Will Houston be Undisputed?

While The Son of Texas, Dustin Rhodes, is in action in Houston, the big attraction is a Trios Triple Threat: Undisputed Kingdom VS 2Point0 VS Shane Taylor Promotions!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Trios Triple Threat: The Undisputed Kingdom VS Daniel Garcia & 2Point0 VS Shane Taylor Promotions; The Undisputed Kingdom wins.
• Bandido VS Bryan Keith; Bandido wins.
• Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS Ares Alexander, Jay Alexander & Brick Savage; LFI wins.
• Dustin Rhodes VS Izzy James; Dustin wins.
• Thunder Rosa VS Penelope Ford; Rosa wins.
• Mariah May VS Shay Carmichael; Mariah wins.
• Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe speaks.

“Tonight, it’s Kyle Fletcher, Mark Briscoe. Kyle, I know your type! You can’t handle your own business! You run around with that pack of wolves, the Don Callis Family! Hey, bring the whole family, line ’em up, I’ll knock ’em down! Tonight, it’s your ass! RAH RAH RAAAH!”

Kyle Fletcher speaks.

“Tonight, I am on a mission. A mission to right a wrong. Now Mark, I want you to see the entire Family is her tonight, because they will not be getting involved. I’ll do this on my own, because even on your best day, you do not come close to the Protostar’s level.” Brian Cage & Lance Archer seem confident, but newest Family member, Mark Davis, seems conflicted. Will the Aussie Arrow really shoot down the Sussex County Chicken this close to Grand Slam: Australia?

Someone chucks security!?

It’s Marina Shafir! And that’s because she’s leading the way for Jon Moxley! The fans boo as The Maniac throws a fit, but then Marina snatches a mic for him. Moxley says this show starts when he says it starts! And he is getting a little sick of the Rated R Superstar! Adam Copeland wants a shot at the AEW World Champion? Mox bets he does. Cope thinks he can throw his weight around, but he can’t! He has no power here! Moxley has a list of 1000 reasons why he won’t give Cope a title shot. The fans boo, but Moxley says he has 1000 reasons, but we’ll stick to the simplest one: Moxley doesn’t like Cope.

Moxley doesn’t like anything about Cope! Cope doesn’t know a single thing about Moxley, or about AEW, or about being AEW World Champion. Cope can take his challenge and stick it up his ass! But if it’s a fight he wants, Moxley will do it any time, any place! Here at the Marriott, in Toronto, in Cincinnati, in Asheville, or even next week on Collision in Australia! Let’s do that! Bring Jay White and Mox will whoop his ass, too! Bring that half-broken neck, bring White, and Moxley will whip both their asses! They just better hope and pray that Moxley has the grace to let them walk out of Australia on their own two feet!

If Mox decides it’s time to break Cope’s neck, Cope ain’t coming back! Moxley then drops the mic and storms off, Marina following him out. Is that Moxley making a threat? Or is he just trying to avoid a title match he might lose?

Trios Triple Threat: The Undisputed Kingdom VS Daniel Garcia & 2Point0 VS Shane Taylor Promotions!

Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong want to prove they’re the strongest trio in AEW, so they’ll be taking on some strong competition! They got the better of Red Death, Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ange, and they got the better of Shane Taylor and The Infantry, but can they beat both teams at once? Or will tonight be anything but undisputed?

The trios sort out, and in this kind of Triple Threat, only two teams are legal. Roddy and Shane start, they tie up, and Roddy slips around to a headlock. Shane blocks on size alone, and he THROWS Roddy away! Roddy comes back to CHOP! Roddy CHOPS again, bobs ‘n’ weaves, but Shane blocks a shot to JAB! Shane talks trash, whips Roddy to ropes, but Roddy ducks ‘n’ dodges. Roddy then stops to BOOT Shane, ENZIGIRI, and he tags Kyle. Roddy & Kyle CHOP and KICK on repeat! They double whip Shane, but Shane DOUBLE LARIATS back! The fans are torn but Shane taunts Cole with, “SHANE TAYLOR, B*TCH!”

The fans boo but Shane puts Kyle in the STP corner. Tag to Carlie Bravo, he tags Shawn Dean, then Dean sends Carlie in to forearm SMASH! Then the repeat, forearm smash! Dean adds an ELBOW, then a LARIAT! Dean covers, ONE, but Dean keeps Kyle with a facelock. Dean whips, Kyle grabs ropes, Daddy Magic tags in! Kyle kicks Carlie back, then Kyle and Menard DOUBLE SHOULDER Carlie! They argue now, but Dean SHOVES Menard into Kyle! Kyle tumbles out, Dean ROCKS Menard, then whips. Menard reverses and ELBOWS Dean down! The fans fire up for Daddy Magic and he fires up with them!

Menard CHOPS Dean, pushes him to the open corner, then he tags Parker. Parker whips Menard so Menard can send Parker in, forearm SMASH! Drop toehold! BOOYAH ELBOW! The fans fire up and Parker brings Dean around for a whip. Parker ROCKS Dean, whips again, and ROCKS Dean once more! Dean whips, Cole tags off Parker, Parker sends Dean into a BOOT! Cole and Parker fist bump in respect, Menard jumps on commentary real quick to say this is some 2-for-1 action tonight! Collision is live from coast to coast like butter on toast! Cole fireman’s carries Dean, Dean fires forearms, and Dean RAMS Cole into the STP corner!

STP mugs Cole, the fans boo, but Menard says this is what he’s talking about. Dean tags Carlie, the Infantry brings Cole out to scoop, but Cole slips free! Cole shoves Dean into Carlie, Garcia tags in! The fans fire up as the TNT Champion rallies on the Infantry! Menard is all fired up as Garcia rains down fists on Dean! But Carlie makes the save, only for Garcia to add Carlie to it! Garcia rains down fists on The Infantry, and he goes to nine, winds up, and hits TEN! The fans fire up again, but here comes Shane! Garcia says bring it! Shane swings, Garcia ducks to fire back! Garcia then gets around but Shane fights the saido!

Shane CLUBS Garcia, Dean trips him, and then Dean SLAMS Garcia on the apron! Carlie goes to the apron for a GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP! Menard hops off commentary to reinforce his team, but Shane still hits a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! STP stands tall and talks trash while Collision goes picture in picture.

Shane drags Garcia up, whips him hard into railing, and Garcia flounders to the commentary desk. The Infantry drags Garcia up, but Menard & Parker rush in! They all brawl, the ref reprimands, but Carlie puts Garcia in. Carlie JABS Garcia again and again in the corner, then pops, locks and CHOPS! Garcia sputters, Shane tags in, and they put Garcia in the open corner. Shane stomps Garcia, stands him up, then CHOPS! Garcia is stinging again but Shane stands over him. The ref reprimands, Shane backs off just to talk trash on the other teams. Shane stands Garcia up, but Garcia fires forearm after forearm! Shane’s BODY SHOT takes Garcia right down!

Tag to Dean, he and Shane mug Garcia, then Dean stands Garcia up. Menard rallies the fans but Dean CHOKES Garcia on ropes! Dean lets off, and Carlie gets a cheap shot in! Dean covers, TWO! Dean tags Shane, Shane stomps Garcia, then Shane stalks Garcia to ropes. Carlie talks trash on Garcia while Shane stands him up. Garcia fires forearms and CHOPS! Garcia runs, but Shane CLOBBERS him! Shane shakes his head, talks trash on 2Point0, then he drags Garcia up. Shane mockingly holds out Garcia’s hand to The Undisputed Kingdom, then he scuffs Garcia. Shane slaps Garcia around, and Collision returns to single picture.

The fans rally for Garcia as Shane stands him up. Garcia fires forearms! The fans fire up, but Shane ROCKS Garcia! Shane scoops, but Garcia slips free! SAIDO!! The fans are thunderous while Shane and Garcia are both down! Garcia crawls, but The Infantry YANK Menard & Parker down! The fans boo, but Carlie tags in to drag Garcia up. Garcia JAWBREAKERS free! Dean tags in, he snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! Garcia JAWBREAKERS again! Carlie tries, Garcia dodges, hot tag to Kyle! The Violent Artist BOOTS Carlie, then he tags Roddy! STRONG KNEE for Dean! Tag to Cole, SUPERKICK for Shane! Then they DOUBLE LARIAT Shane up and out!

The fans fire up as Cole rallies on Carlie! BOOT and Carlie falls again! Cole fireman’s carries Carlie for the USHIGOROSHI! The fans are fired up again, Strong KNEE for Dean! Kyle suplexes, CHASING THE DRAGON! Cole gives Carlie the GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, MENARD BREAKS IT! Roddy CLUBS Menard, Menard hits a CUTTER! Kyle hits AX & SMAHS on Menard, Parker has Kyle in a Gory Especial! GORY BOMB for Kyle! But Dean hits a TIGER BACKBREAKER on Parker! Garcia DROPKICKS Dean! Shane blocks Garcia’s kick to KNEE him down! Cole SUPERKICKS Shane down again!

The fans are thunderous with’ ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” But Carlie rolls him up! TWO!! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans are thunderous as all nine men are down around ringside! The trios regroup, “This is Awesome!” as they all rise up. Then it’s a brawl! The fans are thunderous as things spill out, but Parker blocks Cole’s kick! Menard joins in, they give Cole a DOUBLE DDT! Roddy runs up, 2Point0 gets him! But Kyle saves Roddy from the double DDT! They each knee low, then Roddy hoists Menard up! Kyle climbs, BACKBREAKER KNEE DROP COMBO! Garcia LARIATS Roddy!

Kyle fires off a strike fest on Garcia! Garcia avoids a sweep, clamps onto Kyle, but Kyle breaks free! Garcia CHOPS Kyle, then SAIDOS! The fans fire up again, but The Infantry runs up! They dodge Garcia’s double lariats, then fire off the Cap & Winter Soldier combo! Then TWO TO THE HEAD! But Parker BOOTS Dean, and baits Carlie into TOSSING him out hard! Shane is up to HEADBUTT Parker! Shane tucks Parker in, MARCUS GARVEY DRIVER!! But he gets a PENALTY KICK from Kyle! Then the Kingdom all aims at him! SUPERKICK, STRONG KNEE AND ROLLING ELBOW!! Shane falls and Roddy WRECKS him with a dropkick!

Kyle FLYING KNEES Shane on the outside, then they hit TOTAL ANNIHILATION to the floor! Carlie runs at Cole, Cole gets him with 52 Fake Out! Cole goes up, Carlie avoids the Panama Sunrise, only for a SUPERKICK to find him! Cole then brings down the kneepads, for THE BOOM!! Cover, Undisputed Kingdom wins!

Winners: The Undisputed Kingdom, by pinfall

It’s all about the Boom, and that makes this match undisputed! Garcia realizes he was too little, too late. Cole wants to show Garcia respect, but then THE DEATH RIDERS ATTACK! Namely, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli & Pac! The AEW World Trios Champions beat down everyone, but especially focus on The Kingdom! Cole, Kyle & Roddy want to be the best trio, but the titles belong to the Death Riders. Claudio has a mic to say, “I just came out here to personally congratulate you on your victory. But more importantly, to remind everyone who the real best trio is around here.”

Pac & Yuta sit Cole up and Claudio says sorry, Cole, he couldn’t hear that over the ass whopping they just gave his team. Cole says you picked the fight with the wrong trio! Oh, is that so? But then STRONG KNEE outta nowhere! The fans fire up as the tides have turned! Kyle has Yuta in an ANKLE LOCK, and Yuta TAPS! Cole sends Pac running, but Claudio drags Yuta to safety! The Death Riders regroup and retreat, but Cole grabs the mic. Cole says he is so damn sick and tired of the Death Riders thinking they can do whatever they want! Cole reminds us that he said in 2025, they’d prove themselves as THE BEST trio in AEW!

So next week, Cole looks to cash in on that promise! The fans like where this is going. Next week, Dynamite, FOR the Trios Championships, Undisputed Kingdom VS Death Riders! And Cole swears to God, he promises on everything he believes in, the Kingdom will whip some ass and become the champions! THAT is undisputed! TK calls in, that match is approved! Will Cole, Kyle & Roddy be the three that free these Trios Championships from the Death Riders?

FTR speaks.

Those three letters represent THE top guys in tag team wrestling. Whether AEW, ROH, NJPW, Mexico, and every major promotion across the world, these tow have been champions. For far too long, their greatness was forgotten, and they’ve taken a backseat to others. That ends now. The three letters, F T R, should represent the greatest team to ever do it. To make that a reality, they need to get the AEW World Tag Team Championships for a third time. Whoever are the champions, this message is for you. FTR is back. #TopGuysOut.

Backstage interview with Max Caster.

Alicia Atout is with Platinum Max and he makes sure to add, “Best Wrestler Alive.” Alicia brings up last Wednesday night, Caster provoking while his Open Challenge is ongoing. Caster says Hangman got angry at him when all he wanted to do was have his interview. The people wanna hear from the Best Wrestler Alive, and Hangman was taking forever. Caster simply asked Hangman to please hurry up, and Hangman got angry. That’s not how a man asks. Let’s not call him “Hangman,” this is “Hangperson.” And so if Hangperson wants to go a round with Caster, get in line, because his open challenge is going on. And thanks for mentioning that, Alicia.

So, who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive? We’re gonna see this week on Dynamite! Caster will show everyone that you can’t be better than the best, and that is a mic drop! He even drops Alicia’s mic to prove it. But will Caster regret leaving the door open to an angry Cowboy?

Bandido VS Bryan Keith!

Speaking of angry cowboys, The Most Wanted finally returns to in-ring action, and he’s up against The Bad Apple! Will Bandido clear a path back to the ROH World Championship? Or will the Bounty Hunter collect on that $200,000 Chris Jericho has promised?

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Bandido and Keith stare down, and then they fire forearms! The fans cheer this shootout, Bandido knees low, but Keith throws his poncho at him! Keith BOOTS Bandido down and the fans are torn. Bandido gets up, throws the poncho back, and he headlocks. Keith powers up to throw Bandido down! Keith runs, Bandido stays low, but Keith then whips him. Bandido dodges the boot, Keith dodges the handspring, but Bandido aims his finger gun. Keith swats it, Bandido dodges the lariat, to then slip around and arm-drag! Keith goes to a corner, but he dodges Bandido.

Keith runs back up, but Bandido pops Keith up! Bandido then throws Keith back, Keith rolls to his feet, but Bandido DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up while Keith shakes out the stars. Bandido storms up, LA MAGISTROL, TWO! Keith escapes, but Bandido drags him up. Keith CHOPS, the fans rally, and Keith pie faces Bandido. Bandido CHOPS Keith, then eggs him on. Keith CHOPS, Bandido CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Keith kicks low, whips Bandido to a corner, but Bandido goes up and out! GAMANGIRI! Keith staggers, Bandido goes up, and CROSS- SOBAT!! Keith takes Bandido outta the sky!

The fans are torn but Keith has a wild look in his eyes while Collision goes picture in picture.

Keith soaks up cheers and jeers while Bandido bails out. Keith slides out the side, runs in around the way, and he BOOTS Bandido down! Bandido sputters while Keith seethes. Keith stalks Bandido, refreshes the ring count, then he drags Bandido up. Keith puts Bandido in the ring, stalks him some more, then stands Bandido up. Bandido fires body shots, then whips Keith. Keith reverses, then runs to BULLDOG! That’s a very Jericho looking move! Bandido flounders, Keith whips him again, SLIDING him out to the floor! Bandido writhes but Keith has another wild look in the eyes. Keith soaks up some more heat while Bandido crawls to the ring.

Bandido stands, rolls in at 7 of 10, but Keith is on him with a rain of fists! The ref counts, Keith whips Bandido to ropes, and he FLAPJACKS Bandido down! Keith pushes Bandido to a cover, TWO! Bandido is still in this while Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and the two clinch. Keith power sup to EXPLODER, but Bandido makes it a sunset flip! TWO, and Keith runs up, into a KNEE! Bandido then UPPERCUTS, then goes up, up, and TORNILLO! The fans fi reup as Bandido then pops Keith up to a military press! ONE ARM! Then the SLAM!! Cover, TWO! Keith survives and Bandido is surprised, but the fans fire up again! Bandido feeds off that energy and aims at the ropes! Bandido runs, but Keith LARIATS Bandido first! Keith goes to a corner, aims at Bandido, and he runs in, only for Bandido to BOOT! Bandido goes up, Keith RISING HEADBUTTS!

Keith roars, the fans are torn, and Keith climbs! Keith and Bandido fight, but Keith ROCKS Bandido! Keith clinches on the top rope, for a SUPER EXPLODER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! The fans duel, and Keith rises! Keith storms up on Bandido to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP! The fans “WOO~!” and Keith fires up, but Bandido CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Then SUPERKICK! Keith ENZIGIRIS! Both men stagger, the fans fire up more, and both men stand back to back. They both turn around to look at each other, and they nod! They take five paces and go to the corners! Then they run up, DOUBLE SHOTGUN DROPKICKS!!

The fans are thunderous again, it’s a standing ovation in Houston! Keith rises first, but he and Bandido go forehead to forehead. They stand, and Keith underhooks the arms! Bandido wrenches out, but Keith ROCKS him! Keith runs, but Bandido scoops him! Torture rack and FLIPPING KNEE! Keith staggers, he isn’t asleep yet! But Bandido aims his finger gun, and BANG! Keith rises, into the BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, BANDIDO WINS!

Winner: Bandido, by pinfall

No prize money for the Bounty Hunter, this bandit is just that good! But will the Most Wanted get what he wants in a title match with The Nueve?

Backstage interview with “Powerhouse” Hobbs.

Lexy Nair is with Will Hobbs and says he asked for this time. What’d he like to say? Hobbs says hey to Big Bill, rubbing in that Keith didn’t collect his bounty. And guess what? Hobbs will be in Texas all week long. He’ll be looking for a fight, and maybe in Austin, Bill actually gives Hobbs a fight. Or maybe the Big Redwood is just a big baby. Hobbs has called out the rest of The Learning Tree’s Branches, will he cut them all down?

Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS Ares Alexander, Jay Alexander & Brick Savage!

Rush y Dralistico made their return, and they want not just Beast Mortos but ALL of AEW to understand, that when you mess with the bull, you get the horns! Will LFI look to stampede through the Trios Division now that they’re reunited?

The trios sort out, and the fans cheer on “RUSH! RUSH! RUSH!” Instead, we get Dralistico and Ares Alexander. But then Dralistico tags out to Mortos, and Mortos CLOBBERS Ares! And SMACKS him! Mortos whips Ares to then POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Tag to Dralistico, springboard CODE BREAKER! Tag back to Mortos, they BLAST Jay and Brick! The fans fire up as Dralistico tags Rush! Rush storms around, the fans cheer him on, “If you mess with the bull, you get the horns!” BULL’S HORNS!! Ares is almost sent out of the ring! Mortos pushes him back in, Rush covers, LFI wins!!

Winners: La Faccion Ingobernable, by pinfall

The other guys didn’t even get to tag in! And now LFI mugs Ares! Jay is furious that they’re doing this to his brother, so he and Brick get in! Brick DOUBLE CHOPS Dralistico & Mortos, only to get a CHOP, HEADBUTT, and SPIN KICK! Jay runs up, Rush blocks his knee to HEADBUTT him down! LFI deals with Brick and the Alexander Brothers with ease, but they’re not down! They beat Jay down, but here comes Komander! Wait, what can one do against there? He still springboards to FLYING POISON-RANA Mortos!! Then he dodges Rush y Dralistico to jump off Dralistico and RANA Rush! Then Komander fires off on Dralistico!

The SOBAT knocks Dralistico down, then he builds speed. But Dralistico trips Komander, YANKS him out, and then sends him back in for Rush. Rush CLAWS at Komander’s mask! The fans boo, but then the lights go down! And when the lights come up, it’s HOLOGRAM! LFI took him down, but he has rebuilt himself, rebooted the system, and “upgrade complete!” Four months away but he looks better than ever! SUPERKICK for Dralistico! Then he jumps over Mortos to DROPKICK Rush out of the ring! Then he tilt-o-whirls and DEJA VU RANAS Mortos! Mortos gets back up, but runs into a CRASH COURSE from Hologram!

Hologram and Komander stand tall together, then build speed! They DOUBLE TOPE CONJILO!! The brawling continues, and Rush has a chair! Rush wants to smash someone but the refs stop him! Rush snarls, drops the chair, but then he DECKS a ref!! The fans are torn but Jake the Snake will have to handle that fine for Rush. But will Rush’s rampage continue until LFI are on top of AEW?

Backstage interview with Megan Bayne.

Well, Lexy tries to get Megasus to respond, but she just keeps walking. Thunder Rosa is there to welcome Megan to AEW. Megan ignores the high-five so Rosa says okay, she’s not about that. That’s fine. So much for Southern Hospitality. Rosa tells Lexy that Megan is superbad, too. Megan just got here, and she’s so mad! But whatever, we’re in Texas! And everyone knows about Texas hospitality! And tonight, Ford gets that “hospitality” because Rosa will make sure she has a memory that lasts. Let’s get ready to kick some butt! Rosa is all fired up, will she wrangle Penelope Ford like it’s a rodeo?

Harley Cameron is in the ring.

The wild Aussie has a couple guitars and a big puffy pink jacket as she welcomes Houston to the Harley Halftime Show! Ladies and gentlemen, she didn’t come alone. Oh, no no! Please say hello to PUPPET MERCEDES! Harley takes off her jacket and turns around to reveal her Muppet of Mercedes Mone is riding in her backpack! The fans cheer and Harley says Puppet Mone is a tiny lil’ baby. Now to kick things off, here’s a song you may know too well. It’s called the Money Train. Harley starts strumming the guitar, and she sings a long R&B note. The fans cheer, Harley sings she wants to RIIIDE~ the Money Train~!

The phone lights come out already as Harley repeats “The Money Train” again and again, but then the REAL Mercedes Mone interrupts! Mone is wearing the TBS and NJPW Strong titles while carrying the Rev-Pro and Queen of Southside belts. Mone has a mic to ask Harley, “Are you stupid? Or are you dumb? Nobody came out here to watch the Harley Halftime Show!” NO, they’re all to see #FourBeltsMone. So Houstooooooon~! Please say hello to your C  E O! The fans boo instead. Mone tells Harley that she doesn’t know how many times she has to tell her, but she is nothing but a l- LEGEND!! Harley cuts Mone off there and the fans cheer.

And with that said, Harley would like to begin her second song! “Hello, it’s good to see you, Miss Mercedes Mone. You’ve got four belts? Well I’ve got one dream! So, what do you say~? You come out here tonight, cut me off, and if I’m being blunt. I think the way you’re acting, well, are a cuuunning woman~!” And Harley will say it now, Mone is just afraid to feel the WRATH! THE WRATH! THE WRATH! The fans join in, “FEEL THE WRATH!” and Mone sarcastically plays along, until she grabs the guitar! The fans boo but Mone tells Harley to shut up. Harley is so talented, super talented, but let’s get real. If there’s anything real about Harley!

Mone doesn’t know why Harley wants a match with Mone when that little puppet on her back can wrestle better. So Harley needs to get out of her ring, because Harley is NOT on Mone’s level. Harley has the fans on her side as she tells Mone, “You’ore right. You’re right.” Harley is new to this. She can only ever dream to achieve in her career what Mone already has in AEW. But Harley has fought so hard to be here where she is today, and she’s NOT stopping! The fans cheer that! Harley would love nothing more than to face Mone in Australia, in her home city in her home country! And for the TBS Championship!

Mone is a game changer, yes, but Harley has to admit. In Mone’s whole career, the most entertaining that she’s ever been… is when Harley had her hand up Mone’s puppet ass!! The fans fire up for that! But Mone SLAPS Harley! The fans boo, but Harley gets pissed now! Harley shouts FEEL THE WRATH, then she DECKS Mone with the mic!! Mone bails out, grabs a new mic, and with the fans chanting Harley’s name, Mone says if Harley wants her shot at Grand Slam, then she’s on! But one more thing: Mone can’t wait to embarrass Harley in front of her friends, her family, and show the world why she IS the CEO!

Mone leaves, but Harley is just fired up to have the match she wants! Will she also take that title off Mone to finally be the Face of TBS?

Lexy Nair moderates the Continental Championship face-to-face.

She has Buddy Matthews with her, but Kazuchika Okada is clearly absent. Lexy says this was meant to be the face-to-face, so if Buddy wishes, they can proceed. Buddy says go ahead. Lexy asks Buddy what it’d mean if- Oh, NOW Okada shows up. The Rainmaker takes his seat, gets mic’d up, and asks for a water. Lexy thanks Okada for taking the time to join them. She wants to ask about the title match, but Buddy says he’ll handle this. Buddy scoots up and says they’ll cut to the chase: “In Brisbane, Australia, you and I will face each other. Australia’s best versus Japan’s best. But I haven’t fallen for this BS comedy facade that you’re playing.

“See, I know what the real Okada’s all about, and I know what he’s capable of doing. But I’m not sure he knows what I’m capable of doing.” The people stand by Buddy. Australia stands by Buddy! So it is time for Buddy to beat Okada for that title. Okada needs to look Buddy in the eyes and say if he thinks Buddy believes this or this is just some fake facade that Buddy’s playing. Buddy and Okada both stand up, and then Okada laughs. “B*TCH!” Buddy fakes a punch and Okada flinches! Buddy pats Okada on the shoulder, and tells him, “I’ll see you in Brisbane.” Buddy leaves, the staffer shows up with the water, but Okada throws it down.

Okada is furious that Buddy got the better of him, but will Okada get serious once the bell rings?

Dustin Rhodes VS Izzy James!

The Natural is still fuming from everything MJF did and said just last Wednesday. Dustin looks to get his hands on that scumbag in Austin, but what will happen here in Houston? The bell rings, Dustin circles with Izzy and ties up. But then Izzy knees low, mocks the deep breath, then whips. Dustin slips around the lariat to then dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Dustin isn’t done, he hauls Izzy up to hit the FINAL RECKONING! Cover, Dustin wins!

Winner: Dustin Rhodes, by pinfall

And with that, Dustin grabs himself a mic! “Maxwell Jacob Friedman. You call yourself ‘The Devil.’ You’re not the devil. As I told you last week, I went to Hell, I looked at the Devil in his eyes, and I kicked his teeth in! And I ripped, teared, and crawled my way out! And the reason why is because I am a survivor! I AM the 56-year-old Last of My Kind! And Max, while you’re sitting at home in your recliner right now in Long Island, New York, I want you to know something. Every thing in your brain right now thinks that you’re gonna do to me, I’ve already done. Five DECADES. Blood, sweat, and tears, and passion, something you do not have!

“And guess what, Max? I am still here! Next week, in MY backyard of Austin, Texas, AEW Dynamite, I am going to drag you to hell, and you are gonna meet the actual devil! And I will give you a Texas sized ass whooping for the ages!” The fans like that! Dustin has a question for MJF: After MJF gets out of this business, will it remember him? Because it damn sure will remember Dustin! The fans are fired up, will MJF regret messing with this Son of Texas?

The Death Riders speak.

The Bastard says, “Finally, finally, finally! We have been the Trios Champions for what feels like an eternity, and there have been very, very few individuals who have had the guts, the bullocks, to stand up to the Death Riders. Well, gentlemen, we welcome your challenge. From true professionals, none the less. But understand this: We are the elite of the elite. And this week on Dynamite, we look forward to making an example out of you.” Claudio adds that the Kingdom has teeth, and he respects that. They have something worth the Death Riders’ time. Too bad the Death Riders will just have to pull those teeth out.

Claudio says they are the absolute BEST at this! Claudio leads the way out, and Yuta just adds a cocky grin. Will the Death Riders be unstoppable in their reign of terror?

Thunder Rosa VS Penelope Ford!

La Mera Mera is ready to rope ‘n’ ride, and she even has the Houston Texans’ Toro by her side! But will Rosa be running hot towards a title opportunity in the near future? Or will everything be superbad tonight?

The bell rings, Rosa and Ford circle, and the fans rally behind Rosa. They tie up, Rosa throws Ford down, and the fans rally up. Rosa wrenches, Ford wrenches back, and Ford hammerlocks. Rosa reaches back, headlocks, then spins through. Rosa hits a headlock takeover but Ford headscissors. Ford squeezes tight but Rosa kips free. The two stare down and the fans fire up. Rosa and Ford circle, tie up, and Rosa powers Ford to a corner. The ref counts, Rosa lets off, but then Ford ducks the chop to CHOP! Ford whips corner to corner, Rosa goes up and over, then she arm-drags Ford! And arm-drags again!

Rosa DROPKICKS Ford down, the fans fire up, and Rosa runs in, UPPERCUT! Rosa snapmares Ford, then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rosa drags Ford up, but Ford RAMS her into a corner! Ford RAMS Rosa again and again, then backs up. Ford runs back in, but Rosa BOOTS her! Rosa then goes up, but Ford ROCKS her first! Rosa falls to the apron! The fans boo but Ford goes up, up, and APRON KNEE DROPS! Rosa sputters, Ford soaks up heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Ford drags Rosa off the apron to send into barriers! Ford taunts Toro and the fans, then she stands Rosa up. Ford CHOPS Rosa, but Rosa turns things around! Rosa CHOPS Ford! Rosa slips into the ring, slides back out, but Ford kicks low and CLUBS Rosa down! Ford drags Rosa up and puts her in the ring, then pushes her to a cover, TWO! Ford is annoyed, but she stalks Rosa. Ford puts Rosa through the ropes and pulls her back against them! Rosa endures, the ref counts, but Ford stops at 4. Rosa flops down but Ford brings her back up. Ford CLUBS Rosa, whips her to ropes, but Rossa reverses! Ford wrenches back and clinches, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP!

Ford ties Rosa up into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Rosa endures, rolls to a cover, TWO! Ford lets Rosa go, but Rosa then reels her into a SEATED SURFBOARD! Rosa pulls, pulls, and pulls Ford back! Then Rosa stands to have the MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Rosa swings Ford, then DROPS her down! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns as Ford fireman’s carries Rosa, and she hits a GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Rosa stays in this and Ford grows frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Ford stands Rosa up to bump off buckles, and again, and again! Ford hits all three levels, then lets Rosa drop. Cover, TWO! Rosa goes back to the corner but Ford stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Ford steps off, and she handsprings, but Rosa moves! Ford POSTS herself and the fans rally with Rosa, Rosa runs up, ROCKS Ford, ROCKS her again, then winds up, to ROCK Ford yet again! Rosa runs to LARIAT Ford, then LARIAT again!

The fans fire up as Ford goes to ropes. Rosa runs side to side, for a DROPKICK! Ford sputters, Rosa hauls her up, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Ford survives and Rosa is frustrated. The ref checks Ford, she seems okay to continue, and she RAMS Rosa into a corner! And RAMS her again! And again! Ford roars, she runs back up, handspring and BACK ELBOW! Ford then LOCKS the face paint! Ford goes side to side, to BOOT! Rosa falls into the drop zone, then Ford goes up top. MOONSAULT FLOPS as Rosa moves! Ford flounders, Rosa drags her to a cover, TWO! Ford stays tough, but Rosa drags Ford up.

Ford JAWBREAKERS Rosa, then baits her into a drop toehold! Rosa is on the ropes, Ford runs and SHOTGUNS Rosa down! Ford then drags Rosa to the drop zone, only for Rosa to victory roll! TWO!! Rosa kicks Ford, ROUNDHOUSES her, then runs up to SHOTGUN her down! Cover, TWO! Ford survives and Toro can’t believe it! Rosa roars, hauls Ford up, but Ford fires body shots! Ford and Rosa trade forearms, and then Rosa CHOPS! Rosa swings, Ford goes Matrix! CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Rosa survives and Ford is beside herself! Ford drags Rosa up, fireman’s carries again, but Rosa fights free!

Rosa hits a BACKSTABBER, then she reels Ford in! Rosa tucks the arms, picks her up, TIJAUNA BOMB! Cover, Rosa wins!

Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall

Rosa says this one’s for Texas! But hold on, Megan Bayne is making her way out here? Rosa isn’t sure why The Megasus is stepping on her moment when all she wanted to do was welcome her to AEW. Megan goes right to the ring and Rosa says fine, bring it! Megan stares down Rosa, but then Ford CLOBBERS Rosa! Ford dribbles Rosa off the mat, CHOKES her, HAMMERS her, but Megan just lets her! The fans boo, and Ford leaves the scrapes for Megan. Megan takes her headdress off, picks Rosa up, and fireman’s carries! “BOW DOWN!” F5!! Megan stands tall over Rosa, will she soon stand atop the mountain in AEW?

AEW shares footage from last night’s DEFY Wrestling show.

Ricochet returned to DEFY as it held a show in Seattle, Washington, and he talked a lot of trash while wearing the robe he stole from Prince Nana & Swerve Strickland last Wednesday. But little did he know, SWERVE would show up! Swerve attacked, Ricochet ran away, but not for long as NANA put Ricochet back in the ring! Ricochet find another way to escape and kept the robe on his person! When and where will Swerve get his revenge on Ricochet?

Backstage interview with Bun B.

Lexy is with Houston’s living legend, the hit singer and entrepreneur, and welcomes him to the show. They have his burgers as part of catering, and it is fantastic. How does it feel to be back in AEW? Bun B says it’s always great to have AEW back in Texas. They’re all big fans here, they can’t wait for All In: Texas. But then Ricochet interrupts? He asks what this is. Oh, he knows now! This is Bun B, Trill Burgers, America’s best! And he’s a friend of Swerve’s, right? Well, if Bun B hasn’t been watching, but AEW is no longer Swerve’s House. It is now Ricochet’s! And Mr. B, but since you’re here, all these burgers now belong to Ricochet, too.

Ricochet says if they don’t mind, he wants to try one of America’s best. Ricochet says it looks aight. He takes a bite, and then SPITS IT OUT! This is what they’re serving? It’s trash! There are much better burgers out there. The server says everyone else likes them. Ricochet asks what that guy just said. W-Well, they like them… Oh, everyone else likes them? He DRAGS this guy onto the table and asks who he is to talk to Ricochet like that! Bun B tells Ricochet to stop that. Ricochet tells B to back off. B may be close to Swerve, but tell him and Nana, “Thanks for the jacket.” HAHA! Ricochet leaves, but is he only heaping fuel on the fire?

Mariah May VS Shay Carmichael!

The AEW Women’s World Champion is calling this her “Glamorous Exhibition Match,” because she clearly doesn’t think this will be that hard on her. Will Mariah be more than ready for Grand Slam: Australia and the threat Toni Storm poses?

Whoa, Mariah SHOTGUNS Shay the moment she’s in the ring! The fans boo but Mariah sits Shay up for a RUNNING KNEE! The fans boo more, but Mariah just smiles. Mariah stands Shay up, fireman’s carries, and she hits MAYDAY!! Cover, Mariah wins!

Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall

Toni Schiavone has a good point: Shay’s hair is a bit like Toni’s, could this be a case of Mariah taking her frustrations out on an innocent young wrestler? Wait, what’s in the fancy handbag? Mariah opens it up, and she brings out a black satin robe. Mariah dresses Shay up in it, so now she really looks like Timeless Toni! Mariah smears red lipstick all over Shay’s face, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo Mariah more, but wait! LUTHER THE BUTLER is here! The fans cheer as Luther goes right to the ring, a tray in hand. He pulls away the napkin, to present a SHOE~! Mariah is freaking out, but then she swings on Luther!

Luther gets away, but the warning is clear! Mariah huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back for Shay, but SURPRISE~! It’s the REAL Toni Storm! Mariah has seen a ghost, and Toni HEADBUTTS her down! Mariah runs away but Toni pursues! Toni catches her at the barriers, SMACKS her off the steps, then drags her up! Toni reels Mariah in, but Mariah scrambles free! Mariah runs away into the night, but Luther carries Toni away on his shoulders. With just one week left before their All In: London rematch, will it truly be Toni Time once again?

Something’s going on backstage!

The Don Callis Family is rampaging against random AEW prospects, and even security! The Murder Machines are having fun, but Mark Davis doesn’t seem to even try. Cage tells Davis that he’s Don Callis Family now! Get your hands dirty! That’s a fact of life. Davis snarls, and he uses a monitor to SMASH one of the randos! Cage TOSSES another over road cases, and Davis drags Jon Cruz up to TOSS him into trash! Archer says it’s DCF VS Everybody, and EVERYBODY DIES! Kyle Fletcher said he won’t need these guys to help him against Mark Briscoe, but will that be true? Or will Mark prove the Continental Classic win wasn’t a fluke?

Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe!

The Continental Classic’s round robin phase was almost perfect for The Protostar, if not for getting caught by #DemBoys. Kyle claims that was all a fluke and it’ll never happen again. But will the Aussie Arrow miss the Mark again? Or will he be able to #ManUp before Grand Slam: Australia?

Main Event Jey Uso is back on SmackDown!

As they each promised, Jey Uso AND Charlotte Flair are both here for SmackDown to consider the champions, Cody Rhodes and Tiffany Stratton.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bianca Belair VS Piper Niven; Bianca wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
• WWE Tag Team Championship Title Eliminator: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins and will challenge DIY for the titles.
• Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Jimmy Uso VS LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
• Carmelo Hayes VS Akira Tozawa; Melo wins.
• Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae; Bliss wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
• Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso VS Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; Cody & Jey win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

And like before, he comes on through the concourse with the WWE Universe, and says, “Hey, Uce! Please hit my music! Uh, uh, YEET!!” Memphis fires up and sings along with that Day One Ish! Then they get their bounce on with Jey while he heads down the bleachers and to ringside. And much like in Cleveland, they bounce along as Jey’s on the corner! Jey keeps it going and the fans are with him! They might just YEET all night if they could! Jey grabs a mic and the fans chant for “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says aight. MORE YEET! Jey finally says, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!”

Jey hears the “YEET!” continue, but he says he has had a hell of a week. He got a lotta love. “YEET!” From his family. “YEET!” From his friends. “YEET!” And from the fans. “YEET!” Your 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble Winner! “YEET!” The fans now chant, “You Deserve It! YEET!” Jey says okay, but he’s here to pick a champion to main event with at WrestleMania. On Monday right, he had the Ring General, Gunther. So it is only right that he pulls up on Smackdown to be face to face with the WWE Champion. So Memphis, help him welcome his dawg, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! The fans now fire up as Cody makes his entrance!

The fans sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH!” and we get the pyro! Cody high-fives fans as he heads down the ramp, then he steps into the ring to join Jey.  Cody and Jey hug at the second “WHOA~ OH~!” then Cody grabs a mic. The fans chant between “CODY! CODY!” and “YEET!” Cody tells Memphis, and Main Event Jey Uso, “I think I know what you wanna talk about.” We get a look at the WrestleMania sign, and Jey tells Cody, “Uce, you know why I’m here, right? You do. I got two choices to make, Uce. Just two. I can stand across from you on the Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania. That’d mean a lot to me.

“Or… I can stand next to you, you still WWE Champ, and me the NEW World Heavyweight Champ.” The fans like both ideas! Cody says that’s quite the choice to make. He spoke to his doctor this week after that ladder match, and he was told that there’s fluid in his elbow that needs to be drained, a hip that is out of alignment, a bunch of lower back medical jargon he wasn’t really paying attention to. Cody’s doctor is a nice guy, but he’s not the WWE Champion. And one of the things that the doc left out is a good diagnosis: how good Cody’s heart is, how absolutely 100% proud Cody is of Jey Uso winning the Royal Rumble!

The fans cheer, and Cody says he knows this is Jey’s choice. But that sign there, having fought for it, having his choice taken from him and then fighting to get it back, that is Jey’s sign to point out this year. This is Jey’s WrestleMania! They’ve had some good moments in this ring together. They won tag team gold together. They had a libation or two. This arena is right off Biel Street… They could do that all over again, y’know what he’s saying? But Jey, as much as Jey has this choice, Cody has to go to WrestleMania. And for this title reign to be complete, he has to not only be in the main event, he has to win.

So if Jey chooses Cody, they’ll make a memory here tonight and have some absolute fun, because it’ll be the last time. Does Jey feel Cody on that? Cody and Jey shake hands, but wait! Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga are here! The Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy go to the ring, but Cody & Jey stand their ground. Tama grabs a mic to say, “Shh… YEHYEHYEHYEHYEH! YEH YEH YEH YEH!” Jacob adds a “Yeeeeah. Okay. First off, Cody Rhodes! Last year, you took that title from my family. But as of now, Cody, my family needs that title back. Which that takes me to you, Jey Uso. Big cousin! Mr. Yeet Man! Mr. 25 Royal Rumble winner!”

Jacob tells “Big Cousin” to not get it twisted, keep it 100. If it is anyone that brings that title back to the family, it sure to Hell ain’t gonna be Jey’s ass! Tama storms up but Jey SUPERKICKS him! So Jacob SUPERKICKS Jey! Cody fires hands on Jacob! But Jacob WRINGS Cody’s bad arm out! And then BODY CHECKS him! The fans boo but Jacob hammers away on Cody in the corner! Jacob throws off his jacket, goes to the far corner, but Jey SUPERKICKS him! Cody hurries to springboard, CODY CUTTER! Jey & Cody then DOUBLE LARIAT Jacob up and out! Tama & Jacob regroup to retreat, but surely this isn’t the end of things between Rhodes and these rogues!

In fact, Nick Aldis makes it official during the break! Cody & Jey VS Jacob & Tama in a massive tag team match! Will the American Nightmare & Main Event Jey look to YEET Jacob & Tama out of the way on this Road to WrestleMania?

Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bianca Belair w/ Naomi VS Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green!

The StrongEST Glow may not have won the Women’s Royal Rumble, but they are still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. However, Bianca is still joining the chase for a world title shot! Will Bianca break into the Elimination Chamber and head for WrestleMania? Or will the “Secret Her-vice” take the lead on going for more gold?

The bell rings, the two storm up, but Bianca slips around Piper to wrench and torture- NO, Piper fights free, scoops, but Bianca fights fere! Bianca goes to a corner, Piper runs in, but Bianca dodges! Bianca RAMS into Piper again and again, then lets off to fire up Memphis. Bianca says kiss this, then she RAMS Piper again! Bianca climbs up, the fans count along as she rains down fists! But Piper slips out at 5, and she uses the braid to pull Bianca down! Piper then uses the braid to reel Bianca in for a short arm LARIAT! The fans boo but Piper stalks Bianca. Piper bumps Bianca off buckles, then RAMS into her now!

The ref counts, Piper stops at 4 to push Bianca down. Piper talks trash, then runs up, but Bianca DUMPS Piper out of the ring! Chelsea is upset but Bianca WRECKS Piper with a dropkick! Bianca then brings Piper around, only for Piper to RAM her into the LED apron! Then she SPLASHES Bianca against the LED apron! The fans boo but Piper SENTONS Bianca on the floor! Piper soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Piper drags Bianca up, Bianca fires body shots, but Piper SMACKS her off the top of the apron. Piper puts Bianca in, stalks her, but Bianca fires forearms! Bianca runs, RAMS Piper, but Piper rebounds to CLOBBER Bianca! Piper soaks up more heat before she covers, TWO! Bianca is tougher than that, but Piper clamps on a chinlock. Bianca endures, fights up, then Bianca fires body shots. But Piper scoops, to SLAM Bianca! Bianca goes to a corner while Piper taunts Memphis. Chelsea cheers while Piper storms up on Bianca. Piper climbs up, and now she rains down fists! Piper really puts heat on them, but Bianca slips out at 5!

Bianca pries Piper from the corner in an Electric Chair, then SLAMS her onto the buckles! Piper sputters, Bianca gets space, and Bianca runs back in to RAM Piper again! Bianca climbs up, and she rains down more fists! Bianca gets to nine but Piper slips out again! Piper goes after the braid like before, but Bianca backflips through! Bianca then dodges Piper, and DROPKICKS her! Piper storms back up but Bianca headlocks. CORNER BULLDOG! Piper staggers back, runs back up, but Bianca ROCKS her first! Bianca bumps Piper off buckles, then goes side to side to do it again! Bianca climbs, takes aim, and SmackDown returns to single picture.

The fans fire up as Bianca CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is relieved but Naomi coaches Bianca up. Bianca drags Piper to her feet, and goes for the torture rack! Piper fights free again, and HEADBUTTS Bianca! Piper whips, then scoops for a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and Chelsea can’t believe it! Piper runs, but Bianca avoids the senton! Bianca then runs and SPEARS Piper down! High stack, TWO! Bianca is sent into buckles and she falls in a heap! Piper runs corner to corner, and she CANNONBALLS into Bianca! Piper goes up, up, and Chelsea cheers, but Bianca CLUBS Piper on the back!

Piper fires back and Bianca staggers away. Bianca runs up, but into an URENAGE! Piper goes up again, Chelsea says finish this! VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives again and Piper is growing frustrated. Chelsea is frustrated, too, but the fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Piper brings Bianca up, scoops, but Bianca slips free! Bianca goes to a corner, dodges Piper, and then has Piper in the ropes to BOOT her into the post! Piper is dazed, Bianca hoists her up, torture rack! The fans are thunderous for the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)

Naomi celebrates with Bianca, and now this might be the strongEST, the toughEST, the roughEST, the fastEST Elimination Chamber match ever! But will Bianca win big for her and her team?

Nick Aldis welcomes Kayden Carter & Katana Chance to SmackDown.

The transfer window has closed, and the party girls are now officially part of the blue brand. They’re excited, but then Carmelo Hayes steps in. Aldis apologizes to KC Squared as they step out, and Melo says unless this meeting is about the Elimination Chamber, maybe giving H1M a bye like Cena got, there’s nothing to talk about. Oh, but there is something to talk about. Aldis had a phone call with Adam Pearce, and Pearce wants Melo to have a match with a Raw superstar who’s in town tonight. Aldis accepted that request. Melo says no, they’re not doing this anymore. Aldis tried it with Strowman, he tried it with Priest, Melo’s not into that.

But knock knock, they’re here. And it’s Akira Tozawa! He will be Melo’s opponent after how Melo cost him his spot in the Royal Rumble. So that deserves this match. Melo says he’s changed his mind anyway, this is perfect! Melo has been wanting to wrestle Tozawa, and it’ll be a layup. Tozawa says more like airball. What was that? Who does Tozawa think he is? Tozawa will see an airball! Melo heads out, Tozawa says he’s a problem. Will the Alpha Academy’s Stamina Monster find a way to humble H1M when others couldn’t?

#DIY is here!

Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa are still WWE Tag Team Champions, only because The Street Profits cost the Motor City Machine Guns in the Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match. Though, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins would then attack Gargano & Ciampa afterward, so clearly it wasn’t to help them. What will DIY have to say about it all? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and the fans boo DIY while they grab mics. Gargano starts by telling Memphis to give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions~! The fans boo, but Gargano says they beat MCMG not once but twice at the Royal Rumble. That means officially, this is THE best tag team in the world! Everyone knows that the BTTITW is D I Y! And Ciampa says with that, it is safe to say that the chances of MCMG ever holding these titles again are officially dead. RIP. But that’s hard, because DIY has nothing but respect for MCMG, two indie legends! 11 years ago, they were DIY’s favorites.

So tonight, Memphis, everyone here and watching at home, please stand up. Please, they’re serious. This is for MCMG. Take your hats off, bow your heads in silence. Silence! The fans boo instead, but “YES BOY~!” Pretty Deadly is here! Elton Prince has a mic to say, “Wow, wow, wow. What a lovely sentiment that was.” Kit Wilson says they were just back there watching, having fun- Ciampa says they’re interrupting a moment of silence! But Elton says they felt it was important for them to remind DIY of all the help Pretty Deadly’s given them to keep the titles! Ciampa says what is important is that you respect this moment of silence!

The fans boo more, but now Aldis walks out here. He apologizes for interrupting, but after everything DIY has pulled, they have no business making demands about those titles. That’s Aldis’ job! As for Pretty Deadly, they don’t deserve a title shot, but they can earn one. How about Pretty Deadly VS DIY in a non-title match. If Pretty Deadly wins, they’ll be in line for a title shot. And that match? It starts right now! Ciampa & Gargano are furious! They’re not dressed to compete at all! This is unprofessional! But will DIY just have to put up or shut up? We find out, after the break!

#DIY VS Pretty Deadly!

SmackDown returns, the match is already going, and Ciampa has Elton in a headlock. Elton powers up and puts Ciampa in a corner, but the ref counts. Elton backs off, but Ciampa THRWOS Elton down by his hair! Ciampa stomps Elton in the corner, then taunts Kit before he tags Gargano. Gargano whips Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS Ciampa back! Elton then DUMPS Gargano onto the apron! Gargano falls to the floor, Elton TOSSES Ciampa out to join him! Elton crawls, the fans fire up, but Gargano grabs Elton’s legs! Elton KICKS Gargano away, hot tag to Kit! Kit rallies on Johnny Wrestling with big forearms!

Kit whips, Gargano reverses, but Kit UPPERCUTS Gargano down! Ciampa is on the apron but Kit TOSSES him in! Kit stomps away, the fans fi reup, but Gargano runs up! Kit catches him for a SIDE EFFECT! Ciampa runs up, Kit waistlocks but Ciampa elbows free! Kit yoyos to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kit tags Elton. #YESBOY! Kit & Elton run to the corners to UPPERCUT Gargano & Ciampa! Then Kit & Elton trade, UPPERCUTS for Ciampa & Gargano! They go again, but while Elton UPPERCUTS Ciampa, Gargano dodges Kit! Gargano then sends Elton at Kit, but Elton gives Kit a boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Elton covers, Ciampa breaks it!

Ciampa drags Gargano to their corner, then tags himself in. Kit runs up but Ciampa trips him! Ciampa POSTS Kit, but Elton dodges his haymaker! Elton UPPERCUTS, and fans actually cheer Pretty Deadly on! Ciampa ROCKS Elton, Elton ROCKS Ciampa, repeat! Elton UPPERCUTS again, but Ciampa still fires forearms! They go back and forth, then Ciampa CHOPS! Elton roars and eggs Ciampa on! Ciampa HEADBUTTS, ROCKS, and BOOTS Elton! Elton goes to the corner, BOOTS back, but Gargano is there to grab hair! Elton DECKS Gargano! Ciampa O’Conner Rolls Elton, holding ropes! But Kit BOOTS Ciampa! Elton has Ciampa, with ropes! PRETTY DEADLY WINS!!

Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)

Just as DIY stands for, you gotta do it yourself! That’s just what Pretty Deadly did here, and they’ve got their shot at the titles! Will we be saying #YesBoy to NEW tag team champions?

The Miz talks with Andrade backstage.

The A-Lister admits to El Idolo that he was impressed last week. Andrade has great in-ring ability. With that ability and Miz’s expertise, Andrade could learn so much. Andrade says he did learn! He learned how to beat Miz. Miz tries to laugh that off, but Andrade leaves. Cody walks past and Miz says just the guy he wanted to see! “Can you believe this young crop of talent? They don’t have the respect for guys like us. These guys, they would never have our backs. Don’t you worry, we’re old school. I’ll always have your back.” Cody says he doesn’t need that. Oh, well, okay, Miz gets it. Road to WrestleMania, very exciting, very unpredictable.

Miz knows how it was last year. It was Cody’s story. The entire world was behind Cody Rhodes! But now, you heard ’em. It’s Jey’s story. Miz gets Cody wants to be a good guy, be Jey’s friend, but we know what this title does to friendships. Kevin Owens, for example. Miz is just saying, what if Jey Uso does choose Cody? Is Cody still gonna be Jey’s friend? Because to be honest, Jey VS Cody in the main event of WrestleMania is one hell of a story. Miz heads out, and we see Shinsuke Nakamura lurking in the shadows. What is going to happen as this Road to WrestleMania takes more twists and turns?

Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Jimmy Uso VS LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre!

With spots filling up fast in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, SmackDown is giving #BigJim, The Mega Star, and the Scottish Terminator a huge opportunity. There will be even more qualifiers on Monday, so who will represent the blue brand in Toronto?

Before the match, McIntyre grabs a mic to say after he was eliminated from behind by a coward, he want to the back very angry, he may’ve torn some things up, said some things, then he got in his car. He drove from Indy back to Nashville, slept in his own bed, full of rage. And when he woke up in the morning, he suddenly had clarity. He had an epiphany. He got out of his huge bed in his huge house, alongside his hot wife, looked in the mirror and said, “By God, you are jacked and handsome, Drew McIntyre.” But then why is he so angry? He realized, it is a product of his environment. Raw is a toxic workplace! They all stab you in the back, they all have egos!

If you’re a good person just telling the truth, you’re apparently the bad guy. That bald idiot, Adam Pearce, has no idea what he’s doing! McIntyre needed a solution, and that’s when he got a call on his phone. Nick Aldis was calling. They’ve known each other since they were teenagers, and Aldis told McIntyre that he wants McIntyre on SmackDown. Aldis promised no more BS, McIntyre can finally be unleashed, Drew can be Drew 100%. So why is McIntyre here? He’s here for Cody Rhodes. Not even specifically Cody, but what Cody has, what was stolen from McIntyre, what should’ve been his all along: THE Undisputed WWE Championship!

The fans are torn, but here comes Jimmy! #BigJim has a mic to say, “Is it me? Tell me it’s not just me.” But every single week, McIntyre comes out here, lives in the past, and he sounds like… Like an angry ex-girlfriend. Drew complaining, “They stole it from me~!” Homie, nobody stole nothing from you, you lost it! And now he’s standing out here, acting like he doesn’t have to earn his spot! Drew has to get through Jimmy, he has to get through LA Knight, and Jimmy’s here to earn his. Drew says yeah, that’s cool. A couple weeks ago, Drew would be angry at what Jey had to say. Oh, Jimmy, sorry!

Jimmy laughs that off, and Drew says it has been 20 years, he still can’t tell them apart. But Drew says it must eat Jimmy alive that, with how he and his twin brother are so similar, just as talented, that maybe Jimmy would be where Jey was, if he’d just said YEET first. Jimmy says that’s funny. But remember who is in front of you. This is Big Bruh, Big Jim! If he wants to say yeet, he can say it. Watch! YEET! If he wants to say NO YEET, he can. Watch! NO YEET! So reminder, Jimmy’s got to get his, punch his ticket, go to Vegas, cash the chips, and get his! So yeah, there is a difference. Jey clocked his. Where’s Drew’s?

So if Drew wants to go to Mania, he’s gotta go through Big Jim! Then he’s gotta get through Elimination Chamber! But Jimmy doesn’t live in the past. He’s here in the present, ready to kick Drew’s ass! Jimmy Uso is going to WrestleMania, Uce! Mics drop, but the Mega Star finally joins in! And he of course has a mic to say, “Let me go and get right to this. Jimmy Uso, Big Jim, whatever you wanna call yourself, I ain’t got any love for you. You’re the main reason I didn’t become WWE Champion just a little over a year ago. So I ain’t got any love for you, but I ain’t gonna complain about it, I’m gonna make good on it tonight.

“But… If I could for a second, I do need to say this. In my life, in my career, I wanna be somebody who affects good change before I die. So I’m gonna speak to all the men, all the boys here in Memphis tonight and around the world. I mean this from the bottom of my heart: If something arises in your life that hits you in the feels and you have to cry, let it out. It’s good for your mental health, it’s good for you, it doesn’t make you any less of a man.” Memphis cheers that! Knight says with that, there is a line where it becomes too much. There are there guarantees in this life: Death, taxes, and Drew McIntyre crying like a damn baby!

Knight says BAH GAWD, Monday through Friday, every single week, Drew just cries! Knight’s pretty sure he heard someone back here say it was “Drew McIncryer.” But to get the silliness out of the way, what we’re talking bout is WrestleMania, and Elimination Chamber, and Knight giving Drew and Jimmy something real to cry about. And that is Knight giving them both three just like that, all their dreams getting dashed, and so it goes. Oh, wait, Knight forgot to get his stuff in. Memphis, tell ’em whose game this is: “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” The fans are fired up and this one couldn’t be any more intense! But will it blow the roof off the place? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns, the match is already going, and Jimmy & Knight are actually working together to stomp a mudhole into Drew! “YEAH! NO YEET! YEAH! NO YEET!” but then Jimmy TOSSES Knight! Knight stays on the apron, RAMS into Jimmy, but Drew runs up! Knight slingshots to SHOUDLER TAKCLE Drew! Knight stomps away on Jimmy in a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Drew SLAPS Knight, so Knight SLAPS Drew! They scrap, Drew wants a sleeper but Jimmy HEADBUTTS him, then HEADBUTTS Knight! Jimmy CHOPS Knight, CHOPS again, then whips him to a corner. Knight reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, and he mule kicks Knight!

Jimmy pops ‘n’ locks and UPPERCUTS Knight! Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy, stomps away on Knight, then soaks up the heat from Memphis. Drew stands Jey up to CHOP him! Jey ends up on ropes, Drew storms up to whip him, but Jimmy ducks ‘n’ dodges to fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, but Knight breaks it! Knight stands Jimmy up but Jimmy UPPERCUTS first! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Jimmy pops ‘n’ locks again, but Knight dodges the shot to scoop and POWERSLAM! Knight fires up, the fans are with him, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Knight runs, into a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!

Drew snarls as he stands over Knight, then he stalks Knight to the ropes. Drew stands Knight up to reel him in, for a BROKEN ARROW! Perhaps a shot at Damian Priest just because? Drew BROKEN ARROWS Jimmy, too! Drew storms up to stomp Jimmy’s hand! Jimmy staggers to a corner but Drew CHOPS him! Drew whips Jimmy corner to corner hard, then he goes to Knight. Drew clinches to OVERHEAD SUPLEX Knight across the way! The fans are torn but Drew soaks up the cheers and jeers. Drew brings Jimmy around to whip, but Jimmy reverses to TOSS Drew out! Jimmy then DIVES, down goes Drew in front of the desk!

But Knight WRECKS Jimmy into the desk! Knight then brings Drew up to DRIBBLE him off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jimmy storms up but Knight counter punches him! And now Knight DRIBBLES Jimmy off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Jimmy around for one more big SMACK! Knight stands on the desk, the fans fire up with him, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Knight drags Drew around by his legs, stomps him low, then goes to Jimmy. Knight puts Jimmy in the ring, then along the apron. Knight CLUBS Jimmy in the chest, then storms up on Drew. Drew kicks low, then POSTS Knight! Drew goes back to Jimmy, pulls him against the ropes, and ROCKS him with a right! Drew goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! But then seeing the fans cheer, he puts the table back under! The fans give thumbs down but Drew stomps Jimmy. Drew stomps Jimmy to a corner, stomps him more, then paces around. Drew shakes his head at those booing him, and then he drags Knight up from the apron.

Drew TOSSES Knight into the ring, stalks him to ropes, and scoops him, only for Knight to slip free! Knight shoves Drew into buckles, then hits a JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Drew stays in this but Knight stomps him. Jimmy CHOPS Knight, Knight CHOPS Jimmy! They CHOP back and forth, then Knight fires a haymaker! And another! And another! Jimmy goes to a corner, Knight bumps him off buckles. Knight brings Jimmy around, but Jimmy fights the suplex! Jimmy wrenches out, ROUNDHOUSES Knight down, but Drew fires knees on Jimmy! Jimmy UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!

Jimmy whips, Drew reverses, but Jimmy goes up, only for Drew to KICK him out of the air! Cover, TWO! Knight is also there, but maybe a split second late. Drew TOSSES Knight out either way, then he hoists Jimmy up top. SmackDown returns to single picture, CHOPS him, then catches his breath. Drew climbs, fires hands, then brings Jimmy up to the very top! But Jimmy fights the superplex! Jimmy trips Drew and Drew lands bad on his claymore! Jimmy HEADBUTTS Drew into the Tree of Woe, but Knight ROCKS Jimmy! Knight stomps away on Drew, but Jimmy ROCKS Knight! But Knight SPRINGS right up!

But then Drew sits up! SPIDER GERMAN SUPERPLEX COMBO!!! The fans are thunderous as all three men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Drew, Knight and Jimmy all stir. Drew crawls over to bring Knight up, and he CHOPS! Knight CHOPS! Drew CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Drew kicks low! FUTURE- NO, Knight wrenches out to kick and DDT! Knight goes up the corner, “L! A! KNIGHT!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, Jimmy breaks it! Jimmy was faster on that save than Knight was earlier, but all three men are down again. Jimmy drags Knight into a facelock, then brings him up.

Jimmy fireman’s carries, but Knight slips free! Knight kicks, but no BFT as Drew SPINEBUSTERS Knight! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! Knight survives but then Drew dodges Jimmy! NECKBREAKER! Drew kips up and the fans are torn. Drew aims at Jimmy from a corner, then gives the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” SUPERKICK from Jimmy! Jimmy LARIATS Drew up and out! Knight fires hands on Jimmy! Knight whips, Jimmy KICKS back, but then Knight blocks the next one! Only for the DRAGON WHIP to find him! SUPERKICK! Knight falls into the drop zone, Jimmy climbs up top, USO SPLASH!! Cover, DREW YANKS THE REF OUT!

The fans boo but Jimmy grabs Drew! Drew fights back but Jimmy HOTSHOTS! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Drew onto the desk! Jimmy goes up the corner again, to USO SPLASH Knight, only to get knees! Knight cradles, TWO!! Jimmy survives, but Drew is back! Knight kicks Jimmy, CLAYMORE BFT COMBO!!!! Cover, DREW WINS!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)

The Scottish Terminator takes down two targets at once, and now he’s going to fight for a golden opportunity! Cena, Punk, McIntyre, who else will be in this massive match?

Backstage interview with Damian Priest.

Byron Saxton is with The Punisher and says after seeing Drew qualify for the Elimination Chamber, what is his reaction? Priest says Drew’s having a good day today. Because if he wasn’t, he’d be complaining on the internet about it by now. But that aside, Priest is going to go to that same match and eliminate Drew just like he did in the Royal Rumble. But Braun Strowman steps in to say while he appreciates Priest’s enthusiasm, he’s putting the wagon before the horse. Priest has to qualify for that match, and next week, Priest is in the ring with two of the biggest and baddest the WWE has to offer.

Priest gets that. Braun and Priest have both walked out of WrestleMania as champion. And Jacob Fatu probably will walk out of Mania as champion one day. But Priest is taking out the both of them so he can go on to WrestleMania and face a current champion. Braun says Priest is overlooking the fact that he’s not in the ring with two normal human beings. He’ll be in there with a wild animal, and also with the Monster of All Monsters. Priest says he isn’t overlooking anything. Punisher, Samoan Werewolf and #OneBigSOB, who will be the baddest man on SmackDown after that Triple Threat?

Kevin Owens speaks.

In another video from his car, the Prizefighter says, “I’ve been through a lot, me and you, over the years. A lot. But I don’t think we’ve ever been through like what happened on Saturday. You see these scars? These stitches? These scars I’m always gonna have on my face? And the trauma that you can’t see but that I can feel. In my neck and my spine, the pain I’ve been in all week, and that I’m still experiencing right now, it’s probably never gonna go away. Not completely. I’m gonna have to live with that. And it’s all your fault. Because, Sami, you stood there and watched while Cody tried to end my career. Worse, y’know, I think he was actually trying to end my…

“And you stood there and did nothing. And then later on, I watched the Royal Rumble match, and what do I see but you rushing to the aid of Roman Reigns because someone’s beating him up in the corner. But me? For me? You did nothing! You’re a horrible friend. You’re a disgusting human being. And I’ll never forgive you. Never. But I am gonna make you pay. You’re gonna pay.” The Prizefighter’s bitterness has turned on the man he called a brother. What won’t Kevin do to destroy Sami Zayn once and for all?

Carmelo Hayes VS Akira Tozawa!

After being the very first man eliminated in this year’s rumble, Melo took his anger out on whoever was next. It was just bad luck for The Stamina Monster that it was him. But now, will Tozawa take his anger out in return? Or will Melo dunk on the Alpha Academy just to get his L back?

Melo has a mic as he makes his entrance, and he tells Tozawa that Tozawa is not talking about airballs looking like a Cody Rhodes that got left in the dryer too long. Because when Melo shoots, he don’t miss. When he’s in Memphis, they call him Ja Melo-rant! But the big difference between H1M and Ja, is that if there’s an all star team, Melo would be selected. The fans boo but then Tozawa WRECKS Melo with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Tozawa sends Melo into the apron, then into the barrier! Tozawa puts Melo in, the bell rings, and Tozawa runs up, but into an ELBOW! Melo seethes, then runs up, but into a BOOT!

Tozawa goes up and FLYIGN RANAS! Melo tumbles out but Tozawa hurries to PLANCHA! Down goes Melo, Memphis fires up with Tozawa, and he brings Melo up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Tozawa takes a swing on Melo, only for Melo to duck and back suplex! Cover, TWO! Melo clamps onto Tozawa to have a top wristlock. Tozawa endures, the fans rally, and Tozawa fires body shots. Melo pushes on the hold, but Tozawa fights free. Melo knees low, whips, but Tozawa jumps up! Melo stops the rana and brings Tozawa back up, only for Tozawa to RANA through! Melo hits buckles, then Tozawa fires hands! Tozawa whips, Melo reverses, but Tozawa SATELLITE DDTS! Cover, TWO! Tozawa huffs ‘n’ puffs, the fans rally up, and Tozawa goes to a corner! Tozawa climbs, but Melo avoids the leap!

Melo runs up, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Tozawa is tougher than that, but Melo CLUBS away on him! The fans boo but Melo stands Tozawa up. BIG back suplex, but Tozawa lands out! SOBAT, but Melo ducks the spin kick! Tozawa slips under, then comes back to SPIN KICK! The fans fire up as Melo is down! Tozawa rips off the shirt, and the fans fire up more! Tozawa hurries up a corner, takes aim again, but Melo GAMANGIRIS first! Melo climbs up to bring Tozawa to the top rope! But Tozawa fires body shots! Tozawa CLUBS Melo, CLUBS him more, then SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!!

Melo survives and Tozawa is stunned! Tozawa rises, the fans duel, and Tozawa waistlocks! Melo fires elbows, switches, rolls Tozawa up, TWO! Tozawa rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo swings, Tozawa ducks, but then Melo reels Tozawa in, BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo then goes up a corner, waits on Tozawa to rise, and he hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Melo wins!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall

Melo Don’t Miss, but it does help that he wasn’t up against towering opponents this time. But will this just be the first win in a new streak for H1M?

R-Truth helps Akira Tozawa backstage.

Truth says just like his childhood hero, John Cena, would say, you just never give up! But then Truth sees someone else, and he DROPS Tozawa! Truth says hey to Jey Uso! Truth congratulates Jey, and says he always say Jey as a king. Now he’s King of the Ring! Uh, Truth, he won the Royal Rumble. Oh, that, too! Jey asks what happened to Tozawa, and Truth says Tozawa yeet’d on himself. What? Truth goes back to help Tozawa, and Cody walks in. Cody asks Jey how he’s feeling about WrestleMania. Jey says he would like to go face to face with Cody, but he’s got the personal beef with Gunther. Jey says he’s undecided right now.

Jey heads out, and that news doesn’t seem to help Cody. Will things be sorted out by the end of tonight?

Charlotte Flair is here!

Memphis has a warmer reception for The Queen than Cleveland did as she struts out to the ring. She already visited Raw on Monday and even NXT on Tuesday, so she’s finishing out her post-Rumble week with the blue brand. Charlotte has someone hold ropes open for her before she steps into the spotlight. Charlotte hears the fans “WOO~!” while she grabs a mic. “Hi, Memphis~. So what’s it gonna be tonight? Do you love me?” Fans cheer that! “Or do you hate me?” Fans boo that? “See when you boo, you know what I hear? Money~!” Charlotte says the fans can’t make up their minds, but that’s fine, because it means she lives rent free in all of our minds.

Charlotte is wrestling’s obsession! Her looks, her championships, her last name, and everything Charlotte Flair! And she knows what we’re thinking: The fans think that she thinks that just because her last name is “Flair,” that she’s just better than everyone. But that’s not the only reason she thinks she’s better! Did you actually think she was going to be gone for 14 MONTHS and not win the Royal Rumble? That she was not going to make history? Charlotte entered the Royal Rumble on February 1st, 2025, with 29 unserious women! There was no way she was going over the top rope.

So here’s the thing: She became the first-ever TWO-TIME Women’s Royal Rumble winner! She punched her ticket to WrestleMania! So here we are on her time. She wants to feel inspired. She went to Raw and saw Rhea Ripley. She went to NXT to see if Giulia would “inspire” her. And now she’s here on SmackDown to see if Tiffany- is here! The fans cheer as Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring, title on her shoulder. Tiffany joins Charlotte in the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans chant, “TIFFY TIME! TIFFY TIME!” Tiff says first off, Charlotte, congratulations and welcome back. Honestly, nobody and she means nobody, is a bigger Charlotte fan than Tiff.

And honestly, Tiff thought WWE couldn’t even survive without Charlotte. Charlotte got hurt, and then everyone cared! For like a day! And then Tiff came along and the sales were up, buildings were selling out, and WWE’s been hotter than ever. And guess who’s at the top of that? Tiffy! Charlotte twitches and asks if Tiff said something. Sweetie, you speak when Charlotte says you can speak. And if you think there are not other women claiming to be on top, Tiff should get in line. Tiff says no, she has been in line. The moment she debuted on TV, Tiff was compared to Charlotte. Tiff is a Charlotte wannabe! Tiff is the next Charlotte Flair!

So Charlotte better pick Tiff. Because on Tiff’s first WrestleMania, she’ll beat Charlotte! Then she’ll no longer be the “next Charlotte Flair,” she’ll be the one and only Tiffany Stratton! The fans like the sound of that! Charlotte says when she was in the ring with Rhea, she saw a kid. Looking at Tiffany, Charlotte sees a child begging her to make a start out of her. So tell you what, Tiffy? If you want Charlotte to choose you, get on your hands and knees and BEG her! Wait! Here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force has Candice LeRae by her side, and a mic in her hand. Nia says this blondie back ‘n’ forth is really cute and all…

But it is a little premature. Right, Candice? Yes! And why is that? Because Nia will be champion again. That’s right! Okay, okay, Nia just spoke with Nick Aldis, and they agreed that instead of Nia facing five other women in the Elimination Chamber, Nia just has to face one next week. Nia steps up into the ring, and yes, she and Tiff are going 1v1 for the WWE Women’s Championship that Tiff stole from Nia! So Charlotte, if you wanna be Women’s Champion at WrestleMania, you’ll have to go through Nia. Charlotte says this just got interesting. She’ll stick around and watch next week, and see what happens.

But now, ALEXA BLISS makes her entrance! Nia may have her title rematch, but Lil’ Miss Bliss is ready to fight the Poison Pixie for a spot in the Elimination Chamber! Will things get a lot more twisted in Toronto? We find out, after the break!

Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae!

SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Bliss and Candice slowly circle, tie up, and Bliss headlocks. Candice powers up and out, Bliss goes Spider-Woman int he ropes, then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Candice and Bliss both slowly stand, and Candice steadies herself. They circle again, tie up, and Candice knees low! Candice soaks up heat, but then Bliss choke grips! S T O! INSULT2INJURY! Bliss then waits on Candice, clinches, and fans fire up for SISTER- NO, Candice slips free to EDGE-O-MATIC! Cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Bliss down, pushes her around, then pushes her to a cover, TWO! Bliss is still in this and the fans rally.

Candice stalks Bliss, cravats and snapmares, then NECK SNAPPERS! Cover, TWO! Bliss is still in this and Candice grows frustrated. Candice CLUBS Bliss, pushes her down, and has knees in her back bow a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow. The fans rally as Bliss endures, but then Candice flips her over. Bliss fires body shots, but Candice RAMS her into buckles! Candice RAMS Bliss again, throws body shots, but lets off as the ref counts. Candice storms back up on Bliss, KICKS her in the side, then stands her up. Candice RAMS Bliss, stomps a mudhole into her, then lets off to soak up heat. Candice goes back to Bliss but Bliss drop toeholds her into buckles!

The fans cheer, Bliss climbs the corner, but Candice ROCKS her first! Candice climbs up, brings Bliss up to join her, but Bliss fires body shots! Bliss CLUBS Candice, then HEADBUTTS her down! Bliss stands on the very top, but Candice goes to the apron. Bliss hops down, but Candice hits her with an APRON FLATLINER! Candice does a rather DIY self-applause while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Candice has Bliss in a motorcycle stretch. Bliss endures as her arms are pulled back and Candice digs her knee in. The fans rally for Bliss, she fights up, but Candice uses her forehead for leverage. Bliss pries free, JAWBREAKERS Candice, but Candice CODE BREAKERS in return! Cover, TWO! Bliss stays in this and the fans rally up again. Candice seethes and storms up on Bliss. Candice kicks Bliss and slaps her around. Candice says Bliss came back when no one wants her here. Candice pie faces Bliss, but Bliss snarls. The fans fire up and Bliss shrieks! Bliss rallies on Candice with shoulder tackle after shoulder tackle!

Bliss hits a THESZ PRESS, rains down hands, then blocks a kick to spin and SLAP, ROCK, and DROPKICK Candice down! The fans fire up with Bliss and Candice goes to ropes. Bliss runs up to DOUBLE KNEE, then she YANKS Candice down! BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Candice goes to the apron, Bliss storms up to her, but Candice has her in the ropes! HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Bliss staggers away, Candice goes up, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Bliss survives, and the screen glitches with some familiar imagery… Candice is frustrated, but she storms back up on Bliss. Candice cradles Bliss, Bliss turns it, and now they roll and roll and roll!

The fans cheer as this cradle rolls around and around, falls apart, and both women stand up in a daze. Candice ENZIGIRIS, then runs, but into a clinch! Bliss wipes her lips, then shifts into the SIDEWINDER DDT! Cover, Bliss wins!

Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)

Things got twisted in the end, and now Bliss goes from surprise return to a big name in the Elimination Chamber match! Will Bliss be able to bring down Bianca, Liv, and whoever else joins them?

Backstage interview with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven.

Byron is with the Hot Mess and her Secret Her-vice, congratulating Bliss on entering the Elimination Chamber match. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for his guests at this time. But Chelsea does have a chance next week, if she beats Naomi. Chelsea says it isn’t “if” but when she beats Naomi. She’ll beat Naomi, beat all those “nasty girls” in Elimination Chamber, then she, her Secret Her-vice, and her motorcade will sail off into the sunset that is WrestleMania, where Chelsea will become a double champ! But then Mia Yim & B-Fab walk up and have Chelsea hold on. Because speaking of eliminations, Chelsea eliminating B-Fab is not in the back of her mind, but the front.

Mia says Chelsea might make it into the Chamber match, but she might not be US Champion. Stop stalling. We all know the inevitable. Piper says the inevitable will pound Mia’s face in! But then Zelina Vega walks by, looks at the US Championship, and thinks yes, that could work. So since she’s on SmackDown now, maybe Zelina gets her own shot at the title? Piper asks what is going on! Chelsea says Piper was supposed to get a bigger security detail, so get it already! But so many people hate Chelsea! Are the walls closing in on the Hot Mess and her title reign?

The Street Profits speak.

Angelo Dawkins says, “What? You thought you was gonna win the tag team championships and not see us? Motor City, we wouldn’t even be in the position right now if you didn’t give our opportunity away! DIY, your days are numbered, cuz we coming for you. Every time the Street Profits get close to the tag team titles, somebody just wants to show up. Somebody wants to appear outta nowhere! Somebody just wants to screw us over! Well no more! Life’s a crutch, and y’all can finally say y’all saw me walk around with this thing!” Dawkins tosses the crutch, and Montez Ford is fired up!

Ford says he loves that! The passion! He sees it! He feels it! He knows it! And congrats, everybody, you officially pissed off the Profits. But you know what they don’t like? All these strangers coming in here, making shots like they’ve been here the whole time. How many brothers and tag teams are we gonna see turn on each other, just to see them mend back together because they know the grass isn’t greener on the other side? So sad. Profits always run together, stay together, and this violence will be televised. May God have mercy on your souls, because the Profits want the smoke. Will that smoke come from the Profits burning down their enemies?

Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.

Byron is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin, and with the Rumble come and gone, we just heard some “harsh comments” from the Profits. Has MCMG had a chance to process? Shelley says yes, they had a chance to process everything. What happened at the Rumble? It’s just what The Profits said. But if this is their backyard, then come and kick MCMG out! Sabin says that was the biggest match of their career, and they had DIY beat. They would be tag team champions now! But then in steps Los Garza! And Angel says no, no, no. Not so fast! MCMG needs to stop complaining and get over it!

Berto says time to let it go. MCMG lost, just let new teams step up to the plate. Wow, funny they’re talking about stepping up. Because last week, when MCMG needed Los Garza to step up, what’d they do? They walked out! Shelley says Los Garza couldn’t take the heat, so they got out of the kitchen. Now, if they wanna step up to MCMG, then by all means! Elektra Lopez steps in and asks if they’re looking for a fight. Santos Escobar steps in and says he understands their frustration, he really does. No one is more upset with The Profits than Legado Del Fantasma. The reason being is the Profits started this whole mess attacking Los Garza for no reason.

And if you remember, that on top of all the other opportunities ripped away, puts Legado in a really frustrated state. So if it’s a fight you’re looking for, you’ve got it. Los Garza VS MCMG next week, be prepared. Santos leads his team away, will Angel y Berto finally get up the ranks to go after the gold?

Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso VS Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga!

The American Nightmare wants to know who he’ll be facing at WrestleMania, and Main Event Jey Uso is still working out that decision. The Samoan Werewolf wants to make it real easy for both of them by tearing down “Big Cousin” Jey and tearing Cody apart! Will Jacob be the only one getting what he wants? Or will Cody & Jey make sure Jacob & Tama just get what they deserve?

SmackDown returns and Cody makes his entrance once again, “WHOA~ OH~!” Then Jacob & Tama make their entrance. The teams sort out, Tama starts against Cody, and the bell rings. The fans rally behind Cody and he kicks Tama low. Cody reels Tama in, suplexes, but Tama slips free. Tama shoves Cody away, then tags to Jacob. Jacob and Cody circle, then Jacob fires up. Cody kicks low, then RHODE SUPPERCUTS! Cody springboards, CODY- NO, Jacob handstands out of the cutter! Then he basement SUPERKICKS, and SENTONS! Cody sputters, Jacob’s all geeked up, but the fans boo. Tama tells fans to sit down, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jacob stalks Cody, CLUBS him, and has him in a corner. Jacob RAMS into Cody, RAMS him again, then RAMS him again! Jacob spins to UPPERCUT! Cody sputters, Jacob HEADBUTTS him down, then Jacob stalks Cody to the ropes. Cody bails out but Jacob pursues! Cody kicks low to SMACK Jacob off the desk! Cody SMACKS Jacob off the desk again, slides into the ring, but Jacob just drags him back out! Jacob SMACKS Cody off the desk, puts him in the ring, then hauls him up to tag Tama. They mug Cody, DOUBLE HEADBUTT him, then Tama HAMMERS away on him! Tama CLAWS Cody’s eyes, then stalks him to ropes.

Tama CHOKES Cody on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tama steps off at 4. Tama stands Cody up in the corner to fire body shots and haymakers! The ref counts, Jacob tags in, and the mugging continues. They stomp away at the ropes, then Jacob puts Cody in a corner. Cody kicks back, throws hands, but Jacob bumps him off buckles. Jacob CHOPS Cody, Cody falls, and Jacob HIP DROPS him! Jacob looms over Cody, tags Tama back in, and Tama rains down more fists! Tama stomps Cody, CLUBS him, then fires off on him! Tama drags Cody up but Cody fires body shots! Cody CHOPS, ROCKS, but Tama HEADBUTTS!

Tama CLAWS Cody’s back, and Cody writhes! Tama CLUBS him down again, then drags him up again. Tama whips Cody to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Tama looms over Cody, brings him around, and tags in Jacob. The mugging continues and SmackDown returns to single picture. Jacob HEADBUTTS Cody to a corner, then UPPERCUTS him! Cody fires back with a CHOP, but Jacob UPPERCUTS again! Jacob glares at Jey, drags Cody up again, and then whips Cody hard into the corner! Jacob runs up to SPLASH Cody, then he tags Tama. Tama HEADBUTTS Cody, reels him in, but Cody fights the back suplex!

Cody has a headlock, fires hands, but Tama HEADBUTTS again! Tama back suplexes, Cody lands out, and then Cody dodges! Tama runs into Jacob! The fans fire up as Cody crawls, but Tama grabs Cody’s leg! Cody BOOTS Tama away, hot tag to Jey! Jey rallies on Tama and Jacob, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey fires hands, then winds up to DECK Tama! The fans fire up, Tama blocks a kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Jey throws off the new WrestleMania Main Event Jey Uso shirt, then fires fans up with the “UCE! OH!” Jey runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK for Tama! Cover, TWO! Tama survives but Jey keeps cool.

Jey waits on Tama, dodges his lariat, and hits the POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, Jacob breaks it! Cody goes after Jacob! Jacob tumbles out, the ref backs Cody off, but Jacob slides right back in to SUPERKICK Jey! Tama rolls Jey, TWO!! Jey escapes and the fans fire up! Cody coaches Jey but Tama looms over him. Tama runs to then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Jey is still in this but Tama tags Jacob, and they double whip Jey to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Jey down, then stomp him! Jacob sucker punches Cody! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Jacob drags Jey back up. Jacob fireman’s carries, tags Tama, and then WASTELAND SLAM!

Tama slingshots to SENTON! Fans oddly join in on “YEHYEHYEHYEH!” as Tama paces. Tama then HEADBUTTS Jey again and again! Tama hauls Jey up, but Jey fireman’s carries! Tama fights free, shoves Jey to ropes, and now Tama fireman’s carries! Jey slips free now, DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down! The fans fire up while both men stir! Cody rises, he and Jacob reach out! Jey and Tama crawl, hot tags to Jacob and Cody! Cody fires hands, then hits running forearms! Cody goes to a corner, Jacob runs up, but Cody goes up and over! SNAP POWERSLAM! Cody roars and the fans fire up with him!

Cody springboards again, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Jacob rises so Cody kicks and RHODES UPPERCUTS! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, ONE?!? Jacob shocks everyone, but Cody hurries to dragon sleeper! But Jacob slips around and RAMS Cody into the corner! Jacob HEADBUTTS Cody, Tama tags in, and then Jacob runs up, Cody dodges, Jacob hits off the post! Tama rolls Cody up, TWO! Cody swings, into a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this and he crawls to a corner. Tama snarls, runs in, but Cody BOOTS him down! Cody goes up but Tama distracts the ref! Jacob SHOVES Cody down!

The fans boo but Cody flounders up, into Tama’s VENOM DDT! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and Tama is furious! Tama calls to Jacob and says they’re gonna kill this fool! SUPERKICK for Cody! Jacob runs, runs, but Jey trips him up! Cody fires elbows to get free of Tama! Jey SUPERKICKS Jacob, then runs into the ring, just to DIVE back out! Jacob is sent over the desk! Tama swings, but into the CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody & Jey win!

Winners: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso, by pinfall

The former tag team champions stand tall together as they take down the other former tag team champions! BUT SOLO SIKOA IS BACK!? SAMOAN SPIKE!!! The prodigal son returns, and he stands over the American Nightmare! Is he going to suddenly try and take the Undisputed WWE Championship back after leaving his Bloodline in the lurch?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here to do their part in shifting from the Royal Rumble to Elimination Chamber. Charlotte Flair had a good promo with Tiffany Stratton, and it is fitting that Tiff brings up the Charlotte parallels. In this day and age of pro-wrestling, the trope of “I’m not the new you, I’m the first me” is a classic choice. Plus, just the athletic ability of them both makes for a great match. But naturally, Nia Jax is going to get her rematch first, that’ll be really good stuff between her and Tiffany. I would think Tiffany retains so that she faces either Charlotte of the Elimination Chamber winner.

Speaking of which, a good return match for Bliss for her to win and get into the Chamber, but another awesome match between Bianca and Piper. Great win for Bianca, but I’m still curious when the Jade Cargill return happens and how that affects the tag title story. We got a good promo from Chelsea & Piper to react to that loss, plug Chelsea’s qualifier, and then tease many opponents for that Women’s US Championship. A downside of Chelsea & Piper talking about needing reinforcements is that literally just today, WWE released Blair Davenport! I was sure they were all spotted as one of those “in the background” things HHH likes doing, and yet they couldn’t make Blair part of a trio? I guess even under HHH, ideas like that just don’t make the cut.

We got great stuff in the tag division, and I feel like we could build to a really big tag title match for Mania. DIY’s sarcastic moment of silence being upstaged by Pretty Deadly was good stuff, and we got a great match between them. Great win for Pretty Deadly, but I feel like they won’t win the title match next week. Profits had a great promo to call out DIY and MCMG, and then Legado confronting MCMG was good, too. I feel like we could easily see another tag title ladder match at WrestleMania so that DIY, MCMG, Profits, Los Garza and Pretty Deadly can all fight it out, get all the stories wrapped up, and any team could come away with those belts.

Good promo from Melo, Aldis and Tozawa to lead to Melo VS Tozawa. Good showing for Tozawa, but naturally Melo had to get this win. Melo was getting his comeuppance plenty of times, now for him to get back up and head for something going towards WrestleMania. We got great promos from McIntyre, Jimmy and LA Knight to lead into their Triple Threat, and that match was a lot of fun. McIntyre of course got the win here, and despite him talking about his fresh start on SmackDown, you can bet he’ll go right after Punk in the Chamber match. Heck, we could even see him and Rollins go after Punk because I would think Rollins beats Finn Balor this Monday to qualify.

Priest had a good promo with Braun to hype up their Triple Threat with Jacob, but that Triple Threat nature did make it a little awkward. Braun was not only having to put himself over, but he kinda had to admit Jacob was a dangerous man. That Triple Threat is going to be awesome, but it mostly feels like Braun isn’t winning. Priest could win and we’d get great interactions between him and McIntyre, maybe him and Punk or Cena. Jacob could win and get in there to just start destroying stuff. Great promo from Kevin to call out Sami, and y’know what? Looking back, that moment Cody climbed and Sami did nothing, it makes sense now that Kevin would blame Sami. Kevin still won’t blame himself, so he defaults to the one man he always goes after.

And of course, great stuff with the overall world title story for WrestleMania. Great opening promo stuff with Jey and Cody as Jey still has to decide, and then great addition from Jacob in basically stating the WWE Championship is not Jey’s to take. Good intertwining where Miz being dissed by Andrade turns into Miz getting in Cody’s head. Seems Miz learned something from Karrion Kross… And also, Nakamura was lurking again, so that’s an interesting detail. Truth helping Tozawa was great, because of course Truth comedically drops Tozawa. Truth congratulating Jey for King of the Ring is classic confused Truth.

Jey & Cody VS Jacob & Tama was a great tag team match, great win for Jey & Cody, but Tama is quickly filling the same role as Karl Anderson was for The OC. Tama is a great wrestler but he eats the losses for the “real stars” on his team who shouldn’t be taking pins. And what a massive surprise for Solo Sikoa to return and attack Cody. The sad irony is, what makes Solo think he should get one more title match when he has failed to beat Cody again and again? Unless that’s the point, and Jacob challenges Solo’s authority. Solo lost the ula fala, he didn’t do anything after that, Jacob should no longer see Solo as a capable alpha.

My Score: 8.8/10