Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/4/25)
FOGEDABOUTIT!
The Don and The Chair Man!
Tony D’Angelo defends his North American Championship against Shawn Spears, but this is really about whose “family” is on top of NXT!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sol Ruca & ZARIA VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven; Sol & Zaria win.
- Kelani Jordan VS Jaida Parker; Jaida wins.
- Jordynne Grace VS Cora Jade; Grace wins, by referee stoppage.
- Trick Williams VS Kale Dixon w/ Uriah Connors; Trick wins, by referee stoppage.
- NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo VS Shawn Spears; Spears wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Sol Ruca & ZARIA VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven!
The Soul Surfer & Agent of Change issued the challenge, and the Hot Mess only half paid attention. Because of that, the WWE Women’s United States Champion and her “Secret Her-vice” are now taking on some up and coming stars. Will NXT still salute the #RedWhite&Green? Or will someone get their soul snatched?
The teams sort out and Chelsea steps to Sol. Chelsea talks some trash, then she SLAPS Sol! She shoves Sol, Sol ducks the boot, but Chelsea ducks a kick! Sol ducks a kick, and SLAPS back! X-FACTOR! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away, tags to Piper, and Chelsea still talks trash. The fans rally up as Zaria reaches out. Sol tags her in, and the fans fire up as Zaria and Piper step up. Piper pats Zaria on the head, but Zaria clamps onto Piper’s neck! Piper breaks free, scoops Zaria, but Zaria fights free! Zaria goes to fireman’s carry! Piper fights that, but Zaria stops the haymaker! Piper stops one back, so they DOUBLE HEADBUTT!
Zaria and Piper stay up to DUOBLE LARIAT! Piper rebounds to CLOBBER Zaria! Piper fires up, Chelsea cheers her on, but Zaria rises up! Piper turns around, and Zaria LARIATS Piper down! Zaria stalks Piper, tags Sol, and Sol springboards, but Piper moves! Sol belly flops and Piper brings her over. Piper bumps Sol off buckles, tags in Chelsea, and they mug Sol in the corner. Chelsea whips Sol but Sol BLASTS Piper down! Sol goes up and over, trips Chelsea, then handsprings to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Sol drags Chelsea up, Chelsea breaks free, and Chelsea throws Sol down by her hair! Tag to Piper, but Sol avoids the senton!
Tag to Zaria and then Sol tags back in. Zaria BOOTS Piper, then she and Sol coordinate, HIGH LOW KICKS! Cover, but Chelsea breaks it! Only for Zaria to TOSS her out! Chelsea drags Zaria out, SMACKS her off the apron, but Sol builds speed! Sol FLIES, down goes Chelsea! The fans fire up for that one! But Piper is on the apron! CANNONBALL! Piper wipes out Sol & Zaria and the fans are thunderous while NXT goes picture in picture.
Piper helps Chelsea to her feet, makes sure her hair is okay, then stomps Zaria. Chelsea puts Sol in the ring, stalks her, but Zaria tags in. Chelsea SLAPS Zaria, then hits a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea drags Zaria up but Zaria finds body shots. Chelsea ROCKS Zaria, bumps her off buckles, and tags in Piper. Piper fires hands, RAMS into Zaria again and again, then gets space. Zaria dodges, hot tag to Sol! Sol runs but Piper CLOBBERS her! Piper bumps Sol off buckles, fires forearms, then tags Chelsea. Chelsea reels Sol in for a waistlock and SLAMS her down! Chelsea drags Sol up, taunts Zaria, but Sol fires body shots.,
Chelsea waistlocks, Sol switches, but Chelsea bucks the O’Conner! Sol comes back to DECK Chelsea! Chelsea goes to a corner, Sol runs up, but Chelsea dodges! Sol goes up the corner, but Chelsea YANKS her down! Sol flounders, Chelsea pushes her to a cover, TWO! Chelsea is frustrated, but she drags her up. Chelsea taunts Zaria, then bumps Sol off buckles. Chelsea tags Piper and Piper tags Chelsea back in. They ripcord and SLAP to then LARIAT! Chelsea covers, TWO! Chelsea clamps on with a body scissors and squeezes tight! Sol endures, fights around, but Chelsea pulls hair. Chelsea rolls Sol to a cover, TWO!
Chelsea still holds onto Sol, but Sol pushes back for a cover, TWO! Chelsea lets sol go but then facelocks to keep her down. Chelsea CLUBS Sol, NXT returns to single picture, and Sol fires body shots. Sol reaches out but Chelsea holds her back! Sol fires forearm after forearm, but Chelsea THROWS her down by her hair! Tag to Piper, and Piper hauls Sol up. Piper has a leg, but Sol ENZIGIRIS! Sol crawls, but Piper KICKS her in the side! Piper drags Sol away from Zaria, suplexes, but Sol wrenches out to ROUNDHOUSE! Sol reaches out for Zaira, but Chelsea is lurking! Chelsea YANKS Zaria down! Sol is stunned, but Piper CLOBBERS her!
Piper TOSSES Sol across the way, then SPLASHES! Tag to Chelsea and Piper puts Sol up top. Sol BOOTS Piper, SHOVES Chelsea, and then adjusts! CROSSBODY! Down go Piper & Chelsea! Hot tag to Zaria! The fans fire up as Zaria BOOTS Piper, then catches Chelsea for a GERMAN SUPLEX! LARIAT for Piper and the fans fire up as Zaria GERMAN SUPLEXES Chelsea again! Zaria dodges Piper, Piper fights the suplex, but Zaria SPEARS her down! Zaria roars, and she SPEARS Chelsea! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Chelsea survives by a literal foot and Zaria is stunned! Zaria drags Chelsea up, fireman’s carries, but Piper storms in!
Piper saves Chelsea, Sol runs in! Piper LARIATS Sol, Chelsea hits a CODE BREAKER on Zaria! Chelsea holds Zaria down, the NXT fans are coming up with a “Pledge of Allegiance to Chelsea Green” on the spot, and Piper SENTONS onto Zaria! Cover, TWO!! Zaria survives, and she has a bloody nose! Chelsea is furious either way, and she hoists Zaria up. But Zaria turns chicken wings into an Electric Chair! Tag to Sol and she goes up! QUEBRADA DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Piper runs up, but Sol moves! The SPLASH hits Chelsea! Piper panics, but Zaria wrenches and fireman’s carries! F5 onto Chelsea!!
Chelsea sputters and staggers up, Sol runs, SOUL SNATCHER!!! Cover, Sol & Zaria win!!
Winners: Sol Ruca & Zaria, by pinfall
Whatever is left of Chelsea, she just lost to the upstarts! Will Chelsea owe Sol a shot at the gold now?
Jordynne Grace talks with Ava Raine backstage.
The Juggernaut knows the NXT General Manager knows, but there is unfinished business between her and Roxanne Perez from Battleground. Ava does know that, and given how she interrupted Grace- Cora Jade interrupts and says this is crazy! Because Ava told her she had time to talk today. Yes, but Ava and Grace were just finishing up. Grace says maybe Cora is just here to protect her BFF. Cora says what Grace is not gonna do is act like she knows Cora. Because FYI, Cora and Roxie are NOT BFFs anymore. But Cora is here to thank Ava, because Ava just set up a match of Cora and Grace’s best buddy, Masha Slamovich, for the TNA Knockouts Championship.
Oh, and when Cora takes the title, she’ll take it to places neither Grace nor Masha ever did. Wow, Cora and Roxie are perfect for each other. Uh, Cora will hold Grace’s hand when she says this: an NXT superstar holding the TNA title will make it more important than it has ever been. Especially when that person is Cora. Grace tells Cora that the day she wins the Knockouts title is the day Grace retires. Then start packing now! Ava has them calm down, because she knows where this is going. Ava isn’t even mad about it, because they can settle it in the ring. Cora said exactly what she thought. Bye-bye, Jordynne~! Bye~!
Cora heads out, but does she understand what she’s gotten herself into? Or will the Generation of Jade not even make it to her match with Masha?
Trick Williams talks with Ava Raine.
Trick is not letting it end like this. They all heard what Eddy Thorpe said last week, he will fight Trick anytime, anywhere! Ava says that’s not how this works, but then in step Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon. They heard Ava got a new office, so they got her a gift basket. Trick says now is not the time. Come back later with the package. Okay, thanks, bye. Kale says, “Calm down, brochacho. We’re just here to give Ava a gift.” Trick asks, “Did I stutter? I said come back with your package. Go bother Mr. Chase or something.” Wow, Trick is gonna talk about Chase like that? Facts: Trick is literally the reason Chase U got put on the line in the first place!
Trick shoves Kale right up against the wall! Trick is NOT playing with your punk ass! They’ll find out tonight, while Ava makes up her mind about Trick VS Eddy. Trick storms off, Kale and Uriah says, “In honor of Mr. Chase.” But is Kale biting off far more than he can chew? Or will the last class of Chase U find a way to Whoop Dat Trick?
Kelani Jordan VS Jaida Parker!
These two have argued, fought, snapped at each other, and just can’t stand each other. Will this match finally put things to rest?
NXT returns and Kelani makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two tie up, go around, and then break. Jaida shoves Kelani, Kelani shoves back, and they tie up again. Jaida gets under Kelani to RAM her into a corner! And RAM her again, and again, and again! Jaida lets off as the ref counts, then she whips corner to corner. Kelani goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DROPKICKS Jaida down! Jaida goes toa corner, Kelani RAMS into her! And RAMS into her again, and again! Kelani lets off, snapmares, and she sets up to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kelani clamps onto Jaida’s arm and grinds.
Kelani wrenches and YANKS the arm, wrenches and YANKS again, then steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, but Kelani is right back on the arm. Jaida endures, powers up and out, then she ELBOWS Kelani down! Jaida runs, Kelani stays low then LARIATS! Jaida almost loses her head and Kelani is fired up! Kelani drags Jaida up, but Jaida ROCKS her! Jaida puts Kelani through the ropes, ROCKS her, then runs, but Kelani jumps over the slide to DOUBLE STOMP! Jaida staggers away, Kelani ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Miss Parker and Kelani says that’s why no one does it like Lani! Kelani puts Jaida in, to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Jaida stays in this and Kelani grows frustrated. Kelani drags Jaida up, whips, but Jaida reverses. Kelani ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Jaida dodges to CLOBBER Kelani! Jaida is mad now, and she storms around. Jaida runs up, but Kelani BOOTS her away! And ROUNDHOUSES! Kelani goes up top, but Jaida hurries to trip her up! Jaida CLUBS Kelani, then climbs up after her. Jaida scoops for a TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER! Kelani tumbles to apron then floor, and Jaida tells her, “Who you messing with!?” Jaida is all fired up while NXT goes picture in picture.
Jaida drags Kelani up, puts her back in the ring, then rolls in to drag Kelani up. Jaida snap suplexes, then drags Kelani back up to TOSS out! Kelani flounders, Jaida goes out after her, and whips her into the apron! Then back into the apron! And back into the apron again! Jaida shakes out the bad arm, and she THROWS Kelani into barriers! Jaida storms back into the ring just to refresh the count. Jaida then stands Kelani up, but Kelani whips! Only for Jaida to reverse and send her into barriers! Jaida COHPS Kelani, stalks her along the way, then pushes her into the ring. Jaida storms up on Kelani to CLUB her down!
Jaida pushes Kelani, covers, TWO! Jaida is annoyed but she clamps onto Kelani with a body scissors! Kelani endures, pries at the legs, but Jaida puts on the squeeze! Kelani fights around, Jaida rolls her, TWO! Kelani pushes back to a cover, TWO! Jaida holds on, and she CLUBS away on Kelani’s back! Jaida puts on more pressure, but her bad arm doesn’t let her stay up for long. Kelani pries at the hold again, throws elbows at Jaida, and Jaida lets her go. Kelani goes to a corner, Jaida runs up, but only gets buckle! Kelani O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kelani hits buckles, Jaida drags her up to put her in the ropes!
Jaida CHOPS Kelani, then gets space. TEARDROP! Jaida high steps, talks smack, then suplexes Kelani for a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kelani survives but Jaida stays on her. Jaida sits Kelani up, CLUBS her on the back again and again, then steps over! NXT returns as Kelani endures the step-over motorcycle stretch! Kelani UP KICKS, then she blocks a kick! Kelani slips around to leg-hook LEG SWEEP! Kelani hurries to get Jaida back up, but Jaida JAWBREAKERS! Jaida storms up to whip, but Kelani reverses. Kelani runs in, Jaida puts her on the apron, and Jaida RAMS Kelani! Kelani falls to the floor but Jaida goes out after her.
Jaida puts Kelani in, counter punches, then aims. Jaida RAMS into a facelock! Kelani makes it a SMASH, then a slingshot GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!! Jaida survives but Kelani drags Jaida up. They fire forearms back and forth, harder and harder! The fans rally, Jaida CHOPS, then Jaida dragon sleepers! INVERTED- NO, Kelani slips free, rebounds, and LARIATS! And LARIATS! And handspring BACK ELBOWS! Kelani kips up and the fans fire up! Kelani kicks Jaida, reels her in, but Jaida stops the DDT! Jaida scoops but Kelani slips free! Kelani has the dragon sleeper, SLICE! Cover, TWO!!
Jaida survives the leg drop DDT and Kelani is beside herself! The fans fire up, Kelani drags Jaida to a drop zone. Kelani goes up, up, but Jaida avoids the moonsault! Kelani rolls through, rolls Jaida up, TWO! Jaida pops Kelani up to a fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up as Jaida crawls to the cover, TWO! Kelani stays in this but Jaida fireman’s carries. Kelani fights free, CROSSFACE CHICKEN- NO, Jaida fights that, then RAMS Kelani into buckles! Jaida CHOPS, then puts Kelani in the ropes again. Jaida CHOPS Kelani, then goes outside? Jaida goes up the corner! But Kelani KICKS her from below!
Kelani gets up to GAMANGIRI, then she goes up! The fans fire up while Jaida fights the suplex! They brawl, and Jaida is on the very top! Kelani gets her for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! But Jaida flounders out of the ring! Jaida survives and the fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Kelani goes out, but Jaida trips her up! Kelani flops off the apron, into the HIP-NOTIC!! Jaida wants another! HIP-NOTIC into the steel steps!! Kelani staggers back up, staggers over to Jaida, and puts her in the ring. “This is Awesome!” as Kelani climbs up the corner again. Jaida stands to ROCK Kelani first! Jaida climbs, but Kelani ROCKS her!
Kelani HAMMERS away, and Jaida falls into the drop zone! 450 FLOP!! HIP-NOTIC!! Cover, Jaida wins!!
Winner: Jaida Parker, by pinfall
Kelani flies high, but she crashes ‘n’ burns! Miss Parker says she’ll be at Roadblock watching Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer. #ClockIt! The champions are surely taking note of this rising contender, but will it be the Beautiful Madness or La Primera when Jaida takes her shot on goal?
Backstage interview with The D’Angelo Family.
Kelly Kincaid is with The Don, as well as Adriana Rizzo, Luca Crusifino & Stacks. Kelly says the last time Tony was in this building, he was driven from the top rope onto a steel chair, all by Shawn Spears. Tony says first thing’s first, welcome back Kelly, it is good to see her again. But Tony’s mother always told him, “If you got nothing good to say about a woman, say nothing.” Now, Tony has a lot to say about Izzi Dame. But he is sure our friends at CW will respect his decision to just say, next question. Fair enough. How is Tony’s back? Is this too soon for a return?
Tony says he understands Stacks’ concern for his back. About going out there in this condition. And it is Stacks’ call when Tony’s not around. But Tony’s here. And while clearly Spears is putting together a “little family” of his own, understand this: There is only ONE family in NXT, and that’s the D’Angelo Family. The Don may not physically be 100%, but he is 100% focused. Will nothing The Chair Man does stop Tony from being the North American Champion?
NXT checks in on the Roadblock Press Conference.
Oba Femi is at the podium, and the first question is, after having a few defenses now, what is it like to defend his title while also representing NXT against a wrestler from a different company? Oba says holding the title and representing the brand is not something he takes lightly. But Moose is a five star athlete, and we will witness two Nigerian titans go head to head for the first time. But this match is one Oba cannot afford to lose. Because if he does, we’d have a TNA wrestler running around with the NXT Championship around his waist. Oba will not allow it.
The second question is the size difference between Oba and Moose, given they have similar builds. Oba says you all saw the match with Lexis King last week. Moose is big, like Oba, and he is no slouch. That man can go. But one thing holds true: Oba has faced men smaller than him, equal in size to him, and even a few somehow bigger than him. But Oba hits first, and he hits hard. When he gets his hands on Moose, Moose will wish he never left the NFL. Oba says no more questions, but he will leave us with this: At The Theater in Madison Square Garden, Oba will walk in and walk out the NXT Champion, and still The Ruler.
The Hardy Boyz are here!
While their NXT in-ring debut was last week, this is the first time Matt & Jeff have been here in Orlando’s NXT Arena! The fans are all fired up as the Hardy Boyz go to the ring, and they chant, “Welcome Home! Welcome Home!” Jeff & Matt take a moment to revel in that. Jeff says, “Man oh man oh man! The last few weeks have felt surreal! It feels so good to be here in NXT! And it feels so damn good to be back home in the WWE!” Matt thanks the fans, and he says he feels the love. Coming home to WWE, to be on NXT for the very first time, and to be able to face a top team like No Quarter Catch Crew, it was exhilarating! It was amazing!
And Matt must tell us, they’ve been all over. Millions and millions of miles! But the positivity of the NXT locker room is off the charts! Something special is happening here in NXT! Jeff says amen, the fire in the eyes are alive, and the hunger is infectious. The Hardys looked Fraxiom in the eyes, and Jeff has to say, he saw the same fire that took him and Matt to unimaginable heights in this business! Wait, Hank ‘n’ Tank come out here? The fans are a bit torn, but Tank apologizes. They mean no disrespect! They actually came out here to say, “Thank you.” Yes, thanks for showing us all what it means to be a tag team!
Hank ‘n’ Tank just want some advice. Because who better to ask than the GOATS? Hank says he and Tank have been feeling like they’ve missed something. Something to take them to the next level. What do they gotta do? Matt says they know who Hank ‘n’ Tank are, they enjoy Hank ‘n’ Tank’s work, and they respect Hank ‘n’ Tank. But they’re young, strong, big, and hungry! But sometimes, to make someone notice you, you gotta break the norm. Yeah, Jeff says sometimes, you gotta take things to the extreme! Oh, extreme? Like tables? Like ladders? Like chairs? Oh my! No no no! It’s more than that!
It’s about getting outside your comfort zones and going past your perceived limits, beyond what you are. Matt says look at Hank ‘n’ Tank. They have the same hunger as the Hardys had in 1998 when they debuted in WWE! And when they first went extreme, it wasn’t about TLC. It was about taking risks, and bet on themselves, and step to challenges that seem impossible and make them possible! Wait, wait, wait, here comes Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura! The Bullhead Brawler says he hates interrupting a Hardy Party, but he’ll be blunt with them. Hank ‘n’ Tank need to remove their lips from the Hardy Boys’ asses! They see what you’re doing!
Briggs wants everyone to listen, but the fans just boo. Briggs tells Matt & Jeff that they can give Hank ‘n’ Tank all the advice under the sun, but it’s a waste of breath. If Hank ‘n’ Tank want advice then stop playing damsels in distress. The Hardys ain’t giving Hank ‘n’ Tank a title shot, Briggs & Inamura are taking it! If Hank ‘n’ Tank got a problem with that, then do something about it! It’s THEIR turn! Hank asks Tank if he’s thinking what Hank’s thinking. Tank says extremely! They DOUBLE DIVE onto Briggs & Inamura! The fans fire up as these four big boys brawl to the back, but wait! Someone sneaks in behind the Hardys!
But Matt says, “Fraxiom! I knew you’d come~! HAHAHAHAHA!” Yep, Axiom & Frazer are there! Axiom says what a dream match: The greatest tag team of today VS the greatest tag team of all time. In just seven days. Make sure to bring your best. The fans chant “DELETE! DELETE!” Frazer says they most certainly will. And next week, they put the discussion to bed. Time to find out who is truly the best tag team today! Then see you in New York City. The Hardys hold up their belts, but will they still have those belts after battling Fraxiom in the Big Apple?
Jordynne Grace VS Cora Jade!
The Juggernaut wants to make an impact on NXT, and while she wants payback on The Prodigy, she’ll warm up using Roxie’s former best friend. But will Cora prove she can be TNA Knockouts Champion by taking down a former champion? Or will Cora be the one jaded?
Masha is in the crowd and smiles at Cora. Cora tells her to shut up and sit down. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Grace headlocks for the takeover, but Cora fights up. Grace hits another takeover, but Cora fights up again. Grace hits a third takeover, and Cora gets frustrated. Cora pulls hair, wrenches out, then headlocks in return. Grace powers up and out, blocks a boot, but Cora gest around to roll Grace. Grace rolls through to fireman’s carry! Grace RAMS Cora into the corner, RAMS her again, but Cora slips free. Cora whips but Grace reverses! Cora hits buckles, the fans fire up, and Grace whips to CLOBBER Cora!
Grace runs to LARIAT, then she dares Cora to get up. Cora stands, Grace atomic drops her, then shoves her for a scoop and tilt-o-whirl SLAM! Cover, TWO! Cora stays in this but Grace stays focused. Grace brings Cora up to LARIAT Cora front and back! Cora sputters, Grace winds up, but Cora dodges! Only for Grace to scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up as Grace watches Cora go to a corner. Grace runs up to UPPERCUT, but then Cora pulls hair! Cora THROWS Grace into buckles! The fans boo but Cora runs corner to corner, and BOOT WASHES Grace! Cover, ONE!! Grace is tougher than that, but Cora pushes her around.
Cora SMACKS Grace off the mat, but the fans rally for Grace. Cora stands Grace up, reels her in, but Grace blocks! Grace shakes her head, wrenches free, and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Grace runs, but Cora follows to ROCK Grace! Cora KICKS the legs out, then runs to IMPLODER- NO, Grace avoids the stomps! Cora drags Grace up from the apron to fire KNEES in the ropes! Cora then shoves Grace down, mocks her, and soaks up the heat while NXT goes picture in picture.
Cora drags Grace up and through the ropes, CLUBS away on her! Cora runs to then DROPKICK! Grace flops into the ring, Cora covers, ROPEBREAK! Cora HAMMERS away on Grace, then lets off. Grace drags herself up, Cora kicks low, but Grace hits back. Cora whips Grace, Grace reverses, and Grace scoops for a POWERSLAM! Grace goes up to VADER FLOP! Cora stomps Grace down, then SMACKS her off the mat! Cora soaks up the heat while she cleans off her hands. Cora goes up and IMPLODER STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Grace is still tougher than that, but she slaps some fire back into herself. Cora paces, brings Grace up, but Grace fights the lift!
Grace RAMS Cora into a corner! The ref has Grace back up to check Cora. Grace eggs Cora on, but even the ringside physician checks Cora. Grace paces while she waits and NXT returns to single picture. Cora is still being checked on, and she has to call it. Grace wins by stoppage!
Winner: Jordynne Grace, by referee stoppage
Not quite a knockout, but this is the difference between a Juggernaut and everyone else. Will Cora be alright to still challenge Masha at Sacrifice? Is this an example to what’s in store for Roxie?
Video interviews with Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans.
All Ego and the Young OG are naturally in separate locations as Vic Joseph, Booker T & Corey Graves begin this interview ahead of their New York Street Fight next week. How did we get to this moment? Ethan says it goes back to December. Ethan had no path back to the title, yet some 20-year-old kid comes to the ring to give him a pep talk. Je’Von, look at you. Full of joy and energy, all because he’s in the WWE, living his best life. Meanwhile, it took almost Je’Von’s entire life for Ethan to just get to the WWE! And on top of that, Je’Von is gonna talk to Ethan about being a husband and father!?
That was the moment when Ethan realized, “Maybe it’s not All Ego, maybe I became All Soft.” And he snapped. Was it jealousy? Damn right! It is jealousy! Je’Von, listen to Ethan, because he means every single word of this: If Ethan could break Je’Von’s jaw again, he’d do it in a heartbeat! Ethan is the most dangerous he has ever been in his entire career. And NXT is silly enough to give Ethan a match with Je’Von, where there are no rules?! Absolutely none?! Je’Von says exactly, there won’t be any rules in New York! Je’Von hasn’t been able to talk for three months because of Ethan. Ethan took Je’Von’s smile, his joy, everything.
Je’Von has loved the WWE his whole life, and this situation has made him see it in a different way. Like last week, what was he doing? Rocking! What was Ethan doing? Running! But guess what? Next week, ain’t no running in New York! For three months, Je’Von had to deal with Ethan. It made Je’Von realize that there will be guys like Ethan trying to hold guys like Je’Von down, and he puts this on everything he loves, and even on his mama. Je’Von will not be held down no more. No one takes his joy, and no one takes his smile, straight facts! Then any last words before next week?
Je’Von and Ethan both want to speak, but they both get mad over the other interrupting. Ethan vows to end Je’Von’s career! Je’Von says Ethan messed up. But who will have the last word when these two get to cut loose in The Theater?
Trick Williams VS Kale Dixon w/ Uriah Connors!
Whether or not Trick is at fault that Chase U was collateral damage with Ridge Hollands is only for historians to decide. But Mr. Chase isn’t exactly going to be the one teaching that class… Will Chase U be avenged? Or will Kale learn first hand why you don’t get on Trick’s bad side?
NXT returns and Trick makes his entrance. Kale and Uriah have one last pep talk, then the bell rings, TRICK SHOT!! Trick rains down fists on Kale, the ref has Trick back off, it’s OVER! KNOCKOUT!!
Winner: Trick Williams, by referee stoppage
Trick isn’t done, though, as he grabs a mic and calls out Eddy Thorpe! “You just saw your whole life flash before your eyes! You want me? Come out here and see what it’s about then, dawg!” And here comes The Alpha Wolf! Trick is ready, but then Eddy is in the perch! Eddy grins as he says Trick has really been struggling with not being the man around here anymore. But Trick still walks around here like he is, right? Even though they both know it should be EDDY dammit! Eddy beat Trick at Vengeance Day, but it looks he’s gotta beat it into Trick and the fans that Eddy IS the man. And it has to be definitive.
So in two weeks, Eddy VS Trick! They do this in NXT UNDERGROUND! Trick says if Eddy wants him in two weeks, he’ll see his punk ass in the Underground! The fans like the sound of that! But when there’s no ropes and no holding back, who will make it out in one piece?
ROXIE ATTACKS GRACE!
The Prodigy clearly used a chair and whatever else is backstage to take down the Juggernaut! Roxie says, “Welcome to NXT!” But refs rush in to stop Roxie! Roxie drops the chair, leaves Grace behind, but has she only added fuel to the fire?
NXT checks back in on the press conference.
Moose now takes the podium, and he has one last question. He has competed in a lot of big matches in TNA, but where does his match with Oba rank in his career? Moose says he is a prizefighter and always fights for the biggest prizes. So when the NXTNA collaboration was official, he knew there was one match he wanted. Moose was patient, waited, and when the right opportunity came to cross over, here we are. If he’s being honest, there is no match bigger in this relationship than Oba VS Moose. And he gives credit where credit is due, Oba has been one hell of a champion in NXT. And he will be a major player in the WWE for many, many years.
And he can be the Ruler of NXT, he just won’t be NXT Champion. Because next week, Moose leaves Roadblock with TWO titles, as your dual TNA X-Division & NXT Champion. Moose will be the Face of Both Franchises. Moose heads out, and Ava takes the podium. The NXT GM says Roadblock is shaping up to be the biggest show in NXT history. And based on what’s happened the past couple of weeks, including tonight, Ava can announce now, Roxanne Perez VS Jordynne Grace will happen for The Theater in Madison Square Garden. Alright, they’ll wrap this up with one final question just for her.
A hand shoots up, and it’s Fallon Henley of the Fatal Influence. Fallon says they are all “dying” to know why Fallon hasn’t gotten her rematch for the Women’s North American Championship. First it was Karmen Petrovic, and now Giulia is getting her shot? What about Fallon!? Ava says they can talk about this later. Fallon says NO, they talk about this now! Ava says no, she’s got the main event to watch, but Fallon will not let her leave! Ava does leave, Jacy & Jazmyn also complain, but if there’s one person not under The Influence, it’s the Final Boss of NXT. But what will Ava say about Fallon’s rematch?
Ricky Saints crosses paths with Ridge Holland.
Ricky offers a fist bump as he introduces himself, and Ridge says he knows who Ricky is. Big win in his debut last week. But it didn’t move Ridge. Ricky doesn’t belong. Oh, okay. Well, guess what? Get used to seeing a whole lot of him. Ricky moves on, only to cross paths with Shawn Spears. Spears smiles, and says this revolution will be televised, when Spears wins the North American Championship. Spears keeps smiling as he leads Izzi Dame, Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen on. Will The Chair Man be in charge? Or will he just have to FOGEDABOUTIT?
NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo VS Shawn Spears!
From day one, The Don said he would run NXT. And though many doubted him, he backed up his word, and just look at him now! Though, perhaps the painful truth The Chair Man brings tonight is that he will do exactly the same thing. Will Spears finally have the gold he has been hunting? Or will nothing stop The D’Angelo Family from being THE family in NXT?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who really runs things around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tony and Spears stare down, then Spears throws a shot! Tony counter punches, fires more shots, then whips. Spears reverses, Tony ducks but Spears hits a THESZ PRESS! Spears rains down fists, Tony gets away to a corner, but Spears CHOPS him! Tony just snarls at him! The fans fire up as Tony puts Spears in the corner! Tony CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then fires haymakers! Tony whips, Spears reverses, but Tony comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Tony while Spears’ team freaks out. Tony drags Spears up and puts him up top! Tony climbs up, then he fires hands!
Spears throat chops, Tony staggers back, and Spears hops down. Spears knees low, HEADBUTTS Tony, then he whips. Tony reverses but Spears KICKS Tony away! Spears runs, Tony dodges and SUPERMAN PUNCHES! Cover, ONE!! Spears stays in this but Tony stays cool. Tony stands Spears up to ROCK him, then he follows Spears to a corner. Tony hoists Spears up top, climbs up, and he throws more hands. The fans rally, but Jensen, Izzi & Niko all bark! The ref tells them to get down, but Tony tells his people to stand down. This is his fight, not theirs. Stacks and the others understand, and then Tony hits a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Spears is still in this, but the fans are still behind Tony. Tony stands up while NXT goes picture in picture.
Tony drags Spears up, throws hands, then stalks Spears to another corner. Tony RAMS into Spears again and again, then brings Spears out for more shots. Tony fires the fans up before he gives Spears that hockey scrum! Spears sputters, Tony paces, and Tony tells Spears’ team to back off. Tony goes up to Spears in the corner, and rains down fists! Spears slips out before 5 and trips Tony up! Tony gets stuck in ropes, and Spears hits a DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Tony writhes, Spears storms up, and Spears stomps away on him! The ref has Spears back off, and Spears hobbles a bit as he soaks up the heat.
Spears goes back to Tony, drags him up, and scrapes laces off Tony’s face! Tony sputters and flounders, but Spears drags him around to scrape him again. Spears goes out, grabs his chair, but the ref stops him from bringing it in! This isn’t that kind of match! Spears says fine, and he drops the chair. Then Tony BLASTS Spears down! Tony goes out to drag Spears up and SMACK him off the apron! Tony puts Spears in, runs up, but Spears SUPERKICKS! Tony staggers, Spears hits a CODE BREAKER! NXT returns to single picture as Spears covers, TWO! Tony stays in this and Spears grows frustrated, both “families” coach their leaders on.
Spears drags Tony around, STOMPS his face, then taunts The D’Angelo Family. Spears STOMPS Tony again, then paces around. Tony writhes, Spears drags him up by his hair, and he HIP DROPS Tony down! Spears drags Tony up by his straps, and HIP DROPS him again! The fans rally for Tony, but Spears clamps on with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Tony endures as Spears pulls him back, and the fans rally up. Tony gets his arms free, stands up, and he fires body shots! The fans rally more as Tony fires more shots. Tony whips, Spears reverses, and Spears wrenches to dragon sleeper! BACKBREAKER! Tony writhes and the fans boo.
Spears stalks Tony, drags him up again, and says, “Your family’s done! You hear me?!” Spears says Tony will have nothing, because he is nothing! Tony grabs Spears by the face! The fans fire up as Tony says how’s this for nothing!? They start throwing hands, and Tony gets the edge! Tony whips, CLOBBERS, and DECKS Spears! Then BELLY2BELLY! Spears flounders while the fans fire up with Tony! Tony runs corner to corner, but Spears dodges! Tony stops short, comes back, SPEAR on Spears! Cover, TWO!! Spears survives and Tony grows frustrated, but the D’Angelo Family coaches him up.
Tony goes out, drags Spears up, but Spears RAMS Tony into the apron! The ring count climbs but Spears puts Tony in the ring. Spears goes up the corner, AX- NO, Tony body shots first! Tony reels Spears in, but Spears keeps Tony from getting a leg! Spears trips Tony, ties up the legs, SHARPSHOOTER! Tony endures as Spears sits way back! Spears keeps Tony from the ropes, but Tony powers up! Tony pushes up as the fans rally behind him, and he powers out!! Spears is shocked, but Tony says bring it! Tony blocks a kick, reels Spears in, FOGEDABOUTIT! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Izzi helped with that one!!
RIZZO TACKLES IZZI! The fans fire up as now the brawl is on! Things spill into the ring, only for Luca to LARIAT Niko up and out! Then Stacks LARIATS Jensen up and out! The ref ushers Stacks out, but then Spears SHOVES Stacks into Tony, AND TONY FALLS ON THE CHAIR!! The fans lose their minds, Stacks freaks out, and Stacks goes to check on Tony. Spears storms out, tells Stacks to move, and says, “So much for family!” Spears puts Tony in the ring, fireman’s carries, and hits C4!! Cover, TWO!??! Tony survives and shocks everyone! Stacks is relieved that he didn’t just cost The Don his gold.
The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as Spears drags Tony around. Spears rains down fists, even as the fans rally up. Spears brings Tony up, fireman’s carries again, but Tony fights free! “This is Awesome!” but Spears still THROWS Tony! Tony handsprings through!? Tony staggers, comes back, SPINE- NO, the back gives out!! Spears cradles Tony, SPEARS WINS!!
Winners: Shawn Spears, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)
The air comes out of the building as Tony literally crumples under Spears! It looked like The Don was going to pull off the comeback, but it was his literal back that fell apart. Is this proof that Spears was right all along?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT that was also part go-home to Roadblock, but WWE needs to decide the marketing on Roadblock already. They put “WWE Roadblock” on the posters and press conference podium, but the graphics and video packages have been using “NXT Roadblock.” I’ll personally go with the latter because duh, this is still very much an NXT only event. And as I expected last week, we are getting Jordynne Grace VS Roxanne Perez, but not quite how I expected. Grace and Cora had a good promo, and were having a great match until an apparent injury to Cora’s face, or possibly even concerns of a concussion because she seemed pretty rattled. Roxie attacking Grace was certainly still the plan, that’s good stuff to lead into next week.
Great tag match from Sol & Zaria VS Chelsea & Piper, and what a great image of angry Chelsea with her bloody nose. But also, a great win for Sol & Zaria. As I wondered last week, we could see Sol & Zaria build up towards the tag titles, but we could also see Sol get in on the Women’s US Championship story now since she pinned Chelsea. Great match from Kelani VS Jaida, and a great win for Jaida. Naturally, Jaida calls out Giulia and Vaquer, wanting the winner and both those titles. Fallon & Fatal Influence had a good promo as part of the press conference promos, and it makes me wonder if Stand & Deliver sees either a Double Header or a Triple Threat Winner Takes All…
The press conference stuff is always a little cheesy, but it at least gave Oba and Moose a reason to give last promos before Roadblock. As I said last week, I don’t see Oba losing the NXT Championship, and despite all we saw tonight, I don’t see The Hardy Boyz losing the TNA World Tag Team Championships. They had a good promo segment with those other teams, but I’m surprised the fans booed Hank ‘n’ Tank for interrupting. Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Briggs & Inamura will be good stuff, as will Hardys VS Fraxiom. I’m sure Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Briggs & Inamura will be an unofficial contender’s match, but with that, I feel like Briggs & Inamura should win.
Great interview promo from Je’Von and Ethan, and that New York Street Fight is going to be awesome. Ethan has done damage to Je’Von, he won at Vengeance Day, so this has to be Je’Von winning for vindication. Good stuff with this “Crashed Out” Trick, as he gets in Kale’s face and then demolishes him in the ring. I feel like all this needs to light a fire back inside Mr. Chase so we can get Chase U or Chase Tech or whatever for this new era. Trick VS Eddy in NXT Underground is going to be awesome stuff, and I have no idea who wins that. And we got more of a cameo from Ricky Saints and Ridge Holland, but that certainly teases something for down the line.
And great stuff from Tony D VS Shawn Spears. When Tony survived C4 the first time, I was sure he was going to retain, but that false finish was just to lower our guard, and then what a surprise for Spears to win. I do like how Stacks was also a factor in things, possibly planting seeds for a D’Angelo family meltdown. The D’Angelo Family story started in NXT 2.0, so it was naturally goofy, but it has really become the hidden treasure of NXT, so whatever comes next is going to be really compelling stuff.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Who will win the Bullet Club: Civil War?
The War Dogs and House of Torture battle inside the brutal Dogpound Steel Cage to determine who is truly Bullet Club 4 Life!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; Hontai wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Ishii, Taichi, Yuya & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The United Empire; Bishamon & Taguchi win.
- NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Konosuke Takeshita; Time Limit Draw, ELP retains the title.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
- Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins.
- Dogpound Cage Match, Losers Leave Bullet Club: War Dogs VS House of Torture; War Dogs win and expel House of Torture from Bullet Club.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero!
The Headbanga just got this belt back form Great-O-Khan, and he’s already going double or nothing with AEW’s Alpha! ELP is putting his title on the line tonight before he and Konosuke battle for the NEVER Openweight Championship at Resurgence. Will ELP come to regret upping the ante?
The introductions are made, ELP’s belt is raised, and we see if it stays ELP’s belt!
Tensions are high as belts are put aside. ELP and Konosuke talk trash, but then an ALPHA ELBOW knocks ELP out of the ring! Jado protests, Rocky distracts the ref, and Konosuke builds speed to FLY! While still wearing his jacket! The fans duel, Konosuke puts his jacket aside, and Konosuke puts ELP in the ring. The bell finally rings, and Konosuke goes up top! ELP runs up, Konosuke leaps over and kicks low. Konosuke whips, ELP reveres, but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges and TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up and Konosuke brings ELP around. Konosuke suplexes, but ELP slips free and rolls Konosuke up, TWO!
Konosuke goes to a corner but ELP CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans ‘WOO~” and ELP whips, but Konosuke reverses. ELP goes up and over, keeps moving, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Somersault to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this and the fans rally up. ELP drags Konosuke up and has a straitjacket on the arm. Konosuke fights the lift with elbows, then wrenches free. Konosuke whips but ELP rolls off Konosuke’s back! ELP RANAS, then handsprings so he can LARIAT Konosuke up and out! The fans fire up again as now ELP builds speed! But Rocky gets Konosuke clear!
The fans boo and ELP storms out to glare at Azucar. But that lets Konosuke run up and CLOBBER ELP from behind! The fans boo but Konosuke and Rocky soak up the heat. Rocky talks trash, then Konosuke storms over to ELP. Konosuke stands ELP up to POST him! ELP slumps down to the floor, but he manages to stand up again. Konosuke stalks him around the way, then pushes him into the ring. Konosuke aims from the apron to slingshot SENTON! Konosuke taunts Jado but Jado coaches ELP. ELP sits up to CHOP! Konosuke eggs ELP on, so ELP CHOPS again! Konosuke stands ELP up so he can CHOP ELP down!
Konosuke stands ELP up again to wrench and whip corner to corner hard! ELP bounces off buckles and flops to the mat. Konosuke then stands on ELP at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off at 4, and the fans rally. Konosuke puts ELP in a corner to whip him corner to corner again, and just as hard! ELP falls, Konosuke covers, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans applaud, but Konosuke clamps on with a cobra clutch! ELP endures, fights around, but Konosuke thrashes him! Konosuke has the body scissors but the fans continue to rally. ELP reaches out with his free arm, but Konosuke hooks it with a leg! So ELP reaches out with a leg for the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer and ELP crawls his way to a corner. Konosuke makes his way over, stands ELP up, but ELP ROCKS Konosuke! And ROCKS him again! And again! But Konosuke ROCKS ELP in return! ELP staggers all the way back to the corner as we reach five minutes! Konosuke runs in and KNEES ELP down! Konosuke stands ELP back up, whips him corner to corner a third time, but ELP doesn’t bounce off the buckles. Konosuke runs up, but ELP ducks, and Konosuke’s jump knee hits buckles! Konosuke tumbles up and out to the floor! The fans fire up and ELP builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit and Konosuke goes over the railing!
The fans fire up and Jado coaches ELP. Rocky gets in ELP’s face, but now Jado creeps up on Rocky. Rocky turns around, sees Jado, apologizes, but then ELP KICKS Rocky, and TOSSES him over railing, onto Konosuke! ELP goes back to the ring, and the fans rally up as ELP aims from the ropes! The fans join in with “E! L! P!” SUPER THUNDERKISS ATTACK!! Down go Rocky and Konosuke!! The fans are thunderous and ELP can’t believe he made it! ELP drags Konosuke up to dump him back to ringside. The fans rally again as ELP puts Konosuke on the apron. ELP hops up, reels him in, and hooks the arms!
The fans fire up, but Konosuke fights free! Konosuke ROCKS ELP, then KNEES him in the face! ELP sputters, Konosuke reels him in, BLUE- NO, ELP grabs the ropes to block! ELP throws down elbow after elbow, then rolls into the ring. ELP RAMS Konosuke, goes up the ropes, but Konosuke drags him into a shoulder rack! ELP CLUBS Konosuke’s legs, slips down and POSTS Konosuke! Then he reels Konosuke back in! Konosuke fights the underhooks, so ELP lifts for an APRON PILEDRIVER!! Both men hit the floor and the fans fire up again! The ref checks, Konosuke is able to continue, so the ring count begins.
Both men crawl around at 5 of 20, but ELP stands first. Konosuke tries but flops over at 8. ELP rolls in at 10 but Konosuke is still down at 12! Konosuke sits up but is still down at 15! We hit 17! 18! 19! Konosuke springs in at 19.99!! The fans cheer as this continues, but the clock is still on ELP’s side. ELP stands Konosuke up to ROCK him with a forearm! ELP eggs Konosuke on, and Konosuke ROCKS him back! ELP comes back to ROCK Konosuke again! Konosuke snarls while ELP eggs him on. The forearms fly again and again, but ELP wobbles! Konosuke fires more shots, even boxing elbows, but ELP ENZIGIRIS!
ELP runs, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, ELP reverses, TAKESHITA LINE meets DROPKICK! ELP then springboards, into the ALPHA ELBOW! RAGING- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!! SUDDEN DEATH!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! ELP rises, he goes to a corner, and he tunes up the band! Konosuke rises, but then he drops! Sudden Death denied, but ELP reels Konosuke in! But Konosuke Alabama Lifts! And then he swings ELP around, into the BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! ELP survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel, Konosuke stalks ELP, and he puts ELP on the top rope.
Konosuke climbs up the corner as we hit the three minute warning. Konosuke lifts ELP but ELP fights with fists! ELP adjusts his position, and from the post, he SUNSET FLIPS and RUNNING POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives, but ELP reels him right in! Tuck and C R SPINNING DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Konosuke survives the CR3 and we hit two minutes left! ELP goes to the apron, climbs the ropes, but he’s a bit wobbly! Konosuke grabs him for a fireman’s carry! ELP fights free, shoves Konosuke, then dodges the lariat to springboard, but into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB?!?! Cover, TWO!!!
ELP survives that sudden turnaround, but Konosuke drags ELP right up. ELP wrenches free, slips around to waistlock, only for Konosuke to standing switch! Konosuke hops up, but ELP slips out the back, and then ELP hops on for a POISON-RANA!! The fans fire up and ELP throws off the elbow pads! ELP runs, but Konosuke slips around, hops on, POISON-RANA!! Konosuke runs, but ELP dodges! ONE MINUTE LEFT, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men roar, but then both men fall over! The fans rally as hard as they can, and both men rise as fast as they can! ALPHA ELBOW! Then the POWER DRIVE- RANA! Cover, TWO!
Konosuke sunset flips! TWO and ELP high stacks but then rolls Konsouke through, tucks the arms, but Konosuke BACKDROPS and SITS on the cover! TWO!! Under 20 seconds, POWER DRIVE KNEE!! Cover, ONE?!? Konosuke hurries to get the kneepad off, 10 seconds, but ELP LARIATS first!! ELP covers, ONE?!?! ELP tucks Konosuke in, but TIME IS UP!!
Time Limit Draw; ELP retains the title
Maybe ELP survived by the skin of his teeth, but maybe Konosuke was saved by the bell! At the very least, ELP denies Konosuke from becoming a two-time double champion. However, ELP is now the challenger to Konosuke’s NEVER Openweight Champion. They both have just SIX DAYS to prepare, will Konosuke NEVER let ELP be a double champion?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr!
The Final Road leads The Ace to face one of his best young rivals in the Front Man. Will President Tanahashi show that he is still just as mighty? Or will he #JustTapOut?
As usual, Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up for Tanahashi. Tanahashi and ZSJ circle, feel things out, then knuckle lock. They break, but come back to try again. They knuckle lock, then clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. Tanahashi switches but ZSJ drop toeholds. ZSJ hooks up the legs, then floats to a facelock, but Tanahashi rolls. ZSJ rolls away and the fans cheer the opening exchange. The fans rally again as the two reset. Tanahashi and ZSJ step up, feel out another knuckle lock, and they go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength. ZSJ bridges back, spins and wrenches to then wristlock.
Tanahashi cravats in return, but ZSJ wrenches an arm. Tanahashi powers his way back to the cravat, but ZSJ spins and wrenches again. Tanahashi reels ZSJ back in for the cravat! ZSJ bridges, wrenches, but Tanahashi again has the cravat! The fans rally but ZSJ puts Tanahashi in the corner. The ref calls for a break, ZSJ lets go, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulders. ZSJ then runs up, only for Tanahashi to ELBOW him away! Tanahashi goes up, up and CROSSBODIES! Tanahashi air guitars and the fans cheer! ZSJ goes to ropes but Tanahashi storms up to throw a body shot! Tanahashi whips but ZSJ reverses, only for Tanahashi to block!
Tanahashi dropkicks low but ZSJ avoids it! ZSJ then clamps on for the NECK TWIST! And then another NECK TWIST! Tanahashi writhes but ZSJ clamps on for a third NECK TWIST! The fans rally while the ref checks Tanahashi. Tanahashi is able to continue so ZSJ stands him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Tanahashi fires up! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and Tanahashi goes to the corner. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then he knuckle locks to wristlock. ZSJ forces Tanahashi down to a knee, then has the MOUNTED ARMBAR! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi in the side, and he gets the other arm! Tanahashi fights but ZSJ has the DOUBLE ARMBAR!
ZSJ pushes Tanahashi down, has a leg, and Tanahashi is in a pretzel knot of a cradle! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes and the fans fire up! ZSJ scuffs Tanahashi, eggs him on, and Tanahashi sits up. ZSJ KICKS Tanahashi, eggs him on some more, then KICKS again! Tanahashi staggers to the ropes but ZSJ KICKS him against the ropes! Tanahashi spotters, ZSJ looms over him, but Tanahashi rises to fire forearms! ZSJ UPPERCUTS in return! ZSJ whips, Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS in return! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he storms up to fire fast hands! The fans chant “GO ACE!” as Tanahashi ROCKS ZSJ!
Tanahashi scoops ZSJ to SLAM him into the drop zone! Tanahashi then goes up the ropes, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to rise, and Tanahashi runs, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs up, but into a BOOT! Tanahashi runs up, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs up, but he blocks the boot! DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi writhes and the fans rally, but ZSJ goes to the far side. ZSJ runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ snapmares, KICKS, and Tanahashi writhes! ZSJ aims from the corner again, and runs up to PENALTY- NO, Tanahashi blocks! ZSJ throws some slaps but Tanahashi just stares him down.
ZSJ slaps again and again, but Tanahashi leans into the shots! Then DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi keeps the leg, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ has the leg to REVERSE DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi seethes while ZSJ writhes and the fans rally up! Tanahashi waits on ZSJ, but ZSJ grabs the arms! Tanahashi fights the backslide, flips the hooks, but then ZSJ flips them back! The two fight for control, and Tanahashi has the BACKSLIDE! TWO, and Tanahashi has the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi brings ZSJ back up, but ZSJ scoops! Tanahashi fights free to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!
The fans fire up for the hattrick while both men are down. Tanahashi rises and the fans rally behind him. Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to rise, then he runs, but ZSJ scoops! ZACK DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Tanahashi and ZSJ roll to opposite ends, and ZSJ shakes out his bad leg. ZSJ scoots his way to Tanahashi but Tanahashi is on the apron. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up, wrenches and PELES the arm! Tanahashi drops to his knees on the apron but ZSJ goes out after him! Only for Tanahashi to grab a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi steps inside, has the other leg, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS!
Tanahashi powers up again and the fans rally! Tanahashi runs, and he SLINGBLADES ZSJ down! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but Tanahashi stays focused. Tanahashi goes up and the fans cheer for the HIGH FLY ATTACK! ZSJ is back down so Tanahashi goes back up! HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! ZSJ reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi flails, ZSJ squeeze tight, and ZSJ slaps his own leg into working! Tanahashi endures, fights up, pushes through and turns Triangle Hold into the Cloverhold! Tanahashi works to step over, but ZSJ fights that to reel Tanahashi back into the TRIANGLE HOLD!
The fans rally as Tanahashi endures again! ZSJ sits Tanahashi down, ARM- NO, Tanahashi high stacks ZSJ to a cover! TWO!! ZSJ escapes, and he UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, then full nelsons! But ZSJ drops down to victory roll, only for Tanahashi to roll it back! TWO!! ZSJ escapes, scoops, but Tanahashi cradles! TWO!! ZSJ escapes again, Tanahashi slips around and O’Conner Rolls, JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO!! ZSJ has a SLEEPER! Tanahashi rolls back, ZSJ rolls through, and he still has the SLEEPER! Tanahashi fights up, reaches out, and the fans rally as hard as they can, but Tanahashi is fading!
The ref checks, but ZSJ spins Tanahasi around! Scoop and SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall
The final time between these two goes to The Front Man! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but ZSJ does sit with Tanahashi to show his respect. The Final Road still has many stops to go, what other final showdowns will we see for The Ace?
Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!
Ever since The Roughneck started this Second Chapter, he’s had a new attitude, and he’s picked a fight with a Rampaging Dragon. Shota vows that one way or another, he will lead Hontai and all of NJPW. Will this be where his Paradigm Shift truly begins? Or will Takagi keep things tranquilo for Dontaku?
Takagi seems to anticipate something, as he’s bringing a chair with him to the ring. The ref warns him about that, but then Takagi pushes him aside! And he CHUCKS the chair at Shota! Shota dodges but Takagi fires off Shota in the other corner! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, and Takagi stops to put his jacket aside. The bell rings but Shota turns things around on Takagi to fire forearms! Takagi turns things back around to fire forearms of his own! Takagi then JABS, JABS, JABS until Shota sits down! The ref reprimands but Takagi pushes him aside again. Takagi whips corner to corner, runs up, but blocks Shota’s boot.
Shota avoids Takagi’s lariat, runs and RAMS shoulders, but Takagi doesn’t budge! Shota runs, RAMS Takagi again, then runs and RAMS him again! Takagi whips Shota out of the ring, but Shota slips back into the ring. Shota sends Takagi out, Takagi bumps into railing, and the fans rally up. Shota follows Takagi around the way, but Takagi ELBOWS and HEADBUTTS Shota! Takagi CLUBS Shota, then pushes him into the apron. Takagi whips, Shota reverses, and Takagi hits railing again! The fans rally while both men catch their breath. Shota storms over to Takagi, drags him up, and puts him in the ring.
The fans applaud and Takagi gets moving! Takagi RAMS Shota, Shota rebounds and he finally runs Takagi over! The fans rally and duel, and Shota watches Takagi go to a corner. Shota runs in and UPPERCUTS! Shota then hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let it bother him. Shota drags Takagi up but Takagi fights the lift. Shota CLUBS away on Takagi, brings him up and turns him, but Takagi fights free. Shota runs up but into the ELBOW! JAB! And feint to the JAB again! Then YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up, Takagi runs, and he LARIATS Shota up and out!
The fans rally as Takagi goes out after Shota. Takagi stands Shota up, then whips Shota into railing! Then he brings Shota around the way to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi grabs a chair, SMACKS Shota on the back, then CHUCKS the chair at Shota’s head! The ref reprimands while Shota slumps down, and the fans are a bit torn. Takagi kicks at Shota while he’s down, the ref reprimands more, so Takagi drags Shota up and back to ringside. Takagi puts Shota in the ring, has the fans rally more, and then winds up as Shota stands. Takagi runs in and LARIATS! Shota slumps back down but Takagi eggs him on.
Takagi kicks at Shota, but Shota kicks back! Takagi eggs Shota on more so Shota kicks more. Takagi kicks at Shota again, then even slaps him! Takagi CLUBS Shota, and Shota stands up in a huff. Shota fires a forearm, but Takagi shakes his head. Shota fires another forearm, but Takagi still shakes his head. Shota fires a third, but Takagi short arm LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS! Takagi reels Shota in and POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Takagi stays cool. The fans rally and Takagi gives Shota more scuffing kicks. Shota scowls but Takagi stands him up.
Takagi reels Shota in, pump handles, but Shota fights the lift! Takagi fires knees, but Shota slips around! Takagi fires elbows, then runs, but Shota dropkicks the leg! Takagi still kicks, but Shota blocks and DRAGON SCREWS! Shota turns Takagi over, steps through, STF! Takagi scrambles forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Shota lest go in frustration. Shota stands, brings Takagi up, and he half nelsons. Takagi fights that with elbows, then he RAMS Shota into a corner! Takagi fires elbow after elbow then ROCKS Shota! But Shota headbutts the buckles in a very Takagi way! Shota runs up, dodges, SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!
Takagi is up, he dodges Shota to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Shota is back up to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Shota runs up, but Takagi SWATS the lariat, and BLINDSIDE LARIATS in return! Takagi whips, Shota reverses and TORNADO- NO, Takagi denies that to ELBOW Shota! Takagi goes up the corner, TORNADO DDT! Shota staggers to his feet, but into the YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi hurries to bring Shota around. Pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up! Takagi is a bit surprised, but he stands up and has the fans rally again.
Takagi brings Shota around, pump handles, but Shota fights the torture rack! Shota CLUBS Takagi again and again, but Takagi LARIATS! Shota wobbles but shakes his head! Shota comes back, so Takagi LARIATS again! Shota stays on his feet, so Takagi winds up to LARIAT! Shota roars, Takagi JABS and HEADBUTTS, then SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up and Takagi brings Shota up. Takagi whips, Shota reverses, TORNADO DDT! Takagi is right up, but Shota LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota rises up as we reach ten minutes, and the fans rally again. Shota storms back over to Takagi and brings him up.
Shota reels Takagi in, and hits a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives but Shota just fires up more! The fans rally and Shota brings Takagi back up. Shota reels Takagi in, but Takagi sprawls to fight the suplex. Takagi wrenches out, but Shota ROCKS him! Takagi goes to a corner, checks his jaw, and then comes back to egg Shota on. Shota ROCKS Takagi, ROCKS him again, but Takagi fires boxing elbows in return! Takagi winds up to ROCK Shota! Takagi eggs Shota on some more and the fans rally back up. Shota nods and fires up! Shota fires boxing elbows of his own, then ROCKS Takagi! Shota runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT!
Takagi runs but Shota follows to LARIAT! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Shota LARIATS! Takagi is up to PUMPING BOMBER! But he can’t make the cover! The fans fire up as both men go to corners! Takagi runs in, but Shota meets him! DOUBLE LARIATS! Shota SWATS a lariat to DROPKICK! Takagi comes back, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! SHOTA LARIATS THROUGH!! Cover, ONE?!?! Takagi is still fighting but Shota gets moving! SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Shota just fires up more! Shota aims from a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE!! But that’s not all! Scoop and SECOND-
NO, Takagi fights through to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans rally while both men are down again! Shota goes to ropes, as does Takagi. They stand back up, biting the ropes even! They both run up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Then DOUBLE LARIATS again! Shota HEADBUTTS! Shota runs up, Takagi puts him in the ropes! TAKAGI G T R!! Then a pump handle and rack, BURNING DRAGON!! Takagi runs, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! Takagi brings Shota up, pump handles and torture racks again, for LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall
Shota’s Second Chapter still hasn’t quite turned things around, and he even has a bloody nose from that last impact. But has he learned what it takes to be an IWGP World Heavyweight Champion from a former champion like Takagi? Will Takagi find himself on the path back to that title soon enough?
Dogpound Cage Match, Losers Leave Bullet Club: War Dogs VS House of Torture!
For quite some time, there has been tension between the many branches of The Club. In some ways, this dates back to when Jay White led the Firing Squad. But things really escalated this year, when the New Beginning in Osaka became the beginning of the end! David Finlay leads Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors, “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori against Evil, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Sho, Ren Narita, and the newest traitor, Sanada! This will be the final battle, but who will prove they are THE Bullet Club?
Well, while they’re not directly in the match, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo are still ringside, because they’re as much part of this as the others. Even that aside, Evil and the boys are already armed. The King of Darkness has a chair while everyone else has their signatures, like the whiskey bottle, “Torture Tool,” pushup bar and guitar. The War Dogs are just as prepared, as there are kendo sticks, baseball bats, a trashcan full of other goodies, and Drilla is even wearing an ammo belt of silverware! But then The Rebel ups the ante by locking the cage door! No one in or out, except by the Dogs climbing the cage from all sides! The Dogs close in, the bell rings, and the war is on!
The fans fire up as Finlay goes after Evil, Gabe has Narita, Drilla has Sanada, Connors has Kanemaru and Taiji has Sho. Finlay shoves Evil into the cage, then into a POST! Gabe uses a kendo stick, but Narita takes that from him to SMACK him down! Only for Finlay to be all over Narita! Evil JAMS Finlay with a chair, puts him in the ring, and then Narita JAMS Connors and Gabe with that chair! Finlay and Evil brawl, Finlay HEADBUTTS and Evil CHOPS! Finlay kicks Evil, TOSSES him back out, but Evil JAMS Finlay with a kendo stick! Evil SMACKS Finlay with the stick, then Connors brings Narita into the ring.
Connors whips but Narita reverses, Connors hits buckles hard! They go back outside, so Taiji puts Sho in. Taiji stomps Sho, Evil SMACKS Connors, Finlay throws hands on Evil! Taiji SMACKS Sho around, Drilla CLAWS Narita’s face and SMACKS him with another kendo stick. Things spill back outside, Drilla JAMS Sho up! Gabe SMACKS Narita! The fans rally for Gabe, but Sanada CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Gabe puts Narita in the ring and the fans rally for the Mad Man. Gabe bumps Narita off buckles, then CHOPS again and again! The fans bark with every CHOP, and Gabe grabs himself a chair! Gabe winds up, and he CHUCKS the chair at Narita’s face!
Narita falls out of the ring and the fans fire up for Gabe! Gabe then goes out, only for Narita to HEADSHOT him with the chair! Narita SMACKS Gabe on the back! Taiji and Sho get back in the ring, and Taiji ROCKS Sho! But Sho CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho has his tool, but Taiji dodges the attack! Taiji then kicks low, whips, but Sho reverses. Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kanemaru DROPKICKS Taiji! Connors JEEP FLIPS Kanemaru! Narita BOOTS Connors! Gabe UPPERCUTS Narita, then hits the SAIDO! Evil LARIATS Gabe! Finlay hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sanada suplexes for the MAGIC SCREW!
Drilla steps in but Sanada KICKS the ropes! The fans boo as Sanada gets Drilla down low! But then Sanada has the legs! Drilla kicks free of the Paradise Lock, then DUMPS Sanada to the outside! Sanada gets up, ROCKS Drilla, then steps inside, only for Drilla to KICK the ropes! The fans cheer as Sanada tastes his own medicine! Drilla then hits a SPINEBUSTER, and the fans bark with Drilla. Drilla reels Sanada in, Canadian Racks, but Sho LOW BLOWS! The fans boo, but then Sanada grabs one of Drilla’s forks! Sanada STABS Drilla in the forehead! Sho hands out the forks, but Sanada DIGS his into Drilla’s forehead!
The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but that’s all he can do. Evil undoes the red corner’s buckle pad while Kanemaru and Sho each DIG their forks into Drilla! Evil is untying more buckle pads while the others keep the War Dogs down. We’re now in a four corners of danger situation! Connors returns, but he’s sent into steel buckles! Drilla is bloody already, but Kanemaru bumps him off buckles! Sho TOSSES Connors out while Sanada DIGS his fork into Drilla’s wound! The fans boo as Drilla suffers! Finlay is back but Evil kicks him low, then POSTS him hard! Finlay falls out of the ring, writhing while clutching his shoulder!
Sho digs Connors’ face into the cage, and Dick is there to DIG a fork into Connors’ forehead!! The fans boo as Dick JABS away on Connors! Evil and Sanada stand over Drilla in the ring, these two working together like the old days. Kanemaru SMACKS Taiji with a buckle pad! Sanada bumps Drilla off buckles, then BITES at the wound! That’s Cold Blooded to say the least! Evil stomps Connors, then Kanemaru takes a turn standing on Drilla’s neck! Kanemaru steps off to run up and BOOT Drilla in the corner! Evil uses the barbed wire from Connors’ hat to DIG at Drilla’s forehead! Drilla roars in anger, but Evil CHOKES Drilla with Dick’s Spoiler Choker!
The fans boo but Evil tells them to shut up. Taiji is thrown into the cage! Evil hits a FISHERMAN BUSTER on Drilla! Cover, TWO!! Drilla is still in this and Evil is furious. The fans cheer but Sho storms in. Gabe CHUCKS a table! Narita dodges and they brawl! Sho BITES Drilla’s forehead! Sho then digs his boot into the forehead, and so does Evil! Drilla pushes them back but Narita SMACKS Gabe’s face off the table again and again! Narita then BULLDOGS Gabe through the table! Gabe is stuck against the wood while Evil laughs at his pain. Drilla continues to be tortured by the House of Torture but the fans rally for him.
The House whips Drilla into a corner! Then Sho hits a LARIAT! Kanemaru adds an ELBOW! Narita adds an ELBOW! Sanada adds an ELBOW! Evil LARIATS, then he snapmares Drilla. Sho & Narita hold Drilla open, Kanemaru climbs up with a kendo stick, but the Dogs make the save! The fans rally, Connors dodges Kanemaru to SPEAR! The kendo stick goes flying! The Dogs each have a man, and they climb up to rain down fists! The fans bark as we go al the way to TEN! That’s a total of FIFTY right there! The Dogs then TOSS the House out, and Finlay keeps Sho in the ring. Sanada is sent into the steel, and then the Dogs make sure everyone is lined up.
Finlay brings Sho up to the top rope! Red Shoes and the fans freak out for the SUPER DUPER PLEX onto the group! Talk about a dogpile! The fans rally up again while all ten men are down! Gedo says c’mon, boys! Kill ’em all! The fans bark and the dogs rise up. Connors manages to stand, and he gets his baseball bat! Connors stalks Kanemaru, stands him up, and puts him in the ring. Kanemaru has a kendo stick, but Connors takes aim! Swing and a hit! No more kendo stick! Kanemaru panics and begs for mercy! Connors calls his shot, but Sho grabs the bad! Kanemaru kicks Connors, Sho JAMS Connors up with his bat!
Sho JAMS up Taiji, then Kanemaru SMACKS Connors with a chair! BRITISH FALL onto a chair!! Cover, Taiji breaks it! Sho JAMS Taiji with a chair now, then aims! HEADSHOT!! Bone Soldier flops out of the ring, and Sho CHOKES Connors with his bat! Connors fights up but he’s fading already! Kanemaru takes a big swig, then runs up, but Connors ducks! WHISKEY MIST hits Sho! Connors has the bat again, and he JAMS Kanemaru! Connors then hurries to aim from a corner, DOUBLE SPEAR!! The fans are thunderous, and Connors hurries to get that whiskey! Connors takes a swig just to mist it into the air, and he tells his guys to get up!
Taiji climbs, Connors HEADBUTTS Sho, but wait, Dick & Yujiro try to stop Taiji. Gedo runs up to DECK Dick and SMACK the Tokyo Pimp! The fans fire up as Taiji, bloodied himself, hits an ARIHARA MOONSAULT on Sho & Kanemaru! But then Evil CLOBBERS Connors and DECKS Taiji! Finlay is up to CLOBBER Evil! Evil is in the ring, he has the shillelagh! Finlay dodges to fire off forearms! ROLLING ELBOW! Finlay has his shillelagh back!! The fans fire up as Finlay gives it a kiss, but Evil CLAWS Finlay’s eyes! Evil whips but Finlay reverses, and now Evil hits POST! Finlay reels Evil in, FULL METAL BUCKLE BOMB!!
Finlay reels Evil back in, slashes his throat, and OVER- NO, Evil fights the Overkill! Finlay fights free of that, but then avoids Everything is Evil! GUN STUN!! Shoutout to the OGs of Bullet Club! Then INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, Narita YANKS Red Shoes out of the ring! The fans boo but Narita just grins. Finlay BLASTS Narita off the apron for it, then paces around. Everyone else is down, but Finlay grabs a chair before he goes outside. Finlay dares Evil to get up, and Evil stands, so Finlay CHUCKS the chair at him! Finlay pushes things aside, such as the busted table, to bring out a fresh table! The fans rally as Finlay sets this one up by a corner.
Gedo tells Finlay to end this! Finlay says he’s gonna end this! Finlay reels Evil in, but Dick POCKET SANDS through the cage!! The fans boo but then Dick KICKS Gedo! Dick climbs up and in so he can help Evil mug Finlay! Gedo tries to climb, but Dick & Evil shove Finlay into the cage! Gedo falls, and now Finlay is put on the table! Dick goes up, but Gedo meets him! They brawl at the top of the cage, and Gedo DECKS Dick! Finlay gets up to CLAW Evil’s face! Now Gedo hops inside, and Finlay puts Dick on the table! The Blacksmith goes hardcore as he FROG SPLASHES onto the table! Dick, Gedo and table fall over, and the fans cheer Gedo on!
Finlay goes after Evil with the shillelagh, but Evil fights it off! Yujiro hops in, and he has a big steel chain! Yujiro CLUBS Finlay down using it, then wraps it around Finlay’s neck! Yujiro CHOKES Evil while Evil BREAKS the shillelagh! Evil uses one of the jagged ends to DIG at Finlay’s face!! The fans boo but Finlay is bloodied. Evil wraps the chain around his fist to punch Finlay over and over! Evil BITES at Finlay’s wound while Yujiro brings out a new table! And another new table! These are set up side-by-side, and then Evil goes back for Finlay. Drilla is back and LOW BLOWS Yujiro! And he LOW BLOWS Yujiro!
Drilla chases Sanada into the ring, dodges his Smash Hit, and hits the GORE! Drilla has the guitar and the fans fire up! Drilla gives Sanada the SMASH HIT!!! The fans go wild for Drilla, and he shows off the busted guitar! Drilla then grins as he has Sanada all alone. Drilla drags a bloodied Sanada to the apron, reels him in, and he aims for those tables! Drilla lifts but Sanada fights! Sanada fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the table! Drilla is down in the wreckage, but now a bloodied Gabe and Narita find each other in the ring! Gabe ROCKS Narita, but Narita ROCKS Gabe! Gabe is like a zombie as he keeps coming back for more!
The fans rally as the shots go back and forth between Mad Man and Souled Out Son of Strong Style! Gabe fires shot after shot, but Narita BITES Gabe’s face! Narita pushes Gabe down, then drags him back up, only for Gabe to HEADBUTT Narita down! Narita falls over and writhes, but Gabe is hungry for more! The fans rally as Gabe winds up, and Gabe runs to COMEBACKER LARIAT!! Narita is in a daze from being flipped upside-down, but Gabe vows to end this! Gabe goes outside, looks under the ring, and he brings out a table wrapped in barbed wire! The fans fire up as the Mad Man ups the ante!
Gabe has to be careful with how he handles this thorny bit of furniture, but he manages to put it in the ring and stand it up. Gabe slashes his throat and the fans fire up again. Narita takes a swing, Gabe dodges once, but Narita JAMS him up the second time! Narita, crimson mask worst of everyone’s, drags Gabe up. Narita GRINDS Gabe’s face against the barbed wire!!! The fans freak out, as does Red Shoes, but Narita stops and grins through his own blood. Narita then stands Gabe back up, and CLUBS him onto the table! Narita has Gabe prone, then he goes up the corner. Narita climbs, but Gabe rises and UPPERCUTS!
The fans rally up again as Gabe ROCKS Narita! Gabe adjusts the table’s position, then climbs up after Narita. Gabe says Narita did this to himself. Gabe HEADBUTTS Narita, then reels him in! Narita fights with body shots, but Gabe fires forearms! They brawl up top, there’s blood dripping onto the camera… Gabe wobbles, but he HEADBUTTS back! Gabe then double checks his math, and he shouts, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!!” SECOND ROPE PILEDRIVER down through the barbed wire table!!!! Cover, WAR DOGS WIN!!!!
Winners: War Dogs, by pinfall (House of Torture is exiled from Bullet Club)
Wait, Evil has cuffed Finlay to the cage! He’s got a dog collar around Finlay’s neck! Evil doesn’t care if he lost the war, he wants to rid the War Dogs of their leader!! Evil throws the chain over the top, then climbs out so he can CHOKE Finlay!! Evil is trying to hang Finlay!! The others rush over so Evil retreats. The King of Darkness is no longer Too Sweet, but will this only make the House of Torture more dangerous?
As for the Dogs, Finlay is freed of the collar but they need keys for the cuffs. Keys are found, and Gedo helps free Finlay from the cage. Bruised, battered, bloodied, but triumphant, the War Dogs regroup in the ring while the rest of the House flees. Finlay shows off the barbed wire table Gabe used to end this, and Drilla pours out Kanemaru’s whiskey in celebration. Gabe throws up the Too Sweet, but he also has the mic to tell them to turn the music off. The fans cheer as the Dogs stand tall, and Gabe barks. The fans bark along, and then Gabe says, “They wanted to try and take it from us. They wanted to try and take it from us.
“How can you take it from us when this is our effing lives?! This is the house that WE built! WE made Bullet Club popping! This is the number one Bullet Club, and you wanna take it from us!? You will say thank you, you will say effin’ thank you!” Gabe DGAF! You can bring up AJ Styles, Kenny Omega, Jay White, F THEM! THIS is Bullet Club now! The fans cheer that! Gabe says THIS is the best Bullet Club that has ever been! F Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura, these are the guys saving NJPW! Every day! And if you ain’t down with that, then you ain’t a dawg for real! Gabe throws down the mic and The War Dogs celebrate!
Will no one from nowhere in the wrestling world ever stop this Bullet Club? Will the wrestling world soon belong to the Dogs?
My Thoughts:
A great event here to kick off Dontaku weekend. A lot of good tune-up stuff, with Ishii’s team winning their 8 Man Tag to mostly build Yuya Uemura going into his match with Yota Tsuji. They’ll have a great Global Heavyweight Championship match but I feel like Tsuji retains. Bishamon & Taguchi won their match, but I can’t be sure the go-home math now favors Callum Newman in the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match tomorrow. It’d still be pretty wild if Callum won, but I’m still favoring Goto.
Great NJPW World TV Championship match, especially because of the time limit draw. ELP and Konosuke are now going into the NEVER Openweight Championship match at even, which makes me think Konosuke retains his title. Part of that is how Takagi stared Konosuke down after Shota VS Takagi. I’m a touch surprised Takagi won because of how Shota’s been running hot. Perhaps it lends itself to Shota’s story of growing up and learning how to truly be that top guy and living up to expectations rather than them writing him as if he’s just magically there. This can pay off in the long run so that fans can accept Shota and not feel he was shoved down their throats, a la a “Super Cena” type story.
We got a great match from Tanahashi VS ZSJ in their final match against each other, and ZSJ going over was the right call here. ZSJ himself is working his way back up after losing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and then missing out on the New Japan Cup this year. This last win over Tanahashi can certainly propel ZSJ up to the world title, and he can go out there tomorrow to challenge the winner of Goto VS Callum. Then a great main event, where everyone learned from the original Dogpound match to hold back a touch. It was still plenty violent and chaotic, but they let the ring stay in one piece so we don’t end up with another injury like Alex Coughlin got.
And War Dogs winning fits, as the House of Torture always felt like it should’ve been its own faction from the start. Evil, Sanada and the boys can focus on House of Torture merch, and the feud doesn’t even have to end given we’ll be seeing Sho, Kanemaru, Connors and Ishimori in Best of the Super Juniors, meaning they will encounter each other at some point.
My Score: 9/10
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Will SmackDown #FadeToBlack?
The Dark Father, Aleister Black, has returned to WWE, and The Miz is NOT happy about it! Miz refuses to give up the spotlight, but will have no choice?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- LA Knight VS Damian Priest; Priest wins, by disqualification.
- Pretty Deadly VS Fraxiom; Fraxiom wins.
- Aleister Black VS The Miz w/ Carmelo Hayes; Aleister wins.
- WWE Women’s United States Championship Eliminator: Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins and denies Piper a title opportunity.
- Rey Fenix VS Santos Escobar; Fenix wins.
- Nia Jax & Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton & Jade Cargill; Tiffany & Jade win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Damian Priest arrives backstage.
The Archer of Infamy says hey to referees and producers, only to spot Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa! Priest goes after them both, and now refs and producers rush in and stop this! Priest warns Fatu & Solo that they stuck their noses into his business, so now he is coming for them and the US Championship! But speaking of all that, LA Knight walks past them and says these bunch of dummies are just waiting to hate. Time to talk about it out there! YEAH! Des Moines fires up as The Mega Star makes his way out to the ring! Knight gets a mic and says, “LEMME TALK TO YA! One week ago, I stepped right in this ring, YEAH.” “YEAH!”
And Knight said he wanted a rematch for the US Championship. “YAEH!” But what’d he get? He was told he’d have a #1 contender’s match for it instead. “YEAH!” Knight says if nothing else, he deserves his rematch, but that’s okay. He came in, had his match with McIntyre, and let’s be honest, it didn’t go his way. Why is that? Let’s do the math. Right out here, Solo Sikoa decided to bring his pumpkin headed ass out here. Solo gives Knight a spike, feeds him to Priest, but then a little later, Fatu jumps in and acts like this is his personal jungle gym. Fatu is dropping moonsaults on everybody, but why was that even able to happen?
It’s because of a man Knight has a match with tonight, Damian Priest! Priest, Knight has no beef with you, but he knows what Priest was doing, and it had nothing to do with Knight. But at the same time, man, you gotta pick your spots. Well speaking of, Priest makes his way out here now! The fans cheer as the Boricua Badass joins Knight in the ring. Priest grabs a mic, and he tells Knight that Knight is right. They don’t have a problem. Last week was all about McIntyre. WrestleMania happened, no excuses, Priest was good with moving on. But McIntyre couldn’t keep Priest’s name out of his mouth, and talked bad on Priest’s family. Priest just wanted to shut Drew up.
Knight says yeah, he gets that. He has chased dudes down, beaten them down. Priest just wanted to knock his name out of Drew’s mouth, Knight gets that. But he picked the wrong time. He picked Knight’s time, and that cost Knight the #1 contendership. To be honest, the bell rings because of Priest. Priest says he disagrees. Solo Sikoa spiked Knight. All Priest did was save Knight from eating a Claymore. Knight says he doesn’t wanna dig too deep here, but maybe Priest is in the past. Just because Priest ate a Claymore, then got pinned by Drew, don’t put that on Knight. The fans are a bit torn but Knight says maybe he would’ve caught Drew with a BFT. Don’t let your failures be his.
Priest says the way he sees it, this whole situation is because Knight lost the title. Knight says he doesn’t need a reminder. He did lose the title, he gets that. But guess what? As soon as he lost it, he said he would come back, fight for it the very next week, and then he’s not out here right now wrestling for said championship because of Priest! Knight can’t say it any clearer! Priest says this is the deal: All of Knight’s frustrations are Knight’s faults. Maybe if Knight’s head wasn’t up his own ass, he’d still be champion. The fans are torn while Knight tries to stay calm. Knight says they don’t have a problem, right?
But keep talking like that, and Priest won’t worry where Knight’s head is, he’ll worry about Knight putting his foot up Priest’s ass. Priest says okay, they can do this back and forth. They have a match set for tonight, so why wait? Why should the fans have to wait? Knight asks what Priest is saying, and Priest is saying they get a ref out here, and the match happens right now! The fans love that idea! Priest asks, “Yeah?” Knight says, “YEAH!” And here comes a ref! Priest and Knight are ready to pop off, but who will be taking the blame for this loss? We will see, after the break!
LA Knight VS Damian Priest!
SmackDown returns and the match is underway! Priest ROCKS Knight in a corner, but Knight comes back to wrench and YANK the arm again and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then wrenches again, but Priest breaks free to ROCK Knight! The fans are torn as Priest shakes out the arm. Priest storms up on Knight, but Knight kicks low! Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Priest reverses, and then Priest BACK ELBOWS! The fans fire up and Priest FLAPJACKS Knight! Knight goes to a corner, Priest runs in for another BACK ELBOW! Priest keeps moving, but Knight dodges him to kick low!
B F- NO, Priest stops that, shoves and SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but Priest drags Knight to the corner. Priest knuckle locks, climbs up, but Knight stops him from going Old School! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Knight goes to ropes. Priest rises, Knight storms over to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then ROLLING HAYMAKERS! Knight whips, Priest reverses again, but Knight LEAPING LARIATS! And then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Priest staggers up, Knight SHOVES him into buckles, then hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Priest is tougher than that but Knight keeps his cool.
Knight drags Priest back up, but Priest ROCKS Knight! Knight still scoops to POWERSLAM Priest down! Knight runs, JUMP- NO, Priest catches Knight! Priest stands to send Knight SOUTH- NO, Knight slips free and shoves Priest, but the LARIAT finds him! Cover, TWO! Knight is tougher than that and Priest seethes. Priest looms over Knight while the fans rally up. Priest drags Knight to his feet, reels him in, and lifts for the Canadian Rack! But Knight slips free! Kick and DDT! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes up a corner! Spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Priest stays in this! Knight is beside himself, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Knight thinks on what more he has to do while he and Priest slowly sit up. Priest goes to the apron but Knight pursues. Knight has Priest to CLUB him! And CLUB! Knight bumps Priest off buckles, Priest goes to the floor, and Knight pursues again. Knight brings Priest around but Priest blocks the desk bump! Priest body blows Knight, then whips him hard into barriers! Knight flounders and grits his teeth, but Priest stands him up to ROCK him! Knight goes back into the ring, Priest pursues him now, but Knight slides back outside! Knight trips Priest, drags him out, and SMACKS him off the desk!
Knight puts Priest back in the ring, has him on the apron, and says “YEAH!” before he CLUBS Priest in the chest! Knight climbs up, and now Knight shouts out the Deadman with the APRON LEG DROP! Priest sputters away but Knight storms in. Cover, TWO! Priest still stays in this but Knight stays on him with a KNEE to the back! Knight drags Priest up, but Priest ROCKS Knight! Knight ROCKS Priest! Priest ROCKS Knight, Knight ROCKS Priest, repeat! The shots keep going, then Priest HEADBUTTS! Both men wobble, but Priest whips Knight. Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down!
Priest and Knight both sputter and crawl while SmackDown returns to single picture. Des Moines says “This is Awesome!” as Knight bumps Priest off buckles. Knight puts Priest up top, then climbs up to join him. Knight brings Priest up, but Priest fires body shots! Knight throws hands, but so does Priest! They brawl up top, the fans rally, and Priest ROCKS Knight! Priest then hops down to ROUNDHOUSE! Knight staggers back but Priest puts him up top so he can Canadian Rack! RAZOR’S EDGE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Knight survives and no one can believe it! The fans rally as hard as they can, and Priest brings down the straps!
Priest winds up, choke grips, and takes Knight SOUTH OF- NO, Knight slips free, kicks and clinches, but Priest fights that! BROKEN ARROW! Priest hurries to get Knight to a drop zone?! Priest goes up a corner, a rare tactic for him, but Knight SPRINGS up after him! The fans fire up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Cover, TWO!!! Priest survives and now Knight is besides himself! “This is Awesome!” while both men slowly rise again. Priest goes to ropes, Knight is on the other end, but Knight runs up! Knight LARIATS Priest up and out! Knight builds speed to then- NO, Priest dodges Knight’s dropkick! Priest reels Knight in, APRON FLATLINER!!
Priest drags Knight up from the floor, but SOLO ATTACKS!
Winner: Damian Priest, by disqualification
The fans boo as Solo ruins this true banger, and he THROWS Priest into barriers! Solo storms into the ring, throws hands down on Knight, then looks to his thumb. Solo takes aim, but Priest rises up! Priest grabs that hand, and he ROCKS Solo! Knight hits Solo with a B F T!! Priest and Knight see each other, but then they remember they have a common enemy. The fans fire up as Priest goes out to clear off the desk! Knight drags Solo and Priest clamps on! Only for Fatu to blow past Night and DIVE onto Priest! But then Knight WRECKS Fatu with a dropkick! Knight runs up, but Fatu SAMOAN DROPS Knight on the desk!
The fans are torn, but Fatu fires up to run in and HIP ATTACK on Priest, against the barrier! The Samoan Werewolf, America’s Most Wanted, the WWE US Champion, just tore apart two of his contenders! Will none of them be the one with how much damage Fatu dishes out?
Backstage interview with Fraxiom.
Byron Saxton is with Nathan Frazer & Axiom, congratulating them on their victorious debut. Tonight, they have another chance to show up and show out, this time against Pretty Deadly. Frazer says they are both so excited. In NXT, they flipped the tag division upside-down. They plan doing the same thing here on SmackDown! Axiom agrees, and after seeing last week’s insane TLC match, that is why they are here on SmackDown! This is the best tag division on the entire planet! But then #YesBoy, here come Kit Wilson & Elton Prince. They tell Byron to go ahead and leave. And yes, it is mostly because of that purple suit he’s wearing.
They then tell Fraxiom that it is good to see them again. And yes, it is good they want to be here on SmackDown, because SmackDown is home to the best, hungriest tag division. Speaking of hungry, what a tasty debut! But don’t forget that Pretty Deadly is still the two tastiest snacks around. But admittedly, it is nice to finally have some more European blood around here. It must be nice for Fraxiom to be somewhere new and exciting, where everyone loves you, that’s great for them. But maybe, maybe knock it down 20% and remember that opportunities here are earned, not given.
Pretty Deadly knows how good Fraxiom is, but they also know how good Pretty Deadly is. And wait, is Fraxiom that good? It has been a minute since they’ve faced each other. That’s why Pretty Deadly went to “Uncle Nick” and asked for this match. Axiom says they’re looking forward to it, but Frazer says be careful what you wish for. Oh, wow~! Same to you. Pretty Deadly exit with the Scott Hall fingers, but will they be able to keep up with a team that never slows down?
Pretty Deadly VS Fraxiom!
SmackDown returns as Frazer & Axiom make their entrance. The teams sort out and Axiom starts against Kit. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Kit cobra clutches to ripcord and wrench Axiom. Axiom fights up, rolls, bridges back, and then breaks free to DROPKICK! The fans are torn but Axiom tags Frazer. Axiom whips but Kit reverses, only for Axiom to reverse back. Axiom has the IRON OCTOPUS, and Frazer builds up speed to DROPKICK Kit down! Axiom BLASTS Elton, Frazer arm-drags Kit, and the fans cheer! Kit fights up but Frazer whips him to a corner. Elton takes the bump for Kit, and Kit BOOTS Frazer down!
Kit hits those Scott Hall fingers again, then he wrenches Frazer to whip. BIG hip toss, then a cover, TWO! Frazer is tougher than that, but Kit KICKS him in the back. Kit bumps Frazer off buckles, tags Elton, and Elton brings Frazer up to stomp away. Elton rains down fists, then lets off as the ref counts. Elton mockingly says, “Be careful, he says! Be careful~!” But Frazer BOOTS Elton! Elton storms back up, grabs a leg and YANKS Frazer up, but Frazer lands on his feet to PELE! Hot tag to Axiom and the speed blitz begins! Forearm after forearm, then a DDT! Kit runs up but he gets a kick, KICK, and ASSISTED DROPKICK!
The fans fire up as Axiom DIVES onto Elton! Frazer DIVES onto Kit! They go again, another DIVE on Elton! Another DIVE on Kit! The fans fire up more and Fraxiom puts Elton back in. Axiom covers, TWO! Axiom clamps onto Elton with a motorcycle stretch! Elton endures, fights up, and the fans rally. Elton arm-drags Axiom, Axiom goes to a corner, and Axiom ELBOWS Elton away. Axiom goes up, up and CROSSBODIES, but Elton catches him! Kit tags in, LAWN DART BOOTS, then a COMEBACKER LARIAT! Pretty Deadly stands up and Des Moines cheers for them, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the fans rally as Axiom fights up in the chinlock. Axiom reaches out for Frazer, Kit keeps him back, so Axiom ROCKS Kit with a right hand! Kit holds on, Axiom CHOPS, but Kit whips him away! Axiom ROCKS Elton, dodges Kit, hot tags to Frazer and Elton! Frazer springboards to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! Then he CHOPS and whips Elton! Elton reverses, Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Elton! The fans fire up as Frazer keeps moving, and he dodges to QUEBRADA! Frazer has Elton, he kicks Kit, and then DOUBLE DDTS! Frazer hurries to STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO?!?
Elton barely gets that arm up and even the fans are confused. Elton has some blood in his mouth, but he’s showing some true grit. Frazer ROCKS Elton, puts him up top, then climbs up to join him. Elton fires body shots, shoves him away, and Kit sneaks a tag! Frazer returns, Axiom runs up, but Kit HOTSHOTS Axiom! Kit then stops Frazer by bringing him off the corner! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Frazer also narrowly escapes! Kit drags Frazer up, ROCKS him, but Frazer hits back! They go back and forth, Frazer ENZIGIRIS! Kit goes to a corner, Frazer puts him up top, and Axiom tags in. GAMANGIRI!
Axiom goes up, Frazer tags back in, and then SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Frazer is up top, PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, FRAXIOM WINS!!
Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall
Two wins in two weeks, the former NXT Tag Team Champions are making quite the case for those WWE Tag Team Championships! Will they reach the top sooner rather than later?
B-Fab & Michin talk with Nnick Aldis.
Fab & The Head Baddie were inspired by The Street Profits in that TLC match. They’d love it if they were also included in a tag title match. Liv Morgan did get some time off to go film her little movie, but when she comes back, maybe Mia & B-Fab can be next? But then in step The Secret Her-vice, and they make sure the room is secure. Alba Fyre frisks Aldis and Piper Niven reports there are only “paper tigers” in the room. So it is safe for former Women’s US Champion, Chelsea Green, to step in. Mia & Fab mockingly pout and say it’s so sad she lost the title. But hey, she looks good in all black and L’s.
Fab & Mia leave, and Chelsea claims last week was RIGGED by the deep state of jealous women in this division. Aldis says the numbers don’t like, the ref counted three. That’s collusion! This is the US Championship! Aldis isn’t even from here! Well, neither are Chelsea, Alba or Piper. Hey! That doesn’t mean Chelsea isn’t an American hero. Chelsea could take Aldis to the Supreme Court. Good luck with that. Wait, wait! What if Chelsea says she won’t do that, and she gets the “recount” she deserves. She means rematch? They can talk about it, just not tonight. Because tonight, Zelina Vega will face Piper Niven. Since when? Since now!
And if Piper wins, well, then Piper is first in line for a title shot. Then maybe Chelsea will be Piper’s Secret Her-vice. Chelsea almost faints! Piper & Alba help Chelsea sit down, but could this be the chance for the Scottish Viper to finally strike gold?
Nia Jax is here!
Des Moines is not happy with the Irresistible Force after her return last week, in which she A-Nia-Lated Tiffany Stratton while Tiff was busy with Jade Cargill. Nia has the mic and “thanks” the fans for the boos. But she really is happy to be back. While she was gone, and “your champion” Tiff was running around like a Barbie doll with her head cut off, Nia was home getting refocused so she could come back here and take what is hers, THE WWE Women’s Championship! But wait! Tiffy makes her way out here! And Tiff already knows what Nia wants to say: She’s gonna A-Nia-Late Tiff again, and take the title.
Newsflash: Tiff isn’t the same girl that Nia used to bully around. Cashing in on Nia was the greatest thing she did for her career, and she’d do it again! Then she went toe-to-toe with one of the greats in Charlotte Flair. Then she beat her! And if Tiff ever locks up with Nia again, she’d beat Nia, too. The fans chant for “Tiffy Time!” Nia asks if that’s an offer for a rematch. Tiff says no, it’s not. And Nia has been around here long enough to know that Tiff isn’t the one who makes the matches. But Tiff also isn’t shying away from this fight. Tiff would defend against Nia any time, any where! Wait, here comes Naomi!
The fans also boo but Naomi says, “Well lookie lookie! It’s funny to see the two of you fighting. Because I remember for months, when I was trying to get the WWE Women’s Championship from Nia, Tiffy… You always found a way to make sure you helped her out. You two made my life HELL! And you say that you’ve changed? Nah, Tiffy. I’ve changed! I’m a new Naomi now. No longer the sweet Naomi, the good girl who stood behind Bianca and let Jade walk all over her! I took matters into my own hands! I took out Jade, and I took my championship. Jade may have ruined everything that i have worked for, but I am not done.” The fans chant but Naomi tells them to shut up!
Naomi is not done going for gold. Not only will she push them onto cars, she’d push them under one! But wait, here comes Jade! Naomi is scared now as Jade storms her way up! These two brawl, then so do Nia and Tiff! The fan fire up as Jade whisp Naomi, but Naomi grabs ropes! Jade LARIATS Naomi up and out! Tiff DROPKICKS Nia out! Tiff and Jade stare down, the fans rally, and Aldis comes out here to ask they all settle down. If the four of them are so eager for this fight, then let’s give Des Moines a tag match, player! That’s right, Nia & Naomi VS Tiffy & Jade, and that’s tonight! The fans cheer, but which side will hold together better?
#MeloDon’tMiz talks backstage.
Carmelo Hayes says he is sick of people playing with The Miz’s name. How is Aleister gonna make a moment off a moment maker? Tonight, they’ll both show Aleister! Miz, Melo, and “Dre.” Dre? Yeah, Andre. Ohh, nice. But yes, Miz and “Dre” are pillars in the WWE! Last week was about respect! Two DECADES, Miz has built the WWE up with his hard work and spotlight stealing performances! Miz has outlasted countess “next big things,” flavors of the months and so-called legends! And Aleister wanted a second chance, he chose Miz because he’d get the headlines. But here’s the thing, Aleister didn’t knock Miz out, he woke Miz up!
Miz has been fighting for his spotlight, so now he reminds everyone who he is! There’s a reason Miz has lasted this long in a company while Aleister only lasted five. Aleister Black wants to make a statement, but now he’ll be a part of Miz’s! HIT HIS MUSIC! Miz & Melo head to the ring, will this be Miz’s moment? Or will he just #FadeToBlack again? We find out, after the break.
Aleister Black VS The Miz w/ Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns and Aleister makes his entrance. The bell rings, Miz runs up, but he narrowly puts on the brakes in time to avoid the Black Mass! That would have bene a sudden end to this match and Miz scrambles away to a corner. Black storms up but the ref has him stay back. Miz then runs up, wrenches an arm, but Black rolls, snapmares, and then trips Miz again. Miz BOOTS Black away, but Black blocks a kick! Miz puts up his guard, then apologizes. Black slowly lets Miz’s foot go, but then Miz sucker punches him! Miz fires off, the fans boo, but Miz whips. Black blocks the lariat to fire Muay Thai KNEES!
Black trips Miz, Miz flounders out of the ring, but Black builds speed! Only to springboard and flip back! Black sits cross-legged, but then Miz runs up! Black ducks the boot, kips up, and he fires strikes! Miz RAMS Black into a corner, runs up, but blocks a boot! The KNEE hits! but then Miz avoids the leg sweep! Black still ELBOWS Miz down, covers, TWO! The fans rally and Black snarls. Black stalks Miz to the ropes, stands him up, but Miz ELBOWS him! Black BOOTS Miz out of the ring! Black drags Miz up, but Melo distracts him! Miz drags Black out to SLAM him on the apron! Black falls to the floor and Miz seethes while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Black sputters and coughs while Melo cheers Miz on. Miz drags Black up to whip him hard into a corner! Black falls, Miz storms over, and Melo nods as Miz puts Black back in the ring. Miz lines up a shot and basement BOOTS Black down! Miz stalks Black to ropes, CHOKES him and CLAWS at his face, but stops as the ref counts 4! Miz then STRADDLE ATTACKS! Black falls back then scrambles away while Miz seethes some more. Miz stalks Black, kicks him and taunts him, then KNEES him in the back! Miz clamps on, traps an arm, and he throws down elbows! Black endures, even as Miz pulls on the chinbar.
The fans rally and Black fights up. Black fires a knee, then forearms and body shots! Black whips corner to corner, runs in, but Miz puts him on the apron! Miz then slide sunder, TRIPS Black, and Black hits off apron on the way down! Melo & Miz high-five and soak up the heat. Miz drags Black up and RAMS him into the apron! Miz grinds his forearm into Black’s face, then puts him in the ring. Miz storms back into the ring, climbs up a corner, and aims. Black stands into the AX HANDLE! SmackDown returns to single picture as Miz soaks up the heat. Miz then runs corner to corner, A-LIST LARIAT!
Miz pushes Black out, then springboards in, but Black dodges! Miz hobbles, catches Black, but Black switches! Miz runs to the ropes and HOTSHOTS Black! Then Miz TOSSES Black to the floor! Miz goes out the side, runs up, and uses the steps to leap, into a KNEE! The fans fire up as Miz sputters and slumps against the barriers! The ring count starts, Black drags Miz up and into the ring, then he hurries after Miz. Miz takes a swing, but Black fires counter strikes and an elbow! Aleister fires KICK after KICK, then SWEEPS the legs! SLIDING KNEE! Black handsprings up and the fans fire up! QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!
Miz stays in this but the fans rally for Black. Black aims from a corner, runs up, but Miz blocks and dragon sleepers! Black fights free, but Miz pulls hair! Miz kicks a leg out, then BASEMENT DDTS! Cover, TWO! Miz grows frustrated but the fans rally back up! Melo coaches Miz and Miz looms over Black. Miz KICKS! Black is not amused. Miz KICKS again, and again! The “It Kicks” just make Black laugh! Black catches one, then BACK ELBOWS Miz! Miz sits down, Black PENALTY KICKS him! That actually might be something more vicious but it scores all the same! Black stalks Miz to the apron, drags him up, but Miz RAMS into Black!
Miz HOTSHOTS Black, hurries back in, full nelson and FIN- NO, Black handsprings through!! The fans are going nuts and Miz is in disbelief! Then JUMP KNEE and Miz falls flat back! Black isn’t done with Miz, and he lifts Miz up with his foot. The fans fire up for this classic set up, but Melo gets on the apron! Black stares him down, but Miz rolls Black! TWO!! BLACK MASS!! Cover, Black wins!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall
Melo is frustrated on Miz’s behalf, but then Black anticipates Melo sliding into the ring! Aleister and Melo stare down, will The Dark Father make even H1M #FadeToBlack?
Santos Escobar finds Rey Fenix backstage.
The Emperor of Lucha wants to talk with the Firebird. Santos watched that match at WrestleMania, and what he saw was the true embodiment of… disappointment. Not only did Fenix lose the biggest match of his life, which he should be embarrassed about, but he embarrassed the entire tradition of Lucha Libre by losing to the clown that is El Grande Americano! Rey Mysterio himself picked Fenix to take his place at WrestleMania, and Fenix BLEW IT! Santos laughs as he says now, the self-appointed “greatest luchador of all time” is out of the picture, and maybe forever. Someone will have to take Mysterio’s place.
And that person, brother, has always been Santos. So if Fenix knows what is best for him, he’ll listen to Santos. Fenix tells Santos callete, aka shut up! And stay out of Fenix’s business, okay? Whoa, hey! No, there is only one luchador in the world Fenix trusts, and it sure isn’t Santos, brother. And if Santos has a problem with that, then Fenix will see him in the ring tonight! Fenix storms off, will he humble Santos real quick?
WWE Women’s United States Championship Eliminator: Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration!
Speaking of humbling, La Muneca may not have humbled the Hot Mess with last week’s win, but Zelina is herself humbled, honored and grateful to have this title. Will Zelina make sure there is no “second term” for the Green Regime? Or will Piper completely flip the polls and make this her time to shine?
SmackDown returns and The Green Administration makes their entrance. The bell rings and the two approach. Zelina slips around to KICK Piper’s leg! Then she dodges again to KICK again! And then another dodge to headlock, but Piper powers out. Zelina slips through the lariat to have the FLYING OCTOPUS HOLD! Piper stays up so Zelina sunset flips, but then Zelina avoids the hip drop! Piper sits up, but Zelina KICKS! KICKS! And KICKS, KICKS, KICKS! Zelina runs to KNEE Piper down! Cover, TWO! Zelina hurries to stay on Piper with a facelock, but Piper powers out! Piper runs up, but Zelina goes up and over1
The fans fire up as Zelina runs, but Piper CLOBBERS her! Piper soaks up the heat, then salutes Chelsea, and then stomps Zelina! Zelina tumbles out of the ring, Piper paces, and the ring count climbs. Zelina crawls into the ring, but Piper CLUBS her down! Piper scoops Zelina, but Zelina slips free! Zelina shoves Piper to the corner, then runs up, but Piper blocks the whip! Piper reverses, but Zelina goes up, up, only for Piper to catch her! FACEBUSTER! Piper says that one was for Chelsea! Piper then pulls on Zelina’s arms and STOMPS her into buckles! The fans chant, “Piper Sucks!” as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Piper grinds Zelina down with a cobra clutch. The fans rally as Zelina endures, but Piper SWINGS Zelina! Chelsea loves it, but then Zelina fires body shots! Zelina wrenches free, ROCKS Piper, but Piper throat chops! Piper scoops, but Zelina slips free to CODE BREAKER! And KNEE! The fans fire up and Zelina fires off on Piper! Zelina runs, but into an URENAGE! Piper snarls, runs up, and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Zelina survives and the fans fire up! Chelsea throws a fit and yells at commentary, but Piper puts Zelina in a corner. Piper runs up, Zelina dodges and GAMANGIRIS!
Zelina goes up while Piper staggers, but then Piper SLAPS Zelina! Piper climbs up, salutes, and then brings Zelina up. But Zelina fires body shots! Piper staggers back, Zelina adjusts, and then FLYING METEORA! Cover, TWO! Piper is still in this and Zelina is starting to despair. Zelina waits on Piper, then hops on, but Piper pops free of Code Red! Zelina comes back, but into the BLACK HOLE! Cover, TWO!! Zelina survives and Piper is shocked! Piper has Zelina back in a corner, runs corner to corner, and CANNONBALLS into only buckles! Zelina runs, METEORA! And then Zelina waits on Piper to stand. Zelina whips, but Piper blocks!
Piper scoops Zelina, but Zelina flails! SWINGING DDT!! Zelina hurries to put Piper in the drop zone, and she hurries to go up! The fans fire up as Zelina calls her shot, MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!! Piper survives and Chelsea is relieved. The fans rally for Zelina and she thinks on what to do. Zelina hops back on, but Piper swings Zelina around! HEADBUTT! Piper reels Zelina in, salutes, and then lifts, but Zelina fights the bomb! RANA and Piper ends up on the ropes! Zelina dials it up, but Chelsea is in her way! The fans boo, but Zelina senses Piper coming! Piper BLASTS Chelsea instead!! Roll up into a JACKKNIFE! ZELINA WINS!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall (denies Piper Niven a title match)
Chelsea is furious, but she’s half the reason her side lost! Will our underdog Women’s US Champion continue to shock Chelsea and the Green Administration?
Aldis talks with Solo & Fatu.
The GM is not happy that two weeks in a row, Solo has blown up matches. By the way, champ, you’re not exactly innocent. Solo says don’t pin this on him. That was Priest last week. And Fatu is just telling everyone to stay out of his way. Well, then, warning received. Which is why at Backlash, he defends the US Championship against Damian Priest and LA Knight in a Triple Threat. How does that sound? Solo says wait, wait, hold on. How’d we get to that? Because technically, Drew McIntyre won the #1 contender’s match, it should be him. Aldis sees Solo’s right. So forget the Triple Threat. It’s now a FATAL 4 WAY, with Drew added to the mix.
Solo is upset, but Fatu says keep it 100. No matter who is put in front of him, line ’em all up at Backlash! At the end of the day, he will dog walk they ass! He’s all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA mean?! Fatu heads out, Solo tells Aldis is trying to screw Fatu over! Aldis says no, he’s pretty sure Solo is doing that. But will it matter when the Samoan Werewolf feasts on a Knight, a Priest and a Scottish Warrior?
Randy Orton is here!
Des Moines fires up for The Viper as he heads to the ring. Orton high-fives fans along the ramp and in the front row, then even gives one young fan a hug. The fans sing along with Voices, and Orton goes to the corner for his signature pose. Then the fans chant for “RANDY! RANDY!” as he grabs the mic. Orton says, “I know we’re two hours in, Des Moines, but welcome to Friday Night SmackDown!” The fans cheer, and even chant for “R K O! R K O!” Orton takes a moment before he continues, “John Cena…” The fans boo that name, but Orton says, “While the world couldn’t see him, I could. It took about 20 years for all of you to realize what kind of man he is, but I knew from day one.
The fans chant “CENA SUCKS! CENA SUCKS!” Orton adds, “He’s arrogant, selfish, he’s an entitled brat that gets whatever he wants. John Cena is the ultimate shiny new toy to be played with by the ultimate puppet master. John, I gotta hand it to you, man, you’re smart. You took advantage of the PG Era. Oh boy, did you ever take advantage of the PG Era. You were quite willing, and quite frankly eager, to be a real-life, walking, talking, cartoon character, while I on the other hand did everything that I could to be true to who I am.” The fans cheer that. Orton says Cena didn’t care about the boys in the back, or any of the fans.
All Cena cared about and still cares about is his bottom line. That brought him fame, fortune, and into the mainstream. It has enabled Cena to make sure that every single month, he has a brand new colored shirt to be on sale at the merch stands, along with headbands, hats, neck bands, arm bands, wristbands, waist bands, jorts, maybe sneakers, a dog tag, and a towel that said, “Never Give Up.” Any thing you could squeeze his name on to, he’d put out on sale so all the kids can go buy it up. Cena wanted to make sure the fans loved him more than they already did. The fans boo, but Orton says speaking of the kids…
Last week, Cena said the reason he’s never had kids, the reason he’s never wanted kids, is because he was too busy raising everyone else’s! The fans boo that, but Orton says the only thing Cena raised is the price of his merchandise, who the actual parents have to work a double shift just to afford! The fans cheer that! Orton continues by saying selling your soul isn’t exactly a new concept around here, is it? Cena’s been doing that for 20 years. Cena’s Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, right? We’ll give him the hustle all day, but the loyalty…? The respect? What happened to those? Orton will be clear why he is asking Cena about those specifically.
Because last week, Cena looked Orton dead in the eye and said he would ERASE the Orton name from the history books! Cena looked Orton square in the eyes and said he’d erase everything Orton’s family has ever done in this business! Orton will tell Cena right now, Cena is not and will not, over Orton’s dead freakin’ BODY… Cena says he’s the Last Real Champion? no no no! He is the latest legend that Orton will have to put down. The fans cheer that! Orton vows to do that a week from tomorrow, May 10th, Orton’s hometown, in front of his wife, family, friends and the future of the Orton legacy…!
Orton will punt kick Cena so hard in that Lego shaped head of his, that it’ll fly right off Cena’s shoulders and through the Gateway Arch! But not before Orton drops Cena’s ass with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O! The Legend Killer, the Apex Predator, has told Cena he is now just the biggest prey he’s ever hunted! Will Cena’s retirement tour end before the year is even half over?
Naomi and Nia Jax talk.
Nia wants them on the same page. She will forget what Naomi said to her out there tonight, because her eyes are set on gold and “Two-Faced Tiffy.” So as long as Naomi focuses on Jade and stays out of Nia’s way, they’ll be good. Naomi tells Nia, “Sure.” Naomi heads out, but will everyone, even Nia, have to #ProceedWithCaution in tonight’s main event?
Randy returns backstage.
R-Truth walks over and they say hey. Truth says Orton has no chance at Backlash, because Truth’s childhood hero, John Cena, is going to beat him! Orton asks why Truth would say that. Because it’s the truth! He said what he said. Jimmy Uso hurries over and apologizes for Truth, we all know how Truth is. Orton understands and leaves, Truth says he still meant what he said. Jimmy tells Truth to stop! Truth keeps talking like this, Orton is gonna punt Truth’s head off his shoulders. Truth says he isn’t playing around. Cena told Truth himself. And y’know what else he said? What’d Cena say? That he’s the Last Real Champion!
Truth leaves, Jimmy tells him he has to stop. But with as devoted as Truth is to his childhood hero, will he be the only one devastated when Cena loses? Or will he be the only one cheering when Cena finds a way to win?
Rey Fenix VS Santos Escobar!
The Immortal Firebird was given his WrestleMania debut out of nowhere when Rey Mysterio went down with injury. And he did lose to El Grande Americano, but only because of that metal plate hidden inside El Grande’s mask. Will Fenix fire back up and show Santos what #ANIMO is all about? Or will the Emperor of Lucha look to establish himself as the heir to the lucha throne?
SmackDown returns as Santos makes his entrance, sans Los Garza. The bell rings and the fans rally for Fenix. Fenix and Santos circle, but then Santos wants Fenix to hold on. Does Fenix really wanna do this? Fenix nods, so the two circle again. The fans boo Santos and cheer Fenix, then the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Santos waistlocks. Fenix reaches back to headlock but Santos use a rear bearhug. They go around, Santos SLAMS Fenix, then he holds on. Fenix fights up, wrenches out to hammerlock, then he arm- NO, Santos stops the arm-drag. Santos stands Fenix on and tells him to hear him out.
Santos is the boss, Fenix can follow him. Isn’t that good enough? Fenix CHOPS so that’s a no! The fans “WOO~” but Santos just shrugs that off. Santos CHOPS in return, so Fenix CHOPS again! The fans fire up, Santos says okay, and the CHOPS continue! Santos points to Heaven then CHOPS Fenix off his feet! Santos tells Fenix, “Listen to me, kid. I should be the boss, and we can take over this place!” Santos then CHOPS, but Fenix CHOPS back! Fenix eggs Santos on, so Santos steps up. Santos says last chance, but Fenix SHOVES him down! The fans cheer, and Santos stands up. Santos says fine, it’s all good. Then he takes a swing!
Fenix dodges, goes Spider-Man int he ropes, but Santos avoids the heel kick! Santos wags his finger, but then Fenix kicks low! Fenix knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up, up, and jumps around, but Santos stops the arm-drag with a wristlock! Santos knows that trick too well, so Fenix takes another swing! Santos ducks to waistlock but Fenix fights with elbows! Santos shoves Fenix tot he ropes then runs up, but Fenix goes Spider-Man again and lets Santos tumble to the floor! The fans fire up and Fenix takes aim. Fenix steps out to FLYING RANA! Santos tumbles and the fans fire up! Fenix says if Santos wants lucha, then ANIMO!
But Santos SHOVES Fenix into the apron! And ENZIGIRIS him into the steel steps! Santos steps into the ring, aims, and he builds speed! ARROW FROM HELL! Direct hit on Fenix and the fans fire up again! Santos stands tall and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
The ref tells Santos to get in the ring so Santos leaves Fenix behind. Santos soaks up heat while Fenix crawls back towards ringside. Santos goes out after Fenix and KICKS him! Santos brings Fenix around and CHOPS him against barriers! Fenix sputters, Santos puts him back in the ring, then he swaggers behind him. Santos stands Fenix up, puts him in the corner, and ROCKS him! The ref counts, Santos backs off, but then he headstands and SWINGING DOUBLE KNEES! Santos is toying with Fenix at this point, then he covers, TWO! Fenix is tougher than that but Santos says that’s fine. Fenix CHOPS, Santos CHOPS!
The CHOPS keep going, but then Santos KNEES Fenix in the face! Santos then chicken wings Fenix’s arm to grind him down. Santos talks trash into the camera, then he drags Fenix up. Fenix fires body shots, but Santos THROWS Fenix down by his mask! The ref reprimands but Santos talks more trash. Santos has Fenix in a corner, stomps him down, then mocks the fans cheering Fenix on. Santos stands Fenix up, whips him corner to corner, then he runs up to GAMANGIRI! Fenix sputters again while Santos grins and soaks up more heat. Santos throws hands, then he CHOKES Fenix with a unique headscissor stretch.
The ref counts, Santos steps off, and Fenix CHOPS! Santos KICKS Fenix while SmackDown returns to single picture, and Fenix fires a shot. Santos KNEES Fenix down in return! Santos tells Fenix to understand that if you’re not with him, you’re against him! The fans rally for Fenix as Santos whips him corner to corner. Fenix hits buckles, Santos runs in and RAMS him! Santos then goes to the apron and GAMANGIRIS Fenix down! The fans boo but santos slingshot SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Santos throws down hands, then he grinds Fenix down with an armlock. The fans rally, Fenix kicks from below, then he stands up.
Santos ROCKS Fenix, whips him corner to corner, then he runs up, but into a BOOT! Santos comes back, but Fenix dodges! Santos hits buckles then staggers away! Fenix goes to the apron, RAMS into Santos, and then RAMS Santos into buckles! Fenix goes up, up, and QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! Santos survives but the fans fire up with Fenix! Fenix whips, Santos reverses, but Fenix rewinds to HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally as Fenix rises again. Fenix shakes out the stars and goes to the ropes. Fenix runs up on Santos, but Santos ducks the lariat! Fenix kicks a lariat, kicks the legs out, but Santos avoids the buzzsaw to JUMP KNEE!
Fenix falls, but he kips back up to SUPERKICK!! The fans fire up while both men are down! Des Moines rallies, “This is Awesome!” as Fenix and Santos slowly stir. A standing count starts, both men roll to the ropes at 5, then start to stand at 7! They’re both up at 8, Fenix shouts “ANIMO!” and somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry! But Fenix flails to fight off the Phantom Driver! Fenix is on the corner, he rains down elbows, then he jumps, jumps and- JUMP KNEE from Santos again! Santos has Fenix in a corner, takes aim, and he goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Santos then reels Fenix in, underhooks, TIGER BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!
Fenix survives but Santos is laser focused. The fans rally as hard as they can for Fenix but Santos looms over him. Santos fireman’s carries, Fenix fights free, and Fenix shoves Santos to BLINDSIDE DROPKICK! Fenix goes to the corner, ADIOS AMIGOS KICK! Santos falls, Fenix goes up again, TOP ROPE METEORA!! Cover, Fenix wins!
Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall
Santos took the fight to Fenix tonight, but Fenix still had fire inside! Fenix is back on a winning track, will he soon be going for some gold?
Jade and Tiff talk backstage.
They both know the other has their beef with Naomi and Nia, but then Byron steps in for an interview. He apologizes for interrupting, but they are teaming up for the very first time, against two individuals who they have some deep rooted issues with. How are they hoping to fare? Tiff says she gets it. If she were Nia, she wouldn’t be over it either. But Nia has to realize that this title belongs around Tiffy’s pretty little shoulders. And as for Jade here, as long as she stays out of Tiff’s way, there won’t be any problems. Jade says same goes for Tiff staying out of her way. Especially when Jade is after Naomi, and how Naomi isn’t done getting these hands.
By the way, Jade already spoke to Nick Aldis. No matter what happens tonight, Jade will be facing Nia Jax next week to determine a new #1 contender to Tiffy’s title. So yeah, handle that. Tiff says that’s funny, considering she almost had Jade beat last week. But go ahead, Jade, beat up Nia Jax. And if she can’t, Tiff will just do it all over again herself. Tootles! Yeah, whatever. Will The Storm and the Wrestling Barbie be able to win together? Or are they going to leave themselves open to the Irresistible Force and dangerous Glow?
SmackDown hears from Motor City Machine Guns, DIY and The Street Profits.
After last week’s insane instant classic Triple Threat TLC match, the world was buzzing! MCMG said that match alone is what this is all about, and is why they dedicated their entire lives to this business. DIY said they knew what this match was going to be. The Profits know all three teams gave everything they had in that match. And while MCMG and DIY are great teams, but in the end, The Profits got the smoke and retained the gold. They’re at the top, and they want more. Who will be next for Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford to put to the test?
Santos Escobar shouts at Los Garza.
He is upset that when he needed them the most, neither of them were around! Do they understand?! Yes, it’s just- Andrade steps in. El Idolo tells everybody to tranquilo. What’s the problem now? Oh, the problem? Watch yourself, Andrade. Andrade tells Santos that hey, he knows Santos doesn’t really care about Los Garza. And Andrade says his real problem is with Santos. Santos is talking about legacy, respect, honor, but he barely has any of those! Angel smirks and Santos gets mad at him. Santos tells Los Garza it’s time to go, and while Angel is right with Santos, Berto is reluctant. Santos shouts at Berto to come on, so Berto leaves.
El Idolo smirks, but does he have a point? Does Santos only care about Santos? When will Los Garza learn to stand up for themselves?
Nia Jax & Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton & Jade Cargill!
Grudges and gold are a combination as old as time in pro-wrestling, as is the concept of, “Can they coexist?” There is history of betrayal and anger all over this one, but will Nia & Naomi be able to weather The Storm? Or will it still be #TiffyTime even in tag team action?
SmackDown returns as Tiff makes her entrance to join Jade in the ring. Then Nia makes her way out, followed by Naomi. Then the brawl is on! The bell rings and the fans fire up as Nia has Tiff in one corner and Jade has Naomi in another! Nia HEADBUTTS Tiff, Jade bumps Naomi off buckles, but then Tiff TOSSES Nia! Nia drags Tiff outside while Jade RAMS into Naomi again and again! Nia whips, but Tiff reverses, and Nia hits steel steps! Tiff CLUBS away on Nia, but Nia ROCKS Tiff! Jade whips Naomi to CLOBBER her! Nia THROWS Tiff into barriers! Jade paces around Naomi, stands her up, and UPPERCUTS her!
Jade whips Naomi hard into ropes, and Naomi tumbles out of the ring. Jade says that’s fine and she goes out after Naomi. Jade SMACKS Naomi off barriers, then POSTS her! Naomi staggers away, Jade pushes her into the ring, then storms in after her. Naomi kicks low, CLUBS Jade down, then brings Jade around to bump off buckles. Naomi wraps Jade’s arm around ropes, pulls on it, but stops as the ref counts. Naomi then SLAPS Jade on the back and CLAWS her! Naomi brings Jade around, snapmares, and KICKS! Jade grits her teeth in pain but Naomi talks trash. Naomi pie faces Jade, Nia soaks up the heat by flexing, but then Tiff flexes and the fans cheer.
Nia flexes, the fans boo, but Jade scoops Naomi! Naomi slips free, SLAPS Jade, then runs. Nia sneaks a tag before Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Nia CLOBBERS Jade and DRIBBLES her off the mat! Nia sucker punches Tiff for good measure, then she flexes. The fans boo but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Nia runs up on Jade, only for Jade to dodge! Nia hits buckles, but she hurries to stomp Jade down! Then she sucker punches Tiff again! The fans boo, but Jade ROCKS Nia! Jade scoops, but then falls over under the weight! Cover, TWO! Nia is annoyed but she drags Jade over. Tag to Naomi, Naomi CLUBS and HAMMERS away on Jade, and the fans boo. Naomi stops to sit Jade up, then facelock. Naoim brings Jade over, but Jade keeps Naomi from reaching Nina! Naomi takes a swing, but into a FLATLINER! Both women are down and the fans rally up! Naomi and Jade crawl, hot tag to Nia!
Nia drags Jade from Tiff and the fans boo, but Jade BOOTS free! Hot tag to Tiffy! The fans fire up as TIff LARIATS, but Nia stays up! Tiff LARIATS again, and again, then wrenches to ROCK Nia! And KNEE! Nia goes to a corner, Tiff handsprings and BACK ELBOWS! Tiff fires up, keeps moving, but Nia fireman’s carries! But Tiff hits a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Nia survives that sudden turnaround and Tiff thinks on what she must do. Tiff runs, TIFFY STOMPS! Nia is down, Tiff goes to the corner, but Nia rises quickly! Nia HEADBUTTS Tiff, fireman’s carries, and SAMOAN DROPS! Naomi tags in, Nia drops the leg, brother!
Nia is upset when the ref points out the tag. Naomi tells Nia to get out! Naomi drags Tiff to the corner, laughs, and she goes up, up, and SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT, but onto knees! Tiff saves herself and the fans rally up! Tiff crawls, Naomi anchors a foot, but Tiff still hot tags Jade! Jade jumps in and SUPERKICKS Naomi! And she BOOTS Nia off the apron! Jade runs up to CLOBBER Naomi again and again, then fireman’s carries! FLAPJACK! Jade kips up, the fans fire up, and Jade runs corner to corner so she can ELBOW Naomi! Jade fires up, the fans are with her, and Jade choke grips, to then get a taste! CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Nia breaks it!
The fans boo but Nia drags Naomi all the way to safety. Nia tags herself in, then she ELBOW DROPS onto Jade! Jade sputters, but Nia SENTONS! But Tiff is up top! SWANTON breaks the cover!! The fans are thunderous while Tiff hobbles up. Naomi KNEES Tiff, fires forearms, but Tiff turns things around! Tiff stomps a mudhole in, but Nia CLOBBERS both Tiff and Naomi! Nia kicks them both out of the ring, runs up on Jade, and SPLASHES in the corner! Nia puts Jade in the drop zone, climbs up the corner, and the fans boo, but Jade rises! Jade gets under Nia and brings her off the corner! POWERBOMB!! Cover, Jade & Tiffy win!!
Winners: Tiffany Stratton & Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade and Tiff held together as a dynamic duo, and now Jade is headed into the #1 contender’s match with all the momentum. She even snatches the title from the ref to admire it on her shoulder. The fans boo and Tiff asks for her belt. Jade says okay, but then they tug-o-war a bit. Jade smiles, but Naomi CLOBBERS Jade into Tiff! The fans boo but Naomi has Jade’s wrists for a ripcord CODE BREAKER!! Then Naomi stands tall with the title! Is Naomi going to force her way into the title scene?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, and they really stepped on the gas for the Backlash build. Great blending of moments in the opening, with Priest wanting after Fatu & Solo, then he and Knight have their promo battle before “changing the card” and having their match to open. I think commentary made note that this was going to be the main event if not for that, which I don’t know if that’s ever been said when a match is “moved up,” but it does help justify why the women’s tag match became the “new” main event instead of the countless times a main event match is made “impromptu.” Then it was just an awesome match with Priest VS Knight that was of course “ruined” by Solo Sikoa.
Great move by Aldis to give us the Fatal 4 Way that many fans and I certainly felt was coming. Doing this protects all four guys, regardless if Fatu retains or Drew wins and completes his Grand Slam. Great promo from Fraxiom with Pretty Deadly, and a great tag match from them. While Fraxiom was certainly winning no matter what, I feel like they had to change something in the finish after Elton went down with that blood in his mouth. The Standing Shooting Star can still do some damage if an elbow or knee catches the target in the wrong spot. Hopefully Elton is alright, but Fraxiom is doing great, and they can surely move right into the tag title scene.
Great promo from Randy Orton to not just call out Cena but to “expose” him for how he’s been backstage. I won’t say it adds that much, though maybe that’s because I’ve been around for the whole Cena journey and have heard the very same things Orton just threw at Cena. This promo was perhaps more for fans who are much younger and have only watched Cena from the “Super Cena” days, aka the days where the merch is just how Orton described. R-Truth confronting Orton is pretty wild. It’d be even wilder if R-Truth ends up a Heel by default just because that’s how blindly loyal Truth is to Cena…
Very good promo from Miz and Melo before Miz’s match with Aleister, and I feel like there was a hesitation near the end where Miz refrained from mentioning AEW. He wanted to run down Aleister for not lasting as long as him, but he wasn’t about to mention the competition to do it. Then a very good match from Aleister VS Miz, Miz really bringing out that grit we know he’s got, but of course Aleister won. Melo clearly wants next and that’ll be a great match, but I feel like something has to “ruin” it so neither guy comes out looking week. Though, I don’t see Aleister getting a tag partner to then take on #MeloDon’tMiz so I’m not sure how this goes…
Good promo from B-Fab & Michin to stake their claim to a title shot, and then good stuff with Chelsea Green and all these political jokes about how she lost her title. Piper being given the match with Zelina was definitely so Zelina could fight up as the underdog, but I kinda thought Alba Fyre would be in “more trouble” facing Zelina on short notice. Still a good win for Zelina, and maybe we still get Zelina VS Alba next. A shame there are a lot of releases happening in the background right now, some good names aren’t gonna get a chance to challenge for the Women’s US title past Backlash now.
Very good promo from Fenix and Santos and a very good match from Fenix VS Santos. I also appreciate Santos using the Arrow from Hell, a shoutout to how he was King Cuerno in Lucha Underground where he faced Fenix and Penta many times. Andrade confronting Santos on his treatment of Los Garza furthers the story of perhaps Berto joining Andrade. Andrade VS Santos should definitely happen at some point, and I feel like we could even get some crossover with AAA as we get closer to Worlds Collide in June. I wonder if we’ll get Faces VS Heels or WWE VS AAA tag matches, because it’d be something to see Andrade and Santos have to work together.
And naturally, we got a “Can they coexist” match tonight around the WWE Women’s Championship story. Good promo to then spark the main event tag match, and a great main event tag match with that. Jade & Tiffy winning makes sense, especially with Jade and Nia set to face off next week. But I feel like something is needed to keep Naomi from just attacking Jade during the match. Maybe a Triple Threat #1 Contender’s match? That makes it really unpredictable, and all options would be great for facing Tiffy given Tiffy has had beef with Naomi and Nia, and is now starting to have beef with Jade. Let’s just not be redundant and make a Fatal 4 for the title at Backlash.
My Score: 8.8/10
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