Smackdown
Date: January 17, 2025
Location: Perchanga Arena, San Diego, California
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re getting closer to Saturday Night’s Main Event and that means we should be in for a bigger push towards the show. Other than that, Cody Rhodes is still dealing with Kevin Owens, which could make for a nice build here. Bayley is getting a title shot against Tiffany Stratton so let’s get to it.

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

The announcers are in the crowd to welcome us to the show as we see some people coming to work.

Here is Rey Mysterio to get things going. Rey is glad to be in his hometown and announces that he is entering the Royal Rumble. He won the Royal Rumble in 2006 and went on to become World Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania. Mysterio is impressed by the competition this year but here is Kevin Owens, with the Winged Eagle belt, to interrupt. Owens says he respects Mysterio more than anyone in wrestling, but Owens has done some great things over the course of his own career.

There is one more thing he wants to do though: face Rey Mysterio. Like say at Wrestlemania for the WWE Title. Mysterio points out that Owens isn’t the champion right now, but if things line up, he would love to face Owens at Wrestlemania. Owens goes on a rant about how he’s the real champion and the fight is on, with Mysterio clearing the ring. Of note: Owens is wearing a shirt saying “The Canadian Son Of A Security Systems Technician.” This man is incredible.

Naomi and Bianca Belair still have no word on who attacked Jade Cargill, but Belair makes it clear that they’re cool. Belair even wraps her hair up so Naomi can’t get taken out again.

Nick Aldis makes Rey Mysterio vs. Kevin Owens for tonight. Cody Rhodes comes in to say he’ll have Mysterio’s back but Rey has this. That’s cool with Rhodes, but Aldis has something new to add to the Rhodes vs. Owens title match at the Royal Rumble. Rhodes will sign when Owens does.

Candice LeRae/Nia Jax vs. Naomi/Bianca Belair

Non-title. LeRae gets in a cheap shot to start fast on Belair but she’s back up with a running shoulder. Belair launches LeRae onto Jax at ringside and we take an early break. Back with LeRae pulling Belair down by the hair and Jax pulling Naomi off the apron just in case. Belair manages to get up top for a high crossbody and that’s enough for the tag off to Naomi to pick up the pace.

A quick split legged moonsault gives Naomi two but Jax is back up with a Samoan drop. LeRae tags herself in and hits a backsplash, which isn’t as impressive as the one Jax adds. Jax’s legdrop hits LeRae by mistake and with Jax sent outside, Naomi hits the Bubba Bomb for the pin at 10:35.

Rating: C. This was kind of a weird one with a bunch of things going on and it didn’t quite work. The focus here seems to be on LeRae and Jax having issues, which is going to cause some problems down the line. I’m not sure where it’s going, but LeRae is not exactly feeling on Jax’s level. Not a great match either, but odds are we’ll be getting into whatever is going on with Jade Cargill and the champs sooner than later.

Earlier today, Bayley was in a mostly empty arena and talked about how important it would be to win the title back. She has been champion before bu she never reached her potential so tonight it’s time to get up to the next level by beating Tiffany Stratton.

Michin and B-Fab are in the back when Piper Niven interrupts, saying that it’s clear for Chelsea Green to come in. Green comes in to brag about her success and the result is B-Fab against Niven tonight.

Jimmy Uso is ready for Carmelo Hayes.

Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes

Before the match, Hayes mocks Uso’s lack of solo success, only for Uso to steal his sunglasses and hammer away. Hayes is back up to stomp away in the corner and avoids the running Umaga Attack. A suplex to the apron drops Hayes though and Uso hits a dive onto the announcers’ table as we take a break.

Back with Uso missing a Whisper In The Wind, allowing Hayes to grab a springboard reverse DDT (cool) for two. A double clothesline gives us a double near fall before the pop up Samoan drop gives Uso two. The Superfly Splash is countered into the First 48 (nice) for two but Uso spears him down. Cue the Bloodline to jump Uso for the DQ at 11:52.

Rating: C+. They were getting going here and there was something to it but the ending is what makes sense. The Bloodline is going to want revenge on a lot of people and Uso is certainly on their list. Uso doesn’t have much of his own going on at the moment and this is probably about as big as he’s going to get anytime soon.

Post match the Bloodline takes out Uso and drops Hayes for a bonus. Cue Solo Sikoa who, after a break and a lot of booing….drops the mic and leaves. Fatu says he’s tired of the disrespect and says no one can touch him. If people think he’s crazy, he’s just getting started. Cue LA Knight to go after both of them, which goes as well as expected. Braun Strowman comes in for the real save.

Legado del Fantasma is ready to face the Motor City Machine Guns tonight and they will take the respect.

Los Garza vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Elektra Lopez is here with Los Garza. Shelley headlocks Angel to start but gets caught in a reverse Beverly Bomb (there’s your old school move name…assuming that’s what it was called). It’s already off to Sabin for the Dream Sequence but some stereo strikes take him down. We take a break and come back with a Gory Bomb/slingshot flipping cutter (cool) getting two on Sabin.

A missed charge allows the tag back to Shelley though and house is quickly cleaned. Berto gets caught in the corner with the Guns working on the knee, setting up stereo Figure Fours on Los Garza. Those are broken up and something like a springboard kick to the face Hart Attack drops Sabin for two. Everything breaks down and here is Pretty Deadly, whose interference doesn’t work so well. The Skull And Bones finishes Berto at 11:59.

Rating: B. Good action packed match here and maybe even a few bonus points for the interference not mattering. What matters the most here is that the Guns are on their way back to the title scene and that should be a big one. Perhaps either at the Royal Rumble or Saturday Night’s Main Event. Also one more note: I love that Shelley will usually pump his fist or something similar after he gets a pin. The point is to win a match so yeah, he should be excited that his team won.

Kevin Owens (now in a Rey Mysterio shirt) won’t sign the contract until Randy Orton signs.

Piper Niven vs. B-Fab

Chelsea Green is here with Niven, who powers B-Fab down to start. Back up and B-Fab kicks her in the face for two, followed by a Maivia Hurricane for the same. There’s a pump kick to the floor, where B-Fab takes out Green as a bonus. Back in and the Piper Driver finishes B-Fab in a hurry at 2:16.

Post match the beatdown is on but Michin makes the save.

We get a tribute to Bob Uecker, who really was good when he was around. He was awesome on commentary for the six man tag at Wrestlemania III as he was asking good questions and breaking stuff down like no other celebrity would do.

We look back at Tiffany Stratton winning the Women’s Title a few weeks back.

Stratton is ready to beat Bayley because she doesn’t have to recreate moments. Right now, she is those moments. Nice, short stuff here.

Rey Mysterio vs. Kevin Owens

Owens back him into the corner to start but gets armdragged for his efforts. A wristlock doesn’t work well for Owens either but he knocks Mysterio outside for an early breather. Back in and Mysterio snaps off an anklescissors, only to get dropped for a backsplash. They go outside again, with Mysterio getting in a hurricanrana, setting up the sliding splash and we take a break.

Back with Mysterio fighting out of a chinlock and avoiding a charge to send Owens into the post. A sitout bulldog gives Mysterio two and the spinning DDT gets the same. Owens drops him again and hits an (Eddie Dance) frog splash for two of his own because Owens knows how to do mean things like that. Mysterio comes back with a Code Red for two more, only for Owens to hit a heck of a Stunner for another near fall. The Swanton hits raised knees though and a 619 lets Mysterio go up. Owens gets smart by bumping the ropes and the pop up powerbomb is good for the pin at 15:35.

Rating: B. I’m not sure if there is any surprise that two people with so much talent had a good match. They were trading big spots here and Owens got to get crafty to win. At the same time, you can feel the difference between the old days when someone would get embarrassed in their hometown and here, as Mysterio lost a good, competitive match. That’s a world of difference and it helped boost Owens up on the way to a title shot.

Post match Owens loads up the package piledriver but Cody Rhodes (who is officially medically cleared) runs in for the save.

Post break, Nick Aldis yells at Cody Rhodes, saying next week at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Rhodes and Owens will sign the new contract. As a bonus, Shawn Michaels can be the moderator.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows, including Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu on Saturday Night’s Main Event.

DIY yells at Pretty Deadly, telling them to get serious. With DIY gone, Apollo Crews comes in to say he told them so, only for DIY to beat them down.

Video on Charlotte, who is apparently rather rich. And coming back.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Bayley vs. Tiffany Stratton

Stratton is defending. Feeling out process to start with Stratton getting out of a headscissors but backing away in a hurry. Stratton runs her over and flips away but has to block the Bayley To Belly. Bayley knocks her outside and we take an early break. Back with Stratton pulling her into the post and working on the shoulder. Bayley gets to the apron, where she is taken down by the arm again for another crash.

Stratton charges into an elbow though and a ram into the apron gives Bayley two. A hard forearm cuts Bayley off though and a running hip attack sends her into the apron for a nasty crash. Somehow Bayley is back with the Her To Belly on the floor and we take another break.

Back again with Stratton going to the arm again, setting up a Swanton and a powerbomb for two. They head outside again where Bayley gets in a suplex, only to be distracted by former NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez (who Bayley brawled with this week on NXT). Back in and another Bayley To Belly gets two and a sunset bomb sends Stratton into the corner for two more. The Rose Plant is countered into an Alabama Slam and the Prettiest Moonsault Ever finishes for Stratton at 20:05.

Rating: B-. I was a bit surprised at the ending as I was expecting Perez to get involved but she just stared at Bayley and then Stratton retained clean. That’s a good win for Stratton to pick up as she is going to have to build herself up after basically stealing the title. Good first defense here, and Perez vs. Bayley is likely coming sooner than later as a bonus.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a wrestling heavy show and it worked well here, with multiple strong matches which filled in a lot of time. The three hour run time is still taking some getting used to, but what matters the most is that some people are getting a chance to show what they can do. Pretty awesome show here, with some stuff that I want to see getting advanced and some solid matches to back it up.

Results
Naomi/Bianca Belair b. Nia Jax/Candice LeRae – Bubba Bomb to LeRae
Jimmy Uso b. Carmelo Hayes via DQ when the Bloodline interfered
Piper Niven b. B-Fab – Piper Driver
Kevin Owens b. Rey Mysterio – Pop up powerbomb
Tiffany Stratton b. Bayley – Prettiest Moonsault Ever

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

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AND

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Smackdown
Date: December 27, 2024
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re wrapping up the show, and the two hour era of Smackdown, with this week’s edition. That should make things all the more interesting and I’m curious to see how they wrap it up. The big story is still Cody Rhodes being out of action at the hands of Kevin Owens, who has stolen the Winged Eagle belt. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens.

Nick Aldis makes it clear that Owens is not the champion and he has until the end of the night to give up the title or face severe consequences. This is not a negotiation.

Naomi and Bianca Belair still don’t know who attacked Jade Cargill but they’re ready to team with Bayley tonight.

Bayley/Naomi/Bianca Belair vs. Tiffany Stratton/Nia Jax/Candice LeRae

Before the match, Jax talks about how none of them attacked Jade Cargill, as Stratton couldn’t even help them win the Tag Team Titles. Jax accuses Belair of being the attacker and we’re ready to go. Belair takes Stratton down but it’s too early for the handspring moonsault. Instead everything breaks down and the villains are cleared out on the floor as we take a break.

Back with Naomi giving Jax a Stinkface and getting powered down as a result. LeRae comes in and gets double suplexed but Stratton’s distraction lets Jax take over again. Stratton has to tag herself back in and hits a top rope splash on Belair, nearly landing on LeRae by mistake. Bayley comes in and is swung into the post to cut her off just as fast. LeRae drops Bayley on the apron and we take another break.

Back again with Bayley fighting her way out of trouble and bringing Naomi in to clean house on Stratton. Everything breaks down and we hit the parade of knockdowns until Naomi gives Jax a super hurricanrana. Stratton makes the save and teases a cash in but LeRae cuts it off. The argument is on again, allowing Naomi to hit a Bully Bomb for the pin on LeRae at 16:12.

Rating: C+. This got some time and it made for a nice enough match, especially with Stratton’s face turn seeming all but a matter of time. The fans are getting behind her as she’s getting yelled at by the resident villains. That is a recipe for the fans to care about her and it wouldn’t shock me to see her cash in for a big reaction. Ignore that a hero cashing in isn’t overly heroic but she’s new at this.

A-Town Down Under gives Nick Aldis an invoice for the damage Braun Strowman did to their set. That doesn’t work, as Sami Zayn comes in, saying he and Aldis should talk. Post break, Zayn says he wants the Bloodline but Carmelo Hayes interrupts with some Christmas cards for the two of them. Zayn isn’t happy with being interrupted and crumples his up, Instead, he’ll face Hayes tonight. The things I got out of this: Hayes makes a lot of Christmas cards and he’s rather short.

Braun Strowman vs. Austin Theory

Grayson Waller is here with Theory. Strowman wastes no time in launching him across the ring and we take an early break. Back with Strowman in trouble and Theory taking out his knee to keep him down. The rolling dropkick staggers Strowman, who hits a dropkick of his own to put Theory on the floor. Waller’s interference doesn’t work and Strowman runs both of them over. Strowman throws Theory back in, setting up the running powerslam for the pin at 7:26.

Rating: C. This was a basic match with Strowman overcoming the numbers game without much trouble. That’s what Strowman can o rather well and he made it work just fine here. Strowman is still relatively new on Smackdown, this time around at least, and having him smash two pests is a fine way to get him started.

Next week: Smackdown officially expands to three hours.

Kevin Owens is in his car and says he should be the WWE Champion. He’ll talk to Nick Aldis tonight, but it’s going to be the two of them alone in the ring with no security.

Here is Piper Niven to introduce Chelsea Green for her Women’s United States Championship Celebration. Green is dressed as the Statue Of Liberty and gets to the point: they did it! They have turned the blue brand into the Green House! She is he tannedest, shiniest, youngest, longest reigning Women’s United States Champion in history! As for Michin, good riddance! She asks us what we can do for Chelsea Green but here is Michin to interrupt. Michin chases Green off with a kendo stick and Green panics.

DIY has nothing to say about the Street Profits being attacked. Pretty Deadly saw what happened and, after a failed attempt to get funding for their musical, say that it was Garza. That’s enough for the Profits, who go off to brawl with Legado del Fantasma. Nick Aldis says take it to the ring.

Street Profits vs. Los Garza

Apparently Berto and Angel are now Los Garza. It’s a brawl to start with Ford and Berto hitting stereo slingshot dives to the floor. Back in and the Profits give Berto a double flapjack but Berto takes Dawkins into the corner. Angel comes in to hammer away and we hit a not great camel clutch. Everything breaks down and a belly to back moonsault gets two on Berto with Angel making the save.

We take a break and come back with Ford’s comeback being cut off by a spinebuster. A running knee in the corner rocks Ford again but he manages a jumping DDT for a breather. That’s enough for the tag off to Dawkins so house can be quickly cleaned, including a neckbreaker for two on Berto. Everything breaks down and a double super gorilla press drops Ford. Berto adds a moonsault for two but the Profits are back up. Elektra Lopez pulls Angel to safety and gets dropped by B Fab. Ford hits a big dive and the Doomsday Blockbuster finishes Angel at 11:04 shown.

Rating: B-. This took some time to get going but it was a fast paced match by the end, which is all you can ask for her. The Profits get a bit of revenge, though it’s kind of surprising that Los Garza were the ones to take them out. If something fresh, but DIY being behind this would make a bit more sense. Either way, nice match here, with the Profits getting back on the right track.

Andrade wants the US Title.

DIY and Pretty Deadly seem to come to an agreement. With DIY gone, the Street Profits come in to say they’re up for a title shot. The Motor City Machine Guns come in to say they’re next in line but Apollo Crews comes in to say DIY attacked the Profits. Ford: “WHAT!”

Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes

They shove each other around to start, with Hayes not being thrilled with his arm being cranked. Hayes is sent outside so Zayn can do his flip back into the middle. Zayn sends him into the barricade and we take a break. Back with Hayes hitting a springboard clothesline and looking rather cocky about doing so. Zayn gets fired up and hits a clothesline, setting up a middle rope ax handle (that needs to make a comeback).

The Blue Thunder Bomb gives Zayn two but Hayes hits the First 48 for the same. A springboard DDT his Zayn, who pops up with a clothesline. Zayn exploders him into the corner and Hayes walks out…and has to run away from Braun Strowman. Before we can get to the countout though, the Bloodline runs in to jump Zayn for the DQ at 11:30.

Rating: B-. This match gets points for not having Hayes take a pin after he beat Strowman last week. Let him get a little something out of the win, because otherwise it feels like such a waste of time. For now though, Hayes gets to live another day and it’s nice to see some more thinking for a change.

Post match the beatdown is on but Strowman makes the save. Jacob Fatu pops up for the showdown though and the Bloodline beats Strowman down. Zayn gets taken out as well and here is Kevin Owens to deal with Nick Aldis, with everyone else leaving.

Post break Owens and Aldis are alone in the ring, with Aldis telling him to hand over the Winged Eagle. Owens wants a rematch where the referee can’t cost him, so he wants Cody Rhodes to come get the title. Aldis threatens to end Owens’ career if he doesn’t hand it over but here is Rhodes to interrupt.

Rhodes doesn’t want Aldis to fire Owens because it would just make him a martyr. Rhodes does everything he does because of his friends and family so he wants a match where the referee can’t stop what he’s going to do to Owens. Like in a ladder match, which Aldis makes for the Royal Rumble. We don’t get a handshake so Owens shoves Aldis into Rhodes and stomps away to end the show. A ladder match is an interesting way to go and thankfully we haven’t seen that many as of late around here.

Overall Rating: B-. Not a great show here but it moved some stories along and set up the big title match for the Royal Rumble. That’s the important thing, as Smackdown needs something to build towards other than the big main event on the January 6 Raw. I liked the show well enough and there was some nice action so we’ll call it enough of a success for a show before everything gets bigger next week.

Results
Bayley/Naomi/Bianca Belair b. Tiffany Stratton/Nia Jax/Candice LeRae – Bully Bomb to LeRae
Braun Strowman b. Austin Theory – Running powerslam
Street Profits b. Los Garza – Doomsday Blockbuster to Angel
Sami Zayn b. Carmelo Hayes via DQ when the Bloodline interfered

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

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Smackdown
Date: December 6, 2024
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re done with Survivor Series and the big story is that Roman Reigns and his version of the Bloodline beat the new Bloodline in WarGames. Other than that, Shinsuke Nakamura is the new US Champion and we are just over a week away from Saturday Night’s Main Event. That’s going to need some more work so let’s get to it.

Here is Survivor Series if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of the Smackdown matches from Survivor Series.

Commentary recaps the three injuries in WarGames, including Bronson Reed with an ankle injury/broken foot, Tonga Loa with a torn bicep, and Jimmy Uso with a broken toe. All three are out indefinitely.

The Bloodline beats up Apollo Crews and security on the way into the arena.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes gets right to the point by talking about Kevin Owens at Saturday Night’s Main Event but American Made cuts him off. The transfer window is opening up and Nick Aldis has been talking about bringing Chad Gable to Smackdown. You have to remember that the people here in Minnesota are gullible so you have to explain things to them.

Gable wanted to be like Rhodes and he can dress like him, but there is more to it than that. The other thing Gable realizes is that Rhodes is a terrible friend, just like Otis. Rhodes is the definition of superficial because he only cares about what people think of him. That has Rhodes thinking and he brings up Gable’s time as Shorty G, but he’s looking at Stardust.

Rhodes lost last year at Wrestlemania and it made him think things could go wrong. What happens when things go wrong for Gable? That doesn’t go well for Gable, who says he would take Rhodes out if not for the suit he’s wearing. Rhodes cuts to the point and issues the challenge for tonight, but he’s got Kevin Owens on his mind, which is bad for Gable. This was a rather lengthy exchange for a match that probably didn’t need it.

Commentary confirms that the transfer portal is indeed open and wrestlers can move. No word on how long or when that might happen.

Bianca Belair and Naomi are in the back and they’re both banged up after WarGames. Naomi leaves for her match when Chelsea Green and Piper Niven come in to mock Belair for the loss in the tournament. Belair thinks Niven might have taken Jade Cargill out so the brawl is on, with Green going after Belair’s bad ribs.

Jesse Ventura is here. Yeah that works.

Women’s United States Title Tournament First Round: Tiffany Stratton vs. Elektra Lopez vs. Naomi

Lopez throws the banged up Naomi to the floor to start so Stratton, in Minnesota Vikings colors, tries a cheap shot. That doesn’t work either as Lopez drops her, followed by another knockdown to Naomi. Stratton is back up and cartwheels over Lopez, setting up a basement dropkick for two. The handspring elbow hits Lopez but Naomi is back in with a high crossbody to Stratton.

Naomi steps onto Stratton’s back in the corner but falls over the top, thankfully catching herself for a nice save. A double springboard Stunner (it only kind of works) sends the villains outside but Stratton is back up with a double stomp to crush Naomi on the apron. Back in and Lopez gets a half crab on Stratton before planting Naomi for two.

A Blue Thunder Bomb gives Lopez two on Naomi with Stratton making a last second save. Back up and they strike it out until Naomi hits the Rear View on Stratton…but here is Candice LeRae for a distraction. Lopez breaks up the split legged moonsault so Naomi settles for a layout reverse DDT. Now the moonsault hits but Stratton breaks it up, meaning the Prettiest Moonsault Ever can finish Lopez at 7:15.

Rating: B-. The fans were behind Stratton here and the three of them knew it, making the match a lot more interesting. Stratton got to be the big hometown hero here and the moonsault at the end looked great. At the same time, Lopez came off like a star and something of a wrecking machine, at least until the end.

Commentary talks about the tournament but we go to the back where the Street Profits (challenging for the Tag Team Titles tonight) have been attacked. Nick Aldis goes to deal with this and runs into the Motor City Machine Guns, who are told the match can’t happen. Johnny Gargano pops up to say DIY can take the shot, with the Guns agreeing. The match is made, but Aldis says to tell Tommaso Ciampa to not make him regret this.

Bianca Belair vs. Piper Niven

Chelsea Green is here with Niven. Belair powers her into the corner to start as Cole talks about Jell Roll. A slam attempt just hurts Belair’s bad ribs an Niven’s basement crossbody makes them even worse. The pace slows down and Belair is sent into the corner, setting up a Boss Man Slam for two. We take a break and come back with Belair fighting out of an abdominal stretch but getting crushed with some backsplashes. Belair fights up again and manages a choke but Niven flips her down again.

Another splash misses for Niven though and Belair sends her into the corner over and over. A high crossbody gives Belair two and a spear gets the same, leaving her rather frustrated. For some reason Belair tries the KOD, earning herself a scary Saito suplex. Niven charges into a spinebuster but Belair’s handspring moonsault hits knees. Back up and the Piper Driver gets a heck of a near fall so Belair takes her into the corner. Green gets pulled in before Belair somehow manages a KOD (GEEZ) onto Green for the pin at 12:17.

Rating: B. I got pulled way into this one and that they were trading big shots until the end. Belair getting to pull off the KOD with bad ribs might have been a stretch but I was almost cheering her by that point so I’ll call it a success. They got into a groove here and it was one of the better matches I’ve seen on regular Smackdown in a bit.

We look back at Shinsuke Nakamura’s return and subsequent US Title win at Survivor Series.

We look at Team Ripley winning the women’s WarGames match.

Bianca Belair is walking through the back (and passing Nick Aldis talking to Dominik Mysterio) and runs into Naomi. She’s sick of Tiffany and Candice LeRae but Byron Saxton comes in to say Piper Niven has an alibi for the Jade Cargill attack. Belair and Naomi are going to find out who did it.

Here is Shinsuke Nakamura for a chat…but LA Knight interrupts before anything can be said. Knight doesn’t think much of Nakamura as the US Champion because that title belongs to him. The challenge is on for the rematch but Nakamura just stands there. Knight says the only thing Nakamura has done to his face is spray that mist so he puts the sunglasses on (makes sense), only for Andrade to interrupt.

Knight says this is his title and Andrade can have the first shot…..but here is the Bloodline to take out Knight and Andrade. Nakamura backs away from the violence (with goo streaming out of his mouth), leaving the Bloodline to take out Andrade and Knight again. Solo Sikoa says the Bloodline isn’t done and even though they’re down two soldiers, step up and take a shot.

Anyone who steps up will get taken out because he’s tired of not being taken seriously. Sikoa is still the Tribal Chief and still the head of the table, so everyone is going to acknowledge him. It’s really nice to see the Bloodline get away from Roman Reigns and company, but dang this feels like a downgrade.

Tommaso Ciampa says Johnny Gargano getting them this title shot doesn’t fix everything. We’ll see how that goes if they win the titles.

Kevin Owens isn’t happy with having to be in Minneapolis for a sitdown interview with Michael Cole. He never wants to be in this town, especially for something with MICHAEL COLE. Owens is at the arena, so come find his car and have a chat.

Tag Team Titles: Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY

DIY is challenging. Sabin grabs Ciampa’s arm to start and it’s off to Shelley for a running dropkick. We hit the chinlock for a bit before Ciampa is knocked outside and we take an early break. Back with Shelley hitting a jawbreaker and ducking Ciampa’s boot, which hits Gargano by mistake. The Fairy Tale Ending is blocked and Sabin comes back in with a high crossbody for two on Ciampa.

A middle rope knee/backbreaker combination into a Downward Spiral/enziguri combination gets two more on Ciampa, but he fights back up for a knockdown of his own. Ciampa tags Gargano in but then yells at and shoves him. Gargano shoves Ciampa down and tells him to get out, only to get small packaged for two. Shelley Downward Spirals Gargano into the middle buckle but Ciampa distracts the referee. Gargano goes low on Sabin and superkick Shelley. Ciampa is rather pleased (Gargano: “Well that worked!”) and Meet In The Middle gives DIY the titles back at 10:40.

Rating: B-. This might not have been a classic but the turn went well, as Gargano finally embraces the evil and has success as a result. Odds are Ciampa or DIY took out the Profits earlier as it would fit, though dang I’m not sure how well DIY fits as dastardly villains. For now though, they get the titles and have some ready made challengers, so it’s a nice start.

Post break Candice LeRae celebrates with DIY, as Tommaso Ciampa calls his family.

Michael Cole has gone to the parking lot and found Kevin Owens’ car (hint: it’s the one with Owens inside) where Owens insists that they talk here. Owens hasn’t been allowed to go into an arena since Bad Blood and laughs at the idea of Cole wanting to do an unbiased interview. Cole talks about being a big Owens supporter but Owens goes off about Roman Reigns trying to end his career. Cody Rhodes called him an egomaniac but who has THREE SETS OF PYRO for his entrance???

Cole brings up the Usos and Sami Zayn helping Reigns, sending Owens into another ran about how he doesn’t care about the Usos. He’ll cross that bridge with Zayn when they get there, but Cole doesn’t understand this because he doesn’t have friends. Cole tells Owens to look in the mirror. Owens: “Ok. I see a handsome man who is completely right.” Owens tells him to leave his rental vehicle right now and, with Cole out, an annoyed Owens drives off. As usual, Owens knows how to make the obvious sound good and Cole is good as the realistic voice.

Nick Aldis talks to Gunther, but Carmelo Hayes comes up and doesn’t approve. With Gunther gone, Hayes asks why Aldis doesn’t have time for him. If Aldis can’t find a place for him, Monday Night Melo sounds good to Hayes. Aldis says that not having to deal with Hayes sounds like something that deserves balloons and a cake. He has something planned for Hayes…and then walks off.

Cody Rhodes vs. Chad Gable

Non-title and the rest of American Made is here too. Gable grabs a waistlock to start and Rhodes has to kick him away for an early standoff. A delayed gordbuster puts Gable down but Ivy Nile cuts off a springboard attempt. Gable gets in a dragon screw legwhip and wraps the leg around the post as we take a break.

Back with Rhodes escaping the ankle lock but getting his leg dropkicked out for two. The top rope headbutt gives Gable two but the moonsault is broken up, allowing Rhodes to hit an inverted superplex to leave both of them down. Rhodes fights up and hits the powerslam, followed by the Disaster Kick. The Cody Cuter connects but the Creeds pull Gable to the floor. American Made gets ejected, allowing Rhodes to grab a rollup for two.

Gable goes back to the leg and takes Rhodes’ boot off, setting up the ankle lock. That’s broken up with a roll through and the Cody Cutter connects again. Cross Rhodes is reversed into ankle ankle lock, sending Rhodes to the ropes. Gable breaks up Cross Rhodes again and goes up top, only to miss the moonsault. Cross Rhodes finishes Gable at 12:26.

Rating: B. Gable got in more than I was expecting before being taken down here and that’s a nice way for him to go. It was a good, back and forth match with both of them working well. Gable taking out Rhodes’ leg sounds like a calling card for Kevin Owens, who knows how to go after an injury. Nice main event here, with Gable helping move Rhodes up a bit.

Post match Kevin Owens is here to stomp on the bad ankle. Referees and agents can’t keep them apart and the fight keeps going as the show ends.

Overall Rating: B+. You had two rather good matches plus some angle advancement on the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event. The Gargano turn and title change just make things feel that much more important and this was a rather engaging show. Smackdown is clicking right now and that is always nice to see. Pretty great show this week.

Results
Tiffany Stratton b. Elektra Lopez and Naomi – Prettiest Moonsault Ever to Lopez
Bianca Belair b. Piper Niven – KOD
DIY b. Motor City Machine Guns – Meet In The Middle to Sabin
Cody Rhodes b. Chad Gable – Cross Rhodes

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

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AND

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Smackdown
Date: April 19, 2024
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Corey Graves, Wade Barrett

We have just a few weeks before Backlash and that means it is time to crown a new #1 contender. That gets covered this week, as LA Knight meets AJ Styles in a Wrestlemania rematch for the shot against Cody Rhodes at Backlash. Other than that, we very well may be in for some new Tag Team Title belts. Let’s get to it.

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

We run down the card.

AJ Styles vs. LA Knight

For the World Title shot against Cody Rhodes at Backlash. Knight grabs a headlock to start and puts the brakes on before Styles can hit the dropkick. They head outside with Knight ramming him into the announcers’ table, as is Knight’s custom. A running dropkick through the ropes puts Styles down again and we take a break.

Back with Knight slugging away but stereo crossbodies leave them both down. They slug it out with Knight getting the better of things and taking Styles up top. The top rope superplex gives Knight two but Styles is back with the Pele. It’s too early for the Phenomenal Forearm so Knight slams him down, setting up the jumping elbow. Styles heads to the apron and manages a quick poke to the eye, setting up the Phenomenal Forearm to go to Backlash at 11:04.

Rating: C+. Styles makes good sense as Cody’s first challenger as Knight would be too popular. Cody vs. Styles will be at least a perfectly acceptable match between two talented stars and Cody should look good as a result. I’m not wild on Knight losing so soon after Wrestlemania, but at least he got his big win there, which is better than nothing at all.

We look back at Tama Tonga debuting and wiping Jimmy Uso out of the Bloodline.

Earlier today, Solo Sikoa, in a very nice suit, meets Paul Heyman in the back and introduces Tama Tonga as the newest member of the Bloodline. Heyman doesn’t seem sure about this but Sikoa cuts him off and wants to know if Kevin Owens is here.

Here is Nick Aldis in the ring to introduce HHH for an announcement. HHH talks about the amazing future that Nick Aldis (and Adam Pearce) are leading us into, so we need Grayson Waller and Austin Theory out here. They get right to the point: the team will now be known as the WWE Tag Team Champions, complete with new belts, which look like the old WWF World Tag Team Titles. Since we have new champions, we need new challengers so let’s do this.

Well also after Naomi says she isn’t letting her friendship with Bayley get in the way of winning the Women’s Title tonight.

Street Profits vs. New Catch Republic vs. Legado del Fantasma vs. AOP

Austin Theory and Grayson Waller are on commentary. Ford headlocks Bate to start but Bate technicals him down without much effort. It’s quickly off to Berto to get in a cheap shot on Ford, setting up a running knee from Angel. The AOP aren’t having this and come in to wreck people as we take a break.

Back with Akam hitting Ford in the face and grabbing an over the shoulder backbreaker. Ford manages to slip out and get over to Bate for a tag as everything breaks down. As the champs can’t focus because of their beautiful new titles, a Tower of Doom (or most of one) leaves some people down, with Bate being double gorilla pressed off the top to make it worse. An assisted powerbomb gets two on Bate but the Republic is back with stereo ankle locks to Legado. Those are broken up and we take another break.

Back again with Rezar powerbombing Dawkins and Bate getting planted as well. The Republic escape the Super Collider and knock the AOP outside as everything breaks down again. Berto’s springboard spinning kick to the face gets two on Dawkins but Dawkins is right back up for the Doomsday Blockbuster. Bate snaps Dawkins’ fingers before the Republic and Ford all hit flip dives to the floor. Back in and Berto clotheslines Bate, setting up Angel’s Lionsault. Ford frog splashes in for the save and the Revelation gives Dawkins the pin on Angel at 17:14.

Rating: B-. This got more time than I was expecting and it worked pretty well. The biggest story here is getting the first challengers set up for the new champs and the Profits are great choices. They’re the kind of team who could conceivably give the new champs a run for their money or even win the titles, but they could also be a good set of first victims. Nice match here, with the time flying by.

We look at Rhea Ripley vacating the Women’s Title due to her shoulder injury.

Bayley is a bit shaken up by what she saw Rhea Ripley do on Raw but she’s not losing tonight.

Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa keep looking for Kevin Owens but Heyman tells him that he (as in Solo) isn’t allowed to make these decisions yet. Sikoa: “Are you done yet?” They come into the arena and, after a break, Heyman talks about being one of the better backstage politickers in WWE. We pause for a WE WANT ROMAN chant, which has Heyman a bit broken up, but Solo takes the mic.

Sikoa says he had to lose a brother last week to gain a new member of the Bloodline in Tama Tonga. Cue Tonga, who is beating Kevin Owens down the aisle. Referees help Owens to the back as Sikoa and Tonga pose, but (the very bloody) Owens comes back, only to get beaten down by the Bloodline again. Nick Aldis eventually comes in and the Bloodline leaves. Heyman is selling the heck out of this stuff, as the fear he is showing makes me want to know what happens when Reigns, or someone else, shows up again.

Post break Nick Aldis drags Paul Heyman to the parking lot where Tama Tonga’s car has rammed into Kevin Owens’. Heyman is aghast but Aldis threatens him with repercussions if he doesn’t get this under control.

Santos Escobar vs. Carlito

Elektra Lopez and Zelina Vega are here too. Carlito hammers away to start and sends him outside, setting up a dropkick through the ropes. Vega poses on Carlito’s shoulders and we take a break. Back with Escobar snapping off a super hurricanrana as Vega is looking terrified. The armbar goes on but Carlito fights up to make the clothesline comeback. The women get into a brawl on the floor and the distraction lets Escobar hit the Phantom Driver for the pin at 7:37.

Rating: C. Not much to this one, which has been the case for almost everything Carlito has done in recent months. They seem to be pointing towards Carlito being revealed as the guy who took out Dragon Lee, but it almost feels too obvious. At the same time, a heel turn could do Carlito some good, as he doesn’t have anything going on at the moment.

Damage CTRL is in a sky box…but Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair pop up next to them to watch the main event.

Cody Rhodes, currently in England on the UK tour, praises AJ Styles and says he’s looking forward to the title match at Backlash.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Bayley vs. Naomi

Naomi is challenging and they fight over wrist control to start. Bayley takes her down into an armbar but Naomi fights up with a springboard bulldog. The Rear View gives Naomi two and we take a break. Back with Naomi hitting a high crossbody for two but Bayley knocks her down for a change. The top rope elbow only hits raised knees though and Naomi grabs a slingshot X Factor.

Naomi’s split legged moonsault hits raised knees and now the top rope elbow connects for two. It’s too early for the Rose Plant and Naomi pulls her into the reverse Rings Of Saturn. Bayley gets to the rope so it’s time to slug it out/yell at each other. Both of them crash out to the floor, where Bayley hits a Bayley onto the announcers’ table…and cue Tiffany Stratton to jump Bayley for the DQ at 11:17.

Rating: C+. There’s a good chance that this is setting up a triple threat for the title at Backlash and that isn’t a bad way to go. Stratton interfering here makes sense but they waited long enough that her interference still felt like a surprise instead of waiting around for her to come in. Naomi has some complaining to do here and we should be in for a showdown when she gets another chance.

Stratton sends them inside for the double Prettiest Moonsault Ever to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. They were in a weird spot with this show as they had to set some things up for Backlash, but with the biggest story being “Roman Reigns isn’t here and the Bloodline is going nuts” and the Draft next week, it wasn’t the most important feeling of a show. What matters is they had a good enough show with some nice action, but everything is changing next week and they knew it.

Results
AJ Styles b. LA Knight – Phenomenal Forearm
Street Profits b. Legado del Fantasma, New Catch Republic and AOP – Revelation to Angel
Santos Escobar b. Carlito – Phantom Driver
Bayley b. Naomi via DQ when Tiffany Stratton interfered

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

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AND

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Smackdown
Date: April 5, 2024
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Corey Graves

It’s the last show before Wrestlemania and that means the usual: the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, one other match that matters and a bunch of hype videos for Wrestlemania. Other than that it’s a big warmup for the night’s real main event in the Hall Of Fame so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at the bigger Wrestlemania matches, which feels like a pay per view opening rather than a television show.

The entrance set is stripped down again and that’s a nice visual.

It’s time for the KO Show with Kevin Owens (featuring his traditional KO Mania shirt, now up to VII), who gets things started with some good old fashioned sign staring. With that out of the way, Owens brings out Randy Orton as his guest. Owens displays the chairs’ ability to spin before talking about their (Owens and Orton’s, not the chairs’) upcoming triple threat match at Wrestlemania as both of them want Logan Paul’s US Title.

Before Orton can get very far about how annoying he finds Paul, here is Paul live from the Wrestlemania stage at the stadium. Owens finds it interesting that they’re right across the street from the stadium so it’s time to head outside. With the two of them gone, Austin Theory and Grayson Waller pop out from underneath the ring, apparently having missed their cue to jump Owens and Orton. Ok that’s clever.

Back from a break and Owens has stolen a golf cart to head over to the stadium, with Waller and Theory following.

Video on Andre the Giant to set up his namesake battle royal.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Angel, Berto, JD McDonagh, Elton Prince, Kit Wilson, Ricochet, Cruz del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, Jinder Mahal, Veer, Sanga, Cedric Alexander, Omos, Ashante Thee Adonis, Akira Tozawa, Otis, Ivar, Julius Creed, Brutus Creed, Apollo Crews, Cameron Grimes

Everyone surrounds Omos to start but only Pretty Deadly go after him. Omos tosses Wilson in a hurry and Prince jumps out to eliminating himself, thereby avoiding pain. Everyone else goes at it with Angel and Berto being thrown out. They pull out Wilde and del Toro (under the rope) as Grimes is tossed. Mahal is eliminated as well but Veer and Sanga throw out Crews. The Creeds get rid of Veer and Sanga, followed by Omos chokebombing McDonagh.

We take a break and come back with Omos wrecking the Creeds on the floor with all three of them gone. After we see Omos clotheslining both of them out but eliminating himself in the process, Alexander is thrown out as well with Adonis following quickly. That leaves us with Ricochet, Ivar, Reed, Otis and Tozawa as Reed and Ivar hit stereo crossbodies.

Reed sends Ricochet to the apron but here is McDonagh to pull Ricochet out. Tozawa eliminates McDonagh (who was still in), leaving Otis to clean house. The Caterpillar connects but Reed throws him out. Reed also throws Tozawa out (onto Otis), leaving him alone with Reed as the final two. They ram into each other a few times until Ivar hits a spinning kick to the face, only to miss the Doomsault. A running clothesline gives Reed the win at 10:08.

Rating: C+. This match hasn’t been the most special in a good while now but it is still something that means a bit for the wrestlers who win. That is what we saw here, as Reed gets a boost after weeks of not having the most success. Odds are it isn’t some big game changer, but it’s better than not winning the thing. It also helped set up McDonagh vs. Ricochet in the future, which should be good.

We look at the Bloodline attacking Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.

Logan Paul is back in the arena.

The Final Testament is really interested in taking out Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits.

Here is Logan Paul to talk about how stupid everyone is around here, including Kevin Owens and Randy Orton. Paul has a camera at the stadium to show Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, who are there to take out Owens and Orton. That doesn’t work as they have escaped, meaning here are Owens and Orton to lay Paul out.

Dragon Lee has been attacked.

Zelina Vega vs. Elektra Lopez

Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar are here too. Cue Dominik Mysterio and Andrade to uneven things even more and Vega knows this isn’t good. We’re joined in progress after a break with Vega slugging away and hitting some running clotheslines. Running knees in the corner hit Lopez for two before she’s right back with a swinging Rock Bottom for two of her own. Vega is back up with a 619 in the corner and a hammerlock DDT but Dominik offers a distraction. That lets Lopez hit Elektrashock for the pin at 2:52.

Post match the beatdown is on but Andrade turns on Legado and helps Rey and Vega to their feet. So there’s Lee’s likely replacement.

Here are Naomi and Bianca Belair for a chat. Neither of them like Damage CTRL and it was Naomi who got Belair’s attention about them. They needed each other to fight Damaged CTRL and things have been going well, but then they met newest partner: Jade Cargill! She’s ready for Damage CTRL and sign pointing ensues.

Dragon Lee is officially out of Wrestlemania but Andrade takes his place. Carlito doesn’t seem pleased

New Catch Republic vs. Grayson Waller/Austin Theory

It’s a big brawl to start with the Republic sending them outside. That’s fine with the villains as they send Bate into the barricade and we take a break. Back with Bate suplexing his way to freedom, allowing him to hit a bunch of suplexes. Dunne comes back in to clean house, including a bunch of shots to Theory’s jaw. The Birminghammer finishes for Dunne at 7:23.

Rating: C. This was another one of those matches where you can’t get much out of the thing due to the limited amount of television time. It wasn’t much of a match as a result, with the break eating up so much of their time. The titles could go in any way or multiple ways) at Wrestlemania and the ladder match makes it even more complicated.

Post match Judgment Day IMMEDIATELY runs in for the big beatdown.

Long video on Bayley vs. Iyo Sky for the Smackdown Women’s Title. Bayley talks about the history she has made and it’s time to do it again.

Here is LA Knight for a chat. Knight is ready for Wrestlemania and says AJ Styles will be phenomenal at getting taken out on Sunday. Instead of crying like Styles has been doing he owes a thank you for Knight making people talk about him. Knight talks about how ready he is for Sunday to wrap it up.

B-Fab talks about how ready Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits are.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Solo Sikoa vs. Jey Uso

Jey slugs away to start and low bridges Sikoa to the floor. We take an early break and come back with Sikoa knocking him into the corner. The running Umaga Attack misses so Jey hits one of his own. Jey’s spear is cut off but the second connects, setting up the Superfly Splash. That’s enough for Jimmy Uso to come in for the DQ at 6:32. Not enough shown to rate but it was fine enough for a match that wasn’t going to have a finish.

Post match the beatdown is on but Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins run in for the save. Jimmy is left alone and takes the whipping ala Rock to Rhodes. That lets Rhodes talk about what it means to be a champion, which he will get to do on Sunday. When his story ends, a better one begins. That good line wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C. For a show that more or less makes it clear that it’s just there as a big commercial for Wrestlemania with a few matches thrown in, it worked well enough. The action was mostly skippable but it should help push fans all the way up to the brink of Wrestlemania. WWE knows what it has with this show and it doesn’t try to be anything else, which is what should be happening.

Results
Bronson Reed won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal last eliminating Ivar
Elektra Lopez b. Zelina Vega – Elektrashock
New Catch Republic b. Austin Theory/Grayson Waller – Birminghammer to Theory
Jey Uso b. Solo Sikoa when Jimmy Uso interfered

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

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AND

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NXT
Date: January 30, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the go home show for Vengeance Day and that means a lot of talking for the matches that are already set. One of them has a bit of a twist though, with #1 contender Trick Williams also set to team with Carmelo Hayes in the semifinals of the Dusty Classic. That could make for a busy Sunday so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinals: Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams vs. LWO

Hayes armdrags Wilde down to start and snaps off a dropkick. Williams comes in for a dropkick of his own so it’s off to del Toro for a double back elbow. A comeback is cut off with some shots to the knee but Williams gets over to Hayes anyway. The LWO sends them right back to the floor though and stereo dives connect as we take a break.

Back with Hayes fighting out of a chinlock and hitting his half of a double clothesline. Williams comes back in for a double release Rock Bottom and it’s back to Hayes, who gets caught in the Tree of Woe. The LWO take him down again with stereo missile dropkicks and everyone is down. Hayes and del Toro kick it out until del Toro misses a phoenix splash. Williams comes back in and hits the jumping knee for the pin on Wilde at 12:33.

Rating: B-. So there’s your setup for the main event at Vengeance Day, as there’s a very good chance that Williams can’t win because of something that happens in the tournament final. As in the tournament final that he was in because of Hayes, meaning Hayes costs him the title. Or maybe he wins everything and Hayes is jealous. Either way, it makes things more interesting and we should be in for something good.

Post match Oba Femi runs in to jump the LWO and takes out Dragon Lee for trying to make a save.

Ava tells Ridge Holland that he can’t fight Gallus himself. Lexis King comes in with a gift basket for Ava, who didn’t realize they have a meeting. Ava makes King vs. Holland for tonight. Works for Holland.

Tatum Paxley talks to a picture of Lyra Valkyria, saying she’ll always be there for her. Valkyria comes to say she got all of Paxley’s messages but doesn’t get why Paxley attacked Roxanne Perez last week. Paxley says she’ll always be there for Valkyria.

Tatum Paxley vs. Roxanne Perez

Lyra Valkyria is on commentary and we’re joined in progress with Paxley firing off an assortment of kicks. A hanging butterfly suplex gives Paxley two and she sends Perez outside, with Valkyria not being sure why Paxley is doing any of this. Back in and Pop Rox finishes Paxley at 2:20 shown.

Arianna Grace is with Wren Sinclair and says she is a role model around here. Fallon Henley comes in to say she doesn’t buy this and wants a match with Grace later.

Elektra Lopez vs. Lola Vice

Lopez spars her down and the fight is on to start with the two of them heading outside. Back in and Vice fires off some kicks to send her into the corner. More kicks to the back give Vice two but Lopez powerbombs her out of the corner. An annoyed Lopez strikes away and hits a swinging Rock Bottom for two. A spinebuster is broken up though and Vice kicks her in the head for the pin at 3:32.

Rating: C+. This was quick and to the point with Vice getting a pretty strong win by knocking Lopez silly with that kick. Lopez is on her way to Smackdown and Vice is probably going to get into the title match sooner than later so they needed to cover both of these things. Not a great match, but it was intense while it lasted.

Joe Gacy comes to see Dijak and sits down without permission. Gacy says Dijak can’t get rid of him and plays a recording suggesting that he has been here before. Dijak wrecks him again.

Ridge Holland vs. Lexis King

Holland elbows him in the face to start and we take a very early break. Back with King going after the knee but getting hit in the face for his efforts. King cheap shots him in the corner though and chokes away before we hit the chinlock. A running clothesline to the back of the head gives King two but Holland fights up again. The Coronation is blocked and Holland hits him in the back of the head for two but cue Gallus for a distraction. That’s enough for a hanging Coronation to finish Holland at 9:38.

Rating: C. King is still not great in the ring but at least he’s getting the character stuff down. You also need to give him some wins like this to build him up and it’s not like Holland is going to lose much in defeat. Holland already has to deal with Gallus while King gets to move on to something of his own so this was a nice way forward for both of them.

Post match Gallus comes in to beat down Holland.

Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes are still unsure about Ilja Dragunov but Hayes gives him a pep talk. Hayes promises to show that he’s had Williams’ back since the beginning.

Here is Chase University, minus their sweaters (and Jacy Jayne/Thea Hail), for their final goodbyes. Chases knows he’s a hothead and he has no one to blame but himself, but he thanks everyone for letting him live his dream. Duke Hudson talks about what he has learned from the school and wants everyone to remember how it was. This means a tribute video, which may have been made by threatening students, and yes it is set to Tell Me A Lie.

Chase thanks everyone, but here are Jacy Jayne and Thea Hail to interrupt. Jayne says if you want something done right, ask a woman. Chase: “We’re out here saying our final goodbyes.” Jayne: “Are you?” She talks about how she came into this place a bit toxic but she needed friends. Maybe she could actually change, and maybe she could help fix the problem. She looked inside her comfort zone and the school is NOT closing.

We see the Ladies Of Chase U Calendar…..which will have Chase U out of debt and moving into the future. Chase jumps up and down in happiness and Jayne hugs him. There is something hilarious about how simple of a solution that is and hopefully they get back to doing what worked with Chase U.

The D’Angelo Family is ready for OTM at Vengeance Day.

Brooks Jensen comes up to Fallon Henley to talk about old times but she leaves to go have her match, leaving Jensen a bit disappointed.

Chase U celebrates a lot but Lexis King interrupts. A match between King and Riley Osborne is teased but Joe Gacy and Dijak brawl in to break it up.

Fallon Henley vs. Arianna Grace

Wren Sinclair is here with Henley. Grace offers her a hand to start and gets caught in a wristlock for her efforts. Some armdrags put Grace down again and a big right hand rocks her again as we take a break. Back with Henley fighting out of a chinlock and getting two off a rollup. Henley sends her outside and gets in a shot of her own, only to have Jakara Jackson come in to distract the referee. Cue Lash Legend to kick Henley in the face to give Grace the pin at 8:41.

Rating: C. Henley is definitely moving up the ladder a bit around here and it seems that she has a feud coming up with Meta Four. I could go for her winning something else but at least she has something going on here. Grace on the other hand continues to be more annoying than anything else but at least she didn’t get a dominant win.

OTM is ready for the D’Angelo Family at Vengeance Day.

Dijak and Joe Gacy are fighting way above a dumpster, with Dijak knocking him down into it for a nasty thud.

Baron Corbin praises Bron Breakker for his Royal Rumble performance and seems to be warming up to the Wolf Dogs name.

Heritage Cup: Von Wagner vs. Noam Dar

Dar, with Meta Four, is defending and Mr. Stone is here with Wagner. Round One begins with Dar’s kicks being shrugged off and Wagner snaps off a nice armdrag. Wagner powers him into the corner and slowly walks around as Stone plays cheerleader. The tape comes off of Wagner’s hand and he hammers away until the round ends.

Round Two begins with Wagner going after Oro Mensah, allowing Dar to hit the Nova Roller for the pin at 22 seconds of the round and 3:57 overall. We take a break and come back with Wagner hitting a rather delayed vertical suplex. Mensah offers a distraction but here are Fallon Henley and Wren Sinclair to brawl with Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson. The women leave as Dar’s kneebar can’t get the tap before Round Three ends.

Round Four begins with Wagner punching him in the face for two but Dar is back with some elbows. Wagner fights out again but the Death Valley Driver is broken up. Instead Wagner scores with a jumping knee to the face but misses a charge into the post. That’s enough for Dar to roll him up and retain at 1:53 of the round and 10:10 overall.

Rating: C. The seemingly never ending reign continues for Dar and the matches are getting less interesting. Wagner didn’t seem like one of the strongest challengers but Dar has held the title for the better part of ever. Either find something else for him to do or get rid of the title altogether, because this stopped working a long time ago.

Post match Dar mocks Stone’s kids in the front row so Wagner puts Mensah through the announcers’ table.

Ava yells at Dijak for putting Joe Gacy in a dumpster and wants a No DQ match with Gacy….who pops out of the dumpster to say he’s in. The match is on.

Vengeance Day rundown.

Here is Trick Williams for a face to face showdown with NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov. Cue the champ, who says he’s ready to whoop that Trick, but Williams thinks Dragunov has been playing him the entire time. Williams thinks Dragunov faked his injuries to avoid the match but Dragunov says there’s no way because he’s ready to hurt himself to retain the title.

Dragunov says Williams might want to be more worried about Carmelo Hayes but Williams says he’ll win twice on Sunday. Williams wants Hayes left out of this so Dragunov threatens him with destruction. They shake hands and have a staredown but cue Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker to jump them. Carmelo Hayes runs in for the save so Dragunov and Williams can stare each other down again to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There wasn’t a must see match on the show, but they did a good enough job of making me want to see Vengeance Day. The action worked well and they set up some more things for the pay per view and it was a fairly solid go home show. The ending segment was probably the best part of the show as they’ve done a nice job of setting up a story that could go in a few different directions. Solid show here, even if there was only so much more that could be done with the title match.

Results
Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams b. LWO – Jumping knee to Wilde
Roxanne Perez b. Tatum Paxley – Pop Rox
Lola Vice b. Elektra Lopez – Spinning kick to the head
Lexis King b. Ridge Holland – Hanging Coronation
Arianna Grace b. Fallon Henley – Big boot from Lash Legend
Noam Dar b. Von Wagner 2-0

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

NXT
Date: January 23, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the last NXT before the Royal Rumble and that might actually make a difference around here. Around here that might make a difference as there very likely will be some NXT representation in the Royal Rumble matches. I’m curious to see who that might be, but we also have some more work to do towards Vengeance Day. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Roxanne Perez becoming the new #1 contender to the Women’s Title last week.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinals: Baron Corbin/Bron Breakker vs. Nathan Frazer/Axiom

The fight starts before the bell with Frazer and Axiom sending them outside for stereo suicide dives. Some dropkicks against the barricade have Corbin and Breakker in trouble as the bell rings. Corbin gets caught with a missile dropkick for two back inside, followed by Frazer armbarring Corbin. That doesn’t last long as Corbin is up with a boot to the face so Axiom comes in. With Corbin knocked outside, Axiom tries a hurricanrana but gets powerbombed onto the announcers’ table. Breakker hammers on Frazer inside as we take a break.

Back with Corbin coming in for a belly to back suplex on Axiom. Breakker comes in for a belly to back suplex…but he tosses Axiom over his shoulder and pulls him into a cutter (that’s a new one). Axiom gets up and brings in Frazer to clean house, including sending the villains to the floor for a huge dive. Back in and some frog splashes get two on Breakker but he powerbombs Axiom onto Frazer to get a breather.

Corbin comes back in for Deep Six to Frazer and a brainbuster for two on Axiom. A toss powerbomb gets the same on Axiom but Frazer makes the save. Axiom manages a super Spanish Fly into Frazer’s phoenix splash for two on Breakker as Corbin makes the save this time. Back up and the spear gives Breakker the pin on Frazer at 12:02.

Rating: B. They went wild with this one and it wound up being pretty great, with Breakker and Corbin not being able to keep up at first but then cutting them down with raw power. That’s a classic formula and as usual, it was awesome to see the power guys having enough of the speed and tearing them apart. Axiom continues to be a gem when he gets on a roll and that was the case here from bell to bell.

Josh Briggs interrupts Ilja Dragunov, who isn’t pleased. Briggs is trying to prove himself and Dragunov asks if this is what Briggs really wants. Trick Williams comes in to break it up but Briggs says he wants to talk to the man who will be NXT Champion after Vengeance Day. That’s not cool with Trick and a match seems likely.

Wren Sinclair is very nervous about her debut match but Fallon Henley comes in to calm her down.

Ava walks out of Shawn Michaels’ office….and so does William Regal! Ava is rather excited and Regal congratulates her on becoming the youngest GM in WWE. He’s always around for advice. She’s more or less been the GM for weeks now so they might as well make it official and save Regal/Shawn for special moments.

Wren Sinclair vs. Lash Legend

The rest of Meta our is here with Legend, who powers her into the corner to start. Some early armdrag attempts are blocked by Legend and she takes Wren to the mat for some rams into the mat. Legend grabs a not great torture rack but Wren reverses into a failed sunset flip attempt. Wren gets sent into the corner but tries another sunset flip, this time with Jakara Jackson’s interference not working. Jackson tries to cheat again, with Wren again managing a rollup for two. Legend finally chokebombs her for the pin at 2:59. Wren was trying here but it was more a showcase for Legend.

Post match Meta Four goes after Wren but Fallon Henley makes the save.

Earlier today, OTM invaded the D’Angelo Family’s restaurant, with Jaida Parker attacking Riz.

We look at Joe Gacy and Dijak brawling last week.

Elektra Lopez is looking for Lola Vice.

Dijak vs. Joe Gacy

Gacy jumps him from behind to start and the brawl is on before the bell. Dijak grabs a chair but gets knocked down, only for Gacy to miss a chair shot. A spinning boot drives Gacy through a wall and a chokeslam puts him through the announcers’ table. Gacy gets back up and chokes Dijak until they’re separated. No match.

Arianna Grace gives another inspirational speech to…no one. Elektra Lopez comes in and still can’t find Lola Vice, though Grace finds the invasion rude.

Lexis King says the main event is coming soon.

Mr. Stone and Von Wagner went to the University of Central Florida football stadium (where Wagner played college football) for training for the Heritage Cup shot. Stone’s kids are there to help.

Lexis King vs. Trey Bearhill

Bearhill knocks him into the corner to start but misses an elbow. King kicks away and fires off a superkick to the ribs to cut off a comeback attempt. A running forearm to the back of the head sets up the Coronation to finish Bearhill at 2:22. This was a nice quick win to give King some momentum.

Carmelo Hayes tells Trick Williams to keep his eyes on the prize and asks why he’s fighting Ilja Dragunov’s battles. Williams says he knows what he’s doing.

Noam Dar and Oro Mensah are in the ring for Supernova Sessions and, after their usual jokes, bring out Lola Vice as their guest. Vice talks about how her friendship with Elektra Lopez has expired because Lopez is a leach. Cue Lopez to say she wants to know the real Vice. Lopez says she’s real while Vice got here because of how she looked dancing on Instagram. A match is made for next week.

The D’Angelo Family swears revenge on OTM.

Chase U is having various things repossessed, which makes Riley Osborne leave. Duke Hudson loses his trophy and Andre Chase loses his podium. Next week, they officially say their goodbyes. Chase: “Class dismissed.” Mr. Feeny did it better but I’ll be sad to see the team go.

Dragon Lee vs. Scrypts

The rest of OTM is here too. Lee takes him down with a headlock to start as Oba Femi comes out to the platform. Scrypts gets sent to the floor for the big running flip dive, followed by a slingshot dropkick back inside. That’s enough for Scrypts to head outside, where Lee flips out to follow. Back in and Scrypts hits a high crossbody for two but Lee fights up with a running forearm. A German suplex and powerbomb don’t work for Lee so he knees Scrypts in the face. The running flipping clothesline hits Scrypts but here is the D’Angelo Family to brawl with OTM. Lee grabs a quick Operation Dragon for the pin at 5:32.

Rating: C+. This was a lot of flipping around and that’s what it was supposed to be. Lee gets a win to boost his chances of a North American Title shot and Scrypts can hang with him with some acrobatics of his own. OTM vs. the D’Angelo Family should be fine for a Vengeance Day title match so they probably set up two such matches in one here.

Post match Femi says he’ll give Lee the title shot at Vengeance Day.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade are disappointed in their loss in the Dusty Classic but Brinley Reece comes in to offer a rather motivational speech. She wants them to come up with five things they liked and didn’t like about last week’s match so they can go over them next week. Sure why not.

Lyra Valkyria is watching something when Tatum Paxley comes in to say she’s so excited to be Valkyria’s partner. Valkyria says she doesn’t have time to do this but Paxley says they’re on the same page. The latter sounds a bit…unnerving.

Blair Davenport vs. Karmen Petrovic

Davenport runs from the kicks to start and manages a quick middle rope double stomp to the back. Petrovic fights out of a chinlock and fires off some forearms, followed by a spinning kick to the face for two. Davenport is right back with a dropkick into the corner though and a knee to the face finishes Petrovic at 3:13.

Rating: C. They didn’t have time to do anything here and that’s one of the worst things to happen to any match. Davenport getting the win is the logical way to go here as Petrovic isn’t on her level, but Petrovic’s kicks did look sharp. I’m not sure what is next for Davenport but this should get Petrovic out of her way.

Ridge Holland got beaten up by Gallus last week because he doesn’t have any friends. Therefore, he’ll fight Gallus on his own.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Josh Briggs vs. Trick Williams

Ilja Dragunov is on commentary. Briggs elbows him in the face to start and then does it over and over again in the corner. Williams is back with a rather high dropkick but a chokeslam gives Briggs two. Dragunov tells Williams to do something as we take a break. Back with Briggs still in control, at least until Williams slugs away. Some kicks to the face and a flapjack plant Briggs but he’s back with a backbreaker. They fight to the floor…where Briggs accidentally kicks Dragunov in the face. Back in and Dragunov tries to go after Williams but Carmelo Hayes cuts him off. Williams grabs a quick victory roll for the pin at 7:38.

Rating: C+. As has been the case on this show, the important part is who got the win, as Williams continues his road towards the title shot against Dragunov at Vengeance Day. Briggs is still finding himself in the new role and it’s not like losing to Williams is a crushing defeat. There is something to Briggs, but he needs to get a few wins sooner rather than later.

Post match Briggs clotheslines Williams and Dragunov has to be held back. Hayes comes in to hold Williams back as well.

Thea Hail is crushed over Chase U closing, but Jacy Jayne says it’s not over yet. Lexis King comes up to offer a shoulder to cry on. Riley Osborne comes in to chase King off (Hail approves) and asks Hail for a private chat later. Hail is cool with that…and then loses it when Osborne leaves. Jayne tells her to chill.

Video on the No Quarter Catch Crew.

Carmelo Hayes tells Trick Williams to realize that llja Dragunov is coming for him.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows.

Here is Ava to emcee the contract signing between Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez. Roxanne says they respect each other and this is a Stand & Deliver main event months early. Everyone has seen the rise of Valkyria while Perez has had to chase a title she never lost. When she wins at Vengeance Day, she’ll make Valkyria walk down the same road Perez had to. Valkyria has been watching Perez, who had a great run, but she has been replaced. Perez thinks Valkyria is overconfident and wonders what happens when Valkyria gets booed because the people turn on her.

They both stand up and sign before an aggressive handshake and staredown…well don’t end the show, as Tatum Paxley sneaks up on Perez and puts her through the table. Valkyria shouts at Paxley, saying to stay away from her to end the show. There’s only so much they can do here with two women who have no reason to hate each other, so the Paxley twist at least opens something up.

Overall Rating: B-. If there was a quintessential NXT show, this would be in the running. They covered all kinds of stuff, set up future matches/shows and had a good opener to kick it off. They didn’t miss much of anything around here and it was the kind of show that flew by with few complaints. It might not have been great, but it did everything it needed to do in just over two hours.

Results
Baron Corbin/Nathan Frazer b. Axiom/Nathan Frazer – Spear to Frazer
Lash Legend b. Wren Sinclair – Chokebomb
Lexis King b. Trey Bearhill – Coronation
Dragon Lee b. Scrypts – Operation Dragon
Blair Davenport b. Karmen Petrovic – Knee to the face
Trick Williams b. Josh Briggs – Victory roll

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

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AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

NXT
Date: January 16, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We are on the way to Vengeance Day and that means we have some things to cover. There will be more than a few of those this week, as we have more of the Dusty Classic, a battle royal to determine a new #1 contender to the Women’s Title, and probably something involving the NXT Title. Then again we might have to see something change if Carmelo Hayes is too banged up from his Smackdown appearance. Let’s get to it.

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

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams vs. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe

There’s your answer about Hayes. Blade and Hayes start things off, with an exchange of dropkicks going nowhere. Williams comes in and dropkicks Enofe so it’s back to Blade, who is dropkicked right down. We settle down to Enofe being sent into the ropes and managing a low 619. Everything breaks down and Blade and Enofe hit running flip dives to the floor as we take a break.

Back with Hayes in trouble as Enofe hammers away, only to have Hayes flip out of a belly to back suplex. It’s off to Williams, who Rock Bottoms Blade for two. Everything breaks down and Blade drops a top rope elbow for two on Williams. Enofe is punched out of the air, meaning it’s a Codebreaker into the Flash Knee to finish Blade at 12:09.

Rating: C+. This was another step in what should be a bigger story down the line. Hayes and Williams are likely on a collision course for a heck of a showdown, perhaps at Stand & Deliver, and this could be a good way to help get them there. Other than that, I still think Blade and Enofe have a bunch of potential yet here they are, losing in the first round of the tournament. Kind of a shame, but maybe they could get another chance down the line.

Fallon Henley is ready to win the battle royal because it’s Stand & Deliver season.

We look at Dragon Lee winning and losing the North American Title, with Oba Femi cashing in his title shot to take the title last week.

Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice are ready to win the battle royal. Tatum Paxley pops up to say she’ll win so the two of them can’t.

Here is Oba Femi for a chat. He told you all he would be a champion and now here he is. He was tested as a Nigerian prince and an NCAA athlete, and now he has already made his mark here to win a championship. Femi says he will face everyone but here is Dragon Lee to interrupt. Lee says the title represents opportunity and he wants his shot tonight. That’s going to be a NO, because the open challengers are now closed. Lee asks about Vengeance Day, which Femi will consider.

Eddy Thorpe was happy with his win over Dijak when Tre Bearhill came in to talk about their culture. Dijak came in and seemingly got a match with Bearhill for later.

Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes are ready to win the tournament but Ilja Dragunov comes in to say he is now clear. Dragunov is ready to defend the title against Williams at Vengeance Day, but Hayes says that’s the finals of the Dusty Cup. Uh oh.

Tatum Paxley/Lyra Valkyria vs. Lola Vice/Elektra Lopes

Paxley is dressed like Valkyria because she is a bit odd. Valkyria jumps over Lopez in the corner and grabs a rollup for two before the villains are sent outside. Back in and Vice kicks Paxley down for two as the beating begins. Paxley slips out of the corner and hands it off to Valkyria to clean house as everything breaks down. Paxley tags herself back in so Lopez kicks her down….and right onto Vice for the pin at 4:03.

Rating: C. This is a weird story and I’m not sure where it’s going. Or now though, There is something to having Vice hanging around with the contract. At the same time, the battle royal is coming up in the near future, though that potential cashing in is quite the distraction and it’s going to be happening sooner than later, no matter how out there Paxley may be.

A bunch of women want to be #1 contender but Arianna Grace’s speech scares them off.

Ridge Holland vs. Joe Coffey

The rest of Gallus is here with Coffey. Holland shoves Coffey around to start and drives Coffey into the corner. Coffey is right back into a knockdown and an elbow drop for two. Holland hits a heck of a clothesline into Northern Grit for the pin at 2:25.

Post match the beatdown is on and no one makes the save, despite the camera looking at the entrance.

NXT Anonymous show the women of Chase U having done something to help save the school. Jacy Jayne approves and asks of one (Jasmine) of them wants to have some drinks.

Kelani Jordan is ready to win the battle royal. Brinley Reece loves her energy.

Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker aren’t on the same page about who won their previous match. Breakker has apparently spent four weeks thinking of Woof Dogs for their team name. On top of that, Breakker was thinking about the team in the shower….and Corbin is cutting him off right there. Maybe they can be called the Wild Boars?

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: LWO vs. Chase U

Zelina Vega and Andre Chase are here too. Osborne and Wilde trade armdrags to start so del Toro comes in to take Osborne into the corner. That doesn’t last long as it’s off to Hudson for a side slam. Hudson clotheslines them out to the floor and Osborne hits a big dive as we take a break.

Back with Osborne hitting a flip dive onto both of them for a breather. The tag brings in Hudson to clean house, at least until del Toro snaps off a poisonrana. A blind tag brings in Wilde, who hits a missile dropkick on Hudson. Wilde grabs a suicide tornado DDT to plant Hudson on the floor, setting up a phoenix splash for the pin at 9:43.

Rating: C+. This was a fast paced match here, with Chase U continuing its downward spiral. I’m not sure how much further it could go but Chase almost has to either lose the school or put the whole thing on the line at some point. That’s the real story here, as the LWO mainly feels like a team just looking for something to do here.

Riz is worried about having her first match in the battle royal but the D’Angelo Family reminds her of some previous battles.

Joe Gacy joins commentary.

Last week, Mr. Stone and Von Wagner talked about New Year’s resolutions, when Noam Dar and Oro Mensah came in. Wagner wants a shot at the Heritage Cup and math ensues, with the match not quite being made yet.

Dijak vs. Tre Bearhill

They run the ropes to start until Bearhill snaps off a backdrop. Dijak is back with a suplex and the suplex toss to really take over. Some elbows in the corner rock Bearhill, but he suplexes Dijak into the corner. Dijak fights back but goes outside to yell at Gacy, who gives him a headbutt. The distraction lets Bearhill jump him, only to have Dijak come back with the cyclone boot for the pin at 4:38.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what Bearhill’s appeal is supposed to be but somehow it seems like Dijak vs. Eddy Thorpe may be continuing, with Bearhill as the next proxy. Dijak gets to beat someone else up for a change, meaning he is probably on the way to a big loss. Just hopefully not to Gacy.

Post match Gacy goes after Dijak and they brawl up the aisle, while Lexis King comes in to go after Bearhill.

Josh Briggs runs into JBL, who picked him for the Iron Survival Challenge qualifying match. JBL wants Briggs to show who he really is.

Video on the No Quarter Catch Crew.

Trick Williams apologizes to Carmelo Hayes but says he’ll work both matches at Vengeance Day. That seems to appease Williams.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

We look at Cora Jade suffering a torn ACL, which will put her out of action for nearly a year.

Battle Royal

Kiana James, Izzi James, Brinley Reece, Kelani Jordan, Roxanne Perez, Arianna Grace, Karmen Petrovic, Lola Vice, Elektra Lopez, Jakara Jackson, Lash Legend, Wren Sinclair, Riz, Fallon Henley, Thea Hail, Blair Davenport, Gigi Dolin, Jaida Parker, Stevie Turner, Tatum Paxley

The final four have a four way for a future Women’s Title match. Riz and Parker fight to the floor to start, leaving Dolin to eliminate Jackson. Back in and Legend knocks out Riz and Parker as the ring is clearing out quickly. Jordan has to save herself from an elimination but is knocked onto the announcers’ table (not eliminated) as we take a break. Back with clips of Jordan doing a Kofi Kingston impression to make it back into the ring.

Turner is out and Reece follows her, only Vice dump Lopez. Then Paxley tosses out Vice, who is rather displeased. Lopez and Vice brawl to the back and Davenport low bridges Dolin out. Hail kicks Davenport out so Davenport pulls Petrovic outside and drops her. Back in and Legend eliminates Paxley, leaving Grace to pose a bit. Grace tosses the still out cold Petrovic but spends too much time posing and is tossed by Hail.

We take a break and come back with Hail cleaning house, only to be cut off and eliminated by Dame. Legend and Dame collide for a double knockdown, with Dame being tossed shortly thereafter. Sinclair manages to get rid of Legend but James throws her out, meaning we’re down to James, Perez, Jordan and Henley, with the match turning into a regular four way.

Henley and James take over but Perez knocks Henley outside for a suicide dive. Jordan and Perez trade rollup for two each but Henley is back in with a middle rope neckbreaker. James spinebusters Henley for two of her own and everyone is down. James hits the 401K to send Jordan outside, leaving Perez to jump James from behind. Perez snaps off a super hurricanrana on James but Jordan hits a frog splash fort two. A quick Pop Rox gives Perez the pin on Jordan at 22:39.

Rating: C+. This was a bit of a weird one, but what matters here is that the women’s division’s depth was on display. It’s interesting to see what happens when you have this many women put together in one match with some slightly different rules and that was the case here. Perez is mainly a safe pick but safe might be just what they need at the moment.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the show well enough, as they were doing a nice job of getting things better for Vengeance Day. They have some things cooking and hopefully they can all be paid off when Vengeance Day arrives. This show helped set some of those things up and now we have to wait and see where they go. The good thing is that NXT has reached a point where you believe they cam make that happen, which is a heck of a lot better than they were doing before.

Results
Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams b. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe – Flash knee to Blade
Tatum Paxley/Lyra Valkyria b. Lola Vice/Elektra Lopez – Paxley fell onto Vice
Ridge Holland b. Joe Coffey – Northern Grit
LWO b. Chase U – Phoenix splash to Hudson
Joe Gacy b. Tre Bearhill – Cyclone boot
Roxanne Perez won a battle royal last eliminating Kelani Jordan

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

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AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

NXT
Date: January 9, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re back to the normal shows this week after New Year’s Evil, which didn’t see the advertised NXT Title match. NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov is still banged up and it makes me wonder if that will be the Vengeance Day main event. Other than that, Oba Femi is the new Breakout star and he has a title match wherever he wants. Finally, it’s time to start the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Let’s get to it.

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

New Year’s Evil recap.

Blair Davenport and Nikkita Lyons got in a fight in the parking lot and it carries into the arena. And here we go.

Blair Davenport vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons suplexes her down to start and a spinning kick to the face gives Lyons two. Davenport gets in a ship into the post though and a shot off the apron takes her down again. Back in and Davenport goes after the knee before grabbing a front facelock. That’s reversed into a suplex, followed by another suplex which is almost more of a DDT. A hip attack in the corner gives Lyons two more and they go outside again. This time Lyons kicks the post by mistake, allowing Davenport to get in a chop block. The knee to the face finishes Lyons at 5:25.

Rating: C. The more I see of Lyons, the harder it is to get interested in her. I’m not sure what it is but there is something about her that makes it really difficult to take her seriously. Davenport isn’t a good deal better, but she feels like a more serious heel and someone who could be a star around here. I’m sure Lyons will be too, but it might take a bit of time to make everything work.

Cody Rhodes narrates a video on the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Carmelo Hayes is in the back with Trick Williams, who isn’t happy with Hayes coming to the ring last week. Hayes says Williams got the win last week and he has a surprise: they’re the last team in the Dusty Cup! Williams isn’t sure but the idea of being called Two Time Trick gets him on the same page.

Here are the brackets for the Dusty Cup:

Bron Breakker/Baron Corbin
Gallus

Hank Walker/Tank Ledger
Nathan Frazer/Axiom

Chase U
LWO

Carmelo Hayes/Trick Williams
Edris Enofe/Malik Blade

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Bron Breakker/Baron Corbin vs. Gallus

Breakker shoulders Mark down to start so Wolfgang comes in, only to be sent into the corner. Corbin comes in and gets dropped with some uppercuts so he and Breakker take a break on the floor. We take a break and come back with Corbin and Mark slugging it out in the corner until Corbin puts him down for two.

Everything breaks down and Deep Six hits Mark, setting up the four way slugout. Wolfgang pulls Mark away from a screaming Corbin, who misses a right hand to the post. Back in and Wolfgang splashes Corbin in the corner but Mark misses one of his own. That’s enough or Breakker to come in and clean house, including suplexing both of them at once. Corbin tags himself back in (Breakker doesn’t like it) and the End of Days finishes Mark at 10:56.

Rating: C+. Corbin and Breakker are your latest tag partners who don’t get along but happen to be successful, which very well may be enough to get them the tournament. At the same time, it would be interesting to see the two of them beating the fire out of each other once the team breaks down. For now though, they got rid of a successful team in Gallus and that could be the start of something big.

We go to Fallon Henley’s ranch, where Tiffany Stratton, in full on pink gear, including her wrestling top and skirt, arrives late. The sights and smells have her terrified, but not quite as much as the clothes Henley has ready for her. Henley goes over her responsibilities and Stratton is already wincing. More on this later.

Here is Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria for a chat. She promises to end the year as champion but needs an opponent for Vengeance Day. We’ll find that out next week, with a 20 woman battle royal (erg) but the final four will have a four way for the title shot (slightly less erg).

Cue Lola Vice, with Elektra Lopez, to threaten to cash in her contract at any time. Valkyria is sick of hearing Vice talk and wants her to fight. Vice says the people love her Latina Heat, but Valkyria says the only heat is coming from Lopez. The brawl is on but Tatum Paxley runs in for the save. Just cash in the stupid contract to get rid of the Money In The Bank nonsense.

Meta Four laugh at Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen/Fallon Henley splitting up. Briggs comes in to say he deserves a Heritage Cup rematch but gets Oro Mensah tonight instead.

Luca Crusifino presents evidence his foot was under the ropes but Ava doesn’t care. With Crusifino gone, Dragon Lee comes in but Lexis King interrupts, saying that the open challenge is back on so we’ve got a title match. I could really go for no more open challenges either. Just build someone up already.

Oro Mensah vs. Josh Briggs

The rest of Meta Four are here too as Briggs hammers away to start. Briggs plants him down and the chase on the floor doesn’t go well, as Mensah stomps away on the way back in. A clothesline to the back of the head gets two on Briggs but he plants Mensah with a spinebuster. Dar’s distraction doesn’t work as Briggs hits a running clothesline for the pin at 3:23.

Rating: C. They didn’t have time to do much here but it should set up Briggs’ rematch for the Heritage Cup. That’s still kind of a weird match but at least it’s something a little different. I guess Mensah is the gatekeeper for Dar, who needs someone to stand in his way before he retains the title again, as he seems destined to do for the rest of time.

Back at the ranch, Tiffany Stratton finishes her first task (which seemed to have a lot of parts) but her feet are killing her in these heels. It’s time to wash a horse (Buttercup) and terror ensues. With that done, Stratton is ready to go, but she has to muck a stall. She even gets a pink rake!

Tag Team Titles: D’Angelo Family vs. OTM

The Family (with Riz) is defending while OTM has Scrypts. Stacks can’t do much with Nima to start so Nima sends him into the corner. That doesn’t work so it’s off to D’Angelo as we get a four way standoff. D’Angelo sends Stacks into Price in the corner for two but OTM takes him to the floor. Stacks gets dropped face first onto the floor for a nasty crash and we take a break.

Back with Nima pounding Stacks down until Stacks manages a quick posting. D’Angelo comes back in to clean house, including a spinebuster for two on Nima. Everything breaks down and Booker sounds like he calls OTM “the young bucks”. An assisted powerslam gives Price two on D’Angelo but Stacks is back in for the save. D’Angelo hiptosses Stacks onto the two of them on the floor and they all slug it out back inside. Riz cuts off an interfering Scrypts and the fisherman’s suplex finishes Price to retain the titles at 11:47.

Rating: B-. I can’t believe I’m saying this but the Family is goofy fun that is kind of working. They’re not supposed to be anything serious but they’ve turned into a pretty nice team. It helps when they’re doing more wrestling than over the top segments, but what they’re doing is working. OTM is still a work in progress, though the potential is certainly there, even with Scrypts being such an annoying human.

NXT Anonymous shows Jacy Jayne rallying the female Chase U students with an idea to save the school. Note newly signed Madi Wrenkowski as one of the students.

Oba Femi isn’t sure when he’ll cash in but Lexis King comes in to say Femi should focus on the NXT Title.

Gallus is mad over their loss but Ridge Holland interrupts. They don’t like each other and we could be on the way to Joe Coffey vs. Holland.

Cora Jade vs. Gigi Dolin

They trade wrist cranking to start but Dolin has to escape an early Jaded attempt. Some shoulders in the corner have Dolin in trouble and a running elbow to the back makes it worse. The chinlock is broken up so Dolin strikes away and hits an STO to drop Jade. The abdominal stretch bomb is blocked with a grab of the rope though and Jaded finishes Dolin at 4:05.

Rating: C. Jade’s roll continues and it wouldn’t shock me to see her getting the title shot out of next week’s battle royal. She’s pretty clearly being pushed as one of the new big heels around here and that isn’t the worst way to go for her. At the very least she has the attitude down, and if she can get the rest of the package going, she has quite the potential.

OTM is made about their loss but run into Jaida Parker, who isn’t surprised at the result. She seems ready to help them deal with Riz, so Scrypts says they should talk.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Axiom/Nathan Frazer vs. Tank Ledger/Hank Walker

Walker runs Axiom over to start as Booker goes on a rant about Ledger and Walker’s wardrobe. Ledger comes in and gets kicked in the chest as commentary talks about how both teams used to fight each other. A slingshot splash gets two on Axiom but he rolls over for the hot tag to Frazer. Everything breaks down and a toss belly to back suplex gets two on Frazer. Back up and Frazer hits some hard dives but Tank clothesline Axiom down. Not that it matters as Axiom kicks Tank in the face, setting up Frazer’s Phoenix splash for the pin at 4:41.

Rating: C+. This was short but had quite a bit of action, which is more than you often get out of a match like this one. Axiom and Frazer continue to work well together despite having some issues backstage, while Ledger and Walker just aren’t very good. I get what they’re going for but they didn’t interest me when they started and they still don’t now.

Back to the farm where Tiffany Stratton is near her breaking point so Fallon Henley and her friends mock her behind her back. She’s finally done and Stratton yells at Henley for being pitiful enough to enjoy this stuff. Then Stratton steps in some droppings and falls into a tub of water. This was all funny stuff and the culture clash was great.

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade are ready to win next week and are tired of hearing about Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. Brinley Reece of all people come in to give them training tips but they show off their abs as proof that they’re covered.

North American Title: Lexis King vs. Dragon Lee

Lee is defending and grabs a headlock takeover to start. That’s broken up so King grabs a wristlock, which is countered into a rollup for two. Back up and they run the ropes until Lee hits a running dropkick. Cue Tre Bearhill to distract King though and Lee kicks him down as we take a break.

We come back with King grabbing a half crab before slapping Lee in the mask in the corner. Lee isn’t having that and gets back up for a slingshot kick to the face. They chop it out and trade strikes to the face until King walk into a superkick, setting up Operation Dragon to retain the title at 8:48.

Rating: C+. They got a bit of time here and it’s still a little weird to see King lose so frequently. That being said, Lee is someone who is being pushed at the moment and racking up one win after another is a good idea. If nothing else, it’s nice to see King getting a chance and doing something more interesting than Brian Pillman’s kid.

Post match here is Oba Femi to cash in his contract.

North American Title: Dragon Lee vs. Oba Femi

Lee is defending and hits a suicide dive to the floor before the bell. Femi grabs a belly to back toss but charges into some boots to the face. A tornado DDT gives Lee two but counters Operation Dragon into a powerbomb for the pin and the title at 1:16. That’s a surprise, but more importantly, one of those stupid contracts is gone.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a show that helped move things forward to the parts where things could get interesting. In other words, it was the first step towards setting up Vengeance Day, though they are going to get to the bigger stuff in the future. Not exactly a great show here, but the title change in the end was important and the next few weeks should be bigger going forward.

Results
Blair Davenport b. Nikkita Lyons – Knee to the face
Baron Corbin/Bron Breakker b. Gallus – End of Days to Coffey
Josh Briggs b. Oro Mensah – Clothesline
D’Angelo Family b. OTM – Fisherman’s suplex to Price
Cora Jade b. Gigi Dolin – Jaded
Axiom/Nathan Frazer b. Tank Ledger/Hank Walker – Phoenix splash to Ledger
Dragon Lee b. Lexis King – Operation Dragon
Oba Femi b. Dragon Lee – Powerbomb

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

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NXT
Date: January 2, 2024
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s New Year’s Evil and that means we have a stacked show. In this case that means the NXT Title will be on the line as the injured Ilja Dragunov is defending against Trick Williams, plus the finals of the Breakout Tournament. We should be in for a big card tonight and NXT tends to do that well so let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the major matches and talks about how this is a new year, meaning new beginnings.

Women’s Title: Lyra Valkyria vs. Blair Davenport

Valkyria is defending after Davenport won the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge. They fight over a lockup to start with neither being able to get very far. Valkyria grabs a cravate for little success, as Valkyria gets in a knockdown. A top rope double stomp and neckbreaker give Davenport two but Valkyria jawbreaks her way to freedom.

The high crossbody misses so Valkyria grabs a fisherman’s suplex for two. Valkyria heads up top again but gets pulled down with a super Falcon Arrow for a nasty crash. They head outside, where Davenport’s hard knee crashes into the announcers’ table. Back in and Davenport misses another double stomp, setting up a Samoan driver to retain Valkyria’s title at 8:24.

Rating: C+. This was a way to give Valkyria a nice title defense and clear out Davenport from the list of challengers. In that sense it worked well, even if this didn’t quite feel like a major match following the Iron Survivor Challenge. Valkyria very well may be in for a showdown with Cora Jade and this should take care of one of the biggest roadblocks on the way there.

Post match cue Lola Vice to try to cash in her title shot but Tatum Paxley makes the save. Elektra Lopez comes in to go after Paxley and everything is broken up.

Ilja Dragunov is too banged up and the NXT Title match is off. Well that must be going somewhere.

No Quarter Catch Crew vs. LWO

Dragon Lee is out so Cruz del Toro and Joaquin Wilde are teaming with….Carlito. Del Toro runs the ropes to start and snaps off a headscissors to Gulak as the fans are more interested in Carlito. Wilde comes in to take down Gulak and Kemp, leaving Borne to come in as everything breaks down. The Crew is sent outside for a CRAZY high dive from Wilde (yeah he had a springboard but dang that was impressive).

Back in and Gulak blasts Wilde with a clothesline to take over, followed by Kemp coming in to work on the leg. Wilde is able to flip away though and the hot tag brings in Carlito to blow the roof off the place. Everything breaks down again and Kemp catches Carlito with a backbreaker for the delayed two. Wilde goes up top for a heck of a corkscrew dive, leaving Kemp to get Backstabbered. A Phoenix splash gives del Toro the pin at 8:32.

Rating: B-. This is a good example of “it was what it was”, as the Carlito debut was designed to give the fans a big moment and that’s exactly what happened. The Crew is little more than a bunch of midcard bullies and here we had someone standing up to them for a win. It even had that insane dive (look that up) and it was an entertaining match throughout.

Trick Williams, with Carmelo Hayes, isn’t happy over the title match being canceled but Grayson Waller, the original Iron Survivor, comes in. Hayes says Williams wants a fight tonight and puts up Williams’ title shot against Waller, leaving him pleased and Williams annoyed.

Riley Osborne is writing an essay about what it would mean to become the next European star.

Roxanne Perez vs. Arianna Grace

They fight over arm control to start with Grace taking her down and offering a handshake. Back up and Perez gets in a crossbody but an O’Connor roll is blocked. A catapult sends Perez throat first into the middle rope but she has to fight out of a chinlock. Perez makes the fired up comeback and hits a running knee, followed by the right hands in the corner. Pop Rox finishes Grace at 5:10.

Rating: C. This didn’t get much time but Grace isn’t on Perez’s level yet anyway, meaning there was only so much to get out of this one. Perez is in a bit of a weird place here as she is doing more building others up rather than going near the title scene. I’m not sure what is next for her but she needs something bigger. Grace continues to be good enough in her role, but the beauty queen deal doesn’t seem to have the brightest future.

Post match Grace yells at her again so Perez snaps and grabs a crossface. Perez won’t let go and the decision is reversed.

Ava announces that the men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic starts next week. Can we tone it down with the tournaments for a bit?

Video on Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley before their big fight tonight.

Blair Davenport is banged up when Nikkita Lyons comes in to say she wants revenge. A fight is broken up but a match seems likely.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley

The loser becomes the winner’s servant or ranch hand. Henley starts fast and knocks Stratton into the corner. They go outside, with Henley hammering away even more, only to be sent shoulder first into the post. We take a break and come back with a double clothesline to put both of them down. A crucifix bomb gives Henley two but she has to avoid a Prettiest Moonsault Ever attempt. Instead they crash out to the floor, where Stratton grabs a chair. The referee takes that away and the distraction lets Henley hit the Shining Wizard for the pin at 9:04.

Rating: C+. They had the aggression showing here and the ending was enough of an upset that I was surprised by the result. Henley getting to humiliate Stratton should be a lot of fun and works better than the opposite, but that’s the biggest win of Henley’s career by a wide margin. It’s a big upset and that made things more interesting in this case.

Baron Corbin interrupts Bron Breakker and pitches being a team in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Breakker laughs him off but Corbin points out that no one else wants to be Breakker’s partner. Breakker realizes they’re both rather horrible people so sure why not.

Video on Oba Femi.

Cora Jade gets annoyed at Gigi Dolin sitting in her locker and they have to be held apart.

We get a sitdown interview with Ridge Holland, who talks about how this is his redemption story. His first run in NXT ended with his double leg injury so then he joined the Brawling Brutes on Smackdown. Then he got hurt again and had his twin sons, only to come back here again and injure Ilja Dragunov. There was no malicious intent and he’s not a monster who tries to hurt people. He knows how fast things can be taken away but he’s still here to prove himself. Things end without controversy.

Breakout Tournament Finals: Oba Femi vs. Riley Osborne

In the back, Thea Hail gives Osborne a pep talk and is WAY too excited over a high five. Osborne kicks him in the head to start and we hit the front facelock. That earns Osborne a choke shove out to the floor as Thea Hail and Jacy Jayne come out to watch from the crowd. Femi drops Osborne again and we take a break.

Back with Osborne caught in a bearhug until Femi plants him with a Rock Bottom backbreaker. The bearhug goes right back on before Femi knocks him hard into the corner. Osborne avoids a charge into the post though and the pace gets to pick up. A headscissors into a corkscrew moonsault gives Osborne two but the shooting star press hits knees. Femi grabs a toss powerbomb into a pop up powerbomb for the pin and the tournament at 9:42.

Rating: C. Yeah I’d say that worked, as this was about getting Femi over as a new star. He ran through everyone in the tournament and won the whole thing in the end, which made him feel like a killer. Someone with that size and power should be fine for a long time and I’m curious to see where he goes from here. Osborne should be good to go for a nice while as well and they’re both off to solid starts.

OTM is ready to win the Tag Team Titles next week because the champs are no longer hungry.

Kiana James and Izzy Dame are ready to be a perfect partnership.

Trick Williams yells at Carmelo Hayes for making a decision about the Grayson Waller match. Hayes believes in him, but Williams is doing this one by himself.

Thea Hail and Jacy Jayne are upset over Riley Osborne’s loss but Duke Hudson and Andre Chase come in to say they’re ready for the Dusty Cup. Jayne cuts that off and says Chase needs to be focused on his debt so Osborne and Hudson will be in the tournament. Hail really approves.

Tatum Paxley is very happy that Lyra Valkyria is still Women’s Champion but scares Valkyria as well.

Axiom and Nathan Frazer are going to be in the Dusty Cup together, but Frazer again screws up by insulting established teams. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade pop in to not be pleased.

The D’Angelo Family is ready for OTM and introduce the woman who has been doing business for them as Adrianna, shortened to The Riz. They go to their car but Joe Gacy is in the trunk. Apparently someone else was supposed to be in there but Gacy might have dealt with him.

Grayson Waller vs. Trick Williams

For an NXT Title shot. Waller knocks him into the corner to start and a suplex gets two. Williams is back up and knocks him to the floor, followed by going over the announcers’ table. Back up and Waller hits a quick clothesline (Waller: “I just whooped you Trick.”) and we take a break.

We take a break and come back with Waller dropping elbows to the back and grabbing a half crab. With that broken up, Waller talks more trash and gets hit in the mouth. The rolling Stunner is cut off by another shot to the face and they go to the corner. A middle rope Rock Bottom gives Williams two but Waller’s rolling Downward Spiral gets two more. Williams grabs a jumping neckbreaker and here is Carmelo Hayes. Williams isn’t pleased…but here is Kevin Owens to deck Waller. That’s enough to set up Williams’ flash knee for the pin at 13:06.

Rating: C+. So why was Owens there in the first place? Waller wasn’t scheduled so why did Owens show up? Anyway, at least they didn’t do anything crazy like get rid of Williams as #1 contender, which would have been incredibly frustrating after the build. I’m not sure when the title match is going to take place, but we might be waiting a bit if they’re dragging things out. Beating Waller is fine, but that’s not what they were building here and the switch hurt.

Overall Rating: C. This was quite the disappointment, as it was billed as a big deal but the men’s title match didn’t happen, the Women’s Title match was just ok, the tournament final was fine and nothing really stood out. It felt like they punted this week and that’s never a good thing on such an important event. Not an awful show, but a rather disappointing one given what it looked like it was supposed to be.

Results
Lyra Valkyria b. Blair Davenport – Samoan driver
LWO b. No Quarter Catch Crew – Phoenix splash to Kemp
Arianna Grace b. Roxanne Perez via reversed decision
Fallon Henley b. Tiffany Stratton – Shining Wizard
Oba Femi b. Riley Osborne – Pop up powerbomb
Trick Williams b. Grayson Waller – Flash knee

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.