Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/13/25)
History continues to be made!
Cobra Kai or the Morrigan, who makes history?
Raw on Netflix continues to raise the bar! Dakota Kai and Lyra Valkyria battle to be THE INAUGURAL WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS ???; Penta wins.
- Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser; Sheamus wins.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai VS Lyra Valkyria; Lyra wins and is the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
- The Miz VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins.
- Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Finn Balor; Priest wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Someone arrives backstage.
The fans in San Jose are chanting, and they’re right! It’s C M PUNK! The Voice of the Voiceless is wearing a brand new shirt to celebrate his big win last week, and the fans fire up as he heads right to the stage! Punk high-fives fans on his way down the ramp, borrows some YEET glasses for a moment, then hops up onto the desk to get the fans even more pumped up! Punk waits for a staffer to bring him a mic, then he carefully goes from desk to barrier to ring! The fans continue to chant for Punk, and he says that does his heart good, he loves San Jose for it.
But real quick, before they get to business, he wants to say something real fast. He acknowledges all the firefighters and first-responders here in California and from everywhere else to fight this natural disaster. Mexico, Canada, the PEOPLE, Punk hears you and respects you! And now, tot he entertainment portion of the evening: Is it good to be alive on a Monday night in San Jose or what? The fans fire up for that! Punk says Netflix’s soul crushing pressure. Did you watch last week? “YES!” Did you watch Punk beat the Monday Night Messiah? “YES!” And Punk knows everyone has a lot on their minds, but Punk has a lot on his plate.
One thing OFF his plate is Seth Freakin’ Rollins. Last year, at the Royal Rumble, Punk’s first televised match back in WWE over a decade, it didn’t go his way. Not only did he lose, his triceps took a vacation. Separated from the bone, and he didn’t know what the future held. Winning the Rumble is one of his dreams, but that loss caused him to see his career fading away. There were a lot of things he couldn’t see. Like for one, a big neon sign almost blinding Punk as it says WrestleMania, but Punk sees it! Punk’s biggest setback makes for his biggest comeback. And speaking of comebacks, the man who you can’t see…
Punk sees John Cena, and always has. And Cena has declared for the Rumble, but live and in living color, so has Punk! Punk 2025 edition is gonna throw 29 other people out of the ring, whether you can see them or not! And Punk will raise his hand to point at the music, and you will hear his song! But instead, “BURN IT DOWN~!” Rollins is back and Punk is in disbelief! The Visionary doesn’t strut his way out here in his sequin suit, but he does go to the ring. Punk wishes it was someone like Rhea Ripley interrupting. Rollins still has fans singing for him, and Punk says this was his time, not Rollins’.
Rollins grabs himself a mic, the singing continues, “WHOA~ OH~! OHH~!” Rollins takes off his sunglasses, the fans cheer as they see that black eye, and Punk also likes how it looks. Rollins says he knows Punk isn’t happy to see him, but he can’t be surprised. Rollins told Punk last week that win, lose or draw, Rollins would be standing here in the middle of this ring on Monday Night Raw. Rollins is a man of his word. If he wasn’t, if he didn’t show when times got hard, that wouldn’t be Rollins. That’d be Punk. But Punk did win still, right? Rollins says he would rather be the worst version of himself than be any version of Punk.
Rollins has lost a lot of matches. He’s lost “big matches,” main events, title matches, and even at WrestleMania. But last week, that was the worst loss of his career. Rollins has never been more confident in himself, that he underestimated Punk, and he couldn’t get the job done! The only way Rollins can seek redemption is to take Punk’s WrestleMania dreams and flush ’em down the toilet! Punk will not win the Royal Rumble because Rollins will! The fans boo and Punk sighs. Punk figured, it’s every man for himself. Rollins says yes, and he will take great pride in not only winning, but dumping Punk’s ass out on ROLLINS’ way to the WrestleMania main event!
Punk isn’t so sure. Where Rollins eses opportunity is just a guy who couldn’t pin Punk and is now taking the easy road. But now DREW MCINTYRE is here! Punk is again beside himself as now The Scottish Terminator makes his way out. McIntyre says, “Just when I think you can’t get any more disgusting, selfish, self-serving, you go and top yourself, don’t you?” Punk tells Drew that last time they saw each other, Drew was on his knees, tears in his eyes, bleeding on this mat, begging for his life! Punk says if Drew takes another step closer, it’ll take more than just 15 staples to close Drew’s head!
Drew smirks and says this might come as a shock, “Phil,” but not everything revolves around you. Drew was talking to Seth. Oh, well, Punk’s invitation is Rollins’ invitation, he’ll stomp Drew’s head into the mat! Drew says maybe they should take a look at each other. It’ll be like a mirror. The only difference is, Punk admits what a piece of crap he is! Punk says he’s a winner, and McIntyre should remember from getting dragged around Hell in a Cell! Drew tells Seth that he acts like a leader, but it’s just an act. Rollins is all talk, the actions don’t line up. Tribal Combat, “We can’t let Roman get power!”
But when everyone else gets involved, Rollins was nowhere to be seen! Rollins is only worried about his own selfish agenda, and then he goes and loses! Now Rollins is going, “I told you so!” PATHETIC! Rollins tells Drew that he has no patience for any of this. OH, Rollins has no patience?! Punk has none for Rollins, none for Drew, he’s done talking. If you wanna swing, he’s right here! Rollins says okay then! Punk watches Seth and Drew closely, and Drew says a Triple Threat of these three… He heads for the ring! But then Drew says NO! Why would he ever do that?! The fans boo, but Drew says they have not listened!
There is a bigger problem here! Roman is playing chess while all you idiots are playing checkers! Drew is always the reluctant hero, so he’ll step up for all of this locker room. If only he could get his hands on the title before Roman does. Roman has the “falafel” back, if only there was a match where it was every man for themselves. Oh wait! See you both in The Royal Rumble. The fans are a bit torn, but the field is only growing more and more stacked! Roman, Cena, Punk, Rollins, Jey Uso, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and more! Just how big is this Road of WrestleMania going to get?
Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS ???
“Master” Gable’s New Year’s Resolutions were to A) finally win a singles title and B) prove he is NOT afraid to face the lucha libre style. He dared Adam Pearce to give him a new challenge, but will he learn what having no fear is really all about?
Raw returns and the lights go down. Gable’s had experience with that a lot last year, but it isn’t for the Wyatts. The fans fire up as the music plays, and reveal! “CERO! MIEDO!” PENTAGON has come to WWE! The Man with No Fear steps into the ring, some fans are in tears finally getting to see him for themselves, and the bell rings. Penta and Gable circle, and the chant of “CERO! MIEDO!” echoes out. Penta then steps to Gable and says if he wanted a real luchador, then listen! CERO- Gable grabs the arm! Gable wrenches it, the fans boo, but Penta wrenches back. Penta headlocks, Gable powers up and out, but Penta steps over the dropdown!
Penta stands Gable up to headlock again, then he wrenches again and again. Gable rolls, spins, slips free and spins around to drop toehold! Gabe headlocks and taunts the fans, but Penta powers up and slips out the back. Penta ties up the legs, SLAPS Gable on the back, and he has the arms! BRIDGING surfboard, then LA MAGISTROL! ONE, Gable LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Gable dodges to arm-drag! Penta arm-drags back! Gable trips Penta, covers, ONE! Penta trips and covers, ONE! The two reset and the fans fire up again! Gable and Penta circle, the fans rally again, and they’re all behind “PENTA! PENTA!”
Gable SLAPS Penta! The fans boo but Gable fires hands. Gable CHOPS Penta in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Penta dodges and rolls to RANA Gable to the ropes! Penta hurries to IMPLODER LEG DROP! Not the cleanest but Gable bails out. Penta builds speed, but Gable slide sin. Gable clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Gable is frustrated but he drags Penta up to bump him off buckles. Gable climbs, fans chant “YOU SUCK!” but Gable rains down fists! Penta stops Gable at 5 with body shots! Penta tucks Gable in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Then a headstand into the DROPKICK!
The fans fire up as Gable bails out again. Penta runs up, blocks a punch, and SOBATS! Penta says time to go around, and he goes up, up, and- NO, Gable ROCKS Penta first! Penta swings, but into an APRON GERMAN! Penta flops to the floor, the ref checks him, but Gable hurries to KICK Penta’s leg! Gable drags Penta up and into the ring but the fans boo. Gable drags Penta to the corner and he SLAMS the leg against the post! Penta screams in pain, but Gable storms in and drags Penta back. Gable has the leg for a spinning toehold! And another! And then a YANK! Penta writhes, the fans boo, but Gable looms over Penta.
Gable drags Penta up, Penta pushes him away, and the fans again chant “YOU SUCK!” Gable YANKS the leg again, then drags Penta up. Gable has the leg, and he lifts for a SHIN BREAKER to BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this but Gable grows frustrated. Gable goes to a corner, climbs up, and DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS! Penta moves in time and the fans fire up! Penta hurries to SUPERKICK! Gable falls but Penta has to hobble around. Penta runs in, but Gable OVERHEAD SUPLEXES him into buckles! Penta and Gable are both down but the fans rally up. Gable and Penta stir, and they head for each other.
Gable CHOPS, but Penta hushes the fans. Penta CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Gable CHOPS, Penta CHOPS, repeat! The CHOPS keep going, and Gable fires off a flurry! Gable whips, but Penta KICKS back! Penta hits a SLING-DOG! The fans fire up, Gable runs up but Penta TOSSES him up and out! Penta builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans are going nuts while both men are down again! Penta puts Gable in, “This is Awesome!” but Gable swings! Penta blocks to GAMANGIRI! Penta fires up, the fans are with him, and Penta climbs. Penta leaps to CROSSBODY! The fans rally as Gable goes to a corner, but Penta KICKS him in the leg!
Penta whips corner to corner, Gable reverses, but Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Penta then drags Gable to a cover, TWO! Gable survives and Penta grows frustrated. The fans rally up again, and Penta brings Gable around. Penta pushes Gable, eggs him on, and then BUZZSAWS! Gable sputters, but Penta brings him up. Gable shoots around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Penta escapes in time, and both men go to corners. Gable runs in, but Penta puts him up top! Penta CHOPS and the fans fire up! Penta shakes out the bad leg, winds up, but Gable blocks the chop to DRAPING ARMBAR!
The ref counts, the fans boo, and Gable lets go at 4. Penta flops to the apron, Gable goes along the ropes, and Gable brings Penta up! Penta CHOPS back! Gable sputters, Penta jumps to RANA Gable into the ring! Then a DESTROYER!! The fans are thunderous as Penta covers, TWO!! Gable survives and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!” as both men stir. Penta rises, he feeds off the energy, and he waits on Gable. Gable sits up, Penta says “CERO! MIEDO!” BUZZSAW! The fans fire up again and Penta roars! Penta has a wild look in his eyes, but Gable blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW!
Penta writhes, Gable grabs the leg, ANKLE LOCK!! Penta endures, reaches out, and he fights forward! Gable drags Penta back! The fans rally for Penta as he turns, and he drags Gable down! DISARMER! But then hammerlock, and he CLUBS away on Gable! Penta grabs the other arm, THE SACRIFICE!! Gable writhes now, but Penta isn’t done! Tuck and PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Pentagon, by pinfall
Jackie Redmond appears and interviews Penta in the ring. She congratulates him and welcomes him to Monday Night Raw. The fans cheer that, and this was a huge debut victory. He’s one of the biggest signings in recent memory, and San Jose was behind him. What does this moment mean to him? Penta thanks Jackie for that, and he wants to say something first. “Thank you, San Jose!! This is my new home. This is my new home, guys! But I know everyone, you, you, you, and you! And you! And you! Waited for this moment. But I wanna say something. The real truth is… I’ve been waiting for this moment!” The fans cheer that.
Penta says for all of Mexico, for Latinos, gracias for being with him on this journey. And you know this is only the beginning. Come closer, cameraman. This is for all the Mexicanos! Gracias to his familia, and he knows that this is a new era. This is the WWE’s new era. This isn’t just the Netflix Era. Now it is the PENTA ERA!! And you know why? Because he is Penta, and he has CERO! MIEDO!! Penta again thanks the fans, embraces his family at ringside, will all of Raw learn to fear the man with no fear?
Judgment Day talks backstage.
Finn Balor has his Street Fight with Damian Priest, but Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez walk in. What’s going on, boys? Oh, Finn was just saying how Liv will be Women’s World Champion again real soon. Like, real soon. Oh, Liv knows she will. The revenge tour wasn’t just about being champion but about taking a piece of Rhea she’ll never get back. And that is what she did. Oh, is that so? Well, speaking of revenge, Finn will let the lovers sort through their issues. Dominik walks in with a bouquet of roses to apologize. Liv says she’s not mad. Oh, really? At all? Nope. She said she’s not, so she’s not. But could Dom get her bags? And Raquel’s?
Oh, and Dom should have the valet ready to go for them at the end of the night. Okay, honey~? Carli, put these somewhere nice. Liv leaves, Dom is in denial, but Finn says more importantly, he ends Priest once and for all! Then he and JD take the titles back! They only lost to The War Raiders because of Priest anyway! JD says that’s right! In fact, he’ll go to Adam Pearce right now, get in his face, and say that if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll give Judgment Day their rematch for those tag titles! C’mon, Carlito, let’s go. JD leads the way, Carlito gives Dom the flowers back, and Dom asks if Finn is sure he doesn’t need them out there against Priest.
Finn says no, Dom should hang back. He’s gotta sort things out with Liv. Start by getting her bags. Dom heads out, Finn finishes his preparations, but will the Prince face his punishment?
Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser!
The Celtic Warrior and the European Elegance have had about enough of each other, so they both want this to be the end of it! But will it be Sheamus or Kaiser that finally stands tall over the other?
Raw returns as Kaiser makes his entrance, and we spot Bron Breakker watching from the crowd. Could the winner be in line for another shot at his Intercontinental Championship? The bell rings and the two circle. Kaiser SLAPS Sheamus, the fans boo, but then the two tie up. Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser to a corner and fires off hands! The ref counts, Sheamus whips Kaiser, but Kaiser reverses. Sheamus blocks the hip toss to LARIAT Kaiser down! Kaiser goes to the apron, b ug Sheamus fishhooks him! The fans cheer but the ref counts. Kaiser KICKS Sheamus away, and Sheamus tumbles out. Sheamus fires body shots but Kaiser CHOPS!
Sheamus DECKS Kaiser, then puts him in the ring! Sheamus storms up, ROCKS Kaiser, and has him against ropes! But Kaiser HOTSHOTS free! The fans boo but Kaiser runs, and he BLASTS Sheamus off the apron and into the desk! The fans boo but Kaiser slides out the side. Kaiser builds speed going around the way, and he SHOTGUNS Sheamus down! The fans boo but Kaiser soaks up that heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kaiser PENALTY KICKS Sheamus! Cover, TWO! Kaiser KICKS Sheamus again, but Sheamus rises up! Sheamus is all red but he grits his teeth. Kaiser runs to KICK Sheamus again! Sheamus eggs Kaiser on! The fans fire up but Kaiser KICKS, KICKS, and then KICKS! But Sheamus blocks, and he CHOPS, CHPOS, CHOPS! Sheamus LARIATS Kaiser down and the fans fire up! Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser up and out, and has him on ropes! The fans fire up as Sheamus gives Kaiser BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count, and Sheamus goes to TEN! Then he TOSSES Kaiser into the ring!
Sheamus has Kaiser for a fireman’s carry, and he climbs up the corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO!! Kaiser survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! The fans rally up, Sheamus nods, and he stalks Kaiser to a corner. But Kaiser grabs the shillelagh! He pokes Sheamus int he eyes, then takes aim! But Sheamus gives him a KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO!! Kaiser survives again and Sheamus grows frustrated. The fans rally as Sheamus pounds the mat. Sheamus goes to a corner, takes aim, and beats his chest! The fans fire up for the- Kaiser CHOP! ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Kaiser fires up but fans boo!
Kaiser clinches, but Sheamus slips free! Shove and scop, but Kaiser slips free! Kaiser CHOPS, but Sheamus KNEE CAPPERS! Sheamus runs, into the KAISER ROLL! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and Kaiser is beside himself! “This is Awesome!” and the fans rally up. Kaiser goes to a corner, he shakes his head, and he mocks Sheamus’ chest beating. The fans boo but Kaiser dares Sheamus to stand. Sheamus ducks the gamangiri! BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Fella finally finishes things with Kaiser, and he pounds the desk in celebration! Sheamus and high-fives Pat, but then Bron stands up. Sheamus stares down with Bron and the fans bark it up. Bron says if Sheamus thinks he can win, then how’s this? SLAP!! The ref hurries to stop this from getting any wilder, but will
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Cathy Kelley says Rollins just met with Adam Pearce, and it is official: Rollins VS McIntyre next week. Rollins says McIntyre has been needling and needling, and Rollins is over it. Rollins wanted a fight tonight, McIntyre didn’t, but next week is on. Rollins owes McIntyre for WrestleMania, so it’s on. The Visionary then continues on his way out, only to come across Sami Zayn. Sami heard what Rollins was saying, how tough that loss to Punk was, so he just figured if Rollins wants to talk, Sami’s here for him. Rollins says yes, it was rough. But great week for Sami, right? What’s that supposed to mean?
Aw c’mon, Sami. Sami’s boy has the ula fala back, he’s Tribal Chief! Sami helped Roman, just like he did at WarGames. But what’s next? Help him win the Royal Rumble? Help him beat Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania? Help him STAY the Tribal Chief? Or is Sami going to finally help himself? Rollins leaves and now Sami has something to think on. What will the Honorary Uce do now that we’re in Roman Reigns’ second era?
The Miz meets with Karrion Kross backstage.
Kross exits Pearce’s office, and Miz asks, “Well?” Apparently the Wyatt Sick6 have been moved to SmackDown. If Miz had anything to do with this…! Sami walks in and asks if Pearce is in there. Kross says yes, he is. But he also heard that conversation Sami had with Rollins. Kross found it interesting. He thought The Bloodline unifying them for a common goal. And then Sami’s aspirations for the world title, oh how Kross would love to see that tear them apart. Well, not that they’d have to worry about Sami. Sami says Miz has been Kross’ lacky for so long, no one’s gonna worry about Miz again, ever.
Miz says he’s already been world champion twice in his career. Two more times than Sami ever will! Sami says he was going talk with Pearce about some other business, but maybe he’ll put that on hold. Sami will now ask for a match with The Miz, for tonight! Sami steps inside and Kross smirks. Miz says great, now they have Sami to deal with. Uh, they? Kross leaves, and it seems Sami is just Miz’s problem. Will the Hollywood A-Lister be able to handle things on his own? Or will the Underdog from the Underground be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
GUNTHER is here!
The fans are torn seeing Der Ring General head to the ring, World Heavyweight Championship on his shoulder. Gunther says last week, he watched the Raw Netflix debut, a monumental moment in the history of this company. it was a visual attraction and he was very impressed. But not so much with the performances in the ring. Because to be honest, aside from Gunther, Raw doesn’t have a roster to fulfill such high expectations. Everyone is fighting over personal drama, “Who’s the Head of the Table? Who’s the Best int he World?” WHO CARES?! The only prize worth fighting for his THE World Heavyweight Championship!
And Gunther is the man who- WAIT! Here comes Jey Uso! Jey comes in from the ramp side this time, but he still gets fans to YEET with him! Jey then steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and Pat hops off the desk. The fans still “YEET!” Jey asks if he heard Gunther right. He needs someone to carry the World Heavyweight Championship? You’re looking at him! Main Event “YEET!” Jey “YEET!” USO. “YEET!” Jey says Drew is behind him now. Bloodline family drama is behind him now. So it’s Jey now! “YEET!” 1v1! “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event! “YEET!” For Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship! “YEET!”
The fans fire up, but Gunther laughs. Just to make sure, is Jey serious about this? “YEET!” Then he admires Jey’s courage for coming out here. And he would be naive to say he can hold onto the title forever. But it’s more naive for Jey to think that he is the one to take this from Gunther. No, Jey, really think about it. If you remember, they faced off for the Intercontinental Championship twice, and Gunther won twice. Gunther knows what Jey is capable of, and it is a whole lot less than what Gunther’s capable of. Now, Jey is funny, Jey is entertaining, but when that bell rings, Gunther will expose Jey for what he is: A really talented tag team wrestler.
The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to face it, he is just not on Gunther’s level. “Main event” is Jey’s nickname, but “main event” is where Gunther belongs! So Gunther suggests something: stay out of championship business. Saturday Night’s Main Event? That’s fine by Gunther. But the choice is up to Jey. Gunther turns to leave, the fans “YEET!” for Jey, and Jey paces. Jey says hold on, Gunther. Jey does respect Gunther. No, really. Everything Gunther said, that’s all true. Jey’s not supposed to be here, not in this spot, sell all this merch, is just a tag team guy. Hell yeah he was scared to do this alone, but look, Uce.
Jey wakes up every day betting on himself, because he is still working to earn that respect! SO Gunther will respect Jey when he beats dat ass for the World Heavyweight Championship! It isn’t just a nickname for Jey, it is where he belongs! So if you wanna see Jey win the world title, let this fool know! One, two, three! “YEET!!” The fans fire up, and now San Antonio is going to be Gunther VS Jey Round 3! Will Main Event Jey finally reach the mountaintop? Or will Gunther chop him down to size?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai VS Lyra Valkyria!
Both women have held gold in WWE before, but while #CobraKai has only been a tag team champion, The Morrigan knows she is capable of standing alone from her days as NXT Women’s Champion. But now, there’s more on the line than just the title. This is about making history as THE FIRST Women’s Intercontinental Champion! Both women have had their setbacks and their comebacks, but who defines the future of the WWE Women’s Division here tonight?
The introductions are made, Adam Pearce brings the belt to the ring, and it is time to carve someone’s name down in history!
The bell rings and the two tie up. Kai headlocks, Lyra powers up and out, then drops down to hurdle. Kai leaps over, then she ducks a kick! Kai fireman’s carries, Lyra slips free to waistlock. Kai switches, shoves, but Lyra fireman’s carries! Kai fights free, the two reset, and the fans cheer. The two tie up, Lyra wrenches and wristlocks but Kai breaks free to snapmare. Lyra handsprings through, but Kai hits a flying-mare! Kai kicks and puts Lyra in the ropes, to then springboard, but Lyra avoids the stomp! Lyra trips Kai, drags her out, and RAMS her into the apron! Lyra hurries in, builds speed, but Kai blocks the dropkicks!
Kai drags Lyra out in a wheelbarrow, to SMACK her off the apron! Kai then goes up, takes aim, but Lyra blocks a kick! Lyra trips Kai and Kai smacks off the apron! Lyra goes up to get Kai up, and then suplexes her to the floor! The fans go wild while both women writhe, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Lyra has Kai in the ring, and has her in a deep motorcycle stretch! Kai endures so Lyra sits back to push both her boots into Kai’s back! Kai still endures, and she pushes back to stack Lyra! TWO as Lyra kicks Kai back down! The fans rally, Kai fights up again, but Lyra LIFTS Kai to BOOT her away! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Lyra drags Kai up. Lyra hooks a leg, FISHER- NO, Kai cradle counters, TWO! Both women stand, and Kai SUPERKICKS! Lyra wobbles, but then she dodges a boot to SOBOAT! KICK! RAM! KICK! Kai ducks a heel kick, but Lyra stops the Scorpion Kick! Kai fires more kicks with the free leg!
Lyra still holds onto Kai, hauls her up, and hits a POWER- RANA! Kai turns things around, then runs Around the World to BOOT Lyra again! Snapmare, and then a KAI-ROPRACTOR! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Kai is beside herself! Kai hurries to get Lyra up, wrenches and fireman’s carries, but Lyra blocks the Detonation Kick! Then she stands Kai up to RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives but Lyra stands her up again! HEEL KICK! Kai goes down in a heap, and Lyra hurries up top! Lyra aims, TURN OF FORTUNES! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives and now Lyra is beside herself! But “This is Awesome!” as both women rise.
Lyra stands Kai up, fireman’s carries, but Kai fights the swing! SCORPION KICK! Kai puts Lyra in the ropes, to SPINRGBOARD STOMP! Kai roars and fireman’s carries! G T K!! But Lyra flops out of the ring!! Kai cannot believe she was that close to victory! Kai drags Lyra back up and puts her in the ring. Lyra flounders to a corner and Kai goes Around the World again! But Lyra ducks the boot, then hits a ZIGZAG!! And now, fireman’s carry, NIGHTWING DRIVER!!! Cover, LYRA WINS!!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (INAUGURAL WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
The fans are torn, but it was a hard fought match between two deserving women! Pearce puts the belt around Lyra’s waist then raises her hand in victory. Is this just the beginning of even greater things for Lyra? Kai shows respect by shaking Lyra’s hand, and the two hug it out. Will Kai just have to fight that much harder to finally have gold all her own?
The Miz VS Sami Zayn!
The Hollywood A-Lister has stuck his foot in his mouth quite a few times over the years, but he might’ve stepped in it this time. He got on the bad side of an Honorary Uce that’s in a bad mood. Will Sami take some of his frustrations out on Miz? Or will Miz remind us of those days when he was a world champion?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Miz puts Sami in a corner, the ref counts, but Miz lets off with a kick! Miz fires hands, then he mocks Sami’s song while he headlocks. Sami powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over. Sami DECKS Miz and the fans fire up! Sami bumps Miz off buckles, climbs up, and he leaps to AX HANDLE! Miz flounders, the fans rally, and Sami has Miz again. But Miz pulls Sami’s beard! Miz KNEES low, whips, then kitchen sink knees! Miz runs to basement BOOT! Miz tells fans to shut up about “Sami Uso,” but the fans boo instead. Miz runs to basement BOOT again!
Miz paces around Sami, talks some smack, then stands Sami up just to DECK him! Miz KNEES Sami in the back, KNEES him again, then ELBOWS him over and over! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Sami while Miz scowls. Miz soaks up the heat, then points to Sami. The fans boo Miz and cheer Sami back and forth, Then Sami fires hands on Miz! Sami whips, Miz reverses, but Sami goes up and over! Then LARIAT! Miz flounders, Sami storms up on him and bumps him off buckles. Sami climbs up to rain down fists, and he goes way past TEN! The fans cheer as Sami gets to TWENTY, then fires up again!
Miz staggers away, runs back in but Sami gets him for a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami goes corner to corner, but Miz BOOTS first! Miz sits Sami up to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Sami stays in this and Miz grows frustrated. Miz KICKS Sami, and KICKS again! The fans boo the “It Kicks” as Miz fires more and more! Miz then runs up, but Sami ducks the buzzsaw! BLUE THUNDER- NO, Miz slips free! Full nelson, but Sami victory rolls it! TWO! Miz escapes, but Sami full nelsons! Miz RAMS Sami into buckles, fires elbows, then he runs corner to corner. Sami follows for a HELLUVA KICK!! And then BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, Sami wins!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall
San Jose cheers on Sami’s big win, and this could be the spark Sami needs going towards the Royal Rumble! Will the Underdog from the Underground defy the odds and surpass all the stars on this Road to WrestleMania?
Rhea Ripley heads to gorilla.
She passes by Natalya and the Alpha Academy, and she waves hi. What will Mami have to tell everyone here on a Monday night?
Rhea heads to the ring!
Raw returns as the NEW WWE Women’s World Champion makes her entrance and San Jose fires up! Rhea grabs a mic, gives her title belt a kiss, and revels in the chants for “MAMI! MAMI!” Rhea says, “Mami is back on top!” The fans cheer that! Rhea adds that she might seem a little like a broken record, but she just wanted to remind those who forgot that she is Rhea Bloody Ripley! And she is one of the most dominant women in the WWE, and now she is once again your Women’s World Champion! The fans cheer that! But wait, is that Nia Jax?! The former WWE Women’s Champion is usually on SmackDown, but could this be the Transfer Window?
Nia says no, she cannot take this anymore. The fans boo as she walks to the ring, but she brings up how she was talking with Adam Pearce, and she just couldn’t help herself. She had to bring herself out here to talk to “Mami~.” Nia steps into the ring with Rhea, and Nia wants Rhea and everyone else to know that Nia WILL be winning the Royal Rumble! And then she’ll take whatever title she wants. And Tiffy~ might think she’s at the Tiffy Top, and Mami might think she’s “on top,” and then Bayley in the crowd here, why is she even here? Bayley says she’s from here! Oh, yeah, she would be from this poor, nasty town!
The fans boo but Nia tells Rhea and everyone needs to know there is only ONE woman at the very top of the WWE, and that is Nia Jax! No, it’s not Rhea, it’s not Tiffy, and it sure ain’t Bayley! But then Bayley hops the barriers! Nia pretends to be so scared! Bayley gets a mic and tells Nia to come up with n ew stuff. All due respect, Mami, may she? Rhea says sure. Bayley says yeah, this may not be her show, but San Jose is HER city! The fans cheer that! If Nia has something to say, just say it to her face, “you big ol’ dumb idiot!” Nia SHOVES Bayley down! Then she gets in Rhea’s face! Nia shoves Rhea, but rhea HEADBUTTS Nia!
The fans fire up, but Nia HEADBUTTS Rhea down! Nia talks smack, but Bayley CHOP BLOCKS, then KNEES Nia! Rhea comes back to BOOT Nia! Nia tumbles out, and both Rhea and Bayley smile. Mami has the gold, The Role Model will battle Tiffany for hers, will we see them both on top on this Road to WrestleMania?
Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Finn Balor!
Oh how greed and ambition can drive friends apart. These two took over the Judgment Day from the Rated R Superstar, and while they were once Undisputed Tag Team Champions, only one of them could be THE World Heavyweight Champion. The Prince was jealous of the Punisher and betrayed him, not thinking of the consequences that would follow. Will Priest use everything at his disposal to make Finn regret that betrayal? Or will Finn finally lave Priest in the past?
Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance. Priest is already armed with a kendo stick and quite a few chairs, but Finn sneaks in from behind! Finn SMACKS Priest with his own kendo stick! The bell rings, Finn SMACKS away on Priest, but the fans boo as he “kicks dirt” at Priest. Finn winds up, and he SMACKS Priest in the legs! Then SMACKS him again! Finn talks smack, but then Priest blocks the swing! Finn apologies, but Priest TOSSES him! Priest SMACKS Finn now, and SMACKS again, and again, and again! Priest is a big fan of Aaron Judge, this is pretty Judge like! Priest whips and FLAPJACKS Finn!
Finn bails out but Priest pursues! Finn kicks low and he SMACKS Priest off the desk! Finn DRIBBLES Priest, the fans want tables, but Finn goes up. AX HANDLE into a clinch! FLATLINER onto the desk! The fans fire up as Priest TOSSES Finn over the desk! Priest then goes looking under the ring, and yes, he finds a table! The fans cheer as Priest sets that up nearby, then he climbs the desk to get Finn. Finn CHOP BLOCKS Priest and Priest falls! Priest slips off the desk, but Finn goes up to FLYING FOREARM! Priest staggers away, Finn runs up, and he CLOBBERS Priest over the barriers!
The fans fire up as Finn pursues, but Priest mule kicks back! Priest then sends Finn over the hockey boards! This is where the Sharks play, after all. Priest drags Finn up but Finn SMACKS him with a trash can! Finn stalks Priest, can still in hand. Finn SMACKS Priest on the back! And SMACKS him again! But Priest ROCKS Finn in return! Priest knees low, CLUBS Finn, then uses the trash can on Finn! Finn takes a seat but Priest stands him back up to scoop him. The fans cheer as Priest gives Finn SNAKE EYES off the barriers! Priest dumps Finn over to ringside, and Finn again wants mercy. But then he kicks low!
Finn TOSSES Priest into the crowd! The fans fire up as Priest staggers, and Finn uses a fan’s chair to JAM Priest up! Finn pursues, CHOPS Priest, then brings him around to whip. Priest reverses and Finn is sent into railing! Finn tumbles, and Priest pursues, this is moving up into the bleachers! The fans fire up as Priest pursues and CLUBS Finn! Priest CHOPS Finn, they continue going up higher, but Finn CLAWS Priest’s eyes! Finn CHOPS Priest, then CLUBS him! Priest is dangling over the railing, steps onto some random road cases, and Finn keeps throwing hands! Priest ROCKS Finn right back!
Priest reels Finn in and the fans are already fired up! Priest aims for down below! SUPER BROKEN ARROW down through tables!!! The fans are losing their minds as both men are down in the wreckage! Refs and producers hurry out here, they call for medics, but the fans know “This is Awesome!” Priest slowly rises, Finn starts to stir, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn is being stretchered from ringside!? Carlito and JD McDonagh are with him while Priest is in the ring. But Priest still wants to win! Priest storms out to THROW Carlito, DECK JD, and then he TOSSES JD! The fans fire up as Priest stares Finn in the eyes. Priest then CLUBS away on Finn! Priest wheels Finn back to ringside! And then lets the stretcher hit the apron! Finn tumbles into the ring and Priest storms in after him! The fans fire up as Priest powers up his arm! Priest runs, and he LARIATS Finn down! Priest calls for it, the fans fire up for it, and Finn stands up, into the choke grip!
But Carlito attacks! BACKSTABBER! JD returns, he and Carlito mug Priest on Finn’s behalf! The fans boo but there’s nothing to be done in a match like this! They put Priest int he drop zone, and JD hits a MOONSAULT! JD helps Finn stand, and he and Carlito get Finn up top! Finn rips off the neck brace, and no matter what, he’s gonna hit this! COUP DE GRACE!! JD helps Finn cover, TWO!!! Priest survives and the fans are thunderous! JD coaches Finn up and then goes out to look under the ring. JD brings out a table now! JD and Carlito set that up near a corner, but here come the WAR RAIDERS!
The fans fire up as Erick CLOBBERS Carlito, then Ivar dodges JD to hit a LEG LARIAT! Then JD gets sent into the WAR MACHINE!! The Raiders take JD & Carlito away from ringside, and now it’s just Finn and Priest. Finn hits a SLINGBLADE! Finn hobbles, grabs a chair, and he SMACKS Priest on the back! And SMACKS him again! And again! Again! Again! Priest writhes but Finn just SMACKS him some more! The fans boo but Finn gets a fresh chair to sit up in a corner. The fans tell Finn off but he ROCKS Priest! Priest sits in the chair, and Finn JAMS him with another chair! Finn puts that second chair around Priest’s neck!
Finn goes corner to corner and- SWINGING SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Priest takes Finn down first, then covers, TWO!?!? Finn survives and Priest seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Finn flounders out one side and Priest rolls out the other. Priest is there to meet Finn, and he sees the pair of tables waiting. Priest hauls Finn up, RAZOR- NO, Finn slips free, SLINGBLADE to the floor! Finn hurries to get Priest up onto one of the tables! Finn CLUBS away on Priest, then goes up to the apron. Finn snarls and says this is for everything Priest has done! COUP DE GRACE through the table!! The fans go wild again!
Finn hobbles back up, and he brings Priest around. But Priest hoists him up! Priest RAMS Finn through barriers! They’re in the timekeeper’s area, the fans lose their minds, and the ref checks both men. Priest stands, and he brings Finn out of the wreckage. Priest brings Finn over to the ring, but sees there’s still the other table to go! Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE through the table!! The fans are thunderous and Priest roars! Priest drags Finn back into the ring, brings down the straps, and he clamps onto Finn’s neck once more! “I am NOT my brother’s keeper!” SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! Cover, Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
Finally, and in brutal fashion, this beef is put to bed! Priest slowly stands back up, triumphant over “Backstabber Balor!” Will Priest finally have a clear path to a brighter future?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, and wow, I knew HHH said Raw on Netflix could have an “unknown” runtime, but I didn’t think we’d get our first 2.5 hour Raw so soon. Not too shabby, really, as we still got a lot of great stuff and could’ve had a little more. For example, New Day was advertised for next week, when we’ve already been waiting on their match with Rey Mysterio and “mystery partner.” Originally it was meant to be Penta, but then apparent time restraints kept Penta from being part of last week’s debut since they had The Rock and Cena and even Taker, who knows what to make of that.
Great opening promo from Punk, Rollins and McIntyre to keep the heat going in all the different feuds, but to also add to the Royal Rumble match itself. It is going to be some wild stuff with the star power and storylines all converging on that match. And it feels like Sami wants to declare for the Rumble, too, but Kross & Miz got on his nerves. Great match from Sami VS Miz and a great win for Sami. Also, what a way to subtly announce Wyatt Sick6 are now SmackDown via the Transfer Window. I suppose that’s fine for them, they can still have good feuds over there. And it seems Nia is at least teasing a move to Raw, as she, Rhea and Bayley have a great promo together.
Bayley getting back some of that “Ding Dong, Hello~” stuff from when she was a Heel is great, she was too tame when she was a Face and champion. Tiff VS Bayley on Friday will be great but I would think Tiff retains, and then we can have Bayley move to Raw in time for the Rumble. Nia and Bayley moving over to Raw can certainly freshen things up now that Rhea’s past Liv. At the same time, there’s the Women’s Intercontinental Championship here, and we got an awesome match out of Dakota and Lyra. Lyra winning is only a touch surprising, but this was probably a tough decision given how great both women are.
Awesome stuff from Gable VS Penta, and I was actually a little worried Penta was rattled from that Exploder suplex. Penta of course wins, and he had a great promo tonight to let everyone know he’s ready to do big things. For AEW fans, it is a shame things couldn’t work out for AEW and the Lucha Brothers, but the Lucha Brothers will do great things here in WWE, both as a tag team and as singles wrestlers. I honestly hope we get Penta & Fenix as a new Two Man Power Trip, or maybe more Brothers of Destruction. My point being, those two could believably be tag champs while also singles champs.
Very good promo from Gunther and Jey, and their Saturday Night’s Main Event match will be awesome. I just fear it’s a holdover so Gunther can get a defense in before the Royal Rumble and wait on a challenger for WrestleMania. Sheamus VS Kaiser (hopefully) one last time was great, and great choice for Sheamus to win. Bron starting beef with Sheamus is good stuff, and they’ll certainly have one more banger. But it feels a shame if Sheamus is just going to lose another Intercontinental Championship match. At the same time, with how long Sheamus and Sheamus’ fans have waited on the IC title, is SNME really a big enough stage for that moment?
Great stuff from Judgment Day again tonight. Liv being passive aggressive to Dom and Dom not realizing it is great. The Liv-Dom break-up is definitely the next phase of the story, can’t wait to see it. Finn VS Priest was indeed awesome, especially that very daring Broken Arrow off the ledge and down through tables. Incredibly clever move of kayfabing Finn needing the stretcher and then Priest not letting it end that way. And of course this ended up overbooked given the No Disqualification rules. War Raiders helping Priest is good stuff, that helps set up the final rematch of Raiders VS Finn & JD. Priest winning was the right choice, too, as this lets both men move on.
Priest could stay on Raw, he could go to SmackDown, really depends on where they feel he fits in. Judgment Day probably stays on Raw, as Wyatt Sick6 are going to SmackDown and moving two factions over might be a bit much. Though, Judgment Day interacting with LA Knight is a tempting opportunity. If nothing else, Finn goes into the Royal Rumble in hopes of jumping back up to the top, only to fail and blame everyone else in Judgment Day.
My Score: 8.9/10
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The Last Time is Now on SmackDown!
LA Knight is in the Last Time is Now Tournament, determined to meet John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but who is his opponent?! Time to find out, YEAH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz; Jey wins and advances.
- WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom; Ilja wins and retains the title.
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS Zack Ryder; Knight wins and advances.
- Jade Cargill VS B-Fab; Jade wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualifications, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley AND Iyo Sky are here!
Albany, New York fires up as Mami & The Genius are both here on SmackDown following the chaos on Raw. Because at Survivor Series, Rhea said it herself: WARGAMES! Rhea & Iyo each get a mic and the fans cheer them both on. Rhea says, “Since I’ve been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors, they’ve been causing a little bit of chaos. And now that they’ve managed to get their hands on the Tag Team Championships, they think they’re pretty much untouchable.” The fans boo, but then Rhea says throw Nia Jax & Lash Legend into the mix, which the fans boo also… “And now they think they are untouchable again because they have the ‘numbers advantage.'”
But the funny thing about numbers is you just end up with more enemies. Iyo says, “A lot of enemies. But they always catch up to you. And now, there is nowhere to hide! WARGAAAMES~!” The fans cheer as Iyo & Rhea go wild for that. Rhea says, “And y’know what? We’re not going in alone. So I would like to introduce two of our teammates: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!” The fans cheer as the former tag team champions make their way out to the ring, Charlotte in a modern art suit with her pyro, and then followed by Alexa in her goth preppy fusion. #Charlexa stands with Rhea & Iyo in the ring, mics also in hand.
The four hug it out and the fans “WOO~!” Alexa says if the Kabukis wanna play dirty, fine. If Nia & Lash wanna jump in, too, great! And they can get all four at once, it is so on! Those four started this fight, these four will end it! The very second Rhea said, “WarGames,” Alexa knew they were in. Right, Charlotte? The fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte says, “Lexi, I can’t do this. I can’t pretend anymore.” What? “Look, Rhea. I don’t like you.” The fans boo and Iyo is shocked. Charlotte says she doesn’t trust Rhea, and she thinks Rhea is a snake. But Rhea doesn’t like or trust Charlotte and probably thinks she’s the snake, and Charlotte doesn’t blame her.
There is too much history here, too much bad blood. Just because they have the same enemies doesn’t change that. Charlotte cannot look past it. Alexa is Charlotte’s friend, she trusts Alexa. So if Alexa wants to do this, that’s fine. But count Charlotte out. What!? The fans boo as The Queen steps away, but Alexa calls after her. Charlotte goes up the ramp, Alexa apologizes to the others and tries to figure out why Charlotte did this. Can Alexa get Charlotte to change her mind before it’s time to go to war?
Jey Uso is in the concourse!
And he asks them to please, please, play his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up and bounces along as Main Event Jey Uso makes his entrance, ready for The Last Time Is Now! But will it be Albany, New YEET? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister put all that fire from last week to good use?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz!
SmackDown returns and the fans continue to YEET, and then they want the encore! But instead, The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Miz KNEES low! Miz CLUBS Jey, then talks some trash. The fans rally for Jey but Miz brings Jey around. Jey blocks the buckle bump to fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Miz reverses, and Miz hits a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans boo but Miz soaks up the heat. Jey goes to ropes, Miz storms up on him, and Miz fires haymakers of his own! Miz soaks up more heat as he backs p, then he runs in, but Jey turns lariat into backslide! TWO!
The fans fire up as Jey stands, but Miz blocks a kick! Miz spins Jey, the DRAGON WHIP hits! Miz ends up on the apron, but he slides under Jey to sunset flip! TWO, and Miz catches Jey now! Jey fights the Finale with ama r-drag, but Miz avoids the superkick! So Jey LARIATS Miz up and out! The fans fire up and “YEET!” Jey builds speed and DIVDSE! Miz is send into the desk! Albany fires up while Jey snarls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Miz stalks Jey. The tide has turned and Miz storms up, but Jey ELBOWS him away! Jey goes up, but Miz kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Then a DDT! Jey gets spiked! Miz covers, TWO! Jey survives and Miz is stunned! Miz snarls as Jey sits up, and then Miz KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, and Miz winds up, only for Jey to duck the buzzsaw! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and crawls to a corner while Jey shakes his head. The fans rally as Jey goes to the other corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up, but Miz dodges!
Miz runs up and SHOULDER TAKCKLES! And SHOULDER TACKLES! Miz parodies John Cena with the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Miz says when his hand goes up, your mouths go shut. “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! The fans are torn as Miz now fireman’s carries Jey! But Jey fights free, shoves Miz, SUPERKICK! Then a fireman’s carry in return! Miz slips free, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and everyone is shocked, especially Miz! Jey flounders, stands, and goes to a corner. Albany is thunderous for Jey but Miz storms right up on him.
Miz puts Jey up top, then climbs up after him! Miz full nelsons again! But Jey fires elbows! Then he fireman’s carries Miz! The fans are thunderous as Jey hits a TOP ROPE RACK DROP! Then he gest moving, SPEAR!! Jey doesn’t stop there, he goes up the corner again! USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Albany YEETS again as Jey stays alive in the tournament! But who else will join him, Sheamus, and Rusev on the road to Washington, DC?
Ilja Dragunov talks with Nick Aldis.
The Mad Russian Dragon is glad he gets to have another Open Challenge, but then in walks Tommaso Ciampa. The Sicilian Psycho hopes Aldis is explaining to “our so-called fighting champion” how to respect the rules of an Open Challenge. Aldis says the champion has every right to dictate the rules how he sees fit, but Johnny Gargano asks if Ilja has the right to call his best friend a jackass. Candice LeRae asks if Ciampa looks like a jackass! Enough with calling him a jackass! The only jackass here is Ilja denying the one man answering the challenges! Make it make sense! Well, they were just discussing this, so listen very carefully!
When Ilja took on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, Ilja promised to do things the right way. And the right way mean sto not give opportunities to… jackasses! But to fight warriors who are willing to fight with respect and honor. And there is nothing honorable about Ciampa. So tonight, Ilja will give this opportunity to a man who fights with honor, and someone Ilja respects. Oh no, seriously?! AXIOM steps in! Ciampa accuses Ilja of cowardice, but Axiom thanks Ilja for this opportunity. Aldis wishes them both the best of luck, then moves on, only for Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed to be waiting outside his office.
Heyman smiles, a big contract folder in hand, and he asks Aldis, “How’re you doing? We need to talk to you for a minute.” Aldis says please, step inside. These three go into the office to talk, but what exactly about?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis calls in extra security for his office. He tells Heyman that before The Vision is escorted from the building, what can he do for them? Heyman says that’s awfully dramatic, Aldis. But this is the WarGames agreement, which allows Heyman to “take any talent that is under WWE contract across all brands. Tha tincludes SmackDown, your brand. My heads-up to you, you’re welcome.” Any talent across all brands? Yes, thank you for coming all the way to Albany to confirm what was already in the paperwork. This could’ve been an email, Heyman. So unless there’s anything else to discuss, he would like to ask them kindly to leave. Because The Vision will NOT be disrupting Aldis’ show.
And security steps in on cue. Heyman says oh goodness, look who it is! Cody Rhodes steps in, and Heyman says, “It’s the golden goose who’s being afforded all this protection.” Cody asks, “Mr. Heyman, what do you wanna talk about?” Heyman wants to talk about Cody getting involved with Vision business on Raw. Cody doesn’t know about this golden goose stuff, but he saw on Raw that they were putting his friends in the fire, which means he was next through the flames, but Heyman already knew that. But this is Friday Night SmackDown, and the business of today… is right here. “And if you’re not here to fight, then you should leave.”
Bronson says he’ll fight. Cody asks Aldis to make the match: Bronson Reed VS Cody Rhodes… TONIGHT! Aldis says that works, but Heyman asks why they’d give this away and not make it a title match? Cody says fine, book it. Aldis gets worried now, but Cody says, “BOOK IT!” Then it is official. Cody VS Bronson for the Undisputed Championship. Heyman smiles and thanks both Mr. Aldis and “Champ” Cody. Did Cody just get goaded into losing the gold? Or will the American Nightmare find a way to slay the Colossal Aussie?
WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom!
Speaking of titles, The Czar didn’t appreciate the Sicilian Psycho getting salty all over again, so he again passed on Ciampa to face Axiom. But will Ilja be able to deny the Undeniable Truth? Or will Axiom finally have singles gold on SmackDown?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Axiom rolls to wrench and wrangle Ilja. Axiom has the armlock but Ilja fights up. Ilja wrenches in return, then cording holds for a HIP TOSS! Cover, ONE, but Ilja holds onto the arm. Axiom kips up, slips around, and spins Ilja to snapmare and headlock. Ilja slips out to armlock in return and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Ilja knuckle locks to straight arm lever and SLAM Axiom! Axiom fights up but Ilja wrenches him again. Ilja whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom dodges the lariat! Axiom waits on Ilja and he says it was that close. Ilja and Axiom reset, knuckle lock, and Axioim headlocks.
Axiom hits the takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up. Ilja CLUBS at Axiom from below, then fights up. Ilja powers up and out, Axiom RAMS him, but Ilja RUNS Axiom over! Cover, ONE, and Ijoa gets moving! Axiom trips Ilja up, but Ilja blocks the hip toss! Ilja slips through but Axiom fights the backslide! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and then they spin around. Ilja ROCKS Axiom with a forearm! Axiom ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Axiom down! The fans rally, but Axiom catches the hammer into the ARMBAR! Ilja fights to stack, and he deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go, but Ilja ducks the enzigiri to SLAP Axiom down!
The fans rally and Axiom dodges to then DROPKICK back! Ilja staggers, Axiom GAMANGIRIS him up and out! The fans fire up while Ilja sputters, and Axiom takes aim. Axiom runs, GOLDEN- NO! Ilja stops the triangle moonsault as he CLUBS Axiom on the back! Axiom is stuck up top, Ilja CHOPS him! Axiom kicks at Ilja, Ilja CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as these two brawl on the apron. Ilja HEADBUTTS Axiom right back into the ring! Then Ilja climbs, aims, and SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives, Ilja is a bit surprised, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja snarls as he rises up, and he paces around Axiom. Axiom slowly sits up, Ilja fires up, but he turns around into a CHOP from Axiom! So Ilja CHOPS Axiom right off his feet! Cover, TWO! Ilja keeps close and brings Axiom up to CHOP again! And again! And then HEADBUTT! And CHOP! HEADBUTT! CHOP! Ilja then reels Axiomi in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Ilja still keeps axiom down with a facelock. Axiom endures, fights around, and he wrenches out to headlock back. Axiom waistlocks, Ilja bucks the O’Conner, but axiom kips up, into a CHOP! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives again but Ilja stays focused.
Ilja puts Axiom in a corenr, CHOPS him, and Axiom flops against the ropes. Ilja drags Axiom back up, whips corner to corner, and Axiom hits hard! Ilja runs up to KNEE low, then he runs side to side to BOOT WASH Axiom right outta the ring! Ilja roars and the fans cheer. Ilja goes out to BOOT Axiom, then follows him around the way. They go back into the ring, Ilja brings Axiom around, and Ilja waistlocks, only for Axiom to fight the lift. Axiom switches, Ilja fights the lift, and Ilja wrenches out to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And then Gotch lift POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Axiom is toughing it out bu tIlja is not deterred.
Ilja clamps on with a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight, Axiom endures so Ilja ELBOWS him down! And ELBOWS again and again and again! Ilja just HAMMERS away on Axiom, then clamps back on with another bearhug. Axiom still endures, fights back to his feet, but Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, drags Axiom back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Fans chant for “One More Time!” and Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja still holds on, Albany wants another, so Ilja drags Axiom up. Axiom switches, but Ilja again bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, but he ducks the chop to NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally as Ilja stands, and he swings, but Axiom CROSS COUNTERS! Ilja falls back, Axiom goes to a corner, but Ilja storms up. Axiom BOOTS Ilja down, hops up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Axiom grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Axiom rises, Ilja roars to give him more, so Axiom KICKS! And KICKS! Ilja wants more so Axiom KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Ilja blocks to SLAP, ROCK, boxing elbows, and BOOT! Axiom falls and the fans fire up again! Ilja powers up, runs, CONSTANTINE- NO, Axiom catches him to an ARMBAR!
Ilja fights, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he works to stack Axiom! Axiom fights that off, but Ilja deadlifts Axiom again! POWERBOMB! Axiom flounders, Ilja snarls, and Ilja aims from the corner. Ilja powers up, the fans rally, H-BOMB FOR- NO, Axiom uses that to spring up and MOONSAULT DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe what they saw, nor that Ilja survived! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom has Ilja in a corner. Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS and hoists Ilja up. Ilja fights back with SLAPS and Axiom staggers. But then Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom goes up after Ilja, but Ilja fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS!
Ilja and Axiom go to the very top, but Axiom hits the SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!! And then GOLDEN RATI- NO!! TORPEDO MOSCOW!! AND H-BOMB FOREARM!! Cover, Ilja wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Championship)
It was all in a blink of an eye, but Ilja snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Another instant classic is under Ilja’s belt, and he shows respect to Axiom for giving him this fight. The fans cheer that, but who will be next to challenge The Mad Russian’s reign?
R-Truth meets with Nick Aldis.
Truth knows last week that it was a heavy load, and Truth’s load was lost in the shuffle, but he is imploring to Aldis as employee to boss, please put Truth in the John Cena tournament. Aldis tries to tell Truth again, but Truth says don’t worry, he shined up his (lottery) balls so they’ll look real nice on TV. All he asks is Aldis handles them with care. Aldis again tries to get it through to Truth but Truth says just take his balls. FINE! Aldis takes them, and then Chelsea Green walks in. She asks if she heard John Cena’s name dropped. She did. Then speaking of legends, she has no idea why SHE didn’t get pyro when she won the Women’s US Championship.
But putting a pin in that, when is her championship celebration happening tonight? Aldis goes to say it’s not but she says that’s right, he CANCELLED it! She’d all of it prepared and ready to go! But all will be forgiven if this “injustice system” that is WWE would just give her a celebration next week, with pyro. Yes, he can make that work. Just for right now, hold onto these for him. Aldis hands Chelsea the Truth balls, and Alba says they do look nice. But will The Hot Mess really get everything she demand- er, wants?
SmackDown shares footage from the break.
As Axiom was on his way back up the ramp, Tommaso Ciampa attacked him! The Psycho Killer took out all his anger out on Axiom, only for Frazer to chase him off! Ciampa is only showing everyone Ilja is right about him, but will Ciampa not stop until he gets his opportunity?
Sami Zayn is here!
The fans cheer and sing along with the song as #BigMatchSami heads to the ring. Sami gets a mic and asks, “How we doing tonight, Albany? We good?” The fans cheer, and they chant for “Sami! Sami!” Sami takes a moment before he says, “I gotta tell ya. Since I’ve come to SmackDown, there have been some extremely high highs, and some extremely low lows. As soon as I came over to SmackDown, the first thing I said I would do is I said I would beat Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship.” The fans cheer that, and Sami says he did do that! He got to do amazing things with that title, like wrestle John Cena in his last match on SmackDown!
Sami got to go toe-to-toe with the best talent SmackDown has to offer week in and week out. The fans cheer again, and Sami says that was all great. But he won’t lie, the last four weeks have been extremely challenging. he has had to watch from the sidelines, hurt and not medically cleared, as Solo & MFT run roughshod every single week! The fans boo, and Sami says he’s had to sit and watch, unable to do anything, while MFT attacked Sami’s friends, those Sami liked and respected. And Sami gets it, Aldis told him not to get involved, don’t get hurt, and so Sami did. He sat back week after week. But he is here to tell us that that ends TONIGHT!
The fans cheer and Sami continues by calling out Solo! He knows Solo has a problem with him, and he sure has a problem with Solo, so let’s deal with it face to face! Solo & MFT make their way out here, and Solo has a mic in hand. Solo tells Sami, “You really think you knwio who you are, huh? You think you know, but you don’t. I know the real Sami, I know the real you. Yeah. He’s pathetic, a liar, desperate, and when you’re desperate, you do desperate things, which makes you so damn selfish!” The fans boo, but Solo says Sami only cares about Sami! Sami doesn’t care about the guys in the back, or even the fans here in Albany.
The fans boo, but Solo says for himself, what he cares about is his family. Solo cares about the men standing behind him and their loyalties to him. Unlike Sami! Sami knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. In fact, watch who you’re talkinga bout before he gets in there and kicks Sami’s ass! Don’t forget, Sami, you’re still wounded. The fans boo as MFT now flanks the ring, and Solo says this can end very badly for Sami. Solo could drop Sami right here and now, but he won’t. He will wait until Sami is 100% and medically cleared. Then once that happens, understand this: Solo is coming after you!
The fans boo, but Sami says, “Well, the good news for you, Solo, is you’re not gonna have to wait very long. Because as of tonight, I am officially 100% medically cleared! So if you wanna do something about it, go ahead and do something about it right now!” Sami calls Solo’s bluff, so Solo takes off the jacket But then Sami says before that, Solo needs to know this: Sami didn’t come here alone. And just as he says that, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns all YANK MFT off the apron! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Solo panics, Sami shrugs, and Solo takes a swing! Sami fires counter punches!
The fans fire up as Sami fires off on Solo in a corner! Sami stomps a mudhole, then he goes to the far corner! The fans fire up, but Talla gets Solo outta the ring! The fans boo but then JC Mateo CLOBBERS Sami! JC, Tama & Loa all mug Sami, but Sami’s friends get them! They TOSS the Guerrillas and even LARIAT Loa up and out! The fans fire up as now Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES MFT! Fenix regroups with Sami and friends! Will Sami and his team soon cut down Solo’s “Family Tree?”
Cody Rhodes prepares backstage.
Jey Uso says hey and Cody congratulates him on the win in the tournament. Jey says he just heard about Bronson’s title shot at Cody tonight. It might get a little slimy, so Jey’s got his back. Of course! Cody and Jey shake hands on that again, and then Jimmy Uso steps in. #BigJim says hey, Uce. Any time you can get your hands on The Vision sounds like a party to Jimmy, so count him in, too. They shake on that, and Jimmy says he spoke with Punk earlier. Count him in for WarGames, too! The three shake hands, The Usos head out, but will Cody be able to fire the first shot in that war? Or will a Tsunami end the reign of the American Nightmare?
Solo Sikoa argues with Nick Aldis backstage.
Solo demands that with Sami 100% healthy, he wants a match with him tonight! Aldis says first, there’s no more time on the card, that can’t happen. And second, Solo clearly has more enemies than just Sami. So how about this? In two weeks, SmackDown before WarGames, it’ll be MFT VS Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG in a 5v5 Survivor Series style Elimination Tag! Now if you’ll excuse him. Aldis leaves, and there’s a Wyatt Sick6 glitch on screen. And in fact, Uncle Howdy is lurking in the shadows. Will the Wyatts be watching that 10 Man Tag very, very closely?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS ???
The Mega Star knows what this tournament is all about, and he knows everyone wants to be John Cena’s final opponent, but what he doesn’t know is who will be his first round opponent! We’re all about to learn that in the matter of moments, but will it not matter when this is LA Knight’s game? Or will what you don’t know actually hurt you?
Everyone waits and watches the stage. “WOO! WOO! WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” It’s Matt Car- well, no, he’s ZACK RYDER again!? Long Island Iced Z returns to the WWE, but will he prove he’s #AlwayZReady? The bell rings, the fans cheer and “WOO WOO WOO!” Knight and Ryder circle, Ryder gets the “WOO WOO WOO!” going hotter, and the two tie up. Ryder rolls Knight, TWO! Ryder says it was that close, and Knight says yeah, okay. They go again, tie up, and now Knight wrenches Ryder to YANK, YANK, YANK the arm! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight wrenches, Ryder ducks, but then Knight switches.
Ryder bucks the O’Conner, but Knight avoids the Rough Ryder! Knight returns, but Ryder tosses him out! The fans cheer as Ryder smiles, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ryder whips corner to corner. Knight hits buckles hard, then drops to his knees. The fans cheer Ryder as he pushes Knight to the corner, then whips him again. Knight reverses and BACKDROPS! The fans fire up while Ryder flounders, then he goes to the apron. Knight storms over, Ryder ROCKS Knight first, and then Ryder goes to supelx! Knight supelxes but Ryder slips free! Knight dodges to JAB, JAB, and JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then ROLLING ELBOW! Knight clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Ryder hits buckles hard, and Knight hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ryder survives but Knight nods. Knight brings Ryder up, kicks low, then fires hands. Knight bumps Ryder off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Knight scoops, Ryder slips free, and Ryder ROCKS Knight! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And then whips, but Knight reverses. Ryder turns backdrop into FACEBUSTER! Big forearm in the corner, and Knight sits down! The fans pump their fists with Ryder, “WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” BROSKI BOOT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the fans rally up as Ryder aims from a corner. Ryder hooks Knight’s arms, turns him, but Knight RAMS Ryder into buckles! Dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight then rolls back to his feet and the fans cheer. Knight goes up the corner, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNGIHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW- NO, Ryder moves, runs up, ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans are shocked! Ryder is also surprised, but he hurries to watch Knight. “This is Awesome!” and Ryder reels Knight in, Knight wrenches out and kicks, B F- NO! Ryder rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight runs up, but into KNEES! Ryder goes up, up, RADIO SILENCE into a POWERBOMB!! Then Knight hauls Ryder up, B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
YEAH! Knight didn’t care who it was gonna be, he fought and won his spot in the second round! Knight, Jey, Sheamus, Rusev, who else will advance in this historic tournament?
Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky talk backstage.
They still can’t get their heads around why Charlotte just walked out on them. Charlotte also isn’t texting back or anything. Rhea knew they had beef, but she thought Charlotte would put it all aside like she did. Tonight just shows they gotta now find two more people for the team. Alexa says she has someone to call, Iyo says Charlotte was their best bet, though. But then Asuka, Kairi, Nia & Lash all attack! The brawl is on, Rhea HEADBUTTS Kairi down, but Lash DECKS Rhea! Then Nia sends Iyo into Lash’s KNEE! Lash then sends Iyo into a road case! And then same for Rhea! Security rushes in, Asuka says okay, okay, they’re good.
Nia says bye, losers~! The Irresistible Four just did a lot of damage. Will they even need a fifth woman to finish off what’s left of Rhea, Iyo and Alexa?
Jade Cargill VS B-Fab!
The Storm finally reigns on the mountaintop of WWE, and she is not playing nice with anyone. Will she strike down someone who was once a friend? Or will B-Fab truly be fab when she gets a win on the champ?
SmackDown returns, B-Fab makes her entrance, Michin staying backstage to let her handle things on her own. The bell rings and Jade dares Fab to try something. They tie up, Fab goes for a leg, but Jade spins her around. CHOKE- NO, Fab slips free and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Jade is in a corner, Fab runs up, HEEL KICK! Fab fires ELBOW after ELBOW, then fires up! The fans rally, Fab runs up, but Jade blocks the boot! Jade DECKS Fab with a forearm, then drags her right back up. Jade scoops Fab to FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, fires up, and the fans are with Jade on this one.
Jade waits on Fab, brings her around with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Jade tells Fab to stand down, but then she brings Fab up anyway. Jade revels in the cheers, then lifts Fab to POWERBOMB! Jade paces while she tells Fab to stay down, but Fab manages to sit up. Jade says fine, and she brings Fab up again. Fab fights, Jade lifts, POWERBOMB! Jade stands over Fab as she tells her to stay down, but the fans want to see that “One More Time!” Jade drags Fab up, has the chicken wings, and then JADED! Cover, Jade wins!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade mockingly checks her imaginary watch, and she says this is who she is! Michin is here now to make sure B-Fab is okay, but then Jade tells them both to get outta here. Mia is upset Jade would be like this just because she’s champion now. Jade tells Mia to know her place, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo but Mia wants after Jade! The ref keeps them apart, Jade steps out, and she smirks as she leaves. Jade says she is #ThatB*tch then, now, and forever, so just keep ’em coming.
Nick Aldis announces the final four first-round entrants.
“Last week on SmackDown, four superstars were selected at random to compete for the most prized career-altering opportunity: To face the Greatest of All Time, John Cena, in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tonight, fate will once again decide the superstars that will compete in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. First up, it’s a former first-round draft pick, Carmelo Hayes, taking on The Vision’s own Bronson Reed. And finally, the high-flying luchador, Penta, will go one-on-one with The Prince, Finn Balor. The only thig I have left to say, gentlemen, is good luck.” No Truth, but will the vision be clear as we approach December 13th?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M and brings up him going on record as to how he idolized John Cena growing up and would love this opportunity to go 1v1. What would a win in the opening round mean for him? Melo says first, he has to address this Miz situation. “Mike, you might’ve won the battle, but the war’s just begun. I will see you when I see you. And John Cena… The GOAT, the Last Time Is Now Tournament, you got a long line full of heavy hitters, killers, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna put you down, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna hang your jersey from the rafters. And respectfully, John, I’m one of ’em.
“50% of people might overlook me, 50% of people might think I can get the job done, but 100% of me knows that if I get that shot, I won’t miss.” But then in steps Bronson Reed. He tells Melo that he’s gonna end Cody Rhodes, then he will end John Cena after he ends H1M next week. Bronson heads out, Heyman nods towards Melo, and then The Oracle follows. Will Auszilla be taking it all on the road to the end?
Aleister Black speaks.
“Fear, Damian? That’s so silly that even you don’t believe that. No, no no no. You threw me on top of a table. You tried to throw me through things. And then you took the bottom part of the steel steps, and you tried to crush my head. The only person that fears anything is you. Fear of what we have made you become.” Zelina Vega says, “We said that we would force you to break your code. We said we would corrupt you. And I think we did exactly that.” But enough about him. They have their eyes set on greater things. That brings them to the entire locker room. Namely, those who hold world titles.
Aleister left fear behind the day he stepped foot back into the WWE, and he has become the one thing no one wanted him to become: everyone’s enemy! Does that mean the Dark Father is watching tonight’s main event very, very closely?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
The American Nightmare and The Colossal Aussie are both preparing for WarGames, and while it is Cody, Punk & The Usos at four against Bronson, Bron Breakker & Logan Paul at three, this could still tip the scales back in The Vision’s favor. Will a Tsunami wash away the reign? Or can Cody escape from New York with the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can carry that weight!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Bronson shoves Cody to a corner, but Cody dodges! Bronson hits buckles, Cody fires hands, then kicks to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs to ROCK Bronson, but then Bronson responds with a BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but Bronson covers, ONE! Cody shows toughness and goes to the outside, but Bronson runs in around the way! BODY CHECK! The fans boo, Bronson snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bronson drags Cody up, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him around the way again. Bronson storms in after Cody, but Cody BODY BLOWS! Cody fires a forearm, but Bronson HEADBUTTS him down! Bronson raises the one but the fans don’t acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Bronson whips and CLOBBERS Cody! Cover, TWO! Bronson drags Cody into a chinlock and leans on the hold, but Cody fights around. Cody reaches out, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. The fans rally as Cody ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson scoops to SLAM Cody! Bronson snarls again, but Cody avoids the elbow drop! Cody rises up, goes to a corner, but Bronson SPLASHES!
Cody sputters against the ropes but Bronson CHOKES him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and Cody sputters again. Bronson storms up and ROCKS Cody! Bronson puts Cody in another corner, BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner hard! Cody staggers, falls over, and Bronson drags Cody back up. Bronson has a chinbar, and he stretches Cody with the chinlock. Cody endures, fights back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally but Bronson CLUBS Cody, then back suplexes! Cody lands out, ducks a haymaker, and springboards! BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK!
The fans fire up and Cody rises, but so does Bronson. Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! BIONIC- NO! Fireman’s carry, JAGGED EDGE! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Bronson goes up! The fans freak out for the TSUNAMI, but it FLOPS as Cody moves! Cody hurries to springboards again, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Cody fires up and the fans are with him! Bronson is outside, Cody runs and DIVES, but into a forearm! Cody stumbles and staggers o the outside, Bronson runs up, but Cody TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up again and Cody refreshes the ring count.
Cody clears off the desk! HE even topples the belt pedestal! But BRON BREAKKER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan Paul is here, too! They mug Cody, SMACK him off the desk, then put him back in the ring! Was this the real plan all along? The fans boo as Bron rains down fists, then Logan gets his turn! Bron rips his shirt away and wants Logan to set Cody up. Logan does as told, but THE USOS hurry out here! Jey & Jimmy said they’d have Cody’s back, so they get in the ring to brawl with Logan and Bron! The fans fire up, but Bron shoves Jimmy! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bron! Jey joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Bron falls, Logan runs up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then the ONE D!! That’s one and done for The Maverick!
The fans fire up as now Jimmy decides to GET THE TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Jimmy puts that in for Jey, Jey sets it up, and the fans are all fired up! Logan is put on the table, the Usos go to the corners, but DREW MCINTYRE SHOVES JIMMY! Isn’t he suspended!? Jey runs up, but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! The fans boo as Drew saves Logan’s bacon! Aldis storms out here, asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Heyman claims this is per the WarGames contract! Heyman could recruit anybody under WWE contract, even suspended superstars! Drew sets the table up in a corner, and he drags Jey Uso!
But Jey breaks free to SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Jey now lines up a shot, but Drew KICKS first! Bron returns to SPEAR Jey through the table!! Jimmy is back to throw hands, but Logan uses ONE LUCKY RIGHT to knock Jimmy out! The fans boo, but now Cody is back! He throws hands on Drew and Logan, but a CLAYMORE takes Cody out! Drew throws off his shirt, he stares down with Bronson, and then Drew puts Cody in the drop zone! Drew step on Cody before the TSUNAMI hits!! The fans are either booing or desperately calling for CM Punk, but it is clear The Vision was thinking ahead.
Drew takes the contract from Heyman and they shake hands on the deal. The numbers are even, but will the odds be in The Vision’s favor now that they have a Scottish Terminator on their side?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, with quite a lot of surprises and big moves as perhaps a response to the sinking ratings and sinking interest. Charlotte not automatically being onboard with the team-up was certainly surprising, but given that 4v3 ambush backstage, that will surely compel Charlotte to join up. She’ll see it’s not about her and Rhea getting along so much as as it is them getting to beat up on their enemies, as we knew going into this. Then I would think they still bring in Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella as the fifth members for each side, to help build the title story on top of everything else, jus as I said on Monday.
Obviously Cody wasn’t going to lose the Undisputed Championship tonight, but that was a great move to bolster the show’s card and give an excuse for all the Men’s WarGames build tonight. Logan & Bron being here to help Bronson was a given, and Heyman using a unique WarGames contract to bring Drew McIntyre onboard was certainly a clever move. As I figured on Monday, Jimmy Uso was a natural addition to Team Cody, or maybe it’s Team Punk. And I would certainly think Roman Reigns will also be a natural addition to this match, but I’m curious as to the fifth man for The Vision. Would Lesnar really want to be in WarGames? Well, granted, he’d be the last person to enter the match and “clear house,” but he’d still have to get in there.
Great stuff with the US Championship, such as Ilja continuing to troll Ciampa. Ilja VS Axiom was awesome, through I swear I heard one drunken idiot slurring the word, “BORING~!” That person is the kind of American fan Gunther (and therefore Zack Sabre Jr.) was talking about, IYKYK. But in the end, I figured we’d get more DIY VS Fraxiom, and maybe after that, Ciampa finally gets his match with Ilja. Great promo from Sami with Solo, and great ambush from Team Sami on MFT to set up their own 5v5. I figured that if they weren’t doing the WarGames, they’d get to do the traditional Survivor Series match, and the go-home SmackDown continues to be a substitute for the kickoff show, but in the best way possible.
Another hilarious promo with Truth and Aldis, and Chelsea joining in so we can hype up a celebration certainly teases someone interrupting. Either Giulia is going to crash the party to demand a US Championship rematch, or they plug NXT Gold Rush by having Thea Hail & Joe Hendry get the better of them ahead of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match. I’m leaning more towards the former, they’ll build the tag match plenty on NXT. And speaking of Truth, a shame he doesn’t get in on the final part of the bracket, but Melo VS Bronson and Penta VS Finn will be great matches. With Bronson busy with The Vision’s story, I would hope Melo wins, and it’d be great if they teased a Boston VS Boston showdown.
Jade of course beat B-Fab tonight but that was pretty good for what was basically a squash match. Michin probably gets a match with Jade next, and likely loses that. Jade’s first title defense could be Survivor Series to basically be a buffer between the WarGames matches but also to just get one on the books. There’s a lot on hold for right now with the WarGames matches having a lot of great contenders involved, but I would think we get some Charlotte VS Jade build on the other side of Survivor Series.
And of course, great matches for the Last Time is Now tournament. Jey VS Miz was a great match, and Miz hitting Cena’s moves was an appreciated reference. But I figured Jey would win, they wanna tease a rematch of the Royal Rumble finalists from earlier this year. Matt Cardona was a great surprise, though him being Zack Ryder was perhaps even more surprising. People have been talking about Knight being punished and that he was being set up to lose, but if commentary is talking about that concept, then you know that is not the case. Great win for Knight, great showing for Cardona/Ryder, and here’s hoping Ryder gets to do more in WWE from here on.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Live! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.13.2025
With a month off, does TNA come back hot or with 87% talking and a show that should’ve been an email?
So last week was the definition of a filler episode with nothing really to speak of except for validating the Dani Luna versus Indi Hartwell match tonight. This is the first real iMPACT! episode since Bound For Glory and…it’s probably opening with Mike Santana talking. TNA needs to stop following the cookie patterns of WWE and you know…start with something interesting after nearly a month off. But let’s listen to talking…
Rascalz vs. The System at #TNATurningPoint!?@TheMooseNation @Myers_Wrestling @TheEddieEdwards @MrsAIPAlisha @DirtyDangoCurty @TheBadReed @ZacharyWentz
WATCH #TNAiMPACT LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/OPjzyXNgY5 pic.twitter.com/cwwHo3IbwL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 14, 2025
Ratings:
- Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell: Dani wins via DQ – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander: Cedric wins via Lumbar Check – ** 1/4
- TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c): Kelani retains via One of a Kind – (-*) – yes that’s Negative 1
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth: No Contest – NXT Attacks
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz: Kazarian wins via Roll-Up – * – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Results:
Oh look, it does open with Mike and the crowd gives him the “You Deserve It” and it’s a sparse few minutes and Mike starts his promo in Spanish, so that’s a good way to make people ignore the show in three minutes. I understand Spanish, but let’s be honest, the bulk of people who watch are whiter than copy paper, so the whole “Champ is here in Orlando, for Puerto Ricans, and others…blah blah” is not a smart way to open after a month with no real content. So after Santana says nothing in two languages, Ryan Nemeth comes out to Nic’s music because Nic isn’t there. Ryan tries to talk some shit and go for a cheap shot, Santana catches his hand, emasculates him and then tells Ryan he’s going to tell Santino to make a match between the two of them tonight, and he’s going to drop Ryan. So we’ve got a squash match to look forward too and maybe Nic showing up at the end for a beat down.
Kelani is going to have to go through Heather tonight and M tomorrow at Turning Point. So we get another crappy promo from heel Kelani, giving her free title defenses. Yikes…this is bad, I do kinda like the gimmick of Xia translating for Lei since Xia, Lei and Mara crash the interview. But it just makes me angry that one of those three don’t have the belt. Kelani ain’t worth a damn.
After the commercial we get Santino, Ava and Arianna to promote Gold Rush. And then they showed a video package of it, so a complete waste of 4 minutes aside from noting that Arianna got a chant from the crowd. She’s gotten herself over decently to the TNA crowd.
Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell
It has been 30 minutes and we get the first match…sheesh.
Indi with back to back Double Legs, Dani is getting worked over, Dani tries a Sunset Flip but Indi stops it and drops an elbow. Dani eats Chops, tries to Whip Indi to the corner, Up and Over and Indi takes Dani down and goes back to the chops. Dani finally blocks a Scoop Slam, but Indi blocks the attempted German Suplex so Dani drives her into the corner and finally gets some offense in. A bit of a botchy looking rope straddle where Indi had to lift herself back up to eat the Lariat. Big Power Whip bouncing Indi out of the corner, sliding Lariat for a near fall.
Jaw Jacker by Indi but she misses the Yakuza Kick, gets hung up, Dani tries to turn it into a Powerbomb but a Frankensteiner Counter and a few strikes forces Dani to powder. Indi tries to throw her into the steps, Dani stops herself and turns back into the Spinebuster. Indi to the top as Dani crawls into the ring and eats a Diving Elbow to the back for a near fall. Dani counters Hurts Donut, Shotgun Kick levels Indi. Dani is on the outside looking for a weapon, throws out the Time Keeper, grabs the chair, Indi catches Dani in the Small Package for 2. Indi grabs the chair and lays into Dani.
Indi…has no facial expressions to make sense of this. This is stupid, poorly acted by Indi but the crowd is eating it up like morons. That was the most boring “take out your aggression” I’ve ever seen. Indi cuts some mid ahh promo in the back about an NoDQ match or something at Turning Point and now The System comes out to guess what? If you said TALK, you’d be correct! Assuming this isn’t a rib, the most interesting thing to come from this is Dango announcing he’s retiring after Genesis, but then The Rascalz music hits.
They say they should give the people what they want, and Dezmond Xavier returns to The Rascalz for a 4 on 4 match. They never mentioned Dez by name, but that is the implication. So with JDC retiring and Dez potentially returning, at least that’s interesting.
Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander
Shoulder tackles and a quick Cruiser style start, Hotch powders mid running to pose and act smart so Cedric Dives to wipe out Jason and hits the Flatliner in the middle of the ring for a near fall. Cedric tries to continue and Hotch pulls the tights to send Cedric through the ropes, Skyler takes a cheap shot. Hotch with the Irish Whip, Cedric puts the brakes on, so Hotch hops the ropes and trips up Cedric, but Cedric comes back when Hotch continues, Dropkick to the back of the head, Lumbar Check attempt, but nope, back and forth, Hotch tries the Chaos Theory but Cedric blocks the Suplex, they throw into the corner, Hotch hops the rope, wants the Gamengiri, but Cedric blocks it and backs up, Rolling Neckbreaker from Hotch gets countered into a Lumbar Check! Cedric wins!
Order 4 attempted beat down, but Hardy Boyz make the save, Swanton on Ali is teased but they pull Ali out for foreshadowing.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c)
Well talk about mental gymnastics to try and make this match make sense, and list this under “who asked for this” – because I’d rather drink bleach in traffic than watch this match.
Color by numbers powder moment, commercial break immediately and I can feel the coma sinking in. Kelani with a bad kick, Heather with a bad Hip Toss right off the commercial…Christ, end this. Lei, Xia and Mara are watching from the back and they look as bored as I do Heather with a clunky Drop Toe Hold into a Hesitation Dropkick for two. Jaw Jacker from Kelani…I wonder how the Patriots and Jets game is going. Hmm, 14-7 for the Pats, closer than expected.
Heather and Lani do a dumb strike exchange since there’s no hatred, heat or fire in this match, Kelani with a Cartwheel move, Facebuster, all near falls, locomotion Cradles into a bad Super Kick. Heather botches a Satellite DDT, this is one of the worst matches I’ve seen all year. Sloppy, slow, clunky and botchy. One of Kind is hit, no one is surprised. This was a waste of 10 minutes.
Great, now we sit through an Elijah concert for prolly about 10-15 minutes since the Ryan vs Santana match isn’t gonna be a real match. I like Elijah, he’s actually a pretty good singer and the gimmick is fine. But this episode has been complete garbage, so more non-wrestling on the wrestling variety show is too much.
Ali comes out to interrupt and challenge Cedric and Hardyz, Elijah wants to pick the fight, but Ali cracks him in the face with the mic and then guitar shot on the injured triceps. Meh.
TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth
Ryan grabs a mic and yells at the crowd because they won’t cheer for him, and Santana lets happen because Santana isn’t taking the seriously. Ryan even tries to ask the referee to make them cheer. Eventually the bell rings and Ryan attacks immediately, punches into an Irish Whip and Dropkick. Ryan tries the Whip again, but Up and Over, Santana catches the foot, Ryan shakes his head when Santana berates him and drops him, throws him to the other corner, Cannonball! Ryan wants to Spin the Block, but Nic’s Music Hits, he’s carrying the trophy but someone attacks Nic.
Then a bunch of NXT people spill out of the crowd and attack. Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King…and others. I think Robert Stone is directing traffic for NXT. But this…this is what the show was hinging on, an Invasion/Overrun angle? Bad booking is bad, ya know?
TNA World Champuonship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz
Kaz’s music hits, he calls his shot, Fade to Black, but Santana Kicks out. Frankie tries the Chicken Wing, Santana slams him into the corner, wants Spin the Block, but the beatdown stops him from being able to execute the move, Roll-Up, and Santana…loses. Frankie Kazarian is the new World Champion.
Overall Score: 3/10
There was something interesting with Dango being on the retirement tour, The Rascalz bringing Dez home and Lei Ying and Xia’s gimmick is endearing. Plus like I said in the rundown, I enjoy Elijah’s musicianship, but I don’t appreciate a Wrestling Show basically no wrestling. Is it variety? Sure, but it’s a wrestling show first. So a show that has 3 squash matches and a 5 minute X Division match that could’ve been much better with time…the wrestling was forgotten tonight. A month off and they lost the plot on the rebound. Ugh…I’ve had diarrhea more enjoyable than this.
The Invasion/Attack is corny but Kaz managing to pull off the Cash In, is…okay I didn’t see it coming, but it doesn’t save the show being awful.
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