New Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena is set to appear on tonight’s WrestleMania fallout edition of SmackDown in Fort Worth, Texas.
Cena defeated Cody Rhodes in the WrestleMania 41 night two main event to win the title. Since then, Cena showed up on Monday’s Raw after WrestleMania, where he was the victim of an RKO from Randy Orton.
Also tonight, the WWE Tag Team titles will be on the line in a TLC match as The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defend their titles against DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) and Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley). All three teams have held the titles in recent months and the match was made official last week after Gargano & Ciampa interfered in a title match between the Profits and Machine Guns.
The Women’s United States Championship will be on the line tonight as well as Chelsea Green is set to defend her belt against Zelina Vega. The two met last Friday with Vega coming away with a pinfall victory.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show while shots of Texas aired. Participants in the upcoming tag title TLC match were shown walking backstage. Ditto for Jacob Fatu and Tiffany Stratton. A video package recapping WrestleMania week was then shown. After that, John Cena’s music hit inside the arena and Cena made his entrance.
The John Cena/Randy Orton segment
This felt a tiny bit more focused than Cena’s work with Cody, but it’s still so much of the same to me. The fans are abusive, manipulative. It’s an untenable relationship. Blah. And blah. It’s so repetitive now that in some ways, I’m almost finding more entertainment in it because it’s so over the top, it’s kind of/sort of funny. Orton was better than Cody in that Orton at least initially tried to talk sense into Cena rather than browbeat him for beating him up previously. Plus, Orton is better at chuckling at things in a real way as when Cody smirks, he just looks unintentionally smug. But the two showed good fire by the time it all wrapped up (no one told me the first half hour this week was commercial free?!). The family stuff was mildly fun and I suspect Orton’s family will play a role in the match at Backlash, even if it only leads to heartbreak. The segment overstayed its welcome to this viewer, but this was a step forward for Cena.
Cena held up his title to cheers from the live crowd. He then did the same bit he did on Monday, calling ring announcer Mark Nash into the ring, giving him a piece of paper to read and telling him to read it while the crowd went nuts with “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks!” chants. Nash said he apologized for being disrespectful and reintroduced Cena as the Greatest Of All Time, among other things, and as Nash yelled Cena’s name, most of the crowd cheered with approval.
As soon as Cena raised the microphone to speak, Randy Orton’s music played and Orton walked out through the entranceway. Orton milked the entrance for all it was worth and was given a microphone once inside the ring. “Randy!” chants broke out. The crowd was hot for both wrestlers. Orton said in a couple months, it will be 25 years to the day he and Cena first shook hands. Orton said he’s known Cena for 25 years and up until a few months ago, Cena had never changed. Orton recalled how Hustle, Loyalty and Respect was Cena’s mantra for every day of his life.
Orton said there is a void in Cena and he had been thinking about all the fans and kids that looked up to Cena for so long. Orton said Cena generations and generations of kids looked up to Cena and that should mean something to Cena. Orton referenced Cena’s history with the Make A Wish Foundation. Orton said Cena couldn’t tell him that all those children were just a number and as such, Orton has figured out how to fill Cena’s void: Cena needs to have kids.
Orton said Cena needs to become a father and grow up because it will make Cena a better human being. Cena smirked and slowly responded with a dire, “How dare you?” Cena asked Orton how he could parent-shame him in front of the whole world. Cena, “Congratulations, Randy Orton. You have children and you love them. Good for you.” Cena said the real reason he doesn’t have kids is because he’s spent the last 25 years “raising yours,” which meant the crowd. Cena said the real truth is that for the last 25 years, he has been a better parent to everyone’s children than the parents ever could be. Cena pointed out how a six year old in the crowd gave him the finger and called it classy, which was funny.
Cena said he had been policing brats like that kid for a quarter of a century. Cena told the kid to never bring a knife to a gunfight. Cena followed that up with “I bet your loser dad didn’t teach you that one.” Orton interjected and said the fans are the reason Cena is in the ring and the reason Cena made it to Hollywood. Orton said without the WWE Universe, there would be no WWE and the fans are the biggest reason Cena is still around. Orton said he’s made a lot of mistakes throughout his career, but he can go in the locker room and hold his head up high because he gets respect from his peers. Orton said he’s “here to stay” while Cena is “just a guest.”
Cena said he used to believe Orton’s perspective in that without the fans there would be no WWE. He said he used to think everyone won together, but wasn’t everyone; it was only Cena who won. Cena referenced the “Let’s Go Cena/Cena sucks” chant and the crowd, on cue, launched into another round of it. Cena called everyone hypocrites. Cena said once they get tired of Cena, they can put their energy into any other superstar, but if the roles are reversed, he’s labeled an outcast. Because of all this, Cena said his relationship with the fans is not functional. Cena said fans are manipulating the truth and called out someone else in the crowd for dressing like Jack Black. Cena said he is labeled as an outcast and guest for simply trying to do something different.
Orton responded by saying he was so stupid for thinking he could go out there and Cena would listen to what Orton had to say. Orton noted how he is part of one of wrestling’s royal families. Orton said wrestling will provide for him and his family until he’s six feet in the ground. As Orton went on, Cena told Orton to “Shut your mouth.” Cena said Orton doesn’t understand – Cena has already won 17 while Orton has won 14, but after Cena takes his belt home with him, Orton will be forever frozen at 14. Cena called Orton a babbling moron. Cena said he is going to erase three generations of Orton’s family. Orton got heated and demanded Cena put his title on the line “right here, right now.”
Cena held up his title and smugly said, “No.” Cena said like so many times like he’s done over the last 25 years, Cena is doing it to save Orton’s ass. Cena said, however, there should be a match, but it shouldn’t happen tonight. Cena said it should happen at Backlash because Backlash is in St. Louis and Orton is from St. Louis and Orton can spend the whole day with his family before the match. Cena said he will need Randy Orton at his best and at Backlash, when Orton fails, Orton will have no excuses. Cena told everyone to look at Cena because that’s what the last real champion looks like.
Cena held the title and said that was as close as Orton would ever get to the title and threw the title at Orton. Cena then stomped Orton out and lined up to hit Orton with the belt, but Orton ducked and gave Cena an RKO. Loud “Randy!”chants broke out. Orton grabbed the title and held it over his head while posing on the second rope. Orton’s music hit to end the segment and it was already half past the show’s first hour.
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– A video package on Fraxiom aired.
Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) vs. Los Garzas (Berto & Angel)
Boy, Fraxiom is so good and I’m happy they got a chance to shine on the big stage like this. Because of how long the first segment went, I was a bit worried they’d get their time cut, but eight-and-a-half minutes was probably about right. Frazer is just so fast and Axiom is so innovative when it comes to incorporating this stuff into the WWE style. Actually, they both are. Anyway, this instantly made the SmackDown tag division better/more interesting and while the bar was low, Fraxiom’s debut was the kick in the pants the division needed. Now if only that TLC match later on delivers … .
Axiom started the match with Berto and hit a dropkick before Frazer tagged in and kicked Berto in the head. Angel entered the match and instantly found himself on the outside of the ring. Fazer and Axiom hit dual dives on the heels before Axiom followed those up with a moonsault onto Berto and Angel on the outside of the ring. Back inside the ring, Axiom tagged in and worked a headlock on Berto. Axiom ran the ropes and Angel held up the ropes so Axiom fell through them and to the floor. The show then went to a commercial break as Angel ripped off his pants.
The show returned and Berto was working over Axiom until Axiom kicked Angel and got the hot tag to Frazer, who showed his speed on the ropes and hit an elbow and Slingblade on Berto. Frazer followed up with a running moonsault for a two-count. Berto kicked Frazer and tagged in Angel, who kicked Frazer as he attempted a springboard moonsault from the second rope. Berto tagged in and Los Garza want to the second rope to hit their finisher. Axiom broke up Los Garza’s pin attempt. “This is awesome!” chants began.
Axiom tagged in and traded blows with Angel. Angel went to the top, but Axiom cut him off. Frazer tagged himself in and Axiom hit a Spanish Fly off the top while Frazer followed it up with a Phoenix Splash to get his team the win.
Match Result: Fraxiom defeated Los Garzas (8:25)
The Tiffany Stratton/Jade Cargill segment
Cargill came off a bit as a heel here, so I wonder if a full turn is imminent. I always thought she was better as a heel in AEW than she was a babyface, so I can’t complain. Meanwhile, this felt rushed (thanks, Cena), and it kind of/sort of feels like they are trying to re-create what happened on Monday between Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY. To that, I say … we’ll see … .
Stratton made her entrance in her wrestling gear. Stratton started by asking the crowd what time it was and everyone loudly yelled “Tiffy tiime!” Stratton said she went toe-to-toe with one of the greatest of all time, Charlotte Flair. Stratton said in the end, she prevailed and she’s still the WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton said she was always told she was the next Charlotte Flair, but that was wrong because there is only one Tiffany Stratton. Jade Cargill’s music then hit and Cargill walked out in her wrestling gear, microphone in hand.
Cargill said she was there to give credit where it was due. Cargill said Tiffy’s match with Charlotte created a bigger target on Tiffy’s back. Since her business is over with Naomi, Cargill said she has nothing but time and Cargill said it was time for everyone to see how she got to WWE to become a champion. Cargill told Tiffy that just because she beat Charlotte, she’s not the best. In order to be the best, Cargill said Tiffy had to beat Cargill. Tiffy said that’s fine and she’d wrestle Cargill now if that’s what she wanted. A referee ran down and the match looked like it was going to start as the show went to a commercial break.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill
Umpf. This was a rough match. Wade Barrett had a point – I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Tiffy stumble on a Prettiest Moonsault Ever attempt, even dating back to NXT. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot along the way, so that means little to nothing, but it was jarring to see, for me at least. While I liked the grit of the match, things just seemed so out of sorts at times that I began to feel bad for the wrestlers. Cue the questions on if Cargill can stay afloat in singles WWE waters. As for the Jax return … meh. I can’t say I’m inspired by another Jax/Stratton program. If this was the beginning of a Jax/Naomi alliance, however, you have my attention.
Well, it turned out, they stood there (just staring at each other?) for a long commercial break before starting the match. The show returned and the bell rang. The two worked a slow pace to start things out and Tiffy extended her hand for a handshake. Cargill went for it, but Tiffy used it to whip Cargill into the ropes. After what appeared to be a tiny miscommunication, Cargill landed a backbreaker. Cargill ran at Tiffy and Tiffy tripped Cargill into the ropes. Tiffy followed that with a hip attack, but Cargill came right back with a spinebuster for a two count.
Cargill slammed Tiffy again in a weird spot, but it was only good enough for a one-and-a-half count. Tiffy hit a spinebuster of her own for a two-count. Tiffy hit her gymnastic-springboard splash in a corner for a two-count. Tiffy executed a second one for another two-count. Tiffy looked frustrated as the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Tiffy hit a rolling Senton. Tiffy went for a Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but she stumbled and Cargill moved. Cargill caught Tiffy after that and hit a powerbomb for a near-fall that woke up the crowd. Cargill went for a splash, but Tiffy moved and went for the gymanstics routine, but Cargill caught her. It didn’t matter because Tiffy came back with a basement dropkick for a nice near-fall. Tiffy went to the top, but Cargill cut her off and landed a super-plex from the second rope. Both wrestlers were down.
Tiffy rolled to the apron and Naomi ran out to attack Cargill to end the match. Naomi ran Cargill into the ring post repeatedly. Tiffy returned to the ring and Naomi rolled out of the ring. Nia Jax then attacked Stratton from behind and ragdolled Tiffy. Jax landed a leg drop on Tiffy and the crowd wanted another one. Instead, Jax dragged Tiffy to a corner and hit the A-Nia-Lator on Stratton. Jax held up the title to end the segment.
Match Result: WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill wrestled to a no contest [10:12]
The Jacob Fatu/LA Knight/Drew McIntyre segment
Will this match later on be where one, Mr. Black makes his triumphant return to WWE? We’ll see. As for this segment, I prefer Drew vs. Fatu if only because it’s so much fresher than Fatu vs. Knight. The verbal jabs here were fun, if not a little kids gloves-ish. Knight and McIntyre can go a lot harder on the mic and they just opted not to here for whatever reason. My only hope is that Fatu doesn’t just drop the U.S. belt in his first defense out of the gate, whenever that comes.
Fatu made his entrance with Solo Sikoa. Fatu wore the U.S. title around his neck and received a hell of a reaction from the live crowd. Fatu soaked in “Fatu!” chants. Sikoa asked the crowd to show love and respect for their new United States Champion, Jacob Fatu. Sikoa said everyone saw what he already at WrestleMania – that Jacob Fatu is the future of the company. Sikoa said nobody in his family wanted Fatu in WWE except for Sikoa.
Sikoa said everyone thought Fatu was too much of a risk, but Sikoa was the only reason Fatu was there and he was a champion. Fatu glared at Sikoa. Sikoa ranted and Fatu grabbed the microphone from Sikoa. The crowd cheered. Fatu told Sikoa to not get it twisted because he told Sikoa he would win the U.S. title. Fatu said he told Sikoa the U.S. title was coming home to the family and he’d do it with or without Sikoa. Fatu said that’s exactly what he did and he told Texas to look at their new U.S. champ. Fatu said he knows that the title makes him a menace to society and at the end of the day, Sikoa better “get in where he fit in.” Fatu said he’s all gas and no breaks and LA Knight’s music hit.
Knight walked out with a microphone. Knight said at Mania, Fatu ate a BFT. Knight recalled how Fatu grabbed the rope to get out of a pin attempt and capitalized on the opportunity and beat Knight in the middle of the ring. Knight said everyone told him he had a hell of a match at WrestleMania. Knight said he didn’t care about that, because he wanted his rematch, and he wanted it right now. Drew McIntyre’s music then hit and McIntyre made his entrance.
McIntyre stood in the entranceway with a microphone and said it wasn’t always easy being Drew McIntyre. McIntyre that much like Texas he has “some big guns.” McIntyre said at Mania, he beat Damian Priest in one of the most violent matches in Mania history. McIntyre looked into the camera and thanked Priest for allowed him to embarrass him in front of Priest’s family. McIntyre said the next plan was to challenge Cena for his world title, but Orton jumped the line. McIntyre wondered if it was Nepo Wrestling Entertainment.
McIntyre said he wants to fight the baddest dog in the yard, Jacob Fatu, as he stepped onto the apron. Knight mocked McIntyre speaking and McIntyre said Knight always has jokes, but the only joke around here was Knight’s last title run. Knight said he’d say McIntyre’s last title run was a joke, but he couldn’t remember it. Knight said if McIntyre thinks he deserves a title shot, McIntyre should step into the ring and show Knight. Nick Aldis walked out and told everyone to put on their tights in the back and later tonight, Knight will face McIntyre to determine the next No. 1 contender for the U.S. Championship.
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– Zelina Vega ran into Byron Saxton backstage and Saxton said Vega could become the new Women’s U.S. Champion tonight. Vega said tonight, she’s speechless because she’s wanted this for so long. Vega said in Texas, you go big or go home and she’ll leave with the U.S. title around her waist.
WWE Women’s U.S. Champion Chelsea Green defends against Zelina Vega
That’s a surprise. A double-edged one, too. I like Green’s act a lot and thought she brought a lot to the women’s secondary SmackDown belt. I also tend to like Vega and I don’t think she gets a fair shake from these live crowds who sit on their hands whenever she appears. It’s all so odd if it’s true that the first match that resulted in a count-out wasn’t supposed to end in a count-count. If that doesn’t happen, does that mean Vega never gets this title? Either way, this was a nice surprise and I’m looking forward to Green being in chase/brat mode because that’s what she does best.
Green ran at Vega to start the match, but Vega ultimately took control early. Vega was on the apron and Green dropkicked her off the apron to the outside. Fyre threw Vega into the LED board and Niven followed that up with a Senton on the outside while Green distracted the referee. Green posed on the second rope and the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and the two were battling on the top rope. The sequence ended with a German Suplex from Vega to Green off the middle rope. Vega clotheslined Green repeatedly before hitting a spinning back elbow. Vega went to the second rope and landed a Meteora for a two-count. Fyre hopped onto the apron and Vega hit Fyre. Vega turned her attention back with Green with a Backstabber and set up for a 619, but Niven tripped Vega. The referee then kicked Niven and Fyre out of ringside and to the back. Green tried to take advantage of Vega’s attention being elsewhere, but Vega countered with a Code Red and got the win.
Match Result: Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green to win the WWE Women’s United States Championship (7:15)
– Melo was shown backstage with the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal winning trophy. He was with The Miz, who said he sacrificed himself for Melo because he has a vision for Melo. Miz then presented Melo with a chain that had Andrade’s head on it. Melo said the chain represents the chip that is on his shoulder. Melo said he’s larger than life and is the 10th wonder of the world. Melo said he is Him. Miz said he Melo inspired him and because of that, he is going to make his moment in the ring.
The Miz/Aleister Black segment
If this was how Black was going to be reintroduced, there wasn’t much else you could ask for here. It was a Miz segment and it was predictable on every level because of that. I’m happy to see Black back. I’d be lying if I said I don’t wonder about how both he and Rusev will fare in their return from what I guess was the depths of whatever their definition of hell was in AEW. I put little stock in rumors and rumblings and all that, so I’m willing to think that maybe they both simply just weren’t good fits in AEW’s structural approach and we can all move on. If these returns to WWE don’t work, though, and neither wrestler gets over to the degree they might seem to think they should be over, my eyebrow will be raised.
Miz stood in the ring coming out of commercial and he said since 2007, he’s been an integral part of WrestleMania, but this year, he had no match or no mention. He reminded everyone how he main-evented Maina once and beat John Cena, which is something Cody Rhodes couldn’t even do. Miz noted how he’s been there for 20 years. He asked what he has to do – wear a lucha mask and call himself Rey? Miz referenced how Randy Orton needed an opponent but instead, Joe Hendry got the opportunity.
Miz reminded everyone that he is the A-Lister and the most must-see superstar of all time. The lights went out and we saw candles lit near the entrance. Lo and behold, rising up from the floor was Aleister Black, who looked in great shape and made his entrance. Black executed his former WWE entrance to a T, beat for beat. “Welcome back!” chants broke out. Black looked around and soaked in the cheers. Miz walked towards Black and Black hit Black Mass on Miz. Black then sat down next to Miz to end the segment.
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– Saxton interviewed Bianca Belair backstage and brought up how Belair broke a couple fingers. Belair said even though things didn’t go her way, she was very proud of their match at Mania. Belair said it won’t be the last time she sees Rhea Ripley because Ripley inserted herself into a match she didn’t deserve. Belair said when she returns, she will have some business she will need to address.
– Naomi was shown walking backstage and she ran into Jax, who told Naomi to stay out of her way when it comes to Tiffy and Tiffy’s title. Naomi said she will as long as Jax proceeds with caution.
Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight
This was fun while it lasted, but I fear that the U.S. title picture is becoming the tag team title picture on SmackDown, what with all these different storylines overlapping. So, to get this straight, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest are involved in wanting Jacob Fatu’s U.S. title – but that’s only because McIntyre and Priest’s blood feud spilled into this section of the program … and perhaps Solo Sikoa is one Friday away from putting his name in the hat as well? Too many cooks, maybe? Too many cooks. Still, this match was fine while it lasted. I wasn’t anticipating a clean winner and I did not get a clean winner. At some point, SmackDown is going to need to be more creative; I just don’t know when that some point is going to come.
The two locked up to start the match and McIntyre slammed Knight before posing. The pace was slow. Knight came back, took McIntyre down and posed as well. Knight worked a side head-lock until McIntyre shot him off and took Knight down with a clothesline. Knight responded with a back suplex and the two traded chops after that. McIntyre was thrown outside and Knight followed him. McIntyre rolled back into the ring and Knight tried to follow, but McIntyre shoulder-blocked Knight off the apron and into the crowd barrier.
Knight rolled back into the ring and McIntyre pounded on Knight before hitting a Brainbuster for a two-count. McIntyre kicked Knight in the midsection as Knight tried to avoid McIntyre in a corner. McIntyre chopped Knight. Knight chopped McIntyre and then McIntyre stomped on Knight repeatedly. McIntyre taunted Knight and set up for a vertical suplex, but Knight blocked it. McIntyre still came away from things with the upper hand as he beat Knight down … until Knight suplexed McIntyre out of nowhere to reset the match.
Knight hit a leaping clothesline and a Russian Leg Sweep after firing up. Knight followed that up with a jumping neck-breaker for a two-count. McIntyre landed a Glasglow Kiss and set up for a Future Shock DDT, but Knight countered and it ended up with Knight’s second-rope leaping elbow for a two-count. Knight went for a BFT, but McIntyre worked out of it and got to the outside, where Knight hit a dropkick through the ropes. Knight repeatedly slammed McIntyre’s head on the announce desk.
Knight rolled McIntyre back into the ring and the referee was tending to McIntyre as Solo Sikoa appeared out of nowhere gave the Samoan Spike to Knight. Sikoa rolled Knight into the ring and McIntyre set up for a Claymore Kick, but Damian Priest showed up and pulled McIntyre out of the ring. Priest attacked McIntyre and hit a South Of Heaven on McIntyre through the announce desk. Priest tried to leave and ran into Knight, who jawed at Priest. Jacob Fatu came out of nowhere and wiped both Knight and Priest out with a splash.
Fatu rolled Priest and Knight into the ring and landed a hip attack on Knight. Fatu followed that up with a jump-up moonsault on Knight and a hip attack on Priest. Fatu gave Priest the jump-up moonsault treatment as well. “Fatu!” chants filled the building and Fatu held his title high to end the segment.
Match Result: Drew McIntyre defeated LA Knight via DQ (9:25)
– John Cena was shown walking backstage and ran into R-Truth, who said if Cena ever needed him, Cena could give him a call. Jimmy Uso walked into the frame and Truth told Jimmy he still wants to be like Cena when he grows up. Jimmy said Truth is already grown up, though. There was no real need for this.
– Next week, Aleister Black will face The Miz. That was the only match advertised. From there, we went to the introductions for the TLC match.
WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. #DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns in a TLC title match
This was really, really good. Look. It’s not a Ladder War. It’s not GCW. It’s not even AEW. It was the traditional WWE TLC match with the spots you expect to look for, but these guys executed those spots (save for Dawkins’s spear off the ladder, which was definitely not as good-looking as Edge’s from a million years ago) well and they even added some new wrinkles to the WWE TLC cannon. It’s all to say, these six guys worked safe and hard and they should be applauded for that. Would I have rather seen this match on the Maina card than, say, AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul? As a matter of fact, I would. Everyone went out there with something to prove and they proved it (ish). Two standouts were Ciampa, who volunteered to take the worst of the punishment, and Tessitore, who put over this match like he was actually calling a WrestleMania bout. Good, hard work all around and if “The SmackDown After WrestleMania” is a thing (like the commentary team referenced many times throughout the night), this was a solid way to end the festivities.
Ciampa and Gargano had the upper hand to start things and they grabbed a ladder, but MCMG dropkicked the ladder into #DIY. MCMG pounded on the Profits until #DIY broke it up. A minute-and-a-half into the match, MCMG started pointed at the titles. Sabin went for a five-hole dive on Gargano, but Gargano held up a chair and Sabin wound up diving into a chair. Dawkins inserted himself and ran Gargano’s head into the ring post. Dawkins was the first to set up a ladder in the middle of the ring, but Sabin hopped on Dawkins’s back. Shelley helped and hit a Dragon Screw Leg Whip on Dawkins’s leg to get him off the ladder.
MCMG went to work on #DIY and Shelley teased climbing the ladder until Ford popped up. Dawkins returned to theh ring and got the ladder out of the way to land 360 splashes on MCMG. Sabin then knocked Dawkins off the top rope and MCMG went to work on Dawkins. Sabin grabbed a chair and Shelley hit a basement dropkick to the head of Dawkins with the chair assist. Sabin followed that with a missile dropkick on Ford from the top – with the chair assist as well. Shelley sold arm pain in a way that made it look like he may have well had some serious arm pain.
Ciampa and Gargano rammed the ladder into Dawkins’s head before Ford hit a dive over the ring post onto all the teams. Ford put another ladder in the ring and Ciampa and Gargano cut Ford off. Gargano came off one ladder and hit a twisted Flatline on Ford, ladder to ladder. Ciampa looked like he was going to win the match, but Dawkins showed up and pulled Ciampa off the ladder. The titles were swinging and Dawkins slammed Gargano from high on the ladder.
Ciampa climbed the ladder and Sabin cut Ciampa off, but Dawkins pushed the ladder over. Shelley returned to the action, so he turns out he was OK, which was good. A chair was placed around Shelley’s neck and Gargano swung a chair into the chair around Shelley’s neck. Gargano suplexed Sabin onto a chair and #DIY worked over Dawkins with chairs. Dawkins came back and hit a twisted double-arm DDT on Gargano onto two chairs. The Profits fired up and grabbed a table from the outside. Ciampa was on Dawkins’s shoulders and Ford landed a running Blockbuster from the inside onto the outside and all six men were down.
“This is awesome!” chants broke out. Ford grabbed a fan’s prosthetic leg and beat Gargano with it. Ford draped a ladder outside the ring, but Ciampa ran Ford into it. The action slowed down briefly as furniture was set up all around the ring. Dawkins was sprawled out on a table. Sabin hit a splash onto Dawkins while on the table from the top on the outside. Ford set Ciampa up on a table and flipped himself onto Ciampa through a table on the outside. Again, “This is awesome!” chants began to emanate from the crowd.
Ford super-kicked Ciampa on the apron as the two fought. Ciampa returned the favor. Ciampa then hit White Noise on Ford through the ladder that was draped on the outside of the ring. Inside the ring, Gargano climbed the ladder, but was cut off via Shelley. Sabin and Gargano fought on the apron. Sabin and Shelley hit Skull and Bones on Gargano through a table on the outside of the ring. More “This is awesome!” chants broke out.
Back inside the ring, Ciampa fired himself up to climb up the ladder. Ciampa got to the top and it looked like he could have taken the titles, but MCMG removed the ladder from Ciampa, who hung from the belt holder. Dawkins got on top of a ladder and a table was placed below Ciampa. Dawkins speared Ciampa from the top of the ladder through a table. It wasn’t the cleanest spear ever. Shelley and Sabin took their time to set up a ladder and Gargano showed up to throw a chair at the head of Shelley.
Gargano climbed the ladder, but Sabin met him at the top. The two traded blows at the top of the ladder. Sabin knocked Gargano off the top but out of nowhere, Ford leapt onto the ladder and knocked Sabin down. Just when it looked like Ford would win Gargano pulled him down. Then, just when it looked like Gargano would win, Sabin showed up. Ford, Gargano and Sabin battled at the top of the ladder in a wild spot. Ford got the best of them all and unhooked the belts for the win.
Tez and Dawkins posed on top of the ladder after the match before replays aired. The Profits celebrated in the ring and got the crowd to celebrate with them. The Profits went out into the crowd and celebrated with them as the show ended.
Match Result: WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) and Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) in a TLC match to retain (22:52)
