Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/18/25)
It’s WrestleMania SmackDown!
John Cena returns to SmackDown!
WrestleMania Weekend kicks off with SmackDown, and John Cena once again graces the WWE with his presence. What final words will he have before facing Cody Rhodes this Sunday?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 2025 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Carmelo Hayes wins.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Motor City Machine Guns; The Profits win, by disqualification, and retain the titles.
- Chelsea Green VS Zelina Vega; Zelina wins.
- LA Knight VS Solo Sikoa; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- LA Knight & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu; Knight & Braun win.
- Six Man Tag: Team American Made VS Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee & Rey Fenix; Rey, Dragon & Fenix win.
PLAY BY PLAY
WrestleMania SmackDown’s going commercial free for the first hour!
Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga pull into the parking lot.
Solo lets his Right Hand Man handle the bags, but LA KNIGHT ATTACKS! The Mega Star goes after Tama, SMACKS him off some other car, and then SLAMS the door shut on Tama’s hand! Knight gets away before Solo returns, is the WWE US Champion making sure Jacob Fatu can’t stack the deck here in Las Vegas?
Seth Rollins is here!
The Visionary surprises Las Vegas as he’s already here ahead of WrestleMania! Rollins struts his way out in a black ‘n’ white tuxedo with golden roses painted on it, and the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as he goes to the ring. Rollins revels in the cheers before grabbing a mic. The singing continues, and Rollins tells Las Vegas, “It ain’t Monday, it’s Friday, but I thin it still works. Welcome to Friday Night Rollins~!” The fans cheer and Rollins says he is our host! He is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he is SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! The fans cheer, and Rollins looks to the WrestleMania sign.
The singing returns, but there are also chants of “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Rollins decides to reference said CM Punk by sitting cross-legged in the middle of the ring! Rollins even tosses the mic sleeve aside, but now the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says we’ll get to him in a minute. Let’s start with that guy who they were chanting for first. The fans chant “C M PUNK!” again, and Rollins says yes, that’s the reason that guy came back to wrestling, right? Because all the fans chanted his name for ten long years! That’s why Punk came back, right? Except, when CM Punk came back to the ring, it wasn’t a WWE ring.
So did Punk came back because the fans were chanting his name? Or because someone wrote him a big fat check? Rollins says when Punk burned that bridge, like he does every other bridge, Punk did finally come back to the WWE. But was it because of the fans chanting his name? No. It was because they wrote him another big fat check. Some fans actually chant, “BIG FAT CHECK! BIG FAT CHECK!” Rollins adds, “Tell me when I’m tellin’ lies. CM Punk likes to pretend he came back for all of you. CM Punk doesn’t care about you. CM Punk doesn’t care about the WWE. He’s a liar, he’s a fraud, he’s a coward…
“And say what you will about Roman Reigns, Mr. OTC…” The fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” and Rollins says Roman doesn’t even pretend to care about the fans! Roman doesn’t even pretend to care about the WWE! And you can believe that. The OTC only cares about the OTC. Roman Reigns is in the Roman Reigns business. Mr. Private Jet, Mr. Limited Schedule, Mr. Handpicked Opponents. The fans sing “Roman! Roman Reigns~!” Rollins says yes, Roman loves that. He loves when you love him. But Roman knows nothing of sacrifice. Punk knows nothing of sacrifice. Rollins knows EVERYTHING about sacrifice!
But funny enough, this story all started 12 years ago, all with Paul Heyman. That’s the truth. Heyman brought Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose into the WWE to be a shield for CM Punk. Every single night, Rollins sacrificed everything he had in this ring to be that shield. Did he get any of the credit? Absolutely not. “Everyone in the back” wanted the cameras and spotlight on Roman Reigns. It was always about Roman Reigns! Roman Reigns was the next John Cena! Roman Reigns was the next cash cow! Look at Roman, put the spotlight on him! Every single year, this went along.
And in the background, after CM Punk had gone away, taken his ball and gone home, Rollins heard little echoes of “C M Punk” chants. Meanwhile, Rollins was making every show, in the ring every night, sacrificing everything that he had! The fans do cheer that, and Rollins says it all came to a head last year, in the main event of WrestleMania, a knee hanging on by a threat, Rollins’ stepdad at home, dying of cancer… But Rollins was there at the very end to be a shield to make sure Roman Reigns LOST! The fans do cheer that, too! They even chant, “Thank You, Seth!” and sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins soaks it all in before continuing.
“This story between us started 12 years ago, when Paul Heyman brought myself and Roman Reigns into the WWE. And it ends tomorrow night, in the most important Triple Threat match in the history of this industry. And I promise you, I will do exactly what I have done for the past 12 years. I will lay it all on the line. I will sacrifice everything that I have to make sure that this business, this company, this industry, moves forward in the right direction. That’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler. HAHAHAHAHAHA~!” Rollins has issued his mission statement. Will the Architect finish the story that he’s been writing for over a decade now?
2025 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal!
The tradition to honor the Eighth Wonder of the World continues! Who will make it through the star-studded field to immortalize themselves on the giant trophy?
The bell rings and the brawl is on! The fans fire up for this chaos as LWO brawls with Legado del Fantasma, Pretty Deadly is after A-Town Down Under, and Carlito finds himself the odd man out so he just smiles and watches it all happen. Carlito brings out his apple, but R-Truth takes it and takes a bite out of it! The fans cheer, Carlito is confused, but then Carlito CLUBS Truth into SPITTING the apple at Miz! Carlito whips, Truth reverses and TOSSES Carlito to ELIMINATE him! The fans cheer and Carlito is stunned! Truth tosses what’s left of the apple to him! Melo storms up, Truth ROCKS Melo, then Truth TOSSES Melo, only for Melo to drag Truth out with him!
The fans fire up as Truth and Melo brawl, but Miz BOOTS Truth down to ELIMINATE him! The fans boo as Melo Don’t Miz sticks together, But then Karrion Kross finds Miz! Kross grabs Miz, unfinished business from before the Transfer Window! But Melo jumps on Kross! Melo & Miz mug Kross, and then we see Rey Fenix staring down with Santos Escobar. But then Los Garza CLOBBER Fenix! They haul him up, Andrade goes after Santos, and Fenix gets hit with TU LO SABE! Los Garza get Fenix up again, ASSISTED RAZOR’S- RANA! Fenix sends Berto up, out and ELIMINATES him! Angel runs up, but Fenix puts him on the top rope!
Angel shoves Fenix away, but he’s kinda stuck. Fenix SHORYUKENS! Angel falls out, Fenix ELIMINATES him, too! Santos says what’s wrong with these guys! Pretty Deadly mugs Tyler Bate, they stomp his hands and give him the Scott Hall fingers. Then they RAM Tyler into the corner, and Kit Wilson UPPERCUTS! Then Elton Prince UPPERCUTS! #YesBoy! DRY MARTI-KNEES! But then A-Town Down Under TOSS Pretty Deadly to DOUBLE ELIMINATE them! But then New Catch Republic goes after them! Kaiser kicks at Dunne, Dunne blocks, and Tyler says Bop up, BANG! Kaiser falls, but ATDU mugs New Catch Republic!
The fans boo Theory & Waller as they TOSS Tyler, but he rebounds to DOUBLE COMEBACKER! The Big Strong Boi then DUMPS ATDU out at the same time! But Waller & Theory both hold onto the ropes! Kaiser DUMPS Tyler, but Tyler holds on! Tyler skins the cat, but Kaiser SHOTGUNS him down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo the Impeccable German, but Dunne KICKS him! Dunne pushes Kaiser to the ropes! Santos GAMANGIRIS Miz! American Made battles with the LWO, Miz fights Santos, and then Andrade helps out! Kaiser is dangling off the floor! Andrade kicks at Kaiser, but then Santos is on Andrade!
Andrade takes a swing, but santos shoves him into Fenix! Andrade apologizes, but Santos KNEES Andrade down! Santos uses that as a reason for Fenix to trust him, not Andrade! Fenix says okay. But then he TOSSES Santos and ELIMINATES him! Fenix knows a snake when he sees one, but Santos respects Fenix’s own trickery. Wait, Otis picks up Tozawa and AIRPLANE SPINS! Tozawa is a human weapon to clear out space! Otis then ROCKS Andrade, scoops and SLAMS him, then picks Tozawa up again to CHUCK at Julius! But Julius catches Tozawa, hands him off to Brutus, and while Julius JUMP KNEES Otis, Brutus TOSSES and ELIMINATES Tozawa!
Otis is mad now, and he CLOBBERS The Creeds! The fans fire up, then Otis runs to DOUBLE LARIAT The Creeds and himself up and out of the ring, TRIPLE ELIMINATION!! Otis realizes his mistake, but the fans still cheer him on. Miz goes after Nakamura, Kross is after Fenix, and Dragon Lee has Chad Gable! Otis RAMS Julius into the steel steps in frustration! Andrade TOSSES Waller and ELIMINATES him! But then Theory picks Andrade up! Andrade fights free, TOSSES Theory, and he ELIMINATES him, too! The fans fire up for El Idolo, and then he turns around to see Gable. Gable is surrounded by Andrade, Fenix, Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde!
Andrade BOOTS Gable first! Dragon Lee V-TRIGGER! DOUBLE SUPERKICK from Cruz & Wilde! JUMP SOBAT from Fenix! They TOSS Gable and ELIMINATE him! But then Nakamura storms in! He fights LWO, Wilde RAMS Nakamura from the apron and goes up, but Nakamura KICKS Wilde to the floor and ELIMINATES him! Cruz whips Nakamura, runs in at the corner, but Nakamura puts Cruz on the apron! Cruz ENZIGIRS, goes up, but Kross DECKS Cruz! Kross shouts, “Rey is using you!” Dragon Lee SLAPS Kross! Kross laughs and DECKS Dragon Lee! Kross scoops Dragon Lee, but Dragon Lee slips free to TOSS Kross and ELIMINATE him!
Vegas is torn that their guy is done, but Kross says Mysterio is just using Dragon Lee! Nakamura TOSSES Dragon Lee! But Dragon Lee gets up, buckle bumps and GAMANGIRIS! Dragon Lee slingshot RANAS Nakamura down! Then Dragon goes corner to corner, but into a KINSHASA!! Nakamura then IVERTED EXPLODERS Dragon up and out to ELIMINATE him! The fans are torn, but we’re quickly down to seven, with Nakamura, Fenix, Kaiser, Dunne, Andrade, Miz & Melo. Kaiser and Dunne trade shots while Miz & Melo kick Fenix in a corner. Dunne DUMPS Kaiser to the apron, but Kaiser pulls Dunne’s hair!
The fans fire up as both men dangle off the apron! Both men stand on the apron, and Kaiser CHOPS! Dunne kicks a leg out, STOMPS Kaiser’s hands, then BOOTS him! Kaiser hooks the rope with his legs! Kaiser crawls inside, Dunne steps through ropes, but Kaiser KICKS the ropes to jam Dunne up! Kaiser runs but Dunne catches him to a HANGING TRIANGLE HOLD! Dunne drags Kaiser up and over and to the floor! Dunne ELIMINATES Kaiser! Andrade fights Melo, but Miz TOSSES Andrade! Andrade holds on, but Dunne LARIATS Melo! Then Dunne TOSSES Miz! Dunne ROCKS Miz, ROCKS Melo, then he grabs Melo’s hand!
Dunne bends Melo’s fingers, then SNAPS them! Dunne fires hands, but Miz holds onto Melo! Miz TOSSES Melo in, but Dunne SHOTGUNS Miz down to ELIMINATE him! The fans fire up as now we have just five! Melo runs up, ducks and enzigiri, and he DUMPS Dunne to ELIMINATE him! That makes four, but Andrade picks Melo up! Melo fights free, Fenix and Nakamura rise up, and now our final four square off! The fans fire up as they circle around the ring, and then they brawl! Fenix has Nakamura, Andrade has Melo! Nakamura KNEES Fenix low, fires more KNEES, then he AX KICKS! Melo ROCKS Andrade and CHOPS him in a corner!
Nakamura sends Fenix into Melo to then ROUNDHOUSE Melo! INVERTED EXPLODER for Fenix! Andrade is back to boot feint but Nakamura avoids the shadow elbow! Andrade avoids the roundhouse but not the WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up with the King of Strong Style, KINS- NO, Andrade dodges! But then Nakamura THRUST KICKS! Nakamura hops up, but Andrade triangle jump DROPKICKS Nakamura down, and ELIMINATES him!! The fans are thunderous and Andrade grins, but then Melo SUPERKICKS Fenix! Fenix is stuck in the ropes, but Melo brings him around. Melo jumps, but Andrade gets him, only for Fenix to SHOVE them both over!
Melo and Andrade both hold onto ropes! Fenix doesn’t realize this, and Melo gets back in! Melo CLOBBERS Fenix! Melo whips, Fenix uses Melo as a boost to RANA Andrade! Melo whips Fenix again but Fenix goes Spider-Man to rewind and HEEL KICK! The fans fire up as Fenix runs at Andrade, somersault FLYING FOREARM! #ANIMO, but Melo puts Fenix on the apron! Fenix RAMS Melo, ROCKS him, then goes up the corner! BUT EL GRANDE AMERICANO TRIPS HIM UP!? Grande DUMPS Fenix out to ELIMINATE him!! “UH GRACIAS~!” The fans boo but Grande runs off into the night.
Andrade and Melo are the last two, a fitting fate given their best of seven series from just last year. The fans are thunderous as these two reset. They runs up, Andrade dodges, kicks, and underhooks! But Melo slips free of the Message to run, and LA- NO, Andrade stops the Mystica to suplex, only for Melo to slip free again! Melo spins Andrade, but Andrade powers out! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, still no one falls! Melo runs, LA MYSTICA! And then a whip, but the boot feint SHADOW ELBOW hits! Both men are down and Vegas is thunderous again!
“This is Awesome!” as both men slowly stir. They rise up, Andrade reels Melo in, and Andrade gives some Latino Heat! The fans cheer that, but Melo fights the first amigo! Melo hits the suplex CUTTER! Melo then whips, but Andrade reverses! Melo goes up, but Andrade jumps up to get him again! Only for Melo to back down and SHOVE Andrade out! MELO WINS!!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes (2025 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winner)
El Idolo is furious, but he got faked out as Melo hits the game winner! Melo proves he is H1M, but will he use this to soon become a champion?
SmackDown shares a snippet of Wade Barrett’s interview with Charlotte Flair.
The full interview will be part of tomorrow’s Countdown to WrestleMania 41, but Barrett says The Queen and Tiffany Stratton have clearly made things personal as of late. There have been numerous verbal attacks, as well as physical. Oh, you don’t say? Yes, Charlotte was even sent home from the arena last week, for her to ultimately show up anyway and attack Tiffany. Charlotte notes that wasn’t the first time something like that happened. Barrett wants to know: why is it this has gotten so nasty so quickly? Charlotte takes a moment, and says she doesn’t love it. They have moved past it. But she has a chip on her shoulder, and if she looks deeper at Tiffany, she can see there’s a chip on Tiff’s shoulder, too.
Charlotte doesn’t love it, but the people are invested now, so if there’s anything that matters most to Charlotte, it’s that people tune in not only to see her, but to see her VS Tiffany Stratton on the biggest stage. This is how we got there, but at the end of the day, getting people invested in something is what this is about. It can be ugly sometimes, but that’s just how you get tougher. The Queen is certainly putting Tiffy to the test, but will it still be #TiffyTime after WrestleMania?
Rhea Ripley is here!
Las Vegas fires up as Mami’s in town ahead of her Mania Moment, the Women’s World Championship Triple Threat. Rhea goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and she says, “Sunday, it marks my sixth WrestleMania. Yeah. And each time, I’ve walked into some sort of championship match. But honestly, this one… This one is probably the most important to me. Because it’s true, I let myself get distracted by Bianca Belair, and I lost my Women’s World Championship right before WrestleMania. That’s my bad. So I could, I’m not going to, but I could be coming out here right now to talk about the last few weeks, complain, moan, make excuses, but nah, I’m not gonna do that.
“Because there’s no point in talking about the past anymore. Sunday, I get back what I want, and I do what I have to do.” The fans cheer that! “Rhea Bloody Ripley is walking OUT of WrestleMania your THREE-TIME Women’s World Champion!” The fans really like that! But then wait! Here comes the current champion, Iyo Sky! The Evil Genius high-fives fans as she goes to the ring to step to Rhea. Iyo has a mic, but Bianca Belair interrupts already! The EST struts her way to the ring, struts past Rhea & Iyo, and grabs a mic of her own. The fans boo, but Bianca brushes that off to say, “Y’all two thought y’all was gonna come to SmackDown, drop my name, and I wasn’t gonna show up?”
Bianca says she was definitely showing up tonight! Because tonight might be her last night on SmackDown for awhile, because at WrestleMania, Bianca walks out the champion! The fans boo more, but Bianca says after what they put her through, she isn’t letting this go any time soon. Wait, is that Naomi!? The Glow gone dark has a mic as she makes her way out here to say, “Hey, B. So, you finally decided to show up to SmackDown. And you ain’t even gonna try and talk to me?” Bianca signs but Naomi says she’s filled up the voicemail box, called her like crazy, texted her, and Naomi knows Bianca got ’em cuz it says, “Delivered.”
Naomi approaches the ring and asks if their friendship means so little to Bianca. Naomi didn’t even wanna do this and have everyone in their business, she wanted to handle it in private. But since Bianca’s gonna go ignore her- Bianca says they’re not doing this, Naomi knows why Bianca isn’t responding because Naomi knows what she did. Bianca said what she said last time, and she meant it. So no, they’re not doing this right now. Oh, Bianca cares about Jade that much? Bianca says it’s not even about Jade! Naomi says Jade wasn’t there for Bianca like Naomi was! And tomorrow, Naomi finishes what she started with Jade! And after that-
Well, why wait? Here comes Jade Cargill now! The Storm storms her way to the ring, and she goes right for Naomi! Naomi runs away, Bianca wants Jade to calm down. Jade says Bianca is choosing Naomi over her now. Rhea says no, Jade, this isn’t about you. This is about- NAOMI SHOVES JADE INTO RHEA! Jade DECKS Naomi! Rhea and Bianca brawl just because, and Iyo stays back. Jade has Naomi on the outside, Rhea and Bianca spill out the side, and producers, refs and security rush out to stop this! Iyo decides to get in on this by going up top! OVER THE MOONSAULT onto the cluster!
The fans are thunderous for Iyo, Naomi scurries away from Jade, and a lot is going down this WrestleMania Weekend! Who will have their Mania Moment and shine in the spotlight?
Team American Made finds Rey Fenix backstage.
Chad Gable mockingly says, “Look who it is! The new luchador! What, you lasted to the final three tonight before you lost? Yeah, that was a good night, through. Not as good as El Grrrande Americano! Tell me, how’d it feel to get eliminated by the greatest-” Dragon Lee storms in and tells Gable to shut up. Gable gets no respect from real luchadores. Dragon and Fenix stand together and Dragon says Grande will lose at WrestleMania. Don’t talk to Gable about WrestleMania! And don’t talk to him about El Grande! But then Rey Mysterio steps in! Rey tells Gable that Grande is gonna learn about real lucha libre.
Gable says Rey doesn’t tell Gable what Grande’s gonna learn! And Rey sure ain’t teaching it! Rey says Gable sounds like he’s still in fight mode. There’s three of them, and three of Rey’s side. Why not a Six Man Tag here tonight? Brutus laughs, but then Gable frowns. Julius says they’re serious. Fenix tells Rey that he likes this idea. The luchadores go to talk with Nick Aldis, will the King of Lucha Libre build some momentum before he faces El Grande Americano?
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Motor City Machine Guns!
After over four YEARS without gold, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins finally have belts around their waists again. But will the champions go away after only a few weeks? Or can the Profits be up here in Sin City?
SmackDown returns and Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin are already in the ring as The Profits make their entrance. The introductions are made, but MCMG strike first with DROPKICKS at the ropes! The Profits tumble, MCMG take aim again, STEREO PLANCHA! The fans fire up, Sabin SMACKS Ford off barriers and then puts him in the ring. The bell rings, Sabin ROCKS Ford again and again, then stomps him. Tag to Shelley, Sabin wrenches Ford and Shelley goes up. AX HANDLES! Then MCMG double whip, DOUBLE ELBOW, and SENTON KNEE DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Shelley keeps Ford down, and wrenches an arm.
Tag to Sabin, MCMG double wrench, but Ford breaks free to ROCK Shelley, ELBOW Sabin, then KICK and ELBOW! MCMG DOUBLE KICK, then they run, but Ford blows past to LARIAT Shelley! Sabin kicks, runs, but Ford blows past to LARIAT him now! The fans fire up for Ford and he tags Dawkins in. Dawkins LARIATS Sabin, LARIATS again, then whips. Sabin reverses, Dawkins hurdles, and then Dawkins FLYING UPPERCUTS! The fans fire up with Dawkins, and he runs to CYCLONE SPLASH! Tag to Ford, then Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts! Ford is up top, BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY! Cover, Shelley YANKS Ford away!
Dawkins whips Shelley, Shelley reverses and TOSSES him out! Shelley builds speed, DIVES into a haymaker! The fans fire up while Dawkins snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Dawkins goes back to the Profits corner from the outside, and Shelley returns to the MCMG corner. Sabin tags Shelley, Ford tags Dawkins, and the two throw hands! Shelley climbs up in the corner to rain down punches! Ford runs up as Shelley reaches nine, but Shelley ELBOWS him down! Dawkins runs up but Shelley mule kicks! Shelley whips, Dawkins reverses, and Dawkins FLAPJACKS Shelley hard! Shelley sputters while Dawkins paces. Dawkins covers, TWO! Dawkins drags Shelley up, brings him over, then fires fast hands in the corner! Dawkins DECKS Shelley, drags him back up, and snapmares him for Ford’s slingshot SENTON!
Ford stares Sabin down, goes back to Shelley, and he drags Shelley up, only to get a JAWBREAKER! Shelley runs, sunset flips, but Ford rolls through to PENALTY KICK! And then SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Shelley stays in this and crawls away to ropes. Ford drags Shelley over, tags Dawkins, and they stomp Shelley. Ford YANKS Shelley’s leg, Dawkins stomps Shelley more, then Dawkins stays between Shelley and Sabin. Dawkins scoops Shelley to SLAM him! Cover, TWO! Dawkins stalks Shelley, clamps on with a chinlock, and he grinds Shelley down. Shelley endures, fights up, and throws knees! Dawkins ROCKS Shelley!
Shelley flounders, Dawkins CLUBS him, and then Dawkins RAMS Shelley in a corner! The ref counts, Dawkins lets off, and he brings Shelley over to bump off buckles in the Profits’ corner. SmackDown returns to single picture as Dawkins runs up, but Shelley dodges the cyclone! Ford tags in, slides between Shelley and Sabin, then grabs a leg. Shelley BOOTS Ford away, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin dodges Ford, DROPKICKS Dawkins, then BOOTS Ford! Sabin goes up, and he FLYING RANAS Ford! Sabin keeps moving, and he goes to the apron to PENALTY KICK Dawkins! Sabin goes up the corner again, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS Ford!
Sabin tags Shelley while the fans fire up. Sabin runs in, Ford puts him on the apron, but Shelley LARIATS! Shelley clinches, Sabin goes up, MISSILE DROPKICK FALTLINER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Ford survives, but Shelley drags him up and brings him around. Shelley bumps Ford off buckles, tags Sabin, and Shelley Electric Chair Lifts Ford! Sabin climbs but Ford fights free! Ford sends Shelley into Sabin, then ENZIGIRIS Shelley! Hot tag to Dawkins! Sabin leaps over Ford, but Dawkins is there, POUNCE SAIDO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Dawkins drags Sabin back up, tags Ford back in, and Dawkins whips Sabin, only for Sabin to grab ropes.
Dawkins runs up, Sabin BOOTS him away! Shelley sneaks a tag, Sabin runs, FLAPJACK DROPKICK! Ford leaps, Sabin dodges! Shelley is there to atomic drop! The Dream Sequence begins, and completes with the MOTOR CITY FACIAL! Ford flounders to a corner, MCMG hit him with the BOOT ENZIGIRI COMBO! Then they bring Ford out, but Dawkins DECKS Shelley! Sabin DECKS Dawkins! Ford SUPERKICKS Sabin! Sabin tumbles out to join Shelley and Dawkins, so Ford builds speed and FLIES over the corner! The fans are thunderous, but JOHNNY GRAGANO LEAPS IN FROM THE CROWD! DIY attacks, and the match is ruined!
Winners: The Street Profits, by disqualification (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Tommaso Ciampa grabs the belts, then he POSTS Dawkins! And he KNEES Shelly down! DIY is committing grand larceny but they claim they’re still the rightful champions! The fans boo, will Nick Aldis have to serve some justice?
Nick Aldis is on the phone.
Speaking of the SmackDown General Manager, he’s clearly already addressing the issue with DIY, only to be interrupted by Chelsea Green. The WWE Women’s United States Champion has her Secret Her-vice with her as she assumes Aldis witnessed last week’s travesty. He witnessed that count out loss, if that’s what she means. That IS what she means. And she has a complaint to file. Oh, tell him something he doesn’t know. Chelsea has Alba & Piper serve Aldis with the document. Aldis looks it over, and Chelsea assumes he will rectify the injustice. Aldis tells Chelsea that yes, she is right. There was an injustice, time to take action.
In fact, the three of them are supposed to be in a Six Woman Tag tonight. Forget that, because we’re handling this “injustice.” Zelina Vega will face Chelsea Green again! Great idea! What a stand-up champion! But hey, it’s a singles match, so let’s just have it be only Chelsea at ringside. Thank you. Aldis leaves, Chelsea freaks out and wants him to get back here, but what’s done is done. Will Chelsea just have to make sure she doesn’t lose two weeks in a row to La Muneca?
DIY is running backstage.
They’re trying to get away with these belts, but Aldis and security stop them! Aldis wants them to hand the belts over, DIY says they’re not playing games, but Aldis says DIY are not the champions. DIY insist they ARE the champions, but then the Profits run up! Followed by MCMG! Aldis and security keep this from breaking down! Aldis has everyone stop. DIY can do this the easy way or the hard way. DIY hand the belts over. Aldis says he is sick of dealing with this. Next week, the belts will be on the line, and high overhead. It will be a TABLES, LADDERS & CHAIRS MATCH! All three teams like that, but who wins when it’s all about TLC?
Randy Orton is here!
The fans sing along with Voices as The Viper makes his way to the ring. Orton takes a long look at the WrestleMania sign before he poses on the corner. Orton then grabs a mic to say, “Ladies and gents, as of now, I do not have an opponent for WrestleMania 41.” The fans boo, but Orton says he and the wife have been in Vegas, doing the appearances, walked The Strip, met the WWE Universe, thousands of you have approached him. He’s seen it in your eyes, he feels it in the air, there is an excitement for this year’s WrestleMania like none other! Orton’s father was in the very first Mania. Then 20 years later, Orton debuted at Madison Square Garden.
Orton’s mother got to witness his debut. Mania means something to him. And his legacy has a lot to do with his longevity. So there is no way in hell he is just sitting out this year’s WrestleMania! If Orton competes this weekend, it will be the 20th time he has competed at WrestleMania! This WrestleMania means so much to him, so here’s what he’ll do. He is just going to throw this out there to “the universe,” and let the fans decide! Orton will show up on Sunday, boots tied up, gear on, and just the right amount of baby oil on his skin… Fans like that! Orton promises to be locked, loaded and ready to deliver.
Because he’s not just doing this for himself! Orton is doing this for the fans, for his family, for the guys in the back! But as far as “the boys in the back” are concerned, if anybody wants to test themselves, he dares them to step up! Anybody on The Strip, if you’ve got wrestling boots, or even just catch wind that The Legend Killer needs an opponent, he is challenging you to step up! He will be there on Sunday, Allegiant Stadium, in the ring, ready to go! But know this: You will be met with, you will fall victim to the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment, R K O! Who will then step up to this RKOpen Challenge?
Backstage interview with Damian Priest.
Byron Saxton is with The Archer of Infamy and notes that this situation with Drew McIntyre has reached a boiling point. Earlier today on the WrestleMania Kickoff Show, they got into it, and- Priest stops Byron there. He knows Byron is doing his job, but Priest is done answering questions. This is now a direct message to Drew McIntyre, “the same guy who didn’t bother to show up to SmackDown tonight. The same guy who has been trying to convince the world that he’s some kind of victim. Drew, you are not a victim, man. Not yet. You’re mistaken if you think this is about me beating you in a match. You’re not ready for this fight. The world isn’t ready for this violence.
“You’ve tried really hard to paint me as some type of bad guy. Good. I’m gonna beat you so bad, you’re gonna wish you were future endeavored, again. At WrestleMania, I’m bringing the punishment, and I’m gonna bury you.” Priest has put the Scottish Warrior on notice, is he about to terminate the terminator?
The shadowy force approaches…
More smoke and flashes of images. “Accept damnation… Reject forgiveness…” Then the numbers appear, 4.25.25. We have one week left to wait, will SmackDown fade to black?
Chelsea Green VS Zelina Vega!
The Women’s US Champion is very upset that she lost by count out, but maybe she should’ve just left the issue alone. Now she has to face La Muneca again, and could end up losing even worse. Will Chelsea end up complaining even more after tonight? Or will she find a way to even the score?
SmackDown returns as Chelsea makes her entrance. The bell rings and Chelsea tries the skirt trick from last week! Zelina dodges it, then runs up, but Chelsea catches her for a back suplex! Zelina lands out, but Chelsea SLAPS her! Chelsea talks smack, but Zelina runs up again! Chelsea catches her for a LIGHTNING SPIRAL! Cover, TWO! Chelsea rains down fists, dribbles Zelina, and she has Vegas on her side. Chelsea stand Zelina up, whips, but Zelina KICKS Chelsea! Zelina wheelbarrows, arm-drags, and then runs at the corner, but into a KICK! Chelsea STOMPS Zelina, then rains down forearms! Chelsea then salutes while the fans cheer.
Chelsea drags Zelina up, whips, but Zelina reverses to TOSS Chelsea! Chelsea drags Zelina out and THROWS her into barriers! Chelsea refreshes the ring count this time, argues with the ref about it, then goes out to fetch Zelina. But Zelina DUMPS Chelsea into the timekeeper’s area! The fans rally, Zelina crawls away, and Chelsea drags herself back to ringside. We’re at 7 of 10, then 8! Both women spring in at 9! The fans cheer as the two stare down. Chelsea and Zelina warn the other, and then the forearms fly! Vegas is on Chelsea’s side for whatever reason but Zelina fires a flurry! Then she dodges and comes back to CLOBBER Chelsea!
Zelina LARIATS! Then she blocks a kick, ELBOWS Chelsea, and stalks her to the ropes. Zelina dials it up, but Chelsea BOOTS her first! Chelsea covers, TWO! Now Chelsea argues that count wasn’t fast enough! Chelsea puts Zelina up top, climbs up after her, but Zelina fights the suplex! Zelina smacks Chelsea off buckles, climbs up, and hits a SUPER CODE RED!! Cover, ZELINA WINS AGAIN!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
And now that’s a definitive victory on the Women’s US Champion! Will Zelina look to make this 3-0 when she goes for the title?
LA Knight VS Solo Sikoa!
The Mega Star got the drop on Tama Tonga, and now he looks to remove one more variable before facing the dangerous Samoan Werewolf. Knight has the mic to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA! I dunno if you just saw what was on the screen, but what happened last week, I call that inspiration. Because week after week, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, they like to use numbers, they like to use sneak attacks. If you wanna sneak, then I got the sneak! And sneaking’s what I did. So outta the equation is Tama Tonga, and next on the list, Solo. Which means tomorrow at WrestleMania, it’s just me and it’s Jacob Fatu
“Now I understand Jacob Fatu’s a force, the man’s a monster, and he’s destroyed everything in front of him. Ain’t ever seen anything like him, right? But Jacob, you don’t understand! Because with that same energy, I walked into this place, turned the world upside-down, and stand here, TWO-TIME, most matches, most wins. And what that means is this is the title of titles. We never seen anything like you? NAH NAH! You ain’t ever seen anything like me!” The fans cheer, and Knight says when Jacob grabbed the belt last week, Knight could be cliche and say that’s the closest Jacob will get to being champ.
But Knight ain’t a dummy. Knight can look at Jacob and see that some day, some where, chances are, Jacob will be a champion. If that’s US Champ or something else, who knows. But the chances are, that while Knight’s here in the city of chance, he ain’t talking chance, he’s talking guarantees. The guarantee tonight is that Solo’s gonna walk out here and eat one. Then tomorrow night, Knight guarantees Jacob eats a BFT, courtesy of the man they call The Mega Star, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” With that, Solo makes his entrance, truly solo without Tama or Jacob. Knight then rushes out to start the fight!
The fans fire up as Solo and Knight trade hands back and forth, the Knight gets the edge! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight RAMS Solo into the apron, stalks him to the steel steps, but Solo YANKS Knight into the steel! The ref reprimands but this isn’t a match yet! Solo THROWS Knight into the steel steps, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and they’re back on the outside as Solo stands Knight up. Solo takes a swing but Knight fires counter punches! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Solo UPPERCUTS, then scoops Knight, to RAM him into the POST! Knight writhes on the floor, Solo refreshes the ring count, and Solo hauls Knight up for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Knight flounders into the ring, Solo stalks after him, and Solo pushes Knight to a cover. TWO, and the fans rally behind Knight. Solo stays focused and he stands Knight up again. Solo suplexes, Knight lands on his feet, and Knight hits a NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans rally up.
Knight stands to kick and punch away! Knight whips, Solo reverses, and Solo kitchen sink knees! Solo taunts the fans, then he FALLING HEADBUTTS Knight! And FALLING HEADBUTTS again! Solo taunts Knight, then has Knight at the ropes for a HIP DROP! Solo is going after those ribs, and he mockingly spells it out, before he HIP DROPS onto knees! The fans fire up while Solo sputters. Knight crawls his way to a corner, drags himself up, and the fans rally. Knight fires more punches, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight ROCKS Solo, runs, but then has to dodge a lariat to LEAPING LARIAT in return!
Knight kicks and DDTS Solo, then rolls back! The fans fire up for the athleticism, and Knight goes up a corner, only for JACOB FATU to shove him down!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans are torn as the Samoan Werewolf is now attacking Knight! Jacob stomps away, then storms around, but BRAUN is here!! The Monster of All Monsters is back, and he runs through Jacob & Solo to then DOUBLE CROSSBODY them! Knight LARIATS Jacob up and out of the ring! Aldis is here, and he can see Jacob doesn’t wanna wait. Since no one can keep their hands to themselves, is Vegas thinking what he’s thinking? Let’s make a tag team match, and it starts right now! The fans fire up as Aldis pulls a Teddy Long, but will Jacob & Solo be able to soften Knight up with #OneBigSOB in the way?
LA Knight & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown is picture in picture as this sorts out. Knight and Solo start to continue where it left off. Knight kicks, JABS, JABS, JABS, and then whips. Solo reverses, but Knight grabs ropes. Knight BOOTS Solo, but Jacob CLOBBERS Knight! Braun protests, the ref keeps him back, and Solo soaks up the heat. Solo tags Jacob, Jacob stomps Knight, then glares at Braun. Jacob stomps Knight more, drags him up and whips him hard into a corner! Knight sputters but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down. Knight flounders against the ropes, but Jacob CHOKES him! The ref counts, Jacob lets off at 4, and then Jacob brings Knight up.
Knight fires body shots, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him back down! Jacob says, “I LOVE YOU, SOLO!” Solo says see? The team’s just fine. Jacob whips Knight hard into the corner, then he tags Solo. Solo RAMS into Knight, ROCKS him, and Knight falls back into the corner. Solo fires body shots, brings Knight out, but then whips Knight back into the corner! Knight drops to his knees, but Solo brings him up to whip into the corner again! Solo tags Jacob, Jacob glares at Braun, then runs and SPLASHES Knight! Jacob CHOKES Knight, the ref counts, and Jacob stops at 4. But then Solo CHOKES Knight behind the ref’s back!
SmackDown returns to single picture, the fans boo and Braun protests, but Solo gets away with it all. Jacob stares Braun down, but Knight kicks low! Knight ELBOWS Solo, kicks Jacob, repeat! Jacob runs up but Knight DUMPS him out! The fans fire up, Knight crawls, hot tag to Braun! Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! And CLOBBERS him again! Braun BLASTS Solo, then runs to SHOTGUN Jacob outta the ring! The fans fire up with Braun, and he gets on the tracks! STROWMAN EXPRESS for Solo! And then Jacob! Jacob hits steel steps as he falls! The fans fire up with Braun and he puts Jacob in the ring.
Braun storms in, keeps moving, but Jacob LEBOWS him away! Jacob then dodges to SUPERKICK! Jacob runs, and he LARIATS Braun down! Jacob hauls Braun up to then DDT back down! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jacob snarls, but he tags Solo in. Solo runs up to stomp Braun down. Solo paces around Braun, stomps him more, then clamps on with a chinlock. Braun endures, fights up, and the fans rally. Braun throws body shots, but Solo DECKS him! Tag to Jacob, he stomps Braun, then clamps on with a chinlock. Braun endures the neck wrench, fights up, and the fans fire up as Braun picks Jacob up! SIDEWALK SLAM!
Braun and Jacob are both down but the fans rally back up! Braun and Jacob crawl, hot tags to Solo and Knight! Knight CLOBBERS Solo, then slips around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight BLASTS Jacob for good measure before he scoops Solo and POWERSLAMS! Knight goes up, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, JACOB BREAKS IT! That senton squashes Knight, but Braun POUNCES Jacob out of the ring! The fans fire up as Braun gets back on the tracks! STROWMAN EXPRESS is sent over the desk!! Jacob goes to the ring, but Knight WRECKS him with a dropkick!
Knight returns, but Solo mule kicks him! SAMOAN- NO, Knight dodge the spike to B F T!! Cover, Knight & Braun win!
Winners: LA Knight & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Knight survives the night thanks to some help from Braun, but Jacob is back on his feet! Will nothing stop the Samoan Werewolf from taking the Mega Star’s gold?
SmackDown shares a snippet of Wade Barrett’s interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Like with The Queen, Charlotte Flair, Barrett sat down with the WWE Women’s Champion. She is someone who has risen to superstardom in record time, learning on the job, and we had quite the “learning experience” during that interview segment in Chicago. Barrett was there with Tiff and Charlotte, and it created a ton of buzz around this match, but perhaps for the wrong reasons. To put it mildly, that interview went off the rails. What happened there? Tiff says she feels over the last couple of weeks, she has been bullied and taken advantage of. That split screen interview before, there was a moment of discouragement, like Tiff isn’t made for this.
It was a moment of panic, but Tiff turned that feeling into motivation. She went back to the drawing board, did some research, and she made sure that she and Charlotte being face to face, Tiff would be prepared. She felt her moment, and came at Charlotte with a killshot. Tiff beat Charlotte at her own game and gave her a taste of her own medicine. Charlotte doesn’t have to like Tiff, but she will respect her now. Barrett says given this level of animosity, as well as the title on the line, this feels like a must-win for both sides. But what happens if Tiffy Time ends at WrestleMania? Tiff will say first, that won’t happen.
When the bell rings, she is fully aware this will be a fight. This will be one of the hardest matches she’s had to go through. She will channel that discouragement and make it motivation. She will stand up to Charlotte, she will stand up to a bully, and at WrestleMania, she will walk both in and out as champion. Barrett says this is certainly one of the most hotly anticipated matches this weekend, and wishes her luck. Luck aside, will Tiff have the skills to surpass one of the greatest to ever do it?
Six Man Tag: Team American Made VS Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee & Rey Fenix!
Chad Gable & The Creeds may not have won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but their apparent amigo, El Grande Americano, made sure Rey Fenix didn’t win it, either. Will this WrestleMania SmackDown still be American Made in the end? Or will this incredible trio of lucha libre power show El Grande what he’s in for?
SmackDown returns as American Made make their way to the ring. The teams sort out, and Brutus starts against Fenix. The two circle, and Fenix JABS Brutus! Brutus ROCKS Fenix, Fenix comes back to CHOP! The fans “WOO~” but Brutus fires a flurry of forearms! Brutus CLUBS Fenix down, taunts him, then whips Fenix to a corner. Fenix goes up and FLYING HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up as Fenix somersaults and RANAS Brutus to a cover, TWO! Brutus is up but Fenix SOBATS! Fenix whips Brutus to the corner, then runs up to FOREARM! Tag to Dragon Lee, he sits Brutus down for the slingshot DROPKICK! Dragon drags Brutus to a cover, TWO!
Dragon throws his shirt to the fans, but Brutus RAMS Fenix into the American Made corner! Julius tags in, the Creeds mug Fenix, and then Julius whips Dragon hard into the corner! Julius runs up but Fenix ELBOWS him, mule kicks, KICKS and V-TRIGGERS! Dragon runs to RANA and Julius tumbles out! The fans fire up, Dragon builds speed, and Dragon FLIES! Down goes Julius and the fans fire up! Dragon puts Julius in, climbs the corner, and he FLYING CROSSBODIES! Cover, Gable breaks it! Gable POSTS Dragon, the fans boo, but Dragon says, “A THANK YEW~!” Rey Mysterio storms in, but Gable runs for it!
The fans cheer Rey, but the Creeds YANK Rey down! The fans boo more, and then Brutus BLASTS Fenix off the corner! Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES Dragon! The Creeds climb the corners, Gable joins in, and they TRIPLE DIVING HEADBUTT!! “A THANK YEW~!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
American Made soaks up the heat, and the ref gets them to sort out. Julius CLUBS away on Dragon, then drags him up. Julius RAMS Dragon into the corner, tags Brutus, and Brutus runs up to ELBOW Dragon down! The ref reprimands but Brutus drags Dragon up to ROCK him. Dragon goes to a corner, Brutus RAMS into him again and again, then Brutus pushes Dragon around. Brutus CLUBS Dragon down, talks trash, then drags him up. Brutus ROCKS Dragon again, then tags Julius. Julius storms up on Dragon in a corner, whips him corner to corner hard, and Dragon falls to the mat.
Julius looms over Dragon, clamps onto him, and has a chinlock stretch! Julius is pulling on the mask! The ref reprimands, Julius shoves Dragon down, then drags him over to tag in Gable. Gable snapmares and clamps on with a top wristlock. Dragon endures again, reaches out for the ropes, then fights up to his feet. Gable grinds the arm to keep Dragon down, then reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Gable soaks up more heat, then sucker punches Fenix! Gable stands Dragon up, but Dragon fires hands! Gable CHOPS Dragon off his feet! Gable CHOPS Dragon int he corner again and again, then stomps away!
The ref counts, Gable stops, and he snapmares Dragon. Gable clamps on with an armlock but Dragon still endures. Dragon fights up, fights around, and he reaches out. SmackDown returns to single picture, Gable knees Dragon low then whips him to a corner. Tag to Julius and Julius tags Brutus. Gable runs up, but Dragon BOOTS him! Dragon runs at Gable, but Gable OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Dragon into Julius’ arms! Brutus goes up top and Julius lifts Dragon, BRUTUS BALL BOMB!! Cover, Fenix breaks it! Julius DECKS Fenix, then he tags back in. Brutus drags Dragon up, Julius helps out, and they hoist Dragon to the top rope.
The Creeds climb up but Dragon resists the suplex! Dragon fires body shots, trips both Creeds up, but Gabe ROCKS Dragon! Gable climbs up over the Creeds, throws hands, but he ends up in the Tree of Woe, too! Dragon aims for a TIRPLE WOE STOMP!! The fans are thunderous as Dragon crawls for his corner! Julius grabs a foot, Dragon ELBOWS him away! Hot tag to Fenix! Fenix ROCKS Julius, DECKS Gable, repeat! Fenix rallies on Julius more, and the fans fire up! Fenix whips, Julius reverses, but Fenix Tiger Feint HEEL KICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix clamps onto Julius with a chinlock, then ghost pins, TWO!
Julius and Fenix get up, Julius KNEES low! Julius snarls, drags Fenix back up, and he reels Fenix in for an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Fenix flounders but Julius stands him up. Julius whips corner to corner hard and Fenix flops to the mat. Julius drags Fenix up, whips him back the other way, then runs up, Fenix SUPERKICKS! Fenix goes up, up, and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Brutus runs up, Fenix blocks his shot to mule kick the legs out! BUZZSAW! Gable is in, but Fenix uses Brutus as a step for a RANA! The fans fire up as Brutus and Gable bail out. Fenix goes up, up, Dragon FLYING RANAS Brutus while Fenix says GOODBYE, AMIGO to Gable’s face!
Julius isn’t sure where to turn, Dragon SUPERKICKS him! Then he hits OPERACION DRAGON!! Fenix goes up, up, and Dragon sets Julius in place for the METEORA!! Cover, the luchadores win!
Winners: Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee & Rey Fenix, by pinfall
The Boy Wonder & Immortal Firebird finish this off for their team, but the King of Lucha seems to be in rough shape. Will Rey Mysterio even be able to battle El Grande Americano at this rate? Or will he be easy pickings for the would-be greatest luchador of all time?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Las Vegas sings along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and the pyro goes off. The Undisputed WWE Champion takes in the huge crowd here in the T-Mobile Center before going down the ramp and high-fiving the front row. Cody goes to the ring, gets another “WHOA~ OH~” and pyro, then grabs the mic. The fans are a bit torn now, which takes Cody by surprise. But he still smiles and holds up the belt one more time before… being interrupted by John Cena! Cody smirks and the fans sing, “John Cena SUCKS~!” Cena sports the Las Vegas edition of his farewell tour merchandise, and he goes to the ring with “The Last Time is Now” towel draped behind him.
Cena steps into the ring, grabs himself a mic, and again the fans are torn, just the flipside of how they were for Cody. “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena paces, Cody lifts his mic, but Cena tells him, “Shut your mouth, kid. This is gonna be my 20th WrestleMania, my 12th title match at WrestleMania. I know just as well as anybody that right about now, you can get lost in all the noise, all these voices. There is one voice you should listen to, and that’s the one coming from the man looking you in the eye. Sunday is the last time I will ever compete in a WrestleMania ring. No one has ever had the courage to end their career the way I have.
“And there is nothing you can possibly do to prepare to face a man who knows he’s going to die. What I’m doing is so unprecedented, they don’t think it’s real. They don’t believe it. They think I’m going to come back, because everyone always comes crawling back. ‘There’s no such thing as a wrestling retirement! There’s always one more match!’ The reason there isn’t a wrestling retirement is because every other wrestler is a scared, insecure loser. Every other wrestler needs these people! Needs these people to care about them, to post about them, to talk about them, because the second they get away from this, they’re left alone, by themselves, with their pathetic lives, so they come crawling back as a shell of themselves.
“I have love, joy and mirth in my life, I don’t need a single damn one of you.” The fans boo but Cena says the only reason he is here is to take that title away from Cody and all of the fans forever! Don’t say he didn’t warn you, because he did. When Cody Rhodes won the title last year, everyone raised him on their shoulders, giving him watches and saying, “Good job, champ!” When Cena had his moment alone with Cody, like a man to his face, Cena didn’t say, “Good job, champ.” He said, “Every day you hold that, it gets heavier.” And on Sunday, it finally becomes too heavy for Cody to hold, Cody will LOSE.
The fans are torn, but Cena continues by saying Cody will lose because he cares about the fans! “You people do not write history! Winners do.” Cena is here tonight because he wanted to share one more thing with Cody before Sunday. When Cena won at Elimination Chamber, he knew it’d be impossible to beat Cody in a match at WrestleMania. And in one moment, Cody changed all that. Cody changed all that with what he said to The Rock. See, kid, The Rock just gave Cody a choice: Do you wanna do what the fans think is right? Or do you wanna win? And in the moment Cody made his choice, not only did Cena realize he could win, he also realized that this Sunday, Cody doesn’t stand a chance.
The fans are torn again, but Cena says on that night, Cena also realized that the one thing left for him to do was do what Cody couldn’t: Prove to the fans that they don’t matter. See, all of this? All this noise? These people will always make up their own version of the truth that they want to believe, and when you stop caring about that and stop caring about them, you can start accomplishing anything you want in life! But Cody is too weak to understand that. The fans boo, but Cena says that in order to beat Cena, Cody must choose. Does he do what the fans think is right? Or does he win? Cody, you are strong, you are tough, and you are driven, but you are also scared, insecure and naive.
Cody says he wears the suit because he wants to be somebody. He has the tattoo because he wants to be somebody. Cody didn’t need the suit or the tattoo, because on Sunday, Cena will make Cody into somebody. Somebody who finally realizes that to become a winner, you gotta sever all ties with the losers in your life. Or… Somebody who had a chance to be a winner, and blew it. And in that very moment, Cody will realize he is to the captain, not the quarterback, but just a kid in a man’s world, who doesn’t have the balls of the Last Real Champion. Cody says okay, okay, “the noise,” huh? Cena’s always gotta say something.
The fans duel, and Cody says how this crowd feels about Cena… Cena says wow, this is who Cody fights for. This matters to him? Cody says that Cena claims he doesn’t bury talent, because he IS talent. Well, Cody knows a graveyard of talent that would disagree, but this isn’t about them. This is about WrestleMania. Cody wants to ask a question: Does Cena know the guy who handed him the mic? No, of course not. Nor this person, or anyone backstage. This is a different WWE. When this was Cena’s WWE, Cody worshipped him! The fans worshipped him! But since The GOAT hasn’t shown up since Elimination Chamber, Cody will offer some perspective.
Cena called Cody underwhelming? Well guess what? Cena is overrated! And overbearing! And more importantly, out of touch and out of time. Cena’s face is melting wax, he has a stack of dimes for a neck, has spindly ass legs, is paler than Sting at Starrcade ’97, and is sanctimonious! Cena has comments about Cody being an errand boy when the whole world has watched Cena saunter out on the Oscar stage buck ass naked for the people he runs errands for now! And BAH GAWD, Cena, it is 2025, and Cena still can’t wrestle!! The fans are going nuts, and there are plenty of chants for both sides. Cena frowns and says, “Idiots.”
The fans sing for “Cody! Cody Rhodes~!” and that just annoys Cena more. Cena says they’re just like Cody. They don’t know what they want. And on Sunday, in order to beat Cody, Cena doesn’t have to wrestle. Cena pokes Cody in the eyes! Then he fireman’s carries, and hits an ATTITUDE- NO, Cody slips free! CROSS RHODES!! Cena’s punchline backfires, and Cody stands over him, title in hand! Will the American Nightmare keep the dream alive by keeping the title away from Cena? Or will Cena still hit the jackpot on reign number 17?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown, especially as the go-home to WrestleMania. Great stuff with LA Knight going after Tama to reduce the odds of interference, but obviously Jacob Fatu was still a factor. Good match from Knight VS Solo before the interference, and then very good tag match with Braun Strowman joining in. Knight getting the win would likely indicate that Jacob wins at WrestleMania, assuming Solo Sikoa doesn’t screw things up for him. Honestly, when are we getting Hikuleo’s debut? I’m sure Tonga Loa going down with injury didn’t help plans, but at some point, this rogue Bloodline needs to get back to looking like a threat.
It has been a long time since a WWE battle royal, let alone an Andre the Giant Battle Royal, has been awesome, and tonight’s was definitely awesome. I also like how Miz was being a team player for once, which is in part why Melo won tonight. That and the tie-in with the El Grande Americano story. But Melo getting the win is great for H1M, and this really should translate into him getting something. And speaking of Grande Americano, good promo from “his amigos,” American Made with Mysterio, Dragon & Fenix. Great Six Man Tag from them, but I really hope Rey Mysterio is okay, the ringside doctor was checking him.
Great tag title match, but I should’ve known DIY would get involved. DIY trying to literally steal the titles is funny, though, and I do like that we are getting that Triple Threat I was expecting. A shame it’s just on a SmackDown, but a TLC Triple Threat for the first time in a long time, I wonder if Bubba Ray gave someone that idea. That match will definitely keep us guessing, so I wouldn’t be surprised with any of the outcomes. Good promo with Chelsea Green and Aldis getting Chelsea into a rematch with Zelina, and Zelina getting another win is good stuff. I kinda hope their title match is also part of the SmackDown After Mania, why drag this out to Backlash?
Randy Orton had a great promo to establish his Open Challenge, but then they kinda undercut it letting us know Aleister Black is returning next Friday. And duh, c’mon, those vignettes of the smoke and the shadows have been for Aleister this whole time. But Orton can face just about anybody, whether it’s a return or a call-up or even a new signing that goes straight to main roster, and that’ll be a lot of fun. Good promo from Damian Priest to call out Drew McIntyre, and they also had that brawl earlier today. I believe I said last week, that match will be wild, and both guys kinda need this because they both could use something to get back to a title story.
Very good snippets from the interviews we’ll be seeing as part of tomorrow’s Countdown special, hard to say how Charlotte VS Tiff goes but it’ll be great stuff. Great promo from Rhea that also brought out Iyo and Bianca, which then also brought out Naomi and Jade. Two builds with one segment, that was good stuff, as was the resulting brawl. But Iyo standing tall over Rhea and Bianca, the math would indicate she is not winning. Given how everything is going, I stick by Bianca needing to not just win, but to go Heel in the win so she can feed off the heat fans are giving her. Jade VS Naomi could go either way, but I wonder if Naomi will get herself disqualified by going too far, so it’s more a moral victory than the actual.
Great promo from Seth Rollins to add some last stuff to his Triple Threat with Punk and Roman, and there was also a great video package that they likely will show during WrestleMania, too. Rollins helped Cody #FinishTheStory last year, now he wants to finish his story with Punk and Roman this year, but I don’t know if he does it. He stood tall on Monday, neither Roman nor Punk were here to retort, hard to say what’s going to happen. As for Cody and Cena, they had another great promo segment together, and I like how Cena’s point of “will you do the ‘right thing’ or do what it takes?” feels very much like Bray Wyatt from his first feud with Cena.
And I do appreciate Cena’s attempt of punking Cody backfired. It proves Cody’s point of the whole “you can’t wrestle,” aka Cody was easily able to escape the fireman’s carry cuz of his wrestling skills, but then it adds to the go-home math that Cena is winning. If you don’t think that, just remember that The Rock is backing Cena. They didn’t wanna repeat last year’s string of The Rock beating the snot out of Cody, but that doesn’t mean The Rock won’t be there to influence things.
My Score: 8.9/10
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A Fatal 4 Way that leads to a Fatal 4 Way!
Kylie Rae, Zayda Steel, Aria Bennett and Chantel Monroe battle to be the fourth woman in next week’s WWE Evolve Women’s Championship match! Who survives the frying pan to jump into the fire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Evolve Women’s Championship Play-In Fatal 4 Way: Kylie Rae VS Zayda Steel VS Aria Bennett VS Chantel Monroe; Kylie wins and advances to the championship match.
- Oro Mensah VS Edris Enofe; Edris wins.
- Swipe Right w/ The Vanity Project VS Sean Legacy & Timothy Thatcher; Swipe Right wins.
- WWE Evolve Championship Play-In: Harlem Lewis VS Keanu Carver; Keanu wins and advances to the championship match.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE Evolve Women’s Championship Play-In Fatal 4 Way: Kylie Rae VS Zayda Steel VS Aria Bennett VS Chantel Monroe!
With Wendy Choo, Kali Armstrong & Kendal Grey waiting in the wings, it is time to finally fill that fourth spot in the title match! But will it be Smiley Kylie, The Real Deal, The Star Trainer or the Reflection of Perfection that joins an already star-studded field?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Zayda goes after Aria while Chantel goes after Kylie! The fists fly, the fans rally up, and while Chantel puts Kylie in one corner, Zayda whips Aria to another. Aria goes up and out, then RAMS into Zayda! Aria slingshots to sunset flip, ONE!! Kylie fires hands on Chantel now, but Chantel turns things around again. Aria TOSSES Zayda, Chantel runs up on Kylie, but Kylie puts Chantel on the apron. Kylie then blocks a shot to DECK Chantel! The fans fire up as Kylie and Aria now circle. Aria runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges to then AERIAL over! Aria arm-drags Kylie, has the armlock, and the fans rally up.
Kylie fights up, whips Aria away, but Aria jumps the dropdown. Kylie hurdles, Chantel trips Aria, and then Chantel drags Aria out to SMACK her off the apron! Zayda rolls up Kylie! TWO, and Zayda fires hands! Zayda talks trash, but Chantel DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Double cover, TWO! Aria ENZIGIRIS Chantel! And DROPKICKS Kylie! Aria ROCKS Zayda, then goes for Kylie. Aria whips Kylie to a corner but Zayda runs up. Aria sends Zayda into Kylie, then runs up to LEG LARIAT them both! Aria snapmares Zayda, snapmares Kylie, and then DOUBLE BASEMENT DORPKICKS! Chantel gives Aria a CODE BREAKER!
Chantel whips Kylie to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, Zayda breaks it! Zayda CLUBS away on Chantel, kicks Kylie, then bumps Chantel off buckles. And off more buckles! Zayda stomps a mudhole in, soaks up heat, then TORNADO DDTS! Chantel flounders away, Zayda says, “That’s why I’m the Real Deal!” Kylie runs up, Zayda puts her in the ropes, and DRAPING CODE BREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Kylie is tougher than that, and then Aria ROCKS Zayda! Aria slingshots but Zayda DECKS her! Zayda whips Kylie to a corner, runs up, but Kyile dodges! Kylie UPPERCUTS in return! The fans fire up as Kylie sits Zayda down.
Kylie runs up and CANNONBALLS! But Bryce Donovan distracts from the pin! Even then, Jackson Drake reaches in to help Zayda get the ropebreak! The ref sees that, and he knows The Vanity Project is nothing but trouble, so he EJECTS them! The fans cheer while Bryce, Jackson & Swipe Right throw a fit! But now Zayda has to do this all alone, none of her pretty boys helping her out! The fans sing “Hey Hey Hey~! Goodbye~!” Kylie DECKS Zayda, but Chantel DECKS Kylie! Chantel snapmares Zayda for a NECK SNAPPER! Chantel RUNS Kylie over, then she drop toeholds Aria onto Kylie! Chantel STANDING SHOOTING STARS onto Kylie! Cover, Aria breaks it!
Aria drags Chantel up and bumps her off buckles. Aria huffs ‘n’ puffs and DROPKICKS Kylie to a corner! The fans rally behind Aria as she DECKS Zayda! Aria stands Chantel up to headlock, but Chantel fires body shots. Aria still hits a BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO on Chantel and Zayda! Aria goes up, DIVING SPLASH FLOPS as Chantel moves! Kylie SMACKS Aria off buckles! And she SPINEBUSTERS Chantel! But Zayda TOSSES Kylie out! Cover on Chantel, but Kylie YANKS Zayda out of the ring! They push each other around, but Aria SUPER CROSSBODIES them both! The fans fire up again as Aria puts Kylie in.
Kylie wrenches Aria to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, and CROSSFACE! Aria rolls it to a cover, TWO!! Kylie SUPERKICKS Aria down! Cover, KYLIE WINS!!
Winner: Kylie Rae, by pinfall (advances to the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match)
Chantel is almost in tears, and Zayda is throwing a fit that she’s not in the title match! Kylie vows she is going to be the first-ever WWE Evolve Women’s Champion, because she has waited her entire life for a moment like this! Next week is the moment of truth, will we see some of that #KylieRAGE take out Wendy, Kendal and Kali?
Keanu Carver speaks.
“Harlem Lewis. You wanna walk around here, acting like you tough, then you sneak me during our match? We been eyeballin’ each other for months, but that ends tonight. I hope you take your best shot, cuz I’m gonna PUNISH yo’ ass! I’m not the one to be played with, you’re looking at Keanu Carver, the first Evolve Champion!” Keanu has said his piece, will his actions follow through as he moves on to the title match?
Backstage interview with Oro Mensah.
Chuey Martinez has the Main Man with him, and Oro says ever since he got to Evolve, he’s been on a roll. And he feels he is more than deserving of a spot in the Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way. Listen, after he handles Edris Enofe tonight, the Main Man takes flight into the Fatal 4 Way! You like it, you’ll love it! But while Oro is very confident in himself, will Edris be the Epitome of Excellence in his in-ring return?
Oro Mensah VS Edris Enofe!
The bell rings and the fans cheer, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” for Edris. Edris and Oro tie up, Oro waistlocks and SLAMS Edris down, but Edris moves around. Edris rises, pries free and waistlocks, then wrenches. Oro endures the wristlock, rolls and KICKS from below! Then he CHOPS! Oro ROCKS and CHOPS Edris, but Edris blocks to KNEE low, CHOP back, and whip. Oro flips through the hip toss to RANA! Then he SUPERMAN PUNCHES Edris down! Cover, ONE!! Edris is tougher than that, but Oro whips. Edris reverses, Oro ducks ‘n’ dodges but Edris DROPKICKS him down! Edris then scoops and SLAMS!
The fans cheer Edris and he drops the ELBOW! And another ELBOW! And then a feint, to the STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Edris keeps the fans fired up while Oro goes to ropes. Edris runs hup, Oro DUMPS him out, but Edris comes back. Oro SWEEPS the legs and Edris falls on the apron! Oro slips out, has Edris dangling, DRAPING SWINGING SLAM! Oro sarcastically says, “Welcome back.” Oro puts Edris in, covers, TWO! Oro sits Edris up, keeps on him with a whip, then runs up to CHOP! Edris sits down in the corner and the fans rally. Edris kicks Oro, ELBOWS him, but Oro CLUBS Edris!
Oro scoops Edris for a SLAM, then covers, TWO! The fans rally, Oro covers again, TWO! Oro drops a knee on Edris’ face! The fans rally and duel more as Oro brings Edris up. Edris fires body shots, whips, but Oro ELBOWS him from the corner! Oro goes up, TORNADO HOTSHOT! Edris sputters, Oro springboards, RIDER KICK! Cover, TWO! Oro keeps on Edris with a body scissors squeeze! Edris endures, the fans rally, and Edris fights around. The fans duel as Oro chinlocks, then CLUBS Edris. Oro squeezes even tighter but Edris still fights. Edris rises with Oro as a backpack, and he powers up to power out! But Oro CHOPS him on the back!
Oro runs, fights off Edris’ spinebuster, but Edris leaps the leg sweep! BACKDROP! LARIAT! And LAIRAT! Edris keeps going, SLING-DOG! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Oro survives and Edris grows frustrated. The fans continue to duel as Edris stalks Oro to ropes. Oro blocks the whip, steps over to SOBAT, then he SNAP DRAGON SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!! Edris survives and Oro is shocked! The fans fire up, Oro runs up, but into an E-TRIGGER! Edris goes up, but Oro is right after him! Oro and Edris brawl, and Oro CLUBS away on Edris! Oro hops back, goes back up, but Edris stops the flip kick to LARIAT Oro down! Edris goes up, up, and EOE ELBOW!! Cover, Edris wins!
Winner: Edris Enofe, by pinfall
The Epitome of Excellence hits the mark and takes the win! Will Edris put the EOE in Evolve soon enough? Chuey Martinez interviews Edris at ringside, and says that they talked before. Chuey knows what it means to be back in the ring, what is going on in his head? Edris says it has been seven months. Seven MONTHS. He ain’t gonna lie, it was a long road to recovery, but here he is! The fans cheer that! Edris says he won’t lie, either, but it feels damn great ot have his hand raised in victory! Especially against a great opponent like Oro, a man who has been working his ass off every single night!
So Chuey and the world, the E O E is back! But then out steps Stevie Turner! The Prime Minister congratulates him on his comeback victory. This has already shown Stevie he is ready to contend for the Evolve Championship! That is why everyone will be seeing Edris Enofe in that Fatal 4 Way Elimination match! Edris thanks Stevie, and he is ready to make this HIS time! But wait, wait, now something is going down backstage? Stevie hurries to check on this, and there’s been another attack! Dani Palmer is clutching her leg! Brinley Reece was attacked last week, have the dangers of NXT’s backstage area only spread to Evolve?
Harlem Lewis speaks.
“Hey, Keanu. You don’t know anything about me. Ever since I debuted, you’ve been the one standing in my way, and that’s exactly why I left your ass last week. But tonight, you gon’ find out there’s only room for one alpha male on Evolve, and his name is Harlem Lewis.” These behemoths are ready, who will survive the main event to enter the title scene?
The Vanity Project returns to ringside.
The fans boo but Brad Baylor says, “Alright, alright. Peter, Rob, boys, boys, boys. That’s about enough talking for the rest of the night, I think. I mean, just my opinion, but I say wrap it up. Because seriously, though, who really cares about Brinley Reece & Dani Palmer? Let’s be realistic for just one second, boys, for just one second. Because the only woman anyone cares about in Evolve, you guessed it! The Real Deal, Zayda Steel.” Ricky Smokes says, “Oh fo’ sho’, bro! Zayda’s the only one that deserves in the Fatal 4 Way next week and be crowned the first Evolve Women’s Champion!” Brad says, “Hundos! Hundos, hundos!”
But the same goes for Jackson Drake and the men’s Fatal 4 Way! The wild card! But honestly, they’re not that worried. After they beat down on Super Loser Sean, they’ll have to fill that spot with the Carolina Reaper. But with that, here comes Sean Legacy and Timothy Thatcher! Will the only losers “fo’ sho'” be the bro-bros of Swipe Right?
Swipe Right w/ The Vanity Project VS Sean Legacy & Timothy Thatcher!
The teams sort out and Thatcher starts against Brad. They circle, Brad keeps his distance, but then the two tie up. Thatcher slips around, spins Brad around, then wrenches and wristlocks. Brad endures, scrambles around, but Thatcher wrangles him. Thatcher stands on Brad’s other hand, bends and twists the left hand, but Brad fights up. Thatcher wrangles Brad again, stands on Brad’s face, then bends the fingers. Thatcher drags Brad over, tags Sean, and Sean takes the handoff to wrench Brad’s arm more. Sean hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then he RAMS Brad’s shoulder. Tag to Thatcher, and he takes the handoff for an ELBOW BREAKER!
Thatcher UPPERCUTS the arm, wrangles Brad to a hammerlock, but Brad scrambles around. Thatcher makes it a cover, TWO! Brad ROCKS Thatcher, tags Smokes, and Smokes ties up with Thatcher. Thatcher wrenches, wrangles, and isolates the arm! Thatcher grins his toothy grin, and KNEES the arm!! Cover, ONE!! Smokes is still in this but Thatcher stays on that arm. Tag to Sean and he takes the handoff to wrench the arm. Sean RAMS the shoulder again and again, then brings him back over. Tag to Thatcher, Thatcher takes another handoff, and he CLUBS the arm! Thatcher covers, ONE!! Smokes is tough but Thatcher wants the ARMBAR!
Smokes has the ROPEBREAK, but Sean tags in. Smokes scrambles away to tag Brad. Sean and Brad circle, tie up, and they go around. Brad headlocks, Sean powers up to wrench and headlock. Sean hits a takeover, Brad fights up, and Brad fires body shots. Brad powers up and out, Sean RUNS him over! Cover, ONE!! Sean tags Thatcher, he wrenches the arm, and Thatcher CLUBS away on Brad’s arm! Brad fights around, pulls hair, and he puts Thatcher on ropes. Brad CHOPS, tags Smokes, and they mug Thatcher! Smokes sends Brad in and he RAMS Thatcher! Feed to a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Thatcher is tougher than that but Smokes waistlocks to keep him down.
Smokes fires knees into Thatcher’s side, but Thatcher snarls. Thatcher fights up, Smokes headlocks, but Thatcher hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Brad storms in, Sean steps up, and Brad sees Smokes bailing out so he does the same. Sean & Thatcher egg Swipe Right on but Zayda says back off, and Evolve goes to break.
Evolve returns, Thatcher looms over Smokes and stands him up. Thatcher UPPERCUTS Smokes, tags Sean, and Sean RAMS Smokes’ shoulder to then WRING him out! Smokes staggers up, Sean DROPKICKS him down! Smokes hurries to tag Brad, Brad runs up but Sean redirects him and DROPKICKS the legs out! Then he DOUBLE STOMPS! And DROPKICKS Brad again! The fans cheer, Vanity Project is frustrated, but Sean KICKS! And PENALTY KICKS! And STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Brad tags Smokes, Smokes runs up, but into a torture rack! Smokes fights free, shoves Sean to the corner, but Sean ELBOWS him away!
Sean swings on Brad, Smokes runs up, but Sean puts him up top! Brad tags in, Swipe Right mugs Sean, then Brad LARIATS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Sean but Brad says he and Smokes are the best team they’ve ever seen! Brad UPPERCUTS Sean, tags Smokes, and Smokes RAMS into Sean again and again. Smokes lets off to argue with the ref, and Brad CHOKES Sean! The fans boo but Brad lets go so Smokes can rain down fists! Smokes then cravats for the neck wrench, then he fires knees! Tag to Brad, Smokes snapmares and Brad NECK SNAPPERS! Smokes basement DROPKICKS, Brad covers, TWO!
The fans rally but Zayda & Jackson complain. Brad sucker punches Thatcher, then goes to Sean. Sean CHOPS and ROCKS but Brad DECKS Sean! Brad CHOPS Sean to the corner, tags Smokes, and they mug Sean. The fans rally for “LEGACY! LEGACY!” but Smokes brings Sean out. Smokes CLUBS away on Sean, then stomps him! The fans boo but Smokes drags Sean up and reels him in. Sean fires body shots, fires a forearm, but Smokes hits back! Sean ROCKS Smokes, CHOPS, and repeat! Smokes shoves Sean and BOOTS him! Smokes CHOKES Sean, the ref counts, but Smokes tags Brad. Brad KICKS Sean and Smokes CLUBs him!
Brad springboards for the X FACTOR! Cover, TWO! Brad KNEES Sean in the back again and again, then ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally but Brad drags Sean up. Tag back to Smokes, Smokes sends Brad in, but Sean ELBOWS him away! And he goes up and over Smokes! Hot tag to Thatcher! He clinches to BELLY2BELLY Smokes! BELLY2BELLY Brad! Thatcher fire sup and the fans are with him as he UPPERCUTS away on Smokes in the corner! Thatcher stops as the ref counts, then Thatcher body shots! Thatcher underhooks for a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, Brad breaks it! Sean goes after Brad but Brad suplexes, GHOSTBUSTER!
Thatcher UPPERCUTS Brad down! Smokes rolls Thatcher up, TWO! Smokes tags Brad, Thatcher dodges Smokes, but Brad HOTSHOTS! Smokes JUMP KNEES, and then Brad scoops! Smokes runs to push start the SUPER SWIPE!! Cover, Swipe Right wins!
Winners: Swipe Right, by pinfall
No one likes it, but the better team won out in the end! Zayda celebrates for her guys, but will the after party be even bigger?
Kali Armstrong speaks.
“Hey, Kendal Grey. You look at yourself as this Mighty Mouse badass, then why did you had to get at me from behind? Is it cuz I took your wheel out at that town hall? That’s what happens when you get in a scrap with the Difference Maker of Evolve. I’ll tell you. Hell, Wendy and Kylie, I hope y’all listening, too. Cuz next week, it’s my moment. Since the day I stepped foot in Evolve, I been calling my shots. I say I’m the best competitor, male or female, on this brand. Yeah, I’m brash. Yeah, I’m confident. But I’m used to winning. I’m a three-time All American at Track & Field.
“And next week, I’ma put my name in them history books again when I become the first-ever Evolve Women’s Champion, straight like that.” Will nothing stop the Kali Connection from running through all three opponents and claiming the title for her own?
The others watch that message.
And Kendal says, “Seriously? Did you guys just hear what Kali Armstrong said? In her egotistical mind, she’s already the Evolve Women’s Champion. Like, what?” Masyn Holiday says she had a match with Kali last week, and Kali hits hard. She is no joke. Kendal still isn’t backing down. She threw guys twice Kali’s size on the mat. Chantel says oh please! This is not amateur wrestling, and Kendal is not winning the title. That is a dream you can keep dreaming. Chantel leaves, and Masyn says the real Chantel would be pretty cool. But until she drops the act, we’ll never know. Will the Reflection of Perfection ever truly show who she is inside?
BREAKING NEWS for next week!
Whether it is Harlem or Keanu that wins tonight, there will be one spot left for the Men’s Fatal 4 Way! And so, Stevie Turner has put together a spicy Triple Threat Play-In! Jackson Drake VS Jordan Oasis VS the returning Lince Dorado! Will the Carolina Reaper make good on his boys putting him over? Will the Nomad be moving on to the title scene? Or will it be a fiesta with the Golden Lynx?
WWE Evolve Championship Play-In: Harlem Lewis VS Keanu Carver!
Both men are big, bad, and hungry. Only one can move on to the title match, and that is the one who survives! Who will be the one true alpha male of Evolve?
The big fight introductions are given while these two jaw at each other. The bell rings and the fists fly! The fans fire up as it is fast ‘n’ furious, adn then Keanu KNEES Harlem! Kenau RAMS Harlem into the corner, fires hands, bugt Harlem dodges. Harlem RAMS Keanu now, then runs, only for Keanu to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Keanu whips Harlem. Harlem grabs ropes then bails out, he knows the Pounce was coming. Keanu rushes out and the brawling continues! The fans rally as this goes around the way, but the ring count climbs. Keanu whips but Harlem reverses, and Keanu hits steel steps hard!
Harlem shoves Keanu into the ring at 7 of 10, then HAMMERS and stomps away! Harlem clamps on with a chinlock, and shifts into an almost Bully Choke! Keanu fights up, fires body shots, and the fans rally. Keanu powers up and SAIDOS free! Both men are down and the fans rally up more. Keanu and Harlem both stand but Keanu runs up to SPLASH in the corner! Keanu scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Harlem flounders away, Keanu fires up, and Keanu storms up on Harlem. But Harlem throws hands! Keanu CLUBS Harlem, drags him out along the ropes, WAR HAMMER! The fans are stunned, Keanu covers, TWO!
Harlem survives and flounders, but Keanu grins. Keanu runs and POUNCES Harlem up and out to the floor!! Harlem clutches his knee, the ring count starts, and Keanu lets the count climb. Harlem slowly rises at 5, Keanu runs out after him, but Harlem LARIATS!! Harlem powers through the pain to take Keanu down with that! Harlem puts Keanu in the ring, hobbles over and brings Keanu up. Harlem suplexes, for the BOOM SLAM! But Harlem’s leg hurts too much, he can’t make the cover! Keanu goes to the apron, Harlem hobbles over and he ROCKS Keanu! Keanu sputters, Harlem tells him to stay down! Keanu says NO!
Keanu stands, Harlem BOOTS him, then runs. Harlem RAMS Keanu, slides out to bring him around, BIG back suplex to the floor! The fans fire up and Harlem slaps his leg into working. Harlem drags Keanu back up and pushes him into the ring. Harlem storms up, lifts Keanu, and POWERBOMBS! Harlem crawls to the cover, TWO!! Keanu survives and Harlem is beside himself! The fans rally, Harlem and Keanu rise, and they both tell the other that they’re the one going to the title match! “This is Awesome!” as both men grab the other by the neck! Harlem dares Keanu to show him what he’s got, and Keanu fires a forearm!
The forearms go back and forth, and then Harlem kicks low! Harlem reels Keanu in, suplexes, but the leg won’t let him finish! Keanu whips and POUNCES again!! The fans fire up and Keanu wants Harlem to get up. Harlem stands, Keanu scoops, RUNNING POWERSLAM!! Cover, Keanu wins!!
Winner: Keanu Carver, by pinfall (advances to the WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match)
A massive battle between massive men, and it is Keanu comes now has a massive opportunity! Undefeated in singles competition, will Keanu soon be our first-ever WWE Evolve Champion?
My Thoughts:
A great Evolve, and the longest episode yet at 56 minutes. And it is also Oro Mensah’s last WWE match… Commentary was talking him up so it’s also a real shame he got released. But even then, Edris was going to win because he is on his return push. So much so, they put him right into the Evolve Championship match. And great to hear about the Triple Threat of Jackson VS Oasis VS Lince Dorada, that’ll be great stuff. But with Vanity Project being the big Heel faction, I would think Jackson finds a way to win. Very good Fatal 4 Way from the women, and great move with Kylie winning.
It is as I expected: Kylie and Wendy will cancel out because their feud isn’t over, and clearly Kali and Kendal are the final two. Good promo from Kali, and an okay promo from Kendal with the others. They’re trying to build that story with Masyn and Chantel but they need to have a match so it isn’t one-sided. And even then, Masyn and Kendal need to work on sounding more genuine and not more like they rehearsed a script. And if it is between Kendal and Kali, I really do think it should be Kali winning, just so that we get big strong Heel champ and Faces in the chase. At the same time, if Zayda wants to be a champion, maybe they commit to how they painted Kali as an inspiration in that interview promo of hers.
Good promo from Vanity Project, their slang vocabulary is annoying which works for Heels. Great match from Swipe Right VS Sean & Thatcher, and I appreciate Sean’s MHA All Might inspired gear. But I suppose it’s fine that Swipe Right won, Sean had that big NXT win and Swipe Right needs wins to be credible as the top tag team. When are they getting to the WWE Evolve Tag Team Championships? Or will they wait until they’ve signed more tag teams to the WWE ID? That aside, very good promos from Keanu and Harlem, and a great main event from them. Until the Triple Threat was announced, I almost thought they’d pull a draw so that Harlem and Keanu could both be in the title match. In the end, Keanu comes out on top and will definitely be the guy to beat in the Fatal 4 Way.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Will there be anarchy in New Mexico?
Before Double or Nothing and Anarchy in the Arena, Jon Moxley teams with The Young Bucks against Swerve, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Hobbs!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Jon Moxley & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; Swerve, Joe & Hobbs win.
- Ricochet VS Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn; Ricochet wins.
- Mina Shirakawa VS Julia Hart; Mina wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Schiavone is in the ring!
He brings up the Owen Hart Cup Finals, and the two men fighting for their chance at the AEW World Championship at All In. He introduces first, Hangman Adam Page! The fans fire up for the Blackhat Cowboy as he goes to the ring, and we notice the extra security already on hand. Schiavone then welcomes out the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay! Albuquerque fires up again as Ospreay sports his new baseball jersey style merchandise. Schiavone says both men know what is at stake. One goes on to All In: Texas to fight for the world title, upon winning the Owen Cup. Schiavone then turns things over to Ospreay and Hangman.
Ospreay thanks Schiavone and wants everyone to hear him out. He understands why there is security, but he won’t get physical. Will Hangman get physical? No? Good. Then he excuses the security and assures them, he’ll make sure they get paid for their time. Ospreay thanks them as they exit, and Ospreay says he just wants it to be him and Hangman. The fans cheer Ospreay for the gesture, and Ospreay tells Hangman that he has one very important question: “Do you still drink?” The fans boo but Ospreay says c’mon, not in a bad way! He just means, Hangman loves a good beer. And to be honest, Ospreay owes him an apology.
Ospreay says that when they got jumped the other day, Ospreay did take a swing on Hangman. But to be fair, Hangman gave him a headbutt. But like Ospreay’s dad says, when he gets hit in the face, it is a drastic improvement. But Ospreay does have some beers for them. The ring crew brings those over, and Ospreay hands Hangman one. Ospreay wants cheers, but Hangman stares him down. The fans are torn, Ospreay takes a swig, and says it’s fine. Ospreay puts his aside, and says while they need to get things off their chest, there is something else Ospreay wants to do.
Ospreay wishes to petition to Tony Khan and the AEW Board of Directors that Ospreay VS Hangman on Sunday are the main event. The fans like that idea! Ospreay says surely some still think he’s crazy. Why would Ospreay wanna follow one of the most destructive and brutal matches AEW has in Anarchy in the Arena? Why would Ospreay wanna follow three hours of amazing professional wrestling? Ospreay says to those people, “You do not know what is at stake!” The fans cheer, and Ospreay says not only is this about winning the beautiful Owen Hart Memorial trophy, not only is this about going to All In: Texas on Saturday, July 12th…
But the winner of this match is the person with the responsibility of bringing back that beautiful gold belt! The fans cheer that! Ospreay says he really wants this. He wants this so badly! He feels the moment he stepped here, he has done everything the right way. He leaves his home country on a Tuesday, arrives here, makes seven to 15 HOUR flights every single week! He barely sleeps on Tuesday, he is constantly jetlagged, doesn’t really know where he is, but he puts on his “crime fighting pants,” and he says ring the bell, bruv! The fans cheer that! Ospreay says he wants to wear the title with pride! To show it around the world!
And most importantly, he wants to bring it home. Ospreay brings up August 24th, Forbidden Door in London, the O2, an arena just 30 minutes from his home. There are people that have supported Ospreay from the ballrooms and the halls. He has been a young, immature man who has grown up right in front of them, and he wants to wear that title in front of them while he thanks them for their support! The fans also cheer that. But the other thing is, every Tuesday when he flies to the US is that he leaves his six-year-old son at home, and he wants nothing more than to walk into that building so his son can see him as WORLD CHAMPION!
The fans cheer more, and Ospreay understands how much Hanger wants it. But Ospreay wants it just that little bit more. The fans cheer Ospreay on, but then the “COWBOY SH*T!” rises. Hangman tells Ospreay, “That is the difference between you and I. And that will be the difference between you and I on Sunday. Will, you want this, you want it bad. And I know that feeling, because I have lived it. And I know that you understand that in ALL of professional wrestling, there is no prize grander, there is no greater honor, than to be the All Elite Wrestling World Champion, I know you know that!
“But Will… For you, this could be a professional accomplishment. Granted, it is the biggest professional accomplishment either you or I could ever dream of having! But it is that: A professional accomplishment. For me, this is personal. I don’t want this opportunity, I need it.” The fans cheer that, too! Hangman says he has WASTED two years of his life, filled with nothing but grief, sorrow, and hate! In those two years, Hangman has not won a single tournament or a single championship. The one thing that Hangman did win brought him nothing but the same. The worst of it wasn’t even here. It was when he was at home.
It was last Christmas morning, when Hangman’s son sat on the floor… playing with his new toys, he looked up to see his dad staring out the window, looking for someone he knew would never come back! How many times in two years did his son look at Hangman and feel disappointment?! Hangman NEEDS this!! When Hangman goes home, he needs his wife to look at him and not feel pity! She needs to see the man she fell in love with all those years ago! For Hangman’s kids to look up to him, to know they have the father they deserve! And for all these people who supported him when he deserved it the least to know that he can be the kind of man that THEY can believe in!
And Hangman needs this for himself. Because Hangman needs to know that there can be some kind of light at the end of this two year tunnel through Hell… Hangman needs it, because he needs to know Ospreay was wrong when Ospreay said that for Hangman, this was too little, too late. Ospreay scowls a bit as the fans get fired up. Ospreay tells Hangman, “So what’re you planning on doing about it? You’re gonna wrap a chair over my skull? You gonna beat me so bad that I have to retire, like you did Christopher Daniels? I’m not going down that path. Cuz I’ve been there, and it took a lot for me to come back.”
As silly as this might sound, Ospreay says he is showing up, and he is doing his best. And sometimes, his best hasn’t been good enough. He’ll admit that he’s lost. Lost bad. But he’s never lost because he dragged the ref around to get an advantage. He’s never whined to his boss about not getting his way. If Ospreay has lost, he has lost leaving it all in this ring! And if he’s lost, he at least won the fans’ respect! The fans cheer that, and Ospreay says more importantly… He won their trust! Hangman asks if that’s enough! Is that enough for Moxley and the Death Riders? Ospreay doesn’t know!! He doesn’t know what it takes!
Ospreay wrestled Moxley twice, and he lost both times! He doesn’t know how to do it, but Hangman does! So then show Ospreay! Show THAT man on Sunday! That fire, that animal! Because of Ospreay can beat that Hangman, then Ospreay knows he can beat Moxley! The fans fire up more, and Ospreay says Hangman used to be a pure-hearted man, and he can also be a bad man! He is a Cowboy! The one we’re meant to look towards when times are hard! But he hasn’t been doing that! He’s been staring out of the window! Hangman’s been looking for Swerve! His attention hasn’t been on being The Guy, but on someone else.
And Ospreay gets it, when someone crosses the threshold from business to personal, you gotta handle it. We could give Hangman a month, two months, three, but an entire YEAR?! An entire year has changed Hangman! The kids don’t look up to him! The men, the boys backstage, they lost respect for him. And the women have screamed in terror when Hangman wanted to kill Swerve! Ospreay is not that guy. Ospreay is just the guy that’ll show up and do his best. But before writing Ospreay off, Ospreay’s best has beaten MJF, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, anyone else you can name!
Wanna know what? Because Ospreay is the best in the EFFIN’ WORLD!! The fans are really fired up now! Ospreay tells Hangman, he knows that when the bell rings, anything can happen. If it is Hangman, Ospreay will be happy for him. And if Hangman thinks he has no friends, then it’ll take more than one person off of Moxley. Ospreay says if Hangman needs a friend, someone watching his back, Ospreay will have his back. Ospreay hopes the same goes back from Hangman. If Ospreay wins, hopefully Hangman will have his back. Ospreay then offers the toast again. So what Ospreay is saying, Cowboy, “Meet me in the desert! I’m calling you out for a shootout, bruv!”
Ospreay chugs his bear, HHH spits some of it, and then tosses his bottle. Hangman chugs his beer down to the very last drop, and the duel is set! Which one of these gunslingers hits the mark to then take aim at The Maniac in Texas?
Jon Moxley walks into the building.
Marina Shafir follows the Maniac AEW World Champion, and he seethes all the way. “Tensions are rising in AEW. The spoils will go to those that embrace the anarchy.” Moxley goes from pavilion to bleachers as he makes his entrance. Anarchy in the Arena is no longer the main event, but will this appetizer make up for that?
Six Man Tag: Jon Moxley & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs!
The trios sort out, Joe starts against Moxley and they go right to throwing hands! The fans fire up as Joe gets the edge, “JOE! JOE! JOE!” Moxley throat chops, the fans boo, and Moxley runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Moxley and Joe fall back, and both teams have their guys calm down. Hobbs tags in, as does Matthew Jackson. The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Hobbs and Matt tie up, and Hobbs SHOVES Matt down! Matt comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs then scoops Matt, brings him over, but Matt slips free! Nick GAMANGIRIS, then tags in!
The fans boo as The Bucks kick, run, and ALLEY-OOP DROPKICK! Swerve tags in, runs up, Nick sidesteps but Swerve flips with the ropes to come back! Swerve trips, laces the legs, then waistlocks. Nick fights with elbows, he runs but Swerve drops down, hurdles, and turns Nick’s leap over into a suplex! Swerve catches the superkick to hit a BACKBREAKER! Swerve runs at the corner, UPPERCUTS Nick and snapmares! Swerve goes up, Matt runs over, but Swerve DECKS him! Nick runs up, Swerve jumps over to HIP TOSS and gator roll! Swerve deadlifts for the suplex! The fans fire up, but Moxley and Matt attack!
The fans boo but Joe & Hobbs storm in! They all brawl, Moxley TOSSES Hobbs to the outside, and Nick RANAS Swerve! The Bucks regroup to DOUBLE PLANCHA, but Joe & Swerve pull the double “Nope!” Moxley builds speed, but Hobbs is in his way! Hobbs swings, Moxley CLAWS Hobbs’ eyes! Moxley shoves Hobbs down then runs to DIVE! Down goes Hobbs! The Bucks see Joe in the ring. Joe winds up and builds speed, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans boo but Matt brings Joe out. Nick builds speed, but Swerve slingshots and somersaults! COMPLETE SHOT! Swerve builds speed now to FOSBURY FLOP onto Nick!
Joe throws Matt away, builds speed after all, and he DIVES onto Moxley & The Bucks! The fans are thunderous and Joe flexes while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Joe drags Nick up, SMACKS him off the apron, then follows him around the way. Marina can only glare while Joe puts Nick in for Swerve. Swerve drags Nick up, wrenches and whips him to a corner, then CHOPS! Swerve snapmares and goes up, FALLING UPPERCUT! And he hits the Griddy! The fans cheer and Swerve drags Nick up again. Tag to Hobbs, Hobbs ROCKS Nick, then he DECKS him! Nick flounders, Hobbs brings him around to suplex. Hobbs holds Nick up for a count of TEN before the SLAM! Hobbs flips off Moxley and Matt, then goes back to N ick. Hobbs has Nick in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but Nick dodges!
Nick KIKCKS Hobbs in the leg, hot tags Moxley, and Moxley wraps Hobbs’ leg in ropes. Hobbs fights back but Moxley CLAWS Hobbs’ face! Moxley climbs up and rains down fists! The ref counts, Moxley stops, but that lets Matt get cheap shots in! Hobbs slumps down and Moxley DROPKICKS the leg! Tag to Matt, and Moxley stands on Hobbs’ leg! Matt stomps Hobbs, then HIP DROPS the leg! Matt bends the leg on the ropes but the stops as the ref counts. Matt drags Hobbs over, tags Moxley, and Moxley helps Matt split the wishbone! Moxley talks trash while Dynamite returns to single picture.
The fans rally, Moxley stands Hobbs up, and he climbs up again to talk more trash. Moxley rains down fists, but Hobbs SHOVES him away! Hobbs hobbles but Moxley CHOP BLOCKS him down! Moxley stomps away on Hobbs, then tags in Nick. Nick puts some stank on the CHOP! Hobbs just gets mad! The fans tell Nick he messed up, but Nick kicks low. Nick winds up to CHOP Hobbs on the back again! Hobbs just frowns. Nick runs but into Hobbs’ arms! Hobbs POWERSLAMS Nick! Tag to Swerve but Nick tags Matt. Swerve LARIATS Nick, LARIATS Matt, repeat! Swerve then wrenches Matt and turns him for a NECKBREAKER!
Nick springboards to RANA, but Swerve blocks! Swerve pops Nick up for a POWERSLAM of his own! Nick hobbles up, Swerve runs in, but Nick BOOTS him! Nick cartwheels to the apron, then eggs Swerve on. Swerve runs up, Nick backflips away, but Swerve handsprings through! The two stare down, then Swerve scoops Nick to BACKBREAKER! Moxley runs up, Swerve dodges, but Matt SUPERKICKS him! The fans boo but Matt soaks it up. Matt & Moxley get Swerve into the ring for Nick, and Nick tags Matt. They double whip, Swerve ducks a lariat to waistlock, but Matt backs him down into the corner.
Nick SHINING WIZARDS, then he helps Matt with SLICED BREAD! SHIING WIZARD again, then Matt covers, TWO! Swerve stays in this but Matt tags Nick. Nick climbs up and aims, to SWANTON BOMB onto knees! Swerve saves himself and the fans fire up! Swerve and Nick crawl, but Moxley runs up to BLAST Joe & Hobbs! Swerve BACKDROPS Moxley, but no one is there to tag! Matt runs in, Swerve puts him on the apron. Nick runs in, Swerve puts him on the apron. Moxley runs up, LARIAT DOUBLE GIRI COMBO! Then an X PLEX! Matt grins as he goes up the corner, and he CROSSBODIES onto Hobbs & Joe!
Matt hurries back in, sets Swerve up, and The Bucks coordinate, RISKY BUSINESS! Cover, TWO! Swerve survives and the fans fire up! Nick drags Swerve up, bumps Swerve off buckles, and tags Matt. Matt ROCKS Swerve in the back, then puts him in the ropes. Nick goes up, DRAPING SWANTON BOMB! Matt covers, Hobbs breaks it! The fans cheer and Hobbs coaches Swerve. Matt paces while Dynamite goes back to picture in picture.
Matt stomps Swerve around, ROCKS him, then throws hands. Matt bumps Swerve off buckles, tags Moxley, and Moxley throws hands. Moxley beats Swerve down then stands on him! The ref counts, Marina talks trash, and Moxley steps off at 4. Nick gets a cheap shot in while the ref is busy with Moxley. Moxley goes out to fetch Swerve and bring him around. Moxley makes Swerve take a seat, then he flips off the fans before raining down fists. Moxley BITES Swerve’s forehead but Swerve fires hands! Swerve fires more shots, and he backs Moxley down! But Moxley pokes Swerve in the eyes! Then Moxley RAMS Swerve into the steel steps!
The ref reprimands but Moxley just ignores him. Moxley puts Swerve in, dares him to go tag his team, but then stomps hm. Moxley clamps onto Swerve’s arm, bends the fingers, then drags him over with a facelock. Tag to Nick and they mug Swerve. Nick whips Swerve back into the corner, runs up, and SHINING WIZARDS! And then SHINING WIZARDS! Matt won’t let Swerve fall, and Nick SHINING WIZARDS again! Nick soaks up heat while Swerve sputters. Moxley tags in, the mugging continues, and Moxley puts Swerve in the corner. Moxley fires hands and Dynamite returns to single picture.
Moxley and the ref argue, but that lets Marina CHOKE Swerve! She’s once again a problem and the fans boo! Hobbs protests but Marina gets away with it. Marina warns Nana to watch himself, and then Moxley drags Swerve into a stalling, middle finger flipping PILEDRIVER! Cover, JOE BREAKS IT! Joe fires away on Moxley but the ref backs him off. The fans rally but Moxley clamps onto Swerve with a CROSSFACE! Swerve endures, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Moxley shifts into a RINGS OF SATURN, but Swerve still endures! Moxley shifts to a facelock then a full nelson, but Swerve still endures!
Swerve reaches out, fires elbows, and he is free! But Moxley has the waistband! Swerve uses his foot to get free, he ROCKS Moxley, but Moxley grabs the waistband again! Swerve HEADBUTTS and both men fall! The fans are thunderous as the teams call to their guys! Hot tags to Matt and Joe! Joe rallies on The Bucks and even Moxley! The Bucks kick and whip, then run up! Joe URENAGES Nick down, then he SNAP POWERSLAMS Matt! Cover, TWO!! Matt survives but Joe hauls him right up! Tag to Swerve, Joe sends him in for an UPPERCUT! Joe BACK ELBOWS, and PELES! Hobbs goes up!?
Hobbs aims to DIVING SPLASH!! Swerve covers, but Moxley AND Nick break it! The fans boo but Moxley backs away. Swerve snarls and the fans rally up again. “This is Awesome!” as Swerve gator rolls again. But Nick saves Matt from the suplex! They DOUBLE SUPERKICK Swerve, then dodge Hobbs to feint and DOUBLE DDT! They both kip up, Joe is in, but Nick SUPERKICKS him! Joe wobbles, so Matt SUPERKICKS! Joe still DOUBLE LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous, but Moxley hits Joe with a PARADIGM SHIFT! HOUSE CALL for Moxley! Then a FLYING STOMP onto The Bucks!! The fans are electric and Nana is loving it!
There is a ring count on Swerve and Matt while the fans rally up. Swerve and Matt crawl, Swerve puts Matt in at 8. The fans cheer as Swerve drags Matt over. Tag to Hobbs and then Swerve climbs. Hobbs brings down his straps, but Moxley is in! Moxley kicks Hobbs, underhooks, but Hobbs werernches out to then hit a SPINEBUSTER! Then SPINEBUSTER for Matt! Nick springboards in, but SPINEBUSTER onto Matt!! Hobbs handles town bidness three times over, then he tags Swerve back in! Swerve is up, but Moxley SHOVES Hobbs into him! Then CUTTER for Hobbs! Joe LARIATS Moxley up and out!
The Bucks DOUBLE SUPERKICK Joe!! The Bucks hurry after Swerve, DOUBLE SUPERPLEX!! Then the E V P- NO, Swerve ducks and knees hit together! COQUINA CLUTCH for Nick! O’Conner Roll for Matt!! Swerve & Opps win!!
Winners: Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Hobbs, by pinfall
But Moxley and Matt attack! The fans boo as now Yuta & Claudio join in, too! The Death Riders and Bucks mug Swerve & Opps, and Marina even mugs Nana! BUT SHIBATA IS BACK! The Wrestler fires off fast hands on everybody! Shibata whips and BOOTS Yuta in the corner! Shibata fires more forearms, but Claudio is back! Shibata ROCKS Claudio first! Shibata fires forearms in the corner, he is getting payback for that chair gut buster! But Marina LOW BLOWS Shibata!! The fans boo but HERE COMES WILLOW! The Babe with the Power has been a Problem solver, and she SPEARS Marina!
The fans fire up, because here comes KENNY OMEGA! The Cleaner is a missing piece to the puzzle, but he gives Yuta a SNAP DRAGON! SNAP DRAGON for Claudio! He blocks Matt’s superkick, Matt begs for mercy, but he gets a SNAP DRAGON instead! Matt is on the ropes, Omega takes aim, and everyone joins in with the BANG!! V-TRIGGER on the ropes!! But Omega isn’t done, he drags Matt up. Swerve says hold on a moment. Swerve brings out a TABLE!! The fans fire up and Omega likes that idea. Joe helps set the table up, Omega brings Matt to the apron, and the fans are thunderous! Omega Electric Chair Lifts, but Claudio saves Matt!
The fans boo but The Bucks & Death Riders retreat! Joe shouts, “OH NO NO NO NO NO! A sane man would realize I’ve got all your asses this weekend and I can wait ’til then. But y’know what? I’m not a sane man, and we don’t give a s*it! We’re coming after you tonight in Albuquerque, whether you like it or not!!” Joe has put The Bucks & Death Riders on notice, will this fight go all the way into Collision and the rest of the week?
Backstage interview with The Hurt Syndicate.
Alicia Atout is with Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley, and their other lawyer on this very exciting evening. MJF is set to finally put pen to paper and join the team. How excited are they for this new chapter? MVP says yes, this is a momentous occasion. They are adding a fourth man. But regarding the excitement, you’d need to ask Max about that. “Oh, you can ask him, baby!” MJF steps in, wearing a brand new suit that is covered in gold leaf. Mark Sterling is also here, and MVP likes the suit. MVP says they’ll get some food, let his lawyer handle the legalese, and they’ll see MJF later.
MJF says absolutely. He fist bumps the Hurt Syndicate on the way out, and tells Alicia to scoot. MJF then tells Sterling that he did it! And a pleasure doing business with MVP’s lawyer, too. Sterling presents MJF with a pen, but Dynamite goes to break. Will it all be to MJF’s liking? Or will there be some fine print that bites him in the ass?
The Hurt Syndicate heads to the ring.
Mark Sterling already has a table set up as MVP & The AEW World Tag Team Champions enter, and MVP grabs a mic. “Attention AEW viewing audience. This is an official announcement from the Hurt Syndicate. Tonight’s a very special night. As you know, you’ve been following this drama as it has unfolded. We finally got the All Mighty to change his position, and tonight we officially induct our fourth member into the Hurt Syndicate.” The fans boo a bit, and MVP says hold on, they shouldn’t boo that. But he gets why they’re booing. Maxwell Jacob Friedman is better than all of them, and they know it.
So without further ado, the newest member of the Hurt Syndicate… Maxwell Jacob Friedman! M J F! The Scumbag makes his entrance, he has them cut his music, and he says he’d boo, too, if he was born and raised in Albuquerque. “Gentlemen, I gotta tell you, this reminds me of when I was a young little lad. My mother sat me down, and she said, ‘Son, the most important moment of your life is the day you marry the love of your life.’ And now that I’m older and wiser, I gotta say, clearly, that dumb b*tch never joined the Hurt Syndicate!” The fans boo, but MJF says, “Excuse me, I’m talking. Thanks, though, I appreciate the input.”
MVP also tells the fans to show respect to MJF. The only thing that sucks here is Albuquerque! They paid money to be here, so shut up and show respect to the young genius! MJF thanks Montel for that, and says he loves him. It is such a shame that such a great moment has to happen here, in a state nobody remembers exists. They don’t even have good sports teams here! Nobody cares about Albuquerque! Anyway, they’ve had their fun. Smart Mark, explain the legalese. Sterling assures that the contract benefits both parties. MJF will sign first, then MVP, Shelton & Lashley will sign to make MJF an official member of the Hurt Syndicate, LLC.
MJF tells the fans no one asked them, so please quiet down. MVP suggests booing their bosses when they go back to the jobs they hate. MJF finishes his part, then MVP signs his. Shelton signs, MVP tells more fans to shut up, and Lashley is last, much like he was with giving his thumbs up. Lashley hesitates, though. Now that it is really real, he might have second thoughts. Lashley double checks, MJF says he trusts “Bob.” MVP tells one fan in particular to shut up, men are conducting business! Lashley & Shelton check with their lawyer, MJF asks what’s the problem. Lashley goes back to the contract, and he works up the effort to sign his name.
The fans boo, but there’s nothing to it! MJF says this is the greatest moment of his life! He is now the newest member of- Wait, the Sons of Texas head out here? The fans cheer Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, aka the ROH World Tag Team Champions, aka the #1 contenders to the AEW World Tag Team Champions! Dustin has a mic but MJF says cut the music! And he tells them to look at him! Dustin & Sammy must be as dumb as these fans are ugly! He wants the White trash honkies to realize they have no right to interrupt this! Dustin tells MJF to shut up, “You stupid SOB!” All MJF does week in and week out is talk! MJF barely wrestles! He has no work ethic, grit, or even…
Well, Dustin will say this. Dustin hates MJF’s guts. He needs MJF to know that. MVP, you and Dustin do go way back. And Dustin has the utmost respect for MVP. He does. But it is in MVP’s best interest as businessmen to watch out for that snake in the grass. MJF says no, that’s not a thing. Dustin say she and Sammy are “day one guys!” Six years ago, Double or Nothing, they did something special! They changed the wrestling landscape! It was an unforgettable night. Fast-forward to now, this Sunday in Phoenix. They have an opportunity that they earned. They want more gold! They’re UNDEFEATED as ROH World Tag Team Champions!
The Sons of Texas have earned their AEW World Tag Team Championship match. Bobby, Shelton, Dustin wants you to look at him when he talks to you. Word is, they like to hurt people. Well, jump on Dustin and see if you can hurt him! He dares you! MVP says please, Dustin, be careful what you wish for. Dustin says there is nothing they can do to him and Sammy, bigger men have tried! And they may not know this, but Dustin & Sammy have both gone to Hell, looked the Devil in his eyes, and kicked his teeth in to claw their way out! They are day one, working around the clock, no off days! Do not think this will be a walk in the park, because it is not!
The fans cheer as Dustin says they fight with heart, honor, fire, passion, soul, and their work ethic is untouchable. One more thing: If Dustin were a betting man, he would bet on day one guys. See you at Double or Nothing. Mic drop from The Natural, and both he and the Spanish God are ready! But will they be able to topple The All Mighty & The Standard of Excellence? Or will Lashley & Shelton just have to hurt people?
Backstage interview with Kazuchika Okada.
Renee Paquette is with the Rainmaker and says last week, “Speedball” Mike Bailey called him out because he is eyeing the Continental Championship. Does he have an official response? “Yeah.” Then what is it…? “I’m the Continental Champion, I say what goes. Speedball, you do not call me out. I call you out! Double or Nothing, you find out why I’m then Continental Champion and you’re not.” Then it is official! But Renee notes that Speedball has yet to be pinned since arriving in AEW. Is Okada at all concerned? Okada says there is a first time for everything, trust him. Okada leaves, but comes back to tell Speedball, “Trust me.” Oh, okay…
The Rainmaker doesn’t hit his signature insult, but will he hit his signature move and be the first to beat Bailey? Or will Speedball be the NEW Continental Champion?
Ricochet VS Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn!
The One & Only picked on Zach Gowen, then beat him in a match, only to beat him down after. Mark Briscoe made the save and then the challenge, so now Ricochet has a STRETCHER MATCH waiting for him on Sunday! Will Ricochet be too worried about that to focus on the 5 Tool Player? Or will Ricochet use the Pride of Pro-Wrestling as a tune-up?
The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. They feel things out, but Ricochet says hold on. He taunts Daddy Ass, but Bowens stops Ricochet from doing the crotch chop! Bowens then fires hands on Ricochet, ROCKS him, and CHPOS him in the corner! The fans cheer Bowens and he whips corner to corner. Ricochet reverses, Bowens goes up and rolls. Ricochet runs up, Bowens hurdles then headlocks. Ricochet powers out, Bowens hurdles, then Bowens FLOAT OVER DDTS! Ricochet flounders to ropes, Bowens LARIATS him up and out! The fans fire up with Bowens again, and Ricochet gets in Billy’s face.
Billy steps and Ricochet flinches! Bowens is there to SLAP Ricochet on his bald head! Bowens whips Ricochet into railing, then he SCISSOR FINGERS~ with Billy! Bowens leaves Ricochet behind, Billy pushes Ricochet in, but the ref reprimands. Bowens runs up, Ricochet dodges, and then Ricochet comes back. Bowens puts Ricochet on the apron, GAMANGIRIS, then he brings Ricochet up. Ricochet fights the suplex, then he drags Bowens to the apron. Bowens BODY SHOTS, fireman’s carries, but Ricochet grabs at the ref! The ref shakes free but Ricochet slips down. Ricochet POSTS Bowens, then SWEEPS the legs!
The fans boo but Ricochet is all fired up, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, returns to the ring, and Billy helps Bowens. Ricochet CLOBBERS Bowens as he gets in the ring! Ricochet CHOKES Bowens on ropes, lets off, and he soaks up heat. Ricochet storms up and CHOPS! Bowens kicks Ricochet, CHOPS him, and then goes to a corner. Bowens runs up, Ricochet dodges and fires hands! Ricochet CHOPS, then he drags Bowens around. Ricochet taunts the scissor fingers and digs them into Bowens’ eyes! The ref reprimands, Ricochet stops, and he stands Bowens up to throw knees. Ricochet snapmares Bowens, runs, and then KOKESHI HEADBUTTS! Ricochet taunts the fans while Bowens writhes.
Ricochet goes back to Bowens but Bowens throws hands! Bowens rises, ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Ricochet taunts Billy, argues with him, then covers Bowens. TWO, but Ricochet stalks Bowens to a corner. Ricochet CHOKES Bowens on the ropes again, stops as the ref counts, and then taunts the fans again. Ricochet goes back to Bowens but Bowens KICKS from below! Bowens kicks again, but Ricochet blocks to YANK Bowens from the corner. Ricochet then headlocks and rains down fists! The ref reprimands, Ricochet stops, and Billy is frustrated on Bowens’ behalf.
Ricochet taunts Bowens, CLUBS him down, then stalks him again. Ricochet looms over Bowens and CLUBS him down again as Dynamite returns to single picture. Ricochet drags Bowens up, puts one out, but Bowens fights the lift! Ricochet CLUBS Bowens, UPPERCUTS him, and CHOPS him! The fans boo but Ricochet runs, only for Bowens to blow past! Ricochet ducks, Bowens dodges, and Bowens mule kicks! Bowens front KICKS, then runs, FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Bowens has Ricochet for a torture rack! Swing and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and Bowens is frustrated but the fans rally behind Bowens.
Bowens waits on Ricochet, clinches, but Ricochet fights the Arrival with elbows! Ricochet spins but Bowens ROCKS him first! Ricochet hits back, Bowens ROCKS him again! The hand fly, Ricochet spins but into a BOOT! Bowens runs, but into a TIGER WALL KICK! SOBAT! FRONT KICK! But Bowens fires off the Rock, Paper, Scissors, SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Bowens grows frustrated. The fans rally, Bowens stalks Ricochet and waistlocks, but Ricochet slips out of the back suplex! V-TRIGGER! HEEL KICK! Ricochet goes to the corner, locks ‘n’ loads, and SPIRIT- NO, Bowens ducks it! Clinch and ARRIVAL!!
The fans fire up and Bowens signals the scissors! The fans join in, Bowens makes it a fist, MOLLY WHOP!! But Ricochet is sent out of the ring! Billy wants to fetch Ricochet for Bowens but the ref won’t let him! Ricochet crawls, Bowens brings him up, but RICOCHET HAS THE SCISSORS!! HE JABS BOWENS IN THE FORHEAD!!! The fans boo and Ricochet reloads! SPIRIT GUN!!! Cover, Ricochet wins!!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
Just as Ricochet stole Swerve’s coat, and just as he stole Zach Gowen’s prosthetic leg, Ricochet steals this win and he steals the title of “Scissor King” from Bowens! But wait! Mark Briscoe is here with a stretcher! The fans cheer as Mark sneaks up, and he gets Ricochet’s attention! Ricochet freaks out as Mark says this is where he’s going on Sunday! Mark RAMS Ricochet with the stretcher, fires hands, and then scoops him onto the stretcher! Mark positions it at ringside, goes up top, but Ricochet scrambles away! Mark hops down and he tells Ricochet there’s no running away at Double or Nothing! Will Ricochet #ManUp or shut up against the Sussex County Chicken?
BREAKING NEWS for Thursday Night Collision!
While it is official for Double or Nothing, Speedball has business to handle before facing Okada! Bailey teams up with Komander against La Faccion Ingobernable! Will Bailey & Komander wrangle these bulls? Or will they just get the horns? And before she battles Jamie Hayter for the Women’s Owen Hart Cup, Mercedes Mone must defend her AEW TBS Championship against CMLL’s Reyna Isis! Will The CEO lose her belt before going for the trophy? Or can #ThreeBeltsMone build momentum for Double or Nothing?
Stokely Hathaway & FTR speak.
#BigStoke says, “Look what we have here. A contract in my email for your tag match at Double or Nothing, live on PPV this Sunday. And here’s the thing. We could sign this through a dopey Acrobat, but when you look to my left, when you look to my right, you see two men. You see two men who respect and honor the tradition of professional wrestling. You see the greatest tag team alive today, F T R! So we’re gonna do something special. Because Nigel McGuiness, Daniel Garcia, they want to look you in the eyes before they sign this contract. They wanna make sure that this is something that you really want to do.
“And you can even bring along your buddy, Daddy Magic.” Stokely does the fake cough trick as he calls Matt Menard “Dick ass.” Dax gives Stokely a cough drop and Stoke says we will all have the privilege and honor of seeing Nigel sign the last contract he will ever sign in his wrestling career, tomorrow night on Collision, live on TBS. #TopGuysOut. Will Nigel & Garcia be ready for anything FTR might try to pull this close to Double or Nothing?
Renee Paquette is in the ring.
The fans cheer and she says that tonight, we’ve already heard from the Men’s Owen Hart Cup Finalists. Now it is time to hear from the ladies. Renee has chairs set up and reminds us that these two women want to beat the ever loving crap outta each other, so she’ll do her best to keep things in order. That said, please welcome out the Hardest Hitting Hayter there is, the former AEW Women’s World Champion, Jamie Hayter! The fans cheer as Jamie makes her way out to the ring. Hayter takes her seat on Renee’s left, and now we welcome out The CEO, Mercedes Mone. The fans aren’t as excited as Mone struts her way out in her 1990s pop art bodysuit.
Mone takes her seat to Renee’s right, the fans duel, and Renee wants to start with Jamie. Jamie has accomplished something in AEW that Mone has not yet, and that is to hold THE AEW Women’s World Championship. Now, Jamie was sidelined with an awful back injury, but she has fought her heart out just to be back here. But this match makes it seem like Jamie is the underdog. How does it feel to Jamie? Jamie says if she’s the underdog, then so be it. Jamie just hates when people look past her, not realizing how that is a surefire way to get yourself hurt. It doesn’t matter if Jamie is on top of the mountain or deep on rock bottom, she will crawl her way back every single time.
Jamie will fight again and again and again, because that’s just who she is! She’s not some obnoxious C E O~! She doesn’t have people running around doing her dirty work. And she doesn’t walk around here like she’s the best thing since sliced bread! The fans cheer that, and Jamie says yeah, she’s rough around the edges. She doesn’t have it like Mone has it. Jamie will admit to it. But she’s still a fighter. Every single person sat out here tonight, everybody watching at home, helped mold Jamie into just that! This means more to Jamie than it does Mone, and they both know it! It really, really does.
Jamie says this isn’t even about a title anymore. Not to Jamie! It is more than that. This is about not being forgotten. The fans cheer, and Jamie tells Mone that when the bell rings, the confetti falls, and the cup is lifted, if it ain’t Jamie doing it, then what the hell does that even mean for her? Is she just not good enough? Should she even come back? What’s her fight? What’s her why? Will anyone even care? Mone’s guess is as good as hers, but as always, Jamie’s back is against the wall. But what she does is she laces up her boots and she hits bloody hard! That just who Jamie Hayter is! The fans cheer that!
Renee turns to Mone and says Jamie is bringing a new level of intensity even in Mone. Is Mone worried Jamie will be the first woman to beat her in singles competition since joining AEW? The fans cheer that idea! Mone says, “Worried? Renee. Me, worried? Do you not know who the Hell you’re talking to? Jamie Hayter, you think you have me all figured out, but you don’t. Because I am more than just a champion. I’m a revolution. I am the Beyonce of Women’s Wrestling! And I’m not looking past you, I’m looking straight through you like the glass doll that you are.” The fans boo but Mone says she always gets what she wants.
And her destiny is our reality. And the reality is, she will be headed to All in: Texas to become THE AEW Women’s World Champion! The fans are torn, but Mone says Jamie wants to throw shade at her success. Mone is the greatest TBS Champion ever! 360 days and counting, 25-0 in singles competition! She didn’t get there by luck, but by hard work and dedication. So Jamie, at Double or Nothing, Mone will show you why she’s the CEO. It is more than just about winning, but about leaving her legacy. Jamie, Mone wants you to bring your best, to be the best, to be the fighter that you say you are.
Because Double or Nothing will not be where Jamie’s story begins, but where her chapter in Mone’s story ends! Mone laughs, the fans boo, but Jamie has a rebuttal. She wants to ask everyone here tonight, “Have you noticed something a little bit different about Mercedes? She’s looking a little bit lighter, if you will. Something’s missing, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.” Jamie looks Mone up and down, and then says she figured it out! Mone lost the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship! Jamie remembers because she watched Resurgence. That was Mone’s destiny, and Mone’s destiny is to now lose everything!
Mone SHOVES Jamie down! Mone rains down fists on Jamie, Renee bails out, and Mone shoves the chairs aside. Mone is pissed as she makes Jamie look at the belts she still has. But then Hayter grabs an arm, and gives Mone HAYTERADE!! But then Timeless Toni Storm is here! The fans cheer as THE AEW Women’s World Champion is here already, wanting to see her potential challengers before the big night. But at the same time, she’s going to watch her next challenger in person while on commentary! The Fighting Gravure Idol and the Princess of the Black Throne are in the main event, will it all be about #MinaNow?
Mina Shirakawa VS Julia Hart!
Dynamite returns as Toni continues to revel in the cheers before sitting down at commentary. With that, Mina makes her entrance, followed by Julia’s. The bell rings and the fans rally as Mina and Julia circle. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, and then Julia headlocks. Mina powers up and out, drops down, then goes to hip toss, but Julia blocks! Julia gets a leg up, FLIPS, but Mina swings! Julia dodges, wrenches, and YANKS on the arm! Julia goes to a corner, knuckle locks, and climbs. The fans duel as Julia tightrope walks, and she goes OLD SCHOOL! Down goes Mina, Julia runs, but Mina ducks the blindside lariat!
Mina shimmies and shakes, the fans cheer, and Mina blocks a kick to CLUB the leg! Mina CHPOS, and then says it is her turn! Mina goes up, up, and shakes before she goes OLD SCHOOL with a knee drop! Mina shakes more and the fans cheer more. Toni promises that she is not here to make innuendo, just dry sexual comments on occasion. Mina runs in, Julia dodges then comes back, but Mina dodges in return. Mina ROCKS Julia, goes up and FLYING CHUCKS! Mina runs, DROPKICKS the legs out, and brings Julia around. Mina steps through, Julia kicks and kicks, then runs! Mina slides to trip Julia up!
Mina waves to Toni, says she’ll be champion, and Toni asks, “Really? Be careful now.” Julia is there to ROCK Mina! Toni says she told her so. Julia RAMS Mina into the apron, CHOPS her, then pushes her into the ring. Toni is nonplussed, this is going as her “script” says it would. Julia storms in after Mina while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Julia steps on Mina, TWO, but Julia drops down to DRIBBLE Mina off the mat! Cover, TWO! Mina is tougher than that but Julia drags her around. Julia whips Mina to a corner, runs in and LARIATS! Then she stomps a mudhole into Mina! Julia digs her boot in, the ref counts, and Julia steps off at 4. Julia drags Mina up, brings her around, but Mina CHOPS! Julia CHOPS, then reels Mina in. Julia snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Julia is annoyed but she drags Mina into a chinlock. Mina endures, reaches out, then fights up. Mina fires body shots, but Julia KNEES low. Julia whips, ELBOWS Mina down, then paces.
Luther fans Toni given the New Mexico heat. Julia clamps onto Mina with the motorcycle stretch but Mina endures again. Mina fights to turn things around, only for Julia to wrap her in a straitjacket stretch! Mina endures, pushes back to a cover, TWO! Julia clamps onto Mina with a SLEEPER! Mina fights around, Julia shifts to become a backpack, but Mina fights up. Mina JAWBREAKERS free! Julia wobbles, but she ROCKS Mina in the back! Dynamite returns to single picture as Julia stands mina up. Mina fires forearms, Julia fires back, and the fans rally. Julia runs, but into a SOBAT! Mina runs to SLIDING KNEE!
The fans fire up and Mina waits on Julia. Julia stands, into a ROLLING ELBOW! Julia is back up, but Mina LARIATS! Mina grins, runs corner to corner, but she has to block a boot! DRAGON SCREW! Julia writhes, Mina storms up and has the leg. Mina steps through, but Julia BOOTS her away! Julia goes to a corner, Mina runs in, but Julia goes up! And she reels Mina into the TARANTULA!! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Julia lets Mina go. Julia steps in, but into an URAKEN! The fans fire up and Mina goes to the apron. Mina climbs, brings Julia in, and FLYING SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Julia survives and Mina grows frustrated. Mina drags Julia up, dragon sleepers, “This is Awesome!” as Julia fights through! STO! Julia then drags Mina to the drop zone and stomps her! Julia goes up, up, and HART SAULTS! Mina moves, Julia lands on her feet, and her leg jams! Mina DROPKICKS the leg out! Mina SMASHES the knee, then has the legs for the FIGURE- NO, Julia cradles! TWO, and Mina hurries to her feet! ROLLING ELBOW, and then URAKEN!! Julia falls, the fans fire up, and Mina drags Julia into the dragon sleeper! GLAMOROUS DRIVER- NO, Julia slips out, rolls Mina up, TWO!!
Mina has Julia’s arm! Chicken wing, roll, ghost pin! MINA WINS!!
Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
Toni is impressed as Mina snatches another one! Mina taunts Toni, Toni tells commentary that she is not worried, but then Julia BLINDSIDES Mina! The fans boo as Julia throws hands! Mina shoves Julia, trips her up, and has the legs! FIGURE FOUR!! The fans “WOO~” while Julia suffers, but SKYE BLUE is here! Skye BOOTS Mina down, then rains down fists! The fans boo but Toni storms into the ring! Storm drags Skye off Mina, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Skye flops out, but Julia storms up! SLAP from Toni, URAKEN from Mina! The dark clouds have rolled away, and now Mina grabs the belt off the apron.
Mina brings the belt to Toni, but promises to take it from her on Sunday. They tug-o-war, Mina SHOVES Toni! Toni comes back, but Mina blocks the kick for a DRAGON SCREW! Mina puts Toni in a corner, ties up those legs around the post, HANGING FIGURE FOUR!! The ref reprimands, Luther calls for reinforcements, and the fans are going nuts! Mina lets go when she’s satisfied, and now Toni might be in trouble. Will it only get worse for Toni when it’s time to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Young Bucks.
Renee gets a word from them as they’re on their way out. Nick says they don’t have time, they have a flight to catch. Matt says hold on, they can say this. Remember how earlier tonight, Joe and his crew promised to get their hands on The Bucks? Well, it is the end of the night, nothing happened, so that makes Joe a liar. See you at the PPV. The Bucks head for the exit, but Joe is there! He SMASHES them with a trash can! Hobbs joins in, the luggage is also a weapon, and things go to the backstage area! But the Death Riders are there! They brawl 5v2, but Willow joins in! Marina goes after Willow, Swerve shows up, and so do Shibata and Omega!
Swerve has a chain, Omega has a trash can, and now THIS is an appetizer! They brawl out onto the stage, using the tron and the railing as part of this! Marina is sent into railing! Omega CHUCKS a trash can into Moxley! Swerve CHOKES Nick and puts him in the ring! The fans rally as things go down the ramp, Dynamite’s theme song plays in the spirit of Anarchy in the Arena! Omega has Swerve’s chain and uses it to CHOKE Nick! Joe BOOTS Moxley against barriers! Omega CLUBS Nick, but Nick HOTSHOTS Omega! Hobbs has Claudio, Shibata puts Yuta in a trash can to SMACK away with a kendo stick!
The Bucks turn things around on Omega, beat him up 2v1, and Nick has the chain now! The fans cheer on “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Swerve and Moxley brawl! E V P TRIGGER to Omega!! Claudio SMACKS Hobbs with a chair, but that just pisses Hobbs off! Joe and Moxley brawl now, but the Bucks aren’t done with Omega! They get him up, but Omega slips free! Omega shoves Matt into Nick! Hobbs CHOKES Claudio, Omega SLAM DUNKS Matt! Swerve is in, BOOT for Nick! Omega and Swerve nod, but Moxley CHOKES Joe! Willow beats down Marina, Omega and Swerve have the Bucks! V-TRIGGER and HOUSE CALL in stereo!!
Joe powers out to turn things around on Moxley! COQUINA CLUTCH!!! Joe makes the AEW World Champion pass out! But GABE KIDD is here! He CLOBBERS Joe with the title briefcase!! The Mad Man slips in and CLOBBERS Swerve! And CLOBBERS Omega! He rains down fists on Omega, the fans boo, but Gabe says he wasn’t just gonna go back home! The Bucks bring out the TABLES! Things have turned around from earlier tonight as The Bucks drag Swerve to the table! Gabe CHOKES Omega, puts him on the outside, and now Omega is put on the other table! The Bucks climb the corners, Yuta makes Nana watch!
STEREO MACHO ELBOW AND FROG SPLASH, DOWN THROUGH THE TABLES!! Albuquerque loses their minds, and the evil alliance of Death Riders and Elite stands tall! How much more chaotic will things get when it’s Anarchy in the Arena?
My Thoughts:
A great episode, even for being a go-home that was light on matches. But at the same time, it had more promos and build. Awesome face-to-face promo from Ospreay and Hangman, and even with the passion and bringing up the past, these guys stayed Faces and are keeping it at “may the best man win.” As such, that really keeps things up in the air. Either guy would make a great challenger for Moxley, especially if the story is that Hangman and Ospreay will work together to make sure it is a fair fight. Also a great promo segment from Hayter and Mone with how they brought some fire to that moment. Mone losing her cool over Hayter bringing up her loss was good stuff, but Hayter standing tall makes me think Mone wins now.
Great segue from Mone and Hayter to Toni watching Mina VS Julia. Great match for the main event, but naturally Mina wins to have momentum. Skye Blue showing up and Toni getting involved was also good stuff, but I’m a bit surprised Mina and Toni took it that far. Mina standing tall over Toni on top of her match momentum, clearly Toni retains at Double or Nothing. Then it will be Toni VS Mone, and I would think Mone retains her title against Reyna Isis tomorrow night. And since we’re not going double or nothing on titles, maybe we go all in, with Mone putting up her TBS Championship against Toni’s Women’s World Championship, with the winner becoming the first dual AEW Women’s Champion.
Good promo from Stokely & FTR to set up their contract signing on Collision, and that will be a good segment for the go-home. Pretty fun stuff with MJF and the Hurt Syndicate, but I feel like MVP adlibs his responses a little too much. He didn’t need to keep shouting down the fans unless someone was actually saying something offensive. I appreciated Lashley playing up like he was going to go back on the deal, but also they kept teasing how there might be someone other than MJF joining. Dustin & Sammy showing up was logical, but I feel like Dustin only had most of his promo put together. But as I’ve said before, I don’t see Sons of Texas winning this one. I wonder if MJF has a part to play, too…
Ricochet VS Bowens was a very good match but I’m a little surprised, and maybe disappointed, Bowens’ return push was sacrificed to Ricochet getting momentum going into Double or Nothing. But I suppose the “Scissor King” crown was good enough a reason to have a match. I would’ve waited until after Double or Nothing so that Ricochet and Bowens could have an actual feud going through the summer. Mark going after Ricochet was good stuff, but he kinda gave away the big spot he wants to do: Froggy-Bow to a stretcher. The math on this match is fairly even, but it’d make sense if Ricochet won to stay hot towards a title opportunity of his own.
Speaking of, good promo from Okada to set up Okada VS Bailey. I wonder if he chose to swerve us on saying “b*tch” or he was told to pull back a bit. It feels more like an Okada thing to make that move himself. Bailey & Komander surely find a way to win against LFI tomorrow, but I can’t be sure about Bailey VS Okada. I still think a great idea is to violate the Continental Rules by The Bucks ending up ringside. Given how tonight ended, I can see the Faces and Heels not wanting to wait to get Anarchy in the Arena started, so The Bucks either brawl their way ringside or are chased ringside, Bailey wins, but Okada retains as it is a disqualification and Champion’s Advantage is a thing.
But of course, great stuff with the Anarchy in the Arena field. Awesome Six Man Tag to open, great win for the Faces, but then the Heels stand tall to close the night, so the math is a wash. The stuff tonight was a great teaser, so that Anarchy match is going to be wild. It could go either way, really, but the result should also lend itself towards the next phase in the story. I don’t know if Darby Allin will be back in time for Sunday, because helping the Faces win AITA would be a great way to return, and it means one more ally for Team AEW to fight against the Death Riders.
My Score: 8.8/10
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