Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/16/25)
Who’s ready to climb the ladder?
The Road to Money in the Bank is paved with golden opportunities!
While SmackDown superstars battle to enter Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax! Is Tiffy Time about to run out?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Alexa Bliss; Bliss wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- Fraxiom VS #DIY; Fraxiom wins.
- Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz; Aleister wins, by disqualification.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Rey Fenix VS Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo; Solo wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- LA Knight VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu; JC wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Nia Jax; Tiffany wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring!
The would-be Head of the Table smiles as he leads Jacob Fatu and the newest member of the WWE roster, Jeff Cobb, to the ring. The Samoan Werewolf is also still WWE Untied States Champion thanks to Solo and Cobb, and the fans cheer for “FATU! FATU!” Solo has the mic to tell Greensboro, “Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome the man who helped keep the United States Championship in this family… My man, JC!” The fans boo as Solo and Cobb dap it up. Solo says, “When Roman lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, he ruined everything for my family. He ruined everything! We lost everything!
“But now, I’m here to take it all back.” The fans boo, but Solo says that starts with him winning tonight’s qualifying match, going on and winning Money in the Bank, and then going after the title to bring it back to the family where it belongs. And if there is anybody in the back that tries to step in front of Solo, they will be dealt with by his man, JC, and the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu! The fans do cheer that part, and Solo says check it! They better get in where they fit in, cuz Solo’s all gas- Fatu stops Solo from using his shtick! The fans cheer but Solo is upset. Solo lets it slide, and Fatu says, “Let’s keep it 100. Don’t you ever get this thing twisted over here.
“I told y’all I was bringing the US title to the family!” The fans cheer that! “And I told you I was gonna do it with your or without you!” The fans also cheer that. “And if anybody gets in my way, well line ’em up, cuz I’ma deal with ’em all by myself!” The fans cheer again, and Fatu says at the end of the day, FATU is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA- Solo interrupts by mocking the Yadada over and over. JC chuckles and Solo says of course he knows what Fatu means! Everyone knows what Fatu means! Solo does, and so does JC. But Fatu, don’t worry. The reason Solo is doing all of this is because he loves Fatu. This is all to help!
Look at your shoulder, Jacob. What is that? That is proof! That title is proof of Solo telling Fatu that Solo loves Fatu. But there is something Solo needs to hear from Fatu. Solo is sure Fatu remembers what he used to say all the time, loud ‘n’ proud, every minute of the day. What was that? How’d Fatu used to do it? Fatu says, “I love you, Solo.” The fans boo and Solo laughs. That wasn’t it! That’s not how he used to do it! Everyone here knows how! He used to be loud ‘n’ proud. C’mon, Jacob! Solo pushes Fatu, and asks Fatu who he loves. He wants Fatu to do it the old way. Fatu takes off his sunglasses, but then here comes LA Knight!
The fans fire up as the Mega Star sneaks in from the crowd! Knight drags JC out and SMACKS him off the desk! Knight fires hands, then he gets away before Solo & Fatu can get him! Knight says that’s what they get for messing him over at Backlash! Knight’s willing to fight all three members of Solo’s “family,” but with Solo in tonight’s qualifier, will it be Fatu or JC that deals with LA?
B-Fab talks with Mia Yim backstage.
Fab tells Mia that #MichinInTheBank sounds great. So we need Mia to go out there and win the qualifier. Because you know what goes good with the briefcase? The tag titles~! Mia says yeah, once she brings that briefcase back to them, they’ll have it all! But then the Green Administration laughs their way in. Chelsea tells Mia & Fab that while this is cute, if anyone is winning MITB this year, it is the VIP of last year. But she still lost last year… Chelsea says once she wins, she is going to ring in a beautiful “social economic policy” that has a trickle down effect to lower interest rates for all of… her Secret Her-vice.
But Alexa Bliss walks over and taps Alba on the shoulder. Alba freaks out, as do Piper and Chelsea. Alexa just tells the others, “See you out there.” Piper & Alba calm Chelsea down, but then B-Fab tells them that no, there’s a ringside ban in place. What? Who approved that? Fab says either way, they’re stuck watching backstage with her. Have fun~! B-Fab accompanies Mia to gorilla, and Chelsea shouts she’s putting tariffs on mediocrity! Mia & B-Fab are first on the list! Well, delusions of grandeur aside, will there be no road back for the Hot Mess to MITB? Or can she somehow get one over on the Head Baddie in Charge and Lil’ Miss Bliss?
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Alexa Bliss!
SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, followed by Chelsea. The bell rings, and Mia SUPERKICKS Chelsea! The fans are torn but Mia and Alexa high-five. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They go around, Mia headlocks and hits a takeover. Alexa slips out to headlock right back. Mia fights up, powers out, but Alexa tilt-o-whirls, only for Mia to swing her around. Mia whips, Alexa ducks ‘n’ dodges. Chelsea is back in but Alexa slides to trip her up! Mia adds a basement DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles out, Alexa rolls Mia, TWO! Mia blocks another try and she backslides Alexa, TWO! Alexa drop toeholds! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!
Mia is up and she body scissor rolls Alexa, TWO! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Chelsea complains but what else is new? But then Alexa & Mia DOUBLE DROPKICK Chelsea! Chelsea is furious, but then Alexa & Mia DOUBLE WRECKING BALL DROPKICK! Chelsea tumbles to the ramp but Mia goes out to fetch her. Mia puts her in the ring, but then Alexa YANKS her down! Alexa goes up but Mia YANKS her down! They argue, and Chelsea DIVES onto them both! Greensboro fires up for Miss Green, and she salutes before shouting, “PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE!” Hard to tell if anyone does as SmackDown goes to picture in picture.
Chelsea drags Alexa up, THROWS her into barriers, then drags Mia up to throw her into barriers! Chelsea storms back over to Alexa and she puts her in the ring. Cover, TWO! Chelsea is upset with the ref but the ref defends the count. Chelsea bumps Alexa off buckles, talks trash, then bumps Alexa off more buckles. Chelsea whips Alexa right back into the corner, then grabs the arms. Chelsea gives Alexa the motorcycle STOMP into the buckles! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is annoyed but she drags Alexa up and TOSSES her out! Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers while she leads a Pledge of Allegiance to Chelsea Green.
Chelsea then storms out and whips Alexa into barriers! Chelsea pulls Alexa’s hair, drags her into the ring, and CLUBS her down! Chelsea CLUBS Alexa again, then BOOTS Mia from the apron! But Alexa rolls Chelsea! TWO, Chelsea clinches but Alexa fires body shots! And an ENZIGIRI! Chelsea comes back to SMACK Alexa off the mat! Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers, but Mia is in! GERMAN SUPLEX for Chelsea! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX for Chelsea! Chelsea elbows free of the third, but Mia blocks her kick! Mia slips under Chelsea to lift her up, and SIT-OUT POWERBOMBS! Cover, Alexa breaks it!
Mia is frustrated but all three women are down while SmackDown returns to single picture. Mia storms up on Alexa, but Alexa blocks a shot! Mia still fires fast hands and kicks, then a PELE! Mia whips Alexa to a corner but now Chelsea runs in! Mia dodges and PELES Chelsea, too! Chelsea falls onto Alexa, and Mia says get this twerk! Mia runs up to CANNONBALL! Mia then drags Alexa to a high stack, TWO! Cover on Chelsea, TWO! The fans rally up as Mia drags Chelsea around. Wrench and- NO, Chelsea avoids Da Feet, then avoids Alexa’s haymaker! Chelsea pokes Alexa in the eyes! Mia runs up, Chelsea dodges, the BOOT hits Alexa!
Mia turns around, she and Chelsea DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! Both women fall, and that means all three are down! The fans fire up while the three stir. “This is Awesome!” as Mia bails out. Chelsea and Alexa crawl to each other. Chelsea shouts at Alexa but Alexa fires a forearm! Chelsea fires back, the forearms go back and forth! The fans are torn, but Alexa blocks to SLAP, ROCK, and DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Alexa runs, but Mia SHOTGUNS Alexa down! Only for Chelsea to chicken wing Mia! Mia wrenches out, and EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT AGAIN! Mia is frustrated, but Alexa dodges her to tilt-o-whirl and DDT!
The fans fire up and Alexa puts Mia in the drop zone! Alexa climbs, the fans fire up, and it is TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Chelsea breaks it!! Chelsea DUMPS Alexa out, drags Mia up, UNPRETTY HER!! But Alexa drags Mia out of the ring! Chelsea is furious, takes a swing, but into the clinch! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Green saw red, but Alexa used that against her! Will Alexa make this #MoneyInTheBliss? Or will there be a second chance waiting for Mia and Chelsea?
Fraxiom VS #DIY!
Whether or not Nathan Frazer & Axiom were in the wrong for facing The Street Profits when Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins were less than 100%, that’s hard to say. But Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano used it as an excuse to go after the new kids on the block instead of admitting they’re jealous of the new kids on the block. But will the undefeated Fraxiom #NeverSlowDown? Or will DIY prove that if you want to get ahead, you gotta Do It Yourself?
SmackDown returns as DIY makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Axiom starts against Ciampa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Axiom waistlocks, Ciampa wrenches to a wristlock, and Ciampa grinds the arm down. Axiom endures, the fans rally, and Axiom fights up. Ciampa keeps on the arm, but Axiom rolls, bridges, then breaks free to DROPKICK! Tag to Frazer, they whip Ciampa and wrap him up but Ciampa fights the Iron Octopus! Ciampa is now in a GROUND OCTOPUS, and Frazer still runs to DROPKICK him! Ciampa bails out, Gargano runs in, but into KICK after KICK, ASSISTED DROPKICK!
Gargano bails out, Frazer DIVES onto Ciampa! Ciampa almost ends up in the front row! Axiom DIVES onto Gargano! Frazer DIVES onto Ciampa again, and he DOES end up in the front row! Axiom DIVES again and Gargano hits barriers! DIY is down, Greensboro fires up, and Frazer drags Ciampa back into the ring. Tag to Axiom and he goes up a corner. Ciampa staggers to his feet, but he avoids the leap. Axiom dodges the chop, but Gargano inadvertently(?) trips him at the ropes! The ref reprimands, but Ciampa KNEES Axiom down. Tag to Gargano, and Gargano LARIATS Axiom down! The fans boo but Gargano grins.
Gargano drags Axiom up, brings him around, and THROWS him into barriers! DIY sits on the barriers, and they applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back. Gargano then puts Axiom in the ring, but Axiom CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then fires forearms! Axiom reels Gargano in, but Gargano scoops to SLAM Axiom into the ropes! Axiom tumbles out of the ring, DIY soaks up the heat, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ciampa keeps Axiom from Frazer. Axiom fires hands, Ciampa KNEES low, then Ciampa whips Axiom to the corner. Axiom ROCKS Gargano, goes up and over Ciampa, and then rolls! Hot tags to Gargano and Frazer! Frazer springboards to AX HANDLE Gargano, then he BLASTS Ciampa! Frazer LARIATS, whips, but Gargano reverses. Frazer goes up and over then handsprings away! Gargano runs up but into a SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up and Frazer keeps moving, QUEBRADA, then DDT! Frazer keeps moving, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Gargano survives that speed blitz but Frazer hurries to a corner!
The fans rally as Frazer goes up, up, and PHOENIX- NO, Gargano moves! Frazer rolls through, Gargano ROCKS him! Gargano runs, but Frazer JUMP KNEES! Frazer runs, QUEBRADA into a SUPERKICK! Gargano tags Ciampa and Ciampa reels Frazer in! Underhooks, SUPERKICK into FAIRYTALE ENDING!! Cover, AXIOM BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while DIY regroups. Gargano TOSSES Axiom, then PLANCHAS! Ciampa hoists Frazer up, PROJECT CIAMPA!! Cover, TWO!?! Frazer survives and “This is Awesome!” Ciampa takes his kneepad down and aims from a corner. PSYCHO- NO, Frazer dodges and the knee hits buckles!
Gargano tags in, he BLASTS Axiom and then BOOTS Frazer! Gargano goes up, Frazer GAMANGIRIS! Gargano wobbles, Frazer climbs up, and Frazer brings Gargano up! Gargano fires body shots, SHOVES Frazer, but Frazer backflips through! Ciampa storms up but Frazer ENZIGIRIS first! Frazer hurries back and jumps up to the top rope! Axiom tags in, and Frazer hits the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, and Frazer suplexes Gargano! Axiom adds a SUPERKICK, CHASING THE DRAGON!!! Cover, CIAMPA KNEES AXIOM DOWN!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ciampa and Frazer bail out, Gargano and Axiom scrap with each other!
Gargano stands to ROCK Axiom, but Axiom CHOPS! Gargano ROCKS, Axiom CHOPS, repeat! Gargano fires a flurry, but then Axiom ducks the rolling elbow! Gargano fights the German Suplex, bucks the O’Conner Roll, but Axiom kips up! INTO A SUPERKICK! Gargano then rolls Axiom up, with tights! TWO, and into a RINGS OF SATURN!! Gargano endures, Ciampa hobbles in, and he grabs at the mask! Frazer SUPERKICKS Ciampa down! Gargano SUPERKICKS Frazer! Roll up, but Axiom sits on it! FRAXIOM WINS!!
Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall
Gargano is stunned! But then he and Ciampa CLOBBER Fraxiom! The fans boo but DIY are sore losers! And they still rip at Axiom’s mask! But here come the Motor City Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin grab Ciampa, ENZIGIRI FLATLINER to the floor! Gargano realizes he is alone and he runs for it! But MCMG flanks him, and Sabin PENALTY KICKS from the apron! MCMG take care of DIY, and they help Fraxiom to their feet. When and where will the two fastest moving tag teams face off?
Rey Fenix prepares backstage.
Andrade finds him and wishes him luck tonight. Fenix thanks Andrade, and also says last week was a great match. Andrade says maybe they’ll see each other in the MITB ladder match. Fenix says he had his WrestleMania Moment, and though he failed, that fire inside him is burning brighter than ever! Fenix feels it! That next level is MITB. But Solo Sikoa says, “Ey, Carnal!” Solo asks Fenix & Andrade where LA Knight went. El Idolo & the Firebird have no idea. Solo says he’s no good at Espanol. Solo and Cobb storm off, Fatu looks Fenix and Andrade over, then Fatu follows.
Will Solo’s family find LA Knight before the night is over? How will Solo prepare for his qualifier if he’s obsessed with the Mega Star?
Fraxiom regroups backstage.
Frazer & Axiom are fired up, because they are on a roll! No one can stop them! But then The Street Profits walk up and applaud. Dawkins says, “Congratulations, boys! You’re on a roll! Beat DIY, Pretty Deadly, Los Garza, and the other night, y’all even got one over on us.” Ford says what they did is so special! So special that Ford & Dawkins just talked with Aldis, and Aldis has granted Fraxiom their tag team championship match! How ’bout that? AHAHAHA! But guess what? The best part is… They don’t gotta wait until MITB, or even Saturday Night’s Main Event! The WWE Tag Team Championship match is next week!
Fraxiom is fired up, and Frazer says all they have to do is beat the Profits again! Axiom stops Frazer there, and says what Frazer means is that they’re looking forward to this. The Profits shake hands with Fraxiom, and Dawkins says they’ll be 100% then. Hopefully Fraxiom will be, too. The Profits head out and Frazer says they’re speed-running this! Axiom has Frazer calm down and focus on next week. Frazer says yeah, let’s go work on that! Will the Jersey Island Rocket & Undeniable Truth be undeniable as #1 contenders? Or will The Profits not only get that smoke, but get that respect?
Exclusive sit-down interview with R-Truth.
Wade Barrett thanks Truth for meeting with him. To get right to it, during the Backlash press conference last Saturday, John Cena hit Truth with an Attitude Adjustment through a table. What is going on with them? Truth says life is tough. This is the constant pressure, man. Career, family, friends, bills. But regardless of what’s going on in your world, you can always depend on John Cena. When you feel like you want to quit, what would Cena say? Never give up! You didn’t know when it was gonna come, when it would happen, but what would Cena say? Your Time Is Now! Hustle, Loyalty, Respect! Those are not just words, those are a beacon of light.
If Cena did it, so can you! Wade wants Truth to listen to himself. Truth sounds crazy! Truth basically won that match for Cena at Backlash when he stopped Randy Orton from punting Cena. And then look how Cena repays Truth! And Truth wants to sing Cena’s praises? Truth says Cena won that on his own. You don’t know Cena like Truth knows! That man at the press conference was NOT John Cena! The Cena that Truth knows would never turn his back on the people that support and love him. The Cena that Truth knows wouldn’t talk about ruining wrestling, or put his friend and brother through a table!
Truth doesn’t wanna fight Cena. But if he has to beat some sense into Cena, then Truth will do it. Truth will do it. He already talked to Nick Aldis. It is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event! Cena is the Greatest of All Time, but Truth remembers what his hero told him about facing the impossible: Never Give Up! Regardless of what happens, Truth will hold his head high, because he will live by Hustle, Loyalty & Respect! That’s what’s up! Wade says this has been rather enlightening, and best of luck against Cena at SNME. Truth says much obliged. So then, will Truth be able to make Cena see the truth? Or will the Never Seen 17 still ruin wrestling?
Damian Priest speaks.
“Drew. It feels like we’re stuck in a cycle. You get involved in my business, I get involved in yours… Sabotage each other until we destroy everything. I’m banged up, I’m frustrated, but most of all, I’m pissed off at myself for getting stuck in this vortex that is Drew McIntyre’s petty, childish, vindictive BS. We need a conclusion, Drew. At Saturday Night’s Main Event, a simple match won’t do it. I want you to hurt real bad. I want you to feel real pain. I want to bash your face in so bad that the hospital will need dental records to identify you. Anarchy, violence, I want this to happen inside a steel cage.
“I hope this is what you wanted, Drew. Because it’s what you’re gonna get. The cycle ends here.” The Archer of Infamy has spoken, will he send the Scottish Warrior way past South of Heaven?
Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes w/ The Miz!
The Dark Father made the Hollywood A-Lister #FadeToBlack, and then he made H1M miss like an airball. But will Aleister stay untouchable in his return? Or will this be the night Melo hits the game winner?
SmackDown returns and The Miz tells the camera, “Allow me to explain exactly what is about to happen.” Melo stops Miz there and says he’s got this. “Aleister Black! Ptew! Even saying your name makes me sick. Last week, you had the opportunity to take my head off, and you didn’t take it. And that’s the biggest mistake of your life. Because now, this beef, it will never end. Okay? It’s not over until I win. You in the playoffs, big dog. Ask the last guy, cuz it’s Melo over everybody! It’s MOE! I’m the Tenth Wonder of the World! I am H1M!” Miz says, “Who’s H1M?” Melo says, “I am.” “Who’s H1M?” “I am!” “WHO’S H1M?!” “I AM!”
One month ago was Aleister’s grand opening. Tonight in Greensboro, it’s closing night. Melo & Miz go to the ring, but will they make this Melo’s Rocky 2? Or is this more like riding into the Perfect Storm?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Melo headlocks, but Aleister powers his way out to wrench and wristlock. Melo rolls, trips Aleister, then floats to a headlock. Aleister fights up, he and Melo fight for the clinch, then they end up in a corner. Aleister turns things around, lets off slowly, but Melo SLAPS him! The fans boo, Aleister swings but Melo dodges. Aleister dodges Melo and runs, but Melo drops down. Aleister stops himself and arm-drags! Melo fights up, arm-drags free, but Aleister runs him over! Cover, ONE! Melo sweeps to cover, ONE! Both men kip up and the fans fire up!
Melo shakes his head, but then he narrowly avoids Black Mass! Aleister sits down cross-legged but Melo gets up in a huff. Aleister blocks a kick, reels Melo in and waistlocks. Melo ELBOWS free, whips, but Aleister reverses. Melo springboards, but into a BOOT! Melo tumbles out of the ring and Miz is worried. Aleister goes to a corner, goes up and out, but Miz gets Melo in the ring! Aleister MOONSAULTS, lands on his feet, and wonders what happened. Aleister glares at Miz, but Melo FLIES! Down goes Aleister and the fans are torn, but Miz is all fired up! The ref reprimands Miz but Melo puts Aleister in the ring.
Melo springboards, FADE AWAY DDT! Cover, TWO! Aleister stays in this but Melo says he is H1M, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Melo goes, but Aleister runs up and steps up to BOOT Melo down! Melo falls to the floor and Miz is worried. The ring count climbs while Miz coaches Melo up. Melo rises at 5 of 10, crawls over at 7, and he rolls in at 8! Aleister dodges Melo to then rally with forearm sand elbows! Aleister ducks a shot, fires a strike fest and sweeps the legs! Then SLIDING KNEE! Aleister handsprings, the fans fire up, but Melo waistlocks! Aleister switches, Melo elbows free, but runs into a DROPKICK! Melo bails out, Aleister goes up, and this time he MOONSAULTS onto Melo! The fans fire up and Aleister puts Melo in. Aleister hurries to cover, TWO!
Melo survives and Aleister grows a bit frustrated. But Greensboro says “This is Awesome!” as Aleister waistlocks Melo. Melo fights up, reaches out, and throws elbows. Aleister lifts, Melo victory rolls, TWO! Aleister escapes, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Melo runs, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! And then Melo reels Aleister in for the suplex, only for Aleister to sunset flip! TWO, and Melo BOOTS Aleister! Aleister is in the corner, Melo blocks a boot, but not the KNEE! Aleister goes up to METEORA! Aleister then fires up, to ROUNDHOUSE! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Melo survives again and even Miz is surprised!
The fans rally up and Aleister rises. Aleister waits on Melo to rise, but Miz creeps up! Miz swipes at the feet, the ref reprimands, but Melo rolls Aleister! TWO, and Aleister KNEES Melo! Aleister runs, but into another LA MYSTICA! And then a suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Melo is beside himself, Miz argues with the ref, but then Miz tells Melo to go for that three pointer! Miz is on the apron, the ref reprimands, and Melo brings Aleister up. Melo and Miz argue about the game plan, but Aleister shoves Melo into Miz! Cradle, TWO!! Melo escapes, but the SHADOW ELBOW finds him! Aleister fires a strike fest, but the FIRST 48 hits!
Aleister rebounds, BOOTS Melo, then JUMP KNEES! Melo sputters and Aleister lifts with his foot. But Miz CLOBBERS Aleister!!
Winner: Aleister Black, by disqualification
Miz drags Aleister up into a full nelson, but Aleister powers out! BLACK MASS!! But then Melo CHOP BLOCKS Aleister! Melo rains down fists, then he goes to the corner. Melo is going to do just as Miz said to, NOTHING BUT NET!! Melo hits that three pointer but only after the match was done. Will Melo make sure he’s the one who wins in the end?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron Saxton says last week, she made her return, and tonight, she is the first to qualify for this year’s MITB. How does it feel? Alexa says it is amazing. Now her goal is to be the first woman to win MITB twice. She wants to take that briefcase and… Alexa trails off, then asks to be excused. Alexa walks down the hall, and she sees Charlotte Flair waiting outside Nick Aldis’ office. Alexa says hey, and Charlotte asks Alexa, “What’re we doing here?” Alexa just wants to know if Charlotte gave any thought to what they talked about last week. Charlotte says yeah, they aren’t friends. They weren’t even that close.
No, but when Alexa first came to NXT, no one gave her the time of day. Charlotte took Alexa under wing, and was for some reason a decent human being. Alexa never forgot that. Charlotte doesn’t remember that. Alexa says fine, but then out of the office steps GIULIA! Aldis also walks out to introduce the newest member of the SmackDown roster. Aldis then tells Charlotte, “Let’s talk Money in the Bank.” Charlotte tells Alexa to just stay out of her way, because Charlotte doesn’t need Alexa. Alexa says, “Keep telling yourself that.” Just what was Alexa hoping for from The Queen? And way to bury the lead, will all of SmackDown soon succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
Drew McIntyre is here!
Greensboro is torn as the Scottish Terminator makes his way to the ring, though rather gingerly. Drew still stands on the corner for his pyro, and then he gets the mic. The fans cheer and jeer, but Drew says, “I heard what you had to say, Priest. The only thing that was accurate in that entire video was how much violence we’ve inflicted on each other. But you’re stuck in the Drew McIntyre Vortex, is that what you said? I’ve been in this vortex for over a year. That so-called Drew McIntyre Vortex you’re in is the only reason you’re relevant and the only reason anyone gives a damn about you!” The fans are torn but Drew paces.
“I’ve been trying to tell you for months and months. I beat you at WrestleMania in your own match. I beat you in a Street Fight clean, and you keep getting involved in my business. You’re obsessed with me! It’s getting to the point I was genuinely concerned you wanna wear my skin to your birthday party. But I know what this is. This is jealousy. This is a psychotic level of jealousy! You look at me and you see everything you’ve ever wanted. I am better than you in every single way! I’ve got all the accolades. I would’ve been a Grand Slam Champion if it wasn’t for you at Backlash! You’re trying to take out the competition!
“And I genuinely believe you’re willing to kill me to do it, because you choke slammed me off a 15 foot platform and SLAMMED MY HEAD INTO THE CONCRETE!” The fans are torn but Drew calms himself down a moment. Drew scowls and says, “This has to end. I’ll see you inside that cage next Saturday. And I’m gonna make you a guarantee, because when Drew McIntyre makes a guarantee, it happens. Only one man is gonna walk out of that cage. The other is leaving on a stretcher!” Drew throws down the mic, but who survives when they lock these two in and throw away the key?
As Drew makes his exit, Solo Sikoa makes his entrance, accompanied by Fatu & “JC Mateo.” Drew glares at them, especially the United States Champion. Drew moves on, and Solo’s “family” continues to ringside. Solo may still want LA Knight’s head, but will he settle for the golden ticket to Los Angeles?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Rey Fenix VS Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo!
SmackDown returns and we follow #BigJim on his way to gorilla. “Money in the Bank is around the corner! But tonight, it’s qualifying night. I gotta get through Solo and I gotta get through Rey Fenix. I’ma take my ass to MITB, climb that ladder, snatch that, win that, cash that. Who’s dat? Big Jim with a big win!” Jimmy makes his entrance, followed by Rey Fenix. The bell rings and Solo CLOBBERS Fenix! Solo rains down fists, perhaps unhappy Fenix didn’t hel;;p him find Knight. The fans boo as Solo THROWS Fenix down, then he tells Jimmy they can work together as true blood brothers.
Solo raises the one, Jimmy raises it, too, but then Jimmy UPPERCUTS Solo! Jimmy CHOPS Solo, CHOPS again, but Fenix runs up! Jimmy gives Fenix a boost to ENZIGIRI Solo! Solo staggers, Jimmy & Fenix DOUBLE LARIAT Solo up and out! Except Solo’s hand gets stuck in the ropes! Jimmy & Fenix get Solo free and Solo clutches that hand, so Fenix rolls Jimmy up! TWO and Jimmy CHOPS! Fenix falls, Jimmy looms over him, and then stands Fenix up. Jimmy whips, Fenix reverses, but then Jimmy dodges. Fenix goes Spider-Man to go to the apron. Jimmy runs up, Fenix RAMS him, and then Fenix GAMANGIRIS!
Fenix slingshots and somersaults to RANA! Cover, TWO! Fenix keeps moving, tilt-o-whirls, but Jimmy fights. Fenix still puts on the IRON OCTOPUS! Jimmy endures so Fenix CLUBS him, CHOPS him, and has him in the corner. Fenix CHOPS again, but Jimmy CHOPS back! The fans “WOO~” and Jimmy whips. Fenix reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, and the two RAM shoulders! Jimmy CHOPS, Fenix BOOTS, and Fenix goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Fenix covers, TWO! The fans rally with Fenix but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Fenix goes to ropes, Jimmy stalks up and CHOPS again!
The fans rally up, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy whips, Fenix reverses, but Jimmy stops himself to BOOT Fenix down! But then Solo drags Jimmy out! Solo SMACKS Jimmy off the desk! And SMACKS him off the desk again! Solo’s wrist seems okay, but then Fenix kips up to SUPERKICK Solo! Fenix then goes up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Fenix takes down Jimmy and Solo, and Greensboro fires up with Fenix! Fenix puts Solo in, goes to a corner, and springboards, but into the URENAGE! Solo roars but the fans boo. Solo goes to the ropes, Jimmy drags himself up, and Solo BLASTS Jimmy off!
Jimmy hits off the desk, and then Solo goes out after him. Solo drags Jimmy up, pushes him against the desk, and he says Solo is winning MITB! Understand!? URENAGE onto the desk!! Solo soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Solo points up at the briefcases, then he stalks Fenix. Solo drags Fenix up, DECKS him, then drops a SENTON! Solo looks to Fatu and says, “I love you, Fatu!” Jimmy is back but Solo has him at the ropes. Jimmy blocks the punch to give a punch! And more punches! Jimmy RAMS into Solo, then slingshots, but into an UPPERCUT! Jimmy falls back down and Solo goes out after him. Solo looks under the ring, looking to use that No Disqualification rule to his advantage. Nothing on this end, so Solo just goes back to Fenix. Solo talks trash but Fenix CHOPS! And CHOPS! Solo eggs Fenix on, then HEADBUTTS him down!
Solo paces around Fenix, stomps him down, and he SUPERKICKS Jimmy off the apron! Solo drops the leg on Fenix! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives but Solo just soaks up the heat. Solo stalks Fenix, drags him up, but Fenix blocks the suplex! Solo still tries, but Fenix fights again. Jimmy returns to help Fenix out, and he mule kicks Solo! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, then he and Fenix POST Solo! Solo falls back while Jimmy and Fenix catch their breath. SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans want tables! Fenix ROCKS Jimmy but Jimmy CHOPS Fenix down! Jimmy goes to the corner and climbs while the fans rally up.
But Fenix somersaults and SHORYUKENS! The fans fire up and Fenix climbs. Fenix CLUBS away on Jimmy, then CHOPS him! Fenix cravats, but Solo is up! Fenix somersaults to get him, but Solo stops the victory roll! Jimmy adjusts, leaps, but Fenix victory rolls through! The ref checks Jimmy as he rolls, but he misses the cover! TWO, and Fenix SUPERKICKS Solo down! Fenix ELBOWS Jimmy away, then goes up, up, and leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Solo is back to LARIAT Jimmy! The fans boo but Solo whips Fenix for a SAMOAN DROP! Solo drags Jimmy up, fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! The fans boo more but Solo sees targets in corners.
Solo runs in at Fenix, HIP ATTACK! The fans boo but Solo runs in and HIP ATTACKS Jimmy! Solo holds up his thumb and the fans boo more. Solo drags Fenix up, tells Jimmy he could’ve helped Solo. SAMOAN- NO, Fenix slips around the spike! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Solo into the takedown! Cover, JIMMY BREAKS IT! Jimmy cleans up the mess he made, and the fans rally up. Solo bails out, Jimmy and Fenix go forehead to forehead. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans duel, Fenix CHOPS, then he boots Jimmy’s uppercut away! Fenix kicks the legs out, then BUZZ- NO, Jimmy ducks! Fenix blocks the superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP!
The fans fire up as Jimmy reels Fenix in for a fireman’s carry. Fenix slips free, shoves, and DROPKICKS! Fenix goes up the corner, ADIOS AMIGO! Jimmy flounders away and Fenix says “ANIMO!” Fenix runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Jimmy covers, TWO?!?! Fenix survives and Jimmy cannot believe it! The fans rally up and Jimmy climbs a corner. But then Fatu runs up! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Fatu, but that lets Solo hit the SAMOAN SPIKE!! But ADIOS AMIGO AGAIN!! Fenix goes up, up, and DOUBLE STOMPS Solo’s back! JC is up but Fenix DECKS him! Fenix fires up, but then a SAMOAN SPIKE finds him!!! Cover, SOLO WINS!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
As always, it takes the whole family, but Solo is still going to Los Angeles! But then LA Knight attacks JC and Fatu! He gets a chair to keep them all at bay! Nick Aldis shouts for everyone to stand down right now! Aldis tells Knight that if he’s so desperate to get his hands on JC, and if JC loves sticking his nose in other people’s business, then let’s handle this in the ring! In fact… Get a ref right now! JC can make his SmackDown in-ring debut now! JC Mateo VS LA Knight is happening after the break, but will the Mega Star be able to tear down the new recruit? Or will that be the other way around?
LA Knight VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and Knight talks trash with the former Olympian turned enforcer. They tie up, JC shoves Knight, and then talks trash. Knight and JC reset, tie up, and Knight waistlocks. JC switches, then he THROWS Knight away! The fans boo but JC eggs Knight on. Knight and JC circle, tie up, and JC waistlocks. Knight endures the bearhug, fires elbows, then rolls, but JC stays up! JC stomps Knight down! The fans boo but Solo cheers him on. JC stands Knight up to ROCK him, then scoop him! Knight slips free, headlocks, but JC powers up and out! Knight RAMS JC, but JC doesn’t budge!
JC tells Knight to run, but Knight kicks and fires haymakers instead! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, JC reverses, but Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges! Knight CROSSBODIES, but JC catches him! JC pops Knight up to a suplex, but Knight slips free! NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! JC is tougher than that, but Knight storms up to RAM into him! And RAM, RAM, and RAM! Knight climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans “YEAH!” along, but JD stops Knight at five! JC carries Knight but Knight still throws hands! Knight fights free of the grip, throws more hands, and then runs, but into an ELBOW! JC trucks Knight and Solo is pleased.
JC drags Knight up to ELBOW him in the head! JC drags Knight up, CLUBS him, then ROCKS him in the back! Knight drops to his knees, but JC waistlocks. Knight fires elbows, then HAYMAKERS! Knight runs, but into another bearhug! Knight BELL CLAPS free, then whips. JC reverses, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS JC, goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Knight hurries to another corner, goes back up, but Solo is on the apron! Knight runs Solo off, but JC CLUBS Knight down! JC brings Knight up, clinches, and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Knight up and out of the ring!
The fans boo but Solo mockingly claps and says, “Yeah.” Knight sputters and writhes but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and the fans rally as Knight fights up. Knight throws elbows to get free of the bearhug, then he fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight runs and ROCKS JC again! And ROCKS him again! And then- NO, JC hits a SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but JC grows frustrated. JC drags Knight around, ELBOWS him in the shoulder again and again, then looms over Knight. JC clinches again, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but Solo says to finish this! JC puts Knight in a corner, but Knight fires hands!
Knight backs JC down, but JC ROCKS Knight! JC whips, Knight KICKS JC, but then JC ELBOWs, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives that Rampaging Dragon combo, but JC has the rear bearhug on again! Knight endures, fights up, but JC wrangles him back down. JC leans on Knight, then thrashes Knight around! Knight still endures and the fans still rally up. JC taunts Knight, Solo says to squeeze Knight, and Knight is fading! Knight reaches out feebly, but then he gets a second wind! The fans rally as Knight rises up. Knight pries at the grip, throws elbows, but JC blocks to HEADBUTT!
JC TOSSES Knight out, then grins as he goes out after Knight. JC clamps onto Knight, and POSTS him! JC pushes Knight against the post, tells him this is what he gets for St. Louis! JC runs up, but Knight dodges! JC POSTS himself! Solo is upset but Knight and JC slowly rise. Knight rolls in at 8 of 10, JC is in at 9! Both men slowly rise, and JC swings, only for Knight to counter punch! And punch! Knight dodges JC’s punch to JAB, JAB, JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” JC grabs Knight, TOSSES him to a corner, but Knight dodges! JUMPING NECKBREAKER! And then a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, JC reverses, and JC scoops!
Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Time to spell it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! JC stays in this and LA grows a bit frustrated. Knight rises again, rallies the fans, and he waits on JC. Knight kicks low, but JC CLUBS Knight out of the BFT! Then ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Knight survives, but GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives again and JC is shocked! JC vows to end this now, and he drags Knight up. JC whips, Knight grabs ropes, and then Knight ELBOWS JC! Knight runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Knight staggers, JC runs in, but Knight dropkicks the legs!
JC hits ropes, Knight goes to the apron, and Knight KNEES JC back in! Solo storms up, Knight mule kicks him! Knight then springboards to CROSSBODY onto Solo & Fatu! Knight hurries back in, slingshots, but into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!
Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall
Even with Solo’s presence being part of it, JC still put Knight down himself! Will nothing stop Solo’s family now that this Imperial Unit is behind him?
Santos Escobar meets with Angel backstage.
The Emperor of Lucha wants to know where Berto is, and Angel says he can’t seem to reach him. Berto wasn’t home, he isn’t answering messages, but Angel feels maybe Berto just needs his space. Santos says he fears Berto is listening to the wrong people. People who don’t understand about loyalty and the bigger picture. Santos is willing to forgive Berto for last week. Why? Because there is something on the horizon. It’s an opportunity that Santos secured for Legado, for all of them. This opportunity will help them make a statement, but Santos needs Angel to find Berto and bring him home. That is because Santos wants to share this together.
Santos says we can call this an invitation to a sit-down dinner party on him. They can discuss this. This opportunity will help put their names where they belong. Angel says okay, he will try his best, but no promises. Santos tells Angel that when you stand up for something bigger than yourself, something special, that will scare people. But loyalty is the one thing Santos has always seen from Angel since day one. It’d be a shame if they lost all this for the actions of one selfish person. Legado is…? Familia. That’s it! Santos heads out, but could Angel start seeing things more Berto’s way? Or can they all patch things up before it’s too late?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“LA Knight… You haven’t changed. You’re still the same man as you were when you fought me for the US Title. I see what’s behind the chant…. A hunger for recognition. It’s that hunger that will bring you down. Aleister Black… I do not fear you. You hide behind smoke and mirrors, but deep down inside, you fear the darkness. But there is a deeper darkness lurking behind the shadows. I am sharpening my katana and watching all the while. I know every moment when your heart beats, and ever trigger that makes you lose control. Next week, when you two sink at my feet… I will have my ticket to the Money in the Bank contract.
“And only then will you know that I am an unstoppable storm, an unstoppable blade, and an unstoppable being.” The sinister Samurai of Strong Style is ready to cut down all in his way, but will he be the one to #FadeToBlack? Or will we all be saying YEAH on the way to LA?
BREAKING NEWS for next week!
SmackDown’s next round of qualifiers is set! We already heard from Nakamura calling out Aleister and Knight, so for the women, it is a Triple Threat of Charlotte Flair, Zelina Vega, and the newest member of the roster, GIULIA! Will it be The Queen, the Women’s US Champion, or the Beautiful Madness that earns a ticket to Los Angeles?
Jade Cargill finds Tiffany Stratton backstage.
The Storm tells the champ that she just wants to wish her luck. But to be honest, it doesn’t really matter who wins, because Jade’s got next. Jade will win her qualifying match, will win the MITB briefcase, and then will take her title the same way Tiff did from Nia, “you little backstabber.” Tiff tells Jade that she can talk all she wants, but if Tiff were Jade, do not get comfortable. Tiffy is always ready. Jade might be good enough to win a qualifier, and she might be good enough to win the briefcase, but for as long as Tiff is champion, Jade will never be good enough to cash-in on her. Tootles. Tiff heads out, but will she find herself in the eye of The Storm soon enough?
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Nia Jax!
While it’s as Jade said, with #TiffyTime only happening because of an MITB cash-in, the Wrestling Barbie has proven herself a champion by holding onto the belt ever since. However, the Irresistible Force is now going to have Tiff all to herself, no caveats or disclaimers! Will Nia break Tiff like a Barbie doll? Or will Stratton find a way to survive?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Tiff’s still the Center of the Universe!
The bell rings and the fans rally for “TIFFY TIME! TIFFY TIME!” Tiff and Nia circle, tie up, and Nia SHOVES Tiff down! The fans boo while Tiff flounders to a corner. Nia soaks up the heat, runs up at Tiff, but Tiff dodge! Tiff kicks Nia blocks it to HEADBUTT her down! Nia shoves Tiff to a corner, whips her corner to corner, but Tiff goes up and over! Tiff handsprings, DROPKICKS a leg out, then runs, only for Nia to CLOBBER her! Nia soaks up more heat, then she stalks Tiff. Nia drags Tiff up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Tiff dodges, ROCKS Nia, then ROCKS her again! Tiff wrenches, ROCKS and KICKS, then puts Nia in a corner.
Tiff goes to the far side, handsprings corner to corner, but Nia catches her and HOTSHOTS her on the ropes! Tiff sputters and the fans boo, but Nia pushes Tiff around. Nia eggs Tiff on, POSTS her, then goes to the apron. Nia mocks the Tiffy Time, then runs up and HIP ATTACKS Tiff against post!! Tiff falls to the floor in a heap and Nia soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia looks down on Tiff quite literally, then drags her up and into the ring. Nia storms in and flexes before she clamps onto Tiff with a motorcycle stretch. Tiff endures, fights to stand up, but Nia THROWS her down! Cover, TWO! Nia is amused at this point, and she kicks Tiff around. Nia puts Tiff on the ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Nia stops, and then Nia paces around. Nia clamps onto Tiff with a COBRA CLUTCH! Tiff endures, fights up, and snapmares Nia away! Nia tumbles to ropes, Tiff runs up to HIP ATTACK! Tiff keeps moving but Nia ELBOWS her down! Cover, TWO! Tiff toughs it out but Nia clamps on with the COBRA CLUTCH!
Tiff endures all over again, even as Nia thrashes her around. Tiff stands to JAWBREAKER free! Nia staggers, Tiff goes to a corner, but Nia runs up! Tiff BOOTS Nia away, goes up the corner, but Nia ROCKS her first! Nia then climbs up, fireman’s carries, and SUPER SAMOAN DROPS!! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives and now Nia is frustrated. SmackDown returns to single picture while the fans rally up. Nia drags Tiff up, runs her to the corner and POSTS her! Nia goes to the apron again, runs in, but Tiff avoids the hip attack! Nia hits post, Tiff RAMS Nia down! Tiff runs and WRECKS Nia with a dropkick!
Nia staggers around, Tiff hurries after Nia, and Tiff whips, only for Nia to reverse! Tiff hops over the barrier, then goes up! FLYING RANA and Nia hits POST, head first!! Tiff hurries to POST Nia again and again! Tiff puts Nia in, hurries up the corner, and Tiff CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and now Tiff is frustrated. Tiff runs and TIFFY STOMPS! Nia sputters, Tiff runs again, but Nia fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives and Nia is getting mad. Nia watches Tiff go to a corner, runs in at her, but Tiff dodges! Roll up, TWO! Tiff KNEES Nia, then runs corner to corner! Handspring and BACK ELBOW!
Nia sputters and the fans fire up! Tiff manages the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this and Tiff isn’t sure what to think! The fans rally behind Tiff, Tiff gets running, but Nia stops the cartwheel! POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO, but Nia deadlifts Tiff for another POWERBOMB! Nia DROPS THE LEG, BROTHER! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives again and Nia is losing her cool. Nia drags Tiff to a drop zone, goes up, but Tiff rises! Tiff SHORYUKENS! Tiff climbs, Nia fires body shots, and Nia scoops! SUPER POWER- DDT!!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives the counter, and wait! NAOMI IS HERE?! And she has a chair!
Naomi and her bad attitude storm down to the ring, but the ref tells her to hold on! Naomi wants after somebody, but here comes Jade! The fans fire up as Naomi swings on Jade! Jade dodges and SUPERKICKS Naomi! Then Jade TOSSES Naomi over the barriers! Jade and Naomi brawl off into the night, and Tiff is in the corner! Nia runs up, Tiff dodges! Nia hits POST, Tiff pushes her down! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Nia survives and Tiff cannot believe it! Nia’s the first person to survive Tiff’s best shot! Tiff hurries to drag Nia back into a drop zone and then goes back up top!
The fans fire up as Tiff climbs, but Nia SHOVES Tiff to the floor!! Tiff clutches e leg, Nia storms out and clears off the desk! The fans fire up but the ref says keep this in the ring! Nia drags Tiff up, reels her in for a fireman’s carry, SAMON DROP on the desk! These desks really are reinforced! Nia grins and puts Tiff back in the ring. Tiff sputters, Nia steps on her in the drop zone, then goes up! A-NIA- NO, Tiff slips under her!! Tiff pulls, but Nia SUPER A-NIA-LATES Tiff!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!??! Nia sees that hand on the ropes but she doesn’t believe it!! Nia is furious with the ref and Greensboro is also losing their minds!
But then Nia storms out and grabs the belt? Nia claims it is hers, no matter what anyone says!? The ref reprimands, so Nia says fine. Nia gives him the belt to put back, only to grab the chair Naomi left behind!! But Tiff FULL METAL DROPKICKS Nia!! Nia is busted open, Tiff goes up, up, and PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!!! Cover, TIFF WINS!!!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)
After fury and violence, the dust has settled and Stratton is still at the Tiffy Top of the mountain! If not even Nia can take this title off her, will anyone take this title from the Wrestling Barbie? Or can only an MITB cash-in put an end to Tiffy Time?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, especially to start us on the road to MITB. Great promo from the women involved in tonight’s qualifier, and Chelsea continues to make her political parody funny. Great match, and it made sense for Alexa to win. She’s finally getting her return push, and there’s also this story they’re building with her and Charlotte. Charlotte is likely to win her qualifier, but that’s a bit tricky with Giulia making her SmackDown in-ring debut. I suppose Zelina can be involved in an opportunistic finish, but maybe shenanigans happen.
Shenanigans sure happened in the men’s qualifier with Solo having Fatu and now “JC Mateo” with him. WWE pulled a JD McDonagh with Jeff Cobb’s WWE name. JC is obviously for “Jeff Cobb,” and then they just threw on a last name that fits his nationality. Solo winning his qualifier is fine, as it’s hard to say he’ll win the briefcase. But Knight doing his hit ‘n’ run on them to then give Cobb his first WWE match was good stuff. For those who’ve seen Cobb before, you can tell this was definitely more an LA Knight paced match. But even then, Solo & Fatu were of course why Cobb won. But this is a great start for “JC Mateo,” surely he and Fatu will feud soon enough and really show what Cobb can do.
Nakamura calling out Knight almost made me fear they were going to run the feud back, but then he pivoted to Aleister and I was relieved. A Triple Threat of Knight, Nakamura and Aleister will be great stuff, but there are a lot of ways that can go. Aleister wins against Melo again, but Melo did stand tall, so maybe #MeloDon’tMiz interfere to screw Aleister over. I feel like Nakamura and Aleister should come to an understanding to take on Melo & Miz as a team, and then Aleister can move on from Melo & Miz to feud with Nakamura. Aleister VS Nakamura would be awesome stuff, and can help build someone (Aleister) towards a title opportunity.
Speaking of title opportunity, Fraxiom getting their shot next week is fine, it’s still the go-home episode to SNME, part of the BIG Tampa takeover WWE is doing for Memorial Day weekend. Fraxiom of course got the win on DIY, and MCMG of course made the save, but I don’t see Fraxiom winning against the Profits. At least, not if it’s only the go-home to SNME and not on SNME or a PLE like MITB or SummerSlam. Good promo from Santos and Angel, and things feel that much closer to Legado falling apart. As for Santos’ apparent opportunity, I’m thinking it relates to AAA now being part of the WWE Universe. Legado is already slated to appear at TripleMania Regia on June 15, 2025, so the team has to stick together at least that long.
Very good promos from both Damian and Drew, but it’s a bit of a worked shoot where they’re both talking about how the feud should’ve ended already because yeah, maybe it should have. But a Steel Cage match where neither guy has anyone to interfere on their behalf will be good stuff, like a smaller version of the Hell in a Cell match Drew and Punk had. Very good promo from R-Truth with Wade Barrett. Truth partly excuses Cena’s actions, but then still has some clarity by saying Cena isn’t himself right now. Cena VS Truth is non-title but that’s because the mission is getting Cena to see the error of his ways. Maybe Truth manages that, or maybe it causes Cena to double down as he resists his better nature out of bitterness.
And awesome stuff with the women’s title tonight. Good promo from Jade with Tiff to establish the line of contenders, and then an awesome match that could’ve been on a PLE or even SNME. Naomi wanting after presumably Tiff and Jade running her off was good stuff, maybe those two are in a qualifier down the line with the third person benefitting from the grudge taking the focus off the MITB opportunity. And then that chair really got Nia good, that was rather wild. But Tiff retains to certainly put her in the position Nia was last time with always worrying Miss MITB is going to try something. Can’t wait to see how Tiff handles things with the proverbial shoe on the other foot.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISS onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEX again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Truth hitting all sorts of other iconic moves! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown with an awesome ending. All those years ago, when CM Punk dropped THE OG “Pipebomb” promo, no one could’ve ever in a million years guessed that here tonight, we would’ve gotten the John Cena remix. Not only was that promo of the year, but Cena blew up go-home math. I can’t see Cena losing the title to Punk now. He can lose the match since Cena loves getting disqualified, and there’s the possibility of Rollins trying a cash-in, but Cena is leaving Saudi Arabia as champion to then go to SummerSlam. It also works because Cody Rhodes still feels like the favorite for King of the Ring.
A lot of that has to do with how Sami lost to Orton tonight. Great promo from the four semifinalists, especially since it was Jey, Sami and Orton kinda keeping Cody from talking since there isn’t more Cody needs to say. Win or lose, no explanations needed at this point. Sami VS Orton was an awesome match, but I could just feel an RKO countering the Helluva Kick as the way to go and that’s what they did. Now, as awesome as it would be for Jey to beat Cody, and then for Jey to beat Orton to go for the World Heavyweight Championship again, there are a lot of moving parts right now that it would just be the easiest for Cody to win the crown and have his rematch with Cena.
And while talking the WHC, Gunther VS Goldberg IS confirmed for the title, but has also been confirmed as Goldberg’s last match. This is a huge indicator that despite Rollins teasing a cash-in on the Undisputed title, he will likely be thwarted and then falls back to the title he feels is rightfully his. That is to say, Rollins cashes in on the winner of Gunther VS Goldberg, which I half expected even before all this talk of Goldberg’s last match. Rollins can take this title from Gunther and Goldberg, and then we can throw Jey and even LA Knight into the mix as things are getting heated between Knight and the henchmen.
Great promo from Knight with Heyman, great match with Knight VS Bronson, and a really powerful beating Knight takes from Bron & Bronson. If nothing else, Knight costs Rollins his cash-in. Truth going after Kit Wilson was an interesting move. Also a shame Elton Prince is hurt, Pretty Deadly gets going and then something happens to slow them down. But Kit was going to lose to Aleister so this really messes Aleister up more than anything. Priest keeping the peace between Aleister and Truth was good stuff. Priest and Truth being allies on SmackDown can be some real fun stuff, and I feel like they’re already set up for a feud with Aleister.
Very good stuff with Fatu, Solo and this US Championship story. Fatu VS Solo was the natural move, and I like that Jimmy Uso ends up an ally for Fatu. The title match is set, I wonder if we get a tag match first. In fact, next week is title night in Riyadh with Tiffany Stratton giving Nia the Last Woman Standing match, and basically setting the stage for Naomi to cash in. She almost did tonight but Nia was again able to stop her, so I would think Naomi waits until the very end of the Last Woman Standing match to take full advantage. Then, if Jade wins Queen of the Ring, we get Jade VS Naomi at SummerSlam.
Good promo from Jade, B-Fab & Michin watching Asuka VS Alexa. Asuka winning made the most sense, Alexa clearly has story with Charlotte and Asuka is just that good. Jade VS Roxie will be a good match but Roxie’s story in Judgment Day might keep her from winning. But then the fallback there is Roxie might actually sub in for the tag titles like I was thinking. Charlotte VS Chelsea was very good, and of course the Secret Her-vice does what they can to help. The beatdown they put on Charlotte and then Alexa making the save, that’s going to be one of those “can they coexist?” tag matches for sure.
Honestly, a little surprised we didn’t get any tag team promos tonight, unless I completely missed something. I believe title night is going to have Profits VS Gacy & Lumis for the tag titles, too, so that’s going to be something wild. And while DIY is scared of the Wyatts, I feel like they’re going to interfere because they don’t want the Wyatts to take the titles. But at the same time, the Wyatts need something substantial this time around, so maybe they win the titles at SummerSlam.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/20/25)
One step closer to the end!
DWI Podcast #479: Ron The Truth Simmons
Don't drink and drive, drink and podcast! Join AJ, DP and PC weekly for their thoughts on RAW, SmackDown and...
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (6/19/25)
Rumble, Bad Man, Rumble!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (6/18/25)
Can the BOAT Evolve?
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (6/18/25)
Viva La AEW!
Babyface Heel Podcast: LOL Charlotte Wins… AGAIN!
Even when she's not wrestling, Charlotte Flair keeps winning! Greg and Patrick breakdown her latest winning comments!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/17/25)
Trick'N Ain't Easy
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/16/25)
The last spots are on the line!
Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/15/25)
Who leads the revolution?
