Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/3/24)

C’est vendredi soir!

Published

5 months ago

May 3, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Le Cauchemar Américain et Le Phénoménal!

That is to say, The American Nightmare and The Phenomenal One! Before Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles fight over the WWE Championship at Backlash, they have one last face-to-face to say whatever needs to be said!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

8 Woman Tag: Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Tiffany Stratton & Damage CTRL; Bayley, Naomi, Bianca & Jade win.
The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament VS New Catch Republic; The AOP win.
LA Knight VS Angel Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma; Knight wins.
WWE Tag Team Championships: A-Town Down Under VS The Street Profits; A-Town Down Under wins and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Woman Tag: Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Tiffany Stratton & Damage CTRL!

Lyon, France fires up for the Role Model as she joins forces with The #BIG3 against the Spoiled Rich Girl, as well as Dakota Kai, Asuka & Kairi Sane, all ahead of the big title matches at Backlash! WrestleMania saw Bayley, Naomi, Bianca & Jade all take down DMG CTRL, but will things be different now that they’re on #TiffyTime?

The teams sort out, and Naomi starts against the Pirate Princess. The fans sing for Bayley while Naomi and Kairi tie up. They go around, Naomi wrenches but Kairi DECKS her! Kairi drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up to get Kairi for a TWERK ATTACK! Naomi then kicks Kairi away, and the fans rally behind Naomi as she runs corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! And then ENZIGIRI! Naomi drags Kairi over, tags in Bianca, and Bianca slingshots in to handspring and MOONSAULT! The fans cheer, Bianca covers, TWO! Kairi survives but Bianca keeps on her. Bianca brings Kairi up, scoops, but Kairi kicks free!

Kairi whips but Bianca blocks! Bianca whips, catches Kairi and reels her in, to suplex! The fans cheer as she marches around, then SLAMS Kairi down! And kips up, too! Asuka runs up but is sent right back out! Bianca gets Kairi up, but Kairi URAKENS! Bianca wobbles, Bayley tags in! Bianca BOOTS Kairi but is upset Bayley tagged in. The fans want Bayley anyway, but Asuka drags Bianca out! Then Tiff tags in to attack the champ! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Bayley but Tiff keeps her composure as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and fans rally for Bayley, but The Kabuki Warriors bring her up. Bayley fights the double suplex, fires off hands, then runs, but into an ELBOW! Kairi adds a SLIDING D, then Asuka adds a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Bayley stays in this, but Tiff tags in again. Tiff brings Bayley up to CLUB her, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Tiff lets off at 4. Kairi has fun throwing up the double peace as Bayley flounders. Dakota tags in, she stomps a mudhole into Bayley, but Dakota tags Kairi. Kairi tags Asuka back in, then brings Bayley up.

Asuka climbs the corner, Kairi brings Bayley around, and sends her into Asuka’s HIPS! Asuka hops down to cover deep, TWO! Bayley is still in this but Tiff tags in again. Tiff brings Bayley up to whip her to a corner. Tiff runs corner to corner and handsprings in to BACK ELBOW! Tiff snapmares Bayley, runs, and cartwheels into an Alabama Lift, ALABAMA SLAM! High stack, Naomi breaks it! The fans fire up while Tiff is upset. Tiff frowns, stomps Bayley, then taunts the fans. But Bayley fires hands! Tiff CLUBS Bayley, stomps her, then sucker punches Jade! The fans boo but Tiff CLUBS Bayley, then sends Bayley into Naomi!

The fans boo more, but Bayley hits a SAIDO! Both Bayley and Tiff are down, and the fans are thunderous! Bayley and Bianca lock eyes, and are both conflicted being enemies for so long. But tonight is about common enemies, so Jade tags in! And she BOOTS Dakota! And grabs Asuka, for a CHOKE SLAM! Kairi runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Jade catches her for a BACKBREAKER! Jade tags Bianca and then she SPLASHES Dakota! Jade reels Dakota in, brings her up, and POWERBOMBS her down! Bianca then handsprings, gets a lift from Jade, DOMINATOR SPLASH COMBO! Cover, but Kairi breaks it!

Jade TOSSES Kairi out, but Asuka MISSILE DROPKICKS Jade down! Naomi runs up, gets around, BUBBA BOMB for Asuka! But TIFFY STOMPS get Naomi! But then BAYLEY2BELLY for Tiffy! Dakota SCORPION KICKS Bayley! Bianca torture racks Dakota for the KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca’s team wins!

Winners: Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall

The fans cheer “OUI! OUI! OUI!” as the EST finishes this one off! Bianca & Jade are going strong into their tag title match, and Bayley will now have to turn around and treat Naomi as much of an enemy as she does Tiff. Will the Role Model hold onto the gold? Or will she #FeelTheGlow?

A-Town Down Under speaks.

Austin Theory tries French by saying, “Bonjour, France. You get a gift tonight. You get the greatest undefeated tag team champs in their first title defense.” Grayson Waller then asks, “What’s that smell?” They both sniff and Theory says that’s red wine. No, Waller isn’t smelling that. It’s strong. Theory takes in a bigger whiff, and says that’s cheese. Nah, that’s just how the audience smells. Waller realizes what it is: smoke! Because that’s what The Street Profits want, right? Well, ATDU will show The Profits that they ARE the smoke! Will Theory & Waller return to the US still holding onto the titles? Or will The Profits be up as they take the gold?

Backstage interview with Bianca & Jade.

SmackDown returns, and Kayla Braxton says after tonight’s great win out there, are they confident in their chances at taking the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at Backlash? Jade says she and Bianca are always confident. Tomorrow night will be no different. And Bianca says with all this history against DMG CTRL, she is so ready for closure, for this to be done, because she is sick of talking about it! DMG CTRL has been coming at her for practically her entire career, and she’s ready for this to be over. We pan over to see Naomi and Bayley are here, too. Bianca says once they take the tag titles, she’ll be done with DMG CTRL for good. Hopefully.

Jade calms Bianca down and Bayley leaves. The EST apologizes for being the angriEST, but will that at least help her and Jade finally humble DMG CTRL once and for all?

Nick Aldis is with Carmelo Hayes backstage.

The SmackDown General Manager knows Melo belongs here on SmackDown after last week’s match with Cody Rhodes. Because two things Aldis asks of you on his brand: show up, and show out. Melo says thanks to “Slick Nick.” And despite what people are saying, Melo knows he almost beat Cody. Melo’s got momentum, he wants to keep it going, so he is declaring for the King of the Ring. Well, alright then. Aldis is sure they can talk about that. At the same time, here’s Bobby Lashley! Lashley says hey to Aldis and Melo, and congratulates Melo for being drafted to SmackDown. More importantly, congratulations on that impressive showing against Cody Rhodes.

And, now that they’re both on the same brand, if there’s anything Lashley can do for Melo, just call him. Melo says thanks, but he’s good. If you didn’t see last week, Melo’s a first round draft pick, went toe to toe with THE WWE Champion, he’s pretty much got it figured out. He appreciates the offer, though. Well, alright, big time. But Lashley will tell him that it’s not about the shots he shoots. It’s about making those shots count. Last week, Melo lost. Oh? Well when was the last time Lashley shot his shot? Melo looks to go but Lashley stops him. Here’s another piece of advice: be careful who you disrespect around here.

Lashley lets Melo exit, will the All Mighty have to teach HIM a lesson?

The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament VS New Catch Republic!

Akam & Rezar thought they were writing off The Big Strong Boi & Bruiserweight last week, but they only gave Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne motivation! New Catch Republic kept AOP from becoming NXT Tag Team Champions, will they also put a dent in their main roster plans? Or will this end up being the Final Chapter after all?

SmackDown returns and The AOP make their entrance. Akam and Dunne start, and Akam grabs Dunne by the neck! Akam SHOVES Dunne up and out, taunts him, then storms out, but into a GAMANGIRI! Dunne gets in to DROPKICK Akam, then DROPKICK again! And DROPKICK again! Akam stays up so Dunne runs up to HOVERBOARD KIMURA! Bate tags in and KICKS Akam! Then NCR fire off fast hands! The fans fire up, Bate goes corner to corner to UPPERCUT! Then again for another UPPERCUT! Bate keeps going, but Akam LARIATS him inside out! The fans boo but Akam tags in Rezar.

The AOP mug Bate, then shove Bate down. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Rezar talks trash on them in return. Rezar drags Bate up to suplex, but Bate throws knee after knee! Bate gets free, then he fires hands and UPPERCUTS! Bate reels Rezar in, but even he can’t suplex someone that big! Rezar fireman’s carries, so Bate slips around to a SLEEPER! Rezar goes to ropes, Dunne tags in and climbs up! Dunne FLYING STOMPS Rezar’s arms! Bate DROPKICKS Rezar out! Akam runs in but NCR DUMP him out! The fans fire up as Bate tags back in, then goes up top! Dunne sets up for Bate’s KNEE-BOARD SENTON!

The fans fire up as AOP goes down! Bate hauls Rezar up and into the ring, then springboards in to FLYING UPPERCUT! Rezar stays up so Bate runs, but into a pop-up! Rezar fireman’s carries Bate to CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Rezar roars, the Final Testament is fired up, but the fans boo and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Rezar looms over Bate. The fans rally up while Rezar brings Bate over. Tag to Akam, and the AOP hit a SIDEWALK SLAM LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Kross is annoyed with the fans, but Akam dribbles Bate off the mat! Akam tags Rezar, the AOP mug Bate again, and then Rezar clamps on a BEARHUG! Bate endures the squeeze, even as Rezar thrashes him around! Bate fights up as the fans rally even harder! Bate wriggles free as he goes up and over to sunset flip, but Rezar YANKS Bate right up, only for Bate to DROPKICK! Rezar staggers back, Akam tags in and runs up on Bate!

Akam drags Bate away, but Bate fires hands! Akam keeps hold of an arm but Bate fires hands! “OUI! OUI! OUI!” Akam whips but Bate hits the REBOUNDER! The fans fire up as Bate crawls, hot tag to Dunne! The fans erupt as The Bruiserweight ENZIGIRIS Akam, GAMANGIRIS Rezar, then ENZIGIRIS Akam! Dunne STOMPS the hands then BUZZSAWS Akam down! Dunne fires up, the fans are with him, and he goes out to ASAI MOONSAULT Rezar down! Dunne runs back in, mule kicks and serves Akam SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO! Dunne goes up top, MOONSAULT, but he lands on his feet as Akam dodges!

Dunne rolls through to tag Bate! Akam runs up, but Bop up, BANG! Dunne BOOTS, Bate fireman’s carries!! The fans are thunderous for the AIRPLANE SPIN!! Bate goes around and around and around with Akam, then THROWS him away! Bate kips up, tags Dunne, then STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Dunne roars before the SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Rezar breaks it! The fans are loving this, but then Rezar grabs both men by the necks! Only for both men to bend those fingers! And DOUBLE SNAP! Then NCR run to CLOBBER Rezar outta the ring! The fans fire up, Dunne runs but Scarlett stands in the way!

The fans boo the femme fatale, but Bate DIVES past her to take out Rezar! But then Kross gets Bate for an F5 to the floor! Dunne PLANCHAS Kross for it! Dunne gets back in, but Akam hits an URENAGE! Tag to Rezar, the AOP set Dunne up, DRAG THE LAKE! Cover, AOP wins!

Winners: The Authors of Pain, by pinfall

The entire Testament was needed, but they still take down New Catch Republic! These teams are going to Raw via the Draft, will the feud only get wilder from here?

Nick Aldis is visited by Paul Heyman.

The Wise Man asks if Aldis got his memo. Aldis did. And request denied. Heyman wants Aldis to pull Kevin Owens & Randy Orton out of the tag team match set for Backlash? Why? How about for the sake of Kevin Owens? Or for Randy Orton, or for SmackDown as a whole. Heyman says he has tried and tried with Aldis, but fine, leave them in the damn match. What happens to Kevin and Randy is no longer on Heyman’s conscious. It is all on Aldis now. Good night. Heyman storms off, but Aldis asks if that’s by orders of The Tribal Chief. Heyman turns back around to say that’s not funny. Well, Aldis just knows that all communication with Roman Reigns goes through Heyman.

So, is Heyman in charge or not? Heyman says there is a difference between being in charge, and being in control. Heyman has not spoken to Roman since WrestleMania. Heyman then realizes he shouldn’t have admitted that, and Aldis asks him to repeat it. Has Heyman really not spoken to him since Mania? So when “Roman Reigns” pulled Roman Reigns from The WWE Draft, who really did it? Heyman says it wasn’t Roman who withdrew from the Draft. Heyman withdrew Roman from the Draft. But please understand what is going on here. Heyman had no choice. He cannot subject Roman to the chaos going on within The Bloodline right now.

And Aldis cannot subject Kevin & Randy to what will happen to them at the hands of The Bloodline tomorrow night. Aldis says if Heyman can take it on himself to pull Roman out of the Draft, then try pulling Kevin & Randy outta this match. Even right now, on the R-KO Show. Aldis wishes Heyman luck, Heyman storms off completely this time, but just what is going on with The Bloodline?

It’s time for the R-KO Show!

The fans fire up as Randy Orton makes his way out to the ring, sporting the new R-KO shirt! Then Kevin Owens makes his entrance, wearing a matching R-KO shirt. Kevin has the mic, and in French, he welcomes them to the R-Kah-Oh. Then he explains to Orton that is how you would say “K” in French. The fans cheer, and Kevin says good evening, welcome to THE R K O Show! They sit in the armchairs, and Randy says normally, Kevin would have to talk him into something like this. But it didn’t really, because the fans here are so AMAZING! The fans cheer again, and chant for “RANDY! RANDY!”

And Randy says y’know what else didn’t take much convincing? Him and Kevin teaming up for Backlash to kick The Bloodline’s asses! Kevin says yeah, before that, he has a concern about their “guests” tonight. At first, Kevin didn’t want a guest, he just wanted to give France a good, fun episode. But after getting some calls from a number he didn’t want to answer, it was someone he didn’t wanna talk to. But Wednesday, 4 AM, Kevin was worn down, and that is when Paul Heyman asked to be a guest. The fans boo and Kevin said that’s how he felt. But Heyman said he had something very important to tell them so… Why not bring him out?

Oh, does Randy wanna introduce him? The fans cheer but Randy says not really. But he’ll introduce Heyman to the three most dangerous letter in sports entertainment: R K O. Nice. But then Heyman introduces himself to the “ladies and gentlemen” here. The fans fire up for “E C DUB!” as Heyman continues by saying he IS Paul Heyman. The fans know it so well, they say it with him. Heyman says he is a WWE Hall of Famer, the bon vivant, blah blah blah, and without question, Heyman is WWE’s undisputed Wise Man. The fans cheer that. And so therefore, tonight, Heyman comes out here with respect, with admiration, and of course, with wisdom.

Heyman steps inside, but Kevin tells Randy that he can’t just RKO him. Heyman gets worried, and Randy says no, he’s an outta nowhere kinda guy. Heyman steps back out while the fans chant “R K O! R K O!” Heyman says ladies and gentlemen, there will be NO RKOs this evening! The fans boo, and Randy begs to differ. Kevin says he’s never met a man who says so much but yet says so little. Heyman, what do you wanna tell them? Heyman understands why they doubt a man who has very little conscience. The fans chant “We Want Roman!” Heyman says more than you’ll ever know, he wants Roman back, too.

But Heyman came out here for a simple reason: he has great respect for Randy, and for Kevin. When they stepped into the ring with Roman, to was competition, there was a title, and Heyman understood just as they do, that Roman had to do what he had to do! But the rules with Solo Sikoa are a whole lot different. Do yourselves and SmackDown and WWE and the fans, and each of their families a favor, back out of the match. Randy says the absolutely biggest trash is trying to tell him and his partner not to take a match? Heyman is not in position to give advice when everything around him is falling apart.

In fact, that begs the question, Heyman. Who exactly is the real Tribal Chief now? Heyman sweats this question, and he is sure the whole world knows… There is only one Tribal Chief. SOLO SIKOA & TAMA TONGA ATTACK!! They throw the R-KO set away, but then Kevin and Randy fight back! The fans fire up as we get a preview of tomorrow, and things spill out o f the ring! Security and producers rush out, but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” But then Randy TOSSES security, and gives on a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Kevin goes up to CANNONBALL Solo, Tama and everyone else!!

The fans are thunderous as Team R-KO get in the ring and throw stuff at Solo! The Bloodline retreats, but will they have the final say tomorrow at Backlash?

The Street Profits react.

And DAAAAANG! That was wild! But what’s also wild is A-Town Down Under think they know French. Ford says they’ve been practicing French themselves. Triple Crown that always puts it down, the Profits, oui oui! And tonight, they’re gonna take on Waller & Theory here in Lyon, France! Oui oui! And tonight, they are gonna become the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions! OUI OUI!! Then that’s how you do it! The Profits are up, and we want the smoke!

LA Knight VS Angel Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma!

The Mega Star is also here to say OUI! But will we instead have to say “Si” as Garza represents for his familia? Or will that be a NON NON as Knight humbles the wannabe Lothario?

SmackDown returns as Legado makes their entrance. We get a QR code blink in, then the bell rings. The fans rally for Knight as he and Garza circle. They tie up, Knight headlocks, but Garza powers up and out. Knight runs Garza over and the fans cheer! Knight tells Garza, “YEAH!” Garza gets up, he and Knight circle again, and they tie up. Garza kicks low, CLUBS away on Knight, then mocks the ‘YEAH!” The fans boo but Garza ROCKS and UPPERCUTS! Garza whips corner to corner, but Knight comes back to LARIAT! Knight whips but Garza reverses, only for Knight to hit a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Knight scrapes Garza outta the ring nthen pursues.

Garza swings but Knight fires counter punches! Knight SMACKS Garza off the apron again and again, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then brings Garza around for one more SMACK! Garza sputters, Knight puts him in the ring, then he tells off Humberto. Garza runs up, Knight dodges to clothesline Garza up and out! The fans fire up as Knight builds speed, to WRECK Garza with a dropkick! The fans fire up with Knight again and he brings Garza back up. Knight puts Garza in, fires more haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight bumps Garza off buckles, “YEAH!” then whips corner to corner! Knight clotheslines, but he has to watch out for Legado.

Knight then reels Garza in for a BIG suplex! Cover, ONE!! Garza is toughing it out but Knight keeps cool as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as now Garza CHOPS Knight in a corner! Knight CHOPS back! And CHOPS, and HAYMAKERs, repeat! Knight whips Garza to a corner, but Humberto gets on the apron! Knight takes a swing, Humberto gets away, and Garza storms up to HEADBUTT! Garza stomps Knight, mocks the spelling of the name, then whips. Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Knight stomps a mudhole in, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes corner to corner to KNEE Garza down! Knight reels Garza in to whip and scoop, then POWERSLAM! Then he runs to drop the ELBOW!

Knight fires up and the fans are with him! Knight waits on Garza to get up, but Humberto gets back on the apron! Knight DECKS Humberto this time, but Garza rolls him up! TWO!! Knight escapes, spins Garza, B F T! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

Santos has Humberto stand down, Knight already got the better of them. And then Knight gets a mic! The fans cheer him on, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” Knight says all around the world, it’s the same song. Another SmackDown, another dummy dropped on his head, three the hard way, YEAH! “YEAH!” Now, if Knight wanted to be cliche, he’d say this is his ring, right? “YEAH!” But nah nah, he wont’ do that. Instead of saying it, NAH NAH! He will MAKE this his ring. And what does he mean? He means he is now entered in the King of the Ring! Santos has a mic now to stop Knight there.

Santos says it is impressive that Knight just keeps talking and talking. The fans tell Santos “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Santos says he’ll show who sucks! Knight keeps running his mouth, now he wants to be King of the Ring. But while Knight will be busy running his mouth, Santos will be busy winning. Knight says sorry, he couldn’t hear anything Santos said while the fans were saying Santos sucks. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” again, but Knight is pretty sure Santos said Knight talks too much. Should Knight keep on talking, Lyon? “YEAH!” That’s what Knight thought! Because when Knight stops talking, that’s when Santos gets stomped out!

And while Santos is down, he’ll think to himself, “My god, what was I just doing? I know whose game it is!” And before anyone else tells him, he’ll hear it the whole damn world saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Mic drop! The tournament is coming, will the Knight rise up to be a king? Or will we have to change the name to The Emperor of the Ring?

Backstage interview with Carlito.

Byron Saxton is with Caribbean Cool, and asks the same question everyone else is: Why did he attack Dragon Lee? Carlito says he’d been away from the WWE for many years. And all he wanted was to have a WrestleMania moment with his familia, The LWO. So when Rey challenged Dom & Santos, Carlito thought Rey would make the right choice and choose Carlito. But instead, Rey chose Dragon Lee. Someone who’s been here what? Five minutes? That’s not cool. So Carlito took matters into his own hands. It wasn’t personal, Dragon. But it would’ve worked out if not- DRAGON ATTACKS CARLITO!!

The refs and producers rush in, Rey stops Dragon, but it is clear Boy Wonder wants vengeance! Will he get it as the LWO and Carlito move over to Monday Night Raw?

WWE Tag Team Championships: A-Town Down Under VS The Street Profits!

Grayson Waller & Austin Theory already had massive egos, but those egos only inflated exponentially after being one of the teams to win at WrestleMania. Will they only get more and more arrogant with every day they’re still champions? Or will those egos be deflated as Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins go for gold?

SmackDown returns as ATDU makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly championship material!

The teams sort out and then Waller sucker punches Ford! Theory gets in, he will be the legal man against Dawkins! Theory fires hands, then stomps Dawkins into the corner. The ref counts, Theory tags Waller, and they mug Dawkins. Waller stalks Dawkins to a corner, wrenches and whips, but Dawkins hurdle and FLYING UPPERCUT! Dawkins tags Ford, whips Waller, and Ford DROPKICKS! They taunt Theory, Theory runs in but into a DOUBLE DROPKICK! Ford says “OUI~” but Waller sucker punches him again! Ford gets Waller in a clinch, ROCK BOTTOM! Dawkins tags in and goes up, for a SWANTON BOMB!

Theory drags Waller outta the ring to save him, but Dawkins tags Ford. Ford builds speed, “OUI OUI!” and he FLIES! Direct hit on ATDU and the fans are thunderous! Ford then fetches Waller into the ring, tags Dawkins in, and they get Waller up for a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! “Oui oui!” The fans cheer, “OUI! OUI! OUI!” Dawkins puts Waller in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then CYCLONE SPLASHES! Then ENZIGIRI! Dawkins brings Waller to a cover, TWO! The fans cheer, Dawkins looms over Waller, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Theory tags in, only for Ford to rally on him and Waller! Ford ducks ‘n ‘dodges then LARIATS Theory down! The fans fire up as Ford runs at Theory in a corner, but Theory puts him on the apron. Ford GAMANGIRIS, then springboards to FLYING ELBOW! The fans fire up, Theory staggers around, into a BIG back suplex! Ford kips up and the fans fire up again! Ford raises the roof, then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Theory stays in this but the fans are still loudly behind the Profits. Tag to Dawkins, he and Ford get Theory up for another DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, only for Theory to land out!

Waller tags in, Theory DECKS Dawkins, but Ford ENZIGIRIS Theory! Waller is up top, but Ford sees him! Waller tightrope walks, Ford dodges his leap, but that lets Waller go COAST2COAST on Dawkins! Waller drags Dawkins to a cover, Theory keeps Ford out, TWO!! Dawkins survives on his own but Theory throws Ford to the floor! Theory goes to his corner, reaches out, and gets the hot tag! Theory talks trash on France, then slingshots in to somersault, into a POUNCE!! Dawkins sees Waller somersault in, into a SKY HIGH! Tag to Ford, and Dawkins gets Theory in an Electric Chair Lift! DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!

Theory shocks everyone as he survives, but he and Ford are both down. The fans are thunderous all the same, and Ford tags Dawkins. The Profits mug Theory, then Dawkins fireman’s carries. Ford goes up, but Theory claws Dawkins’ face! Theory trips Ford, but Dawkins ROCKS Theory! Dawkins waistlocks and O’Conner Rolls, but the ref is checking Ford! Waller SOMERSAULT FLATLINERS! Theory covers, the ref sees that, A-Town Down Under wins!!

Winners: A-Town Down Under, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)

Theory & Waller found a way to snatch this one away, leaving The Profits without their prize. Will Ford & Dawkins just have to work that much harder to get back to a title shot?

AJ Styles is here!

Lyon fires up for the Phenomenal One as he heads to the ring, ready for a final face-to-face with Cody Rhodes before they battle over the title. Will both men keep it civil this close to Backlash? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns once again, and now The American Nightmare makes his entrance. The fans fire up again, and they sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, continues to the ring, and the fans continue to sing. Cody gives the title a kiss before he steps in the ring and holds it up for everyone to see. Cody then gets a mic, the song fades out, and the fans cheer Cody on. Cody then asks Lyon, in French, what they wanna talk about. The fans chant “OUI! OUI! OUI!” and Styles says he doesn’t care what the fans want, Cody’s in the ring with The Phenomenal One. The fans taunt Styles with a song and everyone joins in!

Cody holds up the belt and the fans cheer again! Styles says it’s almost like Cody isn’t focused. Cody’s focused on all the energy, and not what he should be focused on. Cody tells Styles that if Styles wants his full focus, he absolutely has Cody’s attention. From one Georgia boy to another, from one Dawgs fan to another, c’mon now! Cody broke into the industry in Georgia, he grew up watching Styles! Styles stops Cody there. He doesn’t need that crap! That “You’re my hero!” crap. No, Styles may be older than Cody, but he’s still in his prime. Cody asks who is saying otherwise. Styles says Cody didn’t have to say it, we knew what he meant.

But here’s the problem with Cody. The fans “WHAT?” and Styles figured they’d do that. These are the most disrespectful fans! That’s why nobody comes to Lyon! The fans boo Styles, but Styles says he and Cody were never on the same path. Cody had a path laid out for him. Because everyone wanted the Son of the American Dream! And that included the WWE. The WWE welcomed Cody with open arms. The fans sing “CODY~, CODY CODY CODY~! CODY~, CODY~!” Styles says Cody loved it here in the WWE, until things got rough and he couldn’t handle it. The fans boo but Cody just smirks at that.

Styles says Cody packed his bags and left WWE, his own decision. One Styles never got to make. Styles was kept from the WWE for YEARS! And when he finally made it here, Styles wasn’t welcomed with open arms like Cody. Styles had to prove himself, make his way to the top, and he did, all by himself. The fans do applaud that because that is true. Styles says, “Unlike you, who had Hall of Famers and Legends watching your back at WrestleMania so you could ‘finish your story.’ That’s great. A bunch of guys I’ve beaten before!” Styles beat them all the same way he’ll beat Cody tomorrow night at Backlash.

The fans boo more but Styles says he will climb his way to the top again, and remind Cody and everyone else, that he IS Phenomenal! The fans have another sing to taunt Styles with and it gets everyone fired up! Cody asks Styles who he’s trying to convince. Certainly not Cody, as Cody knows Styles is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. The modern day Bret Hart, reputation unmatched! But don’t disparage Cody just to build yourself up. Cody’s sacrifices, mistakes, he endured, and there were many, all to stand here THE WWE Champion! The fans cheer that because it’s also true! And Cody points out that his very first title defense just so happens to be Styles!

Some call it a dream match, and Styles will always be Phenomenal! The fans sing again, but Cody tells Styles he isn’t looking at Styles as “phenomenal,” but as his first of many. And that itself is just too sweet. The fans cheer and throw it up, and so do Cody and Styles. But then Styles SLAPS Cody! Cody manages to smile through that, but Styles storms off. This dream match will surely be phenomenal, but will Cody make it through? Or will SmackDown once again be the House that AJ Styles Built?

Wait, there’s a brawl going on backstage!

The Bloodline has found Randy Orton & Kevin Owens again!! They’re all brawling it out while refs and security shout! Solo sends Orton into a cart, then takes aim with a chair! Orton dodges the chair shot, throws more hands, then Kevin gets his shots in! Orton JAMS Solo with the chair, SMACKS him down, and Kevin goes back after Tama! Are these teams going to tear each other apart until there’s nothing left but the blood, sweat and tears?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, especially as a go-home to Backlash. There were some recap packages here and there, but many were in response to the Draft moves and similar stories. Very good promo from Carlito and then attack by Dragon Lee to hype up their feud going forward. Also a very good promo from Melo with Aldis and Lashley. Melo’s ego is gonna get him in trouble, but would not have thought this would be Melo’s first feud. And great promo from Heyman with Aldis to reveal that detail about Roman being radio silent for the last month. It really adds to how Solo Sikoa’s been able to do what he wants while Roman’s been gone.

As such, great “R-KO Show” segment with Heyman as the guest and then the sudden attack by Solo & Tama. The camera framing really helped add to the ambush, and then the brawling reigniting at the very end of the show was a great detail. Both brawl segments went Team R-KO’s way, so I would think The Bloodline finds their way to win. Perhaps the WWE debut of Jacob Fatu? Great 8 Woman Tag to open the night, with a great moment of Bianca and Bayley unsure about working together. But in the end, the Faces win, making me wonder if there will be shenanigans keeping the tag titles on Kabuki Warriors. That promo from Bianca after could be part of it, where her obsession in getting past DMG CTRL costs her and Jade.

Great match from AOP VS NCR, but I should’ve figured the Final Testament would help AOP win. This would’ve worked as a blowoff match if one team was staying on SmackDown but they’re both moving to Raw this Monday, so maybe NCR can get some reinforcements? Really good match from Knight VS Garza though it certainly felt one-sided on the way to Knight winning. Knight and Santos both getting in the King of the Ring tournament is good stuff, those brackets will apparently come out next Monday, and I’m sure both Knight and Santos will have a strong showing. The King and Queen of the Ring tournaments are gonna have to move fast, though, with the finals in Arabia on the 25th.

Good promo from A-Town Down Under and great promo from The Profits ahead of their title match, but the champs retaining the titles make sense. This may have been a special episode in France, but it was still “free TV” so there weren’t going to be new champs so soon after WrestleMania and the new belt designs being introduced. And speaking of this being in France, the crowd was fired up all night, they’ve clearly been hungry for some meaningful WWE content. Cody and Styles almost couldn’t get through their face-to-face with how fired up the fans were to see them both.

Cody and Styles still had really good promos, and Styles with the slap after Cody references Bullet Club was some good stuff. It isn’t just kayfabe and catchphrases that they’re gonna have a great match, but outside of a shoot injury or complete botch, Cody’s definitely retaining the title.

My Score: 8.9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE Backlash Results & Report! (5/4/24)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/3/24)

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Match Results & Ratings: 9.19.2024

Victory Road was damn good, but behind us now. So let’s see how the build for Bound for Glory starts!

Published

12 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Well hot damn, Victory Road was a solid night of action, surprises and an overall enjoyable watch. Even with the major let down segments of SDL and the Knockouts Tag, they were placed right in the middle…so there was energy aplenty for the last four matches. We do get to see where they’re going with Bound For Glory in about 6 weeks.

My fantasy booking has The System, ABC and Hardyz heading towards a championship 3 way dance. DeMALISH is done, so at least Masha is back on the singles circuit. Lets hope she makes short work of Lish and/or Tasha.

Time to see where the early steps take us on the way to Bound for Glory.

.@mashaslamovich LIVES A DREAM teaming with @MATTHARDYBRAND and @JEFFHARDYBRAND TONIGHT on iMPACT!

Subscribe to TNA to watch #TNAiMPACT NOW: https://t.co/UOkcaGoNH4 pic.twitter.com/N08dnmuwPv

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) September 20, 2024

Ratings:

First Cla$$ (KC Navarro & AJ Francis) vs Sinner & Saint ( Judas Icarus & Travis Williams): First Cla$$ win via Down Payment/Frog Splash combo – ** 1/4
Matt Cardona vs Rhino: Cardona DQ’d – My time wasted
Knockouts Tag Championship: Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c) vs Kendal Grey & Carlee Bright: Spirefire retains via Pressure Drop – * 1/2
Texas Death Match: JDC vs Mike Santana: Santana wins – ** 3/4
Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & Tasha Steelz w/Alisha Edwards vs Masha Slamovich & The Hardyz: Hardyz win via Twist & Swanton combo – *** 1/4

Results:

Lish talks smack, Masha comes out, Lish says she doesn’t even understand her – AND FINALLY – Masha speaks English. So she runs down Lish, says she’s sick of her but Tasha jumps Masha from behind. Lish grabs Kendra, attacks Masha and we see Tasha and Lish beatdown Masha until Jordynne makes the save for Masha. The System comes out to tip the numbers game, but then The Hardyz come out to save Masha and Jordynne.

Santino’s goofy music hits and I guess we’re heading to the 3×3 since Lish is still injured. Masha Slamabitch and the Hard Boyz will fight Tasha and System boys. Arianna’s music hits before Santino can say something to Jordynne, and she declares Jordynne gets an NXT friend next week to fight Rosemary and Wendy Choo. I just like Santino and Arianna playing together. It’s wholesomely moronic.

First Cla$$ (KC Navarro & AJ Francis) vs Sinner & Saint ( Judas Icarus & Travis Williams)

KC and Travis start off, KC hits some athletic counters, taunts a little and extends the hand but Travis turns it into an Arm Whip, tags in Icarus, they Double Team, AJ blind tags as KC rope runs, Spiderman pose in the ropes, AJ levels Icarus, KC takes out Travis, hits the tandem move The Deposit, into Tennessee Whiskey. KC tags back in, Snapmare into Footstomp and a near fall before AJ tags back in. They go for a tandem move on Icarus in the corner, but Icarus dumps KC to the outside, turns a Suplex into a DDT, and then crawls to Travis for simultaneous tags as Travis is working KC over. KC powders, tries to change sides but Sinner and Saint tandem redirect the dive. Inverted Suplex for a near fall.

AJ comes in, Lawn Darts Icarus into Travis, Down Payment, Frog Splash from KC…and First Cla$$ win!

Matt Cardona vs Rhino

Obviously just a step towards the eventual PCO versus Cardona, prolly at Bound for Glory. So this match is useless and Cardona has no reason to lose.

Cardona tries to pick his spot, but just gets his Foot picked out of mid air, and Rhino throws Cardona around the ring, Lariat, sets up for a Gore…but Cardona powders. Rhino follows and Suplexes Cardona onto the ramp, throws him back in and a Throat Chop from Cardona finally gives him some space. Missile Dropkick for an unnecessary pinfall, and then just grinding the Forearm into Rhino’s face in the corner. 10 Count Punches turned into a Powerbomb from Rhino for 2.

Rhino goes to get a chair, the ref admonishes him, Rhino throws the chair in, Cardona uses it in front of the referee and gets DQ’d. Radio Silence on Rhino after the DQ, Cardona looks to continue the punishment but lights go out and PCO attacks. Chokeslam, goes for the PCO-Sault, but Cardona powders and runs away. PCO goes full Ric Flair, attacks the chair and then PCO-Saults a steel chair.

Well…that’s new.

Knockouts Tag Championship: Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c) vs Kendal Grey & Carlee Bright

You know how I’ve said these titles are useless right? Now they’re being defended against…no one. Bright Grey? That’s not even a Crayola Crayon color. I think I would enjoy constipation more than this match.

Jody and…Grey?… start and its just slow, headlocky, I guess trying to get across Grey’s amateur background, but it looks terribly…meh. Dani tags in and now my attention is peaked. Powerbomb attempt but Grey tries to slip it into a Cradle, Dani kicks out, catches Grey and Sack of Shit into Kip Up. Tandem Stalling Suplex after the tag, but only 2. Dani gets tagged in, they don’t seem to be taking Grey super seriously, so Grey finally kicks off and gets the tag to Bright. Okay, Cartwheel Knees is unique offense, not the Cheerleader Back Handspirng, I can respect that. Oh nice Standing Moonsault from Bright. Grey tags in, Jody takes a few seconds too long for the “blind tag”, Senton off the ropes to kill the two NXT girls, Pressure Drop, title retained.

Burn these belts and push Dani as a singles.

Texas Death Match: JDC vs Mike Santana

Jade looks like she’s cosplaying Peg Bundy during the intros but…ya know…not complaining. And it sounds like they’re doing the rules correctly with pinfall and then 10 count. So, that’s nice the rules seem to be clear.

JDC tries to attack Santana as he comes in from the crowd, Santana turns it around as expected and starts running JDC from corner to corner, Enzuigiri and multiple Bootwash corner spots. Santana looks for a Cannonball, but JDC powders, so Santana stalks a little, Tope con Hilo connects! Santana finds some chairs as the morons start chanting for tables when it’s 4 minutes in. That chant just screams inbred and stupid anymore.

Santana puts the two chairs back to back and looks to hit the old Eddie Kingston spot on JDC, but JDC fights it off, 10 count punches that JDC counters with the Powerbomb through the back to back chairs. Trash can and kendo stick time for Dango. Dude, Stomp is soo 1999 but its apparently cool in Texas. DOWN AND DIRTY on the trash can from JDC! But he can’t cover since now he’s selling his own pain for dropping on a can. Santana smartly powders and JDC tries to remember how to walk. Santana crawls up to his feet bleeding, but he also found a Barbedwire Bat! Dango tries to grab him, BAT TO FACE! Of course they head to a commercial right as the match gets bloody…sigh.

So we’re back and they’re fighting in the crowd, or no, some staging area about the crowd. Dango is bleeding, Santana is bleeding, Santana counters Dango and hits a Piledriver on the stage for 2! Brawling up some steps, JDC kicks off Santana and connects with a Tornado DDT for 2! Santana rolls over and flops off the stage as he crawls to…somewhere. JDC with the low speed pursuit, he finally charges and gets tossed into some broken barricade makeshift something! Santana slams a production case into Dango a few times, as Dango tries to crawl up a table to get away. Santana walks back up to the stage, and stops himself mid-charge. FINDS A LADDER. Santana gets the ref and someone else to hold it, goes to the top of the ladder…and Splash through JDC on the table.

Takes entirely too long, so while it looks cool its pretty stupid. 1-2-3, the pinfall happens, but lets see if the 10 count holds. 10 count goes through, Santana wins.

Moose attacks afterwards and just beats the tar out of him with a chair.

Lei Ying Lee debuts NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT!

Subscribe to TNA to watch iMPACT NOW: https://t.co/UOkcaGoNH4 pic.twitter.com/kHtnOSs0Gj

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) September 20, 2024

Hendry comes out, Kaz interrupts, Nic Nemeth basically agrees to fight everyone. So Santino makes it shot and succulent, and decides for Hendry and Kaz to have a number 1 contender match next week. Nothing of crazy merit was said during the promo, so I decided to take Santino’s directions and go for short and succulent.

Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & Tasha Steelz w/Alisha Edwards vs Masha Slamovich & The Hardyz

Well right after intros they cut to a commercial, so maybe we won’t get anymore. Tasha and Masha start off, and throw fists fast, things stay close and they trade. Masha gets the advantage after a Drop Toe Hold into the middle rope, kick to the face, running knees and Tasha tags out to Eddie. Masha doesn’t care she wants to fight Eddie but Eddie cheap shots Matt on the apron and Matt tells Masha to tag him in. So Eddie doesn’t look like a completely shitty heel, and the crowd pops for a Hardy.

Matt chokes Eddie along the ropes, Leg Drape attack and tags in my name is Jeff. A little classic Hardy tandem work, Myers just runs in, stack the dorks, Splash version of Poetry in Motion. System gets Lariated out, Tasha tries to attack Matt but Masha eats Tasha. Whips her 3 times into corners and Poetry in Moscow. All of the System is on the outside, so Masha goes to the top, Senton off the top rope and Bowling Balls The System. Ugh…picture in picture is awful…stop with commercials at bad times. I really miss the commercial free YouTube version.

So to no one’s surprise, of course The System take control during the distraction break, Masha is being isolated, Eddie tags in and he’s taking his sweet time for a chop. So again, Eddie doesn’t make contact. Masha drops Tasha, ducks the men, hot tag to Jeff! Jeff lights up Eddie, looks for Whisper in the Wind but Myers pulls Eddie out of the way and Jeff hits nothing. And unlike Jinder, Eddie didn’t bump to a breeze. Eddie tags out to Myers, Russian Leg Sweep and Front Face Lock is keeping Jeff down. Jeff fights back up, but Myers clocks him. Myers tags in Tasha, and Tasha goes with the Knife Edge Chops on Jeff, mocks the Jeff dance, then twerks in his face before tagging Eddie back in.

Myers attacks Matt off the apron and even Masha, but Jeff starts to fight back, goes for the Whisper again, and this time connects on both! Jeff tags in Matt, so he starts working through the System boys. Neckbreaker into the Delete Headsmashes for both members of the System. Side Effect on Myers for only two. Matt calls for the Twist, the crowd responds well, but the Twist is countered, Lish grabs Matt’s foot but the referee sees it. EJECTION! Poor Tami-Lynn, she doesn’t wanna go, Hardys and Masha laugh and sing the Hey Hey Hey song, Lish says no so the ABC walk down and pick her up and carry her out. Twist of Fates for everyone, Swanton Bomb from Jeff, Hardyz and Masha win!

Overall Score: 6/10

Serviceable in regards to setting up most of the threads for Bound for Glory. The actual wrestling could’ve been a lot better, but for a starting point, it could’ve been worse. Xia Li getting her new name revealed, which I like. Some kind of Thunder reference, mixed in with the fact her vignettes give Mortal Kombat vibes, its very cool. The Knockouts Tags definitely feel like useless metal, Santana and JDC was probably better to experience in person, because the commercial break broke the momentum…and Gods damn was that finish sooo slow. At least the Texas Death Match rules were correct.

Crowd was also hot for the Hardyz, so the combination of “evil Russian” dropping the accent and proving to be a Hardy fangirl and get the Hardyz babyface rub sets up Masha nicely. She should be the next face of the Knockouts Division.

Next week we’ll hopefully get a touch more clarity or reasons for multi-person shmoz matches. But reasons are reasons, and this moved in logical enough directions.

About Chairshot Radio Network

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!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (9/19/24)

Is Dark Order good enough?

Published

15 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Team Texas meets Dark Order on the Proving Ground!

Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara need challengers for the ROH World Tag Team Championships, so Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds are put to the test! Will they last the necessary ten minutes?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

ROH Women’s World TV Championship Proving Grounds: Red Velvet VS Allysin Kay; Velvet wins and denies Allysin a title opportunity.
The Gates of Agony VS Dante Leon & Trip Jordy; The Gates of Agony win.
Preston Vance VS Brandon Cutler; Vance wins.
John Silver w/ The Dark Order VS KM; Silver wins.
Rachael Ellering VS Maggie Lee; Rachael wins.
The Infantry w/ Trish Adora VS Spanish Announce Project; The Infantry wins.
Anthony Ogogo w/ Shane Taylor VS Kit Sackett; Ogogo wins.
Brian Cage VS Deonn Rusman; Cage wins.
ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds w/ John Silver; Dustin & Sammy win and deny The Dark Order a title opportunity.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH Women’s World TV Championship Proving Grounds: Red Velvet VS Allysin Kay!

The Chef is cooking, and she even whipped up a new look for the belt! Will Velvet have the whole women’s division seeing red? Or will AK say pinkies out as she eats up this dish?

The Code of Honor is upheld with a pinkie swear, and the two circle. They tie up and Allysin shoves Velvet down. Velvet gets up, dodges Allysin, and wags a finger. Allysin runs up again, Velvet slides under, then she ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! The fans fire up and Velvet fires off body shots in the corner! Velvet lets off, but then comes back to stomp high and low. Velvet lets off to dig her boot in! The fans cheer as Velvet does the splits and stirs it up. Velvet lets off as the ref counts, then she comes back to fire forearms. Velvet runs, wheelbarrows, but Allysin says no to the bulldog, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! Cover, TWO!

Allysin drags Velvet up to TOSS her to a corner, then CHOPS her! The fans fire up, Allysin CHOPS again. Allysin bumps Velvet off buckles, Velvet hits back, but Allysin fires her own body shots. Then a fireman’s carry to a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Allysin drags Velvet up, Velvet fires body shots of her own again! Velvet runs, but Allysin catches the crossbody! FALL AWAY SLAM! Cover, TWO! Velvet toughs it out but Allysin drags her back up. Velvet fires more body shots, Allysin shoves her away, but Velvet runs up. Allysin sidesteps and runs, Velvet CALF KICKS, but Allysin deflects it! Then she gets an ANKLE LOCK!

Velvet endures as Allysin twists the foot. The fans rally, Velvet reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Allysin lets go at 4, then storms back up. Allysin snapmares Velvet, and clamps on with a straitjacket stretch! Velvet endures, even as Allysin digs a knee into her back. The fans rally up, Velvet fights up, and Velvet arm-drags free! Velvet runs up, to tilt-o-whirl and IRON OCTOPUS! Allysin endures, the fans rally, and Allysin powers right into a gut wrench! But Velvet clicks her heels, slips free, and hits a STUNNER! Velvet runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Velvet survives and Allysin grows frustrated.

Allysin drags Velvet up and in, Canadian Rack into the Gory Especial, but Velvet sunset flips it! TWO, and both women stand! Velvet LARIATS, but Allysin stays up! Velvet runs again, and she LARIATS again, but Allysin wags her finger. Velvet tries again, ducks Allysin’s lariat and LEAPING LARIATS! Then she CALF KICKS! Allysin falls, Velvet roars and the fans fire up! Velvet runs, wheelbarrows, and STUNNERS! Allysin falls back, Velvet goes after her at the ropes. The fans rally, Velvet pumps up and runs, to DOUBLE KNEE! Velvet YANKS Allysin off ropes, rolls with her, and dragon sleepers! JUST DESSERTS! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall (denies Allysin Kay a title match)

A solid win from The Chef, and she tells Diamante that she has the blood of a fighter! Eat, sleep, breathe, wrestling! Will everyone be served up some hot, fresh L’s in Red Velvet’s kitchen?

The Dark Order speak.

Dustin Rhodes wants more championships, and it makes Evil Uno sick! Alex Reynolds says that greed will lead to Dustin’s downfall. The funny thing about this Proving Ground is that The Dark Order has nothing to prove. Dustin & Sammy have to show they can beat The Dark Order in 10 minutes. All Dark Order has to do is beat the clock, and then unlike Dustin & Sammy, the Dark Order will earn a title opportunity. Dark Order is ROH, and they vow to get both revenge, and those ROH World Tag Team Championships. Will Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds show the world #DarkOrderisGood enough?

The Outrunners speak.

Truth Magnum tells The Iron Savages, “You wanna attack The Outrunners from behind?” Turbo Floyd & Erica Leigh shake their heads. But they don’t call him The Truth for nothing! And the truth is, if you’ve got beef, here are two Grade A master chefs, and they’re running hot! Keep your “savage sauce,” because you’re looking two young men absolutely jacked to the gills on “best-tosterone!” Turbo says the Savages have a few things he can respect: their muscles; their tans; their glitz; but they ain’t got no glamour! That’s what The Outrunners have! And in ROH, if you want it, let him tell you: Any time, any place!

Because if you haven’t seen The Outrunners, you haven’t seen nothing yet! Erica barks, but will Truth & Turbo find they’re barking up the wrong tree?

The Premier Athletes speak.

Mark Sterling says, “Whoa, whoa, hold on. Do you recognize this man? Of course you do. Because over a million of you saw him do the most impressive wrestling move you’ve ever seen in your life. But did you just see the move and scroll past it? Or did you actually think about who was the man that did the move? I’ll tell you who that man is. This is Josh Woods, National Champion, 108 collegiate wins, four-time All American! And there’s more where that came from.” Woods says he can do that to anybody. Anytime, anywhere. Then when and where will we see the Technical Beast do that for some gold?

The Infantry w/ Trish Adora VS Spanish Announce Project!

While Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo have made amends with The Outrunners, they’re still aiming at the ROH World Tag Team Championships. But that just means they’re one of many, because the reinvigorated Angelico Y Serpentico want their shot! Who rises up the ranks with a win while the other falls in Sioux Falls?

The teams sort out and #BadNews&Tattoos starts against the South African Stud. They shake hands for the Code of Honor, and Bravo gets an “OORAH!” going. Bravo and Angelico circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Angelico wrenches, wristlocks, but Bravo reaches down, slips around, and he wristlocks back. Bravo says they’re really wrestling and the fans have a laugh. Bravo keeps on the wrist, but spins, opens the hold, then steps over for a modified cording hold! Then Angelico wrenches the other wrist, but Bravo rolls, handsprings, pops ‘n’ locks and he gets Angelico with that vibe! Then Bravo reels Angelico in for a headlock!

The fans cheer, but Angelico powers up and out. Angelico drops, then hip tosses, but Bravo spins through it to arm-drag! The fans cheer again, Bravo eggs Angelico on, ducks the haymaker, but Angelico ducks the backhand. Bravo ducks the roundhouse, jumps the sweep, and dropkicks cancel out! Angelico spins to his feet while Bravo kips up, and both men Bernie Lean and walk it out! The fans cheer, and the two tag to The Captain and #SNAKEMAN. The fans “OORAH!” with Bravo again, and Dean shakes hands with Serpentico. They tie up, Dean headlocks, but Serpentico powers out. Dean runs Serpentico over!

The fans rally as Bran says Dean is so strong. Things speed up, Dean hurdles but Serpentico ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Dean is on his feet. Dean runs up, but into BOOTS! Dean tries again but Serpentico RANAS! But then Dean arm-drags! And arm-drags again! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Dean brings Serpentico up. Dean wrenches Serpentico, tags Bravo, and The Infantry double whip. DOUBLE HIP TOSS! A rough landing for Serpentico, but Infantry DOUBLE FIST DROP! Angelico storms in, Dean blocks a kick, hands it to Bravo, then ENZIGIRIS Bravo slips around to hit a NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up while Angelico bails out. Serpentico slowly rises, Bravo brings him up, but Serpentico headlocks. Bravo powers out but Angelico tags in. Serpentico ducks Bravo and Angelico scoops to BACKBREAKER! Angelico stands Bravo up, Serpentico runs in, NECKBREAKER DROP BACKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Bravo stays in this but Angelico stays on him with a cording hold. Bravo endures, the fans rally up, and Bravo fights up, only for Angelico to knee low! Tag to Serpentico, SAP double whip, then they both drop. Bravo is very surprised by that but clears them both. Angelico hip tosses Bravo, then SAP ZENMAI! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Bravo stays in this. Serpentico drags Bravo up, tags Angelico back in, and SAP mugs Bravo. Angelico stomps Bravo while Adora rallies the fans with “Let’s Go, Bravo, Let’s Go!” Bravo CHOPS Angelico, Angelico KNEES low! Angelico JABS Bravo, wrenches and lifts, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Angelico keeps Bravo down by bending his arm against a knee. Bravo endures, the fans rally, but Angelico top wristlocks. Bravo fights up, fires body shots, but Angelico ROCKS him! Angelico stalks Bravo to ropes, brings him up, and then wrenches. Angelico back suplexes, but Bravo lands out! Bravo reaches out, but Angelico keeps him back!

The fans rally, and Bravo BACKHANDS Angelico away! Hot tags to Dean and Serpentico! The fans fire up as Dean rallies on SAP with LARIAT after LARIAT! Then he floats on Angelico to DDT! Kip up, and he gets Serpentico, spin and “SONIC BOOM~” LARIAT! The fans fire up while Serpentico goes to a corner, and Dean says, “OORAH!” The fans echo “OORAH!” and Dean ELBOWS Serpentico! Bravo tags in then follows Dean as he takes Serpentico side to side. Buckle bump and a BOOT, then Dean goes back to a corner. Bravo bumps Serpentico off buckles again, and Dean runs in to LEAPING LARIAT!

The fans fire up while Dean lands safe on the apron, and Bravo scoops Serpentico to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Serpentico survives and Bravo is stunned! Dean calls for Boot Camp and he tags in. Dean hooks Serpentico up, Bravo runs, but Angelico trips him! Angelico drags Bravo out to UPPERCUT, and Serpentico snapmares Dean. Serpentico mule kicks, ROCKS and SUPERKICKS! Angelico steps in to clinch and FLATLINER! Serpentico goes up, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Dean survives and SAP is shocked! The fans rally up but SAP drags Dean up. SAP coordinate, Angelico runs, but Bravo trips Angelico up!

Bravo drags Angelico out now, and ROLLING ELBOW! Serpentico ROCKS Dean, runs, but Bravo returns! Infantry dodges Serpentico to fire off the Captain & Bucky combo! Then DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS! The fans fire up with The Infantry, and they hook Serpentico up again. Time for BOOT CAMP!! Cover, Infantry wins!

Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall

SAP put up a fight, but The Infantry are marching up towards the top of the rankings! Bravo says never fear, the Infantry is here! But will they be armed and ready for a title shot in the near future? And perhaps best of all, The Infantry offer the Code of Honor, and SAP takes it!

Shane Taylor Promotions speaks.

Anthony Ogogo says it is so good to be Anthony Ogogo! The skull-crackin’, jaw-jackin’ Gov’nah is back in ROH! Shane Taylor himself says it’s great to have him back. Ogogo says he was in Paris for the Olympics, watching the very best athletes win gold. But brother, it got Ogogo thinking. It’s time for him to win gold in ROH! Shane likes that, too. Shane says a wise man once said, “First you get the money, then you get the power.” Around here, winning gold is both! And STP is gonna start taking every championship ROH has to offer. AEW is where the best wrestler, but ROH is where the baddest rumble! Will Ogogo and Big Bad Shaney T. soon join Lee Moriarty as champions of ROH?

ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds w/ John Silver!

Dustin is a double champion here in ROH, and that’s all the reason The Dark Order needed to despise him! But will they be able to bring down The Natural & The Spanish God? Or will Team Texas be riding high in South Dakota?

The Code of Honor is tentatively upheld, but Reynolds does go and push Sammy. The teams sort out and Sammy starts against Reynolds. The fans rally as the two circle, but then Reynolds bails out. Sammy is annoyed, the fans boo, but Reynolds reminds us, the Dark Order doesn’t even need to beat the champs, just last the ten minutes. Silver and Reynolds high-five, the fans rally for Sammy, and he waits on Reynolds. Reynolds takes his time returning, and then Reynolds tags Uno. And Uno tells Sammy, “I want this guy!” He points at Dustin, Sammy points at Dustin, and the fans fire up as Sammy tags Dustin!

Dustin and Uno circle, they approach, but then Uno bails out to troll Dustin. Uno does a sarcastic victory lap, but Dustin cuts him off. Uno says whoa, hold on, only to turn around and see Sammy! The fans cheer but Uno runs away into the ring! Team Texas grabs at him, knocks him down, and then Uno gets up into an UPPERCUT! Sammy hooks Uno up, Dustin joins in, DOUBLE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Sammy kips up, Reynolds runs in, but into a DROPKICK! Sammy kips real smooth, and then he tells Dustin to dive! The fans fire up, Dustin fires up, and while Dark Order regroups, Team Texas builds speed!

But then Dark Order scurries away, Sammy & Dustin put on the brakes, and the fans boo. Sammy spins and poses, so Dustin busts out the spinarooni! Dustin poses, too, and the fans fire up! The Dark Order gets mad, but turnabout is fair play. The Dark Order decides to just bail, but Dustin chases them down! Dustin SMACKS Uno, ROCKS Reynolds, then gets Silver to back off. Dustin UPPERCUTS Uno, SMACKS him off the apron, then stalks him around the way. Dustin puts Uno in the ring, but Reynolds storms up. Dustin counter punches! Uno distracts the ref, allowing Silver to POST Dustin! The fans boo and Silver protests, but Reynolds throws hands on Dustin.

Reynolds puts Dustin in, Uno bumps him off buckles, and he stomps a mudhole. Tag to Reynolds, the Dark Order mugs Dustin, and Reynolds snapmares Dustin. Reynolds steps on Dustin, then uses the ropes to IMPLODER ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Reynolds keeps Dustin from Sammy, bumps him off buckles, and tags Uno. The fans rally, Uno CHOPS Dustin, then he soaks up the heat. Uno goes back to Dustin, but Dustin UPPERCUTS! Reynolds grabs Dustin but Dustin ROCKS him! Dustin fires more shots on Uno, but Reynolds barks at Dustin. So Dustin DECKS Reynolds! But he turns around into a kick from Uno!

Uno runs, but he runs into the SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down! Uno crawls to his corner, but there’s no Reynolds! Dustin crawls, but Silver distracts the ref from the hot tag! The ref stops Sammy, not knowing what happened, and then Uno BOOTS Sammy! Uno SPLASHES Dustin, bumps him off buckles, and Reynolds goes up. Uno sets Dustin up for a FLYING DOUBLE STOMP! Reynolds then DIVES onto Sammy! Uno hits a PILEDRIVER on Dustin! Cover, TWO!! Dustin survives and Uno is shocked! Another cover, TWO! Uno grows frustrated but we’re five minutes in, time is still on their side.

Uno calls to Reynolds, brings Dustin over, and tags Reynolds in. The Dark Order mugs Dustin, but Dustin fights back with big hands! But then Dark Order pushes Dustin back! Dustin dodges Uno, dodges Reynolds, and the ref sees this hot tag! Sammy goes up to DOUBLE CROSSBODY The Dark Order down! The fans fire up, Sammy CLOBBERS Uno, then keeps moving to duck ‘n’ dodge Reynolds so he can CLOBBER him, too! The fans fire up as Sammy kips up, and Sammy RAMS in to Reynolds! Sammy goes to the apron to ENZIGIRI Reynolds, and he SUPERKICKS Uno! Reynolds then springboards in, but Reynolds gets under!

Reynolds runs up, into a CUTTER! Dustin runs in to add a SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Uno breaks it! Dustin storms up, Uno shouts “STOP~!” Then he ROCKS Dustin with a right hand! But Sammy JUMP KNEES Uno! Uno tumbles out, Sammy goes for Reynolds, but Silver drags him out! The fans boo as Dark Order regroups again. Sammy says that’s fine, and he builds speed, to FLY! Down goes The Dark Order! Sammy puts Reynolds in for Dustin to hop on, DESTROYER! Dustin brings Reynolds up, Sammy climbs, and we get a FINAL RECKONING, into the SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Team Texas wins!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, by pinfall (denies The Dark Order a title match)

Uno & Reynolds played not to win but to not lose, and that only backfired every step of the way! But wait! THE CAGE OF AGONY ATTACKS! The fans boo, but Brian Cage fireman’s carries Sammy, for an F5!! The Gates mug Dustin, The Dark Order cheers while the fans boo! Kaun & Liona hold up the tag titles, then they stand Dustin up, for the DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH!! Dustin falls over, is this just a foreshadowing of what is to come? Or can Dustin & Sammy survive the gauntlet of challengers?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of ROH, with it coming in at an hour and 10 minutes. It still had a lot of matches that were easily filler, but I again commend them on giving everyone good showings. A little surprised, and maybe a little disappointed, that Harley Cameron did not appear to go after Rachael Ellering. They could get that story going if they really wanted but they sure drag things out. But I do like that a big development was Red Velvet changing the belt, the red strap looks so good with the dark silver ROH uses for their belts. We just need them to hurry up and give us Velvet VS Diamante, not sure what they’re waiting on.

Sterling’s promo with Josh Woods was itself basically filler, because we already went through the phase of “Let’s hype The Premier Athletes up.” Just get Woods going in the Pure Division so he can eventually face Lee Moriarty, and maybe even give us some STP beating up on Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari. Speaking of which, after Ogogo of course “knocked out” his opponent tonight, good promo from him and Shane. STP is a team I’d definitely like seeing pull of the “dripping with gold” trope. Moriarty has the Pure Championship, the whole crew can be Six Man Champs, and I suppose Ogogo can “knock out” Atlantis Jr. to get the TV title while Shane finally beats Mark Briscoe to get the world title.

And a lot of good stuff is cooking in the Six Man as well as traditional Tag Divisions. We got a very good match from Infantry and SAP, and a very good promo from Outrunners calling out The Iron Savages. And while we got a really good tag match out of Dark Order and Team Texas, I figured Team Texas would win out. Clearly, Cage of Agony wants next, but I would think Kaun & Liona have a better chance getting the World Tag titles than the whole faction does the Six Man titles. Cage of Agony, while they were Mogul Embassy, already had a dominant run with the Six Man belts, let another faction have their time.