Charlotte Flair teamed with Bobby Roode to advance in the Mixed Match Challenge as the first round concluded in Phoenix, Arizona.
The “Robe Warriors” defeated the team of Nia Jax & Apollo in advancing to the next round of the tournament. Following the match was the first time an angle took place on the show when Nia turned on Titus Worldwide after her team lost.
Charlotte & Bobby move on to the quarterfinals where they meet Rusev & Lana in three weeks time. The quarterfinals begin next week with Sasha Banks & Finn Balor against Asuka & The Miz. Technically every team still has a chance to advance until week eleven in the tournament since a fan vote can save one team by adding them to a semifinal match.
Besides the novelty of a mixed tag team tournament, the series has a philanthropic aspect with each team choosing a charity to represent. Charlotte & Roode are supporting Girl Up as their charity, while Jax & Crews are representing Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The winners of the tournament will receive a $100,000 donation to their charity, though $10,000 will also be donated to every other team’s charity.
The show opened with Michael Cole claiming the Mixed Match Challenge was the “most interactive show in the world.” Well, there is a comments section. A team from the tournament is usually trolling in the thread. This week that team was Naomi & Jimmy Uso.
Viewers could also leave emoji responses during the show. Corey Graves even demonstrated this on the air. Cole might have a point with his previous claim. I remain skeptical.
Mashing up their entrances, Charlotte & Bobby went together like peanut butter and jelly. They both complimented each other — complete with matching robes. Thus, they are called the Robe Warriors.
Nia Jax & Apollo seemed to get along — but Nia and Titus Worldwide not so much. Titus O’Neil and Dana Brooke accompanied Nia & Apollo to the ring — and Nia bickered with them from the start.
Charlotte Flair & Bobby Roode defeated Nia Jax & Apollo
Bobby Roode pinned Apollo to win the match. Like most matches in the tournament, there was plenty of gaga. That began when Bobby Roode did a strut. Charlotte was having none of that. She proceeded to demonstrate the proper way to strut. Bobby kept doing his best Ric Flair, and Bobby’s “woo” needed work. Charlotte noted that in a running joke.
Dana Brooke interfered by tripping Charlotte, which allowed Nia to strike. Nia nevertheless scolded Dana for interfering — yelling “stay out of my business!” Nia soon found herself dropkicked out of the ring. Charlotte did the “glorious” pose.
“Not bad,” Bobby Roode remarked.
Something not so good, Charlotte and Nia ran through some spots with several hiccups. After another distraction by Titus Worldwide at ringside, Nia shoved Charlotte off the apron to the floor. Nia got in Dana’s face and yelled at her for interfering again. Apollo tried to play peacemaker. The argument allowed Charlotte to gain the advantage on a distracted Nia.
Charlotte went after a knee, and soon applied a figure four leglock. Nia escaped to set up a hot tag. The pace quickened.
As they went home, Bobby countered a standing moonsault by Apollo. At the same time, Charlotte did a moonsault off the top rope on to Nia. Bobby then delivered the Glorious DDT for the pinfall.
Renee Young interviewed the winners. Charlotte gave a “woo” and Bobby tried to do the same with mixed results. The running joke cotinued.
Following the post-match interview, Nia Jax cut a promo on Titus Worldwide. Apollo bent down to assist in giving Titus a classic schoolboy when Nia shoved Titus. Nia blocked a punch from Dana, and then she executed a Samoan Drop on Dana. While Nia clearly turned on Titus Worldwide, Apollo’s future with the group remained in question as the show closed.
As Nia stormed off, the announcers plugged her match this Sunday against Asuka. Not only was Asuka mentioned at that point in the show, she and Miz earlier had cut a promo hyping their match next week. Their opponents also cut a promo building towards Sasha Banks & Finn Balor against Asuka & The Miz when the quarterfinals begin next Tuesday.
Date: February 20, 2018 Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ
The Big Takeaway —
The only somewhat interesting thing that happened on Smackdown was a backstage segment where Sami Zayn informed Kevin Owens he was completely behind him and would lay down for him in the WWE title match at Fastlane. Owens appeared frightened and bewildered.
Three title matches were seemingly made for Fastlane, but there’s a chance two of them end up getting changed. Bobby Roode will defend his US title against Randy Orton, a match made by Shane McMahon despite Daniel Bryan thinking Jinder Mahal deserved the shot. The New Day cheated again to defeat Gable and Benjamin to earn a tag title match against the Usos. Also, Charlotte Flair will defend the Women’s title against Ruby Riott.
Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin both lost tonight.
Show Recap —
No intro this week. Renee Young was in the ring and introduced us to AJ Styles. Young began asking her question but the crowd loudly chanted for Styles and he motioned for her to stop. Young asked if Styles still felt in control of his destiny as the crowd chanted “too sweet.”
Styles was confident he could beat anyone he faces and has backed up that claim his whole life. However, he knew anything could happen in a fatal five-way. He said it would feel good to put Kevin Owens through the announce table, or slam “ginger face” Sami Zayn into the steel steps, but knew a move like that left an opening for someone else to pick up the pinfall in the ring.
Styles ran down each guy in the match and said he could beat any one of them individually. Baron Corbin interrupted before Styles could get to him. The crowd booed Corbin as he spoke. Corbin said the last time he faced Styles he won the US Title and he won the rematch. Styles seemed confused but then he remembered that was a real thing that happened.
Corbin said he has Styles’ number and he’ll pin whoever he wants to win the title. Owens interrupted. He said Styles was the one who would end up through a table, then Corbin called him a punk. Owens said Corbin was handed an opportunity by Shane McMahon even though he doesn’t belong anywhere near the title.
Styles told a joke that completely died, asking if Owens had the boil (Zayn) lanced off his back. Owens ranted some more and made a comment about Zayn having all night to prepare for Dolph Ziggler but he still failed. Shane McMahon interrupted next. He heard enough talking and booked Corbin vs. Styles and Owens vs. Ziggler.
Kevin Owens defeated Dolph Ziggler (12:45)
Ziggler used three dropkicks in the first two minutes of the match. Much of the early portion of the match happened outside the ring, with each guy taking turns tossing each other into the announce table and barricade. Owens got the better of the exchange, but Ziggler nailed a vertical suplex back in the ring. Ziggler missed a Stinger splash and Owens followed with a cannonball for two.
After a break, Ziggler spiked Owens with a jumping DDT. Owens went shoulder first into the post and Ziggler followed with a neckbreaker for two. Owens came back with a gutbuster and elbow drop for two. Owens went for a senton off the top but Ziggler got his knees up and hit a Fameasser for a nearfall.
Ziggler slipped out of a pop-up powerbomb and hit a Zig-Zag but Owens kicked out. Ziggler used a Stinger splash and went for another one but abruptly stopped running when he heard Zayn’s music hit. Zayn ran down the ramp but stopped before entering the ring and the distraction allowed Owens to nail a superkick to the side of Ziggler’s head for the win.
Good match. Corey Graves noted the loss was Ziggler’s own fault for not paying attention.
They aired a sponsored video package for Charlotte Flair.
Jinder Mahal came out with Sunil Singh. They both wore all black. Mahal’s voice was gone from the beginning. Mahal said he made a startling discovery about Bobby Roode. He claimed Roode has his own Smackdown Top 10 list and showed it on the screen. Roode was number one, and Mahal and Randy Orton weren’t listed. Mahal called Roode arrogant or whatever.
Roode interrupted. He said he didn’t know what that was and that certainly wasn’t his list. Roode did have a secret about Mahal, that he can’t even make a top 10 list. (My feed cut out for a moment here.) Mahal wanted Roode to admit that he thought he was better than Orton and that he was afraid. Roode wasn’t biting and let Mahal know he wasn’t afraid of him either.
Mahal said he should be afraid because he beat Orton to win the title. Roode cut him off and told him to stop talking about Orton. Roode got in his face when Orton interrupted. Orton faced off with Roode, then punched Mahal in the face. Roode knocked Mahal out of the ring and chased away Sunil. Orton was about to give Roode an RKO but he countered into a Glorious DDT.
Roode shouted at Orton that he wasn’t going to get him twice. Roode was about to pose when Mahal jumped in from behind and gave him a Khallas. This sucked.
They cut to Daniel Bryan and McMahon backstage. Bryan thought Mahal should get a title shot but McMahon thought it should be Orton. They had a completely unnatural argument which ended with McMahon booking Orton vs. Roode for the title at Fastlane. Bryan said, “Whatever you want, boss” and left.
They went to commercial two minutes into the match. Back from break, they aired a commercial for the Mixed Match Challenge. Don’t they know there’s a match happening? When they finally returned, the crowd chanted for Lynch as she worked over the arm of Ruby Riott.
Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault on Liv Morgan but she was pulled out of the ring by her teammates. Naomi hit them with a dive but Morgan drove her into the steel steps as Lynch and Flair watched from the apron.
Logan applied a submission on Naomi, which Graves referred to as a modified Anaconda Vise. Naomi used a hurricanrana and tagged in Charlotte who ran wild on Logan. Morgan distracted her which allowed Logan to hit a chop block. Charlotte fought back anyway and made the hot tag to Lynch, who it Logan with a missile dropkick.
Riott tagged in and Lynch gave her two Exploders and flying forearm. Lynch applied the Disarmer but Morgan broke it up. Everyone jumped in and traded moves until Riott gave Lynch a Riott kick for the pinfall win. Not a good match.
Zayn found Owens backstage. Owens claimed he was looking for Zayn to thank him, but Zayn said he’s the one who wanted to thank Owens. Zayn said now he was in main events and wants to do what’s right, which was payback his friend.
Owens asked if he was serious and Zayn said yes. Together, they could take out everyone at Fastlane until it was just them. Zayn said he was laid down for Owens in the centre of the ring so Owens could become champion and main event WrestleMania. Zayn hugged Owens who looked baffled. This was good.
Big E & Xavier Woods (w/Kofi Kingston) defeated Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin to become number one contenders for the tag titles (6:45)
They’ve added graphics to New Day’s entrance. Giant, colourful letters are superimposed on the screen as Big E does his usual spiel, even though the crowd has it memorized already. They could just flash the words on the giant video board on the stage.
Gable and Benjamin seemed to have the match won but Kingston distracted the referee long enough to allow Woods to break up the cover. Woods then gave Benjamin a forearm and shining wizard for the win. Graves noted how ridiculous this was. This will probably lead to a triple threat tag match at the PPV.
New Day’s celebration was cut short by the Bludgeon Brothers who entered for their match.
Charlotte did a selfie promo where she appeared to accept a title match against Ruby Riott.
Bludgeon Brothers defeated two jobbers (1:28)
Harper and Rowan slammed both guys on the mats outside the ring, then Rowan scoop slammed Harper onto both men, which was great. They won with the crucifix bomb.
Riott, flanked by her pals, did a selfie promo where she said she would accept a match against Charlotte if she put her title on the line. I guess they aired these out of order because this was the promo Charlotte was responding to earlier.
The Smackdown announce team plugged the Raw PPV.
Corbin did a selfie promo where he basically repeated what he said earlier tonight. They added colourful, superimposed lettering for this one.
They aired a video package for Shinsuke Nakamura.
Charlotte vs. Riott for the title was made official for Fastlane (made by Daniel Bryan), as well as Roode defending his title against Orton.
Non-title match: WWE Champion AJ Styles defeated Baron Corbin (12:12)
Well into the match, there was a spot where Corbin tossed Styles over the announce table but Styles actually landed on his feet, ran up to the apron and hit a springboard forearm for a nearfall. The announcers made sure to note Styles didn’t get the height he normally does on a Phenomenal forearm. Corbin followed with an impressive-looking Deep Six for a nearfall.
Styles applied the Calf Crusher but Corbin slammed his head against the mat to escape. Styles set up on the apron when Corbin went after him and began choking him. Styles shoved him off though and hit the Phenomenal forearm for the win.
As replays aired, Owens and Zayn jumped Styles. They cleared the announce table but Corbin laid out both guys with End of Days.
The Big Takeaway: The go-home show for Elimination Chamber had, technically, the longest match in Raw history. It was a gauntlet match with Braun Strowman winning over the Miz. The match was aimed at reigniting Seth Rollins, who pinned Roman Reigns and John Cena, working well over an hour before losing to Elias. The main event featured Mickie James and Alexa Bliss once again workng together, this time with James saving Bliss from an attack by Absolution.
Show Recap:
Braun Strowman pinned the Miz to win a Gauntlet Match that also included Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Elias, Finn Balor and John Cena (1:53:32)
Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns (21:07)
Reigns hit a spinning slam for a two count. Rollins came back with a blockbuster and a sling blade, but started selling his left knee. Rollins caught a springboard clothesline and followed with a clothesline over the top rope to send Reigns to the floor. Rollins attempted a tope, but Reigns crossed up the spot with a right hand and drilled Rollins with the Drive-By. Rollins called for the Superman Punch, but Rollins kicked him in the midsection and used the Buckle Bomb, but Reigns bounced off the turnbuckle and landed the Superman Punch.
After a commercial, Rollins missed a Frog Splash. Regins fired a few uppercuts, but Rollins threw him over the top rope, soared through the second rope with a tope, and came back with another. Rollins did a springboard, but Reigns greeted him with a Superman Punch for a good false finish. Reigns attempted the spear, but Rollins caught him with a kick, then attempted a Curb Stomp, but Reigns countered that into a schoolboy cradle, only to have Rollins reverse that into a cradle for the clean pin. After initial disbelief, Reigns just smirked and wanted to shake Rollins’ hand. Before they could, John Cena came out for the next part of the gauntlet match.
Seth Rollins pinned John Cena (28:25)
After that well-paced match with Reigns and Rollins, Cena started immediately with rest holds. Cena tried to get a countout victory but Rollins rolled back into the ring. Cena used three consecutive belly-to-belly suplexes for a two count. Cena went for the AA, but Rollins escaped and dropped a DDT. Cena ducked a punch, picked up Rollins for a slam and teased a power clean into the AA, but instead dropped Rollins into a stunner for a two count. Cena kept telling Rollins to stay down, I suppose to save himself up for the Elimination Chamber. Rollins teased that he was on the verge of being knocked out after selling some of Cena’s right hands. Cena was almost a subtle heel, telling Rollins there were lots of guys waiting to enter the match, Rollins was nearly out and Cena felt great.
Rollins fired up and made a brief comeback, but Cena hit an elbow. Cena bumped Rollins off the apron to send Rollins to the floor, and again Cena was content with a countout victory, but Rollins got back into the ring at nine. Cena backdropped Rollins over the top rope, but Rollins landed on the apron and attempted a springboard, but Cena caught Rollins bad left leg and clamped on the STF. Rollins escaped to hit the Sling Blade. Rollins attempted the vertical suplex into a Falcoln Arrow, but Cena countered that into a Blue Thunder driver. Cena teased the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Rollins kicked Cena to the ropes and landed a Superkick for two. They fought on the apron, where Cena dodged a charge by Rollins, who ran into the post. But Cena missed a charge and plowed into the ring steps. They teased a double countout finish but both men got back in the ring. Cena landed the side slam, the Five Knuckle Shuffle and went for the AA, but Rollins turned it into a sunset flip for two. Then Rollins clamped on the crossface in the center of the ring. Cena powered out with Rollins on his shoulders and tried the AA, but Rollins landed on his feet and caught an enzuigiri.
Rollins raced to the ropes for a Frog Splash, but Cena kicked out for a near fall. Cena went for the Ripcord, but Cena hit the AA, and Rollins kicked out for a great near fall. Rollins had been in the ring for over 50 minutes and the fans chanted “Burn it Down” in appreciation of the effort. Cena went to the top rope, but Rollins hit the vertical superlex/Falcon Arrow combination for another great near fall. Rollins attempted the curb stomp, but Cena moved and put on the STF again. Rollins got to the ropes, then missed an enzuigiri. Cena put the STF on again and Rollins got to the ropes again. Rollins rolled out of the ring. Cena set up Rollins for the Super AA, but Rollins got out. Cena jumped off the second rope, but Rollins caught Cena, rolled through and scored the AA. Cena kicked out of his own finisher. Crowd was loving this and they were 57 minutes into the match at this point. Cena & Rollins had been in there for over 35 minutes. Rollins missed the Phoenix Splash and Cena hit the AA, then tried to roll through and hit another, but Rollins came back with the Ripcord and followed with the Curb Stomp for the pin.
Elias next in.
As Elias held Rollins in a half crab, Renee Young interviewed Cena in the back. Cena did an UFC-style interview where he said Rollins is trying to be “Mr. Monday Night,” but he had a bigger goal of trying to get to WrestleMania. Cena gave Rollins credit that he made a mistake, and he has some distractions to deal with right now. For now, Cena said he has six days to figure out a path to WrestleMania.
Elias defeated Rollins (8:26)
Elias won clean after Drift Away. There was a groan from the crowd after Elias got the three count. Crowd chanted “Thank you, Seth” as he limped to the back with the help of several officials.
Balor came in next. Rollins did an interview with Young. Rollins looked disappointed saying he guesses pinning two of the all time greats tonight means something, but it won’t mean anything if he can’t win the Elimination Chamber.
Finn Balor defeated Elias (17:03)
Crowd started chanting for Strowman as Elias worked on Balor’s left arm. Balor made his comeback with a series of forearms, but the crowd just wasn’t hot for him. Elias went to the top rope, but Balor kicked him across the head and punted Elias with the Woo Dropkick on the floor. Balor hit the Sling Blade, but Elias countered with a clothesline and a Liger Bomb for a two count. After a commercial, Balor popped the crowd with a kick to Elias’ face on the apron. Elias kicked out and immediately moved into a Fujiwara armbar. Balor got to his feet and hit a double stomp for a two count. Balor ducked a clothesline and scored with the Sling Blade, followed by the Woo Dropkick and the Coup de Grace for the pin.
Elias did an interview with Young said he would have the advantage since he’s entering last. He said he’ll pick the bones from five other men, apparently forgetting that it’s six men now. Michael Cole had to correct him afterwards.
The Miz defeated Finn Balor (11:31)
Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas came out of the regular entrance. As Balor had his back turned, Miz ran through the crowd and jumped Balor from behind to score two Pimp Juice DDTs, each for two counts. Miz clamped on an armbar and dropped it across the ropes. Balor sold it like George St. Pierre had him in an armbar. Miz continued with the armbar before Balor pulled off the Final Cut. Balor escaped the Skull Crushing Finale and used a victory roll for a two count. With the referee’s back turned, Dallas grabbed at Balor’s bad arm. Miz followed with an O’Connor Roll for a two count. Balor wiped out Axel and Dallas with a somersault tope. In the ring, Balor hit the Woo Dropkick on Mix. Axel and Dallas jumped on the apron as Balor went for the Coup de Grace. Miz got up and crotched Balor, and got the pin with the Skull Crushing Finale.
Miz seemed happy to win, but then remembered that Strowman was the final man in the gauntlet match. Strowman got a good top babyface reaction.
Young interviewed Balor, who said on Sunday, the MizTourage will be locked out of the chamber and the Miz will be locked in the Chamber with six other guys. He vowed to beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.
Braun Strowman pinned the Miz (11:00) to win the Gauntlet Match
Miz rolled out of the ring and tried to run away, but Strowman chased him down near the commentator’s table and dragged Miz back to the ring. Strowman tossed Miz around, doing several beal throws. Miz came out of the corner but Strowman hit a dropkick, then clubbed Miz across the chest while he was draped over his knee. Strowman took a bump over the top rope. Miz ran after him on the floor, but Strowman plowed Miz to the floor. As Strowman was distracted by Dallas and Axel, Miz ran up from behind and hit the Skull Crushing Finale. Strowman kicked out and Miz took a bump out of the ring and fell onto Axel and Dallas. Strowman got the pin with a running powerslam.
Charly Caruso did an interview with Strowman, who said he doesn’t fear the unknown, the unknown fears me. Strowman called Miz “Beastie Boy” and said he wasn’t finished with him. Strowman said Miz was going to get these hands. Strowman went after Dallas and Axel, pulled them both back in the ring and gave both of them running powerslams. Strowman chased Miz to the back and threw him back on the ramp. Strowman threw Miz down the ramp and back in the ring to deliver another running powerslam. Strowman started to leave, but the crowd wanted more and gave Miz another powerslam.
They showed a Jeff Jarrett Hall of Fame video package, starting with his original WWE vignettes and the Road Dogg Jesse James as his manager. They also showed his run as a main eventer in the downward spiral known as 2000 WCW. They showed his angle with Ben Stiller in 1999 where Jarrett put Stiller in the Figure Four Leglock. The segment ended with “With my Baby Tonight” palying over the PA system. Jarrett will be the fourth man to enter the WWE and TNA Halls of Fame, joining the Dudley Boyz, Sting and Kurt Angle. Probably the only other person who will join that group will be Gail Kim someday.
Young did an in-ring interview with Asuka about Nia Jax potentially beating her. Asuka said she controls her own destiny and her destiny is to win the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Asuka got lost with her script here. She froze and had to endure some catcalls. Jax tried to jump Asuka from behind, but Asuka met her with a kick and some punched. Jax overpowered Asuka with a Samoan Drop and several legdrops.
Cole introduced a package of Ronda Rousey to play up her Raw Contract Signing at Elimination Chamber. They showed Rousey appearing on Jimmy Kimmell, Conan O’Brien and Jimm Fallon with Charlotte, Naomi and Stephanie McMahon putting her over. They showed her working out in a “Bo Lieve” t-shirt, of all things. It was a great piece.
Titus O’Neil and Apollo defeated Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus in a nontitle match (4:30)
A fan at ringside had a sign that read “Push Apollo Crews” that got a rise out of the crowd after Cesaro had some byplay with him. Titus O’Neil pinned Cesaro with a schoolboy cradle after Cesaro missed a shoulder charge into the corner. Crowd was dead until the surprise finish.
Matt Hardy will face Bray Wyatt at Elimination Chamber. This led to a Wyatt promo. He said some say the end in near. He hopes they’re right, not just because of the fans but because of Hardy. His end with be at the Elimination Chamber. Hardy popped up on the screen and said he and Wyatt have been battling since the beginning of time and their battle is just beginning. Hardy said Wyatt must be rendered obsolete. Hardy said with the Woken Warriors by his side, Wyatt will surrender to being obsolete and become deleted.
Absolution did a promo in the back with what appeared to be an iPhone. Rose said since she and DeVille are partners, they can team up against the other four women in the Elimination Chamber and win the Raw Women’s Championship.
Sasha Banks, Mickie James and Bayley defeated Mandy Rose, Sonya DeVille and Alexa Bliss via tapout (15:53)
Rose got the heat on Bayley, including dropping Bayley face first when Bayley attempted a kick over. Bliss only tagged in when Bayley was down, much to the dismay of DeVille. They did the old “referee didn’t see the tag” spot when Banks tried to tag in. That led to Banks and Rose somehow colliding head-to-head. James got the hot tag instead. James came off the top rope with the Thesz Press on Rose and a Mick Kick on DeVille. Later, DeVille grabbed James’ leg and Rose hit her from behind. Rose used an abdominal stretch and an inverted gut wrench suplex. James hit the flying head scissors on DeVille, but DeVille recovered to take down James with a double leg. James gave both Rose and DeVille a neckbreaker to make the tag to Banks. Sasha used the double knees to take down Rose as all six women got in the ring. Banks tried to pin Bliss with a schoolgirl cradle, but Bliss reversed it. Bliss violently sent Banks into the corner, but Banks got a schoolgirl cradle into the Bank Statement for the tapout.
DeVille and Rose laid out Banks and Bayley postmatch. Bliss was standing alone with DeVille and Rose, who backed Bliss into a corner. Then James came to the aid of Bliss, and the two teamed together to rid the ring of Rose. Together, they took out DeVille with a double team DDT. Rose and Bliss left together and appeared to be a unified tandem.
Previously: Johnny Impact defeated Alberto El Patron, Ethan Carter III, and Moose to earn an Impact World Championship title shot.
Tonight: Impact World Champion Austin Aries defends against Eli Drake
Show Recap —
Bobby Lashley defeated Sami Callihan (w/ OVE) by DQ
OVE interfered to give Callihan the early advantage. They fought on the floor at ringside for most of the match. Callihan kicked Lashley in the face, but it just fired him up. Lashley hit the spear, but OVE jumped in for the disqualification.
OVE continued the beatdown until Eddie Edwards ran out for the save.
– At the LAX Clubhouse, LAX played a game of dominos. Konnan is sending Homicide to Mexico City to expand business. Ortiz and Santana will take care of Trevor Lee and Caleb Konley.
– In the flashback moment of the week, Braxton Sutter left Laurel Van Ness at the altar for bridesmaid Allie almost a year ago. This resulted in Van Ness’ breakdown. Maria Kanellis, Mike Bennett, Aron Rex, Sienna, and Rockstar Spud were all in attendance.
– Allie arrived at the Impact Zone and found a suspicious note from her secret admirer on her luggage. It told her to meet them at tunnel 22.
– Backstage, Alberto El Patron attacked Moose for costing him the fatal four-way last week.
Rosemary defeated Hania
Rosemary was in control until she missed a charge in the corner. Hania scored a near fall with a spin kick, but Rosemary countered a crossbody into a pin for the win.
Hania attacked Rosemary after the match, but Rosemary made a comeback and Hania ran off.
– Allie arrived at stage 22 and found a box of chocolates addressed to her. Laurel Van Ness jumped out of a large box, but Allie nailed her with the box of chocolates and stuffed her back in.
Ethan Carter III & Tyrus defeated Johnny Impact & Matt Sydal
The faces were firmly in control until Tyrus took over with a headbutt, then the heels isolated Sydal on their side of the ring. Impact got the hot tag and ran wild.
Sydal attempted a dive to the floor, but Tyrus caught him and rammed him in the apron. Impact set up for the Impact Kick on EC3, but Tyrus grabbed his legs and Impact hit the mat hard. EC3 rolled up Impact for the win.
– Jimmy Jacobs and Kongo Kong went to Joseph Park’s empty law office. Kong trashed the office and smashed a picture of Grandma Park.
Brian Cage defeated Jon Cruz
Cage dominated his debut match and picked up the easy win.
– Trevor Lee and Caleb Konley searched for LAX but instead found Fallah Bahh eating M&M’s. They then jumped the Mumbai Cats and beat them down.
X Division Champion Taiji Ishimori defeated El Hijo Del Fantasma to retain his title
Fantasma wore down Ishimori until he made a comeback and hit a dive to the floor.
Fantasma came back and hit a suicide dive of his own. Ishimori connected with the golden moonsault to the floor. Fantasma attempted the tombstone piledriver, but Ishimori countered into the double knees. Ishimori hit a 450 to retain the X Division title.
Impact World Champion Austin Aries defeated Eli Drake (w/ Chris Adonis) to retain his title
Aries had the advantage before Drake nailed him with a boot to the face. Drake then missed a huge moonsault, and they traded stiff shots in the middle of the ring. Aries scored a close near fall with a missile dropkick.
Aries attempted a dive, but he hit Adonis instead. Drake took over after dropping Aries on the apron. Aries made a comeback and hit the brainbuster to retain the Impact World Championship.
Next Week: Johnny Impact defends his World Championship title shot against Ethan Carter III. Plus, Alberto El Patron battles Moose.
The Big News: Shayna Baszler once again dominated Ember Moon, but once again Moon left with the Women’s title. This time, however, Baszler won via disqualification when Kairi Sane ran in for the save as Baszler was about to permanently injure the champ.
The Medium News: Pete Dunne retained the United Kingdom Championship, beating Roderick Strong in an excellent match.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Aleister Black and Killian Dain are headed for a collision as both want a match with Andrade “Cien” Almas.
**********
WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne defeated Roderick Strong to retain his title
They wrestled for 30 seconds and immediately went to commercial, which is amazingly early for the show. Dunne placed Strong’s fingers on the steps outside, but instead of stomping on them, he stomped on the elbow of Strong. He went for this a second time, but Strong moved, hoisted Dunne, and dropped him with a backbreaker on the ring steps.
Strong went for a superplex, but Dunne struck him in the face, dropping him to the floor. As Strong tried to get back in the ring, Dunne dove off the top with a stomp to Strong’s arm! Seconds later, however, Strong shook it off and gave a back suplex to Dunne on the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring.
Dunne used a Falcon Arrow into an armbar that Strong was able to get out of. Strong tried to use a backbreaker, but his arm gave out on him. Dunne got on a triangle choke, but when Strong couldn’t stack him up, he carried him to the middle rope and catapulted him throat-first into the top rope.
They traded their high-impact moves, with Dunne using an Ex-Plex and Strong using the Tiger Driver. Strong went for the Strong Hold, but Dunne wrenched his fingers and then retained the title with the Bitter End.
Excellent match to kick off the show.
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A video package aired building up the Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano NXT Championship match next week. It’s Almas’ title vs Gargano’s NXT career. They keep building up that Gargano can’t beat Almas, which could indicate a title change.
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Earlier today, Velveteen Dream was ambushed by reporters. He said he will beat No Way Jose next week and called out Tyler Bate.
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Aleister Black came out for a promo. I could swear they said he’d be in action. Anyway, Black said there is a devil on his back and that devil is driving him. That devil is the NXT Championship.
Before he could continue, he was cut off by SAnitY’s music. Killian Dain meandered out and told Black that the devil isn’t on his back, Dain is. Dain won’t stop until the NXT title belt is around his waist. People in the crowd made comments about how the belt probably wouldn’t fit around Dain. Anyway, Dain said he will put chaos in Black’s path.
Black said Dain crossed him and now must fade to black.
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TM61 defeated John Skyler & Andrew Duckworth
TM61 have one more sign than they used to in the crowd, but they got a lot weaker reaction coming out than they did for their return match a month ago. Skyler & Duckworth got brief heat on Shane Thorne, but that was set up for Nick Miller to make a quick comeback. They picked up the win with Greetings From Thunder Valley.
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Shayna Baszler defeated NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon by DQ
I really enjoyed their first match back at TakeOver: Philadelphia, where Baszler worked an armbar for five minutes. How will this compare?
Moon exploded at the bell and kept putting herself into situations where she almost got caught with an armbar, but she kept just getting out of it. Moon went for The Eclipse, but Baszler rolled out of the ring. Moon glared at her and instead hit a suicide dive. Unfortunately for the champ, Moon slammed her injured arm on the announce table.
Moon was now at the mercy of the merciless Baszler. Baszler used a double wristlock and began going for the armbar. Moon stacked her up like at TakeOver, but Baszler kicked out. No one reacted because I don’t think anyone bought it as a finish twice.
Moon went shoulder-first into the ring post and tumbled out of the ring, onto and down the ring steps. Baszler followed her outside the ring and ripped at Moon’s arm in the guardrails. After shoving the referee out of the way, Kairi Sane ran down and attacked Baszler for the disqualification.
Sane got the best of Baszler. Baszler turned to leave and then tried a surprise attack, but Sane was smart to it and knocked her down again. Baszler finally left and was announced as the winner while Moon sold the shoulder as death.
That does it for this week. Next week, it’s Almas vs Gargano part IV. Until then, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Happy Rusev Day on the fifth week of Mixed Match Challenge as the team of Lana & Rusev advanced in the tournament.
Rusev & Lana will wrestle again on week nine against either Bobby Roode & Charlotte Flair or Apollo Crews & Nia Jax. Next week is the last first round match before the quarterfinals in two weeks time.
Rusev & Lana became the second married couple to move on into the next round of the tournament. Jimmy Uso & Naomi were the first husband-and-wife duo to advance when they won their match last week.
On commentary, Michael Cole claimed the win by Lana was her first in-ring victory in WWE. She certainly celebrated like it was a monumental win. The post-match celebration looked as if someone medaled in an Olympic event. Much like the Olympics, there was also an opening ceremony with music and ballyhoo.
The show opened with a concert by Bayley & Elias. They strummed their guitars as the announcers ran through their opening notes.
Screenshots showed highlights of the angle from Raw last night where Braun Strowman attacked Elias with what Michael Cole called a bass guitar. Others have called it a cello. Regardless, it is now in pieces. Selling the attack, Elias had his ribs bandaged.
After an instrumental intro, Elias & Bayley paused their strumming as they introduced themselves to the audience. They each were only able to say hello before the entrance of Rusev interrupted them.
Rusev waited so his wife Lana could join him on the stage. They wore matching gear and looked cute as a basket full of puppies. Video clips showed Rusev helping to train Lana for the tournament by having her break wooden boards and shout “Lana is number one!”
Lana & Rusev defeated Bayley & Elias
Lana pinned Bayley for the married couple to advance in the tournament. Much like other matches in the tournament, there was plenty of gaga. The story of the match revolved around Lana’s quest for victory.
The match began with Rusev leading a chant proclaiming Lana is the best and she is number one. Overconfident, Lana proceeded to beg off when Bayley started out-wrestling her on the mat. Rusev gave Lana some advice, and she hulked up. Moments later, she found herself backpedling again.
Taking a powder on the outside, Lana grabbed Elias’ guitar. She threatened to use it as a weapon, but Rusev stopped her. Rusev then dropped the guitar on the floor, and it landed with a thud. Elias was not happy. He retrieved the guitar, and anxiously strummed a chord. Relieved it still sounded good, he gently sit the guitar back down.
Back in the ring, Rusev wanted a test of strength. Elias did a classic heel cheapshot — acting as if he as going for the knuckle lock only to kick Rusev in the gut. Elias began to work over Rusev. Bayley taunted from the apron as she mocked the “number one” chants from earlier. Rusev made a comeback — and Rusev crush. Despite the crushing, Elias esacped the Accolade to tag out.
Lana ran wild, leading to an X-factor for a near fall. Bayley soon fired up. Perched on the turnbuckles, Bayley went to set up a high risk move only for Lana to trip her. Bayley smacked into the top turnbuckle, and Lana covered for the pinfall. Happy Rusev Day.
Lana celebrated like she won gold at the Olympics. She gave an impassioned victory speech in a foreign language during a post-match interview. Rusev closed the promo by declaring that today was offically “Ravishing Rusev Day” in honor of his wife. And they all lived happily ever after.
Next week on Mixed Match Challenge, Nia Jax & Apollo Crews meet Charlotte & Bobby Roode in the last first round match.
A fourth wrestler will be added to the Fastlane main event on tonight’s episode of SmackDown in Bakersfield, California.
Dolph Ziggler returns to the show for the first time since the storyline where he vacated the United States Championship and walked out in December. He’ll face Baron Corbin on tonight’s episode, and the winner will join AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn at Fastlane.
After Styles got involved in Owens and Zayn’s number one contender’s match last week, Daniel Bryan originally made a triple threat for Styles’ WWE Championship at Fastlane. WWE will follow up on the tension between Bryan and Shane McMahon tonight after Shane made the Ziggler vs. Corbin match.
Also set for tonight: US Champion Bobby Roode will issue an open challenge, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair takes on Sarah Logan in a non-title match. and The New Day face Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Dolph Ziggler came down to the ring for his match with Baron Corbin. Ziggler made his return to SmackDown after being gone for 7 weeks. Corbin’s music played but he didn’t come out. Backstage, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn viciously attacked Corbin.
Owens and Zayn headed to the ring and jumped Ziggler as well. They fought in the crowd and at ringside with Owens and Zayn in control. Zayn knocked out Ziglgler with a Helluva Kick. Corbin ran down to make the save but got beat down a second time.
Charlotte Flair (w/Becky Lynch & Naomi) defeated Sarah Logan (w/Ruby Riot and Liv Morgan)
Flair was firmly in control until Logan tackled her to the ground to take over. Flair missed a boot and Logan scored a near fall with a back suplex. Flair sent Logan head first into the turnbuckle and hit Natural Selection for the win. Flair is coming after Ruby Riot next.
In the back, an angry Shane McMahon approached Daniel Bryan. He announced Kevin Owens vs. Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler vs. Sami Zayn. If Corbin and Ziggler are victorious they’ll be added to the Fastlane main event.
McMahon warned Bryan that if either of “his boys” gets involved in the other’s match they’re out of the Fastlane main event.
Baron Corbin defeated Kevin Owens
Corbin sold his injuries from the attack earlier. Owens gained control by sending Corbin shoulder first into the ring post. Corbin made a comeback by hitting Deep Six. Owens set up for the Pop Up Powerbomb but Corbin countered into the End of Days for the win.
Corbin is added to the Fastlane main event making it a fatal four way.
Bobby Roode came to the ring and announced that the U.S. Championship open challenge will continue. Roode wants Randy Orton to meet him face-to-face instead of giving him an RKO out of nowhere. Orton came down to accept but Jinder Mahal interrupted.
Mahal mocked Orton for ranking at number 9 on the SmackDown top ten. Mahal tried to create problems between Roode and Orton by pointing out that Roode ranked at 5.
Roode noted that Mahal didn’t even make the top ten and said he respects Orton. However, Roode pointed out that Orton is probably number 9 because nobody likes getting hit by the RKO out of nowhere.
Orton suddenly hit the RKO on Sunil Singh out of nowhere. Mahal gained the upper hand and hit the Khallas on both Orton and Roode.
The New Day came down to the ring to celebrate Pancake Tuesday. They had a table set up in the ring with trays of pancakes. Xavier Woods announced that Big E. is going to eat 113 pancakes in less than 8 minutes to break the world record
Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin interrupted the pancake-eating contest. The pancake eating contest disgusted Gable. They told New Day to open their own IHop and leave the wrestling to the serious competitors.
Gable and Benjamin flipped a tray of pancakes on the ground and Big E. lost his cool.
The New Day (w/Xavier Woods) defeated Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
The heels isolated Kingston on their side of the ring. Kingston almost made the tag but Gable pulled Big E off the apron. Big E got the hot tag and ran wild. The referee missed Gable tagging Benjamin because Woods caused a distraction. New Day hit the Midnight Hour for the win.
Backstage, Renee Young interviewed Dolph Ziggler. He said the only reason he returned is to do the one thing he hasn’t done yet, which is headline WrestleMania.
In a dark room backstage, The Usos warned all tag teams that nobody can beat them for the tag team championship. At that point, the screen shattered revealing The Bludgeon Brothers destroying a monitor in a different part of the arena.
As Sami Zayn was about to head to the ring, Kevin Owens approached and told Zayn not to lose and disappoint him. Zayn was unhappy with Owens for losing earlier. Zayn told Owens that at Fastlane it’s every man for himself.
Dolph Ziggler defeated Sami Zayn
Zayn had the early advantage until Ziggler connected with a standing dropkick. Zayn regained control and wore down Ziggler. Ziggler made a brief came back and scored a close near fall.
Zayn gave Ziggler an exploder from the top turnbuckle. Zayn missed the Helluva Kick and Ziggler hit the Zig Zag for another close near fall. Zayn attempted the Helluva Kick again but Ziggler connected with the Superkick for the win.
Ziggler is added to the Fastlane main event making it a fatal five way.
Next Week: Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Naomi battle The Riot Squad in a six-woman tag match.
The Big Takeaway: The sixth competitor in the Elimination Chamber is still up in the air. Seth Rollins was added to the last chance Fatal Four-Way match during the show by Kurt Angle. In the main event, Rollins and Finn Balor each pinned Bray Wyatt, then argued about who won. It appears this is setting up a singles match for next week with the winner earning a spot in the Elimination Chamber. The first entrant into the Elimination Chamber will be the Miz, who lost the opening match to John Cena. It was announced that Ronda Rousey will sign her Raw contract at the Elimination Chamber. Best match of the show was the Bayley vs. Sasha Banks bout, who had easily their best match against each other since leaving NXT.
Show Recap:
Cena came out. He said WrestleMania can make a superstar’s career, can bring a legend back from the dead and be the most important moment in the career of a WWE Superstar. Cena said tonight he’s out to face the truth. The truth is in two weeks, he has to win the Elimination Chamber match. If he doesn’t win the Elimination Chamber match, he’s not sure if he has a road to WrestleMania. Cena said he has to survive the most unwinnable match in WWE history in order to win a match against the most unbeatable challenger in WWE history. Cena said he loves to make impossible absolutely possible and vowed to win the Elimination Chamber and go on to face Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania.
The Miz stepped out with the MizTourage by his side. Miz said this isn’t 2013, this is 2018, the year of the Miz. Miz wondered if Cena has spent too much time in Hollywood where he can’t differentiate fantasy from reality. He told Cena he was going to go on to main event WrestleMania and beat Lesnar to become the first person to hold the Universal and Intercontinental Championship. Cena scoffed at Miz sayng he would beat Lesnar and pointed out a fan at ringisde openly laughed when Miz said he could beat Lesnar. Cena said the only way the Miz could beat Lesnar was if Lesnar didn’t show up or he got food poisioning.
Miz shot back that he’s not afraid to cross the lines that Cena is afraid to cross, which is why he beat Reigns for the Intercontinental Championship and why he will beat Lesnar. Cena said the Miz was forgetting he still has to go through the Elimination Chamber. Miz said he can outsmart anyone who enters the chamber, just like he outsmarted Cena last year at WrestleMania. Cena responded by challenging Miz to a match tonight with the loser of the match being forced to enter the Elimination Chamber first.
Miz acted like he didn’t want the match, then Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas took out Cena, ending with something that looked like a Shatter Machine. Miz, as Cena was down and out, ordered a referee to come out and accepted Cena’s challenge. Kurt Angle came out, ordered the match complete with Cena’s stipulation and also told Dallas and Axel to the back.
Michael Cole announced that Cena would be the host of the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards on March 24.
John Cena defeated Intercontinental Champion The Miz in a nontitle match, forcing the Miz to enter the Elimination Chamber first (19:04)
Cena kicked out after Miz covered him immediately after the opening bell. After Cena hit a tornado DDT, Miz put on a lengthy sleeperhold. After a commercial, Miz failed in his first attempt at the Skull Crushing FInale, but clamped on the Figure Four Leglock. Cena lefted Miz’s pressure leg and clamped on the STF. Miz got the rope break. Miz attempted a cross body block, but Cena caught Miz and tried the AA, but Miz escaped for a Pimp Juice DDT for a near fall. Miz got a clothesline in the ropes, then made a charge at Cena, who caught him and delivered the AA, but Miz kicked out. Cena went to the top rope, but Miz grabbed the top rope to crotch Cena and put the Figure Four back on. Cena lifted Miz’s arm into a Triangle Armbar and then clamped on a crossface, leading to another Miz rope break. Cena missed a corner charge and Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale for a long two count. Miz put Cena on the top rope for the Skull Crushing Finale off the top rope, but Cena turned it into the AA off the top rope for the pin. Afterwards, Cena hugged a fan in a wheelchair, along with his family.
Hardy did a Woken interview saying he gets a second chance to fulfill his destiny tonight. Hardy said he would turn the Elimination Chamber into the Deletion Chamber. As fate would have it, Jeff Hardy was spotted behind the UNC men’s basketball team’s bench tonight against Notre Dame in Chapel Hill, NC.
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows did an interview from backstage. The gimmick is they have a “Nerd-O-Meter” graphic on display while they’re talking and said the Revival being able to name tag teams from the 60s and 70s doesn’t make them cool, it makes them nerds.
The Revival defeated Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows (7:40)
Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder jumped the Good Brothers during their ring entrance. Wilder gave Gallows a chop block on the left leg, which he sold for the rest of the match. Later, Dawson gave Gallows another chop block as the referee was trying to get Anderson out of the ring. Now that he’s a babyface, Anderson’s big move for his hot tag sequence is a knee to the head and he makes it sound like he’s delivereing a giant karate kick. After a blind tag, Dawson pinned Anderson with the Shatter Machine.
Angle returned to say that in two weeks at the Elimination Chamber, Ronda Rousey would sign her Raw contract. That got a surprising amount of boos. He then turned to Jordan. Angle announced his son had suffered a neck injury and would miss WrestleMania. Crowd cheered. Angle got mad and said if anyone got any joy out of seeing a WWE Superstar get injured and miss WrestleMania, then they should be ashamed of themselves. Angle told the fans to be more respectful.
Rollins came out and said he was sorry about Jordan, who he called a good kid. Rollins said he can relate because he had to give up the WWE Championship. In fact, he won the championship just up the road at WrestleMania in Levi’s Stadium. He beat Reigns. He beat Lesnar. He was on top of the road and was on top of the road. Then it came crumbling down when he tore up his knee and lost his championship. Rollins talked about WrestleMania, saying he doesn’t have a championship, doesn’t have a match. Angle offered him a chance to find another tag team partner. Rollins said thanks but no thanks, he doesn’t want to be a part of Monday Night Raw, he wants to BE Monday Night Raw. He wants to turn this place back into Monday Night Rollins, he wants to be the man again. He wants Lesnar, he was the Universal Championship and he wants it at WrestleMania. But the only way he can do that is if he wins the Elimnation Chamber match.
Angle said he can’t cancel the Fatal Four-Way match. Rollins said he wants to earn an opportunity, so he proposed making the Fatal Four-Way match and make it into a Fatal Five-Way match and put him in it. Crowd chanted “yes.” Angle said he wasn’t sure because it wouldn’t be fair to the other four wrestlers. Rollins said his fate was in Angle’s hands and begged him for the opportunity. Angle said it’s not up to him or Rollins, it’s up to the fans. Angle asked the fans if he wanted to give Rollins a chance to make it to the Elimination Chamber. They chanted “Yes” and it became a Fatal Five-Way.
Bayley defeated Sasha Banks (12:03)
Announcers emphasized that Bayley was wrestling in her hometown and claimed that Banks requested this match because she wanted to beat Bayley in her hometown. Bayley got a better reaction than usual, but it was light years away from her reaction when she made her main roster debut at the Battleground PPV in July 2016. Banks was a total heel as she threw Bayley out of the ring, then drop kicked Bayley on her left kneecap as she tried to get back in the ring. Then Banks draped Bayley’s injured right shoulder over the ropes. Banks delivered the double knees in the corner, but Banks caught her with a clothesline. It was a total fight at this point, with Bayley delivering a series of fists in the corner and a stunner against the ropes. Bayley caught a knee to the face, but missed the elbow off the top rope. Banks put on the Bank Statement, but Bayley made the ropes. Bayley did a forward roll as Banks grabbed her leg, sending Banks into the corner. Banks went to the second rope. but Bayley climbed the second rope for a Bayley-to-Belly superplex for a pin.
After Bayley celebrated, the two had a long stare at each other. They appeared ready to hug, but Jax ran out of the crowd and decked both women. Bayley tried to push Banks out of the way, but Jax gave both Bayley and Banks a Samoan Drop for heel heat. Charly Caruso came out and asked why Jax interjected herself in a moment that had nothing to do with her. Jax said this had everything to do with her. She said over the past two weeks, both Banks and Bayley had taken Asuka to her limit, yet she destroyed both of them in seconds. Jax said there was only one women who could end Asuka’s undefeated streak and it was her.
Backstage, Reigns asked Rollins about possibly being in the Elimination Chamber. Rollins asked Reigns if he was worried about him being in the chamber. Reigns said he hopes that Rollins wins because he will eliminate him just like he did at the Royal Rumble. Sheamus and Cesaro walked in laughing about how Jordan and Dean Ambrose must be in physical therapy together discussing how lousy of a tag team partner Rollins is. Reigns asked Cesaro what happened to his mouth? Then Reigns remembered that Cesaro ran into the Shield. Reigns challenged Sheamus to later tonight.
That ran a detailed package on the undefeaed string of Asuka, measuring 240 wins and 0 losses, spanning 860 days. 34 different women across 11 countries and four continents have lost to Asuka, eight of them former champions. She had a 543-day reign as NXT Champion and the 1st women’s Royal Rumble Champion, going through 15 different women. If this Asuka push doesn’t take, it’s not for a lack of trying.
Crews, TItus O’Neil and Dana Brooke did an interview with Renee Young. O’Neil took the mic and asked the questions. O’Neil asked Crews if he was going to be deleted by Hardy. Crews said he was ready to create history. Brooke said Crews Can’t Lose and O’Neil got fired up. Crews said he was going to take one small step for himself and one giant leap for Titus Worldwide.
Mickie James ran into Alexa Bliss backstage. James asked why did Bliss save her last week against Sonya DeVille and Mandy Rose? Bliss said she was tired of the new faces trying to prove themselves against the established Raw stars. Bliss said she also wanted to clear the air between them. James brought up Bliss calling her old, getting her a walker, then said she called Bliss “Biscut Butt.” Bliss said James was amazing how she looked despite being a mother. James wasn’t buying any of this, even though Bliss claimed she was trying to apologize. Bliss said if Absolution wins the championship, they would keep the championship to themselves. Every week it would be Mandy vs. Sonya, Sonya vs. Mandy. James said she appreciated what Bliss did for her last week, but she was buttering the wrong biscut.
Absolution (w/ Paige) defeated Alexa Bliss & Mickie James (4:00)
Bliss kept eyeing James like she was waiting for the right moment to turn on her while she was getting the shine on DeVille. James hit flying head scissors out of the corner. Rose came in and put James in the abdominal stretch. James rolled out and hit a hangman’s neckbreaker. James reached for the hot tag, but Paige started screaming at Bliss. DeVille dragged Bliss off the apron and Rose pinned James after the Bed of Roses. Rose and DeVille put the boots to James after the match, but Bliss again ran in for the save.
Vince Curry and Brandon Cunningham of the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles were shown wearing WWE championship belts at the Eagles’ victory parade last week.
Elias came out for the debut of a new song. Elias ran down the San Jose crowd saying it was an hour away from a real city like San Francisco, then changed his mind and said every city in California was a toxic dump. Elias said he was the same man who defeated Cena and Braun Strowman at the same place at the same time, which makes him the odds-on favorite to win the Elimination Chamber. He would prove WWE stand with Walk With Elias, and he wrote a song called the “Elimination Chamber Blues,” which he was about to perform. He started to sing but the crowd was booing pretty loud. Elias threatened not to sing, which didn’t hurt the crowd’s feelings. Elias sang since his vocal cords were already warmed up. He said six men enter but only one man leaves. As he was singing, the crowd roared because Strowman was out on the ramp. JoJo announced “Ladies and Gentleman, Braun Strowman.” Then Strowman appeared on the ramp with his own spotlight. He pulled out a stand up bass and strummed it. The bass strings broke after just a few notes. Strowman actually has a pretty good voice. Strowman said since he broke the strings, he can’t play this damn thing so there was only one thing he could do with it. He carried it to the ring and threatened to hit Elias with it. Elias begged off while holding up his own guitar as a weapon. Elias offered to put his guitar down if Strowman put is guitar down. Each man put their respective guitars down, but Elias jumped Strowman before he could get in the ring. Elias went for his guitar, but Strowman grabbed him by the throat and gave him the sledgehammer to the chest. Corey Graves dropped a reference to the old Pantera song “Primal Concrete Sledge.” Strowman gave Elias the running powerslam. As Elias crawled from the ring, Strowman picked up the stand up bass again and stood over Elias, then smashed the bass over Elias. A group of referees rushed out to check on Elias.
Roman Reigns defeated Sheamus (w/ Cesaro) (14:22)
Early on, Sheamus kept getting knocked out of the ring from Reigns’ punches. Sheamus eventually dragged Regins out of the ring and gave him a rollins senton. Sheamus put on a Texas Cloverleaf, but Regins kicked him off and caught a Samoan Drop for a two count. Reigns went for the Superman punch, but Sheamus caught him and hit White Noise for a two count. Sheamus called for the Brogue Kick, but Reigns met him with a Superman punch, but Sheamus kicked out at two. Reigns called for the Spear, but Sheamus met him with a knee. Sheamus attempted a huracanrana, but Regins held him into a Liger Bomb for another near fall. Cesaro jumped up on the apron, which distracted Reigns. Sheamus used a schoolboy cradle and a V-Trigger knee to the head for near falls. Regins rolled out fo the ring. Cesaro ran after Reigns, who backdropped Cesaro into the crowd. Regins went for the Drive By, but Sheamus caught him with a stiff clothesline. Sheamus threw Regins back in the ring, then climbed the top rope. Sheamus jumped off, only to have Regins catch him with a spear for the three count. Good, physical match.
They introduced Ivory as the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame. They showed Ivory’s days in GLOW before moving on to the WWE during the Attitude Era. They showed her stint with Right to Censor, where she wrestled in a long skirt. They claimed her most famous rivalry was with Chyna, a program that ended at WrestleMania 17.
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor each pinned Bray Wyatt in a Fatal Five-Way that also included Matt Hardy and Apollo Crews (16:18)
They started the match during a commercial after all the ring entrances. When Wyatt did his lean back in the corner spot, Hardy smiled and led the crowd in applause. Hardy gave Wyatt and Balor each a side effect. Hardy called for the Twist of Fate on Wyatt, but Rollins came off the top rope for a flying clothesline on Hardy. Rollins gave Crews and Wyatt a double blockbuster, then hit Balor with a tope, followed by a tope for Hardy, then one for Wyatt. Rollins used the vertical suplex into a Falcon Arrow on Crews for a near fall. Wyatt clobbered Rollins with a clothesline, but Balor came back with a Sling Blade on Wyatt, followed by the Woo Dropkick. He attempted the Coup de Grace, but Rollins climbed up top and put the fists to Balor. Rollins attempted the Phoenix Splash on Wyatt, but Wyatt moved out of the way. Wyatt walked into the Twist of Fate from Hardy, but Balor came off the top with a Coup de Grace to Hardy. Rollins caught Balor with the Curb Stomp, but Crews rolled in for the save. Crews gave Rollins a powerslam, followed by a standing moonsault for another near fall. Rollins went for the Ripcord, but Crews caught Rollins with a kick to the head and nailed the standing Shooting Star Press on Rollins for a two count. Crews went for a moonsault but Hardy caught him on the top rope and tried the side effect off the top rope, but Wyatt pulled Hardy to the floor and gave him Sister Abigail on the floor. Wyatt took Crews and tried a superplex, but Rollins and Balor pulled Wyatt down into a Tower of Doom spot. Then Balor and Rollins each covered Wyatt and the referee counted three. But both Rollins and Balor thought they won. The referee never identified a sole, clear winner and the show went off the air with the sixth competitor in the Elimination Chamber still unknown.
Hawkins’ never-ending losing streak continued here with another loss to Goldust, whose partnership with Mandy Rose has given him a new lease of life. After a lot of comedy early on, Hawkins took control when he waffled Goldust on the apron to send him outside. He followed him and nailed him with a stiff clothesline and they teased a count out finish. Goldust rolled back into the ring at 9.75.
Hawkins took over the match, slowing things down with a rear chinlock until Goldust got some separation with a spinebuster. He got the heat with clotheslines, a running bulldog, and a scoop slam. Hawkins wriggled out of the first attempt, but Goldust kicked him in the gut and hit the Final Cut for the win.
The loss took Hawkins to 0-171 but was a good win for Goldust in preparation for his Mixed Match Challenge bout with Mandy Rose against Jimmy Uso & Naomi on Tuesday night.
Kalisto defeated Ariya Daivari (7:31)
Speaking of losing streaks, Daivari currently finds himself on one of his own. Without a win since August in all competitions, the loss here to Kalisto took him to 0-28.
Daivari disrespected Kalisto early on but soon looked the fool. After mocking Kalisto’s “lucha” chant and even laying across the top turnbuckle, Kalisto hit him with a kick to the side of the head and then shot at him with a suicide dive outside.
After the break, the pace had slowed with Daivari using his heel moveset to keep Kalisto from using his speed and agility. This led to a near fall when Daivari absolutely nailed Kalisto with a spinebuster, but Kalisto just managed to get his shoulder up. Daivari tried to pull off Kalisto’s mask, but it didn’t lead anywhere.
Having put up a good fight and putting on a decent match, Kalisto finished Daivari off by planting him with a rana and the Salida del Sol for the win.
Kitamura took the early advantage with a shoulder block and a scoop slam. Nagata went to work on the left arm, but a rope break forced the action back to the middle of the ring. They exchanged strikes, with Nagata getting the better of the exchange. Kitamura came back with a gutwrench suplex for a nearfall, and racked Nagata for a near submission.
They had a slap fight in the center of the ring, which ended with Kitamura selling exhaustion. Kitamura hulked up and hit a spear for another nearfall. Kitamura went for the jackhammer, but Nagata locked on an armbar. Kitamura reached the ropes, forcing a break. Nagata hit a kick for a nearfall.
Nagata took a series of chops, which was the last gasp of offense from Kitamura. Nagata hit a high-angle suplex and bridged into a pinfall. A very basic opener, furthering the story of Kitamura’s test.
Suzuki-gun worked over SHO’s injured back, which was all taped up. The action spilled outside and SHO and YOH were both repeatedly whipped into the barricade. Back inside, Desperado used a reverse Gory Special to continue working on SHO’s back.
YOH tagged in and ran wild with a dragon screw, a flying forearm, and a slingshot double footstomp. Desperado swung the advantage back to his team with a spinebuster, forcing a tag to SHO.
SHO got a nearfall with a suplex, but his back gave out when Roppongi went for their finish, giving Kanemaru an opening. Kanemaru hit a superplex and applied a Boston crab. Rocky Romero took the referee to complain about Desperado’s interference, allowing Desperado to interfere, and blast SHO with a chair. Oh, sweet irony. SHO tapped out to the crab, and Suzuki-gun continued to beat down Roppongi after the bout.
Suzuki-gun grabbed the IWGP Junior Tag belts and taunted Roppongi with them after the bout, establishing themselves as future challengers for the championships. This told a good story and set up a match for down the road.
TOGI MAKABE, MICHAEL ELGIN, KUSHIDA, RYUSUKE TAGUCHI defeated SUZUKI-GUN (MINORU SUZUKI, TAKA MICHINOKU, TAICHI, TAKASHI IIZUKA)
Makabe, Elgin, KUSHIDA and Taguchi got the jump on Suzuki-gun at the bell, but Suzuki-gun quickly turned it into a brawl. Taichi went after Taguchi with the ring bell hammer, exacting revenge for his actions against his wife in Sapporo.
Elgin tagged in and did some power stuff, but Iizuka used an inverted atomic drop, forcing a double down. Makabe and Suzuki tagged in, and business picked up. They did a long forearm strike exchange. Suzuki threatened to strike with a closed fist, which forced the ref to intervene, allowing Suzuki’s teammates to go to work on Makabe.
Iizuka tried to use the iron glove, but Makabe survived the attempt. TAKA tagged in, and Makabe hit him with the King Kong kneedrop for the victory, while Makabe’s team held Suzuki at bay.
Makabe cut a promo after the match, challenging Suzuki for his IWGP Intercontinental title. After refusing Makabe’s challenge for weeks, Suzuki accepted, and got a parting shot in on Makabe. On his way out, Suzuki attacked a young boy at ringside. This was all about establishing Makabe vs. Suzuki down the line, and there wasn’t much to the match. KUSHIDA is one of the best guys in the world and he barely tagged in here.
CHAOS (IWGP UNITED STATES CHAMPION JAY WHITE, TOMOHIRO ISHII, TORU YANO) defeated JUICE ROBINSON, DAVID FINLAY, TOA HENARE
Yano immediately untied the turnbuckle pad and tried to hit Juice with it, but Juice ducked and used an airplane spin. White tossed Juice into the exposed buckle, and Chaos took over. Ishii and White worked over Juice, forcing a tag to Finlay.
Finlay and White had a hot exchange. Finlay tagged in Henare, who scored a nearfall on White,, while the other competitors brawled outside. White recovered and hit the Blade Runner on Henare. Just as he did at Korakuen earlier this week, rather than going for a pin, White locked Henare in a crucifix and rained down elbows, forcing a stoppage finish.
White continued punishing Henare after the bell, and also attacked the referee. The White/Finlay sequence was nice, but this was all about furthering White’s Switchblade persona.
Rey Mysterio cut a video promo, announcing that he will wrestle for the first time in New Japan, and challenged Jushin Liger for the Strong Style Evolved show in Long Beach on March 25. Liger was at ringside doing commentary, and accepted the challenge.
BUSHI defeated GEDO
BUSHI came out with Brutus Beefcake shears, threatening Gedo’s beard. Gedo came out with two of BUSHI’s masks tied around his neck, threatening BUSHI’s mask.
Gedo went for the mask right away, but BUSHI fought him off. BUSHI ripped at Gedo’s beard, and locked in an STF. Gedo forced a rope break. Gedo tied BUSHI to the top rope with the laces from his mask.
BUSHI had a young boy cut him free with his shears, and sent Gedo outside. BUSHI hit a dive and sent Gedo back inside, in full control. Gedo grabbed the mask again and cradled BUSHI for a nearfall. The ref got bumped. BUSHI went for the mist, but Gedo avoided getting it in his eyes and hit a low blow for a nearfall. BUSHI hit a codebreaker for a nearfall. BUSHI went to the middle rope and hit the MX for the pin.
BUSHI reclaimed his masks after the match, but was stopped before he could go after Gedo’s beard with the shears. This was not worth going out of your way to see, putting it mildly.
TETSUYA NAITO defeated YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI jumped Naito on the aisle as he made his entrance, and hit Naito’s Tranquilo pose in the middle of the ring, to a chorus of boos. Naito recovered and took control of the bout from the opening bell, to a mixed reaction from the Osaka crowd. Naito repeatedly spit on YOSHI-HASHI, selling his disrespect of his opponent.
YOSHI-HASHI fought back with a basement dropkick and a DDT. He hit a tope con hilo and a neckbreaker on the ramp. YOSHI-HASHI used a butterfly lock and hit an elevated DDT. Naito fired back with a slingshot dropkick in the corner, after a weird transition.
Naito hit a flying forearm, but YOSHI-HASHI countered Destino. They exchanged forearms and had a slap fight, which YOSHI-HASHI got the better of. Naito took a flip bump off a clothesline, and ate a powerbomb for a nearfall. YOSHI-HASHI quickly transitioned back to the butterfly lock. Naito reached the ropes after a long tease of tapping out.
YOSHI-HASHI went for Karma, but Naito countered with a release german suplex. Naito hit an enziguri and a top rope rana. He followed with a dragon suplex, and hit Destino twice, scoring the pinfall.
The story they were going for here was that Naito underestimated YOSHI-HASHI, and every time he let up in the match, YOSHI-HASHI showed heart in fighting back, and more than held his own. I think they largely succeeded in telling that story.
Taichi jumped Naito on the ramp after the match, and dragged him backstage. That was strange, and unexpected.
IWGP JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION WILL OSPREAY defeated HIROMU TAKAHASHI to retain the championship
They started at a million miles an hour, doing a cutting edge opening sequence, highlighted by Ospreay going for the Sasuke special, only to eat a german on the floor. Takahashi tossed Ospreay into the barricade, and Ospreay sold his neck.
Back inside, Takahashi used the ropes and kicks to continue working over Ospreay’s head and neck. Takahashi used a headscissors lock, but Ospreay got a hope spot in with a handspring into an enziguri. They worked outside, and Ospreay gained control of the bout with a sprongboard forearm off the barricade.
Back inside, Ospreay scored a pair of nearfalls with unique covers, as Takahashi started to sell his legs. Takahashi hit a pop-up powerbomb, and Ospreay nailed a cutter, before handspringing into a german from Takahashi. Red Shoes took a bump, and Takahashi hit a sunset bomb to the outside as he recovered.
Takahashi hit a senton onto a standing Ospreay from the top rope to the floor, and tossed him inside for a nearfall. Takahashi went for Time Bomb, but Ospreay fought out. Takahashi hit a lariat and Ospreay took a crazy flip bump. They went tot he top, and Ospreay dropped Takahashi into the ring on a deadlift.
Ospreay hit a front flip DDT, and went for the Oscutter, but Takahashi countered. After a double down, they exchanged forearm strikes, selling exhaustion. Ospreay hit the Cheeky Nandos and a reverse rana, dropping Takahashi right on his head, in a terrifying spot.
Ospreay went for a Time Bomb of his own, but Takahashi reversed it into a piledriver for a nearfall. Ospreay hit a dragon suplex, but Takahashi landed on his feet. Ospreay went for the Oscutter, but Takahashi countered. Ospreay hit a standing Spanish Fly, and a 450 on Takahashi as he was draped over the ropes for a nearfall. Ospreay hit The Beheading for another nearfall.
Takahashi survived all of that, but had nothing left in the tank. Ospreay hit his first Oscutter of the match, and it was enough to score the victory. This was excellent, well worth going out of your way to see.
NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION HIROOKI GOTO defeated EVIL to retain the championship
They had a nearly impossible task in trying to follow the last match, but they decided to take the opposite approach, and began at a very slow pace. EVIL took over after hooking Goto’s neck in a chair and slamming him into the ring post.
Goto briefly got some offense and a nearfall, but EVIL regained control with a clothesline in the corner and sent Goto outside. EVIL bumped the ref and tried to hit Darkness Falls onto a stack of chairs, but Goto countered and hit a suplex onto the chairs.
Goto took over, but EVIL regained control as Goto went for a superplex. EVIL bumped Red Shoes again, and used a foreign object on Goto. Goto recovered and hit an ushigoroshi for a nearfall. They exchanged strikes and lariats, and Goto bled from the mouth.
EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a nearfall, and the crowd started to get invested. EVIL hit a suplex and a lariat for another nearfall. EVIL teased a dragon suplex and went for another lariat, but Goto countered and hit a rope-assisted neckbreaker for a nearfall. Goto ducked a lariat and hit GTR for the pin. Nothing wrong with the match, but its placement hurt it.
IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION KAZUCHIKA OKADA defeated SANADA to retain the championship
They spent the first seven minutes of the bout trading holds, and this had all the signs of a one hour draw. The first highspot saw SANADA hit a facebuster from the apron to the barricade. He followed up with a piledriver on the ramp. Back inside, SANADA cranked on the neck, hit a back elbow and a standing moonsault. He hit a dropkick and another piledriver for a nearfall. Okada hit a desperation flapjack and they did a double down just past the ten minute mark.
Back up, SANADA took the Flair corner bump onto the apron, and Okada dropkicked him to the floor. Okada took the fight outside, clotheslined SANADA over the barricade, and hit a draping DDT from the barricade to the floor. SANADA beat the count back inside, as Okada took control of the bout.
Okada got the better of a forearm strike exchange, and hit the flying elbow off the top. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but SANADA countered with a desperation suplex. Okada went for the Tombstone, but SANADA countered with a dropkick, and sent Okada outside. He hit a slingshot plancha, and followed up with another plancha, without the assistance of the ropes. This was right about the twenty minute mark, and the crowd really started to get into the match here.
Back inside, SANADA survived a roll-up and teased the Skull End, but Okada slipped out and reached the ropes. SANADA clubbed Okada with forearms and got a nearfall with a TKO. Okada went for the Cobra Clutch, but SANADA slipped out and hit a moonsault onto a standing Okada, and applied Skull End. Okada escaped the body scissors twice, but SANADA reapplied, and they teased a tapout or a stoppage, but Okada finally reached the ropes.
SANADA missed a moonsault and landed onhis feet, selling his knees. SANADA hit a tiger suplex for a close nearfall, and stacked Okada on the top rope. He dropped him off the top and got a nearfall. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but SANADA ducked and hit one of his own for another close nearfall. Okada applied a dragon sleeper and hit two dropkicks.
Okada hit a Tombstone and signalled for the Rainmaker, but SANADA turned it into another Skull End attempt. SANADA gave up the hold and hit a moonsault off the top for another nearfall, but sold his knee on the landing. He went for another moonsault, but Okada got the knees up and hit the Rainmaker. He could not make a cover as the thirty minute mark passed.
Okada was first up, and hit a Rainmaker. He went for another, but SANADA countered. Okada hit a german, but SANADA was back up. Okada hit the jumping Tombstone and another Rainmaker, covered, and got the pin. A truly great match, and an excellent main event.
Chaos won the night against LIJ, 3-2.
With the win, Okada tied Yuji Nagata for the second most successful defenses in a single IWGP title reign, and extended his records for longest continuous reign, and most overall days holding the championship.
After the bout, Okada declared his intention to compete for the New Japan Cup this year, and to face his Chaos stablemate Will Ospreay at the Anniversary Show on March 6.
Previously: Austin Aries returned and won the Impact World Championship from Eli Drake.
Tonight: Ethan Carter III, Moose, Alberto El Patron, and Johnny Impact compete in a number one contender’s match.
Show Recap —
– The announcers tonight were Josh Mathews and Sonjay Dutt.
Taiji Ishimori & Matt Sydal defeated El Hijo Del Fantasma & Rohit Raju
Rohit Raju, formerly Hakim Zane, is a member of Gama Singh’s new faction named Desi Hit Squad.
Raju took out Sydal with a suicide dive. Ishimori hit a moonsault to the floor on Fantasma. Ishimori hit the tombstone into the double knees on Raju, and Sydal connected with the Shooting Star Press for the win.
– Last week, Austin Aries held a press conference after defeating Eli Drake to win the Impact World Championship. He said that he isn’t a member of the roster and hasn’t signed his Impact contract yet. Drake charged in and demanded a rematch.
Flashback Moment of the Week: Austin Aries defeated TNA World Champion Bobby Roode (Destination X 2012)
Roode attempted a spear, but Aries countered it into the Last Chancery. Roode shoved Aries into the referee and hit Aries with the belt, but he only scored a two count. Aries kicked Roode in the head and used the brainbuster for the win.
Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley defeated TECH
Lee and Konley wore LAX’s bandanas and mocked them throughout the match. TECH made a brief comeback, but the heels won using the spike piledriver.
LAX appeared on the big screen and promised to get revenge for Lee and Konley’s attack last week.
– Backstage, Allie congratulated Kiera Hogan on her victory against Laurel Van Ness from last Thursday. She promised to watch Hogan’s back tonight.
Allie received a Valentine’s Day card from her secret admirer, who asked to meet her next week
Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness defeated Kiera Hogan to retain her title
Van Ness was in firm control of the match. She attempted the Unprettier, but Hogan countered into a roll-up for a near fall. Van Ness regained control and used the Unprettier to score the win.
Van Ness attacked Hogan after until Allie ran out for the save.
– OVE filmed an unknowing Bobby Lashley as he exited his car in a parking lot.
– Backstage, Jimmy Jacobs and Kongo Kong were frustrated that Joseph Park didn’t bring Abyss. Jacobs said they’d drag the monster out of him.
– OVE continued to film Lashley. They viciously attacked him and threw him into the trunk of his own car.
Hania defeated Amber Nova
Hania controlled most of this, though Nova had a brief flurry of offense. Hania used a powerbomb and the reverse DDT for the win.
Rosemary jumped Hania from behind following the match. She attempted the Red Wedding until Hania escaped.
Johnny Impact defeated Ethan Carter III, Moose, and Alberto El Patron in an Impact World Championship number one contender’s match
The heels briefly worked together to take out Moose and Impact. Patron turned on EC3 and they started going at it. All four guys traded shots in the middle of the ring.
Patron and Moose fought into the crowd, with Moose injuring his knee and getting checked on by medical personnel.
Patron, EC3, and Impact fought into the crowd. Patron stuffed Impact into a trash can. EC3 and Patron worked together and double-teamed Impact. Moose ran back in and powerbombed EC3. Moose and Patron then fought on the floor.
EC3 attempted the One Percenter on Impact, but he rolled EC3 up for the win.
Next Week: Impact World Champion Austin Aries defends against Eli Drake. Plus, Brian Cage makes his Impact debut.
The Big News: Thanks almost entirely to Killian Dain, SAnitY defeated The Undisputed Era in a tornado tag team main event.
The Medium News: Johnny Gargano offered to put his NXT career on the line to once again challenge Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss may be breaking up. If you look up “little news” in the dictionary, this would be listed.
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Nigel McGuinness was back from his flu. Just want to point out that Percy Watson announced a five-star match and McGuinness has not.
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The Undisputed Era came out for the opener, in which they would defend the NXT Tag Team Championship. However, as all three members were preening to the camera, SAnitY (their opponents) assaulted them from behind. Security ran out to break everything up as Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly snuck away as Killian Dain laid out multiple security guards.
Mr. William Regal came out next and announced that all six men would take part in a tornado tag match in the main event. So for the second time in a month, SAnitY will not be getting their title match.
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Heavy Machinery defeated Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss
SAnitY and Undisputed Era went to the back, so instead we got the next chapter in the ongoing rivalry between Heavy Machinery and Sabbatelli & Moss.
Moss got the heat on Tucker Knight by grabbing his tights from behind and using a lariat to the back of the head. Sabbatelli was greeted with “Tino sucks” chants, which surprised pretty much everyone since the heel duo is used to no reaction.
For some reason, Sabbatelli and Moss tagged each other exceptionally hard. Sabbatelli tried to use a roll-up with his feet on the ropes (which won them their last match), but the referee caught it and he got pinned by Knight after The Compactor.
After the match, Moss walked out on Sabbatelli. Someone should show these guys video tapes of Blake & Murphy and track what happened to that team in the ensuing two years after their break up. Meanwhile, their manager at the time, Alexa Bliss, has won four Women’s Championships on the main roster.
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Out came Johnny Gargano for the first time since his bout at TakeOver: Philadelphia where he came up short in his quest to conquer Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship.
Gargano said he went into Philly more confident than ever. He saw himself winning and coming back here as champion. Unfortunately it didn’t happen, which sucks, but getting this overwhelming positive reaction from the fans and the respect it shows means more. It gave him the inspiration to pick himself back up and continue being Johnny Gargano.
He’ll never forget TakeOver, but will also never forget Tommaso Ciampa hitting him in the back with a crutch. He is coming for Ciampa and was in the middle of challenging him to come out when we were joined by Almas.
Zelina Vega asked him who cares if Gargano won everyone’s respect. There should be a parade with confetti for the champion. Gargano proved nothing — except that he is a loser. Almas has beaten him again and again and again. He is not Johnny Gargano, he is Johnny Loser. The fans began chanting for Candice LeRae, so Gargano mentioned his second favorite part of TakeOver was his wife beating the hell out of her.
Vega got up in Gargano’s face, so LeRae ran out and shoved her down. Almas bailed and the husband-wife duo was left standing tall.
Vega got on the stage and said they’ve beaten him three times. Gargano wants another title shot, and Vega said that if Gargano loses he must leave NXT. Gargano agreed to the challenge.
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Shayna Baszler said she is the most feared woman in NXT. There will not be a rematch with Ember Moon because Moon is scared. Baszler dared the press to go tell Moon she said that.
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Tyler Bate wasn’t happy that he didn’t beat Roderick Strong last week, but he said he’ll be watching when Strong challenges Pete Dunne next Wednesday. He also said he was happy to win Match of the Year last year and can’t wait to have more Match of the Years with everyone in NXT.
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Bianca Belair defeated Jessica Hill
Hill was trained by Dory Funk Jr and went one-on-one with The EST of NXT this week. Belair hit a Burning Hammer and a fallaway powerbomb, called the Alley-Oop, for the win in 30 seconds.
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A video package for Kairi Sane aired. She’s back to being the Pirate Princess, so I guess her enthusiasm for yachts has lessened in the last two weeks.
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Next week:
Aleister Black in action
Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s Championship
Pete Dunne vs. Roderick Strong for the WWE United Kingdom Championship
Mauro Ranallo encouraged us to set our DVR for the UK title match. I’m not sure if he understands that the WWE Network isn’t on normal television.
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SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe & Killian Dain) defeated The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) in a tornado tag team match
I’m not sure the order any of this was taped, but the fans were a lot more enthusiastic for these six guys at the start of the show than they were early on in this match. The match began with a wild six-way brawl, and the fans finally woke up five minutes in when Young pulled out the plunder.
As Dain mopped up the ringside area with Fish, Cole and O’Reilly separated Young and Wolfe from the pack and fought them through the backstage area. Fish did hit a beautiful moonsault to Dain. Unfortunately for Fish, his advantage didn’t last long and he began running away to get away from Dain. At this point, the other four returned from the backstage area, so Dain heaved Fish off the stage and onto everyone else.
As the match continued, Undisputed Era had no problem throwing around Wolfe and Young, but spent more time than not in flight when Dain got his hands on them. Cole discovered the best offense against Dain was to move out of the way, which was proven right when Dain went crashing through a table that Cole, seconds earlier, was propped against.
Back in the ring, Wolfe held his own for a second, but got superkicked and laid out with Total Elimination. Young was in with his kendo stick, but he got superkicked and laid out with a brainbuster on Cole’s knee. Dain got back in the ring and single-handedly destroyed all of Undisputed Era, pinning Fish with the Ulster Plantation.
So, that does it for this week. Will SAnitY ever get their title match? Until next week, remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
New Japan Pro Wrestling set the stage for Saturday’s New Beginning in Osaka with two nights of televised action from the Road to the New Beginning tour on Monday and Tuesday in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.
The most notable bout from the two shows was the IWGP Tag Team Championship defense by SANADA & EVIL, as they retained their titles over Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto. SANADA is Okada’s opponent on Saturday, and his title defense here should lend him some credibility and momentum, as he enters what could be the biggest match of his life.
EVIL is also set to challenge for Goto’s NEVER Openweight Championship in Osaka.
Liger and Tiger worked over Narita’s left leg, and Narita’s selling looked good. Tiger went to work on Yagi’s left arm, and Yagi actually got some offense in, firing back with chops. Taguchi put a stop to that, forcing a tag to Umino.
Umino got a near fall and a near submission on Taguchi, but Liger made the save. Taguchi got the pin with the Dodon after surviving a La Magistral cradle. This was fine — a typical veterans vs. young boys tag match.
Hikuleo & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Manabu Nakanishi & Tomoyuki Oka
A short, thoroughly unexceptional bout. Hikuleo is the former Leo Tonga. The Bullet Club team established themselves as heels, breaking rules and jumping Oka at the bell. They brawled to the floor. Oka was dominated, but he was able to tag Nakanishi.
Nakanishi scored with some chops and tipped control of the match to his team. The big man tagged Oka back in, which proved to be an error in judgment. Oka ate a DDT from Takahashi and was pinned.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Katsuya Kitamura
This was a challenge, as Tenzan is clearly beaten up and having trouble moving. They had a slow match, with Tenzan taking the bulk of the offense.
Kitamura showed heart in surviving through some near falls, but he eventually tapped to the Anaconda Vice.
Sho, Yoh & Rocky Romero defeated El Desperado, Taichi & Taka Michinoku
This was solid. Suzuki-gun turned it into a brawl, which served as the great strength of the match, as it highlighted Sho and Yoh’s selling, which is the strongest part of their game. Sho’s back was taped up and Michinoku targeted it.
The match broke down into a six-way. Romero and Desperado took the ref, before Romero hit a tope to the outside, wiping out Taichi and Desperado. Sho and Yoh hit their finish on Michinoku for the win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano defeated Juice Robinson & Henare
The crowd was solidly behind Robinson. Ishii no-sold most of Henare’s offense in the early going, lending more credibility to his selling of the youngster’s offense late in the match. Ishii is really a brilliant worker. They did some of the standard Yano comedy spots, including removing the turnbuckle pad, which the referee didn’t even bother to chastise him for.
Towards the finish, as Ishii started to sell and the contest became more back and forth, Yano tied Robinson to the barricade by his hair, leaving Henare to go it alone. Ishii hit the brainbuster and picked up the pinfall.
Suzuki-gun pounced before the bell rang. Stop me if you’ve heard this one, but they brawled around ringside. Makabe and Elgin fought off Suzuki and Iizuka, and the brawl was kept short, as KUSHIDA and Kanemaru went at it in the ring.
The brawling picked up again, and Suzuki and Iizuka brawled into the crowd with Elgin and Makabe. Desperado joined in the brawl and helped Suzuki-gun waylay KUSHIDA, and the brawlers took over. KUSHIDA sold for a while, before tagging Elgin in, allowing the big man to do his power stuff, which always gets over.
Suzuki and Makabe squared off and exchanged forearm strikes, which got a big reaction. Suzuki slapped on a sleeper, missed the Gotch piledriver, and slapped on another sleeper in a cool spot. KUSHIDA made the save as Iizuka went for the iron glove. The finish saw Makabe hit the top rope knee drop on Kanemaru for the victory.
After the match, Makabe challenged Suzuki for an Intercontinental title match, and Suzuki snapped, attacking the young boys at ringside.
Jay White defeated David Finlay
I recall an interview with William Regal where he was talking about an unnamed prospect that WWE was interested in, believed to be Adam Cole, who they had passed on because he looked too young to be taken seriously as a tough guy. I think of that every time I see Jay White in action. His character is supposed to be this ruthless killer type, but he looks too young for me to take him seriously as a grizzled, deranged madman.
The work here was quite good, highlighted by a state-of-the-art opening exchange. They brawled to the outside, and White took over after hitting a suplex on the floor. White worked over the legs and the injured shoulder of Finlay. White suplexed Finlay over the top to the outside, which was nuts.
White swung a chair at Finlay, who ducked and hit a spear for a near fall. Finlay opted not to use the chair when he had the chance, which the crowd applauded him for. Finlay hit a Lumbar Check for a near fall. Finlay went for his cutter, but White reversed into the Blade Runner for the pin.
They didn’t get a ton of time, but they did well with what they had. White punished Finlay with elbows after the match.
Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI defeated Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo in an elimination match
This was a unique match, as eliminations could take place via pinfall, submission, disqualification, or over the top rope, Royal Rumble-style.
Takahashi eliminated himself going for a sunset flip from the ring to the floor on Ospreay, who was eliminated as the move was executed. YOSHI-HASHI eliminated Naito over the top rope. Gedo was disqualified for removing BUSHI’s mask. YOSHI-HASHI tossed BUSHI, leaving CHAOS with a 3-2 advantage.
Okada and SANADA had a nice back and forth, teasing their upcoming title match and ending with Okada eliminating SANADA over the top. EVIL dumped Okada immediately after, making it 2-1 for CHAOS. EVIL tossed Goto, leaving it a 1-on-1 between EVIL and YOSHI-HASHI.
YOSHI-HASHI kicked out of the Darkness Falls, and scored a near fall with a powerbomb, before falling victim to Everything is EVIL for the pin, and a victory for LIJ.
They used the same template as the young boys opener the previous night, with Liger dominating and the boys getting some offense in on his partners. Narita did a fair bit of damage to KUSHIDA by employing a modified Sharpshooter and a Boston Crab, but he eventually tapped to the cross armbreaker.
Hikuleo & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Tomoyuki Oka
The work was not particularly smooth here when Hikuleo and Oka were in together, but Hikuleo in particular has improved greatly in the last few months. This was short, but they did more near falls than you would expect from the second match on the card.
Takahashi pinned Oka after a DDT.
Manabu Nakanishi defeated Katsuya Kitamura
This was the fifth match in the seven match trial series that is supposed to be getting Kitamura over, I suppose? I understand the principle, but I’m not certain that it’s working as designed. Nakanishi is much better off in tags these days, but this was short enough and simple enough that he looked fine.
They exchanged power moves, chops, shoulder blocks, and the like, and brawled outside. Kitamura hit the spear, but he couldn’t get Nakanishi up for the Jackhammer, and fell victim to a lariat. Nakanishi hit a double sledge to the chest for a near fall, and racked Kitamura for the submission.
Sho, Yoh & Rocky Romero defeated El Desperado, Taka Michinoku & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Roppongi 3K took the advantage early, but Suzuki-gun turned it into their standard crowd brawl, working over Sho’s injured back and gaining the edge. With Sho selling on the apron, Yoh worked the bulk of the match, selling for Suzuki-gun.
Romero got a hot tag and used an eye rake and a backslide on Michinoku for the pin. Suzuki-gun beat down Roppongi 3K after the match.
Jay White, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano defeated David Finlay, Juice Robinson & Henare
Yano aimed to tie Robinson to the top rope by his hair, following up on their match from Monday, but failed. Robinson and Yano did some comedy. Ishii and Henare worked together again, and Ishii sold more early on than he did the previous night. Again, so smart.
White hit the Blade Runner on Henare, and followed up with elbows, taunting Finlay. With Henare taking punishment, the ref called for a stoppage.
Suzuki and Makabe brawled through the crowd and to the backstage area, furthering their angle, as they teased the idea that Makabe is going to try to force Suzuki to accept his IC title challenge. Iizuka and Taguchi did some comedy, then Elgin tagged in for his power stuff.
Suzuki and Makabe tagged in and exchanged strikes, and Makabe survived a sleeper attempt and tagged out. Suzuki continued working on Makabe even though he was no longer the legal man, and he used a sick hangman’s choke. Taguchi was legal, and tapped to a Suzuki heel hook.
Suzuki-gun ran wild after the match, laying out Elgin and Taguchi. Suzuki provided the exclamation point, hitting Makabe with the Gotch piledriver. Suzuki grabbed a microphone and cut a promo, refusing Makabe’s challenge.
It may be too early to second-guess the booking decision not to put the IWGP title on Naito at Wrestle Kingdom, but at this point, it certainly feels like Naito has lost a bit of his luster since falling short there. The LIJ team worked over YOSHI-HASHI, perhaps punishing him for eliminating so much of their team in the main event on Monday.
Ospreay tagged in and exhibited why he is my favorite high flyer in the business today. He and Takahashi did some cutting-edge stuff together, then Gedo and BUSHI tagged in and slowed things down. YOSHI-HASHI hit a lariat and hit Karma for the win.
YOSHI-HASHI attacked Naito after the bout, setting up their match on Saturday.
IWGP Tag Team Champions SANADA & EVIL defeated Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto to retain their titles
There were dueling chants for Okada and SANADA, who started the match. They began slowly, working holds. SANADA went for the Paradise Lock, but Okada kicked out and tagged in Goto. SANADA and EVIL took the action outside, and EVIL guillotined Goto against the post with a chair.
EVIL and SANADA worked over Goto back in the ring, and they continued to go at a slow pace. Goto hit a desperation lariat, then made the tag to Okada. EVIL tagged SANADA, who tossed Okada outside and hit a plancha on the IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Okada fought back and briefly locked in the Cobra Clutch, which Okada is still struggling to get over as a potential finisher. Goto got a tag and applied a sleeper. He teased a GTR, but EVIL made the save. Okada jumped in and hit his dropkick on EVIL, and all four men ended up down in the ring, selling.
Okada broke up a Magic Killer and Goto and Okada hit duel Ushigoroshis, in a cool spot. EVIL reversed a GTR attempt, hitting a fisherman’s suplex and Darkness Falls for a near fall on Goto. Okada broke up a pinfall, but SANADA jumped in and nailed Okada with a Rainmaker. With Okada down, EVIL and SANADA hit a Magic Killer on Goto. EVIL hit Everything is EVIL on Goto for the pin, retaining the titles.
SANADA cut a promo after the match, promising to take Okada’s title on Saturday in Osaka.
The Big Takeaway: Roman Reigns and the Miz are officially in the Elimination Chamber, joining John Cena, Elias and Braun Strowman. It will be Elias that will enter the Elimination Chamber last after he pinned Cena in tonight’s main event.
The final spot in the Elimination Chamber will be determined next week in a second chance Fatal Four-Way with Finn Balor vs. Apollo Crews vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Matt Hardy. Kurt Angle announced that Alexa Bliss will defend her Raw Women’s Championship in the Elimination Chamber against Bayley, Sasha Banks, Sonya DeVille, Mandy Rose and Mickie James.
Also at Elimination Chamber, it will be Asuka vs. Nia Jax. If Jax wins, then she will be entered into the Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania, with Asuka facing whoever the Raw Women’s Champion will be, making it a three-way match.
Show Recap:
Reigns and Wyatt each did backstage promos before their singles match, which opened the show. Wyatt said last year’s Elimination Chamber was his crowning achievment because he won the WWE Championship. Wyatt called Reigns a falling star who was in a downward spiral. Reigns responded that he’s had his share of failures, but that has led him to success and he will eventually become Universal Champion.
Roman Reings defeated Bray Wyatt in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match (14:48)
Matt Hardy watched on backstage. After taking his weekly shoulder bump into the ring post, Reigns rebounded with a clothesline and attempted the Drive-By, but Wyatt caught him with a clothesline, then threw Regins into the ring steps. Reigns escaped a chinlock with a Samoan Drop. Reigns attempted his ten clotheslines in the corner, but Wyatt grabbed his arm after five and hit his side shoulder block to the midsection. Wyatt attempted a superplex and brought back his old catchphrase “anyone but you, Roman,” but Reigns landed a series of head butts, then followed with a Liger Bomb for a near fall.
Reigns called fo rthe Superman Punch, but Wyatt spiked Reigns with a uranage followed by a senton for two. There was a very audible “Let’s go, Bray” chant. Wyatt attempted Sister Abigail, but Wyatt escaped with a schoolboy cradle, then caught the Superman Punch for another near fall. Reigns went for the Spear, butt Wyatt caught him with a boot, then nailed Reigns with Sister Abigail, but Reigns kicked out of the finisher. Announcers pointed out that something was off with Wyatt and he’s had a fall from grace since last February. Wyatt picked up Reigns for another Sister Abigail, but Reigns got out, ducked a clothesline and drilled Wyatt with a Spear to a round of boos.
Postmatch, Hardy came out from the crowd, snuck up behind Wyatt and gave him the Twist of Fate to “delete” chants.
Seth Rollins talked with Jason Jordan backstage. Rollins said Jordan was injured with a bad knee and neck. Rollins said tonight was their final rematch against Sheamus and Cesaro and he wanted to make sure Jordan could go tonight because he didn’t want a repeat of what happened against the Royal Rumble. Jordan assured Rollins he was fine. Rollins said tonight wasn’t about Rollins or Jordan, it was about them winning back their tag team championships.
Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson cut a prematch promo after Finn Balor’s entrance. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows already were in the ring. For the second straight week, Dawson had a huge brace on his left knee and it’s clear that has hurt his cardio. Dawson said they were the Revival and they we were tag team specialists. Dawson asked to make it a tag team match. Wilder told Balor to pick a partner and they would show them how it was done. Gallows agreed to step aside and Anderson teamed with Balor.
Karl Anderson and Finn Balor (with Luke Gallows) defeated the Revival (8:04)
Balor got the heat with Dash & Dawson working over his left shoulder. Dawson used a Fujiwara armbar as a resthold before Balor hit a double stomp, leading to Anderson getting the hot tag. Anderson used a flying neckbreaker off the second rope against Wilder, but missed a dropkick after Dawson held Wilder against the ropes. Dawson tagged in, but Anderson greeted him with an Anderson spinebuster. Anderson hit a somersault pecasdo against Wilder. Balor tagged in against Dawson. Sling blade. Woo Dropkick. Coup de Grace. Pin.
Kurt Angle will announce who Bliss will face in the Elimination Chamber tonight.
Sasha Banks watched footage from her loss to Asuka last week. Bayley walked up and noticed Banks couldn’t stop watching the match. Bayley said Banks was beating too hard on herself. Banks said the day she stops being hard on herself is the day she stops being me. Bayley said she was facing Asuka tonight and asked Banks for any advice. Banks said, no offense, but she wanted to keep her secrets to herself. Bayley said she took some offense, but it was every woman for herself, just like the women’s Royal Rumble. Bayley alluded to Banks eliminating her. Banks said she had to do what she had to do and she wants to beat Asuka to end her undefeated streak. Bayley said that’s funny, she was thinking the same thing. Banks couldn’t believe that Bayley thought she was good enough to beat Asuka. Bayley shot back she was good enough to beat Banks. This segment was the same tease of Bayley and Banks turning on each other that they’ve done for over a year and never pulled the trigger.
Drake Maverick, who Michael Cole acknowledged was once known as Rockstar Spud, joined Michael Cole, Jonathan Coachman and Corey Graves on commentary for the cruiserweight match.
Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali defeated Tony Nese and Drew Gulak (4:21)
Drew Gulak clotheslined Cedric Alexander while Alexander was crotched on the top rope. Alexander nearly fell on his head and favored his right shoulder for the rest of the match.Mustafa Ali did a flying Tornado DDT for a two count on Gulak. Alexander did a somersault tope on Tony Nese. Alexander made a blind tag for a springboard clothesline, then pinned Gulak with the Lumbar Check.
Angle came out to announce the plan for the women’s Elimination Chamber. He announced that Bliss, Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Sonya DeVille and Banks would be the six competitors. Angle said that Nia Jax was missing from the match, but she would face Asuka at Elimination Chamber. Asuka has already secured a Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania, and if Jax defeats Asuka, then the match at WrestleMania will be a three-way.
Bliss came out, not looking happy, and said it was wrong and unjust for her to defend the Raw Women’s Championship at Elimination Chamber, while Brock Lesnar doesn’t have to defend his championship at Elimination Chamber? Is it because she was just a woman? Angle said he successfully defended his championship at Royal Rumble and the last time Bliss defended her title was in October at TLC. Bliss said she doesn’t make the matches and Angle values Lesnar over her. She called that sexist. Angle said it never occurred to him to compared Bliss with Brock.
Angle said he wasn’t going to make the decision, he would ask the audience. He asked the fans if they wanted to see Bliss defend the Raw Women’s Championship in the Elimination Chamber. The fans erupted with cheers. Bliss called the fans sheep and said she deserved respect. Angle asked the fans again and again they chanted “Yes.” Bliss left in a huff.
John Cena did a promo about his Triple Threat match against Braun Strowman and Elias. The winner of the match will enter the Elimination Chamber match last. Graves made a great point about the vast majority of Elimination Chamber winners have entered late in the match.
Graves dropped a line to Coachman about watching what he says or else he’ll get demoted to local radio. Coachman cracked up.
Asuka defeated Bayley by tapout (11:12)
Bayley did a flying head scissors through the ropes into flying head scissors to the floor, then threw Asuka into the barricade. Bayley hit a Saito Suplex, which sparked a dormant crowd. Asuka hit a knee to the head, a kick to the back and a butt bump, followed by a Shining Wizard for a two count. Asuka missed a missile dropkick, and Bayley hit a knee to the head for a two count. Bayley attempted the Draping DDT, but Asuka clamped on the Asuka Lock while on the apron. Bayley dropped Asuka’s head against the ropes. Bayley jumped off the apron to the floor, but Asuka met her with a knee to the head. Some good near falls where Bayey ducked a spin kick and rolled her into a schoolgirl cradle for a two count. Asuka tried to clamp on the Asuka Lock, but Bayley rolled backwards and trapped Asuka’s shoulders down for a long two. Asuka put on the flying armbar for the tapout.
Postmatch, Asuka and Bayley had a long staredown. Asuka extended her hand. Bayley, looked frustrated (actually, that’s been her normal look for about six months), shook her hand but still looked angry.
Cesaro and Sheamus did a promo in an empty arena earlier in the day. Cesaro said by facing Rollins and Jordan, they get another chance to beat up the pretty boy and the daddy’s boy. Sheamus said they get another chance to kick off Jordan’s head tonight.
Miz came out with Bo Dallas. Curtis Axel was missing. Graves quipped that Axel was auditioning for a potential role as an extra. Miz said he encourages everyone to go out tonight and look at the sky because the constallation with look like him holding up the Intercontinental Championship. Miz said he said 2018 will go down as the year of the Miz. In his first match of 2018, he defeated Reigns on the highest rated Raw in nearly three years. The next week, he defeated Reigns again. Miz said Reigns is a world class athlete and one of the best of all time, but he still couldn’t contend with the momentum that is him. Miz claimed before the Super Bowl, Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pedersen showed his team a video of him, and it motivated the Eagles to win the Super Bowl. Miz said tonight he had a chance to qualify for the Elimination Chamber and potentially face Lesnar. Miz said at WrestleMania, his daughter will be born just in time to witness the first ever Intercontinental and Universal Champion….him.
The Miz (with Bo Dallas) defeated Apollo Crews (with Titus O’Neil and Dana Brooke) in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match (5:31)
Apollo Crews got near fall after near fall, including a dropkick after Miz jumped off the top rope. Crews pressed Miz over his head, but Miz got the knees up when Crews attempted a standing moonsault. Crews made a comeback with another dropkick, a kick to the head and a flying clothesline. Crews caught an enzuigiri leading to a two count. Miz tried a clothesline to the corner, but Crews caught him, slammed him, hit a standing moonsault and a standing Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Miz kicked Crews’ left knee and attempted the Skull Crushing Finale, but Crews turned it into a victory roll for two. Crews attempted a kickover in the corner, but Miz crotched him on the top rope and got the pin with a Skull Crushing Finale.
Rollins walked backstage when he found Jordan huddling together with Angle and a doctor. Rollins wondered what was up. Jordan told him that he couldn’t compete because he suffered a neck injury doing neck bridges. Rollins was upset that Jordan went back on his word and the tag team match was next. He asked Angle if he would get a new partner. Angle wondered if he could find one in time. Reigns walked in and without saying a word, Angle agreed to have Reigns replace Jordan.
Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus defeated Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins by DQ to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships (13:28)
Crowd groaned over seeing Reigns again. Afte a strong start, Reigns called for the Superman Punch on Cesaro. At the same time, Rollins tried a tope on Sheamus, who caught Rollins on the floor for an Irish Curse backbreaker. Cesaro threw Reigns into the dasherboards. Cesaro covered Reigns after a double-team White Noise, but he kicked out. Cesaro attempted the Gotch Neutralizer, but Reigns countered with the Samoan Drop. Rollins got the hometown pop and the fans wanted to see the hot tag, but Sheamus knocked him off the apron. Then Jordan came out to boos and helped Rollins get back on the apron. Rollins made the hot tag, gave Cesaro a blockbuster, Sheamus a tope, a legdrop to Cesaro and another tope to Cesaro. Rollins hit the Sling Blade for a two count. Rollins went for the Curb Stomp, but Cesaro moved out of the way and put Rollins on the top rope.
Rollins came off the second rope for a suplex followed by the Falcoln’s Arrow for another near fall. Jordan interfered and gave Cesaro a thumb to the eye, leading to a schoolboy cradle on Cesaro for a two count. Reigns got mad at Jordan and told him to leave. Rollins hit the Rainmaker Knee on Cesaro. Finally, that move was given a name, the Ripcord. Cesaro and Sheamus rolled out of the ring and attempted to walk out. Jordan stopped them. Cesaro started to punch Jordan, but Jordan blocked it and punched Cesaro, then Sheamus. The referee saw this and disqualified Rollins and Reigns. Rollins was very upset at Jordan, who screamed “What are you doing?”
Strowman did a backstage interview saying he was the last man standing against Kane last week, just like he’ll be the last man standing at the Elimination Chamber and he’ll be the last man standing at WrestleMania. He told Elias and Cena that no one could stop him.
Backstage, Rollins was screaming at Jordan, calling him a “selfish son of a bitch.” Angle tried to play peacemaker. Rollins said he was upset that he couldn’t hurt Jordan himself and walked off. Angle told Jordan the best thing he could do was go home. Jordan started to say something, but Angle screamed at Jordan to leave.
Nia Jax defeated Vanessa Floyd (1:24)
Jax is back to her original look as opposed to having her hair made up when she was courting Enzo Amore. Jax gave Vanessa Floyd a beal, a running splash in the corner, another beal and pinned her after an Ultimate Warrior press and legdrop.
Renee Young did an interview with Jax in the ring. Jax told Asuka she was the only woman in the locker room that doesn’t fear her, she’s the only woman in the locker room that Asuka couldn’t beat. Jax said she was going to ruin Asuka’s pretty face and make her wear that mask permanently and when she was finished with Asuka, she wasn’t going to be the Empress of Tomorrow, she was going to be the Empress of Yesterday.
Mickie James defeated Sonya DeVille (3:35)
James got stiff with a kick to DeVille’s nose. James tried flying head scissors out of the corner, but Mandy Rose jumped on the apron to distract her. DeVille scored with a right then used a stiff punch to the head while James was on the mat. DeVille landed two knees to the head, which James barely sold before wrapping up DeVille for a schoolgirl cradle and the pin out of nowhere. Postmatch, Paige and Rose jumped in to attack James. Then Bliss ran out to pull James to safety. James was shocked to see Bliss come to her aid. Weird segment.
Next week, there will be a second chance Fatal Four-Way match with the winner grabbing the last spot in the Elimination Chamber. It will be Balor vs. Hardy vs. Crews vs. Wyatt.
Elias pinned John Cena in a Triple Threat match that also included Braun Strowman to earn the right to enter the Elimination Chamber last (9:58)
Elias ran away most of the time. Strowman laid out both men, giving Cena a slam and a splash, then clotheslined Elias over the top rope. Elias and Cena teamed up in an attempt to knock down Elias. Cena gave him a clothesline, Elias landed a flying knee. Cena and Elias gave Strowman a double clothesline over the top rope. Cena threw Strowman into the post, then joined Elias to send Strowman into the ring steps. Cena rammed the steps into Strowman’s shoulder, then Elias smashed the guitar over his back (no DQ since it was a Triple Threat match).
Finally, Cena gave Strowman the AA onto the ring steps to get Strowman off his feet. Elias hit Cena from behind and gave him a Billy Robinson backbreaker for a two count. Cena made his comeback with a series of tackles and the Blue Thunder driver. Cena looked out of ring shape because we were only nine minutes in and he was huffing and puffing. He attempted the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Strowman arose from the dead and gave Cena the Running Powerslam. Strowman attempted another powerslam on Elias, who slipped out the backdoor and sent Strowman out of the ring. Elias rushed over to an unconscious Cena and pinned him.
A furious Strowman came back in the ring, gave Elias a powerslam, Cena another powerslam and Elias a powerslam. Strowman started posing in the corners like he was the top babyface in the company celebrating after a main event victory at a house show, asking the crowd for more noise. Strowman gave Cena another powerslam. Cena was in a lengthy conversation with Strowman while he was on his shoulders. Strowman powerslammed Elias again.
The Big Takeaway: Bayley and Sonya Deville made their show debuts, with Bayley getting the win with a roll-up.
Six-man cruiserweight action then took the headline slot as the luchadores scored a win against Ariya Daivari, Jack Gallagher & TJP in under four minutes.
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Bayley defeated Sonya Deville (w/ Mandy Rose & Paige) (4:54)
Bayley went on Twitter this week to defend the fact that she made her debut onMain Event after some fans had called it a step back. She wrote that she takes “any chance [she] can get to step inside the ring. Especially in a singles match and especially when it ends with a victory.”
Deville, flanked by Mandy Rose and Paige, made a fine debut here despite the defeat. It’s worth noting that Paige was back at ringside since there had been some speculation on the status of the leader of Absolution after she did not emerge at the Royal Rumble last Sunday to offer support.
There is still no official word on her status after recent reports on her in-ring career being cut short due to WWE doctors refusing to clear her following the injury she suffered at a December house show.
Bayley stole the win here after a lot of back and forth. Deville looked at home, taking the early going until Bayley got the heat. The finish saw Bayley go outside to shove Rose. She went to come back in the ring but was kicked by Deville, who went for a rope-hung DDT. Bayley escaped underneath and rolled her up for the win.
Gran Metalik, Kalisto & Lince Dorado defeated Ariya Daivari, TJP & Jack Gallagher (3:57)
After the trio of Metalik, Kalisto & Dorado notched up a win on the Royal Rumble pre-show against TJP, Gallagher & Drew Gulak, the losing team subbed in Daivari — a man without a win since August — for Gulak, but yet again failed to go the distance.
The luchadores were pretty incredible here. When their move sets are condensed down to four minutes of action, it is quite breathtaking watching them all work. Kalisto and Metalik were particularly impressive, with Metalik making his rope work look easy.
The story of the match led to the big personalities of TJP and Daivari having a disagreement that allowed Metalik to connect with an enzuigiri and a rope-walk diving elbow for the win.
