Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIII
Date: January 24, 2026
Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

This show has kind of snuck up, as it feels like a lot of it was thrown together without much thought. That includes two of the four matches being added last night on Smackdown. The (likely) main event will be a four way match for the #1 contendership to the Smackdown World Title at the Royal Rumble. Other than that, Jacob Fatu has a grudge match with Cody Rhodes so let’s get to it.

Stephanie McMahon welcomes us to the show (Joe Tessitore is stuck in an airport in Detroit) and asks if we’re ready in both English and French.

The opening video hypes up the importance of the show over the years and looks at tonight’s card, as is customary.

Jacob Fatu promises to destroy Cody Rhodes, as he has gone from EBT to WWE. That’s a great line.

IMG Credit: WWE

Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu (who is looking ripped) jumps him during the entrance and the brawl is on before the bell. The referee gets bumped and Nick Aldis and agents come out to intervene. This goes as well as you would expect, with Fatu hitting a big flip dive off the top (and nearly missing the pile). They keep fighting in the aisle and come back to ringside, with Rhodes clotheslining him over the barricade.

The brawl goes into the crowd with Fatu fighting back but getting a drink spat into his face. They’re out in the concourse now with Rhodes throwing a trashcan and Fatu putting someone through a table. They come back into the arena with Fatu hitting some superkicks to knock him down to the barricade.

A security guard gets throw off the barricade and onto a pile….and here is Drew McIntyre to send Fatu through a table. McIntyre hits Rhodes low and powerbombs him off a platform through a table to stand tall as Nick Aldis is upset in the crowd. McIntyre walks into the ring and then away to wrap this up. The bell never rang, so it was just a ten plus minute brawl rather than a match.

Post break, McIntyre calls that a statement that anyone who messes with him will get.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez/Liv Morgan

Sky and Ripley are defending. Perez and Sky start things off with Sky kicking her down to take over rather quickly. Sky gets taken into the corner though and it’s off to Morgan for Three Amigos and the Eddie Dance. It’s back to Perez, who gets rolled up for a quick double stomp to the ribs. Ripley is rather enthusiastic on the apron and the diving tag brings her in, with a menacing wave to Morgan.

House is quickly cleaned as everything breaks down, with Perez’s super hurricanrana sending Ripley into Morgan’s middle rope Codebreaker. Perez dives onto Sky on the floor and Morgan gets two off a rollup. Sky is back in to take Morgan down but Over The Moonsault hits raised boots. Pop Rox connects and the referee just stops counting as Ripley is late on the save (that looked BAD).

Ripley hits the Riptide into Over The Moonsault…but Raquel Rodriguez runs in to trip Rhea, who lands on the referee (that’s creative). The referee gets bumped and the brawl is on, with Sky getting powerbombed on the floor. Cue Stephanie Vaquer to brawl off with Rodriguez and Perez gets a rather delayed two on Sky. Back up and Oblivion connects but Ripley comes in off the blind tag and hits Riptide to retain at 13:20.

Rating: B-. I liked the action here and the ref bump was a clever way to go, but that botched kickout really dragged things down. It just looked so fake and took me out of what they were doing. At the same time, good job of having actual teams fighting over the titles, as it’s how you make the titles feel that much more important. Just fix the timing issues with the save/kickout.

Video on Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles, who had some great matches over the years and are doing it here one more time.

IMG Credit: WWE

AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Feeling out process to start with Nakamura grabbing a headlock and hitting a knee. Nakamura backs him to the ropes and does the head on the chest, setting up COME ON. Styles knocks him down and fires off some strikes to put Nakamura on the floor. There’s the slingshot forearm to drop Nakamura, though Styles comes up favoring his ribs. Nakamura is right back with a knee to the ribs and we hit the chinlock.

Styles is back up with a neckbreaker onto the knee for two so Nakamura kicks him in the chest for the same. The middle rope knee gives Nakamura two more but Styles takes the leg out. The Calf Crusher goes on and stays on for a LONG time, with Nakamura following over into a cross armbreaker. That’s reversed into a Styles Clash but Nakamura slips out, only to charge into a knee to the face. Nakamura is back up with a quick knee of his own but the knee gives out on the Kinshasa attempt.

Styles’ running knee gets two and Nakamura is back up, with the sliding German suplex not working. Instead Styles sends him to the floor for a knee to the face but Nakamura is back with the Landslide for two, with the referee slowing his count on the three again. The Pele Kick connects for Styles and they get back up for the big strike off. The cross armbreaker is blocked again but the Kinshasa is countered into a Styles Clash, which is countered into a knee to the face. Nakamura misses a kick though and gets his leg tied up in the ropes. The Phenomenal Forearm into the Styles Clash gives Styles the pin at 21:17.

Rating: B+. Yeah this was rather awesome as they were able to go out and have a great match. It’s nice to see Styles getting a chance to show off what he can still do with someone like Nakamura. The match was quite the spectacle and I had a great time with it, as they built it up well and had their best match in WWE. Pretty great stuff here.

Stephanie McMahon hypes up the show and the main event.

IMG Credit: WWE

Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest

For a shot at Drew McIntyre at the Rumble. The fans of course go nuts for Zayn, who soaks it in as Williams bails to the floor. Everyone goes to the floor and Priest hits a running dive off the steps to take them all down. Orton fights back and takes Zayn into the corner for some right hands to the head. Zayn reverses into some right hands of his own and it’s Williams coming in to stomp away.

A neckbreaker gets two on Zayn but Priest is back in with the lifting Downward Spiral to drop Williams. Zayn’s tornado DDT gets two on Priest and now it’s Orton coming back in to clean house. That’s cut off with a Blue Thunder Bomb but Williams kicks Zayn down. A running dive drops Williams on the floor and Zayn suplexes Orton onto the announcers’ table.

Back in and the Helluva Kick hits Priest, with Williams pulling the referee at two. Orton isn’t having this and drops all three onto the table before doing it again to Williams (despite him shaking his head NO). Back in and the RKO to Zayn is blocked and Orton misses a charge into the post. Another RKO attempt is blocked but the Helluva Kick is countered into the RKO.

Williams tries to steal the pin, which is broken up by Priest at two. Orton is back in with a double hanging DDT to Priest and Williams but the latter blocks the RKO. Priest gives Orton the South Of Heaven, with Williams rolling Priest up for two. The Helluva Kick to Williams misses and Priest is back in to take Williams out, only to walk into the Helluva Kick to give Zayn the pin and the title shot at 17:01.

Rating: B. It was either Zayn wins in his hometown or the people of Montreal burn the arena down to get warm. Zayn vs. McIntyre could be interesting and I’m curious to see if they actually go with the big title win in Saudi Arabia. Either way, they had a good main event here, with Williams more than hanging in there in his first big match. That bodes really well for him and he didn’t even take the pin! Nice stuff here.

Post match Drew McIntyre tries to jump Zayn but gets sent outside to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. They had three matches and an extended brawl in about two hours, with a nice feel good moment at the end with Zayn winning. The problem here is this show is only a week before the Royal Rumble so it didn’t feel that important. Hopefully they have something hot to set up next weekend’s show, as this only got them so far. This show worked rather well, though it only did so much for the Rumble. Just do a bit more for that, as it’s pretty badly needed at the moment.

Results
Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky b. Liv Morgan/Roxanne Perez – Riptide to Morgan
AJ Styles b. Shinsuke Nakamura – Styles Clash
Sami Zayn b. Trick Williams, Randy Orton and Damian Priest – Helluva Kick to Priest

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

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Smackdown
Date: January 23, 2026
Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re back on this side of the Atlantic but not quite back to America, as it’s time to stop in Montreal before tomorrow’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. The big Smackdown match for that show is a four way for a shot against Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble, so tonight is time for some buildup. That’s a nice enough way to fill some time so let’s get to it.

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

Here is hometown star Sami Zayn to get things going and yeah they like him. We pause for the OLE chants, which do indeed go on for a bit. Zayn greets the fans in French before switching to English to talk about the momentum he feels he has right now. Right here in his hometown…he is interrupted by Trick Williams.

He calls Zayn Mr. Almost, while Williams knows how to get it done. Williams brings up Zayn losing to Roman Reigns here in his hometown, which Zayn says did happen. Yeah Williams looks like a million bucks, but they aren’t on the same level. Williams is brand new but he is just not as good as Zayn. That’s a NO from Williams, who says they can take care of this later.

Cue Damian Priest (facing Williams tonight) to say that Williams talks a lot but he sounds afraid. If Williams doesn’t want to talk here, he can do something, so Williams hits Zayn with the microphone. Williams goes after Priest but Zayn is back up and goes after Williams, with Priest breaking it up. They’re shoved together, allowing Williams to escape.

Randy Orton is asked what he thought about that and goes on quite the rant about how he’s going to beat all three of them and then go on to Saudi Arabia for the Royal Rumble.

Earlier today, Carmelo Hayes told Ilja Dragunov that he can have the US Title shot tonight, which works for Dragunov. Miz came in to say he doesn’t like this whole “everyone is friends era” and says Hayes is what the French call “les incompetants” (points for a Home Alone line) but Hayes isn’t overly bothered.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

Hayes is defending and misses an early First 48 attempt. Dragunov German suplexes him down and grabs a waistlock but Hayes is back up with a double clothesline. We take an early break and come back with Dragunov favoring his arm but getting into an exchange of strikes anyway.

Hayes La Misticas him for two but Dragunov elbows him into the Constantine Special for two. Dragunov loads up Coast To Coast but has to stop to cut off First 48. Hayes is knocked down hard and we take another break. We come back with Dragunov hammering away in the corner, setting up an apron superplex to leave them both down.

They go out to the apron to chop it out until Hayes grabs the suplex cutter. Back in and Dragunov grabs the Death Valley Driver into the corner for two more. Dragunov goes up top but cue the Miz to shove him off the top, setting up the First 48 to retain Hayes’ title at 16:36.

Rating: B. These two work well together but this feels like their ceiling to what they’re able to do. You kind of know what they’re going to be doing and while the matches are good, it’s time to move on already. Like to an actual feud rather than just “here’s a title match and here’s another title match and hey, let’s have a title match”. Miz vs. Hayes is already set up so hopefully we get their big blowoff sooner than later.

Post match Hayes figures out what is going on and yells at Miz. That sounds like the setup for a triple threat at the Rumble.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu, with the latter costing Rhodes the title against Drew McIntyre.

Earlier today, Michael Cole sat down with Rhodes on the bus, with Rhodes talking about the Royal Rumble. Cole shifts him over to Fatu, who comes in with Nick Aldis and some security. Fatu says he was locked in on Drew McIntyre but Rhodes attacked him. Rhodes says that Fatu didn’t look like he was thinking, which is why he was put in prison in the first place.

That gets Fatu on his feet to go off about how he came from nothing and is now a different man. If Rhodes thinks Fatu is like any other Samoan he’s faced before, he has no idea what he’s doing because Fatu is in control. As usual, Fatu can bring the intensity, though having him go over would be a big step.

Chelsea Green, with Alba Fyre, runs into Jordynne Grace and calls her a star. She can even be the newest Slaygent in the Secret Hervice. Grace can even start tonight and she…actually agrees? I’m sure.

Roman Reigns is back at the Royal Rumble.

IMG Credit: WWE

Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill

Non-title and Alba Fyre and Jordynne Grace are here with Green (who is in some Mountie inspired gear). Cargill yells at Grace during her entrance but Green gets in a suicide dive to start it fast. They get inside with Cargill whipping her hard into the corner, meaning it’s time for some pushups. A fall away slam sends Green rolling to the floor, where Cargill gets into it with Grace again. Green uses the distraction to get in a dive and a rollup gets two. Cargill isn’t having this and superkicks her into a powerbomb. Fyre gets kicked off the apron and Jaded finishes for Cargill 3:16.

Rating: C. This was basically a squash with Green being great as the delusional heel who can’t hang with these bigger stars. She’s just so over the top and goofy that it’s hard to not like her at least a bit. That being said, I’m almost scared to see what happens when Grace and Cargill face off. Either way, this was entertaining enough, as is everything Grace does.

Post match Grace gets in the ring to issue the challenge but Cargill walks off instead.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss have a bit of tension before the Rumble, with Charlotte talking about how great it was because she won. Oh and Bliss returned! This time though, it’s about the team. Even though Charlotte won.

Solo Sikoa, with the MFTs and the Lantern, is ready for the Wyatt Sicks.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Wyatt Sicks vs. Solo Sikoa/Tama Tonga

The Wyatts are defending and both of their respective stables are here too. Tonga slams Gacy down to start and it’s quickly off to Sikoa, who wants the titles. A shot puts Gacy down again but it’s off to Lumis for some double teaming on Tonga. The Wyatts hit stereo flip dives off the apron and we take an early break.

We come back with Sikoa hammering away on Lumis in the corner but missing a charge. Lumis suplexes him down and Gacy comes back in to deck Tonga. Everything breaks down and Lumis goes up top to splash Tonga for two. Erick Rowan brawls with the MFTs on the floor as Talla Tonga comes out with the lantern. The MFTs offer a distraction though and Talla gets in the big boot to drop Rowan. Uncle Howdy Mandible Claws Talla but gets Samoan Spiked by Sikoa. The lantern to Lumis sets up the Cutthroat to give the MFTs the titles at 9:57.

Rating: B-. This was a big fight in the first place but it feels like it was designed to set up a big wild brawl at some point. It was more of a first act of a match and that’s a good idea. This feud feels like it has some more legs, at least partially because I have no idea what else the Wyatts are supposed to do after it’s over.

R-Truth wants to be in the Royal Rumble and gives Nick Aldis his balls again. AJ Styles comes in and is rather confused but Aldis gets to the point: he’s not sure about Styles putting his title on the line against Gunther. Aldis respects his opinion, but he has someone else here to speak to him. Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to say he wants Styles to prove he still has it. Say on Saturday Night’s Main Event. The match is on and they shake hands.

Nathan Frazer vs. Johnny Gargano

Axiom and Candice LeRae are here too and we actually get a tribute to Bobby Duncum Sr., who passed away earlier this year. They trade armdrags to start with Frazer taking him down into an armbar. With that broken up, Frazer hits a running forearm and puts Gargano on top. A super hurricanrana is dropped into a face first drop onto the buckle. Frazer gets knocked hard out to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Frazer hitting a reverse layout DDT to leave both of them down. A springboard ax handle drops Gargano again and a sling blade sets up the frog splash for two. Gargano is back with a knockdown of his own but Frazer runs the corner for a superplex into a suplex neckbreaker for two more. LeRae’s distraction lets Gargano avoid the Phoenix splash but the distraction lets Axiom get the stolen mask back….and put it on her. The blinded LeRae accidentally knocks Gargano into a rollup to give Frazer the pin at 10:07.

Rating: B-. The story of the mask is a fine enough one to go as there is always something to stealing a personal object. That being said, Gargano is going to need a partner to make this feud work since Tommaso Ciampa seems gone. I’m not sure who that could be, but otherwise it isn’t exactly working.

Post match LeRae steals the mask again and runs off with it, making Axiom look like a moron.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend are ready to get a Women’s Tag Team Title shot. They’re ready to get the titles and go all the way to Wrestlemania.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Drew McIntyre for a chat. He gets right to the point by mocking the Montreal Canadiens but he can’t wait to see Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu destroy each other. If Rhodes wants the title back, he has to go through the Royal Rumble to make it happen. Before then though, there’s the fatal four way match tomorrow night.

That means Trick Williams (go get em kid), Damian Priest (McIntyre already wasted a year of his career on him), Randy Orton (who has already lost a title to McIntyre and can’t get a win when it counts)…and then there’s Sami Zayn. After the OLE chants, McIntyre says Zayn’s son is going to be disappointed that Zayn is his father. It doesn’t matter who wins because he’ll retain the title. Smirking ensues. There wasn’t much to this but McIntyre did his job well enough.

Trick Williams runs into Rey Fenix and says Fenix can thank him for the fame. Let’s talk about it. Fenix says Williams will remember him.

We recap Kit Wilson’s crusade against toxic masculinity, which isn’t going well.

Matt Cardona interrupts Wilson, who rants about MEN LIKE YOU, but Cardona doesn’t understand any of this. A challenge is issued, which Wilson says is choosing violence. Wilson is making me chuckle.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax/Lash Legend vs. Giulia/Kiana James

Charlotte and James drive Legend into the corner to start before Charlotte Buckshot Lariats James down. Legend is sent outside and it’s Bliss coming in for the dive onto the big group of people standing outside so she can dive onto them. We take a break and come back with Charlotte’s high crossbody dropping Legend for two with Giulia making the save.

Charlotte fights Giulia off so James comes in to load up a double suplex. That’s reversed into a double DDT to put Legend and James down but Jax is in to cut her off. A super Samoan drop is loaded up but James turns it into a powerbomb for two on Charlotte in quite the power display.

Charlotte is able to bring in Bliss to clean house, including a messy tornado DDT for two on Jax. Legend’s pump kick gets two on Bliss with Giulia making another save. James is in with the 401K but Legend gives Bliss the Lash Extension. Charlotte spears Legend outside and James steals the pin and the title shot at 10:58.

Rating: B. I was getting into this one by the end as they went with a bunch of saves and near falls. The surprise winners are a good way to go as well, as it gives us a fresh match and saves the bigger showdowns for a major show. That’s what we’re getting with Giulia and James, as James can take the fall to protect the champion. Either way, I liked this more than I was expecting and I’ll take the surprise.

Sami Zayn comes up to Damian Priest and says he’ll be watching the main event in case Trick Williams cheats. Priest cuts him off and says stay out of it. Zayn: “Or what?” Priest seems angry and walks off, with Zayn going over to slap the taste out of Drew McIntyre’s mouth (that looked great).

AJ Styles runs into Cody Rhodes, who says Styles will be at his best when his back is against the fire. Rhodes wishes him good luck and Styles leaves, with Rhodes seeing an autographed picture from Drew McIntyre on the bus door. The photo is signed “THE REAL AMERICAN DREAM” in a nice jab.

Giulia and Kiana James are ready to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles, with Giulia wanting to then go on and become a triple champion. Well it’s not like she’s doing anything as US Champion anyway.

Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams

Williams takes him down to start and they lock up against the ropes. Priest actually gets knocked into the corner and here is Sami Zayn to watch at ringside. Priest’s comeback lets him yell at Zayn, who doesn’t want to leave. Old School is broken up though and Williams kicks him out to the floor. Williams talks some trash to Zayn and we take a break.

We come back with an exchange of strikes leading to Williams hitting a kick to the face. Priest can’t hit South Of Heaven and they trade spinning kicks to the face for a double down. Williams’ swinging Rock Bottom gets two, as does Priest’s lifting Downward Spiral, meaning they need another breather. Williams heads outside and yells at Zayn but stops to drop Priest onto the announcers’ table. That’s not enough as he sends Priest into Zayn before heading back inside. Zayn runs in to jump Williams for the DQ at 15:33.

Rating: B-. Well, they couldn’t have Priest win and kill Williams’ momentum right off the bat so this was their best option. You don’t want one of the four people involved in the #1 contenders match taking a loss so this was about as good of an idea as they had. Williams more than hung with Priest too, which is rather impressive for someone still so new on the main roster. He hit the ground pretty much ready to go and that’s a good thing to see, as it gives him some promise for the future.

Post match Williams is knocked into the corner so Priest and Zayn can fight. Williams knocks them outside and obvious RKO is obvious. Zayn gets up and takes an RKO of his own to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show felt like a last second push to make Saturday Night’s Main Event feel more important, which is what that even has been needing. Saturday’s show hasn’t felt very big and while this helped, I’m not sure it did enough. There was good action this week though and it did its intended job. Next week is the last show before the Royal Rumble so things are going to pick up even more, so hopefully expect more like this going forward.

Results
Carmelo Hayes b. Ilja Dragunov – First 48
Jade Cargill b. Chelsea Green – Jaded
Solo Sikoa/Tama Tonga b. Wyatt Sicks – Cutthroat to Lumis
Nathan Frazer b. Johnny Gargano – Rollup
Kiana James/Giulia b. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax/Lash Legend – Lash Extension to Bliss
Trick Williams b. Damian Priest via DQ when Sami Zayn interfered

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

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Smackdown
Date: January 16, 2026
Location: Wembley Arena, London, England
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

It’s another taped show overseas but in this case we have a pretty big focal point. This week’s show features four matches, with the winners going on to a four way for a future shot at Drew McIntyre’s World Title. That should make for a big and rather wrestling heavy night so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Drew McIntyre winning the World Title last week when Jacob Fatu got involved.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is McIntyre, played to the ring by some bagpipers of course, for his first chat as champion. He takes his sweet time with his entrance, this is the first time he has ever had an introduction as champion in front of fans. McIntyre says he prayed for this and it happened. He’s still the first and only British WWE Champion and talks about how no one did anything for him when he was champion.

There was only one person who believed in him before and that was….himself. McIntyre wants the fans to cheer for him before talking about the former (oh he loves that word) champion, Cody Rhodes. There’s no rematch clause, so he’ll be champion for a long time…and here is Randy Orton to interrupt. Orton talks about beating McIntyre before so he knows he can do it again. Cue Jacob Fatu to chase McIntyre through the crowd but the Miz (facing Orton tonight) sneaks up from behind with a Skull Crushing Finale.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: The Miz vs. Randy Orton

We’re joined in progress with Miz hammering away, including an exchange of right hands. They go outside with Miz dropping him onto the announcers’ table for an Orton pose. Back in and Orton wins a slugout before hitting the hanging DDT. They go outside again, with Orton dropping him onto the announcers’ table a few times. The RKO is loaded up but Miz reverses into the Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Miz tries it again but has to settle for two off a rollup. Orton pops back up and the RKO (while getting to take a breather) finishes Miz off at 4:37.

Rating: C. Orton shrugged off Miz’s offense and took him out here, which was rather impressive. As old as he is, Orton can still make this stuff work with that RKO being as dangerous as ever. It’s one of the biggest finishers ever and it still works well. On the other hand you have the Miz, who is still a heck of a villain, even if he probably only has so much time left in the ring.

An anxious Drew McIntyre is trying to leave with the title but runs into Ilja Dragunov, who promises to take a step closer to the title tonight. McIntyre says he’ll beat him too and gets out as fast as he can.

The Wyatt Sicks aren’t wild on Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s taking the lantern, but they’ll get it back.

Charlotte comes up to see Alexa Bliss last week, with Bliss ranting about how terrible things went for her last week. She wants to know if Charlotte was really sick, which Charlotte insists was the case. Charlotte says she’s turned down a bunch of title matches for the good of the team. Bliss: “Name two.” Charlotte: “That’s beside the point.” She’s here now though and she’s stretching before her match. Bliss leaves and Nia Jax and Lash Legend come up to gloat. Charlotte isn’t pleased and makes some threats, along with saying Legend has changed.

Kiana James/Giulia vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

Bliss strikes away at James to start but gets caught with a knee to the ribs. Charlotte comes in to send her into the corner, only to walk into a superkick. Everything breaks down and Bliss is in trouble as we take a break. We come back with Bliss kicking her way to freedom, allowing the tag off to Charlotte. Chopping abounds, followed by a big clothesline to James. A high crossbody gives Charlotte two but Giulia breaks up the moonsault. Giulia and Charlotte get to strike it out until Bliss is back in with the Sister Abigail DDT to finish James at 8:28.

Rating: C+. Charlotte and Bliss have turned into a heck of a team, which is nice to see as it means we have some actual teams rather than just doing the revolving door of title challengers. Let the division be built up a bit and see how well it can work. That’s what we’re getting here and it’s rather nice to see after such a long time of it not working.

Post match Nia Jax and Lash Legend run in to drop Charlotte and Bliss, with Giulia and James getting in Jax and Legend’s faces.

Solo Sikoa says if the Wyatts want their lantern back, put the Tag Team Titles on the line.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat (but only after hugging a young fan, which leaves her in tears). Normally he would tap his fist on the mat and we would all say WHOA and he’d move on to whatever he’s talking about. He was champion and saw the fans as his teammates. But now he got too complacent, but maybe it was that Drew McIntyre was just too good. Rhodes brings up the Royal Rumble, and since this is a special city, where he wrestled for What Culture Pro Wrestling to hone his skills and in a city that deserves a Wrestlemania, he is declaring himself for the Royal Rumble.

With that out of the way, he gets to Jacob Fatu, who Rhodes knew was going to be something special. Rhodes knows Fatu is a young veteran and that means he knows what RECEIPT means. Fatu can either come out here and get it or he can stay back there and Rhodes can find him. This was the intense Rhodes and that worked well.

Matt Cardona is disappointed that Cody Rhodes lost last week because he wanted to wrestle his buddy for the title. He’s back to win the title. Another intense promo here and it’s nice to see that he is feeling like something other than Zack Ryder.

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona

Williams poses at him to start and gets powered into the corner. Some big shoulders drop Cardona, who is right back with a dropkick into a Downward Spiral. Cardona knocks him outside for a dropkick off the apron and we take a break. We come back with Williams forearming away but Cardona grabs a Zig Zag for two. Williams misses a Stinger Splash but he rolls away before the Reboot. Back in and Williams slingshots him over the ropes and hits the Trick Kick for two. The Rough Ryder misses and Williams Pounces him down hard. The Trick Shot gives Williams the pin at 8:50.

Rating: C+. Williams continues the hot start to his main roster career and that’s a good sign. There is no reason to believe that he’ll win the match at Saturday Night’s Main Event but at least he is getting a few wins like this one. As usual it’s all about the followup, but he’s doing well so far.

Post match Kit Wilson comes out and decks Cardona.

Damian Priest is ready to face Solo Sikoa, but he knows it won’t be one on one. He also knows he has to get to Drew McIntyre, one on one for the title.

Post break, Kit Wilson is still in the ring and says he is the solution to the problem around here. He’s going to solve the toxic masculinity…and Jacob Fatu is behind him. Destruction ensues and Fatu calls out Cody Rhodes. Cue Rhodes (who has changed clothes in the 15 minutes since he was in the ring) for the brawl with security and Nick Aldis not quite being able to break it up.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Damian Priest

The MFTs are here with Sikoa, who headbutts him into the ropes, only to get caught with a superkick. Priest kicks him out to the floor, where the MFTs aren’t going to allow any shenanigans. Sikoa gets in a cheap shot though and the MFTs drop Priest as we take a break. We come back with Sikoa hitting a running Umaga Attack but Priest spinwheel kicks him in the face.

Priest kicks away and they trade big shots to the head, with Priest getting the better of things. Talla Tonga gets caught trying to interfere and gets ejected, leaving Priest to grab the Razor’s Edge for two. Another MFTs distraction lets Sikoa hit the Spinning Solo into the Superfly Splash for two of his own. Cue the Wyatt Sicks to go after the MFTs but Sikoa grabs the lantern. The distraction is enough for Priest to hit South Of Heaven for the win at 10:51.

Rating: B-. I got into this a bit more than I was expecting as Priest gets to move on to a pretty big match. That’s not the focal point though, as this was more about the MFTs vs. the Wyatts. That will likely be the cool down match at the Royal Rumble, or at worst at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and they are making it feel important.

Post match Priest leaves and Uncle Howdy gets the lantern back but it’s Tama Tonga dropping Howdy to take it back.

Drew McIntyre runs into Sami Zayn, bragging that Zayn has never beaten him. Zayn promises to win twice in a row so he can go to the Royal Rumble and face McIntyre again.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

It’s open challenge time with…TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater answering (and not defending). They lock up to start and Hayes takes him down for an early exchange of rollups. A chop hurts Slater’s hand but Hayes might have banged up his knee. Slater kicks him in the face and adds a handspring elbow to send Hayes outside. The slingshot dive connects and a nice high crossbody puts Hayes down for two.

We take a break and come back with Slater kicking away until a suplex cutter gives Hayes two of his own. Slater kicks him in the face for two more and a slingshot ax kick to the back of the head has Hayes in more trouble. They trade rollups for two each until Slater sends him outside for the huge flip dive over the top rope. Back in and the Swanton 450 misses for Slater, setting up the First 48. Hayes goes up top with Scott following, only to get superplexed into a cutter to retain the title at 11:45.

Rating: B. This was your weekly “here are some talented stars doing their thing for awhile”. Hayes is getting into a groove of this thing, though the whole open challenge thing is getting a bit old. Slater coming to WWE full time sooner than later wouldn’t surprise me, as he seems ready to come over.

Shinsuke Nakamura is watching in the back but Tama Tonga interrupts, saying he’s coming for the US Title. Tonga tells Nakamura to stay out of his way but Nakamura doesn’t seem impressed.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae have Axiom’s mask, with Axiom popping up. He wants the mask back but LeRae walks off with it. Cue another Axiom to punch Gargano and of course it’s Nathan Frazer, who will face Gargano next week.

Video on Oba Femi.

Chelsea Green vs. Jordynne Grace

Alba Fyre is here with Green and Jade Cargill is watching from ringside. Grace powers her down to start and grabs a rather delayed vertical suplex. Back up and Green manages to sens her into the corner for a superkick from Fyre. Grace clotheslines her down and grabs a suplex, followed by a Death Valley Driver for the pin at 2:36. Well that was almost squashy.

Post match Grace calls out Cargill, who accidentally gets decked by a charging Green.

Trick Williams puts Smackdown on notice (uh oh) that he is that dog. Damian Priest comes in to say they’re both ready for Saturday Night’s Main Event, but on Friday, he’ll whoop that Trick.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Ilja Dragunov vs. Sami Zayn

They slug it out to start until Zayn hits a clothesline for the knockdown. The forearms in the corner don’t do much to Dragunov, who is right back with a running boot in the corner. Something off the top misses for Dragunov and Zayn gives him a suplex for two. Dragunov is back with some rolling German suplexes and goes up top, where Zayn catches him with a top rope superplex as we take a break.

We come back with Dragunov busted open and escaping the Blue Thunder Bomb. A missile dropkick gives Dragunov two but the H Bomb is blocked with a raised boot (quite the logical counter). The Helluva Kick misses as well and they fight to the apron. Dragunov hits Torpedo Moscow to leave both of them down on the floor. Back in and Dragunov hits a powerbomb (THUD) but the top rope backsplash hits raised knees. The Helluva Kick gives Zayn the pin at 12:27.

Rating: B. These guys beat each other up in the way you would expect them to do and it made for a good main event. Zayn feels like he is finally on the path towards the World Title, however long it might take for him to get there. Dragunov losing again is perfectly fine, but what matters here is that he didn’t feel too far over his head. If that can continue, they might have something with him.

Post match Trick Williams jumps Zayn to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show had a theme running throughout, but at the same time, this was the first three hour show that felt every minute. It wasn’t a show that felt it needed to go that long and that made it a bit tedious. On the other hand, the positive was that the show featured four matches which had World Title implications, plus other stories getting coverage. This was a well put together show, but three hours a week can absolutely grind you down in short fashion.

Results
Randy Orton b. The Miz – RKO
Charlotte/Alexa bliss b. Kiana James/Giulia – Sister Abigail DDT to James
Trick Williams b. Matt Cardona – Trick Shot
Damian Priest b. Solo Sikoa – South Of Heaven
Carmelo Hayes b. Leon Slater – Superplex cutter
Jordynne Grace b. Chelsea Green – Death Valley Driver
Sami Zayn b. Ilja Dragunov – Helluva Kick

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

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

Main Event
Date: January 8, 2026
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Blake Howard

So for some reason this was put up on the WWE YouTube channel. I have no idea if that’s going to be a regular thing, but I can’t imagine me doing this more than once anyway. This is as low on the main roster totem pole as you can get and you’ll see what I mean if you’ve never seen this before. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Talla Tonga vs. Apollo Crews

Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s are here with Tonga. Crews is wrestling his first match in WWE in nearly a year, allowing commentary to make snake jokes as he is from Stone Mountain, Georgia. Tonga knocks him into the ropes but gets kicked out to the floor, with a dropkick through the ropes making it worse.

Back in and Tonga hits a running corner clothesline, followed by a full nelson slam. A chokeslam doesn’t work though and Tonga misses a charge into the buckle. Crews starts going after the knee and hits an enziguri, followed by a moonsault onto the back for two. Tonga isn’t having this though and kicks him out of the air, setting up the chokeslam for the pin at 5:04.

Rating: C-. Well, Crews is indeed back and he’s in the same spot he was in before. There was nothing to see here other than Crews getting to do some quick athletic stuff. That’s been his issue for a long time, as he’s more than crazy athletic, but there’s just nothing to make him connect with…well anyone really.

From Raw.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors

The Warriors are defending and we start fast with the champions being sent outside for the running flip dive from Ripley. We take a break and come back with Ripley missing a second flip dive off the apron, allowing the Warriors to kick her down inside. Ripley throws her way out of trouble though and it’s off to Sky to Sling Blade Asuka. Sky gets draped over the top though and a top rope knee to the back gives Sane two.

We take another break and come back again with Sky getting bent around in a Liontamer. Sky gets twisted too far though and kicks Sane in the ribs, allowing the tag back to Ripley. House is quickly cleaned with Ripley hitting a Razor’s Edge into a missile dropkick. Ripley gets kicked by Asuka and the ankle lock goes on. She gets up but Asuka traps the leg for a German suplex (Ripley: “OH S***!”) and the Warriors fire off the kicks. The assisted Insane Elbow gets two, with Sky making the save. Sky kicks Asuka into the Riptide from Ripley, setting up Over The Moonsault for the pin and the titles at 16:29.

Rating: B. This is the right call as they set the match up as a big deal and then paid it off with the title change. Ripley and Sky have been needing to get another big win sooner or later and this is about as big as you can get. Sky continues to establish herself as one of the top stars in the division and Ripley gets back to some success, which she’s been needing for a good while.

Video on Maxxine Dupri vs. Becky Lynch.

From Raw.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri

Dupri is defending and we get a Stranger Things intro, saying this is Chapter Three: It’s Not Just Her Saying It. They take turns backing each other into the corner and Lynch knocks her into the corner to take over. A Thesz press lets Dupri hammer away and we take an early break. We come back with Dupri fighting out of trouble and hitting a running knee to the head. Dupri loads up a backslide but then drops down, leaving commentary unsure what that was supposed to be.

A high crossbody misses for Dupri and the threat of an ankle lock sends Lynch over to the ropes. Lynch misses a middle rope legdrop in the ropes though and gets caught in the ankle lock. The Disarm-Her is reversed into the ankle lock, which Lynch reverses into a DDT for two. Lynch’s ankle lock is broken up and Dupri suplexes her into a high crossbody for two. Lynch catches her on top but Dupri rolls into another ankle lock. This time though Lynch stacks her up and grabs the rope to get the title back at 10:35.

Rating: B-. It had to happen sooner or later and that’s ok. What matters the most here is that Dupri has gone from pretty much a joke to someone who looks like she can hang in there with bigger names. There is zero shame in losing to Lynch, who is simply on a higher level than Dupri. I’m not sure what is next for either of them, but this would be a fine enough way to close the story.

From Raw.

CM Punk isn’t worried about the spear because if he’s the underdog, Bron Breakker will underestimate him.

We look at (in rapid fire):

Matt Cardona returning
Trick Williams debuting on Smackdown
Je’Von Evans signing with Raw
Giulia regaining the Women’s US Title

War Raiders vs. Los Americanos

El Grande Americano is here too. Bravo shoulders Erik to no avail to start so Rayo comes in for a double shoulder. Rayo misses a charge into the ropes and gets atomic dropped, allowing Ivar to come in for a double clothesline. The Raiders launch them at each other for a midair crash and we take a break.

We come back with the Americanos starting in on the leg, including a double wishbone. A quick distraction draws Erik in so the double stomping can ensue. Ivar clotheslines his way to freedom and brings Erik back in to clean house. Everything breaks down and Grande hits a loaded headbutt to Ivar, setting up a Russian legsweep/top rope headbutt combination to give Rayo the pin at 7:36.

Rating: C+. It’s so strange to see the War Raiders fall this far. They have gone from being the champions to losing on Main Event in less than a year. The entire Raw tag division has just collapsed and they’re certainly on the list. At the same time, Los Americanos are fun, but they’re just kind of there. Much like El Grande Americano actually.

Video on CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker.

From Raw.

Here is Gunther for a chat. Gunther has been asked to show respect, but what about respect for him? He brings up making John Cena tap out but here is AJ Styles to interrupt. Gunther immediately cuts him off though, saying Styles is punching above his weight. He’s the man who made Cena tap out like a little B****, so what is little AJ going to do about it? Gunther gives him a You Can’t See Me so Styles slaps him in the face. They get in each others’ faces and Styles says that’s what he thought.

From Raw.

Raw World Title: CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker, with Paul Heyman, is defending. Punk grabs a headlock to start and cranks on the arm, including a takedown. Breakker catches him with a powerslam though and we take an early break. We come back with Breakker slamming him down again and hammering away with right hands. Another throw drops Punk again and he is looking rather rocked.

Some trash talk wakes Punk up though and he strikes away but the GTS is escaped. Breakker’s fireman’s carry gutbuster gets two but the running spear around the ring is cut off with a clothesline. We take a break and come back with Breakker not being able to hit the super Frankensteiner and crashing backwards. Punk’s top rope elbow gets two so he goes back up, where a super Frankensteiner brings him back down for two.

The gorilla press is countered into a DDT for two and they slug it out. Punk knocks him down but goes after a distraction Heyman. Cue the Vision for a distraction, allowing Theory to hit a Stomp. Cue Dragon Lee, Penta and Rey Mysterio to brawl with the Vision, leaving Breakker’s spear to hit the post. The GTS gets two and dang they had me on that one. Punk hits a piledriver for two so he tries the GTS, which is reversed into a Fujiwara armbar.

That’s reversed into the Anaconda Vice but Breakker powers up and hits a hard clothesline for two. Breakker tries a GTS but Punk reverses into the STF. Heyman gets on the apron for a distraction though and gets punched in the face, only for Breakker’s spear to miss. Punk tries a suicide dive, which is punched out of the air for a nasty landing. Breakker knocks him onto the announcers’ table for the big elbow from the top, through said table in a nasty crash. Back in and the spear is kneed away and the GTS gives Punk the pin at 26:45.

Rating: A-. There were multiple times in there when I wasn’t sure who was going to win and there is no better feeling to have in a match. They did a great job of having Breakker look like a monster with Punk just barely surviving, including NOT having Breakker hit the spear, which can be saved for later. Awesome match here as Punk still has it and Breakker’s time will come one day.

Punk celebrates to end the show, including dropping the title in a funny bit.

Overall Rating: B. Welp, the show continues its run of doing the exact same thing for the better part of ever. It’s an exclusive match, recaps, another exclusive match, and more recaps. That’s what this show has been for longer than I can remember and it’s kind of hard to get mad about that. The fact that it’s just on YouTube (at least this week) makes it better, as it’s not like it’s taking up a valuable space. Nothing show of course, but it featured highlights from a stacked Raw so call it a success.

Results
Talla Tonga b. Apollo Crews – Chokeslam
Los Americanos b. War Raiders – Russian legsweep/top rope headbutt combination to Ivar

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

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

Smackdown
Date: January 9, 2026
Location: Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re overseas this week and it’s a pretty big night as Cody Rhodes is defending the World Title against Drew McIntyre in Three Stages Of Hell. That should be more than enough to carry things, but we also have some fresh faces around here thanks to NXT. We could be seeing some of them this week so let’s get to it.

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Randy Orton to get things going. After a quick “I’m glad to be back”, here is Trick Williams to interrupt him. Williams says he’s the new star around here and brags about his future. Orton says he’s just as big and tall, but Williams says he’s different. He’s out here to brush up against one of the best ever and slaps the mic away from Orton. The brawl is on but here is the Miz, who gets dropped with an RKO.

Rey Fenix vs. Trick Williams

Fenix runs into Orton on the way to the ring, with Orton giving him a fist bump in respect. They trade some rollups for two each to start and Williams drops him with a running shoulder. Fenix is right back up with a triple springboard dropkick but Williams sidekicks him down to cut off the momentum. They go outside with Fenix being whipped into the steps as we take a break.

We come back with Williams hitting a pop up uppercut for two but a super Rock Bottom is countered into a hurricanrana. The Trick Kick (spinning kick to the face) gets two more, as does a Rock Bottom. A reverse tornado DDT gives Fenix two and he hits the rope walk kick to the face. Fenix tries a rollup but Williams reverses into one of his own and grabs the tights for the pin at 11:10.

Rating: B-. That’s a good way to start Williams off as he showed he could hang in there with the athleticism but also the intelligence. He’s someone who looks like he could be a player in a hurry around here and that’s always a good addition. Throw in his natural history with Carmelo Hayes and the pieces are all there.

Giulia, with Kiana James, is glad the Women’s US Title is back where it belongs. Tonight, she’s taking out Alexa Bliss.

We look back at Damian Priest beating Aleister Black in last week’s ambulance match.

Priest is wondering about which road to take, because he wants to go after Cody Rhodes. Drew McIntyre comes up and Priest wouldn’t mind going down that road either. With Priest gone, McIntyre reveals he has Dusty Rhodes’ watch. After Rhodes gets disqualified out of anger, McIntyre only needs one more fall.

Alexa Bliss is on the phone with Charlotte, who seems to be sick. Nia Jax and Lash Legend come up to mock her but Bliss blows them off.

Women’s US Title: Giulia vs. Alexa Bliss

Giulia, with Kiana James, is defending. They shove each other to start until Giulia grabs a snap suplex, followed by a middle rope missile dropkick for two. Back up and Bliss knocks her to the floor for a flip dive and we take a break. We come back with James getting in a cheap shot but Bliss hits a quick dropkick. The running Blockbuster gives Bliss two but she misses a flipping splash. The big knee knocks Bliss silly, though she’s right back up with a Sister Abigail DDT. A distracting James is brought in and Bliss goes up, where Lash Legend shoves her off. The Northern Lights Bomb retains the title at 8:12.

Rating: C+. They told a simple story here, with Bliss needing her partner/friend to pull off the title win. Giulia is tough enough on her own and beating Bliss makes her look even better. Charlotte will be back and we can get to the big tag match sooner than later. It’s not a great match on its own, but it sets things up for the future rather well.

Post match Jax and Legend lay Bliss out.

Jordynne Grace is officially signed to Smackdown and gets into it with Alba Fyre. A match is set for later. Kit Wilson comes in to complain about toxicity around here but gets a door shut in his face.

Matt Cardona talks about the work it took to get back here. Cody Rhodes is here too though and Cardona says he’s here to win the title. Rhodes says that once he’s done with Drew McIntyre, they’ll talk. Works for Cardona and they’re cool.

We recap the Wyatt Sicks vs. Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s.

IMG Credit: WWE

Wyatt Sicks vs. Solo Sikoa/MFT’s

Tama and Lumis trade shoulders to start and it’s quickly off to Gacy to knock Tama outside. Stereo suicide dives hit Tama and Loa and it’s a staredown as we take a break. We come back with Sikoa hitting Gacy with the running Umaga attack. Gacy manages to get away though and the tag brings in Rowan to clean house.

Rowan and Talla have their bit staredown into the brawl as everything breaks down. A chokeslam drops Gacy and Rowan and Talla hit stereo clotheslines to leave them both down. Howdy and Sikoa come in to slug it out with Howdy taking over. JC Mateo (not in the match) is dragged in but Sikoa grabs the lantern, which is enough of a distraction for Tama to hit the Cutthroat for the win at 10;16.

Rating: B-. Nice job here, with the Tag Team Title match likely being set up for later. I’m curious to see where it goes as the MFT’s might get the belts back, as the Wyatts have had them for a rather long time. This was enough of a wild match that it stayed interesting and the lantern being the Wyatts’ weak spot is fine.

Carmelo Hayes runs into Miz, who is coming for the title but not tonight because of his neck. Hayes scares him into thinking Randy Orton is behind him, which has Miz’s neck a lot better. With that out of the way, Hayes runs into Ilja Dragunov, who says they will fight again at some point, but right now he has something else to set up. They’re on good terms.

Video on Oba Femi.

Jordynne Grace vs. Alba Fyre

Chelsea Green is here with Fyre, who gets chopped into the corner to start fast. Something like a Big Ending drops Fyre but she gets in a tornado DDT for a quick two. A spinebuster drops Fyre again though and Beast Mode (torture rack powerbomb) finishes for Grace at 2:36. Pretty dominant debut.

Post match Jade Cargill comes out and isn’t impressed because this is her show and she’s that censored.

Sami Zayn kind of wants Drew McIntyre to win the title tonight, just because McIntyre is the one guy he can’t beat…but yeah he’s betting on Cody. Either way, he’s coming for the winner.

Nathan Frazer is getting ready for the US Open Challenge….but Axiom jumps him. Ah it’s Johnny Gargano, with Axiom running in to chase him off.

IMG Credit: WWE

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

Hayes is defending against….Shinsuke Nakamura. Hayes takes him down by the arm to start and hits a nice dropkick. Nakamura gets dropped again and we take an early break. We come back with Nakamura striking away and grabbing a dragon screw legwhip over the ropes. Another dragon screw over the ropes sets up a half crab, with Hayes making the rope. They strike it out with Hayes getting the better of things and hitting a running DDT for two.

We take another break and come back again with Hayes getting tied in the Tree Of Woe. Nakamura’s sliding knee only hits buckle though and Hayes hits a dive out to the floor. The frog splash misses for Hayes and Nakamura is right back on the leg. What looked like an AA is countered into a Stunner and Nakamura charges into a superkick. Another springboard DDT connects but Nakamura knees him down. Kinshasa is countered into the First 48 and Nothing But Net retains the title at 18:30.

Rating: B-. Another good performance from Hayes, though I wasn’t wild on some of his selling issues. The knee was rather banged up but Hayes could still do most of his offense. That’s a bit annoying, though I can go with Hayes getting another win to boost him up even further. It’s been needed for awhile now and it’s working.

Cody Rhodes talks about how bringing in Dusty Rhodes’ watch is lazy and he’s ready.

Commentary says this third hour is commercial free, despite the previous match, which took place in this hour, having a commercial. Liars.

Nick Aldis announces a set of qualifying matches for next week, with the winners going on to a four way at Saturday Night’s Main Event for the World Title shot at the Royal Rumble.

The qualifying matches:

Miz vs. Randy Orton
Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov

We recap Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes. They’ve been feuding for months, with McIntyre trying to make it personal and drive Rhodes over the edge. Tonight, it’s Three Stages Of Hell for the title.

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

Rhodes is defending in Three Stages Of Hell, with the first fall being a regular match, then falls count anywhere, then a cage match. Rhodes starts fast and knocks him outside for the suicide dive. They’re already back in for a Beautiful Disaster Kick into the Bionic Elbow as McIntyre is in early trouble. They head outside with Rhodes being sent into the steps but he comes right back in to slug away. The turnbuckle is ripped off but McIntyre gets in a low blow, setting up a Claymore for the first fall at 3:41.

McIntyre – 1
Rhodes – 0

We’re off to a falls count anywhere match and Rhodes is put through a table for the fast two. Rhodes is back with a suplex in the aisle for two and they fight into the crowd. McIntyre gets bitten on the head while Rhodes takes a photo with a fan’s phone, which isn’t something you often see.

They fight into the back, with McIntyre sending him into various things. Rhodes fights up and puts him on a table, which is somehow enough for Rhodes to go into the balcony for a splash. Somehow that’s only good for two and they fight back to ringside, with McIntyre in trouble. A quick Claymore attempt doesn’t work so Rhodes sends him over the announcers’ table. Cross Rhodes through the table ties it up at 12:55.

McIntyre – 1
Rhodes – 1

We’re in a cage, with both of them sending the other into the steel. McIntyre gets suplexed for two but he sends Rhodes into the cage for two of his own. They go up top, where McIntyre superplexes him back down for the big crash. McIntyre strikes away but Rhodes hits the pop up uppercut.

A quick Futureshock gives McIntyre two but Rhodes spins over into a Cross Rhodes for two more. That leaves them both down and Rhodes is busted open as they strike it out. The powerslam gives Rhodes two and a Cody Cutter connects for the same. Two Cross Rhodes connect but the third is countered with a ram into the exposed buckle.

The Claymore gets two so McIntyre climbs up. Rhodes is right there to knock him back down, followed by a super Cody Cutter for a rather near fall. McIntyre cuts off a climb and they crash down. That leaves McIntyre to go for the door….but a man in a hoodie is back. It’s the returning Jacob Fatu, who jumps McIntyre and then beats up Rhodes, allowing McIntyre to escape and win the title at 31:04.

Rating: B. The last few minutes boosted this up a lot, as the first two falls were just an ok brawl. McIntyre had to win the title at some point in there, as he lost so many times that it didn’t feel like it was going to matter anymore. The best part is this opens the door in a huge way, as there are several people who could take the title from McIntyre, who could also keep it for awhile. On top of that, it’s always nice to have the occasional surprise title change, just to remind you that it can happen.

Overall Rating: B. They’ve managed to have two big time Smackdowns in a row with the three hour format, which is more than I was expecting them to be able to do. Next week is already set up to be another big one so they’re off to a nice start. The title change here is obviously the most important part and it has me interested in where things are going. That’s a good sign and Smackdown is off to a strong start (albeit an early one) in the new year.

Results
Trick Williams b. Rey Fenix – Rollup with tights
Giulia b. Alexa Bliss – Northern Lights Bomb
Solo Sikoa/MFT’s b. Wyatt Sicks – Cutthroat to Howdy
Jordynne Grace b. Alba Fyre – Beast Mode
Carmelo Hayes b. Shinsuke Nakamura – Nothing But Net
Drew McIntyre b. Cody Rhodes 2-1

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

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

Impact Wrestling
Date: November 27, 2025
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Gia Miller, Matthew Rehwoldt
Host: Tom Hannifan

It’s Thanksgiving and that means we’re likely in for the annual Turkey Suit match, which is one of those harmless gimmicks that you see in wrestling. In addition to the annual comedy affair, we get to see…well probably not much, though we are just a bit over a week away from Final Resolution. That should be enough to get us through the holidays so let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Eric Young vs. Trey Miguel vs. Mance Warner vs. Home Town Man vs. Ryan Nemeth vs. Brian Myers

The winner gets money, the person who takes the fall wears the turkey suit. Nemeth gets sent outside to start, where he sends Myers into the steps to knock him silly. We take an early break and come back with Young poking Man in the eye. Warner and Young double team Miguel but Myers is back in for the save. Miguel is back up to turn it into a mini tag match, with the bad guys being dispatched in a hurry. Nemeth tries to steal the pin on Myers but gets caught with the Roster Cut to give Myers the pin at 5:23.

Rating: C. Ok being realistic, you could pretty much guess the loser as soon as Nemeth was introduced. He’s there to get stuck in one stupid situation after another and this is about as far as that goes in TNA. Myers winning doesn’t mean much as it’s all about Nemeth, so this was all in good fun.

Post match the good guys force Nemeth into the suit and humiliation ensues.

The Elegance Brand is still looking for Mr. Elegance. They want someone attractive, tough and talented. Resumes being accepted.

From September 2025 in Minneapolis.

Leon Slater/Mike Santana vs. Mustafa Ali/Trick Williams

The rest of Order 4 is here with Williams and Ali. It’s a big brawl to start fast with Santana and Williams (the World Champion at the time) brawling out to the floor. That leaves Slater to hammer on Ali and hit a high crossbody as we take an early break. We come back with Ali’s rolling neckbreaker connecting for two and Order 4 getting in a cheap shot from the floor. That’s broken up and it’s already off to Santana to clean house. The Rolling Buck Fifty drops Williams but Order 4 comes in for the DQ at 4:46.

Rating: C. This didn’t have time to go anywhere and was likely just a dark match at the end of the show. I’d expect something to happen so the good guys can stand tall here momentarily, which isn’t the worst way to go. Santana vs. Williams was the big deal as Bound For Glory was approaching, so this was little more than a quick preview for their showdown.

Post match the beatdown is on but Slater fights back. Order 4 saves Ali from going through a table and one of the agents goes through it instead.

Apparently Ryan Nemeth is annoyed at being in the turkey suit and wants to…fight Christmas?

Ryan Nemeth vs. Krampus

Before the match, Nemeth mocks Christmas and insists that he NOT be called a turkey. Krampus (thank goodness a Christmas themed wrestler was here) sends him into the corner to start but gets caught with a neckbreaker for two. Nemeth’s chinlock doesn’t last long as Krampus bulldogs him into the corner and hits a quick spear for two more. A running DDT gives Nemeth two so he pokes Krampus in the eye and rolls him up (with trunks) for the pin at 3:40.

Rating: C. Kind of a weird way to go here but at least it’s something of a theme for the night. That’s about all you can do here, even if it seemed like they were all but guaranteed that Nemeth would lose for a second time here. Krampus was nothing of note and it’s not like they had much time to do anything here.

We look at Lei Ying Lee winning the Knockouts Title this week on NXT.

Lee is rather pleased with herself and can’t hold back her tears.

From July 2025.

Here is Joe Hendry for a concert. He does an acoustic version of his theme song and the fans seem to approve, but Hendry has a surprise. Hendry brings out Jeff Hardy as we’re in for a double concert for a special moment. Hendry praises the Hardys for doing everything they can to make things better for the fans and the locker room. They sing a song that sounds like it’s called Modest (which I believe used to be Hardy’s theme song).

Then they sing My Sacrifice by Creed (which was used in the Sacrifice videos from the WWF around 2001). Cue the Nemeths to interrupt, saying they come in peace. Ryan wants to sing a song for Nic, which is a version of the Pina Colada Song. Hendry and Hardy quickly clean house. This was great for the live fans but it wasn’t exactly good television as they just sang.

We go back to 2007 for the Thanksgiving feast at the Angle house, featuring some amazing cameos, food being thrown, and general insanity that you knew was coming. Oh and pies to the face, because of course. Jay Lethal declared the food fight on and OH YEAH it was.

Apparently Santino Marella isn’t happy with Ryan Nemeth so he’s going to be in a third match.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Final Resolution rundown.

Ryan Nemeth/Jake Something/First Class vs. The System/Leon Slater

Moose and Francis start things off and shove each other around. They get down in three point stances and collide before it’s off to Swann. A poke to Edwards’ eye has Swann in control and we take a break. We come back with Edwards chopping Swann onto the top but Swann sends him into the corner.

Francis is back in with a big boot to Myers, allowing Nemeth (in the suit) to come in and hammer away. Myers spears Something down for a break and Slater gets to clean house. A high crossbody gets two on Nemeth as everything breaks down. The Swanton 450 finishes Nemeth at 8:56.

Rating: C+. Much like the rest of the night, you can call this one harmless fun, with Slater getting to hit his big amazing finisher to beat the comedy goof. The System and Slater weren’t about to lose to a makeshift heel team, especially in these circumstances. It’s a short, to the point match and that’s all it needed to be.

Hannifan wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C. This was the definition of a show designed to be pure fun and that’s exactly what we got. They didn’t bother doing anything too complicated and the theme of Nemeth getting beaten up over and over worked well. I had a good time with a holiday tradition and that is perfectly fine for a show that has no impact on anything going forward. Oh and you got some Creed to make it even better.

Results
Brian Myers b. Trey Miguel, Mance Warner, Home Town Man, Eric Young and Ryan Nemeth – Roster Cut to Nemeth
Leon Slater/Mike Santana b. Mustafa Ali/Trick Williams via DQ when Order 4 interfered
Ryan Nemeth b. Krampus – Rollup with trunks
The System/Leon Slater b. Ryan Nemeth/Jake Something/First Class – Swanton 450 to Nemeth

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

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

NXT
Date: November 25, 2025
Location: Theater At Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s the second week of Gold Rush and that means it’s time for more title matches. This includes the usual assortment of titles being on the line, but we are also less than a month away from Deadline. In this case, that means John Cena will be announcing the participants in the annual Iron Survivor Challenges. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s show.

Evolve Title: Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake

Drake, with Swipe Right, is defending. Legacy starts fast with some atomic drops to send him outside, where Swipe Right offers a distraction. That lets Drake get in a cheap shot from behind but Legacy snaps off a dropkick back inside. Drake suplexes him into the corner though and we take a break.

We come back with Drake striking away but Legacy manages a missile dropkick to the floor. Legacy takes out Swipe Right and gets two off a sitout implant DDT. Drake kicks him back down and drops some moonsault knees for two of his own. They head up top with Legacy grabbing something like a tabletop superplex for two more but Drake drapes him over the top. A springboard knee to the back of the head sets up the Unaliver (running knee) to retain the title at 10:58.

Rating: C+. Perfectly fine match here, though Legacy is starting to lose his charm. He felt like the one who was going to be the big breakout star in Evolve and then he keeps losing. Maybe he’s turning heel or something soon, but this is only getting him so far. Nothing bad here, but it felt like a glorified warmup match.

Earlier today, Ethan Page came up to Sol Ruca and told her to stop worrying about Zaria. Myles Borne came in and Ruca left, with Borne saying he’s ready to face Trick Williams tonight. Page says Williams only worries about himself, which is the right way to go. Sneering ensues.

Speed Title: Fallon Henley vs. Zaria

For the vacant title. Henley, with Fatal Influence, throws her down to start but a sleeper is broken up. Zaria’s sunset flip gets two and she sits down on Henley to break up another cover. The Texas cloverleaf goes on and sends Henley over to the ropes as we’re down to two minutes left. Zaria grabs another sleeper and lifts her up in the corner before sending her outside. Henley is thrown back inside and Zaria goes after Fatal Influence, with Henley using the distraction to get in a cheap shot.

Back in and Zaria’s F5 is countered into a DDT for two so Zaria fireman’s carries her again…as time expires at 5:00. Cue Ava to say not so fast and it’s now Sudden Death. Henley crashes out to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Zaria firing off some clotheslines and sending her flying with a suplex. Reid offers a quick distraction though and Henley hits a Shining Wizard. The Fameasser gives Henley the title at 12:25.

Rating: C+. That’s not exactly what I think of when I hear the word SPEED but it’s nice to see Henley get a win. She’s had a long stretch of not doing much so this is a good development for her career. If nothing else, it makes her feel like something of a star rather than just a lackey on a team, which is how she has felt for a long time now.

Shiloh Hill talks about how important his dad was to him over the years and how the Wrestlemania shirt his dad gave him is a big deal. Nothing wrong with something like this.

John Cena picks the entrants for the Iron Survivor Challenges. For the men, we’ll be seeing Je’Von Evans, Leon Slater, Joe Hendry, Dion Lennox and….the winner of Myles Borne vs. Trick Williams.

We look back at the Culling turning on Tatum Paxley last week.

TNA Knockouts Title: Lei Ying Lee vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Kelani Jordan

Jordan is defending. Grace (the crowd favorite) and Lee take turns beating on Jordan until Jordan jumps on Grace’s back. That’s broken up with a top rope Blockbuster from Lee, who knees Grace in the head for a bonus. Jordan knocks Lee outside but Grace is back up with a running Vader Bomb. Lee goes after Grace so Jordan double stomps the two of them, followed by a DDT for two on Grace. Jordan’s Asai moonsault takes both of them out and we take a break.

We come back with Jordan frog splashing Grace for two with Lee making the save. Lee takes both of them down but Grace’s German suplex drops her for two more. Jordan’s super Spanish Fly plants Grace for another near fall so Grace powerbombs both of them for two on the champ. Jordan misses a 450 and gets kicked in the face by Lee, with Grace making the save. Grace gives Jordan the spinning torture rack powerbomb but Lee kicks Grace away and steals the pin and the title at 13:59.

Rating: B. This got a good deal of time and thankfully ends the NXT star holding the TNA title deal. Lee is a nice example of someone who needed to win something to boost herself up and this is as good as anything else. There are a lot of talented women in TNA to come after the title and now they don’t have to deal with the invasion nonsense. Nice match here, with the right result.

Fatal Influence is happy with their success and they want Lainey Reid to win her title. Ava comes in to say there’s no interference.

We get a sitdown interview with Ricky Saints, who talks about how important it will be to face Oba Femi again at Deadline. Yes he beat Femi before, but now he’s not sure if he can do it again. Now he’s gotten all kinds of questions and people wondering if he can do it. What does it mean if he can’t again? All he knows is he’s going to prove that the impossible is possible again. Because he’s Ricky Saints.

Evolve Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Lainey Reid

Grey, with Wren Sinclair, is defending and tackles her down to start the brawl fast. The early cross armbreaker attempt is broken up so Grey switches to just stomping away in the corner. Reid heads outside, where she manages to trip Grey face first into the steps (and HARD at that) as we take a break.

We come back with Grey’s top rope moonsault taking Reid down to start the comeback. Grey gets kicked outside but comes right back in, where Reid stomps her down for two. Reid’s running charge is countered into a powerslam but cue Fatal Influence for a distraction. Wren Sinclair breaks that up but gets knocked into Charlie Dempsey’s arms on the floor. The mass ejections get rid of everyone on the floor and Reid hits a superkick, only to miss a splash. Shades Of Grey (running Downward Spiral) retains the title at 10:28.

Rating: C+. It’s no surprise that WWE wanted to have Grey on a show like this as she is pretty clearly one of their bigger prospects at the moment. That shouldn’t be a surprise as she is young, talented and the fans like her. Let her develop and if it goes well enough, odds are she’ll be a big deal on the main roster one day.

Darkstate is ready to win the NXT Title to go with the Tag Team Titles.

John Cena announces the women’s Iron Survivor Challenge field: Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Jordynne Grace and Kendal Grey. That’s an interesting field.

Iron Survivor Qualifying Match: Myles Borne vs. Trick Williams

Borne grabs a quick rollup for two to start before grinding away on a headlock. Williams fights out of that and puts on a front facelock, followed by a quick suplex for two. A quick Borne Again gets two and we take an early break. We come back with Williams hammering away, with a flapjack connecting for two. Borne’s small package gets two but he walks into an AA.

The Trick Shot is countered into a powerslam for two more and Borne gets fired up. A reverse DDT gives Borne two but he walks into a release Rock Bottom. They trade shots to the face before both try jumping neckbreakers at the same time for a cool spot. Another Borne Again is blocked so Williams knocks him outside for a spinning kick to the face. Borne Again connects on the floor as well, followed by another inside to pin Williams at 11:21.

Rating: B-. I wasn’t feeling this one as much as I was expecting, as the ending just kind of came out of nowhere. I’m not sure if they ran out of time or something else, but it was like they just wrapped it up in a few seconds. Borne winning is a much more interesting prospect though, as it feels like they have something with him.

Post match Darkstate surrounds the ring but Joe Hendry, Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans run in for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was focused on the Iron Survivor Challenges being set up, with the title matches not feeling nearly as important. With the NXT Title match being held back for Deadline, this show was more about the minor titles, which only made for so much interest. It’s a fine enough show, but more of a setup for later than anything else.

Results
Jackson Drake b. Sean Legacy – Unaliver
Fallon Henley b. Zaria – Fameasser
Lei Ying Lee b. Kelani Jordan and Jordynne Grace – Powerbomb to Jordan
Kendal Grey b. Lainey Reid – Shades Of Grey
Myles Borne b. Trick Williams – Borne Again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

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

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

Women’s Title: Tatum Paxley vs. Jacy Jayne

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

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

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

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

The Culling glares down at Paxley to end the show.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click on the link below for the full review.

Quick Veterans Day tribute.

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

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

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

Speed Title: Jasper Troy vs. El Grande Americano

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

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

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

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

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

Thea Hail vs. Alba Fyre

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fatal Influence is ready to dominate.

Josh Briggs vs. Tavion Heights

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

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

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

Gold Rush rundown.

NXT Title: Ricky Saints vs. Trick Williams

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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