Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/14/25)
Never! Slow! Down!
Will Fraxiom continue to survive?
Nathan Frazer & Axiom defend the NXT Tag Team Championships against Bronco Nima & Lucien Price! Will Fraxiom get #OutTheMud?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s North American Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Stephanie Vaquer VS Shotzi Blackheart; Shotzi wins and will challenge Fallon Henley for the title.
- Ethan Page VS Dante Chen; Ethan wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Lash & Jakara win and will challenge Bianca Belair & Naomi for the titles.
- Kelani Jordan VS Cora Jade; Cora wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS OTM; Frazer & Axiom win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Oba Femi is here!
NXT is home in Orlando, and the Orlando fans fire up for The Ruler as he struts to the ring as the NEW NXT Champion! Oba grabs the mic to say, “Dread it, run from it, destiny will always arrive. Just like I have arrived! And now it’s time for me to take my rightful place upon the throne. Many a men will win something as big as this, and they will come out here and say, ‘I never believed I could do it~!'” The fans laugh at Oba mocking the American accent, and then Oba says, “I ALWAYS believed I could do it!” The fans cheer that! Oba says ever since he came here, he said he was always backed by destiny.
Others said it was a catchphrase, a gimmick, a joke, but no! He was backed by destiny all along. He was backed by destiny when he won the Breakout Tournament! He was backed by destiny when he became NXT North American Champion! He was backed by destiny when he became the longest-reigning North American Champion! And he was definitely backed by destiny when he became THE NXT Champion! The fans cheer that, too, and Oba says all this is his now. It belongs to The Ruler! And Oba shall rule how he sees fit. The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” but Oba wants to talk about Trick Williams first.
Trick put a lot of hard work into the title, and broke records doing it. But like a lot of others back there, Trick has a ceiling! Oba has NO ceiling! And as for Eddy Thorpe, well, he’s a piece of work, isn’t he? He’s a rat! A deceiver! Like a roach that won’t die! Or the gum on the bottom of your shoe that you just can’t get rid of. That is Eddy. But Oba will issue Eddy his first and final warning. Eddy can annoy anyone else he wants in the locker room, but- Tony D’Angelo interrupts! The Don tells Oba, “my guy, how you doing? Congrats on the win, by the way. You’re in the big seat now.” Tony joins Oba in the ring as champion and champion.
Tony says he was in the back and the Family was listening to Oba list all the accomplishments. But Tony’s personal favorite was Oba being the longest-reigning North American Champion. Because, in Tony’s opinion, when it comes to the North American Championship, it is The Don: 2; Oba Femi 1. See, there is no question: Oba is The Ruler. But just remember: Tony is the one man to defeat him. And when Tony decides to go for the NXT Championship, we all know he walks away the Double Title Don. Oba sees Tony found his confidence. Good for him, that’s amazing. But last time we checked… Didn’t Tony get dropped by Santa Claus?
So if Oba was Tony, he’d start worrying about his own title more, and leave Oba alone. Tony says no one gets one on the done without consequences. Tony will take care of Ridge Holland. Speaking of, here comes Ridge Holland! Ridge says hi, Tony, good to see you again. Tony’s looking in better shape than last time they saw each other. Oh, and here is a belated Christmas gift. A framed picture of that night in Philly. Tony says really funny, he’ll come sign it for him. Tony rushes out to go after Ridge, but Ridge takes a swing! Tony dodges the framed picture to then TACKLE Ridge! The fans fire up as these two brawl, but refs hurry out to stop it.
The fans boo, they wan tot “LET THEM FIGHT!” WAIT! Eddy slithers in to CLOBBER Oba! The fans boo but Eddy dropkicks the legs, then hits a DDT! The fans boo more but Eddy has a leather strap! Eddy wraps it around his arm, so he can LEATHER LARIAT! The fans boo as Eddy holds the title belt over Oba! Will the Alpha Wolf finally sink his teeth into the gold he’s been hunting?
Oro Mensah talks with Dante Chen backstage.
Main Man Mensah wants the Singapore Warrior to understand they can- All Ego interrupts. Ethan Page says it’s been a big week for the biggest star in NXT. If you guys didn’t see last week, Ethan’s interaction with “DJ,” aka The Rock… Hey, Dante, what’d you do last week? IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU DID! Oh, haha, Ethan… Ethan sniffs something and says he honestly smells… the jealousy in this locker room. Dante says no one is jealous of Ethan, because he’s just obnoxious. After what he did to Je’Von and Cedric, no one wants Ethan here! Aw, and Ethan always cared so much about what others think.
What was it, exactly, Dante? That Ethan broke Je’Von’s jaw? Or that Je’Von can’t eat solid foods? No, no, it was last week, having to hear Je’Von talk through the wires. Dante gets fired up and he shoves Ethan! The others step in to keep this from getting violent. Dante says fine, he’ll go to Ava to get this made. Ethan says good! Dante heads out, will he be the one to avenge the Young OG & Uncle Ceddy?
NXT Women’s North American Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Stephanie Vaquer VS Shotzi Blackheart!
The Dark Angel overcame Cora Jade, Lola Vice & Kelani Jordan to earn a golden ticket to facing Fallon Henley, but then The Wild Child pinned that toxic cowgirl personally. Now these two will battle to see who is truly number one! Who will Fallon have to worry about more in the near future?
NXT return as Shotzi makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. Vaquer waistlocks, Shotzi switches, but Vaquer switches. Shotzi trips Vaquer, Vaquer trips Shotzi, and Vaquer covers, ONE! Vaquer facelocks but Shotzi wrenches out and covers, ONE! Shotzi has a cording hold, then wrenches to a wristlock. Vaquer rolls, handsprings, then wrenches to a wristlock. Shotzi rolls, spins, wrenches from below and has the wristlock again. Vaquer reaches back, drops down, and then rolls to wrench back. Shotzi rolls, trips, and spins Vaquer. The two stand up and the fans fire up!
Shotzi and Vaquer nod, then fist bump in respect. They circle, tie up, and Vaquer wrenches to then slips under and arm-drag! Shotzi goes to a corner, goes up and over, then comes back. Vaquer blocks the arm-drag and smiles. She goes up, Arabian Press and arm-drag! Shotzi stumbles up, Vaquer rolls her up, and bridges! TWO! Shotzi runs up to wheelbarrow, victory roll, TWO! Both women are up again, but Vaquer trips Shotzi. Vaquer has a leglock, rolls it, ties the legs up, then moves around, but Shotzi just powers Vaquer down! Shotzi ties Vaquer’s legs up for a modified Deathlock! Shotzi grabs Vaquer’s arms and has an INVERTED SURFBOARD!
The fans rally and duel, the two roll and it’s a cover, TWO! Shotzi swings but Vaquer ducks! Vaquer swings but Shotzi ducks! Shotzi kicks, Vaquer blocks, but Shotzi ENZIGIRIS! Shotzi brings Vaquerl around, whips her to a corner, and then goes up the corner. Shotzi headscissors to then go along the ropes, HANING TRIANGLE! The ref counts, Shotzi lets go at 4, and Vaquer sputters. Shotzi climbs up fast to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Vaquer stays in this and Shotzi grows frustrated, but she hurries to bring Vaquer up. Shotzi whips, Vaquer reverses, but Shotzi BOOTS her! Vaquer frowns, blocks the next boot, and DRAGON SCREWS Shotzi!
Vaquer sits Shotzi up and the fans fire up for the headscissor DRILLER! Vaquer stops at seven, Shotzi flounders out of the ring, and the fans fire up while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Shotzi GAMANGIRIS Vaquer up top! Shotzi then climbs up, and roars before she hits a SUPER STEINER! The fans fire up and Shotzi aims from the corner. Shotzi runs up to KNEE Vaquer, then ROLLING ELBOW! Then QUESTION MARK KICK! Shotzi hurries to cover, TWO! Vaquer survives that onslaught, but Shotzi brings her up. Vaquer JAWBREAKERS, SUPERKICKS, then wrenches for EAT DA FEET! Shotzi flounders while the fans fire up. Shotzi is in the corner, Vaquer runs in, but Shotzi dodges! Vaquer hits buckles, Shotzi comes back to CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Shotzi waistlocks!
Vaquer grabs the ropes, but Shotzi clamps onto the arms! Shotzi chicken wings Vaquer for a TIGER PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Vaquer narrowly escapes and Shotzi can’t believe it! The fans rally while Vaquer goes to a corner. Shotzi runs in again, but Vaquer HIP TOSSES her into the buckles! Vaquer scrubs Shotzi’s face with her boot, then roars! The fans fire up again, Vaquer hits a METEORA! Vaquer then drags Shotzi out, covers, TWO! Shotzi survives and now Vaquer’s a bit stunned! Vaquer drags Shotzi up, tucks her in, but Shotzi escapes! Shotzi ROCKS Vaquer, Vaquer ROCKS Shotzi, repeat! Wait, is that Jacy Jayne?
Jacy shouts at Vaquer and Shotzi from the apron, but they both grab her! They drag Jacy in, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Jacy falls, but then Vaquer HEADBUTTS Shotzi! Vaquer puts her on ropes, runs, but FALLON hits Vaquer with the blet! Shotzi doesn’t know it, she rolls Vaquer up! SHOTZI WINS!
Winner: Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s North American Championship)
Fallon & Jacy influence this match, and they make sure La Primera will have to wait her turn. But will Shotzi make sure Fallon doesn’t leave Atlanta with the gold? Or will Fallon shine bright on Center Stage?
The Women’s Division talks about New Year’s Evil.
Sol Ruca tells Kelani Jordan that she was a split-second away from victory. Things will turn around. Just don’t change what got her here. Zaria has to disagree. The Agent of Change says Kelani was the North American Champion just a few months ago. Kelani knows that. Then just change the tide! Use loss as motivation. But Cora Jade isn’t so sure about that. Of course she wouldn’t… Cora says Kelani can just motivate herself to the back of the line. If Kelani wasn’t in the match, Cora would’ve won. Oh don’t even get Kelani started. Yeah? Or what? Cora has no doubt that Cora will win a title before Kelani does.
Kelani can have all the attitude she wants, she’s still just the same little girl from Michigan State- KELANI SLAPS CORA! And she tells Cora that she is NOT the same “little girl.” Kelani storms off, will she prove to Cora that this is NOT The Generation of Jade?
Stephanie Vaquer returns backstage.
NXT is in picture and picture right now, but it is clear The Dark Angel is hunting for The Fatal Influence. They may have messed her up in the match, but she won’t let them get away with it! She even pushes past some people to make her way down the hall. She finds Jacy being checked on, and pushes her against the wall! Vaquer demands to know where Fallon is, Jacy says she doesn’t know, so Vaquer THROWS Jacy down! Vaquer storms back up the hall, back the way she came, and then comes across Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin. She asks them, and they assure her, they don’t like the Influence any more than her, but they have no idea where to look.
Vaquer continues on, only getting frustrated with every person that says they haven’t seen Fallon. Refs tell Vaquer to calm down, but she isn’t hearing it. Ethan Page is headed to gorilla, he says to cheer up. Her glare tells him to keep walking, so he does. The hunt continues, will La Primera find her prey?
Oba Femi enters Ava’s office.
He interrupts her talk with Robert Stone & Stevie Turner, and she asks what she can help him with. Oba said he already warned Eddy and everyone else that he would eliminate Eddy once and for all the next time they saw each other. Ava says she understands that, and would love to see that. Oba says if Eddy wants his title match, then they give him the title match. No, they don’t do anything. Ava is not rewarding Eddy for anything. Oba says it’ll be Eddy’s last shot one way or another. Stone says Oba needs to hold on. Big Guy, champ, if you don’t know this or not, but Eddy’s playing you like a fiddle! Don’t let him do that to you!
Oba picks Stone up and pins him against the wall! Oba is the champion, so if he wants Eddy, he gets Eddy! Ava tells Oba that as fun as this is, put Stone down! Then they can talk about this. Oba drops Stone, and Ava says fine, Oba VS Eddy will be next week. Oba heads out, will Eddy regret coming back for more?
Ethan Page VS Dante Chen!
All Ego’s ego has only grown since The Rock gave him a pseudo seal of approval, and it’s only gotten on everyone else’s nerves. Will the Singaporean Warrior make sure Ethan really does lose his smile? Or is the ego only going to grow exponentially?
Dante winds up for his pose, but Ethan CLOBBERS him! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Ethan throws down fists and stomps! The ref gets Ethan to back off, then asks if Dante wants this match. Dante says YES! The bell rings and Ethan runs up! Dante dodges to fire off in return! The fans fire up for Dante as he and Ethan scrap! Dante ROCKS Ethan, bumps him off buckles, then runs. Ethan dodges but Dante ELBOWS, UPPERCUTS, and SUPERKICKS! Dante runs to BOOT Ethan down! The fans fire up and he powers up again. The fans join in, but Ethan hurries away from Dante.
Dante pursues but Ethan YANKS him into ropes! Ethan drags Dante up, for a TWIST OF FATE! Cover, ETHAN WINS!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall
Between Dante’s anger and Ethan’s cunning, Ethan takes Dante out fast! But now Ethan rains down fists on Dante again! The fans boo but Ethan drags Dante to the apron. Ethan pulls Dante’s boot off his foot, then he YANKS Dante to the floor! Ethan puts Dante’s leg between steps and post! The fans boo, Ethan says Dante wanted this! Ethan DROPKICKS the steps!! Dante writhes, that was his repaired leg! Refs rush out here to tell Ethan to leave, but Ethan takes his time admiring the pain he just inflicted. All Ego is going all psycho, BUT JE’VON IS HERE! Je’Von goes after Ethan with fast hands! Those aren’t broken!
But then Ethan ROCKS Je’Von in the jaw! Ethan grins as he asks Je’Von, “Gimme a smile now!” Je’Von tried to be a hero but Ethan made him pay for it. Will anyone in NXT be able to stop Ethan?
Oba Femi walks the halls.
Dion Lennox walks over and congratulates Oba on the win. Oba thanks Dion, and Dion says one day he’ll be challenging Oba for the title. Oba says sure… Oba moves on, and meanwhile, we see Shawn Spears talking with Adriana Rizzo. Rizzo says she’s seen and heard enough of Spears and she’s done with him. But Spears says that while Rizzo understands the value of family, The Family doesn’t understand her value. Does Rizzo feel Tony appreciates her? Izzi Dame says she’s so sick and tired of Spears. She told Spears that she doesn’t need him, and Rizzo definitely doesn’t need him!
Spears says he isn’t so sure about that. Spears heads off, Rizzo says she had that handled, and Izzi says, “Sure you did.” But make sure to tell “Don Don” this makes them even. Tell him yourself! These two go their separate ways, and now we see Ashante THEE Adonis talking with Karmen Petrovic. Karmen says she got his text, and he says no more playing games. And he chooses her. Adonis offers her a rose, she takes it, and she says about damn time. She kisses Adonis! Adonis smiles and these two head out. Victory for #Adonivic, will love conquer all of NXT?
Backstage interview with DIY.
Sarah Schreiber is with the WWE Tag Team Champions, Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa, and asks what brings them back to NXT. Ciampa says first off, it is TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions. And what brings them home is #Fraxiom. They’ve heard so much about those guys. There are people saying Fraxiom is the greatest tag team in NXT history. But as the BTTITW, Best Tag Team in the World, DIY is at the top of the mountain. That means they have to be ten steps ahead. And they know that one day, DIY will step in the ring with Fraxiom, and the world will rejoice.
So Gargano asked his “good buddy, Heartbreak” for some tickets to tonight’s show so they can watch Fraxiom up close and in person. Ciampa assures us that they are not here to cause any problems, you can trust them. Can we…? Or will Frazer & Axiom just become the next DIY project?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!
Bianca Belair & Naomi are the newEST championship duo, but that means they need new challengers. Will The Unholy Union use every trick in the book to make it back to the gold? Or will the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson show what the Meta Girls can really do?
NXT returns and the wicked witches make their entrance. The teams sort out and Jakara starts against Alba. The two circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Alba and Jakara go around, Alba wrenches and wristlocks. Jakara endures, Alba snapmares Jakara and covers, ONE! Alba wrenches Jakara again, YANKS the arm, then wristlocks. Jakara wrenches back but Alba wrenches right away! Alba keeps Jakara from Lash, so Jakara uses the ropes to flip through! Jakara wrenches Alba but Alba breaks free to CHOP! The fans fire up and Alba grins, but Jakara ROCKS Alba right back! Jakara fires body shots, but Alba shoves her!
Alba swings, Jakara blocks to knuckle lock and CHOP! Jakara goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then DROPKICK! Jakara tags Lash but Alba tags Isla. Isla runs in but Jakara dodges and Lash runs Isla over! THen Lash runs Alba over! Lash wrenches Isla, knuckle locks, and straight arm levers! The fans fire up for the power, then Lash throws Isla. Isla dodges, waistlocks, but Lash ELBOWS her! Lash brings Isla around to THROW to the corner! Lash runs up to SPLASH, then tag to Jakara. Jakara taunts Alba, runs and back body blocks Isla! Jakara then wrenches and wrangles Isla to step over the arm.
Jakara hooks Isla to drag her into a cradle, TWO! Jakara storms up but Isla RAMS her! Isla ROCKS Jakara, whips, but Jakara reverses. Jakara then dodges to SLINGBLADE! The fans are torn as Jakara runs, HANDSPRING ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Isla stays in this but Jakara keeps her from Alba. Tag to Lash, they whip and scoop! Lash LSAMS Isla, then Jakara wheelbarrows with Lash, WHEELBARROW SPLASH! Lash covers, TWO! Isla survives but Lash keeps her from Alba. Lash fireman’s carries, but Isla fires forearms! Isla fires fast hands, but Lash DECKS her with one! The ref checks Isla, Alba HOTSHOTS Lash!
Lash takes a swing on Alba but Isla jumps onto Lash! SLEEPER! Alba tags in, the Unholy Union mugs Lash! The ref reprimands, Alba digs her boots in, but Alba lets off at 4. Isla fires hands, then ELBOWS Lash in the corner. Isla RAMS into Lash, Lash shoves Isla, but Alba tags in. Alba digs her boot in again, but stops at 4. Tag back to Isla, and Alba feeds Lash to the TARANTULA! Lash BOOTS Alba, then throws Isla away! Lash fires knees into Alba, but Isla jumps back on! SLEEPER! Lash stays up, and she FLINGS Isla off her! Tag to Jakara, and Jakara climbs up onto Lash’s shoulders! But Alba CLIPS Lash, Jakara falls to hit buckles!
Isla hurries to drag Jakara out, and she METEORAS to the floor! Lash whips Alba, but Alba RANAS Lash! The fans fire up with Alba, and she builds speed to go up, up and ESCALARA SWANTON! Down go the Meta Girls, and the fans fire up with Alba & Isla while NXT goes picture in picture.
Alba & Isla drag Lash up, whip her hard into the apron, then they mug Jakara! Isla pushes Jakara into the ring, covers, TWO! Isla keeps on Jakara, CLUBS away, then pulls hair! The ref counts, Isla lets go, and then Isla brings Jakara over. Tag to Alba, Alba reels Jakara in, GOURD BUSTER! Isla hits another METEORA! Cover, TWO! Jakara stays in this but Alba stays on her. Alba DECKS Jakara, then steps over her arm. Alba taunts Lash by holding the hand out, only to bend the fingers back! Alba then kicks Jakara down, and she drags her up. But Jakara rolls Alba up! TWO, and Alba LARIATS! Cover, TWO!
Jakara toughs it out but Alba drags her over. Tag to AIsla, and a feed to the TARANTULA! Then a SUPERKICK! Jakara falls, Isla covers, TWO! Isla drags Jakara up just to SMACK her off the mat! Isla clamps on a chinlock and stretches Jakara. Jakara endures, Lash coaches her up, and Jakara stands. Jakara fires body shots, but Isla CLUBS her on the back. Isla digs her boots in, the ref counts, and Isla stops at 4. Isla argues with the ref, and that lets Alba CHOKE Jakara! Isla then runs in, but Jakara BOOTS her away! Jakara dodges Isla, Isla grabs her legs! Jakara BOOTS Isla away! Alba tags in and she drags Jakara back!
Jakara stands, hops and hops, and she ENZIGIRIS Alba! NXT returns to single picture as Lash tags in! Lash DECKS Alba, DECKS her again, then wrenches and scoops Isla! The fans fire up as Lash SMACKS Alba using Isla, then hits a FALL AWAY SLAM! Lash kips up, the fans fire up, and Lash FLAPJACKS Alba onto Isla! Lash is all fired up and the fans are with her! Lash choke grips Alba for the SLAM DUNK CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Isla breaks it! But then Lash is just mad! Isla backs off, but Alba CHOP BLOCKS Lash! Isla goes up, Alba hits a TORNADO- NO, Lash powers out of the DDT and she LARIATS!
Lash catches Isla and SLAMS her! Tag to Jakara and Jakara climbs back onto Lash’s shoulders! They try this again, META CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Alba survives for her team and Jakara grows frustrated. Jakara drags Alba up, but Isla goes after Lash on the outside! Alba JAWBRAEKERS Jakara, then BLASTS Lash! Alba tags Isla and they get Jakara up. BACKSTABBER and SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Lash BARRELS through Alba to break it! The fans fire up, but Isla hits a CODE BREAKAER on Lash! Jakara DECKS Isla! Alba SUPERKICKS Jakara! Lash runs up, but the Unholy Union DUMPS her out!
The fans are torn, but Jakara grabs Alba in a SLEEPER! Alba throws her away, Isla SUPERKICKS Jakara! Isla ROUNDHOUSES, then back suplexes, but Jakara lands out! EDGE-O-MATIC! Both women crawl, but Lash is still down! Hot tag to Alba! Alba taunts Jakara, blocks a kick, then hooks her up! But Lash returns to sneak the tag! She BOOTS Isla down! Jakara sunset flips Alba and Lash wheelbarrows her! Jakara runs up, META CUTTER!! Cover, Meta Four wins!!
Winners: Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)
Alba & Isla put Lash & Jakara to the test, and the Meta Girls passed with flying colors! Will Lash & Jakara soon prove that they are the strongEST team in the WWE? Or will they just feel the StrongEST Glow instead?
Lexis King finally adds his plaque to the Heritage Cup.
The Drama King tells the guy to secure it nice and tight so it doesn’t go anywhere. This is awesome. Ava congratulates the champ, and Lexis says that coming from the “Final Boss of NXT” makes it so official. Just look at this. This is four months of hard work and dedication. Charlie Dempsey & Wren Sinclair walk over and Dempsey also congratulates Lexis. He finally went and did it. But Wren brings up Lexis hit Dempsey in the- Wren, please, no excuses. Lexis won, his name is on the cup. Wren says it isn’t an excuse, it’s about the rematch. We all saw Lexis hit Dempsey in the-
Lexis says no, that was all an accident. Well, she doesn’t believe him. Wait, do you all hear that? Wren hears “Rematch! Rematch!” Wren does the chant and a dance, but Ava says she should get her hearing checked. But also, she does agree, there should be a rematch. Wait, what just hit the garage door from the outside? Ava hurries outside, and we see Ridge brawling with Tony! Security separates these two but things are clearly not getting any less chaotic in NXT! When and where will the Yorkshire Grit get his shot at the North American Championship?
Kelani Jordan VS Cora Jade!
Speaking of North American Championships, the inaugural Women’s North American Champion is sick and tired of everyone looking down on her or thinking that she’s just “the girl next door.” Will The Standout finally stand out and head back for the title she lost? Or will Cora once again make things all about her?
NXT returns and we see the NEW TNA Knockouts Champion, Masha Slamovich, watching this from the crowd. Cora makes her entrance, seems to take notice of of TNA’s best, then goes to the ring. The bell rings and Cora talks trash on Kelani. Cora shoves Kelani, but Kelani shoves back! Kelani then blocks a punch to SLAPO Cora! Then she dodges Cora’s lariat to DROPKICK, kip up, and slingshot arm-drag! Cora stands, Kelani TAKLCES her and rains down fists! The fans fire up, Cora pushes Kelani away and bails out. Kelani goes to the ropes, but bails out of the plancha as Cora moves. Kelani chases Cora around the outside!
The fans cheer but Cora rolls into the ring. Kelani slides in, drops down, then hurdles over Cora. Kelani ELBOWS Cora down, then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Cora stays in this, Kelani goes to the apron. Cora storms up but Kelani RAMS into her! Kelani then goes up, but Cora trips her up! Cora TOSSES Kelani off the top, and then laughs at her pain. Cora storms up on Kelani, stomps her at the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Cora drags Kelani up, brings her into the ropes, and fires forearms! The ref counts, Cora lets off, but she CHOPS! Cora runs, and she DROPKICKS Kelani down! The fans boo but Cora taunts Kelani more.
Kelani goes to ropes, Cora runs to IMPLODER STOMP! Cover, TWO! Cora drags Kelani up, puts her back on ropes, and then CHOKES her! The ref counts, Cora steps off and runs, but Kelani moves! Cora runs into ropes, then Kelani snatches her for a cradle! TWO, and Cora swings. Kelani dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and whip. Cora reverses and SHINING WIZARDS in the corner! Cora shoves Kelani down to cover, TWO! Cora is immediately frustrated, and she clamps onto Kelani with a chinlock. The fans rally as Kelani endures, and Kelani fights up to fire body shots. Kelani wrenches and hits a BIG back suplex!
The fans fire up while both women are down. Both women stand, Cora fires a forearm, but Kelani fires back! The forearms go back and forth, Kelani kicks low, but Cora wrenches out. Cora ROCKS Kelani, kicks, but Kelani blocks! And she ducks the enzigiri! Kelani runs to CLOBBER Cora! And CLOBBER her again! Kelani reels Cora in, SPLIT-LEG DDT! Cover, TWO! Kelani grows frustrated now, but she unleashes some DRAGON STOMPS! The fans fire up and Kelani snarls. Kelani stalks Cora to a corner and stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kelani stops at 4, and then she jukes to fire off fast hands!
The fans fire up for Kelani but the ref backs her off! Cora CLAWS Kelani’s eyes! The fans boo but Cora underhooks Kelani, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, Cora wins!
Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall
Kelani unlocked her aggression, but Cora steals this one from her all the same. Will Cora make her way to the title now? Will Kelani figure out what she needs to do if she’s to get back to gold in her own right?
Eddy Thorpe speaks.
Via his Instagram, The Alpha Wolf smiles and laughs. “It feels good. I’ma wait, cuz I’ve got some stuff to say. I’ll take my time. You wanna see? Look at that. Full moon.” The first full moon of the New Year, aka the Wolf Moon. Eddy says it’s so pretty out here. And what a good night at work! He set the bait, again, and Oba took it, again. Just like Eddy knew he would! It was so easy, so predictable! And shoutout to GM Ava for making the match happen. It almost makes up for Ava calling him a liar last week. Almost. But that’s all behind him now. Soon enough, all will be well when he is crowned the NEW NXT Champion!
Eddy tells Oba that Oba may call himself The Ruler, but next week, he will be overthrown. One more week. In the meantime, Eddy’s gonna go celebrate. You have no idea how good he feels right now. The Alpha Wolf is smiling like a coyote, but will he still have the last laugh?
Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura talk with Nathan Frazer & Axiom backstage.
Briggs says he and Inamura went about this all wrong. What’s Briggs talking about? Fraxiom has their tag title match in like two minutes. Inamura says, “EXACTLY!” Briggs reminds them that a few months ago, they saved Fraxiom. Briggs & Inamura pulled them out of that wild brawl int he parking lot. Yes, which they appreciated. But-Â But it didn’t get their attention, did it? Because they were defending their titles against OTM then. So while Briggs & Inamura didn’t have their attention then, they have it now. So Briggs will say this to their faces: Briggs & Inamura got next, understand?
Oh, OTM understands. Bronco Nima & Lucien Price walk in, and Nima says Briggs & Inamura are talking to the wrong ones. Cuz after tonight, Fraxiom won’t be the champs. Frazer says we’ll see about that. Fraxiom heads out, and Nima tells Briggs & Inamura that OTM’s been chasing the belts since day one. And when they get it, they ain’t giving it up. Got that? Price promises that if you step to them, you get dragged through the mud. Inamura asks, is that mud wrestling? Inamura will pass. Oh, Inamura’s got jokes? Is he some kinda comedian? Inamura says he’s NO comedian. But he is about CHAOS!
Inamura throws hands, he and Briggs brawl with OTM! Refs and security rush in, OTM has to make their main event match! Will OTM be able to focus on Fraxiom with this fight going down?
Trick Williams tweets.
The former NXT Champion simply says, “Need to figure out what my next move is gonna be.” Will Trick return to NXT to make it Tricky Times Three? Or will he consider the Transfer Window to main roster an option?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS OTM!
Fraxiom had quite the wild 2024, with each of them splitting their focus from time to time, yet (almost) always finding a way to hold onto these titles. They once again have a run-in with Bronco Nima & Lucien Price, will they finally hit a wall? Or will they continue to #NeverSlowDown?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if this is where rubber hits the road!
The teams sort out and Price starts against Axiom. The bell rings, Price runs up, but Axiom goes up and over! Axiom CHOPS Price, fires hands, then gets away. Price pursues, corners Axiom, but Axiom dodges to CHOP! Price leans into the CHOPS and he backs Axiom down! Axiom and Price circle, knuckle lock, and Axiom KICKS a leg! And KICKS it again! Axiom then headlocks Price, but Price powers out. Frazer tags in, Axiom jukes Price, and Frazer RAMS Price! Price doesn’t budge, so Frazer runs, redirects, redirects again, then slips around to come back, only for Price to RUN him over! Price drags Frazer up, tag to Nima.
OTM double whip, DOUBLE ELBOW, then Nima FALLING AX HANDLES! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer because they see DIY up in the perch! Nima wrenches Frazer to RAM shoulders, then he SMASHES Frazer off his knee! Nima puts Frazer in the corner, RAMS into him again and again, then talks trash. Frazer fires body shots and haymakers, but Niam BODY SHOTS! Nima TOSSES Frazer to the corner, fires body shots, then knuckle locks. Nima goes up the ropes, tags Price, then FLYING STOMPS Frazer! Price covers, TWO! Frazer stays in this but Price ROCKS him. Frazer kicks in return, but Price YANKS him up from the ropes!
Frazer lands on his feet to PELE! Tag to Axiom, they fire forearm after forearm, then basement DDT! Nima storms in, but he gets a mule kick and boosted DROPKICK! Axiom KICKS away on Price, but Price snarls! Price blocks a kick, THROWS Axiom, then LARIATS him down! Price roars, fans are torn, and even DIY is impressed. Price nods as he looms over Axiom, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Price LARIATS Axiom in a corner! Price throws Axiom down, tags Nima, and Nima clamps onto Axiom with a standing crossface! The fans rally while Axiom endures, but Nima thrashes him around. Axiom fights up, Nima KNEES low, then he whips Axiom to the corner. Axiom ROCKS Price, BOOTS Nima, then goes up to BOOT Nima again! Axiom goes up and up to CROSSBODY, but Nima rolls through! Nima deadlifts Axiom, pops him into a fireman’s carry, but Axiom makes that a crucifix takedown! TWO, and Nima swings! Axiom dodges, hot tag to Frazer! Price tags in, but Frazer springboards to FLYING LARIAT!
The fans fire up as Frazer runs to forearm again and again! But Price scoops Frazer, only for Frazer to slip free! Frazer ELBOWS Price away, then runs to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Nima is back, he blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer runs to SHOOTING STAR Price! Cover, TWO! Price stays in this but Frazer puts him in the drop zone. Frazer goes up and up and PHOENIX- NO, Price moves, Frazer rolls through the splash! Price hauls Frazer up to URENAGE! Tag to Nima and the fans rally! POP-UP EXPLODER! Cover, Axiom breaks it! The fans fire up and DIY nods, still impressed.
Price TOSSES Axiom, then he tags back in. OTM whips Frazer to FLAPJACK- NO, Frazer ROCKS Nima in midair! Frazer then PELES Price! Price wobbles, Frazer goes to his corner, but there’s no Axiom! Price runs up, Frazer BOOTS him! Axiom returns to sneak the tag! Price returns but Frazer clinches, FLATLINER GAMANGIRI COMBO! Then they hook Price up and Axiom climb! MISSILE DORPKICK HIGH-LOW!! Frazer SUPERKICKS Nima, Axiom covers, TWO!! Price survives, but Axiom has the ARMBAR! Frazer DIVES onto Nima! Nima hits desk, Axiom shifts to keep Price down! Nima is back, Frazer intercepts with a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!
OTM endures submissions, the fans duel, and both Price & Nima stand! They’re fading, but they head for each other! Nima GOURD BUSTERS Frazer onto Axiom! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while all four men are down! Axiom and Price crawl, but Axiom brings Price up. Axiom CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Price still stands, but Axiom kicks the chop away! Axiom runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up the ropes and tags Frazer. Price CHOPS Axiom out of the sky! But then Axiom avoids the boot! Axiom kips up, but Price catches him to a dragon sleeper! Frazer leaps in, but Price catches him! UREANGE DDT COMBO!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Frazer survives! Price hurries and tags in Nima! OTM gets Frazer up, Canadian Rack and BOOT YOYO COMBO!! Cover, TWO!?! Frazer survives but Nima HAMMERS him down! Price goes out to CHOP Axiom! Nima hoists Frazer up, Price CHOPS Axiom again! Price clears off the desk! The fans fire up and Price goes back to Axiom. Price grins as he clinches Axiom, but Axiom fights free! SUPERKICK! Price is on the desk, and Frazer ROCKS Nima! Frazer puts Nima up top, but Nima shoves him away! But then Frazer springs right back up! Axiom sneaks the tag, Nima SHOVES Frazer away!
Frazer backflips to land out, and Axiom ENZIGIRIS Nima! Frazer goes to an adjacent corner, and he SUPER FROG SPLASHES Price through the desk!! The fans are thunderous and Axiom hits a SPANISH FLY on Nima!! Then GOLDEN RATIO!! Cover, FRAXIOM WINS!
Winners: Nathan Frazer & Axiom, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
Another match, another instant classic, and another incredible victory for Frazer & Axiom!
A car pulls into the parking lot.
But who is this that’s just arrived? We don’t get to see who, will we get to see before the end of the night?
Roxanne Perez is in the ring.
The Prodigy has the mic, and she says, “When I first won the NXT Women’s Championship for the second time at NXT Stand & Deliver, no one expected that I would hold it for 276 DAYS.” The fans cheer that! Roxie says that she had nine title defends, and with every single one, the NXT Women’s Division continued to rise. Roxie was making history, and that is because all she ever wanted to do was to make Women’s Wrestling special. The fans cheer that, too. Roxie says all she wanted to do was make a Women’s Division that could main event, that the fans could be proud of, and she feels she did that. The fans cheer in agreement there, too.
Roxie says NXT attracted the best women from all around the world, because this is the BEST Women’s Division in wrestling today! But… Here she stands without the title because unfortunately, last week, Giulia was the better woman. So yes, congratulations to Giulia, and to all the fans, because as sad as it makes Roxie, it is what they wanted. But you wanna know what’s even sadder? The state of the Women’s Division without Roxie as champ! You really think Giulia can take NXT to the heights that Roxie did?! NO ONE is gonna love this Women’s Division more than Roxie!
And that feeling you get when you say, “Women’s Wrestling is changing! Women’s Wrestling is the focus! NXT has the best Women’s Wrestling!” Well, go ahead and kiss all that goodbye, because without Roxie, this division will be lost. The fans boo, but Roxie says NXT no longer deserves her. The fans no longer deserve her! And as much as fans love to live in nostalgia, trust her, it will not be the same. In the past, the fans NEEDED the Four Horsewomen. But this generation only needed- WAIT, is that Bayley!? The fans go wild and Roxie is stunned silent as The Role Model returns to NXT!
Bayley heads to the ring, mic in hand, and she says, “Ding dong, Roxanne! Happy Tuesday Night, Rox.” The fans chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” Bayley thanks them and is excited to be back. She had to come back, because she knew Roxie would not be happy about her title loss last week. But hey, where Bayley sees it, this is a crossroads in Roxie’s career. So Roxie can either keep acting how she is now, or adapt to the situation. Roxie says she didn’t ask for Bayley’s advice. Oh… Well, Bayley was sure Roxie’s been asking for advice since the day she walked into the WWE, and since they met back when Roxie was a little bit shorter than she is right now, which is crazy!
That was when Roxie was just 14 back in Austin, Texas. Bayley loves NXT, they all know how much this place means to her. And Bayley has been following Roxie’s career and how much she’s believed in her. But sis, the division’s gonna be fine. Kelani, Jaida, even Cora, they’ll all be fine without Roxie. And that doesn’t mean what Roxie did wasn’t important. It just means that NXT is bigger than that. Roxie’s title run was amazing, one of the best- Roxie says this is just like Natalya and CM Punk! And Roxie hates that Bayley is trying to tell her the same things. Y’know what that shows? It shows that Bayley is just like everyone Roxie used to look up to.
Why is Bayley even here? What? Bayley thinks NXT owes her something? Yeah, Bayley set records, but guess what? Roxie broke them. Let’s face it, Bayley, you were Roxie’s role model. Maybe Roxie can be Bayley’s. Bayley tells “Rox” that the biggest difference between the two of them is that Roxie’s gonna be stuck in her own way all along, while Bayley goes on to WrestleMania after winning the WWE Women’s Championship this Friday Night SmackDown! But then Roxie SLAPS Bayley! So Bayley TACKLES Roxie!! These two scrap on the mat while the fans fire up, but NXT has to go off the air! Will Bayley come back to settle things with Roxie after she’s settled things with Tiffany Stratton?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of NXT to not just turn the corner from New Year’s Evil but apparently start some NXT VS main roster stories. Great tag match of Meta Four VS Unholy Union, and a great win for Lash & Jakara. Lash & Jakara VS Bianca & Naomi will be great stuff, and depending on how they want to play this Jade Cargill story, the reveal of “It was Naomi!” (again, that’s the going theory) that could cost Bianca & Naomi the titles. Awesome tag title match in the main event, but I suppose DIY showing up to call out Fraxiom was foreshadowing that Fraxiom would win. Fraxiom VS DIY can be some awesome stuff, and I would think happens at Vengeance Day next month.
Roxie had a great promo to close the night, especially with Bayley making a surprise return. Their brawl to finish the show is also clearly a sign they’ll have a match, probably also at Vengeance Day. I don’t see Bayley bring a title to that, but this match doesn’t need that. This is a generational showdown as one of the more underappreciated Four Horsewomen takes on a true prodigy of her generation, and definitely a great way to bring Roxie to the main roster. Trick having just a tweet is good stuff, it adds some mystery to his next step, but I would think he goes to the main roster with a Royal Rumble debut.
As for more NXT centric stories, Briggs & Inamura putting the tag teams on notice was good stuff. I suppose them brawling with OTM was also a level of foreshadowing that Fraxiom would win. Briggs & Inamura VS OTM will be some good stuff, too, and that can help give Briggs & Inamura momentum going into a title match. Perhaps DIY is the reason why Fraxiom loses the titles, and it’d be great for Inamura as a Pro-Wrestling Noah wrestler getting a title here in NXT. For that matter, great cameo from Masha Slamovich to restart the NXTNA crossovers. We really need a Worlds Collide style event so we can get proper interaction of both companies.
Great stuff in setting up both an NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship match, though I’m surprised there wasn’t an odd “can they coexist?” tag match where Oba and Tony would have to work together against Eddy and Ridge. At the same time, I’m actually okay with that because clearly Tony and Oba would clash and that’d cost them, giving away that they’re both retaining the titles. Now, there is a chance someone loses a title, but it’s more likely Tony loses to Ridge than Oba does to Eddy, even with Eddy doing some great Heel work. And good taking advantage of the Wolf Moon for the Alpha Wolf.
Speaking of great Heel work, Ethan Page is perhaps the top Heel. Good promo with the midcard Faces, and good on Dante Chen being the one to step up. Ethan VS Dante was good but quick, and then Ethan goes and makes Dante his third victim. Great return spot from Je’Von, but yeah, with that jaw still nowhere near 100%, Ethan easily knocks Je’Von back down. Maybe NXT can give us their own take on an “Unsanctioned” match, seeing as how (in kayfabe) Je’Von isn’t 100%, and probably won’t be for months. It’ll even work as the Vengeance Day main event given the name, and Je’Von obviously wants vengeance.
Great promo with Oba with Ava, Stevie and Stone. While Stone is right, Oba picking him up with ease was funny. And then they did a great string of promos in one backstage segment, with Oba shrugging off Dion, Izzi and Rizzo finding a common annoyance in Shawn Spears, and then the surprising climax of the Karmen & Adonis love story. I still feel like Vengeance Day could be big for them since it’s right after Valentine’s Day and we could get a really fun Mixed Tag where they settle things with like Nikkita Lyons and a male superstar who could use the spotlight.
Very good promo segment to set up Kelani VS Cora, such as Sol and Zaria being opposing opinions. Those two probably need to have a 1v1 match or two, as well. Cora cheating to win makes sense, it brings her up the ranks while also adding to Kelani’s story of sharpening that edge. Vaquer VS Shotzi was a great opening match, but I should’ve figured the Fatal Influence would get involved. I almost didn’t recognize Jacy with her hair down and no hat or anything. Vaquer going on her rampage backstage was a good picture-in-picture bit, and I’m sure Vaquer will have a match or two with Jacy & Jazmyn in the background of Shotzi VS Fallon. That said, I would think Fallon wins, perhaps even with some help, but then ultimately loses to Vaquer at Vengeance Day.
My Score: 8.9/10
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SmackDown’s on the road to Riyadh!
John Cena dared CM Punk to challenge him at Night of Champions, and Miss Money in the Bank, Naomi, wants all champions to Proceed With Caution!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes; Orton wins and advances to the next round.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim; Jade wins and advances to the next round.
- Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis w/ The Wyatt Sick6; Gacy & Lumis win.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS
Chelsea GreenAlba Fyre; Alexa wins and advances to the next round. - King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Cody wins and advances to the next round.
PLAY BY PLAY
John Cena is here!
Lexington, Kentucky sings, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he makes his way out in the University of Kentucky white ‘n’ blue. Cena goes to the ring, and while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena signals to Mark Nash to give the proper introductions: Please welcome the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Lexington with his presence one last time, he is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA! The fans boo as Cena holds up the belt. Cena then grabs a mic and says, “Wrestling’s Mount Rushmore… is John Cena, John Cena, John Cena, and John Cena.” The fans boo but Cena says, there have been great wrestlers and great talkers.
But no one in the past, and certainly no one in the present nor the future, is comparable to him. And the very reason Cena will always outmaneuver the fans is not because he never gives up. It is because he is smarter than us. “You Can’t See Me, but you all wanna be me.” And whether watching at home or being mesmerized in this very arena, Cena is always 1000 steps ahead because everyone is worried about here and now, when he had already “won” this title over a year ago. Cena announced his retirement early so that he could have an extra six months to scout his potential opponents.
Cena knew anyone could enter the Rumble, so he did. And he knew that if he lost in the Rumble, he could use his seniority to enter the Elimination Chamber. And he knew that in the Chamber, Rollins and Punk would melt down to give Cena an easy win. Plus, Cody Rhodes was so focused on The Final Boss, Cena just had to seize the moment, shock the world, and become unpredictable. Then all he did was use Cody’s obsession with everyone’s love to guarantee the WrestleMania win. Cena used the fanfare and love of the 25 year rivalry to get a match in Randy Orton’s hometown, all to lull Randy into a false sense of security.
Cena put R-Truth in the Saturday Night’s Main Event so that all the fans would care, and the fans took the bait! While the fans tried to save Truth, Cena made friends with Logan Paul, just to eliminate him as a threat, and all to size up his next opponent in CM Punk. The fans boo but Cena says he used Punk’s rebellious nature and sociopathic self-confidence to back him into a corner. The fans cheer for Punk, but Cena says if Punk wants to take the title, he has to admit that he is a hypocrite! And Cena doesn’t even have to worry about Mr. Money in the Bank, Rollins will never cash in on Cena while he holds this!
Cena knows Rollins wants Cena to leave with the Undisputed title, Rollins becomes your only champion! Cena is the greatest for a reason! The fans boo but Cena says while they’ve been busy using their pathetic brains to come up with fake stories like if Cena “sold his soul,” all Cena has to do is put the math in his favor. He wins before the matches even start! In 25 years, he crunched every number, solved every puzzle and cracked every code. And thank God Cena doesn’t need the fans’ appreciation, because they won’t realize how good he is until three years after he’s gone! This is the greatest moment of their lives, but to Cena, they are just a mathematical equation.
And the math says that there is no one ever worthy enough to earn the right to hold the Undisputed title ever again. But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! Lexington sings along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” as the American Nightmare makes his way to the ring. Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans in the front row, then steps up onto the corner for the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody throws his track jacket to the crowd as a free souvenir, then he grabs himself a mic. The fans cheer as Cody and Cena are face to face again, and then Cody gets the fans to fire up a bit more. Cody takes a moment, then asks Cena to go over what he just said.
Cena claims to be 1000 steps ahead because he’s so smart? No, no, he isn’t just smart! Cena’s a genius! It is unfortunate that everything Cena’s said has come true: Rollins and Punk melted down, Cody was distracted, and they all took their eyes off the prize. The homefield advantage was used against Randy, and the Mount Rushmore being all Cena, sure. But here we are, some sort of 25 year master plan, and there’s this variable that he didn’t account for, and it is simple. Cena laid out his whole story since his return, but why didn’t he include the simple fact that this past Saturday, he was looking up at the lights when Cody pinned him in the middle of this ring?!
The fans cheer, and Cody says he isn’t part of Cena’s plan, Cena is part of Cody’s. So “John Rushmore,” where does that leave the two of them? Well it isn’t just the two of them, because here comes Randy Orton! The fans fire up as The Viper goes right to the ring, gets right in Cena’s face, then pushes past him to grab himself a mic. Randy is back a month after Backlash, and he tells anyone and everyone that had a pulse and was watching Backlash knows Orton had Cena BEAT! Down and out, dead to rights, and about to remove Cena’s head from his shoulders! Until somebody out there decided to come and save John Cena.
Orton realizes now that he has to do whatever it takes. It doesn’t matter what or who it is he has to go through to get his fifteenth. Even being in the King of the Ring Tournament. Cody, Orton loves you like a brother, you know that… But if Orton has to put Cody’s ass down to get to Cena, he won’t hesitate to do it! But wait! Here comes LA Knight! Lexington fires up for The Mega Star as he already has a mic to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” “YEAH!” LA Knight says all week long, he’s heard the whole world saying #WeWantLAKnight! “YEAH!” Knight knows what they want, and he knows for damn sure what none of the other guys in the ring want, and that’s Knight walking down there.
So, why don’t we take a walk? Knight understands what this is as he defiantly walks down there. He is looking at the WEW Establishment! “YEAH!” Knight is the sore thumb sticking out here, and that’s how he likes it, YEAH! “YEAH!” But you gotta understand something. Cena, you have this great little master plan, BAH GAWD, it is genius. But Knight knows damn sure that the plans didn’t include Knight, YEAH! So let’s go ahead and throw the plan on it’s head. KOTR is around the corner, which means Knight has a shot at Cody, Orton, and Cena, all on the way to taking what is his! “YEAH!”
So unbreakable as Knight is walking in here, he’s gotta drop a viper, a nightmare, and if he has to drop “a genius balding b*tch John Cena,” he’ll do it to be WWE Champion, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Cena chuckles and steps out. The fans boo as Cena goes back up the ramp, but then R-TRUTH GETS HIM! Or, well, Ron Killings gets him! And he rains down furious fists on Cena right at the ramp! Security rushes out there, as do producers, and the fans boo. Cena kicks free as it takes everybody to hold Killings back! Will Cena even make it to Night of Champions with the walls closing in?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns as Melo joins Orton and Knight out here, followed by The Dark Father. The King of the Ring has a new format this year, which one of these four survives to head into the semifinals?
The bell rings and the four watch each other. Melo locks eyes with Knight, but then he goes after Aleister! They brawl with forearms and haymakers, then Melo throat chops! Melo whips, Aleister grabs ropes and BOOTS H1M back! Aleister TOSSES Melo, Knight and Orton tie up and they end up in a corner. Aleister whips but Melo reverses to send Aleister into barriers! Orton fires hands on Knight, then a KNEE! Knight turns thing around, only for Melo to roll him up! TWO, and Orton kicks Melo! Orton UPPERCUTS Melo, Aleister UPPERCUTS Melo, then Knight DECKS him! And LARIATS him up and out!
Aleister goes up, out, and TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Down goes Melo and Knight has Orton! Orton denies the BFT, but then Knight denies the RKO! Aleister runs up, Knight ducks the Black Mass! The fans fire up the huge standoff, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Melo has Knight in a corner. Melo rains down fists, but Knight stops him quick! Atomic drop and a LARIAT! Knight storms up on Melo to stomp him into a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then goes to Orton in the other corner and stomps away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes back to Melo, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Aleister is back, Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! But then Knight runs up, only to be put on the apron. Knight slingshots but into a CUTTER! Melo has Knight in the ropes, FADE AWAY LEG DROP! DROPKICK for Orton, but Aleister ROCKS Melo!
Aleister whips, Melo springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Melo shoots his free throw, then FLIES to take out Aleister! The fans fire up and Melo goes back to the ring, but Knight WRECKS him with a dropkick! “YEAH!” Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Melo up to SMACK him off the desk! Knight dribbles Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Orton has Knight for a back suplex, but Knight lands out! Orton blocks Aleister’s boot, spins him around, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Knight then RAMS Orton into the apron! The fans rally, Knight fetches Melo, and Knight puts Melo in the ring. Knight storms up, “This is Awesome!” as Knight hoists Melo up top.
Knight climbs but Melo throws hands! Knight CHOPS, they brawl some more, and Knight fires a flurry! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight steadies himself, brings Melo up, but Melo fights the lift! Melo fires body shots then he shoves Knight down! But Orton runs up to ROCK Melo! Orton gets Melo up but Melo CLWWS the eyes! Aleister STEP-UP KICKS Melo! Melo wobbles, Aleister TOSSES Orton, but Orton drags Aleister out! Orton whips, Aleister reverses and he POSTS Orton! Knight springs up to get Melo! Melo shoves Knight away, aims, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Aleister breaks it! The fans fire up as this one continues, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns once again and Aleister KNEES Melo, then ENZIGIRIS! Knight runs u;, Aleister goe sup and over, then he spins Knight to ELBOW him! Orton stumbles up but Aleister stops the RKO! Orton avoids Black Mass, Aleister grabs Knight but Knight rolls him up! ONE, and Aleister aims, but Knight dodges so the BOOT hits Orton! Knight has Aleister but Aleister denies BFT to KNEE Knight down! Melo headlocks but Aleister handsprings out of the bulldog! Aleister fires off a strike fest and a BOOT! Cover on Melo, TWO! Aleister grows frustrated but he has all three opponents down! The fans fire up as Aleister aims, runs up, but Orton LARIATS!
Orton LARIATS again, then dodges to SNAP POWERSLAM! But Knight runs up, he gets a SNAP POWERSLAM! Melo ROCKS Orton, runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up for Orton as he drags Melo up. Orton puts Melo in the ropes, but then Aleister runs up. Orton kicks Aleister, has him in the ropes, but then Knight adds on! JUMPING NECKBREAKER DOUBLE DRAPING DDT COMBO!! Cover on Orton, TWO!! Orton stays in this for everyone’s sake and Knight is a bit stunned. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” Knight watches Melo rise, kick and B- NO, Melo powers out! Knight swings on Orton but Orton ducks!
Orton aims, but Knight denies the RKO, and he sends Orton into Melo’s FIRST 48! Aleister BOOTS Melo! Knight has Aleister, B F T!! Cover, MELO BREAKS IT!! Melo denies Knight that game winner, and now they rise up. Melo vows to end this, but Knight wrenches and kicks, to then whip and POP-UP and POWERSLAM! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes to the corner. The fans rally as Knight climbs, “L! A! KNIGHT!” BUT BRONSON REED YANKS KNIGHT DOWN! The Colossal Aussie gets revenge for Monday, but speaking of! BRON BREAKKER SPEARS KNIGHT!! They cost Knight at MITB, he cost them in KOTR, so now they get him out of KOTR!
Melo grins and takes aim, NOTHING BUT RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just when Melo thought he was taking advantage of an opening, he left himself open to The Viper! Will Orton be meeting Cody Rhodes at the end of this tournament? Or will Sami Zayn make sure he isn’t just someone’s stepping stone?
Jacob Fatu walks ‘n’ talks backstage.
“Lexington, Kentucky. The United States Champion is here. Hell, the United States Champion is America’s Most Wanted, and I’m coming live and direct inside The Rupp Arena! YADADADADADADA mean?!” The Samoan Werewolf is all fired up, but what more will he say on how Saturday was the night he broke free from Solo Sikoa? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Fatu heads to the ring! Lexington cheers the Samoan Werewolf, and he grabs the mic to say, “Lexington, Kentucky! Let’s keep it 100! Just because you’re family don’t mean that you can go behind their back and try to snake ’em. Just because we both come from the same bloodline don’t mean that they can take all the credit for your hard work! So Solo says I wouldn’t be nothing if it wasn’t for him. Solo says Jacob Fatu would be nothing if it wasn’t for him!” The fans boo that, and Fatu says this is why he had to remind Solo at MITB what happens when you don’t get in where you fit in! The fans cheer that!
So now, it is Fatu against the world! Cuz Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA MEAN~?! But wait, Solo Sikoa is on the tron, sarcastically applauding. Solo says that’s it, Jacob, tell ’em how you feel. Solo leans in close and asks Fatu if he’s done getting it all off his chest. At MITB, Fatu could’ve made the biggest mistake of his life. And Solo can forgive him for that. One year ago, when Solo visited Fatu in Sacramento, Fatu was doing nothing. NOTHING. No one wanted Fatu around until Solo brought him here to the WWE. Solo made Fatu into a WWE Superstar, put money in his pocket, put him in the position for success, and even made him a champion!
This is all because of SOLO, you stupid…! Solo holds back, and he says next week, Solo will be in the ring with open arms, willing to take Fatu back. But there is something Solo needs from Fatu. He needs those four words from him: I Love You, Solo. And just remember… Solo brought Fatu into the WWE, and he can take him out of it. Yadada mean? Solo leaves Fatu to think on this ultimatum, but is it already obvious what Fatu will say to Solo next week?
Nick Aldis meets with The Secret Her-vice.
“Special Slaygent” Piper informs the SmackDown General Manager that Chelsea Green needs to speak with him. But Chelsea isn’t here in the room…? She’s on the phone. And Chelsea apologizes, she had an impossible time finding a flight to get her to Lexington, so can they postpone her Fatal 4 Way until next week? Aldis says no, they’re not postponing anything for little ol’ Chelsea. But if her Secret Her-vice is here… Alba is ready for competition, right? So then Alba will take Chelsea’s place! Perfect! Chelsea says no, she will filibuster and- Oh, sorry, no, Aldis authorized it, he doesn’t care what Chelsea has to say, so Alba has to go get ready now.
Alba grumbles that she has to change from her security suit to her wrestling suit. Chelsea complains and complains, but then Zelina Vega steps in. Zelina takes the phone and hangs up on Chelsea so she can talk with Aldis. She wants Giulia now! Well, she’s not here tonight. Oh, that’s convenient. Aldis says he understands that Zelina wants after Giulia after last week. Zelina says first of all, she’s been snatched unawares much harder by much better. Second, don’t worry about the girl that does the sneak attacks, worry about the girl that gets up after every beating. One sneak attack isn’t gonna scare her, she is THE Women’s US Champion!
So next week, Zelina will confront Giulia, because she doesn’t need to pretend or hide. The smallest girl with the biggest mouth is gonna make Giulia look stupid! Zelina storms off, will the Beautiful Madness learn not to get on La Muneca’s bad side?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim!
A storm has come to Lexington, and she wants to make her way to Riyadh! Will the Irresistible Force, the Special Slaygent and even the Head Baddie in Charge be unable to slow her down? Or will someone else grab that spot in the semifinals?
SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, joining Jade and Piper, leaving Nia for last. Nia says she won the crown last year, she’ll just do it again. The bell rings and Piper fires off on Mia while Nia RAMS Jade! The fans boo but Jade elbows Nia and bumps her off buckles! Jade RAMS into Nia but Piper has Mia on the outside. Piper whips Mia into barriers! And then puts her up against the post. Nia and Jade have moved their brawl outside while Piper runs up on Mia. Mia dodges so Piper POSTS herself! Nia whips, Jade reverse, Nia hits steel steps! The fans fire up as Jade and Mia meet in the ring.
Mia and Jade run up, Mia slips around to waistlock, but Jade switches to SLAM Mia down! Mia fights up while Jade holds on, but Jade whips. Jade hurdles, then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this but Jade stays on her. Jade suplexes, holds Mia up, but Mia slips free! Mia goes to a corner, dodges Jade, but Jade keeps moving! Mia ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ redirects to RANA! Mia runs and SHOTGUNS Jade down! The fans rally, Mia covers, TWO! Jade is tougher than that but Mia stomps her. Mia runs but Piper trips her up! Piper drags Mia out and scoops to SLAM her on the floor!
Nia drops an ELBOW on Jade! Piper SENTONS Mia! Nia soaks up the heat, drags Jade up, and Nia bumps Jade off buckles. Nia CHOPS Piper, then shakes her hand. Nia whips corner to corner, Jade bounces off buckles, and Nia signals for that crown. Jade fires forearms but Nia HEADBUTTS her down! Nia fireman’s carries and SAMOAN DROPS! Piper adds a SENTON! Piper and Nia stare down, but they decide to work together on Jade. Nia & Piper mug Jade in a corner, then whip corner to corner. Jade ELBOWS Piper away, dodges Nia, and Nia POSTS herself! Jade runs to PUMP KICK Piper outta the ring!
But Nia drags Jade out of the ring! The mugging continues, but Mia goes up and up to ASAI MOOONSAULT! Direct hit and all four are down! The fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Jade SPLASHES Piper in one corner, then SPLASHES Nia in the other! And repeat! But then Nia follows, only for Jade to dodge! Nia SPLASHES Piper, then Jade ROCKS her! But Piper CLOBBERS Jade! Nia DRIBBLES Jade off the mat, the fans boo, and Nia salutes with Piper. They drag Jade up, whip her to a corner, then Nia runs to SPLASH! Piper adds a SPLASH of her own! Jade sits down, Nia HIP ATTACKS! Piper CANNONBALLS! Cover, but Nia won’t let Piper get it! Piper says okay, okay, she was just kidding around. But Nia shoves Piper! Piper shoves Nia! Mia RANAS Nia, then JAWBREAKERS Piper!
Mia has Piper for a TORNADO BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Piper stays in this but Mia drags her up. Jade CLUBS Mia, whips her, but Mia RAN- NO, Jade blocks it! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives, and Piper SPLASHES Jade! Piper drags Mia up, reels her in, but Mia slips out of the scoop! SLICED BREAD! Mia hurries to cover, but Nia breaks it! Nia SENTONS onto Mia! Cover, TWO! Mia toughs it out and Nia grows frustrated. Nia & Piper go after Jade on the outside but Jade fights them off! SUPERKICK for Piper! HAYMAKER for Nia! Piper HEADBUTTS Jade, Nia ROCKS Jade, and then they two TOSS Jade over the desk!
Wade Barrett gets wiped out by The Storm and Nia just flips them both off! But Mia WRECKS Nia with a dropkick! Piper is up, Mia dodges and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, Nia breaks it! Mia drags Nia up to fire hands, then she fires hands on Piper! The fans rally, Mia runs, but into double guzels! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Nia applauds, the fans boo, and Wade is apparently okay, but then Nia DECKS Piper! Nia dumps Piper out, drags Mia to a drop zone, then she goes up! The fans boo the A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, PIPER BREAKS IT! Piper and Nia go outside, and Piper POSTS Nia! Piper then runs to SPEAR Nia through the barriers!!
The fans go nuts as Piper proves she’s the more destructive powerhouse! Piper then storms over to Mia, she goes up the corner, VADER BOMB! But Jade is up!! Chicken wings on Piper, JADED for Piper!!! Cover, JADE WINS!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just as it looked like she was done for, Jade snatches this win away for her own! The Storm is in the semifinals, will she make quick work of The Prodigy, Roxanne Perez?
Naomi watches this backstage.
She’s not exactly pleased that Jade is advancing, but she’s also the one holding the Money in the Bank briefcase. Naomi heads for gorilla, what will she have to say about her huge victory? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Lexington fires up as Naomi heads to the ring! “Yes, I see some o’ y’all looking real surprised! Real shocked! Real stupid! I dunno why, because I told y’all I was done accepting scraps. I took what I deserve, and look at me now. Miss Money in the Bank! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” The fans are torn, but Naomi says what’s really funny is the entire time, when she was trying to beat Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship, y’know who was there with a briefcase to stop it? Y’know who distracted her? Who bashed her in the head?! It was Tiffany Stratton. “Too Nice Naomi” just let it happen. But the Naomi now aini’t lettin’ nothing sliding! She’s here for payback!
And when Naomi CLOCKS Tiffy Time in the head with this briefcase, it’ll feel so good when Naomi becomes the NEW WWE- Well, here comes Tiffany herself! The fans cheer as Tiff goes to the ring, and she grabs a mic to say, “You talk a big game, Naomi. So why don’t you just do it? Just cash in and take my title… right now.” The fans chant “DO IT! DO IT!” Tiffy says see, she’s still the same ol’ Naomi: all talk and no action. That is why Naomi never beat Nia. But please, prove us all wrong! The fans cheer, Naomi snarls, and she says, “Do I look stupid to you?! Do I look like Booboo the Fool? I ain’t gonna cash in on you now. I’ma cash in when you least expect it.”
Fans go, “What?” and Naomi shouts, “B*tch, you heard me!” Naoim says in the meantime, she will enjoy making Tiffy’s life HELL! Naomi says tick-tock, Tiffy, time is almost up! So Naomi strongly advises to #ProceedWithCaution. The fans are torn, but while Naomi holds up the briefcase, Tiffy holds up the belt. When and where will we see- WAIT! NIA is here! Nia and Tiff brawl, the fans fire up, and Nia shoves Tiff. Tiff DROPKICKS Nia’s legs, then DROPKICKS Nia in the face! Naomi runs up, Tiff DECKS her, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff! Nia may not be going to Riyadh, but she wants to get hers now! A-NIA-LATOR on Tiff!!
Naomi hurries back up, but Nia steps in the way! Nia tells Naomi to back off, so Naomi backs off. Will Nia get payback on the Wrestling Barbie before Naomi can? Or will Tiffy still have time on the clock?
Nick Aldis meets with the SmackDown Tag Division.
He thanks the Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom & DIY for coming to discuss the Wyatt situation. Johnny Gargano interrupts, saying this is a big decision. DIY feels this is a huge opportunity… for Fraxiom. Everyone else says they knew DIY would pull that. Fraxiom says they’re not afraid, but Tommaso Ciampa says if nothing else, the Street Profits should step up as the champions. Angelo Dawkins says bet, they’re already ready. Aldis suggests they all let him finish his explanation. Taking all this into account, MCMG are the veterans, so they will set the tone. They get the Wyatts tonight.
The others applaud and Dawkins says yes, set that tone. Will Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin be able to have an impact on the Wyatt Sick6? Or will the Motor City Machine Guns have no effect on what goes bump in the night?
Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis!
SmackDown returns as the lights go down and the fireflies come out. The chair and the lantern wait on stage as the Wyatts make their entrance. Uncle Howdy sits in the chair, Nikki Cross & Erik Rowan stay close, and Gacy & Lumis rush the ring! The fans cheer as the brawl is on! The bell rings, Gacy has Shelley while Lumis has Sabin! The ref reprimands, Gacy whips Shelley to a corner then CLOBBERS him! Lumis & Gacy whip Sabin, DOUBLE ELBOW, then Lumis drops an AX HANDLE! Gacy drops a SENTON! Cover, ONE!! Gacy drags Sabin up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Lumis.
Lumis brings Sabin around but Sabin swings. Lumis duck sot hit a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Sabin is tougher than that, but Lumis drags him up. Gacy tags in, they mug Sabin, and then Gacy whips. Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Gacy goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gacy BLASTS Shelley off the apron and he tags Lumis in. They get Sabin up, UPPERCUT and then a kick down low. Lumis wrenches Sabin, tags Gacy back in, and the mugging continues. They double whip, but Sabin breaks the double lariat! Gacy runs up but Sabin DUMPS him out! And then he TOSSES Lumis!
Tag to Shelley and MCMG set up! The fans fire up as the Machine Guns DOUBLE DORPKICK! Then they DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go Lumis & Gacy and the fans fire up! MCMG stare down with Rowan while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and both Shelley and Gacy are down. The fans rally, Shelley crawls, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin goes up to MSSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders, Lumis tags in, but Sabin dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Sabin whips, Lumis reverses but Sabin BULLDOGS! The fans fire up and Lumis staggers up. Sabin runs and GAMANGIRIS! Sabin drags Lumis to a cover, TWO! Howdy is antsy as Sabin tags Shelley. Shlley goes to the apron, Sabin follows, and MCMG DOUBLE SUPERKICK Lumis! Lumis sputters, MCMG drags him inside, and Shelley whips Lumis to the corner. LARIAT, then he tags Sabin!
Shelley clinches but Lumis ELBOWS free! Lumis trips Sabin up, then hurries to tag Gacy! Gacy runs in to handspring, and DOUBLE UPSIDE-DOWN!! Tag back to Lumis and they have Sabin! Whip and POP-UP POWERBOMB onto Sabin! The fans fire up as Lumis covers, TWO!! Sabin survives but Lumis snarls. Lumis watches Sabin stir, drags him up and wrenches to then whip him to the corner. But Sabin DROPKICKS Gacy! Lumis runs in, Sabin BOOTS him away, then Sabin runs up, DDT! Hot tag to Shelley! Lumis staggers up, Shelley whips, BIG atomic drop! Then the DREAM SEQUENCE!
The fans fire up with MCMG and Howdy doesn’t like that. Sabin tags back in, he drags Lumis up while Shelley climbs. Sabin turns Lumis but Gacy trips Shelley! Gacy HEADBUTTS Sabin, he and Lumis aim, HIGH LOW!! Cover off the superkick and leg sweep combo, but they ask Howdy for permission. “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH~!” Lumis goes up, Gacy CLOBBERS Shelley, and Lumis hits a SUPER LEG DROP!! Cover, The Wyatts win!
Winners: Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, by pinfall
The chaos is back and it is on top as Lumis & Gacy break the Machine Guns. Will they tear through the rest of the division until they’re the champions?
John Cena encounters Jimmy Uso backstage.
Cena and #BigJim stare down, and Cena asks if Jimmy has seen R-Truth. No, he hasn’t. Then has he seen Ron Killings? Listen, man… Jimmy ain’t seen either one of ’em. Cena says he knows Jimmy and Truth are close. So let Killings know that Cena’s going back to the ring, and he wants Killings to meet him there. Cena heads out, will Ron get the message? Will Cena get the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth?
SmackDown returns and…
“JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he goes right back to the ring, just as he promised. And he tells everyone to shut up! Cena paces and says, “There is a level of disrespect that I can tolerate. R-Truth, you just crossed the line!” The fans chant, “We Want Truth!” and Cena frowns. Cena says for once, he agrees. There is a time to talk and there is a time to fight, so Truth, get out here so they can fight! BUT WAIT! CM PUNK is here instead! Cena is stunned and maybe even a little scared to see Punk here on SmackDown. Punk goes right to the ring as the fans cheer, and he grabs himself a mic before sitting on the top rope.
The fans cheer Punk on even more and Punk asks, “Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Lexington, Kentucky or what?” The fans cheer that! And Punk asks Cena if he said something about disrespect. Cena is tired of being disrespected? “John, these people are tired of being disrespected! But now, CM Punk has a microphone, and I think you can trust when I say that we have yet to begin the reach the levels of disrespect that we are capable of.” Punk says for old time’s sake, he’ll give Cena a chance, the benefit of a doubt. Maybe Punk’s empathy is too much, too Obi-Wan talking to Darth Vader, hoping to see Anakin still in there.
So Punk will give Cena a chance in front of this legendary wrestling town. “Stop what you’re doing, let these people celebrate who and what you are, let them put you on a pedestal on your way out. Let them celebrate the sacrifices you have made for them and this business. Give them a happy ending!” Punk steps back and Cena steps up. Cena asks, “Why? Why would I waste my time?” The fans boo, but Cena says the people don’t matter, this place doesn’t matter, basketball doesn’t matter, horse racing doesn’t matter! THIS Undisputed Championship is the only thing that matters! So Cena is to eat crow to the same idiots wearing his shirt but singing Punk’s song? Fat chance!
Punk says okay, okay, let the record show that Punk and Lexington gave Cena an out. But now, let’s do it Cena’s way. Let the disrespect being. Ironically that is the Punk way! When the static hits and Cult of Personality plays through sold-out arenas, everyone knows it is about to get real. And ladies and gentlemen, watching and working at USA Network, it’s about to get real. Here’s the truth Cena wants so badly. The saying goes, “You tell a strong man a lie to offend him.” That’s why it pisses Punk off when Cena calls him the hypocrite. Conversely, you tell a weak man the truth and that offends him.
Fans chant, “We Want Truth!” Punk says the truth here is… Cena can’t beat Punk. When Punk is at his best, Cena never could. And now Cena wants to ruin wrestling? Well, Punk is going to take it upon himself to save it. Bare with Punk, because as always, he has a lot to get off his chest. That other thing about sociopathic confidence? Punk takes that as a compliment. Because it is that confidence that brought Punk to the mountaintop time and time again. Especially when people like Cena say they wanna see it but claim Punk didn’t have it. But Punk is not as confident as Cena, because Punk would never dress like a toddler who looks like he struck out at T-Ball.
The fans laugh, Punk says he wants that stricken from the record, because y’know who that sounds like? That sounds like the PG John Cena. Which is ironic, because right now, y’know who Cena sounds like, saying he’s gonna ruin wrestling, take the strap and go home… That sounds like C M PUNK! And yes, that is ironic. Cena is stealing Punk’s best material. Punk won that title, he left with the title, and Cena is trying to follow in those footsteps. Punk did it! He said he would and he did, and Cena couldn’t stop him. Cena thinks challenging Punk at Night of Champions is going to stop him? “John Boy, just like old times, here’s CM Punk to make your title run interesting.”
Here comes CM Punk to make John Cena’s retirement tour interesting! Watchable! Get the rocket fuel to fuel that private jet! Punk would go to MARS to beat Cena’s ass! Punk will follow Cena to Hell to prove he is better than Cena! But here’s more truth, it isn’t all bad. Cena IS a GOAT, but so is Punk. Punk beat Cena in Chicago, he beat Cena in Boston, and he will beat Cena at Night of Champions. Cena is the “Goat” that Punk will spit-roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling! Legends who actually belong on the Mount Rushmore! Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero! The AUDACITY of Cena to put himself on that mountain once, let alone all four times. What a joke.
The fans cheer but Cena smirks. Punk says here’s more truth: You can’t see me? No, Punk sees through him, and always has, and that’s the truth. Punk leaves Cena with that, and then KILLINGS STRIKES AGAIN!! And he puts Cena in the STF!! Punk mockingly says, “I’m sorry~! But the Truth hurts!” Cena suffers his own signature submission but security rushes out here! The fans boo as they drag Killings off Cena and Cena scrambles away! Cena hops and hobbles on one good leg, are the bridges he burned going to take them down with him?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron Saxton is with Lil’ Miss Bliss at gorilla, and notes that she took a tough loss at MITB. What is the mindset going into the future? Alexa says she’s won MITB, cashed in, made history, so she isn’t rattled. Tonight, she reminds everyone of who she is, and will be one step closer to becoming Queen of the Ring. But then in steps Charlotte Flair. And she says, “Sweetie, did you say, ‘Queen?’ There’s only room for one queen in this division. WOO~!” Charlotte makes her entrance first, but both she and Alexa will have to fight their way into the next round. Will it be either of them that moves forward? Or are they overlooking the Poison Pixie and the Firestarter?
Nick Aldis finds R-Truth/Ron Killings backstage.
Aldis asks Truth what the hell he’s doing, he can’t just keep jumping Cena like that! What’s Aldis supposed to do? Truth says he wants a match with Cena next week. Next week? Yeah. Done. Killings says he’s driving now! Will he run Cena right off the road?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS Alba Fyre!
SmackDown returns and Candice makes her entrance to join Charlotte, Alexa, and Alba. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The four watch each other, but Alexa and Charlotte stare down as they step up. Alba and Candice jump on them! Candice is after Alexa, Alba is after Charlotte, and they put the two in corners. Alba RAMS into Charlotte again and again while Candice stomps a mudhole into Alexa. Alba digs her boots in, Candice SPLASHES Alexa, and then Candice fires elbows. Charlotte CHOPS Alba, storms up to RAM Alexa into Candice, then Charlotte POSTS Alexa! Alexa tumbles out and the fans are torn for Charlotte.
Charlotte dusts herself off, then THROWS Candice into Alba! Charlotte drags Alba to a cover, ONE!! Cover on Candice, ONE!! Charlotte CHOPS Alba, CHOPS Candice, and repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! But then Candice grabs a leg, Alba BOOTS Charlotte down, and they mug Charlotte! Alba smothers Charlotte using her tie! Alba CLUBS Charlotte down, then she and Candice mug her, returning the CHOPS! Alba kicks Charlotte, she and Candice have Charlotte on the ropes, and they CHOP again! They double whip Charlotte, but Charlotte grabs ropes. Charlotte KICKS Candice, ROCKS Alba, then LARIATS Candice!
Alexa is back and she CROSSBODIES onto Charlotte! Cover, ONE! Alexa clinches, but Candice & Alba mug Alexa! Charlotte gets away while Candice bumps Alexa off buckles. Alba stomps Alexa, Charlotte DECKS Candice, and she DECKS Alba! Cover on Alba, TWO! Charlotte scowls as she stands back up. The fans rally while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Charlotte storms up on Candice, reels her in, but Candice fights the suplex. Alba joins in, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte! Cover, but Alba stops Candice. A parallel to Piper and Nia, we know how that turned out… But Alba & Candice still mug Charlotte together for now. Charlotte JAWBREAKERS Alba, dodges Candice, but Candice tilt-o-whirls to RANA! And then ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is tougher than that and that annoys Candice. Alba BLASTS Alexa off the apron, Charlotte RAMS Candice into a corner, but Alba CLUBS Charlotte down. Candice climbs the corner while Alba stands Charlotte up, but Charlotte ELBOWS free!
Charlotte BOOTS Candice off the corner, but Alba rolls Charlotte to BOOT her down! Cover, WTO! Alba seethes and throws her suit jacket at Charlotte. Alba stomps a mudhole into Charlotte, then stands on her hair! Alba salutes while Candice SMACKS Alexa off the apron. Alba pulls Charlotte’s arms and Candice SMACKS Alexa off the desk! Alba & Candice work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte, but Alba has Candice stay back. They drag Charlotte up again, but she ROCKS Alba and ROCKS Candice! Then repeat! Alba kicks low, Candice comes back, and they double whip Charlotte to a corner.
SmackDown returns to single picture as Charlotte goes up and out! She BOOTS Alba, RAMS Candice, then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Candice SMACKS Charlotte first! And SMACKS her again! Alba climbs up to join them, but Alexa sneaks in underneath! TOWER OF DOOM! The fans fire up and Alexa crawls to cover Charlotte, TWO! Alexa is frustrated but the fans fire up. Alexa and Candice stand, Alexa RUNS her over! She even RUNS Alba over! Alexa SLAPS Candice, DECKS her, then blocks Alba’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Charlotte runs up, Alexa clinches to S T O! And then INSULT2- NO, Candice makes it a CODE BREAKER SENTON!
Alba has Candice, wrenches and reels her in, GOURD BUSTER! But Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Candice hits NATURAL SELECTION!! Charlotte drags Alexa around, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! And the push-up into the FIGURE EIGHT! But Candice LIONSAULTS it all apart!! Alba SUPERKICKS Candice! Charlotte is up, Alba spins her around, Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up and Alba drags Alexa up. Alexa mule kicks, DDTS, and then hurries for a corner! Lexington cheers on Alexa, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, CHARLOTTE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but Charlotte TOSSES Alexa!
Alexa is on the apron, Charlotte BOOTS her down! But Candice rolls Charlotte! TWO!! Charlotte escapes, Candice ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, TWO!! Candice shows that toughness and Charlotte is frustrated. Charlotte has the legs, steps through, but Alba SUPERKICKS Charlotte! Alba roars, turns her, but Charlotte powers out of the Unpretty-Her! BOOT!! FIGURE FOUR!! Then FIGURE EIGHT!!! Alba endures, but Alexa catches Candice!! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, ALEXA WINS!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Charlotte lets go of Alba and is in disbelief! But Alexa smiles as she snatches this win right out from under Charlotte’s nose! Charlotte may call herself the queen, but will Alexa be the one to wear the crown?
Cody heads to gorilla.
And he crosses paths with Punk. Cody says they can’t run away from each other forever. Punk says he knows. But good luck tonight. After Night of Champions, we’ll see who’s chasing who. Cody moves on, but will he move on in the tournament? Or will the American Nightmare’s nightmare of losing that Undisputed Championship only get worse?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
SmackDown returns as the King of Strong Style makes his entrance, followed by El Idolo, leaving the Archer of Infamy for last. The bell rings and the fans rally. All four men are wary of each other, but Nakamura winds up, only to not say his signature “C’mon” to just bail out. But then Cody DIVES onto him! Priest swings on Andrade, Andrade dodges to WRECK Cody! Priest KICKS, KICKS, and ROLLING ELBOWS Andrade! Priest winds up, Andrade dodges, FLYING FOREARMS! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies the fans with ‘SI! SI! SI!” But Cody stops Cien Knees to take an elbow!
Priest mule kicks Andrade, then suplexes for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop- BELL CLAP from Priest! But Cody rebounds to LARIAT Priest up and out! Priest drags Cody out, they brawl, and Cody SMACKS Priest off the apron! Nakamura FLYING KNEES Priest! Nakamura kicks Cody, ROCKS Priest, they all brawl outside, but Andrade goes up! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and everyone is down while the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture!
All four men stir and Andrade is first up. Andrade puts Nakamura in the ring, covers, TWO! Andrade whips Nakamura to a corner, runs in, but Nakamura dodges! Andrade’s knee hits buckles and he tumbles out! Nakamura goes after Andrade to put him on the apron, and then runs to KNEE Andrade down! Priest and Cody brawl in the ring, and Priest ROCKS Cody to a corner. Priest whips, Cody reverses to kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody whips, Priest reverses, and Priest runs up, only for Cody to go up and over. Priest feints running up so Cody’s snap powerslam gets nothing! Priest then KICKS Cody down!
Cody sputters but Priest is on him. Priest ROCKS Cody again, Nakamura stomps Andrade, then Nakamura KICKS Priest! Nakamura fires off fists and kicks in the corner, so Andrade rolls Cody! TWO, and Cody powers Andrade to a corner. Cody climbs up to rain down fists, only for Andrade to slip out at nine and YANK Cody down! Nakamura brings Priest around but Priest DECKS him! Priest stomps away on Nakamura, then he goes over to Andrade, Priest stands Andrade up to DECK him! Cody SMACKS Nakamura off the desk! Priest drags Andrade up while Nakamura SMACKS Cody off the desk! Priest ROCKS Andrade, then he has Cody in another corner.
Nakamura fires off on Andrade, Priest digs his boots into Cody, and then Nakamura bumps Andrade off buckles. Cody turns things around on Priest to CHOP, but that just pisses Priest off. Priest DECKS Cody! Cody sputters, Priest puts him in the corner, but Nakamura fires off strikes on Priest! Nakamura has Andrade on the top rope, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Nakamura runs in for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Andrade falls to the floor, but then Priest runs up! Nakamura dodges, runs back in, and he blocks boots to ROUNDHOUSE Priest! Nakamura puts Priest in the ropes to SLIDING GERMAN!
Nakamura hurries back in while fans fire up. Cody swings, misses, but then Cody ducks a roundhouse, only for the WHEEL KICK to hit! The fans fire up as Nakamura gives Cody some BAD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura goes corner to corner and the fans rally. Cody dodges, Nakamura hits buckles, and Cody grabs a leg! Cody trips Nakamura, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Nakamura endures, fights the main leg, but Andrade is up top! FROG SPLASH onto Cody! Nakamura is free, but then Priest JUMP KICKS Andrade! Priest drags Cody up, ROCKS him, and then runs to ELBOW Andrade! ELBOW for Cody! SHOULDER TACKLE for Andrade!
The fans fire up for Priest and he goes to the outside, to leap off the steel steps and AX HANDLE Nakamura! Priest puts Nakamura back in the ring, drags him up at the ropes, and he knuckle locks so he can climb! The fans cheer as Priest goes Old School, only for Cody to jump up after him! But Priest then grabs Cody in a guzel! Nakamura trips them both up! Nakamura CLOBBERS Priest, Andrade rolls Nakamura, TWO! Andrade swings, but into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! The fans fire up as Cody DIVING SPLASHES! Cody TOSSES Nakamura, covers Andrade, TWO! Cover again, TWO! Cody is frustrated but he goes outside.
The fans fire up as they sense what’s coming! Cody brings out a TABLE! Cody sets “Slim Jim” up at ringside, goes back to the ring for Andrade, and he lines up the shot. But Andrade hooks the ropes to block! Andrade suplexes but Cody blocks! They fight for control, but Priest CLUBS Andrade. Priest and Cody stare down, but they decide to work together! The fans fire up as they hoist Andrade up, but Nakamura makes the save! Only to INVERTED EXPLODER Andrade! DYNAMIC DROPKICK and Cody falls through the table! Cody snaps into a Slim Jim and the fans go nuts! Nakamura goes outside while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nakamura fetches Priest, brings him over, but Priest blocks the desk smack to ROCK Nakamura! Priest SMACKS Nakamura off the desk now! And again! Priest brings Nakamura around to DECK him, but then Andrade CLUBS Priest! Andrade SMACKS Priest off the desk, then he and Nakamura actually work together to BOOT Priest onto the desk! But they’re not done as they TOSS Priest over the desk! Wade got outta there this time! Andrade then clears off the desk! Nakamura & Andrade bring Priest around to TOSS him over barriers! Then Nakamura CLOBBERS Andrade! Nakamura applauds his trickery before putting Andrade in the ring. Nakamura covers, TWO!
Nakamura is annoyed and he KICKS Andrade in the side. Andrade sputters but Nakamura paces. Andrade rises to CHOP! Nakamura dusts himself off to KICK Andrade down! Andrade stands but into KNEES and KICKS! Andrade blocks one, but not the ENZIGIRI! Andrade ends up in a corner, Nakamura whips corner to corner, but Andrade reverses. Andrade runs up, Nakamura puts him on the apron, but Andrade ROCKS him! Andrade climbs, but Nakamura ROCKS him! Nakamura climbs now but Andrade fires back! They brawl up top, and Andrade HEADBUTTS Nakamura down! Nakamura GAMANGIRIS in return!
SmackDown returns to single picture again as Nakamura climbs back up. Priest returns to CLUB Nakamura! He has Nakamura in the crucifix, but Nakamura fights free! Priest drags Nakamura down, Nakamura fires a strike fest! Priest clinches to FLATLINER! Andrade MOONSAULT DOUBLES! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura LARIATS! Andrade BOOTS! Nakamura PELES! These three are down, and Cody rises from the wreckage! The fans fire up for Cody as he drags himself into the ring. Cody runs up to LARIAT Andrade! And LARIAT Nakamura! Cody whips Priest, Priest reverses, but Cody goes up and over, and this time, SNAP POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up and Cody blocks Andrade’s kick to then run and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody catches Nakamura, Nakamura drops down to UP KICK! Snapmare and SLIDING KNEE! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT!! Priest has Andrade, Andrade schoolboys him into buckles! The fans fire up, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, CIEN KNEES for Nakamura! Then Andrade goes again, CIEN- NO, Priest has Andrade by the neck! Andrade breaks free to CHOP, but Priest ROCKS Andrade! Andrade comes back, SHADOW ELBOW! THE MESSAGE!! Cover, NAKAMURA AX KICKS IT APART! Nakamura drags Andrade up, but Andrade ROCKS him first!
Nakamura snarls and ROCKS Andrade back! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Andrade CHOSP! Nakamura KICKS! Nakamura CLUBS Andrade, KNEES him low, but Cody is back! Cody dodges Nakamura, to DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Not the cleanest but it didn’t need to be! Priest kicks Cody low, reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Cody slips free! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Priest tumbles out of the ring and Cody roars! He catches Andrade, CROSS RHODES!! And then he drags Andrade up again, only for Nakamura to clamp on a SLEEPER!! Cody flails, claws at the grip, but Nakamura dragon sleepers!
Nakamura vows to end this, but Cody flips that around on him! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Lexington cheers and sings with Cody’s song as he comes out on top! We know Sami Zayn and Randy Orton are one semifinal match, but Raw will determine the other! Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed, or MAIN EVENT JEY USO, who survives to then meet Cody in the next round?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with a lot of action from doing all the SmackDown Fatal 4 Ways in the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments. And each Fatal 4 Way was great, because Fatal 4 Ways always lend themselves to fast, chaotic action. Great opening promo from Cena with Cody, Orton and Knight to help segue into the first match, but also great stuff with R-Truth going after Cena. Orton winning was a bit of a surprise, and makes for a very interesting match with Sami Zayn. I suppose Sami going hard against Orton and finding a sneakier way to win could go with how Karrion Kross has been working to bring that side out of Sami.
Jade winning her match made sense, as Piper is still just Chelsea’s sidekick and Mia isn’t quite at that QOTR top title level. It also puts her in line with Naomi’s story of being Miss MITB, because Naomi can mess Jade over in a title match just as much as she can Tiffany. Very good promo from Naomi with Tiffany to tease a cash in, but also set up Tiffy VS Nia one more time. Chelsea also had a hilarious video call promo, and good on Aldis to stand up to her by putting Alba in the match instead. Alexa winning was only a little surprising, as she’s on that return push. And it makes for a fresh match-up no matter who from Raw wins the final Fatal 4.
Awesome main event Fatal 4 but I figured Cody would win, as it makes for a unique match-up of Cody VS Jey. Jey being put in was a bit of a surprise, but perhaps the wrestlers we’re waiting to return (Roman Reigns, but maybe even Ilja Dragunov) just aren’t ready yet. And given Bronson & Bron screwed Knight over, Knight will surely show up on Raw again to keep that feud going. Sheamus and Rusev have their own story, so Jey is the default choice. I almost feel like they should’ve flipped the brackets so that it would give us Orton VS Cody and Sami VS Jey in the semifinals, but those combos probably serve for stronger finals matches.
Very good stuff with the tag division, but MCMG VS Gacy & Lumis could’ve been a bit better. Part of the problem that comes with the Wyatts being gone away so long is that there might be some ring rust. Lumis & Gacy were on point, but they needed time to coordinate some things first and that slowed the overall pace down. The Wyatts won, of course, and will likely deal with Fraxiom next, what with DIY volunteering Fraxiom and Profits ahead of them. Then, Cena and Punk had a great promo, with it mostly being Punk tearing into Cena. Surprisingly, no allusions to Punk’s incendiary comments from years ago, but that’s very Punk of Punk.
And Killings going after Cena again was great stuff. Cena VS Killings will be a great match next week, and Cena probably rubs it in that he’s using one of his precious final appearances was used to beat Truth again. Though, to build Killings up, I would think they find a way for him to win that “isn’t definitive,” like a count out victory or some kind of disqualification. I was hoping for an R-Truth celebration at Saturday Night’s Main Event akin to Lex Luger over Yokozuna, but maybe that happens next week.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
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!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.12.2025
DO SOMETHING WITH JASON HOTCH AND KC NAVARRO – that is all.
So Against All Odds…was barely passable and that’s only with Xanax. The Knockouts title match was awful, the 4 Man “Home Town Man” was stupid and the only good part was remixing the old Jerry Lynn & AJ Styles “Born in the USA” theme for Home Town Man. Maclin needs to stop having brawls, they’re boring, give him a bump guy. Kaibas and Rascalz was underwhelming. Santino vs Robert Stone was funny, Elias vs Trick was too chalk and lame. IInspiration (IIconics) returning was big news at least. Hendry losing to Kaz was also obvious since Kaz hasn’t won a match in forever.
The show dragged, and as much as I usually like Masha’s wrestling ability…her last 3 title matches have sucked and its not her opponents fault. Killer Kelly returning is sexy though…I mean, good. Yes, good. Saving the best for last, Mustafa Ali vs Jason Hotch was the best match of the show, and really damn good in general. Workrate was great, Tasha and Skyler being conflicted and popping for Hotch when he was doing well was great character work. Hotch looked amazing in the loss, if they don’t capitalize on it, that would be a huge screw up from TNA.
Not really sure what kind of shows we’ll be getting, and I’m not excited.
.@MATTHARDYBRAND and @JEFFHARDYBRAND have a message for FIR$T CLA$$ ahead of TONIGHT's MAIN EVENT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/mTnNBEFBcb
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Ratings:
- The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes: IInspiration wins via Idolizer – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater: Leon wins via Swanton 450 – ** 3/4
- 8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz: Indi wins via Hurts Don’t It – ** 3/4
- Indi Hartwell vs Killer Kelly vs Jody Threat vs Tasha Steelz: Kelly wins via Hurts Don’t It – ***
- Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz: Hardyz win via DQ – ***
Results:
Santino opens the show informing Santana of a suspension, kicking Robert Stone out and recapping his victory party before introducing the IInspiration for their first match back.Â
The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes
A bit of talking and pandering from IInspiration, they’re dominating the jobbers and there’s not much to discuss here. They do the IIconics Pose and actually keep the control. Cassie pulls off some kind of Butterfly Facebuster which looks cool, Jess comes in and the Jobbers cheat a little to take over. Jess tags in Cassie and Scorpion Kick, decent comeback, corner Hip Attacks, Neckbreaker, Jumping Kick to the Head into Fisherman’s Suplex Hold for 2. Idolizer (Magic Killer variant) is hit and IInspiration win, and didn’t look bad. Cassie (Peyton) is still the better wrestler of the two, but neither looked bad.
Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater
I don’t hide the fact I heavily dislike Slater. He has no personality, he’s all flips, no ability to talk…he’s boring. He’s ROH Will Ospreay or Flip Gordon, does flippy crap to pop morons but he’s a worthless character. Since he wants to become the Youngest X Division champion, and they’ve talked about for like the last 7 months…sadly it’s probably going to happen.Â
Chain wrestling start and Hotch already looks like the better wrestler. Hotch is on his SANADA in LIJ arch where he looked great losing to the leader, falls back in line but then he hits a Spinning Overhead Kick for a near fall, so I’m not allowed to finish my thought because Hotch is fun to watch. Leon is such a bad wrestler…he held the rope and looked back to take a forearm shiver, the nerd had to watch it to sell it. Man’s not talent.
Hotch has Leon in an Arm Iso Cravat, Leon tries to fire and then Hotch keeps him down. Leon counters a Slingshot Suplex into his own Final Cut to get space to breathe. Double sell, Leon leap frogs, then rope runs, Lariats and Lethal Injection from Leon for 2. Hotch is so fluid, dodges the corner attack, rope assisted side kick, Outside In Neckbreaker for a near fall! Hotch will probably lose, but he looks like the better wrestler by miles. Heavy Irish Whip counter from Leon, into Blue Thunder Bomb. Leon goes to the top, Hotch cuts off, Leon dodges, hits the Knife Edge Chop and they wrestle on the apron, Front Kick from Hotch sends Leon into the post, Double Stomp onto the apron, Hotch wants a finish but counter, Cradle trades and then Hotch gets caught by a Leg Lariat, Swanton 450, selling from Leon was spotty and bad during this whole match.
Fun moments but the wrong kid died…
.@MeanGiaMiller gets Tessa Blanchard's thoughts ahead of TONIGHT's 8-4-1 Match!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/kurcKH2vtH
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz
Dani and Jody start, so at least there’s a measure of story telling, but I still detest Jody. Sloppy counter wrestling start, Jody stops herself from punching Dani and tags in Tasha. Tasha pauses and jaws to her team and gets Back Body Dropped by Dani, Dani tags in Xia and Tasha pokes her eyes immediately and lights up Xia. Xia fights back, Rope Assisted Headscissors, Crossbody and near fall. Xia tags in Rosemary and Rosemary looks at her like death, then Rosemary goes after Xia, but a Codebreaker from Tasha gives space to tag in Kelly. Kelly kisses Rosemary and then they brawl in full mount. I’m not sure if I clicked the orange website or TNA…oh there’s a Lariat…it’s wrestling again.
Jody doofus tags in, the crowd wants Indi, no one wants Jody and Rosemary Upkick, Drop Toe Hold, Tessa tags in, works over Jody, Jody tries to go to the top, Victoria Crawford fka Alicia Fox trips her, Tessa gets the momentum back, a bunch of distraction and Tessa tags in Dani. Then Dani tags out to Rosemary. Whip, Rosemary misses the Spear, Tessa tags herself in and they’re keeping Indi out of the ring. Tessa crashes and burns as Jody dodges and fights back. Rosemary tags in, Indi gets the tag. Bunch combo, Spinebuster, Dani breaks the pin and now signature spam spot.
Indi is the last on to hit her moves, Hurts Don’t It takes out Rosemary after Tessa just walks out.
Indi Hartwell vs Jody Threat vs Killer Kelly vs Tasha Steelz
Commercial happened and we’re back and it’s Indi vs Jody. Jody takes her down with a Shoulder Tackle, Jody hits the Exploder, and Indi finally stalls some of the offense, Indi throws Jody into the ropes and Jody takes it bad. Jody Drop Toe Hold, looking for her Knees into German spot, but Kelly pulls her out, Tasha tries to pick the bones but Kelly comes in and attacks Indi. Tasha and Kelly have a heel agreement to gang up on Indi. Kelly goes for the pin, so hells are arguing, throw forearms, Kelly with the Double Overhooks, Headbutts, Angel’s Wings gets hit from Kelly but Tasha kicks out. Jody Crossbody takes out both heels.
Jody and Indi team up and 10 Count Lariats on the Heels, pop spot for the crowd since Indi is in the driver’s seat, Simultaneous Lariats each other and everybody down. Mickie James Bulldog from Tasha but Jody pushes her off, Indi tries the Cradle for two. Indi misses the Boot, eats a German. Tasha hits the Mickie Bulldog, but Jody kicks out. Indi grabs Tasha, Hurts-nope. Tasha wanted Blackout, Indi says no, Hurts Don’t It, but Kelly takes out Indi and steals the pinfall. Kelly wins.
.@TheEricYoung will see @TheSamiCallihan NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmMmT pic.twitter.com/NtKjpYIIRa
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz
AJ charges before the bell, Hardyz dodge and Lariat AJ to the floor and work over KC with their usual Arm Bar Extreme Elbow, Delete Arm Breakers and Back Elbow Hardyz combo. AJ tries to get back in and the Hardyz attack, Poetry in Motion, AJ is back to the outside. Commercial break time, I wonder if the heels will be winning coming back…OH no, Jeff is still isolating KC. Pleasantly surprised I suppose.
Arm Wringer, simple offense, Jeff tags in Matt, Stalling Tandem Suplex and Matt covers, only 2. Matt with Short Arm Shoulder Tackles, close quarters forearms and the Rocket Launcher into the middle rope followed by a Leg Drop onto the apron, KC keeps kicking out but he’s getting dog walked. Stomps into Splash, KC needs to tag out, but Jeff stays on him, AJ finally pulls out Jeff, KC flies into Jeff and tags out. Finally AJ gives KC a break and bends Jeff back in a Bow and Arrow Stretch. Jeff tries the comeback, AJ pulls the hair to throw him down, stomps his face and AJ is manhandling Jeff as KC is sucking wind. Little Bro deserves a big break.
Tennessee Whiskey from AJ, connects and “Money, Money, Money”. AJ gets a little distracted trying to one up Matt, Jeff hits two Twists, and tags in Matt, so Delete Face Smashes and AJ is getting rocked. AJ reverses the Irish Whip, but Back Elbow from Matt into a Middle Rope Side Effect. Trick Williams comes out to attack the Hardyz. Hardyz win via DQ, but then Hendry and Elijah come out for the save. System is out…old school TNA donnybrook.
Overall Score: 5.5/10
The ring work was mediocre at best, but nothing miserable. Cassie and Jess look like they never missed a beat, take that for what you will if you loved or hated the IIconics. Trick solidifying his alliance with First Class makes for interesting cross promotion. If Fir$t Cla$$ ends up with the NXT Tags while Trick is the TNA Champ…that’s…a pretty neat visual I ain’t mad at. Yes I’m bias because KC is awesome, but AJ has done good work in TNA, so he deserves some flowers. Tessa keeping Victoria Crawford in the Robert Stone ejection is wonderful. I’ve always loved Alicia Fox and teaming her with Tessa is very interesting for the obvious reasons I don’t need to mention again, just search Twitter, you’ll understand.
Sami looks like a doofus getting sideswiped, Jay-SANADA Hotch is the best thing TNA has right now for home grown talent. Slater is still useless but oooo he can flip…I hate no personality flip-tards. Indi getting screwed sets things up nicely to not push her too quick to the top of the card, but she’s very over. The lack of Lei Ying Lee is annoying since I really don’t think the poor match was her fault. Also, putting her in a throwaway tag match against the Elegance girls next week? TNA really doesn’t know what to do with Lei, do they? She’s been mishandled the entire time since debut.
So even with my nitpicks, there were a lot of building blocks in the show. Hell Tessa insulting Gia is also probably something brewing…but I’m glad we didn’t lose Gia when we lost Ace. Gia is the best backstage interviewer since Lauren Brooke. So very middle of the road show, either things will get slightly better going to Slammiversary, or it’s the calm before the storm. We…shall see.
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)Â
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 PodcastÂ
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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