Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/3/25)
New Year, New Champion?
Will Nia Jax finally #FeelTheGlow?
2025 has big things in store for WWE, and it starts with SmackDown going to THREE HOURS! Plus, Naomi gets one more shot at the WWE Women’s Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins.
- Mia Yim VS Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green; Mia wins.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Motor City Machine Guns; DIY wins by disqualification and retains the titles.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Nia Jax VS Naomi; Nia wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Championship Money in the Bank Cash-In: Nia Jax VS Tiffany Stratton; Tiffany wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s Champion.
- Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS Sami Zayn & The Usos; The Bloodline wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
Phoenix, Arizona cheers on The American Nightmare as he brings his Undisputed WWE Championship with him to the ring, and they of course sing along, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off and Cody continues down the ramp. Cody high-fives fans, autographs a Funko Pop, then gets more pyro before stepping into the ring. The fans cheer while Cody grabs a mic, and the fans cheer more while he holds up the belt. Cody then hears the fans chant his name before he says he’d normally ask what we want to talk about. But he’s pretty sure we all want to talk about the same thing. “Timing is a funny thing in life, just as it is in this industry.
“We’re on the cusp of changing everything, not just about WWE, not just about sports entertainment, but about pro-wrestling itself. It starts tonight, SmackDown going three hours here in Phoenix.” The fans cheer that! And of course on Monday, Raw goes to Netflix. And Cody’s excitement… It is tempered ever so slightly, because as much as Cody wants to be involved, he can only be involved so much because he is not cleared to wrestle. The fans boo that news, but Cody says he is not cleared to wrestle because of Kevin Owens. The fans boo more, but Cody says Nick Aldis and management are concerned Cody’s here at all.
But at the Royal Rumble, just a month away, we hang the championship up high, Cody and Kevin will compete in a ladder match! But wait! DREW MCINTYRE is here! The fans are torn as the Scottish Terminator slowly makes his way out, eyes locked on Cody. McIntyre steps into the ring, Cody’s eyes locked on him. McIntyre looks Cody over, and then HUGS him!? The fans are confused and Cody is perplexed. McIntyre then backs up to grab himself a mic, and he says, “I’m not here to hurt you, Cody. I’m here to help you. You’re not on my list. We go way back. And since no one else is gonna look you in the eye and tell you this…
“You’re about to screw up your entire life’s work. Everything you’ve done, all the dues you’ve paid to finally make it to the top of WWE, be the centerpiece, you talked about us moving into the future. This is the greatest generation in the history of the company! Not the 80s, the New Generation, the Attitude Era, brother. Right now is the best wrestlers we have ever had in ring, and if you look at the numbers, the best of all time by all fire, and you’re the freakin’ quarterback of it all!” The fans do cheer that. But McIntyre says again that Cody’s gonna screw it up. Aldis is breathing down Cody’s neck and refuses to clear him.
McIntyre knows that feeling, where you want to fight but management screws you over and holds you back. There’s a guy running around with a replica title, acting like one of these idiot fans in the crowd, pretending to be a world champion! The fans are a bit torn but McIntyre says they’re promoting Kevin like he’s world champion at these live events! And Cody’s neck is hanging by a thread. McIntyre wanted to come out here to tell Cody that this gimmick, this portal, whatever it is, McIntyre sees Cody needs a friend. And maybe- Cody has McIntyre stop there. Cody knows McIntyre is using the Transfer Window and all, saying he wants to help Cody.
Exactly! McIntyre always tells the truth. Oh, always? Okay, well, resident truthteller, Cody will tell the truth back to you. Cody would like to say that years ago, Cody watched McIntyre from afar as he carried WWE through its darkest time, that they are kindred spirits for having to leave WWE, scrape themselves up off the mat, put themselves back together, make something of themselves, come back and #FinishTheStory. Cody would like to say that the past few years, McIntyre has not only become a beast in this ring but on the microphone. Cody would like to say that, but… Cody doesn’t believe McIntyre.
The fans are torn again but Cody says he does not believe McIntyre, and he can feel the tension. It is certainly going to devolve, so let’s just cut to it! McIntyre wants to throw hands on Cody? He wants a shot at the title? They might as well do it here and now! McIntyre, come and get it! McIntyre says as similar as they are, Cody will see the truth one day. As soon as they’re gone, the fans will forget them. It doesn’t matter what the fans think, though! McIntyre is telling the truth: he is NOT here to hurt Cody, he is here to help him! The two circle but McIntyre goes to leave. McIntyre says one more thing: Watch your back.
AND KEVIN RUSHES IN!! The fans boo, McIntyre set Cody up for The Prizefighter! Kevin stomps away on Cody while McIntyre walks away! Cody gets up to fire back! The fans fire up as Cody turns things around, and he stomps away on Kevin! Kevin hits back, producers and security rush out here, but Phoenix wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Cody gets free and he LEAPS onto Kevin! The fans fire up but the producers and refs pull Cody back! Kevin is dragged from the ring but he wants more of Cody, too! Will these two even make it to the Royal Rumble? Or will this all fall apart on the Road to WrestleMania?
Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
El Idolo was cheated by the King of Strong Style and is looking for revenge. Will Andrade start off his New Year with a win over the United States Champion? Or will Nakamura have yet another trick up his sleeve?
The bell rings and Nakamura runs up to kick and fire off knees! Nakamura whips, Andrade KICKS back, and then runs up to RANA! Nakamura tumbles out to the apron but Andrade DROPKICKS him to the floor! Andrade goes to the corner and climbs up, to then ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Nakamura and the fans fire up! Andrade stands tall while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Andrade puts Nakamura in the ring, storms up to the corner and climbs again, for a CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Andrade keeps cool and he paces around Nakamura. Andrade puts Nakamura in the corner, CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Nakamura reverses, Andrade goes up and out, but Nakamura GAMANGIRIS him down! Andrade falls to the floor and Nakamura goes out the side. Nakamura storms up on Andrade, SMACKS him off the desk, and then puts him on the apron. Nakamura refreshes the count, then runs to KNEE LIFT! Andrade sputters into the ring, and Nakamura rolls in after him.
Nakamura drops a KNEE on Andrade’s head! Cover, TWO! Nakamura paces more, stomps Andrade around, then drags Andrade up. Nakamura suplexes and hangs Andrade out to dry! Then he AX KICKS Andrade down! Andrade writhes but Nakamura covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Nakamura paces around Andrade, stomps him again, but Andrade rises to CHOP! And CHOP! Nakamura KICKS Andrade down! Nakamura paces, then he clamps on a chinlock. Nakamura also traps an arm but Andrade endures. Andrade fights up, fires body shots, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Andrade fires more shots!
The fans rally as Andrade ROCKS Nakamura, ELBOWS him down, then blocks a kick! DRAGON SCREW! Nakamura hurries to his feet, but Andrade ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Nakamura! The fans fire up and Andrade kips up! Andrade flexes, then he fires the fans up with “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, but into a KNEE! Nakamura kicks, Andrade ducks, but not the HEEL KICK! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and both men rise. Nakamura goes after Andrade with a forearm shot! Andrade gives it back! The forearms go back and forth, the fans behind Andrade. Andrade dodges the strike fest to CHOP!
Nakamura goes to a corner. Andrade whips corner to corner. Nakamura reverses, runs up, and he blocks boots! He puts Andrade int he ropes, KICK and SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura then climbs up while Andrade flounders. Nakamura aims and FLYING KNEES! Cover, TWO! Andrade survives and Nakamura seethes. Nakamura goes back to the corner, and he rips away a buckle pad! Just like their previous showdown! But Andrade DROPKICKS Nakamura into the buckles! And then CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Andrade is shocked! The fans rally up while Andrade looks back at the buckle.
Andrade checks the buckle, and he climbs up. MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives again and Andrade is beside himself! Andrade drags Nakamura up, “This is Awesome!” as he underhooks. But Nakamura slips out, SPIN ELBOW! And then INVERTED EPXLODER! Andrade lands out! Boot feint to ELBOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Nakamura barely gets his arm up and Phoenix can’t believe it! Andrade drags Nakamura up, puts him on the top rope, then CHOPS! Andrade climbs up after Nakamura, but Nakamura fights the suplex! Nakamura then slips out to the apron, DDT on the post!!
Andrade is a ragdoll as Nakamura throws him into the ring! Nakamura aims from the corner, Andrade sits up, into the KINSHASA!! Cover, Nakamura wins!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall
The sinister samurai is merciless, but here comes LA Knight! The fans erupt as the Mega Star storms the ring! Knight dodges Nakamura to then CLOBBER him! Knight rains down fists, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight stands Nakamura up, for the B F- NO, Nakamura gets free of the BFT and runs away! Knight grabs a mic to shout, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! You steal my title and things go crazy! One way or another, I’m coming to collect on what’ sowed to me. Cuz what goes around comes around, and what going around ain’t the flu! It ain’t the cold! It’s me stomping your ass to dust every time you turn around, with EVERYBODY saying… “L! A! KNIGHT!” “YEAH!!”
The Knight calls out the King of Strong Style, but will he be able to dethrone Nakamura when they go another round?
Apollo Crews is confronted by Pretty Deadly.
Kit Wilson & Elton Prince say, “Well, well, well…” If it isn’t Apollo Stooge! And if there’s one thing Pretty Deadly learned on the mean streets of London, it’s that snitches do indeed be getting stitches. Oh, yeah? That’s so funny! Because everyone knew you two were lying! Los Garza didn’t attack The Street Profits, that was DIY! But Apollo gets it. They think they’re slick. Because in steps Legado Del Fantasma. Santos Escobar tells Pretty Deadly are “Pretty Little Liars.” If you’re gonna talk about the familia, at least do that to their face. Elton says they’d never lie! Kit says it’s ridiculous!
Escobar says what’s ridiculous is that Pretty Deadly thought their lies wouldn’t come back around and beat the crap out of them! Kit says chill, tranquilo! They’re all friends here. No need for threats. THREATS? No, no threats. And then Los Garza jumps Pretty Deadly! They have Kit & Elton up against road cases! Aldis and producers storm in to stop this. Legado leaves, Kit & Elton say they should be reprimanded! But Aldis says they should come with him to have a nice little chat. Pretty Deadly’s got some explaining to do. What will the consequences for perjury be in the WWE?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis finishes chewing Pretty Deadly out for saying it was Los Garza while Apollo says it was DIY. And then DIY storms in to say no no no, timeout! Why’s Aldis taking the words of Apollo Stooge and not of these two fine gentlemen? Why? Because Aldis’ eyes are connected to his brain. Aldis doesn’t know what the four of them are up to, but they’re all on thin ice. Aldis leaves, and Ciampa says they know what Pretty Deadly is up to. Pretty Deadly want their title shot, and there are only two guys who can make that happen, and that’s DIY. Aldis clearly hates Pretty Deadly, but DIY loves them! They’re pretty and they’re deadly!
DIY says Pretty Deadly would be great #1 contenders. But there’s a big title match with MCMG. And so listen: It is very important DIY leaves here the tag team champions. Good talk. #YesBoy. DIY heads out and they seem to have Pretty Deadly fooled. Will Kit & Elton help themselves by helping Gargano & Ciampa out with tonight’s big title rematch?
Mia Yim VS Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green!
Michin knows the Hot Mess only got away with the gold thanks to “Lil’ Miss P,” so now it’s time to take out the sidekick! Will Mia clear the path back to the Women’s United States Championship? Or will Piper make sure things stay #RedWhite&Green?
The bell rings and Mia fires off! Piper picks Mia up and RAMS her into the corner! Piper fires body shots and forearms, but lets off as the ref counts. Mia BOOTS Piper, then goes up to RANA! Piper tumbles, Mia runs, and then Mia RANAS again! Piper tumbles out of the ring, Chelsea panics, but Mia then FLYING RANAS! Piper tumbles on the floor and Mia is all fired up! Mia tells Chelsea to back up, then she runs up on Piper. Piper dodges, then scoops her, SCRAPBUSTER to the floor! Piper & Chelsea salute while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Mia whips but Piper reverses. Mia wheelbarrows to BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Chelsea is relieved, but Mia brings Piper up. Piper says no to the Sole Food and RAMS Mia into the corner! Piper runs to SPLASH and sit Mia down. Chelsea cheers Piper on and Piper says, “O Champion, My Champion!” Piper runs corner to corner, but Mia moves! CANNONBALL hits buckles! Piper is stuck so Mia CANNONBALLS Piper! Mia twerks at Chelsea and Chelsea is furious! Piper runs up, Mia dodges to kick and PELE! Cover, TWO! Mia hurries to the apron but Chelsea mouths off!
Mia kicks at Chelsea and Chelsea runs away. Mia goes up to leap, but Piper gets under! Mia comes back, wrenches, but still no feet! Piper wrenches to MICHINOKU PIPER! Cover, TWO?!? Piper is furious and she stomps away on Mia! Piper drags Mia to a drop zone then goes up. Chelsea says this is it! VADER BOMB gets boots! And now EAT DA FEET! Cover, MIA WINS!
Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall
Chelsea is furious but Mia says she’s got next! Will Mia make sure she’s the Head Baddie In Charge once and for all?
Naomi speaks.
“My glow isn’t just a look. It’s a reminder that in all of us, there’s a light. We’re beautiful and powerful, and can change the world just by being in it. I want to be a living reminder that we don’t have to experience life the way we’ve been told. That we will not be pushed around by the fear in our minds, but led by the dreams in our hearts. I do the impossible: I change the environment around me. I am The Glow, I am Naomi.” Will everyone #FeelTheGlow when Naomi goes for gold? Or will the Irresistible Force still be on top in the New Year?
Paul Heyman is here!
“Ladies and gentlemen… My name is Paul Heyman. Tonight, way before Monday, I wanted to come out here on the record to set the record straight.” The fans cheer that! Heyman says on Monday, we find out one thing: Who is the REAL Tribal Chief? The fans already chant “O T C! O T C!” Heyman says to be transparent about it, Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman trained Solo Sikoa to be the next in line. Roman Reigns & Heyman taught Solo how to become the Tribal Chief. Roman Reigns & Heyman prepared Solo for the moment in time in the future, when Roman Reigns was ready to step down as Head of the Table, head of the family, the head of ALL the WWE!
And then, Solo would reign as Tribal Chief. Then at WrestleMania, what happens? After 10 years of lusting for revenge, Roman could not turn down that lust and finally got his revenge on Seth Rollins. But Cody Rhodes, to his credit, took advantage of that to get the 1-2-3 on Roman Reigns. And that is where Solo Sikoa seized the moment. That is where Solo stole the ula fala from Roman Reigns! That twisted SOB did not earn the ula fala, he STOLE it!! He got rid of Jimmy, he got rid of The Wise Man, and he got rid of everyone else because he knew no sane man would ACKNOWLEDGE Solo!
So what did Solo do? He went out and got himself this band of filthy animals that don’t even belong in pro-wrestling! Tama Tonga, not welcome in the US! Tonga Loa, not welcome in the US! Jacob Fatu, who is not even welcome outside of the US prison system! Solo got these renegades because none of the OGs were going to ACKNOWELDGE Solo. On Monday Night Raw, live on Netflix, Tribal Combat, no rules except that there must be a winner and a loser! The winner of the match, and Heyman absolutely promises us that Our Tribal Chief, the Only Tribal Chief, will be Roman… Reigns…! The fans fire up, but wait… Here comes Solo!
Solo Sikoa, ula fala around his neck, glares up at the ring. Solo makes his way down to the ring, and yet Heyman has not left out the side. The fans boo Solo as he steps closer to Heyman. Heyman says he just wanted Solo to know he’s about 10 seconds away from pissing in his pants. Why? Because the last time they did this, when Heyman told Solo was NOT his Tribal Chief, Solo had Heyman put through a table in front of his children and the entire world at Madison Square Garden. And if Heyman even blinks at Solo wrong, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga will come out here and the same thing will happen tonight in Phoenix.
The fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Solo holds out his hand. Heyman rolls his eyes and says, “C’mon…!” Solo is waiting, so Heyman reluctantly hands over the mic. The fans chant, “SOLO SUCKS! SOLO SUCKS!” Solo tells Phoenix, Arizona, “ACKNOWLEGE ME.” The fans boo instead. Solo says it is finally time for Heyman to acknowledge the truth. Heyman owes CM Punk a favor, right? Yes… Then how about this? Solo will owe Heyman a favor. This Monday, Solo needs someone to hold the ula fala during Tribal Combat. Solo needs someone who is trustworthy, who loves the family. Someone who would never disrespect the family, nor disrespect the ula fala.
So this Monday, IF Roman Reigns beats Solo Sikoa, and that’s if… Heyman may put the ula fala around Roman’s neck and Solo will acknowledge him as Tribal Chief. The fans cheer that! But Solo continues that when he beats Roman, which he will, Heyman knows it, Solo knows it, and everyone else knows it. So when Solo wins, Heyman will put the ula fala around Solo’s neck, and everyone will know that Solo owns the ula fala and that he owns Heyman. Heyman will become Solo’s Wise Man forever! Then Roman will have no choice but to finally… ACKNOWLEDGE SOLO. Solo hands the mic back while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!”
Heyman drops the mic, exits the ring, but the deal has been struck. The UNDISPUTED Tribal Chief will be determined this Monday, which side of the Bloodline: Civil War will finally win out?
Motor City Machine Guns speak.
Chris Sabin says being betrayed by someone you considered a friend sucks. And what makes it worse is when it’s also someone you’ve known for years. Someone who has been up and down the same roads as you, experienced all the same things as you, just to make it here! Everything they’ve been through, thrown away, and for what? The WWE Tag Team Championships! Alex Shelley says he taught Gargano everything he knows about how to fight to the top of this business, but Gargano just taught MCMG something, too. They realized that everywhere they go, there will be wolves in sheep’s clothing. And Gargano & Ciampa sure aren’t sheep.
DIY may have forgotten who MCMG are, one of the most revolutionary tag teams in the business, and THE best tag team in WWE. It took them three matches to win the titles, and it’ll take just one to win them back. MCMG are taking aim, will they be able to shoot down the traitorous Gargano & Ciampa? We find out next!
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Motor City Machine Guns!
SmackDown returns and MCMG makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who are truly the best in WWE today!
The teams sort out and Ciampa starts against Sabin. They tie up, Ciampa kicks low then stomps a hand! Ciampa wrenches Sabin to a wristlock but Sabin fights up. Sabin rolls, wrenches, rolls and kips up. Sabin steps over, then arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Sabin has Ciampa in the cording hold, but Ciampa fights up. Ciampa JAWBREAKERS free, then runs up, but Sabin dodges. Tag to Shelley and MCMG DOUBLE LARIAT! Gargano gets in. he sends Sabin into Shelley but Shelley sends Sabin back. Sabin back ELBOWS Gargano, then Shelley BOOTS Gargano! The fans fire up and Shelley brings Ciampa around.
Shelley wrenches and CLUBS an arm, then wrenches and CLUBS it again. Shelley wrenches and CLUBS Ciampa again, then tags Sabin. MCMG double wrench and DOUBLE LARIAT! They crisscross Ciampa, whip him, and DOUBLE ELBOW him down! The fans fire up and Sabin brings Ciampa around. Sabin whips, Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges. Ciampa grabs ropes, Gargano tags in, but Sabin dodges Ciampa. Sabin LARIATS Ciampa up and out, kicks Gargano, then TOSSES Gargano out! The fans fire up and Shelley opens the way! Sabin DIVES and takes down DIY! The fans fire up with MCMG as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Sabin fist-bumps fans, then he puts Gargano back in. Sabin stalks Gargano but Gargano bails out. DIY regroups out there but Sabin pursues Gargano. Gargano leads Sabin on a cat ‘n’ mouse then tags in Ciampa. Sabin fights off Gargano but gets caught in WILLOW’S BELL! Ciampa applauds and pats himself on the back before he stomps Sabin. Ciampa taunts the fans, then he brings Sabin up. Ciampa CHOPS Sabin down to the corner, then SMACKS him off Gargano’s boots! Gargano CHOKES Sabin on ropes, but he lets off as the ref counts. Gargano soaks up the heat, then he brings Sabin up.
Sabin fires body shots but Gargano CLUBS him down. Gargano brings Sabin over to CHOP in the corner. Tag to Ciampa and Ciampa stomps a mudhole in him. Ciampa drags Sabin up, brings him around, and he feeds Sabin- NO, Sabin blocks Gargano’s boots to DECK him! Sabin ELBOWS Ciampa away, BOOTS him, then runs up. Ciampa spins Sabin, but Sabin slips out of the full nelson! Victory roll, but Sabin uses it to head for the corner! But Gargano YANKS Shelley down! No tag there, and Ciampa drags Sabin into a REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa is annoyed but he clamps onto Sabin with a chinlock.
Sabin endures, even as Ciampa grinds him into the mat. Ciampa pushes up, it’s almost a Bully Choke, but Sabin endures all the same. Sabin fights up, and SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally. Sabin fires body shots, but Ciampa knee slow! Ciampa whips Sabin but Sabin DROPKICKS Gargano! Sabin ELBOWS Ciampa again, then runs up, but Ciampa dodges to ripcord and HAYMAKER! Ciampa whips, BOOTS, and runs, but Sabin GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sabin and Ciampa both crawl, hot tags to Gargano and Shelley! The fans fire up as Shelley fires off hands!
Shelley whips, Gargano reverses, but Shelley CLOBBERS him! Shelley DECKS Ciampa, wrenches Gargano and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gargano is still in this but Shelley looms over him. Shelley drags Gargano up but Ciampa is there! Shelley takes a swing but gets caught! Gargano runs up but Shelley BOOTS him away! Shelley DECKS Ciampa, then TOSSES Gargano out. Tag to Sabin and MCMG both run, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! DIY is sent into the desk! Then MCMG DOUBLE PLANCHA! All four men are down but Shelley clutches a leg. The fans rally up as Shelley hobbles back to the corner.
Sabin puts Gargano in, then stands on his hand. Tag to Shelley, but Gargano fires forearms and CHOPS on MCMG! Gargano CHOPS and ROCKS both men, then runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! ENZIGIRI! LOW KNEE! LEG SWEEP! DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Cover, Ciampa breaks it! Sabin and Ciampa trade shots, the fans rally for MCMG. The shots go faster and faster, back and forth but then Ciampa CHOPS! ROLLING- CHOP from Sabin! Then a SOBAT! Shelley adds a SUPERKICK! But then Gargano SUPERKICKS Shelley! Ciampa dropkicks Sabin’s legs out! Gargano SUPERKICKS Sabin for good measure!
All four men are down again and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Gargano crawls, tag to Ciampa! Ciampa CHOPS Shelley, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! But Shelley CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Ciampa headlocks, Sabin tags in as Shelley powers up and out. MCMG atomic drop, dropkick leges out, and DREAM SEQUENCE! The fans fire up while Ciampa goes to a corner. Sabin & Shelley coordinate, BOOT ENZIGIRI COMBO in the corner! Tag back to Shelley and Sabin turns Ciampa. But PRETTY DEADLY runs out here! The fans boo, but Ciampa sends Sabin into Shelley! Ciampa TOSSES Sabin, then PSYCHO KNEE for Shelley!
Tag to Gargano and DIY gets Shelley up! Underhooks, SUPERKICK FAIRYTALE ENDING!! Cover, TWO?!? Shelley survives and shocks DIY! And now Los Garza runs out here! Angel & Berto chase Kit & Elton into the crowd, they all brawl, and Shelley rolls Gargano! TWO, but into the BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Sabin intercepts Ciampa for a roll and STF!! DIY endures submissions but Pretty Deadly jumps into the ring! Los Garza jump them, they all fall onto the submissions! DISQUALIFICATION!!
Winners: DIY, by disqualification (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
The fans boo and MCMG are upset! Pretty Deadly do the dirty work for DIY! They’re not “Do It Yourself” anymore, it’s more like “Do Whatever It Takes” or something! Gargano & Ciampa gloat, will they come through on the promise to give Kit & Elton their shot?
Nia Jax talks with Candice LeRae.
The Irresistible Force is almost about to have her match and where is Tiffany? She’s nowhere to be found. Candice says Tiff might just be upset about what Nia said last week. Nia rolls her eyes, but Candice says Tiff is just sensitive. But Candice is here for her. And Tiff just overcomplicates things. Remember what happened with the tag team titles? Yes, Nia does. After Nia beats Naomi again, maybe she and Candice get another shot at the tag titles. Candice just has to make sure Bianca stays out of this. Candice says, “Anything you need.” The Poison Pixie hurries off, will she be the perfect fairy godmother for The Queen of the Ring?
Sami Zayn is backstage.
And he crosses paths with Carmelo Hayes. Melo says last week, Sami knows Melo had him beat. If Sami’s boy, Braun Strowman, hadn’t gotten involved, it would’ve been Nothing But Net. Uh, no, as Sami remembers, Melo was about two seconds away from catching a Helluva Kick and ran away. Melo says no, he was getting the game plan ready. But hey, Sami and his boy, Strowman, can get this work. They can run it back any time he wants. But then The Usos walk over and asks if there’s a problem. Melo says nah, he’s got this. This is light work here. But then Melo sees who is asking, and Jimmy again asks, “Do we got a problem?”
Sami says no, guys, it’s fine. Melo was just telling Sami that the next time they run it back, Sami was gonna “get this work.” Isn’t that right? C’mon, Melo, tell him more. Melo leaves and The Usos tell H1M not to be scared. But good timing, Uce. They got a big fight to get to. Sami just has to get in gear, they’ll run this back and get on the same page. Jey says sure, comb his hair even. Sami heads to the locker room, the Usos say this is big. So is Monday Night Raw, Netflix and Tribal Combat! They are ready for it! But then they bump into Kevin Owens… Jey tells Kevin to watch where he’s going. Kevin smirks and says Jey needs to watch his back.
The Usos look around, but they shrug that off. Will Jimmy, Jey & Sami represent for The OG Bloodline and slow Solo down? Or will they have to worry about the Scottish Terminator still being in the building?
Nick Aldis catches up with Cody Rhodes.
The SmackDown General Manager is there as The American Nightmare is about to head out. Aldis asks if Cody is okay. Cody says he is, but Aldis isn’t so sure. Because see, Cody’s the one who talked Aldis into the ladder match idea, and now Cody is just hellbent on not making it to the Rumble! Put aside the hatred for Kevin to think about the bigger picture, both Cody’s career and the WWE’s future. Because otherwise, Aldis will have to do it for him. Cody respects the fact Aldis is thinking about both the company’s future and Cody’s future. Not sure if anyone’s ever told Aldis, but Aldis is a great boss.
However, while Aldis is the boss, but Cody’s the champ. This is the most important week in WWE’s history, and as much as Aldis has the right to keep Cody on the shelf until the Rumble, as much as Aldis has the right to put Cody on every media appearance until the cows come home, Cody has the right to call his shot! If McIntyre wants to be part of SmackDown, then Aldis should go back there and tell him he is welcome! That he has Cody’s attention! And to remind of what happens to those who got Cody’s attention in the past.
Cody did say last year that when one story ends, another begins, so here’s the story now: If Cody sees Kevin, or even someone who looks like Kevin, Cody drops them on SIGHT. Cody heads out, will he make sure it’s Kevin watching his back from now until February 1st?
WWE Women’s Championship: Nia Jax w/ Candice LeRae VS Naomi w/ Bianca Belair!
It has been quite the back and forth between the Irresistible Force and The Glow, and it could all come to an end with the New Year! Will Naomi become a DOUBLE Champion? Or will Nia turn the tables and earn another shot at the Women’s Tag Team titles?
SmackDown returns as Nia makes her entrance, Candice by her side. The introductions are made, Nia’s title is raised, and we see if it stays Nia’s title!
The bell rings and Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, then DROPKICKS! Nia ends up in a corner. Naomi runs up to fire forearms, then a HOOK KICK! Naomi brings Nia out but Nia shoves her to a corner. Nia then runs up, but Naomi dodges! Nia hits buckles, Naomi KICKS Nia in the legs again and again! But Nia HEADBUTTS Naomi down! The fans boo but Nia soaks up the heat. Nia SMACKS Naomi off the mat, drags her up, then TOSSES her to the corner! Nia runs up but Naomi kicks low! Naomi whips, but Nia reverses and Naomi is back in the corner! Nia SPLASHES Naomi, then whips her corner to corner.
Nia runs up but Naomi drop toeholds! Nina hits buckles and Naomi KICKS her! And KICKS her! But Nia blocks a kick to THROW Naomi down! The fans boo but Nia dusts off the orange hair from Naomi. Nia storms up but Naomi RAMS into Nia! Naomi slingshots but into a HEADBUTT! Naomi falls to the floor, Candice and Bianca watch each other closely, and Nia soaks up more heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Naomi sunset flips! Nia stays up, but Naomi avoids the hip drop! Naomi KNEES Nia, then runs, but into a scoop! Nia swings Naomi for a SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Naomi survives and Bianca coaches her up, but Nia kicks Naomi around. Nia shoves Naomi, talks trash, but Naomi kicks from below! Naomi throws hands, but Nia scoops and SLAMS! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Naomi stays in this but Nia grins. Nia clamps on a chinlock and she squeezes tight. Fans rally for Naomi, and some even cheer for Tiffy Time, but Nia shakes her head. Naomi fights up and the fans rally up more!
But Nia POSTS Naomi! The fans boo but Nia soaks up the heat. Nia goes to the apron, and HIP ATTACKS Naomi against post! High stack, TWO!! Naomi survives and Nia grows frustrated. Bianca coaches Naomi but Nia slaps Naomi around. Nia taunts the fans, drags Naomi up, and she reels Naomi in. But Naomi fights the bomb! Naomi slips around to victory roll, TWO!! Nia escapes but Naomi runs up, only for Nia to LARIAT! Nia drags Naomi to the drop zone and climbs up! The fans boo, but Naomi gets up! She KICKS the legs out, KICKS Nia in the Tree of Woe, then WOE STOMPS her down!
The fans fire up as Naomi rises, SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!! Nia survives but Naomi is too tired to be upset. The fans rally and Naomi brings Nia up, only for Nia to shove her to a corner. Nia runs up, Naomi dodges, and Nia POSTS herself! The fans fire up and Naomi drags Nia up. HOTSHOT! Nia flops back down, then Naomi runs to DIVE! Direct hit and Nia is sent into barriers! Naomi KICKS Nia, gets her in the ring, and then runs up gain to AX HANDLE! Nia stays up so Naomi AX HANDLES again! Nia is still up so Naomi springboards, FLYING CHUCK! Nia is still on her feet!? She swings, misses, and Naomi manages a SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives Naomi’s insane feat of strength and no one can believe it! The fans rally up more and Naomi drags Nia to a drop zone. Naomi goes up, up, but Nia CLUBS her on the back! Nia wags her finger, then scoops Naomi, to put her in the Tree of Woe! Nia runs, and she HIP ATTACKS Naomi in the stomach! Nia then shoves Naomi down, goes up the corner, and she soaks up heat before the SUPER LEG DROP!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naomi survives and shocks everyone! The fans rally while Candice and Nia are furious! Nia shakes her head, storms up on Naomi, and she CLUBS away on Naomi’s back.
Nia drags Naomi to a corner, goes up, but Naomi YANKS Nia back down! Naomi stomps Nia, she climbs up again, and Naomi leaps, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and Naomi is beside herself! Bianca is frustrated on Naomi’s behalf, “This is Awesome!” as Naomi reaches for Nia. Nia goes to the apron but Naomi brings her in the ropes! Naomi fires knee after knee, and then tucks her in! HEAT SEEKER! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Naomi is pulling out her hair while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Nia DECKS Naomi! Nia whips Naomi to a corner, runs up, but Naomi BOOTS her! Naomi goes up to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Nia survives and Naomi is again too tired to be upset. Naomi hurries to a corner, climbs up, but Nia runs up! Naomi leaps over, comes back, Samoan- CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives that counter, but Naomi clamps on body scissors! MODIFIED BUTTERFLY CLUTCH! Candice gets on the apron but Bianca YANKS her down! Bianca TOSSES Candice, beats her down, and the fans are loving it! Nia breaks free of Naomi’s grip, and she goes out to CLOBBER Bianca!
The fans boo but Nia sends Bianca into steel steps! Nia storms back into the ring and she drags Naomi to a drop zone. Nia goes up, but Naomi hurries to ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi climbs to get Nia and she fires hands! The fans fire up but Nia scoops Naomi! SUPER POWER- JUDO THROW!! That same counter from months ago, and wait! “IT’s TIFFY TIME~!” Tiffany brings her own ref, as well as the briefcase, right to ringside! Candice argues with the main ref, but Tiff says yes, it’s time! But then she SHOVES the ref!? Because then she takes aim to CLOBBER Naomi!! Tiff was part of the plan all along!? A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)
Talk about a false alarm! Tiffy Time was just about her part to play in this screw job! Naomi loses, but now Nia goes after Bianca! Nia HEADBUTTS Bianca, then she climbs up the corner. But now Tiff CLOBBERS Nia?!? Candice is shocked, but Tiff kicks and POSTS Candice!! The fans are losing it as Tiff goes out to get a ref! Bianca sees her chance, and she gives Nia a KISS OF DEATH!!! Tiff then YANKS Bianca out of the ring to TOSS her over the desk!! Tiff has Phoenix erupting as she says NOW she’s cashing in!! The ref takes the briefcase, and Tiff hurries into the ring!
WWE Women’s Championship Money in the Bank Cash-In: Nia Jax VS Tiffany Stratton!
The announcement is made, the fans are going wild, and bell rings! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!!! Cover, TIFFY WINS!!!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Champion)
She waited, waited, and even endured being treated like a lackey, but now Miss Money in the Bank becomes THE Women’s Champion! Will all of WWE have to get on Tiffy Time?
Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline heads to gorilla.
Jacob Fatu already shouts, “I LOVE you, Solo! First thing on my mind, when I open up my eyes, and realize, is I LOVE YOU, SOLO! Just in a couple seconds, I’m about to show the world what happens when you don’t acknowledge the one and only Tribal Chief. So Monday, when Solo beats Roman’s ass, 1-2-3, the whole world will ACKNOWLEDGE SOLO!” The Bloodline makes their entrance, but will they tear down The OGs and leave Roman without a tribe to lead?
Backstage interview with LA Knight.
The Mega Star finishes talking with Aldis about something as Byron Saxton walks over. Byron brings up Knight going after Nakamura but Knight says he ain’t got time for that. The man called The Mega Star is here in Phoenix, and that means Nakamura has Hell to pay, and pay Hell he will. Now, surely you want to know what Aldis was talking with Knight about, so he’ll tell ya. Aldis asked Knight the same thing: Why did Knight attack Nakamura? Knight said it’s because Nakamura saw fit to blindside Knight every chance he could, take advantage while Knight’s back was turned, and then he slid right in and got a US Championship match.
Knight says monkey see, monkey do, so now when Knight sees Nakamura, Nakamura gets his head stomped in until Knight gets what he wants. Guess what? Knight just got what he wants! Because next week, SmackDown, US Championship, Nakamura VS Knight, it’s going down! And then Knight will set his sights on the Royal Rumble and taking his rightful place in the main event of WrestleMania. It’s 2025, the Knight Train is gonna roll, and anyone in the way gets smacked back to factory settings. And that’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life, YEAH! Knight heads out, but will he take back the title? Or will he just be another victim for the King of Strong Style?
Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS Sami Zayn & The Usos!
SmackDown returns and fans fire up as Jey leads Jimmy & Sami through the concourse! Jey asks production to please hit his music! YEET! The OGs make their way down through the bleachers, the entire crowd bouncing as they “YEET! YEET!” Phoenix doesn’t wanna stop, they continue to “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with The Usos! The teams finally sort out, and #BigJim steps up for his big in-ring return. But wait, Jacob & Tama won’t back down, so now all six men just stare down. And then it pops off! Phoenix fires up as the fists fly! The ref reprimands but this isn’t a match yet! The OGs THROW Solo and his Bloodline out!
The fans fire up as Solo’s side regroups, and Solo is furious! The OG dare someone to bring it but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Jimmy wrenches Jacob. Tag to Jey and he climbs up to AX HANDLE the arm! Jacob backs away to ropes, then resets with Jey. Solo says stand down, and Jacob obeys. Jacob tags in Tama, and the fans all copy the “Yeyeyeyeyeyeyeh” that Tama does. Tama and Jey circle, tie up, and Tama knees low! Tama CLUBS Jey down, HEADBUTTS him to a corner, and then throws down hands. The fans boo, the ref counts, and Tama backs off at 4. Tama mocks the “YEET,” then goes back to Jey. Tama whips, Jey reverses and Tama hits buckles hard! Tama crawls, Jey drags him over, tag to Sami.
Sami drops an elbow and the fans fire up! Sami drags Tama up to bump him off buckles. Sami goes up, takes aim, and AX HANDLES! The fans cheer on “SAMI USO!” while he brings Tama up. Sami wrenches, tags Jimmy, and they mug Tama. Jimmy whips Tama to ropes, but Tama reverses. Jimmy grabs ropes, BOOTS Tama, but Solo HOTSHOTS Jimmy down! The fans boo and Jey protests, but “lil’ brother” gets away with one. The fans chant, “Solo Sucks!” but Tama tags Solo in. Solo sits Jimmy up to rain down fists, then talks trash. Solo even calls out Roman, saying this will happen to him on Monday!
Solo HEADBUTTS Jimmy again and again, then lets off to soak up heat. Solo drags Jimmy up, HEADBUTTS him again, then talks more trash. Solo kicks Jimmy to ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Solo lets off at 4, but Tama gets a cheap shot in! The fans boo, but Solo eggs Jimmy on. Jimmy sits up, but Solo clamps on the shoulder claws! Jimmy endures, the fans boo, but Solo digs his fingers into the trapezius. Jimmy still fights up and he reaches out. The fans rally, Jimmy reaches up and he JAWBREAKERS free! Hot tag to Sami! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Solo, then whips.
Solo reverses but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT! Solo stays up so Sami keeps moving, and he LARIATS again! Solo SMACKS Sami, then whips him. Sami goes up and over, then LARIATS! Solo goes down and the fans fire up again! Sami has Solo in a corner and he climbs up. Sami rains down fists, and he goes to TEN! Tama runs up, Sami ELBOWS him down! Sami ELBOWS Solo, goes up and leaps, but into the URENAGE! Solo snarls but he has control again as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Solo slowly stands, and he tags in Jacob. Jacob stomps Sami, then pushes Sami down for a FALLING HEADBUTT! And another FALLING HEADBUTT! Then a jump and FALLING HEADBUTT! Solo stalks Sami to ropes, CHOKES him against the ropes, but the ref counts. Jacob lets off to stare down The Usos. Sami drags himself up but Jacob whips him to the corner! Sami hits buckles hard, and Jacob stalks Sami. Sami reaches out but Jacob BITES Sami’s hand! Jacob brings Sami up, tag to Sama, snap suplex to a slingshot SENTON! Tama taunts The Usos with “YEYEYEYEYEYEH!” then he goes back to Sami.
Tama ROCKS Sami, fires off body shots, and a DROPKICK! Sami tumbles out of the ring and to the floor, only for Tama to FOLEY ELBOW DROP! Tama drags Sami up, brings him to the desk, but Sami blocks the bump to SMACK Tama off the desk! Sami hurries into the ring, but Tama hurries to stop him! Tag to Solo and Solo stomps Sami! Solo taunts Sami, then clamps on those claws! Sami endures the hand digging into his shoulder, fights up slowly, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally, Sami fires body shots, but Solo shoves Sami, SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! The Usos coach Sami but Solo stays between them.
Solo pushes Sami around, but Sami stands to CHOP! Sami leans on Solo, CHOPS again, but Solo DECKS Sami! Solo drags Sami over, tags Tama, and Tama rains down fists! The fans boo, but Tama doesn’t stop, he just eggs Sami on! Sami throws hands, Tama keeps raining down shots, and then Tama HAMMERS Sami down! Tag to Jacob and he looms over Sami. Sami slowly sits up, Jacob eggs him on. Jacob runs corner to corner and back again for a HIP ATTACK! Jacob is all geeked up but Sami sits up. Jacob UPPERCUTS Sami down! Jacob clamps onto Sami to tag Solo, and they mug Sami with HEADBUTTS!
Solo taunts Sami, HEADBUTTS him again, and Sami wobbles. Solo whips, Sami KICKS back! The fans fire up and Sami gets around to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sami and Solo crawl, hot tags to Tama and Jey! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey rallies on The Bloodline! Big haymakers for Tama! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, takes off the shirt, and he DECKS Tama! Then mule kick, UPPERCUT, and SAMOAN- NO, Tama slips free! Tama shoves Jey away, Jimmy tags in! Jey UPPERCUTS Tama, then baits him back in. Tama hits buckles, The Usos DOUBLE GIRI!
Jimmy tags Jey back in, then he RAMS Tama! Jey runs up to forearm SMASH! Then they DOUBLE ELBOW, and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up but here comes Jacob! The Usos dodge, and they DOUBLE LARIAT Jacob up and out! Jimmy ends up going with Jacob, Tama runs up to roll Jey! TWO! Jey dodges Tama to POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and Jey is frustrated, but then Jacob sends Jimmy into steel steps! And barriers! Sami CLOBBERS Jacob! The fans fire up but then Solo POSTS Sami! Solo goes to the apron but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Tama whips Jey into a corner, then jumps up! VENOM DDT! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up and Tama is frustrated. Tama crawls, hot tag to Jacob! The Samoan Werewolf storms up on Jey, and he mocks the fans for cheering Jey. Jacob says Jey should’ve joined their side! He should’ve ACKNOWLEDGED SOLO! Jacob stands Jey up, but Jey SUPERKICKS Jacob! Jacob ends up in a corner, Jey hurries to hot tag Sami! Sami then tags Jimmy, and The Usos coordinate. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up to HIP ATTACK! Jimmy HIP ATTACKS! Sami HIP ATTACKS! He really is an Honorary Uce! Jey & Sami BLAST Solo & Tama, then do their secret handshake. They then DOUBLE DIVE! Down go Tama & Solo!
Jimmy climbs, the fans fire up, USO SPLASH on Jacob!! Cover, TWO?!? Jacob survives and Jimmy is stunned! Jimmy drags Jacob up, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Jimmy! Now Jacob goes up, and he SAMOAN SPLASHES!! But then the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, SAMI BREAKS IT! The fans are thunderous as Sami saves the day! Jacob storms back up and he TOSSES Sami out! Jacob goes back for Jimmy, reels him in, but Jimmy RAMS Jacob to the corner! Tag to Jey and the Usos mug Jacob! The Usos snapmare Jacob, then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Jacob is down, Jey covers, TWO!! Jacob survives again!
And wait, here comes Drew McIntyre! The Scottish Terminator wants after Jey, but Jacob has him first! Jey dodges Jacob, then DIVES onto Drew! Jey hurries back to the ring, climbs up a corner, and he leaps, but Jacob gets under! Jey keeps moving, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and the fans fire up again! Jacob snarls, drags Jey over to the corner, and he sits Jey up. Solo wants the tag so Jacob obliges. “I LOVE YOU, SOLO~!” Jacob runs so he can HIP- NO, Jey got away! Solo hurries in but Jey SUPERKICKS him back out! Jey dodges Jacob to then SPEAR! Jey hurries to a corner, but he doesn’t know Solo’s legal!
USO SPLASH on Jacob, but SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo covers Jey, Solo’s Bloodline wins!
Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall
The misdirection works out, and Solo is again adorned with the ula fala. Monday Night Raw awaits, who will the world ACKNOWLEDGE as the one and only Tribal Chief?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to kick off 2025, but also to move us into three hours as the runtime. It maybe dragged right at the middle, the 90 minute mark or so, but I feel like they hadn’t scheduled a lot for the sake of everything having room to breathe. Especially when the tag title match apparently needed a change, a shame for Profits, but a good adjustment. Pretty Deadly and Los Garza are getting in on things, too, with Legado as a whole perhaps making a slow turn to Face given they got framed by the bigger Heels, Kit & Elton. That’s still a Fatal 4 Way or even bigger tag match in the making, maybe something for Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 25th.
The Women’s US Championship might even be on the line at the next SNME with how Mia got a great win over Piper and is headed for a rematch with Chelsea. A little surprised the Men’s US Championship match is next week but that’ll be great stuff, especially if they let it go a long time to fill the three hours. I just don’t know the chances of Knight winning when Nakamura’s newest persona is still rather fresh. Cody had a great promo with McIntyre, and while McIntyre might be moving to SmackDown, I don’t see Cody staying. It’s felt like Netflix wants all the big parts of the WWE, so wouldn’t they want THE Undisputed WWE Champion?
Great attack by Kevin, as set up by McIntyre, and Kevin also had a good interaction with The Usos. Turns out his warning was right, because McIntyre does show up during the main event. That was a great Six Man Tag, but between McIntyre’s distraction and apparently Jey not seeing that last tag, it makes sense that Solo’s team would win. Between this and that great promo from Heyman, Solo surely loses the Tribal Combat match so that Roman is back on top. Though, something about that almost feels like the boring choice because to the credit of McIntyre, Roman has not changed his ways, something needs to make him do that. I still think it should be Heyman’s favor to CM Punk being Heyman advocates for Punk over Roman.
And of course, great stuff with the WWE Women’s Championship. Great promo from Naomi to hype things up a bit more, and a really good promo from Nia and Candice to plant the seeds. It did make me think Tiffany was cashing in, but we still got a great match from Nia VS Naomi first. Then Tiffany helping Nia win just to swerve her, that was some genius stuff. It means more to Tiff personally to take that title off Nia, who was bullying her since day one, never appreciated anything Tiff genuinely did to help Nia, and then started leaving Tiff behind to have Candice as her new crony. Great stuff for Tiff, and I would hope they follow through with Tiff still showing up in LA for NXT New Year’s Evil like she promised to watch Roxanne Perez VS Giulia. It could even be a way to tease Tiff VS Roxie on main roster to continue their feud from their NXT days.
My Score: 9/10
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SmackDown’s on the road to Riyadh!
John Cena dared CM Punk to challenge him at Night of Champions, and Miss Money in the Bank, Naomi, wants all champions to Proceed With Caution!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes; Orton wins and advances to the next round.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim; Jade wins and advances to the next round.
- Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis w/ The Wyatt Sick6; Gacy & Lumis win.
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS
Chelsea GreenAlba Fyre; Alexa wins and advances to the next round. - King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Cody wins and advances to the next round.
PLAY BY PLAY
John Cena is here!
Lexington, Kentucky sings, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he makes his way out in the University of Kentucky white ‘n’ blue. Cena goes to the ring, and while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena signals to Mark Nash to give the proper introductions: Please welcome the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Lexington with his presence one last time, he is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA! The fans boo as Cena holds up the belt. Cena then grabs a mic and says, “Wrestling’s Mount Rushmore… is John Cena, John Cena, John Cena, and John Cena.” The fans boo but Cena says, there have been great wrestlers and great talkers.
But no one in the past, and certainly no one in the present nor the future, is comparable to him. And the very reason Cena will always outmaneuver the fans is not because he never gives up. It is because he is smarter than us. “You Can’t See Me, but you all wanna be me.” And whether watching at home or being mesmerized in this very arena, Cena is always 1000 steps ahead because everyone is worried about here and now, when he had already “won” this title over a year ago. Cena announced his retirement early so that he could have an extra six months to scout his potential opponents.
Cena knew anyone could enter the Rumble, so he did. And he knew that if he lost in the Rumble, he could use his seniority to enter the Elimination Chamber. And he knew that in the Chamber, Rollins and Punk would melt down to give Cena an easy win. Plus, Cody Rhodes was so focused on The Final Boss, Cena just had to seize the moment, shock the world, and become unpredictable. Then all he did was use Cody’s obsession with everyone’s love to guarantee the WrestleMania win. Cena used the fanfare and love of the 25 year rivalry to get a match in Randy Orton’s hometown, all to lull Randy into a false sense of security.
Cena put R-Truth in the Saturday Night’s Main Event so that all the fans would care, and the fans took the bait! While the fans tried to save Truth, Cena made friends with Logan Paul, just to eliminate him as a threat, and all to size up his next opponent in CM Punk. The fans boo but Cena says he used Punk’s rebellious nature and sociopathic self-confidence to back him into a corner. The fans cheer for Punk, but Cena says if Punk wants to take the title, he has to admit that he is a hypocrite! And Cena doesn’t even have to worry about Mr. Money in the Bank, Rollins will never cash in on Cena while he holds this!
Cena knows Rollins wants Cena to leave with the Undisputed title, Rollins becomes your only champion! Cena is the greatest for a reason! The fans boo but Cena says while they’ve been busy using their pathetic brains to come up with fake stories like if Cena “sold his soul,” all Cena has to do is put the math in his favor. He wins before the matches even start! In 25 years, he crunched every number, solved every puzzle and cracked every code. And thank God Cena doesn’t need the fans’ appreciation, because they won’t realize how good he is until three years after he’s gone! This is the greatest moment of their lives, but to Cena, they are just a mathematical equation.
And the math says that there is no one ever worthy enough to earn the right to hold the Undisputed title ever again. But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! Lexington sings along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” as the American Nightmare makes his way to the ring. Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans in the front row, then steps up onto the corner for the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody throws his track jacket to the crowd as a free souvenir, then he grabs himself a mic. The fans cheer as Cody and Cena are face to face again, and then Cody gets the fans to fire up a bit more. Cody takes a moment, then asks Cena to go over what he just said.
Cena claims to be 1000 steps ahead because he’s so smart? No, no, he isn’t just smart! Cena’s a genius! It is unfortunate that everything Cena’s said has come true: Rollins and Punk melted down, Cody was distracted, and they all took their eyes off the prize. The homefield advantage was used against Randy, and the Mount Rushmore being all Cena, sure. But here we are, some sort of 25 year master plan, and there’s this variable that he didn’t account for, and it is simple. Cena laid out his whole story since his return, but why didn’t he include the simple fact that this past Saturday, he was looking up at the lights when Cody pinned him in the middle of this ring?!
The fans cheer, and Cody says he isn’t part of Cena’s plan, Cena is part of Cody’s. So “John Rushmore,” where does that leave the two of them? Well it isn’t just the two of them, because here comes Randy Orton! The fans fire up as The Viper goes right to the ring, gets right in Cena’s face, then pushes past him to grab himself a mic. Randy is back a month after Backlash, and he tells anyone and everyone that had a pulse and was watching Backlash knows Orton had Cena BEAT! Down and out, dead to rights, and about to remove Cena’s head from his shoulders! Until somebody out there decided to come and save John Cena.
Orton realizes now that he has to do whatever it takes. It doesn’t matter what or who it is he has to go through to get his fifteenth. Even being in the King of the Ring Tournament. Cody, Orton loves you like a brother, you know that… But if Orton has to put Cody’s ass down to get to Cena, he won’t hesitate to do it! But wait! Here comes LA Knight! Lexington fires up for The Mega Star as he already has a mic to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” “YEAH!” LA Knight says all week long, he’s heard the whole world saying #WeWantLAKnight! “YEAH!” Knight knows what they want, and he knows for damn sure what none of the other guys in the ring want, and that’s Knight walking down there.
So, why don’t we take a walk? Knight understands what this is as he defiantly walks down there. He is looking at the WEW Establishment! “YEAH!” Knight is the sore thumb sticking out here, and that’s how he likes it, YEAH! “YEAH!” But you gotta understand something. Cena, you have this great little master plan, BAH GAWD, it is genius. But Knight knows damn sure that the plans didn’t include Knight, YEAH! So let’s go ahead and throw the plan on it’s head. KOTR is around the corner, which means Knight has a shot at Cody, Orton, and Cena, all on the way to taking what is his! “YEAH!”
So unbreakable as Knight is walking in here, he’s gotta drop a viper, a nightmare, and if he has to drop “a genius balding b*tch John Cena,” he’ll do it to be WWE Champion, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Cena chuckles and steps out. The fans boo as Cena goes back up the ramp, but then R-TRUTH GETS HIM! Or, well, Ron Killings gets him! And he rains down furious fists on Cena right at the ramp! Security rushes out there, as do producers, and the fans boo. Cena kicks free as it takes everybody to hold Killings back! Will Cena even make it to Night of Champions with the walls closing in?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns as Melo joins Orton and Knight out here, followed by The Dark Father. The King of the Ring has a new format this year, which one of these four survives to head into the semifinals?
The bell rings and the four watch each other. Melo locks eyes with Knight, but then he goes after Aleister! They brawl with forearms and haymakers, then Melo throat chops! Melo whips, Aleister grabs ropes and BOOTS H1M back! Aleister TOSSES Melo, Knight and Orton tie up and they end up in a corner. Aleister whips but Melo reverses to send Aleister into barriers! Orton fires hands on Knight, then a KNEE! Knight turns thing around, only for Melo to roll him up! TWO, and Orton kicks Melo! Orton UPPERCUTS Melo, Aleister UPPERCUTS Melo, then Knight DECKS him! And LARIATS him up and out!
Aleister goes up, out, and TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Down goes Melo and Knight has Orton! Orton denies the BFT, but then Knight denies the RKO! Aleister runs up, Knight ducks the Black Mass! The fans fire up the huge standoff, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Melo has Knight in a corner. Melo rains down fists, but Knight stops him quick! Atomic drop and a LARIAT! Knight storms up on Melo to stomp him into a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then goes to Orton in the other corner and stomps away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes back to Melo, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Aleister is back, Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! But then Knight runs up, only to be put on the apron. Knight slingshots but into a CUTTER! Melo has Knight in the ropes, FADE AWAY LEG DROP! DROPKICK for Orton, but Aleister ROCKS Melo!
Aleister whips, Melo springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Melo shoots his free throw, then FLIES to take out Aleister! The fans fire up and Melo goes back to the ring, but Knight WRECKS him with a dropkick! “YEAH!” Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Melo up to SMACK him off the desk! Knight dribbles Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Orton has Knight for a back suplex, but Knight lands out! Orton blocks Aleister’s boot, spins him around, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Knight then RAMS Orton into the apron! The fans rally, Knight fetches Melo, and Knight puts Melo in the ring. Knight storms up, “This is Awesome!” as Knight hoists Melo up top.
Knight climbs but Melo throws hands! Knight CHOPS, they brawl some more, and Knight fires a flurry! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight steadies himself, brings Melo up, but Melo fights the lift! Melo fires body shots then he shoves Knight down! But Orton runs up to ROCK Melo! Orton gets Melo up but Melo CLWWS the eyes! Aleister STEP-UP KICKS Melo! Melo wobbles, Aleister TOSSES Orton, but Orton drags Aleister out! Orton whips, Aleister reverses and he POSTS Orton! Knight springs up to get Melo! Melo shoves Knight away, aims, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Aleister breaks it! The fans fire up as this one continues, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns once again and Aleister KNEES Melo, then ENZIGIRIS! Knight runs u;, Aleister goe sup and over, then he spins Knight to ELBOW him! Orton stumbles up but Aleister stops the RKO! Orton avoids Black Mass, Aleister grabs Knight but Knight rolls him up! ONE, and Aleister aims, but Knight dodges so the BOOT hits Orton! Knight has Aleister but Aleister denies BFT to KNEE Knight down! Melo headlocks but Aleister handsprings out of the bulldog! Aleister fires off a strike fest and a BOOT! Cover on Melo, TWO! Aleister grows frustrated but he has all three opponents down! The fans fire up as Aleister aims, runs up, but Orton LARIATS!
Orton LARIATS again, then dodges to SNAP POWERSLAM! But Knight runs up, he gets a SNAP POWERSLAM! Melo ROCKS Orton, runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up for Orton as he drags Melo up. Orton puts Melo in the ropes, but then Aleister runs up. Orton kicks Aleister, has him in the ropes, but then Knight adds on! JUMPING NECKBREAKER DOUBLE DRAPING DDT COMBO!! Cover on Orton, TWO!! Orton stays in this for everyone’s sake and Knight is a bit stunned. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” Knight watches Melo rise, kick and B- NO, Melo powers out! Knight swings on Orton but Orton ducks!
Orton aims, but Knight denies the RKO, and he sends Orton into Melo’s FIRST 48! Aleister BOOTS Melo! Knight has Aleister, B F T!! Cover, MELO BREAKS IT!! Melo denies Knight that game winner, and now they rise up. Melo vows to end this, but Knight wrenches and kicks, to then whip and POP-UP and POWERSLAM! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes to the corner. The fans rally as Knight climbs, “L! A! KNIGHT!” BUT BRONSON REED YANKS KNIGHT DOWN! The Colossal Aussie gets revenge for Monday, but speaking of! BRON BREAKKER SPEARS KNIGHT!! They cost Knight at MITB, he cost them in KOTR, so now they get him out of KOTR!
Melo grins and takes aim, NOTHING BUT RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just when Melo thought he was taking advantage of an opening, he left himself open to The Viper! Will Orton be meeting Cody Rhodes at the end of this tournament? Or will Sami Zayn make sure he isn’t just someone’s stepping stone?
Jacob Fatu walks ‘n’ talks backstage.
“Lexington, Kentucky. The United States Champion is here. Hell, the United States Champion is America’s Most Wanted, and I’m coming live and direct inside The Rupp Arena! YADADADADADADA mean?!” The Samoan Werewolf is all fired up, but what more will he say on how Saturday was the night he broke free from Solo Sikoa? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Fatu heads to the ring! Lexington cheers the Samoan Werewolf, and he grabs the mic to say, “Lexington, Kentucky! Let’s keep it 100! Just because you’re family don’t mean that you can go behind their back and try to snake ’em. Just because we both come from the same bloodline don’t mean that they can take all the credit for your hard work! So Solo says I wouldn’t be nothing if it wasn’t for him. Solo says Jacob Fatu would be nothing if it wasn’t for him!” The fans boo that, and Fatu says this is why he had to remind Solo at MITB what happens when you don’t get in where you fit in! The fans cheer that!
So now, it is Fatu against the world! Cuz Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA MEAN~?! But wait, Solo Sikoa is on the tron, sarcastically applauding. Solo says that’s it, Jacob, tell ’em how you feel. Solo leans in close and asks Fatu if he’s done getting it all off his chest. At MITB, Fatu could’ve made the biggest mistake of his life. And Solo can forgive him for that. One year ago, when Solo visited Fatu in Sacramento, Fatu was doing nothing. NOTHING. No one wanted Fatu around until Solo brought him here to the WWE. Solo made Fatu into a WWE Superstar, put money in his pocket, put him in the position for success, and even made him a champion!
This is all because of SOLO, you stupid…! Solo holds back, and he says next week, Solo will be in the ring with open arms, willing to take Fatu back. But there is something Solo needs from Fatu. He needs those four words from him: I Love You, Solo. And just remember… Solo brought Fatu into the WWE, and he can take him out of it. Yadada mean? Solo leaves Fatu to think on this ultimatum, but is it already obvious what Fatu will say to Solo next week?
Nick Aldis meets with The Secret Her-vice.
“Special Slaygent” Piper informs the SmackDown General Manager that Chelsea Green needs to speak with him. But Chelsea isn’t here in the room…? She’s on the phone. And Chelsea apologizes, she had an impossible time finding a flight to get her to Lexington, so can they postpone her Fatal 4 Way until next week? Aldis says no, they’re not postponing anything for little ol’ Chelsea. But if her Secret Her-vice is here… Alba is ready for competition, right? So then Alba will take Chelsea’s place! Perfect! Chelsea says no, she will filibuster and- Oh, sorry, no, Aldis authorized it, he doesn’t care what Chelsea has to say, so Alba has to go get ready now.
Alba grumbles that she has to change from her security suit to her wrestling suit. Chelsea complains and complains, but then Zelina Vega steps in. Zelina takes the phone and hangs up on Chelsea so she can talk with Aldis. She wants Giulia now! Well, she’s not here tonight. Oh, that’s convenient. Aldis says he understands that Zelina wants after Giulia after last week. Zelina says first of all, she’s been snatched unawares much harder by much better. Second, don’t worry about the girl that does the sneak attacks, worry about the girl that gets up after every beating. One sneak attack isn’t gonna scare her, she is THE Women’s US Champion!
So next week, Zelina will confront Giulia, because she doesn’t need to pretend or hide. The smallest girl with the biggest mouth is gonna make Giulia look stupid! Zelina storms off, will the Beautiful Madness learn not to get on La Muneca’s bad side?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim!
A storm has come to Lexington, and she wants to make her way to Riyadh! Will the Irresistible Force, the Special Slaygent and even the Head Baddie in Charge be unable to slow her down? Or will someone else grab that spot in the semifinals?
SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, joining Jade and Piper, leaving Nia for last. Nia says she won the crown last year, she’ll just do it again. The bell rings and Piper fires off on Mia while Nia RAMS Jade! The fans boo but Jade elbows Nia and bumps her off buckles! Jade RAMS into Nia but Piper has Mia on the outside. Piper whips Mia into barriers! And then puts her up against the post. Nia and Jade have moved their brawl outside while Piper runs up on Mia. Mia dodges so Piper POSTS herself! Nia whips, Jade reverse, Nia hits steel steps! The fans fire up as Jade and Mia meet in the ring.
Mia and Jade run up, Mia slips around to waistlock, but Jade switches to SLAM Mia down! Mia fights up while Jade holds on, but Jade whips. Jade hurdles, then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this but Jade stays on her. Jade suplexes, holds Mia up, but Mia slips free! Mia goes to a corner, dodges Jade, but Jade keeps moving! Mia ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ redirects to RANA! Mia runs and SHOTGUNS Jade down! The fans rally, Mia covers, TWO! Jade is tougher than that but Mia stomps her. Mia runs but Piper trips her up! Piper drags Mia out and scoops to SLAM her on the floor!
Nia drops an ELBOW on Jade! Piper SENTONS Mia! Nia soaks up the heat, drags Jade up, and Nia bumps Jade off buckles. Nia CHOPS Piper, then shakes her hand. Nia whips corner to corner, Jade bounces off buckles, and Nia signals for that crown. Jade fires forearms but Nia HEADBUTTS her down! Nia fireman’s carries and SAMOAN DROPS! Piper adds a SENTON! Piper and Nia stare down, but they decide to work together on Jade. Nia & Piper mug Jade in a corner, then whip corner to corner. Jade ELBOWS Piper away, dodges Nia, and Nia POSTS herself! Jade runs to PUMP KICK Piper outta the ring!
But Nia drags Jade out of the ring! The mugging continues, but Mia goes up and up to ASAI MOOONSAULT! Direct hit and all four are down! The fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Jade SPLASHES Piper in one corner, then SPLASHES Nia in the other! And repeat! But then Nia follows, only for Jade to dodge! Nia SPLASHES Piper, then Jade ROCKS her! But Piper CLOBBERS Jade! Nia DRIBBLES Jade off the mat, the fans boo, and Nia salutes with Piper. They drag Jade up, whip her to a corner, then Nia runs to SPLASH! Piper adds a SPLASH of her own! Jade sits down, Nia HIP ATTACKS! Piper CANNONBALLS! Cover, but Nia won’t let Piper get it! Piper says okay, okay, she was just kidding around. But Nia shoves Piper! Piper shoves Nia! Mia RANAS Nia, then JAWBREAKERS Piper!
Mia has Piper for a TORNADO BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Piper stays in this but Mia drags her up. Jade CLUBS Mia, whips her, but Mia RAN- NO, Jade blocks it! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives, and Piper SPLASHES Jade! Piper drags Mia up, reels her in, but Mia slips out of the scoop! SLICED BREAD! Mia hurries to cover, but Nia breaks it! Nia SENTONS onto Mia! Cover, TWO! Mia toughs it out and Nia grows frustrated. Nia & Piper go after Jade on the outside but Jade fights them off! SUPERKICK for Piper! HAYMAKER for Nia! Piper HEADBUTTS Jade, Nia ROCKS Jade, and then they two TOSS Jade over the desk!
Wade Barrett gets wiped out by The Storm and Nia just flips them both off! But Mia WRECKS Nia with a dropkick! Piper is up, Mia dodges and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, Nia breaks it! Mia drags Nia up to fire hands, then she fires hands on Piper! The fans rally, Mia runs, but into double guzels! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Nia applauds, the fans boo, and Wade is apparently okay, but then Nia DECKS Piper! Nia dumps Piper out, drags Mia to a drop zone, then she goes up! The fans boo the A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, PIPER BREAKS IT! Piper and Nia go outside, and Piper POSTS Nia! Piper then runs to SPEAR Nia through the barriers!!
The fans go nuts as Piper proves she’s the more destructive powerhouse! Piper then storms over to Mia, she goes up the corner, VADER BOMB! But Jade is up!! Chicken wings on Piper, JADED for Piper!!! Cover, JADE WINS!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just as it looked like she was done for, Jade snatches this win away for her own! The Storm is in the semifinals, will she make quick work of The Prodigy, Roxanne Perez?
Naomi watches this backstage.
She’s not exactly pleased that Jade is advancing, but she’s also the one holding the Money in the Bank briefcase. Naomi heads for gorilla, what will she have to say about her huge victory? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and…
Lexington fires up as Naomi heads to the ring! “Yes, I see some o’ y’all looking real surprised! Real shocked! Real stupid! I dunno why, because I told y’all I was done accepting scraps. I took what I deserve, and look at me now. Miss Money in the Bank! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” The fans are torn, but Naomi says what’s really funny is the entire time, when she was trying to beat Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship, y’know who was there with a briefcase to stop it? Y’know who distracted her? Who bashed her in the head?! It was Tiffany Stratton. “Too Nice Naomi” just let it happen. But the Naomi now aini’t lettin’ nothing sliding! She’s here for payback!
And when Naomi CLOCKS Tiffy Time in the head with this briefcase, it’ll feel so good when Naomi becomes the NEW WWE- Well, here comes Tiffany herself! The fans cheer as Tiff goes to the ring, and she grabs a mic to say, “You talk a big game, Naomi. So why don’t you just do it? Just cash in and take my title… right now.” The fans chant “DO IT! DO IT!” Tiffy says see, she’s still the same ol’ Naomi: all talk and no action. That is why Naomi never beat Nia. But please, prove us all wrong! The fans cheer, Naomi snarls, and she says, “Do I look stupid to you?! Do I look like Booboo the Fool? I ain’t gonna cash in on you now. I’ma cash in when you least expect it.”
Fans go, “What?” and Naomi shouts, “B*tch, you heard me!” Naoim says in the meantime, she will enjoy making Tiffy’s life HELL! Naomi says tick-tock, Tiffy, time is almost up! So Naomi strongly advises to #ProceedWithCaution. The fans are torn, but while Naomi holds up the briefcase, Tiffy holds up the belt. When and where will we see- WAIT! NIA is here! Nia and Tiff brawl, the fans fire up, and Nia shoves Tiff. Tiff DROPKICKS Nia’s legs, then DROPKICKS Nia in the face! Naomi runs up, Tiff DECKS her, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff! Nia may not be going to Riyadh, but she wants to get hers now! A-NIA-LATOR on Tiff!!
Naomi hurries back up, but Nia steps in the way! Nia tells Naomi to back off, so Naomi backs off. Will Nia get payback on the Wrestling Barbie before Naomi can? Or will Tiffy still have time on the clock?
Nick Aldis meets with the SmackDown Tag Division.
He thanks the Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom & DIY for coming to discuss the Wyatt situation. Johnny Gargano interrupts, saying this is a big decision. DIY feels this is a huge opportunity… for Fraxiom. Everyone else says they knew DIY would pull that. Fraxiom says they’re not afraid, but Tommaso Ciampa says if nothing else, the Street Profits should step up as the champions. Angelo Dawkins says bet, they’re already ready. Aldis suggests they all let him finish his explanation. Taking all this into account, MCMG are the veterans, so they will set the tone. They get the Wyatts tonight.
The others applaud and Dawkins says yes, set that tone. Will Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin be able to have an impact on the Wyatt Sick6? Or will the Motor City Machine Guns have no effect on what goes bump in the night?
Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis!
SmackDown returns as the lights go down and the fireflies come out. The chair and the lantern wait on stage as the Wyatts make their entrance. Uncle Howdy sits in the chair, Nikki Cross & Erik Rowan stay close, and Gacy & Lumis rush the ring! The fans cheer as the brawl is on! The bell rings, Gacy has Shelley while Lumis has Sabin! The ref reprimands, Gacy whips Shelley to a corner then CLOBBERS him! Lumis & Gacy whip Sabin, DOUBLE ELBOW, then Lumis drops an AX HANDLE! Gacy drops a SENTON! Cover, ONE!! Gacy drags Sabin up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Lumis.
Lumis brings Sabin around but Sabin swings. Lumis duck sot hit a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Sabin is tougher than that, but Lumis drags him up. Gacy tags in, they mug Sabin, and then Gacy whips. Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Gacy goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gacy BLASTS Shelley off the apron and he tags Lumis in. They get Sabin up, UPPERCUT and then a kick down low. Lumis wrenches Sabin, tags Gacy back in, and the mugging continues. They double whip, but Sabin breaks the double lariat! Gacy runs up but Sabin DUMPS him out! And then he TOSSES Lumis!
Tag to Shelley and MCMG set up! The fans fire up as the Machine Guns DOUBLE DORPKICK! Then they DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go Lumis & Gacy and the fans fire up! MCMG stare down with Rowan while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and both Shelley and Gacy are down. The fans rally, Shelley crawls, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin goes up to MSSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders, Lumis tags in, but Sabin dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Sabin whips, Lumis reverses but Sabin BULLDOGS! The fans fire up and Lumis staggers up. Sabin runs and GAMANGIRIS! Sabin drags Lumis to a cover, TWO! Howdy is antsy as Sabin tags Shelley. Shlley goes to the apron, Sabin follows, and MCMG DOUBLE SUPERKICK Lumis! Lumis sputters, MCMG drags him inside, and Shelley whips Lumis to the corner. LARIAT, then he tags Sabin!
Shelley clinches but Lumis ELBOWS free! Lumis trips Sabin up, then hurries to tag Gacy! Gacy runs in to handspring, and DOUBLE UPSIDE-DOWN!! Tag back to Lumis and they have Sabin! Whip and POP-UP POWERBOMB onto Sabin! The fans fire up as Lumis covers, TWO!! Sabin survives but Lumis snarls. Lumis watches Sabin stir, drags him up and wrenches to then whip him to the corner. But Sabin DROPKICKS Gacy! Lumis runs in, Sabin BOOTS him away, then Sabin runs up, DDT! Hot tag to Shelley! Lumis staggers up, Shelley whips, BIG atomic drop! Then the DREAM SEQUENCE!
The fans fire up with MCMG and Howdy doesn’t like that. Sabin tags back in, he drags Lumis up while Shelley climbs. Sabin turns Lumis but Gacy trips Shelley! Gacy HEADBUTTS Sabin, he and Lumis aim, HIGH LOW!! Cover off the superkick and leg sweep combo, but they ask Howdy for permission. “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH~!” Lumis goes up, Gacy CLOBBERS Shelley, and Lumis hits a SUPER LEG DROP!! Cover, The Wyatts win!
Winners: Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, by pinfall
The chaos is back and it is on top as Lumis & Gacy break the Machine Guns. Will they tear through the rest of the division until they’re the champions?
John Cena encounters Jimmy Uso backstage.
Cena and #BigJim stare down, and Cena asks if Jimmy has seen R-Truth. No, he hasn’t. Then has he seen Ron Killings? Listen, man… Jimmy ain’t seen either one of ’em. Cena says he knows Jimmy and Truth are close. So let Killings know that Cena’s going back to the ring, and he wants Killings to meet him there. Cena heads out, will Ron get the message? Will Cena get the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth?
SmackDown returns and…
“JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he goes right back to the ring, just as he promised. And he tells everyone to shut up! Cena paces and says, “There is a level of disrespect that I can tolerate. R-Truth, you just crossed the line!” The fans chant, “We Want Truth!” and Cena frowns. Cena says for once, he agrees. There is a time to talk and there is a time to fight, so Truth, get out here so they can fight! BUT WAIT! CM PUNK is here instead! Cena is stunned and maybe even a little scared to see Punk here on SmackDown. Punk goes right to the ring as the fans cheer, and he grabs himself a mic before sitting on the top rope.
The fans cheer Punk on even more and Punk asks, “Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Lexington, Kentucky or what?” The fans cheer that! And Punk asks Cena if he said something about disrespect. Cena is tired of being disrespected? “John, these people are tired of being disrespected! But now, CM Punk has a microphone, and I think you can trust when I say that we have yet to begin the reach the levels of disrespect that we are capable of.” Punk says for old time’s sake, he’ll give Cena a chance, the benefit of a doubt. Maybe Punk’s empathy is too much, too Obi-Wan talking to Darth Vader, hoping to see Anakin still in there.
So Punk will give Cena a chance in front of this legendary wrestling town. “Stop what you’re doing, let these people celebrate who and what you are, let them put you on a pedestal on your way out. Let them celebrate the sacrifices you have made for them and this business. Give them a happy ending!” Punk steps back and Cena steps up. Cena asks, “Why? Why would I waste my time?” The fans boo, but Cena says the people don’t matter, this place doesn’t matter, basketball doesn’t matter, horse racing doesn’t matter! THIS Undisputed Championship is the only thing that matters! So Cena is to eat crow to the same idiots wearing his shirt but singing Punk’s song? Fat chance!
Punk says okay, okay, let the record show that Punk and Lexington gave Cena an out. But now, let’s do it Cena’s way. Let the disrespect being. Ironically that is the Punk way! When the static hits and Cult of Personality plays through sold-out arenas, everyone knows it is about to get real. And ladies and gentlemen, watching and working at USA Network, it’s about to get real. Here’s the truth Cena wants so badly. The saying goes, “You tell a strong man a lie to offend him.” That’s why it pisses Punk off when Cena calls him the hypocrite. Conversely, you tell a weak man the truth and that offends him.
Fans chant, “We Want Truth!” Punk says the truth here is… Cena can’t beat Punk. When Punk is at his best, Cena never could. And now Cena wants to ruin wrestling? Well, Punk is going to take it upon himself to save it. Bare with Punk, because as always, he has a lot to get off his chest. That other thing about sociopathic confidence? Punk takes that as a compliment. Because it is that confidence that brought Punk to the mountaintop time and time again. Especially when people like Cena say they wanna see it but claim Punk didn’t have it. But Punk is not as confident as Cena, because Punk would never dress like a toddler who looks like he struck out at T-Ball.
The fans laugh, Punk says he wants that stricken from the record, because y’know who that sounds like? That sounds like the PG John Cena. Which is ironic, because right now, y’know who Cena sounds like, saying he’s gonna ruin wrestling, take the strap and go home… That sounds like C M PUNK! And yes, that is ironic. Cena is stealing Punk’s best material. Punk won that title, he left with the title, and Cena is trying to follow in those footsteps. Punk did it! He said he would and he did, and Cena couldn’t stop him. Cena thinks challenging Punk at Night of Champions is going to stop him? “John Boy, just like old times, here’s CM Punk to make your title run interesting.”
Here comes CM Punk to make John Cena’s retirement tour interesting! Watchable! Get the rocket fuel to fuel that private jet! Punk would go to MARS to beat Cena’s ass! Punk will follow Cena to Hell to prove he is better than Cena! But here’s more truth, it isn’t all bad. Cena IS a GOAT, but so is Punk. Punk beat Cena in Chicago, he beat Cena in Boston, and he will beat Cena at Night of Champions. Cena is the “Goat” that Punk will spit-roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling! Legends who actually belong on the Mount Rushmore! Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero! The AUDACITY of Cena to put himself on that mountain once, let alone all four times. What a joke.
The fans cheer but Cena smirks. Punk says here’s more truth: You can’t see me? No, Punk sees through him, and always has, and that’s the truth. Punk leaves Cena with that, and then KILLINGS STRIKES AGAIN!! And he puts Cena in the STF!! Punk mockingly says, “I’m sorry~! But the Truth hurts!” Cena suffers his own signature submission but security rushes out here! The fans boo as they drag Killings off Cena and Cena scrambles away! Cena hops and hobbles on one good leg, are the bridges he burned going to take them down with him?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron Saxton is with Lil’ Miss Bliss at gorilla, and notes that she took a tough loss at MITB. What is the mindset going into the future? Alexa says she’s won MITB, cashed in, made history, so she isn’t rattled. Tonight, she reminds everyone of who she is, and will be one step closer to becoming Queen of the Ring. But then in steps Charlotte Flair. And she says, “Sweetie, did you say, ‘Queen?’ There’s only room for one queen in this division. WOO~!” Charlotte makes her entrance first, but both she and Alexa will have to fight their way into the next round. Will it be either of them that moves forward? Or are they overlooking the Poison Pixie and the Firestarter?
Nick Aldis finds R-Truth/Ron Killings backstage.
Aldis asks Truth what the hell he’s doing, he can’t just keep jumping Cena like that! What’s Aldis supposed to do? Truth says he wants a match with Cena next week. Next week? Yeah. Done. Killings says he’s driving now! Will he run Cena right off the road?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS Alba Fyre!
SmackDown returns and Candice makes her entrance to join Charlotte, Alexa, and Alba. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The four watch each other, but Alexa and Charlotte stare down as they step up. Alba and Candice jump on them! Candice is after Alexa, Alba is after Charlotte, and they put the two in corners. Alba RAMS into Charlotte again and again while Candice stomps a mudhole into Alexa. Alba digs her boots in, Candice SPLASHES Alexa, and then Candice fires elbows. Charlotte CHOPS Alba, storms up to RAM Alexa into Candice, then Charlotte POSTS Alexa! Alexa tumbles out and the fans are torn for Charlotte.
Charlotte dusts herself off, then THROWS Candice into Alba! Charlotte drags Alba to a cover, ONE!! Cover on Candice, ONE!! Charlotte CHOPS Alba, CHOPS Candice, and repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! But then Candice grabs a leg, Alba BOOTS Charlotte down, and they mug Charlotte! Alba smothers Charlotte using her tie! Alba CLUBS Charlotte down, then she and Candice mug her, returning the CHOPS! Alba kicks Charlotte, she and Candice have Charlotte on the ropes, and they CHOP again! They double whip Charlotte, but Charlotte grabs ropes. Charlotte KICKS Candice, ROCKS Alba, then LARIATS Candice!
Alexa is back and she CROSSBODIES onto Charlotte! Cover, ONE! Alexa clinches, but Candice & Alba mug Alexa! Charlotte gets away while Candice bumps Alexa off buckles. Alba stomps Alexa, Charlotte DECKS Candice, and she DECKS Alba! Cover on Alba, TWO! Charlotte scowls as she stands back up. The fans rally while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Charlotte storms up on Candice, reels her in, but Candice fights the suplex. Alba joins in, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte! Cover, but Alba stops Candice. A parallel to Piper and Nia, we know how that turned out… But Alba & Candice still mug Charlotte together for now. Charlotte JAWBREAKERS Alba, dodges Candice, but Candice tilt-o-whirls to RANA! And then ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is tougher than that and that annoys Candice. Alba BLASTS Alexa off the apron, Charlotte RAMS Candice into a corner, but Alba CLUBS Charlotte down. Candice climbs the corner while Alba stands Charlotte up, but Charlotte ELBOWS free!
Charlotte BOOTS Candice off the corner, but Alba rolls Charlotte to BOOT her down! Cover, WTO! Alba seethes and throws her suit jacket at Charlotte. Alba stomps a mudhole into Charlotte, then stands on her hair! Alba salutes while Candice SMACKS Alexa off the apron. Alba pulls Charlotte’s arms and Candice SMACKS Alexa off the desk! Alba & Candice work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte, but Alba has Candice stay back. They drag Charlotte up again, but she ROCKS Alba and ROCKS Candice! Then repeat! Alba kicks low, Candice comes back, and they double whip Charlotte to a corner.
SmackDown returns to single picture as Charlotte goes up and out! She BOOTS Alba, RAMS Candice, then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Candice SMACKS Charlotte first! And SMACKS her again! Alba climbs up to join them, but Alexa sneaks in underneath! TOWER OF DOOM! The fans fire up and Alexa crawls to cover Charlotte, TWO! Alexa is frustrated but the fans fire up. Alexa and Candice stand, Alexa RUNS her over! She even RUNS Alba over! Alexa SLAPS Candice, DECKS her, then blocks Alba’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Charlotte runs up, Alexa clinches to S T O! And then INSULT2- NO, Candice makes it a CODE BREAKER SENTON!
Alba has Candice, wrenches and reels her in, GOURD BUSTER! But Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Candice hits NATURAL SELECTION!! Charlotte drags Alexa around, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! And the push-up into the FIGURE EIGHT! But Candice LIONSAULTS it all apart!! Alba SUPERKICKS Candice! Charlotte is up, Alba spins her around, Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up and Alba drags Alexa up. Alexa mule kicks, DDTS, and then hurries for a corner! Lexington cheers on Alexa, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, CHARLOTTE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but Charlotte TOSSES Alexa!
Alexa is on the apron, Charlotte BOOTS her down! But Candice rolls Charlotte! TWO!! Charlotte escapes, Candice ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, TWO!! Candice shows that toughness and Charlotte is frustrated. Charlotte has the legs, steps through, but Alba SUPERKICKS Charlotte! Alba roars, turns her, but Charlotte powers out of the Unpretty-Her! BOOT!! FIGURE FOUR!! Then FIGURE EIGHT!!! Alba endures, but Alexa catches Candice!! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, ALEXA WINS!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Charlotte lets go of Alba and is in disbelief! But Alexa smiles as she snatches this win right out from under Charlotte’s nose! Charlotte may call herself the queen, but will Alexa be the one to wear the crown?
Cody heads to gorilla.
And he crosses paths with Punk. Cody says they can’t run away from each other forever. Punk says he knows. But good luck tonight. After Night of Champions, we’ll see who’s chasing who. Cody moves on, but will he move on in the tournament? Or will the American Nightmare’s nightmare of losing that Undisputed Championship only get worse?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
SmackDown returns as the King of Strong Style makes his entrance, followed by El Idolo, leaving the Archer of Infamy for last. The bell rings and the fans rally. All four men are wary of each other, but Nakamura winds up, only to not say his signature “C’mon” to just bail out. But then Cody DIVES onto him! Priest swings on Andrade, Andrade dodges to WRECK Cody! Priest KICKS, KICKS, and ROLLING ELBOWS Andrade! Priest winds up, Andrade dodges, FLYING FOREARMS! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies the fans with ‘SI! SI! SI!” But Cody stops Cien Knees to take an elbow!
Priest mule kicks Andrade, then suplexes for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop- BELL CLAP from Priest! But Cody rebounds to LARIAT Priest up and out! Priest drags Cody out, they brawl, and Cody SMACKS Priest off the apron! Nakamura FLYING KNEES Priest! Nakamura kicks Cody, ROCKS Priest, they all brawl outside, but Andrade goes up! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and everyone is down while the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture!
All four men stir and Andrade is first up. Andrade puts Nakamura in the ring, covers, TWO! Andrade whips Nakamura to a corner, runs in, but Nakamura dodges! Andrade’s knee hits buckles and he tumbles out! Nakamura goes after Andrade to put him on the apron, and then runs to KNEE Andrade down! Priest and Cody brawl in the ring, and Priest ROCKS Cody to a corner. Priest whips, Cody reverses to kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody whips, Priest reverses, and Priest runs up, only for Cody to go up and over. Priest feints running up so Cody’s snap powerslam gets nothing! Priest then KICKS Cody down!
Cody sputters but Priest is on him. Priest ROCKS Cody again, Nakamura stomps Andrade, then Nakamura KICKS Priest! Nakamura fires off fists and kicks in the corner, so Andrade rolls Cody! TWO, and Cody powers Andrade to a corner. Cody climbs up to rain down fists, only for Andrade to slip out at nine and YANK Cody down! Nakamura brings Priest around but Priest DECKS him! Priest stomps away on Nakamura, then he goes over to Andrade, Priest stands Andrade up to DECK him! Cody SMACKS Nakamura off the desk! Priest drags Andrade up while Nakamura SMACKS Cody off the desk! Priest ROCKS Andrade, then he has Cody in another corner.
Nakamura fires off on Andrade, Priest digs his boots into Cody, and then Nakamura bumps Andrade off buckles. Cody turns things around on Priest to CHOP, but that just pisses Priest off. Priest DECKS Cody! Cody sputters, Priest puts him in the corner, but Nakamura fires off strikes on Priest! Nakamura has Andrade on the top rope, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Nakamura runs in for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Andrade falls to the floor, but then Priest runs up! Nakamura dodges, runs back in, and he blocks boots to ROUNDHOUSE Priest! Nakamura puts Priest in the ropes to SLIDING GERMAN!
Nakamura hurries back in while fans fire up. Cody swings, misses, but then Cody ducks a roundhouse, only for the WHEEL KICK to hit! The fans fire up as Nakamura gives Cody some BAD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura goes corner to corner and the fans rally. Cody dodges, Nakamura hits buckles, and Cody grabs a leg! Cody trips Nakamura, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Nakamura endures, fights the main leg, but Andrade is up top! FROG SPLASH onto Cody! Nakamura is free, but then Priest JUMP KICKS Andrade! Priest drags Cody up, ROCKS him, and then runs to ELBOW Andrade! ELBOW for Cody! SHOULDER TACKLE for Andrade!
The fans fire up for Priest and he goes to the outside, to leap off the steel steps and AX HANDLE Nakamura! Priest puts Nakamura back in the ring, drags him up at the ropes, and he knuckle locks so he can climb! The fans cheer as Priest goes Old School, only for Cody to jump up after him! But Priest then grabs Cody in a guzel! Nakamura trips them both up! Nakamura CLOBBERS Priest, Andrade rolls Nakamura, TWO! Andrade swings, but into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! The fans fire up as Cody DIVING SPLASHES! Cody TOSSES Nakamura, covers Andrade, TWO! Cover again, TWO! Cody is frustrated but he goes outside.
The fans fire up as they sense what’s coming! Cody brings out a TABLE! Cody sets “Slim Jim” up at ringside, goes back to the ring for Andrade, and he lines up the shot. But Andrade hooks the ropes to block! Andrade suplexes but Cody blocks! They fight for control, but Priest CLUBS Andrade. Priest and Cody stare down, but they decide to work together! The fans fire up as they hoist Andrade up, but Nakamura makes the save! Only to INVERTED EXPLODER Andrade! DYNAMIC DROPKICK and Cody falls through the table! Cody snaps into a Slim Jim and the fans go nuts! Nakamura goes outside while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nakamura fetches Priest, brings him over, but Priest blocks the desk smack to ROCK Nakamura! Priest SMACKS Nakamura off the desk now! And again! Priest brings Nakamura around to DECK him, but then Andrade CLUBS Priest! Andrade SMACKS Priest off the desk, then he and Nakamura actually work together to BOOT Priest onto the desk! But they’re not done as they TOSS Priest over the desk! Wade got outta there this time! Andrade then clears off the desk! Nakamura & Andrade bring Priest around to TOSS him over barriers! Then Nakamura CLOBBERS Andrade! Nakamura applauds his trickery before putting Andrade in the ring. Nakamura covers, TWO!
Nakamura is annoyed and he KICKS Andrade in the side. Andrade sputters but Nakamura paces. Andrade rises to CHOP! Nakamura dusts himself off to KICK Andrade down! Andrade stands but into KNEES and KICKS! Andrade blocks one, but not the ENZIGIRI! Andrade ends up in a corner, Nakamura whips corner to corner, but Andrade reverses. Andrade runs up, Nakamura puts him on the apron, but Andrade ROCKS him! Andrade climbs, but Nakamura ROCKS him! Nakamura climbs now but Andrade fires back! They brawl up top, and Andrade HEADBUTTS Nakamura down! Nakamura GAMANGIRIS in return!
SmackDown returns to single picture again as Nakamura climbs back up. Priest returns to CLUB Nakamura! He has Nakamura in the crucifix, but Nakamura fights free! Priest drags Nakamura down, Nakamura fires a strike fest! Priest clinches to FLATLINER! Andrade MOONSAULT DOUBLES! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura LARIATS! Andrade BOOTS! Nakamura PELES! These three are down, and Cody rises from the wreckage! The fans fire up for Cody as he drags himself into the ring. Cody runs up to LARIAT Andrade! And LARIAT Nakamura! Cody whips Priest, Priest reverses, but Cody goes up and over, and this time, SNAP POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up and Cody blocks Andrade’s kick to then run and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody catches Nakamura, Nakamura drops down to UP KICK! Snapmare and SLIDING KNEE! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT!! Priest has Andrade, Andrade schoolboys him into buckles! The fans fire up, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, CIEN KNEES for Nakamura! Then Andrade goes again, CIEN- NO, Priest has Andrade by the neck! Andrade breaks free to CHOP, but Priest ROCKS Andrade! Andrade comes back, SHADOW ELBOW! THE MESSAGE!! Cover, NAKAMURA AX KICKS IT APART! Nakamura drags Andrade up, but Andrade ROCKS him first!
Nakamura snarls and ROCKS Andrade back! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Andrade CHOSP! Nakamura KICKS! Nakamura CLUBS Andrade, KNEES him low, but Cody is back! Cody dodges Nakamura, to DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Not the cleanest but it didn’t need to be! Priest kicks Cody low, reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Cody slips free! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Priest tumbles out of the ring and Cody roars! He catches Andrade, CROSS RHODES!! And then he drags Andrade up again, only for Nakamura to clamp on a SLEEPER!! Cody flails, claws at the grip, but Nakamura dragon sleepers!
Nakamura vows to end this, but Cody flips that around on him! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Lexington cheers and sings with Cody’s song as he comes out on top! We know Sami Zayn and Randy Orton are one semifinal match, but Raw will determine the other! Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed, or MAIN EVENT JEY USO, who survives to then meet Cody in the next round?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with a lot of action from doing all the SmackDown Fatal 4 Ways in the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments. And each Fatal 4 Way was great, because Fatal 4 Ways always lend themselves to fast, chaotic action. Great opening promo from Cena with Cody, Orton and Knight to help segue into the first match, but also great stuff with R-Truth going after Cena. Orton winning was a bit of a surprise, and makes for a very interesting match with Sami Zayn. I suppose Sami going hard against Orton and finding a sneakier way to win could go with how Karrion Kross has been working to bring that side out of Sami.
Jade winning her match made sense, as Piper is still just Chelsea’s sidekick and Mia isn’t quite at that QOTR top title level. It also puts her in line with Naomi’s story of being Miss MITB, because Naomi can mess Jade over in a title match just as much as she can Tiffany. Very good promo from Naomi with Tiffany to tease a cash in, but also set up Tiffy VS Nia one more time. Chelsea also had a hilarious video call promo, and good on Aldis to stand up to her by putting Alba in the match instead. Alexa winning was only a little surprising, as she’s on that return push. And it makes for a fresh match-up no matter who from Raw wins the final Fatal 4.
Awesome main event Fatal 4 but I figured Cody would win, as it makes for a unique match-up of Cody VS Jey. Jey being put in was a bit of a surprise, but perhaps the wrestlers we’re waiting to return (Roman Reigns, but maybe even Ilja Dragunov) just aren’t ready yet. And given Bronson & Bron screwed Knight over, Knight will surely show up on Raw again to keep that feud going. Sheamus and Rusev have their own story, so Jey is the default choice. I almost feel like they should’ve flipped the brackets so that it would give us Orton VS Cody and Sami VS Jey in the semifinals, but those combos probably serve for stronger finals matches.
Very good stuff with the tag division, but MCMG VS Gacy & Lumis could’ve been a bit better. Part of the problem that comes with the Wyatts being gone away so long is that there might be some ring rust. Lumis & Gacy were on point, but they needed time to coordinate some things first and that slowed the overall pace down. The Wyatts won, of course, and will likely deal with Fraxiom next, what with DIY volunteering Fraxiom and Profits ahead of them. Then, Cena and Punk had a great promo, with it mostly being Punk tearing into Cena. Surprisingly, no allusions to Punk’s incendiary comments from years ago, but that’s very Punk of Punk.
And Killings going after Cena again was great stuff. Cena VS Killings will be a great match next week, and Cena probably rubs it in that he’s using one of his precious final appearances was used to beat Truth again. Though, to build Killings up, I would think they find a way for him to win that “isn’t definitive,” like a count out victory or some kind of disqualification. I was hoping for an R-Truth celebration at Saturday Night’s Main Event akin to Lex Luger over Yokozuna, but maybe that happens next week.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.12.2025
DO SOMETHING WITH JASON HOTCH AND KC NAVARRO – that is all.
So Against All Odds…was barely passable and that’s only with Xanax. The Knockouts title match was awful, the 4 Man “Home Town Man” was stupid and the only good part was remixing the old Jerry Lynn & AJ Styles “Born in the USA” theme for Home Town Man. Maclin needs to stop having brawls, they’re boring, give him a bump guy. Kaibas and Rascalz was underwhelming. Santino vs Robert Stone was funny, Elias vs Trick was too chalk and lame. IInspiration (IIconics) returning was big news at least. Hendry losing to Kaz was also obvious since Kaz hasn’t won a match in forever.
The show dragged, and as much as I usually like Masha’s wrestling ability…her last 3 title matches have sucked and its not her opponents fault. Killer Kelly returning is sexy though…I mean, good. Yes, good. Saving the best for last, Mustafa Ali vs Jason Hotch was the best match of the show, and really damn good in general. Workrate was great, Tasha and Skyler being conflicted and popping for Hotch when he was doing well was great character work. Hotch looked amazing in the loss, if they don’t capitalize on it, that would be a huge screw up from TNA.
Not really sure what kind of shows we’ll be getting, and I’m not excited.
.@MATTHARDYBRAND and @JEFFHARDYBRAND have a message for FIR$T CLA$$ ahead of TONIGHT's MAIN EVENT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/mTnNBEFBcb
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Ratings:
- The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes: IInspiration wins via Idolizer – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater: Leon wins via Swanton 450 – ** 3/4
- 8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz: Indi wins via Hurts Don’t It – ** 3/4
- Indi Hartwell vs Killer Kelly vs Jody Threat vs Tasha Steelz: Kelly wins via Hurts Don’t It – ***
- Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz: Hardyz win via DQ – ***
Results:
Santino opens the show informing Santana of a suspension, kicking Robert Stone out and recapping his victory party before introducing the IInspiration for their first match back.
The IInspiration vs Missa Kate & Brittani Brookes
A bit of talking and pandering from IInspiration, they’re dominating the jobbers and there’s not much to discuss here. They do the IIconics Pose and actually keep the control. Cassie pulls off some kind of Butterfly Facebuster which looks cool, Jess comes in and the Jobbers cheat a little to take over. Jess tags in Cassie and Scorpion Kick, decent comeback, corner Hip Attacks, Neckbreaker, Jumping Kick to the Head into Fisherman’s Suplex Hold for 2. Idolizer (Magic Killer variant) is hit and IInspiration win, and didn’t look bad. Cassie (Peyton) is still the better wrestler of the two, but neither looked bad.
Jason Hotch w/Jon Skyler vs Leon Slater
I don’t hide the fact I heavily dislike Slater. He has no personality, he’s all flips, no ability to talk…he’s boring. He’s ROH Will Ospreay or Flip Gordon, does flippy crap to pop morons but he’s a worthless character. Since he wants to become the Youngest X Division champion, and they’ve talked about for like the last 7 months…sadly it’s probably going to happen.
Chain wrestling start and Hotch already looks like the better wrestler. Hotch is on his SANADA in LIJ arch where he looked great losing to the leader, falls back in line but then he hits a Spinning Overhead Kick for a near fall, so I’m not allowed to finish my thought because Hotch is fun to watch. Leon is such a bad wrestler…he held the rope and looked back to take a forearm shiver, the nerd had to watch it to sell it. Man’s not talent.
Hotch has Leon in an Arm Iso Cravat, Leon tries to fire and then Hotch keeps him down. Leon counters a Slingshot Suplex into his own Final Cut to get space to breathe. Double sell, Leon leap frogs, then rope runs, Lariats and Lethal Injection from Leon for 2. Hotch is so fluid, dodges the corner attack, rope assisted side kick, Outside In Neckbreaker for a near fall! Hotch will probably lose, but he looks like the better wrestler by miles. Heavy Irish Whip counter from Leon, into Blue Thunder Bomb. Leon goes to the top, Hotch cuts off, Leon dodges, hits the Knife Edge Chop and they wrestle on the apron, Front Kick from Hotch sends Leon into the post, Double Stomp onto the apron, Hotch wants a finish but counter, Cradle trades and then Hotch gets caught by a Leg Lariat, Swanton 450, selling from Leon was spotty and bad during this whole match.
Fun moments but the wrong kid died…
.@MeanGiaMiller gets Tessa Blanchard's thoughts ahead of TONIGHT's 8-4-1 Match!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmexl pic.twitter.com/kurcKH2vtH
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
8-4-1 Knockouts Match: Tessa Blanchard, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Rosemary vs Killer Kelly, Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat & Tasha Steelz
Dani and Jody start, so at least there’s a measure of story telling, but I still detest Jody. Sloppy counter wrestling start, Jody stops herself from punching Dani and tags in Tasha. Tasha pauses and jaws to her team and gets Back Body Dropped by Dani, Dani tags in Xia and Tasha pokes her eyes immediately and lights up Xia. Xia fights back, Rope Assisted Headscissors, Crossbody and near fall. Xia tags in Rosemary and Rosemary looks at her like death, then Rosemary goes after Xia, but a Codebreaker from Tasha gives space to tag in Kelly. Kelly kisses Rosemary and then they brawl in full mount. I’m not sure if I clicked the orange website or TNA…oh there’s a Lariat…it’s wrestling again.
Jody doofus tags in, the crowd wants Indi, no one wants Jody and Rosemary Upkick, Drop Toe Hold, Tessa tags in, works over Jody, Jody tries to go to the top, Victoria Crawford fka Alicia Fox trips her, Tessa gets the momentum back, a bunch of distraction and Tessa tags in Dani. Then Dani tags out to Rosemary. Whip, Rosemary misses the Spear, Tessa tags herself in and they’re keeping Indi out of the ring. Tessa crashes and burns as Jody dodges and fights back. Rosemary tags in, Indi gets the tag. Bunch combo, Spinebuster, Dani breaks the pin and now signature spam spot.
Indi is the last on to hit her moves, Hurts Don’t It takes out Rosemary after Tessa just walks out.
Indi Hartwell vs Jody Threat vs Killer Kelly vs Tasha Steelz
Commercial happened and we’re back and it’s Indi vs Jody. Jody takes her down with a Shoulder Tackle, Jody hits the Exploder, and Indi finally stalls some of the offense, Indi throws Jody into the ropes and Jody takes it bad. Jody Drop Toe Hold, looking for her Knees into German spot, but Kelly pulls her out, Tasha tries to pick the bones but Kelly comes in and attacks Indi. Tasha and Kelly have a heel agreement to gang up on Indi. Kelly goes for the pin, so hells are arguing, throw forearms, Kelly with the Double Overhooks, Headbutts, Angel’s Wings gets hit from Kelly but Tasha kicks out. Jody Crossbody takes out both heels.
Jody and Indi team up and 10 Count Lariats on the Heels, pop spot for the crowd since Indi is in the driver’s seat, Simultaneous Lariats each other and everybody down. Mickie James Bulldog from Tasha but Jody pushes her off, Indi tries the Cradle for two. Indi misses the Boot, eats a German. Tasha hits the Mickie Bulldog, but Jody kicks out. Indi grabs Tasha, Hurts-nope. Tasha wanted Blackout, Indi says no, Hurts Don’t It, but Kelly takes out Indi and steals the pinfall. Kelly wins.
.@TheEricYoung will see @TheSamiCallihan NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT!
WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/F3YYaTmMmT pic.twitter.com/NtKjpYIIRa
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 13, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ vs The Hardy Boyz
AJ charges before the bell, Hardyz dodge and Lariat AJ to the floor and work over KC with their usual Arm Bar Extreme Elbow, Delete Arm Breakers and Back Elbow Hardyz combo. AJ tries to get back in and the Hardyz attack, Poetry in Motion, AJ is back to the outside. Commercial break time, I wonder if the heels will be winning coming back…OH no, Jeff is still isolating KC. Pleasantly surprised I suppose.
Arm Wringer, simple offense, Jeff tags in Matt, Stalling Tandem Suplex and Matt covers, only 2. Matt with Short Arm Shoulder Tackles, close quarters forearms and the Rocket Launcher into the middle rope followed by a Leg Drop onto the apron, KC keeps kicking out but he’s getting dog walked. Stomps into Splash, KC needs to tag out, but Jeff stays on him, AJ finally pulls out Jeff, KC flies into Jeff and tags out. Finally AJ gives KC a break and bends Jeff back in a Bow and Arrow Stretch. Jeff tries the comeback, AJ pulls the hair to throw him down, stomps his face and AJ is manhandling Jeff as KC is sucking wind. Little Bro deserves a big break.
Tennessee Whiskey from AJ, connects and “Money, Money, Money”. AJ gets a little distracted trying to one up Matt, Jeff hits two Twists, and tags in Matt, so Delete Face Smashes and AJ is getting rocked. AJ reverses the Irish Whip, but Back Elbow from Matt into a Middle Rope Side Effect. Trick Williams comes out to attack the Hardyz. Hardyz win via DQ, but then Hendry and Elijah come out for the save. System is out…old school TNA donnybrook.
Overall Score: 5.5/10
The ring work was mediocre at best, but nothing miserable. Cassie and Jess look like they never missed a beat, take that for what you will if you loved or hated the IIconics. Trick solidifying his alliance with First Class makes for interesting cross promotion. If Fir$t Cla$$ ends up with the NXT Tags while Trick is the TNA Champ…that’s…a pretty neat visual I ain’t mad at. Yes I’m bias because KC is awesome, but AJ has done good work in TNA, so he deserves some flowers. Tessa keeping Victoria Crawford in the Robert Stone ejection is wonderful. I’ve always loved Alicia Fox and teaming her with Tessa is very interesting for the obvious reasons I don’t need to mention again, just search Twitter, you’ll understand.
Sami looks like a doofus getting sideswiped, Jay-SANADA Hotch is the best thing TNA has right now for home grown talent. Slater is still useless but oooo he can flip…I hate no personality flip-tards. Indi getting screwed sets things up nicely to not push her too quick to the top of the card, but she’s very over. The lack of Lei Ying Lee is annoying since I really don’t think the poor match was her fault. Also, putting her in a throwaway tag match against the Elegance girls next week? TNA really doesn’t know what to do with Lei, do they? She’s been mishandled the entire time since debut.
So even with my nitpicks, there were a lot of building blocks in the show. Hell Tessa insulting Gia is also probably something brewing…but I’m glad we didn’t lose Gia when we lost Ace. Gia is the best backstage interviewer since Lauren Brooke. So very middle of the road show, either things will get slightly better going to Slammiversary, or it’s the calm before the storm. We…shall see.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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4 Corners Podcast: Serving Up A Classic
Patrick returns as he and Dave discuss the Stanley Cup Finals, the NBA Finals, Coco Gauff's epic triumph, and a...
4 Corners Podcast: The Rematch & The Rebuild
Dave and PC Tunney preview the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals as the NBA and NHL reach the conclusion...
4 Corners Podcast: Blown Off Course
Dave and Tunney break down the Conference Finals in the NHL and NBA, discuss the NFL going to the Olympics,...
4 Corners Podcast: Bettor Late Than Never?
Dave, Patrick, and Tunney break down the NHL and NBA Playoffs and a pretty stunning decision from the MLB Commissioner's...
4 Corners Podcast: Never Over Until Its Over
Dave and Patrick break down the latest developments, scores, and stories from the NBA and NHL Playoffs.
Bandwagon Nerds #292: Where’s Michael’s Guitar?
The first ever Movie Year Draft highlight's this week's Episode. Plus, the Trailer Park rolls on, as does the search...
Attitude Of Aggression #310- Unidentified History: The Battle of Los Angeles
Unidentified History returns as Dave recaps his visit to Contact in the Desert and the guys do a deep dive...
Bandwagon Nerds #291: Its Pronounced Tuh-Doom
The Nerds cover all the best trailers from Tudum, discuss DC- Marvel crossovers, and get concerned for the future of...
Bandwagon Nerds #290: Norm!
The Nerds recap trailers for Jurassic Park: Rebirth and Welcome to Derry, discuss delays to Avengers movies, and pay their...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/23/25)
What's with all the glowing?
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: World’s Collide And That’s The Truth
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/13/25)
It's only a matter of time...
DWI Podcast #478: The Whole Truth
Don't drink and drive, drink and podcast! Join AJ, DP and PC weekly for their thoughts on RAW, SmackDown and...
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.12.2025
DO SOMETHING WITH JASON HOTCH AND KC NAVARRO - that is all.
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (6/12/25)
Prove you are worthy!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (6/11/25)
Winning is just the beginning!
Classic POD is WAR: The Dollar Man (6/10/2021)
Tune in for another CLASSIC episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (6/11/25)
Lights, Camera, Action!
RETRO Babyface Heel Podcast: WWE Money In The Bank and More! (2021)
On the heels of WWE Money In The Bank, we go retro with the OG Babyface Heels reacting to the...
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/10/25)
NXT LFG!
