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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The Last Time is Now on SmackDown!
LA Knight is in the Last Time is Now Tournament, determined to meet John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but who is his opponent?! Time to find out, YEAH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz; Jey wins and advances.
- WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom; Ilja wins and retains the title.
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS Zack Ryder; Knight wins and advances.
- Jade Cargill VS B-Fab; Jade wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualifications, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley AND Iyo Sky are here!
Albany, New York fires up as Mami & The Genius are both here on SmackDown following the chaos on Raw. Because at Survivor Series, Rhea said it herself: WARGAMES! Rhea & Iyo each get a mic and the fans cheer them both on. Rhea says, “Since I’ve been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors, they’ve been causing a little bit of chaos. And now that they’ve managed to get their hands on the Tag Team Championships, they think they’re pretty much untouchable.” The fans boo, but then Rhea says throw Nia Jax & Lash Legend into the mix, which the fans boo also… “And now they think they are untouchable again because they have the ‘numbers advantage.'”
But the funny thing about numbers is you just end up with more enemies. Iyo says, “A lot of enemies. But they always catch up to you. And now, there is nowhere to hide! WARGAAAMES~!” The fans cheer as Iyo & Rhea go wild for that. Rhea says, “And y’know what? We’re not going in alone. So I would like to introduce two of our teammates: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!” The fans cheer as the former tag team champions make their way out to the ring, Charlotte in a modern art suit with her pyro, and then followed by Alexa in her goth preppy fusion. #Charlexa stands with Rhea & Iyo in the ring, mics also in hand.
The four hug it out and the fans “WOO~!” Alexa says if the Kabukis wanna play dirty, fine. If Nia & Lash wanna jump in, too, great! And they can get all four at once, it is so on! Those four started this fight, these four will end it! The very second Rhea said, “WarGames,” Alexa knew they were in. Right, Charlotte? The fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte says, “Lexi, I can’t do this. I can’t pretend anymore.” What? “Look, Rhea. I don’t like you.” The fans boo and Iyo is shocked. Charlotte says she doesn’t trust Rhea, and she thinks Rhea is a snake. But Rhea doesn’t like or trust Charlotte and probably thinks she’s the snake, and Charlotte doesn’t blame her.
There is too much history here, too much bad blood. Just because they have the same enemies doesn’t change that. Charlotte cannot look past it. Alexa is Charlotte’s friend, she trusts Alexa. So if Alexa wants to do this, that’s fine. But count Charlotte out. What!? The fans boo as The Queen steps away, but Alexa calls after her. Charlotte goes up the ramp, Alexa apologizes to the others and tries to figure out why Charlotte did this. Can Alexa get Charlotte to change her mind before it’s time to go to war?
Jey Uso is in the concourse!
And he asks them to please, please, play his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up and bounces along as Main Event Jey Uso makes his entrance, ready for The Last Time Is Now! But will it be Albany, New YEET? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister put all that fire from last week to good use?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz!
SmackDown returns and the fans continue to YEET, and then they want the encore! But instead, The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Miz KNEES low! Miz CLUBS Jey, then talks some trash. The fans rally for Jey but Miz brings Jey around. Jey blocks the buckle bump to fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Miz reverses, and Miz hits a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans boo but Miz soaks up the heat. Jey goes to ropes, Miz storms up on him, and Miz fires haymakers of his own! Miz soaks up more heat as he backs p, then he runs in, but Jey turns lariat into backslide! TWO!
The fans fire up as Jey stands, but Miz blocks a kick! Miz spins Jey, the DRAGON WHIP hits! Miz ends up on the apron, but he slides under Jey to sunset flip! TWO, and Miz catches Jey now! Jey fights the Finale with ama r-drag, but Miz avoids the superkick! So Jey LARIATS Miz up and out! The fans fire up and “YEET!” Jey builds speed and DIVDSE! Miz is send into the desk! Albany fires up while Jey snarls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Miz stalks Jey. The tide has turned and Miz storms up, but Jey ELBOWS him away! Jey goes up, but Miz kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Then a DDT! Jey gets spiked! Miz covers, TWO! Jey survives and Miz is stunned! Miz snarls as Jey sits up, and then Miz KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, and Miz winds up, only for Jey to duck the buzzsaw! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and crawls to a corner while Jey shakes his head. The fans rally as Jey goes to the other corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up, but Miz dodges!
Miz runs up and SHOULDER TAKCKLES! And SHOULDER TACKLES! Miz parodies John Cena with the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Miz says when his hand goes up, your mouths go shut. “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! The fans are torn as Miz now fireman’s carries Jey! But Jey fights free, shoves Miz, SUPERKICK! Then a fireman’s carry in return! Miz slips free, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and everyone is shocked, especially Miz! Jey flounders, stands, and goes to a corner. Albany is thunderous for Jey but Miz storms right up on him.
Miz puts Jey up top, then climbs up after him! Miz full nelsons again! But Jey fires elbows! Then he fireman’s carries Miz! The fans are thunderous as Jey hits a TOP ROPE RACK DROP! Then he gest moving, SPEAR!! Jey doesn’t stop there, he goes up the corner again! USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Albany YEETS again as Jey stays alive in the tournament! But who else will join him, Sheamus, and Rusev on the road to Washington, DC?
Ilja Dragunov talks with Nick Aldis.
The Mad Russian Dragon is glad he gets to have another Open Challenge, but then in walks Tommaso Ciampa. The Sicilian Psycho hopes Aldis is explaining to “our so-called fighting champion” how to respect the rules of an Open Challenge. Aldis says the champion has every right to dictate the rules how he sees fit, but Johnny Gargano asks if Ilja has the right to call his best friend a jackass. Candice LeRae asks if Ciampa looks like a jackass! Enough with calling him a jackass! The only jackass here is Ilja denying the one man answering the challenges! Make it make sense! Well, they were just discussing this, so listen very carefully!
When Ilja took on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, Ilja promised to do things the right way. And the right way mean sto not give opportunities to… jackasses! But to fight warriors who are willing to fight with respect and honor. And there is nothing honorable about Ciampa. So tonight, Ilja will give this opportunity to a man who fights with honor, and someone Ilja respects. Oh no, seriously?! AXIOM steps in! Ciampa accuses Ilja of cowardice, but Axiom thanks Ilja for this opportunity. Aldis wishes them both the best of luck, then moves on, only for Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed to be waiting outside his office.
Heyman smiles, a big contract folder in hand, and he asks Aldis, “How’re you doing? We need to talk to you for a minute.” Aldis says please, step inside. These three go into the office to talk, but what exactly about?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis calls in extra security for his office. He tells Heyman that before The Vision is escorted from the building, what can he do for them? Heyman says that’s awfully dramatic, Aldis. But this is the WarGames agreement, which allows Heyman to “take any talent that is under WWE contract across all brands. Tha tincludes SmackDown, your brand. My heads-up to you, you’re welcome.” Any talent across all brands? Yes, thank you for coming all the way to Albany to confirm what was already in the paperwork. This could’ve been an email, Heyman. So unless there’s anything else to discuss, he would like to ask them kindly to leave. Because The Vision will NOT be disrupting Aldis’ show.
And security steps in on cue. Heyman says oh goodness, look who it is! Cody Rhodes steps in, and Heyman says, “It’s the golden goose who’s being afforded all this protection.” Cody asks, “Mr. Heyman, what do you wanna talk about?” Heyman wants to talk about Cody getting involved with Vision business on Raw. Cody doesn’t know about this golden goose stuff, but he saw on Raw that they were putting his friends in the fire, which means he was next through the flames, but Heyman already knew that. But this is Friday Night SmackDown, and the business of today… is right here. “And if you’re not here to fight, then you should leave.”
Bronson says he’ll fight. Cody asks Aldis to make the match: Bronson Reed VS Cody Rhodes… TONIGHT! Aldis says that works, but Heyman asks why they’d give this away and not make it a title match? Cody says fine, book it. Aldis gets worried now, but Cody says, “BOOK IT!” Then it is official. Cody VS Bronson for the Undisputed Championship. Heyman smiles and thanks both Mr. Aldis and “Champ” Cody. Did Cody just get goaded into losing the gold? Or will the American Nightmare find a way to slay the Colossal Aussie?
WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom!
Speaking of titles, The Czar didn’t appreciate the Sicilian Psycho getting salty all over again, so he again passed on Ciampa to face Axiom. But will Ilja be able to deny the Undeniable Truth? Or will Axiom finally have singles gold on SmackDown?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Axiom rolls to wrench and wrangle Ilja. Axiom has the armlock but Ilja fights up. Ilja wrenches in return, then cording holds for a HIP TOSS! Cover, ONE, but Ilja holds onto the arm. Axiom kips up, slips around, and spins Ilja to snapmare and headlock. Ilja slips out to armlock in return and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Ilja knuckle locks to straight arm lever and SLAM Axiom! Axiom fights up but Ilja wrenches him again. Ilja whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom dodges the lariat! Axiom waits on Ilja and he says it was that close. Ilja and Axiom reset, knuckle lock, and Axioim headlocks.
Axiom hits the takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up. Ilja CLUBS at Axiom from below, then fights up. Ilja powers up and out, Axiom RAMS him, but Ilja RUNS Axiom over! Cover, ONE, and Ijoa gets moving! Axiom trips Ilja up, but Ilja blocks the hip toss! Ilja slips through but Axiom fights the backslide! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and then they spin around. Ilja ROCKS Axiom with a forearm! Axiom ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Axiom down! The fans rally, but Axiom catches the hammer into the ARMBAR! Ilja fights to stack, and he deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go, but Ilja ducks the enzigiri to SLAP Axiom down!
The fans rally and Axiom dodges to then DROPKICK back! Ilja staggers, Axiom GAMANGIRIS him up and out! The fans fire up while Ilja sputters, and Axiom takes aim. Axiom runs, GOLDEN- NO! Ilja stops the triangle moonsault as he CLUBS Axiom on the back! Axiom is stuck up top, Ilja CHOPS him! Axiom kicks at Ilja, Ilja CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as these two brawl on the apron. Ilja HEADBUTTS Axiom right back into the ring! Then Ilja climbs, aims, and SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives, Ilja is a bit surprised, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja snarls as he rises up, and he paces around Axiom. Axiom slowly sits up, Ilja fires up, but he turns around into a CHOP from Axiom! So Ilja CHOPS Axiom right off his feet! Cover, TWO! Ilja keeps close and brings Axiom up to CHOP again! And again! And then HEADBUTT! And CHOP! HEADBUTT! CHOP! Ilja then reels Axiomi in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Ilja still keeps axiom down with a facelock. Axiom endures, fights around, and he wrenches out to headlock back. Axiom waistlocks, Ilja bucks the O’Conner, but axiom kips up, into a CHOP! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives again but Ilja stays focused.
Ilja puts Axiom in a corenr, CHOPS him, and Axiom flops against the ropes. Ilja drags Axiom back up, whips corner to corner, and Axiom hits hard! Ilja runs up to KNEE low, then he runs side to side to BOOT WASH Axiom right outta the ring! Ilja roars and the fans cheer. Ilja goes out to BOOT Axiom, then follows him around the way. They go back into the ring, Ilja brings Axiom around, and Ilja waistlocks, only for Axiom to fight the lift. Axiom switches, Ilja fights the lift, and Ilja wrenches out to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And then Gotch lift POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Axiom is toughing it out bu tIlja is not deterred.
Ilja clamps on with a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight, Axiom endures so Ilja ELBOWS him down! And ELBOWS again and again and again! Ilja just HAMMERS away on Axiom, then clamps back on with another bearhug. Axiom still endures, fights back to his feet, but Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, drags Axiom back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Fans chant for “One More Time!” and Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja still holds on, Albany wants another, so Ilja drags Axiom up. Axiom switches, but Ilja again bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, but he ducks the chop to NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally as Ilja stands, and he swings, but Axiom CROSS COUNTERS! Ilja falls back, Axiom goes to a corner, but Ilja storms up. Axiom BOOTS Ilja down, hops up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Axiom grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Axiom rises, Ilja roars to give him more, so Axiom KICKS! And KICKS! Ilja wants more so Axiom KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Ilja blocks to SLAP, ROCK, boxing elbows, and BOOT! Axiom falls and the fans fire up again! Ilja powers up, runs, CONSTANTINE- NO, Axiom catches him to an ARMBAR!
Ilja fights, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he works to stack Axiom! Axiom fights that off, but Ilja deadlifts Axiom again! POWERBOMB! Axiom flounders, Ilja snarls, and Ilja aims from the corner. Ilja powers up, the fans rally, H-BOMB FOR- NO, Axiom uses that to spring up and MOONSAULT DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe what they saw, nor that Ilja survived! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom has Ilja in a corner. Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS and hoists Ilja up. Ilja fights back with SLAPS and Axiom staggers. But then Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom goes up after Ilja, but Ilja fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS!
Ilja and Axiom go to the very top, but Axiom hits the SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!! And then GOLDEN RATI- NO!! TORPEDO MOSCOW!! AND H-BOMB FOREARM!! Cover, Ilja wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Championship)
It was all in a blink of an eye, but Ilja snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Another instant classic is under Ilja’s belt, and he shows respect to Axiom for giving him this fight. The fans cheer that, but who will be next to challenge The Mad Russian’s reign?
R-Truth meets with Nick Aldis.
Truth knows last week that it was a heavy load, and Truth’s load was lost in the shuffle, but he is imploring to Aldis as employee to boss, please put Truth in the John Cena tournament. Aldis tries to tell Truth again, but Truth says don’t worry, he shined up his (lottery) balls so they’ll look real nice on TV. All he asks is Aldis handles them with care. Aldis again tries to get it through to Truth but Truth says just take his balls. FINE! Aldis takes them, and then Chelsea Green walks in. She asks if she heard John Cena’s name dropped. She did. Then speaking of legends, she has no idea why SHE didn’t get pyro when she won the Women’s US Championship.
But putting a pin in that, when is her championship celebration happening tonight? Aldis goes to say it’s not but she says that’s right, he CANCELLED it! She’d all of it prepared and ready to go! But all will be forgiven if this “injustice system” that is WWE would just give her a celebration next week, with pyro. Yes, he can make that work. Just for right now, hold onto these for him. Aldis hands Chelsea the Truth balls, and Alba says they do look nice. But will The Hot Mess really get everything she demand- er, wants?
SmackDown shares footage from the break.
As Axiom was on his way back up the ramp, Tommaso Ciampa attacked him! The Psycho Killer took out all his anger out on Axiom, only for Frazer to chase him off! Ciampa is only showing everyone Ilja is right about him, but will Ciampa not stop until he gets his opportunity?
Sami Zayn is here!
The fans cheer and sing along with the song as #BigMatchSami heads to the ring. Sami gets a mic and asks, “How we doing tonight, Albany? We good?” The fans cheer, and they chant for “Sami! Sami!” Sami takes a moment before he says, “I gotta tell ya. Since I’ve come to SmackDown, there have been some extremely high highs, and some extremely low lows. As soon as I came over to SmackDown, the first thing I said I would do is I said I would beat Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship.” The fans cheer that, and Sami says he did do that! He got to do amazing things with that title, like wrestle John Cena in his last match on SmackDown!
Sami got to go toe-to-toe with the best talent SmackDown has to offer week in and week out. The fans cheer again, and Sami says that was all great. But he won’t lie, the last four weeks have been extremely challenging. he has had to watch from the sidelines, hurt and not medically cleared, as Solo & MFT run roughshod every single week! The fans boo, and Sami says he’s had to sit and watch, unable to do anything, while MFT attacked Sami’s friends, those Sami liked and respected. And Sami gets it, Aldis told him not to get involved, don’t get hurt, and so Sami did. He sat back week after week. But he is here to tell us that that ends TONIGHT!
The fans cheer and Sami continues by calling out Solo! He knows Solo has a problem with him, and he sure has a problem with Solo, so let’s deal with it face to face! Solo & MFT make their way out here, and Solo has a mic in hand. Solo tells Sami, “You really think you knwio who you are, huh? You think you know, but you don’t. I know the real Sami, I know the real you. Yeah. He’s pathetic, a liar, desperate, and when you’re desperate, you do desperate things, which makes you so damn selfish!” The fans boo, but Solo says Sami only cares about Sami! Sami doesn’t care about the guys in the back, or even the fans here in Albany.
The fans boo, but Solo says for himself, what he cares about is his family. Solo cares about the men standing behind him and their loyalties to him. Unlike Sami! Sami knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. In fact, watch who you’re talkinga bout before he gets in there and kicks Sami’s ass! Don’t forget, Sami, you’re still wounded. The fans boo as MFT now flanks the ring, and Solo says this can end very badly for Sami. Solo could drop Sami right here and now, but he won’t. He will wait until Sami is 100% and medically cleared. Then once that happens, understand this: Solo is coming after you!
The fans boo, but Sami says, “Well, the good news for you, Solo, is you’re not gonna have to wait very long. Because as of tonight, I am officially 100% medically cleared! So if you wanna do something about it, go ahead and do something about it right now!” Sami calls Solo’s bluff, so Solo takes off the jacket But then Sami says before that, Solo needs to know this: Sami didn’t come here alone. And just as he says that, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns all YANK MFT off the apron! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Solo panics, Sami shrugs, and Solo takes a swing! Sami fires counter punches!
The fans fire up as Sami fires off on Solo in a corner! Sami stomps a mudhole, then he goes to the far corner! The fans fire up, but Talla gets Solo outta the ring! The fans boo but then JC Mateo CLOBBERS Sami! JC, Tama & Loa all mug Sami, but Sami’s friends get them! They TOSS the Guerrillas and even LARIAT Loa up and out! The fans fire up as now Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES MFT! Fenix regroups with Sami and friends! Will Sami and his team soon cut down Solo’s “Family Tree?”
Cody Rhodes prepares backstage.
Jey Uso says hey and Cody congratulates him on the win in the tournament. Jey says he just heard about Bronson’s title shot at Cody tonight. It might get a little slimy, so Jey’s got his back. Of course! Cody and Jey shake hands on that again, and then Jimmy Uso steps in. #BigJim says hey, Uce. Any time you can get your hands on The Vision sounds like a party to Jimmy, so count him in, too. They shake on that, and Jimmy says he spoke with Punk earlier. Count him in for WarGames, too! The three shake hands, The Usos head out, but will Cody be able to fire the first shot in that war? Or will a Tsunami end the reign of the American Nightmare?
Solo Sikoa argues with Nick Aldis backstage.
Solo demands that with Sami 100% healthy, he wants a match with him tonight! Aldis says first, there’s no more time on the card, that can’t happen. And second, Solo clearly has more enemies than just Sami. So how about this? In two weeks, SmackDown before WarGames, it’ll be MFT VS Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG in a 5v5 Survivor Series style Elimination Tag! Now if you’ll excuse him. Aldis leaves, and there’s a Wyatt Sick6 glitch on screen. And in fact, Uncle Howdy is lurking in the shadows. Will the Wyatts be watching that 10 Man Tag very, very closely?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS ???
The Mega Star knows what this tournament is all about, and he knows everyone wants to be John Cena’s final opponent, but what he doesn’t know is who will be his first round opponent! We’re all about to learn that in the matter of moments, but will it not matter when this is LA Knight’s game? Or will what you don’t know actually hurt you?
Everyone waits and watches the stage. “WOO! WOO! WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” It’s Matt Car- well, no, he’s ZACK RYDER again!? Long Island Iced Z returns to the WWE, but will he prove he’s #AlwayZReady? The bell rings, the fans cheer and “WOO WOO WOO!” Knight and Ryder circle, Ryder gets the “WOO WOO WOO!” going hotter, and the two tie up. Ryder rolls Knight, TWO! Ryder says it was that close, and Knight says yeah, okay. They go again, tie up, and now Knight wrenches Ryder to YANK, YANK, YANK the arm! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight wrenches, Ryder ducks, but then Knight switches.
Ryder bucks the O’Conner, but Knight avoids the Rough Ryder! Knight returns, but Ryder tosses him out! The fans cheer as Ryder smiles, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ryder whips corner to corner. Knight hits buckles hard, then drops to his knees. The fans cheer Ryder as he pushes Knight to the corner, then whips him again. Knight reverses and BACKDROPS! The fans fire up while Ryder flounders, then he goes to the apron. Knight storms over, Ryder ROCKS Knight first, and then Ryder goes to supelx! Knight supelxes but Ryder slips free! Knight dodges to JAB, JAB, and JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then ROLLING ELBOW! Knight clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Ryder hits buckles hard, and Knight hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ryder survives but Knight nods. Knight brings Ryder up, kicks low, then fires hands. Knight bumps Ryder off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Knight scoops, Ryder slips free, and Ryder ROCKS Knight! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And then whips, but Knight reverses. Ryder turns backdrop into FACEBUSTER! Big forearm in the corner, and Knight sits down! The fans pump their fists with Ryder, “WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” BROSKI BOOT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the fans rally up as Ryder aims from a corner. Ryder hooks Knight’s arms, turns him, but Knight RAMS Ryder into buckles! Dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight then rolls back to his feet and the fans cheer. Knight goes up the corner, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNGIHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW- NO, Ryder moves, runs up, ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans are shocked! Ryder is also surprised, but he hurries to watch Knight. “This is Awesome!” and Ryder reels Knight in, Knight wrenches out and kicks, B F- NO! Ryder rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight runs up, but into KNEES! Ryder goes up, up, RADIO SILENCE into a POWERBOMB!! Then Knight hauls Ryder up, B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
YEAH! Knight didn’t care who it was gonna be, he fought and won his spot in the second round! Knight, Jey, Sheamus, Rusev, who else will advance in this historic tournament?
Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky talk backstage.
They still can’t get their heads around why Charlotte just walked out on them. Charlotte also isn’t texting back or anything. Rhea knew they had beef, but she thought Charlotte would put it all aside like she did. Tonight just shows they gotta now find two more people for the team. Alexa says she has someone to call, Iyo says Charlotte was their best bet, though. But then Asuka, Kairi, Nia & Lash all attack! The brawl is on, Rhea HEADBUTTS Kairi down, but Lash DECKS Rhea! Then Nia sends Iyo into Lash’s KNEE! Lash then sends Iyo into a road case! And then same for Rhea! Security rushes in, Asuka says okay, okay, they’re good.
Nia says bye, losers~! The Irresistible Four just did a lot of damage. Will they even need a fifth woman to finish off what’s left of Rhea, Iyo and Alexa?
Jade Cargill VS B-Fab!
The Storm finally reigns on the mountaintop of WWE, and she is not playing nice with anyone. Will she strike down someone who was once a friend? Or will B-Fab truly be fab when she gets a win on the champ?
SmackDown returns, B-Fab makes her entrance, Michin staying backstage to let her handle things on her own. The bell rings and Jade dares Fab to try something. They tie up, Fab goes for a leg, but Jade spins her around. CHOKE- NO, Fab slips free and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Jade is in a corner, Fab runs up, HEEL KICK! Fab fires ELBOW after ELBOW, then fires up! The fans rally, Fab runs up, but Jade blocks the boot! Jade DECKS Fab with a forearm, then drags her right back up. Jade scoops Fab to FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, fires up, and the fans are with Jade on this one.
Jade waits on Fab, brings her around with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Jade tells Fab to stand down, but then she brings Fab up anyway. Jade revels in the cheers, then lifts Fab to POWERBOMB! Jade paces while she tells Fab to stay down, but Fab manages to sit up. Jade says fine, and she brings Fab up again. Fab fights, Jade lifts, POWERBOMB! Jade stands over Fab as she tells her to stay down, but the fans want to see that “One More Time!” Jade drags Fab up, has the chicken wings, and then JADED! Cover, Jade wins!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade mockingly checks her imaginary watch, and she says this is who she is! Michin is here now to make sure B-Fab is okay, but then Jade tells them both to get outta here. Mia is upset Jade would be like this just because she’s champion now. Jade tells Mia to know her place, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo but Mia wants after Jade! The ref keeps them apart, Jade steps out, and she smirks as she leaves. Jade says she is #ThatB*tch then, now, and forever, so just keep ’em coming.
Nick Aldis announces the final four first-round entrants.
“Last week on SmackDown, four superstars were selected at random to compete for the most prized career-altering opportunity: To face the Greatest of All Time, John Cena, in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tonight, fate will once again decide the superstars that will compete in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. First up, it’s a former first-round draft pick, Carmelo Hayes, taking on The Vision’s own Bronson Reed. And finally, the high-flying luchador, Penta, will go one-on-one with The Prince, Finn Balor. The only thig I have left to say, gentlemen, is good luck.” No Truth, but will the vision be clear as we approach December 13th?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M and brings up him going on record as to how he idolized John Cena growing up and would love this opportunity to go 1v1. What would a win in the opening round mean for him? Melo says first, he has to address this Miz situation. “Mike, you might’ve won the battle, but the war’s just begun. I will see you when I see you. And John Cena… The GOAT, the Last Time Is Now Tournament, you got a long line full of heavy hitters, killers, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna put you down, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna hang your jersey from the rafters. And respectfully, John, I’m one of ’em.
“50% of people might overlook me, 50% of people might think I can get the job done, but 100% of me knows that if I get that shot, I won’t miss.” But then in steps Bronson Reed. He tells Melo that he’s gonna end Cody Rhodes, then he will end John Cena after he ends H1M next week. Bronson heads out, Heyman nods towards Melo, and then The Oracle follows. Will Auszilla be taking it all on the road to the end?
Aleister Black speaks.
“Fear, Damian? That’s so silly that even you don’t believe that. No, no no no. You threw me on top of a table. You tried to throw me through things. And then you took the bottom part of the steel steps, and you tried to crush my head. The only person that fears anything is you. Fear of what we have made you become.” Zelina Vega says, “We said that we would force you to break your code. We said we would corrupt you. And I think we did exactly that.” But enough about him. They have their eyes set on greater things. That brings them to the entire locker room. Namely, those who hold world titles.
Aleister left fear behind the day he stepped foot back into the WWE, and he has become the one thing no one wanted him to become: everyone’s enemy! Does that mean the Dark Father is watching tonight’s main event very, very closely?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
The American Nightmare and The Colossal Aussie are both preparing for WarGames, and while it is Cody, Punk & The Usos at four against Bronson, Bron Breakker & Logan Paul at three, this could still tip the scales back in The Vision’s favor. Will a Tsunami wash away the reign? Or can Cody escape from New York with the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can carry that weight!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Bronson shoves Cody to a corner, but Cody dodges! Bronson hits buckles, Cody fires hands, then kicks to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs to ROCK Bronson, but then Bronson responds with a BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but Bronson covers, ONE! Cody shows toughness and goes to the outside, but Bronson runs in around the way! BODY CHECK! The fans boo, Bronson snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bronson drags Cody up, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him around the way again. Bronson storms in after Cody, but Cody BODY BLOWS! Cody fires a forearm, but Bronson HEADBUTTS him down! Bronson raises the one but the fans don’t acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Bronson whips and CLOBBERS Cody! Cover, TWO! Bronson drags Cody into a chinlock and leans on the hold, but Cody fights around. Cody reaches out, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. The fans rally as Cody ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson scoops to SLAM Cody! Bronson snarls again, but Cody avoids the elbow drop! Cody rises up, goes to a corner, but Bronson SPLASHES!
Cody sputters against the ropes but Bronson CHOKES him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and Cody sputters again. Bronson storms up and ROCKS Cody! Bronson puts Cody in another corner, BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner hard! Cody staggers, falls over, and Bronson drags Cody back up. Bronson has a chinbar, and he stretches Cody with the chinlock. Cody endures, fights back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally but Bronson CLUBS Cody, then back suplexes! Cody lands out, ducks a haymaker, and springboards! BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK!
The fans fire up and Cody rises, but so does Bronson. Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! BIONIC- NO! Fireman’s carry, JAGGED EDGE! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Bronson goes up! The fans freak out for the TSUNAMI, but it FLOPS as Cody moves! Cody hurries to springboards again, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Cody fires up and the fans are with him! Bronson is outside, Cody runs and DIVES, but into a forearm! Cody stumbles and staggers o the outside, Bronson runs up, but Cody TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up again and Cody refreshes the ring count.
Cody clears off the desk! HE even topples the belt pedestal! But BRON BREAKKER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan Paul is here, too! They mug Cody, SMACK him off the desk, then put him back in the ring! Was this the real plan all along? The fans boo as Bron rains down fists, then Logan gets his turn! Bron rips his shirt away and wants Logan to set Cody up. Logan does as told, but THE USOS hurry out here! Jey & Jimmy said they’d have Cody’s back, so they get in the ring to brawl with Logan and Bron! The fans fire up, but Bron shoves Jimmy! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bron! Jey joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Bron falls, Logan runs up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then the ONE D!! That’s one and done for The Maverick!
The fans fire up as now Jimmy decides to GET THE TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Jimmy puts that in for Jey, Jey sets it up, and the fans are all fired up! Logan is put on the table, the Usos go to the corners, but DREW MCINTYRE SHOVES JIMMY! Isn’t he suspended!? Jey runs up, but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! The fans boo as Drew saves Logan’s bacon! Aldis storms out here, asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Heyman claims this is per the WarGames contract! Heyman could recruit anybody under WWE contract, even suspended superstars! Drew sets the table up in a corner, and he drags Jey Uso!
But Jey breaks free to SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Jey now lines up a shot, but Drew KICKS first! Bron returns to SPEAR Jey through the table!! Jimmy is back to throw hands, but Logan uses ONE LUCKY RIGHT to knock Jimmy out! The fans boo, but now Cody is back! He throws hands on Drew and Logan, but a CLAYMORE takes Cody out! Drew throws off his shirt, he stares down with Bronson, and then Drew puts Cody in the drop zone! Drew step on Cody before the TSUNAMI hits!! The fans are either booing or desperately calling for CM Punk, but it is clear The Vision was thinking ahead.
Drew takes the contract from Heyman and they shake hands on the deal. The numbers are even, but will the odds be in The Vision’s favor now that they have a Scottish Terminator on their side?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, with quite a lot of surprises and big moves as perhaps a response to the sinking ratings and sinking interest. Charlotte not automatically being onboard with the team-up was certainly surprising, but given that 4v3 ambush backstage, that will surely compel Charlotte to join up. She’ll see it’s not about her and Rhea getting along so much as as it is them getting to beat up on their enemies, as we knew going into this. Then I would think they still bring in Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella as the fifth members for each side, to help build the title story on top of everything else, jus as I said on Monday.
Obviously Cody wasn’t going to lose the Undisputed Championship tonight, but that was a great move to bolster the show’s card and give an excuse for all the Men’s WarGames build tonight. Logan & Bron being here to help Bronson was a given, and Heyman using a unique WarGames contract to bring Drew McIntyre onboard was certainly a clever move. As I figured on Monday, Jimmy Uso was a natural addition to Team Cody, or maybe it’s Team Punk. And I would certainly think Roman Reigns will also be a natural addition to this match, but I’m curious as to the fifth man for The Vision. Would Lesnar really want to be in WarGames? Well, granted, he’d be the last person to enter the match and “clear house,” but he’d still have to get in there.
Great stuff with the US Championship, such as Ilja continuing to troll Ciampa. Ilja VS Axiom was awesome, through I swear I heard one drunken idiot slurring the word, “BORING~!” That person is the kind of American fan Gunther (and therefore Zack Sabre Jr.) was talking about, IYKYK. But in the end, I figured we’d get more DIY VS Fraxiom, and maybe after that, Ciampa finally gets his match with Ilja. Great promo from Sami with Solo, and great ambush from Team Sami on MFT to set up their own 5v5. I figured that if they weren’t doing the WarGames, they’d get to do the traditional Survivor Series match, and the go-home SmackDown continues to be a substitute for the kickoff show, but in the best way possible.
Another hilarious promo with Truth and Aldis, and Chelsea joining in so we can hype up a celebration certainly teases someone interrupting. Either Giulia is going to crash the party to demand a US Championship rematch, or they plug NXT Gold Rush by having Thea Hail & Joe Hendry get the better of them ahead of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match. I’m leaning more towards the former, they’ll build the tag match plenty on NXT. And speaking of Truth, a shame he doesn’t get in on the final part of the bracket, but Melo VS Bronson and Penta VS Finn will be great matches. With Bronson busy with The Vision’s story, I would hope Melo wins, and it’d be great if they teased a Boston VS Boston showdown.
Jade of course beat B-Fab tonight but that was pretty good for what was basically a squash match. Michin probably gets a match with Jade next, and likely loses that. Jade’s first title defense could be Survivor Series to basically be a buffer between the WarGames matches but also to just get one on the books. There’s a lot on hold for right now with the WarGames matches having a lot of great contenders involved, but I would think we get some Charlotte VS Jade build on the other side of Survivor Series.
And of course, great matches for the Last Time is Now tournament. Jey VS Miz was a great match, and Miz hitting Cena’s moves was an appreciated reference. But I figured Jey would win, they wanna tease a rematch of the Royal Rumble finalists from earlier this year. Matt Cardona was a great surprise, though him being Zack Ryder was perhaps even more surprising. People have been talking about Knight being punished and that he was being set up to lose, but if commentary is talking about that concept, then you know that is not the case. Great win for Knight, great showing for Cardona/Ryder, and here’s hoping Ryder gets to do more in WWE from here on.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Live! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.13.2025
With a month off, does TNA come back hot or with 87% talking and a show that should’ve been an email?
So last week was the definition of a filler episode with nothing really to speak of except for validating the Dani Luna versus Indi Hartwell match tonight. This is the first real iMPACT! episode since Bound For Glory and…it’s probably opening with Mike Santana talking. TNA needs to stop following the cookie patterns of WWE and you know…start with something interesting after nearly a month off. But let’s listen to talking…
Rascalz vs. The System at #TNATurningPoint!?@TheMooseNation @Myers_Wrestling @TheEddieEdwards @MrsAIPAlisha @DirtyDangoCurty @TheBadReed @ZacharyWentz
WATCH #TNAiMPACT LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/OPjzyXNgY5 pic.twitter.com/cwwHo3IbwL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 14, 2025
Ratings:
- Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell: Dani wins via DQ – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander: Cedric wins via Lumbar Check – ** 1/4
- TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c): Kelani retains via One of a Kind – (-*) – yes that’s Negative 1
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth: No Contest – NXT Attacks
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz: Kazarian wins via Roll-Up – * – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Results:
Oh look, it does open with Mike and the crowd gives him the “You Deserve It” and it’s a sparse few minutes and Mike starts his promo in Spanish, so that’s a good way to make people ignore the show in three minutes. I understand Spanish, but let’s be honest, the bulk of people who watch are whiter than copy paper, so the whole “Champ is here in Orlando, for Puerto Ricans, and others…blah blah” is not a smart way to open after a month with no real content. So after Santana says nothing in two languages, Ryan Nemeth comes out to Nic’s music because Nic isn’t there. Ryan tries to talk some shit and go for a cheap shot, Santana catches his hand, emasculates him and then tells Ryan he’s going to tell Santino to make a match between the two of them tonight, and he’s going to drop Ryan. So we’ve got a squash match to look forward too and maybe Nic showing up at the end for a beat down.
Kelani is going to have to go through Heather tonight and M tomorrow at Turning Point. So we get another crappy promo from heel Kelani, giving her free title defenses. Yikes…this is bad, I do kinda like the gimmick of Xia translating for Lei since Xia, Lei and Mara crash the interview. But it just makes me angry that one of those three don’t have the belt. Kelani ain’t worth a damn.
After the commercial we get Santino, Ava and Arianna to promote Gold Rush. And then they showed a video package of it, so a complete waste of 4 minutes aside from noting that Arianna got a chant from the crowd. She’s gotten herself over decently to the TNA crowd.
Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell
It has been 30 minutes and we get the first match…sheesh.
Indi with back to back Double Legs, Dani is getting worked over, Dani tries a Sunset Flip but Indi stops it and drops an elbow. Dani eats Chops, tries to Whip Indi to the corner, Up and Over and Indi takes Dani down and goes back to the chops. Dani finally blocks a Scoop Slam, but Indi blocks the attempted German Suplex so Dani drives her into the corner and finally gets some offense in. A bit of a botchy looking rope straddle where Indi had to lift herself back up to eat the Lariat. Big Power Whip bouncing Indi out of the corner, sliding Lariat for a near fall.
Jaw Jacker by Indi but she misses the Yakuza Kick, gets hung up, Dani tries to turn it into a Powerbomb but a Frankensteiner Counter and a few strikes forces Dani to powder. Indi tries to throw her into the steps, Dani stops herself and turns back into the Spinebuster. Indi to the top as Dani crawls into the ring and eats a Diving Elbow to the back for a near fall. Dani counters Hurts Donut, Shotgun Kick levels Indi. Dani is on the outside looking for a weapon, throws out the Time Keeper, grabs the chair, Indi catches Dani in the Small Package for 2. Indi grabs the chair and lays into Dani.
Indi…has no facial expressions to make sense of this. This is stupid, poorly acted by Indi but the crowd is eating it up like morons. That was the most boring “take out your aggression” I’ve ever seen. Indi cuts some mid ahh promo in the back about an NoDQ match or something at Turning Point and now The System comes out to guess what? If you said TALK, you’d be correct! Assuming this isn’t a rib, the most interesting thing to come from this is Dango announcing he’s retiring after Genesis, but then The Rascalz music hits.
They say they should give the people what they want, and Dezmond Xavier returns to The Rascalz for a 4 on 4 match. They never mentioned Dez by name, but that is the implication. So with JDC retiring and Dez potentially returning, at least that’s interesting.
Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander
Shoulder tackles and a quick Cruiser style start, Hotch powders mid running to pose and act smart so Cedric Dives to wipe out Jason and hits the Flatliner in the middle of the ring for a near fall. Cedric tries to continue and Hotch pulls the tights to send Cedric through the ropes, Skyler takes a cheap shot. Hotch with the Irish Whip, Cedric puts the brakes on, so Hotch hops the ropes and trips up Cedric, but Cedric comes back when Hotch continues, Dropkick to the back of the head, Lumbar Check attempt, but nope, back and forth, Hotch tries the Chaos Theory but Cedric blocks the Suplex, they throw into the corner, Hotch hops the rope, wants the Gamengiri, but Cedric blocks it and backs up, Rolling Neckbreaker from Hotch gets countered into a Lumbar Check! Cedric wins!
Order 4 attempted beat down, but Hardy Boyz make the save, Swanton on Ali is teased but they pull Ali out for foreshadowing.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c)
Well talk about mental gymnastics to try and make this match make sense, and list this under “who asked for this” – because I’d rather drink bleach in traffic than watch this match.
Color by numbers powder moment, commercial break immediately and I can feel the coma sinking in. Kelani with a bad kick, Heather with a bad Hip Toss right off the commercial…Christ, end this. Lei, Xia and Mara are watching from the back and they look as bored as I do Heather with a clunky Drop Toe Hold into a Hesitation Dropkick for two. Jaw Jacker from Kelani…I wonder how the Patriots and Jets game is going. Hmm, 14-7 for the Pats, closer than expected.
Heather and Lani do a dumb strike exchange since there’s no hatred, heat or fire in this match, Kelani with a Cartwheel move, Facebuster, all near falls, locomotion Cradles into a bad Super Kick. Heather botches a Satellite DDT, this is one of the worst matches I’ve seen all year. Sloppy, slow, clunky and botchy. One of Kind is hit, no one is surprised. This was a waste of 10 minutes.
Great, now we sit through an Elijah concert for prolly about 10-15 minutes since the Ryan vs Santana match isn’t gonna be a real match. I like Elijah, he’s actually a pretty good singer and the gimmick is fine. But this episode has been complete garbage, so more non-wrestling on the wrestling variety show is too much.
Ali comes out to interrupt and challenge Cedric and Hardyz, Elijah wants to pick the fight, but Ali cracks him in the face with the mic and then guitar shot on the injured triceps. Meh.
TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth
Ryan grabs a mic and yells at the crowd because they won’t cheer for him, and Santana lets happen because Santana isn’t taking the seriously. Ryan even tries to ask the referee to make them cheer. Eventually the bell rings and Ryan attacks immediately, punches into an Irish Whip and Dropkick. Ryan tries the Whip again, but Up and Over, Santana catches the foot, Ryan shakes his head when Santana berates him and drops him, throws him to the other corner, Cannonball! Ryan wants to Spin the Block, but Nic’s Music Hits, he’s carrying the trophy but someone attacks Nic.
Then a bunch of NXT people spill out of the crowd and attack. Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King…and others. I think Robert Stone is directing traffic for NXT. But this…this is what the show was hinging on, an Invasion/Overrun angle? Bad booking is bad, ya know?
TNA World Champuonship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz
Kaz’s music hits, he calls his shot, Fade to Black, but Santana Kicks out. Frankie tries the Chicken Wing, Santana slams him into the corner, wants Spin the Block, but the beatdown stops him from being able to execute the move, Roll-Up, and Santana…loses. Frankie Kazarian is the new World Champion.

Overall Score: 3/10
There was something interesting with Dango being on the retirement tour, The Rascalz bringing Dez home and Lei Ying and Xia’s gimmick is endearing. Plus like I said in the rundown, I enjoy Elijah’s musicianship, but I don’t appreciate a Wrestling Show basically no wrestling. Is it variety? Sure, but it’s a wrestling show first. So a show that has 3 squash matches and a 5 minute X Division match that could’ve been much better with time…the wrestling was forgotten tonight. A month off and they lost the plot on the rebound. Ugh…I’ve had diarrhea more enjoyable than this.
The Invasion/Attack is corny but Kaz managing to pull off the Cash In, is…okay I didn’t see it coming, but it doesn’t save the show being awful.

About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!


