Tag: chelsea green

WWE SmackDown live results: Two title matches, Tiffany Stratton appears

Posted on by Colin McGuire

WWE is at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, tonight for the second SmackDown of 2025.

Both the men’s and women’s United States Championships will be on the line on the three-hour show. After dropping the men’s U.S. title to Shinsuke Nakamura at last November’s Survivor Series, LA Knight gets his rematch.

In another rematch, Chelsea Green defends the women’s U.S. title against Michin. Green defeated Michin in a tournament final at last month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event to become the inaugural champion. This is her first title defense.

Also set for tonight, new WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton will appear. Stratton will address her betrayal of Nia Jax from last week when she finally cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase to become champion. The cash-in happened after Stratton helped Jax defeat Naomi in last week’s main event.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 PM Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as outdoor scenes of Portland, Oregon aired. Wade Barrett was Tessitore’s broadcast partner and the two stood at ringside. Footage of Nakamura and Tiffany Stratton from earlier today aired. Paul Heyman was shown making his way to the ring for the opening segment. A video recap of Raw then aired.

The Paul Heyman/Cody Rhodes segment

This was good. And for the second week in a row, I don’t know why they don’t advertise these types of things beforehand. A Paul Heyman/Cody Rhodes segment would have been noteworthy and maybe even drew some more eyeballs to the show; is there a reason we can’t know this is going to happen ahead of time? Anyway, Roman entering the Royal Rumble is mildly intriguing because that notion isn’t one that’s been talked about much when it comes to all the fantasy booking scenarios involving Cody, Roman, about a dozen other people and WrestleMania. Heyman put Cody over pretty well here – to the extent that it looked like Cody was genuinely choking up for a second. The Owens touch was nice because everybody has been whining about The Rock and Cody’s interaction on Monday and someone needed to say it out loud. Also, and finally, did that final sequence mean Cody vs. Fatu is on the horizon? Lots of stuff here to open the show. I like it.

Paul Heyman walked into the ring and did the “My name …” bit. Heyman said he was excited to be there and announced that there is only one reigning, defending undisputed Tribal Chief of the WWE Universe and the entire Island of Relevancy and that Tribal Chief is Roman Reigns. The crowd cheered and “OTC!” chants broke out. Heyman said Reigns authorized Heyman to tell everyone what Roman intends to accomplish next. Heyman said he wanted to share the news with one man in particular – and that man is Cody Rhodes. Cody’s music hit and Cody’s entrance began.

Cody and Heyman shook hands once Cody entered the ring. Heyman said Cody deserved the response he received from the crowd and Cody has done something few have ever done, which is earn the respect of Roman Reigns. Heyman talk about how great of a champion Cody has been. Because Cody has been a great champion, Reigns told Heyman to go out there and tell Cody that Roman wants his title back. Heyman said Reigns wanted Cody to know how he intends to get his title back. Heyman declared that Roman Reigns will be in the Royal Rumble this year to earn his way into a match against Cody for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Heyman then asked Cody what he wanted to talk about, which was funny.

The crowd chanted Cody’s name as Cody fetched a microphone for himself. Before Cody could speak, Kevin Owens’s voice was heard and it turned out that Owens was in the crowd with a microphone. Owens said just when he thought it couldn’t get worse, it did get worse because Cody went and shook hands with The Rock on Monday. Owens brought up how Heyman just mentioned how Roman Reigns wants his title back. Owens said he should have let the Bloodline rip Roman to shreds. Owens kept rambling and Cody ran out of the ring and brawled with Owens in the crowd.

With Heyman alone in the ring, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu showed up. It looked like they were going to attack Heyman, but Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy ran out for the save. Jimmy grabbed a chair and hit Fatu and Tonga with it, but all it did was wake Fatu up. Fatu hit Jimmy with a flying elbow and the two worked Jimmy over. Fatu kicked a referee in the face, which made the rest of the referees scared to enter the ring. Cody made his way back through the crowd and towards the ring. Cody threw Tonga out of the ring and Fatu and Cody faced off. Cody clotheslined Fatu over the top and to the outside. Cody’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Fatu and Tonga were shown being thrown out of the building by officials. Fatu fought back and started yelling at them. LA Knight showed up and threw Fatu out of the building himself, saying he has a title to win later. So … um … oh no, LA Knight?

Chelsea Green defeated Michin to retain the Women’s United States Championship [8:42]

I was surprised they went back to this match so quickly, but I’m also happy that it doesn’t appear as though Green and Michin’s story is over, considering the holding of the tights and the post-match developments. In some ways, I feel like these two could work together through the Royal Rumble and it would still be entertaining each week. Green is impossible not to like and she has great, worn-in ring chemistry with Michin, so their matches rarely disappoint. As such, this match didn’t disappoint. Are we in for Dumpster Match Part Two? Or is there another stip out there with which these two could have fun?

Green went for a kick and Michin moved. Michin then held control of the match early, complete with a dropkick and a pin attempt. Michin stretched Green over the top rope, but it wasn’t long before Green fought back and threw Michin to the outside. Green threw Michin into the crowd barrier, but Michin made it back into the ring to beat a count out. Green kept her offense up as the show went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Green had the upper hand and worked a chin-lock. Michin got out of it via a back suplex. Michin landed a shotgun dropkick and danced before hitting a Cannonball on Green in a corner for a two-count. Michin went to threw Green, but Green countered by planting Michin face-first. Green went to the top, but missed a dropkick and Michin took control with a running knee. Michin went on the apron and kicked Piper Niven in the face. Michin then went to the top and hit a cross-body, but Green rolled through and held Michin’s tights to get the win.

After the match, Michin tried to attack Green, but Niven interfered and hit a Senton on Michin, allowing Green to get away.

**********

– Footage from last week’s tag title match aired. Motor City Machine Guns were shown complaining to Nick Aldis earlier today. Pretty Deadly, A-Town Down Under and Los Garza were in the shot, too. Aldis told everyone to shut up. Pretty Deadly and Los Garza will face each other while MCMG and A-Town Down Under will square off with the winners potentially wrestling each other for a shot at the tag titles.

Los Garza (Angel & Humberto) defeated Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) [8:56]

So this is why SmackDown went to three hours, eh? Give some folks some TV time and grant the viewing audience that Los Garza vs Pretty Deadly bout they’ve been craving for months now? Cool. This match was just kind of there despite everyone’s efforts to heat up this mini feud last week. My biggest problem? Since when did Los Garza or anyone in Legado Del Fantasma start working as babyfaces? The crowd cheered them here (or at least crowd sounds, wherever they did or did not come from, cheered them here), but I can’t really figure out why they’d do that other than they played the role of Not Pretty Deadly. But even then – even then! – wouldn’t Pretty Deadly be better babyfaces in this scenario because of their silly, comedic musical skits that have popped up through the weeks? My head is spinning. Either way, the match was harmless.

Los Garza jumpstarted the match and Humberto hit a suicide dive on Wilson on the outside. Back inside the ring, Humberto hit a standing moonsault for a two-count. Angel tagged in and the two hit Wilson with a double super-kick for a two-count. Humberto tagged in and landed a dropkick for a two-count. Prince got a blind tag and dragged Humberto over the top and to the outside via a gnarly neck-breaker. The show went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Humberto was doing his best to turn things around against Prince, but couldn’t do so. Wilson then tagged in and missed a splash immediately, which allowed Humerto to get the hot tag to Angel, who fired up and landed a cross-body from the top rope for a two-count. Angel did the take-his-pants-off spot, which hasn’t been shown on WWE TV in ages. He threw the pants at Wilson and kicked him for a two-count. Prince reasserted himself and planted Angel while the referee was distracted. With the ref still distracted, Santos Escobar crotched Prince. From there, Los Garza hit their finisher on Prince for the win.

**********

LA Knight defeated Shinsuske Nakamura via DQ [14:06]

This was much better than their Survivor Series match and it would have been even better if we got a clean finish out of it, but after Knight went and gave an f-word when it wasn’t his turn to give an f-word (to, in a censored way, quote “The Wire”) with Fatu earlier in the show, you could see this finish coming from a million miles away. I hope Nakamura and Knight get to run it back at some point (I still think Knight gets that belt back sooner than later) because this proved that they could go deep and it could work. I’m as entertained by Knight as anybody, but he isn’t typically considered as one of the best in-ring fellas in the game. Here, though, he went into deep waters and it worked. Good job from both guys.

The match started slow with neither wrestler getting the upper hand for long. Nakamura eventually got control and hit a running knee on Knight, who was draped over the ring apron. Knight tried to fight back, but Nakamura cut him off and went to work on Knight’s knee. Knight found himself on the outside of the ring and ultimately clotheslined Nakamura and sent him to the floor. Knight followed that up with a baseball slide and proceeded to repeatedly pound Nakamura’s head on the commentary table. Back inside the ring, Knight clotheslined Nakamura over the top to the outside again. Nakamura ran Knight into the ring post twice and the show went to a picture-in-picture break.

The show returned and the two traded blows until Knight took over and slammed Nakamura before hitting an elbow for a two-count. Knight lifted Nakamura, but Nakamura worked his way out of it. Nakamura pulled the turnbuckle pad off the second rope and followed it up with a sliding German Suplex. With Nakamura on the top, Knight ran up the ropes and super-plexed Nakamura for a good near-fall. Knight sunk in a weird version of a reverse Boston Crab (surely, Excalibur knows the name of the move), but Nakamura made it to the ropes for a break.

Nakamura went for an arm-bar, but Knight rolled Nakamura up for a two-count. Nakamura popped up and kicked Knight. Knight went for a BFT, but Nakamura countered with a back elbow. Nakamura followed that up with the Kinshasha, but Knight got his leg on the bottom rope to break up the pin attempt. Nakamura put Knight’s head on the exposed turnbuckle, but Knight moved and Nakamura ran into the exposed turnbuckle. Knight then hit the BFT but Tonga and Fatu showed up and attacked Knight to end the match.

Fatu hit all his greatest hits on Knight until Cody and Jimmy ran back out. This time, Cody was dressed in wrestling attire. They double super-kicked Fatu and Fatu and Tonga retreated through the crowd. Cody grabbed a mic and yelled for Nick Aldis to make a match between Cody and Jimmy and Fatu and Tonga. Aldis made the match.

**********

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) [12:06]

A solid match, and a much better tag match than the other tag bout on this show earlier. MCMG seem to be kind of/sort of finally clicking in WWE Land, and I hope whatever that is continues to grow. Meanwhile, Theory and Waller looked pretty good holding their own against the veteran former tag champs. In fact, Waller and Theory were given a lot of offense here and they made the most of it, which doesn’t always happen in these scenarios. Does this mean we get Los Garza vs. MCMG soon? Or does MCMG skip the line and head right back to #DIY?

Shelley and Waller began the match. Waller had the upper hand and Theory tagged in. Theory threw Shelley chest-first into a corner and followed it up with a clothesline. Sabin tagged in and gave MCMG control briefly until Waller tagged in and hit a series of knees to Sabin’s head. Waller then landed a spinning right hand for a two-count. Waller then went to work on Sabin’s arm. Sabin ran the ropes and Shelley bling-tagged himself in. MCMG kicked and clotheslined Waller over the top rope. Sabin went for a splash, but Theory tripped Sabin. From there, Waller hit a rolling Flatliner on Shelley inside the ring for a two-count. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Waller and Theory stayed on top of Shelley. Theory worked a chin-lock on Shelley. Waller tagged in, but Shelley ran Theory into Waller and super-kicked Theory. Shelley rolled and tagged Sabin, who landed a series of punches on Waller. Sabin went to the second rope and hit a missile dropkick on Waller. Shelley tagged in and the two landed stereo baseball slides on Theory and Waller. MCMG followed that up with Sabin’s suicide dive through the top and second ropes.

Inside the ring, Shelley tagged in Sabin and while Waller ran the ropes, Theory tagged himself in. The action spilled outside and Sabin ran at Waller, but Theory cut Sabin off with an elbow. Waller tagged in and the heels hit a double punch to Sabin’s head for a two-count. Shelley eventually tagged in as things broke down and all four wrestlers were down. Sabin tagged in and took Waller out. Shelley and Sabin singled Theory out and hit Skull & Bones on Theory for the win.

**********

– Ciampa and Gargano were shown upset backstage. They ran into Pretty Deadly, who asked #DIY why they didn’t help them out earlier. Gargano said Pretty Deadly will get their title match eventually and Pretty Deadly need to trust them. Apollo Crews walked into the scene and if they were dumb enough to believe #DIY, they’ll deserve everything coming their way.

– Nia Jax and Candice LeRae were talking in the locker room. Jax wondered what Tiffany Stratton would say later. Jax then walked to the ring and said she was going to congratulate Stratton herself.

The Tiffy Time segment

Wow. And speaking of not advertising things that should have been advertised … . My goodness. A Fatal Four-Way for a shot at Stratton seems like a thing they could have announced ahead of time, but again, what do I know? Nothing. That’s the answer. Nothing. Anyway, everyone here showed good fire, most of whom was Jax, who really seemed really pissed and sold it really well. Bayley and Naomi, meanwhile, had good logic. And Tiffy is settling in nice into her spot as a sort of pesky tweener champion (make her an official babyface already!). This upcoming four-way should be fun.

Stratton came out to a big positive reception from the crowd. Byron Saxton was in the ring and reminded Stratton that she became the new WWE Women’s Champion last week. Saxton congratulated Stratton and Stratton yelled “It’s Tiffy Time!” She also called it a “tiffy-turn-of-events.” Stratton then recapped her run so far on the main roster and said she is better than “your favorites.” The crowd cheered her. Saxton started talking about Jax bullying Stratton, but Stratton cut off Saxton. Stratton said she got JAx to trust her and Jax thought Stratton was just a dumb blonde and Jax let her guard down. As a result, Stratton said, she stole Jax’s most prized possession. Stratton yelled to put respect on her name and to tell her what time it is.

On cue, Jax’s music hit and Jax walked out with a microphone. Jax looked angry. Jax called Stratton and “ungrateful little s-@#.” Jax said she could kill Stratton. Jax said Stratton would be nothing without Jax because Jax made Stratton. Jax said it took Stratton long enough to take advantage of her. Jax walked onto the ring apron and then into the ring. The crowd chanted “Tiffy Time” and Jax said “Time’s up,” before telling Stratton to give Jax her title back or Jax said she’d take it back. Out of nowhere, Bayley’s music hit and Bayley walked out with a microphone.

Bayley told Jax to shut the hell up and told Stratton she always thought Stratton was stupid. Bayley recalled how Jax took Stratton under her wing and Stratton still outsmarted Jax. Bayley stepped into the ring and said the only reason Jax had her title was because Jax had Stratton’s help. Bayley said it was only fitting that Bayley takes Stratton’s title from her. Naomi’s music then hit and Naomi walked out with a microphone and Bianca Belair.

Naomi said everyone knew Naomi had Jax beat last week. Naomi said if it wasn’t for Stratton, Naomi would be holding two titles. Naomi said Jax has to see her first before going after Stratton. Jax said nobody cares about Naomi. Jax attacked Belair and Naomi. As Naomi, Bayley, Belair and Jax were fighting, Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault on everyone and left them lying as she walked away with her title.

Aldis showed up with a microphone and said he had an idea. Aldis announced that there will be a Fatal Four-Way right now to determine who will be the No. 1 contender for Stratton’s title.

**********

Bayley defeated Nia Jax, Naomi & Bianca Belair to become the No. 1 Contender for the WWE Women’s Championship [17:16]

An unexpected outcome, but a welcome outcome nonetheless. Bayley and Stratton should have a quietly very good-to-great match and I’m looking forward to that. I was convinced Jax would win to get her rematch, but that next beat in the Jax/Stratton program will clearly come at a later date. I’m a fan of this being the longest match on the show and even more a fan of how much space these women were seemingly given when it comes to putting this match together. It was almost like an AEW match – move after move after move after move with bouts of little-to-no-selling until the match reset itself a couple times. Lots of fun stuff in here and maybe – just maybe – this will win Match Of The Night honors after it’s all said and done.

Naomi and Belair teamed up on Jax early until Jax tried to suplex both at the same time and barely got them over. Bayley returned to the action and pounded on Jax until Jax threw Bayley away. The babyfaces went after Jax, but Jax pushed them all away. Naomi, Bayley and Belair stared each other down and Jax pulled Belair to the outside. Bayley and Naomi then locked up inside the ring and Naomi got the best of it early until Bayley came back and the two traded pin attempts. Bayley was pulled to the outside by Jax and Jax threw Bayley into the crowd barrier.

Inside the ring, Naomi landed a chin-breaker on Jax. Naomi leapt at Jax, but Jax caught her and slammed her for a two-count. Belair tried to lift Jax, but Jax stopped her. In all, it turned into a dropkick from Belair into Jax. Belair pounded on Jax in a corner. Jax powerbombed Belair, but Bayley broke up a pin attempt. Bayley suplexed Jax and went to the top, but Jax cut Bayley off. Jax lifted Bayley for a Samoan Drop, but Naomi and Belair ran in and slammed Jax, who slammed Bayley, and all four wrestlers were down. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Jax slammed Naomi, but Belair and Bayley broke up a pin attempt. Bayley and Belair took turns punching Jax. Bayley and Belair sent Jax to the outside and then went after each other. Bayley rolled up Belair for a two-count. Bayley rolled Belair up again, but Jax broke that up. Naomi returned to the action and kicked Jax before landing a Russian Leg Sweep. Naomi hit a Split-Legged Moonsault on Jax for a near-fall.

Bayley came form the top rope and hit an elbow drop on Jax for a two-count. Belair then came off the top and hit a 450 splash on Jax, but Bayley broke that pin attempt up. The babyfaces tried to pin Jax at the same time and it didn’t work. LeRae then walked down to the ring and Naomi and Belair worked some double-team moves on Bayley. That left Naomi and Belair alone to fight each other. Instead of going at it, they went at Bayley and Jax on the outside. Jax caught Naomi and ran her into the ring apron.

Jax returned to the ring and was the recipient of a shoulder-block from Belair. Bayley then hit Bayley-To-Belly on Belair, btu Naomi broke it up. Naomi hit a Rear Vew on Bayley, but Jax broke that up. Jax dropped Naomi and Belair broke up that pin attempt. The match reset again with all four wrestlers down in the middle of the ring. Belair planted Bayley and hit a moonsault on her for a two-count. Belair lifted Bayley for a KOD, but LeRae broke it up by pulling on Belair’s braid. Belair then accidentally hit Naomi with the braid.

Jax and Belair took each other over the commentary table. Inside the ring, Bayley hit the Rose Plant on Naomi and that was good enough for the win.

**********

– Cody and Jimmy were shown talking backstage and Cody said he knew Roman would want his title back so all was good. Cody walked away and Carmelo Hayes walked up to Jimmy and half-threatened Jimmy. Jimmy talked about how Melo shoots nothing but bricks and then half-yeeted.

– Bayley was walking backstage and ran into Byron Saxton, who said Bayley’s match against Stratton will take place next week. Bayley said she’s grown up in this business and she pointed out that Stratton has never beaten Bayley. Also set for next week, MCMG will take on Los Garza. Solo Sikoa is set to return to SmackDown next week as well.

– Jacob Fatu was yelling while walking backstage and towards the ring with Tonga. Fatu’s tone has shifted from crazed Solo Sikoa follower to a more serious approach and it’s great.

Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu defeated Cody Rhodes & Jimmy Uso [13:18]

I love it. I love Fatu getting the win, even if that means it was because Cody was taken out of the match. Keep that version of The Bloodline strong, even after Solo’s loss and let’s get some heat for the eventual Solo vs. Jacob showdown. If Jimmy and Cody would have won, this would have felt like a regular dark match that was designed to send the live crowd home happy; instead, we further the strength of Fatu – and even Tonga, to a degree. Really good booking here, at least in terms of WWE (yes, I know you hate WWE, but be reasonable). On the other hand, that weird final spot with the makeshift spear that Cody just kind of leaned into felt a little odd. But we got to where we needed to go. A very good way to end an unusually better-than-solid SmackDown these days. Let’s see how next week goes.

Cody and Tonga started the match and Cody dropped Tonga. Cody went to Tonga’s arm and tagged in Jimmy, who went to the top and came down on Tonga’s left arm. Tonga fired up and beat Jimmy into a corner. Fatu tagged in and Fatu went to work on Jimmy. Fatu landed his pop-up Samoan Drop on Jimmy and the show went to a PIP commercial break.

The show returned and Tonga tagged in to dropkick Cody and work Jimmy’s leg and yell odd things. Fatu tagged in and landed a Senton on Jimmy after hitting Cody off the apron. Fatu landed a hip attack on Jimmy. He did that two times over. After the second time, Fatu got a two-count out of it. Fatu placed Jimmy on the top rope and screamed “I love you Solo!” Jimmy then fought back and knocked Fatu off the ropes. Jimmy eventually hit a spinning splash on Fatu and Cody received the hot tag.

Cody snap-powerslammed Tonga, who also tagged in. Tonga received a Disaster Kick. Cody lifted Tonga, but Tonga got out of it. Fatu and Tonga were on the outside and Cody landed a suicide dive on both heels. Back in the ring, Cody did the Dusty punches/elbow on Tonga for a two-count. Cody set up for a CrossRhodes on Tonga, but Tonga countered into a DDT for a two-count. Cody lifted Tonga and perched on on the top while Jimmy tagged in. Cody and Jimmy did a variation of the Power And Glory finisher, but Fatu broke things up. As a response, Cody hit a Cody Cutter on Fatu and Jimmy sent Fatu over the commentary desk.

Kevin Owens walked down the aisle. Cody saw him and Cody and KO brawled to the back. Inside the ring, Jimmy hit a spear on Tonga and went to the top and hit the Uso Splash, but Fatu pulled Jimmy to the outside. Fatu then tagged in and slammed Jimmy’s head on the commentary table before rolling himi back into the ring. Fatu hit an Impaler and his moonsault and that got him the win.

Meanwhile, Owens and Cody brawled back into the arena and onto traveling equipment. Owens set up for a powerbomb, but instead the two traded punches. From there, Cody speared Owens and the two went through two tables in the crowd. Both guys sold pain and that’s how the show went off the air.

Chelsea Green celebration set for WWE SmackDown, updated lineup

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On SmackDown tonight, WWE’s first-ever Women’s United States Champion will celebrate her title victory.

Chelsea Green became the inaugural Women’s United States Champion by defeating Michin in the finals of a tournament earlier this month. Tonight, there will be an inauguration on SmackDown for Green as she celebrates the start of her title reign.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is your youngest-ever, richest-ever, most-tannest ever, longest-reigning United States Women’s Champion in history,” Green said. “And honestly, this should have happened a lot sooner. But, you know, I’m the champ, so places to go, famous people to see. Tonight, live in flesh, I will grace you with my presence at the first-ever United States Women’s Championship celebration.”

SmackDown is taking place from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida tonight. Along with being the last episode of 2024, this is the final two-hour episode before SmackDown expands to three hours starting next week.

Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley vs. Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae has also been announced for tonight’s show. In addition to that, Nick Aldis will address Kevin Owens’ attack on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes from Saturday Night’s Main Event.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, December 27) —

  • SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis addresses Kevin Owens’ attack on Cody Rhodes
  • Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley vs. Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae
  • Chelsea Green Women’s United States Championship celebration

Wrestling Weekly: AEW Continental Classic thoughts & Saturday Night’s Main Event fallout

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: AEW

With the Gold and Blue league matches nearly complete in AEW’s Continental Classic, Les Thatcher and I discuss who has got the best shot to make the semifinals.

We also talk about all the fallout from last weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event fallout in WWE.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Chelsea Green crowned first-ever WWE Women’s United States Champion

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Chelsea Green has made history.

Green defeated Michin at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event to become the first-ever Women’s United States Champion. The finish had Michin dropkick Piper Niven off the apron. Green, who was on the top turnbuckle, used the distraction to roll over Michin and connect with the unprettier for the win.

After the match, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis awarded the title to Green as she celebrated her title win with Niven.

WWE introduced the title last month, serving as a secondary women’s title to the SmackDown brand. Michin defeated Lash Legend and Piper Niven in the first round, then defeated Tiffany Stratton in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Green defeated Bianca Belair and Blair Davenport in the opening round and Bayley in the semifinals.

A similar tournament is currently being held on the Raw brand to crown the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion. On Monday’s Raw, Lyra Valkyria advanced out of the first round by defeating Ivy Nile and Zelina Vega.

Zelina Vega advances in WWE Speed Women’s contender’s tournament

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new WWE Speed tournament kicked off on Wednesday. 

In today’s match posted to X, Zelina Vega used a sunset flip to pin Chelsea Green. The match went just over two minutes. Vega will now face the winner of Natalya vs. B-Fab, which airs on Friday. 

Vega had the following to say after the match:

“Gold is in my future completely and I know that I’m on that path and it will soon be mine,” she said.

WWE Speed Women’s Contenders Tournament lineup:

  1. Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green
  2. Natalya vs. B-Fab
  3. Katana Chance vs. Alba Fyre
  4. Michin vs. Ivy Nile
  5. Zelina Vega vs. Natalya/B-Fab winner
  6. Chance/Fyre winner vs. Michin/Nile winner
  7. Tournament semifinals
  8. Semifinal winner vs. WWE Speed Women’s Champion Candice LeRae

WWE Speed Women’s Champion Candice LeRae will face the winner in what is referred to as the tournament “finals.” 

LeRae became the first-ever WWE Women’s Speed Champion last month, defeating Iyo Sky in the tournament finals on October 4. 

Inaugural WWE Speed Women’s Championship Tournament results (September 4 – October 4):

  • Iyo Sky defeated Lyra Valkyria
  • Naomi defeated Blair Davenport
  • Kairi Sane defeated Elektra Lopez
  • Candice LeRae defeated Piper Niven
  • Iyo Sky defeated Naomi
  • Candice LeRae defeated Kairi Sane
  • Candice LeRae defeated Iyo Sky

Chelsea Green advances to WWE Women’s US title tournament semifinals

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Chelsea Green is moving on in the WWE Women’s United States Championship tournament.

Green won a three-way on Friday night’s WWE SmackDown episode to advance in the tournament to crown the first-ever Women’s United States Champion.

After a Jade Cargill injury angle provided a distraction, Green defeated Blair Davenport and Bianca Belair in the triple threat quarterfinals matchup. Green will face Bayley in the United States title tournament at a later date after Bayley advanced on last week’s SmackDown.

The Cargill injury angle played out as she was shown backstage on the hood of a car, seemingly hit by a mystery assailant. After the tournament bout, Belair jumped into an ambulance to accompany Cargill to a hospital in storyline.

Cargill was set for action in the tournament on next week’s episode, but WWE announced that a mystery wrestler will take Cargill’s place.

The remaining quarterfinals matches in the tournament are a mystery replacement for Cargill vs. Michin vs. Piper Niven, plus Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Elektra Lopez.

Our full report from Friday’s WWE SmackDown is available here.

Wrestling Observer Live: Cody & Roman, live perspective of WWE SmackDown in Sacramento

Posted on by Jim Valley

Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley. Minutes before the show started, Sports Byline Producer Daniel mentioned he went to SmackDown Friday night in Sacramento.

Not only did we have his thoughts, but we also kept talking during the commercial breaks. So it’s a longer show with bonus content:

  • Was the crowd bummed that some main event stars weren’t there?
  • Who did they like?
  • Who was the most over?
  • Who does Daniel think saved the show for the live crowd?

The Cody and Roman confrontation was CINEMA! It was pretty. But was it effective, or too over the top? If Cody and Roman are CINEMA, then Chelsea Green is Lucille Ball, a brilliant comedian.

Plus, The Outrunners are moving up. Can they be more than a one-hit wonder? All that and more, all done on the fly. Check it out.

Right click save as

Chelsea Green vs. Michin dumpster match official for October 4 WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The rivalry between Chelsea Green and Michin will reach its apex with a dumpster match on the October 4 WWE SmackDown.

After teasing the bout last week, WWE officially announced Green vs. Michin in a dumpster match for the Friday, October 4 SmackDown during this week’s episode.

Green was featured in a comedy vignette on this week’s SmackDown, with her preparation for the bout consisting of dumpster diving. The commentary team followed up with the official match announcement:

The October 4 SmackDown is the go-home show for the Bad Blood PLE set for Saturday, October 5.

The announced lineups for the next two WWE SmackDown episodes:

WWE SmackDown, Friday, September 27:

  • Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes (Andrade leads series 3-2)
  • Number one contender’s match, winner faces Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship at Bad Blood: Bayley vs. Naomi

WWE SmackDown, Friday, October 4:

  • Dumpster match: Chelsea Green vs. Michin

WWE teases dumpster match between Chelsea Green and Michin

Posted on by Ian Carey

Michin could have an opportunity to throw Chelsea Green in the trash soon.

A dumpster match between the two was seemingly set up during last night’s edition of The SmackDown LowDown. Green was being interviewed on the show, pleased with herself for having given Michin an UnPrettyHer onto a trash can during SmackDown. Vickie Guerrero interrupted and suggested a dumpster match to settle the rivalry.

“Excuse me! Chelsea, I loved the way you handled that trash can,” Guerrero said. “I’m thinking maybe you and Michin should have a dumpster match!”

“No, you don’t even go here why would I have a dumpster match, Vickie? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” Green responded.

SmackDown General Manager then entered the scene and said he liked Vickie’s idea.

“Hi Chelsea, Vickie may no longer work here but I do and I happen to think a dumpster match between you and Michin is a fantastic idea,” he said before leaving the scene with Guerrero.

Despite no date being announced for the match yet, Green said she is unable to make it.

“No. I can’t make it. I won’t be there,” she said before storming off.

WWE has yet to make the match official.

Giulia in-ring debut vs. Chelsea Green announced for WWE NXT

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giulia’s WWE in-ring debut has been announced.

Giulia vs. Chelsea Green is now scheduled for Tuesday’s edition of NXT. WWE announced the match on Saturday, writing:

“After their confrontation this past week, Giulia will make her NXT in-ring debut when she takes on @ImChelseaGreen THIS TUESDAY on #WWENXT!

Giulia was involved in an in-ring segment with Roxanne Perez and Green on last week’s show. Our own Bryan Alvarez covered the segment in his subscriber-exclusive report, writing:

“God, what a setup they gave her.  She got in the ring and Chelsea threw a forearm.  Giulia blocked it, then killed her with a forearm and laid her out with a knee.  Giulia then took the mic and said, ‘Me, you, CW!’” 

Six matches are now set for Tuesday’s show. The updated lineup is below.

The updated lineup for the Tuesday, September 10 WWE NXT:

  • Jordynne Grace defends the TNA Knockouts World Championship in an open challenge
  • WWE NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom defend against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
  • WWE NXT Heritage Cup Champion Charlie Dempsey defends against Je’Von Evans
  • WWE NXT Championship number one contender’s Last Man Standing match: Trick Williams vs. Pete Dunne
  • Duke Hudson vs. Ridge Holland
  • Giulia vs. Chelsa Green

Lyra Valkyria, Chelsea Green appear on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Lyra Valkyria and Chelsea Green both made appearances on NXT.

Valkyria made the save for Tatum Paxley after she defeated Rosemary on Tuesday’s show. Both Wendy Choo and Rosemary jumped Paxley after the bell and continued to attack until Valkyria ran in. In a later segment, Paxley and Valkyria patched things up with one another and agreed to team together.

The last segment of this week’s show had Roxanne Perez come out to boast about her latest victory after defeating Jaida Parker at No Mercy this past Sunday. Green came out and said that no one was going to prevent her from being the number one contender to Perez’s NXT Women’s title. That brought out Giulia, who quickly took out Green and had a staredown with the NXT Women’s Champion. The show ended with Giulia challenging Perez to a title match on the premiere episode of NXT on CW next month.

Giulia made her debut at No Mercy, staring down Roxanne Perez following her victory.

Tessa Blanchard details past mental health struggles, Chelsea Green responds

Posted on by Ian Carey

In a new interview with Straight Talk Wrestling, Tessa Blanchard opened up about how being accused of bullying and racism by several of her colleagues has impacted her.

The backlash against Blanchard began in January 2020 when she posted a message to Twitter about female wrestlers supporting one another. Several wrestlers responded by accusing Blanchard of bullying and, in particular, calling another wrestler a slur backstage.

“Remember when you spat in a black woman’s face and called her the N-word in Japan? Was that you “supporting women“? The AUDACITY of this tweet,” wrote Allysin Kay in response to Blanchard’s post.

“You’ve consistently put down, bullied, and belittled countless female coworkers, including me. Is that support?” Chelsea Green wrote.

“As someone who experienced your bullying firsthand, received regular verbal abuse, was spat on, had rumours spread about me, dealt with multiple attempts by you to blacklist me from other companies, (plus more), I just pray you now follow your own advice,” wrote Isla Dawn.

Blanchard, who now works a full-time schedule with CMLL in Mexico, says she would not change anything about her career as it has made her the wrestler and person she is today.

“I wouldn’t change anything about the peaks, the valleys, the way my career’s been, I wouldn’t change anything because I’m very proud of the woman that I am now and the wrestler that I am today and where my career is,” Blanchard said on the show.

“If anything would have been different, I might be in a different place, I might be a different person, my ego might be through the roof, who knows?”

Blanchard said what happened in early 2020 led to struggles with her mental health.

“When everything happened to me, it was even a tough topic to even talk about. I remember I was living in Tijuana at the time and I remember some days I would wake up, I didn’t even have the strength to live that day so I would just go back to bed and I would be in my bed all day long. There were days where I was tired about life just because my identity was wrestling, I didn’t know who I was without it and in a matter of less than 24 hours, it was like from here to (nothing). From contract offers from the biggest companies, more money than I’d ever seen in my life to nothing.”

“This whole storyline we had built for eight or nine months to me begging the TNA office that day like ‘I don’t want to win it, I don’t want to do this.’ And after I didn’t go home, I went on a 27-day media tour in Mexico where I remember, we would pull over in the Uber before every interview and I would vomit.”

“My family, my little brother and sister were 14 years old at the time, were reading all these things about me that I knew wasn’t me, I knew wasn’t in my heart, I wasn’t this person, but it didn’t matter, perception is reality, the truth doesn’t matter.”

“I didn’t know my identity without wrestling and through all of that, through those ups and downs, those really hard days that I didn’t know if I was going to get through, I found out who Tessa is without wrestling.”

WWE’s Chelsea Green, who was one of the wrestlers who accused Blanchard of bullying, responded to an article from Fightful quoting her recent comments. Green wrote:

“I  don’t wish self-harm or thoughts of suicide on anyone and hope she has found peace. However, a simple ‘I am sorry’ goes a long way. We haven’t heard that yet. Accountability matters, and a redemption tour of interviews won’t erase the actions of an egotistical bully.”

The full interview with Straight Talk Wrestling is available below.

Chelsea Green on WWE adding more women’s titles: ‘I’m hoping and praying that’s true’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Chelsea Green would love to see WWE add more championships to its women’s division.

Earlier this week, Dave Meltzer confirmed that WWE is talking about creating Women’s Intercontinental and United States titles for the main roster. Green told The Masked Man Show that she doesn’t know anything past what has been reported, but she’s “hoping and praying” that it’s true. She thinks it would be a game-changer if the titles are introduced.

“I don’t know that it’s been confirmed because I don’t know it, I only saw it on the internet. So whatever you guys are reading, I’m also reading too,” Green said. “I mean, of course I’m like hoping and praying that that’s true. Because any more spotlights that the women can get would be amazing. I do think it’s long overdue. Again, it’s just another step in the right direction. I didn’t even think this could happen two years ago, and then now, I’m like, ‘Yeah, of course it’s happening. It has to happen. Now that it’s on the internet, we need this to happen.’ Obviously, I think it would be amazing to showcase the women that could be the champions in the future but maybe we don’t see them in that light right now. Maybe we see them as kind of floaters, or maybe they haven’t locked down their character, or maybe they’re a funny girl — maybe me [laughs]. There’s all these women that I just feel like — we have so much talent, and we’re not able to showcase it all the time. And so putting another title in the mix I think would just up the ante for that kind of mid-level girl who, we know we can elevate them, we know they can get there, but maybe the fans don’t believe in them yet. Maybe they need that championship to showcase that they can really lead a division. I think, if this comes to fruition, this will be a game-changer for the women’s locker room on Raw and SmackDown.”

While it remains to be seen if WWE will go through with introducing the belts, a new title was added to NXT recently. Kelani Jordan became the inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion at Battleground this June.

Green took part in WWE’s women’s Money in the Bank ladder match last weekend. She was the fan-favorite in her home country of Canada but was thwarted by Tiffany Stratton at the end of the match. Stratton pushed Green’s ladder over, sending her crashing through two tables on the outside. Stratton then retrieved the Money in the Bank briefcase to win the match.

WWE Money in the Bank preview & predictions: Shhh, it’s Chelsea

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE presents another five-match premium live event on Saturday when Money in the Bank takes place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto (7 PM Eastern on Peacock/WWE Network).

These tight three-hour shows WWE has been presenting lately in the “Paul Levesque era” have been excellent with pacing that has allowed crowds in Glasgow, Lyon, and Jeddah to stay hot throughout, creating unique and fun atmospheres. I’m not expecting this Toronto crowd to be any different. 

This show feels more difficult to predict than recent PLEs as well. The betting odds for most of the matches are pretty close. Below are previews, predictions, and betting odds for every match at Money in the Bank 2024. 

The betting odds below are via Betonline odds on July 5, 2024.

Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Jey Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade vs. Chad Gable vs. LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre

Uso is currently the betting favorite to win this match. He’s listed as a -175 favorite up against McIntyre (+150), Gable (+525), Knight (+1200), Andrade (+1400) and Hayes (+1400). 

Uso has a great shot at winning, but I’m surprised McIntyre isn’t listed as a heavier favorite. McIntyre having the briefcase with CM Punk thwarting him from successfully cashing it in feels like it could be a storyline that goes on for months while Punk is injured and could then continue for several months after that in the entirely possible event Punk gets injured again.

WWE could just keep this going all the way to WrestleMania 41 no matter how many muscles or tendons in Punk’s body get torn. What we are learning about Punk right now is that he doesn’t actually have to wrestle for his angles to be hot.

Another possibility is that Punk interferes during the MITB ladder match and costs McIntyre a chance to grab the briefcase. Uso winning is the most likely result if that happens. Betonline has a prop bet available on whether or not Punk interferes in the match. He’s currently favored to do so with -165 odds.

Outside of Uso and McIntyre, I’m not sure who could take the briefcase home. It doesn’t fit with the storyline Gable is involved in right now. Knight is possible, but then that would put him up against Cody Rhodes and that doesn’t seem like a direction WWE wants to go. It would be a big win and jump up the card for either Andrade or Hayes who are both longshots.

Prediction: McIntyre

Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match: Iyo Sky vs. Chelsea Green vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Zoey Stark

The oddsmakers feel the most likely scenario here is Stratton (-200 favorite) taking the briefcase and beginning her inevitable rise up to be a World title contender. The only other participant in this match with decent odds of winning is Green who is listed at +110. 

The possibility of Green winning here is being overlooked by some. She’s going to get a huge babyface reaction in Toronto. On top of being Canadian, she’s exactly the kind of performer Toronto crowds will go against the grain to cheer. At some point during the match, even if she doesn’t win, there will be a moment where fans are made to believe she’s just about to grab the briefcase. Scotiabank Arena will explode when that happens. 

Also, much like what happened with Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre in Scotland, if WWE feels they have to give a Canadian a win on this show, it will probably be Green.

Green as the briefcase holder could lead to some very entertaining moments and storylines. Her as a beatable champion who retains the title via underhanded tactics and a little help from her “spicy margarita” Piper Niven could be pretty entertaining as well. 

Nobody else has been given much of a chance by oddsmakers. Stark is listed at +1000, Valkyria at +1200, and Naomi at +1400 which feels like long odds for her. Sky is not being given much of a shot at all with odds listed at +3300. Perhaps Vegas doesn’t think WWE would send a MITB briefcase holder to Marigold’s Summer Destiny show on July 13. 

Prediction: Green

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest defends against Seth Rollins

Before the stipulation was made that a Priest loss means he has to leave Judgment Day, I would have said that his retaining was all but certain. I still think he will, but I’m not nearly as sure as I had been. 

The idea that Priest would have to leave his faction fits snugly into the storyline that has been going on within the team…but it could also be a red herring. It feels as though we are eventually going to end up with a Judgement Day faction of Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, and Finn Balor with Priest and Rhea Ripley both going full babyface. I don’t think Priest leaves the group on Saturday, though. 

Priest is listed as a -200 favorite to retain and I think he probably will. I’m assuming the other members of Judgment Day will get involved in the finish as Rollins won’t lose clean. 

Prediction: Priest retains

The Bloodline vs. Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens & Randy Orton

The Bloodline is listed as -450 favorites — the largest of anyone on the show. With all the new members having debuted recently, it would be a little weird to have them lose. Also, it feels as though we are building to Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam and we need a reason for it. Thus, the most likely scenario has Sikoa pinning Rhodes here.

Hikuleo should be free of his NJPW contract and could debut at any moment. He could play into the finish of this match, but it feels a little soon after Jacob Fatu’s debut to introduce someone else into the mix.

Prediction: The Bloodline

WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn defends against Bron Breakker

I’m pretty surprised that the betting odds are as close as they are. I don’t recommend betting on wrestling, but if I did, I’d probably put a little money on Breakker. He’s listed as only a -150 favorite but barring anything ridiculous, he should win the title. 

However, this is wrestling and something ridiculous often happens. Sheamus could interfere, someone else could get involved, etc. Regardless, Breakker is not going to lose clean and the most likely scenario has him leaving Toronto with the title.

I believe the plan with Breakker is for him to get a Gunther-style run with the belt. This allows him to be out of the World title picture until he’s ready, but still go on a long winning streak that makes fans wonder what will happen when he finally gets his chance at the big crown.

Zayn will fight valiantly and show his fighting spirit, but ultimately, the Canadian hero will come up short. 

Prediction: The Breakker era begins

WWE NXT live results: Roxanne Perez vs. Chelsea Green title match

Posted on by Chris Aiken
Main roster talent Chelsea Green is in WWE NXT tonight for a shot at championship gold.

The NXT Women’s title will be on the line when Green challenges Roxanne Perez on tonight’s episode, presumably as the main event.

An angle from last week set up the title match, where Perez complained about not being called up in the WWE Draft. NXT general manager Ava later informed Perez that she had a title defense scheduled against Green.

In addition to Green, main roster wrestlers Michin and Shayna Baszler have matches announced for tonight. In single matches, Michin faces Arianna Grace and Baszler is against Karmen Petrovic.

Wes Lee returns to action for the first time since November, taking on Josh Briggs. Lee is back in NXT after an emotional exit months ago.

The road to crowning the first-ever NXT Women’s North American Champion begins tonight with a combine taking place. The top performers in the combine advance to compete in qualifying matches.

Also on the show is a Supernova Sessions segment with NXT Champion Trick Williams appearing as Meta-Four’s guest. We could likely find out what was in the envelope held by Lash Legend.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

***********

This episode of NXT begins with a video package recapping Wes Lee journey in WWE, before being sidelined with a terrible injury and forfeiting his championship. The former North American Champion says he is ready to get back to work.

Other wrestlers from the roster surround Lee backstage to show their support. They cheer him on as Lee wipes away tears. Lee breaks the fourth wall by looking directly into the camera.

“I missed this,” says Lee. “It feels good to be home.”

Lee then walks through the curtain, entering the sound stage for his return match.

Wes Lee defeated Josh Briggs

Lee pinned Briggs in a triumphant comeback, and Lee looked as if he never missed a beat. A post-match brawl with Ivar seems to set up a triple threat with all three.

Lee got to shine early on, until he is cut off by Briggs. Lee fights back with a flying headscissors. He is cut off again by the brute strength of Briggs, only for Lee to counter by posting Briggs. Lee also flings Briggs into the barricade with a another flying headscissors.

Briggs blocks Lee’s Cardiac Kick finisher with a backbreaker. Briggs ragdolls Lee, as Ivar enters the scene. Ivar watches the match from the aisle. Briggs glares at Ivar as the show cuts to a split-screen commercial break. When the show returns from the break, Ivar is doing guest commentary at the announce desk.

Babyface in peril with Briggs targeting Lee’s back, playing on the injury that caused Lee’s exit many months ago. Lee soon makes a comeback, and he does a dive through the ropes on Briggs. They land and at the feet of Ivar, who then stands up. Briggs is dropkicked into Ivar, as they collide at ringside.

Briggs is selling the collision with Ivar while Lee rolls him into the ring. Lee climbs the turnbuckles and leaps off into a wicked corkscrew senton. Lee then covers Briggs for a three count.

More action after the bell, as Briggs and Ivar start brawling at ringside. Lee then wipes out both of them with a running flip dive out of the ring. The post-match melee would seem to set up a triple threat match.

As notable is the currentvNXT North American Champion, Oba Femi, watching the match and angle from a perch overlooking the ring. He smiles, seemingly enjoying the sight of the brawl.

A recap highlights the NXT Underground match from last week, which plays into the next match.

Shayna Baszler (with Lola Vice) defeated Karmen Petrovic (with Natalya) 

Baszler submitted Petrovic with a Kirifuda Clutch. Both having a martial arts background made it an interesting match-up from the start.

Baszler targets Petrovic’s arm early on, and Baszler using the ring itself to help dismantle the arm. Baszler traps the arm in the metal support beam that is usually hidden by the ring skirting. Baszler wanks on the arm, all while working over Petrovic.

Petrovic makes a brief comeback and evens gets a near falls on Baszler. Not for long, she climbs the turnbuckles. Petrovic leaps off the top rope into the clutches of Baszlers. Kirifuda Clutch applied by Baszler, and Petrovic taps out.

Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan get into a brief scuffle in a locker room skit, playing off Henley’s heel turn from last week.

A slickly produced vignette features the combine, which determines the qualifiers that will get a shot to become the first ever NXT Women’s North American Championship.

The combine is testing four categories — speed, power, strength and conditioning. It began with a 10-yard sled push. From there was the 10-yard sprint. Next was the in-ring shuttle drill.

Thea Hail and Kelani Jordan broke out as the early front-runners of the combine. To be continued later in the show.

Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe defeated No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey & Myles Borne with Damon Kemp) 

The assigned referee for the match was announced as “unavailable”, and the D’Angelo Family was apparently responsible for the disappearance. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo was then announced as the guest referee.

To set up the finish, Dempsey gets mad at Stacks for not counting a fall. Stacks then hits Dempsey with a right hand, and Dempsey is rolled up for a pinfall. The D’Angelo Family is there to watch from ringside, and the Catch Crew are rather upset at the result.

Kelly Kincaid interviews NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez about her title match tonight. Perez cuts a promo on Chelsea Green.

Michin defeated Arianna Grace 

Michin pinned Grace to win the match. Grace got some offense, but this match seemed more of a showcase for Michin. T

hey had a competitive match, but it is hard to take Grace seriously with her current persona. She did some comedy spots early on. Setting up the finish, Grace was yelling at the referee when Michin executed a German suplex. Michin follows up with her finisher, and she pinned Grace.

Thea Hail is talking with Ridge Holland. In walks Andre Chase and Duke Hudson. Lexis King then barges in to interrupt and insult. King as words with King, but Duke Hudson steps in to cut a promo on King. This clearly sets up a match.

Now for a talk show segment.

Supernova Sessions with NXT Champion Trick Williams

Meta-Four (Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) host Supernova Sessions with the newest champion of the brand.

They throw to a video package highlights Williams being a modern day traveling champion, meaning he doing media appearances.

Williams says he is out here for one reason only, which is to see what is in the envelope. Lash Legend opens the envelope to reveal a photograph of Williams supposedly pinning Dar in a match weeks ago.

The photo reveals that Dar’s foot was underneath the plain of the ropes, meaning the deciding pinfall should not have counted to end the match. Dar says that Williams’ title reign is built on a lie. Dar vows to “expose” Williams.

Williams stands up and says, “That’s all you got for me?” He is right, ya’ know. That was a lackluster reveal.

Williams goes on to say that all Dar had to do was ask for a title match, instead doing this. Williams gets in a Maury Povich reference in a remark aimed at Legend.

Williams hints at something between himself and Legend. He asks Legend if she wants to tell them, or does she want him to tell them.

Legend goes to address Williams, but she accidently calls him “babe” instead of his name. Williams says they should tell everyone her other pet name for him. Legend goes to leave, and Williams stops her.

As she is saying this is not the time and place, Dar ambushes Williams. The champ is out cold, and Dar poses with the championship. Trick’s first challenger is apparent.

Back to the combine for the “power” portion. First is the vertical jump, then the broad jump, followed by the rotational punch. Jaida Parker shined in this portion. To be continued…

Fallon Henley defeated Kelani Jordan

Henley pinned Jordan after a shining wizard. Thanks in part to an exposed turnbuckle for the finish.

Jordan showed a lot of fire at the start, underscoring the bout being a grudge match. She also got to shine in the match, as she got a lot of offense.

Henley viciously cut her off, showcasing her new rough heel persona. The lucha libre term “rudo” fits well in describing the Henley’s character shift.

Very competitive match, with Henley carrying things. The padded cover is inadvertently pulled off a turnbuckle by Henley. Moments later, Jordan is launched into the exposed metal. Henley follows up with a shining wizard, and Henley scores a three count.

Charlie Dempsey announces that No Quarter Catch Crew will accept Tony D’Angelo’s challenge for a shot at the Heritage Cup. Dempesy puts over the “Catch clause”, which is a take on the the “Freebird rules” gimmick. “The Don” does no know which one of the Crew he faces in the Cup match next week on NXT.

The combine continues with strength and conditioning portions. The medicine ball challenge was dominated by Lash Legend. Wren Sinclair also had a “good showing” with the medicine ball. Michin was highlighted with the iso mid thigh pull, but Izzi Dame had the best numbers in that event.

The last portion of the combine was the conditioning gauntlet, which consisted of “several different cardiovascular fitness drills.” Ivy Nile shined in the gauntlet.

The 12 women advancing from the combine to the qualifiers are (in order of how they placed in the worked combine) Sol Ruca, Thea Hail, Jaida Parker, Brinley Reece, Michin, Fallon Henley, Lash Legend, Ivy Nile, Izzi Dame, Kelani Jordan, Tatum Paxley, and Wren Sinclair.

Lexis King defeated Duke Hudson (with Thea Hail & Andre Chase)

King pinned Hudson in a match where Ridge Holland got involved to cause an inadvertent distraction.

Moments before the finish, King ends up outside the ring on the floor. He trades barbs with Thea Hail. Andre Chase walks over to backup Hail and confront King. Begging off and backpedaling, King keeps looking backwards towards the entrance ramp. That foreshadowed and telegraphed Ridge Holland entering the sound stage with a metal folding chair.

Holland chases King into the ring. Andre Chase pulls Holland away as he tries to get in the ring with the chair. As Holland is pulled out and away from the ring, Hudson is the squared circle. He goes to pick up the chair, but the referee takes it from him. As the ref is tossing the chair outside, Hudson is distracted with that. King swoops in to strike with a superkick. King follows up with The Coronation, and King covers Hudson for a pinfall.

In a nod to Chelsea Green’s history in NXT with Mr. (Robert) Stone as her manager, she passes Stone on her way to the ring for the main event. They nod at each other.

In a skit outside the building, Je’Von Evans has a confrontation with Meta-Four where they try to intimidate them.

Jazmyn Nyz cuts a promo on Thea Hail, over the injury angle where Hail injured Jacy Jayne. Nyz basically vows revenge.

In a backstage skit, Ridge Holland apologizes the Chase U faction for costing Hudson the match earlier on. Hudson accepts the apology on the condition Holland buy them dinner. Riley Osborne on the other hand, he clearly is not convinced. Nonetheless, Holland vows to earn their trust.

NXT Champion Roxanne Perez defeated Chelsea Green to retain her title.

Perez pinned Green, and still…

Lots of pomp and circumstance, which includes ring entrances and the introductions by ring announcer Alicia Taylor.

No real protagonist here, as both worked as heels. That hurt the psychology of the match with no clear crowd favorite. Regardless, both worked hard in trying to have a good match.

The pace was quick early on, leading into a split-screen break. They wrestle through the commercial break, with Green getting heat on Perez. Fighting back, Perez comes back with a flurry of offense.

Back-and-forth down the stretch. In a nod to Green’s husband Matt Cardona, she executes a Rough Ryder. Green is looking dominate at times, but Perez kicks out for a near fall.

As they near the homestretch, Green is tripped up while trying to climb the turnbuckles. That led to Green taking a big bump when Perez does a Super Frankensteiner off the ropes.

Missile dropkick by Green for the last near fall. Perez counters an Unprettier, and Green in turn counters Pop Rocks. They trade near falls after each reversed an O’Connor Roll. Perez is sent into the ropes. She bounces off the ropes and looked to deliver Pop Rocks. Somewhat botched, but they went home anyway. Perez covers Green for the deciding pinfall, and still…

Concluding the show is a cliffhanger angle where The D’Angelo Family engages in more organized criminal activity. Tony D’Angelo and company assault and kidnap Damon Kemp and Myles Borne. That leaves Charlie Dempsey as the lone member of the Catch Crew, ahead of the Heritage Cup match next week against D’Angelo.