Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (10/3/24)

Time to Man Up!

Published

5 months ago

October 3, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The ROH World Championship is on the line!

While Mark Briscoe accepted Chris Jericho’s challenge for WrestleDream, he has to make it through The Kingdom’s Matt Taven first! Will The Sussex County Chicken still be headed to Tacoma, Washington?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

ROH World Six Man Championships Proving Ground: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS The Premier Athletes; Dustin & The Von Erichs win and deny The Premier Athletes a title opportunity.
Nyla Rose VS Katie Arquette; Nyla wins.
Anthony Henry & BEEF VS Anthony Catena & Wes Barkley; Henry & Beef win.
The Outrunners VS The Infantry; The Outrunners win.
ROH Rewind: Samoa Joe VS Kenta Kobashi; Kobashi wins.
ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe VS Matt Taven w/ Mike Bennett; Mark wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH World Six Man Championships Proving Ground: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS The Premier Athletes!

The Sons of Texas ride again, and onto The Proving Grounds! But while they’re facing The Premier Athletes, it isn’t the combo you’re thinking. “Smart” Mark Sterling again cuts off the introductions to give his own. “In order to get a Proving Grounds match tonight, the powers that be made ME be in this match! But that’s okay, because the Athletes have promised that NO ONE will lay a finger on me!” And since Sterling is a team player, he wants the fans to play along. When he says “Athletes,” you say, “Rules,” and nothing else! “ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” Got ’em again! But will Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari earn the team a title shot when it’s all on them?

The teams sort out and Marshall Von Erich starts against Ariya Daivari. They shake hands for the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Daivari headlocks. Daivari grinds the hold but Marshall fires body shots. Marshall powers out, and he RAMS Daivari! The fans cheer but Daivari talks trash to try that again. Marshall runs, and he RUNS Daivari over! The fans cheer again while Marshall looms over Daivari. Marshall runs again, blocks Daivari’s hip toss and gives Daivari a hip toss! The fans fire up with Marshall as he drags Daivari up. Tag to Ross, the Von Erichs whip to drop and DROPKICK! Ross covers, ONE!

Ross keeps on Daivari with a wrench, but Daivari wrenches and knees low! Daivari CLUBS away on Ross, and Mark wants in? Daivari tags Mark, and Mark scoops to SLAM Ross! But Ross gets right up, so Mark tags Nese. Nese runs up, Ross DECKS him, and he glares at Sterling. Sterling hops off the apron, Ross goes back for Nese and wrenches. Tag to Marshall and the Von Erichs whip to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Marshall covers, TWO! Marshall wrenches Nese’s arm, tags Ross back in, and Ross takes the handoff. But Nese pulls hair! The ref counts, Nese lets off to throw Ross down, then he clamps on with a facelock.

Nese whips, Ross stops himself, but Nese DROPKICKS him down! Nese bumps Ross off buckles, tag Daivari, and The Athletes mug Ross! The ref reprimands but Dustin & Marshall storm up. The ref stops them from getting involved, but that lets Mark CHOKE Ross! The fans boo but Mark gets away with it. Daivari tags Nese in and The Athletes mug Ross more. The ref reprimands as Nese fires haymakers, but Nese lets off. Nese stalks Ross to the corner, the fans rally up, and Nese brings Ross over to CHOP! Tag to Mark and Mark is all fired up as he stomps a mudhole in! The ref reprimands but Mark taunts Dustin.

Mark tags back to Nese, and he says, “That’s how you kick someone!” Nese taunts Marshall by holding out Ross’ hand, then he KNEES Ross down, and sucker punches Marshall! Nese taunts Dustin now, then shouts, “ATHLETES!” The fans reply, “SUCK!” Ross hits Nese but Nese CLUBS him! Nese whips Ross to the corner, runs up, but into a BOOT! Ross DECKS Daivari, but Mark holds onto Ross’ arm to hold him back. Nese runs in, Ross slips free, Nese BLASTS Mark! Ross hurries, but so does Nese! Nese grabs a leg, Ross hops up and ENZIGIRIS! Hot tag to Dustin, and Mark?! Mark freaks out but Dustin runs up!

Dustin TOSSES Mark into the ring! Mark begs for mercy, but Daivari runs in! Dustin dodges to CLOBBER Daivari! And CLOBBER him again! Dustin whips, Daivari reverses but Dustin sees the backdrop coming and says, “Not today!” RHODES UPPERCUT! Nese runs up, into the SNAP POWERSLAM! Daivari tries, SNAP POWERSLAM! Nese CHOPS then whips, but Dustin comes back with a DESTROYER!! The fans fire up and Dustin catches Daivari to the dragon sleeper! But Mark runs in to CLUB Dustin! Dustin doesn’t fall and Mark is frustrated. Mark says he could pay them. The Von Erichs step in, and put Mark in a corner!

The Von Erichs open Mark up, Dustin thinks about it, but the Athletes get in! The Von Erichs fire hands on them, and put on DOUBLE IRON CLAWS! The ref reprimands the Von Erichs, so Dustin gives Mark SHATTERED DREAMS! Dustin says who wants it? FINAL RECKONING! Cover, The Sons of Texas win!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs, by pinfall (denies The Premier Athletes a title match)

The promise to Smart Mark wasn’t fulfilled, he and the Premier Athletes will just have to try better next time. But with Dustin, Marshall & Ross rolling on, will anyone be able to stop The Sons of Texas?

BREAKING NEWS for AEW WrestleDream!

Atlantis Jr. is still the ROH World Television Champion, but he’s also the target of The Machine! Brian Cage wants redemption from last year’s Survival of the Fittest Six Way match, can he finally win “the big one?” Or will we finally have an answer to “Who betta?” We’ll find out in Tacoma, Washington, on October 12th, in the WrestleDream Zero Hour!

Backstage interview with Athena & Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair is with her besties, and says this is a very special Minion Empowerment Meeting, as MIT is planning a celebration for their Minion Overlord! Athena is now THE longest reigning champion in ROH history, man, woman or tag team! Lexy is thinking of inviting Ja Rule, or even Pitbull, and then they get balloons, confetti and- Athena says they’ll require EVERYONE in ROH to attend! She’ll talk with the Board of Directors, but they’ll get the entire Women’s Division. They’ll have cupcakes, whiskey, punch, and kittens. Lexy says yes, yes, of course. But then Athena notices Billie’s pout face and asks what is her problem.

Billie replies, “What’s my problem?” No, no, Billie, it’s just, Athena is getting tired of this. Sure, fine, Billie had to deal with Abadon. But Athena wouldn’t put her in a situation she couldn’t handle. This is Athena’s day, girl! It is about her and everything she has done, so it is about time she gets her flowers. And the last thing we need here is for Billie to have a problem. But Athena gets it, Billie is jealous. Billie is jealous of Lexy, jealous of Athena, upset that she lost Athena’s Women’s Television Championship, but it is okay. If Billie needs to talk, they are here for her. And the first step in getting over a problem is admitting you have one.

Billie shouts that SHE doesn’t have a problem, ATHENA has one! What does Athena not understand about this?! Athena left Billie alone out there! Billie always has Athena’s back! Oh, really? Did she have Athena’s back the first time Abadon showed up? Or at the PPV when Lexy had to step in? NO, she didn’t. Athena won’t do this today. Either Billie can be there to celebrate Athena’s day, after all the hard work Athena and Lexy put into MIT, and into the title reign, or Billie can just stay home. Billie says okay. Billie leaves, but which way did she mean that? Athena asks Lexy to go handle that, and then asks why is there always drama.

BUT ABADON SNEAKS IN BEHIND HER! Abadon reaches out, but Athena storms off before being touched on the shoulder. Abadon grins, and follows Athena. Is Halloween about to come early to ROH?

The Outrunners VS The Infantry!

While Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd have a truce with Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo, there can only be one team that stands as #1 contenders to the ROH World Tag Team Championships! Will the Youngest Men Alive take over the rankings? Or will Captain Dean lead Bad News & Tattoos back to the title scene?

The Code of Honor is upheld, and the teams sort out. Truth starts with Bravo and the fans rally up as they circle. The two tie up, go back and forth, but Truth puts Bravo in a corner. Truth lets off, does a spin and a flex, and the fans cheer. Bravo slips around to waistlock but Truth switches and hits a hip toss! Truth flexes again, but Bravo tags Dean. Truth tags Turbo and the fans cheer. Turbo and Dean circle as the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Turbo headlocks, Dean slips out to headlock back. Turbo powers up and out, thing hurdles. But Dean stops himself to arm-drag! And arm-drag! The two stand back and the fans cheer more.

Turbo and Dean circle, tie up, and Turbo wrenches to a wristlock. Dean rolls, kips up, and wrenches to wristlock back. Turbo slips through to wrench, hammerlock, and he puts Dean in a corner. The ref counts, Turbo lets off, but then he whips corner to corner. Dean reverses, Turbo reverses, but Dean goes up and over! Turbo hits buckles, Dean arm-drags him, but Turbo drags Dean right down to an armlock! The fans cheer, but Dean rolls back and stands up. Dean whips Turbo away, drops down, then hurdles. Turbo blocks hip toss to hit a hip toss! The fans fire up, Turbo covers, ONE! Turbo drags Dean over, and tags Truth.

Dean gets away, tags in Bravo, and Bravo runs up, but into an arm-drag! Truth has the armlock now, but Bravo fights around. Bravo grits his teeth, powers Truth to a corner, but he also pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Bravo lets off, but Truth dodges the cheap shot to CHOP! Truth whips Bravo, but Bravo blocks the hip toss! But Truth blocks the hip toss to backslide! TWO, and Truth gets around to O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Truth says it was that close. Bravo says no it wasn’t! Bravo ROCKS Truth, the fans boo that sucker punch, but Bravo tells fans to shut up. Bravo whips but Truth sunset flips! TWO, and Bravo is frustrated!

Bravo runs up but Truth wrenches him! Bravo ROCKS Truth, RAMS him into a corner, then tags Dean. The Infantry double whips, then DOUBLE HIP TOSS! They DOUBLE FIST DROP, and Dean covers, TWO! Truth staggers into the Infantry’s corner, and Dean tags Bravo back. The fans rally as Bravo stomps a mudhole into Truth. Bravo CHOPS Truth, puts him in the open corner, and CHOPS! The fans fire up, and Bravo drags Truth up. Bravo snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Tag to Dean, the Infantry mugs Truth, and the ref reprimands. Dean ROCKS Truth, ROCKS him again, but Truth fires hands! Truth DECKS Bravo, but Dean scoops and SLAMS!

Dean says “OORAH~!” The fans are torn but Dean runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Truth stays in this but Dean stays on him with a chinlock. Dean grinds Truth but the fans rally up for the Outrunners. Truth fires body shots, then JAWBREAKERS! Bravo storms in, but Truth avoids the scissor kick! The fans fire up and Turbo is chompin’ at the bit! Dean runs in at Truth but Truth dodges, the splash hits buckles! Truth is in Infantry territory! The Infantry run up, but Truth ducks the double clothesline! Hot tag to Turbo! The fans fire up as Turbo rallies with haymakers! Turbo DECKS Dean, DECKS Bravo, repeat!

Turbo scoop SLAMS Bravo! Then he scoop SLAMS Dean! Then he scoop SLAMS Bravo again! And then he scoop SLAMS Dean again! The fans are all fired up as Turbo flexes! But Bravo kicks low! Dean runs to BOOT Turbo into Bravo’s DDT! The ref reprimands the double teaming but Infantry says night night! Bravo runs but Truth trips him up! Truth runs in while Turbo scoops Dean! TOTAL RECALL! Cover, Outrunners win!

Winners: The Outrunners, by pinfall

The throwback continues to gain momentum! Truth & Turbo hug it out, and then look to The Infantry. The Outrunners offer the Code of Honor, what does The Infantry say? Dean & Bravo accept! But then that’s it as they push past The Outrunners. Even so, Turbo & Truth wind up, to MEGA POWER HANDSHAKE! Will The Outrunner’s win streak continue until they’ve got the gold?

Beef is backstage.

He has the cameraman follow him as he talks with Anthony Henry. Henry asks how Beef got all wet again, but Beef says it’s time to record a tag team promo. Y’know, like how teams are all, UGH GRR, YOU HEAR WHAT I’M SAYIN? Like that. Henry says no, because they’re not a tag team. What? But they’re 3-0 in ROH. No, no. Listen: Henry is in a tag team with JD Drake, they are the Workhorsemen. Henry & Beef are not a tag team at all. Beef says now that Henry mentions him, how is JD? No, let’s not do that. Aw c’mon! When is Beef gonna get to meet JD. Just give Beef his number. Henry keeps saying no, then shouts STOP!

What? No? Yeah, no. Okay. But then one more question. What are the chances of a guy like Henry would give a guy like Beef… JD’s number? What’re the chances!? Not very good! What? Like, 1 in 100? How about more like, 1 in a MILLION. Henry storms off, and Beef is a bit troubled. But then he says, “So you’re saying there’s a chance? YEAH!” Beef takes that 1 in a million to mean… BEEF! Beef follows Cousin Anthony, but will he ever be accepted?

ROH Rewind: Samoa Joe VS Kenta Kobashi!

We travel back in time to October 1st, 2005, the early days of Ring of Honor Wrestling! Two greats did battle in New York City, though the Samoan Submission Machine had yet to reach the heights he has today. How did Samoa Joe fare against The Absolute Champion, Mr. Pro-Wrestling? Let’s take a look back and see.

The introductions are made, the streamers fly for “KO-BA-SHI! KO-BA-SHI!” and the Code of Honor is upheld. The bell rings and the fans are already thunderous as these two circle. They feel things out, Joe KICKS! Kobashi doesn’t even flinch! The two circle again, feel things out, and Joe KICKS again! Kobashi nods, and they go again. They clinch, Joe powers Kobashi to ropes, but the ref counts. Joe lets off, to then SLAP Kobashi! The fans fire up and Joe eggs on Kobashi. Kobashi glares at Joe, the two circle again, and they tie up. Kobashi puts Joe in a corner, lets off slowly, but then he CHOPS! Joe feels that one and the fans are thunderous!

Joe comes back to push Kobashi, and they knuckle lock. They have a Test of Strength, “This is Awesome!” Joe gets under Kobashi to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Kobashi gets right up, but Joe RUNS him right over! Kobashi bails out, and Joe WRECKS him with a dropkick! Joe keeps moving, and he DIVES! Direct hit into railing and the fans are electric inside the ballroom! Joe is fired up, too, and he drags Kobashi up. Joe puts Kobashi in, covers, TWO! Joe drags Kobashi up, scoops and SLAMS him! Joe runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Joe clamps onto Kobashi with a chinlock, trapping one arm back.

The fans rally up for “KO-BA-SHI!” as he endures. Kobashi fights around, but Joe steps through to hook a leg, STRETCH PLUM! Kobashi endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Joe lets off, and the fans cheer. Joe paces, kicks Kobashi, drags him up, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Kobashi just gets angrier! The fans are loving it as Kobashi steps to Joe. Joe CHOPS, but Kobashi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Joe staggers, but he KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! Then ENZIGIRI! Kobashi falls and the fans are thunderous again! Joe is ice cold despite how fired up everyone around him is.

Kobashi sits up, but Joe is on him for Kawada Kicks! The fans fire up, but Kobashi just gets fired up! Kobashi CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Joe fires more Kawada Kicks! Kobashi CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Joe fires KNEE after KNEE, and he KNEES Kobashi down! Joe rests against ropes and the fans are thunderous again! The fans cheer on “R O H! R O H!” while Kobashi pounds the mat. Kobashi sits up, Joe KICKS and CHOPS, then runs to KNEE DROP! Kobashi goes to the apron while fans are torn. Joe goes out after Kobashi, and brings him around to make him take a seat. Joe KICKS, then gets space.

Joe runs back in to BOOT WASH Kobashi! Kobashi falls off the chair, sputters against barriers, and the fans lose their minds! They say “OVER HERE! OVER HERE!” Joe drags Kobashi up and over, and yes, he makes Kobashi take a seat over there. Joe runs side to side again, but into a RIDGE HAND! Kobashi CHOPS Joe into taking a seat! Kobashi fire sup to then RUNNING CHOP! Joe falls over the railing! The fans are electric all over again for “KO-BA-SHI!” Kobashi storms over, drags Joe back up, and he DDTS Joe to the floor! The fans are rabid as Kobashi looms over Joe. Kobashi drags Joe into the ring and the fans cheer again.

Kobashi drags Joe up with a facelock, squeezes tight, but Joe endures. Joe fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, and Kobashi lets off. But then he CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! The fans are thunderous as Joe falls over! Kobashi drags Joe up, whips, and KNEES low! And then whips again to KNEE low! Kobashi turns Joe to RIDGE CHOP! And then FALLING CHOP! The fans are electric for another FALLING CHOP!! Kobashi runs to JUMP CHOP!! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives but Kobashi drags him right into the facelock! Joe endures the squeeze, the fans rally behind Kobashi, “This is Awesome!”

Joe stands, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Kobashi lets go, but then drags Joe up and reels him in. But Joe fights the suplex! Joe suplexes Kobashi up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down. Kobashi grits his teeth, but he and Joe rise. Joe steps up, into a CHOP! And another CHOP! Joe KICKS, Kobashi CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up with every shot! Joe joins Kobashi in going CHOP for CHOP! Kobashi gets the edge but then Joe fires CHOP after CHOP! So Kobashi fires CHOP after CHOP! Kobashi winds up to CHOP Joe off his feet!! The fans are volcanic and Kobashi covers, ROPEBREAK!!

Kobashi looms over Joe, drags him up, and reels him in for the COBRA TWIST! Joe endures as Kobashi twists and stretches him! Joe fights around, ROPEBREAK! Kobashi lets go and pushes Joe over. Kobashi lines up a shot, another FALLING CHOP! Cover, TWO! Joe stays in this, but Kobashi drags Joe back around, into a chinlock. Kobashi steps through to twist Joe around! Joe endures, the fans rally, and Joe fights around. Kobashi digs his knee into Joe’s back, then RIDGE HANDS him in the head! The fans fire up while Joe writhes, and Kobashi stalks Joe to a corner. Kobashi stands Joe up, to RIDGE HAND again and again!

Kobashi fires up, spins, but into an STO! And then Joe SENTONS! The fans fire up while Kobashi sits back up. Joe storms up to JAB, CHOP and repeat! Joe has Kobashi in the corner as he fires those JABS and CHOPS! The fans are thunderous as Joe brings Kobashi around and reels him in. Kobashi fights the lift! Joe fires more Kawada Kicks, then tries again. BUCKLE BOMB!! Kobashi is stuck in the ropes, then flops down, and the fans are thunderously losing their minds! Joe storms up to dig his boot into Kobashi! Joe scrapes Kobashi’s face again and again, then runs side to side, to BOOT WASH! The fans fire up while Joe huffs ‘n’ puffs.

Joe drags Kobashi up, and puts him up top! The fans fire up as they anticipate what’s coming! MUSCLE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Kobashi survives and shocks Joe! Fitting, because the fans are electric! Joe KNEES Kobashi in the side, and KNEES him again! Then COQUINA- NO, Kobashi snapmares free! Joe BOOTS Kobashi, then POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO, but into the STF!! Kobashi fights the crossface, pries at the hands, and the fans rally up! Joe powers through to have the crossface part of the STF! The fans rally more, and Kobashi crawls his way forward, claws his way forward, but Joe shifts to a full CROSSFACE!!

Kobashi still endures, still fights, and the fans still rally behind him! Joe shifts to a RINGS OF SATURN!! Kobashi still endures, still kicks forward, ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous as Joe lets go in frustration! Joe rises, takes aim as Kobashi goes to the corner, and Joe runs in, into a RIDGE HAND! Kobashi waistlocks, then shifts, HALF NELSON SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous after that heavy landing! A standing count begins, and both men are down at 5 of 10. Kobashi and Joe stir, and Kobashi rises first. Kobashi stands at 8! Kobashi hobbles over to Joe, and he SPINNING CHOPS! Joe ends up in a corner!

Kobashi fires up to fire off MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! The fans are thunderous seeing the originator use that move! And Kobashi reloads for more MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! The fans are volcanic as Kobashi goes the extra mile! Kobashi then just reloads again! Kobashi finally lets off with one last CHOP, and the fans are losing their minds! Kobashi DOUBLE CHOPS! Then DOUBLE CHOPS again! Joe sputters, Kobashi DOUBLE CHOPS him again! Joe sits down in the corner, Kobashi runs to DOUBLE CHOP again! Kobashi drags Joe up and reels him in, for the HALF NELSON SUPLEX!! Joe flounders, Kobashi storms over to cover, ROPEBREAK!!!

Joe survives because of Kobashi’s miscalculation, but Kobashi will not let that get him down. Kobashi drags Joe back up, but Joe fires a flurry of forearms! Joe runs, into a SLEEPER!! Kobashi squeezes tight, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Joe fights around! But Kobashi SLEEPER SUPLEXES!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Joe survives, and he flails until he gets free of Kobashi! Kobashi is frustrated but the fans are about to send this place into space! Kobashi drags Joe up, but Joe SLAPS, SLAPS, and SLAPS!! Joe runs, Kobashi SWATS a lariat, to URAKEN! And URAKEN! And URAKEN again!! Kobashi roars, runs, and BURNING LARIATS!! Cover, Kobashi wins!!

Winner: Kenta Kobashi, by pinfall

This instant classic reminds the world that both these men are among the best in wrestling ever! Kobashi shows Joe respect, and the fans cheer as Joe shakes his hand. At 22 years and counting, this is what ROH is all about! Will ROH only grow stronger to keep that legacy going?

ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe VS Matt Taven w/ Mike Bennett!

Speaking of that legacy, The Sussex County Chicken is carrying both the legacy of this company and his family. And while Chris Jericho wants to step all over that (again), it seems The Kingdom wants to have their moment in the spotlight. Will Matt Taven once again be atop the ROH mountain? Or will he fail to dethrone Mark on the road to WrestleDream?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who holds the gold in the Steel City!

Mark offers the Code of Honor handshake, but Taven stalls. The bell rings first, and Mark offers again. Taven accepts it this time, to then spin Mark around and roll him up! With tights! TWO, and the fans boo Taven. Mark is also upset but Taven bails out. Taven is frustrated his trick didn’t work, but Bennett says he gets it, Mark isn’t very smart. Taven storms back into the ring, and Mark says he is better than that. Stop with the scallywagging, let’s just do this! Taven says alright, and the two tie up. Mark headlocks, Taven wrenches out and whips, but Mark reverses. Taven sunset flips, Mark rolls through, and jumps on for a headlock!

Taven powers up and out, ducks and hurdles, but then Mark wrenches and headlocks again! Taven powers things to a headlock, but Mark powers out. Taven goes up and over in the corner, keeps moving, and he slides under a lariat! Mark CHOPS and the fans fire up! Taven says okay, and he resets with Mark. Mark offers a handshake, Taven takes it and means it this time. Until he sucker punches Mark! The fans boo while Taven CLUBS away on Mark in a corner. Taven CHOPS, whips corner to corner, but Mark goes up and out! Mark SWATS a lariat, then REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! The fans fire up and Mark RAMS into Taven.

Mark snapmares Taven out hard, then builds speed to WRECK him with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Mark gets spicy! BANG BANG, but Bennett stands in the way! Mark argues with Mike, and Taven sneaks up to waistlock! Mark breaks that and ELBOWS Taven away! Mike takes a swipe but Mark jumps over! Then Mark BLOCKBUSTERS Taven to the floor! The fans fire up with Mark, and he drags Taven into the ring. Mike and Mark argue again, and Mark goes up a corner. Taven stands, into a MISSILE DROPKICK! Taven flounders and the fans fire up again. Mark runs up but Taven BOOTS him!

Taven runs up, but Mark fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Mark goes up the corner again, to FROGGY- NO, Mark rolls through as Taven moves. Taven springboards, KICK O’ THE KING! Cover, TWO! Mark survives but Taven rains down fists! The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Taven tells Aubrey and the fans to shut up. Taven stalks Mark to ropes, CHOKES him, and fans chant “MAN UP! MAN UP!” The ref counts, Taven lets off at 4 and Mark goes to a corner. Taven storms up, reels Mark in, and suplexes high and hard! Then MOONLIGHT DRIVE! Cover, TWO! Taven is frustrated, but Mark is tougher than that.

Taven drags Mark up by his beard, and the fans boo while Aubrey reprimands. Taven clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Mark down. The fans rally, Mark fights up, and Mark fires body shots! Taven CLUBS Mark right down! Taven and Bennett mock the applause, then Taven whips. Mark reverses, Taven stops, rolls under, and ENZIGIRIS! Mark staggers, Taven reels him in, PURPLE THUNDER! Cover, TWO! Taven is frustrated with Aubrey’s count, but he vows to take this title and show what Jericho will do! LIONSAULT! But onto knees! The fans fire up with Mark as he rises, and he CLOBBERS Taven! And CLOBBERS him again!

Taven RKF UPPERCUTS and the fans fire up! Mark whips, Taven reverses, but Mark CLOBBERS him again! Mark fires up, the fans are with him, and he runs in at the corner, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans boo while Mark wobbles, but Taven goes up. Only for Mark to UPPERCUT again! Mark YANKS Taven down, into an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Taven shows he’s tougher than that, but Mark is not deterred! The fans rally again while Bennett coaches Taven. Mark whips Taven to ropes, but Taven reverses. Mark sunset flips, Taven rolls through, JUST THE TIP of the knee! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and The Kingdom is frustrated!

Taven climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives the “Aurora” and Taven is beside himself! Taven tells Mark he’s done this time! Taven climbs back up, for another AURORA BOR- NO! Mark’s knees hit him again! Mark goes back up, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW, but onto knees! Bennett is fired up for Taven but the fans rally behind Mark. Taven and Mark crawl to each other, lean on each other as they climb, and Mark roars! Mark ROCKS Taven! Taven roars and swings, but Mark wrenches, kicks and fisherman BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Mark won’t stop, he calls his shot! Mark underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)

The Kingdom has fallen, and Mark borrows a fan’s banner to show off the honor of #DemBoys! Mark points to Heaven to shoutout Jay, and then he offers the Code of Honor to Taven. Taven takes it genuinely this time, and hugs it out with Mark. The Kingdom hoists Mark up to celebrate with him, because in the end, they’re still friends. With this, Tacoma and WrestleDream will have the ROH World Championship on the card! Will The Learning Tree #ManUp and fight honorably? Or will Jericho do whatever he has to in order to become #ElNueve?

My Thoughts:

A great ROH here, coming in at an hour and 20, but also airing an hour later than last week. Is that the new thing? Not sure how I feel about that, but it does create uniformity across not just AEW owned programming but across AEW and WWE so that no one has to adjust their schedule that drastically to watch something.

For anyone wondering why we just suddenly got Joe VS Kobashi, it was because ROH needed to make up for some time lost during taping. Sammy Guevara VS Serpentico was supposed to be part of this show, but Sammy got hurt during that, the match was called off, and while Sammy walked away later, he initially needed help to the back via a stretcher. Also, Lady Frost VS Kelly Madan had to be removed because Madan got knocked out and also needed a stretcher. So two matches that ultimately are filler were replaced by a classic ROH match. On behalf of The Chairshot, good to hear Sammy and Madan are alright, and I hope they’ll be fine by their next matches.

Sammy having been scheduled for this week’s show was clearly so we could have all four Sons of Texas, the full faction, all getting good wins tonight. Good stuff from Dustin & The Von Erichs beating The Premier Athletes, because of course they were when Mark Sterling was in the mix. Seems a little silly they bothered with this at all, because why are they protecting The Premier Athletes in a Proving Ground match? Just give us more Proving Ground matches that hit 10 minutes that then set up a future title match. For all we know, we get an ROH World Six Man title match for the WrestleDream Zero Hour, same as we are with Atlantis Jr. VS Brian Cage.

Nyla Rose of course wins her match, and I also figured Henry & Beef would win theirs. Side note: Anthony Catena’s overall look of a Scarface inspired merch shirt and his comic book tights were interesting. But very good promo from Henry & Beef backstage, though it didn’t really add much. I feel like the twist will be that, for all of Henry’s reservations, JD Drake will accept Beef into the fold, and Henry will be completely exasperated. Very good promo from Athena and Billie to further build their dysfunction, and great bit of Abadon almost snatching Athena up. I still feel Athena VS Abadon gets wonked by Billie, setting up Athena VS Billie at Final Battle.

Great match out of Outrunners VS Infantry, but given Tony Khan copy-pasted this story to give us #FTRunners on Collision, he must now change how the story here on ROH is going. Infantry borders on turning Heel over how Outrunners are doing better in the win-loss record and getting popular with the fans. As such, Outrunners win and Infantry storms off, it might take some other point of frustration to make The Infantry turn on The Outrunners. And then great ROH World Championship match just out of nowhere with Mark and Taven. Mark of course won, they weren’t going to make a match of Briscoe VS Jericho for the title to then take that away. But it was still good to have Taven & Bennett celebrate with Mark after, given the history of The Kingdom with The Briscoes.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (10/4/24)

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/21/25)

The Final Boss is back!

Published

3 hours ago

February 21, 2025

Steven Mitchell

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; wins and
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; 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?

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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?

Published

1 day ago

February 20, 2025

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025

Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary

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

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

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

NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC

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

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

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

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

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

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

Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore

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

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

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

Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6/10

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

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

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