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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/12/25)
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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/12/25)

The second round continues!

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Will the Roughneck have his revenge?

As the New Japan Cup continues, Great-O-Khan encounters Shota Umino, meeting again after Khan defeated and SHAVED Shota’s head!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • YOSHI-HASHI & Daiki Nagai VS Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku; Uemura & Taka win.
  • Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Tomohiro Ishii; Nagata, Kojima & Ishii win.
  • Six Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
  • 10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
  • 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Taichi VS Gabe Kidd; Taichi wins and advances.
  • 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shota Umino VS Great-O-Khan; Shota wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Taichi w/ Taka Michinoku VS Gabe Kidd!

The Holy Emperor was given a first round bye, and now he must face a Mad Man! Will Taichi be able to tame this War Dog? Or will Gabe show why he’s NJPW Strong?

The moment Gabe is in the ring, he gets right in Taichi’s face. Red Shoes has Gabe stand down, and Gabe stands on the corner to get the fans fired up. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and the two stare down. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then break. They circle and reset, then they run up to RAM shoulders! And RAM! And RAM! And RAM! Then Gabe fires a forearm! Taichi ridge hand chops, Gabe fires a forearm, repeat! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Gabe fires up, shakes his head, and he then fires another forearm! Taichi keeps up the ridge hands, Gabe keeps firing forearms, and now Taichi fires up!

The fans rally as Taichi and Gabe go forehead to forehead. Gabe fires a forearm, and he blocks the sobat to UPPERCUT! Gabe whips, but Taichi BOOTS him down! Gabe is right up to LARIAT Taichi! The fans fire up and Gabe stomps Taichi. Gabe drags Taichi up, CHOPS him again, and Taichi goes to a corner. Gabe storms over, stands Taichi up, and then CHOPS! Taichi sits down, Gabe scuffs him, and Gabe whips Taichi hard into the corner! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, Gabe kicks Taichi around, then stands him up. Taichi fires more ridge hand chops! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then whips, and he follows in for a LARIAT!

Gabe whips again, runs up, but Taichi BOOTS him! Taichi runs, but into a scoop! Gabe hits the buckles, then OKLAHOMA STAMPEDES! The fans fire up and Gabe turns Taichi over for a BOSTON CRAB! Taichi endures, Gabe wants Red Shoes to ask him, but Taichi still fights forward! ROPEBREAK! Gabe lets go and the fans cheer. Gabe stalks Taichi, eggs him on, and then he brings Taichi up with a waistlock. Taichi fights free to PELE! Gabe staggers, drops to a knee, but he comes back to stomp Taichi! Gabe whips, Taichi reverses and clinches, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Both men are down and the fans cheer.

Taichi and Gabe stir while the fans rally up. Both men sit up slowly, and Gabe goes to ropes. Taichi stands, runs corner to corner, and he BOOTS Gabe! Taichi then powers up and runs, but Gabe dodges the Ax Bomber! Gabe tries but Taichi ducks to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up again and Taichi covers, TWO! Gabe stays in this but Taichi stays calm. The fans rally and duel as Taichi looms over Gabe. Taichi gives Gabe scuffing kicks, then some Kawada Kicks! Gabe just gets mad, and he stands up to CHOP! Taichi SOBATS! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Taichi goes to a corner, Gabe runs up, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI!

Gabe falls but Taichi still needs to catch his breath. Taichi rises, fire sup, and the fans are with him as OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Gabe and powers up. TENSHO- NO, Gabe dodges and CHOPS! Taichi just snarls and comes back. They go forehead to forehead, and Taichi KICKS! Gabe walks that off, and he CHOPS back! Taichi walks that off, comes back and KICKS! Gabe snarls and comes back to CHOP! And CHOP! Taichi CHOPS! Gabe wobbles while the fans fire up. Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs to CHOP! Taichi KICKS, Gabe CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up, Taichi KICKS again and again, then eggs Gabe on!

Gabe storms up to HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT! Then UPPERCUT! Taichi falls and Gabe staggers, and the fans duel even more! Gabe eggs Taichi on! “This is New Japan, b*tch!” Gabe scuffs Taichi, so Taichi stands and KICKS! Gabe stays on his feet and shakes his head! Taichi winds up to KICK again! Gabe says F that, bring it! Taichi KICKS and Gabe falls over! The fans fire up and Taichi paces around now. Taichi drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the saido with elbows! Gabe runs, COMEBACK- NO, Taichi BOOTS Gabe! But Gabe PELES! And then puts on the COBRA TWIST! The fans fire up as Taichi endures!

Taichi reaches out, Gabe pushes him down, and then reels him in! But Taichi BACKDROPS free! Gabe rises, but Taichi BOOTS him! And GAMANGIRIS! Taichi hurries to hook Gabe up, SEITEI JUJIHOU!! Gabe endures being stuck in the Holy Emperor’s Tomb, even as Taichi twists him! Gabe is sputtering, fading, and Red Shoes checks. Taichi lets Gabe go, perhaps out of energy himself. Taichi storms back up on Gabe, but Gabe is deadweight. The fans rally as Gabe stirs, and Taichi reels him in. But Gabe fights the lift now! Taichi fires more Kawada Kicks, then KICKS Gabe down! Taichi reels Gabe back in, but Gabe fights the bomb!

So Taichi just makes it a PILEDRIVER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Taichi rises and roars, and the fans fire up with him! Taichi waits on Gabe, Gabe sputters and staggers up, but he dodges Ax Bomber! COMEBACK- AX BOMBER!! Taichi says “OSU!” and DANGEROUS SAIDO with BRIDGE! TWO!!! Gabe survives and the fans are thunderous again! Taichi goes to a corner, fires back up, and the fans fire up more. Taichi takes aim as Gabe rises again, TENSHO- NO! Gabe blocks the kick, but Taichi DECKS him with a forearm! Taichi Alabama- Gabe makes it a PILEDRIVER!! The fans are thunderous again as Gabe goes to a corner.

We pass 15 minutes and Gabe roars! The kneepad comes down, and Gabe runs up for the O- TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! Taichi hits Gabe first but both men are down again! The fans are thunderous as Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both okay to continue, so the fans rally up. Taichi and Gabe go to opposite corners and rise back up. Gabe eggs Taichi on, Taichi eggs Gabe on! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, neither fall! DOUBLE LARIATS collide again, neither fall! Taichi BOOTS, then NECKBREAKER DROPS! Cover, ONE?!? Gabe is up, Taichi ROUNDHOUSES! Gabe rebounds, COMEBACKER!! Cover, ONE?!?!

Taichi rises, Gabe RIGHT HANDS, and BRAINBUSTERS!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Taichi survives and the fans are electric! Taka coaches Taichi but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs and ROARS as he rises up! Taichi sits up, into the O-KNEE!! And then Gabe reels Taichi in, but Taichi fights the driver! Alabama Lift and- NO, Gabe slips free to KNEE, and PILEDRIVER!!! Gabe crawls to the cover, but REN NARITA drags Red Shoes out!? The Souled Out Son of Strong Style won’t let Gabe beat him and get away with it! Gabe goes out, dodges a haymaker to UPPERCUT Ren! And UPPERCUT again! But the rest of the House rushes out!

Sho & Yujiro go after Gabe, too! It seems cheating David Finlay and the boys wasn’t good enough, they gotta make sure ALL the War Dogs lose tonight! The fans boo but Gabe fires off UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! But Ren has the pushup bar! Ren CLOBBERS Gabe!! The fans boo but The House sneaks away, very pleased with themselves. Gabe is down on the outside, Taichi is down on the inside, and Red Shoes has no idea what happened. The fans rally up but a ring count starts. Gabe stirs at 5 of 20, but he’s still down at 10! Gabe grabs at the railing but he’s moving so slow! He’s still down at 15! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Gabe just can’t! TAICHI WINS!

Winner: Taichi, by ring count (advances to the next round)

The House of Torture succeeds in screwing over all of the War Dogs in one night! Will they regret escalating this civil war? As for Taichi, he is now set to face Zack Sabre Jr. in the next round. Who will win in a battle of Dangerous Tekkers?

 

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shota Umino VS Great-O-Khan!

It was the New Beginning in Osaka just a month ago that The Roughneck lost to The Dominator, and then gave up his hair! But now he’s back in action, ready for redemption, will Shota have his revenge? Or will he simply be eliminated?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Khan and Shota stare down. Shota and Khan approach, then tie up. Khan powers Shota back, but then Shota powers Khan back. Khan tries to power back up but Shota puts him on the ropes! Shota lets off slowly and pats Khan on the shoulder. Then Shota ROCKS Khan with a forearm! Shota backs off, Khan storms up, and they tie up again. Khan puts Shota right on the ropes, then he lets off, but Shota ROCKS him again! Khan snarls, fakes high and trips Shota to rain down forearms! Khan lets off just to stomp Shota around! Khan stands Shota up, and Mongolian Chops!

Khan runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him down! The fans cheer, and Khan grows frustrated already. Shota stomps away on Khan, then paces. Shota stands Khan up, UPPERCUTS, then paces while Khan drops to his knees. Shota brings Khan up again, UPPERCUTS again, then UPPERCUTS again! And UPPERCUTS again! Khan falls, Shota brings him back around, but Khan fights the suplex! Khan suplexes, Shota fights that and wrenches out to then ROCK Khan! Shota runs, but Khan slips around and gets a leg! Khan trips Shota, rolls him back, then runs to RUN Shota over! Khan crosses his arms behind his back, and the fans cheer.

Khan clamps onto Shota with a chinlock, and fans rally as Shota endures. Khan digs his knee into Shota, then traps the arms for a motorcycle stretch. Khan stands on Shota, then stands Shota up for chicken wings! Shota endures, powers up, but Khan shifts to a headlock. Khan grinds Shota down, but Shota fights up, so Khan shifts to a facelock! Khan pulls on the hold, then hits a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Shota stays in this, but Khan stays cool. The fans rally behind “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” as he kicks at Shota. Shota eggs Khan on, Khan gives him more kicks, then fires a forearm

Shota stands right up, Khan fires more forearms, but Shota gets right in Khan’s face each time! Khan shoves Shota, so Shota fires a forearm! And another! And then another! Khan wobbles, Shota scoops, but Khan blocks! Khan scoops and SLAMS! The fans fire up while Khan stands over Shota. Khan drags Shota up for Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! Then he fakes the chop to UPPERCUT! Shota goes to a corner, and Khan hops up on this his throne! The fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands, but Khan pulls on Shota’s arms! Red Shoes counts, Khan hops down at 4, and he brings Shota around, Mongolian Chop!

Khan stands on Shota for a cocky cover, Red Shoes says no good. Khan covers Shota properly, TWO! The fans cheer as Shota stays in this, but Khan paces around. Khan drags Shota up, wrenches and then SAYA- NO, Shota blocks the throw! Khan KNEES low, then wags his finger. Khan whips, Shota reverses and scoops to HOTSHOT Khan! Shota runs to CLOBBER Khan! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota rises, and he stalks Khan to a corner. Shota ROCKS Khan with a forearm, then ROCKS him with another. Shota fires another forearm, then whips corner to corner. Shota runs in, and UPPERCUTS!

Shota reels Khan in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Shota brings Khan around. Shota reels Khan in, but Khan fights the lift! Shota fires KNEE after KNEE into Khan, but Khan still fights the lift! The two struggle, Khan trips Shota for a jackknife bridge! TWO and Khan BOOTS Shota down! Khan hurries to clamp on with a KATAGATAME! Shota endures the head ‘n’ arm triangle, fights to his feet and fires elbows! Shota is free, he runs up, but into a fireman’s carry takeover! Khan then gets Shota up to MONKEY FLIP! And then a SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! But back to the KATAGATAME!

Shota endures again and the fans rally. Khan leans his weight on the hold but Shota moves around. Khan pulls on the hold, but Shota keeps fighting towards the ropes! Khan puts on all the pressure he can, Shota is turning purple, but Shota finds the ROPEBREAK! Khan holds until Red Shoes counts 4, and then Khan kicks Shota out of the ring. Khan goes out after Shota, then RAMS him into railing! Shota slumps down, Khan steps on Shota’s neck, and then Khan hauls Shota up to hit an APRON SPINEBUSTER! Shota slumps back down to the floor and Khan mockingly asks what’s wrong. Khan then drags Shota up, wrenches, and whips, but Shota reverses! Khan hits railing!

Shota runs up to SHOTGUN Khan up and over the railing! The fans fire up while Khan flounders. Shota drags Khan up onto the railing, but Khan gets free to scoop! T T D to the floor!! Shota is dazed and Khan clutches an arm, but both men are still in this so Red Shoes starts a ring count. Both men are down at 5 of 20, but Khan stands at 10. Khan rolls into the ring, but Shota only now sits up at 14! Shota stands at 15, but then flops back over! Shota hears 18, rises and jumps in at 19.5! But Khan is on him with a rain of forearms! Khan drags Shota up, and then REVERSE S T O! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this but Khan snarls.

The fans rally as hard as they can, and Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan stands Shota up, but Shota breaks free! Shota ROCKS Khan, but Shota’s the one who staggers away. Khan eggs Shota on, Shota fires another forearm, but Shota falls to his knees. Shota rises again to fire forearm after forearm after forearm! Khan eggs Shota on, then he SLAPS Shota! Shota gets mad, and he winds up, only for Khan to get around! IRON CLAW SLEEPER, and a THROW, but Shota lands out! Shota blocks the Mongolian Chop, ROCKS Khan, then ROLLING ELBOWS! But Khan IRON RIGHTS! Khan whips, Shota reverses, but Khan says no to the tornado!

DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! Both men do fall back to ropes, and then they both growl! They both run up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Khan roars and takes a swing, Shota dodges a lariat, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Khan falls and the fans fire up! Shota runs, but Khan follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Khan runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, but Khan LARIATS Shota down! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans fire up and Shota runs in, but Khan gets around! F G O PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives but it’s into the KATAGATAME for him! Khan squeezes tight and Shota endures while fans rally again.

Shota is turning purple again but Khan then shifts to a standard SLEEPER! Red Shoes checks, but then Khan makes it an IRON SLEEPER! Khan stands Shota up, Bow ‘n’ Arrow Rack! And then the swing out for the IRON CLAW SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives again and the fans fire up! Khan’s Monster Rage boils up and he clamps on with the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Shota up, for the ELIMI- NO, Shota SATELLITE DDTS out of it! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota and Khan stir as the fans rally up again. Shota and Khan go forehead to forehead, then Shota fires a forearm! Khan fires back, so Shota fires another!

The fans rally as the forearms keep going. Both men stand, and Shota ROCKS Khan! Khan ROCKS Shota! Shota and Khan start firing forearms back and forth, faster and faster! The fans rally up, the forearms slow down a bit, and Shota wobbles. Shota snarls and comes back to ROCK Khan again and again! Khan wobbles, but he fires a flurry in return! Khan DECKS Shota, but Shota’s right up! Shota ROCKS Khan, Khan DECKS Shota, repeat! Shota staggers and falls over on the third time! Khan eggs Shota on, drags him to his feet, then clamps on the HITSUJIGOROSHI! And then the FLAT- NO, Shota spins free to ENZIGIRI!

Khan hits the IRON RIGHT!! Shota flops against Khan, but Khan stands him up! ELIMINA- NO, Shota slips out to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Khan is up, but Shota LARIATS him back down! The fans fire up as Shota flounders to ropes. Shota rises, fires up, and he gets running to LARIAT Khan down!! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives that impact but Shota takes aim from the corner. Shota runs up, for the BUSAIKU KNEE!?! Shota then scoops for a NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, Shota wins!!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Khan tried, but he is the one eliminated! Oh, Shota gets the mic before Khan even has a chance to exit the ring. Shota hushes the crowd, but then he just bows and takes his leave? The new haircut not only gave Shota a new edge, it’s like he’s a different person. No Ignition, no Blaze Blade, no Paradigm Shift, did Khan create a more dangerous Roughneck than the Death Riders ever did?


My Thoughts:

A very good night for New Japan Cup, but maybe having just two tournament matches kinda hurt some of it. I probably could’ve fit in that 10 Man Tag, but it felt pretty obvious that The House of Torture would win to redeem themselves from Evil and Ren losing. Which then did happen as the House made sure Gabe lost by count out. Also, it was an interesting detail in the 10 Man Tag that Sanada could have gotten in there and broke up the pin, but he didn’t. The seeds planted yesterday with Sanada showing up late to Finlay VS Evil are now being watered as Sanada doesn’t seem to care enough to help the War Dogs.

Gabe VS Taichi was otherwise a very good match, but Taichi winning to set him up against Zack Sabre Jr. is some good stuff. Taichi VS ZSJ will be a great match, and I could see Just4Guys moving on from Sanada to have a friendly rivalry feud with TMDK. Shota VS Khan was a good match but the fans weren’t quite as into it as I thought they would be. But with Shota going through this change could be good for him. Who Shota was as a Face was only working with part of the crowd, so maybe they can pivot to something else. It’d be a bit cliche, but he should move away from bright colors to some darker ones. BUT, let’s not have him turn, let’s not have him join some other faction, just make him edgier to change who he appeals to.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (11/7/25)

Let pain entertain you!

Published

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Both United States Championships are on the line!

Like America, SmackDown is the land of opportunity! That is why Ilja Dragunov issues another United States Championship Open Challenge while Giulia defends her title against Chelsea Green!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Johnny Gargano w/ DIY; Dragunov wins and retains the title.
  • Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
  • WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre; Chelsea wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.
  • Rey Fenix VS Talla Tonga w/ MFT; Talla wins.
  • Cody Rhodes VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega; No Contest.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes is here!

The American Nightmare has Greenville, South Carolina singing his song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Coody gets his pyro, then he shakes hands and high-fives as he continues down the ramp. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro, then Cody steps inside the ring. Cody grabs the mic and the fans cheer him on. Cody says, “So, Greenville, South Carolina…! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer again, and Cody says, “We could talk about what we just saw, we could talk about Saturday Night’s Main Event, Drew McIntyre…” The fans boo that name… But Cody says Drew introduced the title into the match, he introduced a weapon into the match.

The fans sing for “Cody, Cody Rhodes~!” and Cody continues by saying this will be a fun show. But they’re here to have a good time, aren’t they? The fans cheer in agreement, and Cody brings up Drew again. The fans boo again, and Cody says, “For someone who expects us to know every detail of what makes Drew tick, every detail of his career, Drew clearly does not understand my reluctance to pull the trigger in the past has cost me, and cost me dearly. But with Drew McIntyre, there was no reluctance, there was no hesitation to pull the trigger. Drew McIntyre is one of the most impressive, strongest, walks into the room and everyone turns their head.

“But also, the most in-his-own-way, self-sabotaging pro-wrestler in the history of the business. And unfortunately at this point, Drew, I am moving on.” The fans cheer that! Cody says Drew is in the rearview mirror, and tonight’s business of SmackDown, tonight’s business of the WWE Championship, the most important title in all of pro-wrestling, Cody wants to do something different. Cody would like, if the fans were okay with it, Cody would like to sit with them. The fans already cheer! Cody steps back out and says he’d like to join the fans and watch SmackDown to decide who is next in line for THE WWE Championship. Is that okay?

Cody goes to the crowd, but then the lights go down! And when they come up, it is Aleister Black! The Dark Father walks down the ramp, Zelina Vega by his side and a mic in hand. Aleister tells Cody that if he’s moving out, then let Aleister move in. Ever since setting Damian Priest on fire, Aleister has been ready for something new. The fans boo but Aleister asks if they didn’t like setting Priest on fire. But Aleister says he has this chip on his shoulder. It is about the size of the WWE Undisputed World Championship. Cody loosens his tie and steps to Aleister, but Zelina stands in the way. The fans boo but Zelina has the mic now.

La Muneca says, “It’s too bad that your nightmare begins now.” Then she SLAPS Cody! The fans boo and Cody frowns, but Nick Aldis walks out here. The SmackDown General Manager says tensions are running a bit high, and some can’t keep their hands to themselves. Greenville, are you thinking what he’s thinking? Aldis says if Aleister wants a fight, then he can fight Cody in the main event tonight! The fans like the sound of that! Will Aleister make Cody #FadeToBlack here in Greenville? Or will Cody prove why he’s the elite around here?

 

Ilja Dragunov heads to gorilla.

But in his way is Tama Tonga. The Mad Dragon and the Good Bad Guy stare down, but will Tama answer tonight’s challenge? We find out in a matter of moments!

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS ???

SmackDown returns and Ilja has the mic. “For the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, who will step up? Because tonight, my dear friends, and enemies, PAIN shall entertain you.” And so, Tommaso Ciampa steps up! The Sicilian Psycho brings up how he came out to answer the challenge last week. Not only did Ilja deny him, but he had the balls to call Ciampa a jackass! He is a TWO-TIME NXT Champion, and you dare call him a jackass? He is a TWO-TIME SmackDown Tag Team Champion, nobody calls Ciampa a jackass! And now Ciampa comes to Greenville, surrounded by jackass, to say that title is his! Ring the bell!

Ciampa steps into the ring, Ilja says okay, y’know what? Ciampa is right. The fans chant, “JACKASS! JACKASS!” and Ilja chuckles. But Ciampa is right! Listen, Ciampa is right. Ilja accepts the challenge for the United States Championship… from Johnny Gargano! The fans cheer for “Johnny Wrestling! Johnny Wrestling!” Ciampa seethes, but he tells Gargano to get him then! The champ trolls Ciampa again, but will Ilja regret angering the Sicilian Psycho?

The bell rings, Gargano and Ilja circle, but then Ciampa distracts from the apron. The fans boo as Gargano CLOBBERS Ilja and stomps away! The ref counts as they’re against the ropes, so Gargano stops at 4 to soak up heat. Ciampa then sees himself to the back while Candice stays to coach Gargano. Gargano SMACKS Ilja off buckles, the fans rally, but then Ilja blocks a kick! Ilja spins Gargano, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, then he drags Gargano back up, for another GERMAN SUPLEX! Gargano sputters but Ilja will not let him go. Ilja drags Gargano up again, the fans want that ‘One More Time!” but Gargano blocks the lift!

Ilia spins Gargano, and HAMMERS him with elbows! The fans rally, then Ilja HAMMERS away on Gargano some more! Ilja scoops Gargano while trapping the arms, for a TRAPPED EXPLODER! The fans fire up with Ilja, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Gargano writhes while Ilja paces. Candice is worried as Ilja drags Gargano by a leg to the drop zone. Ilja fixes his hair before climbing up, but then Candice gets on the apron! That distraction lets Gargano get up! Gargano SUPERKICKS the legs out! Ilja falls to the mat, then flounders to the apron. Gargano hurries to BOOT WASH Ilja to the floor! Ilja writhes and clutches his face while Gargano huffs ‘n’ puffs. Gargano goes out to fetch Ilja, ROCKS him with a forearm, then SMACKS him off the apron. Gargano THROWS Ilja back into the ring, but then Ilja ROCKS Gargano! They throw forearms back and forth, then Gargano GAMANGIRIS!

Ilja staggers, comes back, but into the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Cover, TWO! Ilja is tougher than that but Gargano talks some smack. Gargano drags Ilja up and puts him in the corner for a CHOP! Ilja snarls and pushes Gargano all the way to the other corner! Gargano avoids a chop to CHOP again! Gargano snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja checks his head and neck while Gargano paces. Gargano says he’s gonna be the champ, then he drags Ilja up, But Ilja slips around to waistlock! Gargano fights with elbows, then goes to ropes to HOTSHOT the O’Conner! Ilja falls back, Gargano BOOTS him down!

Gargano paces, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a right! Ilja CHOPS in return! Gargano ROCKS Ilja, Ilja goes to a corner, but then Ilja kicks in return! Ilja CLUBS Gargano, Gargano fires elbows and then RAMS into Ilja again and again! The ref counts, but Gargano wrenches and traps Ilja in a modified COBRA CLUTCH! Ilja endures, even with both arms trapped. Ilja powers up, powers out, and he ROCKS Gargano! SmackDown returns to single picture as Ilja fires forearms, but Gargano fires boxing elbows! ROLLING ELBOW! But Ilja jumps up to ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Candice is worried and she coaches Gargano but Ilja junkyard dog headbutts! Gargano kicks back, kicks again, but Ilja CLUBS him down! Ilja then drags Gargano up to UPPERCUT! Gargano fires a forearm, Ilja fires a forearm, repeat! Ilja CHOPS, Gargano ROCKS, but then Ilja JUMP KICKS! Gargano returns, Ilja dodges, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! The fans fire up while both men rise up again! They go to corners, and Ilja runs up to KNEE Gargano in the corner! Ilja keeps moving, BOOT WASH! Payback from earlier and the fans fire up with Ilja! Ilja hops up, aims, KING KONG KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!

Gargano survives and Candice coaches him again. Gargano kicks at Ilja, but Ilja stomps Gargano. Ilja roars, the fans rally up, and Ilja goes up the ropes. Gargano stands, Candice panics, COAST2- SUPERKICK! Gargano hits Ilja first, then runs up to BLINDSIDE SUPERKICK! Ilja sputters, staggers, and Gargano hops up! POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and the fans fire up again! Gargano is frustrated, but he puts Ilja in a corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Gargano puts Ilja up top, then uses the corner to scoop, but Ilja fights back! Ilja CHOPS down on Gargano’s chest again and again! Then he YANKS Gargano up to HEADBUTT him down!

Ilja goes to the very top and the fans fire up! SUPER SENTON! Ilja clutches his own neck but he makes the cover, TWO!! Gargano survives thanks to that delay, but Ilja goes to a corner. “This is Awesome!” and Ilja winds up, H-BOMB FORE- NO! Gargano UP KICKS first! Ilja rebounds, JUMP STOMP! Then a back suplex URENAGE! The fans fire up again while both men are down. Gargano talks with the ref about his neck, but that just lets Candice trip Ilja up! The fans boo but Gargano says he’s okay now. Gargano DIVES to TORNADO DDT on the floor! Gargano puts Ilja in, slingshots, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, TWO!!

Gargano and Candice are shocked! That was NOT the final beat for Ilja, his heart is much stronger than that! Gargano kicks at Ilja from the mat, but “This is Awesome!” Gargano drags Ilja by his hair, goes back to the apron, and he reloads, only for Ilja to BOOT him! Ilja SMACKS Gargano off the crossbar! Ilja then deadlifts to SUPERPLEX! And roll through, for the H-BOMB!! Cover, ILJA WINS!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

Gargano couldn’t do it by himself, and he couldn’t even do it with help from Ciampa and Candice! The Czar continues his reign, but will he have no choice but to face Ciampa next?

 

Nick Aldis talks with the head referee.

The selections for the Last Time is Now tournament are being made, they’ll need to inform the chosen participants, but in steps Sami Zayn first. He asks if the GM has a second, and Aldis says of course. Sami knows Aldis surely saw last week, the numbers game The MFT loves to use, and Sami know she is not cleared. He just wants to be out there for Rey Fenix. Aldis knows it kills Sami to be on the sidelines and that he wants to be there for his friends, as well as get into it with MFT, but Aldis reiterates: Sami is NOT medically cleared! If Sami is ringside, he is a liability to SmackDown. All Aldis needs Sami to do is to get healthy.

And Sami, with all due respect, Aldis is not asking. Sami says alright, fine. But he’s telling Aldis right now, he won’t just stand by much longer. Sami heads back out, but in steps R-Truth. Truth asks if he has a minute to talk and Aldis says of course. Truth asks if this is really how they’re picking opponents for his “older brother,” John Cena. Uh, yes, names at random. Then Truth wants in. Truth needs this! Truth, no, you don’t understand- Truth says he came here to put his balls in Aldis’ hand. And he hands over lottery balls. Truth needs this, man! Aldis explains to Truth that his name is already in the tumbler. Truth IS in!

Is that how it is? Fine. Truth doesn’t want his balls touching Aldis’ balls anyway. Truth takes his lottery balls back and Aldis is very confused. But will John Cena’s biggest fan get the biggest opportunity in this tournament?

 

DIY regroups backstage.

Gargano apologizes for losing, but Ilja is a psycho. And then Fraxiom walks over, having a bit of a laugh. Nathan Frazer says it is really rough going after the US Championship when Ilja shuts you down two times in a row. Especially when Ilja chooses your own tag team partner over you. That’s what you get for being, what was it again? Oh, right! A JACKASS! Fraxiom heads out, Ciampa seethes more, but will this only motivate Ciampa to be first in line next time?

 

Jade Cargill is here!

The Storm has hit Greenville, and the fans cheer on the NEW WWE Women’s Champion! Jade goes right to the ring to revel in this moment. “Y’all saw what happened to Tiffany, and that goes for every woman in that locker room! Make no mistakes about it, I’m That B*tch!” Mic drop with the message sent, will no one stop Jade now that she’s on top? Oh wait, Charlotte Flair makes her entrance while Jade is on her way out! The Queen has a match with the Irresistible Force. One half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions tell Jade, “You do you, baby.” Will Charlotte stay focused and put Nia in her place? Or will this confrontation pull her focus?

 

Chelsea Green talks with Alba Fyre.

The Hot Mess tells “Slaygent A” that tonight is the night! Or should she says, esta noche una campeona mas! And she is going to solidify her place in the history books the longest-reigning, first and best- But then Mia Yim & B-Fab step in. Michin doesn’t think that longest-reigning thing is gonna work out anymore. Giulia literally just surpassed her today. The math is not mathing. Holidays don’t count! Oh, how convenient. But with that ego of Chelsea’s overlooking Giulia, we all already know how things are going to go. Chelsea says yes, she’s going to win! The first-and-fourth-ever US Champion, and a DOUBLE CHAMPION to boot!

Chelsea will be the greatest Women’s Champion on SmackDown there is! In fact, she already is! But then Jade steps up behind Chelsea. Chelsea trails off but Jade tells her to keep going. Chelsea says Jade is gorgeous. Yeah, Jade thought so. Because if Chelsea keeps talking, Jade will stomp a hole in her chest. Chelsea says no bueno! She and Alba have to go, adios! They head out, and then Jade tells B-Fab to move. Whoa, why does she think she can have attitude? Oh, sorry, did they say something? B-Fab tells Jade that while congratulations are in order, Jade doesn’t need to be like this.

Jade says she does what she wants. If you got a problem, step up and get stepped on. B-Fab says bet. Jade storms off into the locker room, and both Michin and B-Fab say Jade is all King Kong right now. But will King Kong not have anything on Jade?

 

Charlotte Flair w/ Alexa Bliss VS Nia Jax!

SmackDown returns as Nia Jax makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans all, “WOO~!” Nia is annoyed by that but she and Charlotte circle. They tie up, Nia powers Charlotte back, but Charlotte digs in her heels. Nia shoves Charlotte, they reset, and Charlotte slips around to headlock. Nia powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, but Nia doesn’t even budge. Nia talks trash then pie faces Charlotte. And pie faces her again! Charlotte SLAPS back! Nia runs up, Charlotte ducks ‘n’ dodges to THESZ PRESS! Charlotte rains down fast hands but Nia shoves free. Nia HEADBUTTS Charlotte down, then shakes out th estars.

Charlotte goes to the corner, Nia runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Nia staggers, Charlotte BOOTS her, then Charlotte runs up, but into a POP-UP! Only to RANA free! And then she DROPKICKS Nia down! Charlotte kips up and even impresses herself a bit. The fans cheer as Charlotte then goes after Nia. Charlotte brings Nia up but Nia stops the buckle bump. Nia gives the buckle bump to Charlotte, then soaks up heat. But Charlotte CHOPS! And CHOSP! And then whips, but Nia reverses. Charlotte goes up but Nia CLOBBERS her in the corner! Charlotte is down, Nia soaks up heat, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Charlotte ROCKS Nia! And ROCKS her again! Charlotte whips, Nia reverses, but Charlotte goes up, out, and BOOTS back in! The fans fire up with Charlotte and she climbs up, CROSSBODY! Charlotte kips up and the fans fire up again! Charlotte CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! “WOO~! WOO~! WOO~!” Charlotte then BOOTS Nia, dodges the lariat, and CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Nia is down but hurries back up, Charlotte HANDSPRING LARIATS! The fans fire up and Charlotte steps on Nia to go to the corner. The fans cheer as Charlotte goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the cover, TWO!!

Nia survives but the fans rally behind Charlotte more. Charlotte wants a leg, Nia throws hands then a HEADBUTT! Charlotte staggers, rebounds, but into the POP-UP POWERPOMB! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Nia is frustrated. The fans rally for Charlotte but Nia drags her into the drop zone! Nia goes up, mocks the “WOO~,” A-NIA- NO!! Charlotte avoids the sit-down and ghost pins, TWO! Nia fireman’s carries Charlotte and goes up the corner! Charlotte escapes to the apron, GAMANGIRIS again, and Nia is stuck in the Tree of Woe! SLINGSHOT KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and now Charlotte grows frustrated!

Charlotte hurries to get the legs again, but Nia BOOTS her into the corner! Nia stands up, fireman’s carries, but Charlotte slips free! TORNADO DDT! cover, TWO!! Nia survives again and Charlotte is stunned! Wait, LASH LEGEND DECKS ALEXA BLISS!? The Bougie Bully is here, but why!? Lash THRASHES Alexa in a SLEEPER, and the distraction lets Nia CLOBBER Charlotte! A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, NIA WINS!

Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall

The fans all boo, but why would Lash Legend help Nia Jax?! Or are these two bullies about to work together to become champions?

 

Nick Aldis speaks.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to draw the next two match-ups in the Last Time is Now tournament. The names have been circulated, fate has spoken, and a once-in-a-lifetime, career-changing opportunity is on the line. The first match that’s been drawn is between two of the most decorated WWE superstars of all time, as two-time Grand Slam Champion, The Miz, takes on Main Event Jey Uso. The second match-up will be between The Mega Star, LA Knight, and the name that is in my hand.” Aldis opens up the capsule and reads the slip of paper. And Aldis says he’ll keep this one a surprise.

Aldis smiles as LA Knight now goes up against a wild card! Who helps kick off the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington DC?

 

Backstage interview with Nia & Lash.

Cathy Kelley welcomes us back to SmackDown, and she brings up that for as many times as Nia has faced Charlotte, no one could’ve predicted that ending. Can they tell us anything about how this partnership came about? Nia asks if Cathy had her glasses on during the match. Nia clearly would’ve beaten Charlotte anyway. Nia then mockingly says it was so~ hard~ working with Lash because they’re not friends or blah blah blah. But Alexa & Charlotte told her to find a friend, so jokes on them, she found a friend. She had a friend! Nia faced Lash in NXT, she is a formidable adversary and a straight badass. That’s why they’re friends.

But can Alexa & Charlotte say one of their friends is a former NCAA world record holder? Take it away, Lash. Lash says, “Thanks, my girl. Clearly, if you didn’t know, I’m Lash Legend, the one and only Bougie Bully. And based on what I just did to Alexa, clearly I’m everything I say I am. And thus believe, we’re going straight to the top. And tonight was just the beginning.” Lash & Nia snap snap and head out, will they break the bonds between #Charlexa to be the next tag team champions?

 

WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre!

Giulia has already overtaken first place in the history books, in part thanks to Miss Management making sure she only faced the very best. But will Slaygent A make sure The Hot Mess expands her executive championship powers? Or will even Chelsea succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

The introductions are made, the US title is raised, and we see if the history books need to be changed!

The bell rings and Chelsea talks trash. She points to Ethan Page in the crowd, her tag partner as AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion, and says he’s a double champion, so she’s going to be a double champion. Then she SLAPS Giulia! The fans fire up, Giulia SLAPS back! Giulia headlocks for the takeover, then she rains down fists! Chselea gets up, blocks a kick, but not the HEADBUTT! Giulia reels Chelsea in as the fans duel, snap suplex! Giulia drags Chelsea up, suplexes again, but Chelsea slips fee! Chelsea rolls Giulia, Giulia rolls through, ARRIVEDERCI KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Giulia drags her up.

Giulia brings Chelsea up to THROW her! Chelsea flounders, Alba shouts, but Giulia ROCKS Chelsea! Then TOSSES her out! Giulia brings Chelsea in through the ropes, and ROCKS her! Chelsea flops down, flounders around, but Giulia CHOKES her on the ropes! The ref counts, Giulia backs off, but Kiana ROCKS Chelsea! the fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Kiana! The fans fire up but then Giulia WRECKS Alba with a kick! Chelsea rolls Giulia with feet on ropes! CHELSEA WINS!!

Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s United States Champion)

Chelsea celebrates with All Ego because now the Canadians are dripping with gold! Is this Two Person Power Trip about to take over the world?!

 

MFT is backstage.

They’re all talking up Talla Tonga, telling him to grab Rey Fenix out of the heavens and bring him back down to earth. Solo Sikoa steps in, and he says, “Good job to everyone last week. But it wasn’t good enough. Sami Zayn, he’s still walking around. The Wyatt Sicks, they got something that belongs to this family. Ilja Dragunov… He’s got something that belongs to this family. We are going to take it back.” Tama nods and says, “YEYEYEYEH! We got this!” Solo nods, and says tonight is about the big man! Talla, got out there, make a statement, smash Fenix, and show everyone not to ever, EVER disrespect My Family Tree again. Understood?

Talla ROARS, he is ready to fight! MFT heads out, but then The Wyatts sneak in! Erick Rowan has them stand down, saying, “Not yet.” If not now, then when and where will the scariest forces on SmackDown collide?

 

The medical staff check on Alexa & Charlotte.

Alexa’s neck is understandably ailing her, he goes to get ice. Charlotte is sorry for losing but Alexa says no, she’s sorry that she got jumped. How was Alexa ever friends with Nia? But in steps someone with the icepack, but it’s not the doctor. It’s ASUKA! BLUE MIST!! The Empress of Tomorrow and “Nurse Kairi” run away having added insult to injury! Will “The Kabuki Doctors” pay for this sneak attack? Or are the walls closing in on #Charlexa?

 

Rey Fenix VS Talla Tonga w/ MFT!

SmackDown returns with The Firebird already waiting in the ring as MFT makes their entrance. But then Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns go after Tama, Loa & JC Mateo! The fans fire up as those six bralw, then Fenix DIVES onto Talla! Talla staggesr around but he stays up, so Fenix DIVES again! Another direct hit and Talla hits barriers! The fans fire up as Fenix keeps moving, for another DIVE! But Talla catches him! Talla scoops Fenix, but Fenix slips free! Fenix POSTS Talla first, then hurries after him! Talla just grabs Fenix again to TOSS him into the ring! The fans rally but Talla storms into the ring, and the bell sounds.

Fenix SOBATS, KICKS, then mule kicks a leg! Fenix whips, but Talla blocks! Talla whips, Fenix goes out and dropkicks legs out! Then Fenix goes up, up, and FLYING- NO, Talla avoids the Quebrada. Fenix hurries to KICK and KICK and KICK Talla’s leg! Fenix fires hands, then CHOSP! And CHOSP! Talla shoves Fenix to FLAPJACK! Talla huffs ‘n’ puffs while Fenix flounders out of the ring. Talla waits on Fenix at the apron, then runs up to BOOT him down! Fenix hits barriers on top of it, and Talla rests while the ring count climbs. Solo applauds from his armchair, and Fenix is still down at 5 of 10.

Fenix rises up, but Talla storms out to fetch him. Talla scoops Fenix to then SNAKE EYES off the barriers! Fenix falls, Talla paces, and the ring count is again 5 of 10. Talla looms over Fenix while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Fenix fires off fast hands! Talla egg shim on so Fenix CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Talla shoves Fenix, Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard, FLYING HEADBUTT bounces off of Talla! Solo smirks as Fenix flounders. Talla CLUBS Fenix, then drags him back up to talk trash. Talla dares Fenix to hit him, so Fenix fires forearms! Talla winds up, and he LARIATS Fenix inside-out! The fans boo but Talla drags Fenix back up. Talla ROCKS Fenix and ELBOWS him in the corner. Tala eggs Fenix on, then kicks low. Talla whips corner to corner, runs up, but Fenix dodge! Talla hits POST!

Fenix goes up to BOOT Tall! Talla SWATS the superkick! Talla whips, Fenix goes Spider-Man, then SUPERKICKS! Talla goes to a corner, Fenix runs up, JUMP SOBAT! Talla is dazed and the fans fire up! Fenix goes corner to corner, jumps up, but Talla stops the monkey flip! Fenix sunset flips, but Talla YANKS him right up, to UPPERCUT him right down! Solo applauds but the fans boo. Talla snarls and waits on Fenix. Fenix rises on the apron, Talla runs up again, but Fenix gets him stuck on the ropes! Fenix GAMANGIRIS, then HOTSHOTS! Then GAMANGIRIS! Talla sputters and Fenix hurries up the corner! ADIOS AMIGO KICK!

Talla staggers around, Fenix goes up again! FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Talla still has so much left in the tank! Fenix is stunned, but he shouts “ANIMO!” SUPERKICK! Talla sputters, Fenix reloads, and he goes back up top! Talla stands, Fenix FLYING- NO! Talla catches Fenix! CHOKE- RANA! But Talla blocks! TALLA BOMB! Then he guzels for a deadlift and CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Talla wins!

Winner: Talla Tonga, by pinfall

The unseen variable of Nakamura & MCMG aside, Talla still took Fenix down. But Solo says they need to do more! WAIT! Sami Zayn rushes out here, with a chair! The fans cheer as Sami runs Solo & Talla off to protect Fenix! Medically cleared or not, will Sami settle this score with Solo once and for all?

 

Backstage interview with The Miz.

Cathy Kelley is with the Hollywood A-Lister and brings up he is in the first round of The Last Time is Now Tournament, going up against Main Event Jey Uso. Before more on that, she wants to address the payback on Carmelo Hayes last week. Miz says, “Payback? You thought me hitting Carmelo Hayes with a Skull Crushing Finale was payback? Perspective, Cathy. A reminder of exactly what I’m capable of, because everyone seems to forget that everything I touch becomes important. The Intercontinental Championship, I made prestigious. Talk shows, I made them must-see. Carmelo Hayes, I made H1M relevant!

“I beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania! Which should, should, make our final match inevitable, but now there’s some sort of farewell tournament that he announces? Opening the door for NXT, outsiders, and rookies like it’s some sort of open tryout at the Performance Center! There shouldn’t be a tournament! Especially, especially, when his final opponent is staring you right in the face! Now, I have to face Jey Uso, who’s full of emotion, fire and passion. Everything he does is a highlight. Highlights fade. Legacies don’t. And that’s where I live. I will beat Jey Uso, I will win this tournament.

“The critics will cry, the internet will whine, but the headline will read, ‘The Miz beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, The Miz ended John Cena’s career, because The Miz is AWESOME!'” Miz storms off, but will he make it all the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event? Or will Jey YEET Miz right out of the first round?

 

Cody Rhodes VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega!

The American Nightmare wanted to sit back and watch tonight with all the fans here in Greenville, South Carolina, but he was called out by The Dark Father. Aleister has his eyes on the gold, but will he make Cody #FadeToBlack? Or will Cody show Aleister is not undisputed?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, Cody headlocks and hits the takeover, but Aleister headscissors. Cody kips free, Aleister headlocks for the takeover, but Cody headscissors. Aleister kips free, then he slips around to waistlock. Cody switches as thee fans sing for him, but Aleister bucks the O’Conner. Cody arm-drags, but then Aleister arm-drags! Aleister facelocks, powers Cody to a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Aleister KNEES low, reels Cody in, and he suplexes, but Cody blocks! Cody suplexes, and he hold Aleister up for TEN before the GOURD BUSTER! The fans cheer while Aleister goes to a corner.

Cody storms up, whips corner to corner, but Aleister reverses. Cody goes up and over, but Aleister avoids the snap powerslam! Cody still kicks and drops, but Aleister blocks the uppercut into an ARMBAR! The fans rally as Cody fights around, stacks Aleister up, TWO! Cody ducks ‘n’ springboards, into a JUMP KNEE! Aleister knows Cody all too well, and he smirks while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Aleister sits cross-legged while the ring count climbs. Cody rises at 5 of 10, so Aleister steps outside. Aleister stalks Cody, but Cody kicks low. Cody SMACKS Aleister off the apron, then CLUBS him. Cody aims at the desk but Aleister turns things around to SMACK him off the desk! Aleister puts Cody in the ring, then stalks him to center. Aleister whips and ELBOWS Cody down! Cover, TWO! Cody is tougher than that, but Aleister stomps him around. Aleister drops a KNEE, and he paces while Cody writhes. Aleister drags Cody up, but Cody RAMS him into the corner! Cody fires hands, but Aleister BOOTS him down! Aleister then brings Cody up to UPPERCUT!

Cody staggers to ropes, Aleister CHOKES him! The ref counts, Aleister stops at 4, but ZELINA CHOKES CODY! The ref misses that but the fans boo. Aleister covers Cody, TWO! Aleister is annoyed, but he still runs the ropes to leg drop, brother! Cover, TWO! Cody survives, Aleister stalks him and KICKS him, then brings him around. Aleister snapmares Cody into a chinlock. Cody endures and reaches out while the fans rally. Aleister stands Cody up, whips him to a corner, then runs up. Cody goes up and over, and he SNAP POWERSLAMS as SmackDown returns to single picture! Cover, TWO! Aleister stays in this but Cody stays cool.

Cody storms up on Aleister, but Aleister trips him! Cody kicks Aleister away, avoids the Penalty Kick, then rolls Aleister! TWO, and Aleister BOOTS Cody right down! Cover, TWO! Cody is tougher than that but Aleister paces again. Cody goes to a corner, Aleister fires forearms. Aleister BODY SHOTS, ROCKS, and KICKS Cody! The ref counts, Aleister snapmares Cody down, and the fans boo. Aleister clamps on another chinlock but Cody hurries to his feet. Aleister KNEES low, ROCKS Cody, then runs, only for Cody to CLOBBER him! Codey goes up and over i the corner, another SNAP POWERSLAM!

The fans rally up and Cody keeps close. Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Cody snarls but he waits on Aleister. The fans rally behind Cody, he roars, and he dragon sleepers! But Aleister KNEES free! Aleister fires more knees, then he sweeps the legs! The fans boo but Aleister PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this and Zelina is frustrated on Aleister’s behalf. Aleister frowns, but then drags Cody up. Aleister back suplexes, but Cody lands out! Cody runs to springboard, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Aleister survives and Zelina is relieved while Cody grits his teeth.

Cody waits on Aleister to rise up, then he JABS! JABS! JABS Flip, flop, but ROUNDHOUSE from Aleister! Aleister then shoves and KNEES Cody, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Cody escapes in time but Aleister paces. Cody rises, Aleister runs up, but Cody BOOTS him first! Dragon sleeper, but Aleister snapmares free! Aleister waistlocks, Cody bucks the O’Conner, but Aleister BOOTS! Cody BOOTS! Cody ducks a kick, Aleister ducks a haymaker, both men BOOT the other down! The fans fire up while Zelina panics! But wait, someone is in the crowd! CLAYMORE to the ref?!? Drew is furious at the ref for screwing him over on Saturday Night!!

Cody CLOBBERS Drew and fires hands! The fans are going nuts as now Aleister CLOBBERS Cody! Aleister stomps Cody, then Drew joins in! They mug Cody, but DAMIAN PRIEST is here! The fans fire up as The Archer of Infamy storms in! But he gets mugged 2v1 now! Priest ROCKS Aleister, fires hands on Drew, then he TOSSES Aleister to a corner! Priest fires hands, but Drew shoves Priest! Priest clinches Drew! FLATLINER! Aleister runs up, but inot a FLAPJACK! Priest LARIATS Aleister up and out! Drew is after Priest, but Cody CLOBBERS Drew! Priest goes to Aleister, and he HAMMERS away on Aleister!

Zelina JUMPS onto Priest! Priest TOSESS her aside out of instinct, but Aleister CLAWS the burned eye!! Zelina helps Aleister get away into the crowd, Cody hits a CODY CUTTER on Drew! The match is for all intents and purposes through, but Nick Aldis storms out here! He says he gives Drew an inch and Drew takes a mile! NO MORE! Effective immediately, Drew McIntyre is SUSPENDED!! The Scottish Terminator is furious with Aldis now, but this is all Aldis can do to stop this madness! What can Drew do to get what he wants when he’s getting what he deserves?


My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to build off Saturday Night’s Main Event, and we’re certainly building towards some big things for Survivor Series. Ilja trolling Ciampa is great, and definitely teases an awesome match once those two have their match. It also feels like there might be another DIY VS Fraxiom match with their promo backstage. Great stuff with Talla VS Fenix, and especially with Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns evening the odds a bit. Sami also having a part to play in that story, they have to be setting up a WarGames match, or even just an old school 5v5 elimination tag, it’s the only reason we’d have something like this.

Great promo from R-Truth with Aldis to plug the Last Time Is Now Tournament, and same with Miz’s promo later. But I feel like Melo is going to cost Miz so that they have their own match. Great match from Charlotte VS Nia, and quite the surprise with Lash Legend showing up to go after Alexa. Lash & Nia definitely could take those tag titles just on physical attributes, but then Asuka & Kairi showed up just to add on, that’s a Triple Threat for the tag titles right there. Then any team can win without hurting the others in their power rankings. A little surprised we’ve moved away from Kairi being as conflicted as she was helping Asuka, but that also has to do with where Iyo went during all this.

Jade had a great promo for keeping it short and sweet, and I’m somewhat impressed WWE is letting her bring “That B*tch” as her nickname back from AEW. Great promo with her and the other women backstage, and pretty sure she’ll beat B-Fab with ease. Giulia VS Chelsea was a little too quick with what we know both women can do, but I suppose with all the Heel shenanigans going on, it doesn’t really matter. Chelsea winning is great for her and honestly a great move overall because of how fans really do like Chelsea and how she’s just everywhere right now between SmackDown, NXT and AAA. But this might indicate she and Ethan retain the AAA Mixed Tag titles at Gold Rush in a couple weeks because they have all the momentum.

And of course there were shenanigans going on with Cody VS Aleister to end things. Priest warned Aleister that they weren’t done, and Drew McIntyre isn’t the kind of character to just leave things as they are. Aldis “suspending” Drew is an interesting move but a logical one. I feel like Drew won’t care, though, he’ll still go after Cody and force one last title match where Drew is going to do anything and everything he can to finally win. And honestly, it should happen. It can give something more to this story as we head for the New Year, Cody needs a reason to fight harder. As for Aleister and Priest, they also need to do one more really extreme match to settle things.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Andrew’s TNA Open Fight Night Results & Match Reviews: 11.6.2025

At least it’s some kind of new content before the Live shows next week!

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Bet you thought I died or finally threw in the towel from the miserable Delirious and Tommy Dreamer booking. But nope! TNA has just been on boosted clip show crap since Bound For Glory. You think I was gonna cover some Hardy goofball Elvira clip show? UH-UH. So today we’ve got Open Fight Night for the first time since like…2017 I think? That was around the dark TNA times so I only have vague recollections of that, like those bathroom floor memories from a really good night out with your boys.

Let’s see if anything entertaining happens today, or if I’m gonna be nursing this hangover until the Live Impact and PLE next week.

Ratings:

  • Two Losers vs The Rascalz (Wentz & Trey) vs Great Hands w/Tasha Steelz vs The System (Myers & Eddie) w/Lish: System wins via Boston Knee Party – ** 3/4
  • Dani Luna vs Jody Threat: Dani wins via Luna Landing – ***
  • Mike Santana vs Cedric Alexander: Mike wins via Spin the Block – *** 1/2

Results:

Two Losers vs The Rascalz (Wentz & Trey) vs Great Hands w/Tasha Steelz vs The System (Myers & Eddie) w/Lish

Hair Jabroni and Wentz start off the match, Collar and Elbow, World of Sport open, Wentz with the Arm Drag counter, Jabroni powders, Great Hands try to attack, Rascalz turn it around, System clears the Hands, Rascalz Superkick Party System out and then the Double Dive keeps the Smoke rising to the top of the treehouse. Back from commercial the Rascalz are still beating up the jabroni with hair. They pull off the MCMG High Speed Dirty combo move, but Hotch tags in off Wentz and Jabronis are working over Hotch. Hotch is too talented to bump for these waste of space morons. Hotch thankfully floats over, pokes the eye, but Myers tags bald Jabroni and makes Hotch pay for the arrogance.

Skyler distracts Myers, Myers gets Dropkicked to the outside, cheap shot from Skyler and now Hotch is in charge. Great hands with the quick tags, Tree of Woe Myers, taunt Eddie to distract the referee and Double Oh Canada Crotch Stand. Skyler has Myers in a Headlock, Myers fires, Skyler puts the breaks on it and then slaps Eddie off the apron. More quick tags from Hands, Side Russian/Rolling Neckbreaker Tandem move, but only a two count. Myers gets the fire moment which works, Sunsets Hotch, but Hotch kicks out, Hotch responds with a Dropkick into his own near fall, and Hands maintain control. Skyler tosses Myers to the outside, distracts the ref and Tasha gets in some cheap shots. Hotch doubles over Myers with the Knee Lift, goes to follow but eats the Pele Kick, simultaneous tags, Eddie goes NOAH on Skyler, makes Hotch Fly with a big Overhead Body Drop. Rascalz knock out Hotch, Jabronis take out Trey, try some kind of redirect Dive and it looks bad. Skyler eats hair Jabroni with a Slingshot Spear. But Myers hits the Spear, Eddie with Boston Knee Party, System Wins.

Decent match, but those Jabronis are still the worst thing I’ve ever seen in a relevant promotion (ROH, AEW, MLW, TNA, NXT, WWE). 

Well it looks like they’re back to steering too far into the cringe with this Mr. Elegance thing. I…hate this promo, and I like the Elegance Brand generally speaking. This is just too cringe for me.

Dani Luna vs Jody Threat

Jody wanted the fight so Dani obliged. Jody gets the early offense and nearly messes up her Dive but hits enough. Dani tries to Powerbomb off the apron, Jody kicks Dani off and tries to Senton to the floor but Dani dodges, Jody crashes and Dani drives and elbow into the back. Dani LunaTIC is a step I’m enjoying, she’s starting to Suplex Jody around the ring, wants the Irish Whip but Jody blocks and Jumps on Dani’s back for a Rear Naked Choke or something, but Dani slams her back into the corner to break it. Jody tries to fight from beneath but Dani smacks her around, drags her to the center of the ring, tries an Exploder Suplex, but Jody counters, hits her own Exploder, kicks Dani in the face. Looks for her Knees and German, but Dani reads it, dodges and hits her own German Suplex for a near fall.

After the commercial Dani is still in control with a Top Wristlock while Jody is seated, Dani starts raining down elbows but Jody tries to power out, they counter each other’s next few moves, Chop Battle, Suplex counter, but Jody hits a Lariat, then another Lariat sending Dani over the top to the floor and Jody hits the Apron Senton she missed earlier. Throws Dani back in, Jody goes to the top, Crossbody connects, Jody hits a Jackhammer for a two count. Dani connects on an Elbow, into a Back Body Drop, but eats a Boot from Jody. Dani blocks the next move, Rope Assisted Blue Thunder Bomb for Dani but only two again. Dani connects with a few deliberate punches and hair pulls, argues with the official so Jody sneaks a Rear Naked Choke and Dani barely gets to the ropes.

Jody tries to continue, eats a knee, they start trading shots, then Jody ducks a punch, quick strikes before Dani Vader Hammers the back of Jody’s head. Luna Landing attempt but Jody turns it into a Headscissors of sorts. Dani with a beautiful Outside In Apron German Suplex into a Luna Landing for the win. Good job Dani Dumptruck.

Long video package of like post Bound For Glory and future taping places or whatever. Nothing overly relevant aside from El Paso invoking Eddie Guerrero mentions. Oh they decide to show us some Primo & Epico vs Hardyz when they were in El Paso before in a Street Fight of Who Asked For This? I’m not covering this.

TNA Flashback: AJ Styles vs Bobby Roode, TNA Heavyweight Championship 5.24.2012 Open Fight Night

Nice to see a classic with two of the more beloved TNA Originals. But this just proves they didn’t have enough to produce a full show, so there’s a lot of filler and a lot of matches that don’t really matter. And now we get to listen to Kelani Jordan struggle with a heel promo again. Christ, she’s an awful heel. Her promo on NXT was one of the worst things I’ve heard in a while (and Taylor Swift has a newish album, so that’s saying something). 

Mike Santana vs Cedric Alexander

Starting the double babyface, putting each other over and a little hand shake. Tie Up, into a clean break, so now we just have to figure out when its gonna pick up. At least 10 minutes in the match since there should be a commercial before the end. Quick World of Sport style counter holds, Arm Wringers, flippy twisty stuff into Head scissors and misses. Cedric dodges the Spin the Block and playfully fans himself as he retreats to the rope for a moment. Shoulder Tackle, Leap Frog, Arm Drag countered with Mexican Arm Drag, Up and Over, Pepper a Forearm, Duck, Dodge, Springboard Crossbody, Cedric pulls Santana to the outside, Superkick from Mike, Mike tries the Dive, Cedric runs in and counters the Dive. Pump Kick from Mike on the Apron, Cedric Apron DDT for the commercial break.

We come back from commercial, Cedric is stalking, hits a German Suplex into two near falls. Santana walks around the corners and lets Cedric Chop him three times, turns it around, Cedric turns around the Irish Whip and hits the Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Cedric has him down in a Chin Lock, peppers in a few shots to the small of the back, but Santana fires up with the crowd, Cedric tries a Lumbar Check but Mike flips out of it. Rope run, Mike with the Diving Lariat, Kip Up, gets Irish Whipped, Up and Over, Enzuigiri, Rope Run again into Rolling Buck Fifty, but Cedric counters with the PK into Fisherman’s Buster for two. The crowd rises for Cedric, he wants the Lumbar Check again but Mike fights it off. Struggling in the corner, Chops from Mike. Superplex attempt countered, Cedric looking for the Avalanche Sunset, Mule Kick from Mike, Cedric is staggered, Rolling Buck Fifty for a two count! Fighting Spirit moment, which only somewhat makes sense because they’re both babyfaces, but still dumb in Western Wrestling. Double Kick counters on the rope run, Locomotion Cradles, La Magistral, Counter STB, Counter Lumbar Check, Cedric hits the ropes and Mike takes his head off with the Spin the Block! Santana wins!

 

Overall Score: 4/10

Dani actually winning a match and the main event being a good match is nice, but this was a mostly useless show. Lots of filler clips and videos, plus I think Mr Elegance is the dumbest idea they’ve had with the Elegance Brand, and I’m aware that’s encapsulating a lot of cringe, but this is awful. Kelani is a terrible heel so that whole interview was definitely a bathroom break. They also need to stop trying to make those Jabronis from Northern Armoury a thing, they suck, they’re generic looking, they couldn’t draw if you handed them a box of Crayola and construction paper. Do Feast or Fired and get these nerds fired.

Old Timey Baseball Waiting GIF by Team Coco

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!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

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