Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Destruction Results & Report! (9/14/24)
Will Evil NEVER win?
Will The King of Darkness trump President Ace?
NJPW’s Road to Destruction continues as The House of Torture goes after the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships! Will Darkness Fall on Hokkaido?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba VS Masatora Yasuda & Daiki Nagai; Yano & Sakuraba win.
- 20 Man Noboribetsu Ranbo: Shota Umino wins the luxury pass to the Noboribetsu hot springs.
- Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
- 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
20 Man Noboribetsu Ranbo!
NJPW being in Hokkaido is a special occasion, and while this may be a battle royal, this is a special treat! Noboribetsu is known for its luxurious hot spring resorts, so the winner of this match will get a special VIP pass! Who puts in a hard day’s work to have a relaxing weekend?
First out is a Young Lion, Katsuya Murashima! Could this be his moment to graduate? Second out is his fellow Young Lion, Shoma Kato! Could this be his moment to graduate? The bell rings and the ranbo begins! The two tie up, Shamo headlocks but Katsuya slips out the back. Katsuya has a leg, he brings Shoma down, then waistlocks. Shoma switches, Katsuya switches, repeat, and the two break. The fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up again, Shoma wrenches to wristlock, but Katsuya rolls, wrenches and hammerlocks. Katsuya headlocks but Shoma fires body shots. Shoma powers up but Katsuya grinds the hold!
Shoma fights up, but Katsuya grinds the headlock mover. Katsuya hits a takeover, but here comes entry number 3! As Shoma powers up and puts Katsuya on ropes, the music plays. Katsuya lets go of the headlock, but Shoma CHOPS! Katsuya fires forearms, Shoma fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up because here comes Yuma 24! Hokkaido’s own storms into the ring and he ROCKS Katsuya! And he fires off hands on Shoma, but Shoma hits back! Shoma whips Yuma at the corner, then runs in, but Yuma dodges! Shoma hits buckles, and then Yuma tabletops him! BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER! The fans cheer as Yuma stands tall.
Katsuya runs up to fire forearms with Yuma, and then Yuma CLAWS eyes! Yuma goes to throw Katsuya out but Shoma CLUBS Yuma! The countdown is back while the Young Lions stomp Yuma. Katsuya then goes after Shoma to fire forearms. Shoma turns it around to fire forearms back! Fourth out is… Tomoaki Honma! Everyone’s Kokeshi is here, and he steps in to fire hands on the Young Lions! Yuma runs up but Honma ROCKS him, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! And CHOPS again in the corner! Honma whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS Yuma! Yuma staggers, into a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma calls for it!
Honma runs, but Yuma dodges the Kokeshi! Yuma stomps Honma, drags him up, and CLUBS him! The countdown’s back already, and Yuma stomps Honma to a corner. The Young Lions go after Yuma now, and work to throw him out! Yuma holds onto the ropes, but Honma works with them! Yuma fights them off, and fifth is Tiger Mask! The fans cheer the living legend Super Junior as he hurries into the ring. Tiger Mask is swarmed by the Young Lions! Tiger ROCKS Katsuya, but Shoma whips. Tiger grabs ropes to stop, and Shoma’s dropkick gets nothing! Katsuya covers Shoma! TWO! Tiger kicks Katsuya, then sets him up for Honma!
Honma runs in, but Katsuya slips away, and Honma CLOBBERS Tiger mask! Honma checks on his friend, apologizes, then he CLUBS Katsuya. The countdown is back already, and Honma sets Katsuya up for Yuma. Yuma runs up, Katsuya gets away, and Yuma CLOBBERS Honma! Shoma rolls up Yuma! TWO!! Yuma escapes and here comes number six, Kosei Fujita! Will the Japanese Young Punk prove that while The Might Don’t Kneel, they do like to relax in hot springs? Fujita runs in, dodges Katsuya and CHOPS! Katsuya fires forearms in return, then whips, but Fujita reverses. Katsuya ducks ‘n’ dodges, to run Fujita over!
The fans fire up, but then Fujita’s right up to run Katsuya over! The fans fire up more, and Fujita brings Katsuya up to TOSS him out! Katsuya lands on the apron, but Fujita GAMANGIRIS him down! Fujita ELIMINATES Katsuya! Fujita bails out before Honma gets at him, so Tiger Mask and Honma trade shots. Fujita steps on Katsuya on his way back in, and the countdown is back again. Tiger Mask ELBOWS Honma down, Fujita and Yuma work together against Shoma, but Shoma holds them off. Out seventh is… Jado! The Master Heater high fives fans and hurries in. Honma scopos Fujita and goes for ropes!
Fujita holds on, Yuma tries to help, but Fujita fights free! Fujita goes to lift Honma now! Yuma helps Fujita again while Jado and Tiger Mask are after Shoma. They whip, kick and KICK Shoma! Cover, TWO! Shoma stays in this, as does Honma. Fujita CLUBS Honma down while Tiger Mask KICKS Shoma! Jado brings Shoma up, the countdown is back again, and the old guys keep mugging Shoma. Oh that music is obvious, here comes Ryusuke Taguchi! Or as that cardboard belt says, the Hokkaido PR Champion. Taguchi climbs the corner, leaps in, but into a FLYING FOREARM from Shoma! Shoma TOSSES Taguchi out!
Taguchi is on the apron, Shoma ROCKS him then runs, but Taguchi slingshots in! Taguchi dropkicks a leg, then La Magistrol! Cover, THREE! Taguchi ELIMINATES Shoma! The Young Lions are done, and Honma stomps Yuma. Taguchi, Tiger Mask AND Jado go up to Fujita. Fujita fires forearms but he gets mugged 3v1! The countdown is done, here comes number nine, Francesco Akira! The Nova Fireball slides in, and he dodges Fujita to kick and whip,. Fujita reverses but Akira RANAS! Fujita bails out, Yuma kicks Akira and TOSSES him! Akira lands on the apron, Yuma runs up, but Akira DUMPS him out!
Yuma lands on the apron, he UPPERCUTS Akira, but Akira SUPERKICKS in return! Yuma wobbles, then falls to the floor! Akira ELIMINATES Yuma! Akira steps in, kicks Taguchi, and then scrapes Taguchi on ropes! But Honma and Tiger Mask join in! And Jado, and even Fujita! They all work to lift Akira but he holds on stubbornly! Taguchi climbs up, but he ends up tipping over the top rope! Fujita runs back up to try and push the pile! Fujita then slides out so he can pull Taguchi from the outside! Taguchi is still holding on tight! The countdown is back, and number ten is… Taka Michinoku! Will the Blue Playmaker grab those luxury tickets?
Taguch is still fighting off Honma! He drops to the apron, and now Honma tries to scrape him off! Akira and Fujita fight in another corner, and Fujita throws elbows to back Akira off. Taka fires hands on Tiger, then DECKS him! Fujita turns things around on Akira, Akira hits back, but Jado joins in. Honma kicks Taguchi’s legs out, then KOKESHI FLOPS! Taguchi fires up, wiggles, KOKESHI FLOPS! Honma drags Taguchi up while the countdown is back. Honma scoops and SLAMS Taguchi! KOKESHI FLOPS again! Number 11 is… TOMOYA! The fans fire up as another Hokkaido hero joins the match!
Tomoya fires hands on Honma, suplexes, and he holds Honma up for TEN before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in this, but also bails out, so Tomoya digs his boot into Akira. Tiger KICKS Taka, Fujita CHOPS Tomoya. Tomoya CHOPS Fujita, Fujita CHOPS back! They CHOP back and forth and Tomoya eggs Fujita on! They CHOP and CHOP, and the countdown is back. Akira hoists Fujita up, Tiger Mask has Taka, and number 12 is… Hiroyoshi Tenzan! The fans fire up as another living legend is here! Tenzan storms in, and he locks eyes with Tomoya. Tomoya fires forearms, but the fans hiss with steam for Tenzan.
Tenzan kicks Tomoya, HEADBUTTS him, then Mongolian Chops! Tomoya falls and the fans fire up! Tenzan kicks Tomoya, bumps him off buckles, then goes to push him out! Tomoya holds on so Tenzan CLUBS him! Tomoya hits back, the countdown is back, and number 13 is… TAKASHI IIZUKA! And he doesn’t come from the stage, he comes in from behind the crowd! The fans fire up as this madman storms his way up the aisle! Fans watch out as he goes through the rows, and pushes his way to the stage! Iizuka’s madness keeps him storming through the rest of the crowd! No one in the ring is sure what to make of this!
Iizuka just keeps going, does he even know he’s supposed to go to the ring!? Iizuka completes a full lap, and NOW he’s ringside! The fans fire up as Iizuka storms into the ring, armed with the iron fingers! Everyone stays clear of this insanity! Iizuka eyes Taka but Taka says they’re friends! Suzuki-Gun, remember? Akira waistlocks but Taka switches and shoves Akira at Iizuka! IRON FINGER STRIKE!! Taka TOSSES Akira and ELIMINATES him! Iizuka now eyes Tenzan! The fans fire up and Tenzan tells Iizuka to put the fingers down. Iizuka takes a swing! Tenzan dodges to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! But Iizuka kicks low, and IRON FINGER STRIKES!!
Taka covers Tenzan! Taka ELIMINATES Tenzan!! “Taka” means “hawk” but he’s being a real vulture, picking at those Iizuka takes out! But then Iizuka BITES Taka on the forehead! The countdown’s back, and number 14 is… Taichi! The Holy Emperor rushes in to stop Iizuka from eating Taka! Taichi CLUBS Iizuka, TOSSES him, but that was the second rope! Taichi goes out to stomp away on Iizuka, and then drags him up. He tells Shinpei Nagomi on commentary, and Nagomi asks why Iizuka is doing this! The fans cheer as it seems Iizuka’s senses have returned, but then Iizuka LEAPS over the desk to get at Nagomi!!
The fans go wild as Iizuka rips Nagomi’s shirt away, to reveal he’s wearing “Blue Justice” Yuji Nagata merchandise! Iizuka still hasn’t forgiven Nagomi for being a Blue Justice fanboy back in the day! He’s ripping THAT shirt away, too! Then he THROWS Nagomi into the crowd! Taichi then throws Iizuka back into the ring, Nagomi returns to commentary, and everyone else gangs up on Iizuka and Taichi! Everyone TOSSES and ELIMINATES Taichi and Iizuka! The countdown is back, but Taguchi rolls up Taka! TWO! Taichi gets Iizuka away from ringside, and now number 15 is… Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Heel Master jumps in, but Taka and Fujita are right on him! They and Tiger Mask beat Kanemaru down. Kanemaru fights back, CLAWS Fujita’s eyes, and then CHOKES Fujita on ropes. Taguchi sneaks a swig of Kanemaru’s whiskey! The effects are immediate! The countdown returns, and number 16 is… SHO! The House of Torture is building up in this match, but The Murder Machine clearly hides his Torture Tool in his towel. Fujita ends up on the apron, Tiger Mask whips Kanemaru at Fujita, and Fujita RAMS Kanemaru! Kanemaru ROCKS Fujita back, but Fujita stays up to ROCK Kanemaru!
Kanemaru staggers, Fujita slingshots, but Kanemaru shoves the ref at him! Fujita falls to the floor, Kanemaru ELIMINATES Fujita! The fans boo but Sho whips Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask reverses, wrenches, waistlocks, but Sho switches. Tiger Mask fires elbows but Sho CLUBS Tiger Mask. Sho has the arms, but Tiger Mask FLIP KICKS! The countdown is back! Tiger Mask kicks Kanemaru, whips him, but Kanemaru reverses to TOSS Tiger Mask right to the floor! Kanemaru ELIMINATES Tiger Mask! Taguchi runs up at Sho but into an atomic drop! Sho sits Taguchi on the ropes and pulls! The Funky Weapon suffers pain!
Kanemaru runs up to DROPKICK Taguchi! Taguchi tumbles to the floor, The House of Torture ELIMINATES Taguchi! Number 17 is… DOUKI! Japones Del Mal storms in to fire hands on Kanemaru, but Kanemaru and Sho mug him! They double whip Douki to a corner, Sho runs in, but Douki dodges. Kanemaru mule kicks Douki, then holds him up. Sho runs up but into BOOTS! Douki headlocks Kanemaru, jumps up again, and he RANA SNAPMARE COMBOS! Douki then dodges The House, and springboards to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up with Douki, Honma hurries to cover Kanemaru, ONE!
Douki stomps Honma, drags Kanemaru up, and whips him to ropes. Kanemaru reverses to then dropkick the legs out! Douki goes to ropes, Kanemaru runs in, but Douki BOOTS him! But he also goes up and out to the apron! Kanemaru kicks Douki, runs up, but Douki DUMPS Kanemaru out! Kanemaru kicks Douki, Douki UPPERCUTS Kanemaru! Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru grabs Douki’s leg, and KNEE SMASHES to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! A sacrifice play from Kanemaru but we know he wants that IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship over the Noboribetsu onsens!
The countdown is back, and number 18 is… Sanada! The Cold Skull makes his way out here, right as Sho rolls up and ELIMINATES Taka!! Well now Sanada’s the last of Just5Guys! Sanada storms in, Sho gets his wrench! The refs reprimand Sho but Sho keeps trying to hide it! Sanada runs up to TOSS and ELIMINATE Sho! That’s what he gets for breaking rules! But now Sanada finds himself alone with Jado, Honma and Tomoya. The fans rally for Sanada, and the four men feel things out. The countdown is back already? Sanada and Honma tie up, Honma waistlocks but Sanada switches, and number 19 is… Shota Umino!
Honma throws elbows, Jado CLUBS Sanada, and The Roughneck comes in from the crowd! Jado knocks Sanada down, ties him up, but Sanada kicks him away! Shota storms in but Tomoya is right on him! Tomoya and Shota fire forearms back and forth, and Sanada puts Jado in Paradise! Honma is the odd man out watching as Tomoya knuckle locks then CHOPS Shota. Sanada pushes Jado down, Jado verbally quits! Sanada ELIMINATES Jado! Who knew Paradise could hurt? Honma rolls Sanada, TWO! Tomoya goes up the ropes, but Shota trips him up! Shota stomps Tomya, brings him up and TOSSES him out, Shota ELIMINATES Tomoya!
Shota, Honma and Sanada are the only ones in the ring, and Sanada says hold on, that’s 2v1. Shota and Honma still stomp and CLUB him down! But here comes the final countdown! Number 20 is… Zack Sabre Jr?! The G1 Climax Champion brings his trophy to the ring, is he looking to add even more prizes to the collection? ZSJ even throws his TMDK G1 baseball jersey to the crowd! Free souvenir for someone, and ZSJ slides into the ring. Shota digs his boots into Sanada, but the fans fire up as “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and Honma feel things out. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Honma CHOPS, repeat! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Honma clinches!
Honma feeds ZSJ to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma ROCKS ZSJ, Shota scoops and SLAMS! Shota points to a corner, and Honma goes up! Shota holds ZSJ down, but then ZSJ kicks free and avoids the FALLING KOKESHI! Honma FLOPS, ZSJ clamps on with a headscissors squeeze! ZSJ rolls Honma to getting an arm! Honma TAPS, ZSJ ELIMINATES Honma! Now the final three are ZSJ, Shota and Sanada! The fans rally up as the three stare down. There are equal parts “SA-NA-DA!” “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and “SHOTA! SHOTA!” as they circle. They feel things out, they all knuckle lock, but then Shota kicks Sanada!
Shota UPPERCUTS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS Sanada, Sanada UPPERCUTS Shota! The UPPERCUTS keep going around like that, from Shota to ZSJ to Sanada, but then Shota hooks Sanada! Sanada fights the backslide but ZSJ shoves them both over! Double cover, TWO!! Shota and Sanada escape, and then Shota cradles ZSJ! TWO!! Sanada rolls Shota to a cradle, TWO!! ZSJ runs up on Sanada, and cradles! TWO!! The fans fire up, ZSJ BOOTS Shota then BOOTS Sanada! ZSJ runs, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans are thunderous, and even Shota and Sanada applaud respect. Shota offers a hand, Sanada takes it, to reel Shota into a cradle! TWO!!
Shota escapes, runs up, but Sanada gets around. Shota bucks the O’Conner, TOSSES Sanada, but Sanada lands on the apron! Shota ROCKS Sanada, but ZSJ runs up! Shota dodges, Sanada ROCKS ZSJ, but then ZSJ dodges Shota! ZSJ waistlocks Shota, RAMS him into Sanada, and Sanada falls! ZSJ & Shota ELIMINATE Sanada, but then ZSJ O’Conner Rolls Shota to a BRIDGE! TWO!! Shota escapes, runs up, but ZSJ TOSSES him! ZSJ runs up, Shota RAMS him then slingshots to sunset flip! ZSJ rolls through but Shota underhooks! ZSJ wrenches out to PELE the arm! ZSJ scoops, Shota slips free, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down!
Shota sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! Shota rolls back to his feet! UPPERCUT! ZSJ falls and the fans fire up! Shota rises, the fans duel, and Shota takes aim. ZSJ rises, Shota runs up, BLAZE BLADE! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Shota roars! The fans fire up again and Shota drags ZSJ up. ZSJ slips around, COBRA TWIST! Shota endures, the fans rally, and Shota powers up to head for ropes. ZSJ puts on the pressure but Shota still has the ROPEBREAK, and he hip tosses ZSJ out! ZSJ lands on the apron, ROCKS Shota, then has a SLEEPER! ZSJ drags Shota up, bends him back against ropes, but Shota JAWBREAKERS!
Shota DROPKICKS, but ZSJ holds on! Shota runs, UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ falls! Shota wins!!
Winner: Shota Umino (wins the Noboribetsu hot springs pass)
The G1 Climax Champion tried to take another prize for his own, but in the end, it is The Roughneck who will be relaxing this weekend! Will Shota be refreshed and ready for the coming Autumn season?
After Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs…
While Gabe Kidd gets the win off a brainbuster, The War Dogs aren’t done with Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi or Tomohiro Ishii! The beatdown begins, Young Lions run in, but they get beat up, too! David Finlay even gives on a FALCON ARROW to the floor! Gabe gets a mic to have them cut the music, and he says, “Hey, Goto! My tag team partner is in a effin’ hospital bed because o’ you three p*icks! Oi! Kobe, Gabe Kidd VS Hirooki Goto, let’s go, b*tch!” The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion has called out the Fierce Warrior! Will Gabe avenge Jake Lee by taking Goto apart?
Hashi and Finlay will also still fight for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, will The Rebel tear the Headhunter’s head off to stay golden? Or could Chaos take those titles away from the War Dogs and put them in the pound?
10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire!
While we just saw this showdown, with Tetsuya Naito and team standing tall, that will not intimidate Great-O-Khan and his forces. Will Khan, Cobb, Henare, Callum & Jakob turn the tide on this Road to Destruction? Or will Bushi, Hiromu, Shingo, Yota y Naito keep things tranquilo?
The entrance attire is put aside, though Naito still takes his time. The teams stare down, Takagi with Henare given their coming NEVER Openweight Championship, and Cobb is dismissive of Yota since he already beat him in their NJPW World TV Championship match. LIJ makes everyone wait on the fist bump, but then The Empire attacks! The bell rings, and Khan stomps Naito down while the rest of The Empire throws LIJ out of the ring! Things even spill out into the crowd! Khan taunts Naito with hands behind his back, then he drags Naito up. Khan whips to then SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this, and the teams stop fighting on the outside.
Khan clamps onto Naito with the IRON CLAW SLEEPER, but Naito flails! Khan spins him, for the ELIMIN- NO, Naito slips free, tilt-o-whirls, but Khan denies Destino! Khan slips free, then picks Naito up, to RAM him into a corner! Khan puts stank on the Mongolian Chops! And then more Mongolian Chops! Khan then fakes Naito out to UPPERCUT! The fans rally as Khan has Naito in the corner, and sits on his throne! The Empire sit on the apron just like Khan, and the fans rally as Khan pulls the arms. Khan hops down, brings Naito around, and he tags in Callum. The Empire mugs Naito, then Callum CLUBS him.
The fans applaud and Callum whips. Naito reverses but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed! Naito avoids the boot and Hiromu gets a shot in! Bushi sunset flips and rewinds into Naito’s basement dropkick! Khan protests but then Hiromu tags in. Hiromu & Naito double whip Callum, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Hiromu covers, TWO! The fans rally, Hiromu CHOPS Callum to a corner. Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS again, whips, and runs in to LARIAT! Snapmare, but Callum is up to hip toss and QUICK DRAW! The Empire goes after LIJ from the outside now! The brawling again spills into the crowd!
Fans fire up as Takagi and Henare trade shots and even HEADBUTTS! Takagi and Henare fire fast hands, and then somewhere else, Khan BOWLS Naito into chairs! Strike! The fans cheer as Khan stands tall over Naito! Khan then CHOKES Naito with a chair! The ref reprimands everyone everywhere, but Cobb then RAMS Yota into railing! A ring count starts, Callum brings Hiromu back into the ring at 7 of 20. Then he KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Callum brings Hiromu up into a chinlock, and he squeezes tight while the fans rally. And we’re just at five minutes! Callum shifts around, stomps Hiromu, then brings him up.
Callum UPPERCUTS Hiromu to the corner, then tags in Jakob. Jakob bumps Hiromu off buckles, UPPERCUTS him, then whips corner to corner. Jakob runs up to forearm SMASH! Then he whips the other way, to CHOP! Jakob brings Hiromu out for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel, “HI-RO-MU!” “JA~KOB!” Jakob wrenches and whips Hiromu into the corner, tags Cobb, and then ELBOWS Hiromu on his way out. Cobb brings Hiromu around, taunts Takagi, then HEADBUTTS Hiromu down! Cobb deadlifts Hiromu into a suplex! Cobb taunts LIJ as he carries Hiromu, and Hiromu shouts for help! Cobb SLAMS him down first!
Cobb stays between Hiromu and the corner, taunting the team to help Hiromu. But Hiromu gets up to CHOP! And CHOP! Cobb just frowns. Hiromu CHOPS again, but Cobb KNEES low! Cobb whips, Hiromu RAN- NO, Cobb stops that, lifts Hiromu up, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu runs and CROSSBODIES, but he bounces right off Cobb! The fans cheer and Cobb taunts Yota. Cobb drags Hiromu back, but Hiromu slips under! SUPERKICK! Cobb stays up, but Hiromu slips under again, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota dodges, then kicks and whips Cobb. Cobb reverses, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up and Cobb goes to a corner.
Yota runs in to STINGER SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, but Jakob gets a shot in! Jakob & Callum storm in, double whip, but Yota ducks the line to shove Jakob into Callum! Yota then fireman’s carries Jakob and THROWS him at Callum! Those two bail out, Cobb storms up and kicks low. Cobb suplexes, but Yota slips free! Yota hits a COMPLETE SHOT, then covers, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Yota drags Cobb up, fireman’s carries, but Cobb blocks the lift! Cobb CLUBS Yota, but Yota kicks low. Yota runs, into an URENAGE! And FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Yota stays in this, but Cobb storms over. Cobb drags Yota up, fireman’s carries, but Yota slips free. Yota goes to a corner, Cobb runs in, and Cobb blocks the boot! Cobb throws Yota up and over to then get under! Gory Especial, but Yota fights free! Cobb SUPERKICKS! Yota stays up, Cobb runs up, but Yota blocks the lariat! BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! Both men are down after the Gene Combination and the fans fire up! Cobb and Yota crawl, hot tags to Henare and Takagi! The fans fire up as Rampaging Dragon RAMS Face of Fury! They RAM shoulders again, and again!
Takagi ROCKS Henare with a forearm, whips him to a corner, but then blocks a boto! Takagi LARAITS, but Henare puts him in the corner to fire fast hands! Henare HEADBUTTS, whips corner to corner, and LARIATS! Henare roars, but now Takagi turns things around to JAB and CHOP on repeat! The fans fire up, Takagi lets off to run, but Henare SWATS the lariat! Takagi spins to YUKON LARIAT, but Henare stays up! They go forehead to forehead and the fans fire up! Takagi and Henare HEADBUTT again and again! Then Takagi CHOPS! Henare KICKS! The fans fire up as Takagi grits his teeth, and he comes back to CHOP!
Henare growls and the fans fire up more. Henare storms up to KICK! Takagi fires ridge hand chops, then an open hand CHOP! Henare KICKS, Takagi blocks, but Henare ELBOWS free, then KICKS Takagi down! Takagi’s right up and he CLOBBERS Henare! The fans fire up with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs up but Henare ELBOWS him, goes up and FLYING CHUCK! But Takagi stays up, runs, but Henare LARIATS! But Takagi’s up again! PUMPING BOMBER! Henare’s right up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Henare stir, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi kicks and whips, then he dropkicks legs out!
Jakob gets in to kick, but he runs into an ENZIGIRI! Hiromu BLASTS Khan, BOOTS Cobb, and LIJ focus on Henare. They double whip Henare to a corner, then Bushi ELBOWS! Hiromu LARIATS! Yota SPLASHES! Snapmare, Naito joins in, QUADRUPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Bushi covers, but the entire Empire breaks it! The fans fire up, LIJ throws The Empire out! Bushi goes back to Henare, the fans rally, but Callum runs in to BOOT Bushi! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Callum! Cobb CLOBBERS Hiromu! Yota V-TRIGGERS Cobb! Khan BOOTS Yota! Naito ELBOWS Khan, ENZIGIRIS him down, but Henare CLOBBERS Naito!
Takagi storms in but Henare backs him down, and then NATIVE KNEE in the corner! Henare roars, but Bushi storms up! Henare blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri but not the REWIND HEEL! Henare still BODY BLOWS then KICKS Bushi down! Henare roars, and he clamps on the ULTIMA NELSON!! Bushi endures, but Henare grinds him down! Bushi reaches out, fans rally, but Bushi TAPS! The Empire wins!
Winner: The United Empire, by submission
The Face of Fury breaks the Black Mask, and he stares down The Rampaging Dragon. Henare holds up the NEVER Openweight Championship, but will that be the case after Kobe? Wait, Henare gets a mic to talk to Takagi! “You want this NEVER belt? You want this?! You’ll get it in KOBE!” Henare now makes it official, and there’s no going back! Will Henare prove he’s the strongest NEVER Champion there’s ever been? Similarly, Khan stares Naito down, their IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match also set. Will The United Empire completely dominate? Or will it be LIJ that brings the Destruction in Kobe?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!
It was quite the surprise when the Ace of the Universe became the President of NJPW. However, that didn’t change who Tanahashi was as a person or as a wrestler. He still fought his way to these titles alongside his good pal, The Producer, and the young yet talented #BARS! However, The King of Darkness doesn’t care about earning anything, just taking everything! Will he, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo show Everything is Evil’s? Or will they fail to stop The Ace, The Joker & The Rook?
Well, seeing as how Yano is pretty much Mr. Hokkaido PR, he not only brings Tomu-kun back to NJPW, he is honored by literally being given his flowers from two young kids dressed up as the Red Oni & Blue Oni from the Japanese folktale, The Red Oni Who Cried. Yano thanks them, and the champions pose with the kids for a great photo op. With that, the introductions are made, but The House attacks from behind! The fans boo but there’s nothing that can be done! Red Shoes rings the bell while Yujiro TOSSES Oleg and Dick TOSSES Yano! Evil stomps Tanahashi, then he and Dick SMACK Tanahashi with the bouquets!
The fans boo more but Evil then CHUCKS the bouquet to the crowd! Dick sprinkles petals on Tanahashi, then Evil stomps Tanahashi. Dick & Yujiro stand Tanahashi up and hold his arms back. Evil CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo, but Evil just taunts them. Dick & Yujiro whip Tanahashi corner to corner, then run in. Tanahashi ELBOWS Dick then goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans rally but Evil grabs Tanahashi’s arms. Yujiro runs up, Tanahashi BOOTS him then ELBOWS Evil! Tanahashi dropkicks Yujiro’s leg out, the blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW Evil!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi tags Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg ROCKS Dick, whips him to a corner, then he sends Yujiro in! Yujiro runs into Dick, then Oleg CHOPS Evil! Oleg whips Evil in and The House is three deep in the corner! Boltin runs in, Evil & Yujiro get outta there, so Dick takes the SPLASH! Yujiro & Evil go after Oleg, double whip, but Oleg comes back to CLOBBER them both! The fans fire up and Oleg tags Yano. Yano fires up, and he unties a buckle pad! Yano turns around, Evil kicks low, but the pad protects Yano! Yujiro kicks but again, the pad protects Yano! Red Shoes reprimands, so Yano throws the pad to Evil.
Evil drops the pad and he stomps on it! Yujiro joins in, and Yano dives on the pad to protect it! But that just gets Yano stomped by Evil, Yujiro & Dick! The fans boo, but then The House BLASTS Oleg & Tanahashi off the corner! They mug Yano more, and get the pad out of the ring. Evil brings Yano up, wrenches his arm, and tags in Dick. Dick CLUBS Yano’s arm, then clamps onto the arm with a cording hold. Dick arm-drags Yano down, then has a top wristlock. Yano endures, the fans rally, but Dick drops knees on the arm! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up, but Dick stomps Yano around.
Dick sits Yano up to KNEE him in the back! And again! Cover, TWO! Dick is annoyed but he tags out to Yujiro. Yujiro drags Yano up, and RAMS him into the bare buckles! The fans boo as Yano drops to his knees, but Yujiro snapmares him. Yujiro drops a leg, and elbow, and then a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this but Yujiro tags Evil. Evil drags Yano up, taunts Tanahashi, and he fishhooks Yano’s nose! Red Shoes reprimands, so Evil whips Yano into the blue corner, but surprise! The blue buckle pad is gone! Yano suffers the Bullet Club Special, and Evil laughs as he kicks Yano out. Dick drags Yano up, and Yujiro has his pimp cane!
Evil distracts Red Shoes, and Yujiro CANE SHOTS Yano low! Dick puts Yano in, Evil covers, but Red Shoes is busy with Tanahashi & Oleg. Evil shouts at Red Shoes but Red Shoes covers his ears. Evil tags Yujiro, Yujiro sits Yano up and basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro covers again, TWO! Wait, who rings the bell? Oh, of course it was Evil! Red Shoes says no, that doesn’t count. Yujiro drags Yano up and the fans rally. Yujiro CLUBS Yano, but Yano pulls hair! Yujiro breaks free, kicks low, then whips, but Yano reverses for the hair pull takedown! Both men crawl, hot tag to Oleg!
The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro! Evil & Dick attack, reel Oleg in, but Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES! Yujiro runs up, Oleg blocks the boot to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Oleg then gut wrenches for the Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up! The fans fire up with Oleg, and he storms up to whip Yujiro corner to corner. Oleg runs in to SPLASH! And then Oleg scoops, SLAMS, and goes up, up, and VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives but the fans fire up behind Oleg. Oleg drags Yujiro up, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Yujiro BITES a hand! Red shoes reprimands, Yujiro stops, and dragon sleepers!
But Oleg powers through to suplex! Yujiro slips free and REVERSE DDTS! Hot tag to Evil! Evil runs up to BLAST Tanahashi first! Evil stands on Oleg’s arm, then drags him up. Dick goes up to to AX HANDLE Oleg’s arm! Evil wrenches and has a motorcycle stretch! Oleg endures as Evil digs his forehead into the shoulder blades! The fans rally, Oleg powers up, and he works on turning the hold! Evil holds on, keeps the hold on Oleg, but Oleg still fights! Oleg tries the other direction now, and he turns things, only for Evil to turn right through! Evil pulls the arms, but Oleg powers up and out! Evil staggers, comes back, and mule kicks!
Evil runs, into a SHOTGUN! Oleg and Evil are down and the fans fire up! Oleg crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as President Ace runs, to CLOBBER Evil! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi scoops Evil to SLAM him into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in, the fans rally for Tanahashi, and he runs, but Evil gets in Red Shoes’ face while Dick SMACKS Tanahashi with the blue buckle pad! Tanahashi staggers, Evil trips him and steps through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Dick & Yujiro keep Oleg & Yano on the outside while Tanahashi endures! The fans rally, and Tanahashi powers back up!
Tanahashi fights his way forward, reaches out, and finds the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Evil taunts Tanahashi. Evil slaps Tanahashi around, brings him up, and fireman’s carries. But Tanahashi fights free to waistlock! Evil switches, Yujiro is there, but Tanahashi switches! Tanahashi sends Evil into Yujiro, then spins Evil around to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tanahashi and Evil crawl, hot tags to Dick and Yano! The fans fire up as Yano dodges Dick, and SLAPS him on the head! But then Dick kicks low! Dick hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches!
Yujiro BOOTS Oleg off the apron, then Dick & Evil mug Yano! They double whip Yano to a corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to LARIAT! Evil snapmares Yano, and both he and Yujiro get a leg. But wait, there’s no one to distract Red Shoes from what they’re attempting! So Evil just shoves Red Shoes down! Dick is up top, and he hits the DICK CHOP!! Evil calls for Red Shoes while Dick covers, TWO!! Yano survives and the fans fire up! Evil is mad at Red Shoes, and gets in his face while Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! The fans boo as Yano suffers, but then Yano fights up!
Yano THROWS Dick away, and then atomic drops Evil! The fans fire up, and Dick begs for mercy! Tanahashi & Oleg get in, they and Yano mug Dick! They double whip Dick to a corner, then Yano ELBOWS! Tanahashi SPLASHES! And Oleg SPLASHES!! Snapmare, and wait, now Oleg & Tanahashi set Dick up! Red Shoes says don’t do it, but Yano’s up top! The fans fire up, but Red Shoes stands in the way! Yujiro SHOVES Yano down onto Red Shoes, and they fall onto Tanahashi! And here come Kanemaru & Sho! We knew the whole House was here, and now they’re beating up on Tanahashi and team!
The fans boo as Yano gets stomped 4v1! The fans tell them to go home, but that’s not happening. But Yano hulks out of Kanemaru’s grip and sends him into Yujiro! Then he dodges Sho to throw him down! Dikc kicks, he and Evil whip, but Yano holds ropes to taunt Dick! Yano sends Dick into Evil, but they block his low blows! WHISKEY MIST from Kanemaru! MAGIC KILLER from Evil & Dick! Cover, TANAHASHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Evil TOSSES Tanahashi! Yujiro stomps Oleg, but Dick kicks Yano! Dick underhooks, PEDIGREE!! Dick goes up top, but Oleg returns! Oleg UPPERCUTS Dick, but Dick SMACKS Oleg off bare buckles!
But Oleg stays up! He fireman’s carries Dick off the top! KAMIKAZE!! Tanahashi is up top, to HIGH FLY FLOW!! The fans are thunderous as Oleg CLOBBERS the WHOLE House of Torture!! Yano hurries to drag Dick up, for the ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, Yano’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The forces of Evil failed because justice always prevails! Will the House of Torture ever learn their lesson? But before Tanahashi’s team can get the mic, Sho grabs it to say, “Oi! Oi! You’re doing this all wrong! OI! Don’t get it twisted, this doesn’t make you strong! You’re only as good as these bums in Noboribetsu! Why a title match in a crappy hick town like this?” The fans boo Sho blaming them for the loss. But Sho says they should do this again, in a much better town! Then we’ll see who is the best! With that, Sho rushes back into the ring, takes a swing, but Tanahashi dodges to SHOTEI! Sho goes down in a heap and the fans cheer!
Tanahashi picks up the mic, and he tells Sho that if that’s an official challenge, then consider it accepted! Tanahashi will just have to beat Sho, too. The fans cheer as the match is set, and The House of Torture retreats. Will going back to the drawing board be what The House of Torture needs to win?
After that, Yano takes the mic to say that he’d like to hear what everyone has to say. So then, here you go, Boltin! Oleg takes the mic and he says, “Thank you everyone! I’m so happy to win here tonight, and I’ll keep fighting hard!” The mic is then handed to Tanahashi, and the fans cheer for him. Tanahashi takes a deep breath before shouting, “NJPW is back in Noboribetsu!” The fans cheer that! Tanahashi also thanks them for selling out the show tonight. With their support, our Toru Yano became sightseeing ambassador, and Tanahashi is grateful for Yano’s support. If this continues, Yano might even get a promotion. The fans like the sound of that!
Tanahashi finishes by thanking everyone again, and the mic goes back to Yano. “Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. I’ve been working to promote Noboribetsu for the last five years. So this is all thanks to me!” Yano says no, in all seriousness, it is thanks to all of you, even the mayor and city hall, that they packed this place out. So he is thankful to them, the Noboribetsu International Tourism Convention, and President Ace! “It’s been 39 YEARS since we last came here, but until the next one? I think just one year! And if you keep coming here, we’ll keep coming to you! I’m feeling good, so when I ask who the ambassador is, you answer, ‘Yano Toru!'”
The fans applaud, they’re ready to join in. Okay, so who is the ambassador of Noboribetsu? “YA-NO TO-RU!” Yano shrugs and the fans cheer. Will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg still be champions when NJPW returns to Hokkaido? How much will change in the next year for NJPW?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for NJPW, especially with this being their return to Noboribetsu in almost 40 YEARS. But it was also kind of the finale for Road to Destruction, as the remaining dates are in Hokkaido, and none of it will be televised. Might have to do with Hokkaido being mountainous and rural, this tends to happen every so often with NJPW’s touring. But that aside, this was all good stuff. Yano did double duty, though he did let Sakuraba do a lot of the heavy lifting in that opening tag match. Very fun Ranbo match, even with just a silly prize on the line. I found it rather hilarious that ZSJ wanted in on this match, and I kinda wanted him to win the prize, but I suppose the G1 was enough, let someone else have this onsen weekend getaway.
A shame about Jake Lee getting legit hurt the other night in that Six Man Tag, but it made sense for War Dogs to avenge that loss with a win tonight. Hashi VS Finlay is already on the Kobe card, but adding Goto VS Gabe is good stuff. It doesn’t even have to be for the NJPW Strong Championship, it’ll be gritty all the same. And with it being non-title, that actually allows it to be 50-50 odds. Another really good 10 Man Tag from LIJ VS Empire, and very good win for The Empire.
While I don’t see Khan taking the top title off Naito, it feels like anything could happen with the NEVER title since Henare has the momentum going into the match. And while the plan for the TV title was Ren Narita, seems his arm is rather beat up so he’s taking time to recover. Maybe Yota gets his rematch with Cobb already. We could get quite the night just out of these LIJ VS Empire singles matches.
And of course, a lot of fun in the NEVER Openweight Six Man main event, though the House of course tried to cheat. I almost thought Yoshi-Hashi was gonna hop off commentary to help Yano, but no, he stayed put to watch. Great win for Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg so that they could send Noboribetsu home happy, and promise that they’ll return again next year. It is good that they’re getting sellout crowds in NJPW again, perhaps worries over COVID and such are lessening over there so that people can feel more confident about being out in public. NJPW is rebuilding, even with their bigger names having left for AEW, here’s hoping they get hot again.
My Score: 8.8/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLAWSGO KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns [Technical difficulties suck] TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO! Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO!
Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW! Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back!
Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring! The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring.
Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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!
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