Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/7/25)
WOO~! YEET! Part 2!
Main Event Jey Uso is back on SmackDown!
As they each promised, Jey Uso AND Charlotte Flair are both here for SmackDown to consider the champions, Cody Rhodes and Tiffany Stratton.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bianca Belair VS Piper Niven; Bianca wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
- WWE Tag Team Championship Title Eliminator: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins and will challenge DIY for the titles.
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Jimmy Uso VS LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
- Carmelo Hayes VS Akira Tozawa; Melo wins.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae; Bliss wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
- Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso VS Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; Cody & Jey win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
And like before, he comes on through the concourse with the WWE Universe, and says, “Hey, Uce! Please hit my music! Uh, uh, YEET!!” Memphis fires up and sings along with that Day One Ish! Then they get their bounce on with Jey while he heads down the bleachers and to ringside. And much like in Cleveland, they bounce along as Jey’s on the corner! Jey keeps it going and the fans are with him! They might just YEET all night if they could! Jey grabs a mic and the fans chant for “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says aight. MORE YEET! Jey finally says, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!”
Jey hears the “YEET!” continue, but he says he has had a hell of a week. He got a lotta love. “YEET!” From his family. “YEET!” From his friends. “YEET!” And from the fans. “YEET!” Your 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble Winner! “YEET!” The fans now chant, “You Deserve It! YEET!” Jey says okay, but he’s here to pick a champion to main event with at WrestleMania. On Monday right, he had the Ring General, Gunther. So it is only right that he pulls up on Smackdown to be face to face with the WWE Champion. So Memphis, help him welcome his dawg, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! The fans now fire up as Cody makes his entrance!
The fans sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH!” and we get the pyro! Cody high-fives fans as he heads down the ramp, then he steps into the ring to join Jey. Cody and Jey hug at the second “WHOA~ OH~!” then Cody grabs a mic. The fans chant between “CODY! CODY!” and “YEET!” Cody tells Memphis, and Main Event Jey Uso, “I think I know what you wanna talk about.” We get a look at the WrestleMania sign, and Jey tells Cody, “Uce, you know why I’m here, right? You do. I got two choices to make, Uce. Just two. I can stand across from you on the Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania. That’d mean a lot to me.
“Or… I can stand next to you, you still WWE Champ, and me the NEW World Heavyweight Champ.” The fans like both ideas! Cody says that’s quite the choice to make. He spoke to his doctor this week after that ladder match, and he was told that there’s fluid in his elbow that needs to be drained, a hip that is out of alignment, a bunch of lower back medical jargon he wasn’t really paying attention to. Cody’s doctor is a nice guy, but he’s not the WWE Champion. And one of the things that the doc left out is a good diagnosis: how good Cody’s heart is, how absolutely 100% proud Cody is of Jey Uso winning the Royal Rumble!
The fans cheer, and Cody says he knows this is Jey’s choice. But that sign there, having fought for it, having his choice taken from him and then fighting to get it back, that is Jey’s sign to point out this year. This is Jey’s WrestleMania! They’ve had some good moments in this ring together. They won tag team gold together. They had a libation or two. This arena is right off Biel Street… They could do that all over again, y’know what he’s saying? But Jey, as much as Jey has this choice, Cody has to go to WrestleMania. And for this title reign to be complete, he has to not only be in the main event, he has to win.
So if Jey chooses Cody, they’ll make a memory here tonight and have some absolute fun, because it’ll be the last time. Does Jey feel Cody on that? Cody and Jey shake hands, but wait! Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga are here! The Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy go to the ring, but Cody & Jey stand their ground. Tama grabs a mic to say, “Shh… YEHYEHYEHYEHYEH! YEH YEH YEH YEH!” Jacob adds a “Yeeeeah. Okay. First off, Cody Rhodes! Last year, you took that title from my family. But as of now, Cody, my family needs that title back. Which that takes me to you, Jey Uso. Big cousin! Mr. Yeet Man! Mr. 25 Royal Rumble winner!”
Jacob tells “Big Cousin” to not get it twisted, keep it 100. If it is anyone that brings that title back to the family, it sure to Hell ain’t gonna be Jey’s ass! Tama storms up but Jey SUPERKICKS him! So Jacob SUPERKICKS Jey! Cody fires hands on Jacob! But Jacob WRINGS Cody’s bad arm out! And then BODY CHECKS him! The fans boo but Jacob hammers away on Cody in the corner! Jacob throws off his jacket, goes to the far corner, but Jey SUPERKICKS him! Cody hurries to springboard, CODY CUTTER! Jey & Cody then DOUBLE LARIAT Jacob up and out! Tama & Jacob regroup to retreat, but surely this isn’t the end of things between Rhodes and these rogues!
In fact, Nick Aldis makes it official during the break! Cody & Jey VS Jacob & Tama in a massive tag team match! Will the American Nightmare & Main Event Jey look to YEET Jacob & Tama out of the way on this Road to WrestleMania?
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bianca Belair w/ Naomi VS Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green!
The StrongEST Glow may not have won the Women’s Royal Rumble, but they are still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. However, Bianca is still joining the chase for a world title shot! Will Bianca break into the Elimination Chamber and head for WrestleMania? Or will the “Secret Her-vice” take the lead on going for more gold?
The bell rings, the two storm up, but Bianca slips around Piper to wrench and torture- NO, Piper fights free, scoops, but Bianca fights fere! Bianca goes to a corner, Piper runs in, but Bianca dodges! Bianca RAMS into Piper again and again, then lets off to fire up Memphis. Bianca says kiss this, then she RAMS Piper again! Bianca climbs up, the fans count along as she rains down fists! But Piper slips out at 5, and she uses the braid to pull Bianca down! Piper then uses the braid to reel Bianca in for a short arm LARIAT! The fans boo but Piper stalks Bianca. Piper bumps Bianca off buckles, then RAMS into her now!
The ref counts, Piper stops at 4 to push Bianca down. Piper talks trash, then runs up, but Bianca DUMPS Piper out of the ring! Chelsea is upset but Bianca WRECKS Piper with a dropkick! Bianca then brings Piper around, only for Piper to RAM her into the LED apron! Then she SPLASHES Bianca against the LED apron! The fans boo but Piper SENTONS Bianca on the floor! Piper soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Piper drags Bianca up, Bianca fires body shots, but Piper SMACKS her off the top of the apron. Piper puts Bianca in, stalks her, but Bianca fires forearms! Bianca runs, RAMS Piper, but Piper rebounds to CLOBBER Bianca! Piper soaks up more heat before she covers, TWO! Bianca is tougher than that, but Piper clamps on a chinlock. Bianca endures, fights up, then Bianca fires body shots. But Piper scoops, to SLAM Bianca! Bianca goes to a corner while Piper taunts Memphis. Chelsea cheers while Piper storms up on Bianca. Piper climbs up, and now she rains down fists! Piper really puts heat on them, but Bianca slips out at 5!
Bianca pries Piper from the corner in an Electric Chair, then SLAMS her onto the buckles! Piper sputters, Bianca gets space, and Bianca runs back in to RAM Piper again! Bianca climbs up, and she rains down more fists! Bianca gets to nine but Piper slips out again! Piper goes after the braid like before, but Bianca backflips through! Bianca then dodges Piper, and DROPKICKS her! Piper storms back up but Bianca headlocks. CORNER BULLDOG! Piper staggers back, runs back up, but Bianca ROCKS her first! Bianca bumps Piper off buckles, then goes side to side to do it again! Bianca climbs, takes aim, and SmackDown returns to single picture.
The fans fire up as Bianca CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is relieved but Naomi coaches Bianca up. Bianca drags Piper to her feet, and goes for the torture rack! Piper fights free again, and HEADBUTTS Bianca! Piper whips, then scoops for a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and Chelsea can’t believe it! Piper runs, but Bianca avoids the senton! Bianca then runs and SPEARS Piper down! High stack, TWO! Bianca is sent into buckles and she falls in a heap! Piper runs corner to corner, and she CANNONBALLS into Bianca! Piper goes up, up, and Chelsea cheers, but Bianca CLUBS Piper on the back!
Piper fires back and Bianca staggers away. Bianca runs up, but into an URENAGE! Piper goes up again, Chelsea says finish this! VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives again and Piper is growing frustrated. Chelsea is frustrated, too, but the fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Piper brings Bianca up, scoops, but Bianca slips free! Bianca goes to a corner, dodges Piper, and then has Piper in the ropes to BOOT her into the post! Piper is dazed, Bianca hoists her up, torture rack! The fans are thunderous for the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
Naomi celebrates with Bianca, and now this might be the strongEST, the toughEST, the roughEST, the fastEST Elimination Chamber match ever! But will Bianca win big for her and her team?
Nick Aldis welcomes Kayden Carter & Katana Chance to SmackDown.
The transfer window has closed, and the party girls are now officially part of the blue brand. They’re excited, but then Carmelo Hayes steps in. Aldis apologizes to KC Squared as they step out, and Melo says unless this meeting is about the Elimination Chamber, maybe giving H1M a bye like Cena got, there’s nothing to talk about. Oh, but there is something to talk about. Aldis had a phone call with Adam Pearce, and Pearce wants Melo to have a match with a Raw superstar who’s in town tonight. Aldis accepted that request. Melo says no, they’re not doing this anymore. Aldis tried it with Strowman, he tried it with Priest, Melo’s not into that.
But knock knock, they’re here. And it’s Akira Tozawa! He will be Melo’s opponent after how Melo cost him his spot in the Royal Rumble. So that deserves this match. Melo says he’s changed his mind anyway, this is perfect! Melo has been wanting to wrestle Tozawa, and it’ll be a layup. Tozawa says more like airball. What was that? Who does Tozawa think he is? Tozawa will see an airball! Melo heads out, Tozawa says he’s a problem. Will the Alpha Academy’s Stamina Monster find a way to humble H1M when others couldn’t?
#DIY is here!
Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa are still WWE Tag Team Champions, only because The Street Profits cost the Motor City Machine Guns in the Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match. Though, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins would then attack Gargano & Ciampa afterward, so clearly it wasn’t to help them. What will DIY have to say about it all? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and the fans boo DIY while they grab mics. Gargano starts by telling Memphis to give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions~! The fans boo, but Gargano says they beat MCMG not once but twice at the Royal Rumble. That means officially, this is THE best tag team in the world! Everyone knows that the BTTITW is D I Y! And Ciampa says with that, it is safe to say that the chances of MCMG ever holding these titles again are officially dead. RIP. But that’s hard, because DIY has nothing but respect for MCMG, two indie legends! 11 years ago, they were DIY’s favorites.
So tonight, Memphis, everyone here and watching at home, please stand up. Please, they’re serious. This is for MCMG. Take your hats off, bow your heads in silence. Silence! The fans boo instead, but “YES BOY~!” Pretty Deadly is here! Elton Prince has a mic to say, “Wow, wow, wow. What a lovely sentiment that was.” Kit Wilson says they were just back there watching, having fun- Ciampa says they’re interrupting a moment of silence! But Elton says they felt it was important for them to remind DIY of all the help Pretty Deadly’s given them to keep the titles! Ciampa says what is important is that you respect this moment of silence!
The fans boo more, but now Aldis walks out here. He apologizes for interrupting, but after everything DIY has pulled, they have no business making demands about those titles. That’s Aldis’ job! As for Pretty Deadly, they don’t deserve a title shot, but they can earn one. How about Pretty Deadly VS DIY in a non-title match. If Pretty Deadly wins, they’ll be in line for a title shot. And that match? It starts right now! Ciampa & Gargano are furious! They’re not dressed to compete at all! This is unprofessional! But will DIY just have to put up or shut up? We find out, after the break!
#DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
SmackDown returns, the match is already going, and Ciampa has Elton in a headlock. Elton powers up and puts Ciampa in a corner, but the ref counts. Elton backs off, but Ciampa THRWOS Elton down by his hair! Ciampa stomps Elton in the corner, then taunts Kit before he tags Gargano. Gargano whips Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS Ciampa back! Elton then DUMPS Gargano onto the apron! Gargano falls to the floor, Elton TOSSES Ciampa out to join him! Elton crawls, the fans fire up, but Gargano grabs Elton’s legs! Elton KICKS Gargano away, hot tag to Kit! Kit rallies on Johnny Wrestling with big forearms!
Kit whips, Gargano reverses, but Kit UPPERCUTS Gargano down! Ciampa is on the apron but Kit TOSSES him in! Kit stomps away, the fans fi reup, but Gargano runs up! Kit catches him for a SIDE EFFECT! Ciampa runs up, Kit waistlocks but Ciampa elbows free! Kit yoyos to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kit tags Elton. #YESBOY! Kit & Elton run to the corners to UPPERCUT Gargano & Ciampa! Then Kit & Elton trade, UPPERCUTS for Ciampa & Gargano! They go again, but while Elton UPPERCUTS Ciampa, Gargano dodges Kit! Gargano then sends Elton at Kit, but Elton gives Kit a boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Elton covers, Ciampa breaks it!
Ciampa drags Gargano to their corner, then tags himself in. Kit runs up but Ciampa trips him! Ciampa POSTS Kit, but Elton dodges his haymaker! Elton UPPERCUTS, and fans actually cheer Pretty Deadly on! Ciampa ROCKS Elton, Elton ROCKS Ciampa, repeat! Elton UPPERCUTS again, but Ciampa still fires forearms! They go back and forth, then Ciampa CHOPS! Elton roars and eggs Ciampa on! Ciampa HEADBUTTS, ROCKS, and BOOTS Elton! Elton goes to the corner, BOOTS back, but Gargano is there to grab hair! Elton DECKS Gargano! Ciampa O’Conner Rolls Elton, holding ropes! But Kit BOOTS Ciampa! Elton has Ciampa, with ropes! PRETTY DEADLY WINS!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)
Just as DIY stands for, you gotta do it yourself! That’s just what Pretty Deadly did here, and they’ve got their shot at the titles! Will we be saying #YesBoy to NEW tag team champions?
The Miz talks with Andrade backstage.
The A-Lister admits to El Idolo that he was impressed last week. Andrade has great in-ring ability. With that ability and Miz’s expertise, Andrade could learn so much. Andrade says he did learn! He learned how to beat Miz. Miz tries to laugh that off, but Andrade leaves. Cody walks past and Miz says just the guy he wanted to see! “Can you believe this young crop of talent? They don’t have the respect for guys like us. These guys, they would never have our backs. Don’t you worry, we’re old school. I’ll always have your back.” Cody says he doesn’t need that. Oh, well, okay, Miz gets it. Road to WrestleMania, very exciting, very unpredictable.
Miz knows how it was last year. It was Cody’s story. The entire world was behind Cody Rhodes! But now, you heard ’em. It’s Jey’s story. Miz gets Cody wants to be a good guy, be Jey’s friend, but we know what this title does to friendships. Kevin Owens, for example. Miz is just saying, what if Jey Uso does choose Cody? Is Cody still gonna be Jey’s friend? Because to be honest, Jey VS Cody in the main event of WrestleMania is one hell of a story. Miz heads out, and we see Shinsuke Nakamura lurking in the shadows. What is going to happen as this Road to WrestleMania takes more twists and turns?
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Jimmy Uso VS LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre!
With spots filling up fast in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, SmackDown is giving #BigJim, The Mega Star, and the Scottish Terminator a huge opportunity. There will be even more qualifiers on Monday, so who will represent the blue brand in Toronto?
Before the match, McIntyre grabs a mic to say after he was eliminated from behind by a coward, he want to the back very angry, he may’ve torn some things up, said some things, then he got in his car. He drove from Indy back to Nashville, slept in his own bed, full of rage. And when he woke up in the morning, he suddenly had clarity. He had an epiphany. He got out of his huge bed in his huge house, alongside his hot wife, looked in the mirror and said, “By God, you are jacked and handsome, Drew McIntyre.” But then why is he so angry? He realized, it is a product of his environment. Raw is a toxic workplace! They all stab you in the back, they all have egos!
If you’re a good person just telling the truth, you’re apparently the bad guy. That bald idiot, Adam Pearce, has no idea what he’s doing! McIntyre needed a solution, and that’s when he got a call on his phone. Nick Aldis was calling. They’ve known each other since they were teenagers, and Aldis told McIntyre that he wants McIntyre on SmackDown. Aldis promised no more BS, McIntyre can finally be unleashed, Drew can be Drew 100%. So why is McIntyre here? He’s here for Cody Rhodes. Not even specifically Cody, but what Cody has, what was stolen from McIntyre, what should’ve been his all along: THE Undisputed WWE Championship!
The fans are torn, but here comes Jimmy! #BigJim has a mic to say, “Is it me? Tell me it’s not just me.” But every single week, McIntyre comes out here, lives in the past, and he sounds like… Like an angry ex-girlfriend. Drew complaining, “They stole it from me~!” Homie, nobody stole nothing from you, you lost it! And now he’s standing out here, acting like he doesn’t have to earn his spot! Drew has to get through Jimmy, he has to get through LA Knight, and Jimmy’s here to earn his. Drew says yeah, that’s cool. A couple weeks ago, Drew would be angry at what Jey had to say. Oh, Jimmy, sorry!
Jimmy laughs that off, and Drew says it has been 20 years, he still can’t tell them apart. But Drew says it must eat Jimmy alive that, with how he and his twin brother are so similar, just as talented, that maybe Jimmy would be where Jey was, if he’d just said YEET first. Jimmy says that’s funny. But remember who is in front of you. This is Big Bruh, Big Jim! If he wants to say yeet, he can say it. Watch! YEET! If he wants to say NO YEET, he can. Watch! NO YEET! So reminder, Jimmy’s got to get his, punch his ticket, go to Vegas, cash the chips, and get his! So yeah, there is a difference. Jey clocked his. Where’s Drew’s?
So if Drew wants to go to Mania, he’s gotta go through Big Jim! Then he’s gotta get through Elimination Chamber! But Jimmy doesn’t live in the past. He’s here in the present, ready to kick Drew’s ass! Jimmy Uso is going to WrestleMania, Uce! Mics drop, but the Mega Star finally joins in! And he of course has a mic to say, “Let me go and get right to this. Jimmy Uso, Big Jim, whatever you wanna call yourself, I ain’t got any love for you. You’re the main reason I didn’t become WWE Champion just a little over a year ago. So I ain’t got any love for you, but I ain’t gonna complain about it, I’m gonna make good on it tonight.
“But… If I could for a second, I do need to say this. In my life, in my career, I wanna be somebody who affects good change before I die. So I’m gonna speak to all the men, all the boys here in Memphis tonight and around the world. I mean this from the bottom of my heart: If something arises in your life that hits you in the feels and you have to cry, let it out. It’s good for your mental health, it’s good for you, it doesn’t make you any less of a man.” Memphis cheers that! Knight says with that, there is a line where it becomes too much. There are there guarantees in this life: Death, taxes, and Drew McIntyre crying like a damn baby!
Knight says BAH GAWD, Monday through Friday, every single week, Drew just cries! Knight’s pretty sure he heard someone back here say it was “Drew McIncryer.” But to get the silliness out of the way, what we’re talking bout is WrestleMania, and Elimination Chamber, and Knight giving Drew and Jimmy something real to cry about. And that is Knight giving them both three just like that, all their dreams getting dashed, and so it goes. Oh, wait, Knight forgot to get his stuff in. Memphis, tell ’em whose game this is: “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” The fans are fired up and this one couldn’t be any more intense! But will it blow the roof off the place? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns, the match is already going, and Jimmy & Knight are actually working together to stomp a mudhole into Drew! “YEAH! NO YEET! YEAH! NO YEET!” but then Jimmy TOSSES Knight! Knight stays on the apron, RAMS into Jimmy, but Drew runs up! Knight slingshots to SHOUDLER TAKCLE Drew! Knight stomps away on Jimmy in a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Drew SLAPS Knight, so Knight SLAPS Drew! They scrap, Drew wants a sleeper but Jimmy HEADBUTTS him, then HEADBUTTS Knight! Jimmy CHOPS Knight, CHOPS again, then whips him to a corner. Knight reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, and he mule kicks Knight!
Jimmy pops ‘n’ locks and UPPERCUTS Knight! Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy, stomps away on Knight, then soaks up the heat from Memphis. Drew stands Jey up to CHOP him! Jey ends up on ropes, Drew storms up to whip him, but Jimmy ducks ‘n’ dodges to fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, but Knight breaks it! Knight stands Jimmy up but Jimmy UPPERCUTS first! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Jimmy pops ‘n’ locks again, but Knight dodges the shot to scoop and POWERSLAM! Knight fires up, the fans are with him, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Knight runs, into a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!
Drew snarls as he stands over Knight, then he stalks Knight to the ropes. Drew stands Knight up to reel him in, for a BROKEN ARROW! Perhaps a shot at Damian Priest just because? Drew BROKEN ARROWS Jimmy, too! Drew storms up to stomp Jimmy’s hand! Jimmy staggers to a corner but Drew CHOPS him! Drew whips Jimmy corner to corner hard, then he goes to Knight. Drew clinches to OVERHEAD SUPLEX Knight across the way! The fans are torn but Drew soaks up the cheers and jeers. Drew brings Jimmy around to whip, but Jimmy reverses to TOSS Drew out! Jimmy then DIVES, down goes Drew in front of the desk!
But Knight WRECKS Jimmy into the desk! Knight then brings Drew up to DRIBBLE him off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jimmy storms up but Knight counter punches him! And now Knight DRIBBLES Jimmy off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Jimmy around for one more big SMACK! Knight stands on the desk, the fans fire up with him, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Knight drags Drew around by his legs, stomps him low, then goes to Jimmy. Knight puts Jimmy in the ring, then along the apron. Knight CLUBS Jimmy in the chest, then storms up on Drew. Drew kicks low, then POSTS Knight! Drew goes back to Jimmy, pulls him against the ropes, and ROCKS him with a right! Drew goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! But then seeing the fans cheer, he puts the table back under! The fans give thumbs down but Drew stomps Jimmy. Drew stomps Jimmy to a corner, stomps him more, then paces around. Drew shakes his head at those booing him, and then he drags Knight up from the apron.
Drew TOSSES Knight into the ring, stalks him to ropes, and scoops him, only for Knight to slip free! Knight shoves Drew into buckles, then hits a JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Drew stays in this but Knight stomps him. Jimmy CHOPS Knight, Knight CHOPS Jimmy! They CHOP back and forth, then Knight fires a haymaker! And another! And another! Jimmy goes to a corner, Knight bumps him off buckles. Knight brings Jimmy around, but Jimmy fights the suplex! Jimmy wrenches out, ROUNDHOUSES Knight down, but Drew fires knees on Jimmy! Jimmy UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Jimmy whips, Drew reverses, but Jimmy goes up, only for Drew to KICK him out of the air! Cover, TWO! Knight is also there, but maybe a split second late. Drew TOSSES Knight out either way, then he hoists Jimmy up top. SmackDown returns to single picture, CHOPS him, then catches his breath. Drew climbs, fires hands, then brings Jimmy up to the very top! But Jimmy fights the superplex! Jimmy trips Drew and Drew lands bad on his claymore! Jimmy HEADBUTTS Drew into the Tree of Woe, but Knight ROCKS Jimmy! Knight stomps away on Drew, but Jimmy ROCKS Knight! But Knight SPRINGS right up!
But then Drew sits up! SPIDER GERMAN SUPERPLEX COMBO!!! The fans are thunderous as all three men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Drew, Knight and Jimmy all stir. Drew crawls over to bring Knight up, and he CHOPS! Knight CHOPS! Drew CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Drew kicks low! FUTURE- NO, Knight wrenches out to kick and DDT! Knight goes up the corner, “L! A! KNIGHT!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, Jimmy breaks it! Jimmy was faster on that save than Knight was earlier, but all three men are down again. Jimmy drags Knight into a facelock, then brings him up.
Jimmy fireman’s carries, but Knight slips free! Knight kicks, but no BFT as Drew SPINEBUSTERS Knight! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! Knight survives but then Drew dodges Jimmy! NECKBREAKER! Drew kips up and the fans are torn. Drew aims at Jimmy from a corner, then gives the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” SUPERKICK from Jimmy! Jimmy LARIATS Drew up and out! Knight fires hands on Jimmy! Knight whips, Jimmy KICKS back, but then Knight blocks the next one! Only for the DRAGON WHIP to find him! SUPERKICK! Knight falls into the drop zone, Jimmy climbs up top, USO SPLASH!! Cover, DREW YANKS THE REF OUT!
The fans boo but Jimmy grabs Drew! Drew fights back but Jimmy HOTSHOTS! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Drew onto the desk! Jimmy goes up the corner again, to USO SPLASH Knight, only to get knees! Knight cradles, TWO!! Jimmy survives, but Drew is back! Knight kicks Jimmy, CLAYMORE BFT COMBO!!!! Cover, DREW WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
The Scottish Terminator takes down two targets at once, and now he’s going to fight for a golden opportunity! Cena, Punk, McIntyre, who else will be in this massive match?
Backstage interview with Damian Priest.
Byron Saxton is with The Punisher and says after seeing Drew qualify for the Elimination Chamber, what is his reaction? Priest says Drew’s having a good day today. Because if he wasn’t, he’d be complaining on the internet about it by now. But that aside, Priest is going to go to that same match and eliminate Drew just like he did in the Royal Rumble. But Braun Strowman steps in to say while he appreciates Priest’s enthusiasm, he’s putting the wagon before the horse. Priest has to qualify for that match, and next week, Priest is in the ring with two of the biggest and baddest the WWE has to offer.
Priest gets that. Braun and Priest have both walked out of WrestleMania as champion. And Jacob Fatu probably will walk out of Mania as champion one day. But Priest is taking out the both of them so he can go on to WrestleMania and face a current champion. Braun says Priest is overlooking the fact that he’s not in the ring with two normal human beings. He’ll be in there with a wild animal, and also with the Monster of All Monsters. Priest says he isn’t overlooking anything. Punisher, Samoan Werewolf and #OneBigSOB, who will be the baddest man on SmackDown after that Triple Threat?
Kevin Owens speaks.
In another video from his car, the Prizefighter says, “I’ve been through a lot, me and you, over the years. A lot. But I don’t think we’ve ever been through like what happened on Saturday. You see these scars? These stitches? These scars I’m always gonna have on my face? And the trauma that you can’t see but that I can feel. In my neck and my spine, the pain I’ve been in all week, and that I’m still experiencing right now, it’s probably never gonna go away. Not completely. I’m gonna have to live with that. And it’s all your fault. Because, Sami, you stood there and watched while Cody tried to end my career. Worse, y’know, I think he was actually trying to end my…
“And you stood there and did nothing. And then later on, I watched the Royal Rumble match, and what do I see but you rushing to the aid of Roman Reigns because someone’s beating him up in the corner. But me? For me? You did nothing! You’re a horrible friend. You’re a disgusting human being. And I’ll never forgive you. Never. But I am gonna make you pay. You’re gonna pay.” The Prizefighter’s bitterness has turned on the man he called a brother. What won’t Kevin do to destroy Sami Zayn once and for all?
Carmelo Hayes VS Akira Tozawa!
After being the very first man eliminated in this year’s rumble, Melo took his anger out on whoever was next. It was just bad luck for The Stamina Monster that it was him. But now, will Tozawa take his anger out in return? Or will Melo dunk on the Alpha Academy just to get his L back?
Melo has a mic as he makes his entrance, and he tells Tozawa that Tozawa is not talking about airballs looking like a Cody Rhodes that got left in the dryer too long. Because when Melo shoots, he don’t miss. When he’s in Memphis, they call him Ja Melo-rant! But the big difference between H1M and Ja, is that if there’s an all star team, Melo would be selected. The fans boo but then Tozawa WRECKS Melo with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Tozawa sends Melo into the apron, then into the barrier! Tozawa puts Melo in, the bell rings, and Tozawa runs up, but into an ELBOW! Melo seethes, then runs up, but into a BOOT!
Tozawa goes up and FLYIGN RANAS! Melo tumbles out but Tozawa hurries to PLANCHA! Down goes Melo, Memphis fires up with Tozawa, and he brings Melo up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Tozawa takes a swing on Melo, only for Melo to duck and back suplex! Cover, TWO! Melo clamps onto Tozawa to have a top wristlock. Tozawa endures, the fans rally, and Tozawa fires body shots. Melo pushes on the hold, but Tozawa fights free. Melo knees low, whips, but Tozawa jumps up! Melo stops the rana and brings Tozawa back up, only for Tozawa to RANA through! Melo hits buckles, then Tozawa fires hands! Tozawa whips, Melo reverses, but Tozawa SATELLITE DDTS! Cover, TWO! Tozawa huffs ‘n’ puffs, the fans rally up, and Tozawa goes to a corner! Tozawa climbs, but Melo avoids the leap!
Melo runs up, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Tozawa is tougher than that, but Melo CLUBS away on him! The fans boo but Melo stands Tozawa up. BIG back suplex, but Tozawa lands out! SOBAT, but Melo ducks the spin kick! Tozawa slips under, then comes back to SPIN KICK! The fans fire up as Melo is down! Tozawa rips off the shirt, and the fans fire up more! Tozawa hurries up a corner, takes aim again, but Melo GAMANGIRIS first! Melo climbs up to bring Tozawa to the top rope! But Tozawa fires body shots! Tozawa CLUBS Melo, CLUBS him more, then SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!!
Melo survives and Tozawa is stunned! Tozawa rises, the fans duel, and Tozawa waistlocks! Melo fires elbows, switches, rolls Tozawa up, TWO! Tozawa rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo swings, Tozawa ducks, but then Melo reels Tozawa in, BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo then goes up a corner, waits on Tozawa to rise, and he hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Melo wins!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Melo Don’t Miss, but it does help that he wasn’t up against towering opponents this time. But will this just be the first win in a new streak for H1M?
R-Truth helps Akira Tozawa backstage.
Truth says just like his childhood hero, John Cena, would say, you just never give up! But then Truth sees someone else, and he DROPS Tozawa! Truth says hey to Jey Uso! Truth congratulates Jey, and says he always say Jey as a king. Now he’s King of the Ring! Uh, Truth, he won the Royal Rumble. Oh, that, too! Jey asks what happened to Tozawa, and Truth says Tozawa yeet’d on himself. What? Truth goes back to help Tozawa, and Cody walks in. Cody asks Jey how he’s feeling about WrestleMania. Jey says he would like to go face to face with Cody, but he’s got the personal beef with Gunther. Jey says he’s undecided right now.
Jey heads out, and that news doesn’t seem to help Cody. Will things be sorted out by the end of tonight?
Charlotte Flair is here!
Memphis has a warmer reception for The Queen than Cleveland did as she struts out to the ring. She already visited Raw on Monday and even NXT on Tuesday, so she’s finishing out her post-Rumble week with the blue brand. Charlotte has someone hold ropes open for her before she steps into the spotlight. Charlotte hears the fans “WOO~!” while she grabs a mic. “Hi, Memphis~. So what’s it gonna be tonight? Do you love me?” Fans cheer that! “Or do you hate me?” Fans boo that? “See when you boo, you know what I hear? Money~!” Charlotte says the fans can’t make up their minds, but that’s fine, because it means she lives rent free in all of our minds.
Charlotte is wrestling’s obsession! Her looks, her championships, her last name, and everything Charlotte Flair! And she knows what we’re thinking: The fans think that she thinks that just because her last name is “Flair,” that she’s just better than everyone. But that’s not the only reason she thinks she’s better! Did you actually think she was going to be gone for 14 MONTHS and not win the Royal Rumble? That she was not going to make history? Charlotte entered the Royal Rumble on February 1st, 2025, with 29 unserious women! There was no way she was going over the top rope.
So here’s the thing: She became the first-ever TWO-TIME Women’s Royal Rumble winner! She punched her ticket to WrestleMania! So here we are on her time. She wants to feel inspired. She went to Raw and saw Rhea Ripley. She went to NXT to see if Giulia would “inspire” her. And now she’s here on SmackDown to see if Tiffany- is here! The fans cheer as Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring, title on her shoulder. Tiffany joins Charlotte in the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans chant, “TIFFY TIME! TIFFY TIME!” Tiff says first off, Charlotte, congratulations and welcome back. Honestly, nobody and she means nobody, is a bigger Charlotte fan than Tiff.
And honestly, Tiff thought WWE couldn’t even survive without Charlotte. Charlotte got hurt, and then everyone cared! For like a day! And then Tiff came along and the sales were up, buildings were selling out, and WWE’s been hotter than ever. And guess who’s at the top of that? Tiffy! Charlotte twitches and asks if Tiff said something. Sweetie, you speak when Charlotte says you can speak. And if you think there are not other women claiming to be on top, Tiff should get in line. Tiff says no, she has been in line. The moment she debuted on TV, Tiff was compared to Charlotte. Tiff is a Charlotte wannabe! Tiff is the next Charlotte Flair!
So Charlotte better pick Tiff. Because on Tiff’s first WrestleMania, she’ll beat Charlotte! Then she’ll no longer be the “next Charlotte Flair,” she’ll be the one and only Tiffany Stratton! The fans like the sound of that! Charlotte says when she was in the ring with Rhea, she saw a kid. Looking at Tiffany, Charlotte sees a child begging her to make a start out of her. So tell you what, Tiffy? If you want Charlotte to choose you, get on your hands and knees and BEG her! Wait! Here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force has Candice LeRae by her side, and a mic in her hand. Nia says this blondie back ‘n’ forth is really cute and all…
But it is a little premature. Right, Candice? Yes! And why is that? Because Nia will be champion again. That’s right! Okay, okay, Nia just spoke with Nick Aldis, and they agreed that instead of Nia facing five other women in the Elimination Chamber, Nia just has to face one next week. Nia steps up into the ring, and yes, she and Tiff are going 1v1 for the WWE Women’s Championship that Tiff stole from Nia! So Charlotte, if you wanna be Women’s Champion at WrestleMania, you’ll have to go through Nia. Charlotte says this just got interesting. She’ll stick around and watch next week, and see what happens.
But now, ALEXA BLISS makes her entrance! Nia may have her title rematch, but Lil’ Miss Bliss is ready to fight the Poison Pixie for a spot in the Elimination Chamber! Will things get a lot more twisted in Toronto? We find out, after the break!
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Bliss and Candice slowly circle, tie up, and Bliss headlocks. Candice powers up and out, Bliss goes Spider-Woman int he ropes, then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Candice and Bliss both slowly stand, and Candice steadies herself. They circle again, tie up, and Candice knees low! Candice soaks up heat, but then Bliss choke grips! S T O! INSULT2INJURY! Bliss then waits on Candice, clinches, and fans fire up for SISTER- NO, Candice slips free to EDGE-O-MATIC! Cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Bliss down, pushes her around, then pushes her to a cover, TWO! Bliss is still in this and the fans rally.
Candice stalks Bliss, cravats and snapmares, then NECK SNAPPERS! Cover, TWO! Bliss is still in this and Candice grows frustrated. Candice CLUBS Bliss, pushes her down, and has knees in her back bow a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow. The fans rally as Bliss endures, but then Candice flips her over. Bliss fires body shots, but Candice RAMS her into buckles! Candice RAMS Bliss again, throws body shots, but lets off as the ref counts. Candice storms back up on Bliss, KICKS her in the side, then stands her up. Candice RAMS Bliss, stomps a mudhole into her, then lets off to soak up heat. Candice goes back to Bliss but Bliss drop toeholds her into buckles!
The fans cheer, Bliss climbs the corner, but Candice ROCKS her first! Candice climbs up, brings Bliss up to join her, but Bliss fires body shots! Bliss CLUBS Candice, then HEADBUTTS her down! Bliss stands on the very top, but Candice goes to the apron. Bliss hops down, but Candice hits her with an APRON FLATLINER! Candice does a rather DIY self-applause while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Candice has Bliss in a motorcycle stretch. Bliss endures as her arms are pulled back and Candice digs her knee in. The fans rally for Bliss, she fights up, but Candice uses her forehead for leverage. Bliss pries free, JAWBREAKERS Candice, but Candice CODE BREAKERS in return! Cover, TWO! Bliss stays in this and the fans rally up again. Candice seethes and storms up on Bliss. Candice kicks Bliss and slaps her around. Candice says Bliss came back when no one wants her here. Candice pie faces Bliss, but Bliss snarls. The fans fire up and Bliss shrieks! Bliss rallies on Candice with shoulder tackle after shoulder tackle!
Bliss hits a THESZ PRESS, rains down hands, then blocks a kick to spin and SLAP, ROCK, and DROPKICK Candice down! The fans fire up with Bliss and Candice goes to ropes. Bliss runs up to DOUBLE KNEE, then she YANKS Candice down! BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Candice goes to the apron, Bliss storms up to her, but Candice has her in the ropes! HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Bliss staggers away, Candice goes up, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Bliss survives, and the screen glitches with some familiar imagery… Candice is frustrated, but she storms back up on Bliss. Candice cradles Bliss, Bliss turns it, and now they roll and roll and roll!
The fans cheer as this cradle rolls around and around, falls apart, and both women stand up in a daze. Candice ENZIGIRIS, then runs, but into a clinch! Bliss wipes her lips, then shifts into the SIDEWINDER DDT! Cover, Bliss wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
Things got twisted in the end, and now Bliss goes from surprise return to a big name in the Elimination Chamber match! Will Bliss be able to bring down Bianca, Liv, and whoever else joins them?
Backstage interview with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven.
Byron is with the Hot Mess and her Secret Her-vice, congratulating Bliss on entering the Elimination Chamber match. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for his guests at this time. But Chelsea does have a chance next week, if she beats Naomi. Chelsea says it isn’t “if” but when she beats Naomi. She’ll beat Naomi, beat all those “nasty girls” in Elimination Chamber, then she, her Secret Her-vice, and her motorcade will sail off into the sunset that is WrestleMania, where Chelsea will become a double champ! But then Mia Yim & B-Fab walk up and have Chelsea hold on. Because speaking of eliminations, Chelsea eliminating B-Fab is not in the back of her mind, but the front.
Mia says Chelsea might make it into the Chamber match, but she might not be US Champion. Stop stalling. We all know the inevitable. Piper says the inevitable will pound Mia’s face in! But then Zelina Vega walks by, looks at the US Championship, and thinks yes, that could work. So since she’s on SmackDown now, maybe Zelina gets her own shot at the title? Piper asks what is going on! Chelsea says Piper was supposed to get a bigger security detail, so get it already! But so many people hate Chelsea! Are the walls closing in on the Hot Mess and her title reign?
The Street Profits speak.
Angelo Dawkins says, “What? You thought you was gonna win the tag team championships and not see us? Motor City, we wouldn’t even be in the position right now if you didn’t give our opportunity away! DIY, your days are numbered, cuz we coming for you. Every time the Street Profits get close to the tag team titles, somebody just wants to show up. Somebody wants to appear outta nowhere! Somebody just wants to screw us over! Well no more! Life’s a crutch, and y’all can finally say y’all saw me walk around with this thing!” Dawkins tosses the crutch, and Montez Ford is fired up!
Ford says he loves that! The passion! He sees it! He feels it! He knows it! And congrats, everybody, you officially pissed off the Profits. But you know what they don’t like? All these strangers coming in here, making shots like they’ve been here the whole time. How many brothers and tag teams are we gonna see turn on each other, just to see them mend back together because they know the grass isn’t greener on the other side? So sad. Profits always run together, stay together, and this violence will be televised. May God have mercy on your souls, because the Profits want the smoke. Will that smoke come from the Profits burning down their enemies?
Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.
Byron is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin, and with the Rumble come and gone, we just heard some “harsh comments” from the Profits. Has MCMG had a chance to process? Shelley says yes, they had a chance to process everything. What happened at the Rumble? It’s just what The Profits said. But if this is their backyard, then come and kick MCMG out! Sabin says that was the biggest match of their career, and they had DIY beat. They would be tag team champions now! But then in steps Los Garza! And Angel says no, no, no. Not so fast! MCMG needs to stop complaining and get over it!
Berto says time to let it go. MCMG lost, just let new teams step up to the plate. Wow, funny they’re talking about stepping up. Because last week, when MCMG needed Los Garza to step up, what’d they do? They walked out! Shelley says Los Garza couldn’t take the heat, so they got out of the kitchen. Now, if they wanna step up to MCMG, then by all means! Elektra Lopez steps in and asks if they’re looking for a fight. Santos Escobar steps in and says he understands their frustration, he really does. No one is more upset with The Profits than Legado Del Fantasma. The reason being is the Profits started this whole mess attacking Los Garza for no reason.
And if you remember, that on top of all the other opportunities ripped away, puts Legado in a really frustrated state. So if it’s a fight you’re looking for, you’ve got it. Los Garza VS MCMG next week, be prepared. Santos leads his team away, will Angel y Berto finally get up the ranks to go after the gold?
Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso VS Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga!
The American Nightmare wants to know who he’ll be facing at WrestleMania, and Main Event Jey Uso is still working out that decision. The Samoan Werewolf wants to make it real easy for both of them by tearing down “Big Cousin” Jey and tearing Cody apart! Will Jacob be the only one getting what he wants? Or will Cody & Jey make sure Jacob & Tama just get what they deserve?
SmackDown returns and Cody makes his entrance once again, “WHOA~ OH~!” Then Jacob & Tama make their entrance. The teams sort out, Tama starts against Cody, and the bell rings. The fans rally behind Cody and he kicks Tama low. Cody reels Tama in, suplexes, but Tama slips free. Tama shoves Cody away, then tags to Jacob. Jacob and Cody circle, then Jacob fires up. Cody kicks low, then RHODE SUPPERCUTS! Cody springboards, CODY- NO, Jacob handstands out of the cutter! Then he basement SUPERKICKS, and SENTONS! Cody sputters, Jacob’s all geeked up, but the fans boo. Tama tells fans to sit down, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob stalks Cody, CLUBS him, and has him in a corner. Jacob RAMS into Cody, RAMS him again, then RAMS him again! Jacob spins to UPPERCUT! Cody sputters, Jacob HEADBUTTS him down, then Jacob stalks Cody to the ropes. Cody bails out but Jacob pursues! Cody kicks low to SMACK Jacob off the desk! Cody SMACKS Jacob off the desk again, slides into the ring, but Jacob just drags him back out! Jacob SMACKS Cody off the desk, puts him in the ring, then hauls him up to tag Tama. They mug Cody, DOUBLE HEADBUTT him, then Tama HAMMERS away on him! Tama CLAWS Cody’s eyes, then stalks him to ropes.
Tama CHOKES Cody on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tama steps off at 4. Tama stands Cody up in the corner to fire body shots and haymakers! The ref counts, Jacob tags in, and the mugging continues. They stomp away at the ropes, then Jacob puts Cody in a corner. Cody kicks back, throws hands, but Jacob bumps him off buckles. Jacob CHOPS Cody, Cody falls, and Jacob HIP DROPS him! Jacob looms over Cody, tags Tama back in, and Tama rains down more fists! Tama stomps Cody, CLUBS him, then fires off on him! Tama drags Cody up but Cody fires body shots! Cody CHOPS, ROCKS, but Tama HEADBUTTS!
Tama CLAWS Cody’s back, and Cody writhes! Tama CLUBS him down again, then drags him up again. Tama whips Cody to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Tama looms over Cody, brings him around, and tags in Jacob. The mugging continues and SmackDown returns to single picture. Jacob HEADBUTTS Cody to a corner, then UPPERCUTS him! Cody fires back with a CHOP, but Jacob UPPERCUTS again! Jacob glares at Jey, drags Cody up again, and then whips Cody hard into the corner! Jacob runs up to SPLASH Cody, then he tags Tama. Tama HEADBUTTS Cody, reels him in, but Cody fights the back suplex!
Cody has a headlock, fires hands, but Tama HEADBUTTS again! Tama back suplexes, Cody lands out, and then Cody dodges! Tama runs into Jacob! The fans fire up as Cody crawls, but Tama grabs Cody’s leg! Cody BOOTS Tama away, hot tag to Jey! Jey rallies on Tama and Jacob, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey fires hands, then winds up to DECK Tama! The fans fire up, Tama blocks a kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Jey throws off the new WrestleMania Main Event Jey Uso shirt, then fires fans up with the “UCE! OH!” Jey runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK for Tama! Cover, TWO! Tama survives but Jey keeps cool.
Jey waits on Tama, dodges his lariat, and hits the POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, Jacob breaks it! Cody goes after Jacob! Jacob tumbles out, the ref backs Cody off, but Jacob slides right back in to SUPERKICK Jey! Tama rolls Jey, TWO!! Jey escapes and the fans fire up! Cody coaches Jey but Tama looms over him. Tama runs to then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Jey is still in this but Tama tags Jacob, and they double whip Jey to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Jey down, then stomp him! Jacob sucker punches Cody! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Jacob drags Jey back up. Jacob fireman’s carries, tags Tama, and then WASTELAND SLAM!
Tama slingshots to SENTON! Fans oddly join in on “YEHYEHYEHYEH!” as Tama paces. Tama then HEADBUTTS Jey again and again! Tama hauls Jey up, but Jey fireman’s carries! Tama fights free, shoves Jey to ropes, and now Tama fireman’s carries! Jey slips free now, DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down! The fans fire up while both men stir! Cody rises, he and Jacob reach out! Jey and Tama crawl, hot tags to Jacob and Cody! Cody fires hands, then hits running forearms! Cody goes to a corner, Jacob runs up, but Cody goes up and over! SNAP POWERSLAM! Cody roars and the fans fire up with him!
Cody springboards again, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Jacob rises so Cody kicks and RHODES UPPERCUTS! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, ONE?!? Jacob shocks everyone, but Cody hurries to dragon sleeper! But Jacob slips around and RAMS Cody into the corner! Jacob HEADBUTTS Cody, Tama tags in, and then Jacob runs up, Cody dodges, Jacob hits off the post! Tama rolls Cody up, TWO! Cody swings, into a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this and he crawls to a corner. Tama snarls, runs in, but Cody BOOTS him down! Cody goes up but Tama distracts the ref! Jacob SHOVES Cody down!
The fans boo but Cody flounders up, into Tama’s VENOM DDT! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and Tama is furious! Tama calls to Jacob and says they’re gonna kill this fool! SUPERKICK for Cody! Jacob runs, runs, but Jey trips him up! Cody fires elbows to get free of Tama! Jey SUPERKICKS Jacob, then runs into the ring, just to DIVE back out! Jacob is sent over the desk! Tama swings, but into the CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody & Jey win!
Winners: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso, by pinfall
The former tag team champions stand tall together as they take down the other former tag team champions! BUT SOLO SIKOA IS BACK!? SAMOAN SPIKE!!! The prodigal son returns, and he stands over the American Nightmare! Is he going to suddenly try and take the Undisputed WWE Championship back after leaving his Bloodline in the lurch?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here to do their part in shifting from the Royal Rumble to Elimination Chamber. Charlotte Flair had a good promo with Tiffany Stratton, and it is fitting that Tiff brings up the Charlotte parallels. In this day and age of pro-wrestling, the trope of “I’m not the new you, I’m the first me” is a classic choice. Plus, just the athletic ability of them both makes for a great match. But naturally, Nia Jax is going to get her rematch first, that’ll be really good stuff between her and Tiffany. I would think Tiffany retains so that she faces either Charlotte of the Elimination Chamber winner.
Speaking of which, a good return match for Bliss for her to win and get into the Chamber, but another awesome match between Bianca and Piper. Great win for Bianca, but I’m still curious when the Jade Cargill return happens and how that affects the tag title story. We got a good promo from Chelsea & Piper to react to that loss, plug Chelsea’s qualifier, and then tease many opponents for that Women’s US Championship. A downside of Chelsea & Piper talking about needing reinforcements is that literally just today, WWE released Blair Davenport! I was sure they were all spotted as one of those “in the background” things HHH likes doing, and yet they couldn’t make Blair part of a trio? I guess even under HHH, ideas like that just don’t make the cut.
We got great stuff in the tag division, and I feel like we could build to a really big tag title match for Mania. DIY’s sarcastic moment of silence being upstaged by Pretty Deadly was good stuff, and we got a great match between them. Great win for Pretty Deadly, but I feel like they won’t win the title match next week. Profits had a great promo to call out DIY and MCMG, and then Legado confronting MCMG was good, too. I feel like we could easily see another tag title ladder match at WrestleMania so that DIY, MCMG, Profits, Los Garza and Pretty Deadly can all fight it out, get all the stories wrapped up, and any team could come away with those belts.
Good promo from Melo, Aldis and Tozawa to lead to Melo VS Tozawa. Good showing for Tozawa, but naturally Melo had to get this win. Melo was getting his comeuppance plenty of times, now for him to get back up and head for something going towards WrestleMania. We got great promos from McIntyre, Jimmy and LA Knight to lead into their Triple Threat, and that match was a lot of fun. McIntyre of course got the win here, and despite him talking about his fresh start on SmackDown, you can bet he’ll go right after Punk in the Chamber match. Heck, we could even see him and Rollins go after Punk because I would think Rollins beats Finn Balor this Monday to qualify.
Priest had a good promo with Braun to hype up their Triple Threat with Jacob, but that Triple Threat nature did make it a little awkward. Braun was not only having to put himself over, but he kinda had to admit Jacob was a dangerous man. That Triple Threat is going to be awesome, but it mostly feels like Braun isn’t winning. Priest could win and we’d get great interactions between him and McIntyre, maybe him and Punk or Cena. Jacob could win and get in there to just start destroying stuff. Great promo from Kevin to call out Sami, and y’know what? Looking back, that moment Cody climbed and Sami did nothing, it makes sense now that Kevin would blame Sami. Kevin still won’t blame himself, so he defaults to the one man he always goes after.
And of course, great stuff with the overall world title story for WrestleMania. Great opening promo stuff with Jey and Cody as Jey still has to decide, and then great addition from Jacob in basically stating the WWE Championship is not Jey’s to take. Good intertwining where Miz being dissed by Andrade turns into Miz getting in Cody’s head. Seems Miz learned something from Karrion Kross… And also, Nakamura was lurking again, so that’s an interesting detail. Truth helping Tozawa was great, because of course Truth comedically drops Tozawa. Truth congratulating Jey for King of the Ring is classic confused Truth.
Jey & Cody VS Jacob & Tama was a great tag team match, great win for Jey & Cody, but Tama is quickly filling the same role as Karl Anderson was for The OC. Tama is a great wrestler but he eats the losses for the “real stars” on his team who shouldn’t be taking pins. And what a massive surprise for Solo Sikoa to return and attack Cody. The sad irony is, what makes Solo think he should get one more title match when he has failed to beat Cody again and again? Unless that’s the point, and Jacob challenges Solo’s authority. Solo lost the ula fala, he didn’t do anything after that, Jacob should no longer see Solo as a capable alpha.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Adrenaline in Brussels, every thought out of control!
Cody Rhodes has called him out and now it’s the moment of truth: Will John Cena return to Monday Night Raw live from Brussels, Belgium?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser; Penta wins.
- Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile; Dakota wins.
- Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller; Jey wins.
- The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee; Rey & Lee win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor; Bron wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA IS HERE!
Brussels erupts with booing as the traitorous GOAT makes his way out. He’s wearing the custom Belgium merchandise, but not even that is enough to appease the fans, and they still sing, “John Cena SUCKS~!” Cena grabs the mic and paces around while the fans boo and give thumbs down. The dueling does begin, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” and Cena just stands there to let it play out. Then he drops the mic and turns to leave, but that makes everyone boo! Cena picks up the mic, fans chant, “You Sold Out!” so Cena drops the mic again. The fans boo, so Cena picks the mic back up.
Cena finally speaks, “When someone is properly grounded in life… They shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” Fans chant and sing at Cena some more, but Cena says they are making this so easy for him. “For 25 years, I’ve been the victim, okay? I have been the victim of an abusive relationship. No, no, no, you have lost your time to talk!” The fans say, “You Sold Out!” Cena says fine, take the floor. But what do they do with it? They just abuse and bully him into being their damn puppet, and expect him to do it with a smile on his face! NO MORE! The fans tell Cena off, and he lets them say it. “So very classy. Thank you.”
“Look, I am not a ‘baby face,’ I am not a ‘heel.’ I’m a human being. And each and every one of you has been AWFUL to me! Go ahead, go ahead! You’ve been awful!” The fans boo more, but Cena says it has been the same damn noise for 25 YEARS! When he first got here, the fans let him know really loud that they hated him. Moments of embarrassment and shame, they let him know he wasn’t worthy of them. So he changed himself, and it worked for a second, but then it wasn’t enough! So what’d he do? He worked hard like always, he started to win and win and win and win, and win and win and win and win!
But oh, he won a lot, and fans hated it! It wasn’t enough! So what’d Cena do? He spent 10 YEARS giving away everything he possibly could, and it still wasn’t enough! The fans tell Cena to STFU, but he just smirks and shakes his head. In his final moments, what’s the only thing he can do? He can walk away. Wow, and now you cheer. But he announced his retirement in a move no one has done before. He really is walking away at the end of this year. He tried one last time to get along with the fans. He tried one last time to do something nice, but they ruined it! Just like they ruin everything!
Because just like right here tonight, it was great for two seconds, and then it wasn’t enough! The fans sing “Hey Hey Hey~, Goodbye~!” Cena says, “Each one of these idiots is proving my point with every breath. My point is, no matter what I do, it is never enough, and you should all be ashamed of yourselves. All you ever do is take. You take, you take, and you take! And you only care about yourselves! I put my values on the line to make a very important choice in my life, and all you could think is, ‘What do we get?’ My story changed! ‘What do we get? John Cena’s coming to my town! What do we get? This is trending! What do we get?’
“Not one of you SOBs asked me how I feel. No one! It’s just ‘What do we get? What do we get?’ YOU GET NOTHING! You get what you have earned, and what you have earned is NOTHING! You don’t get a new look, because you dress like me, I don’t dress like you idiots! You don’t get new music! That is MY voice on that song, and your time is finally up! And my time is finally now! The only thing you get is to take a long look in the mirror to see how awful each and every one of you has been for 25 years to me!” The fans still boo, and even shift to, “We Want Cody!” Oh, they want Cody? OH~, of course! The brand new, shiny toy! Because they’re about to put this one out to pasture.
Like he said, they’re just proving his point that they’re awful people. And that’s every single person here! No one is safe, no one can hide, especially those he can pick out in the crowd. This guy, that guy in the front row, and that other guy. Yes, he sees them. The “Let’s Go Cena” people. They’re the ones who support Cena. The dueling begins again, and Cena says, “You hear that, world? The Cena Sucks Jagoffs, they have already proved themselves awful people. I’m about ot tell you why the Let’s Go Cena people are just as awful. You claim to support me? What have you ever done? What have you, you, you, what have you ever done to support me, huh?!
“What have you ever done for me? All you ever do is steal from me! You steal! You steal my personal moments! You steal my time! You have made me your freakin’ toy! I am an object to you! You have made me the butt to a stupid ‘invisible’ joke for 15 years, and you still think it’s funny! It is NOT funny! It is pathetic! You are pathetic.” Fans tell Cena off again, but Cena says they don’t wanna hear this, huh? Not ready to hear this? Not ready to lean into the uncomfortable conversation. The truth is, the fans don’t wear his merch to support him. They wear it to feel good. They wear words like Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, but Cena LIVES them.
The fans think they can buy the words “Never Give Up?” Cena is the definition of perseverance, and everyone here knows it! “You do not support me. What you do is you use me as an excuse for your pathetic failure of a life. Because all you’ve ever done there for 25 years is sit on your ass and watch me be great! NO MORE! This, everybody, including that one kid right there, is a toxic, dysfunctional relationship! Oh, you don’t wanna hear it, huh? It’s too tough for ya? Well listen to this. I’m breaking up with you. I’m done. I’m breaking up with every single person. Whether you like me or you don’t, you’re dumped.
“I don’t need you anymore. I don’t care about you. And you don’t matter to me. And here’s the thing. There’s no noise you can make, there is nothing you can do, because you know I’m right and you know you are wrong!” WAIT! Here comes Cody! Brussels erupts with cheers this time, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, continues down the ramp and high-fives fans, and Cena just waits on Cody. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and more pyro as Cody throws off his jacket and steps into the ring with Cena. Cody raises the Undisputed WWE Championship, the fans cheer, and then Cody gets himself a mic.
The fans cheer as the song dies down and Cena scowls. The fans sing, “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~! CODY, CODY RHOOODES~!” Cody lifts the belt again and the fans cheer more. Cody then finally says, “I think everybody was willing to hear you out, even myself. If I understood correctly from what you just said, they’ve given you their worst. Sure, they might’ve given you their worst. But they’ve also given you their best for 25 years, and they did that because you were special. They did that because you were special. They did that because you could take it. They did that because you could carry it!” The fans cheer that.
Cena says, “Look, kid,” but Cody tells him, “ENOUGH! And it’s certainly not ‘kid.’ It’s champion!” The fans cheer that, too! And Cody wants to ask Cena something. “Who the hell are you? Where’s the guy on this shirt? Right here! Even after what you did, I was excited at the prospect of going week to week, face to face, with John Cena. And instead, I got this. Well this better not show up at WrestleMania. Because if it does, I run it over, I run it out, because I already took its best shot and it wasn’t good enough, I retire it early! So go find John Cena, because I wanna wrestle him at WrestleMania 41, not this whiny b*tch!”
Cody drops his mic and leaves the ring, the fans all fired up! Cody gives Cena one last look before he makes his way back up the ramp. The fans sing for “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~!” again, and he again lifts the belt. Cena is still in the ring, so the fans boo. Cena drops his mic, exits the ring, and the fans again sing “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye~!” Cena gives them one last look before he goes backstage. Will this Cena be all we get from now until the end of 2025?
No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser!
After going back and forth, and even adding Pete Dunne to the mix, the Man with No Fear and the Impeccable German have it out with nothing holding them back! Will Penta show Kaiser what #CeroMiedo looks like when it is fully unleashed? Or will Kaiser say NEIN to another loss?
Raw returns and Penta makes his entrance. The fans fire up with the pyro, and “CERO! MIEDO!” The fans even sing, “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CEROOO~, MIEDOOO~!” The bell rings and Penta eggs Kaiser on. Kaiser is annoyed with the fans, but then he and Penta start throwing hands! Kaiser gets the edge, but Penta avoids the lariat to CHOP Kaiser down! Kaiser staggers, Penta runs up, and Penta LARIATS Kaiser up and out! Then Penta slides out, runs up, but Kaiser THROWS him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans boo, but Penta gets up on the barriers! Penta tightrope walks his way to FLYING RANA Kaiser into the apron!
The fans fire up with Penta and he pursues, but Kaiser bails out. Kaiser grabs chairs, puts them in the ring, but Penta runs up to DROPKICK Kaiser down! Penta then builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit, the fans fire up, but then the fans cheer as Penta clears the commentary desk! Penta puts Kaiser up there, CHOPS him, but Kaiser CHOPS back! They CHOPS go back and forth, the fans cheer and boo. Penta fires off a flurry, but Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s face! Then KAISER ROLL on the desk! The fans lose their minds while Kaiser stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Kaiser has Penta up top, and he CLAWS at the mask! But Penta fights Kaiser off! The fans fire up as Kaiser staggers, and Penta CROSSBODIES! Kaiser staggers up, Penta dodges and KICKS Kaiser in the leg! Then SLING-DOG! Kaiser flounders to a corner, Penta whips, but Kaiser reverses. Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Penta rises. Penta aims from a corner, calls his shot, and runs up, but into a GAMANGIRI! Kaiser fireman’s carries, KAISER ROLL again, then cover! TWO! Penta survives, but Kaiser kicks him out of the ring. Kaiser UPPERCUTS Penta, then RAMS him into steel steps!
The fans boo, Kaiser leaves Penta behind, but only to go out the side. Kaiser gets running, wanting his favorite shot! But Penta BACKDROPS Kaiser onto the desk! The fans are thunderous as Kaiser writhes! Penta has the fans singing again, and he brings Kaiser off the desk to put in the ring. Penta stalks Kaiser, but Kaiser SMACKS Penta! The fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but Penta CHOPS! Kaiser fires a haymaker, Penta fires back, and the two stand. Kaiser ROCKS Penta, but Penta ROCKS Kaiser! The haymakers keep going, then Penta trades CHOPS with Kaiser’s haymakers! Penta fires a flurry of forearms, then says “CERO! MIEDO!”
Penta runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Kaiser SLAMS him down! BLINDSIDE SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Penta survives but Kaiser stalks him to ropes. Kaiser tells Penta to listen to him! Penta will fear KAISER! Kaiser will teach Penta what it means to fear! Kaiser CLUBS Penta down, the fans sing for Penta, but Kaiser grabs a chair. Kaiser dares Penta to get up, and then he SMACKS Penta on the back! Penta scrambles to a corner but Kaiser grins as he storms up. Kaiser CHOKES Penta with the chair and shouts, “Are you scared? Say it!” Kaiser wants Penta to admit he’s afraid, but Penta just powers up! The fans fire up as Penta pushes Kaiser back! “CERO! MIEDO!”
Kaiser drags Penta up, clinches, but Penta WRINGS that arm, then has the other! THE SACRIFICE!! Kaiser writhes, clutches that elbow, but now Penta has the chair! Penta winds up but Kaiser wants mercy! Penta shakes his head but Kaiser says he gives up?! Kaiser says Penta wins? Penta isn’t sure about that, but then Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s eyes! Kaiser has th echair, but Penta SUPERKICKS the chair into Kaiser! Then he SMACKS Kaiser! Then he gives the chair back to SUPERKICK it into Kaiser again! Penta goes up, Kaiser staggers around, and Penta reels him in, FLYING MEXICAN DESTROYER on the chair!!
The fans are losing their minds, but Penta then hits a PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Brussels gives this brutal opener a standing ovation! Will Penta now leave Kaiser in the past to go for bigger and better prizes? Cathy Kelley interviews Penta on the ramp and congratulates him on the win. That was a definitive end to that match, and we’re on the Road to WrestleMania. What is next for Penta? Penta says first off all, THANK YOU, BRUSSELS! They are amazing, he loves ’em! But the Penta New Era is here! It is alive in Europe, but also in every continent in the world! What is next for Penta? Listen: THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP!
Penta wants to tell everyone that he doesn’t care what he has to do, he WILL be champion! Because he is Penta, and he has CERO MIEDO! That very title is on the line later tonight, will Penta be aimed at Bron Breakker or Finn Balor for WrestleMania?
Dakota Kai heads to gorilla.
Iyo Sky gives her a pep talk before her match, but uh, is that Dominik Mysterio talking with Karrion Kross? Is Dom still trying to recruit new members? Or is Mr. Doomsday giving Dom some special advice of his own?
The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Carlito is adding to the great graffiti backstage, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez talk about how Dominik should’ve taken the match with Bron Breakker instead of- Finn walks in! Liv & Raquel say hey, and they wish him luck tonight. Finn thanks them for that, and he wishes them the best of luck in their matches. Jade Cargill is gonna be another stop on the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour! And Raquel, by this time next week, they’ll both be Intercontinental- Oh, Dom walks in! Hey, bud! The man of the moment! Finn knows Dom knows, but Finn wants to say from the bottom of his heart, thanks for getting him the title match.
Dom says of course! Whatever it takes to get Judgment Day back on top. But here’s the thing… Dom was talking with some people, and he has an idea. Oh, an idea? Is Dom sure he should say this? Dom says it’ll be okay. Ever since JD McDonagh went down, they kinda lost some muscle around here. So Dom found the perfect person to add to the Judgment Day! Finn is annoyed and asks who. Penta! Finn wants to get something straight. After all this time, and after all they’ve been through, Dom goes behind Finn’s back, has all these conversations with all these people, and the one he lands on… is offering a spot to Penta, the guy who just declared HE wants Finn’s Intercontinental title?!
Finn seethes, and tells Dom he’s just a snake! Finn storms out, the mood ruined. Dom didn’t know Penta was gonna go for the title. Carlito says Dom doesn’t watch the product, huh? Well, Dom stepped in it this time. Is there some way he can he make it up to Finn? Or should he just give up on adding members?
Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile w/ Team American Made!
Speaking of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, both #CobraKai and the Diamond Pitbull have fought for and failed to take that title from Lyra Valkyria. With Raquel Rodriguez facing Lyra next, who will prove they’re worthy of the shot after that?
What a surprise to see Chad Gable showing up. He apologizes for being late, and then he joins The Creed Brothers in Ivy’s corner. The bell rings, and Dakota fires off fast hands on Ivy! The ref reprimands as they’re in the corner, but Dakota backs off. Dakota runs up, but Ivy stops the flying-mare! Ivy throws Dakota away, Dakota keeps moving, but Ivy LARIATS! Ivy is already frustrated and she rains down fists! The fans boo, Ivy tells them to shut up, and Maggle taunts Gable about his lucha mask that he may or may not have. Ivy stands Dakota up, whips her to a corner, and Dakota bounces off buckles into Ivy’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Ivy is annoyed but Gable coaches her on. Ivy drags Dakota up, reels her in, and she suplexes. Dakota cradle counters! TWO, and Dakota goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, Dakota ELBOWS her away, then Dakota BOOTS her! Dakota runs to DISCUS LARIAT! And then LARIAT again! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Dakota while Ivy ends up in a corner. Dakota runs in to BOOT WASH! Dakota then puts Ivy through ropes, and JUMP- NO, Ivy avoids the stomp! But Dakota GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up again and Dakota builds speed, but Gable is on the apron! The fans boo, Ivy storms in, and Ivy scoops Dakota for a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Dakota survives, and here comes the LWO! They go after The Creeds for what Gable or not Gable did! Gable runs but gets flanked, so he goes into the crowd! The fans fire up as Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee chase after Gable! Ivy is shocked, but that lets Dakota run Around the World! BOOT! And then a fireman’s carry, GO TO KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall
American Made falls apart in Brussels, and now #CapKota is in pole position for the title chase! Will she get one more shot on goal with Lyra? Or will she and her old rival, Raquel, meet again?
Iyo Sky heads to the ring!
The fans fire up as the Evil Genius, the NEW Women’s World Champion, is ready to sign on the dotted line! She and Bianca Belair are going to put pen to paper, but will that be all that happens? We find out after the break.
Raw returns as Bianca is in the ring, and Adam Pearce has joined them. Pearce welcomes everyone in French, and says it is now time to make this world title match official between challenger Bianca Belair, and champion Iyo Sky! The fans cheer that! Pearce says they know how this works. Two signatures makes this official, so the floor is theirs. Iyo and Bianca both take their seats, and Iyo picks up her mic first. “Bianca, you will not disrespect me again. Rhea will not disrespect me again. No one will disrespect me again. Because I am the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer that! “And after WrestleMania, I will still be the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer even more for that!
Iyo signs her part, the fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Iyo bows in thanks for that. Now Bianca has her turn to speak. “Iyo, I have all the respect in the world for you. I really do. But last week, I gave you a pass because it was lowkey my fault, so I’ma tell you exactly what I told Rhea. If you put your hands on me and think you can get away with it, you don’t know me at all. So WrestleMania, you gonna find out exactly who I am. I am Bianca Belair, The EST of WWE, and I will be your NEW Women’s World Champion.” Fans are a bit more torn here, but Bianca signs her part. Pearce says it is now official!
The fans cheer and Pearce thanks them for being so professional. But then RHEA RIPLEY shows up! The fans fire up but Pearce, Bianca and Iyo are all shocked and upset about this. Mami has a mic as she storms down the ramp, but Pearce already calls in refs! Pearce asks what Rhea is doing out here, but Rhea asks them what they’re all doing out here. Because last she checked, Iyo slapped her in the face and she won’t do nothing about it, like Bianca over here. How the hell is Bianca acting like nothing happened? Well, for one, Bianca had to sign the contract for WrestleMania. That’s what she’s doing out here.
Rhea says real funny, coming from Bianca. Because Bianca had no business being out here for Rhea’s title match, but there she was. So time to take a page out of Bianca’s book, and she’s just out here to watch. Oh, then Rhea will be just watching WrestleMania! Bianca and Rhea argue, Iyo gets riled up, and she storms up like last time. But Bianca pie faces her first! Bianca says she ain’t getting smacked today! Well she gets a HEADBUTT from Rhea! Bianca ends up on the table, and then Rhea kicks Iyo! Rhea reels Iyo in, and hauls her up, to POEWRBOMB onto Bianca! The table doesn’t break, but Pearce has had enough of Rhea!
Rhea sees the contract on the floor, then picks it up. And she SIGNS IT, TOO!? Can she do that?! We have the two signatures, but is she making this into a Triple Threat?! Pearce argues with Rhea all the way to the back as she plays keep-away, but is Mami about to be on top one way or another?
Jey Uso walks ‘n’ talks.
“Yeah! Yeah! Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~! YEAH! I ain’t been myself lately. Been doubtin’ myself. Mind playin’ tricks on me. So I flew halfway around the world to whoop somebody’s ass! And that person tonight is Austin Theory. But at WrestleMania, it’s me and you, Gunther, when I shock the world and become World Heavyweight Champ! So Uce! Hey, Uce! Please hit my music-” GUNTHER IS AT GORILLA! Jey and Gunther get to shouting but Pearce and security barge in! Pearce says not tonight! Not after everything Rhea just did! Gunther says he talked to Jimmy on Friday, and he’s just as dumb as Jey!
Jey shoves Gunther, security ushers Gunther out, and Jey says he’ll see “G” out there! UH UH, YEET!! Jey makes his entrance, will he be even more fired up to fight #AllDay Austin Theory?
Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller!
Raw returns and A-Town Down Under makes their entrance. The bell rings, Waller distracts Jey already, and Theory fires off haymakers! They end up in the corner, the ref reprimands and counts, but Theory talks trash on the Yeet! Theory drags Jey up, whips him corner to corner, but Jey goes up and over. Jey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges then SPEARS!! Cover, Jey wins!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
That was fast! Jey really IS fired up to fight Gunther for Mania! Waller storms in, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! Jey then watches ATDU regroup, and Jey FLIES! Jey clips the ropes just a bit but he still takes ATDU down! Jey gets back up, but GUNTHER GETS HIM IN A SLEEPER!! Gunther squeezes tight, but Jey RAMS Gunther into a corner! Jey is free to fire haymakers! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, but Gunther blocks the shot! Jey ROCKS Gunther with his off hand, and then he YANKS the title from Gunther!! The fans fire up, Gunther runs up in a rage, but Jey DUMPS him out! The fans fire up as Jey holds up the belt!
Gunther is furious, the fans cheer, but then Jey tosses the belt back. Der Ring General tried to punk out Jey, but Jey turned the tables! Will nothing stop Jey from proving he IS a main event player?
Pearce argues with Rhea.
Pearce will not allow Rhea to get away with what she’s doing! You can’t just write your name on a contract! Rhea says yes she can, she literally just did it! This is like talking to a child. Give him the contract! No! Yes! No! YES! NO! Rhea Ripley, give her the contract! Rhea says then he should put her in the match, her name’s on the contract! She shoves the contract into Pearce’s chest, he thanks her and takes his leave. But here comes Bianca! She and Rhea brawl! Bianca HAMMERS away, but now Iyo gets in, to go after Rhea! Bianca shoves Iyo aside and says Rhea is hers! Iyo DECKS Bianca, tells Bianca not to screw with her, but then Rhea SHOVES Iyo into a door!
Rhea goes after Bianca, and throws her into road cases! Pearce returns to have refs usher Rhea out of here! Rhea demands to be in that title match! Will Mami get what she wants? Or will she throw things out of whack until she does?
The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee!
After that wild encounter earlier tonight, this was a natural choice for all parties involved! Will Julius & Brutus get payback for Master Gable being run out of the building? Or will American Made learn not to mess with the L W O?
The teams sort out and Julius starts against Dragon. The bell rings, and Julius JUMP KNEES Lee down! The fans boo but Julius drags Lee up for a fireman’s carry. But Lee pops up to RANA Julius away! Brutus runs up but Lee dodges to SUPERKICK! Brutus tumbles out, Lee DIVES onto Brutus! Lee goes up a corner, then CROSSBODIES Julius! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Lee clamps onto Julius. Lee reaches out but Brutus YANKS Rey down! Julius turns things around and hits Lee with a ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Then a SLIDING LARIAT! Julius scowls, the fans boo, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the fans rally as Lee wipes out the Creeds! Lee crawls for his corner, hot tags to Julius and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey BLASTS Brutus, BOOTS Julius, then ELBOWS Brutus to dodge Julius! Tilt-o-whirl DEJA VU RANA! Julius flounders around, the fans fire up, and Rey climbs up on Julius. Rey rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to “Sept” (seven in French) before Julius carries him off the corner! Brutus is there and Julius hands Rey off! But Rey fights back, elbowing Julius away and raining fists down on Brutus! But Brutus THROWS Rey at Julius, and Julius catches Rey!
Julius powers up and brings Rey around, but Rey swings to DDT! Lee is back, FLYING RANA for Brutus to the floor!! The fans are thunderous and Rey goes up top! But Julius springs up after him! Only for Rey to HEADBUTT him away! Rey leaps, FLYING RANA and Julius is on the ropes! Rey dials it up and the fans cheer the 619! DROP THE DIME! Cover, LWO WINS!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
The King of Lucha and his Boy Wonder took down the Creeds, but WAIT! That American Made luchador is back! He CLOBBERS Rey, dodges Lee, and then FLYING HEADBUTTS! El Americano rains down fists on Lee, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Rey storms up to fire forearms! The fans fire up, but Gable- er, uh, Americano waistlocks again! GERMAN SUPLEX and Rey lands on Lee! The fans boo “whoever this is,” but now he goes up top! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” a la Angle, but Americano says SHOOOOSH! DIVING HEADBUTT on Lee!! “UH GRACIAS~!” Americano runs away as security rushes out here!
Gable was ran off from the building, yet this luchador returns. What is going on with this masked man mystery?
Seth Rollins is here!
Brussels sings his song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary is in a comparatively normal outfit. Rollins high-fives fans and makes his way to the ring in his dark green suit and boots highlighted with gold chain and wristwatch. What will Rollins have to say about the shocking way Roman Reigns returned? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns as the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it while he has the mic in hand. The fans applaud as the singing just keeps going. Another round of applause, and then Rollins tells Brussels, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans cheer again, and Rollins says that by the sound of this, they already know it. In case you don’t, this is a Visionary, this is a Revolutionary, this is SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! The fans cheer more, the singing returns, and Rollins again smiles. The fans applaud, and Rollins says alright. He was coming out here mad as Hell, but it is hard to be mad with those beautiful voices serenading him.
Rollins takes a moment as fans start to chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Well, we’ll get to him, but Rollins wants to talk Roman Reigns first. “O T C! O T C!” Yes, you saw the footage last week. Is Rollins mad as Hell that Roman came for revenge? Absolutely not, cuz he’d have done the same damn thing! HAHAHA! “The problem is, even after all these years, and a Wise Man in his ear, Roman Reigns still can’t come up with a plan. He needs his Architect to do it for him.” Roman had the time, the place, the moment, but he left one detail out: That detail is the man the fans were all chanting for just a few moments ago.
The “C M PUNK!” chant returns and Rollins says yes, “The luckiest loser on the face of the planet.” Because of Rollins had just a few more seconds in that cage, he would’ve ended what he promised the world. He would’ve stomped Punk through the mat, ended the Mania dream, and put Punk’s career on ice! Rollins would’ve taken care of the Punk Problem for everyone, including Roman. But like the good ol’ days, Rollins is left to clean up Roman’s mess. The “O T C!” chants return, and Rollins says don’t worry, he’ll put OTC in his place along the way. And it just so happens that Rollins’ two favorite people are going to be in the same place at the same time this Friday Night SmackDown.
Oh, trust him, Brussels, Rollins wishes those two were here, too. But… Rollins was just thinking… Why let them boys have all the fun? Maybe Rollins makes a trip down to Italy, makes a trip to SmackDown, and he puts himself right in between Roman and Punk? What do the fans think about that? The fans cheer, and Rollins says yeah, that sounds like a nice way to solve a problem and clean up a mess. But that is Friday, this is Monday, this ain’t about SmackDown, this is about the fans! This has been one hell of a crowd all night long! They’ve been singing with their beautiful voices, there’s just one match left and that is the main event for the Intercontinental Championship!
So Brussels, sing Rollins’ beautiful song as he makes his way to SmackDown and we make our way to the main event! Give it to ’em, Brussels! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it again, and he says, “It’s on. See you boys on Friday, HAHAHA!”
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
Cathy is with the Phenomenal One and says he had a lot to say on the Raw Recap show about Logan Paul. Could he give us a bit of that here? Styles says he stands behind everything he said. Styles hears the fans sing for him, then says Logan Paul just doesn’t belong. But then Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux walk over. Kross asks if that’s really how Styles feels. Styles says he doesn’t need this. Kross says he is just offering a different perspective, but if Styles doesn’t want it… Kross turns to go but Styles says fine, let’s hear it. Maybe Styles isn’t mad about Logan Paul. Maybe Styles is mad at himself. That’s enough of that.
No, hey, hold on! Kross just wants Styles to think: How long did it take for Styles to get to the WWE and find validation? 16? Styles says it was 17. Okay, okay. But it didn’t take Logan that long, did it? Is Styles not able to respect a guy who just waltzed into the business and did everything Styles has ever wanted to in record time? Styles sees where Kross is going with this, and it’s not gonna work. Styles leaves, but Kross says it’s working. He and Scarlett do the Scott Hall fingers, will their mind games make Styles and Logan bitter enemies?
Bron Breakker heads to gorilla.
And Penta is there! Penta looks at the title, and Bron smirks. Will this be the match-up for the title? Or will this Road to WrestleMania take a detour thanks to The Judgment Day?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been chewing up this roster ever since he got here, but The Prince claims he chews up “rookies” like Bron his whole career. But until these two fight it out, it’s all just talk. Whose bark is worse than their bite when the bell rings?
Raw returns and Bron makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to see who’s the real badass around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. In fact, they’re even dueling, “Let’s Go, Balor!” and then barking for Bron. Finn and Bron feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Finn backs away to ropes. The ref has Bron stay back, Finn leaves the ropes, and the two reset. They tie up, Finn headlocks, but Bron powers up and out. Bron RUNS Finn over, the fans bark, and Bron snarls as he storms up on Finn. Finn kicks low, CLUBS Bron on the neck, then headlocks. Bron blocks the takeover with pure brawn, then he hoists Finn up! The fans fire up, but Finn uses that to flying headlock takeover! The fans cheer while Finn grinds Bron down.
Bron endures as Finn thrashes him around. Bron rolls Finn to a cover, TWO, and Finn holds onto the headlock. The fans rally, Bron powers out and headlocks. Finn powers out, drops down, then bypasses Bron to TOSS him out! Bron lands on his feet! The fans fire up, Bron storms in, and he RAMS Finn into a corner! Bron RAMS Finn again and again, then snarls again. Finn staggers to another corner, but Bron runs up to LARIAT! Bron whips Finn to TOSS him out, and Finn tumbles! Bron goes out the side, and he builds up speed! The fans fire up, but Finn SLINGBLADES Bron down! Finn has control while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn has Bron in a corner. Finn CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Finn paces, then he goes back to Bron for a haymaker. Bron counter punches! And counter punches! Bron fires hands, whips, then scoops, but Finn tilt-o-whirls through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn ELBOWS Bron in the neck, the fans rally up, and Finn stalks Bron. Finn scuffs Bron, SLAPS him, and talks trash. “You know who I am? I’m Finn Balor!” Finn keeps scuffing and slapping, and the fans tell Finn he done messed up! Finn fires hands, but Bron just snarls! Bron ROCKS Finn again and again, then whips. Finn reverses, but Bron LEAPING ELBOWS!
Bron storms up again, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Finn flounders, Bron whips again, but Finn KICKS the backdrop away. Finn runs, Bron dodges and then catches Finn for a POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and bark, and then Bron drags Finn up. But wait, here come Dom & Carlito! It was only a matter of time before Judgment Day pulled this move! They distract Bron and Finn rolls Bron up! TWO, and Finn runs up, but Bron catches him by the neck! Military press, but Finn slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Bron survives and Finn is frustrated, but Dom & Carlito cheer Finn on.
Bron crawls to ropes, Finn spins him around, and Finn JUMP STOMPS! The fans tell Dom he sucks, Carlito tells Dom to tune that out, and Finn gives more stomps! Finn asks Dom what he’s doing out here, so apparently this was another of Dom’s ideas. Finn CHOPS Bron, then whips, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed to CLOBBER Finn! The fans fire up and bark again while Finn bails out. Bron storms out after Finn and the ref tells Dom & Carlito to back off. Bron LEAPS from the apron and onto the desk! Both men go tumbling over and the fans lose their minds! Bron sputters, Corey Graves lost a shoe, and “This is Awesome!”
Bron and Finn slowly stir, and Bron is on his feet! Finn crawls, wants mercy, but Bron stomps him! Bron puts Finn in the ring, and he dares Dom & Carlito to pull something. Bron slides in and builds speed again! SLINGBLADE! Finn hits first, and then he hurries to go again! SHOTGUN and Bron hits buckles! Bron slumps down into the drop zone so Finn climbs up! The fans fire up as Finn reaches the top! COUP DE- NO, Bron dodges, runs up, but Finn hurdles over the Spear! Roll up, TWO!! Bron grabs Finn again, military press, BREAKKER SLAM! Cover, TWO! Finn survives, both men are down, and the fans are fired up!
Dom & Carlito coach Finn but Bron is up first. Bron has blood in his mouth, perhaps from a busted lip, but he doesn’t care. Bron runs in, but Finn KICKS him first! And ENZIGIRIS! Bron is down again so Finn goes back up! But Bron hurries to trip Finn! Finn CLAWS at Bron’s head, then throws hands! The fans rally, Finn stands, but Bron ROCKS him first! Bron climbs up and brings Finn to the top! But Carlito distracts the ref! Dom YANKS Bron into a HOTSHOT, but that trips Finn up, too! Finn lands on his prince and he’s pissed at Dom! Dom apologizes, but Bron is just as mad! Bron BLASTS Dom, BLASTS Carlito, then springs up after Finn! SUPER STEINER!!
The fans are thunderously barking, Bron hits the SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Bron is so badass, not even Judgment Day could cost him! But now Judgment Day attacks him! The fans boo but Dom goes to grab the belt. Carlito bumps Bron off buckles, but here comes Penta! The fans fire up as Penta slides in, and he dodges Dom to then SUPERKICK Dom down! Carlito runs up, into a SUPERKICK! Bron gives Carlito a SPEAR! But now Penta holds onto the title as he stares down Bron. The fans sing “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~ MIEDO~!” Penta hands the belt to Bron, and Bron holds it up. Will these two put it all on the line in Las Vegas?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Raw in Brussels, and the Brussels crowd was just as fun as the Barcelona crowd on Friday. Cena and Cody opening with their big promo segment was the right move to give it time to breathe. Cena did a perfect job of using the fans as part of his promo because he took the trope of “I blame the fans!” to the ultimate level. He didn’t just use recent stuff, he used his entire 25 years and all the phases he went through as part of it, and he really dug into some personal feelings for both him and the fans. Cody therefore had the perfect counter to show Cena was only focusing on the negative, and how that’s not who Cena has presented to us. I think we’re getting another appearance of Cena next week, can’t wait to see how Glasgow treats him.
Iyo and Bianca had a good contract signing but I expected a touch more from both promos. Rhea joining in was the main element, and this is clearly heading for a Triple Threat. That quick brawl backstage was good, and I feel like we’re going to get Rhea VS Bianca to see if Rhea earns her spot in the match. Good stuff from Jey and Gunther again, but I kinda wish we’d just gotten only brawl. Jey squashing Theory was pretty wild, and he still gets the better of Gunther here, but it should’ve just been all Jey and Gunther. Gunther promised a living Hell for Jey, but I’m not sure we’re quite there yet. All the more reason Gunther should’ve beat up Jimmy on Friday as a way to stick it to Jey.
Good promo from Styles and Kross to add to this Styles VS Logan Paul build. Kross continues to be a great instigator, but when is he going to get back in the ring for his own desires? Or is he just waiting for the right opening to mess with the right champion? Honestly, as it feels like Jey is going to win the world title, Jey is the perfect target for Kross. Jey admitted to himself that there is insecurity right now, and the belt can help give him confidence again, but Kross can certainly find ways to tear that back down on the way to Backlash and beyond.
Very good stuff from American Made. Gable being run off by the LWO of course set up “El Americano” for that tag match segment, but it was also a good part of Dakota being Ivy. I feel like it’d be a bit much of Dakota gets a third match with Lyra, but I don’t know if that means Judgment Day screws Lyra out of the title. Cheating Lyra could be a way to keep her strong in the loss, and we could get some good stuff as Dakota takes on Raquel. Plus, DMG CTRL currently having the world title makes them an eventual target of Judgment Day, and the tag titles could also be in the mix for some serious Two Woman Power Trip teasing.
Judgment Day also had great stuff tonight. Dom thinking Penta would want to join Judgment Day is interesting, I wonder if that was Kross’s idea. Penta VS Kaiser was a great opener, but I feel they could’ve done more for a No Holds Barred match. Still good stuff to give Penta the win and move on from Kaiser to call out the Intercontinental Championship. Bron VS Finn was a great match, even with Dom & Carlito showing up. Dom accidentally messing Finn up was pretty clever, and that just adds to the Judgment Day tension. While Bron VS Penta will be awesome stuff, I was kinda hoping we’d get Finn VS Penta to add even more intrigue to the Judgment Day story, but I guess that’s something that doesn’t need a title.
My Score: 8.9/10
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The Front Man VS The Rebel!
The 2025 New Japan Cup is moving into the homestretch, and we have Zack Sabre Jr. battling David Finlay! Will ZSJ return to the finals?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tomohiro Ishii & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Daiki Nagai VS Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata; Kojima & Nagata win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano VS Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku; Hashi & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS The United Empire; Hontai wins.
- Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Newman win.
- 10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Zack Sabre Jr. & David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture!
After Gabe Kidd eliminated Ren Narita from the New Japan Cup, the Souled Out Strong Style and the boys made sure the Mad Man lost, too! Will Gabe, “Drilla” Moloney, Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale & Sanada finally bring down the House? Or will the King of Darkness lead his team and prove Everything is Evil?
Well, no sneak attacks during the House’s entrances, but Sho does get the mic. Sho claims that of all the places in Japan, Shizuoka is the worst! Just like the War Dogs! He tells the War Dogs to get out here so they can just end this and go home already. With that, Gabe & Drilla lead the charge and the brawl is on! Evil intercepts Sanada with a kick, but Chase & Fale go after Yujiro & Kanemaru! Gabe BOWLS Ren into chairs in the crowd! The fans fire up but they also have to clear out fast! Gabe sends Ren into the wall, Sanada sends Evil into commentary! The King of Darkness knocks President Ace over!
Gabe fires forearms on Ren at ringside, the fans fire up, but then Evil CHOKES Tanahashi just because!! The fans boo but then Sanada attacks Evil. Ren & Dick turn things around on Gabe! Evil throws Sanada at Milano Collection AT-san! Mmilano ends up falling onto fans! And then Evil just does it again! Ren throws Gabe into a wall! Kanemaru knocks Chase down, then whips him into railing! Sho finally scrambles into the ring to get away from Drilla, and now the bell rings! Sho wants mercy but Drilla puts him in a corner instead. The fans bark as Drilla CHOPS and ROCKS Sho on repeat! The ref reprimands, Drilla won’t stop so the ref pulls him back.
Drilla pushes the ref aside, then runs back in, but Sho ELBOWS Drilla! Sho runs, SPEAR gets stuffed! Drilla fires knees, then hoists Sho up! Sho fights free and he bends Drilla’s fingers! The ref reprimands but Sho whips Drilla into the corner, SURPRISE~! Bare buckles! Drilla hits steel and falls back while Sho BLASTS the War Dogs off their corner! The fans boo but Sho drags Drilla up and TOSSES him outside. Sho distracts the ref as Ren & Evil mug Drilla, then the others join in! The fans boo, but Gabe runs up to attack! He gets mugged, too, and he’s even sent into railing! Drilla is put in for Sho to cover, TWO!
Kanemaru tags in and kicks away on Drilla. Kanemaru whips Drilla to an open corner, runs up and ELBOWS him! Then Kanemaru snapmares to drop a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Drilla is still in this and the fans rally up behind him. Kanemaru bumps Drilla off Yujiro’s boot! Tag to Yujiro and he drags Drilla up. Yujiro bumps Drilla off the bare buckles! The fans rally for Drilla more but Yujiro knees him low. Yujiro fires forearms, stands him against the ropes, and the House holds Drilla in place for the BOOT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Drilla stays in this, but Ren tags in to drag Drilla up. Drilla fires forearms on Ren!
Ren CLAWS Drilla’s eyes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Ren whips Drilla to a corner. Drilla BOOTS him away! And then Drilla puts Ren up top, and GAMANGIRIS! Ren wobbles and the fans fire up! Drilla brings Ren off the corner, but Ren slips free and CLAWS the eyes again! The ref reprimands, Ren lets go to run, but he runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ren crawls and Gabe shouts as he rises up! The fans rally, hot tag to Gabe! The Mad Man dodges Ren to BLAST the House! Ren kicks low, whips Gabe, but Gabe reverses and LARIATS in the corner! Then he whips corner to corner to LARIAT again!
Gabe clinches Ren for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans bark with Gabe and he hauls Ren up. Gabe suplexes but Ren slips out to SLEEPER! Gabe slips around but Ren fights the back suplex! Ren fires elbows, then he CHOKES Gabe! Gabe breaks free, takes a swing, but Ren catches him into an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Ren drags Gabe to his feet, but Gabe stops the facebuster! Ren avoids the Penalty Kick, gets around to shove Gabe, and Evil gets a cheap shot in! Ren runs up but Gabe gets around the boot to SAIDO! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and both Ren and Gabe crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Chase and Evil!
The fans fire up as the Crown Jewel dodges Evil and JABS! JABS! JABS! Chase winds up, but Evil kicks low! Evil whips, Chase LARIATS him first! Kanemaru & Sho attack, they double whip, but Chase ducks the double lariats! Chase shoves Sho into Kanemaru, then he dragon sleepers Sho. Kanemaru runs up but Chase catches him, URENAGE DDT COMBO! The fans fire up, but Evil waistlocks! Chase breaks free and PELES! Chase hurries to DECK Yujiro for good measure! Chase lines up a shot, C- NO! Evil stops the trigger and CLAWS the eyes! Then he sends the foot at the ref, and he mule kicks Chase’s other leg out!
The fans boo but Sho BLASTS Sanada off the apron! Yujiro & Kanemaru get in to whip Chase to the corner! Then Sho runs up to forearm SMASH! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS! They snapmare Chase, Sho distracts the ref, and Dick Togo goes up! DICK CHOP! Evil covers, TWO!! Chase survives, but Evil “falls” on the ref! Evil grins as he gets a chair! The fans boo, but Evil swings! Chase dodges, but then Evil gives Chase the chair! Evil tries to frame Chase, but Chase SMACKS the mat, and then falls over! Chase turns the tables and now the ref and Evil argue over the chair! The chair is taken away, and Chase sends Evil into Sanada’s DROPKICK!
Chase now spins Evil, wrenches and hammerlocks, for a BUTTERFLY DDT! Cover, but Sho & Kanemaru break it! Sanada & Drilla go after them, TOSS them out, and the brawling on the outside returns! Chase drags Evil up, but Evil clinches! EVERY- NO, Chase rolls Evil up! TWO!! Evil escapes, but a C-TRIGGER hits the mark! The fans fire up but now Yujiro distracts the ref! This lets Kanemaru slip in and CLUB Chase! Then Kanemaru spins Chase around, but Chase UPPERCUTS the whiskey mist into the air! Chase TOSSES Kanemaru, but Dick uses POCKET POWDER! And then EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, The House wins!
Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall
The War Dogs tried their best, but the House of Torture has too many tricks up their sleeves! Is there nothing that can stop them from being the PRIME Bullet Club? Well hold on! Gabe & Drilla bring out chairs! They get the House running away, but Evil mocks them with the L to the forehead. What must the War Dogs do to finally end this farce?
2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Zack Sabre Jr. & David Finlay w/ Gedo!
As a previous two-time New Japan Cup winner, The Front Man has been in this position before. The Rebel has also been in this position before, but the semifinals were as far as he’d go in the past. Will this be the moment Finlay breaks through and proves he’s the Savage King? Or will he be made to #JustTapOut?
The bell rings and the fans rally up already as ZSJ and Finlay circle. They feel things out, Finlay drops down to go for a leg but then backs off. They continue to feel out the grapple, then clinch as they go to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break but ZSJ and Finlay keep hand fighting. Red Shoes reprimands, ZSJ lets off slowly, but Finlay shoves him back. Finlay complains but he still resets with ZSJ. The fans rally some more as the two knuckle lock. Finlay goes for an arm, ZSJ hooks a leg, but Finlay wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ spins around and slips through to waistlock, then he wrenches, hammerlocks, spins Finlay, and wrangles him to the mat!
The fans cheer this technical wrestling display, but Finlay fights up to trip ZSJ. Finlay has a toehold, ZSJ has a chinlock, but Finlay pushes back on the leg. Finlay shifts around, goes for the Half Crab, and even dares ZSJ to use the ropebreak. ZSJ moves around and stands up, so Finlay lets go of the leg. The fans applaud and the two reset again. ZSJ and Finlay tie up again, and Finlay headlocks. ZSJ powers up but Finlay grinds the hold. ZSJ goes for a leg, Finlay thrashes the headlock, so ZSJ powers up and out to headlock back. Finlay powers up and out, but ZSJ counters the hip toss, only for Finlay to do the same!
They go counter hip toss for counter hip toss, until ZSJ TOSSES Finlay up and out! The fans cheer while Finlay grows frustrated. ZSJ waits on Finlay as Finlay paces. Finlay storms back in, but ZSJ arm-drags him down! Finlay headscissors, ZSJ kips free, and the fans cheer again as they reset. Finlay and ZSJ stare down, Finlay talks some smack, but then he fires a forearm! ZSJ brushes that off, and he UPPERCUTS in return! Finlay nods and comes back with an UPPERCUT of his own! The fans rally up and ZSJ nods. ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, so Finlay UPPERCUTS again! The fans rally up more as Finlay UPPERCUTS again!
ZSJ walks around and gets the fans fired up, but Finlay UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Finlay fires a flurry of forearms! Finlay runs, but ZSJ dodges, only for Finlay yo ELBOW him down! SENTON onto knees! ARMBAR! Finlay scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets go. ZSJ brings Finlay back up and reels him in, all to go after an arm! Finlay endures being stuck in this modified headscissors while ZSJ bends his fingers! And then he SNAPS the fingers! The Front Man is rather villainous there and the fans rally up. ZSJ grabs the hand, wrenches and wrenches and wrenches, but Finlay wrenches back!
ZSJ takes as swing, but into Finlay’s IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! ZSJ writhes and goes to a corner, but Finlay storms over to stand on him! Red Shoes counts, Finlay steps off, and the fans duel as Finlay whips ZSJ corner to corner hard! ZSJ falls and writhes, Gedo applauds and the fans rally again. Finlay flexes before he storms over and whips ZSJ hard into the other corner! Finlay claims he can do this all day, then he stands on ZSJ again. Finlay stands ZSJ up to whip him HARD into the corner! ZSJ bounces off the buckles and falls to the mat! The fans rally and duel as Finlay storms up on ZSJ again.
ZSJ pushes Finlay away, but Finlay keeps grabbing at him. ZSJ grabs the bad hand and bends the fingers! Then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Finlay UPPERCUTS right back and ZSJ falls! The fans are torn as Finlay watches ZSJ crawl away. Finlay barks, fans bark with him, and Finlay runs in! UPPERCUT! Finlay reels ZSJ in, but ZSJ snap suplexes Finlay into buckles! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Finlay sputters while he gets his legs out of the ropes. ZSJ drags Finlay up, UPPERCUTS again, and Finlay staggers around. ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and again, and again!
Gedo is worried but Finlay swings, only for ZSJ to backslide! Finlay rolls through, but into a NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Finlay writhes. ZSJ stands and encourages them to get louder. The fans rally as ZSJ brings Finlay up. Finlay fights the suplex, tries to suplex back, but ZSJ goes for an arm. Finlay rolls and reels ZSJ in for a BACKBREAKER! ZSJ slumps out of the ring and Finlay grins as he goes out after him. Finlay drags ZSJ up, reels him in, and brings ZSJ up, only for ZSJ to make that a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ squeezes tight, but Finlay RAMS ZSJ into the railing!
The fans rally up while both men are down on the outside, and Gedo applauds Finlay for getting free. Finlay hobbles away, but then runs back in, only for ZSJ to send him into railing! ZSJ now crawls away, but then calls on the fans. The fans rally up, ZSJ lines up a shot, and he runs in to SHOTGUN Finlay back into the railing! Finlay writhes and the fans fire up again! ZSJ stalks Finlay now, passing by secondary commentary with Taichi. ZSJ puts Finlay in the ring, slides in, and then PENALTY KICKS! High stack, TWO!! Finlay survives, Gedo is relieved, and the fans rally up. ZSJ is annoyed but he paces around while Finlay flounders.
ZSJ drags Finlay up, but Finlay fights the scoop! Finlay suplexes, but ZSJ cradle counters! TWO!! Finlay gets free, but ZSJ gets around to hook him up, IRON OCTOPUS! Finlay endures, powers out, and he HOTSHOTS ZSJ off ropes! Then he reels ZSJ in to POWERBOMB! Finlay roars, the fans fire up, and Finlay- NO, ZSJ SCOOPS! SABRE DRIVER!! But ZSJ can’t make the cover! The fans fire up while both men are down! Red Shoes checks and Finlay is still in this. The fans rally while Gedo shouts for Finlay to get up! ZSJ stands first, and he looms over Finlay. ZSJ drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the lift!
ZSJ pats Finlay on the back, then KICKS Finlay in the chest! Finlay flops forward, but pushes himself back up. ZSJ KICKS again! Finlay flops down again, but ZSJ makes him sit up so he can KICK again! Finlay is back down, and ZSJ takes a moment to stretch before he hauls Finlay up. Finlay fights the lift, and he Alabama Lifts ZSJ! But ZSJ Gotch lifts Finlay! Finlay BACKDROPS, ZSJ sunset flips, but Finlay sits on it! TWO, ZSJ sunsets, TWO! Finlay high stacks, to DEADLIFT and POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up! Gedo coaches Finlay, Finlay crawls over to ZSJ, and Finlay drags ZSJ back up.
Finlay Canadian Racks, but ZSJ has a SLEEPER while up there! Finlay powers up, but ZSJ slips around to have a standard SLEEPER! Finlay throws ZSJ down, but ZSJ reels him into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Finlay powers up, but he falls back! ZSJ rains down elbows! Then ZSJ focuses on just the ARMBAR! Finlay tries to kick at ZSJ but ZSJ grabs that foot, now he has a HEEL HOOK with the armbar! Finlay endures, reaches out, and the fans duel as he reaches out! ZSJ has the TRIANGLE HOLD back, and then he gets Finlay’s free arm in a wristlock! Finlay only has a leg free and it’s not in a very good spot for this!
The fans fire up as Finlay endures, and gives one last gasp to get his arms free! ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets go, and he grins as he looks at Gedo. ZSJ KICKS Finlay, and then KICKS Finlay again! ZSJ runs, but into a SPEAR!! Both men are down again after that desperate attack! Finlay crawls over to ZSJ, drags him up and reels him in, but ZSJ wrenches out to PELE the arm! ZSJ waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, but Finlay rolls through! ZSJ pushes Finlay down, has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL, TWO!! Finlay escapes, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Finlay rebounds to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Finlay winds up! Finlay runs, into a GUILLOTINE!
Finlay powers through, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Finlay rises up, roars, and he brings ZSJ up. Finlay suplexes, OVER- NO, ZSJ blocks the knee and trips Finlay! ZSJ body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH into the JAPANESE LEG ROLL, and ZSJ is even flipping Finlay off! TWO!!! Finlay escapes, both men stand, and Finlay fires a forearm! And a ROLLING ELBOW! And a ROLLING- LARIAT from ZSJ!! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ watches Finlay go to a corner. ZSJ runs in, Finlay dodges but ZSJ goes up and around to TORNADO DDT and then roll through! Scoop and- NO, Finlay escapes!
Finlay and ZSJ gator roll, Finlay powers up to OVERKILL!!! Cover, FINLAY WINS!!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
It was a breakneck pace at the end, and it ended up the breakthrough The Rebel needed! Will ZSJ just have to use a different path back to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
As for Finlay, Gedo joins him in the ring as Finlay gets the mic. The fans cheer him on, and he says, “You can call Zack Sabre Jr. many, many things. You can call him a two-time New Japan Cup Champion. You can call him the 2024 G1 Climax Champion. You can call him the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Hell, you can call him the best tournament wrestler int he world. But one thing you cannot call Zack is better than me!” The fans cheer, and Finlay says, “Come Hell or high water, I am winning the Cup because hate always finds a way.” The fans applaud as Finlay hands off the mic to Gedo.
Gedo translates what Finlay said about ZSJ’s accolades, and that the New Japan Cup will now belong to Finlay! “The Rebel takes the F over everything! I need The Rebel! New Japan needs The Rebel! And the world… needs The Rebel!” Finlay is one match away from that dream, and he even mouths off to Tanahashi to make sure he understands that, too. But who will stand against him on the other side? Can anyone stand against him?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for New Japan Cup, though I’m a little surprised we’re stretching things out like this. They could’ve given us Shingo VS Shota, too, but I guess they want to give that match a main event moment, too. The tune-up matches tonight went how I expected, but I covered the War Dogs VS House of Torture match just to see if Sanada does anymore shenanigans, or lack thereof I suppose. This time, Sanada actually did help out a bit, so it isn’t quite clear if he’s betraying the War Dogs after all. This will definitely culminate in a wild No Disqualification style team match, but I would hope they don’t go as wild as when War Dogs and United Empire ripped up the ring. That’s what got Alex Coughlin hurt to where he can’t wrestle anymore.
ZSJ VS Finlay was an awesome main event, and it certainly felt like it could go either way. Finlay winning was only a bit surprising, but perhaps it’s too soon for ZSJ to win the Cup to get back to the world title. Plus, while Finlay is a de facto Face in the Bullet Club Civil War story, he’s Heel everywhere else, and so we’re going to get a Heel VS Face for the Cup, no matter who wins between Takagi and Shota.
My Score: 8.9/10
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