinches, but Rollins anchors Rock’s foot! Rock kicks Rollins away, but Cody throws elbows! Cody clinches, to ROCK BOTTOM through the English commentary desk!!! But Roman SPEARS Rollins through barriers!! The fans lose their minds over both these things! Cody manages to rise up, and he drags Rock from the wreckage. Cody puts Rock in the ring, but Roman hits a DRIVEBY DROPKICK! Roman drags himself up, Rock tags him in, and Roman glares at Cody. Roman hobbles while Rock says to end that POS. Roman stomps Cody around, shouts “HE DON’T BELONG HERE!” then DECKS Cody!
Roman paces around Cody some more, DECKS him again, but Cody leans on Roman’s leg. The fans boo as Roman looms over Cody, then ROCKS him again. Roman stands Cody up, but Cody ROCKS Roman! Roman ROCKS Cody, Cody ROCKS Roman, repeat! The haymakers keep going, Cody then body shots! Roman UPPERCUTS! Cody rebounds, gets around, CROSS RHODES!!! Cody drags Roman up to CROSS RHODES AGAIN!!! And then they get up again, but Rock LASHES Cody with the weight belt!! Cody drops to his knees, Roman SPEARS him back down!! Roman looks to Rock and Rock reaches out. Roman tags Rock in, and Rock snarls as he stands over Cody.
The fans boo as The Final Boss clearly insists on ending this match himself. Rock hits his Brahma Bull stance, Cody rises up, into the clinch and ROCK BOTTOM!! But Rock won’t end it there, he wants to hit the most electrifying move in all of sports entertainment! He raises the one to the sky, goes side to side, for the PEOPLE’S ELBOW!! Cover, Bloodline wins!
Winners: The Rock & Roman Reigns, by pinfall (The Universal Championship will be Bloodline Rules)
After bending the rules right until they broke and then bending them even more, The Final Boss gets the win and has sealed Cody’s fate. Will the only ending left for Cody’s story be a tragic one? Or is there some sliver of hope for Cody, even with the deck stacked so heavily against him?
My Thoughts:
An awesome first night for the biggest WrestleMania ever, though I’m really surprised we got a two-hour kickoff show with not one kickoff match. Well, I’m not disappointed, I was having dinner during the kickoff show anyway. Fun stuff in the kickoff show, too, with Big E and CM Punk being part of it. I really like that they grouped the Judgment Day related matches all together all at the start. Great match from Rhea VS Becky to open, and great win for Rhea after dealing out a lot of damage to Becky. The ladder match was awesome stuff, and I predicted half of that right. A-Town Down Under won the SmackDown titles but then got taken out for the rest of things, and how great for Awesome Truth to win. Now surely Priest will be desperate and want to cash in on something tomorrow to make up for this.
Rey & Andrade VS Dom & Santos was really good, but given all the overbooking, it might as well have been the huge 8 Man Tag between LWO and Legado. But a slightly surprising move that LWO won out then, though getting some Eagles players involved makes some sense given how closely WWE and NFL have been working together for a long time. And there’s a chance the feud only escalates from here going towards Backlash. Really good stuff out of Uso VS Uso, though it felt like it lagged in the middle as Jey just gave superkick after superkick to Jimmy. Jey winning was the right call with how much grief he’s been given by Roman and Jimmy.
Amazing ring gear from pretty much everyone in the Six Woman Tag, especially The GlowEST Storm mixing country and sci-fi. They were like space cowgirl bounty hunters or something, and as I said the other night, of course they won. Jade’s Mania debut goes her way, and surely she will stick together with Naomi & Bianca until some combination of the three take the tag titles off Kabuki Warriors. Awesome stuff in the Intercontinental Championship story. Sami didn’t need a big fancy entrance, just one that was emotional because it had his family, his trainer and his best friend all encouraging him.
Awesome stuff that Sami won, too, I wasn’t really sure if it was gonna happen. At the same time, Gable said Sami owes him now, so maybe Gable gets a title shot now? That’d be wild if Gable only trained Sami to make sure he could beat Gunther and then use what he learned about Sami against him to win. And of course, great stuff out of the main event tag match. Though, night one only went past the 11 PM Eastern mark because the entrances took so long. Roman & Rock winning was of course happening to put all the pressure on Cody, and Bloodline Rules, Anything Goes, that means no “Dusty Finish” to rob Cody of a proper ending to this story. Cody will surely assemble the WWE Avengers to battle The Bloodline, and somehow, someway, Cody wins and ends Roman’s reign.
My Score: 9.2/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/15/25)
Round 3, all together!
Is there a changing of the guard in NJPW?
El Desperado and Hiromu Takahashi both lost last round, but the Best of the Super Juniors is far from over! Do Despy & Hiromu still have a chance to take their blocks?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS SHO; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Clark Connors; Dia wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Kevin Knight; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Ninja Mack; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Robbie X VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Robbie wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS MAO; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Kosei Fujita; Fujita wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 2-0, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Dragon Dia: 1-1, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-1, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-1, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-1, 2 points
Robbie X: 1-1, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-1, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-1, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 0-2, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 2-0, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-0, 4 points
MAO: 2-0, 4 points
El Desperado: 1-1, 2 points
Titan: 1-1, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-1, 2 points
SHO: 1-1, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 0-2, 0 points
YOH: 0-2, 0 points
Taiji Ishimori: 0-2, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS SHO!
The Funky Weapon had a solid first round win, but was then brought back down in the second by Titan. Meanwhile, the Murder Machine failed to cheat Nick Wayne but brought the House of Torture down on Yoh. Who rises and who falls to kick off round 3?
Okay, wait. Last round, Yoh brought out whiskey with Sho’s name on it. Tonight, Taguchi brings out a bottle of champagne. Why’s everyone drinking on the job? Even Sho is wondering what’s going on. Wait, is Taguchi going to do what Yoh did? Taguchi takes a swig of champagne from his cup, and runs up on Sho! Sho runs away and it is another chase in Korakuen Hall! Sho fears the booze smoosh! Taguchi chases Sho to the entryway, but then just like the other day, the Tokyo Pimp was waiting! Taguchi backs up and apologizes. Taguchi decides to go into the orange seats, just like Yoh! But that surely means Evil is waiting behind the exit!
Taguchi storms into the hall, but no, it’s SANADA this time! The fans cheer seeing Cold Blooded in his Astro Boy boots, and Taguchi is just as surrounded as Yoh was last time. Taguchi figures he’ll keep the parallels going, and he fires up! Sanada & Yujiro mug Taguchi while Sho keeps the ref distracted! But this time, Yujiro holds Taguchi. Sanada runs up, but Taguchi slips free and the BOOT hits Yujiro! Then Taguchi shoves Sanada into Yujiro, and uses the pimp cane to DOUBLE LOW BLOW! And he THRASHES it around! And he lifts it again and again! The fans cheer but here comes Sho! Taguchi hurries away, pimp cane in hand!
Taguchi returns to ringside, slides into the ring, and he twirls the pimp cane. The ref confiscates the can, Sho slides in, and the bell finally rings to make this a match! Sho runs in, but Taguchi dodges and sends him into bare buckles! Sho suffers his own cheap trick and Taguchi rolls him up! TAGUCHI WINS?!?
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Sho is absolutely dumbfounded! All those shenanigans beforehand don’t matter, this will go down as one of, if not THE quickest match in the tournament! Taguchi does a dance with Yujiro’s pimp cane, but Sho rushes back into the ring! Taguchi KICKS the ropes to jam Sho up! Yujiro storms in from the other side, Taguchi KICKS those ropes! Sanada tries from a different end, but Taguchi KICKS those ropes, too! The Funky Weapon gets the better of the House tonight and they go into retreat. He can be serious and he can be strange, but will Taguchi reach the top of the block one way or another?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Clark Connors!
The 1-1 traffic jam is much worse in A Block than B Block, but one man will break away and leave the other behind. Will the Infinite Carat Diamond make up for his loss to Master Wato? Or will 100 Proof shift into a higher gear?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Dia and Connors slowly circle. The fans bark with Connors but Dia stays cool. The two tie up, Connors puts Dia on the ropes, but Dia dodges his cheap shot! Dia kicks low, whips, but Connors reverses. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides under the boot! Dia tilt-o-whirl ARM-DRAGS, then DROPKICKS! Connors doesn’t budge! The fans cheer and Connors brushes himself off. Dia SOBATS, runs, but into the JEEP FLIPPER! The fans fire up as Connors calls it a homerun! Dia bails out but Connors is right on him. Connors CHOPS Dia, brings him around, and POSTS him! Dia flounders and Connors tells fans to move!
The fans hurry away, they know from yesterday how this goes. Connors ROCKS Dia, but then he makes Dia take a seat. Connors stands on a chair to rain down fists! The fans bark and Connors goes to nine, then UPPERCUTS to top it off! The ref reprimands, but Connors goes looking under the ring! It’s WHEEL-SAN~! The fans cheer and Connors aims, but Dia dodges! Connors turns around, throws Wheel-san at Dia, but Dia ducks, and Wheel-san bounces off the post to SMACK Connors! The fans cheer as now Dia takes Wheel-san for his own! Dia hoists Wheel-san up, just to put it back under the ring!
The fans cheer, Dia puts Connors in the ring, and he has Connors in the corner. Dia whips corner to corner, Connors reverses, but then Dia dodges! Dia goes to the apron, ducks a haymaker to trip Connors and slingshot SPLASH! Dia hurries up a corner and the fans rally. Connors stands, into the D D- NO, Connors stops the 4D and makes it a suplex! Dia slips free, runs up and rolls, REPTI- NO, Connors stops that to SITOUT POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Connors rises, paces, and he aims from a corner. Connors watches Dia rise, then runs in, but Dia hurdles the spear! Dia goes back up, DDDDT!! Dia crawls to the cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Connors survives and Dia rises again. Dia hurries to the apron, takes aim and springboards, but into a SPEAR!! Connors crawls to the cover now, TWO?!? Connors survives and Connors can’t believe it! Connors slaps Dia around, whips him, but Dia rolls for the REPTILIAN! Cover, DIA WINS!!
Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
Connors tried burning rubber but now he’s hit a wall! Will he be able to make a U-turn and make it back to a winning way? Will Dia still be shining bright as the tournament rolls on?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Kevin Knight!
Direct Drive got screwed over by a stacked deck, but The Jet’s flight was grounded by MAO. Who finally gets going with their first points of the tournament?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yoh and Knight slowly circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Knight’s height becomes a point of leverage. Knight puts Yoh on the ropes, but he lets off slowly, then blows a kiss. The fans applaud and Yoh blows a kiss back. Knight offers a kiss on the cheek and the fans rally up. Yoh walk up, but Knight headlocks! Yoh powers up and out but Knight slides under the hurdle. Knight shoves Yoh, then he hurdles, to then jump and RANA! The fans cheer while Yoh tumbles to the apron. Knight triangle jump dropkicks him down! The fans cheer more as Knight builds speed!
Yoh hurries back in, and he dropkicks Knight’s legs out! The fans rally but Yoh basement dropkicks Knight! Knight goes to ropes, Yoh KICKS a leg, then CHOP BLOCKS it! The fans rally while Yoh covers, ONE! The fans applaud but Yoh clamps on with a HEEL HOOK! Knight endures, crawls over, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Yoh lets go. Yoh stalks Knight to a corner, but Knight fires body shots! Knight CHOPS, but Yoh kicks the leg! Yoh runs, but Knight scoops to BACKBREAKER! But that’s double-edged given the bad leg! The fans rally up while both men are down. Knight hobbles his way to ropes, then runs up to LARIAT!
Knight LARIATS, whips, but Yoh reverses. Knight manages to go up and over, then he avoids a dropkick to UFO SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yoh stays in this but then bails out. The fans rally and Knight fights through the pain to build speed. Yoh gets out of the way, only for Knight to slide out and then go to the corner! PLANCHA! The fans fire up as Knight knocks Yoh down! Knight fires up and the fans cheer as Knight hobbles back to Yoh. Knight puts Yoh in the ring, aims from a corner, and the fans rally up. Knight somersaults and- NO, Yoh stops the DDT to wrench, waistlock, only for Knight to buck the O’Conner Roll.
Knight aims, but Yoh blocks the superkick! Yoh then DROPKICKS the other leg! Yoh hurries to step through, and he has the FIGURE FOUR! Knight endures as Yoh has a slightly different angle on it than is traditional. The fans rally and Knight backstrokes to the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go and the fans rally up again. Yoh brings Knight up to suplex and FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and the fans cheer. Yoh roars and he tunes up! The fans clap along and Yoh waits on Knight. Knight rises, but he avoids the superkick to SKY- NO, Yoh fights the bomb to whip! Knight reverses, and hits SKY2HIGH!
Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Knight crawls to the apron, goes to the corner, and takes aim. Yoh rises, Knight runs in, but Yoh dodges! Yoh runs in but then Knight dodges! Knight returns to LARIAT! Knight puts Yoh up top, climbs up after him, and SUPER STEINERS! Yoh writhes and Knight hobbles. Knight aims, runs up, somersault and SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and Knight can’t believe it! Knight stands and he vows to end this. The fans rally as Knight goes to the apron. Knight aims again, springboards, but Yoh SUPERKICKS! And then suplexes, but Knight slips free to backslide! TWO!!
Yoh swings, Knight ducks and sunset flips, but Yoh sits on it! TWO!! Yoh is up, runs in at the corner, but Knight BOOTS him away! Knight goes up, FLYING- NO, Yoh dodges the lariat to DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Yoh wins!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
Knight tried to fly but Yoh used that to bring him down! Knight is 0-3, will his fortunes only get worse in round 4? Will Yoh stay fresh now that he’s finally on the board?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Ninja Mack!
It is shocking to say that the Time Splitter is 0-2 but that’s the truth after losing to Hiromu Takahashi and Robbie X. The American Ninja is only a touch better, having beat Robbie X to open, but then getting burned by Francesco Akira. Will Mack be on the attack and get back up? Or will Kushida finally hit 88 miles per hour and score?
Mack and Kushida bow and even shake hands. The fans applaud, the bell rings, and the two circle. Mack avoids Kushida’s leg trap, then things speed up. Mack rolls over the dropdown, hurdles, the backflips over Kushida’s slide! The fans cheer the standoff, but Kushida kicks and whips. Mack reverses, Kushida RANAS, but Mack handsprings through! The fans cheer but Kushida KICKS Mack’s leg! Kushida runs and tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Mack handsprings and flips! The fans cheer as Mack shows off a bit, and Kushida isn’t sure what to make of it. The fans rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” and Mack dares Kushida to battle on his knees.
Kushida isn’t sure about this, but Mack insists. Kushida agrees to the kneeling duel. Mack asks the ref also join them. The ref is surprised by that, but he also agrees. The fans cheer as Kushida and Mack tie up, break, then tie up again. Mack headlocks and hits a short takeover. Kushida headscissors, Mack kips up but to his knees, and the ref scoots around. Kushida and Mack scoot, as well, but then Kushida seems to chase the ref! Mack chases Kushida, and Kushida wants a timeout. Kushida stands but Mack just goes back to center. Kushida kneels again, they tie up again, and Kushida wrenches to a wristlock.
Mack rolls, waistlocks, but Kushida sits down to then float around. Mack switches, Kushida switches, then Kushida floats all around. Kushida has the waistlock again, Mack decides to stand, and he runs to ropes to TUMBLE to the apron! Kushida lets go, Mack mule kicks him, and then the Young Lions hurry over! The fans fire up for Mack’s TOP ROPE DOUBLE MOONSAULT!! Mack knocks everyone down and the fans are thunderous! Mack rises and fires up, so the fans fire up with Mack! Mack shouts out Pat McAfee, then he drags Kushida up. The fans rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” and Mack puts Kushida in the ring.
The fans rally as Mack climbs, then DIVING HEADBUTTS! Both men writhe, perhaps that was double-edged for Mack… Mack says, “Itai, itai!” but he still crawls to a cover, TWO! Mack puts on a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Kushida fights up but Mack hops on, it’s a HOVERBOARD!! Mack is using Kushida’s own move, but Kushida powers out to then put Mack in the HOVERBOARD!! Kushida rolls back, Mack reaches for ropes, but Kushida rolls through! Kushida hooks a leg, but Mack fights that into a ROLLING ROLLING ROLLING CRADLE~! Cover, TWO!!! Both men are up, Kushida somersaults, but Mack denies the satellite DDT!
Mack throws Kushida back to JUMP KNEE! The fans fire up as Mack hurries to the corner and climbs again! NINJA- NO, Kushida moves and Mack has to roll through! Mack goes to the far corner, Kushida runs up, but Mack BOOTS him! Mack runs, and he handstand walks over Kushida’s dropdown! But Kushida PENALTY KICKS the arms out! The fans fire up as Kushida takes aim! Mack rises, into the SHOTEI! Cover, TWO!! Mack survives, but Kushida is right on him with a fisherman and BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mack earns 0)
It was a wild ride, but The Time Splitter finally has points on the board! But is there still time for Kushida to again be the Best of the Super Juniors? Can Ninja Mack still get back on a winning track?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles w/ Hartley Jackson VS Nick Wayne!
Two of the three 2-0 block leaders meet already, so someone is taking an L! Will the Sniper of the Skies be the first to shoot down this Prodigy? Or will the ROH World Television Champion stand tall over the Soul of PWA?
The moment Eagles is ringside, Nick FLIES out onto him! The fans fire up as Nick hurries to put Eagles in! The bell rings, Nick is up top, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Eagles survives this sudden start and Nick takes time to take off his jacket. Nick takes Eagles’ shirt off and KICKS him in the back! The fans rally and duel as Nick lines up another shot. Eagles duck that kick, runs and RANAS, and then he WHEEL KICKS Nick down! Eagles kips up, the fans fire up, and Eagles starts up “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”
Then Robbie KICKS Nick in the back! Cover, TWO! Eagles grabs a leg to drop an ELBOW on it! Nick scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, but Eagles drags him back. Eagles KICKS away on that leg, but Nick BOOTS Eagles away with the other. Eagles goes to the apron, springboards in, but Nick dodges. Eagles kicks first, then CHOPS! Eagles whips, Nick reverses, then Nick hurdles, bypasses, and UPPERCUTS! Nick kips up, the fans fire up, and Nick pushes Eagles to a cover. TWO, and the fans rally up again. Eagles goes to ropes but Nick is on him. Nick stands Eagles up, winds up, and CHOPS! The fans rally while Nick brings Eagles around.
Nick snapmares Eagles, drops a leg, then covers, TWO! Eagles is tougher than that but Nick stays cool. Nick drags Eagles around, has the legs, and ties them up into a modified figure four! Nick then sits Eagles up so he can twist a wrist! Eagles endures as Nick has a double wristlock! Eagles uses his free arm to crawl over and have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Nick slowly lets go. Nick stomps Eagles on the back, then he brings Eagles up. Nick waistlocks, then goes for the nelson. Eagles fights that off, fires elbows, but Nick has the half nelson! Eagles drops down, slips under, and SNAP SAIDOS!
But Nick is right up! Only for Eagles to CHOP BLOCK! And then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles rises, and he KICKS Nick in the chest! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs, the fans rally, and Eagles LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up more and Eagles feeds off the energy. Nick goes to a corner, Eagles runs in and DOUBLE KNEES! Nick sits down, Eagles runs in again, METEORA! The fans fire up and Eagles covers, TWO! Nick stays in this but Eagles vows to end it. Eagles drags Nick up, cravats, ASAI- NO, Nick stops the DDT to go for the nelson! Eagles mule kicks free, but Nick slips around to STUNNER!
Nick cravats, ASAI- NO, Eagles slips free and then he ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO! But into the RON MIILLER SPECIAL!! Nick endures and the fans fire up! Eagles puts on the pressure but Nick still fights his way forward, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Eagles drags Nick back! Eagles KNEES Nick’s knee, but Nick spins to cradle! TWO!! Eagles escapes, runs up, but Nick avoids the low dropkick! Eagles blocks Nick’s kick, hooks him up, but Nick full nelsons! DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Nick’s bad leg held him back on that but the fans rally up all the same. Eagles stirs and Nick slowly rises.
Nick calls his shot, goes up the corner, but Eagles anchors him! Nick kicks and Eagles tumbles away, but then Nick jams his leg! Nick still tries, up, up and WAYNE’S- NO, Eagles dodges and Nick’s leg jams again! Eagles runs up but Nick ducks Hyperion! Eagles ducks the roundhouse, hops up, and POISON-RANAS!! Nick flounders to the corner and the fans fire up! Eagles roars, the fans fire up more, and Eagles runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Nick goes up but Eagles BASEMENT 619s! Then SNIPER DROPKICK to the leg! The fans fire up as Eagles then steps through, but Nick UP KICKS! Eagles wobbles, but he feints the slap to KICK the leg!
Nick still blocks Eagles’ kick and ROUNDHOUSES back! Nick goes up, up, into WAYNE’S WORLD!! Cover, NICK WINS!!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
Truly historic! Nick Wayne isn’t just the youngest entrant in BOSJ history, he’s the youngest to go 3-0 in his first BOSJ! Will nothing stop The Prodigy at this rate? As for Eagles, he may have fallen, but The Mighty Don’t Kneel! Will he get back up and soar higher than before?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Robbie X VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Mr. X is feeling good coming off a clean win over Kushida while the Heel Master had to get down and dirty to screw over Clark Connors. Will everyone hop on the X Express? Or will Kanemaru find a way to screw over another War Dog?
Well speaking of, the moment Robbie is on the apron, Kanemaru knocks him back down! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Kanemaru stomps Robbie, wrenches his arm and hammerlocks, so that he can POST Robbie shoulder first! Kanemaru CHOKES Robbie with his own shirt! The bell rings, the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru stomps Robbie more. Kanemaru CLUBS Robbie, but Robbie SMACKS Kanemaru! Kanemaru stumbles, Robbie is right on him with another forearm! Robbie SMACKS Kanemaru off the apron, then he runs a lap around the ring! Robbie come sin for a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK!
The fans fire up with Robbie while Kanemaru falls. Robbie puts Kanemaru back in the ring and the fans cheer. Robbie aims and springboards, but Kanemaru dodges. Robbie rolls and comes back, but Kanemaru BOOTS him! Kanemaru wrenches the arm to YANK, YANK, then hammerlock and SLAM! Robbie writhes but Kanemaru stalks him to a corner. Kanemaru drags Robbie up, YANKS the arm, and then wrenches again. Kanemaru WRINGS the arm out and Robbie writhes more. The fans rally for Robbie but Kanemaru stands him up again. Kanemaru WRINGS the arm out a second time, then stalks Robbie.
Robbie tells the ref not to call this, but Kanemaru just stomps him around. Kanemaru whips, Robbie handsprings, but the bad arm gives out! Kanemaru BOOTS the bad arm, but Robbie CHOPS! Robbie fires up, runs, and still handsprings! But Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Robbie has to give up on the cutter, and then Kanemaru tilt-o-whirl DDTS! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru “falls” on the ref! The fans know better than that, but Kanemaru takes off his boot! Kanemaru aims, runs up, and he CLOBBERS Robbie with it! Then Kanemaru takes time to put his boot back on! Kanemaru then scoops for BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO!!!
Robbie survives and Kanemaru is mad with the ref now. Kanemaru goes up, waits on Robbie to stand, and then DEEP- NO, Robbie turns that into a deep atomic drop! The fans fire up, Robbie hits the NO HANDS HANDSPRING! LETHAL INJECTION X!! And then X EXPRESS!! Cover, ROBBIE WINS!
Winner: Robbie X, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
The Heel Master thought he could get away with more trickery, but Robbie X has those intangibles of grit and determination! Will Robbie continue to rise up the ranks until this becomes the X Block? Can Kanemaru go back to the drawing board and come up with new ways to cheat?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS MAO!
El Inmortal snatched a quick victory from Ryusuke Taguchi last round, but the Idol Warrior is undefeated at 2-0! Will Titan stay alive? Or will he be cut down as things heat up?
The bell rings and the fans rally and duel a the two circle. It seems rather even, and the two feel things out. They knuckle lock, though Mao plays around a bit with changing levels. Titan trips Mao, things speed up, and Mao hurdles, only for Titan to leap over! Mao kips up, the two stare down for just a moment, then Titan runs up. Mao wrenches Titan and whips him to a corner, but Titan goes up and over to then handspring away! The fans fire up, and Titan runs again. Mao RUNS Titan over! #Tsukakui! The fans fire up while Titan bails out. Mao pumps up more, then goes to the ropes. Slingshot ARIHARA MOONSAULT!
Direct hit on Titan and the Young Lions, but Mao almost wipes out the front row at the same time! The fans fire up and Mao fires up with them. Mao puts Titan in, then runs up to BOOT Titan against ropes! Mao keeps moving, and he CANNONBALLS Titan against ropes! Cover, TWO! Titan is still in this and the fans rally up. Mao drags Titan up, reels him in and tucks the arm, then a leg! Then both legs! Mao uses a very Llave style hold, then dumps Titan down into JUST FACELOCK! Titan endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Mao lets go, and Titan shakes out his legs. Mao smiles as he hears the fans dueling.
Titan slowly rises, the fans rally harder, and Titan CHOPS! Mao powers up to be tsukakui! Titan CHOPS again, but Mao just puffs up! Titan CHOPS, fires up, but Mao hits OSAKA RINKAI UPPER! Titan falls and the fans fire up again! Mao drags Titan up, whips him to the corner, then runs in. Titan BOOTS Mao, SOBATS and fires a strike fest! The fans fire up for Titan and he goes to the apron. Titan springboards to CROSSBODY! Then he DROPKICKS Mao out! Titan DIVES, direct hit in Mao and more of the front row! Titan hurries to put Mao in, then springboards, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! But Titan wraps Mao up in a TRAILER HITCH!
Mao scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go and the fans rally even harder! Titan kicks Mao, kicks again, but Mao fires a forearm. There wasn’t much behind it, and Titan eggs Mao on. Mao fires more shots, then fires a flurry! Titan SUPERKICKS back! Mao checks his teeth, the ref confirms it is okay. Titan runs, Mao uses the ref as a shield! And then Mao leaps over to CUTTER! Mao grins and he vows to end this now! Mao drags Titan up, scoops, MICHINOKU- NO, Titan slips free and shoves! TORNADO DDT! Then he drags Mao back up, for a GOURD BUSTER! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Titan hurries to the corner!
Titan skins the cat to the top rope! Then he aims for DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Mao flounders, Titan hurries to cover, TWO!! Mao survives and the fans fire up more! Titan roars and the fans cheer. Titan has Mao’s leg, steps through, but Mao makes it a cradle! TWO, and Mao says LOOK! Titan falls for the trick, and Mao DECKS him with a right hand!! The fans are torn and the ref reprimands about closed fists. Mao drags Titan up, reels him in, MICHINOKU- NO, Titan slips free! Mao is shocked, but he capoeria dodges to KICK and- NO, Titan blocks tha tkick to fire a strike fest! But Mao UPPERCUTS!
Mao fires his own strike fest, KICKS Titan down, but Titan kips back up!! The fans are thunderous and Mao says now THIS is tsukakui! They fire forearms back and forth and the fans fire up! It is fast ‘n’ furious, neither man is backing down, and Mao gets the edge! Mao ROCKS Titan with an elbow! Mao then powers up and runs, OSAKA RINKAI!! But Titan stays on his feet!! Mao just runs again, OSAKA RINKAI!! But Titan is still standing! The fans are thunderous as Titan comes back for more! Mao runs, Titan dodges, but then Mao goes Matrix to avoid the superkick! Titan goes Matrix to avoid the uppercut!
Titan CALF KICKS! Mao still runs, goes Spider-Man, and DREAMCAST KICKS!! Mao drags Titan up, goes to the corner and comes back, DREAMCAST KICK, but Titan grabs the leg!! LLAVE INMORTAL!!! Mao is caught, and he TAPS!! TITAN WINS!!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Mao earns 0)
The star of CMLL clashed with the star of DDT Pro, and in the end, lucha libre and llave win the day! The CMLL World Welterweight Champion is back on the rise, but will he prove himself the Best of the Super Juniors? Can Mao still find his own path to the top after this fall down the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Kosei Fujita!
The Way of the Grandmaster crosses paths with the Japanese Young Punk in a partial rematch of their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match. But will Wato win now like he did then? Or will Fujita grab the golden ticket?
The two get face to face but the ref wants them to calm down. Fujita pushes Wato back, Wato puts his coat aside, and then he gets back in Fujita’s face! Tensions are mounting and there’s more pushing. The ref has them back off, and then the bell rings. The fans duel already as the two stare down. Wato gets in Fujita’s face, so Fujita fires a forearm! Wato fires back, and the forearms fly! The fans rally as this gets fast ‘n’ furious already! Wato ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita storms up, only for Wato to ROCK him again! And again! Wato eggs Fujita on so Fujita fires a flurry! Wato fires it all back! Fujita wobbles and drops to a knee!
The fans cheer, Wato fires more shots, and Fujita falls to the mat. But Wato just keeps raining down forearms! Wato then goes for the bad arm and has a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Wato also steps over Fujita’s head to keep him down. Fujita fights his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Wato holds until the ref counts, then Wato stomps Fujita down. Wato brings Fujita up but Fujita ROCKS him! Fujita whips Wato to a corner, CHOPS him, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans rally as Fujita CHOPS more and more! Wato eggs Fujita on so Fujita CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then KNEES Wato down! The fans fire up as Fujita stands Wato up.
Fujita CHOPS more, but Wato leans into those shots! A bit reckless as the CHOPS really hit hard now. Wato’s chest is red, but he turns things around to KICK Fujita! And KICK! KICK! KICK! Fujita sits down, but Wato stands him up for more KICKS! The ref reprimands, Wato backs off, and Fujita sputters against the ropes. Wato storms back over and digs his boots into Fujita’s neck! Wato stomps a mudhole but the ref backs him off. Wato drags Fujita up, brings him around, and knees low! Then sunset flip, into VENDEVAL! Fujita endures, rocks the boat, and manages to roll through! Fujita goes for the legs and ties them up!
Fujita adds a chinlock, but Wato fights around! Fujita wants the arms now, and he gets them! NEMOS SPECIAL! Wato endures, tips over, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Fujita lets go. Wato sputters but Fujita waistlocks and deadlifts! Wato fights the suplex, throws elbows, but Fujita CHOPS! Wato KICKS! Wato then ducks a chop to ROUNDHOUSE! And SPIN- NO, Fujita ducks that kick to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita storms up on Wato, brings him up, and torture racks! But Wato fights free, runs up, tilt-o-whirl and clutch, RECIENTEMENTE! Cover, TWO!
Fujita survives but Wato roars! Wato drags Fujita up while the fans rally. Fujita fights the suplex, but Wato still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fujita lands out! Fujtia then slips around Wato to O’Conner Roll and CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Wato survives and Fujita roars! Fujita vows to end this and the fans fire up! Fujita drags Wato up, reels him in, and suplexes, only for Wato to fight it! Wato wrenches, reels Fujita in, but Fujita switches! ABANDON- NO, Wato fights that with knees! Wato KICKS, but then Fujita ducks the roundhouse! UPPERCUT! ABANDON HOPE!! Fujita roars because that’s not enough!
Fujita drags Wato up, torture racks, and THRILL RIDE!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
Eagles pinned Yoh, Fujita pinned Wato, the pair is complete! Will the Ichiban Sweet Boys make sure to take those IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships back before the year is over? Will one of them have the trophy to add to the collection?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Rogue Luchador lost to The Prodigy, but that proved him right: anyone can win any given match. But will Desperado get back up and keep Taiji down? Or will the Bone Soldier win over THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
The bell rings and the fans rally for “DE-SU-PI! DE-SU-PI!” Despy fires up and circles with Taiji. They tie up, Despy trips Taiji and things speed up. Taiji hurdles, Despy leaps over, then they keep going. Taiji fakes out the hurdle to BOOT Despy down! The fans are torn, but Taiji runs. Despy does the splits to let Taiji tumble out! Despy then builds speed, but Taiji GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up and Taiji grins. Despy bails out the side but Taiji goes over to fetch him. Taiji drags Despy up, and POSTS him! Despy falls in a heap and the fans rally. Taiji drags Despy up, and POSTS him again! Taiji then tells fans to move aside!
Young Lions help usher fans out of the way, and Taiji wrenches Despy to whip and BOWL him into chairs! STRIKE! Taiji leaves Despy behind while Red Shoes checks on him. Taiji unties the blue buckle pad and waits on Despy. The ring count starts as Despy rises from the chairs and personal belongings. Despy stands at 9 of 20, hobbles his way over, and rolls in at 14. The fans applaud but Taiji storms over to Despy. Despy throws body shots but Taiji CLUBS Despy! Taiji wrenches and wristlocks to then wrangle Despy to the mat. Despy endures and fires kicks from below. Taiji pushes on the arm, isolates it, and then STOMPS it!
The fans are torn while Despy writhes. Taiji laughs and paces around. Taiji drags Despy up, wrenches, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Then he hammerlocks the arm, to RAM it into bare buckles! The fans are torn again while Despy bails out. Taiji soaks up cheers and jeers while the ring count starts. Taiji goes out so that refreshes the count, and he drags Despy up by the bad arm. Despy endures while Taiji wrangles him and digs a knee in. Taiji SLAMS the arm down, then rolls back into the ring. Red Shoes checks Despy again and Despy rolls back into the ring. Taiji stomps Despy, then digs his boot into the bad arm!
Red Shoes counts as Taiji has Despy on the ropes. Taiji stops at 4, but the fans continue to rally and duel. Despy stands to CHOP, but Taiji CLUBS him! Taiji whips, Despy holds the ropes, but that just hurts the bad arm! Taiji grins while Despy crawls. The fans rally for Despy, but Taiji stomps him around! Taiji whips, Despy reverses and scoops for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Despy and Taiji go to corners, and Despy shakes out the bad arm. Despy runs in, blocks a boot, and puts the leg in the ropes! Despy KICKS the other leg, then give sit a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Taiji hobbles and falls and the fans fire up again.
Despy rises, storms up on Taiji, and give shim a SHIN BREAKER! Then a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Taiji writhes but Despy has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji reaches out but Despy goes for that arm! Taiji fights around and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Despy lets go in frustration, and he kneels on the leg. Red Shoes reprimands, Despy plays dumb, but then “Oops!” and he drops a knee on Taiji’s leg! Despy again feigns innocence, then he brings Taiji up. Taiji fights the pump handle, so Despy KICKS the bad leg! Taiji drops to his knee and Despy drags Taiji up again. Gut wrench and- NO, Taiji slips free, but his leg jams!
Taiji hobbles, Despy runs up, but Taiji BOOTS him! Taiji runs up, hops on, CRUCIFIX DIRVER! Into the BONE LOCK!! Despy flails, fights around, and reaches out, but Taiji pulls on the hold! Despy still fights, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it out to Taiji, Despy’s hand is under the rope but that’s the same! Taiji lets go in frustration, and the fans rally while both men are down. Taiji shakes out his leg and rises back up. Taiji drags Despy up and brings him in, but Despy RAMS him into the bare buckles! Taiji suffers his own trick, and Despy runs in, only to be sent into the bare buckles! And then the POST! Despy clutches his arm while Taiji grins.
Taiji brings Despy around to hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! But that was a bit double-edged given the bad leg! Taiji shakes his leg out, aims from the corner again, and Despy rises up. Taiji runs in, LA MYSTI- NO, Despy fights Mystica to a roll and STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji rolls into the YES LOCK!! Despy endures, fights around, and reaches out! But Taiji rolls Despy away! Only for Despy to roll through, STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Taiji reaches out, Despy rolls him away, NUMERO DOS PLUS! But Taiji pops free to have the SEATBELT! TAIJI WINS!!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
Desperado continues to be proven right, even as he keeps losing! The Bone Soldier has finally gotten points, will it be #ByGrace that he still takes the block? As for Desperado, will he stop giving out golden tickets to his opponents? Or will the line of contenders only grown longer?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Francesco Akira!
The Ticking Timebomb lost in last round’s main event to Fujita, and Fujita beat Akira to open the tournament. But the Crown of Fire reignited by beating Ninja Mack and is ready to burn even brighter. Just how explosive will this main event be to close round three?
The bell rings and both men rush in! Akira BOOTS Hiromu, Hiromu fires a forearm, and Akira fires back! They go back and forth, and then Akira gets the edge. Akira whips Hiromu to a corner, runs up and LARIATS, then Akira runs corner to corner. But Hiromu follows to LARIAT! Hiromu snapmares, but Akira is right up! Akira dodges, RANAS, and Hiromu has a rough landing! Hiromu bails out, Akira PLANCHAS onto him! The fans fire up with Akira and clap along, “A! KI-RA!” Akira says sup to Great-O-Khan on commentary before he CHOPS Hiromu! Akira hops up onto the apron and wraps on the headscissors!
The fans cheer as Akira squeezes tight while throwing up the crown! Hiromu endures, Red Shoes reprimands, but Akira lets go at 4. Akira has fans move aside before he brings Hiromu around. Akira CHOPS Hiromu, then whips him and BOWLS him into chairs! The fans fire up for the STRIKE, and Akira clears out some of the chairs. Akira drags Hiromu up, makes him take a seat, and CHOPS! Akira then gets space, runs in, and BOOTS! But hiromu stays up, so Akira gets space again. Akira takes a lap, even! And he runs back in, but Hiromu OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Akira onto the chairs!!
The United Empire at ringside freaks out seeing Akira crash land like that! Hiromu has a very stern look on his face, maybe this isn’t about having fun right now. Hiromu goes back for Akira, drags him up, and CHOPS him! Akira sputters and staggers away but Hiromu stalks him. Hiromu CHOPS again! And he has more fans clear out! Hiromu BOWLS Akira into the chairs for a STRIKE of his own! Akira sputters and Red Shoes wants this in the ring. Hiromu says that’s what he’s doing. Hiromu drags Akira up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Hiromu drags Akira up, CHOPS him, and then brings him around for another CHOP!
Hiromu CHOPS Akira again and Akira gasps for air. Hiromu whips, Akira reverses, but Hiromu grabs ropes. Akira runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu hits the HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Hiromu mocks Akira by telling fans to take pictures of it! Hiromu lets go as Red Shoes counts, and Akira sputters. Hiromu storms in, whips Akira to a corner, then LARIATS, snapmares, and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans duel as Akira stays in this, but Hiromu clamps onto Akira with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Akira endures as Hiromu sits way back! Akira frees one of his arms, but Hiromu just puts it back into place!
Hiromu pulls back on the hold, but Akira keeps fighting! Akira manages the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go, paces around, and he drags Akira back up. Akira fires a forearm, but there’s not much behind it. Akira fires another, and then CHOPS! That had something! Akira runs, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! And then Hiromu ties up the legs, MAXIMUM- NO, Akira has the ROPEBREAK first! Hiromu lets go, but then drags Akira back! Akira kicks free, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Hiromu TOSSES Akira to the apron, DROPKICKS the legs, then he runs! But Akira SLINGSHOT CUTTERS first! The fans fire up while both men are down!
The fans rally as Akira rises and brings Hiromu around. Hiromu breaks free to CHOP! And CHOP! Hiromu whips, Akira reverses, then Akira blows past to jump up and RANA! Much cleaner this time and Hiromu bails out. The fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” and he FLIES! Down goes Hiromu! Akira rises and the fans fire up with him! Akira goes back for Hiromu, puts him in the ring, and he shouts, “Oi, Korakuen! IKU ZO!” The fans fire up for that, and Akira TRIANGLE LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives and Akira is frustrated but the Empire coaches him up. The fans still duel and Akira shakes his head.
Akira brings Hiromu up, SPEED- NO, Hiromu slips free, suplexes, and FALCON ARROWS! But Hiromu can’t make the cover! The fans rally up again and Hiromu drags Akira up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, Akira slips free, but Hiromu BOOTS him! Akira runs back in, Hiromu puts him on the apron, but Akira ROCKS Hiromu first! Akira climbs, but Hiromu CHOPS! Now Hiromu climbs, and the fans rally as Hiromu fires body shots. Akira fires back, then hops down to UPPERCUT! Akira springboards and- NO, Hiromu stops that to fireman’s carry! SUPER TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives and the fans are thunderous!
Hiromu shakes his head, and he grins as he stalks Akira. Now it’s fun as Hiromu fireman’s carries. But Akira fights it! Akira throws elbows, only for Hiromu to power up! F5, but Akira lands out! Hiromu kicks, KICKS, but Akira SUPERKICKS! Akira runs, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS back! Hiromu wobbles, but he brings Akira up to fireman’s carry! Swing and TIME- NO, Akira pops free! And he gets around Hiromu for a POISON-RANA! Akira roars, but so does Hiromu! GERMAN SUPLEX! But Akira rises, DOUBLE LARIATS collide!! The fans rally and duel as hard as they can while Akira crawls after Hiromu.
Akira waistlocks Hiromu, then goes for the arms! Hiromu fights the chicken wings, but Akira pulls Hiromu from the ropes! They struggle for every inch, and Akira POPS Hiromu up, into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Akira is stunned! The fans rally as hard as they have all night, and Akira feeds off that energy to bring Hiromu up. Akira reels Hiromu in, SPEEDFIRE!! Akira then aims from the corner, for the NOVA FIRE- NO!! Hiromu ducks in time! But Akira comes back to METEORA! And then NOVA FIREBALL from the front! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu survives and shocks everyone, which is why Korakuen is electric!
Akira goes back to a corner and takes aim again. Hiromu rises, into the NOV- NO, Hiromu ducks again, and then STEALS NOVA FIREBAL!! Hiromu drags himself back up using the ropes, and he hobbles over to Akira! Hiromu roars, fireman’s carries, and hits the DYNAMITE PLUNGER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Akira survives and no one can believe it! Hiromu shakes his head as we hit 15 minutes, and he rises again. The fans rally and duel as Hiromu fireman’s carries once more. TIMEBOMB- NO, Akira sunset flips it! TWO!! Hiromu wrenches, pump handles, HIROMU-CHAN- NO, Akira rolls the roll back to a JAPANESE LEG CLUTCH! TWO!!!!
Hiromu escapes, Akira runs up, but Hiromu stops the wheelbarrow! Akira flails but Hiromu still WHEELBARROW GERMANS!! But Akira stands?!? HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! Cover, ONE?!?!?! Not even Khan can believe what he is seeing! Akira grits his teeth and he crawls over to Hiromu. Hiromu picks him up, CORNER DEATH VALLEY!! And then Hiromu roars! Hiromu dragon sleepers, but Akira fights with kicks! Akira is free, runs up, but into a tilt-o-whirl SIDEWALK SLAM! Hiromu huffs ‘n’ puffs, and he tells Akira to get up! The fans rally on another level, as Akira stands into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!?!
Akira is surpassing human limits, but Hiromu dragon sleepers again! Inverted suplex for TIME- NO, Akira slips free! And he has Hiromu down for a BRIDGING FUJIWARA, into a REVERSE CROSSFACE!!! Hiromu endures, reaches out, but Akira is between him and the ropes! Akira BENDS Hiromu and Hiromu TAPS!!! AKIRA WINS!!!
Winner: Francesco Akira, by submission (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)
The Timebomb could not hit the Timebomb, and perhaps that is why he self-destructed! For being a four-time tournament winner, is Hiromu just no longer the Best of the Super Juniors?
As for Akira, he quickly gets the mic to ask Hiromu, in Japanese, to wait a moment. Hiromu stops, and Akira tells Hiromu, “Right now, you don’t have a faction. The United Empire has been looking for new members. Would you like to join?” Hiromu says no thanks and storms off. Waiting until after you’ve beaten someone probably isn’t the time to offer them a helping hand… Akira shrugs that off and says he’s very tired. But pro-wrestling sure is a lot of fun, huh? But hold on, hold on. Akira shifts to English and says that he promised to stop looking at the past, only look to the future. Stop thinking about those who left, but to those who are here.
He has Callum, Jakob, Khan, Templario, Aaron, Akira himself, and the fans! Akira is here to be the best Junior Heavyweight int he world, and tonight, he just beat one of the strongest ever! The fans cheer that, and Akira goes back to Japanese. Akira thanks everyone here tonight, and promises, don’t take your eyes off him as he makes his Japanese dream come true! The fans fire up for that as Akira drops the mic and throws up the crown. Will the Crown of Fire blaze that trail to the very top of the mountain until no one can deny him?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 3-0, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 2-1, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-1, 4 points
Robbie X: 2-1, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-2, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-2, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-1, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-2, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-2, 2 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 3-0, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-1, 4 points
Titan: 2-1, 4 points
MAO: 2-1, 4 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-1, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-2, 2 points
El Desperado: 1-2, 2 points
SHO: 1-2, 2 points
YOH: 1-2, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 0-3, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome night for NJPW here, and they’re really going hard with all ten matches at once. Still some really quick ones, but those are a lot of fun all the same. The blocks again have unique looks to them, but now everyone in A Block has at least one win, with Fujita rather quickly and quietly moving up as the frontrunner with his 3-0 record. B Block now has only Kevin Knight at 0-3 and only Nick Wayne at 3-0. Rather surprising on both sides, but especially with Nick. Nick beat Sho, beat Desperado, and now beat Eagles, that’s an honestly incredible list. All three of those guys have checked off the Junior Heavyweight singles and tag titles, and at this point, Nick might as well be a semifinalist already.
NJPW also continues to show they’re masters of organizing a match card where everything escalates and gets better as you head for the main event. The last four matches on this card could’ve main evented just about any weekly American wrestling show, aka AEW or WWE TV, and no one would be disappointed. Akira’s win over Hiromu was definitely the best, and Akira had a great promo to put forward that, well, the Empire is moving forward. Ospreay, Fletcher & Davis are in AEW, and now Cobb is in WWE, and that is great for them, but the Empire (both kayfabe and shoot) and the fans can’t let that get them down. What’s left are still amazing, and Akira is making moves towards the top, he is a believable semifinalist.
My Score: 9.1/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The Road to Money in the Bank is paved with golden opportunities!
While SmackDown superstars battle to enter Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax! Is Tiffy Time about to run out?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Alexa Bliss; Bliss wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- Fraxiom VS #DIY; Fraxiom wins.
- Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz; Aleister wins, by disqualification.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Rey Fenix VS Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo; Solo wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- LA Knight VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu; JC wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Nia Jax; Tiffany wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring!
The would-be Head of the Table smiles as he leads Jacob Fatu and the newest member of the WWE roster, Jeff Cobb, to the ring. The Samoan Werewolf is also still WWE Untied States Champion thanks to Solo and Cobb, and the fans cheer for “FATU! FATU!” Solo has the mic to tell Greensboro, “Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome the man who helped keep the United States Championship in this family… My man, JC!” The fans boo as Solo and Cobb dap it up. Solo says, “When Roman lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, he ruined everything for my family. He ruined everything! We lost everything!
“But now, I’m here to take it all back.” The fans boo, but Solo says that starts with him winning tonight’s qualifying match, going on and winning Money in the Bank, and then going after the title to bring it back to the family where it belongs. And if there is anybody in the back that tries to step in front of Solo, they will be dealt with by his man, JC, and the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu! The fans do cheer that part, and Solo says check it! They better get in where they fit in, cuz Solo’s all gas- Fatu stops Solo from using his shtick! The fans cheer but Solo is upset. Solo lets it slide, and Fatu says, “Let’s keep it 100. Don’t you ever get this thing twisted over here.
“I told y’all I was bringing the US title to the family!” The fans cheer that! “And I told you I was gonna do it with your or without you!” The fans also cheer that. “And if anybody gets in my way, well line ’em up, cuz I’ma deal with ’em all by myself!” The fans cheer again, and Fatu says at the end of the day, FATU is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA- Solo interrupts by mocking the Yadada over and over. JC chuckles and Solo says of course he knows what Fatu means! Everyone knows what Fatu means! Solo does, and so does JC. But Fatu, don’t worry. The reason Solo is doing all of this is because he loves Fatu. This is all to help!
Look at your shoulder, Jacob. What is that? That is proof! That title is proof of Solo telling Fatu that Solo loves Fatu. But there is something Solo needs to hear from Fatu. Solo is sure Fatu remembers what he used to say all the time, loud ‘n’ proud, every minute of the day. What was that? How’d Fatu used to do it? Fatu says, “I love you, Solo.” The fans boo and Solo laughs. That wasn’t it! That’s not how he used to do it! Everyone here knows how! He used to be loud ‘n’ proud. C’mon, Jacob! Solo pushes Fatu, and asks Fatu who he loves. He wants Fatu to do it the old way. Fatu takes off his sunglasses, but then here comes LA Knight!
The fans fire up as the Mega Star sneaks in from the crowd! Knight drags JC out and SMACKS him off the desk! Knight fires hands, then he gets away before Solo & Fatu can get him! Knight says that’s what they get for messing him over at Backlash! Knight’s willing to fight all three members of Solo’s “family,” but with Solo in tonight’s qualifier, will it be Fatu or JC that deals with LA?
B-Fab talks with Mia Yim backstage.
Fab tells Mia that #MichinInTheBank sounds great. So we need Mia to go out there and win the qualifier. Because you know what goes good with the briefcase? The tag titles~! Mia says yeah, once she brings that briefcase back to them, they’ll have it all! But then the Green Administration laughs their way in. Chelsea tells Mia & Fab that while this is cute, if anyone is winning MITB this year, it is the VIP of last year. But she still lost last year… Chelsea says once she wins, she is going to ring in a beautiful “social economic policy” that has a trickle down effect to lower interest rates for all of… her Secret Her-vice.
But Alexa Bliss walks over and taps Alba on the shoulder. Alba freaks out, as do Piper and Chelsea. Alexa just tells the others, “See you out there.” Piper & Alba calm Chelsea down, but then B-Fab tells them that no, there’s a ringside ban in place. What? Who approved that? Fab says either way, they’re stuck watching backstage with her. Have fun~! B-Fab accompanies Mia to gorilla, and Chelsea shouts she’s putting tariffs on mediocrity! Mia & B-Fab are first on the list! Well, delusions of grandeur aside, will there be no road back for the Hot Mess to MITB? Or can she somehow get one over on the Head Baddie in Charge and Lil’ Miss Bliss?
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Alexa Bliss!
SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, followed by Chelsea. The bell rings, and Mia SUPERKICKS Chelsea! The fans are torn but Mia and Alexa high-five. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They go around, Mia headlocks and hits a takeover. Alexa slips out to headlock right back. Mia fights up, powers out, but Alexa tilt-o-whirls, only for Mia to swing her around. Mia whips, Alexa ducks ‘n’ dodges. Chelsea is back in but Alexa slides to trip her up! Mia adds a basement DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles out, Alexa rolls Mia, TWO! Mia blocks another try and she backslides Alexa, TWO! Alexa drop toeholds! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!
Mia is up and she body scissor rolls Alexa, TWO! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Chelsea complains but what else is new? But then Alexa & Mia DOUBLE DROPKICK Chelsea! Chelsea is furious, but then Alexa & Mia DOUBLE WRECKING BALL DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles to the ramp but Mia goes out to fetch her. Mia puts her in the ring, but then Alexa YANKS her down! Alexa goes up but Mia YANKS her down! They argue, and Chelsea DIVES onto them both! Greensboro fires up for Miss Green, and she salutes before shouting, “PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE!” Hard to tell if anyone does as SmackDown goes to picture in picture.
Chelsea drags Alexa up, THROWS her into barriers, then drags Mia up to throw her into barriers! Chelsea storms back over to Alexa and she puts her in the ring. Cover, TWO! Chelsea is upset with the ref but the ref defends the count. Chelsea bumps Alexa off buckles, talks trash, then bumps Alexa off more buckles. Chelsea whips Alexa right back into the corner, then grabs the arms. Chelsea gives Alexa the motorcycle STOMP into the buckles! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is annoyed but she drags Alexa up and TOSSES her out! Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers while she leads a Pledge of Allegiance to Chelsea Green.
Chelsea then storms out and whips Alexa into barriers! Chelsea pulls Alexa’s hair, drags her into the ring, and CLUBS her down! Chelsea CLUBS Alexa again, then BOOTS Mia from the apron! But Alexa rolls Chelsea! TWO, Chelsea clinches but Alexa fires body shots! And an ENZIGIRI! Chelsea comes back to SMACK Alexa off the mat! Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers, but Mia is in! GERMAN SUPLEX for Chelsea! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX for Chelsea! Chelsea elbows free of the third, but Mia blocks her kick! Mia slips under Chelsea to lift her up, and SIT-OUT POWERBOMBS! Cover, Alexa breaks it!
Mia is frustrated but all three women are down while SmackDown returns to single picture. Mia storms up on Alexa, but Alexa blocks a shot! Mia still fires fast hands and kicks, then a PELE! Mia whips Alexa to a corner but now Chelsea runs in! Mia dodges and PELES Chelsea, too! Chelsea falls onto Alexa, and Mia says get this twerk! Mia runs up to CANNONBALL! Mia then drags Alexa to a high stack, TWO! Cover on Chelsea, TWO! The fans rally up as Mia drags Chelsea around. Wrench and- NO, Chelsea avoids Da Feet, then avoids Alexa’s haymaker! Chelsea pokes Alexa in the eyes! Mia runs up, Chelsea dodges, the BOOT hits Alexa!
Mia turns around, she and Chelsea DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! Both women fall, and that means all three are down! The fans fire up while the three stir. “This is Awesome!” as Mia bails out. Chelsea and Alexa crawl to each other. Chelsea shouts at Alexa but Alexa fires a forearm! Chelsea fires back, the forearms go back and forth! The fans are torn, but Alexa blocks to SLAP, ROCK, and DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Alexa runs, but Mia SHOTGUNS Alexa down! Only for Chelsea to chicken wing Mia! Mia wrenches out, and EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT AGAIN! Mia is frustrated, but Alexa dodges her to tilt-o-whirl and DDT!
The fans fire up and Alexa puts Mia in the drop zone! Alexa climbs, the fans fire up, and it is TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Chelsea breaks it!! Chelsea DUMPS Alexa out, drags Mia up, UNPRETTY HER!! But Alexa drags Mia out of the ring! Chelsea is furious, takes a swing, but into the clinch! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Green saw red, but Alexa used that against her! Will Alexa make this #MoneyInTheBliss? Or will there be a second chance waiting for Mia and Chelsea?
Fraxiom VS #DIY!
Whether or not Nathan Frazer & Axiom were in the wrong for facing The Street Profits when Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins were less than 100%, that’s hard to say. But Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano used it as an excuse to go after the new kids on the block instead of admitting they’re jealous of the new kids on the block. But will the undefeated Fraxiom #NeverSlowDown? Or will DIY prove that if you want to get ahead, you gotta Do It Yourself?
SmackDown returns as DIY makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Axiom starts against Ciampa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Axiom waistlocks, Ciampa wrenches to a wristlock, and Ciampa grinds the arm down. Axiom endures, the fans rally, and Axiom fights up. Ciampa keeps on the arm, but Axiom rolls, bridges, then breaks free to DROPKICK! Tag to Frazer, they whip Ciampa and wrap him up but Ciampa fights the Iron Octopus! Ciampa is now in a GROUND OCTOPUS, and Frazer still runs to DROPKICK him! Ciampa bails out, Gargano runs in, but into KICK after KICK, ASSISTED DROPKICK!
Gargano bails out, Frazer DIVES onto Ciampa! Ciampa almost ends up in the front row! Axiom DIVES onto Gargano! Frazer DIVES onto Ciampa again, and he DOES end up in the front row! Axiom DIVES again and Gargano hits barriers! DIY is down, Greensboro fires up, and Frazer drags Ciampa back into the ring. Tag to Axiom and he goes up a corner. Ciampa staggers to his feet, but he avoids the leap. Axiom dodges the chop, but Gargano inadvertently(?) trips him at the ropes! The ref reprimands, but Ciampa KNEES Axiom down. Tag to Gargano, and Gargano LARIATS Axiom down! The fans boo but Gargano grins.
Gargano drags Axiom up, brings him around, and THROWS him into barriers! DIY sits on the barriers, and they applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back. Gargano then puts Axiom in the ring, but Axiom CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then fires forearms! Axiom reels Gargano in, but Gargano scoops to SLAM Axiom into the ropes! Axiom tumbles out of the ring, DIY soaks up the heat, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ciampa keeps Axiom from Frazer. Axiom fires hands, Ciampa KNEES low, then Ciampa whips Axiom to the corner. Axiom ROCKS Gargano, goes up and over Ciampa, and then rolls! Hot tags to Gargano and Frazer! Frazer springboards to AX HANDLE Gargano, then he BLASTS Ciampa! Frazer LARIATS, whips, but Gargano reverses. Frazer goes up and over then handsprings away! Gargano runs up but into a SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up and Frazer keeps moving, QUEBRADA, then DDT! Frazer keeps moving, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Gargano survives that speed blitz but Frazer hurries to a corner!
The fans rally as Frazer goes up, up, and PHOENIX- NO, Gargano moves! Frazer rolls through, Gargano ROCKS him! Gargano runs, but Frazer JUMP KNEES! Frazer runs, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Gargano tags Ciampa and Ciampa reels Frazer in! Underhooks, SUPERKICK into FAIRYTALE ENDING!! Cover, AXIOM BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while DIY regroups. Gargano TOSSES Axiom, then PLANCHAS! Ciampa hoists Frazer up, PROJECT CIAMPA!! Cover, TWO!?! Frazer survives and “This is Awesome!” Ciampa takes his kneepad down and aims from a corner. PSYCHO- NO, Frazer dodges and the knee hits buckles!
Gargano tags in, he BLASTS Axiom and then BOOTS Frazer! Gargano goes up, Frazer GAMANGIRIS! Gargano wobbles, Frazer climbs up, and Frazer brings Gargano up! Gargano fires body shots, SHOVES Frazer, but Frazer backflips through! Ciampa storms up but Frazer ENZIGIRIS first! Frazer hurries back and jumps up to the top rope! Axiom tags in, and Frazer hits the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, and Frazer suplexes Gargano! Axiom adds a SUPERKICK, CHASING THE DRAGON!!! Cover, CIAMPA KNEES AXIOM DOWN!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ciampa and Frazer bail out, Gargano and Axiom scrap with each other!
Gargano stands to ROCK Axiom, but Axiom CHOPS! Gargano ROCKS, Axiom CHOPS, repeat! Gargano fires a flurry, but then Axiom ducks the rolling elbow! Gargano fights the German Suplex, bucks the O’Conner Roll, but Axiom kips up! INTO A SUPERKICK! Gargano then rolls Axiom up, with tights! TWO, and into a RINGS OF SATURN!! Gargano endures, Ciampa hobbles in, and he grabs at the mask! Frazer SUPERKICKS Ciampa down! Gargano SUPERKICKS Frazer! Roll up, but Axiom sits on it! FRAXIOM WINS!!
Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall
Gargano is stunned! But then he and Ciampa CLOBBER Fraxiom! The fans boo but DIY are sore losers! And they still rip at Axiom’s mask! But here come the Motor City Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin grab Ciampa, ENZIGIRI FLATLINER to the floor! Gargano realizes he is alone and he runs for it! But MCMG flanks him, and Sabin PENALTY KICKS from the apron! MCMG take care of DIY, and they help Fraxiom to their feet. When and where will the two fastest moving tag teams face off?
Rey Fenix prepares backstage.
Andrade finds him and wishes him luck tonight. Fenix thanks Andrade, and also says last week was a great match. Andrade says maybe they’ll see each other in the MITB ladder match. Fenix says he had his WrestleMania Moment, and though he failed, that fire inside him is burning brighter than ever! Fenix feels it! That next level is MITB. But Solo Sikoa says, “Ey, Carnal!” Solo asks Fenix & Andrade where LA Knight went. El Idolo & the Firebird have no idea. Solo says he’s no good at Espanol. Solo and Cobb storm off, Fatu looks Fenix and Andrade over, then Fatu follows.
Will Solo’s family find LA Knight before the night is over? How will Solo prepare for his qualifier if he’s obsessed with the Mega Star?
Fraxiom regroups backstage.
Frazer & Axiom are fired up, because they are on a roll! No one can stop them! But then The Street Profits walk up and applaud. Dawkins says, “Congratulations, boys! You’re on a roll! Beat DIY, Pretty Deadly, Los Garza, and the other night, y’all even got one over on us.” Ford says what they did is so special! So special that Ford & Dawkins just talked with Aldis, and Aldis has granted Fraxiom their tag team championship match! How ’bout that? AHAHAHA! But guess what? The best part is… They don’t gotta wait until MITB, or even Saturday Night’s Main Event! The WWE Tag Team Championship match is next week!
Fraxiom is fired up, and Frazer says all they have to do is beat the Profits again! Axiom stops Frazer there, and says what Frazer means is that they’re looking forward to this. The Profits shake hands with Fraxiom, and Dawkins says they’ll be 100% then. Hopefully Fraxiom will be, too. The Profits head out and Frazer says they’re speed-running this! Axiom has Frazer calm down and focus on next week. Frazer says yeah, let’s go work on that! Will the Jersey Island Rocket & Undeniable Truth be undeniable as #1 contenders? Or will The Profits not only get that smoke, but get that respect?
Exclusive sit-down interview with R-Truth.
Wade Barrett thanks Truth for meeting with him. To get right to it, during the Backlash press conference last Saturday, John Cena hit Truth with an Attitude Adjustment through a table. What is going on with them? Truth says life is tough. This is the constant pressure, man. Career, family, friends, bills. But regardless of what’s going on in your world, you can always depend on John Cena. When you feel like you want to quit, what would Cena say? Never give up! You didn’t know when it was gonna come, when it would happen, but what would Cena say? Your Time Is Now! Hustle, Loyalty, Respect! Those are not just words, those are a beacon of light.
If Cena did it, so can you! Wade wants Truth to listen to himself. Truth sounds crazy! Truth basically won that match for Cena at Backlash when he stopped Randy Orton from punting Cena. And then look how Cena repays Truth! And Truth wants to sing Cena’s praises? Truth says Cena won that on his own. You don’t know Cena like Truth knows! That man at the press conference was NOT John Cena! The Cena that Truth knows would never turn his back on the people that support and love him. The Cena that Truth knows wouldn’t talk about ruining wrestling, or put his friend and brother through a table!
Truth doesn’t wanna fight Cena. But if he has to beat some sense into Cena, then Truth will do it. Truth will do it. He already talked to Nick Aldis. It is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event! Cena is the Greatest of All Time, but Truth remembers what his hero told him about facing the impossible: Never Give Up! Regardless of what happens, Truth will hold his head high, because he will live by Hustle, Loyalty & Respect! That’s what’s up! Wade says this has been rather enlightening, and best of luck against Cena at SNME. Truth says much obliged. So then, will Truth be able to make Cena see the truth? Or will the Never Seen 17 still ruin wrestling?
Damian Priest speaks.
“Drew. It feels like we’re stuck in a cycle. You get involved in my business, I get involved in yours… Sabotage each other until we destroy everything. I’m banged up, I’m frustrated, but most of all, I’m pissed off at myself for getting stuck in this vortex that is Drew McIntyre’s petty, childish, vindictive BS. We need a conclusion, Drew. At Saturday Night’s Main Event, a simple match won’t do it. I want you to hurt real bad. I want you to feel real pain. I want to bash your face in so bad that the hospital will need dental records to identify you. Anarchy, violence, I want this to happen inside a steel cage.
“I hope this is what you wanted, Drew. Because it’s what you’re gonna get. The cycle ends here.” The Archer of Infamy has spoken, will he send the Scottish Warrior way past South of Heaven?
Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz!
The Dark Father made the Hollywood A-Lister #FadeToBlack, and then he made H1M miss like an airball. But will Aleister stay untouchable in his return? Or will this be the night Melo hits the game winner?
SmackDown returns and The Miz tells the camera, “Allow me to explain exactly what is about to happen.” Melo stops Miz there and says he’s got this. “Aleister Black! Ptew! Even saying your name makes me sick. Last week, you had the opportunity to take my head off, and you didn’t take it. And that’s the biggest mistake of your life. Because now, this beef, it will never end. Okay? It’s not over until I win. You in the playoffs, big dog. Ask the last guy, cuz it’s Melo over everybody! It’s MOE! I’m the Tenth Wonder of the World! I am H1M!” Miz says, “Who’s H1M?” Melo says, “I am.” “Who’s H1M?” “I am!” “WHO’S H1M?!” “I AM!”
One month ago was Aleister’s grand opening. Tonight in Greensboro, it’s closing night. Melo & Miz go to the ring, but will they make this Melo’s Rocky 2? Or is this more like riding into the Perfect Storm?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Melo headlocks, but Aleister powers his way out to wrench and wristlock. Melo rolls, trips Aleister, then floats to a headlock. Aleister fights up, he and Melo fight for the clinch, then they end up in a corner. Aleister turns things around, lets off slowly, but Melo SLAPS him! The fans boo, Aleister swings but Melo dodges. Aleister dodges Melo and runs, but Melo drops down. Aleister stops himself and arm-drags! Melo fights up, arm-drags free, but Aleister runs him over! Cover, ONE! Melo sweeps to cover, ONE! Both men kip up and the fans fire up!
Melo shakes his head, but then he narrowly avoids Black Mass! Aleister sits down cross-legged but Melo gets up in a huff. Aleister blocks a kick, reels Melo in and waistlocks. Melo ELBOWS free, whips, but Aleister reverses. Melo springboards, but into a BOOT! Melo tumbles out of the ring and Miz is worried. Aleister goes to a corner, goes up and out, but Miz gets Melo in the ring! Aleister MOONSAULTS, lands on his feet, and wonders what happened. Aleister glares at Miz, but Melo FLIES! Down goes Aleister and the fans are torn, but Miz is all fired up! The ref reprimands Miz but Melo puts Aleister in the ring.
Melo springboards, FADE AWAY DDT! Cover, TWO! Aleister stays in this but Melo says he is H1M, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Melo goes, but Aleister runs up and steps up to BOOT Melo down! Melo falls to the floor and Miz is worried. The ring count climbs while Miz coaches Melo up. Melo rises at 5 of 10, crawls over at 7, and he rolls in at 8! Aleister dodges Melo to then rally with forearm sand elbows! Aleister ducks a shot, fires a strike fest and sweeps the legs! Then SLIDING KNEE! Aleister handsprings, the fans fire up, but Melo waistlocks! Aleister switches, Melo elbows free, but runs into a DROPKICK! Melo bails out, Aleister goes up, and this time he MOONSAULTS onto Melo! The fans fire up and Aleister puts Melo in. Aleister hurries to cover, TWO!
Melo survives and Aleister grows a bit frustrated. But Greensboro says “This is Awesome!” as Aleister waistlocks Melo. Melo fights up, reaches out, and throws elbows. Aleister lifts, Melo victory rolls, TWO! Aleister escapes, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Melo runs, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! And then Melo reels Aleister in for the suplex, only for Aleister to sunset flip! TWO, and Melo BOOTS Aleister! Aleister is in the corner, Melo blocks a boot, but not the KNEE! Aleister goes up to METEORA! Aleister then fires up, to ROUNDHOUSE! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Melo survives again and even Miz is surprised!
The fans rally up and Aleister rises. Aleister waits on Melo to rise, but Miz creeps up! Miz swipes at the feet, the ref reprimands, but Melo rolls Aleister! TWO, and Aleister KNEES Melo! Aleister runs, but into another LA MYSTICA! And then a suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Melo is beside himself, Miz argues with the ref, but then Miz tells Melo to go for that three pointer! Miz is on the apron, the ref reprimands, and Melo brings Aleister up. Melo and Miz argue about the game plan, but Aleister shoves Melo into Miz! Cradle, TWO!! Melo escapes, but the SHADOW ELBOW finds him! Aleister fires a strike fest, but the FIRST 48 hits!
Aleister rebounds, BOOTS Melo, then JUMP KNEES! Melo sputters and Aleister lifts with his foot. But Miz CLOBBERS Aleister!!
Winner: Aleister Black, by disqualification
Miz drags Aleister up into a full nelson, but Aleister powers out! BLACK MASS!! But then Melo CHOP BLOCKS Aleister! Melo rains down fists, then he goes to the corner. Melo is going to do just as Miz said to, NOTHING BUT NET!! Melo hits that three pointer but only after the match was done. Will Melo make sure he’s the one who wins in the end?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron Saxton says last week, she made her return, and tonight, she is the first to qualify for this year’s MITB. How does it feel? Alexa says it is amazing. Now her goal is to be the first woman to win MITB twice. She wants to take that briefcase and… Alexa trails off, then asks to be excused. Alexa walks down the hall, and she sees Charlotte Flair waiting outside Nick Aldis’ office. Alexa says hey, and Charlotte asks Alexa, “What’re we doing here?” Alexa just wants to know if Charlotte gave any thought to what they talked about last week. Charlotte says yeah, they aren’t friends. They weren’t even that close.
No, but when Alexa first came to NXT, no one gave her the time of day. Charlotte took Alexa under wing, and was for some reason a decent human being. Alexa never forgot that. Charlotte doesn’t remember that. Alexa says fine, but then out of the office steps GIULIA! Aldis also walks out to introduce the newest member of the SmackDown roster. Aldis then tells Charlotte, “Let’s talk Money in the Bank.” Charlotte tells Alexa to just stay out of her way, because Charlotte doesn’t need Alexa. Alexa says, “Keep telling yourself that.” Just what was Alexa hoping for from The Queen? And way to bury the lead, will all of SmackDown soon succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
Drew McIntyre is here!
Greensboro is torn as the Scottish Terminator makes his way to the ring, though rather gingerly. Drew still stands on the corner for his pyro, and then he gets the mic. The fans cheer and jeer, but Drew says, “I heard what you had to say, Priest. The only thing that was accurate in that entire video was how much violence we’ve inflicted on each other. But you’re stuck in the Drew McIntyre Vortex, is that what you said? I’ve been in this vortex for over a year. That so-called Drew McIntyre Vortex you’re in is the only reason you’re relevant and the only reason anyone gives a damn about you!” The fans are torn but Drew paces.
“I’ve been trying to tell you for months and months. I beat you at WrestleMania in your own match. I beat you in a Street Fight clean, and you keep getting involved in my business. You’re obsessed with me! It’s getting to the point I was genuinely concerned you wanna wear my skin to your birthday party. But I know what this is. This is jealousy. This is a psychotic level of jealousy! You look at me and you see everything you’ve ever wanted. I am better than you in every single way! I’ve got all the accolades. I would’ve been a Grand Slam Champion if it wasn’t for you at Backlash! You’re trying to take out the competition!
“And I genuinely believe you’re willing to kill me to do it, because you choke slammed me off a 15 foot platform and SLAMMED MY HEAD INTO THE CONCRETE!” The fans are torn but Drew calms himself down a moment. Drew scowls and says, “This has to end. I’ll see you inside that cage next Saturday. And I’m gonna make you a guarantee, because when Drew McIntyre makes a guarantee, it happens. Only one man is gonna walk out of that cage. The other is leaving on a stretcher!” Drew throws down the mic, but who survives when they lock these two in and throw away the key?
As Drew makes his exit, Solo Sikoa makes his entrance, accompanied by Fatu & “JC Mateo.” Drew glares at them, especially the United States Champion. Drew moves on, and Solo’s “family” continues to ringside. Solo may still want LA Knight’s head, but will he settle for the golden ticket to Los Angeles?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Rey Fenix VS Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo!
SmackDown returns and we follow #BigJim on his way to gorilla. “Money in the Bank is around the corner! But tonight, it’s qualifying night. I gotta get through Solo and I gotta get through Rey Fenix. I’ma take my ass to MITB, climb that ladder, snatch that, win that, cash that. Who’s dat? Big Jim with a big win!” Jimmy makes his entrance, followed by Rey Fenix. The bell rings and Solo CLOBBERS Fenix! Solo rains down fists, perhaps unhappy Fenix didn’t hel;;p him find Knight. The fans boo as Solo THROWS Fenix down, then he tells Jimmy they can work together as true blood brothers.
Solo raises the one, Jimmy raises it, too, but then Jimmy UPPERCUTS Solo! Jimmy CHOPS Solo, CHOPS again, but Fenix runs up! Jimmy gives Fenix a boost to ENZIGIRI Solo! Solo staggers, Jimmy & Fenix DOUBLE LARIAT Solo up and out! Except Solo’s hand gets stuck in the ropes! Jimmy & Fenix get Solo free and Solo clutches that hand, so Fenix rolls Jimmy up! TWO and Jimmy CHOPS! Fenix falls, Jimmy looms over him, and then stands Fenix up. Jimmy whips, Fenix reverses, but then Jimmy dodges. Fenix goes Spider-Man to go to the apron. Jimmy runs up, Fenix RAMS him, and then Fenix GAMANGIRIS!
Fenix slingshots and somersaults to RANA! Cover, TWO! Fenix keeps moving, tilt-o-whirls, but Jimmy fights. Fenix still puts on the IRON OCTOPUS! Jimmy endures so Fenix CLUBS him, CHOPS him, and has him in the corner. Fenix CHOPS again, but Jimmy CHOPS back! The fans “WOO~” and Jimmy whips. Fenix reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, and the two RAM shoulders! Jimmy CHOPS, Fenix BOOTS, and Fenix goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Fenix covers, TWO! The fans rally with Fenix but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Fenix goes to ropes, Jimmy stalks up and CHOPS again!
The fans rally up, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy whips, Fenix reverses, but Jimmy stops himself to BOOT Fenix down! But then Solo drags Jimmy out! Solo SMACKS Jimmy off the desk! And SMACKS him off the desk again! Solo’s wrist seems okay, but then Fenix kips up to SUPERKICK Solo! Fenix then goes up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Fenix takes down Jimmy and Solo, and Greensboro fires up with Fenix! Fenix puts Solo in, goes to a corner, and springboards, but into the URENAGE! Solo roars but the fans boo. Solo goes to the ropes, Jimmy drags himself up, and Solo BLASTS Jimmy off!
Jimmy hits off the desk, and then Solo goes out after him. Solo drags Jimmy up, pushes him against the desk, and he says Solo is winning MITB! Understand!? URENAGE onto the desk!! Solo soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Solo points up at the briefcases, then he stalks Fenix. Solo drags Fenix up, DECKS him, then drops a SENTON! Solo looks to Fatu and says, “I love you, Fatu!” Jimmy is back but Solo has him at the ropes. Jimmy blocks the punch to give a punch! And more punches! Jimmy RAMS into Solo, then slingshots, but into an UPPERCUT! Jimmy falls back down and Solo goes out after him. Solo looks under the ring, looking to use that No Disqualification rule to his advantage. Nothing on this end, so Solo just goes back to Fenix. Solo talks trash but Fenix CHOPS! And CHOPS! Solo eggs Fenix on, then HEADBUTTS him down!
Solo paces around Fenix, stomps him down, and he SUPERKICKS Jimmy off the apron! Solo drops the leg on Fenix! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives but Solo just soaks up the heat. Solo stalks Fenix, drags him up, but Fenix blocks the suplex! Solo still tries, but Fenix fights again. Jimmy returns to help Fenix out, and he mule kicks Solo! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, then he and Fenix POST Solo! Solo falls back while Jimmy and Fenix catch their breath. SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans want tables! Fenix ROCKS Jimmy but Jimmy CHOPS Fenix down! Jimmy goes to the corner and climbs while the fans rally up.
But Fenix somersaults and SHORYUKENS! The fans fire up and Fenix climbs. Fenix CLUBS away on Jimmy, then CHOPS him! Fenix cravats, but Solo is up! Fenix somersaults to get him, but Solo stops the victory roll! Jimmy adjusts, leaps, but Fenix victory rolls through! The ref checks Jimmy as he rolls, but he misses the cover! TWO, and Fenix SUPERKICKS Solo down! Fenix ELBOWS Jimmy away, then goes up, up, and leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Solo is back to LARIAT Jimmy! The fans boo but Solo whips Fenix for a SAMOAN DROP! Solo drags Jimmy up, fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! The fans boo more but Solo sees targets in corners.
Solo runs in at Fenix, HIP ATTACK! The fans boo but Solo runs in and HIP ATTACKS Jimmy! Solo holds up his thumb and the fans boo more. Solo drags Fenix up, tells Jimmy he could’ve helped Solo. SAMOAN- NO, Fenix slips around the spike! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Solo into the takedown! Cover, JIMMY BREAKS IT! Jimmy cleans up the mess he made, and the fans rally up. Solo bails out, Jimmy and Fenix go forehead to forehead. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans duel, Fenix CHOPS, then he boots Jimmy’s uppercut away! Fenix kicks the legs out, then BUZZ- NO, Jimmy ducks! Fenix blocks the superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP!
The fans fire up as Jimmy reels Fenix in for a fireman’s carry. Fenix slips free, shoves, and DROPKICKS! Fenix goes up the corner, ADIOS AMIGO! Jimmy flounders away and Fenix says “ANIMO!” Fenix runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Jimmy covers, TWO?!?! Fenix survives and Jimmy cannot believe it! The fans rally up and Jimmy climbs a corner. But then Fatu runs up! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Fatu, but that lets Solo hit the SAMOAN SPIKE!! But ADIOS AMIGO AGAIN!! Fenix goes up, up, and DOUBLE STOMPS Solo’s back! JC is up but Fenix DECKS him! Fenix fires up, but then a SAMOAN SPIKE finds him!!! Cover, SOLO WINS!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
As always, it takes the whole family, but Solo is still going to Los Angeles! But then LA Knight attacks JC and Fatu! He gets a chair to keep them all at bay! Nick Aldis shouts for everyone to stand down right now! Aldis tells Knight that if he’s so desperate to get his hands on JC, and if JC loves sticking his nose in other people’s business, then let’s handle this in the ring! In fact… Get a ref right now! JC can make his SmackDown in-ring debut now! JC Mateo VS LA Knight is happening after the break, but will the Mega Star be able to tear down the new recruit? Or will that be the other way around?
LA Knight VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and Knight talks trash with the former Olympian turned enforcer. They tie up, JC shoves Knight, and then talks trash. Knight and JC reset, tie up, and Knight waistlocks. JC switches, then he THROWS Knight away! The fans boo but JC eggs Knight on. Knight and JC circle, tie up, and JC waistlocks. Knight endures the bearhug, fires elbows, then rolls, but JC stays up! JC stomps Knight down! The fans boo but Solo cheers him on. JC stands Knight up to ROCK him, then scoop him! Knight slips free, headlocks, but JC powers up and out! Knight RAMS JC, but JC doesn’t budge!
JC tells Knight to run, but Knight kicks and fires haymakers instead! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, JC reverses, but Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges! Knight CROSSBODIES, but JC catches him! JC pops Knight up to a suplex, but Knight slips free! NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! JC is tougher than that, but Knight storms up to RAM into him! And RAM, RAM, and RAM! Knight climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans “YEAH!” along, but JD stops Knight at five! JC carries Knight but Knight still throws hands! Knight fights free of the grip, throws more hands, and then runs, but into an ELBOW! JC trucks Knight and Solo is pleased.
JC drags Knight up to ELBOW him in the head! JC drags Knight up, CLUBS him, then ROCKS him in the back! Knight drops to his knees, but JC waistlocks. Knight fires elbows, then HAYMAKERS! Knight runs, but into another bearhug! Knight BELL CLAPS free, then whips. JC reverses, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS JC, goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Knight hurries to another corner, goes back up, but Solo is on the apron! Knight runs Solo off, but JC CLUBS Knight down! JC brings Knight up, clinches, and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Knight up and out of the ring!
The fans boo but Solo mockingly claps and says, “Yeah.” Knight sputters and writhes but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and the fans rally as Knight fights up. Knight throws elbows to get free of the bearhug, then he fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight runs and ROCKS JC again! And ROCKS him again! And then- NO, JC hits a SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but JC grows frustrated. JC drags Knight around, ELBOWS him in the shoulder again and again, then looms over Knight. JC clinches again, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but Solo says to finish this! JC puts Knight in a corner, but Knight fires hands!
Knight backs JC down, but JC ROCKS Knight! JC whips, Knight KICKS JC, but then JC ELBOWs, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives that Rampaging Dragon combo, but JC has the rear bearhug on again! Knight endures, fights up, but JC wrangles him back down. JC leans on Knight, then thrashes Knight around! Knight still endures and the fans still rally up. JC taunts Knight, Solo says to squeeze Knight, and Knight is fading! Knight reaches out feebly, but then he gets a second wind! The fans rally as Knight rises up. Knight pries at the grip, throws elbows, but JC blocks to HEADBUTT!
JC TOSSES Knight out, then grins as he goes out after Knight. JC clamps onto Knight, and POSTS him! JC pushes Knight against the post, tells him this is what he gets for St. Louis! JC runs up, but Knight dodges! JC POSTS himself! Solo is upset but Knight and JC slowly rise. Knight rolls in at 8 of 10, JC is in at 9! Both men slowly rise, and JC swings, only for Knight to counter punch! And punch! Knight dodges JC’s punch to JAB, JAB, JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” JC grabs Knight, TOSSES him to a corner, but Knight dodges! JUMPING NECKBREAKER! And then a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, JC reverses, and JC scoops!
Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Time to spell it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! JC stays in this and LA grows a bit frustrated. Knight rises again, rallies the fans, and he waits on JC. Knight kicks low, but JC CLUBS Knight out of the BFT! Then ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Knight survives, but GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives again and JC is shocked! JC vows to end this now, and he drags Knight up. JC whips, Knight grabs ropes, and then Knight ELBOWS JC! Knight runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Knight staggers, JC runs in, but Knight dropkicks the legs!
JC hits ropes, Knight goes to the apron, and Knight KNEES JC back in! Solo storms up, Knight mule kicks him! Knight then springboards to CROSSBODY onto Solo & Fatu! Knight hurries back in, slingshots, but into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Even with Solo’s presence being part of it, JC still put Knight down himself! Will nothing stop Solo’s family now that this Imperial Unit is behind him?
Santos Escobar meets with Angel backstage.
The Emperor of Lucha wants to know where Berto is, and Angel says he can’t seem to reach him. Berto wasn’t home, he isn’t answering messages, but Angel feels maybe Berto just needs his space. Santos says he fears Berto is listening to the wrong people. People who don’t understand about loyalty and the bigger picture. Santos is willing to forgive Berto for last week. Why? Because there is something on the horizon. It’s an opportunity that Santos secured for Legado, for all of them. This opportunity will help them make a statement, but Santos needs Angel to find Berto and bring him home. That is because Santos wants to share this together.
Santos says we can call this an invitation to a sit-down dinner party on him. They can discuss this. This opportunity will help put their names where they belong. Angel says okay, he will try his best, but no promises. Santos tells Angel that when you stand up for something bigger than yourself, something special, that will scare people. But loyalty is the one thing Santos has always seen from Angel since day one. It’d be a shame if they lost all this for the actions of one selfish person. Legado is…? Familia. That’s it! Santos heads out, but could Angel start seeing things more Berto’s way? Or can they all patch things up before it’s too late?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“LA Knight… You haven’t changed. You’re still the same man as you were when you fought me for the US Title. I see what’s behind the chant…. A hunger for recognition. It’s that hunger that will bring you down. Aleister Black… I do not fear you. You hide behind smoke and mirrors, but deep down inside, you fear the darkness. But there is a deeper darkness lurking behind the shadows. I am sharpening my katana and watching all the while. I know every moment when your heart beats, and ever trigger that makes you lose control. Next week, when you two sink at my feet… I will have my ticket to the Money in the Bank contract.
“And only then will you know that I am an unstoppable storm, an unstoppable blade, and an unstoppable being.” The sinister Samurai of Strong Style is ready to cut down all in his way, but will he be the one to #FadeToBlack? Or will we all be saying YEAH on the way to LA?
BREAKING NEWS for next week!
SmackDown’s next round of qualifiers is set! We already heard from Nakamura calling out Aleister and Knight, so for the women, it is a Triple Threat of Charlotte Flair, Zelina Vega, and the newest member of the roster, GIULIA! Will it be The Queen, the Women’s US Champion, or the Beautiful Madness that earns a ticket to Los Angeles?
Jade Cargill finds Tiffany Stratton backstage.
The Storm tells the champ that she just wants to wish her luck. But to be honest, it doesn’t really matter who wins, because Jade’s got next. Jade will win her qualifying match, will win the MITB briefcase, and then will take her title the same way Tiff did from Nia, “you little backstabber.” Tiff tells Jade that she can talk all she wants, but if Tiff were Jade, do not get comfortable. Tiffy is always ready. Jade might be good enough to win a qualifier, and she might be good enough to win the briefcase, but for as long as Tiff is champion, Jade will never be good enough to cash-in on her. Tootles. Tiff heads out, but will she find herself in the eye of The Storm soon enough?
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Nia Jax!
While it’s as Jade said, with #TiffyTime only happening because of an MITB cash-in, the Wrestling Barbie has proven herself a champion by holding onto the belt ever since. However, the Irresistible Force is now going to have Tiff all to herself, no caveats or disclaimers! Will Nia break Tiff like a Barbie doll? Or will Stratton find a way to survive?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Tiff’s still the Center of the Universe!
The bell rings and the fans rally for “TIFFY TIME! TIFFY TIME!” Tiff and Nia circle, tie up, and Nia SHOVES Tiff down! The fans boo while Tiff flounders to a corner. Nia soaks up the heat, runs up at Tiff, but Tiff dodge! Tiff kicks Nia blocks it to HEADBUTT her down! Nia shoves Tiff to a corner, whips her corner to corner, but Tiff goes up and over! Tiff handsprings, DROPKICKS a leg out, then runs, only for Nia to CLOBBER her! Nia soaks up more heat, then she stalks Tiff. Nia drags Tiff up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Tiff dodges, ROCKS Nia, then ROCKS her again! Tiff wrenches, ROCKS and KICKS, then puts Nia in a corner.
Tiff goes to the far side, handsprings corner to corner, but Nia catches her and HOTSHOTS her on the ropes! Tiff sputters and the fans boo, but Nia pushes Tiff around. Nia eggs Tiff on, POSTS her, then goes to the apron. Nia mocks the Tiffy Time, then runs up and HIP ATTACKS Tiff against post!! Tiff falls to the floor in a heap and Nia soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia looks down on Tiff quite literally, then drags her up and into the ring. Nia storms in and flexes before she clamps onto Tiff with a motorcycle stretch. Tiff endures, fights to stand up, but Nia THROWS her down! Cover, TWO! Nia is amused at this point, and she kicks Tiff around. Nia puts Tiff on the ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Nia stops, and then Nia paces around. Nia clamps onto Tiff with a COBRA CLUTCH! Tiff endures, fights up, and snapmares Nia away! Nia tumbles to ropes, Tiff runs up to HIP ATTACK! Tiff keeps moving but Nia ELBOWS her down! Cover, TWO! Tiff toughs it out but Nia clamps on with the COBRA CLUTCH!
Tiff endures all over again, even as Nia thrashes her around. Tiff stands to JAWBREAKER free! Nia staggers, Tiff goes to a corner, but Nia runs up! Tiff BOOTS Nia away, goes up the corner, but Nia ROCKS her first! Nia then climbs up, fireman’s carries, and SUPER SAMOAN DROPS!! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives and now Nia is frustrated. SmackDown returns to single picture while the fans rally up. Nia drags Tiff up, runs her to the corner and POSTS her! Nia goes to the apron again, runs in, but Tiff avoids the hip attack! Nia hits post, Tiff RAMS Nia down! Tiff runs and WRECKS Nia with a dropkick!
Nia staggers around, Tiff hurries after Nia, and Tiff whips, only for Nia to reverse! Tiff hops over the barrier, then goes up! FLYING RANA and Nia hits POST, head first!! Tiff hurries to POST Nia again and again! Tiff puts Nia in, hurries up the corner, and Tiff CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and now Tiff is frustrated. Tiff runs and TIFFY STOMPS! Nia sputters, Tiff runs again, but Nia fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives and Nia is getting mad. Nia watches Tiff go to a corner, runs in at her, but Tiff dodges! Roll up, TWO! Tiff KNEES Nia, then runs corner to corner! Handspring and BACK ELBOW!
Nia sputters and the fans fire up! Tiff manages the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this and Tiff isn’t sure what to think! The fans rally behind Tiff, Tiff gets running, but Nia stops the cartwheel! POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO, but Nia deadlifts Tiff for another POWERBOMB! Nia DROPS THE LEG, BROTHER! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives again and Nia is losing her cool. Nia drags Tiff to a drop zone, goes up, but Tiff rises! Tiff SHORYUKENS! Tiff climbs, Nia fires body shots, and Nia scoops! SUPER POWER- DDT!!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives the counter, and wait! NAOMI IS HERE?! And she has a chair!
Naomi and her bad attitude storm down to the ring, but the ref tells her to hold on! Naomi wants after somebody, but here comes Jade! The fans fire up as Naomi swings on Jade! Jade dodges and SUPERKICKS Naomi! Then Jade TOSSES Naomi over the barriers! Jade and Naomi brawl off into the night, and Tiff is in the corner! Nia runs up, Tiff dodges! Nia hits POST, Tiff pushes her down! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Nia survives and Tiff cannot believe it! Nia’s the first person to survive Tiff’s best shot! Tiff hurries to drag Nia back into a drop zone and then goes back up top!
The fans fire up as Tiff climbs, but Nia SHOVES Tiff to the floor!! Tiff clutches e leg, Nia storms out and clears off the desk! The fans fire up but the ref says keep this in the ring! Nia drags Tiff up, reels her in for a fireman’s carry, SAMON DROP on the desk! These desks really are reinforced! Nia grins and puts Tiff back in the ring. Tiff sputters, Nia steps on her in the drop zone, then goes up! A-NIA- NO, Tiff slips under her!! Tiff pulls, but Nia SUPER A-NIA-LATES Tiff!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!??! Nia sees that hand on the ropes but she doesn’t believe it!! Nia is furious with the ref and Greensboro is also losing their minds!
But then Nia storms out and grabs the belt? Nia claims it is hers, no matter what anyone says!? The ref reprimands, so Nia says fine. Nia gives him the belt to put back, only to grab the chair Naomi left behind!! But Tiff FULL METAL DROPKICKS Nia!! Nia is busted open, Tiff goes up, up, and PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!!! Cover, TIFF WINS!!!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)
After fury and violence, the dust has settled and Stratton is still at the Tiffy Top of the mountain! If not even Nia can take this title off her, will anyone take this title from the Wrestling Barbie? Or can only an MITB cash-in put an end to Tiffy Time?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, especially to start us on the road to MITB. Great promo from the women involved in tonight’s qualifier, and Chelsea continues to make her political parody funny. Great match, and it made sense for Alexa to win. She’s finally getting her return push, and there’s also this story they’re building with her and Charlotte. Charlotte is likely to win her qualifier, but that’s a bit tricky with Giulia making her SmackDown in-ring debut. I suppose Zelina can be involved in an opportunistic finish, but maybe shenanigans happen.
Shenanigans sure happened in the men’s qualifier with Solo having Fatu and now “JC Mateo” with him. WWE pulled a JD McDonagh with Jeff Cobb’s WWE name. JC is obviously for “Jeff Cobb,” and then they just threw on a last name that fits his nationality. Solo winning his qualifier is fine, as it’s hard to say he’ll win the briefcase. But Knight doing his hit ‘n’ run on them to then give Cobb his first WWE match was good stuff. For those who’ve seen Cobb before, you can tell this was definitely more an LA Knight paced match. But even then, Solo & Fatu were of course why Cobb won. But this is a great start for “JC Mateo,” surely he and Fatu will feud soon enough and really show what Cobb can do.
Nakamura calling out Knight almost made me fear they were going to run the feud back, but then he pivoted to Aleister and I was relieved. A Triple Threat of Knight, Nakamura and Aleister will be great stuff, but there are a lot of ways that can go. Aleister wins against Melo again, but Melo did stand tall, so maybe #MeloDon’tMiz interfere to screw Aleister over. I feel like Nakamura and Aleister should come to an understanding to take on Melo & Miz as a team, and then Aleister can move on from Melo & Miz to feud with Nakamura. Aleister VS Nakamura would be awesome stuff, and can help build someone (Aleister) towards a title opportunity.
Speaking of title opportunity, Fraxiom getting their shot next week is fine, it’s still the go-home episode to SNME, part of the BIG Tampa takeover WWE is doing for Memorial Day weekend. Fraxiom of course got the win on DIY, and MCMG of course made the save, but I don’t see Fraxiom winning against the Profits. At least, not if it’s only the go-home to SNME and not on SNME or a PLE like MITB or SummerSlam. Good promo from Santos and Angel, and things feel that much closer to Legado falling apart. As for Santos’ apparent opportunity, I’m thinking it relates to AAA now being part of the WWE Universe. Legado is already slated to appear at TripleMania Regia on June 15, 2025, so the team has to stick together at least that long.
Very good promos from both Damian and Drew, but it’s a bit of a worked shoot where they’re both talking about how the feud should’ve ended already because yeah, maybe it should have. But a Steel Cage match where neither guy has anyone to interfere on their behalf will be good stuff, like a smaller version of the Hell in a Cell match Drew and Punk had. Very good promo from R-Truth with Wade Barrett. Truth partly excuses Cena’s actions, but then still has some clarity by saying Cena isn’t himself right now. Cena VS Truth is non-title but that’s because the mission is getting Cena to see the error of his ways. Maybe Truth manages that, or maybe it causes Cena to double down as he resists his better nature out of bitterness.
And awesome stuff with the women’s title tonight. Good promo from Jade with Tiff to establish the line of contenders, and then an awesome match that could’ve been on a PLE or even SNME. Naomi wanting after presumably Tiff and Jade running her off was good stuff, maybe those two are in a qualifier down the line with the third person benefitting from the grudge taking the focus off the MITB opportunity. And then that chair really got Nia good, that was rather wild. But Tiff retains to certainly put her in the position Nia was last time with always worrying Miss MITB is going to try something. Can’t wait to see how Tiff handles things with the proverbial shoe on the other foot.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
4 Corners Podcast: Never Over Until Its Over
Dave and Patrick break down the latest developments, scores, and stories from the NBA and NHL Playoffs.
4 Corners Podcast: Playoffpalooza
Dave and Tunney discuss all the awesome action that has been going on in the NHL and NBA Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Is It Drafty In Here?
Patrick and Dave discuss the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, and the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Rory McIlroy, NBA Playoffs & NIL
Join Patrick and Dave every Tuesday as they cover the four corners of the professional sporting world!
4 Corners Podcast: Houston Still Has a Problem
This week, we discuss the NCAA Final Four, the NHL Playoff chase, the end of the Gr8 Chase and much...
Bandwagon Nerds #288: Disney In The Desert
Disney makes a controversial decision about where it is building its 7th theme park. Plus, loads of trailers, Thunderbolts* news,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/9/25)
June will be electric!
Bandwagon Nerds #287: Filling A Void
The Nerds review Thunderbolts*, check out the latest trailers, and celebrate Star Wars Day as only they can!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (5/1/25)
Let's live it up!
Attitude Of Aggression #308- Unidentified History: From Undesirable to Undeniable
This debut Episode examines how UAPs went from an undesirable topic of discussion into an undeniably important aspect of our...
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Hi Tech Backlash
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/15/25)
Round 3, all together!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/16/25)
Who's ready to climb the ladder?
DWI Podcast #476: John Cena vs R-Truth
Don't drink and drive, drink and podcast! Join AJ, DP and PC weekly for their thoughts on RAW, SmackDown and...
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/15/25)
Decode the Code of Honor!
The Outsider’s Edge presents The NXT Evaluation Episode
The Outsider's Edge is BACK to break down the recent WWE callups and give NXT wrestler evaluations!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/14/25)
It’s a BIG day for BOSJ!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/14/25)
A battle of legacies!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (5/14/25)
Gold and steel in the Windy City!
Classic POD is WAR: Prison Heat w/ Rey Cash (12/10/2020)
Andrew Balaz, Rey Cash and PC Tunney invite you to come along on a trip inside the minds of Los...
