Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (10/21/25)
It’s Spooky Season!
Something wicked this way comes.
With Halloween Havoc on the horizon, Ricky Saints and Trick Williams will sign on the dotted line for their NXT Championship match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- TNA X Division Championship: Leon Slater VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Arianna Grace; Leon wins and retains the title.
- WWE Speed Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament: Jasper Troy VS Zachary Wentz; Jasper wins and advances to the next round.
- WWE Speed Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament: Axiom VS Sean Legacy; Axiom wins and advances to the next round.
- OTM VS Hank ‘n’ Tank; OTM wins.
- Tatum Paxley & Izzi Dame w/ The Culling VS Jacy Jayne & Lainey Reid w/ Fallon Henley; Jacy & Lainey win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Culling is here!
The fans cheer for Tatum Paxley as she leads Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears & Niko Vance to the ring. The fans cheer, “You Deserve It!” for Tatum as she is the NEW #1 contender. Tatum has the mic to say, “Guys… I FRIGGIN’ DID IT!” The fans cheer Tatum on and she’s so excited. Tatum says she outlasted 19 other women and finally has her 1v1 shot for THE NXT Women’s Championship! The fans cheer that, and Tatum says it has been four YEARS in NXT. Four YEARS that we’ve seen her at her lowest. She’s lost friends, become isolated, but there has been one friendship that’s been consistent. One that’s always had her back! And that’s the WWE UNIVERSE!
The fans cheer, and Tatum says they stood by her, and now she’s on her way to her first PLE! How fitting it is that her first PLE is also the scariest night of the year, Halloween Havoc! Everything is going just right. She couldn’t be happier! She has The Culling, she has her bestie, Izzi, and Izzi cared for her when the others were just using her. Izzi stayed by her side, so Tatum promises to bring gold to The culling! Tatum knows she came up short, but she knows they have her back. She WILL become NXT Women’s Champion! They hug, but then Fatal Influence shows up. The fans boo as Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid walk out on stage.
Jacy has a mic to tell everyone that’s enough. Is Izzi gonna tell Tatum or is she gonna make Jacy do it? No? Nothing? Okay. No problem, Jacy will be the “bad guy” like always. Tatum, you don’t stand a chance in Hell on Saturday! But y’know what? Jacy gets it. It’s Spooky Season~! Tatum has Izzi and the entire WWE Universe. But trust Jacy when she says deep down, everyone is thinking the same thing: There’s no chance Tatum walks out with the title. The fans boo, and Jacy says she may have started as the “most beatable champion,” but day in and day out, match after match, Jacy’s beaten it into everyone’s brains that when it matters most, you can’t beat Jacy.
So Tatum, please, tell us what makes you any different? Just having the support of these losers out here? Newsflash, weirdo: You’re not special, you’re barely even average! And if we’re being honest here, Tatum should’ve let Izzi win. At least Izzi would stand a chance. Izzi doesn’t refute that… But Tatum says first of all, she knows what Jacy is doing. She can’t get between them! And second, out of everyone here, Jacy should know what Tatum is feeling. How hard it is to get to the top! Jacy took so long to where she is right now. And Jacy came in with one of the most dominant factions in NXT history, and they all won gold!
People expect Jacy to do it again. But Tatum? Not a chance! Not a chance that Tatum wins, just like Jacy said! The creepy little weirdo should just run off and hide, right? But just like Jacy, Tatum kept getting better! The fans cheer as Tatum says she’s been training day in and day out. She just didn’t have the spotlight to show it! She had an empty ring, day after day, night after night, failure after failure. But on Saturday night, you bet your ass it’s finally Tatum’s time to become NXT Women’s Champion! The fans fire up for that! But Fallon taunts “Tater Tot” being all riled up. This is only gonna make it that much sweeter when she loses.
Fallon just hopes The Culling doesn’t bail Tatum when she fails them again! Izzi says that’s so rich coming from Fallon. Aren’t Fallon & Jacy the ones who ditched their “friend” a few weeks ago? Unlike the Influence, The Culling is stronger than ever. And Tatum is nothing short of the greatest addition to the group! So call her what you want, but The Culling will always accept Tatum for exactly who she is! The fans cheer but Jacy just sarcastically says, “Wow.” Jacy says she used to have so much respect for Izzi, really. A strong, independent, confident woman. In Jacy’s opinion, the real leader of The Culling.
But since Tatum’s been around, things have felt a bit different. Izzi’s not a babysitter rather than a leader. Izzi tells Jacy to believe her she is in full control of HER group. Tatum calms Izzi and says she knows her friends support her. Meanwhile, The Influence only has each other’s backs when it is convenient. Tatum also knows her friends are happy for her. Can Jacy say the same? Because Izzi & Tatum are willing to prove that tonight. Izzi is a bit surprised by that, but Fallon says that’s just fine, Tater Tot! Cuz Lainey is ready to step up! Right, Lainey? She nods, and Jacy tells Tatum, “Be careful what you wish for, weirdo.”
Then Fallon & Lainey rush up! But Tatum & Izzi are ready! They ROCK and CHOP and BOOT the Influence first! The fans fire up as then Tatum & Izzi pinball Jacy with mule kick, FOREARM, FOREARM, and HEADBUTT! Tatum drags Jacy up, but the Influence saves her from the Cemetery Drive! Will these teams still throw down later tonight? And what about this Saturday when Tatum and Jacy get to wreak some Halloween Havoc?
Channing Lorenzo talks with Arianna Grace backstage.
Stacks asks Miss NXT what that was with “Pops,” aka Santino Morella, giving the passive aggressive title last week. She asks what he means, and Stacks says how Santino referred to him as the “future son-in-law.” Has Arianna been talking about them? Arianna is bashful and says she dropped some hints. Then, how about this? She can accompany him to the ring tonight, and they can formalize the relationship with that X-Division Championship? Anything for him, “Channy.” No, remember, at work, it’s Stacks! Don’t embarrass him in front of the guys. They head out, and we see Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater were watching this. “Dayuuuumn…”
Je’Von says that’s nasty. That’s who Leon has to worry about? Leon says that’s what he was saying. But hey, he’s ready. He wants to find tag opponents for them to go crazy~ against at Halloween Havoc. Je’Von says no, bro-bro, focus on the X-Division title. Slow down, you doin’ too much. He on something. Nah, Je’Von just playing! But yeah, they can focus on Halloween Havoc after Leon beats Stacks’ ass! Straight fire~! The Young OG & The Youngest In Charge head out, will Leon still be Mr. X after tonight?
TNA X Division Championship: Leon Slater w/ Je’Von Evans VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Arianna Grace!
NXT returns as Leon makes his entrance, Je’Von backing him up. The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see who’s got that real X-Factor!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Leon waistlocks, but Stacks goes to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Leon lets go slowly, but Stacks ELBOWS him away! The ref reprimands that cheap shot but Stacks wrenches and wristlocks. Leon rolls, handsprings, and arm-drags free! Then he runs up to spin and arm-drag again! Stacks goes to a corner, Leon runs up, MONKEY FLIP! Stacks goes tumbling away and the fans fire up! Leon runs in at the corner, jumps up, but Stacks denies Leon another flip. But Leon boots Stacks away, sunset flips, but Stacks stomps him down! The fans boo but Stacks drags Leon up to bump off buckles.
Stacks throws hands as we see Trick Williams arriving backstage. The fans boo Stacks, the ref counts, and Stacks lets off in a huff. Stacks then pie faces and taunts Leon. Stacks whips Leon corner to corner hard, Leon drops to his knees, and Stacks storms up. Stacks UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS again, then whips corner to corner. Leon hits hard and the fans boo again, but Stacks just snarls. Stacks runs up, but into a BOOT! Leon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Then he kicks, btu Stacks blocks! Stacks ducks the enzigiri but not the REWIND HEEL! Leon whips. Stacks reverses, but Leon handspring BACK ELBOWS!
The fans fire up while Stacks tumbles out of the ring! Leon rushes the ropes to PLANCHA! Down goes Stacks and Arianna is freaking out! The fans fire up, Leon & Je’Von take a headset to cue us to commercial. The fans cheer while Je’Von literally sits on the desk, and NXT indeed goes to break.
NXT returns again and Stacks has Leon in a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally for Leon, he fights free, and he jumps up to RANA and cover! TWO!! Stacks escapes, BODY BLOWS, then suplexes to hang Leon out, and Leon SLINGSHOTS from the ropes! CEMENT SHOES!! Cover, TWO!! Leon survives but Stacks HAMMERS away on Leon! Stacks drags Leon up to back suplex FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Stacks is annoyed, but Je’Von coaches his friend on. The fans chant, “Let’s Go, Leon!” “Stacks, You Suck!” Stacks fireman’s carries, Leon slips free, but Stacks ROCKS him! Stacks hits an atomic drop, to fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!
Stacks is shocked and Arianna is frustrated but Leon is just that tough! The fans rally up, Stacks drags Leon up, and Stacks tries another back suplex, but Leon sunset flips it! TWO! Leon rises up to slip around, BLUE THUNDER UTOPIA! Je’Von says that was beautiful! Stacks crawls to Arianna, but Leon rushes up! Stacks shoves Leon back, Leon dodges and handsprings, but that knocks Arianna off the apron! Je’Von is there for the save! Arianna is safe, but Stacks is upset! Leon runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Leon storms out and Je’Von apologizes! But then Leon rushes out, only for Stacks to RAM him into the steps!
Stacks puts Leon in the ring, Arianna smiles, and Stacks runs up on Leon. Leon BOOTS him away, goes up, and CROSSBODIES! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Leon gets up to LEG LARIAT! Then he BOOTS Stacks against ropes! Leon whips Stacks out of the ring, then goes corner to corner! Leon FLIES over the corner! Down goes Stacks and the fans are thunderous! Leon puts Stacks in the ring, goes up a corner, and hits the SWANTON 450 SPLASH!! Cover, Leon wins!
Winner: Leon Slater, by pinfall (still TNA X-Division Champion)
Je’Von celebrates with his guy after that breathtaking victory! Je’Von then gets a mic to have the fans give it up one more time for Leon. The fans cheer, and Je’Von says but hey, they gotta cut straight to business. Je’Von wants to go to the desert, to Halloween Havoc! Leon says same! And the fans already saw what magic they create across the ring. But listen to this: What if they stood on the same side? Je’Von says that’s fire~! But hey, Je’Von is thinking that if the Young OG & The Youngest In Charge are in a tag match, it gotta be a movie! And they don’t care if it’s a team from NXT, from TNA, or even from- AAA!? Mr. Iguana y La Parka have arrived in NXT!
The fans are fired up as Parka is dancing it out, and he hands the mic to Senor Iguana. Iguana says, “Correct me if I’m wrong, you guys are planning on having Halloween Havoc without La Parka and Mr. Iguana, and La Yesca? You see, we just spoke to Ava, and she just had the very same idea. We two VS you two on Saturday.” The fans love that idea! Iguana continues, “And FYI… AAA has taken over Mexico, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and this Saturday, Prescott Valley is next.” Will things be caliente in Arizona?
Zachary Wentz speaks.
“If there was ever a championship meant for me, it’s that WWE Speed title. And Jasper Troy, he’s legit, but big man… Smoke ’em if you got ’em. And unfortunately for you, I’ve got all of ’em.”
Jasper Troy responds.
“Speed has never been my game, but I only need a few seconds. Wentz, when I catch yo, I will break you, destroy, and advance. That Speed title is mine!” The first round of the Men’s Speed Tournament will begin tonight, but will Wentz have an impact on the bracket? Or will that bracket be completely busted by the LFG Season 1 Champion?
WWE Speed Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament: Jasper Troy VS Zachary Wentz!
NXT returns as Wentz makes his entrance, followed by Troy’s. Los Americanos, Bravo & Rayo, watch from the crowd as scouts for the champion, El Grande Americano. The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Troy storms up but Wentz dodges him. Wentz then dodges again, and again, then waistlocks. Troy swings Wentz around to wrench but Wentz rolls, rolls and kips up to then flip, but Troy whips him to the corner. Wentz SUPERKICKS, then goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Troy stumbles, wobbles, but Wentz runs up to fire body shots and KICKS! And KICKS! And SUPERKICKS! Troy sputters, Wentz runs to DOUBLE STOMP!
Troy just gets up in a huff! Wentz runs and he CROSSBODIES Troy and himself out of the ring! Wentz hurries, we hit the orange phase at two minutes! Wentz DIVES, but into Troy’s arms! Troy THROWS Wentz to the apron, but Wentz PENALTY KICKS! Wentz TORNILLOS and down goes Troy! The fans fire up with Wentz and he hurries back up. Ninety seconds left as Wentz has Troy in the ring, for a SWANTON! Cover, TWO! Troy survives, Wentz runs up again, but Troy THROWS his springboard away! BODY CHECK! Troy drags Wentz up, whips again, and BLACK HOLE SLAM!! One minute as Troy covers, Troy wins!
Winner: Jasper Troy, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Just as Troy promised, it’d only take him a moment to turn all the momentum around! Axiom VS Legacy is still to come, who will face Troy in the finals next Tuesday?
Kelani Jordan walks up to the locker room.
And she finds all her stuff is thrown out into the hall? The TNA Knockouts Champion is upset, but then Lola Vice is keeping her out? Lola says sorry, mamacita, but you chose your side at Showdown. Kali Armstrong says, “Hope you’re happy.” Even Karmen Petrovic goes along with this. Jordynne Grace walks in and says she can’t believe they’re doing this. Jordynne knows if any of them were in Kelani’s position, they’d be shouting for TNA from the rooftops. Jordynne helps Kelani with her things but Kelani says doesn’t need Jordynne coming to her defense. Jordynne’s why Kelani lost at Showdown, remember?
Jordynne says she’s just trying to help. But then Jaida Parker opens the door and drops the last of Kelani’s things. Jaida says that’s everything, bye~! Jordynne says she was in Kelani’s position before, and she knows that while Kelani had one successful title defense- Kelani says of course, let’s make it about Jordynne like always. One title defense? The audacity. Y’know what? Kelani thinks Jordynne is her biggest fan. No, wait, Jordynne is jealous of Kelani! Cuz Kelani now holds what Jordynne once did. Plus, Jordynne’s never been champion in NXT, unlike Kelani. Kelani gathers her things on her own, will Jordynne just leave her to the wolves then?
DarkState speaks.
Osiris Griffin says, “Looks like Team Extreme got an extreme DarkState beatdown, huh?” Dion Lennox says Matt & Jeff Hardy were riding real high after becoming double tag champs. But they thought they were just gonna move on from DarkState after that? HELL NAH! Saquon Shugars says, “You don’t just move past DarkState, fools.” The Hardys found out real fast when they were down on the pavement last week. Cutler James says the worst thing they could’ve done was single DarkState out. Now their fun is over. DarkState doesn’t care about the “greatest tag team of all time,” because they are the here and now!
Osiris adds that putting the Hardys down for good will be a whole lot sweeter when they take the tag titles back at Halloween Havoc. And on Saturday, you find out once again, when DarkState strikes- The Hardys hack the signal!
Matt tells DarkState that those are strong words from a group of renegades. But if you think you got the better of The Hardys last week, you didn’t. They’re more naive than they realize. The Hardys have been around the block, both together and separate, teammates and rivals. They’ve been through it all. Hola, Senor Benjamin. The Hardys knew DarkState weren’t going away. Dare they saw, they knew DarkState would come~! And they sit there, thinking they’ve got The Hardys right where they want ’em? Vulnerable? Weak? BROKEN~? But dare Matt say, broken is where the Hardys thrive. They step into the infamous Lake of Reincarnation!
And stepping out of those cool waters, it is indeed BROKEN Matt & Brother Nero~! Rebel plays on the piano, and everything is WONDERFUL~! State of Dark, you have awoken the Broken! Breaking them only made them stronger! And at Halloween Havoc, it shall be a BROKEN RULES MATCH! That is to say, there are no rules! For in the Broken Universe, anything is possible, and anything goes! DarkState, you will simply fade away and be classified OBSOLETE! They are sentenced to DELETION~! The Hardy Family all chants, “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” as one. Will the Broken power of the Hardys break DarkState?
Sol Ruca arrives, on crutches!
Zaria walks beside the NXT Women’s North American Champion, and she is in rough shape. Zaria asks Sol if she’s sure she wants to do this, but Sol says yes, she’s sure. They continue on towards gorilla, are we about to get some very bad news?
NXT returns with Ava Raine in the ring.
The NXT General Manager is with ZaRuca, and she has a mic to say, “Sol, I know that we spoke earlier, and you know how I feel, but you said you wanted to address the WWE Universe, so the floor is yours.” Sol has a mic of her own, and she says, “Clearly, I’m not walking around like I usually do. Unfortunately, on SmackDown on Friday, I got injured in our tag team championship match against Charlotte & Alexa.” Sol is already emotional as she says she didn’t come out here to put blame on anyone. Injuries happen, they’re part of the game, and you just have to move on. With that said, Sol is not cleared to compete, nor to defend her North American title against Blake Monroe.
Sol doesn’t know when she will be cleared, she just knows it won’t be before Saturday. Ava says she knows what Sol is trying to say, but Ava isn’t sure she has to do this. What about the Speed title? Sol says she doesn’t want to hold up one division, let alone two. She won the North American title in a ladder match at Stand & Deliver because Stephanie Vaquer said there are so many woemn waiting for an opporutnity. That hasn’t changed. Sol will earn this back. But then Blake interrupts! The fans boo as The Glamour has crocodile tears as she says she’s so sorry for Sol. How unfortuante! But don’t worry about the future of the North American Championship, because Blake’s right here.
The fans are torn as Blake goes right to the ring, and says she was supposed to have a match at Halloween Havoc. Therefore, she’s the #1 contender. And if Sol can’t defend the title, the champion should just be Blake. The fans boo but Blake says she came to NXT to make it glamorous! She’ll make that title just as glamorous! But Zaria says no, Ava can’t take a single thing Blake says into consideration. Blake does NOT deserve to be handed a title, especially not one Sol busted her ass for, defended time and time again! This is N X T, they do NOT give handouts! Blake says yes, well done, Zaria, fighting all of Sol’s battles for her.
Maybe one day, Zaria can try doing something for herself. Until then, this brand needs a champion. And who better than Blake? The fans boo but Sol tells Zaria that she hates to say this, but Blake’s got a point. We don’t know when Sol will be back! Zaria says no, THAT is the point! We don’t know when Sol will be back! A few months, or even just a few weeks! Zaria says y’know what? Don’t worry about this. Zaria has Sol’s back on this. Blake says yes, yes, we get it! They’re friends! Who cares? Zaria tells Blake to shut her mouth! The fans cheer that! Blake is upset, but Zaria tells Sol that ZARIA can defend the title against Blake!
Blake is flabbergasted as Zaria says she can defend the title in Sol’s honor! What does Ava think? Blake says don’t dare answer that! Blake again mocks the friendship: Zaria loves Sol, Sol loves Zaria, and this is the only way Zaria can even get a title! Ava tells Blake that Zaria asked Ava, not Blake. And though unconventional, she really likes the idea. Sol, it is still your title, it is still your choice. Sol thinks on it, and Sol says she fought so hard to get this title. But there is no one in this world that she trusts more. So yes, she’ll allow it. Then it is official! It will be Blake VS Zaria for the Women’s North American Championship!
Blake is irate, she gets in Ava’s face, but then Zaria spins Blake around to fireman’s carry! And DELTA FORCE! Blake flounders, Ava is pleased, and Zaria holds up the belt. Will Zaria win that belt for herself but also for Sol? Or will the Woman From Hell rear her ugly head?
Axiom speaks.
“The rate of change in an object’s position over time. Nobody understands speed like I do, not even my tag team partner (Nathan Frazer). But today is not about that, today is about Sean Legacy. And I’ll tell you, I’ve been watching Evolve, and I am very impressed. But I will warn you, it will be a whole different realm of speed when you share the ring with me tonight.”
Sean Legacy responds.
“Hey, look, in my opinion, I think Axiom’s the best in-ring competitor in WWE. But I like my chances in this style of match. See, I’ve got three minutes. Three minutes to throw everything I have at him. I wanna bring the Speed Championship to Evolve every Wednesday night, and to the WWE ID Program. Most importantly, I wanna make the Speed Championship super.” We’re about to see a comic book come to life, but who will be victorious as they join the WWE Speed Universe?
NXT Anonymous is watching.
And they spot Myles Borne talking with Tavion Heights. Myles says he had all this momentum. He beat Lexis King, he made it on Team NXT, and then BOOM, he gets eliminated first. Tavion says c’mon, who does Myles think he’s telling? Tavion had Ethan Page’s number, had it 2-0, but then when he finally gets his title match, he drops the ball. This was supposed to be their time to shine! Josh Briggs then barges in saying grown men are crying. Just look at them! Shut up. You’re looking for a way to be popular and successful, but you’ll be looking for a long time.
Last week, Briggs beat The Internet’s Favorite, Matt Cardona, spoiling the return fans waited for these last five YEARS. Briggs is glad he pissed off the fans! But y’know what? Briggs thought Ethan smartened Myles up, but guess Myles didn’t hear what he said. And as for Mr. Olympian, is he gonna wait another four years before he gets gold? There is only room for one at the top, and it ain’t either of them. It’ll be Briggs. But hey, at least the fans like you, right? Myles and Tavion admit that Briggs has a point… But will one of these two run through The Bullhead Brawler to take that number one spot?
WWE Speed Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament: Axiom VS Sean Legacy!
NXT returns as Undeniable Truth and Super Sean are already in the ring. The bell rings, we’re on the clock, and Legacy dodges Axiom’s dropkick! Legacy hurries to cover, ONE, but he ducks an enzigiri! Legacy suplexes, Axiom knees free, but Legacy SHOTGUNS Axiom down! Legacy then hits a SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO! Axiom scrambles, the fans rally, and Legacy hurries after him. Legacy torture racks, Axiom slips free, but Legacy fights the waistlock. Legacy bucks Axiom, Axiom kips up, and Axiom HALF ‘N’ HALF PLEXES! Then BASEMENT GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Los Americanos continue to watch, and Legacy BOOTS from the corner! Legacy QUEBRADAS as we enter the orange phase, and he hits a SAVING GRACER! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives but Legacy sees the clock is ticking. Legacy hurries out, springboards in, but Axiom catches the 450 into an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN, but Legacy rolls, only to end up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Legacy flails as we drop under 90 seconds! He stacks Axiom, TWO, but Legacy deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go to ENZIGIRI! Legacy wobbles, Axiom brings him around, but Legacy powers out! STANDING SPANISH FLY!
Both men are down, the fans fire up, and we hit the red phase’s final minute! Axiom brings Legacy up, he and Legacy fire hands! Axiom then slips around, but Legacy bucks the O’Conner! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! We hit 35 seconds as Axiom DROPKICKS back! Things keep moving, Legacy ROCKS Axiom! Legacy then uses the slingshot to BOOT Axiom down! Legacy hurries up at 17 seconds! Axiom ROCKS Legacy! Up, up, and SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, AXIOM WINS!!!
Winner: Axiom, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
THREE SECONDS TO SPARE! Los Americanos mockingly applaud Axiom as he moves on. But will one week be enough time for Axiom to plan Troy’s downfall?
Ethan Page speaks.
“El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. How’s my Spanish? I’ve been working on it. But you must be feeling real good about yourself right now. This Saturday is the match you wanted, a Day of the Dead match, where anything goes. All Ego’s done his research on you, and yeah, I’m in for a fight at Halloween Havoc. You have survived cage matches, battles in Japan for NOAH, classics in AAA and Mexico. You have risked your career and put your body on the line, all to defend the honor of your mask. Well, pal, this Saturday, we’re fighting for something more important than your mask. We are fighting for MY North American Championship!
“You have a family legacy to uphold. A tradition set forward by your father, the same man who put your Latin American Championship around your waist at TripleMania. And by the way, in his prime, your dad couldn’t touch me. And neither will you in Prescott Valley, Arizona. This is your match, your rules.” Ethan shows he has Canadian themed Day of the Dead face paint as he says when it comes to him and his continent, Wagner will be the one left for dead in the desert. Will this Egomaniac show he’s more than just a joker this Saturday? Or will he NOT be the Greatest North American Wrestler in history anymore?
OTM VS Hank ‘n’ Tank!
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water that is the NXT Tag Division, these sharks smelled the blood! Lucien Price & Bronco Nima caught us all off guard with their return last week, but will they not stop until they are truly out the mud? Or will the Big Belly Bandits run them off the road with a HONK HONK?
Hank ‘n’ Tank don’t wait to sort out, they go after OTM at the ramp! The fans fire up for the brawl, Hank ROCKS Price but Price SMACKS him off the apron! Nima ROCKS Tank, Price puts Hank in the ring, but he and Tank just switch it up! They DIVE onto Nima & Price! The fans fire up and Tank puts Price in the ring. The bell finally rings, Tank storms up, but Price fires body shots! Price whips Tank to a corner, runs up, but Tank dodges! Tank tags Hank then LARIATS Price! Hank SPLASHES Price to then BULLDOG! Then Tank SENTONS! Tank BLASTS Nima, Hank covers Price, TWO! The fans rally as Hank stalks Price.
Price YANKS Hank into the ropes! Then he CHOKES Hank, but stops as the ref counts. Price argues with the ref, and that lets Nima HOTSHOT Hank! Price then LARIATS Hank down! Tag to Nima and they stomp away on Hank. Nima covers, TWO! Nima drags Hank up to DECK him, and we see Ricky have a word with Ava as she has the contract in hand. Nima bumps Hank off buckles, bumps him off buckles again, then climbs up to CHOKE Hank! Price has a sinister grin but the ref counts. Nima stops at 4, then BODY BLOWS Hank! Tag to Price, Nima sends him in and Price LARIATS! Nima BLASTS Tank, then Price feeds Hank to Nima’s JUMP STOMP!
OTM is all fired up, the fans duel, and Price looms over Hank. Hank rises up slowly, grasping at Price. Price THROWS him to the corner! Price hits a three point stance, runs in, and LARIATS! The fans duel, Nima tags in, and Nima fires BODY BLOWS! Nima whips Price in again, but Hank dodges! And dodges! Hot tag to Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on OTM! Then he cartwheels to dodge and LARIAT! The fans fire up, but Nima is back! Tank gets around, atomic drop! Nima hobbles, Tank goes up, up, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Cover, Price breaks it! But Hank is in again, only for Price to clinch and URENAGE!
Price fires up, the fans are with him, but Tank storms up! Tank blocks a shot to KNEE Price down! But Nima scoops to POWERSLAM! Tag to Price and OTM drags Tank up. GOURD SPINE BUSTER! Cover, OTM wins!
Winners: OTM, by pinfall
Price & Nima are back on the attack and they win one on former NXT Tag Team Champions! But they aren’t done! They TOSS Tank out onto Hank! Then Nima pulls the steel steps apart! And Price clears the desk! Nima RAMS Hank down with the steps! The fans are torn as OTM drag Tank up, and they DOUBLE POWERBOMB him through the desk! Hank ‘n’ Tank are left down and out, will nothing stop OTM from taking over NXT?
Wren Sinclair is on the phone.
She talks with Charlie Dempsey, saying she’s glad he’s having a good time in Japan wrestling for NOAH, and she has been enjoying the new Maybelline products, but yes, she knows, don’t do anything stupid. Bye, Charles. Ugh. Guess he was busy. But she’s pretty sure he misses her, too. Lash Legend says she doubts that. Wren says Charlie at least misses the NQCC. He won’t admit it, but ever since the group broke up, he hasn’t been himself. Lash knows what she means, right? So when Charlie returns, Wren just wants to be sure he has something to return to. Lash says Wren just said she wasn’t gonna do anything stupid.
It won’t be stupid! It’ll be a NQCC resurgence with a more feminine flair. It’ll be the true WrenQCC. See? Stupid. Bye. But then Kendal Grey is there and says, “Excuse you.” The NEW Evolve Women’s Champion won’t let the Bougie Bully, well, bully Wren. Or anyone else, for that matter. Aw, Kendal, we know you’re feelin’ yourself after finally winning a title, but she should let Wren fight her own battles before Lash boots her back to Evolve. Kendal says she has no problem fighting Lash or anyone else who thinks they can run their mouths without any consequences. Ooh~, little girl, you better watch it.
Lash leaves, Wren is worried, but will the Arm Breaker soon be a game changer on more than just Evolve? Or will Lash pump the brakes on Kendal’s rise?
Tatum Paxley & Izzi Dame VS Jacy Jayne & Lainey Reid w/ Fallon Henley!
So what if she’s a weirdo? She’s still a winner! But will Tatum and her bestie best the Toxic Rockstar and the Southern Charm? Or will The Culling be in a tizzy as they end up under The Influence?
The teams sort out, Tatum starts against Lainey and the fans rally up. They circle, tie up, and Lainey KNEES low! Lainey CLUBS Tatum, headlock punches her, then puts her in the corner. Lainey ROCKS Tatum, mocks the fans cheering, then whips. Tatum reverses, runs up, and she ROCKS Lainey! Tatum whips corner to corner, runs in again, but into BOOTS! Tatum gets up, but Lainey clinches to short arm LARIAT! Lainey winds up, but Tatum avoids the elbow drop! Tatum KNEE SMASHES Lainey, but Jacy tags in. The fans cheer as we get our Halloween Havoc preview. Jacy and Tatum circle while Jacy talks trash.
Then Jacy sucker punches Izzi! Tatum runs up, Jacy dodges, but then Tatum dodges. Tatum ROCKS Jacy, ROCKS Her again, but Jacy hits back! Jacy blocks a kick, ducks the lariat, and returns to RANA Tatum! The fans rally for “Tuesday Addams” but Jacy runs in, only for Tatum to dodge! Tatum kicks low, underhooks, and BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! Jacy flounders to a corner, Tatum runs up, CROSSBODY in the corner! Izzi tags in and she pulls Tatum into Jacy to squeeze her tight! The ref counts, Izzi lets go, and Izzi brings Jacy around for a short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE, but Izzi drags Jacy up.
Izzi scoops Jacy to SLAM her! Izzi then pushes Jacy down, cocky cover, TWO! Izzi talks trash on Lainey, Lainey talks trash back, but Izzi UPPERCUTS Jacy. Jacy fires a body shot but Izzi CLUBS her for it. Izzi scoops, Jacy slips free but Izzi bucks the O’Conner. Izzi then sidesteps, but Jacy arm-drags! Cover, TWO! Jacy CLOBBERS Izzi, then drags her over, tag to Lainey. The Influence mugs Izzi, the fans boo, but Izzi then scoops Lainey for a BACKBREAKER! Izzi runs up, RAMS Lainey, tag to Tatum! Izzi scoops Lainey to SLAM, and then Tatum JUMP ELBOW DROPS! Tatum hurries to suplex, but Jacy makes the save!
Tatum dodges Jacy, Izzi ROCKS Jacy! Tatum fires hands on The Influence, then DROPKICK ARM-DRAG COMBOS! The fans fire up as Tatum then builds speed, and she WRECKS Fallon as the Cowgirl takes the bullet for Jacy! Jacy then anchors Tatum in the ropes for Lainey to DRAPING NECKBREAKER! The fans boo, Izzi protests, but The Influence soaks up the heat as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns again as Tatum escapes a suplex! Lainey hurries to keep Tatum from Izzi, but Tatum ducks the lariat! Tatum ENZIGIRIS Lainey down! The fans fire up as both women crawl for their corners, hot tags to Jacy and Izzi! Izzi LARIATS Jacy, DECKS Lainey, repeat! Lainey dodges once but the BOOT finds her! Izzi shoves Lainey into Jacy at the corner, and she BACK BODY BLOCKS them both! Izzi then goes up, up, and DOUBLE CODE BREAKERS! The fans fire up as Izzi then has Jacy, VOLLEYBALL SPIKE CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Jacy survives but the fans fire up behind Izzi. Izzi brings Jacy up, whips, but Jacy SATELLITE DDTS!
Izzi flounders, Tatum tags in, and Tatum goes up, up, and leaps over Jacy! Jacy SUPERKICKS in return! Tatum staggers around, but she blocks a shot, ducks a roundhouse, and pump handles for a LIGHTNING SPIRAL! Cover, LAINEY BREAKS IT! The fans boo, but Izzi runs up! She blocks a kick, but Lainey’s SUPERKICK hits! Izzi rebounds to LARIAT Lainey down! They flounder out of the ring and the fans declare, “This is Awesome!” Tatum and Jacy run up, Tatum ROCKS Jacy! Jacy ROCKS Tatum! Then mule kicks! Jacy runs, Tatum dodges to roll her up, TWO! Jacy is up, but Tatum ENZIGIRIS! Jacy falls, but Fallon is on the apron!
Tatum reels Jacy in, Izzi BLASTS Fallon! Then Izzi runs, but Lainey trips her up! Izzi DECKS Lainey, but Jacy ripcords and ROLLING ENCORES!! Cover, Influence wins!
Winners: Jacy Jayne & Lainey Reid, by pinfall
Then Fallon & Lainey RAM Izzi into the apron! And into steel steps! Jacy grins as her girls mug Izzi, then they all flank Tatum. The fans call for Lyra, but Jacy tells Tatum she will NEVER be a champion, she’s only ever gonna be a weirdo! Jacy winds up, but Tatum BOOTS her first! Tatum fires off on Fallon & Lainey! Tatum dodges Lainey to DROPKICK her down! Then she DECKS Fallon! She dodges Jacy, hooks her up, CEMETERY DRIVE!! Tatum stands tall, she picks up the belt, but will this be the story at Halloween Havoc? Or will Jacy ruin all of Tatum’s fun?
NXT returns with Ava back in the ring.
The NXT GM stands with the table, but also extra security, as she says, “This Saturday at Halloween Havoc, two of the biggest superstars in NXT go one-on-one for the first-time-ever, with the NXT Championship on the line. Now last week, backstage, things got absolutely out of hand, but I told both superstars just keep it together until the contract signing. So let’s make it official. First, please welcome the challenger, Trick Williams.” The fans are torn as the former NXT Champion, and now the former TNA World Champion, makes his way to the ring. Ava then welcomes out THE NXT Champion, Ricky Saints.
The fans cheer for The Absolute as he makes his entrance, strutting from stage to ramp to ring. They sit at the table, and Trick has a mic to say, “Like I said last week, Ricky, I do things on my time. I don’t go out running just cuz someone screams my name. I wait for my moment. I wait for my spotlight. And that’s why I am the main event. But I guess that’s our problem with all this whole thing, huh? I mean, Ricky, you mad just because even though you are the NXT Champion, Trick Williams is still the man in NXT, I’m still the main event.”
The fans are torn, but Trick says that’s why he left Ricky hangin’ at Showdown. It was to prove one thing: There is only one man who can pick NXT up and put it on his back, and that’s Trick Williams. But don’t get it twisted. It ain’t cuz he loves NXT. Let’s be real. Trick don’t owe NXT nothin’! He don’t owe TNA nothin’! He is loyal to one man and one man only, even without a title, he is loyal to Trick Williams! Trick loves himself some Trick! And since he loves Trick and since Trick loves him, he will do what is best for Trick, and that is become a three-time, excuse me? A three-time… What was that? A THREE-TIME, OOH YEAH~, NXT Champion, let’s talk about it!
Trick signs his part of the contract and Ricky says yes, hurry up and sign that for him, player, because Ricky has something he wants to say. Ricky is a very emotional guy, he wears it on his sleeve, he owns it, he is not upset by that. He knows exactly who he is, and he has not changed for anyone. But can we say the same about Trick? That title right there can either make you complacent or ambitious. For Ricky, he’s only been more focused. But what did the title do to Trick? A guy who ushered in the Whoop Dat Era, one of the most exciting times here in NXT, but guess what? Trick lost the plot along the way.
Trick thought he was bigger than the brand, than all the fans here and everybody in the back. Trick thought he was bigger than the title. To Ricky, Trick was already ready to leave NXT a long time ago. Trick says hold on, hold on. Look at all Trick has created. It must be hard for Ricky to admit, someone like Ricky grinding for what? Decades? All on the indies. Look at Trick. Does he look like he belongs on the indies? HELL NAH! He is Hollywood! He looks good, looks like a champion! Ava says Trick needs to hold on, before this gets out of control… Ricky finishes signing his part, and Trick says when he looks in Ricky’s eyes, he doesn’t see a champion.
Trick sees someone cosplaying, doing the best they can to become a stunt double for Trick. But Trick will help Ricky out: No man on God’s Green Earth can replace Trick Williams. At the best, you can be his stand-in. And since Ricky stands in Trick’s way, Trick will whoop dat ass to get that NXT Championship. This Absolute Era will be absolutely over…! Ricky says great, he loves this! The same guy who walked into the PC one day hoping to make it, now his ass can barely fit through the doors! Don’t talk to Ricky about grinding! The stuff Ricky went through, Trick would’ve folded like the shirt he’s got on! You get what he’s saying?!
One thing about Ricky is that he can never be a Trick Williams replacement! Ricky IS the blueprint, Trick’s trying to be like Ricky! Ricky is smoother, silkier, and more stylish than Trick ever will be! Ricky is the man that is the face of NXT! DO you understand!? This is HIS house now! He’s locked in! Come Saturday, guess what? Trick will be locked out! Because this is Absolute Ricky Saints!! The two get in each other’s face, security steps in, the two back down, but then Trick SUCKER PUNCHES Ricky!! The guards take shots from Ricky, but Trick BOOTS him! Trick soaks up the heat, but Ricky fireman’s carries! F5 through the table!!
The fans are thunderous as Ricky stands tall over Tricky! But will this be how Halloween Havoc ends? Or will Trick have himself a golden treat at the end of the night?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home episode for NXT, but the go-home math does not favor any of the Faces in those singles title matches. The contract signing at the end there had Ricky put Trick through the table, so now there’s a chance Trick does become a three-time champion. Though honestly, Ricky is right, Trick’s long overdue for his main roster call-up, Ricky should win to send Trick on his way to SmackDown. Then with the Women’s North American Championship, Sol’s bad leg was a bit apparent during that tag title match as she hobbled after an awkward landing. Hopefully it isn’t too serious, but I do like the pivot to Zaria VS Blake. It felt like Zaria was going to feud with Sol over the title anyway, so this is a great way to shortcut to that.
But again, Zaria stood tall by throwing Blake around, bad sign for Zaria as Blake perhaps becomes another Heel champion for NXT. Great promo from Tatum & Izzi with Fatal Influence, which also set up our main event tag match. Fallon playing a factor in the Influence’s win was a given, really, but then Tatum standing tall pretty much on her own now signals that somehow, someway, Jacy retains. As I said last week, Izzi will surely be the reason, she was still a touch passive aggressive, but she might not even need to with Fallon & Lainey backing Jacy up as usual.
I feel like Kelani is about to go Heel, but it’d oddly be justified with how the NXT Women’s Division is turning on her. Jordynne is trying to be a friend but Kelani isn’t having it, all the more reason those two will likely fight over the Knockouts title soon enough. The irony is, wouldn’t Jordynne just lose again? Jordynne should be NXT Women’s Champion by now but whatever, other great names were also in NXT during this same stretch. At the very least, Jordynne needs to push Kelani to her limits before Kelani finds a way to win. Jordynne can then maybe move on to main roster and get in the midcard title scene.
Really good promos from Stacks & Arianna and Leon & Je’Von, and a really good X-Division title match. Vic Joseph at least mentioned the Heritage Cup being at the bottom of some river or lake, so they haven’t completely written off the Heritage Cup Division, but we need the damn thing to come back then! Just give us a vignette or two of Stacks searching with a speedboat and a metal detector or something and have him find it before the next NXT special event. As for Leon & Je’Von, Iguana & Parka showing up to accept their Open Challenge before it was even really open was great stuff, and that match really will be amazing.
Very good stuff with the Speed tournament, and I figured Jasper Troy and Axiom would each win. Wentz is in TNA, Legacy is in Evolve, and the Speed title was going to stay in main WWE either way. Now the question is, will Axiom overcome Jasper next week to challenge Americano? Hard to say but something about that would make sense. Axiom VS Americano could be some all time stuff, even for being a five-minute match. Great return match for OTM, great win for them, too. Though, them challenging for tag titles might need to wait a little longer with DarkState and Hardys being the two teams to choose from. I still want OTM to finally have their moment, but it isn’t happening if Hardys win the Broken Rules match.
And I would think they do win the Broken Rules match. We got a great promo from the Hardys and DarkState to give us the WWE return (or return in general, I suppose) of the Broken Hardy Boyz. That Broken Rules match could definitely steal the show with whatever madness that can happen. Though I think the Day of the Dead match could give it a go. Very good promo from Ethan, but I feel like he could’ve waited until Saturday to reveal his face paint. If nothing else in the status quo changes, I fully support Wagner III making history as a dual Latin American & North American Champion, that’d be some great stuff.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Last Time is Now on SmackDown!
LA Knight is in the Last Time is Now Tournament, determined to meet John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but who is his opponent?! Time to find out, YEAH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz; Jey wins and advances.
- WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom; Ilja wins and retains the title.
- The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS Zack Ryder; Knight wins and advances.
- Jade Cargill VS B-Fab; Jade wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualifications, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley AND Iyo Sky are here!
Albany, New York fires up as Mami & The Genius are both here on SmackDown following the chaos on Raw. Because at Survivor Series, Rhea said it herself: WARGAMES! Rhea & Iyo each get a mic and the fans cheer them both on. Rhea says, “Since I’ve been out with a broken nose, the Kabuki Warriors, they’ve been causing a little bit of chaos. And now that they’ve managed to get their hands on the Tag Team Championships, they think they’re pretty much untouchable.” The fans boo, but then Rhea says throw Nia Jax & Lash Legend into the mix, which the fans boo also… “And now they think they are untouchable again because they have the ‘numbers advantage.'”
But the funny thing about numbers is you just end up with more enemies. Iyo says, “A lot of enemies. But they always catch up to you. And now, there is nowhere to hide! WARGAAAMES~!” The fans cheer as Iyo & Rhea go wild for that. Rhea says, “And y’know what? We’re not going in alone. So I would like to introduce two of our teammates: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!” The fans cheer as the former tag team champions make their way out to the ring, Charlotte in a modern art suit with her pyro, and then followed by Alexa in her goth preppy fusion. #Charlexa stands with Rhea & Iyo in the ring, mics also in hand.
The four hug it out and the fans “WOO~!” Alexa says if the Kabukis wanna play dirty, fine. If Nia & Lash wanna jump in, too, great! And they can get all four at once, it is so on! Those four started this fight, these four will end it! The very second Rhea said, “WarGames,” Alexa knew they were in. Right, Charlotte? The fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte says, “Lexi, I can’t do this. I can’t pretend anymore.” What? “Look, Rhea. I don’t like you.” The fans boo and Iyo is shocked. Charlotte says she doesn’t trust Rhea, and she thinks Rhea is a snake. But Rhea doesn’t like or trust Charlotte and probably thinks she’s the snake, and Charlotte doesn’t blame her.
There is too much history here, too much bad blood. Just because they have the same enemies doesn’t change that. Charlotte cannot look past it. Alexa is Charlotte’s friend, she trusts Alexa. So if Alexa wants to do this, that’s fine. But count Charlotte out. What!? The fans boo as The Queen steps away, but Alexa calls after her. Charlotte goes up the ramp, Alexa apologizes to the others and tries to figure out why Charlotte did this. Can Alexa get Charlotte to change her mind before it’s time to go to war?
Jey Uso is in the concourse!
And he asks them to please, please, play his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up and bounces along as Main Event Jey Uso makes his entrance, ready for The Last Time Is Now! But will it be Albany, New YEET? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister put all that fire from last week to good use?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: Jey Uso VS The Miz!
SmackDown returns and the fans continue to YEET, and then they want the encore! But instead, The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Miz KNEES low! Miz CLUBS Jey, then talks some trash. The fans rally for Jey but Miz brings Jey around. Jey blocks the buckle bump to fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Miz reverses, and Miz hits a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans boo but Miz soaks up the heat. Jey goes to ropes, Miz storms up on him, and Miz fires haymakers of his own! Miz soaks up more heat as he backs p, then he runs in, but Jey turns lariat into backslide! TWO!
The fans fire up as Jey stands, but Miz blocks a kick! Miz spins Jey, the DRAGON WHIP hits! Miz ends up on the apron, but he slides under Jey to sunset flip! TWO, and Miz catches Jey now! Jey fights the Finale with ama r-drag, but Miz avoids the superkick! So Jey LARIATS Miz up and out! The fans fire up and “YEET!” Jey builds speed and DIVDSE! Miz is send into the desk! Albany fires up while Jey snarls and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Miz stalks Jey. The tide has turned and Miz storms up, but Jey ELBOWS him away! Jey goes up, but Miz kicks the legs out! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Then a DDT! Jey gets spiked! Miz covers, TWO! Jey survives and Miz is stunned! Miz snarls as Jey sits up, and then Miz KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, and Miz winds up, only for Jey to duck the buzzsaw! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and crawls to a corner while Jey shakes his head. The fans rally as Jey goes to the other corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs up, but Miz dodges!
Miz runs up and SHOULDER TAKCKLES! And SHOULDER TACKLES! Miz parodies John Cena with the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Miz says when his hand goes up, your mouths go shut. “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! The fans are torn as Miz now fireman’s carries Jey! But Jey fights free, shoves Miz, SUPERKICK! Then a fireman’s carry in return! Miz slips free, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and everyone is shocked, especially Miz! Jey flounders, stands, and goes to a corner. Albany is thunderous for Jey but Miz storms right up on him.
Miz puts Jey up top, then climbs up after him! Miz full nelsons again! But Jey fires elbows! Then he fireman’s carries Miz! The fans are thunderous as Jey hits a TOP ROPE RACK DROP! Then he gest moving, SPEAR!! Jey doesn’t stop there, he goes up the corner again! USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Albany YEETS again as Jey stays alive in the tournament! But who else will join him, Sheamus, and Rusev on the road to Washington, DC?
Ilja Dragunov talks with Nick Aldis.
The Mad Russian Dragon is glad he gets to have another Open Challenge, but then in walks Tommaso Ciampa. The Sicilian Psycho hopes Aldis is explaining to “our so-called fighting champion” how to respect the rules of an Open Challenge. Aldis says the champion has every right to dictate the rules how he sees fit, but Johnny Gargano asks if Ilja has the right to call his best friend a jackass. Candice LeRae asks if Ciampa looks like a jackass! Enough with calling him a jackass! The only jackass here is Ilja denying the one man answering the challenges! Make it make sense! Well, they were just discussing this, so listen very carefully!
When Ilja took on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge, Ilja promised to do things the right way. And the right way mean sto not give opportunities to… jackasses! But to fight warriors who are willing to fight with respect and honor. And there is nothing honorable about Ciampa. So tonight, Ilja will give this opportunity to a man who fights with honor, and someone Ilja respects. Oh no, seriously?! AXIOM steps in! Ciampa accuses Ilja of cowardice, but Axiom thanks Ilja for this opportunity. Aldis wishes them both the best of luck, then moves on, only for Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed to be waiting outside his office.
Heyman smiles, a big contract folder in hand, and he asks Aldis, “How’re you doing? We need to talk to you for a minute.” Aldis says please, step inside. These three go into the office to talk, but what exactly about?
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis calls in extra security for his office. He tells Heyman that before The Vision is escorted from the building, what can he do for them? Heyman says that’s awfully dramatic, Aldis. But this is the WarGames agreement, which allows Heyman to “take any talent that is under WWE contract across all brands. Tha tincludes SmackDown, your brand. My heads-up to you, you’re welcome.” Any talent across all brands? Yes, thank you for coming all the way to Albany to confirm what was already in the paperwork. This could’ve been an email, Heyman. So unless there’s anything else to discuss, he would like to ask them kindly to leave. Because The Vision will NOT be disrupting Aldis’ show.
And security steps in on cue. Heyman says oh goodness, look who it is! Cody Rhodes steps in, and Heyman says, “It’s the golden goose who’s being afforded all this protection.” Cody asks, “Mr. Heyman, what do you wanna talk about?” Heyman wants to talk about Cody getting involved with Vision business on Raw. Cody doesn’t know about this golden goose stuff, but he saw on Raw that they were putting his friends in the fire, which means he was next through the flames, but Heyman already knew that. But this is Friday Night SmackDown, and the business of today… is right here. “And if you’re not here to fight, then you should leave.”
Bronson says he’ll fight. Cody asks Aldis to make the match: Bronson Reed VS Cody Rhodes… TONIGHT! Aldis says that works, but Heyman asks why they’d give this away and not make it a title match? Cody says fine, book it. Aldis gets worried now, but Cody says, “BOOK IT!” Then it is official. Cody VS Bronson for the Undisputed Championship. Heyman smiles and thanks both Mr. Aldis and “Champ” Cody. Did Cody just get goaded into losing the gold? Or will the American Nightmare find a way to slay the Colossal Aussie?
WWE Untied States Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Axiom!
Speaking of titles, The Czar didn’t appreciate the Sicilian Psycho getting salty all over again, so he again passed on Ciampa to face Axiom. But will Ilja be able to deny the Undeniable Truth? Or will Axiom finally have singles gold on SmackDown?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Axiom rolls to wrench and wrangle Ilja. Axiom has the armlock but Ilja fights up. Ilja wrenches in return, then cording holds for a HIP TOSS! Cover, ONE, but Ilja holds onto the arm. Axiom kips up, slips around, and spins Ilja to snapmare and headlock. Ilja slips out to armlock in return and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Ilja knuckle locks to straight arm lever and SLAM Axiom! Axiom fights up but Ilja wrenches him again. Ilja whips Axiom to a corner, but Axiom dodges the lariat! Axiom waits on Ilja and he says it was that close. Ilja and Axiom reset, knuckle lock, and Axioim headlocks.
Axiom hits the takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up. Ilja CLUBS at Axiom from below, then fights up. Ilja powers up and out, Axiom RAMS him, but Ilja RUNS Axiom over! Cover, ONE, and Ijoa gets moving! Axiom trips Ilja up, but Ilja blocks the hip toss! Ilja slips through but Axiom fights the backslide! The fans rally as the two fight for control, and then they spin around. Ilja ROCKS Axiom with a forearm! Axiom ROCKS Ilja! Ilja BOOTS Axiom down! The fans rally, but Axiom catches the hammer into the ARMBAR! Ilja fights to stack, and he deadlifts Axiom! Axiom lets go, but Ilja ducks the enzigiri to SLAP Axiom down!
The fans rally and Axiom dodges to then DROPKICK back! Ilja staggers, Axiom GAMANGIRIS him up and out! The fans fire up while Ilja sputters, and Axiom takes aim. Axiom runs, GOLDEN- NO! Ilja stops the triangle moonsault as he CLUBS Axiom on the back! Axiom is stuck up top, Ilja CHOPS him! Axiom kicks at Ilja, Ilja CHOPS, and repeat! The fans rally as these two brawl on the apron. Ilja HEADBUTTS Axiom right back into the ring! Then Ilja climbs, aims, and SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives, Ilja is a bit surprised, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Ilja snarls as he rises up, and he paces around Axiom. Axiom slowly sits up, Ilja fires up, but he turns around into a CHOP from Axiom! So Ilja CHOPS Axiom right off his feet! Cover, TWO! Ilja keeps close and brings Axiom up to CHOP again! And again! And then HEADBUTT! And CHOP! HEADBUTT! CHOP! Ilja then reels Axiomi in for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Ilja still keeps axiom down with a facelock. Axiom endures, fights around, and he wrenches out to headlock back. Axiom waistlocks, Ilja bucks the O’Conner, but axiom kips up, into a CHOP! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives again but Ilja stays focused.
Ilja puts Axiom in a corenr, CHOPS him, and Axiom flops against the ropes. Ilja drags Axiom back up, whips corner to corner, and Axiom hits hard! Ilja runs up to KNEE low, then he runs side to side to BOOT WASH Axiom right outta the ring! Ilja roars and the fans cheer. Ilja goes out to BOOT Axiom, then follows him around the way. They go back into the ring, Ilja brings Axiom around, and Ilja waistlocks, only for Axiom to fight the lift. Axiom switches, Ilja fights the lift, and Ilja wrenches out to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And then Gotch lift POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Axiom is toughing it out bu tIlja is not deterred.
Ilja clamps on with a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight, Axiom endures so Ilja ELBOWS him down! And ELBOWS again and again and again! Ilja just HAMMERS away on Axiom, then clamps back on with another bearhug. Axiom still endures, fights back to his feet, but Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja holds on, drags Axiom back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Fans chant for “One More Time!” and Ilja GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ilja still holds on, Albany wants another, so Ilja drags Axiom up. Axiom switches, but Ilja again bucks the O’Conner! Axiom kips up, but he ducks the chop to NORTHERN LIGHTS!
The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally as Ilja stands, and he swings, but Axiom CROSS COUNTERS! Ilja falls back, Axiom goes to a corner, but Ilja storms up. Axiom BOOTS Ilja down, hops up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives and Axiom grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Axiom rises, Ilja roars to give him more, so Axiom KICKS! And KICKS! Ilja wants more so Axiom KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Ilja blocks to SLAP, ROCK, boxing elbows, and BOOT! Axiom falls and the fans fire up again! Ilja powers up, runs, CONSTANTINE- NO, Axiom catches him to an ARMBAR!
Ilja fights, ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD, but he works to stack Axiom! Axiom fights that off, but Ilja deadlifts Axiom again! POWERBOMB! Axiom flounders, Ilja snarls, and Ilja aims from the corner. Ilja powers up, the fans rally, H-BOMB FOR- NO, Axiom uses that to spring up and MOONSAULT DDT!!! Cover, TWO!?! No one can believe what they saw, nor that Ilja survived! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom has Ilja in a corner. Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS and hoists Ilja up. Ilja fights back with SLAPS and Axiom staggers. But then Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom goes up after Ilja, but Ilja fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS!
Ilja and Axiom go to the very top, but Axiom hits the SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!! And then GOLDEN RATI- NO!! TORPEDO MOSCOW!! AND H-BOMB FOREARM!! Cover, Ilja wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Championship)
It was all in a blink of an eye, but Ilja snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Another instant classic is under Ilja’s belt, and he shows respect to Axiom for giving him this fight. The fans cheer that, but who will be next to challenge The Mad Russian’s reign?
R-Truth meets with Nick Aldis.
Truth knows last week that it was a heavy load, and Truth’s load was lost in the shuffle, but he is imploring to Aldis as employee to boss, please put Truth in the John Cena tournament. Aldis tries to tell Truth again, but Truth says don’t worry, he shined up his (lottery) balls so they’ll look real nice on TV. All he asks is Aldis handles them with care. Aldis again tries to get it through to Truth but Truth says just take his balls. FINE! Aldis takes them, and then Chelsea Green walks in. She asks if she heard John Cena’s name dropped. She did. Then speaking of legends, she has no idea why SHE didn’t get pyro when she won the Women’s US Championship.
But putting a pin in that, when is her championship celebration happening tonight? Aldis goes to say it’s not but she says that’s right, he CANCELLED it! She’d all of it prepared and ready to go! But all will be forgiven if this “injustice system” that is WWE would just give her a celebration next week, with pyro. Yes, he can make that work. Just for right now, hold onto these for him. Aldis hands Chelsea the Truth balls, and Alba says they do look nice. But will The Hot Mess really get everything she demand- er, wants?
SmackDown shares footage from the break.
As Axiom was on his way back up the ramp, Tommaso Ciampa attacked him! The Psycho Killer took out all his anger out on Axiom, only for Frazer to chase him off! Ciampa is only showing everyone Ilja is right about him, but will Ciampa not stop until he gets his opportunity?
Sami Zayn is here!
The fans cheer and sing along with the song as #BigMatchSami heads to the ring. Sami gets a mic and asks, “How we doing tonight, Albany? We good?” The fans cheer, and they chant for “Sami! Sami!” Sami takes a moment before he says, “I gotta tell ya. Since I’ve come to SmackDown, there have been some extremely high highs, and some extremely low lows. As soon as I came over to SmackDown, the first thing I said I would do is I said I would beat Solo Sikoa for the United States Championship.” The fans cheer that, and Sami says he did do that! He got to do amazing things with that title, like wrestle John Cena in his last match on SmackDown!
Sami got to go toe-to-toe with the best talent SmackDown has to offer week in and week out. The fans cheer again, and Sami says that was all great. But he won’t lie, the last four weeks have been extremely challenging. he has had to watch from the sidelines, hurt and not medically cleared, as Solo & MFT run roughshod every single week! The fans boo, and Sami says he’s had to sit and watch, unable to do anything, while MFT attacked Sami’s friends, those Sami liked and respected. And Sami gets it, Aldis told him not to get involved, don’t get hurt, and so Sami did. He sat back week after week. But he is here to tell us that that ends TONIGHT!
The fans cheer and Sami continues by calling out Solo! He knows Solo has a problem with him, and he sure has a problem with Solo, so let’s deal with it face to face! Solo & MFT make their way out here, and Solo has a mic in hand. Solo tells Sami, “You really think you knwio who you are, huh? You think you know, but you don’t. I know the real Sami, I know the real you. Yeah. He’s pathetic, a liar, desperate, and when you’re desperate, you do desperate things, which makes you so damn selfish!” The fans boo, but Solo says Sami only cares about Sami! Sami doesn’t care about the guys in the back, or even the fans here in Albany.
The fans boo, but Solo says for himself, what he cares about is his family. Solo cares about the men standing behind him and their loyalties to him. Unlike Sami! Sami knows nothing about loyalty when it comes to family. In fact, watch who you’re talkinga bout before he gets in there and kicks Sami’s ass! Don’t forget, Sami, you’re still wounded. The fans boo as MFT now flanks the ring, and Solo says this can end very badly for Sami. Solo could drop Sami right here and now, but he won’t. He will wait until Sami is 100% and medically cleared. Then once that happens, understand this: Solo is coming after you!
The fans boo, but Sami says, “Well, the good news for you, Solo, is you’re not gonna have to wait very long. Because as of tonight, I am officially 100% medically cleared! So if you wanna do something about it, go ahead and do something about it right now!” Sami calls Solo’s bluff, so Solo takes off the jacket But then Sami says before that, Solo needs to know this: Sami didn’t come here alone. And just as he says that, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura & Motor City Machine Guns all YANK MFT off the apron! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! Solo panics, Sami shrugs, and Solo takes a swing! Sami fires counter punches!
The fans fire up as Sami fires off on Solo in a corner! Sami stomps a mudhole, then he goes to the far corner! The fans fire up, but Talla gets Solo outta the ring! The fans boo but then JC Mateo CLOBBERS Sami! JC, Tama & Loa all mug Sami, but Sami’s friends get them! They TOSS the Guerrillas and even LARIAT Loa up and out! The fans fire up as now Fenix goes up, up, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES MFT! Fenix regroups with Sami and friends! Will Sami and his team soon cut down Solo’s “Family Tree?”
Cody Rhodes prepares backstage.
Jey Uso says hey and Cody congratulates him on the win in the tournament. Jey says he just heard about Bronson’s title shot at Cody tonight. It might get a little slimy, so Jey’s got his back. Of course! Cody and Jey shake hands on that again, and then Jimmy Uso steps in. #BigJim says hey, Uce. Any time you can get your hands on The Vision sounds like a party to Jimmy, so count him in, too. They shake on that, and Jimmy says he spoke with Punk earlier. Count him in for WarGames, too! The three shake hands, The Usos head out, but will Cody be able to fire the first shot in that war? Or will a Tsunami end the reign of the American Nightmare?
Solo Sikoa argues with Nick Aldis backstage.
Solo demands that with Sami 100% healthy, he wants a match with him tonight! Aldis says first, there’s no more time on the card, that can’t happen. And second, Solo clearly has more enemies than just Sami. So how about this? In two weeks, SmackDown before WarGames, it’ll be MFT VS Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG in a 5v5 Survivor Series style Elimination Tag! Now if you’ll excuse him. Aldis leaves, and there’s a Wyatt Sick6 glitch on screen. And in fact, Uncle Howdy is lurking in the shadows. Will the Wyatts be watching that 10 Man Tag very, very closely?
The Last Time is Now Tournament Opening Round: LA Knight VS ???
The Mega Star knows what this tournament is all about, and he knows everyone wants to be John Cena’s final opponent, but what he doesn’t know is who will be his first round opponent! We’re all about to learn that in the matter of moments, but will it not matter when this is LA Knight’s game? Or will what you don’t know actually hurt you?
Everyone waits and watches the stage. “WOO! WOO! WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” It’s Matt Car- well, no, he’s ZACK RYDER again!? Long Island Iced Z returns to the WWE, but will he prove he’s #AlwayZReady? The bell rings, the fans cheer and “WOO WOO WOO!” Knight and Ryder circle, Ryder gets the “WOO WOO WOO!” going hotter, and the two tie up. Ryder rolls Knight, TWO! Ryder says it was that close, and Knight says yeah, okay. They go again, tie up, and now Knight wrenches Ryder to YANK, YANK, YANK the arm! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight wrenches, Ryder ducks, but then Knight switches.
Ryder bucks the O’Conner, but Knight avoids the Rough Ryder! Knight returns, but Ryder tosses him out! The fans cheer as Ryder smiles, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Ryder whips corner to corner. Knight hits buckles hard, then drops to his knees. The fans cheer Ryder as he pushes Knight to the corner, then whips him again. Knight reverses and BACKDROPS! The fans fire up while Ryder flounders, then he goes to the apron. Knight storms over, Ryder ROCKS Knight first, and then Ryder goes to supelx! Knight supelxes but Ryder slips free! Knight dodges to JAB, JAB, and JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then ROLLING ELBOW! Knight clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight whips, Ryder hits buckles hard, and Knight hits the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Ryder survives but Knight nods. Knight brings Ryder up, kicks low, then fires hands. Knight bumps Ryder off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Knight scoops, Ryder slips free, and Ryder ROCKS Knight! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And then whips, but Knight reverses. Ryder turns backdrop into FACEBUSTER! Big forearm in the corner, and Knight sits down! The fans pump their fists with Ryder, “WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!” BROSKI BOOT! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the fans rally up as Ryder aims from a corner. Ryder hooks Knight’s arms, turns him, but Knight RAMS Ryder into buckles! Dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight then rolls back to his feet and the fans cheer. Knight goes up the corner, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNGIHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW- NO, Ryder moves, runs up, ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans are shocked! Ryder is also surprised, but he hurries to watch Knight. “This is Awesome!” and Ryder reels Knight in, Knight wrenches out and kicks, B F- NO! Ryder rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight runs up, but into KNEES! Ryder goes up, up, RADIO SILENCE into a POWERBOMB!! Then Knight hauls Ryder up, B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
YEAH! Knight didn’t care who it was gonna be, he fought and won his spot in the second round! Knight, Jey, Sheamus, Rusev, who else will advance in this historic tournament?
Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky talk backstage.
They still can’t get their heads around why Charlotte just walked out on them. Charlotte also isn’t texting back or anything. Rhea knew they had beef, but she thought Charlotte would put it all aside like she did. Tonight just shows they gotta now find two more people for the team. Alexa says she has someone to call, Iyo says Charlotte was their best bet, though. But then Asuka, Kairi, Nia & Lash all attack! The brawl is on, Rhea HEADBUTTS Kairi down, but Lash DECKS Rhea! Then Nia sends Iyo into Lash’s KNEE! Lash then sends Iyo into a road case! And then same for Rhea! Security rushes in, Asuka says okay, okay, they’re good.
Nia says bye, losers~! The Irresistible Four just did a lot of damage. Will they even need a fifth woman to finish off what’s left of Rhea, Iyo and Alexa?
Jade Cargill VS B-Fab!
The Storm finally reigns on the mountaintop of WWE, and she is not playing nice with anyone. Will she strike down someone who was once a friend? Or will B-Fab truly be fab when she gets a win on the champ?
SmackDown returns, B-Fab makes her entrance, Michin staying backstage to let her handle things on her own. The bell rings and Jade dares Fab to try something. They tie up, Fab goes for a leg, but Jade spins her around. CHOKE- NO, Fab slips free and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Jade is in a corner, Fab runs up, HEEL KICK! Fab fires ELBOW after ELBOW, then fires up! The fans rally, Fab runs up, but Jade blocks the boot! Jade DECKS Fab with a forearm, then drags her right back up. Jade scoops Fab to FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, fires up, and the fans are with Jade on this one.
Jade waits on Fab, brings her around with the guzel, CHOKE SLAM! Jade tells Fab to stand down, but then she brings Fab up anyway. Jade revels in the cheers, then lifts Fab to POWERBOMB! Jade paces while she tells Fab to stay down, but Fab manages to sit up. Jade says fine, and she brings Fab up again. Fab fights, Jade lifts, POWERBOMB! Jade stands over Fab as she tells her to stay down, but the fans want to see that “One More Time!” Jade drags Fab up, has the chicken wings, and then JADED! Cover, Jade wins!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall
Jade mockingly checks her imaginary watch, and she says this is who she is! Michin is here now to make sure B-Fab is okay, but then Jade tells them both to get outta here. Mia is upset Jade would be like this just because she’s champion now. Jade tells Mia to know her place, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo but Mia wants after Jade! The ref keeps them apart, Jade steps out, and she smirks as she leaves. Jade says she is #ThatB*tch then, now, and forever, so just keep ’em coming.
Nick Aldis announces the final four first-round entrants.
“Last week on SmackDown, four superstars were selected at random to compete for the most prized career-altering opportunity: To face the Greatest of All Time, John Cena, in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tonight, fate will once again decide the superstars that will compete in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. First up, it’s a former first-round draft pick, Carmelo Hayes, taking on The Vision’s own Bronson Reed. And finally, the high-flying luchador, Penta, will go one-on-one with The Prince, Finn Balor. The only thig I have left to say, gentlemen, is good luck.” No Truth, but will the vision be clear as we approach December 13th?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with H1M and brings up him going on record as to how he idolized John Cena growing up and would love this opportunity to go 1v1. What would a win in the opening round mean for him? Melo says first, he has to address this Miz situation. “Mike, you might’ve won the battle, but the war’s just begun. I will see you when I see you. And John Cena… The GOAT, the Last Time Is Now Tournament, you got a long line full of heavy hitters, killers, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna put you down, all wanting to be the one that’s gonna hang your jersey from the rafters. And respectfully, John, I’m one of ’em.
“50% of people might overlook me, 50% of people might think I can get the job done, but 100% of me knows that if I get that shot, I won’t miss.” But then in steps Bronson Reed. He tells Melo that he’s gonna end Cody Rhodes, then he will end John Cena after he ends H1M next week. Bronson heads out, Heyman nods towards Melo, and then The Oracle follows. Will Auszilla be taking it all on the road to the end?
Aleister Black speaks.
“Fear, Damian? That’s so silly that even you don’t believe that. No, no no no. You threw me on top of a table. You tried to throw me through things. And then you took the bottom part of the steel steps, and you tried to crush my head. The only person that fears anything is you. Fear of what we have made you become.” Zelina Vega says, “We said that we would force you to break your code. We said we would corrupt you. And I think we did exactly that.” But enough about him. They have their eyes set on greater things. That brings them to the entire locker room. Namely, those who hold world titles.
Aleister left fear behind the day he stepped foot back into the WWE, and he has become the one thing no one wanted him to become: everyone’s enemy! Does that mean the Dark Father is watching tonight’s main event very, very closely?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
The American Nightmare and The Colossal Aussie are both preparing for WarGames, and while it is Cody, Punk & The Usos at four against Bronson, Bron Breakker & Logan Paul at three, this could still tip the scales back in The Vision’s favor. Will a Tsunami wash away the reign? Or can Cody escape from New York with the gold?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can carry that weight!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Bronson shoves Cody to a corner, but Cody dodges! Bronson hits buckles, Cody fires hands, then kicks to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs to ROCK Bronson, but then Bronson responds with a BODY CHECK! And ELBOW DROP! The fans boo but Bronson covers, ONE! Cody shows toughness and goes to the outside, but Bronson runs in around the way! BODY CHECK! The fans boo, Bronson snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Bronson drags Cody up, HEADBUTTS him, then stalks him around the way again. Bronson storms in after Cody, but Cody BODY BLOWS! Cody fires a forearm, but Bronson HEADBUTTS him down! Bronson raises the one but the fans don’t acknowledge their Tribal Thief. Bronson whips and CLOBBERS Cody! Cover, TWO! Bronson drags Cody into a chinlock and leans on the hold, but Cody fights around. Cody reaches out, fights to his feet, and fires body shots. The fans rally as Cody ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson scoops to SLAM Cody! Bronson snarls again, but Cody avoids the elbow drop! Cody rises up, goes to a corner, but Bronson SPLASHES!
Cody sputters against the ropes but Bronson CHOKES him! The ref counts, Bronson steps off at 4, and Cody sputters again. Bronson storms up and ROCKS Cody! Bronson puts Cody in another corner, BODY BLOWS, then whips corner to corner hard! Cody staggers, falls over, and Bronson drags Cody back up. Bronson has a chinbar, and he stretches Cody with the chinlock. Cody endures, fights back up, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally but Bronson CLUBS Cody, then back suplexes! Cody lands out, ducks a haymaker, and springboards! BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK!
The fans fire up and Cody rises, but so does Bronson. Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop, and fly! BIONIC- NO! Fireman’s carry, JAGGED EDGE! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Bronson goes up! The fans freak out for the TSUNAMI, but it FLOPS as Cody moves! Cody hurries to springboards again, SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Cody fires up and the fans are with him! Bronson is outside, Cody runs and DIVES, but into a forearm! Cody stumbles and staggers o the outside, Bronson runs up, but Cody TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up again and Cody refreshes the ring count.
Cody clears off the desk! HE even topples the belt pedestal! But BRON BREAKKER FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan Paul is here, too! They mug Cody, SMACK him off the desk, then put him back in the ring! Was this the real plan all along? The fans boo as Bron rains down fists, then Logan gets his turn! Bron rips his shirt away and wants Logan to set Cody up. Logan does as told, but THE USOS hurry out here! Jey & Jimmy said they’d have Cody’s back, so they get in the ring to brawl with Logan and Bron! The fans fire up, but Bron shoves Jimmy! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Bron! Jey joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Bron falls, Logan runs up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then the ONE D!! That’s one and done for The Maverick!
The fans fire up as now Jimmy decides to GET THE TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Jimmy puts that in for Jey, Jey sets it up, and the fans are all fired up! Logan is put on the table, the Usos go to the corners, but DREW MCINTYRE SHOVES JIMMY! Isn’t he suspended!? Jey runs up, but he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! The fans boo as Drew saves Logan’s bacon! Aldis storms out here, asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Heyman claims this is per the WarGames contract! Heyman could recruit anybody under WWE contract, even suspended superstars! Drew sets the table up in a corner, and he drags Jey Uso!
But Jey breaks free to SUPERKICK! The fans cheer as Jey now lines up a shot, but Drew KICKS first! Bron returns to SPEAR Jey through the table!! Jimmy is back to throw hands, but Logan uses ONE LUCKY RIGHT to knock Jimmy out! The fans boo, but now Cody is back! He throws hands on Drew and Logan, but a CLAYMORE takes Cody out! Drew throws off his shirt, he stares down with Bronson, and then Drew puts Cody in the drop zone! Drew step on Cody before the TSUNAMI hits!! The fans are either booing or desperately calling for CM Punk, but it is clear The Vision was thinking ahead.
Drew takes the contract from Heyman and they shake hands on the deal. The numbers are even, but will the odds be in The Vision’s favor now that they have a Scottish Terminator on their side?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, with quite a lot of surprises and big moves as perhaps a response to the sinking ratings and sinking interest. Charlotte not automatically being onboard with the team-up was certainly surprising, but given that 4v3 ambush backstage, that will surely compel Charlotte to join up. She’ll see it’s not about her and Rhea getting along so much as as it is them getting to beat up on their enemies, as we knew going into this. Then I would think they still bring in Stephanie Vaquer and Nikki Bella as the fifth members for each side, to help build the title story on top of everything else, jus as I said on Monday.
Obviously Cody wasn’t going to lose the Undisputed Championship tonight, but that was a great move to bolster the show’s card and give an excuse for all the Men’s WarGames build tonight. Logan & Bron being here to help Bronson was a given, and Heyman using a unique WarGames contract to bring Drew McIntyre onboard was certainly a clever move. As I figured on Monday, Jimmy Uso was a natural addition to Team Cody, or maybe it’s Team Punk. And I would certainly think Roman Reigns will also be a natural addition to this match, but I’m curious as to the fifth man for The Vision. Would Lesnar really want to be in WarGames? Well, granted, he’d be the last person to enter the match and “clear house,” but he’d still have to get in there.
Great stuff with the US Championship, such as Ilja continuing to troll Ciampa. Ilja VS Axiom was awesome, through I swear I heard one drunken idiot slurring the word, “BORING~!” That person is the kind of American fan Gunther (and therefore Zack Sabre Jr.) was talking about, IYKYK. But in the end, I figured we’d get more DIY VS Fraxiom, and maybe after that, Ciampa finally gets his match with Ilja. Great promo from Sami with Solo, and great ambush from Team Sami on MFT to set up their own 5v5. I figured that if they weren’t doing the WarGames, they’d get to do the traditional Survivor Series match, and the go-home SmackDown continues to be a substitute for the kickoff show, but in the best way possible.
Another hilarious promo with Truth and Aldis, and Chelsea joining in so we can hype up a celebration certainly teases someone interrupting. Either Giulia is going to crash the party to demand a US Championship rematch, or they plug NXT Gold Rush by having Thea Hail & Joe Hendry get the better of them ahead of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship match. I’m leaning more towards the former, they’ll build the tag match plenty on NXT. And speaking of Truth, a shame he doesn’t get in on the final part of the bracket, but Melo VS Bronson and Penta VS Finn will be great matches. With Bronson busy with The Vision’s story, I would hope Melo wins, and it’d be great if they teased a Boston VS Boston showdown.
Jade of course beat B-Fab tonight but that was pretty good for what was basically a squash match. Michin probably gets a match with Jade next, and likely loses that. Jade’s first title defense could be Survivor Series to basically be a buffer between the WarGames matches but also to just get one on the books. There’s a lot on hold for right now with the WarGames matches having a lot of great contenders involved, but I would think we get some Charlotte VS Jade build on the other side of Survivor Series.
And of course, great matches for the Last Time is Now tournament. Jey VS Miz was a great match, and Miz hitting Cena’s moves was an appreciated reference. But I figured Jey would win, they wanna tease a rematch of the Royal Rumble finalists from earlier this year. Matt Cardona was a great surprise, though him being Zack Ryder was perhaps even more surprising. People have been talking about Knight being punished and that he was being set up to lose, but if commentary is talking about that concept, then you know that is not the case. Great win for Knight, great showing for Cardona/Ryder, and here’s hoping Ryder gets to do more in WWE from here on.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Live! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.13.2025
With a month off, does TNA come back hot or with 87% talking and a show that should’ve been an email?
So last week was the definition of a filler episode with nothing really to speak of except for validating the Dani Luna versus Indi Hartwell match tonight. This is the first real iMPACT! episode since Bound For Glory and…it’s probably opening with Mike Santana talking. TNA needs to stop following the cookie patterns of WWE and you know…start with something interesting after nearly a month off. But let’s listen to talking…
Rascalz vs. The System at #TNATurningPoint!?@TheMooseNation @Myers_Wrestling @TheEddieEdwards @MrsAIPAlisha @DirtyDangoCurty @TheBadReed @ZacharyWentz
WATCH #TNAiMPACT LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/OPjzyXNgY5 pic.twitter.com/cwwHo3IbwL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 14, 2025
Ratings:
- Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell: Dani wins via DQ – ** 1/2
- Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander: Cedric wins via Lumbar Check – ** 1/4
- TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c): Kelani retains via One of a Kind – (-*) – yes that’s Negative 1
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth: No Contest – NXT Attacks
- TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz: Kazarian wins via Roll-Up – * – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Results:
Oh look, it does open with Mike and the crowd gives him the “You Deserve It” and it’s a sparse few minutes and Mike starts his promo in Spanish, so that’s a good way to make people ignore the show in three minutes. I understand Spanish, but let’s be honest, the bulk of people who watch are whiter than copy paper, so the whole “Champ is here in Orlando, for Puerto Ricans, and others…blah blah” is not a smart way to open after a month with no real content. So after Santana says nothing in two languages, Ryan Nemeth comes out to Nic’s music because Nic isn’t there. Ryan tries to talk some shit and go for a cheap shot, Santana catches his hand, emasculates him and then tells Ryan he’s going to tell Santino to make a match between the two of them tonight, and he’s going to drop Ryan. So we’ve got a squash match to look forward too and maybe Nic showing up at the end for a beat down.
Kelani is going to have to go through Heather tonight and M tomorrow at Turning Point. So we get another crappy promo from heel Kelani, giving her free title defenses. Yikes…this is bad, I do kinda like the gimmick of Xia translating for Lei since Xia, Lei and Mara crash the interview. But it just makes me angry that one of those three don’t have the belt. Kelani ain’t worth a damn.
After the commercial we get Santino, Ava and Arianna to promote Gold Rush. And then they showed a video package of it, so a complete waste of 4 minutes aside from noting that Arianna got a chant from the crowd. She’s gotten herself over decently to the TNA crowd.
Dani Luna vs Indi Hartwell
It has been 30 minutes and we get the first match…sheesh.
Indi with back to back Double Legs, Dani is getting worked over, Dani tries a Sunset Flip but Indi stops it and drops an elbow. Dani eats Chops, tries to Whip Indi to the corner, Up and Over and Indi takes Dani down and goes back to the chops. Dani finally blocks a Scoop Slam, but Indi blocks the attempted German Suplex so Dani drives her into the corner and finally gets some offense in. A bit of a botchy looking rope straddle where Indi had to lift herself back up to eat the Lariat. Big Power Whip bouncing Indi out of the corner, sliding Lariat for a near fall.
Jaw Jacker by Indi but she misses the Yakuza Kick, gets hung up, Dani tries to turn it into a Powerbomb but a Frankensteiner Counter and a few strikes forces Dani to powder. Indi tries to throw her into the steps, Dani stops herself and turns back into the Spinebuster. Indi to the top as Dani crawls into the ring and eats a Diving Elbow to the back for a near fall. Dani counters Hurts Donut, Shotgun Kick levels Indi. Dani is on the outside looking for a weapon, throws out the Time Keeper, grabs the chair, Indi catches Dani in the Small Package for 2. Indi grabs the chair and lays into Dani.
Indi…has no facial expressions to make sense of this. This is stupid, poorly acted by Indi but the crowd is eating it up like morons. That was the most boring “take out your aggression” I’ve ever seen. Indi cuts some mid ahh promo in the back about an NoDQ match or something at Turning Point and now The System comes out to guess what? If you said TALK, you’d be correct! Assuming this isn’t a rib, the most interesting thing to come from this is Dango announcing he’s retiring after Genesis, but then The Rascalz music hits.
They say they should give the people what they want, and Dezmond Xavier returns to The Rascalz for a 4 on 4 match. They never mentioned Dez by name, but that is the implication. So with JDC retiring and Dez potentially returning, at least that’s interesting.
Jason Hotch w/Order 4 vs Cedric Alexander
Shoulder tackles and a quick Cruiser style start, Hotch powders mid running to pose and act smart so Cedric Dives to wipe out Jason and hits the Flatliner in the middle of the ring for a near fall. Cedric tries to continue and Hotch pulls the tights to send Cedric through the ropes, Skyler takes a cheap shot. Hotch with the Irish Whip, Cedric puts the brakes on, so Hotch hops the ropes and trips up Cedric, but Cedric comes back when Hotch continues, Dropkick to the back of the head, Lumbar Check attempt, but nope, back and forth, Hotch tries the Chaos Theory but Cedric blocks the Suplex, they throw into the corner, Hotch hops the rope, wants the Gamengiri, but Cedric blocks it and backs up, Rolling Neckbreaker from Hotch gets countered into a Lumbar Check! Cedric wins!
Order 4 attempted beat down, but Hardy Boyz make the save, Swanton on Ali is teased but they pull Ali out for foreshadowing.
TNA Knockouts Championship: Heather by Elegance w/ M & Personal Concierge vs Kelani Jordan (c)
Well talk about mental gymnastics to try and make this match make sense, and list this under “who asked for this” – because I’d rather drink bleach in traffic than watch this match.
Color by numbers powder moment, commercial break immediately and I can feel the coma sinking in. Kelani with a bad kick, Heather with a bad Hip Toss right off the commercial…Christ, end this. Lei, Xia and Mara are watching from the back and they look as bored as I do Heather with a clunky Drop Toe Hold into a Hesitation Dropkick for two. Jaw Jacker from Kelani…I wonder how the Patriots and Jets game is going. Hmm, 14-7 for the Pats, closer than expected.
Heather and Lani do a dumb strike exchange since there’s no hatred, heat or fire in this match, Kelani with a Cartwheel move, Facebuster, all near falls, locomotion Cradles into a bad Super Kick. Heather botches a Satellite DDT, this is one of the worst matches I’ve seen all year. Sloppy, slow, clunky and botchy. One of Kind is hit, no one is surprised. This was a waste of 10 minutes.
Great, now we sit through an Elijah concert for prolly about 10-15 minutes since the Ryan vs Santana match isn’t gonna be a real match. I like Elijah, he’s actually a pretty good singer and the gimmick is fine. But this episode has been complete garbage, so more non-wrestling on the wrestling variety show is too much.
Ali comes out to interrupt and challenge Cedric and Hardyz, Elijah wants to pick the fight, but Ali cracks him in the face with the mic and then guitar shot on the injured triceps. Meh.
TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Ryan Nemeth
Ryan grabs a mic and yells at the crowd because they won’t cheer for him, and Santana lets happen because Santana isn’t taking the seriously. Ryan even tries to ask the referee to make them cheer. Eventually the bell rings and Ryan attacks immediately, punches into an Irish Whip and Dropkick. Ryan tries the Whip again, but Up and Over, Santana catches the foot, Ryan shakes his head when Santana berates him and drops him, throws him to the other corner, Cannonball! Ryan wants to Spin the Block, but Nic’s Music Hits, he’s carrying the trophy but someone attacks Nic.
Then a bunch of NXT people spill out of the crowd and attack. Charlie Dempsey, Lexis King…and others. I think Robert Stone is directing traffic for NXT. But this…this is what the show was hinging on, an Invasion/Overrun angle? Bad booking is bad, ya know?
TNA World Champuonship: Mike Santana (c) vs Kaz
Kaz’s music hits, he calls his shot, Fade to Black, but Santana Kicks out. Frankie tries the Chicken Wing, Santana slams him into the corner, wants Spin the Block, but the beatdown stops him from being able to execute the move, Roll-Up, and Santana…loses. Frankie Kazarian is the new World Champion.
Overall Score: 3/10
There was something interesting with Dango being on the retirement tour, The Rascalz bringing Dez home and Lei Ying and Xia’s gimmick is endearing. Plus like I said in the rundown, I enjoy Elijah’s musicianship, but I don’t appreciate a Wrestling Show basically no wrestling. Is it variety? Sure, but it’s a wrestling show first. So a show that has 3 squash matches and a 5 minute X Division match that could’ve been much better with time…the wrestling was forgotten tonight. A month off and they lost the plot on the rebound. Ugh…I’ve had diarrhea more enjoyable than this.
The Invasion/Attack is corny but Kaz managing to pull off the Cash In, is…okay I didn’t see it coming, but it doesn’t save the show being awful.
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