Smackdown
Date: March 21, 2025
Location: Unipol Arena, Bologna, Italy
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

The European excursion continues as we roll into Italy. We’re less than a month away from Wrestlemania and that means we should start to see some more of the show coming together again this week. CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns are all here this week so there is a chance things will get nuts. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is Randy Orton to get things going but before he can get a word out, Kevin Owns interrupts him. Owens apologizes for everything he did to Orton, saying only Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn deserved what happened to them. Orton can understand the idea of letting anger make you do things you’ll regret so if Orton can forgive him, Owens can forgive him.

Last week, Owens saved Carmelo Hayes to prevent Orton from becoming his old self. They should be looking to the future, so why not winning the Tag Team Titles at Wrestlemania? Orton says he should go beat Owens up right now and after thinking about it…yeah Owens deserves a kick in the head. It used to be “Fight Owens Fight” but now it’s “b**** Owens b****.”

Orton hears voices in his head, they counsel him, they understand, and they’re telling him to kick Owens’ head off at Wrestlemania. The match doesn’t seem to be officially set but this was as quick and to the point as you could get, with Owens realizing he may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Damian Priest/Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre/Shinsuke Nakamura

Priest and McIntyre start brawling in the aisle before the bell with the other two joining in. They get inside with Uso hammering away at McIntyre, who suplexes him out of the corner to cut that off. The fans chant something that I can’t make out but it seems against McIntyre. Uso fights back but gets pulled to the floor for a kick from Nakamura.

Back in and Nakamura hits a running knee, followed by another in the corner. McIntyre adds a suplex as the fans are chanting for Uso. The armbar has Uso in more trouble but he Samoan drops his way to freedom. A jumping enziguri puts Nakamura down and the needed tag brings in Priest to clean house. The Old School crossbody hits Nakamura and a clothesline gets two. Uso cuts off McIntyre and South Of Heaven finishes Nakamura at 7:43.

Rating: C+. Uso and Nakamura are kind of floating around at the moment but Priest vs. McIntyre is all but penciled in for Wrestlemania at this point. That’s the kind of match which could go a long way for Priest, though it feels like a bit of a letdown for McIntyre at the moment. The match itself was seemingly just a way to get them on the show and there are worse ideas.

Post match McIntyre jumps Priest, promising that the beatings will be on sight every time. Priest’s head is rammed into the mat and McIntyre adds a Claymore.

LA Knight says he has Braun Strowman’s back against Jacob Fatu. Strowman says that the match is now for a US Title shot and he sees the title as his ticket to Wrestlemania. Works for Knight.

We look at Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte’s wild brawl last week.

We get a split screen interview between Charlotte and Stratton, with Charlotte cutting off Stratton, saying the Queen goes first. Stratton is always trying to be like Charlotte because that’s what everyone has to do. Stratton thinks that because she’s a blonde and can do a backflip, she can be the next Charlotte. Back in the day, Charlotte was one of her biggest supporters, but Charlotte mocks the idea of ever being in Stratton’s corner. Stratton promises to win at Wrestlemania, which Charlotte finds funny. Stratton better win at Wrestlemania, or she’s the latest victim of Charlotte’s never ending dominance.

Jacob Fatu vs. Braun Strowman

For a future US Title shot. Strowman powers him into the corner to start and then knocks him to the floor. Back in and Strowman kicks him in the head but the charge around the ring only to miss a charge over the announcer’s table. Strowman’s head is sent into various things but a whip sends Fatu’s knees into the steps.

They get back inside, where Fatu hits a running clothesline and then tells Strowman to get up. Then why did you knock him down? Strowman fights out of a neck crank so Fatu Samoan drops him into a backsplash for two. Strowman is back up with a running clothesline in the corner and a spinebuster but Solo Sikoa runs in for the (rather unwise) DQ at 9:21.

Rating: B-. It was another hoss match between these two, but there is only so much to be gained from Strowman winning like this. After Fatu smashed him at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Strowman is either going to have to pin Fatu at some point (which isn’t a good idea) or he’s always going to be behind him in the feud. They are at least mixing it up with the title aspect, though seeing Fatu win the title seems like a rather strong outcome as well.

Post match Fatu is mad but helps with the beatdown anyway. LA Knight runs in for the save.

Post break, in the back, Fatu yells at Sikoa and Tama Tonga, with Sikoa saying it looked like Fatu needed help. Fatu tells him to watch it.

Piper Niven vs. Zelina Vega

Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre are here with Niven. Vega tries to run the ropes to start but has to slip off of Niven’s shoulders. Some choking works a bit better for Vega and she hammers away in the corner, only to get distracted to send us to a break. Back with Niven knocking her down to cut off a comeback and sending Vega hard into the corner.

A gorilla press is countered into a choke though, with Vega switching into something like an octopus hold. The Code Red is blocked so Vega grabs a tornado DDT for two instead. The 619 connects, only for Fyre to offer a distraction. Niven hits a crossbody for the win at 12:15.

Rating: C. This feels like the start of something for Vega, as she is going up against a lot of odds on her way to a title match. It might take some time to get her to that match and she might need some help on the way, but it does seem like they have set things up. Hopefully it winds up working, as Vega certainly needs the boost.

We get a long recap of John Cena’s big explanation and response from Cody Rhodes on Raw. It still feels so weird hearing those things coming from Cena’s mouth.

Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens is set for Wrestlemania.

Jade Cargill is ready to show Liv Morgan what she gets for trying her. After that, it’s time for revenge on Naomi.

We get the A/4 logo again.

Liv Morgan vs. Jade Cargill

Raquel Rodriguez is here with Morgan. Cargill kicks her down to start but goes after Rodriguez, only to cut off a sneaking Morgan for a ram into the barricade. Morgan tries to leave but is quickly dragged back as Cargill isn’t up for the whole retreating thing. Back in and a powerbomb gives Cargill two but another Rodriguez distraction lets Morgan get in a cheap shot to take over.

We take a break and come back with Cargill fighting out of a chinlock to drive Morgan into the corner. Morgan is fine enough to hit Three Amigos but Oblivion is countered into a German suplex. Cargill plants her with a spinebuster and something like an F5 does it again. Cue Naomi for a belt shot though (the Rodriguez distraction helped) and Oblivion finishes Cargill (her first pinfall loss in WWE) at 10:11.

Rating: B-. That’s an interesting way to go as you wouldn’t expect Cargill to lose a fall, especially in what wasn’t a heavily hyped up match. That being said, it does make Naomi look like that much bigger of a deal as she has cost Cargill something else. I’m not entirely interested in seeing them fight, but at least they’re doing something a bit different with Naomi.

Post match Naomi stays on Cargill, including a hanging Pedigree and a knock onto the announcers’ table.

We look back at Drew McIntyre attacking Damian Priest after their tag match earlier.

McIntyre says he has explained his issues with Priest and mocks Priest’s voice. He’ll see Priest in London next week…and then runs into Seth Rollins, who stares at him.

We look at the Street Profits winning the Tag Team Titles last week.

Here are the Profits, who say this is long overdue. They had been doubting themselves for a bit but these titles made everything worth it. They’re proud that they can count on their brothers but here is Legado del Fantasma to interrupt. Santos Escobar says they’re coming for the titles but here is Pretty Deadly to interrupt. They’re the #1 contenders and Legado needs to step aside, but Escobar says that is NOT happening. The Profits know Pretty Deadly have their shot but Legado wants to fight tonight so let’s do it.

We get the orange luchador vignette again, which is pretty clearly Rey Fenix.

Street Profits vs. Los Garza

Non-title. We’re joined in progress with Angel in trouble and Ford hitting a running knee to the face. Berto comes in to knock Ford down and a double basement superkick drops him again. Angel ties Ford in the Tree of Woe so stomping can ensue but a quick head fake and a dive brings Dawkins back in to pick up the pace. A low bridge drops Dawkins to the floor though and we take a break.

Back with Dawkins fighting out of a double arm crank but getting dropkicked down just as fast. Berto plants Dawkins again and the Gory Bomb/flipping cutter gets two, with Ford having to make the save. Dawkins finally gets in a shot of his own and it’s back to Ford to take over. Ford has to flip out of a super double gorilla press attempt and a superplex gets two on Garza. Dawkins hits his own flip dive and Ford’s frog splash is good for the pin at 14:32.

Rating: C+. This got more time than I was expecting and it wound up being a good enough, back and forth match. Los Garza aren’t likely to move up the ranks very far, but they’re good enough to make someone else look better in the ring. The division on Smackdown has gotten that much better, though I’m really hoping we don’t get some big ladder match at Wrestlemania.

HHH Hall Of Fame video.

Pretty Deadly runs into DIY, who offer to help them win the titles next week in exchange for a title shot. Pretty Deadly: “NO BOY!” The Motor City Machine Guns pop up to gloat.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Roman Reigns, with Paul Heyman, for a chat. CM Punk took him out at the Royal Rumble so Reigns took him out on Raw. Seth Rollins tried to kill him so Reigns tried to kill him. He’ll be out here if anyone has anything to say to him so here is Rollins in person. After a lot of the fans singing Rollins’ theme song, Rollins says Reigns should have let him finish Punk off because Punk is that dangerous.

The reality is Rollins and Reigns cannot coexist in the same place at the same time. They should write another chapter in their story but here is Punk to interrupt. Punk says neither of them have beaten him without the other’s help. Reigns was tossed out of the Royal Rumble where it was every man for himself. That was after Punk saved Reigns’ family at WarGames, and he’s still owed a favor of course.

Punk dives on Reigns and the fight starts fast, with Rollins getting involved as well. Referees break it up and Punk points to the Wrestlemania sign (Heyman: “NO!”), leaving Rollins to fight with Reigns. Rollins breaks away and points at the sign before going after Punk. Reigns drops both of them with the steps and points as well, with the brawl having to be broken up again to end the show. I’m not big on triple threats, but they’ve done a good job of making me want to see these three fight. There is a reason for them to want to get at each other and that makes for a much better story.

Overall Rating: B-. The crowd wasn’t as hot as it was last week but they were certainly there enough to keep up the interest. This show was more about getting things ready for Wrestlemania and they added one match, with another being all but confirmed. That’s a good way to go, along with some other things being pushed forward. Wrestlemania is starting to come together, and other shows like this should help it along even more.

Results
Damian Priest/Jimmy Uso b. Drew McIntyre/Shinsuke Nakamura – South Of Heaven to Nakamura
Braun Strowman b. Jacob Fatu via DQ when Solo Sikoa interfered
Piper Niven b. Zelina Vega – Crossbody
Liv Morgan b. Jade Cargill – Oblivion
Street Profits b. Los Garza – Frog splash to Berto

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

Smackdown
Date: March 14, 2025
Location: Olimpic Arena Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re taped from Europe this week, which is going to be the case for a little while now. That should make for some interesting situations and we are just over a month away from Wrestlemania. Cody Rhodes is here to talk about John Cena on MizTV, which feels like it is a way to set up a match tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

A bunch of people came to work, but in Spain.

Here is the new US Champion LA Knight for a chat. The fans are VERY happy to see him and give him one of those cool singing welcomes. Knight: “YEAH!” This is the first Smackdown in Barcelona (the fans sing again, with Knight quipping that it’s a tough crowd tonight) and he is worldwide.

Cue Jimmy Uso to interrupt, saying he needs a rope to Wrestlemania so he wants to challenge for the title right now. Cue Solo Sikoa to say Jacob Fatu deserves a title shot. Sikoa calls Jimmy the failure of the family but Jimmy says the failure was trusting Sikoa as his little brother. The brawl is on with the bad guys in control but Braun Strowman runs in for the save. Nick Aldis comes out to announce a six man tag (with some Spanish thrown in).

Jimmy Uso/Braun Strowman/LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu/Tama Tonga

We’re joined in progress with Uso coming in to jump over Sikoa in the corner and slug away. The ten punches in the corner rock Sikoa but a distraction lets him come back with Spinning Solo. Fatu’s backsplash sets up Tonga’s slingshot hilo and Sikoa adds a running Umaga Attack in the corner. Uso gets in a shot of his own though and hands it off to Knight to pick up the pace.

The jumping neckbreaker and DDT get one on Fatu, who is back up to knock Knight silly. Knight knocks him right back down though and hits the top rope elbow. Fatu drops him again and we take a break. Back with Tonga taking Knight into the corner for a running splash. Fatu hits his own Umaga Attack but Knight manages to suplex Sikoa. Strowman comes in to clean house, including the running shots on the floor. Knight and Uso take out the others, leaving Strowman to powerslam Tonga for the pin at 10:09.

Rating: C+. This was a house show style match and Strowman gets to win for the popular guys. Tonga is more or less there for the sake of taking the falls for the team as we are getting closer to the split at the top of….whatever Sikoa and company are calling themselves. The match was nothing great, but it did what it needed to do in getting the show started off well.

Post match Sikoa takes Strowman down and Fatu goes after him as well, including the triple jump moonsault. It works so well that Fatu does it again.

We get a look at HHH before his Hall Of Fame induction.

We look back at Naomi admitting she attacked Jade Cargill, leaving Bianca Belair in tears and earning Naomi another beating from Cargill.

Cargill has a sitdown interview in an empty arena earlier today, saying she is physically ready to go. Naomi suggesting that she was the victim made Cargill sick because she remembers being attacked and seeing Naomi run away. She couldn’t believe that Naomi would team with Belair like nothing happened so she had to take matters into her own hands. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez come in to mock her, with Cargill issuing the challenge for next week.

B-Fab, in English and Spanish, is ready to start her legacy by beating Charlotte.

B-Fab vs. Charlotte

They take their time staring each other down to start before Charlotte powers her into the corner. B-Fab comes back with a half nelson slam for two and Charlotte rolls outside as we take a break. Back with Charlotte stomping away before taking her down with a neckbreaker. The chinlock goes on and Charlotte even manages to mock the crowd at the same time.

We take another break and come back with Charlotte hitting the figure four necklock faceplants to keep B-Fab in trouble. It’s too early for the Figure Eight though and B-Fab fires off some right hands. A pump kick gives B-Fab two but Charlotte is back with a superkick. Natural Selection into the Figure Eight finishes B-Fab at 8:22.

Rating: C+. B-Fab was trying here but this was all about getting Charlotte her first singles win in a very long time. That’s not a bad thing and B-Fab held her own in a longer match than you usually see from her. Charlotte is on her way back to the title picture at Wrestlemania though and this was more about letting the fans know how good she can be, again.

Post match Charlotte won’t let go and it’s Tiffany Stratton in for the save. Security can’t break it up and the fight stays on, with Charlotte diving off the announcers’ table to take Stratton down. Stratton hits her own dive and they’re FINALLY split up. I would hope that they’re wearing different colors at Wrestlemania because they were both in pink here and I was having trouble telling them apart.

Drew McIntyre blames Damian Priest for all of his problems in the last year.

Here’s the Miz for MizTV but Charlotte and Stratton are still fighting at the entrance. Security breaks it up again, only for Stratton to get up on the video screen for a big flip dive. Stratton shouts that there is a new queen in town to finally wrap it up.

And now, MizTV, with Miz doing the introduction in Spanish to continue a trend tonight. Miz talks about how his guest should have taken the Rock up on his offer but then got beaten down by two great rappers instead. Here is Cody Rhodes, with the fans singing his theme song in one of those shows of respect that never gets old. Miz goes even heelier than usual by saying he doesn’t have time for the singalong, which earns him a quick Cross Rhodes. Cody takes off his jacket to reveal a BARCELONA NIGHTMARE shirt (the fans approve) before saying he only wants to talk to John Cena, so he’ll see him Monday.

Earlier today, Shinsuke Nakamura told Nick Aldis he wanted a rematch when Damian Priest came in to say he wanted Drew McIntyre. Priest doesn’t like what he thinks Nakamura is saying so Aldis makes the match for later. As usual, Priest comes off like he is always ready to fight and that makes him feel more important.

We get a teaser for someone who looks a lot like Rey Fenix. Interesting that he might not be on the same show as Penta.

Damian Priest vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

They trade arm cranking to start until Nakamura takes him into the corner for Good Vibrations. A running clothesline puts Nakamura on the floor though and we take an early break. Back with Priest dropping him face first onto the barricade, only to miss a charge back inside. Nakamura hits the middle rope knee for two and it’s time to choke on the ropes.

We take a break and come back with Nakamura grabbing a chinlock. An enziguri takes Priest down again but he catches Nakamura with the lifting Downward Spiral. They go outside with Priest sending him over the announcer’s table, setting up the Old School high crossbody back inside. Back up and they trade strikes to the face but here is Drew McIntyre to sit on the announcers’ table. The distraction lets Nakamura load up Kinshasa, which is reversed into South Of Heaven. That’s enough for McIntyre to come in and jump Priest for the DQ at 8:42.

Rating: B-. This was about two guys getting to go after each other and hit the other rather hard until they got to the finish. In this case that’s how it should have gone as you don’t want Priest to lose, but Nakamura getting pinned twice in a row would be a bit much. The match itself was a good back and forth fight though, which shouldn’t be a surprise given whom was in there.

Post match McIntyre goes for Priest’s eyes, allowing Nakamura to hit Kinshasa. Nakamura leaves and McIntyre wrecks Priest. McIntyre goes to leave but sees Priest getting back up, earning himself a Claymore and some yelling.

DIY says they make the tag team division the best in the world and they’ll prove it again tonight. The Motor City Machine Guns come in to say they’ll be waiting.

Chelsea Green is glad that her administration is at full force despite everything she has had to go through. Zelina Vega comes in to say she wants a title shot but gets a match with Piper Niven next week instead. Works for Vega, who is still coming for the title.

Randy Orton vs. Carmelo Hayes

Hayes offers him a handshake but the fans want the RKO. Orton tries for the handshake but Hayes pulls it away, earning himself quite the beating. The belly to back drop onto the announcers’ table has Hayes in trouble and we take an early break. Back with Orton dropping him on the table again but Hayes gets in a cheap shot to take over. The fans do not like Hayes and rhythmically chant about it as we take another break.

We come back again with Orton fighting out of a chinlock but getting put right back into it. Orton fights up and hits the powerslam before pulling Hayes out of the air for another powerslam. The hanging DDT sends Hayes outside and he grabs a Stunner over the top rope. Nothing But Net misses so Hayes settles for the springboard DDT for two instead. Hayes goes up top again and gets superplexed back down but the RKO is countered into the First 48. Then the RKO connects to give Orton the pin at 10:22.

Rating: B-. While Hayes is losing a lot of these big matches, he is staying in these matches and looking good against bigger stars. What matters is that he could be moved up to the next level with just a win or two. Other than that, there is something to be said about having a younger star like Hayes who can go out there and hang with these names, though a win here or there would be nice.

Post match Orton gives him another RKO to even the score a bit. The Punt is loaded up but Kevin Owens runs in for the save. Owens bails before violence can ensue.

Jacob Fatu wants one more match with Braun Strowman next week.

We get a mysterious smoky vignette with the number 4. Or is that a slightly slanted A?

Here is Gunther for a chat. Gunther says that the Road To Wrestlemania Europe starts here and as the greatest European wrestler of all time….he wishes they could be in Madrid instead. Gunther mocks Jey Uso as having no substance and asks for “a kid” to come face him, meaning Axiom gets a rare main roster appearance.

Gunther vs. Axiom

Non-title and Axiom, a masked high flier from Spain, is one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions. Axiom is a bit tentative to start before going to the mat and getting in a quick kick. Gunther misses the chop in the corner and Axiom strikes away as the fans are losing their minds over this stuff. A chop cuts Axiom off again but the fans are right there as he fires off forearms.

The Boston crab has Axiom in trouble and Gunther flips it into an STF. Gunther goes after the mask, which wakes Axiom up enough for a missile dropkick. A running knee connects but Gunther dropkicks him down. The dropkick gets two but Axiom catches Gunther on top, with a super hurricanrana connecting. The Golden Ratio (superkick) gives Axiom two so he cranks on the arms. That’s enough for Gunther, who hits a powerbomb, the clothesline, and another powerbomb for the pin at 9:24.

Rating: B. The fans were crazy into this and they were carrying this even higher than the two of them were getting in the first place. At the same time, Axiom was more than holding his own out there to make for a heck of a match. Gunther can work well with anyone and having him shut down a smaller high flier like this makes sense. Good match, with awesome crowd reactions.

Post match Gunther sleepers axiom for the knockout.

We look back at Roman Reigns accidentally helping Seth Rollins beat Cm punk in a cage match on Raw. Then Paul Heyman helped Punk up, earning Punk one heck of a beating from Reigns.

Here is Heyman for a chat, declaring that today is Roman Reigns Day, because it is the release day for WWE2K25. He knows everyone is going to go home and play the game, but please wait until the show is over because he likes to keep the ratings high during his segments. Heyman moves on to CM Punk, who is his friend, but it isn’t CM Punk Day, nor will it ever be Seth Rollins Day. If you have a problem with that, you can say it to his face next week in Italy.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Legado del Fantasma wishes the Street Profits luck. The Profits are ready to get the Tag Team Titles.

Gunther tells Jimmy Uso to get Jey Uso to not challenge him at Wrestlemania or bad things will happen.

Tag Team Titles: DIY vs. Street Profits

The Profits are challenging. Dawkins and Ciampa start things off with Dawkins unloading in the corner to start fast. The assisted moonsault gives Ford two and it’s back to Dawkins, who chases Gargano on the floor. That’s enough for Ciampa to hammer away back inside as Pretty Deadly is shown watching. Ford comes back in but gets nailed by Gargano before Ciampa drops him ribs first across the top rope.

The Fairy Tale Ending is blocked though and Ford kicks Ciampa away, allowing the tag off to Dawkins. House is quickly cleaned but Ford’s 450 only hits raised knees. Back up and a Doomsday Blockbuster gives Ford two with Ciampa making the save. The Fairy Tale Ending/superkick combination gets two on Dawkins but Meet In The Middle misses. Ford’s frog splash connects for the pin and the titles at 11:52.

Rating: B-. This had to happen at some point as the Profits had been so close to the titles so many times, only to come up short. It’s nice to see them getting the gold, as it spices things up in the division. Odds are we wind up with some kind of a big five team ladder match at Wrestlemania, but for now, this is the right move as it is long overdue.

Overall Rating: B. Here you had a show where the crowd boosted things up that far, as the fans were going nuts all night long. The title change at the end made things feel that much more important and it was a big way to get things going with the six shows in Europe. It’s not a great show, but the fans were hot and you can see where a lot of this stuff is going, which is nice to see.

Results
Jimmy Uso/Braun Strowman/LA Knight b. Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu/Tama Tonga – Running powerslam to Tonga
Charlotte b. B-Fab – Figure Eight
Damian Priest b. Shinsuke Nakamura via DQ when Drew McIntyre interfered
Randy Orton b. Carmelo Hayes – RKO
Gunther b. Axiom – Powerbomb
Street Profits b. DIY – Frog splash to Gargano

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

Smackdown
Date: February 28, 2025
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Elimination Chamber and that means we need one last push towards the show. Odds are that is going to include more of Cody Rhodes being unsure about whether or not he should accept the Rock’s offer, plus some final pushes towards the Elimination Chamber matches. That could make for an interesting enough show so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of Rock telling Cody Rhodes that he wants Cody’s soul.

Cody Rhodes arrives and is told he has a private locker room, courtesy of the Final Boss.

Here is Trish Stratus in a Maple Leafs jersey to get things going, just in case the fans didn’t love her enough. She gets rather emotional at the THANK YOU TRISH chants and then says “it’s the jersey isn’t it”. Trish asks what year it is when we have Lilian Garcia introducing her, the Rock is back and she’s wrestling in her hometown.

Stratus talks about how it’s a generational thing because the dad of a young girl in the front row probably had her poster on the wall. Tomorrow will be the first time her kids will see her wrestle live and here is her partner, Tiffany Stratton (also in a Leafs jersey). They declare it Trishy Time and then take the jerseys off and throw them into the crowd.

Cue Chelsea Green and Piper Niven (yes, she is dressed as the Mountie) to interrupt, with Green talking about how honored she is to represent the better country of America. Stratton makes the challenge and Stratus thinks it’s a good idea so get a referee out here right now. This was Stratton going for more of a pure hero and it could have gone far worse. Have her adjust her talking style and focus more on her athleticism and it could work.

Chelsea Green vs. Tiffany Stratton

Non-title. We’re joined in progress with Green getting two off an enziguri and grabbing a chinlock. Stratton gets out and hits some clotheslines, followed by the spinebuster for two. Green’s Rough Ryder gets two but Stratton hits a quick dropkick. Niven breaks up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever so Stratton hits a dive, only for Candice LeRae and Nia Jax to jump Stratus. Jax pulls Stratton to the floor for the DQ at 3:13 shown.

Rating: C. They didn’t have time to do much here but thankfully it was a DQ rather than having one of the champions lose. At the same time, this was Stratton’s debut as a more clean cut hero and that might have warranted a pinfall, albeit not over Green. Odds are she can get that at Elimination Chamber, but this is a match that could have probably been a big segment instead.

Post match the beatdown is on but Stratus makes the save and the villains skedaddle.

Nick Aldis announces a one night tournament for the #1 contendership to the US Title. This feels rather unnecessary and like little more than a way to fill in time.

Jacob Fatu isn’t happy with Solo Sikoa, who thinks Fatu should bring the US Title home to the family. Fatu seems pleased.

Cody Rhodes’ dressing room has a bunch of alcohol and what I assume is sushi. R-Truth is here and thinks it might be worth selling out for, with Rhodes telling him to help himself. R-Truth is glad Rhodes isn’t being shellfish.

US Title #1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Jacob Fatu vs. Andrade

Fatu runs him over with a shoulder to start but Andrade gets in a low bridge. A hurricanrana sets up a big moonsault to the floor and we take a break. Back with Andrade hitting a poisonrana and they’re both down. Fatu is back up to run Andrade over, only for Andrade to hit a boot to the head in the corner. The double jump moonsault gets two on Fatu as the fans declare this awesome. Back up and a sunset flip is blocked as Fatu sits on his chest, setting up an implant DDT. The triple jump moonsault gives Fatu the pin at 8:22.

Rating: B. This is where you can have fun with some people you might not have expected to see together and it wound up going well. They had good chemistry together and that made for a nice match here. Fatu gets to beat someone else but he certainly didn’t smash Andrade, which he shouldn’t be doing given what Andrade has done before.

We recap the Street Profits being all violent and aggressive as of late.

Earlier today, the Profits refused to apologize to Legado del Fantasma and Nick Aldis had to break it up.

Los Garza vs. Street Profits

Or not as DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns run in for the big brawl. No match.

Drew McIntyre comes up to Cody Rhodes and talks about how they would do anything to get to the top. Rhodes has a chance to jump up there and McIntyre looks forward to finding out that Rhodes sold out a long time ago.

Video on John Cena going to the Elimination Chamber…and Drew McIntyre comes into the arena, saying cut it off. McIntyre says Cena is going to become a hypocrite, just like he did when he decided he was in the Elimination Chamber. He sits on the announcers’ table and says it would be interested in seeing what 2010 Cena would think of modern Cena.

First up, Cena would make a bad joke about the bald spot that needs its own zip code but here is Damian Priest to interrupt. Priest: “R-Truth makes more sense than you do!” McIntyre says he was screwed over last year, including at Wrestlemania. The reality is that McIntyre won the World Title but was so obsessed with CM Punk that Priest was able to cash in Money In The Bank. McIntyre (sat in Punk’s signature style): “I am not obsessed with CM Punk.”

Priest is ready to beat McIntyre at Elimination Chamber and reminds McIntyre that be dropped him the last time they were here. McIntyre is ready to let Priest try to do it again but here is Seth Rollins to interrupt. Rollins talks about how this place was looking fun so he had to come in and join the party. He blames McIntyre’s terrible Money In The Bank cash in for not winning the World Heavyweight Title last year and gets in Priest’s face.

Cue CM Punk to interrupt, saying that Rollins looks like an oven mitt (close enough) and he’ll Rollins tomorrow night. He doesn’t have any issue with Priest, but he’s ready to take him out in the Elimination Chamber. That leaves the other guy who is obsessed with him, but Punk is obsessed with going to Wrestlemania. Someone asked him if he would be willing to sell his soul to get to the top and they’re all dealing with serious Punk tomorrow.

Punk calls out John Cena for having his retirement tour and not showing up but the other three say they’re ready to take him out. McIntyre will just complain on the internet if he loses…and here is Cena….’s music, with Logan Paul coming out instead. Paul makes it clear that Cena doesn’t care about Canada before mocking Rollins, who is dressed like he lost a bet. There is a Priest standing in the ring but he is still the answer to WWE’s prayers. Paul calls out Punk, who chases him away. This was the “a bunch of people talk to each other” and it worked well.

We go to the Kickoff Show, where a bunch of women got in a brawl.

US Title #1 Contenders Qualifying Match: LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar

Knight drives him into the corner to start before Escobar bounces out of a headscissors. A Side Effect looks to set up Knight’s jumping top rope elbow but Escobar gets up instead. Knight sends him outside, where Escobar gets in a whip to the steps as we take a break. Back with the two of them striking away until Knight plants him down with a neckbreaker.

Escobar’s armbar doesn’t get him very far as Knight is back with some clotheslines into a jumping elbow drop. A missed charge sends Knight into the corner, setting up a top rope hurricanrana. Escobar goes up top, only to dive into the BFT (and a nice one at that) to give Knight the pin at 11:16.

Rating: B-. Another nice back and forth match here with Knight getting the win, as he should have given his recent issues with Shinsuke Nakamura. Escobar is another example of someone who can work well with almost anyone in the ring and that’s a good way to make Knight look better. I’m not sure if Knight is getting the title shot, but he would make the most sense of all of the options.

Here is Sami Zayn for a chat. He knows there is a long history between himself and Kevin Owens, so he wants Owens out here right now. They can say their final piece to each other and that’s it before tomorrow. We cut to Owens in an empty stadium (the location for tomorrow’s show) where he can talk about how they have never had a bigger match.

Owens promises to watch Zayn’s family suffer after tomorrow because this is all Zayn’s fault. Zayn says he is nervous, but it’s because of what he will do to Owens. He brings up the names of Owens’ parents (that gets Owens serious) and says it’s on tomorrow. Owens says he’ll see Zayn tomorrow to wrap it up. As usual, these two feel important together and that will be the case again tomorrow.

Carmelo Hayes says he won’t need the Miz tonight. With Hayes gone, Cody Rhodes comes in and Miz asks him what he’s going to do. Rhodes isn’t sure, but Miz talks about how Rhodes could be so much more in Hollywood if he takes the deal.

US Title #1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Braun Strowman

Strowman throws him around to start and they go outside, but here is Tama Tonga for a distraction. Cue Solo Sikoa with a chair to Strowman’s back for no effect so Strowman takes the chair. Hayes drops to the mat though and the referee sees Strowman holding the chair, which is enough for the DQ at 1:27. Well that was quick.

Post match Strowman powerbombs Tonga.

Naomi, Bayley and Bianca Belair are ready to fight in their six woman tag tonight.

Bayley/Naomi/Bianca Belair vs. Roxanne Perez/Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez

Naomi and Morgan slug it out to start with Naomi kicking her into the corner without much trouble. All six get in for the slugout until Bayley drops Morgan with a suicide dive. Another dive lets her point at the sign and we take a break. Back with Bayley bulldogging Rodriguez out of the corner, allowing Belair to come back in. Belair muscles Rodriguez up for a suplex and the standing moonsault gets two.

Everything breaks down and Naomi gives Rodriguez a hanging Pedigree on the apron, followed by a swinging kick to Perez. Bayley hits the top rope elbow on Perez before Naomi and Raquel crash out to the floor. The Bayley To Belly is broken up and Perez goes after Bayley’s knee, setting up the Pop Rox for the pin at 8:52.

Rating: C+. Perez gets another win and that is a good sign for her future. I could go for seeing more of what she is going to get to do, as she is more than ready for the main roster. While she isn’t likely going to win the Chamber, WWE is giving her a strong push to start and that could go a long way.

Post match Alexa Bliss runs in to lay Perez out. The Wyatt Sicks logo pops up because we just have to do that for some reason.

Charlotte is ready for Tiffany Stratton at Wrestlemania.

Travis Scott will be at Elimination Chamber.

Elimination Chamber rundown.

Shinsuke Nakamura promises to make an example out of whomever challenges him next.

Jacob Fatu is ready to smash the other two.

Jacob Fatu vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. LA Knight

For a future US Title shot. Fatu stomps on Knight in the corner and glares at Hayes for daring to stop him. Knight gets back up to knock Fatu outside and hits an elbow on Hayes, only to get pulled outside by Fatu. Hayes joins them and Fatu misses a big charge into the timekeeper’s area as we take a break.

Back with Fatu in control again and taking turns knocking both of them down. Hayes manages a springboard DDT to Fatu, who just screams at him before hitting the pop up Samoan drop. A BFT hits Fatu but Hayes is back up with the First 48 for two on Knight. Back up and Hayes is thrown outside onto Fatu, who sends him into the steps. Knight hits a nice spinning dive to send Fatu into the steps but Hayes is back with Nothing But Net. Fatu pops up for a Swanton to break up the cover and hits the triple jump moonsault, only for Knight to steal the pin at 12:18.

Rating: B. They were working here with Hayes being there as a way to give Knight the pin without beating Fatu. What matters the most here is that Knight is getting his title match at some point, though I’m not sure we needed to have a tournament to set that up. Either way, Knight winning the title back isn’t out of the question, and he looked good on the way there.

CM Punk asks Cody Rhodes what the Rock could possibly offer him, though Punk says he’s glad he never got that offer.

Here is Michael Cole for an in-ring chat with Rhodes. Cole gets right to the point, saying that Rhodes has the chance to sell out tomorrow night. The Rhodes that Cole has known for twenty years wouldn’t do it but this is a different Rock. Cole goes over what Rhodes could get out of this, including a limited schedule, a bunch of money, and a big red truck, with Rhodes’ name and logo on it, which rolls into the arena.

Rock pops up on screen with his own version of the truck, saying he knows Rhodes is going to do the right thing. He brings up talking to Dusty Rhodes in the hope that Cody will do the right thing and let the Rock have what he wants. Rock busts out a weightlifting belt labeled “Cody’s Soul” with the date of June 11, 2015, the date Dusty died. He’ll see Cody tomorrow for the decision.

Cody is unsure to end the show. It helped to have this laid out a bit more as that helps explain why Cody might want to take the deal, but it’s still hard to believe he’ll do it. That being said, it very well may be the point, as Rock might have someone else ready to take him up on the offer.

Overall Rating: C+. This third hour is dragging the show down and that was on clear display here. It felt like there was a lot on here for the sake of filling in time, with the whole tournament thing feeling like it was just added in. On the positive side, the wrestling itself was good and they fleshed out the Cody deal a lot more. That being said, it’s really hard to get interested in whatever the Rock is talking about as this version of him isn’t making good TV. Get him mad and things are better, but for now it’s a lot of waiting to get to the better stuff. Not a bad show, but dang getting back to two hours sounds great.

Results
Tiffany Stratton b. Chelsea Green via DQ when Nia Jax interfered
Jacob Fatu b. Andrade – Triple jump moonsault
LA Knight b. Santos Escobar – BFT
Carmelo Hayes b. Braun Strowman via DQ when Strowman was accused of using a chair
Roxanne Perez/Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez b. Bayley/Naomi/Bianca Belair – Pop Rox to Bayley
LA Knight b. Jacob Fatu and Carmelo Hayes – Triple jump moonsault to Hayes

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: January 24, 2025
Location: Moody Center, Austin, Texas
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re coming up on both Saturday Night’s Main Event and the Royal Rumble and that means it is time to hammer home the final pieces of the card. That is going to make for an interesting situation, along with various other issues around here. One of the biggest is the future of Solo Sikoa, who was at a loss for words last week. Let’s get to it.

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

Joe Tessitore welcomes us to the show and brings in Cody Rhodes for a chat. Tessitore brings up Rhodes having to hand over his title tomorrow night to get ready for the ladder match at the Royal Rumble. Rhodes is ready for the whole thing and knows Shawn Michaels is ready to be a perfect moderator. He’s fine with handing the title over to Michaels but it’s time to get ready for Wrestlemania season.

Tessitore brings up Rhodes’ issues with Owens, who Rhodes praises for his skill. The violence makes the ladder match all the more appropriate because it’s all about climbing the ladder and reaching this championship. As for what Rhodes would like to say to Owens before the match, maybe it’s true that Rhodes smiles a lot, but it doesn’t mean that he can’t take it to another level. He is the son of a plumber and the student of Randy Orton so he is ready to punch Owens in the face and knock him onto the island of self righteousness. Good luck at the Rumble. Simple, to the point promo from Rhodes here.

Pretty Deadly comes up to DIY but they don’t have time for Pretty Deadly’s match. DIY tells them to handle the Motor City Machine Guns tonight and do whatever it takes. With DIY gone, Pretty Deadly runs into Legado del Fantasma for a fairly tense staredown.

Motor City Machine Guns vs. Pretty Deadly

Sabin armdrags Prince to start and it’s off to Shelley for stereo kicks to the head. Wilson comes in and gets caught with a double flapjack but Prince’s distraction lets Sabin get knocked outside. A posting has Sabin down as we take a break. Back with Sabin fighting back and managing to dive over for the needed tag to Shelley. Everything breaks down and Sabin hits a nice dive. Back in and a gutbuster puts Shelley down and an assisted middle rope bulldog gets two on Sabin. Spilled Mile is broken up though and Skull & Bones finishes Wilson at 9:54.

Rating: B-. Pretty Deadly is mainly known for their goofiness but they can hang in there with a good team. In this case they were in there with a great team and that made for a nice enough match. The Guns are on their way to a showdown for the titles and giving them some momentum like this is a good idea.

The Miz is officially on Smackdown but didn’t seem to know about it. He isn’t happy because he’s on the same show with the Wyatts, so Nick Aldis advises making some new friends.

Video on Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu.

Kevin Owens invades commentary and wants to know where his interview is. Joe Tessitore is so annoying that he makes Owens miss Michael Cole! Owens gets on the announcers’ table and gets in an argument with Matthew McConnaghey before being interrupted by Jimmy Uso. Owens isn’t pleased but Uso says Owens talks too much and hits him in the face. Owens bails in a hurry, with Uso issuing a challenge for tonight.

Carmelo Hayes is mad at Nick Aldis because he was supposed to face Jimmy Uso. Aldis moves the match to next week but lets Hayes have a match with the newest Smackdown acquisition. That’s fine with Hayes, but he wants to meet the opponent before they go to the ring.

Chelsea Green/Piper Niven vs. B-Fab/Michin

Michin strikes away at Niven to start before pulling Green in. The Unprettier is broken up but Michin misses a charge into the corner. Michin fights back rather quickly and brings in B-Fab to clean house. Niven runs B-Fab over but a blind tag brings in Michin for Eat Defeat to pin Green at 3:25.

Rating: C. This was purely there for the sake of Michin getting to pin Green, likely setting up another title match between them. I like that better than having the two of them just put into another match after Green has beaten her twice, but this next one needs to be the last match. Green is rather good at what she does, though she needs a fresh opponent.

Carmelo Hayes meets his opponent tonight: Damian Priest. Hayes is aghast and the match is on for tonight.

Charlotte is back in the Royal Rumble. Well that was pretty obvious.

Here is Tiffany Stratton for a chat. She isn’t worried about the winner of the Royal Rumble because she’ll beat anyone…and here is Rhea Ripley to interrupt. Ripley is ready to face anyone because she’s going to beat Nia Jax. Cue Jax and Candice LeRae, with Jax officially entering the Royal Rumble.

Yes she’s going to win the title from Ripley tomorrow, but she’s winning the Rumble too. Cue Naomi and Bianca Belair to interrupt and they’re both in the Rumble. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez interrupt as well and Morgan is in as well. She kind of suggests that Rodriguez will be in but Ripley headbutts Morgan before we get an official announcement.

Bianca Belair/Naomi/Rhea Ripley vs. Nia Jax/Liv Morgan/Candice LeRae

Ripley and Jax start things off…and we’ll make that LeRae before anything happens. Everything breaks down and Naomi is tossed into a moonsault onto Jax for a nice spot. A standing moonsault/legdrop combination gets two on Morgan and Belair hammers away in the corner. Jax comes in off a blind tag though and runs Belair over but it’s way too early for the Annihilator.

We take a break and come back with Naomi in trouble as LeRae drags her back into the corner. Naomi tries to get away but Morgan is smart enough to break up the tag attempt, as you occasionally see. The diving tag brings in Ripley anyway and it’s time to pick the pace way up. Everything breaks down and Jax blocks the Riptide attempt. LeRae Codebreakers Ripley to the floor but gets caught with the KOD, only for Morgan to roll Belair up for the pin at 12:14.

Rating: C+. Perfectly fine match here with the villains stealing the win after a fairly wild finish. You don’t get that kind of thing often enough around here and it made for a fun match. Morgan stealing the pin is par for the course for her, even if it means nothing in the context of getting ready for the Royal Rumble.

Chelsea Green is upset at the loss and it’s made worse when Michin comes in, announcing that she has one more title shot next week. Niven says they need a bigger security detail. That sounds ominous.

Johnny Gargano vs. Apollo Crews

Tommaso Ciampa is here with Gargano. Crews muscles him up for a suplex to start and snaps off a dropkick to send Gargano outside. A moonsault to the floor drops Gargano, who is back up with a superkick to rock Crews for the first time. Crews is right back up with the gorilla press drop into the standing moonsault for two, only for Gargano to get in a pretty close to low blow. A missed charge sends Crews outside so Ciampa can get in a running knee but cue the Motor City Machine Guns. That’s enough of a distraction for Crews to grab a rollup pin at 4:14.

Rating: C. That was a nice little surprise result and I’ll take Crews actually getting a win for a change. Gargano and Ciampa were starting to do their cheating again but they lost because their numbers advantage went away. Good enough match here, though it was more about setting up the Tag Team Title match.

Jacob Fatu is ready for Braun Strowman because he’s King Kong and Godzilla, plus all gas and no brakes. Then Tama Tonga makes a weird sound.

Tama Tonga vs. LA Knight

Jacob Fatu is here with Tonga. Before the match, Knight promises various levels of beatings to both of them. Knight slugs away to start and grabs a powerslam before taking the fight outside. A clothesline puts Tonga over the barricade but he walks said barricade for a clothesline. Back in and a slingshot shoulder gives Knight two and they’re already on the floor again. Knight gets sent into the steps and we take a break.

Back with Tonga grabbing a dragon screw legwhip but Knight neckbreakers his way to a breather. That’s cut off as well so Knight has to fight out of a nerve hold, setting up a jumping neckbreaker. Tonga hits the jumping neckbreaker for two but Knight knocks him off the top. The jumping top rope elbow connects and the BFT finishes Tonga at 12:06.

Rating: B-. Knight needed a win like this one as he’s been kind of floundering since losing the US Title. Getting a clean win over someone who is in a big time stable is a good sign and I could go for Knight moving closer to the main event scene. I’m not sure if that is what he’s going to do, but Knight as the second or third biggest good guy on Smackdown has potential.

Post match Fatu jumps Knight and drives him onto the announcers’ table. Cue Braun Strowman and Tonga has to hold Fatu back. That doesn’t work so well so Tonga tries a distraction, only to have Fatu miss a charge. Strowman clears the ring and stands tall.

Miz tries to get on A-Town Down Under’s good side…but finds out that they have been sent to Raw.

Shinsuke Nakamura warns anyone against coming after the US Title and then enters the Royal Rumble.

Damian Priest vs. Carmelo Hayes

Hayes tries to strike away to start but gets caught with an Old School crossbody for two. They head outside with Hayes kicking away at the leg and we take an early break. Back with Hayes knocking him outside again and a high crossbody gets two. Hayes grabs an armbar before chopping away, which just wakes Priest up.

The Broken Arrow sets up the lifting Downward Spiral for two and Hayes is ready to walk. That’s broken up but Hayes is back with the First 48 for two. Barrett: “That First 48 usually beats most opponents.” No Wade, it doesn’t. Priest has had it with this and hits a rebound clothesline into South Of Heaven for the win at 10:48.

Rating: C+. This was a nice back and forth match as Hayes is becoming the guy whose job is to make everyone else look good. He’s solid enough in that role, but I could go for him doing more. That being said, this was all about Priest, who comes in and gets an impressive enough win through straight power and dominance, which worked well.

The Motor City Machine Guns are getting a 2/3 falls match against DIY for the Tag Team Titles at the Royal Rumble and DIY isn’t happy.

Cody Rhodes welcomes Damian Priest to Smackdown and Priest says he’ll see Rhodes soon.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Miz says Andrade needs someone to guide him. Andrade likes that idea and goes off to find someone.

Jimmy Uso is ready to beat Carmelo Hayes next week.

Jimmy Uso vs. Kevin Owens

Hold on though as Hayes jumps Uso during the entrance but Uso is fine enough. Owens wears a Naomi shirt because he knows how to do some awesome yet simple things. The bell rings and Owens drops to the floor to yell at Tessitore, so Uso has to bring him back inside. That means Owens grabs a headlock into a backsplash to take over early before driving some shoulders in the corner. Uso fights out of said corner but it’s too early for the Umaga Attack.

Some rams into the apron have Owens in trouble but he’s right back with a knockdown off the apron. A frog splash off the apron hits Uso and we take a break. Back with Owens working on the arm but taking to long going up top, allowing Uso to…well get his arm snapped across the top. The Swanton hits raised knees though and now the running Umaga Attack connects.

The Samoan drop gets two and a superkick gets the same as they’re slowing down. Uso drops him again and goes up, only to miss the Superfly Splash. Another superkick gives Uso another two though and the spear connects. Uso goes up again but gets his arm snapped across the top, setting up the pop up powerbomb to give Owens the pin at 13:45.

Rating: B-. Nice main event here with Owens beating enough of a name opponent, though I’m not overly interested in seeing Uso vs. Hayes next week when they both lost here. That’s not the most logical move and it’s not like Hayes’ attack meant much. Owens needed the win on the way to the Rumble title match, though it was a bit of a weird way to get there.

Post match the package piledriver is loaded up but Cody Rhodes runs in for the save. Owens is beaten down as the fight continues to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The shows are getting better about stretching the three hours but the show still feel long. Maybe it’s being so used to two hours of Smackdown for so long but these shows still don’t feel quite right. Other than that, they had a show that was designed to set up the next two big shows, which makes things a bit tricky. With the Rumble in about a week, very little feels important because everything changes there. For now though, nice enough show which set some things up, but I’m looking forward to these shows dropping back to two hours.

Results
Motor City Machine Guns b. Pretty Deadly – Skull & Bones to Wilson
B-Fab/Michin b. Chelsea Green/Piper Niven – Eat Defeat to Green
Liv Morgan/Nia Jax/Candice LeRae b. Rhea Ripley/Naomi/Bianca Belair – Rollup to Belair
Apollo Crews b. Johnny Gargano – Rollup
LA Knight b. Tama Tonga – BFT
Damian Priest b. Carmelo Hayes – South Of Heaven
Kevin Owens b. Jimmy Uso – Pop up 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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AND

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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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Smackdown
Date: January 10, 2025
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

It’s a bit more back to normal this week and that should be nice to see. The big story here is a United States Title match between Shinsuke Nakamura and former champion LA Knight. Other than that, we have some fallout from Monday’s Tribal Combat where Roman Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a rather lengthy recap of Raw.

Here is Paul Heyman, who is rather proud that Roman Reigns is once again the one and only Tribal Chief. Now he gets to announce what is next for Reigns, and invites Cody Rhodes out here to hear it. Heyman says that Rhodes has earned the respect of everyone, from the people to Heyman to Reigns himself. That is why Reigns wanted Rhodes to hear this in person: Reigns wants his title back and he’s winning the Royal Rumble to get there.

Rhodes doesn’t seem to have any issue with this but here is Kevin Owens to interrupt. Owens couldn’t believe it could get worse, but then Rhodes SHOOK THE ROCK’S HAND! Rhodes has already gone everywhere and now he is willing to let Reigns get a title shot? That’s enough for Rhodes, who runs into the crowd for the brawl, leaving the Bloodline to corner Heyman. Jimmy Uso runs in for the save so Heyman can escape but a chair shot just angers Fatu. Rhodes runs back in for the real save.

Post break Jacob Fatu yells at security but gets thrown outside by LA Knight. Commentary isn’t sure that was wise.

Women’s US Title: Michin vs. Chelsea Green

Green, with Piper Niven, is defending. The threat of Eat Defeat takes Green outside in a hurry so Michin grabs a Tarantula instead. They go outside where Greens ends her into the barricade and we take a break. Back with Michin fighting out of a chinlock, only to get caught in the same thing.

A belly to back suplex takes Green down for a breather and Michin hurricanranas her way out of the corner. The Cannonball gets two on Green but her lifting Downward Spiral gets the same. Michin goes after Niven (now in a Secret Service look) and hits a high crossbody on Green, who rolls through and grabs the trunks to retain at 8:43.

Rating: C+. Green and Niven are a good choice for a villainous pair as they could frustrate a lot of challenges for a long time. What matters here is that Michin has one more reason to get a rematch after more cheating. I’m not sure how that could go, but at least they have that as an out if necessary.

Post match Niven drops a backsplash and Michin is crushed.

We look at the tag teams arguing after last week’s title match went haywire. Nick Aldis makes some matches, likely with title implications.

Los Garza vs. Pretty Deadly

Garza clears the ring to start and hits some dives, followed by Garza’s rolling moonsault for two on Wilson back inside. A running knee against the ropes rocks Wilson but Prince makes a blind tag to neckbreaker Berto out to the floor. We take a break and come back with Berto missing an enziguri but diving over for the tag anyway. Angel’s high crossbody gets two on Wilson, who starts screaming for DIY to come help them. That doesn’t happen so Prince gets crotched on top and it’s a double swinging gorilla press slam (FTY) to pin him at 8:55.

Rating: C. This was something of a weird match as Los Garza are kind of faces but still in a heel stable and beat the resident goofy villains clean. That wasn’t the best thing in the world but at least they didn’t waste a lot of time here. Perfectly nice match here, and I could go for Los Garza moving up a bit.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Nakamura is defending. Knight powers him into the corner to start and grabs a swinging neckbreaker but Nakamura bails out to the floor. A running knee rocks Knight for a change but he’s right back with a backdrop over the top. Nakamura gets rammed into the announcers’ table, only to come back with some postings as we take a break. Back with Knight winning a slugout and hitting the spelling elbow for two. Knight is almost sent into an exposed buckle but Nakamura is back with the sliding German suplex.

With Nakamura up top, Knight jumps the corner for the top rope superplex and a near fall of his own. Since nothing else is working, Knight goes Colt Cabana (you never go Colt Cabana) with the Billy Goat’s Curse (reverse Boston crab), sending Nakamura over to the rope. Nakamura kicks him down for two but the running knee hits the exposed buckle. The BFT knocks Nakamura silly, only for the Bloodline (minus Solo Sikoa) to run in and take out Knight for the DQ at 14:08.

Rating: C+. This got a pretty good deal of time and it worked out rather well with a logical ending. What mattered here was having Knight look strong and possibly move on to something else, as he has already won the US Title and can go up the ladder a bit. That might not be what we are seeing here, but at least they are doing something different.

Post match Knight gets crushed, including the triple jump moonsault. Jimmy Uso and Cody Rhodes make the save and Rhodes wants the tag match for tonight.

We recap Tiffany Stratton cashing in the Money In The Bank briefcase last week to beat Nia Jax and win the Women’s Title. This might as well have had a big sign that said FILLER.

Motor City Machine Guns vs. A-Town Down Under

Waller punches Shelley in the face to start and it’s off to Sabin, who gets caught in a cravate. An armbar keeps Sabin in trouble but he’s right back up to trip Waller off the apron. The big dive is cut off and we take an early break with Shelley in trouble. Back with Shelley fighting out of a chinlock and handing it back to Sabin to strike away.

Sabin hits a dive onto both of them but Waller drops Shelley back inside. A dive is broken up though and everything breaks down, with the Dream Sequence hitting Waller. With Theory being sent outside after a rather nasty crash, Skull & Bones finishes Waller for Shelley at 12:06.

Rating: B-. I could have gone for more of this as the two teams were beating each other up and got going near the end. The Guns are best known for their fast paced matches and looking as good as anyone around, but at the same time, the villains were more than able to hang in there, which was something of a surprise.

Pretty Deadly isn’t happy with DIY not coming out there but Johnny Gargano explains the idea of “HEAT”. The title shot is totally coming. With DIY gone, Apollo Crews mocks Pretty Deadly for being dumb.

Here is Tiffany Stratton for her big celebration. She hits the catchphrase and claims that she was playing dumb with Nia Jax the entire time. Now she wants some respect on her name and to know what time it is (5:11am EST by my watch) but here is Jax to interrupt. Jax threatens violence and says time’s up but here is Bayley to interrupt. Bayley thought Stratton was stupid and knows that Jax is stupid and thinks she should get the first title shot. Cue Naomi and Bianca Belair but Jax says no one cares about Naomi. The brawl is on and Stratton gets to interrupt. Nick Aldis pops up to make a four way #1 contenders match.

Bayley vs. Nia Jax vs. Naomi vs. Bianca Belair

It’s a brawl to start with Bayley being sent outside, leaving Jax to (mostly) suplex both of the other two. Jax bails to the floor from the threat of the other three before pulling Belair outside for a ram into the barricade. Bayley goes after Naomi inside but Jax pulls Bayley outside for another crash. Belair hammers on Jax until Bayley breaks up the cover before a Tower Of Doom leaves all four of them down.

We take a break and come back with Jax being knocked out to the floor, leaving the KOD and Bayley To Belly to be broken up. Naomi is back up with the split legged moonsault for two on Jax and everyone tries to pin Jax in a row. Cue Candice LeRae for a distraction, leaving Naomi and Belair to hit dives to the floor. Back in and Belair takes over on Bayley but LeRae breaks up the KOD. That’s enough for Bayley to Rose Plant Naomi for the win at 17:18.

Rating: B-. This got some time and was working well, with Bayley getting the win to move on to what should be a nice first defense for Stratton. I’ll take that over another Jax vs. Bayley match, which has kind of been done to death at this point. Not a great match or anything, but it did what it needed to do.

Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso are ready to go. Rhodes leaves and Carmelo Hayes comes in, only for Uso to mock Hayes for throwing up so many bricks (as in misses, which Hayes says never happens).

Bayley is excited for her title shot, which is next week.

Cody Rhodes/Jimmy Uso vs. Tama Tonga/Jacob Fatu

Rhodes works on Tonga’s arm to start before it’s off to Jimmy, tho is taken into the wrong corner. A pop up Samoan drop cuts off Jimmy’s comeback attempt and we take a break. Back with Tonga working on Jimmy’s leg and then gabbing a nerve hold. Fatu adds a heck of a running Umaga Attack in the corner but Jimmy knocks him off the ropes.

A Whisper In The Wind is enough to set up the tag off to Rhodes, who hits a dive onto both of them. Tonga grabs a running DDT for two but he gets caught in a PowerPlex. Fatu makes the save and here is Kevin Owens to distract Rhodes. The chase is on and Jimmy is left alone, with the triple moonsault finishing him off at 12:18.

Rating: B-. Standard main event style tag match here with the interference being a good way to get the Bloodline a win after the big loss on Raw. I’m not sure where things are going for the team but this is the kind of thing that at least gives them some stability. Rhodes vs. Owens is already set so this was just another step in getting ready for their match.

Rhodes and Owens fight off and go through a table to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked the show as it set up some stuff for the future and gave us good action at the same time, but the problem here is it felt long. Maybe it’s knowing that the show isn’t going to be going three hours permanently or they don’t know how to do it yet, but I could go for something a bit less stretched out. Figure out that problem and this show is that much better.

Results
Chelsea Green b. Michin – Rollup with trunks
Los Garza b. Pretty Deadly – FTY to Prince
LA Knight b. Shinsuke Nakamura via DQ when the Bloodline interfered
Motor City Machine Guns b. A-Town Down Under – Skull & Bones to Waller
Bayley b. Bianca Belair, Nia Jax and Naomi – Rose Plant to Naomi
Tama Tonga/Jacob Fatu b. Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens – Triple moonsault to Uso

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: January 3, 2025
Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s a new era in Smackdown as the show is officially three hours long. That’s a big way to start a new year and we are also on the way to one of the biggest shows in WWE TV history next week with Raw. There is a good chance some of that card gets a build this week, plus next month’s Royal Rumble. 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, with their Royal Rumble ladder match being st up last week.

Here is Rhodes to get things going (on a blue mat). Rhodes talks about how everything is about to change in WWE with the move to Netflix next week. His excitement is tempered though because he is not currently cleared to wrestle because of Kevin Owens. He’s still ready for the Royal Rumble…and here is Drew McIntyre to interrupt. McIntyre says he isn’t here to fight because he appreciates what Rhodes has done.

This is the best era WWE has ever had and a lot of that is due to Rhodes. McIntyre thinks Rhodes needs someone to watch his back but Rhodes says that he wants to talk about how they are kindred spirits….but he doesn’t believe what McIntyre is saying. Rhodes offers to fight but McIntyre goes to leave and says Rhodes to watch his back. Cue Kevin Owens to jump Rhodes from behind and the fight is on, with officials breaking it up. Simple and effective here, with McIntyre vs. Rhodes being an interesting idea for down the line.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Andrade

Non-title. Andrade hurricanranas him to the floor to start and hits a dive as we take a break. Back with Andrade hitting a running forearm but Nakamura kicks him in the head. A middle rope knee gives Nakamura two but Andrade knocks him into the corner. The running knees get two, followed by the double moonsault giving Andrade two more. The spinning back elbow drops Nakamura again and they go to the corner, where Nakamura drops him face first onto the post. Nakamura hits the Kinshasa for the win at 8:49.

Rating: C+. As usual, there is only so much they can do with so much of the time being cut out by the commercial. What we got was nice as Andrade felt like he was bringing it but the idea was to have everything stop in a hurry, which was a bit jarring. Nakamura gets a bit of a win and is ready for his next challenger, whomever that might be.

Post match LA Knight runs in to take out Nakamura, saying he’s coming for the US Title. He’ll be there for Nakamura every time Nakamura turns around. So that’s whomever.

Pretty Deadly is in the back with Apollo Crews when Legado del Fantasma comes in. Legado isn’t happy with Pretty Deadly lying about them attacking the Street Profits last week and things start to get physical. Nick Aldis comes in and wants to have a chat with Pretty Deadly.

Post break Aldis is talking to Pretty Deadly when DIY come in to suggest that Pretty Deadly help them against the Motor City Machine Guns tonight.

Michin vs. Piper Niven

Chelsea Green is here with Niven. Michin starts fast with a hurricanrana to the floor, followed by another one off the apron. Niven runs her over without much trouble though and we take a break. Back with Michin hitting a Rey Mysterio sitout bulldog and adding a Cannonball in the corner. Eat Defeat is countered into the Piper Driver for two but Niven’s Vader Bomb is blocked. Now Eat Defeat can finish Niven at 7:00.

Rating: C. Michin is more than on her way to what feels like a rematch with Green for the Women’s US Title. Having her beat Green’s enforcer is a fine way to set that up and we could be in for a nice rematch whenever we get there. For now though, Michin is having one of the best runs of her career and it’s nice to see WWE finally doing something with her.

Video on Naomi, who is ready to challenge Nia Jax tonight.

Here is Paul Heyman to talk about Monday’s Tribal Combat match. Heyman and Roman Reigns had trained and groomed Solo Sikoa to be the next Tribal Chief. Sikoa was being made ready when Cody Rhodes caught lightning in a bottle and beat Reigns at Wrestlemania. Then Sikoa stole the Ola Fala because he never earned it.

Now Sikoa has brought in various people for the new Bloodline, including Jacob Fatu, who is not welcome outside of the United States prison system. Cue Sikoa to interrupt and Heyman knows this isn’t good. Heyman brings up Sikoa having him put through a table in Madison Square Garden in front of his children, but Sikoa reaches for, and receives, the microphone.

Sikoa says on Monday, he needs someone who he can trust. If Reigns wins Tribal Combat, Sikoa will acknowledge him and Heyman will give Reigns the Ola Fala. But if Sikoa wins, he will receive the Ola Fala and own Heyman forever (Heyman is scared) and Reigns will have to acknowledge him. So the match is now a possible kidnapping plot?

The Motor City Machine Guns want the Tag Team Titles back.

Saturday Night’s Main Event is coming back and Hulk Hogan is excited.

Tag Team Titles: Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY

DIY is defending. Ciampa cranks on Sabin’s arm to start but gets sent down with an armdrag. Everything breaks down for a second before Shelley works on Ciampa’s arm for a change. The champs are sent outside for a dive from Sabin and we take an early break. Back with Sabin and Ciampa dropping each other, allowing Shelley to come in and clean house.

The Guns hit stereo baseball slides t the floor, setting up stereo suicide dives. Everything breaks down again and it’s a four way knockdown until a tag brings Ciampa back in. Skull And Bones is loaded up but here is Pretty Deadly for a distraction. That’s broken up but a Fairy Tale Ending/superkick combination…gets two on Shelley. Cue Legado del Fantasma to chase Pretty Deadly around, allowing the Guns to grab stereo submissions. The other four then come inside and it’s a double DQ at 10:54.

Rating: B-. The Guns are basically incapable of having a bad match so it was nice to see them get in there for the titles, even with the screwy ending. That’s all it needed to be as the Guns can now go after someone else as the division is starting to come together. Other than that, I’m not sure where this goes, but for now though, we had a perfectly nice match here.

Nia Jax is worried that Tiffany Stratton isn’t here but Candice LeRae is here for her.

Sami Zayn runs into Carmelo Hayes, who isn’t happy with what happened with Braun Strowman. The Usos pop in and Hayes calms down before leaving. Zayn goes to get ready but Kevin Owens pops in to tell Jey Uso to watch his back.

We look at the opening brawl.

Cody Rhodes is going to leave but Nick Aldis stops him. Aldis wants Rhodes to put his hatred of Kevin Owens aside and think about the bigger picture. Rhodes isn’t going to have that because if he sees Owens, or someone who looks like Owens, he’s dropping him on sight.

Women’s Title: Naomi vs. Nia Jax

Jax, with Candice LeRae, is defending. Naomi kicks away to start but is easily powered into the corner. Jax misses a charge into the corner and Naomi can fire off some kicks, only to get headbutted outside as we take a break. Back with Bianca Belair at ringside as well as Jax plants Naomi for two.

We hit the chinlock for a bit before Jax sends her into the corner for a running hip to the head. Naomi fights out of a powerbomb though and gets two off a victory roll before kicking Jax off the middle rope. A splits splash gives Naomi two more before Jax misses a charge into the post. There’s the springboard kick to Jax’s head and a Samoan drop (not bad either) gives Naomi another near fall. Jax sends her hard into the corner and drops a middle rope leg for two, which is quite the kickout.

The Annihilator is broken up and Naomi drops her with a DDT. A hanging Pedigree plants Jax for two and we take another break. Back again with Naomi’s Blockbuster getting two and a choke goes on to keep Jax in trouble. LeRae offers a distraction for the save though and gets dropped by Belair. Jax cuts Belair off but her super powerslam is countered into another powerslam…and here it Tiffany Stratton to blast Naomi with the briefcase. The Annihilator retains at 19:35.

Rating: B-. Surprisingly enough, this worked fairly well with Naomi fighting from underneath and using as much of her athleticism as possible before getting caught with the cheating. The ending isn’t the best thing to see in the world but what matters the most here is that they had a good match despite it going far longer than you might have expected both of them to go.

Then Stratton takes out Jax and LeRae with the briefcase, allowing Belair to give Jax a KOD. The cash in is on!

Women’s Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax

Jax is defending and loses to the Prettiest Moonsault Ever at 6 seconds. Well it’s about time and we now get several months without a briefcase. It also feels like a turn for Stratton as the fans were VERY happy, even if hitting someone with a briefcase and getting someone else to help you after the champion had a long match isn’t the most heroic way to win a title.

Video on Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa on Raw.

Jacob Fatu wants the whole world to acknowledge Solo Sikoa.

LA Knight gets a US Title shot next week.

Bloodline vs. Sami Zayn/Usos

Zayn and the Usos come in through the crowd, as tends to be…well at least Jey’s custom. They waste no time in going to the six man brawl and the Bloodline is cleared out as we take an early break. Back with Tonga stomping Jey down into the corner but getting whipped hard into the buckle.

Jimmy comes in and is dropped just as quickly, allowing Sikoa to grab a nerve hold. That’s broken up and it’s back to Zayn to clean house, only to get dropped by Sikoa as we take another break. Back again with Tonga unloading on Zayn but the Blue Thunder Bomb puts Sikoa down. The tag brings in Jey for the real house cleaning and a pop up neckbreaker hits Tonga for two.

Everything breaks down and Tonga’s jumping DDT gets two on Jey. Fatu gets knocked into the corner for some running Umaga Attacks, followed by some stereo suicide dives to the floor. Fatu is back up with a top rope splash to Jimmy, followed by a moonsault for two. Cue Drew McIntyre so Jey dives onto him before avoiding Fatu’s Umaga Attack in the corner. Jey spears Fatu and hits the Superfly Splash but Sikoa Spikes him for the pin at 22:37.

Rating: B. This got some time to pick up some momentum and by the end it wound up being a wild brawl with a bunch of things going on. The McIntyre interference didn’t mean much, which helps quite a bit as it would have been almost a cliché to have it end that way. Sikoa needed a win to boost him up for Tribal Combat and this did that well enough.

A Raw rundown wraps us up.

Overall Rating: B. This felt like a long edition of Smackdown, which is going to be the norm going forward. Thankfully they started off with a good one, as that certainly wasn’t guaranteed. What matters the most is getting momentum set up for Monday’s major show, but Smackdown certainly had its own moments. Good stuff here, though dang this feels like it’s going to be long to get through every single week.

Results
Shinsuke Nakamura b. Andrade – Kinshasa
Michin b. Piper Niven – Eat Defeat
Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY went to a double DQ when Pretty Deadly interfered
Nia Jax b. Naomi – Annihilator
Tiffany Stratton b. Nia Jax – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Bloodline b. Sami Zayn/Usos – Samoan Spike to Jey

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.

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 13, 2024
Location: XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Commentators: Corey Graves, Michael Cole

We’re a day away from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that should make for an important night on the way there. One of the biggest stories coming out of last week was DIY winning the Tag Team Titles with Johnny Gargano going full on villain. Other than that, the Bloodline is still lurking around so let’s get to it.

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

Here is a limping Jimmy Uso (thanks to a broken toe at Survivor Series) for a chat. Uso said WarGames didn’t get him but it did get his toe. WarGames meant everything to him because even though he fights with his family, they’ll fight together and throw up the one’s. So that’s behind them, so what is in front of them?

He and his family have been doing this for years and they have been pretty successful. He’s even proud of Jey Uso and the YEET! Then there’s Solo Sikoa, who he might not like but he’s proud of him. So what’s next for Jimmy? He’s not sure. Maybe the Royal Rumble, the US Title or even the WWE Title. He may have one big toe, but he’s here…and so is Drew McIntyre with the Claymore.

A Christmas themed Tiffany Stratton is warming up when Candice LeRae and Nia Jax come in to give her a pep talk.

Nick Aldis yells at Drew McIntyre when Bianca Belair and Naomi come in. Aldis tells McIntyre to stay in his office and then tells Belair she is going to have to relinquish the Tag Team Titles. Naomi offers to step in and be her partner, with Aldis reluctantly agreeing, saying they have to be ready to defend the titles as soon as next week.

Women’s US Title Tournament Semifinals: Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin

Stratton knocks her down to start but Michin grabs a double leg and hammers away. A hurricanrana out of the corner drops Stratton again but Stratton faceplants her on the apron. We take a break and come back with Michin rolling away before the Prettiest Moonsault Ever can launch.

Michin kicks her down and hits a springboard DDT for two. The Tarantula has Stratton in trouble but she flips away and grabs an Alabama Slam for two of her own. A Regal Roll sets up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever but Michin rolls away…and right into the moonsault, which doesn’t count as she rolled away. Eat Defeat gives Michin the fast pin at 8:22.

Rating: C+. The ending didn’t help things and commentary tried to cover it as well as they could but it looked pretty bad. Other than that, Michin beating Stratton is almost weird to see, as Stratton has been pushed fairly strong in recent months while Michin has only been building momentum in recent weeks. Michin should make for a good underdog in the finals though and that’s always a nice role to have filled.

We look back at Johnny Gargano going evil to win the Tag Team Titles last week.

DIY (in black and white) talk about getting cheated in Gargano’s hometown but he promised to do whatever it took to set things right. Then the Motor City Machine Guns were handed a path to the titles so last week, Gargano did what he needed to do to get the titles back. And it was fun.

We look at the Bloodline beating down LA Knight and Andrade last week.

Roman Reigns, with Paul Heyman, talks about how this has been a rough year. They were running everything not too long ago but then they lost everything. Four years ago, Solo Sikoa wasn’t here when Reigns earned everything. That’s why he wants Tribal Combat on January 6, where he can take everything back and everyone can acknowledge him.

There will be a Raw On Netflix Kickoff Show next week. Of note: Logan Paul is advertised despite saying he was retired earlier this week.

Legado del Fantasma complains to Nick Aldis about everyone being attacked so maybe they should go to Raw. Aldis says go call them so Carmelo Hayes comes in, where he is told he’ll find out who he is facing in the ring.

Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

And the newest member of Smackdown is….Braun Strowman. Hayes panics and gets knocked down to make it even worse. The running powerslam is broken up and Hayes misses a charge into the post, allowing Hayes to get one, with the kickout sending him flying. Now the running powerslam can finish for Strowman at 1:28.

LA Knight is always ready to handle his business he didn’t want to get involved in WarGames when he was asked. That wasn’t his business, but now Solo Sikoa has gotten in his business and in the way of his US Title. That’s why tonight, Sikoa’s face is going to get in the way of Knight’s fist.

Solo Sikoa vs. LA Knight

The Bloodline is here with Sikoa. Knight wins a slugout to start and hits a discus lariat, followed by a running clothesline to the floor. Sikoa is back up with some rams into various things but Knight manages a whip into the steps. Knight hammers away on the announcers’ table but Sikoa Samoan drops him back inside.

A middle rope bulldog gets Knight out of trouble and his dropkick through the ropes hits Tonga, allowing Sikoa to hit Swinging Solo onto the announcers’ table as we take a break. Back with Sikoa trying a Superman Punch and getting suplexed down for his efforts. Knight stomps away in the corner but stops to dive onto the rest of the Bloodline. Back in and a Side Effect drops Sikoa and the top rope elbow gets two. That’s enough for Jacob Fatu, who grabs Knight for the DQ at 11:20.

Rating: B-. It was hard to imagine Sikoa being challenged to Tribal Combat next month and losing here, but at least Knight didn’t get pinned. It’s fine to fight against the top heel stable and get taken out by the numbers game so this could have been a lot worse for Knight. He might even get a tag match or something to follow this up so it’s a bit of an upgrade for him, at least for the time being.

Post match the beatdown is on, with Apollo Crews and Andrade’s save attempts not working.

Braun Strowman runs into Pretty Deadly, who offer him a spot in their musical (oh yeah that’s a thing). With Pretty Deadly running off, A-Town Down Under come in and offer him a guest spot on the Grayson Waller Effect. Sure.

Women’s US Title Tournament Semifinals: Bayley vs. Chelsea Green

Piper Niven is here with Green. Bayley plants her down to start in a hurry and a rollup gets an early two. Green’s rollup gets her own near fall but Bayley is back with a basement clothesline for two more. Niven sweeps the leg though and Green stomps on Bayley’s back as we take a break. Back with Green hitting an enziguri and rolling Bayley up for two. We hit the chinlock and go split screen for a quick preview of the Mufasa movie.

Back to full screen and they go to the apron (nice timing on the chinlock for the break) where Bayley hits a Stunner over the middle rope. A hanging suplex to the floor has Green in more trouble, followed by a belly to back for two. Bayley hits a running knee into a sunset bomb into the corner for two but Green (who has lost the flowers in her hair, meaning she can’t go to San Francisco) is back with a Rough Ryder. Niven pulls Green outside so Bayley dives onto her instead. That earns her a toss over the barricade, followed by the Unprettier to give Green the win at 12;12.

Rating: C. This was good enough but points for pushing Green forward. I’m not sure if she is going to win the title but it’s nice to see her getting a chance to do something. She has more than earned the chance to do something on her own (or with Niven behind her) and it’s not like Bayley is going to be hurt by losing to anyone.

The Motor City Machine Guns are not happy with DIY because they can’t believe what Johnny Gargano did to them. Now it’s a fight and Gargano will learn that next week.

Shinsuke Nakamura talks about how there has been a shift which will see the weak dragged into the light. LA Knight had something he never deserved and will never get it again. Nakamura is imminent.

Nia Jax consoles Tiffany Stratton but Candice LeRae comes in and says she and Nia have a Women’s Tag Team Title shot next week. With Jax gone, LeRae says Stratton just might not be a singles wrestler.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Michael Cole brings out Cody Rhodes for a chat with….Kevin Owens, who joins us from his car. Owens can’t believe how Rhodes is willing to use his friends to finish his story. The reality is Rhodes is as bad of a friend as he is a son and brother. The other reality is that Rhodes was always more interesting as Stardust.

Rhodes knows Owens has more zingers up his sleeve but goes to the back to deal with him in person. Owens jumps him from behind and they fight into the arena and into the ring. Security tries to break it up and Owens gets in a belt shot to end the show. Of note: Owens was wearing a Stardust shirt, as that man’s shirt closet must be amazing. Good brawl here, and it feels like a pay per view main event, which is quite the impressive feat for a television special.

Overall Rating: B-. The best thing I can say about this show is I want to see what happens tomorrow night. This show was designed to make Saturday Night’s Main Event more interesting and it pulled that part off. The action itself here wasn’t great, but it was good enough to move things forward. This show wasn’t the one that mattered, but rather the show that set up the ones that matter. Nice job on that front, with tomorrow being the important night.

Results
Michin b. Tiffany Stratton – Eat Defeat
Braun Strowman b. Carmelo Hayes – Running powerslam
LA Knight b. Solo Sikoa via DQ when Jacob Fatu interfered
Chelsea Green b. Bayley – Unprettier

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: November 22, 2024
Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re just over a week away from Survivor Series and the card still needs some help. Right now we have the women’s WarGames match and the Raw World Title match set, but the men’s WarGames match still needs an extra name. Maybe that, plus some other things, get set up this week so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, focusing on Roman Reigns and company needing help against the Bloodline.

Here are the Bloodline and Bronson Reed to get things going. Solo Sikoa does his usual thing and requests that Roman Reigns meet him in the ring tonight to accept terms of surrender. Then Reigns and the Usos can acknowledge him. And that’s that for a fast opening sequence.

Women’s United States Title Tournament First Round: Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green vs. Blair Davenport

They trade rollups to start until Green clotheslines Davenport out to the floor. Green’s middle rope sunset flip gets two on Belair, who is back up with a slingshot dive to drop Green outside. Davenport is back up with a shot of her own though and we take a break. Back with Green hitting a Rough Ryder on Belair but getting stomped down by Davenport.

Belair suplexes Davenport for two with Green making the save, earning herself some shoulders in the corner. Green superplexes Davenport, who gets crushed by Belair’s 450, with Green’s stolen cover only getting two. We cut to the back where someone has knocked Jade Cargill through the windshield of a car, which is enough for Belair to run off to help her. The Unprettier gives Green the pin on Davenport at 9:50.

Rating: C+. Green advancing is nice to see as there is a chance that she could wind up winning the title in a nice surprise. Other than that, this was more about the Cargill attack, which could lead into something interesting with WarGames right around the corner. Other than that, Davenport was pretty much just there to take the fall, which is about all she’s doing at the moment anyway.

Post break Belair gets in the ambulance with Cargill as Bayley and Naomi aren’t sure what to do. It still isn’t clear who attacked Cargill.

United States Title: LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar

Escobar, with the rest of Legado del Fantasma, is challenging. Hold on though as we get a video from Shinsuke Nakamura, talking about how Knight is scared of everything and this is the beginning of his end. Escobar jumps Knight from behind to start fast and knocks him to the floor for the slingshot dive.

We take a break and come back with Escobar kicking Knight in the head for two, setting up the seated armbar. Knight fights up and hits the slingshot shoulder before grabbing the jumping neckbreaker for two. The jumping top rope elbow is loaded up but cue Nakamura for a distraction. Escobar takes Knight down and hits a frog splash but doesn’t cover. Instead the Phantom Driver is loaded up but Knight reverses into the BFT for the pin at 8:04.

Rating: C. They kept this short and to the point, as Knight gets to add another win to his resume. Nakamura is coming for Knight soon enough though and there is a good chance that we’ll be seeing it at Survivor Series or Saturday Night’s Main Event. For now though, Knight gets a quick boost, with a nice counter to let him retain the title.

Post match Nakamura runs in and lays Knight out.

We look back at Tommaso Ciampa costing the Street Profits their Tag Team Title shot.

Johnny Gargano asks the Motor City Machine Guns for a Tag Team Title shot but they think the Street Profits deserve another shot. The Profits come in and don’t think much of Ciampa. All this did was show me that the Profits are giants compared to Gargano and the Guns.

Nia Jax doesn’t know anything about who attacked Jade Cargill.

Cody Rhodes is told Kevin Owens isn’t here but doesn’t buy it.

Here is Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes doesn’t believe that Kevin Owens isn’t here so cue Owens (in a sleeveless tuxedo shirt) to say he deserves the Rhodes suit treatment (as Rhodes is in workout gear rather than his usual suit). Owens doesn’t get why Rhodes is upset when everything is his fault. Rhodes is ready to fight as Owens comes to ringside to rant about how Rhodes teamed with Roman Reigns after Owens spent years fighting the Bloodline.

Reigns needed help and Rhodes teamed with him so everything is his fault. Rhodes goes on a rant about how this is all on Owens, who always has to self sabotage himself. Owens has all of the accolades and is a great star but he doesn’t realize it. Rhodes beat him at Bash In Berlin because, as always, Owens couldn’t pull the trigger. He pulled the trigger later, but it was on the wrong guy.

Rhodes issues the challenge for Saturday Night’s Main Event but Owens gives him the “on my time” response. Owens says he hates Rhodes, though Rhodes says Owens hates himself. Rhodes won’t wait to cross any line when they finally fight. This was a good laying out of the whole story and Rhodes was selling the emotion rather well.

Roman Reigns, the Usos and Sami Zayn aren’t sure what to do for WarGames. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins’ names are floated but Reigns shuts them down. Reigns says the four of them can do it themselves so Zayn is in, but wants to know what the plan is going to be. Even Reigns doesn’t know this time.

Cody Rhodes is storming through the back and doesn’t like Carmelo Hayes saying Rhodes had that coming. Shoving ensues.

Bayley/Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton/Candice LeRae

Nia Jax is here with the villains. Naomi slugs away at Stratton to start and snaps off a running hurricanrana. That means Stratton needs a breather on the floor, with Jax’s distraction letting LeRae get in a cheap shot. Bayley is in with a dive onto Stratton and we take an early breather. Back with Bayley in trouble and Stratton drawing Naomi in to cut off a tag attempt. LeRae and Stratton get in an argument though, with LeRae having to make another save. Bayley fights up but Jax pulls Naomi off the apron for the DQ at 7:46.

Rating: C. This was more about the villains arguing than anything else, which is a big deal with WarGames just over a week away. I’m not sure what to expect from the match, but having Jax get involved here to avoid someone take a fall is a good idea. They weren’t given the chance to do much here but it kept the bigger story moving well enough.

Post match the beatdown is on but Iyo Sky runs in for the save. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez come in to jump Sky but Rhea Ripley runs in with the kendo stick to clean house.

Montez Ford vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Ciampa misses a charge into the corner to start and Ford hammers away, setting up a quick dropkick for two. Back up and Ciampa hits a knee to the ribs, only to be sent to the floor for the big flip dive. A hard knee to the face sends Ford off the apron though and we take a break. Back with Ford powerbombing him out of the corner and grabbing a belly to back suplex. The standing moonsault gives Ford two, with Ciampa’s swinging neckbreaker getting the same. The Fairy Tale Ending is cut off but Ciampa knees Ford out of the air. Ciampa tries the Fairy Tale Ending again, only for Ford to reverse into a cradle for the pin at 7:52.

Rating: C+. They packed in a good bit of offense here and it made for a good enough match, though I’m a bit surprised that Ciampa lost clean so soon after his recent rampage. One would think that it would lead to Ciampa doing something better but maybe it leads to DIY splitting and moving n to something better. Ford continues to look good on his own, though he seems to be sticking with the tag team for the time being.

Post match Ciampa stays on Ford but Angelo Dawkins and Johnny Gargano run in to break it up. Ciampa shoves Gargano down so the Motor City Machine Guns run in to really break it up. Ciampa asks Gargano whose team he is on.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is the Bloodline to get the answer from Roman Reigns and company. Cue Reigns, the Usos and Sami Zayn for the big showdown but Solo Sikoa says he still loves all four of them. If they join the Bloodline, the team can run the company for decades. Reigns has no fifth man and no wise man, so join the team or die where you stand….and Paul Heyman is back (in a red shirt with no tie). There is no way to do WarGames 5-4 because that math does not make sense to the Wise Man.

That’s why he has a fifth man….and CM Punk is back. The big brawl is on with the Bloodline being cleared out, leaving Reigns and Punk to have a big staredown, with Heyman between them for the awesome visual. The fans think this is awesome and…well yeah. It was going to be Punk, Rollins or on a long shot, Lesnar, and Punk is the (arguably) the most interesting of them all.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show where the wrestling was nowhere near as important as the talking and it worked well. The point of this show was the big ending with Punk and Heyman returning, but the Rhodes/Owens segment worked well too. They did a nice job of making things more interesting for Survivor Series and probably some other shows, and that’s the kind of show that can be the most interesting around. Good stuff here, with the big angle at the end being what the match needed.

Results
Chelsea Green b. Bianca Belair and Blair Davenport – Unprettier to Davenport
LA Knight b. Santos Escobar – BFT
Bayley/Naomi b. Tiffany Stratton/Candice LeRae via DQ when Nia Jax interfered
Montez Ford b. Tommaso Ciampa – Cradle

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.