Survivor Series 2023
Date: November 25, 2023
Location: Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

So believe it or not, the focus is going to be on WarGames and in this case it means the good guys need one more star to help fight off Judgment Day. In theory that is going to be Randy Orton, who has been gone for about a year and a half and isn’t quite back yet. Other than that, Damage CTRL is facing another ragtag group of women so let’s get to it.

It’s almost weird to see the old Then Now Together Forever intro after the change at Wrestlemania XL.

The opening video focuses on WarGames, because what else was it going to be?

The cage is lowered.

WarGames recap:

• Two wrestlers start and fight for five minutes.

• After five minutes, the team with the advantage (as determined before the match) gets a three minute advantage.

• The teams alternate until all ten are in and then it’s first pin/submission to win.

Women’s WarGames

Charlotte, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Shotzi
Bayley, Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane

Lynch and Bayley start things off with Lynch sending her into the cage, only to get sent into the buckle. Bayley catches Lynch going up top but Lynch rolls over her and they slug it out. Lynch’s exploder sends her flying but Bayley gets in a ram into the cage. They go between the rings so Bayley can get in a suplex as they’re certainly going with the violence to start. The fight goes into the other ring and Lynch sends her into the cage a few times.

The Disarm-Her goes on but here is Dakota Kai with a kendo stick through the cage to break it up. That’s enough for Bayley to take over and it’s Shotzi coming in, with a ram of the door onto Bayley’s head, to take over. Naturally that means a bunch of chairs and weapons are thrown in, because THE BIG DOUBLE CAGE isn’t enough. Shotzi sets up the chair and Bayley has to climb the cage to get away from some rather painful swings.

They all go up the cage and ram each other into the steel until Bayley crashes down. Stereo forearms from the to take her down again but it’s Iyo Sky coming in to tie it up, complete with a chain. For some reason Lynch and Shotzi don’t see her coming and get beaten down, as WarGames seems to make people a bit slow. A springboard double missile dropkick puts Lynch and Shotzi down again and Bayley is back up. Lynch gets double superplexed down for a crash but Shotzi fights out of the corner, allowing Belair to come in.

Belair whips with the hair and the fans rather approve. A spinebuster puts Bayley down but she and grab the braids, only to get suplexed down. Lynch and Shotzi are back in with a guillotine legdrop and top rope splash before Kairi Sane is in to even things up. Well eventually that is, as she takes her sweet time getting a trashcan lid and then headscissoring Belair anyway.

The sliding forearm against the cage sends Belair into the cage before it’s time to bury Shotzi under some chairs. The pop up elbow drop crushes Shotzi but Belair is back to throw Sane onto Bayley and Sky. Charlotte comes in to complete her team and Sky is sent crashing into the cage. Naturally the fans want tables but have to settle for a top rope double Natural Selection (which Graves has to point out to Cole, who realizes his mistake in a funny bit) to Bayley and Sane.

Charlotte starts climbing the cage but Sky, with a chain, gets o her shoulders and gets all the way to the top. Sky drops the chain to Kai, who ties it around a trashcan so Sky can pull it up (that was clever). Sky puts the trashcan over her head and dives onto the pile (she LOVES that spot), who were nice enough to stand there while Sky took forever to get ready (fair enough). Asuka is in to complete the field and she has some colored kendo sticks. And a table. And a fire extinguisher.

Therefore, a good minute after her clock ended, Asuka gets in and WarGames officially begins. Damage CTRL all grab weapons to hammer on the others, with Lynch and Belair being tied together with the chain like they’re in an old western. Shotzi is back up but gets misted by Asuka to cut her right back down. Lynch is put inside the trashcan and dropkicked down for two and it’s time to set up a table. Belair and Lynch come back with powerbombs out of the corner though and Charlotte goes all the way up top for the huge moonsault to wipe out everyone.

We get the big staredown between Lynch and Charlotte, who hug for the rather positive reaction. The Figure Eight and cross armbreaker go on but Sane is up for the save. Shotzi is back up to drop Asuka for two with Bayley making a save of her own. Bayley Rose Plants Lynch but gets caught with a Sliced Bread from Shotzi. Belair is up with the fire extinguisher and Charlotte spears Bayley. The KOD hits Bayley as well and the super Manhandle Slam through a table finishes her off at 33:37.

Rating: B. It had the carnage and violence with the weapons, but there is always a lack of intensity to these matches that hold them back. Part of it stems from the people coming to the ring but then pausing to get their weapons. Other than that, it was the usual WWE WarGames: a lot of brawling and hitting other people with weapons, with the cage mainly being there to jump off of rather than for violence, which is more than a bit odd.

The winners pose on top of the cage.

Chelsea Green, Piper Niven and the Alpha Academy are enjoying some Ruffles when Pretty Deadly come in to argue over whether they’re chips or crisps. R-Truth comes in to say they’re Ruffles.

Sami Zayn tells Jey Uso that Randy Orton, the last member of their team, isn’t here yet. Jey isn’t surprised and takes the blame because the Bloodline injured him two years ago. Sami says it’s not his fault and things seem to be ok.

We recap Miz challenging Gunther for the Intercontinental Title. Gunther is the longest reigning champion and doesn’t think much of Miz, who wants the title back. To say Miz has no chance here would be an understatement.

Intercontinental Title: Miz vs. Gunther

Gunther is defending and commentary spends his entrance talking about how he is almost unbeatable, even giving Miz’s long shot betting odds. Miz kicks at the leg to start and a chop just annoys Gunther. A much better chop puts Miz down but he’s back up with more chops and some left hands in the corner to actually take over. Gunther gives chase but gets his leg wrapped around the post to slow him down.

The Figure Four around the post stays on the leg, though it’s good enough to boot Miz out of the air back inside. Gunther slows things down a bit and chops away to drop Miz again. A release German suplex sends Miz flying and a big boot lets Gunther pose as the dominance is on. Back up and Miz strikes away at the knee again, with a shinbreaker slowing Gunther down. Some kicks to the chest stagger Gunther into the corner and a tornado DDT gets two.

The Skull Crushing Finale is blocked though and Gunther grabs his powerbomb for his own near fall. The sleeper goes on so Miz goes to the corner, pulling the turnbuckle off in the process. A low blow into the Skull Crushing Finale gets two (with Cole letting us know that “MIZ IS GONNA DO IT!” to ruin the moment) and Miz is shocked. The fans want to see it again but Miz gets caught in the sleeper. That’s reversed into a ram into the buckle so Miz can roll him up for two (with a Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper reference), only to get blasted with a clothesline. The top rope splash into the Boston crab retains the title at 12:19.

Rating: B-. This was about as good as it was going to be as there was just no reason to believe that Miz was going to win. Even his big near fall was only so good, as pretty much no one was on Gunther’s level at this time. Miz going after the leg to slow Gunther down was a good story, as Miz can still wrestle a fine match given the chance. It was a good match, but there was just not much drama and that held it back.

Judgment Day is ready for WarGames and is rather pleased that Randy Orton doesn’t seem to be here. Even if he shows up, he might poison the other team and Judgment Day wins anyway.

We recap Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar. This stems from Escobar turning on Rey Mysterio and the LWO, so Lee is standing up for the team (replacing Carlito, who was also injured by Escobar). Pretty simple story here and that’s not a bad thing.

Santos Escobar vs. Dragon Lee

Escobar forearms away to start and stomps him down, setting up a quick backbreaker for two. Some running knees in the corner send Lee outside, where he has to escape having his leg crushed in the steps. A running hurricanrana off the apron sends Escobar outside and there’s the big running flip dive.

Back in and Escobar kicks him in the head, setting up a super hurricanrana for two. Like any good rudo, Escobar goes after the mask but Lee is fine enough to tie him in the tree of woe for thee double stomp. Back up and Escobar hits a heck of a superkick but Lee muscles him up into a sitout powerbomb for two. Escobar shrugs that off and his a Canadian Destroyer, followed by the Phantom Driver for the pin at 8:20.

Rating: C+. WWE was doing what they could to make Lee into a bigger deal around this time but it was only going to get so far when he kept losing. Escobar was running through the LWO on his way to a showdown with Rey Mysterio whenever Mysterio got back and he had to beat Lee on the way there. This wasn’t a great match, but it kept Escobar looking strong and it’s nice to have something other than a title or WarGames mach on the show.

New Day is here with a Slim Jim car.

We recap Zoey Stark challenging Rhea Ripley for the Raw Women’s Title. Stark is the new tough star and Ripley needs a fresh victim so the match is on.

Raw Women’s Title: Rhea Ripley vs. Zoey Stark

Ripley is defending and Stark actually double legs her down to hammer away to start. A dropkick sends Ripley outside and there’s the dive off the top to take her down again. Back in and a missile dropkick continues Stark’s hot start but Ripley headbutts her into the next county to cut that off in a hurry. Stark is right back with a DDT onto the apron and a springboard corkscrew senton gets two. They go outside again with Ripley dropping her onto the apron and then sending her into the post to really take over.

Ripley cranks on both arms back inside and then stomps her down before taking Stark up top. What looks to be a super chokeslam is countered into…I have no idea what Stark was doing there but she gets two and screams a lot. Ripley elbows and kicks her in the face, setting up a belly to back faceplant. Riptide is countered though and Stark hits a running knee for two. The Z360 is blocked as well and now Riptide can connect to retain the title at 9:16.

Rating: C. This got a bit sloppy after that whole thing off the top, as even commentary didn’t seem sure about what was going on. Other than that, it was Ripley against someone who only felt like so much of a threat. That’s part of the problem with someone becoming as big of a star as Ripley: you can only have so many realistic challengers to her and that is becoming an issue here.

Randy Orton still isn’t here and Jey Uso still blames himself.

We recap the men’s WarGames match. Judgment Day is the big monster heel stable on Raw and a bunch of people are sick of them, so violence ensued and the match is on. Drew McIntyre is in with Judgment Day for the sake of getting his hands on Jey Uso in a cage. It still isn’t clear if Randy Orton will be here, as he hasn’t been around in about a year and a half at this point.

Men’s WarGames

Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton
Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Drew McIntyre

McIntyre and Priest stare each other down on the stage as Balor goes to start with Rollins (who doesn’t have a Randy Orton here yet). They start fast with Rollins diving over the ropes to jump Balor and hammer away. The fight is quickly on and Rollins sends him into the cage a few times and they change rings, where Balor escapes a buckle bomb. Balor sends him into the cage to take over and there’s a Sling Blade to drop Rollins again as a CM PUNK chant starts up.

A superkick gives Rollins a breather but Balor backdrops him onto the plate between the rings. The Coup de Grace misses though and Rollins grabs a quick Sling Blade. Rollins drops him again and it’s JD McDonagh to uneven things, albeit a good bit less than five minutes into the match. Rollins kicks him on the way in but gets hit with a kendo stick for his efforts.

Balor and McDonagh take turns choking with the kendo sticks but Rollins sends McDonagh into the other ring. That’s broken up in a hurry and a middle rope kendo stick to the back puts Rollins down again. Jey Uso is in next (McIntyre gives him a death stare) and chairs McDonagh down before firing off the YEET punches. The dancing spit punch puts Balor down but McDonagh is back up with a running Spanish Fly.

Rollins makes the save and hammers on Balor in the corner as the clock runs down. McIntyre is ready to get in and go after Uso but Priest cuts him off, saying they stick to the plan. Rollins and Uso jump him as he comes in but the other two make the save, allowing Priest to whip out a baton and take over. Priest hits some running shoulders in the corner, followed by a lifting Downward Spiral to Rollins.

A top rope flip dive takes out Rollins and Uso and Balor chairs Uso in the back. Sami Zayn comes in to even the sides, and takes his sweet time doing so. McDonagh, ever the nitwit, swings a kendo stick at Zayn, who takes it away and blasts him with it instead. The table is thrown in, which the fans find UCEY. Zayn is fired up as he stomps away, setting up a Blue Thunder Bomb to Balor. With the villains down, Zayn goes up and grabs a pipe, which is used on various opponents in rather painful ways.

A kendo stick to the back rocks Balor and Zayn throws the stick out of the cage, possibly by accident. McIntyre is in and throws Rollins and Zayn around without much effort. That leaves McIntyre to finally go into the other ring with Uso, who slugs away but gets dropped by a neckbreaker. The rest of Judgment Day is back up to hammer away, but McIntyre’s Claymore runs into a superkick from Uso.

A 1D puts McIntyre down and Cody Rhodes is in, with Cole immediately going into the Dusty Rhodes tribute. Cole: “Cody also invented a big event in this city as well!” And we move on. Rhodes cleans house and suplexes Balor onto McDonagh for a crash. It’s bullrope time (of course) and Rollins joins Rhodes in taking out Balor and McDonagh. Dominik Mysterio is in to complete the Judgment Day and gives Rhodes Two Amigos…and then realizes he’s surrounded.

The big group beatdown has the fans rather pleased and a table being set up in the corner makes them even happier. The rest of the villains save Mysterio and the fans chant for Orton. That’s switched to Punk, followed by silence as McIntyre and Priest hit a triple chokeslam (and a good one at that). McDonagh adds a moonsault, Balor hits the Coup de Grace and Mysterio drops the frog splash.

Priest Razor’s Edges Rollins through a table and the clock ends….but there’s no Orton. Instead here is Rhea Ripley with Priest’s Money In The Bank briefcase, which for some reason is enough to bring Orton out (no cash-in) and egads the fans are happy to see him. Orton gets in the cage (no weapons) and slams the door, which bounces back open in a funny bit. House is quickly cleaned, mainly because Judgment Day comes at him one at a time.

McIntyre gets in a shot on Orton and the big beatdown is on. Everyone else is back up for the save and Orton and company hit quintuple hanging DDTs. Orton teases an RKO to Uso but Uso superkicks Priest to save Orton instead. The RKO drops Mysterio and it’s a parade of finishers to the villains. Everyone goes after McDonagh, who tries to escape but Zayn and Rollins follow him up top. With Orton on the mat, Zayn and Rollins throw McDonagh into an RKO, leaving Rhodes to Cross Rhodes Priest for the pin at 34:22.

Rating: B+. I liked this one a bit more than the women’s version, mainly because it felt more like a fight rather than a big series of weapons spots. The pop when Orton came out was insane and it made things feel special. You don’t see that kind of thing very often and the whole thing was about as violent as this is going to get. Seeing Mysterio and Mysterio get beaten down was a good way to go and this felt like an all-star team coming together to take out a mostly unified opposition. Solid main event here, and while it wasn’t a classic WarGames match, it was good by WWE standards.

The good guys celebrate, the copyright notice comes up….and the impossible happens as CM Punk is back for the first time in almost ten years. The fans take over the IT’S CLOBBERIN TIME and Punk hugs a bunch of fans. This was an absolutely insane moment that I never thought I would see. Even after Punk left AEW, it was hard to fathom and yet here it was. Great way to end the show and dang it worked.

A long recap ends the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show was centered around two matches and those matches both delivered. The other three were just filler to get us from one big match to the next and that’s a fine way to go. The big stories here were the double returns at the end and those worked rather well. It helps that the show was less than three hours from start to finish so they didn’t waste any time. Good show here, with the special moment at the end being worth a look.

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AAA Alianzas
Date: November 22, 2025
Location: Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentator: Jose Manuel Guillen

This appears to be a show that airs about once a month or so and in this case, it was broadcast on the WWE YouTube channel. That’s enough to get me to watch the show, though apparently commentary is entirely in Spanish. I’m not sure what this is going to mean or how much I’ll understand but the name of the show means Alliances, so expect some kind of a team deal. Let’s get to it.

Note that I do not follow the regular AAA shows nor do I understand more than a tiny bit of Spanish so I apologize in advance for any storyline or character points that I miss.

We open with a recap of El Hijo del Vikingo saying he’s the best and being interrupted by El Grande Americano, leading to a brawl. We also see Dominik Mysterio beating Dragon Lee to retain the Mega Title at Heroes Inmortales. Later, the Wyatt Sicks attacked Pagano and Psycho Clown and Chelsea Green and Ethan Page became the Mixed Tag Team Champions.

Mysterio and Americano, partners later tonight, share a bag of popcorn.

A team called El Ojo (the Eye) gets what seems to be instructions from their manager (I believe it’s Dorian Roldan).

We get the traditional tribute to Antonio Pena.

Je’Von Evans vs. Axiom vs. Octagon Jr.

For a future Cruiserweight Title shot, with champion Laredo Kid on commentary. Octagon gets knocked down to start but gets back up for a rollup on Axiom. Commentary talks about John Cena and Smackdown as they trade missed dropkicks for a triple staredown. A dropkick and springboard armdrag send Evans outside and Axiom follows it up with a running hurricanrana to Octagon.

Evans is back in to send Axiom outside, only to get hurricanranaed by Octagon. Back up and Octagon hits a running corkscrew dive to take both of them out on the floor, followed by a slingshot corkscrew splash for two on Axiom. The corkscrewing continues with a high crossbody for two on Evans as Axiom makes the save. This time it’s Axiom hitting the big dive to the floor to take both of them out as the fans approve.

Back in and Evans is knocked down, followed by a Codebreaker to Axiom, leaving all of them needing a breather. Octagon’s 450 mostly misses Evans but gets two anyway, with Axiom breaking it up. Evans hits a heck of a no hands dive onto Octagon on the floor, followed by a great frog splash for two on Axiom.

Back in and Axiom kicks Octagon down and backslides Evans for two. A superkick gets two more on Octagon, who catches Axiom on top. The tabletop superplex drops Axiom for another two with Evans making the save this time. Axiom’s super Spanish Fly hits Octagon but Evans cuts off the Golden Ratio, using Octagon as a launchpad for a cutter. The top rope cutter gives Evans the pin on Axiom at 12:12.

Rating: B. This is straight out of a bunch of promotion’s playbooks, as you take athletic wrestlers and let them fly around the ring for a bit to start the show. It’s worked well for years and will continue to do so for a long time. Evans continues to rack up experience, which is only going to help him in the end. Axiom is already fairly seasoned and can hang in there with anyone, with Octagon being more than good in his own right. Rather fun opener here.

Post match Kid gets in the ring for a respectful handshake and staredown.

Dominik Mysterio and El Grande Americano are in the back, with Mysterio holding up some Gringos Locos masks.

El Ojo vs. Psycho Circus/Pagano

No DQ and Dorian Roldan is here with El Ojo (El Mesias, Mecha Wolf, Forastero, Sanson) and Psycho Circus is Psycho Clown/Murder Clown/Dave The Clown). The Clowns clear the ring to start and we settle down to Pagano striking away at (I believe) Wolf, including a springboard cutter. Pagano whips out the weapons but gets taken down by the quick dive, allowing everyone to grab weapons for the big brawl.

The Clowns get the better of things and Murder takes over with cookie sheet. That earns him a big group beatdown, including stomps and kendo stick shots. Murder is right back with a double Samoan drop and the crushes Mesias, allowing the needed tag off to Psycho. Everything breaks down again and we hit more dives, meaning it’s table time. Dave takes out Psycho by mistake and Mesias gives Dave a Backstabber.

Pagano’s middle rope Codebreaker takes Mesias down and Murder chokebombs Wolf. Sanson comes back in to clean house until Psycho sunset flips Forastero for two. Forastero and Sanson take Psycho up top for a double superplex, which naturally is turned into a Tower Of Doom. Some top rope splashes ensue and everyone is down for a needed breather. The clowns hit their dives (mostly) and it’s Psycho with a super Spanish Fly onto some chairs to pin Sanson at 12:08.

Rating: B-. Kind of like the opener, you knew what you were going to get with the people involved. They didn’t bother trying to do anything but have a violent fight here and from what I’ve seen, that tends to go with the Clowns’ strengths. The Clowns have felt like a big deal around here for a long time and having them face what seems to be a top heel stable is always going to work.

Post match the Clowns brag about their win but Bo Dallas pops up on screen and accepts a challenge for a match against the Wyatt Sicks at Guerrera de Titantes. It seems to be a Carnival Of Carnage, which doesn’t sound pleasant.

Dragon Lee talks to El Hijo del Vikingo about their tag match tonight but Vikingo doesn’t seem interested.

Mixed Tag Team Titles: Lola Vice/Mr. Iguana vs. Chelsea Green/Ethan Page

Green and Page are defending and the champs run them over to start fast. Some stereo hurricanranas take Green and Page down though and Vice rams her hips into Green’s head. Vice even blows a kiss to Iguana, who isn’t sure what to do. A snap suplex drops green and it’s off to the men, with Iguana pulling out his namesake. Page cuts that off with a powerslam out of the corner and kicks Iguana in the face for a bonus.

Another powerslam attempt is countered into a tornado DDT and the tag brings in Vice to kick away at Green. The running hip attack in the corner gets two, with Page making the save. Everything breaks down and Iguana hits a springboard hurricanrana to take out Page on the floor. The referee goes down and Green brings in a kendo stick. Vice takes it away but so does Page, and a hard shot knocks Iguana (who was protecting Vice) out for the pin at 7:02.

Rating: C+. Green and Page are some of the most entertaining people in wrestling today and they got to showcase some of that here. At the same time, Iguana and Vice were able to do their thing, with the fans approving. These titles are almost guaranteed to be a bit less than serious, so Green and Page annoying the fans until someone knocks them off is a good way to go.

Post match El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. runs in for the brawl with Page. Green gets in a cheap shot though and Page beats him down.

Dominik Mysterio/El Grande Americano vs. Dragon Lee/El Hijo del Vikingo

Mysterio and Americano are the clear crowd favorites here. Lee and Mysterio start things off with Lee snapping off a running hurricanrana. Vikingo comes in to cut off a charge into the corner so it’s off to Americano, who shoves Vikingo down. Americano’s armdrag into a hammerlock has the fans singing (again) and Americano does a handstand, complete with claps of his feet.

That’s broken up and Lee hits a running dropkick but Vikingo won’t let him use the big dive. Vikingo does his own dive and NOW Lee can bust out the flipping dive. Lee and Vikingo nearly get in a fight on the floor, allowing Mysterio and Americano to hit stereo baseball slides. Back in and Mysterio dropkicks Lee outside again and some rolling suplexes make it worse. Vikingo gets the tag to take over on Mysterio, but Lee tags himself in out of frustration.

Lee’s top rope double stomp in the Tree Of Woe gets two and it’s back to an annoyed Vikingo. A Michinoku Driver gets Mysterio out of trouble and Americano comes in for the comeback. Americano hits a springboard Blockbuster (nice) into something like White Noise for two on Lee.

Vikingo goes up but Lee is sent into him for a crotching so Americano covers Lee, with Vikingo firing off a 450 for the save. Unfortunately that hits Lee, who is right back with Operation Dragon for two on Mysterio. Lee dives over for the tag and of course Vikingo pulls his arm back and even knocks Lee out. The 619 sets up Americano’s running headbutt to finish Lee at 17:01.

Rating: B. The fact that I can’t understand the promos or the backstory but knew the story they were telling in the match means they were doing something right. The action was there as well, with everyone working hard and putting in a good match that the fans liked. I got into this and it felt like a big time main event, so well done all around.

Post match Mysterio brags about their win and says they’re the best in the world. Cue the reunited Lucha Bros, who seem to disagree, and say something about chicken nuggets. This seems to be a challenge for Guerra de Titantes on December 20 in Guadalajara. Mysterio and Americano seem to be in to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. I had a good time with this show, which certainly felt like a WWE formatted show at times. I could get a nice enough idea of what was going on here, which is quite the feat when the show is in an entirely different language. This was definitely a faster paced style, but the show was entertaining and kept my attention for almost two hours. Nice job, and something I could go for more of if WWE wants to do some more special broadcasts.

Results
Je’Von Evans b. Octagon and Axiom – Top rope cutter to Axiom
Psycho Circus/Pagano b. El Ojo – Super Spanish Fly onto chairs to Sanson
Ethan Page/Chelsea Green b. Mr. Iguana/Lola Vice – Kendo stick shot to Iguana
El Grande Americano/Dominik Mysterio b. Dragon Lee/El Hijo del Vikingo – Running headbutt to Lee

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Smackdown
Date: November 21, 2025
Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re just over a week away from the Survivor Series and in this case that means it is time to both firm up more of the WarGames matches and set up some other things for the card. That can take a bit of time, but otherwise we also have to move forward in the Last Time Is Now tournament. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of the men’s WarGames match, with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns returning on Raw.

Here is the Vision for a chat. Paul Heyman has a vision for WarGames, which will see five heroes crushed by each member of his team. This includes Logan Paul, who says he has a lot to say but cue the Usos to interrupt. Jey brings up taking out the Vision, with Heyman says just ticked off Paul.

Heyman takes credit for the Bloodline, with the first lesson he taught the Usos being that the numbers game always wins. The Usos say they aren’t here alone so here is…Cody Rhodes’ music. We cut to the back, where Drew McIntyre gets off Rhodes’ bus and Rhodes is seen out cold. The Usos run to the back to check on Rhodes as I try to figure out how the cameraman knew to be there as McIntyre was getting off the bus.

Post break Rhodes is still down on the ground outside, with McIntyre driving away and shouting SEE YOU AT WARGAMES.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. ???

It’s open challenge time and it’s….JD McDonagh challenging. We even get an explanation for why he’s here, with commentary saying that McDonagh is here to support Finn Balor in the Last Time Is Now tournament. They fight into the corner to start until Dragunov hits him in the face to break that up. Back up and McDonagh sends him face first into the middle rope and we take an early break.

We come back with the two of them slapping it out until Dragunov hits a running clothesline. Some rolling German suplexes have McDonagh in more trouble but the Constantine Special is countered into a Spanish Fly. McDonagh suplexes him out to the floor for a double crash and we take another break.

We come back again with McDonagh getting two off a brainbuster but missing a moonsault. That lets McDonagh kick him in the face but Torpedo Moscow is cut off. Now the moonsault can connect to give McDonagh two, only for Dragunov to come back with Torpedo Moscow. The H Bomb retains the title at 15:20.

Rating: B+. This has become a standard on the show in recent months and that’s a good thing. It’s a case of having wrestlers come out there and do a bunch of stuff in the ring. As entertaining as the matches have been, it would be a bit nicer to have an actual story to set these matches up. While they’re kind of getting there with Tommaso Ciampa, they need to have an actual match for it to work. Either way, another pretty awesome match here.

We look at the recent drama of Charlotte and Alexa Bliss/Rhea Ripley, with Charlotte not wanting to team with Ripley but then agreeing to do it anyway.

Charlotte and Bliss are in the back, with Bliss making her talk to Ripley, with Iyo Sky leaving.

Nick Aldis has no update on Cody Rhodes but goes over to yell at the Vision. Drew McIntyre is still suspended, but he didn’t come into the arena so there is no violation of the suspension. Oh and Bronson Reed will win tonight.

Ilja Dragunov runs into Tama Tonga, who says he’s coming for the title. Dragunov also finds Tommaso Ciampa, who says a bit wordier version of the same thing.

Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round: Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed

Paul Heyman is here with Reed. Hayes slugs away to start fast but Reed is back up with a hard chop in the corner. A running knee in the corner has Hayes in trouble and a running elbow puts him down again. Hayes’ DDT has Reed in trouble though and a springboard DDT drops him for a second time.

That’s enough for Reed to bail out to the floor for a meeting with the Vision (with Logan Paul and Bron Breakker showing up) and we take a break. We come back with Hayes being whipped hard into the corner and we hit the chinlock. Reed tries to fight up but Paul interferes to cut him back down. Reed’s backsplash misses so Hayes can roll him up for two, followed by a middle rope clothesline. The Fadeaway sets up the frog splash for two more but the First 48 is countered.

The Tsunami misses and it’s the First 48 to send Reed outside. That means a big dive to take Reed down, followed by a top rope DDT to give Hayes two. Reed hits a heck of a running clothesline to send Hayes outside. Breakker loads up a spear, but cue Jey Uso to cut him off. Reed heads outside after Hayes…and it’s Cody Rhodes to post Reed and give him Cross Rhodes. That’s enough for Hayes to beat the count at 13:31.

Rating: B-. This might not have been the big giant slayer win for Hayes, but it was about the best option that they had available. Hayes needed a win and Reed shouldn’t be getting pinned, so this was the solution. I’ve seen far worse, and Hayes is at least winning to become more of a star than he’s been in recent months.

Post match Rhodes says he doesn’t want to be done with Drew McIntyre and historically, a Steiner is never better than a Rhodes. Logan Paul can go do a flip and Rhodes is the last person to beat Brock Lesnar and he did it TWICE. This was a fired up promo and that’s where Rhodes can shine.

Chelsea Green hides from Giulia and Kiana James, who yell at Alba Fyre instead. With the two of them gone, Green comes out and says she’s the greatest women’s champion of all times. Jade Cargill pops up, with Green realizing she screwed up and running off.

Sami Zayn gives his friends a pep talk about the MFT’s, who are ready to fight next week. The promos from the Motor City Machine Guns, Rey Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura aren’t much, but we do get an old school Survivor Series graphic to hype up the match.

Fraxiom vs. DIY

Candice LeRae is here with DIY. Ciampa is wearing a shirt that says “DON’T CALL ME A JACKASS”, Gargano’s says “DON’T CALL MY BEST FRIEND A JACKASS” and LeRae’s is “DON’T CALL MY HUSBAND’S BEST FRIEND A JACKASS!” Ok that’s kind of amazing. Anyway, Ciampa and Frazer start things off but it’s off to Axiom off a quick blind tag. Everything breaks down and Fraxiom hits a pair of dives to the floor.

Back in and a pair of frog splashes hit Ciampa for two but Gargano is back up with a superkick. Frazer is sent into the steps for a crash and we take a break. We come back with Frazer coming back in to clean house. That’s quickly cut off with a Shatter Machine for two, followed by a superkick/Fairy Tale Ending combination for two on Axiom. That’s broken up and Axiom is right back on his feet as the Fireflies are out. LeRae steals Axiom’s mask though and Gargano gets a fast pin at 7:44.

Rating: C+. The match didn’t get a ton of time but it was four guys working their usual entertaining style. I could go for Axiom losing less frequently and I could definitely go for less of the stealing the mask deal, but at least the team had an out for the loss. They had a story coming into this with the US Title stuff, so this did have a few bonus points.

We get the sitdown face to face with Rhea Ripley and Charlotte. They have a history and they’re willing to fight again, but first up it’s WarGames. Ripley is willing to go to war with Charlotte at her side and Charlotte says yes. They shake hands and it seems to be ok.

Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round: Finn Balor vs. Penta

Penta jumps him to start and the brawl is on with Balor taking over. That’s quickly cut off and Penta sends him outside for the big running flip dive. We take a break and come back with Penta hitting a superkick to send him into the corner. Balor is right back with some kicks of his own, which is countered into something like a MuscleBuster for two. The Sling Blade drops Penta again but the Coup de Grace misses, allowing Penta to get two more off a rollup. The Penta Driver gets two and the running Canadian Destroyer gives Penta the clean pin at 10:03.

Rating: B-. These guys had a fight for about ten minutes and it was pretty much all action throughout. That made for an entertaining match and it’s encouraging to see Penta get another clean win. I’m not sure if he’s going to make it past the quarterfinals, but at least he’s getting there in the first place.

Sheamus is injured and out of the tournament so we’ll have to see who is replacing him.

Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s are ready to crush Sami Zayn and company.

Here is Team Ripley to name its final member. Ripley praises her current team members and brings out the fifth member: AJ Lee. Cue the other team to jump Ripley and company from behind, with Becky Lynch running in to jump Lee from behind as both teams seem to be complete to end the show. Lee was hardly a surprise and that made Lynch the obvious counterpart, which isn’t a bad thing.

Overall Rating: B. This show was feeling focused again and they covered quite a few things. You had the US Title stuff, the tournament, and the WarGames build. Throw in the hype for next week’s Survivor Series match and I liked the mix we had this week. It’s nice to see them building towards some stuff when things are getting more important. Now just keep it going when we get to the actual important stuff.

Results
Ilja Dragunov b. JD McDonagh – H Bomb
Carmelo Hayes b. Bronson Reed via countout
DIY b. Fraxiom – Rollup to Axiom
Penta b. Finn Balor – Running Canadian Destroyer

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: November 18, 2025
Location: Theater At Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the first week of Gold Rush, meaning we’ll be seeing title matches from multiple companies defended over the next two weeks. That should make for quite the cards and hopefully they live up to the hype. We’re also coming up on Deadline next month so it’s time to start getting ready for one of the more unique shows of the year. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video focuses on the importance of gold and looks at the matches on this week’s half. The show taking place at MSG (close enough) makes it feel even more important.

AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles: Joe Hendry/Thea Hail vs. Chelsea Green/Ethan Page

Green and Page are defending. Green kicks at Hail to start but Hail snapmares her down, with Green being forced into a Hendry style wave. Hendry comes in to headlock takeover Page, followed by a running shoulder. A delayed suplex gets two on Page with Green making the save. Everything breaks down and Green is dropkicked into Page. Hendry and Hail pose as we take a break.

We come back with Hendry slugging away on Page and grabbing the fall away slam. Green and Page are sent outside for a trust fall from Hail, who gives Green an exploder suplex back inside. Everything breaks down and the Un-Pretty-Her…I have no idea actually as we cut to a law firm commercial. We quickly cut back to Hail getting the Kimura but Hendry is shoved into them for the save. Green grabs the Un-Pretty-Her for the pin to retain at 10:43.

Rating: C+. Good, fast paced opener here and I’m not overly surprised that another company’s titles didn’t change hands at an NXT event. I’m not thrilled that Hendry and Hail, who are about as perfect of a pairing as you can get, lose so soon, as it’s not like there is anything else they can go after. Just let them stay together, if nothing else for the fun energy they bring together.

Lola Vice and Jordynne Grace are ready to take the Knockouts Title from Kelani Jordan. Cue Jordan, who says jealousy doesn’t look good on Grace and she’ll be champion for a long time. See you next week.

Ava announces that John Cena will be picking the entrants for the Iron Survivor matches at Deadline.

Tavion Heights is in the crowd for an interview about how much things have changed for him in 2025. The reality is that he’s here in New York City and he wants to be in the Iron Survivor Challenge. If John Cena picks him, he knows that’s all the validation he needs. Cue Josh Briggs for the brawl in the crowd.

Zaria isn’t sure if Sol Ruca should go through with this match but Ruca insists.

Women’s North American Title: Blake Monroe vs. Sol Ruca

Ruca, with Zaria, is challenging and takes Monroe down with an early headlock takeover. A running boot to the head staggers Monroe but she’s right back with a spinning side slam. Ruca gets out of an early half crab attempt and kicks her away, only to miss a charge into the corner. Monroe wraps the recently healed up knee around the post and we take a break.

We come back with Monroe staying on the knee but Ruca fights up and hits a missile dropkick. Monroe is sent outside and Ruca hits a step up moonsault, only to tweak her knee again in the process. Back in and Monroe grabs a half crab and even takes off the knee brace. Monroe cranks on the knee and Zaria throws in a towel, despite Ruca being pretty close to the ropes and begging her not to, as Monroe retains at 13:21.

Rating: B-. This was about the storytelling with Ruca fighting through the pain and Zaria taking matters into her own hands. It’s quite the way to go and I liked what we got, as it should finally lead to the Ruca vs. Zaria split. Monroe got a nice boost here as well, as she came off as much more sadistic and violent for the sake of retaining her title. That’s been missing and it helped a lot.

Fatal Influence is ready to leave with all of the gold.

We look at Oba Femi returning last week to stare down Ricky Saints.

Here are Saints and Femi for a face to face chat. Saints isn’t surprised that Femi has returned, because he knows that Femi was getting worn down and then lost the title as a result. Saints was fighting against TNA and then retained in Last Man Standing. Femi says he’s back and wants to be more than just best dressed.

The sun is setting on the Revolution era and Femi is the one casting the shadow. The title rematch is set for Deadline…and here is Trick Williams to interrupt. Cue Myles Borne to chair Williams from behind and say he’s going to win the Iron Survivor Challenge and come for the title at New Year’s Evil. Borne is feeling more and more like someone to take seriously and it’s rather impressive to see him come this far.

Post break Ava yells at Myles Borne and gives him a match with Trick Williams next week. She gets a phone call and seems rather annoyed.

Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights are still brawling, with Heights being chokeslammed through a table.

Tag Team Titles: Leon Slater/Je’Von Evans vs. Darkstate

Darkstate is defending and get knocked to the floor to start, with Evans hitting a big dive over the top. Back in and a powerslam gets two on Slater, with Evans having to make a save. Griffin gets sent outside and a running hurricanrana gets two on Lennox back inside. Darkstate is tossed to the floor again for stereo dives as we take a break.

We come back with Evans in trouble and Lennox’s short DDT getting two. Evans flips away from Lennox though and kicks him down, allowing the much needed tag off to Slater. Everything breaks down and a spinning kick to the head takes Griffin to the floor and Lennox is kicked down as well. Slater busts out the big running flip dive out to the floor and the frog splash gives Evans two. The rest of Darkstate offers a distraction so Slater can get double powerbombed. Evans’ save lands on Slater by mistake and a Doomsday Device finishes Slater at 11:09.

Rating: B-. Slater and Evans are able to fly around and do all kinds of impressive looking things, which is why you put them in this spot. At the same time, it’s good to see Darkstate win a match and get in a nice title defense, which is what they needed. It’s a good enough match and I could go for more of this kind of Darkstate, who hopefully get to hold the titles that much longer.

Wren Sinclair gives Kendal Grey a pep talk before her title match next week.

LFG season 2 winner Shiloh Hill is a nerd and really smart, with interests in things like the dark web and quantum mechanics. Oh and he liked hitting people in football. More on this later. At least it’s a way to get introduced to someone new.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Video on Jackson Drake defending the Evolve Title against Sean Legacy next week.

Sol Ruca is mad at Zaria for throwing in the towel, with Zaria saying it was for Ruca’s own good. Ruca doesn’t want to hear it and Zaria doesn’t seem pleased.

Women’s Title: Tatum Paxley vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne, with Fatal Influence, is challenging while Paxley has the Culling with her. Paxley works on the arm to start before grabbing a rollup for two. Jayne kicks her into the corner but they switch places, with Paxley hitting a running crossbody. With Jayne sent outside, Paxley takes her down again with a moonsault and we take a break.

We come back with Jayne hitting a clothesline into a super hurricanrana. Paxley is right back up with a superkick though and they’re both down. A slugout goes to the champ, who snaps off a German suplex. The running flipping ax kick gives Paxley two but Jayne pulls her face first into the corner. A cannonball hits Paxley, who is right back with a fisherman’s spinebuster (exactly what it sounds like) for two.

The Culling offers a distraction and slides Paxley a chair but she turns it down and gets superkicked. Paxley slides outside and drops Lainey Reid, allowing Jayne to get in a big running boot to the face. Back in and the Rolling Encore gives Jayne two so it’s time to bring in the belt. That’s cut off on the floor….and Dame kicks Paxley’s head off. Another Rolling Encore gives Jayne the title back at 11:27.

Rating: B-. This was one of those turns where it wasn’t so much about would it happen but rather when it would happen, as they weren’t exactly hiding it. Paxley never felt like a long term champion but she won the title clean and definitely got elevated as a result of the whole thing. This should be a good next step for her and we’ll see what kind of staying power she has as a result.

The Culling glares down at Paxley to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. It wasn’t the greatest show in the world but it did what it needed to, with the big angle at the end and some stuff being set up for the next few weeks. That’s what this kind of show needed to do, as we still have more title matches coming up next week. While it didn’t exactly feel like a major event, it did feel special enough and that’s good for a pass here.

Results
Chelsea Green/Ethan Page b. Joe Hendry/Thea Hail – Un-Pretty-Her to Hail
Blake Monroe b. Sol Ruca when Zaria threw in the towel
Darkstate b. Leon Slater/Je’Von Evans – Doomsday Device to Slater
Jacy Jayne b. Tatum Paxley – Rolling Encore

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: November 14, 2025
Location: MVP Arena, Albany, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re into the Last Time Is Now Tournament, with two more first round matches this week. In addition, Cody Rhodes might have some issues with Aleister Black, with Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest being involved as well. That could cause some problems for the champ and that isn’t good with WarGames in just a few weeks. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at the setup of Women’s WarGames.

Here are Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky for a chat. Ripley doesn’t think much of the Kabuki Warriors thinking they have a numbers advantage. Now, the Warriors have nowhere to hide in WarGames. Ripley brings out teammates Charlotte and Alexa Bliss, with the latter saying they’re in to end their opponents. And then Charlotte says she’s out because she doesn’t like Ripley, who she thinks is a snake. Ripley probably thinks the same about her, and with that, Charlotte walks away.

Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round: Jey Uso vs. The Miz

Miz’s entrance cuts off Jey running his own entrance back so he’s booed even more heavily than usual. Miz knees him down to start fast but the running clothesline in the corner is countered into a backslide. The Skull Crushing Finale is blocked as well and Miz is sent outside for a suicide dive.

We take a break and come back with Miz hitting a hard DDT for two. That’s enough for Miz to initiate John Cena’s finishing sequence (Just like R-Truth. No wonder they were a good team!), setting up the Skull Crushing Finale for two. They go up top, where Uso reverses a super Skull Crushing Finale into a face first drop onto the turnbuckle. The spear into the Superfly Splash finishes for Uso at 9:55.

Rating: C+. Miz is one of the more useful people on the WWE roster, as he can be beaten over and over without losing much of his status. At the same time, he has all kinds of credibility after winning pretty much everything imaginable over the years. Uso beating him is the right move, but Miz’s history with Cena gave you just enough of a reason to believe he could pull off the upset. Nice effort here.

DIY comes up to Ilja Dragunov, with Tommaso Ciampa complaining about not getting the title shot. Nick Aldis is fine with how Dragunov is doing things, with Dragunov saying tonight’s shot is going to someone who fights with honor and respect. Aldis leaves and runs into Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed.

Post break, Heyman talks to Aldis about the WarGames agreement, which says Heyman can pick any wrestler from any show to be on his team. Aldis already knew this but here is Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Rhodes wants to fight and a match with Reed is set for tonight. Heyman says that’s not good enough because it should be a title match. Rhodes: “Nick, book it.” Aldis does as he’s told, with Heyman giving a great evil smile.

United States Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. Axiom

Axiom is challenging and takes him down by the arm to start fast. A headlock grinds Dragunov down a bit, only for Dragunov to come back with a takedown. The H Bomb is blocked though and Axiom tries to catch him on top. That’s broken up as well and Dragunov knocks him down, setting up the top rope backsplash for two.

We take a break and come back with Dragunov rolling some German suplexes. Axiom slips out and hits a missile dropkick but Dragunov kicks him in the face again. Dragunov’s H Bomb misses and Axiom is back up with a springboard moonsault DDT (GEEZ) for two. The super Spanish Fly connects but the Golden Ratio is countered with the Torpedo Moscow. Now the H Bomb is enough to retain the title at 11:13.

Rating: B. That DDT alone kept me interested in this as Axiom is a rather solid hand in the ring. Dragunov gets to add another name to the pile of victims as he’s gearing up for what could be an interesting showdown with Ciampa. I’m not sure how that’s going to go, but it’s nice to see it built up over some time.

R-Truth is still trying to get Nick Aldis to let him into the Last Time Is Now tournament. Chelsea Green comes in to demand pyro for her Women’s US Title win, with Aldis saying yes to shut her up.

During the break, Tommaso Ciampa attacked Axiom with Nathan Frazer making the save.

Here is Sami Zayn for a chat. He talks about how he beat Solo Sikoa for the US Title and got to do a bunch of things as champion. Now he wants to keep up the war with Sikoa and the MFT’s but he hasn’t been medically cleared. That has left him on the sidelines for weeks but that ends tonight. Zayn wants Sikoa out here right now so here he comes, complete with the MFT’s.

Sikoa says he knows the real Zayn will do desperate things and knows that Zayn is still hurt. This could go very badly for Zayn, as Sikoa could have them drop him where he stands. Zayn says it won’t be long as he is officially medically cleared, but he didn’t come alone. Cue Shinsuke Nakamura and the Motor City Machine Guns for the brawl, with Rey Fenix joining in for a big corkscrew dive off the top. This could make for a good Survivor Series match.

Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes run into each other and have a nice reunion. Jimmy Uso comes up to say he has their backs tonight and at WarGames.

Solo Sikoa wants Sami Zayn so Nick Aldis makes the Survivor Series match for…the Smackdown before Survivor Series. Well they’re in the right area at least.

Last Time Is Now Tournament First Round: LA Knight vs. ???

And the opponent is….ZACK RYDER, unfortunately what sounds like a remix of Oh Radio but it’s a better than nothing. They’re a bit slow to start until a Rough Ryder attempt misses. Instead Knight is sent outside and we take an early break. We come back with Knight hitting a backdrop and firing off the left jabs.

A jumping neckbreaker gets two but Ryder sends him into the corner for the running Reboot. Back up and Knight rams him into the buckle for the reverse DDT. Ryder is able to hit a Rough Ryder out of nowhere for two more and the BFT is countered into a rollup for the same. Ryder’s middle rope dropkick is countered into a sitout powerbomb though and the BFT finishes for Knight at 8:37.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time, especially with the break in the middle, but it was cool to see Ryder back, even if it’s a one off. Ryder is someone who has turned his time away from WWE into something and I’m sure he’ll turn this into something else that makes him money. Knight winning is fine, but this was about the cameo and it was rather fun.

Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley and Alexa Bliss look for a replacement for Charlotte but get jumped by their opponents, with Lash Legend and Nia Jax laying them out.

Jade Cargill vs. B-Fab

Non-title. B-Fab dropkicks her into the corner to start fast and fires off some elbows. Cargill isn’t having this and drops her with a hard forearm. The fall away slam sends B-Fab flying and a chokeslam drops her again. There’s a powerbomb to drop her again and Cargill gives her a second one. Jaded finishes for Cargill at 2:14.

Post match Michin comes in to check on B-Fab and Cargill isn’t impressed.

Next week’s first round Last Time Is Now tournament matches:

Carmelo Hayes vs. Bronson Reed
Penta vs. Finn Balor

Carmelo Hayes says he’ll see Miz when he sees him but first, he wants to get a shot against John Cena because he won’t miss. Bronson Reed comes in to say he’ll end Cena after ending Hayes next week.

Aleister Black talks about how he and Zelina have corrupted Damian Priest, just as they said they would. Now though, they’re coming for the rest of the locker room.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Bronson Reed

Reed, with Paul Heyman, is challenging and misses a charge into the corner to start. Rhodes hits him in the face but gets elbowed down for two. They head outside where Reed runs him over and we take a break. We come back with Rhodes scoring with a Disaster Kick but the snap jabs are countered into the Jagged Edge. The Tsunami misses though and Rhodes hits a Cody Cutter for two. Reed rolls outside, where he cuts off a suicide dive with a shot to the face. Rhodes fights back….and Bron Breakker runs in for the DQ at 5:23.

Rating: B-. They knew they didn’t have much time here so this was about getting as much in as they could manage. What they did was good enough, though it was smart to not have Reed take a pin. You can pretty much guarantee that this was a way to set up the post match stuff and that’s ok for a match like this.

Post match Breakker and Logan Paul beat Rhodes down. Cue the Usos for the save and a table is brought inside. Drew McIntyre (suspended last week) runs in to wreck the Usos, with Paul Heyman saying “ANYBODY” to a screaming Nick Aldis. The good guys are wrecked, including a Claymore and Tsunami to Rhodes, to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There was more of a theme to this show, as WarGames is coming so the teams have to be set up. At the same time, there wasn’t as much in the ring, with only the Dragunov vs. Axiom match standing out. It’s the kind of show that is more about setting things up for later than anything else, and while this kind of a show is necessary, it’s not the most thrilling thing to watch. Decent, but pretty skippable show this week.

Results
Jey Uso b. The Miz – Superfly Splash
Ilja Dragunov b. Axiom – H Bomb
LA Knight b. Zack Ryder – BFT
Jade Cargill b. B-Fab – Jaded
Cody Rhodes b. Bronson Reed via DQ when Bron Breakker interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: November 11, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re coming up on Gold Rush but this week has a major match in its own right. This week features Ricky Saints defending the NXT Title against Trick Williams in a last man standing match. That should be more than enough to carry things, though next week is when things get really big. Let’s get to it.

Click on the link below for the full review.

Quick Veterans Day tribute.

Here is the Culling to get things going. Tatum Paxley is so happy with getting this far and wants to be champion for a long time. She knows she needs to listen to her friends though, especially Izzi Dame. That gets her a bit of a lecture of about how she can’t give everyone title shots, which Paxley thinks makes sense. Spinning the wheel was really fun though!

Dame says the last time she did everything for the fans, she wound up alone, which was when the Culling came in to save her. She can’t keep handing out title shots, but here is Fatal Influence to interrupt. Jacy Jayne says Paxley can prove it wasn’t a fluke at Halloween Havoc by beating her again. Dame cuts it off and Paxley thinks about it….and gives Jayne a rematch at Gold Rush. That doesn’t have Dame overly pleased.

Earlier today, Evolve Champion Jackson Drake was pleased to be given a title defense at Gold Rush. He’s less happy about defending against Sean Legacy. Chelsea Green and Ethan Page come in with Green bragging about regaining the Women’s US Title. As a result, Ava gives her a match too.

Speed Title: Jasper Troy vs. El Grande Americano

Americano is defending and gets driven into the corner for some hard shoulders to the ribs. Americano’s dive is pulled out of the air but he slips away and kicks at the chest to limited avail. Troy elbows him in the face for two as we’re already two minutes into the five minute time limit. Things slow down for a bit until Americano catches him with a running knee.

A Blockbuster connects but Troy knocks him hard to the floor. Troy grabs the chain and has to knock away Rayo and Bravo, who are ejected as a result. Americano scores with a suicide dive with about a minute left. The running headbutt connects but Americano gets caught loading up the foreign object. Troy cuts him off and hits the Black Hole Slam to win the title at 4:43.

Rating: C+. They packed some stuff in here and I was surprised by the title change so we’ll call it a success. It does seem like things are passing Americano by a bit, though it’s not like being the Speed Champion matters very much. At the same time, it could mean a good bit more to Troy so maybe this is the change he has been needing.

Joe Hendry appears next to Thea Hail and they thank each other for last week. Now they’re ready to win the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion. For tonight though, Hail is going to beat up Alba Fyre. Hendry: “Hail yeah!”

Sean Legacy is in Ava’s office when Zaria and Sol Ruca come in. Legacy wishes Ruca well in her rehab, with Ava saying Ruca is medically cleared. She wants to face Blake Monroe next week, with Ava sounding a bit skeptical but making the match anyway.

Thea Hail vs. Alba Fyre

Joe Hendry, Ethan Page and Chelsea Green are here too. Hail’s early Kimura attempt is rammed into the corner and Fyre kicks her in the back for two. Back up and Hail Thesz presses her to hammer away before a dropkick puts Fyre on the floor. Hail goes after Green though and gets taken out by Fyre’s dive as we take a break.

We come back with Hail striking away, including some ax handles to the chest. Hail misses the bottom rope backsplash though and Fyre gets two off a tornado DDT. A Michinoku Driver gives Hail two and she grabs the Kimura, which is broken up by a Page distraction. Hendry cuts him off in a hurry and Hail dives onto Green. Back in and a sunset flip dives Hail the pin at 9:49.

Rating: C+. Hail’s renewed push is nice to see as it’s certainly better than whatever she was doing over the last few months. She’s been looking for someone to bounce off of since Chase U imploded and this makes as much sense as anyone else. At the same time, it’s sad to see Fyre falling this far, but that has been the case for a long time now.

Ricky Saints is getting taped up and gives Tatum Paxley a pep talk. The Culling comes in to pull Paxley away.

Blake Monroe is rather pleased with winning the Women’s North American Title but gets in an argument with….herself, in a different outfit. The one in the different (darker) outfit says none of this matters until the real Monroe beats Sol Ruca for good. The real one can win with Darker on her side because that’s the kind of champion that the real one needs to be. That’s not cool with the real one because they won’t like it, but the Darker one says it won’t matter because she’ll still be champion. The real one agrees. This company is WAY too obsessed with split personalities.

Je’Von Evans is on the phone with Leon Slater and they have an announcement for later.

Jordynne Grace (in glasses) says Kelani Jordan isn’t an original because anyone can do it. Grace knows what it means to be the Knockouts Champion. Jordan has been blaming the world for what she is. At Gold Rush, the only one she can blame is Grace. That’s a good line.

Here is Je’Von Evans for a chat. He’s excited to be in the Last Time Is Now Tournament but a bit scared too. That’s on Monday though and now he has an announcement here. Leon Slater pops up on screen and we get the announcement: they’re challenging Darkstate for the NXT Tag Team Titles next week. Cue Darkstate in the crowd to say that they’re going to take out Evans and Slater next week. The four of them get in the ring but here is Slater to help Darkstate out with some dives.

Kelani Jordan comes up to Trick Williams and admits that he was right: it’s lonely at the top but it means being champion. Williams approves.

Women’s Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Skyler Raye vs. Fallon Henley

Raye is the winner of season two of LFG and is a cheerleader. Raye’s early dropkick sets up some rollups and quick near falls. Henley reverses into a crossface attempt, which is cut off with a quick rollup as we’re a minute in. A hurricanrana sends Henley into the corner and a high crossbody gets two. Henley is back with a Sling Blade though and the Fameasser finishes Raye at 2:17. Well that was qui…er, speedy.

Jasper Troy is happy with his win. Darkstate pops up and is ticked off at Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater.

Fatal Influence is ready to dominate.

Josh Briggs vs. Tavion Heights

Briggs kicks him in the face at the bell and stomps away as a villain should. Heights gets smart by wrestling him down, which is broken up without much trouble. A roll into a fireman’s carry is broken up though and Briggs knocks him down again as we take a break. We come back with Height slugging away but a cheap shot to the legs takes him down. Briggs shoves him in the face a few times and gets taken down for his efforts. Some clotheslines are cut off with a boot to Heights, who avoids another boot. The belly to belly gives Heights the pin at 9:19.

Rating: C+. I’ve been a fan of Heights for a bit and it’s nice to see him getting something. There is always room for someone who has that kind of an amateur background and it was working fine here. At the same time, I’m not wild on seeing Briggs lose again as it happens too often, but I could go for more of Heights.

Myles Borne is in Ava’s office and says he’ll be out there for the main event, but Ava warns him not to interfere. With Borne gone, Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey talk about finding one more member of the No Quarter Catch Club. Cue Lainey Reid to slap Grey and the brawl is on, likely setting up the Evolve Women’s Title match at Gold Rush.

Gold Rush rundown.

NXT Title: Ricky Saints vs. Trick Williams

Saints is defending in a Last Man Standing match. Williams misses a kendo stick shot to start so Saints grabs the stick and uses it to walk the ropes. Some stick shots have Williams down and a whip sends him hard into the steps. Back up and Williams gets smart by going after Saints’ banged up ribs before tying Saints up in the ropes. That means a beating with the kendo stick, followed by a rather nasty series of chair shots.

Saints is back up at seven and he blocks a trashcan lid shot to start the early comeback. Williams is knocked outside and we take an early break. We come back with Williams being sent through the barricade, allowing Saints to give him one heck of a beating with a kendo stick. An even bigger beating with a chair gets nine and Saints’ spear gets the same. Williams (bleeding from the side of the head) is up to knock Saints back to the floor, where a running shot with the steps puts him down again.

The running knee off the steps sets up a Rock Bottom onto them, with Williams putting the steps onto him in a smart move. Saints slips away and misses a spear through the wooden wall, only to pop right back up. They fight into the crowd, with Saints spearing him off a balcony (ok not a tall one but a balcony either way) through the announcers’ table to retain at 15:32.

Rating: B. They were kind of meandering to start but then it got a lot better once it felt like a fight. Saints got violent by the end and that’s what it should have been. Williams needs to move on to something else and Saints is going to need a fresh challenger, with a spot likely waiting for him in the second week of Gold Rush.

Post match the credits roll….and Oba Femi is back to end the show. Yeah that works.

Overall Rating: B-. This was an up and down show, as I liked the main event a lot more than I was expecting, but I still can’t get into the Speed stuff. It’s perfectly fine and a nice way to keep the show moving, but I can only get so invested into a match that runs three minutes. They did make Gold Rush feel like a bigger deal though and that’s the important part. Good enough show here, but the Speed stuff is already getting a bit annoying.

Results
Jasper Troy b. El Grande Americano – Black Hole Slam
Thea Hail b. Alba Fyre – Sunset flip
Fallon Henley b. Skyler Raye – Fameasser
Tavion Heights b. Josh Briggs – Spinning belly to belly suplex
Ricky Saints b. Trick Williams when Williams could not answer the ten count

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: November 7, 2025
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Center, Greenville, South Carolina
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re done with Saturday Night’s Main Event and Cody Rhodes seems to be done with Drew McIntyre. After defending the title again, Rhodes is going to need a new challenger and with Survivor Series in about three weeks, there is a good chance we find out something about that tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here is Saturday Night’s Main Event if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Rhodes retaining the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Here is Rhodes, who talks about ending things against McIntyre once and for all. He wants someone new to come after the title and is willing to sit in the crowd and find out who it is. Cue Aleister Black and Zelina to interrupt, with Black saying there is a WWE Championship sized chip on his shoulder. Vega gets in Rhodes’ face but Nick Aldis comes out to make the match for tonight.

Ilja Dragunov runs into Tama Tonga in the back.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. ???

Dragunov is defending in another open challenge, with DIY answering. Tommaso Ciampa calls out Dragunov for calling him a jackass last week, earning a JACKASS chant. Dragunov is willing to defend…against Johnny Gargano. Ciampa isn’t happy but goes with it and we’re ready to go. Gargano knocks him into the corner to start but gets taken down in some rolling German suplexes. Another suplex drops Gargano again and we take a break.

We come back with Gargano enziguring him down so they can trade forearms. The Constantine Special drops Gargano again and Dragunov hits a running boot in the corner. Gargano is right back with a superkick into a poisonrana, with Dragunov coming up with a busted nose.

They go to the corner with Dragunov knocking him off, setting up a middle rope backsplash. A belly to back slam plants Gargano but Candice LeRae pulls Dragunov outside. One Final Beat gives Gargano two but Dragunov catches him with an apron superplex. The H Bomb retains the title at 10:51.

Rating: B-. This was what you would expect from these two as they were doing their big time moves until Gargano lost. Dragunov vs. Ciampa is the big teased match and that could be quite the showdown. They have to do stuff like this to get there though and at least the match was good enough.

Sami Zayn comes in to see Nick Aldis and asks him to be ringside for Rey Fenix’s match tonight. Aldis has to turn him down again and that’s not a request. Zayn agrees, but he won’t do this much longer. R-Truth comes in and wants to be in the Last Time Is Now tournament. He puts his balls in Aldis’ hands (literally) but Aldis says he’s already in the field. This makes R-Truth mad and he leaves. Aldis: “I don’t know what just happened here.”

We look at Jade Cargill winning the Women’s Title at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Johnny Gargano apologized to Tommaso Ciampa for losing but Fraxiom comes in to mock them both.

Here is Jade Cargill for a chat. Cargill says that will happen to anyone who comes after her and she is that b****. And that’s it, though she runs into Charlotte and Alexa Bliss on the way to the ring as she leaves. Staring ensues.

Chelsea Green is ready to win the Women’s US Title back but Michin and B-Fab come in to mock her. Green says she’ll be the best champion on Smackdown but Jade Cargill comes in to scare her. B-Fab isn’t pleased and a match is made for next week.

Charlotte vs. Nia Jax

Alexa Bliss is here with Charlotte. They trade slaps to start until Charlotte hits a Thesz press to hammer away. After not quite sticking the landing on a nip up (she laughed about it), Charlotte is sent hard into the corner as we take a break. We come back with Charlotte booting her in the face and hitting a high crossbody.

A flipping clothesline drops Jax (and we go black screen due to some wardrobe issues), followed by a moonsault to give Charlotte two. Jax grabs a sitout powerbomb for two more but the Annihilator misses. Charlotte knees her for two and a tornado DDT gets the same. Cue NXT’s Lash Legend to jump Bliss and choke her on the floor, allowing Jax to splash Charlotte in the corner. The Annihilator finishes for Jax at 10:25.

Rating: C+. Charlotte is one of the few women who can hang with Jax size wise and it made for a better match. You don’t see Jax have something of a hoss fight very often and I was digging it here. Charlotte’s evolution is rather shocking as I never imagined it going this well and now we have a tag match set.

Legend and Jax leave together. I can absolutely go for Legend being on Smackdown full time.

We recap the Last Time Is Now tournament.

Nick Aldis draws two first round matches:

Miz vs. Jey Uso
LA Knight vs. ???

Aldis won’t say Knight’s opponent. That makes me think a returning Gunther or someone who will appear when you say his name.

Nia Jax says she and Lash Legend are indeed friends. Legend introduces herself and says they’re going to the top.

Women’s United States Title: Giulia vs. Chelsea Green

Green, with Alba Fyre, is challenging and Kiana James is here with Giulia. A headbutt rocks Green to start and the knee gets two. Giulia chokes on the ropes and James gets in a cheap shot, earning a superkick from Fyre. Giulia goes after Fyre…and gets rolled up with feet on the ropes to give Green the title back at 1:35. It’s not like Giulia was doing anything with the title anyway so go with the one on a roll at the moment.

Solo Sikoa wants more from the MFT’s, starting with Talla Tonga needing to teach a lesson. The team leaves and the Wyatt Sicks pop up behind them.

Charlotte checks on Alexa Bliss in the trainer’s room…but Asuka pops in to mist Charlotte in the eyes. Well that’s mean.

Talla Tonga vs. Rey Fenix

The MFT’s are here with Tonga. Actually never mind as the Motor City Machine Guns and Shinsuke Nakamura come out to brawl with them to the back. That leaves Fenix to hit a dive and the bell rings with Tonga easily shoving him down. A running big boot sends Fenix into the barricade and we take a break.

We come back with Fenix’s springboard being knocked out of the air and some elbows in the corner keeping him in trouble. Tonga misses a charge though and gets kicked in the face, only to come back with a heck of an uppercut. Fenix kicks him in the head a few times, including a rope walk kick to the face. A springboard high crossbody gives Fenix two but a hurricanrana is countered into a powerbomb. The chokeslam finishes Fenix off at 9:11.

Rating: B-. There was a good story here with the giant vs. the smaller guy and it worked well. The problem is that Tonga is only so good in the ring and Fenix has lost time after time to the point where it doesn’t mean as much. The MFT’s seem like they’re ready to do a bunch of stuff but none of it has really happened yet. That’s going to need to change, which has been the case for a long time.

Post match Tonga goes after Fenix again but Sami Zayn runs in with a chair for the save.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

The Miz says last week’s attack on Carmelo Hayes wasn’t payback before moving on to the Last Time Is Now tournament. He’s ready to win the tournament and beat John Cena again, just like he did in the main event of Wrestlemania.

Cody Rhodes vs. Aleister Black

Non-title and Zelina is here with Black. They trade armdrags to start fast until Rhodes jumps over him in the corner. The drop down uppercut is countered into a quickly broken cross armbreaker but Black kicks him out to the floor. We take a break and come back with Rhodes getting two off the snap powerslam before Black’s kick to the head gets the same. Rhodes comes back with a running forearm and another powerslam, followed by the Disaster Kick for two.

Cross Rhodes is countered and another kick drops Rhodes, who is back with a Cody Cutter for two more. Another Cross Rhodes attempt is countered and they kick each other down…and here is Drew McIntyre to Claymore the referee. Rhodes goes after McIntyre so Black jumps Rhodes, with Damian Priest coming in to go after the villains. Zelina’s interference doesn’t really work but Black gets in a shot to Priest’s eye. The match is a no contest at around 10:00.

Rating: B-. They got in some good stuff while they had the chance, which granted was only so long. The ending is a bit interesting as it opens up some doors, though Rhodes needs a new top challenger. While McIntyre is a big deal, he was only so much of a threat to take the title. I’m not sure Black is going to be anything more than a challenger of the month, but at least it’s something different.

Post match Nick Aldis suspends McIntyre to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The action here was fine, but this was another show that didn’t feel very exciting. The matches were ok enough and nothing was terrible, but there is nothing on here that makes me want to keep watching. Rather than rushing towards something, it comes off more like a leisurely jog with little in the way of drama. Nothing much to this one, which is a shame as the wrestling was pretty decent.

Results
Ilja Dragunov b. Johnny Gargano – H Bomb
Nia Jax b. Charlotte – Annihilator
Chelsea Green b. Giulia – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Cody Rhodes vs. Aleister Black went to a no contest

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: November 4, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re coming up on the New York City shows, which are going to be all about titles. That means it’s time to get ready for the shows, including getting some title matches set. Ricky Saints is already having to deal with Trick Williams and has a Last Man Standing match set for the NXT Title. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Lola Vice/The Culling vs. Fatal Influence

Paxley and Jayne forearm it out to start before it’s off to Vice for a cross armbreaker to Reid. That’s broken up rather quickly and it’s back to Paxley, who gets kicked in the back of the head. Vice comes back in and kicks Henley down for two as everything breaks down. Paxley and Vice hit running hip attacks in the corner and dance a bit, though Dame isn’t interested in joining in as we take a break.

We come back with Fatal Influence going after Vice, with Jayne’s running knee getting two. Vice fights up and brings Paxley in to clean house. Paxley misses a 450 though and Reid gets in a cheap shot. Dame makes the save and everything breaks down again. Paxley is almost shoved into Dame but stops herself, only for Dame to shove her down and take the Rolling Encore to give Jayne the pin at 10:37.

Rating: C+. This continues the question of whether or not Dame really is Paxley’s friend and that makes for some interesting developments down the line. Other than that, it seems that that Fatal Influence isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, as I’m now curious to see just where it goes. In other words, nice job in one match.

Earlier today, El Grande Americano wasn’t happy with not having his own locker room and picked up Josh Briggs’ bag. Briggs came in and challenged him to a regular match, with Americano accepting.

Lei Ying Lee is ticked off at Kelani Jordan for hitting Jordynne Grace with the title last week. Prepare for the title.

Kendal Grey is happy with beating Lash Legend when Kelani Jordan interrupted. Jordan tells Grey and her friends to listen to what she’s about to say.

Here is Kelani Jordan for a chat. She doesn’t understand why people are booing her when they cheer Dominik Mysterio to do the same. Yeah she took her chance to win the Knockouts Title and gets booed, while Lola Vice goes to AAA every week and gets cheered. The women who are jealous of her are the women who can’t keep up with her in the ring. Like Jordynne Grace!

The same people who booed Grace are now up in arms about Jordan cheating. She’s sitting out at Gold Rush because no one, including Lei Ying Lee, is worthy of her time. Call her disloyal all you want, because you’ll still call her champion. Best promo she’s ever had here, mainly because it didn’t sound completely scripted.

OTM is back to chase everything but Chase U comes in to say they want a fight. Andre Chase comes in to calm them down, saying going after OTM isn’t a good idea.

Josh Briggs vs. El Grande Americano

Non-title and Rayo/Bravo are here too. Briggs shoulders him down to start as the fans are WAY behind Americano here. Americano pops up and grabs an armbar, including a handstand into a hammerlock to an even more positive reaction. Back up and a big boot drops Americano as Jasper Troy is in the crowd.

We take a break and come back with Americano getting tied in the Tree Of Woe but the lackeys cut off an unmasking attempt. Americano is back up with some chops and a Blockbuster to send Briggs outside. The dive connects and the fans approve, though Briggs’ big forearm cuts that off. Cue Tavion Heights for a distraction, allowing the lackeys to hit Briggs with a double Backstabber. Americano cranks on Briggs’ back for the tap at 10:51.

Rating: C. The reaction to Americano was rather interesting as the fans were all over everything that he was doing. It should at least make things more interesting when he has to defend against Troy (who did nothing here), as the heel vs. heel setup was going to be weird. They should be able to make it work, though this match wasn’t anything worth seeing.

Ava tells Kelani Jordan that she’ll be defending the title at Gold Rush. Tyra Mae Steele comes up to take issue with Jordan and gets a match tonight.

Myles Borne wants Ricky Saints to save him a piece of Trick Williams. Works for Saints.

Chelsea Green and Ethan Page have won the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles.

We get a split screen interview with Trick Williams and Ricky Saints. Williams says Saints can’t handle the pressure as champion but Saints brings up beating Williams at Halloween Havoc. That messed with Williams, who can’t handle being in second place. Saints says Williams has had one foot in and one foot out of NXT since Saints got here because he views it as a security blanket.

On the other hand, Saints winning the title is the culmination of him working hard while Williams takes everything for granted. Williams says Saints thinks like a fan and the title belongs to a real star. They’re ready to fight right now and the brawl is on, with Williams getting in a pipe shot to put him down.

Women’s Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair

Sol Ruca and Kendal Grey are here too. They trade early rollups to start until Zaria gets two off a backbreaker. Sinclair goes for the arm, including a Black Widow. That’s broken up so it’s time to start on the leg but Zaria is back up with some running clotheslines. We have less than a minute left and Zaria powers out, setting up the spear. An F5 gives Zaria the win at 2:30.

Kelani Jordan vs. Tyra Mae Steele

Non-title. They roll around to start with Steele powering out of an armbar. An exchange of cartwheels leaves Jordan a bit shaken up so she grabs the rope for an early near fall. A surfboard has Jordan in trouble but she’s able to post Steele’s arm. Said arm is cranked over the rope and the armbar goes on back inside. Back up and Steele hits a kind of reverse Angle Slam for two but Jordan casually slams her down. One Of A Kind finishes Steele at 4:54.

Rating: C+. Steele is an interesting case as she is absolutely a prospect, but she needs to build up some experience. This wasn’t exactly a great match, but she was able to stick to her strengths and keep getting her feet wet. I’m curious to see where she’s going, even if there was no reason for her to be a major threat to Jordan yet.

Post match Santino Marella pops up on screen to announce that Jordan is defending the title at Gold Rush against Jordynne Grace and Lei Ying Lee. Jordan is not pleased.

Sol Ruca is almost cleared to get back in the ring but she wants to have her rematch at Gold Rush. Unfortunately it’s uncertain if she’ll be ready in time, but here is Fatal Influence to interrupt. Jacy Jayne wants her rematch at Gold Rush as well, with the argument ensuing. Ava has other things to take care of though and leaves.

Je’Von Evans vs. Saquon Shugars

The rest of Darkstate is here too and Evans hits a big dive to take Shugars out before the bell. Shugars grabs a headlock inside and counters a hurricanrana into an atomic drop (that was cool). A backbreaker gives Shugars two and then a backbreaker gives Shugars two. Evans gets knocked into the corner but sends Shugars outside for a big dive. Darkstate offers a distraction though and Shugars knees him into the barricade as we take a break.

We come back with Evans kicking his way out of trouble but Shugars gives him a suplex. The basement dropkick gives Shugars two but some slaps to the face just annoy Evans. A rather snappy German suplex puts Shugars down and Evans sends him outside for the big dive. Back in and a spinning kick to the head gives Evans two but Shugars catches him in a torture rack. That’s flipped into a faceplant, only for Evans to come back with a pair of cutters. Evans deals with a quick distraction and hits the spinning top rope splash for the pin at 13:33

Rating: B. Evans has turned into one of the more reliable stars around here and it’s interesting to see what he does week to week. At the same time, Shugars got to do well enough in one of his first singles match. Evans and Leon Slater are likely going to get the Tag Team Title shot at Gold Rush so this was a fine way to keep things moving.

Blake Monroe wants her first title defense in New York but Ava says if Sol Ruca is available, she gets the shot. Monroe is off for an interview with her better half next week.

Tatum Paxley apologizes to Izzi Dame for the loss but Dame tells her to slow down and avoid the mistakes, because they want the title around for a long time. Paxley understands but has one more thing to do next week first.

Here are Chelsea Green and Ethan Page for their big celebration. Page knows that everyone hates them because they say something and then do it. Like when they promised to win the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles and then did it, as they knew they would. Green brags about their success as well and Page is ready to defend the titles. They’re ready to celebrate, including with a giant cake.

Green wishes Joe Hendry would appear so they both get ready to jump him as he comes out of the cake. Cue Hendry through the entrance, saying the direct approach can be best. Hendry wants the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles so here is Thea Hail, out of the cake (and wish her own Hendry style song) to be his partner. Page and Green get caked to end the show. The fake out with the cake was great and a match like this writes itself.

Overall Rating: C+. Well I’m more interested in seeing Gold Rush than I was before so things are starting to go in the right direction. What matters the most is getting the fans ready for the show and this week did a nice job of setting that up. The wrestling itself was fine enough, though it’s the show to get you to watch the really big show, which means it is likely to only be so important. Overall fine, but not exactly worth a look this time.

Results
Fatal Influence b. Culling/Lola Vice – Rolling Encore to Dame
El Grande Americano b. Josh Briggs – Back crank
Zaria b. Wren Sinclair – F5
Kelani Jordan b. Tyra Mae Steele – One Of A Kind
Je’Von Evans b. Saquon Shugars – Spinning top rope splash

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: October 31, 2025
Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event and that means it’s time for the big push before the show. That could make for some interesting builds to tomorrow, including the final setup of Drew McIntyre challenging Cody Rhodes for the Smackdown World Title. That should be enough to carry this week, plus all of the holiday shenanigans. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We have a theme of the University of Utah vs. the University of Cincinnati football game tomorrow.

We look at Jade Cargill turning heel last week and attacking Tiffany Stratton.

Cue Stratton to say she wants Cargill out here right now but Nick Aldis says it can’t get physical. This brings out Cargill, with Aldis calling for security. Cargill says she wants the title so Stratton goes into the aisle for the brawl, with Cargill getting away before it gets started.

Video on Ilja Dragunov.

R-Truth, dressed as Santa Claus, gives the Motor City Machine Guns some candy. He doesn’t believe that it’s Halloween and leaves but Solo Sikoa comes in to mock the Guns. A tag match seems set for later.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. ???

Dragunov is defending against….Nathan Frazer. Wait hang on though as Tommaso Ciampa comes to the ring, saying Dragunov can’t possibly give him the shot. Dragunov says it’s for everyone but Frazer was here first. Also Ciampa is a jackass. Frazer knees him down to start fast and a spinning enziguri sends Dragunov outside. The suicide dive connects but Dragunov is fine enough to hit a spinning chop back inside.

Frazer manages a necksnap across the top but a springboard is cut off with a jumping knee. Dragunov tells him that it’s nothing personal before giving him a German suplex on the floor. We take a break and come back with Dragunov rolling more German suplexes but missing the Constantine Special. Frazer’s running shooting star press gets two and they trade strikes to the head. Dragunov misses a charge out to the floor but is back in with a shot to the face.

The top rope backsplash misses though and Frazer’s frog splash gets two as we take another break. We come back again with Frazer fighting out of a powerbomb and kicking Dragunov in the head. A superbomb is countered into a super hurricanrana to send Dragunov outside, meaning it’s another dive. The phoenix splash gets two back inside as Frazer can’t believe the kickout. Frazer elbows him off the top but Dragunov is right back up with a nasty middle rope German superplex for two of his own. A powerbomb into the H Bomb retains the title at 18:51.

Rating: B. These guys beat each other up and it’s nice to see Frazer getting to show off a bit. Dragunov is the story again here though, as he continues to look like he leaves everything he has in the ring and that makes for some awesome moments. Do more of this, which seems to be the idea at the moment.

Post match respect is shown but Tommaso Ciampa runs in to jump Frazer again. During the break, Axiom and Johnny Gargano ran in to join the brawl, with Dragunov trying to break it up.

Post break, the brawl continues until Tama Tonga comes in to grab the title and stare at Dragunov.

Kit Wilson vs. Carmelo Hayes

And Hayes is now a good guy. Ok then. Wilson tries to jump him from behind to start and manages a running elbow. A cross arm choke lets Wilson call Hayes toxic before stomping him down. Something like a spinning DDT gets two on Hayes, who fights up and hits a springboard clothesline. Wilson bails out to the floor and gets taken out with a dive…and here is Miz to post Hayes. A top rope elbow gives Wilson two but the First 48 gives Hayes the pin at 3:11.

Rating: C. Not much to the match other than to establish that Hayes is now a good guy. That worked out well enough as he did fine in the role in NXT and it’s not like he’s set the world on fire so far. A feud with Miz has worked for others before and at least he has a nice starting point.

Post match Miz drops Hayes with the Skull Crushing Finale.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss aren’t worried about the Kabuki Warriors. As for tonight, Charlotte says Nia Jax is still in fear because she’s displaying classic Gemini behavior. Bliss isn’t sure what to make of that.

Nick Aldis won’t let Sami Zayn be ringside for the Motor City Machine Guns vs. MFTs as he isn’t cleared. Cody Rhodes comes in and pleasantries are exchanged. Aldis flat out asks Rhodes if he attacked Jacob Fatu and Rhodes gives a definitive no. He’s fine with the contract for the title match against Drew McIntyre.

Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss

Charlotte is here with Bliss. Jax jumps her from behind to start so Bliss gets in a slap to the face. That earns a big shout from Jax, who runs Bliss over. A hurricanrana is cut off but Jax misses a charge into the post. Instead she sends Bliss into the barricade and takes a bow as we take a break.

We come back with a splash in the corner setting up the running hip attack. Jax misses a second attempt and Charlotte offers a distraction, allowing Bliss to get in a neck snap over the ropes. Bliss strikes away and gets two off a basement crossbody. Jax is right back with a Samoan drop for two of her own, with the referee losing his shoe. Back up and Charlotte offers another distraction to break up the Annihilator, allowing Bliss to kick the leg out and get the pin at 9:35.

Rating: C+. This worked about as well as these two are ever going to do, as the size difference hurts it a good bit. What matters here though was that Charlotte and Bliss are still working together and turning into a rather nice team. They’re the team that the division has been needing and hopefully it can last for a long while.

The MFTs run into Rey Fenix, with Solo Sikoa asking if he’s looking for a fight. Fenix says no, because he wants to fight Talla Tonga. Sure.

Damian Priest says it’s now personal with Aleister Black and punishment is coming.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Tiffany Stratton runs into Kiana James and Giulia. James says Stratton should have accepted their offer and Nick Aldis has to keep Stratton from jumping her. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre come in, with Green not being happy about Giulia coming up on the record for longest Women’s US Title reign. Green wants a match and Giulia is in for next week. Nikki Cross pops in to scare them off.

Earlier today, the Utah Utes mascot beat the Cincinnati Bearcats’ mascot. Eh if they air like 30 seconds of it, fine enough for some crossover appeal.

MFTs vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Shelley and Mateo start things off with Shelley striking away and a missile dropkick/Downward Spiral combination putting Mateo down. The MFT’s are sent outside for the dives and it’s the Dream Sequence for two on Tonga. We take a break and come back with Shelley fighting out of a chinlock and hitting the Downward Spiral into the buckle.

That’s enough for the tag off to Sabin so house can be cleaned, including a tornado DDT to Tonga. It’s already back to Shelley, who knocks Tonga outside for a big dive from Sabin. Back in and Solo Sikoa offers a distraction, allowing Tonga to break up the Skull & Bones. The Cutthroat gives Tonga the pin at 8:42.

Rating: B-. As usual, the Guns are able to work well with anyone and that’s always fun to see. At the same time, I could go for seeing them have some more success, but they got their title win so now it seems to be time to have them job quite a bit. We’re also looking towards the MFTs coming after the Wyatt Sicks and the Tag Team Titles, so it makes sense for them to win here.

Post match the beatdown stays on so Rey Fenix runs in for the save, with Shinsuke Nakamura having to save him. This goes rather badly for Nakamura.

Drew McIntyre has no issues with the contract for Saturday Night’s Main Event and tells Nick Aldis to relax.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Nick Aldis is in the ring for the main event contract signing. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre join him but McIntyre says he can’t sign this. Rhodes certainly can and does, but McIntyre says it’s a one sided contract. If either of them get disqualified or counted out, Rhodes keeps the title and that’s not fair. Aldis is done with McIntyre’s games and threatens to replace him in the title match. McIntyre says ok and goes to leave but Rhodes tells him to sit down.

Rhodes knows what McIntyre wants: a clause that says if he gets counted out or disqualified, the title changes hands. That’s exactly what McIntyre wants and Rhodes is cool with it, so Aldis makes the change. McIntyre signs and talks about how he made the blueprint that Rhodes followed to end the story. He works to get everywhere he goes because he’s the real American Dream.

Rhodes says McIntyre did indeed write the blueprint but the difference is Rhodes walked away instead of getting fired. Rhodes: “Nice guys used to finish last. Then I showed up.” McIntyre cuts him off from leaving and says that the people will eventually turn on Rhodes too. He brings up Rhodes not being there to take his daughters trick or treating and that touches a nerve.

McIntyre asks what Rhodes’ daughters are named and the fight is on, with Rhodes missing a belt shot. A Claymore drops Rhodes and McIntyre puts him through the table. Some promises of taking the title end the show. They’ve got me thinking that a title change is possible and that’s a nice feeling to have.

Overall Rating: B+. I liked this show quite a bit with the good opener and solid main event segment. The World Title match needed the build to get ready for Saturday and they accomplished that rather well. This felt like a show where they were setting up things and then getting it done, which is what they needed to do. Solid show here and I want to see what happens tomorrow.

Results
Ilja Dragunov b. Nathan Frazer – H Bomb
Carmelo Hayes b. Kit Wilson – First 48
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax – Rollup
MFTs b. Motor City Machine Guns – Cutthroat to Sabin

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: October 28, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with Halloween Havoc and there are a few new champions. Darkstate got the Tag Team Titles back from the Hardys while Blake Monroe and Tatum Paxley both won their first singles titles in NXT. We are less than a month away from the two week Gold Rush specials so let’s get to it.

Here is Halloween Havoc if you need a recap.

Long Halloween Havoc recap.

Trick Williams storms the production area and yells about the video playing of the title match from Halloween Havoc. He goes from the back to the arena, yelling at various people along the ring. Williams gets in the ring, saying he’s been running things around here for years. He would beat Ricky Saints 99 times out of 100 so get him his title shot. Cue Ava with security to say he just flat out lost. Williams lists off his resume and is ready to keep going but here is Saints for the pull apart brawl.

Video on Axiom vs. Jasper Troy.

Speed Title #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Axiom vs. Jasper Troy

Axiom dropkicks him in the leg and kicks away to start, which earns him quite the glare from Troy. Some more shots to the leg just annoy Troy, who grabs a backbreaker, followed by a clothesline to the back of the head. Axiom’s dragon screw legwhip over the rope sets up a missile dropkick and they’re both down.

We have a minute left as Axiom hits a jumping knee but gets flatted with a standing body block. The Black Hole Slam is countered into a sleeper, which is reversed into a World’s Strongest Slam. Now the Black Hole Slam can finish Axiom at 2:55. Could have been worse, though Troy vs. El Grande Americano is…something.

Ava is with Sol Ruca and Zaria. Ruca has to decide if the Speed Title is vacated or if someone can defend it in her absence. Ruca thinks for a second and vacates the title, which doesn’t leave Zaria very happy. A tournament starts next week.

Here is the Culling for Tatum Paxley’s first comments as the Women’s Champion. Halloween Havoc was the greatest night of her night and she can’t believe she is here. Yeah she can be a bit too much at times but if this creepy little weirdo can be Women’s Champion, anyone can do it. She wants to be a fighting champion who gives anyone a shot, but Izzi Dame doesn’t think that’s a great idea.

It’s been a long road here for Paxley, so is she sure she should defend it so soon? She should make people earn their shot and offers the Culling to help her choose…but Paxley wants to defend the title tonight. Paxley unveils a wheel of potential challengers (Shawn Spears points out that Dame’s name isn’t on it) and tonight Lola Vice is getting the shot. Dame does not seem pleased. They’re not being subtle with this and that’s ok.

Trick Williams is looking for Ricky Saints.

Kendal Grey is ready for Lash Legend and Wren Sinclair gives her a pep talk. Sinclair is invited to the ring with her, which pleases her quite a bit.

Evolve Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Lash Legend

Grey, with Wren Sinclair, is defending. The much bigger Legend powers her around to start so Grey (a former amateur wrestler) goes for the leg. That earns her a swinging sleeper from Legend, who shoves Grey outside with one arm. Back in and Grey’s crucifix is blocked, as is a slingshot double stomp. Legend shoves Grey out to the floor and a pump kick drops her again.

We take a break and come back with Legend forearming her down for two. Grey kicks her down for a needed breather and slips out of a chokeslam attempt. A German suplex drops Legend again and now the slingshot double stomp sends her outside. Back in and Grey’s high crossbody is pulled out of the air and Legend drops her onto the ropes. A boot misses though and Shades Of Grey (jumping Downward Spiral) retains the title at 10:50.

Rating: B-. They have something with Grey and they know it, which is why you’re seeing something like this take place. Grey is young, talented and has some charisma. She also played a great underdog here and it was fun to see her fight back against the monster in Legend. Let her do this occasionally and let her rise up the ranks. Nice job here.

Myles Borne is ready for Tavion Heights and they’ll be brothers no matter what.

A fishing Heights says Borne is his brother, but sometimes brothers fight. Heights has something to prove.

Lola Vice congratulates Tatum Paxley on winning the Women’s Title and is thrilled with getting her shot. Vice promises to take the title, but Paxley is ready to fight. Izzi Dame comes in and thinks this isn’t a good idea.

Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights

Respect is shown to start things off and they lock up. Heights goes with some grappling to start but Borne is back with a headlock. They flip around to a standoff until Borne gets a rollup, though Heights is in the ropes. A headlock takeover puts Borne down but he reverses into one of his own. That’s broken up and Heights flips over him, setting up a running clothesline for two.

We take a break and come back with Borne getting two off a middle rope moonsault press as Josh Briggs has joined commentary. Heights grabs the ankle lock, which is broken up rather quickly. Briggs offers a distraction so Borne can take both of them out with a dive. Back in and Borne Again is blocked so Heights tries the spinning belly to belly, which is reversed into a small package to give Borne the pin at 10:07.

Rating: C+. They kind of had to do something to prevent one of them from losing clean, with Briggs only doing so much at the end. The good thing is that Briggs can now go after Heights (if not Borne as well), as it’s not like either of them have anything else going on at the moment. Either way, there is a good chance that one of them will get a shot against Ethan Page one day, perhaps at Gold Rush.

Post match respect is shown, but Briggs pulls Heights to the floor for the brawl. Borne…just stands there, as Trick Williams runs in and chairs him in the back. Williams calls out Ricky Saints, who comes in for another brawl.

Chelsea Green, with Kay Lee Ray, is in the back with Ethan Page. They’re ready to win the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles and Page wants Green to put together security. Green is still looking for a replacement agent, saying she has gone to London, and Paris and Tokyo. Thea Hail in the background: “I believe in Joe Hendry!” And Hendry pops out of a trashcan to say that they might be celebrating early. Then Hail wheels the trashcan, and Hendry, away. I’ve heard of far worse ideas.

Women’s Title: Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice

Paxley, with the Culling, is defending. Vice headlocks her to start but Paxley reverses into one of her own. Back up and Vice chops away, setting up a springboard armdrag. Paxley works on the arm as we go split screen to see Fatal Influence coming inside. Vice fights up but here is Fatal Influence to jump Izzi Dame on the floor. Fatal Influence gets on the apron as Vice and Paxley go back to back, with the ensuing brawl drawing the double DQ at 3:57.

Rating: C. This was more of an angle than a match, which opens up some other issues. You can have Paxley defending against Fatal Influence, along with Izzi Dame lurking around not being happy about what Paxley is doing. Yeah Paxley probably mainly won the title because of the Halloween season, but she’s off to a nice start as champion so maybe there’s something to this.

Blake Monroe is in a bath and plugs Maybelline before bragging about winning the Women’s North American Title. Her first title defense will be in New York City at Gold Rush.

Earlier today, NXT Anonymous saw Je’Von Evans talking to Leon Slater about what has happened tonight. They talk about the Tag Team Titles but Slater has to go talk to Santino Marella. Darkstate comes in and threatens Evans, with a tease of a title match.

Sol Ruca and Zaria are asked about the Women’s North American Title, with Zaria saying she’s entering the Speed tournament to win in Ruca’s honor. Fatal Influence pops in with Jacy Jayne saying she’s getting her title back.

We recap the Trick Williams/Ricky Saints issues.

TNA Knockouts Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Kelani Jordan

Grace is challenging and grabs a headlock to start. Back up and Jordan picks up the pace with a few flips and spins. Jordan sends her into the ropes for a neck snap, setting up a Lionsault, which grazes Grace’s arm on the way down. Grace is sent knee first into the steps and we take a break. We come back with Grace hitting a reverse Alabama Slam but favoring her knee. They strike it out with Grace getting the better of things, including some slams.

Jordan goes after the knee, only for Grace to come back with a spinning spinebuster for two. The Juggernaut Driver is blocked and Jordan is back with a split legged handspring Stunner for two of her own. Grace drops her again but the knee gives out on the Vader Bomb attempt.

Back up and a powerbomb gives Grace two, as does Jordan’s rollup. They go up top with Jordan hitting a super Spanish Fly….and here are Trick Williams and Ricky Saints to brawl into the arena. Jordan loads up the belt shot but throws it down, leaving Grace to grab a rolling German suplex for two. Williams and Saints brawl in the ring and NOW Jordan uses the belt shot to retain at 12:29.

Rating: B-. Egads Grace’s fall continues and I’m not sure where that is going to stop. At some point she needs to win something, as everything that made her feel special coming into NXT feels long gone. It’s like she’s just trying to find something to do and it’s not like there are all kinds of people just like her. Jordan going heel is the right move, as it might help give her something of a personality, which she certainly needs.

Post match Williams and Saints keep brawling, with Saints spearing him through a wooden wall. Cue Ava to say that it’s a Last Man Standing match for the title in two weeks.

Overall Rating: B-. A lot of this show felt like fallout from Halloween Havoc, though the Saints vs. Williams feud continuing is a bit much. Maybe they just don’t think they have time to set up someone new, but it doesn’t feel like the most thrilling match. On the other hand, it does feel like there are some bright spots on the horizon, with names like Borne and Grey having my attention. Not a great show, but they’re getting ready for the bigger stuff in the next few weeks.

Results
Jasper Troy b. Axiom – Black Hole Slam
Kendal Grey b. Lash Legend – Shades Of Grey
Myles Borne b. Tavion Heights – Small package
Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice went to a double DQ when Fatal Influence interfered
Kelani Jordan b. Jordynne Grace – Belt shot

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6