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WWE SmackDown live results: Women’s title match, Solo Sikoa returns

Posted on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by Colin McGuire

After winning a fatal four-way last Friday against Naomi, Nia Jax & Bianca Belair, Bayley gets her WWE Women’s Championship shot versus Tiffany Stratton on tonight’s SmackDown.

Stratton won the title two weeks ago after betraying Nia Jax and cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase. This will be Stratton’s first title defense since winning the belt.

Bloodline member Solo Sikoa will return to television after he lost a Tribal Combat match to Roman Reigns on Raw two weeks ago. Not only did Sikoa lose the match, but he lost the Ula Fala to Reigns as a stipulation of the bout.

Los Garza (Humberto & Angel) will be in action against Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin). The former defeated Pretty Deadly while the latter beat A-Town Down Under last week to set up tonight’s match.

Also on tap, Jax will team with Candice LeRae to take on WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Belair & Naomi. Plus, Carmelo Hayes goes one-on-one with Jimmy Uso.

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

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– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show. Tessitore was shown walking through the crowd with Wade Barrett as he spoke about the history of the building. Barrett then yelled that it is Tiffy Time because she will make her first title defense tonight. Stratton was then shown walking in the parking lot earlier in the day. Bayley was shown walking backstage. Jimmy Uso and Carmelo Hayes were featured in similar spots. Tessitore then said there was only one person deserving of opening the show. Barrett called him the Hometown Hall Of Famer himself. Rey Mysterio’s music hit.

The Rey Mysterio/Kevin Owens segment

The Big Royal Rumble Declaration Announcement was cute the first few times WWE did it on SmackDown and Raw, but can we please agree it has run its course by now? Rey Mysterio is a legend by every metric fathomable, but this didn’t do much for me – not even the delusional Kevin Owens could make it compelling. Nobody actually thinks Mysterio can win the Rumble (and, for that matter, nobody actually thinks Owens is WWE’s current Undisputed Champion, either). The hometown pop was nice, and it’s always welcome to see Mysterio not have to spin his wheels in the midcard, like he’s been doing for months on WWE TV, but this fell a bit flat.

Rey stood in the middle of the ring while the crowd cheer. He soaked in “619!” chants. Rey formally welcomed everyone to Friday Night SmackDown and said it was the home of the 6-1-9. Rey said it was good to be home in front of his people. Rey said he requested to be out there because he wanted to declare his entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble. Rey noted how in 2006, he entered at No. 2 and became the winner of the Rumble match that year. He followed that up by reminding everyone how he became a world champion at WrestleMania 22.

Rey said the competition is heavy for this year’s Rumble match. He cited Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and John Cena. Rey reflected on the fact that when he won in 2006, he did it for a friend and the crowd went bonkers with “Eddie!” chants. Out of nowhere, Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens walked out with the Winged Eagle belt. Owens stood in the entryway with a microphone.

Owens said he was sorry for interrupting Rey, but he had to go out there because he heard Rey talk about how he was going to win the Rumble. Owens said he doesn’t respect many people more than he respects Mysterio. Owens touted how he main evented ‘Mania with Stone Cold Steve Austin and won the tag titles with his then-best friend at a WrestleMania. Owens said he stood there as the true, rightful WWE champion.

Owens said there was one thing left for him to accomplish and that was step into the ring with Rey Mysterio. Owens said he will root for Rey to win the Rumble match, but he wants Rey to promise to pick Owens as his champion to face at ‘Mania after Owens beats Cody and Rey wins the Rumble match. Rey told Owens he wasn’t the champion – with all due respect. Rey said if he goes on to win the Royal Rumble and Owens beats Cody, Rey would be more than happy to face Owens. Owens yelled at Rey, saying he is the champion and he earned it and he deserved it.

Mysterio tried to calm Owens down. Mysterio told Owens he was acting delusional – like Owens was his son Dominik. Owens tried to attack Rey with the Winged Eagle, but Rey thwarted the attempt and ran Owens out of the ring. Rey’s music hit to end the segment.

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– Naomi and Bianca were talking backstage and they talked about how they still didn’t have any leads on who attacked Jade Cargill forever-and-a-day ago. Naomi said they need to focus on tonight and getting their get-back against Jax and LeRae. Naomi told Belair to wrap her braid so they don’t repeat what happened last week when there was some miscommunication in the fatal four-way.

– Nick Aldis was shown talking to Mysterio backstage and Aldis told Rey that he will face Owens later on in the episode. Cody Rhodes walked into the shot and Rhodes told Aldis he had been cleared with a clean bill of health. Aldis said he had an addendum for the ladder match at the Rumble contract and he’d need Cody to sign it. Cody said he’d sign it once Owens signed it.

Bianca Belair & Naomi defeated Nia Jax & Candice LeRae [10:35]

A fine television match. Nothing special, but not necessarily because of the women’s work, but because these four have been stuck in a SmackDown vortex for what feels like years. Either singles or tags. Throw in Cargill, whenever she was around. Add Bayley and Tiffy every now and then. Nothing about this felt fresh. It was even kind of surprising that Jax and LeRae took the clean loss because Jax went from being Women’s Champion to losing in non-title tag matches in a matter of weeks. SmackDown’s women’s division needs a shot of life. Here’s hoping slotting Tiffy as its champion will provide that, but only time can tell.

Jax attacked Naomi to start the match. LeRae took out Belair. Jax and Belair ended up being the legal women and the heels had control. LeRae tagged in and Belair gained the advantage over LeRae. Jax interfered, but it didn’t sway Belair, who pressed LeRae out of the ring and onto Jax. Belair posed for the crowd and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and the heels had control. LeRae went to the second rope and went for a cross-body, but Belair rolled through and lifted LeRae for a slam, but LeRae grabbed Belair’s braid to take Belair down. It looked like Belair would tag Naomi, but Jax pulled Naomi off the apron and Belair was stuck with LeRae in the ring. LeRae kicked Belair and tagged in Jax, who Samoan Dropped Belair.

Jax ran at Belair, but Belair moved. LeRae intervened and it was enough for Jax to get to the second rope and lift Belair. Belair fought off Jax and landed a cross-body on Jax from the top rope. Naomi then received the hot tag and kicked Jax in the head before she planted Jax for a two-count. Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault on Jax, but LeRae broke up the pin. Belair tagged in, but Jax fired up against the two and dropped them both.

LeRae tagged herself in as Belair landed a spear on Jax. Belair went for a springboard move, but LeRae cut her off with a basement dropkick. Jax hit a Senton on Belair and LeRae covered Belair for a good near fall. LeRae ran at Belair, but Belair threw LeRae into a corner. Belair covered LeRae, but Jax tried to break it up with a leg drop. Belair moved and the leg came down on LeRae. Naomi then tagged in and hit her finisher on LeRae to get the win for her team.

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– Byron Saxton interviewed Bayley earlier in the day. Saxton asked Bayley what the match against Tiffy means to her. Bayley said the night will be huge for her and reflected on last year around this time when she won the Royal Rumble and beat IYO SKY at ‘Mania. Bayley said she felt like she could have done better as WWE Women’s Champion and her reign was cut short because of Tiffany Stratton. Bayley noted how Tiffy turned on her best friend and that makes her want to beat Tiffy that much more.

– Michin was shown talking with B-Fab in the locker room. B-Fab told Michin to keep her head up because Michin will eventually take Chelsea Green down. Piper Niven and Green entered the shot and Green correctly pointed out that she is the only women to successfully defend the Women’s U.S. title in history. B-Fab stood up and Niven got in her way. B-Fab said she was going to talk to Aldis about getting a match with Niven later tonight.

– Jimmy Uso was walking backstage and towards the ring. Jimmy said his brother is getting a title match, so it’s time for Big Jim to step up and try to get his. Jimmy’s music hit and the camera followed Jimmy through the entranceway and into the ring.

– Carmelo Hayes made his entrance with a microphone. Hayes walked out and said Roman is going to the Rumble while Jey has a world title shot, but Jimmy has nothing going. Melo asked Jimmy how he could take shots at him while he’s sitting on the bench. Melo told Jimmy he’d show him why Melo don’t miss.

Jimmy Uso defeated Carmelo Hayes via DQ [11:53]

This was better than I thought it would be and it’s a shame the finish was nonsense. Then again, you had to think it would be, what with Sikoa’s return advertised and Jimmy not having enough of a story with Melo to warrant a match just yet. Some of those near-falls towards the end of the match had me and they did a great job of grabbing the live crowd, too. Or, at least, the “This is awesome!” chants suggested as much. Fatu looked almost stand-offish as Sikoa made his entrance, so this next segment should be interesting to digest.

Jimmy jumpstarted the match when Melo stood on the apron and Jimmy threw Melo into the ring. Jimmy unloaded on Melo briefly, but Melo came back and stomped on Jimmy. Melo chopped Jimmy before running into an arm-drag neck-breaker combo that Jimmy hit. Jimmy went for a hip attack, but Melo moved. It didn’t matter much because Jimmy punched Melo and then suplexed Melo on the apron. Jimmy followed that up with a dive on Melo on the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and it was just about 9 p.m. EST. Hayes had control, as is typically what happens when babyfaces have the upper hand and the show goes to break – the heels turn it around by the time the program comes back. Anyway, Jimmy attempted to fired up and went a splash, but Melo moved and hit Jimmy with a springboard reverse DDT for a two-count. Melo ran the ropes and both guys hit clotheslines on each other at the same time. Both wrestlers were down to reset the match.

Jey took control when the two re-engaged, but Melo came back and planted Jimmy for a two-count. Melo ran the ropes and that brought into a tall pop-up Samoan Drop from Jimmy, which led to a good near-fall. Jimmy fired up the crowd and went to the top rope, but he jumped into a First 48 from Melo and that resulted in a great near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants from the crowd broke out. Melo went to the top rope, but Jimmy moved out of a Nothing But Net attempt. Jimmy followed it up with a super-kick and that led to an even better near-fall.

Jimmy landed a hip attack and lifted Melo, but Melo rolled Jimmy up for a two-count. Jimmy then speared Melo and went to the top, but Jacob Fatu appeared and stood on the ring apron. Tama Tonga then pushed Jimmy off the top rope to earn Jimmy the DQ win. After the match, Fatu hit a hip attack on Jimmy while Tonga DDT’d Jimmy. Fatu and Tonga stomped on Jimmy and Melo got to his feet to congratulate Fatu, but Fatu clotheslined Melo. Fatu then hip attacked Jimmy. Solo Sikoa’s music then hit and Sikoa walked to the ring.

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The Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu segment

Oh, boy, I loved the Fatu portion of this. He showed excellent fire and even though the crowd tried to hit him with the dumb “What?” treatment, he pushed through to prove his point. This was a much more grounded Fatu, too, and not just a blind follower who yells about his love for his Tribal Chief. The more serious he is, the better, and this was the most serious we’ve seen him on the mic in WWE. Anyone who has seen his work in MLW knows he has a lot more to offer than “I love you Solo!” and this was the first time WWE fans got to see that – even if it was a tiny example. As for Sikoa dropping the mic and saying nothing … I love that, too. The more open-ended things are with that side of the Bloodline 2.0, the better.

Sikoa stood in the ring and Fatu handed Sikoa a microphone. The crowd booed the hell out of everything. Before Sikoa said anything, he dropped the mic, took off his red jacket and left through the crowd. Fatu stared at Sikoa as he walked away. Fatu didn’t look happy (but when does he?). Fatu picked up the microphone Sikoa dropped. Fatu screamed, “So, this is what it comes to, huh?” Fatu said he was tired of the disrespect and the hate and the envy. Fatu said even on a bad day, nobody could touch him. Fatu said he could give a damn if anyone cheers or boos him, but one thing he won’t do is let people think he never got his.

Fatu asked if people thought he was losing it and was crazy. Fatu said the craziest thing about the situation is that he’s just getting started. LA Knight’s music then hit and Fatu squared up, but Knight ran in from the crowd and took out Fatu and Tonga. Or, well, he tried to, at least, until Fatu got the upper hand. Braun Strowman’s music then hit and Braun walked out. Tonga tried to hit Strowman with a splash, but Braun caught Tonga and disposed of him. Fatu and Braun engaged in a stare down, but Tonga pulled Fatu out of the ring to end the segment.

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– Los Garza were shown backstage and Santos Escobar walked up to them. Escobar was happy they exposed Pretty Deadly as liars last week. Escobar said Los Garza will take a tag title opportunity away from Motor City Machine Guns tonight. Escobar said if they want respect, they must take it. The LDF members came together as the scene ended.

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated Los Garza (Angel & Berto) [11:57]

This was another better-than-expected special. It’s easy to forget that Angel and Berto can work, and you had to know that MCMG would bring out the best of them, anyway, and that’s what happened here. All told, it was probably one of the better MCMG matches in WWE (save for the Pretty Deadly silliness at the end here). This presumably sets up a rematch between MCMG and #DIY, but we’ll see (Saturday Night’s Main Event, perhaps?). It’s happening slowly, but it’s also happening surely: The crowds are responding more and more to MCMG each week. It’s encouraging, even if it feels like baby steps.

Shelley and Angel started the match. They traded a series of quick moves until Angel choped Shelley and tagged Berto in and he landed a rolling moonsault on Shelley. The move was good enough for a two-count. Shelley came back with a series of chops and things broke down between the four wrestlers for a brief minute. Ultimately, Sabin and Berto were the legal men and Sabin worked a head-lock. Berto caught Sabin eventually and spin him around until Angel kicked Sabin and pulled off his rip-away pants. Berto and Angel landed kicks to the front and back of Sabin and the show went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Berto landed a wild double-team roll-over face-buster on Sabin. Angel tried to keep Sabin from gettin the hot tag to Shelley, but it didn’t work and Shelley took the heels out after becoming the legal man. Sabin tagged in and and the two hit dragon-screw leg whips on Berto multiple times for a two-count. Shelley tagged back in and worked a figure-four on Berto. Angel tried to run in, but Sabin caught him and put him in a figure-four, too. Berto got to the ropes for a break and things calmed down.

Shelley was pushed into the second rope turnbuckle via Berto and Berto followed it up with a fallaway slam for a two-count. With all four wrestlers in the ring, Los Garza hit some type of odd double-team move on Shelley (and Sabin, I guess?) to get a near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Los Garza lifted Shelley, but Sabin saved the day and cleared the ring. Sabin hit a suicide dive on Angel and Berto on the outside. Back insdie the ring, MCMG set up their finisher, but Pretty Deadly intervened. The interference didn’t work and MCMG hit Skull and Bones on Berto for the win.

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– Aldis was walking backstage and ran into Kevin Owens. Aldis needed Owens to sign the addendum to the world title match at the Royal Rumble, but Owens said he wouldn’t sign it until Cody signed it. Owens told Aldis to stop trying to distract him as he prepares for his match against Rey Mysterio.

Piper Niven defeated B-Fab [2:18]

A glorified squash to keep the story between Michin and Green going, so it’s hard to be too mad at it. As a bonus, B-Fab got some TV time out of it, too, which is always good because as I said earlier, the SmackDown women’s division needs a freshening up and putting faces on TV that we don’t see each week is a way to do that. Let me guess: A tag involving these four wrestlers that leads to a rematch between Michin and Green for the U.S. title? You heard it here first.

Niven ran at B-Fab, but B-Fab moved and Niven ran into a corner. B-Fab planted Niven for a one-count. B-Fab ran at Niven, but Niven caught her and slammed her. With the two back on their feet, B-Fab DDT’d Niven for a two-count. B-Fab kicked Niven to the outside. B-Fab rolled Niven back into the ring and clotheslined Chelsea Green on the outside. B-Fab rolled back into the ring and Niven hit a Senton and Piper Driver for the win. After the match, Green and Niven attacked B-Fab until Michin’s music hit and Michin ran out with a kendo stick. Michin worked over Niven. Green and Niven retreated to end the segment.

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– Tessitore led a tribute to Bob Uecker, who died this week.

– Saxton interviewed Tiffany Stratton backstage. Saxton said Bayley was extremely driven to win the WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffy said Bayley has had a career of big moments, but Tiffy has had big moments, too. In fact, Tiffy said, she is a Big Moment and now it’s Tiffy Time. Tiffy said toodles and left Saxton standing in the hallway.

Kevin Owens defeated Rey Mysterio [15:33]

So … what’s this addendum Nick Aldis is adding to the contract for Cody v. Owens at the Royal Rumble? I thought this match was going to set up that reveal, but all we got was yet another brawl between Cody and Kevin. In the meantime, the match was pretty good, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel like Rey going 15 minutes doesn’t seem like the best idea these days. He held his own for the most part – and Owens made sure to take care of him – but this lost some steam as it wore down and I’m a little surprised we got a kick-out of the Stunner. So much for that move being protected to the millionth degree on WWE TV anymore. Still, it was nice to see Rey out there and even better to see a (semi) clean finish. The post-match stuff was fairly boilerplate.

Both wrestlers tuned into the crowd after the bell rang and let things simmer. Rey got the best of Owens once the two engaged. Owens threw a fit. Owens eventually knocked Mysterio to the outside. Mysterio returned to the ring and took down Owens before he tried again and Owens caught Mysterio for a slam. Owens followed it up with a Senton. Owens ran Mysterio chest-first into a corner. Owens hit a knee on Mysterio and the action spilled outside. Mysterio did the 619 spot on Owens and sent Owens into the barrier on the outside. From there, Mysterio landed a sliding splash under the bottom rope. Both guys sold pain outside the ring as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Owens had the upper hand inside the ring, throwing Mysterio into a corner chest-first. Owens ran at Mysterio, but Rey moved and Owens ran into the ring post. Mysterio went to the top and hit a splash on Owens before landing a bulldog for a two-count. Rey set up for a 619, but Owens got back to his feet and super-kicked Mysterio. Owens went for a pop-up powerbomb, but Mysterio turned it into a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two-count.

Owens was perched on the top rope, but Owens headbutted his way out of it. Owens then hit a frog splash for a near-fall. The crowd launched into “Eddie!” chants. Owens set up for a super-plex, but Rey turned it into a sunset flip from the top and he followed that up with a modified Destroyer for a near-fall. Mysterio went for a springboard splash, but Mysterio missed. Owens followed up with a Stunner and Mysterio actually kicked out of it at two.

Owens went to the top rope and went for Swanton, but Rey got his knees up and hit the 619. Mysterio went to the top, but Owens stumbled into the referee, which knocked Mysterio off the top rope. From there, Owens landed the pop-up powerbomb to get the win. After the match, Owens threw his belt aside and pulled Mysterio up to shake his hand. Owens bowed at Mysterio and set up for a package piledriver, but Cody’s music hit and Cody ran out to attack Owens. Tons of officials ran out to break the brawl up to varying degrees of success. Owens stood in the crowd and posed with his belt. Cody looked angry in the ring and the show went to a commercial break.

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– Aldis was shown talking to Cody backstage. Aldis said Cody and Owens are out of control. Aldis said next week at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Owens and Cody will relinquish their belts and sign the contract with the addendum (whatever that is), with the special enforcer for the signing being Shawn Michales. Also at SNME, Braun Strowman will take on Jacob Fatu.

– Next week on SmackDown, LA Knight will take on Tama Tonga. Also worth noting, Pretty Deadly will go head-to-head with MCMG.

– Pretty Deadly were walking and ran into #DIY. Ciampa was angry that Pretty Deadly “handed” the victory to MCMG earlier in the night. Ciampa said Pretty Deadly were a joke and everyone was laughing at them. Ciampa left and Gargano told Pretty Deadly it was tough love and they truly believe in Pretty Deadly. Gargano said they want to make life better for Pretty Deadly and walked away. Apollo Crews then walked in and told Pretty Deadly working with #DIY has gotten them nowhere. Gargano ran in and attacked Crews by throwing him into a road case.

– Bayley made her entrance for the main event and the camera showed Roxanne Perez sitting in the crowd. So. Well. Angle alert.

– A Charlotte Flair vignette aired. It almost looked like a set-up package for a “Love Is Blind” story. To be fair, it was a mildly different vibe for the former champ.

Tiffany Stratton defeated Bayley to retain the WWE Women’s Championship [20:03]

Eh. Underwhelming. The women worked hard, but this crowd decided early it wasn’t going to do its part and that hurt the match. There were a few clunky spots and the Bayley/Perez story didn’t really advance outside of a quick exchange of glares towards the end of the thing. It’s kind of tough throwing Stratton – who is still very young and very much a rookie(ish) – into a 20 minute match, even if Bayley is the sort of gatekeeper these days in the women’s division, what with Charlotte out, and Sasha and Becky gone. I was hoping for more, but it just never kicked into another gear. Even so, it’s a credibility-building win for Stratton and that can’t hurt.

The match started with about 20 minutes until the top of the hour. The two locked up repeatedly, but no one got the better of it. They traded pin attempts to no avail and locked up again. Tiffy posed a few times and Bayley set up for a Bayley-To-Belly, but Stratton blocked it. Bayley clotheslined Stratton over the top and with Stratton on the outside of the ring, the show went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Bayley hit a draping neck-breaker and the action spilled outside. Bayley went for some dropkicks, but Stratton telegraphed it and ran Bayley into a ring post. Back inside the ring, Stratton went to work on Bayley’s arm. With Bayley on the apron, Stratton took out Bayley’s legs two times to plant Bayley on said apron. Stratton ran around the ring – but it only led to Stratton running into a forearm from Bayley.

Bayley rolled Stratton back into the ring and the two traded forearms. Stratton clotheslined Bayley and went for a running hip in the ropes, but Bayley moved. As a result, Bayley went for a suicide dive, but Stratton caught Bayley and trapped her between the ring and the ring curtain. Stratton then hit a hip attack of her own. Bayley tried to get back into the ring, but Stratton hit a knee to keep Bayley on the outside. Stratton went for a splash on the outside, but Bayley caught her and landed a Bayley-To-Belly. Both wrestlers were down on the outside of the ring and the show went to its final commercial break of the night.

Back to the action, Bayley hit a suplex from the second rope (sorry, but a super-plex comes only from the top rope, damn it) for a two-count. Bayley went back to the top, but Stratton cut her off and went to the top herself. Stratton landed a Senton and a powerbomb for a good near-fall. Stratton worked a version of an arm-bar, but Bayley rolled out of it and threw Stratton to the outside. Bayley slammed Stratton onto the announce desk and then suplexed her before she jawed at Roxanne Perez in the crowd.

Bayley went to the top rope and connected with the flying elbow for a nice near-fall. Bayley worked a cross-face until Stratton got out of it and hit a spine-buster for a two-count. Bayley hit a Bayley-To-Belly on Stratton after a few seconds of nothing for a near-fall. The crowd was nearly silent for all of this. Stratton set up for Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Bayley cut her off and sunset-flipped her into a corner for a two-count. Bayley slammed Stratton for a near-fall, but Stratton came back and got a two-count from a backslide. Stratton finally hit her Alabama Slam and followed it up with the PME for the win. Stratton quickly walked up the aisle as the credits rolled to end the show.

TNA Impact live results: The final stop before Genesis

Posted on January 16, 2025January 16, 2025 by Matt Boone

The final TNA Impact before this Sunday’s Genesis pay-per-view hits the airwaves tonight, headlined by a face-to-face confrontation between TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth and challenger Joe Hendry.

In non-title action, Tag Team Champions Matt & Jeff Hardy will take on Sami Callihan & PCO. If Callihan and PCO win, they will be added to a three-way title match Sunday that includes The Rascalz.

Ahead of their Clockwork Orange House of Fun match Sunday, TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich and Rosemary will have a “confessional.”

Former TNA World Champions Steve Maclin & Eric Young will team up against First Class’ AJ Francis & KC Navarro.

Leon Slater will take Trent Seven while Jake Something goes one-on-one with former Digital Media Champion Laredo Kid.

Josh Alexander will be on hand to share some thoughts while Ash & Heather by Elegance host a “pre-launch celebration” ahead of their challenge of Knockouts Tag Team Champions Spitfire on Sunday.

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Leon Slater defeated Trent Seven

The show opens with a shot of an enthusiastic “TNA! TNA!” chant from fans inside the Impact Zone, as Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt welcome us to the show. Frankie Kazarian’s theme hits and out comes the Call Your Shot Gauntlet winner for special guest commentary.

After the self-proclaimed “King of TNA” takes his seat alongside Hannifan and Rehwoldt, the focus shifts back to the ring where Leon Slater is introduced for the opening contest. Hannifan brings up Kazarian’s recent conversation with Slater and their scheduled match on the TNA Genesis “Countdown” pre-show.

From there, the entrance tune for Trent Seven hits and out he comes to the ring for his first TNA match since his TNA Final Resolution loss to Ace Austin. He snubs a fan at ringside before settling in the ring. The bell sounds and Seven snatches up the arm of Slater, who flips out and takes Seven down to the mat.

Slater whips Seven into the corner and follows in with a big splash. He does a little dance to taunt Seven and then blasts him with a reverse enzugiri that sends him out to the floor. Slater plays to the crowd, hits the ropes and charges at Seven with a big boot that knocks him off the ring apron and back to the floor.

He looks for a springboard high spot to the floor, but Seven avoids it and counters with a snap-dragon suplex. Seven rolls in the ring and smiles as the referee begins his count. Slater is shown clutching his shoulder in pain at ringside. Slater leaps and dive into the ring at the count of nine-and-a-half.

The two begin getting after it again, with Slater surprising Seven with a few pin attempts and finishing with a leaping kick that sends Seven crashing to the mat. Slater sits Seven on the top turnbuckle and climbs up after him.

He looks for a super-plex but Seven counters with a modified gut-wrench super-plex for a close two-count. Seven follows up with a Seven Star Lariat and a big piledriver for another close two-count. He sets up for a Birming-Hammer, but Slater counters. Slater back-slides Seven for a two-count.

Seven hits a right hand and this time connects with the Birming-Hammer, but again only gets a count of two. Seven and Slater fight out to the floor, where Slater hits a big DDT on the ramp. Seven rolls off the ramp. Slater backs up and waits for him to get up. He charges at him and connects with a high spot off the ramp. Back in the ring, he leaps off the ropes with a 450 splash for the pinfall victory. Excellent opener.

Afterwards, Seven does the standing bow gesture to Slater in a tip-of-the-cap moment of endorsement. Kazarian leaves his seat at the commentary desk and tries for a sneak attack, but Slater turns and catches him. Kazarian pumps the breaks.

Championship Celebration By Elegance Pre-Launch

When the show returns, George Iceman makes his way out with a microphone in-hand. The crowd gives him the Dominik Mysterio and Don Callis treatment as he tries to introduce the Championship Celebration By Elegance Pre-Launch.

He introduces the lovely, the beautiful, the elegant, Ash By Elegance. She comes out alongside Heather by Elegance. Iceman unveils two cardboard cutouts in the ring that shows Ash and Heather with the TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Championships around their waists.

Ash cuts an acceptance speech-style promo, thanking her makeup artists and such, before tearing up and getting emotional while thanking Iceman. Spitfire duo Dani Luna and Jody Threat come out with their TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Championships in-hand. They call them delusional Barbie doll wannabes.

Ash takes exception to these comments and calls Spitfire a team that belongs on the clearance rack. She laughs at her own joke and gets enraged that they don’t find it funny as well. They brawl and then Spitfire takes the cardboard cutout and hit their double-team finisher on it. They rip its’ head off and throw it at Ash.

Gia Miller Interviews PCO & Sami Callihan

Backstage, Gia Miller is standing by with PCO and Sami Callihan. She brings up their match tonight against The Hardys and mentions how if they win, the tag title match at TNA Genesis becomes a three-way with them added.

Callihan promises victory and says they are going to Genesis. PCO gives Miller a compliment that makes her blush. The show heads into another commercial break on that note.

Eric Young & Steve Maclin defeated First Class (AJ Francis & KC Navarro)

When the show returns, First Class duo AJ Francis and KC Navarro make their way to the ring as Hannifan and Rehwoldt do a live ad-read for TNA’s new partnership with BLCKSMTH. Eric Young’s entrance tune hits next and he comes out.

Steve Maclin comes out last and shakes hands with actor Judd Lormand, who is shown and acknowledged on the broadcast in a brief cameo appearance. The bell sounds and Young and Navarro kick things off for their respective teams. Navarro disrespects Young, which angers the TNA veteran.

Young slaps Navarro in the back of the head — loud — before tagging in “Bulletproof” Steve Maclin. Maclin and Young hit a double-team sequence and then Maclin settles into a comfortable offensive lead. Francis provides an assist and Navarro hits a big dive to Maclin on the floor.

First Class takes over on that note, with Francis tagging in and taking it to Maclin in the corner of the ring. Francis tags out and the two hit another double-team spot. They do their “Money! Money! Money!” chant and Navarro picks up where Francis left off, dominating Maclin in one-sided fashion.

Francis runs over and hits Young with a cheap shot to knock him off the apron. Navarro goes over and taunts Judd Lormand, who shoves him down on his ass. Francis comes over and snatches Lormand up by his collar until officials separate them.

Back in the ring, Maclin hits a big slam on Francis that buys him enough time to make the much-needed tag to Young. Navarro also tags in, but it is Young off the hot tag who fires up and takes over on offense. Maclin hits a dive to Francis on the floor.

Young hits a flying elbow drop off the ropes to Navarro for the win. After the match, as Young and Maclin are celebrating, The System duo of Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers come out with Alisha Edwards. They stare down Young and Maclin and touch fists before the show heads to another commercial break.

Masha Slamovich & Rosemary’s Confessional

When the show returns, footage of TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich’s cameo appearance from this week’s WWE NXT is shown. They mention Slamovich being impressed with Cora Jade.

Once that wraps up, the show shoots to a dark, shadowy look at Rosemary, with footage of Rosemary’s recent matches being sliced in. We see that Rosemary is sitting in a confessional booth like at church. On the other side is Slamovich. They each speak their piece.

Rosemary talks about how they were the epitome of violence in the Knockouts division. She says everything has built to this Clockwork Orange House of Fun showdown for the title. She promises it to be the most violent Knockouts match in TNA history.

Slamovich says they’re either going to touch the sky, or she’s going to drag her to hell with her. That’s how the brief video package segment wraps up. The show heads into another commercial break.

Mike Santana vs. Josh Alexander At Genesis Now An “I Quit” Match

Footage of Judas Icarus and Travis Williams attacking Mike Santana at Prestige Wrestling from over the weekend is shown as the show returns from the break.

Inside the Impact Zone, Josh Alexander and The Northern Armory come to the ring. The crowd gets on Alexander’s case with “Baldie” chants. Alexander says Santana was injured last week and can’t wrestle at TNA Genesis. Santana’s theme hits and he comes out through the crowd.

From the crowd, Santana cuts a promo and says as long as he can breathe he’ll fight. He says it will be an “I Quit” match between them at TNA Genesis. Alexander says if Santana can ever make him say “I Quit” he’ll shake his hand.

He says that’ll never happen, though. Santana vows to be the new standard-bearer in TNA. On that note, the show heads into another commercial time out.

Jake Something defeats Laredo Kid

When the show returns, Laredo Kid’s theme hits and the masked fan-favorite immediately makes his way out to the ring for the next match of the evening here on the TNA Genesis 2025 “go-home show.”

After Kid settles in the ring, his music dies down. The entrance tune for his opponent hits, and out comes Jake Something. The bell sounds and this one-on-one contest gets officially off-and-running.

Fans chant for Kid straight out of the gate. He starts off well, but Something quickly takes over. He launches Kid to the entrance ramp. Kid fights back with forearms upon returning to the ring. Something blasts him with a single forearm that drops him. He goes for the cover, but only gets two.

Kid hits a wild DDT off a flip that gets a close two-count on the big man. Something takes over from there. He sits the masked man on the ropes and climbs up after him. He hits a super Something bomb off the ropes for the pinfall victory.

Ace Austin Ready To Capture Gold This Sunday

After the match, a really excellent, extended video package airs to tell the journey of Ace Austin in TNA, leading up to his big TNA X-Division Championship showdown against Moose at TNA Genesis this Sunday night.

A lot was made of his connection to Chris Bey and how he’s doing this in his honor. The show heads into another commercial break after this wraps up.

The Hardys defeated PCO & Sami Callihan

It’s main event (match) time!

When the show returns, Sami Callihan’s music hits and out comes “The Death Machine” for the final match of the evening. He settles in the ring to a big pop from the Atlanta crowd, and then his partner’s entrance tune hits. Out comes “The French-Canadian Frankenstein.”

As PCO settles in the ring, the ominous and cryptic “It’s just a number” 23 vignette airs as the lights in the Impact Zone goes out. We move on, however, as the iconic sounds of The Hardys’ entrance tune hits. Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy make their way out for this non-title match.

If Callihan and PCO get the victory in this one, they will be added to the TNA Tag-Team title tilt at TNA Genesis involving The Hardys and The Rascalz. The bell sounds. It will be Jeff Hardy and Sami Callihan kicking things off for their respective teams. Fans loudly chant “Hardy! Hardy!”

Callihan jumps into the early offensive lead. He quickly tags in PCO. The two go for a double-team spot, but Matt hits the ring to prevent it. All four end up in a dramatic staredown before a wild brawl breaks out between all four guys.

As the fight spreads out to the floor, the show heads into a mid-match commercial break. As soon as the show returns, The Hardys are seen hitting their trademark Poetry in Motion double-team spot on Callihan for a two-count. The Rascalz are shown in split-screen watching on.

Callihan takes back over on offense and tags in PCO. The big man hits the ring and continues to pummel Matt Hardy. Jeff eventually gets the much-needed hot tag to help shift the momentum back into the favor of The Hardys. Jeff hits his trademark Whisper in the Wind spot for a close two-count.

Jeff hits a Twist of Fate on Callihan. Matt follows up with a Twist of Fate on Callihan of his own. Jeff climbs to the top-rope and takes his shirt off. He hits a Swanton Bomb and goes for the cover. 1-2-3. The Hardys win. It will be The Hardys vs. The Rascalz in a pure tag-team title “dream match” at TNA Genesis. The show heads to another commercial break.

Nic Nemeth, Joe Hendry Go Face-To-Face

It’s main event (segment) time!

The show returns to an on-screen appearance by Hannifan and Rehwoldt. They plug TNA Genesis 2025 this Sunday. As they talk about the show, Jordynne Grace approaches the desk and puts a headset on while standing. She leaves a contract on the table and says Tessa Blanchard hasn’t signed yet.

She’s leaving it here so it’s easy to find and there are no excuses. Their match isn’t signed for Sunday yet, and Grace says if Blanchard doesn’t show up, it won’t be the first time. She storms off. The commentators finish running down the lineup for Sunday’s show.

Inside the Impact Zone, the familiar sounds of the viral smash hit, “I Believe in Joe Hendry” hits. Out comes the TNA home-grown star to the ring for the final segment of the evening. Nic Nemeth’s entrance tune hits next and the TNA World Champion joins him in the ring for their face-to-face.

Hendry begins on the microphone first. He talks about how he has to win this Sunday. He says he will, and a new era will begin in TNA, which will start with him lifting up the TNA World Championship. Fans react with loud “We believe! We believe!” chants.

Nemeth acknowledges that clearly everyone still believes in Joe Hendry. He says Hendry needs to know one thing, though. He knows what the TNA World Championship means to him and everyone else out there. He says he damn well better believe he knows what it’s like to hold that title.

Nemeth says this isn’t just a chance for a shot, or a music video or a tweet. This is every single day. It’s an entire different level, and you live that way every single day, not even sleeping some nights. He doesn’t know if Hendry is quite ready for that yet.

He says Hendry has earned everything he’s got so far, and he’s said it every step of the way. He wants to clear the air on one last thing. He asks the production truck to play a clip for him. We see footage of JBL taking out Hendry with a Clothesline from Hell at TNA Bound For Glory 2024, and then doing the same to Ryan Nemeth.

Nemeth says what JBL did was all on him. He says he was out and unaware it was even happening. He says when he came to, what he did see was JBL taking his brother’s head off. He says had he known he’d interfered, it’d of been a different story.

All he knew was his brother had his head taken off and Hendry was pulling himself into the ring. Hendry says let’s assume everything Nemeth said is true. He says one thing still doesn’t make sense. Ryan Nemeth’s theme hits. He tells Nemeth that Hendry is a two-timer.

He doesn’t care about the title or the fans or Nemeth. Joe Hendry cares about one thing — Joe Hendry. Hendry says he’s wasted enough time on Ryan Nemeth. Ryan tells him to say it to his face. Ryan hits the ring and Hendry hoists him up for a Standing Ovation, only for Nemeth to take him out with a super kick.

Nic and Ryan Nemeth stand over a fallen Hendry and look down at him. Hendry comes to and looks up at them. Fans chant “Kick your brother!” as Nic, who slowly walks over and picks up his TNA World Championship. He puts it on his shoulder and stands next to his brother.

He leaves the ring as his theme plays. Hendry continues to recover in the ring as Hannifan and Rehwoldt plug this Sunday’s TNA Genesis 2025 pay-per-view one final time. Tessa Blanchard hits the commentary desk and signs the contract that Grace left earlier.

She grabs Hannifan, but Grace shows up and snatches her up from behind. She slams her over the barricade and brings her in the ring. She hoists Blanchard up but Blanchard escapes out the back door. Blanchard goes for a move, but Grace blocks it. Grace yells, “This is MY division — MINE!”

She hits a Juggernaut Driver and leaves Blanchard laying. Her theme hits as she grabs Tessa and rolls her out of her ring. She stands tall in the ring as the TNA Genesis 2025 “go-home” episode of TNA Impact comes to a close. Thanks for joining us!

Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow F4WOnline.com’s Matt Boone on Twitter/X.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Beast Mortos, Blake Christian, Red Velvet in action

Posted on January 16, 2025January 16, 2025 by Jeff Moss

Tonight’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub has a mix of different stars competing as the slow road to April’s Supercard of Honor continues.

ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet will be in Proving Ground action against Angelica Risk. If Risk can win or go to a draw, she earns a future title shot.

The Beast Mortos will take on Tony Nese while former GCW Champion Blake Christian will look to keep his recent win streak going.

After making her Stardom debut, ROH Women’s World Champion Athena will give an update on her world tour.

Former Ring of Honor Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will be in action after unsuccessfully challenging AEW TNT Champion Daniel Garcia last Saturday.

Dark Order’s Alex Reynolds and Evil Uno will team with Boulder and Serpentico against Shane Taylor, ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty, EJ Nduka and Lee Johnson.

The Outrunners will compete ahead of their inclusion in a 12-man tag team match on Saturday’s AEW Collision.

**********

Here we go! This is the penultimate episode of ROH on Honorclub before #100 next week, and the card is stacked with some very big people who like hurting other people in very big ways!

But first, QT Marshall. Marshall beat Komander in a Proving Ground match last week and the Board of Directors decided that for Episode 100, Marshall will be taking his shot! Next week!

Eight Man Tag Team Match: Katsuyori Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) defeat Colby Carter, Rosario Grillo & The Stew Crew (Dylan Stewart & Zach Stewart)

When it was announced that Shibata and the Outrunners would be in action this week, it was not mentioned that it was in a match this big! Shibata, Komander and the Outrunners all going to be getting a workout against Carter, Grillo and (sigh) The Stew Crew. Terrible name for two decent workers.

Anyway, the match started with several feeling out processes. Komander toyed with Dylan for a while before isolating him and tagging in Floyd. Floyd and Dylan matched up better size wise, so tey began slobbering the knocker and punching and chopping each other before Magnum tagged in for a double atomic drop and some posing. Carter tried to help, but fell victim to an atomic drop as well.

At this point I should mention that the announce team did not seem to know which Stewart was which, so whoever was in the ring was referred to as “one half of the Stew Crew.” So, one half of the Stew Crew isolated Magnum away from his team and Carter locked in a sleeper. Carter was actually really impressive in this match, I hope we see more of him.

Grillo on the other hand, made the mistake of teasing Floyd on the outside, enraging the Outrunner who tagged in to teach him a lesson in powerslams. The other members of Grillos team tried to help, but they all recieved big body spam, er, slams as well.

Finally, Shibata was tagged in to show Grillo why they call him The Wrestler (spoiler alert: It’s because he’s a wrestler). Shibata knocked Grillo into the corner and Komander hit a big 450 splash on him. Shibata, still the legal man, rolled up Grillo and got the win for his team.

-A Shane Taylor promo aired next. Taylor rand down how he’s fought for his life all his life and it wasn’t over until someone quit. This is the Shane Taylor Era in wrestling and they are damn sure going to fight all comers.

The Beast Mortos defeated Tony Nese (w/Ariya Daivari, Josh Woods & Mark Sterling)

The Beast Mortos against Tony Nese means a whole lot of muscle in the ring. Neither of these guys have been seen recently on ROH. Mortos has been causing chaos on Collision and Dynamite since August when he lost to then ROH World Champion Mark Brisco. Nese was out for a while enjoying newfound fatherhood and his last singles match was on the very same taping. These guys both enjoy hitting people very hard, so this should please Shane Taylor and be a fight.

Sterling came down to the ring yapping his usual yap, pushing the Premier Athletes shirt and trying to get the crowd to say the Athletes rule. The crowd missed the memo though and shouted “suck” instead of rule. Mortos entered growling like the beast he is.

Mortos was riled up off the top, stamping his feet in the corner and wasting no time in locking up with Nese. Mortos started throwing potatoes which left Nese a little confused as he’s used to a more technical style. He lowered himself to throwing a boot to the gut though. Mortos bounced back though, no selling a bunch of shoulder blocks from the ropes.

Nese changed his tactics and tried to take out Mortos’ legs. It did not work. Nese went to the top rope and tried a splash, but Mortos kinda caught him and Nese ended up on the mat. Mortos used that to his advantage and delivered some powerslams. Mortos went up top, but Nese was pulled out of the ring by his teammates on the outside. So Mortos changed direction and jumped from the top turnbuckle onto the whole group.

Mortos then began stalking Sterling on the outside, but Nese interrupted so Mortos turned his aggression to him. Mortos sent Nese into the steel steps and Woods stepped up. He was a little aafraid to engage Mortos though, so Mortos tossed Nese back in the ring. Nese slipped back out and Woods caused a distraction so Nese could hit Mortos with a superkick.

Back in the ring, Nese tried chopping Mortos, which is kinda like feeding a gremlin after midnight. Mortos only got madder and tried to hit Nese on the ropes, but Nese pulled it down and Mortos missed and ended up on the outside. Nese distracted the ref while Woods, Sterling and Daivari laid into Mortos.

Nese then pulled Mortos back into the ring and laid in a sleeper. I don’t think Beasts sleep, so it didn’t work. Nese went for a triangle moonsault, but missed. Mortos took advantage and delivered three straight backbreakers to Nese. A massive headbutt dazed Nese as Woods tried to grab Mortos’ ankle from the outside. The ref caught it this time and ejected Woods from ringside.

Mortos hit a terrifying modified spiked pile driver and mercifully Nese stayed down for the three count.

-MxM Collective joined us next from backstage. They congratulated the ROH Tag Team Champions the Sons of Texas on their title defense in the Tokyodome. MxM believe that they are next in line for a shot at the titles and they are deathly serious about it. They then stared deep into my soul as the segment ended. I need a shower.

Blake Christian defeated Parker Li

Christian has been rapidly rising in the ranks of ROH (boy that’s a lot of R’s) recently (one more!), having been in the Six Man Survival of The Fittest match at Final Battle for the ROH TV Title, and picking up wins over AR Fox and Aaron Solo respectively. Li, sadly, has not been out managing Elvis and has instead been making a name on the indies. This is Li’s second ROH match and his first solo outing.

The crowd chanted for hometown hero Li, which just annoyed Christian. The word of the day in this match was SPEED. These two flew around the ring off the top with Christian getting the better of Li, who thought it would be a good idea to tease Christian. Christian responded by throwing him out of the ring and diving through the ropes.

Back inthe ring, Christian hit a springboard clothesline off the top rope and posed. He seems to have really embraced posing. Christian put Li in a headlock and dragged him to the mat. Li fought out, but left himself open for the extremely technical kick to the face. And more posing.

Li managed to get some offense in, matching Christian’s agility, but the resurgence was short lived as Christian set him up on the ropes and hit a big knee to the back of Li’s head. Christian dragged him to the middle of the ring and pinned him for the win to get his third victory in a row.

-Footage was shown next of ROH Womens Champion Athena’s latest match in Stardom over in Japan. She won, of course and told the Japanese fans that she has always wanted to wrestle for them and it’s a dream come true.

ROH Women’s World Television Title Proving Ground Match: Red Velvet (c) defeated Angelica Risk

ROH is the only place to find Proving Ground matches and I absolutely love them. For the uninitiated, a Proving Ground match has a ten minute time limit. If the challenger can last that long, or pin or submit the Champion in question, they earn a shot at said champion’s title at a future date. Most recently, QT Marshall won a Proving Ground match to earn a shot at the ROH TV Title currently held by Komander. As previously mentioned, we will see that next week on the 100th Episode of ROH on Honorclub.

For tonight though, Red Velvet looks to extend her Proving Ground streak to 4-0 since capturing the Women’s TV Title. Risk for her part, is 0-7 in ROH matches since April 2023, including two Proving Ground losses.

The two women got in each other’s faces before Velvet’s music had even finished paying. Risk was shorter than Velvet, but definitely had a strength advantage over the Champ. They jawed at each other, both very good at trash talking.

Angelica had Velvet’s number off the top with a series of armdrags and a cross body. She laid in some punches on Velvet, talking smack the whole time. Risk choked Velvet out on the ropes and sent her to the outside. She tried a baseball slide, but Velvet saw it coming and wrapped her up in the ring apron, leaving Risk prone to some big punches.

The two traded blows on the outside until Velvet drove Risk’s head into the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring). A double knee shot to the back dazed Risk and Velvet turned up the juice, laying in some hard shots and sending Risk into the turnbuckle. Velvet put a high chinlock on Risk, grinding her face with her wrists. Risk fought out of it and laid Velvet out with a series of clotheslines.

Risk hit a 619 on Velvet, but only got a two count. The time of the match was about 6 minutes at this point. Velvet raked Risk’s eyes and loaded up the left hand for a big knockout punch. Velvet pinned Risk and got a three count, keeping Risk winless in ROH.

ROH Classic Match: Mark Briscoe vs Slim J (ROH on Honorclub, Episode 1, 25.02.2023)

To celebrate next week’s 100th Episode of ROH on Honorclub, this week’s Classic Content goes all the way back to ROH on Honorclub episode 1! Briscoe took on Slim J in the main event and as you can imagine, it was a pretty fun match!

Eight Man Tag Team Match: LEEJ (EJ Nduka & Lee Johnson) & Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor) defeated Boulder, Serpentico & The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & Evil Uno)

Pop quiz: How do you make a massive human like EJ Nduka even more terrifying? Answer: Team him up with a similarly large man named Shane Taylor. STP is the dominant faction in ROH right now and Taylor has been masterful at elevating both the Infantry and Trish Adora and utilizing Pure Champion Lee Moriarty to build an empire. Even if it’s just one one match, adding Nduka and Johnson to the fray is a substantial increase in power.

The Dark Order has been stalling of late. There was some silliness with the Grizzled Young Veterans and their scarves, but that seems to have fizzled out. Serpentico is always cool and ready to go with the flow and Boulder… well, I’m sure he will rub someone’s face in his chest or something. There is no storyline or advertised reason for this match and to a casual viewer, that doesn’t give it a lot of stakes. This is one of the things that Tony Khan needs to fix about ROH if he hopes to land the promotion a TV deal.

To start things off, The infantry threw Reynold’s jacket on the ground, the ULTIMATE sign of disrespect. So, Reynolds started off against Moriarty which was great because they set a high tempo and fast pace. Moriarty, who I just noticed wrestles in a singlet with the straps pulled down, was able to get a bunch of nearfalls on Reynolds but he kept popping back up.

Johnson was tagged in to face off against Evil Uno. Uno tried to be nice with a code of honor but Johnson kicked him in the stomach instead. Uno hit an Atomic drop and sent Johnson into the corner. Reynolds tagged in and they double teamed him. Serpentico tagged in and Reynolds held Johnson so Serpentico could hit a double stomp from the top rope.

Serpentico was pulled to the outside by Nduka who threw the smaller man into the barricade a few times before tossing him back in the ring. Nduka tagged in for a sidewalk slam and dragged Serpentico to the STP corner. Taylor snuck in a quick shot to the head and Nduka tagged him in. Serpentico fought for his life, but Taylor easliy dispatched him with a huge slam and leg drop. Johnson tagged back in and put Serpentico in a head lock.

Taylor sent the Infantry over to take out Uno and Reynolds just as Boulder tagged in to face Johnson. Moriarty tried to help, but Boulder stacked them in the corner and hit a big splash. Boulder hoisted both men onto his shoulders and hit a samoan drop/fallaway slam combo. That brought in Taylor to face off against Boulder.

Taylor charged Boulder who actually caught him in midair! Boulder slammed Taylor, but it only got a two. Moriarty tagged in to face Reynolds and locked in a Border City Stretch. Reynolds reversed it and that brought in Nduka to levelled Reynolds with a shoulder. Uno Dropkicked Nduka out of the ring, then Taylor knocked Uno out, then Boulder and Taylor hossed it up in a spectacular display of beef.

Serpentico and Johnson hit duelling frog splashes on the bigger wrestlers and I guess(?) they became the legal men? The ref tried valiantly to sort out all the flying bodies, but it was hard to figure out. Serpentico and Moriarty found themselves in the ring and legal, so Moriarty locked in a Border City Stretch and made the Luchadore tap out.

And that was it! 99 down, one more to go!

AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage live results: World title match, Kenny Omega in action

Posted on January 15, 2025January 15, 2025 by Ryan Howard

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage from Cincinatti features a World title bout, plus the AEW in-ring return of Kenny Omega.

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends the title tonight against Powerhouse Hobbs, the winner of the men’s Casino Gauntlet match last week.

Omega will have his first AEW match since December 2023, facing Brian Cage. Omega returned to the ring earlier this month at Wrestle Dynasty against Gabe Kidd.

The first women’s Casino gauntlet match will take place with the winner earning a shot at AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May at February’s Grand Slam Australia.

The Hurt Syndicate will be in action as MVP makes his AEW in-ring debut with Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin against AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party and Mark Briscoe.

The long-simmering feud between Christian Cage and Hook comes to a head with the two finally meeting one-on-one.

Ricochet will share some thoughts two weeks after he attacked Swerve Strickland with a pair of golden scissors.

**********

AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz as they throw it to a video package highlighting tonight’s card. The highlights did include Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty, as Omega’s AEW in ring return is the opening contest of the evening.

Kenny Omega defeated Brian Cage (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer)

(This was a good return match for Omega, as he sold a lot of the time before delivering some of his greatest hits. Obviously this was nowhere near the Wrestle Dynasty match and I’d recommend seeking that out if for some reason you haven’t seen it, but it was nice to see Kenny back in an AEW ring. The post-match set up the Takeshita/Fletcher vs. Ospreay/Omega showdown, which could happen either on TV or possibly Grand Slam, which, at this moment, we haven’t been told how we can watch it.)

Omega’s first match on Dynamite since November 15, 2023 in the 8-man Street Fight against, ironically enough, Brian Cage & The Don Callis Family. Loud ovation for Omega, as he fired off early chops, but Cage no sold, so Omega took out the leg. Omega couldn’t power Cage up, allowing Cage to curl Omega before hitting a fall away slam. Cage hit one pop-up powerbomb, tried another, but Omega countered into a hurricanrana to the floor. Omega teased the Terminator Dive, but Archer ran distraction, allowing Cage to turn Omega inside out with a lariat. Cage tossed Omega into the barricade and press slammed him abdomen first on the announce table (I wonder if it’s still “solid oak” like Excalibur told us last week?). Cage took the ref, as Archer & Callis got in their cheap shots as things went to commercial.

Back from break, Cage hit a suplex from the apron back inside for two as Omega crawled to the ramp. Omega tried another hurricanrana, but Cage powerbombed him back into the ring for another near fall. Omega fought off a pump handle, connecting on a face palm slam, but Cage got the knees up during a moonsault attempt and hit the sit-out pump handle for two. Cage went up top, but was cut-off, allowing a springboard sunset bomb before a V-Trigger got a near fall. Omega signaled another V-Trigger, but Cage sidestepped, Omega floated over a German suplex, ducked a discus lariat and popped Cage with a pump knee followed by a V-Trigger. Omega connected on the One-Winged Angel and got the victory.

Post-match, Archer & Kyle Fletcher hit the ring and attacked the midsection until Will Ospreay hit the ring and made the save similar to last week. Ospreay flipped out of an Archer chokeslam, hit an enzugiri, Omega fired off a V-Trigger and Ospreay capped it with a Hidden Blade. Ospreay & Omega had words until Ospreay shoved Omega out of the way and wiped out Fletcher with a dive. Konosuke Takeshita’s music hit and he walked right out and brawled with Omega until Fletcher & Ospreay got back in and the fight continued. Fletcher & Takeshita got the advantage and laid out Ospreay & Omega with the Brainbuster and Raging Fire respectively. The Don Callis Family stood tall over Ospreay & Omega. Despite all of that, Schiavone said that Omega & Ospreay stood tall after Omega’s return, as they were both struggling to their feet after the attack.

-Hurt Syndicate video ahead of MVP’s in-ring debut for AEW, coming up tonight.

**********

-New York Minute with Chris Jericho, who called Cincinnati the Bluegrass State. The Learning Tree talked about the upcoming 12-man tag on Collision, which Bryan Keith reminds us “is a dozen MF-er”. Jericho called Cope a dope and Cash Wheeler…a kneeler. Jericho promised Jon Moxley that The Learning Tree & Death Riders will be on the same page. This wasn’t the best New York Minute segment they’ve done, even Taz said that was so rough it made him sad to be a New Yorker.

Ricochet Addresses the Attack on Swerve Strickland

Crowd booing Ricochet big time, as he has the gold scissors in the breast pocket of his suit. The crowd wouldn’t let him talk, drowning him out with Swerve’s House chants. Ricochet said a picture is worth a thousand words and showed the bloody attack on Strickland on the big screen before Strickland’s music hit. Prince Nana snuck in from behind and cracked Ricochet with a chair before dancing over him. Swerve Strickland slowly walked out with a chain and went to whip Ricochet, who ran for higher ground, as Strickland stalked him down. Ricochet chucked a security guard into Strickland and bailed out the door through the snow.

-Video package of the media tour the TBS Champion Mercedes Mone has been on lately. The Sherri Shepard Show, Sirius XM, shopping, training at Create-A-Pro Wrestling, as she told us Mone Changes Everything.

The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & MVP) defeated Mark Briscoe & AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party (Quen & Zay)

(This was about 90/10 Hurt Syndicate and there’s really no reason why Lashley & Benjamin shouldn’t be tag team champions after a performance like this. Hurt Syndicate looked incredibly strong here to the point where I almost felt bad for Briscoe & Private Party getting darn near squashed here.)

MVP wrestled a few times on the indies at the end of last year, but prior to that, it’s been a little over 2 years since he has competed on TV. Meanwhile, this is Private Party’s first match on Dynamite since winning the Tag Titles last October. Hurt Syndicate wasted no time attacking at the bell, as MVP & Briscoe slugged it out in the ring, as Zay & Quen got beat down outside. Briscoe answered with some Redneck Kung-Fu, but MVP regained advantage, tagging Benjamin, slamming Briscoe repeatedly from apron to barricade, as things went to commercial.

Back from break, MVP hit the Ballin elbow for two, but Briscoe ducked a clothesline, hit a leaping back elbow into the double down. Zay made the hot tag and ran wild briefly on Benjamin until Quen tagged in and we got a series of double dropkicks. They held the ropes open as Briscoe hit a somersault dive onto Lashley. MVP & Benjamin were flattened back inside, as MVP & Zay tumbled outside, as Quen laid out Benjamin with a Flatliner for two. Lashley launched Briscoe with an overhead belly to belly, as Private Party hit Poetry in Motion on Benjamin. Lashley got in the ring and squashed Quen with a spinebuster and Zay with a Spear as Benjamin hit a superkick on Quen and got the pin, while MVP hit a charging knee on Briscoe ringside.

-We’re told Cope vs. PAC will happen next Wednesday as a quick video package on the friendship of Cope & FTR was shown after.

**********

-Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet will take place 3 weeks from tonight on Dynamite

Jeff Jarrett & MJF Face-to-Face Part 2

Jarrett came to the ring to a nice ovation from the crowd, as he said the last few weeks have been humbling before immediately being interrupted by MJF’s music. MJF walked to the ring and said last week he gave Jarrett an opportunity of a lifetime, but was turned down. Jarrett cut him off and said MJF was too lazy to enter the Casino Gauntlet and tried to scheme, when MJF screamed for Jarrett never to interrupt him again. MJF cooled down and said he’s a living legend, as Jarrett has convinced these dumb schmucks he’s one, too. MJF said Jarrett is the Last Outlaw because he’s the last thing you see before your favorite wrestling company dies. MJF called Jarrett a pro wrestling Grim Reaper and said thinking of his career makes him want to drink. MJF apologized and called Jarrett a raging…recovering alcoholic and said he’ll send Jarrett’s ass packing back to rehab where he belongs. MJF said to make sure his sexy MILF of a wife sticks around, as he’s a fan of Karen, but when he’s done with her, he’ll ship her back to Nashville so Jarrett knows what a Generational Talent & Olympic Gold Medalist balls taste like.

Jarrett said all MJF does is make cruel insults and said he knows his best years are behind him, but entering the Owen Hart Cup last year made him realize he still wants to keep going. Jarrett said it’s exactly what’s needed to get him on track to become AEW World Champion. MJF thinks he can hurt Jarrett’s feelings, but he did everything like this before MJF and better than him. Jarrett is confused whether MJF is a dumbass, scumbag or all of the above. Jarrett said it must be tough being raised by a call girl mother and knows for a fact when his father knocked his mother up, she still made him pay for it. Jarrett said the old saying is we’re married to our mommies, MJF’s is nothing but a Canadian call girl. While MJF was burning it up for 60 minutes with Will Ospreay, his old lady was doing the same thing with a bunch of wrestlers in the back. Jarrett said MJF is drowning in his own sh*t, an entitled prick, a scared little boy, who won’t enter the Gauntlet, scared of becoming a one hit wonder.

MJF said he didn’t need his daddy to make him a top guy or start his own company to be a top guy, MJF made MJF. We know what happens when Jarrett is King of the Mountain, while MJF is to thank for record PPV buys, ticket sales and is the Best in the World, but then he got screwed. His name, reputation, legacy, dragged through the mud, as he doesn’t want to win the World Title, he needs to win it, to shove it down all his detractor’s throats, but has to wait in line for Jeff Jarrett? With all due respect, no wrestling fan has ever given a sh*t about Jarrett. What pisses MJF off is just because Jarrett was best friends with Owen Hart, he’s owed a grand finale, but he sees through his BS. Jarrett is nothing more than a leech, riding the coattails of his deceased friend. Jarrett finally popped MJF with punches until security hit the ring to pull him back. Karen Jarrett came in and tried to calm Jeff down, but MJF grabbed her and threw her into Jeff before bailing. This was a long segment, but had some good lines.

HOOK (w/Katsuyori Shibata) defeated Christian Cage (w/The Patriarchy) via disqualification

(This feud started back in October and we finally got the one-on-one showdown and it’s obvious that they aren’t done yet, especially with the big return of Joe after. The match itself was fine, but I wasn’t begging to see a rematch after this. The Patriarchy just don’t feel like that strong of a group right now. I always seem to forget Cage has a guaranteed World Title shot in his back pocket, too.)

HOOK attacked during Cage’s entrance and even had a brief stare down with Mother Wayne, as Cage tried bailing up the ramp, but was backdropped over the top into the ring. Cage backed off, tried apologizing, hugging HOOK, who turned it into an overhead suplex. Cage took a hard corner buckle before being comforted by Mother Wayne into commercial.

During break, Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne came out to corner Cage, as Katsuyori Shibata is out to back HOOK. Cage was sent over the top to the outside, as HOOK hit a diving forearm off the apron. HOOK tried stomping the hand on the ring steps, but Cage swept out the leg and HOOK smacked spine first. Back inside, Cage hit three Frog Splashes for two, as Cage wanted a Spear, HOOK avoided at first, but struggled to recover, as Cage ultimately hit a Spear, but HOOK kicked out. HOOK battled back with clotheslines and throws, hitting a Fisherman’s Suplex for two. REDRUM applied, but Cage climbed the ropes to break it, so HOOK just sent him crashing down. Cross face shots from HOOK, but Cage slid through REDRUM and posted HOOK. Shibata held off Wayne & Sabian from attacking, but Cage laid him out with a reverse DDT ringside. Back inside, Cage wanted a Killswitch, but HOOK countered into REDRUM. Cage signaled to Sabian & Wayne, who pounced in the ring for the DQ.

The Patriarchy went to Pillmanize the arm again, when Taz was about to leave commentary, but the music of Samoa Joe hit and he came to the ring to clean house to a massive ovation. Sabian & Wayne were tossed around and destroyed by Shibata & Joe, as Cage & Mother Wayne retreated.

-Video package of Switchblade Jay White saying he’s going to get his hands on Wheeler Yuta, The Undisputed Kingdom say they will get gold in 2025 and Daniel Garcia telling them to bring it on.

**********

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Jeff Jarrett, when Dustin Rhodes walked into the shot before Jarrett could talk about MJF. Rhodes said MJF doesn’t know a thing about the miles Jarrett has had in his career. Rhodes put all his support behind Jarrett and said MJF has no clue what they’ve been through during their career. Rhodes hyped up Jarrett and said he’s a 12-time World Champion, Outlaws never die and they’re the last of their kind.

Toni Storm won the Women’s Casino Gauntlet to earn an AEW Women’s Title match at Grand Slam: Australia

(They never actually told us the time on commentary, but a graphic read Grand Slam will be shown on TNT & MAX on February 15 during Collision’s time slot. They should probably inform the crowd about this, you’d assume. As for the match, it was fine, the surprise of Bayne was pretty much the most noteworthy thing to happen here aside from the finish. She looked strong throughout, as once Storm showed up, you knew she was winning this thing. We’re finally getting a rematch from All In in Australia between May & Storm.)

Mariah May joined commentary for this match, as Kris Statlander is first after winning the three-way last week to get this spot. Jamie Hayter was second, as she & Statlander had a nice back and forth, as May took a shot at Anna Jay not being allowed in this match, having lost any future shots at the Women’s Title last month against May. Megan Bayne is in third, as May is almost speechless, but asks what Bayne eats for breakfast, babies? Bayne flattened Statlander with a leaping clothesline and Falcon Arrow for two, as Hayter broke it up. Hayter fired off shots, but Bayne no sold, tried a suplex, but Hayter reversed into a DDT. Julia Hart is 4, out through the babyface tunnel and brawls with Hayter on the ramp, as Statlander & Bayne fight ringside, with things going to commercial.

Willow Nightingale is 5, as Bayne was waiting for her, as the two started throwing shots immediately. Statlander cut things off, attacking Bayne, as the double team suplex left Nightingale & Statlander smiling at one another, until they both chopped the hell out of each other. Nightingale pounced Statlander, as Toni Storm, the hottest AEW “rookie” is 6 and she runs wild with snapmares and shoulder blocks aplenty. Bayne launched Storm onto Statlander on the ramp, but turned into a Nightingale missile dropkick. Hart & Hayter suffered the same fate before Nightingale wiped out Bayne with a dive off the apron. Statlander flew off the stage onto both ladies, but Storm took her out with Sweet Cheek Music. Hayter & Hart were left with a hockey fight in the ring, as Harley Cameron is 7, as she scrambled for pin attempts.

Hart avoided Hayterade, but not the Hayt-breaker, as Cameron nearly stole a pin on Hayter for two. Another Hayt-breaker to Cameron, who ducked Hayterade, only to be misted by Hart. Thrust kick delivered to Hayter, as Hart went to end things on Cameron, when Storm slid in and got an inside cradle to pin Hart and win the match.

**********

Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) defeated Powerhouse Hobbs to retain the AEW World Title

(I thought the match was good, but Moxley’s matches have this formula now that he’s a big heel and it’s gotten incredibly repetitive. I know it took a lot to put Hobbs away, but it was just overkill. I’m not sure why they’d Pillmanize the leg, as that usually is a way to write people off for a few weeks, but Hobbs is scheduled for the 12-man tag on Collision, so we’ll see where it goes. I just hope Hobbs stays in the upper-level of guys and doesn’t fall down the ladder, he’s been able to hang with the main eventers.)

Moxley entered the arena with Shafir walking through the cold, snowy Cincinnati night, as before the match was about to begin, Claudio Castagnoli & PAC ran distraction at the bell to allow Moxley the upper hand. They immediately retreated, but Hobbs gained control soon after with clubbing blows. Taz said he was proud of former Team Taz members Hobbs, Brian Cage & HOOK (no mention of Ricky Starks) as he quickly said for being part of this show. Moxley was able to battle back with a dive to the outside, but it was short lived, as Hobbs won the brawl in the crowd. They head back to the ring, as Moxley quickly took over with punches in bunches in the corner, but opted to trash talk, only pissing Hobbs off, as he drove Moxley to the corner where he bit at the ear, apparently trying to bite off the ear ring. Moxley was sent crashing outside, as Hobbs was in control during commercial (Schiavone had said they were sticking with this til the end, but that wasn’t the case if you’re watching on TBS).

Hobbs kept biting at the ear and now has Moxley’s blood on his mouth, as Moxley fired off a cutter for the reset. Forearm exchange until Moxley sent Hobbs to the floor, he took the ref and Shafir got in some cheap shots. Quickly back inside, Moxley wanted Death Rider, but Hobbs powered out into a shoulder tackle. Hobbs mowed down Moxley with a series of clotheslines and World’s Strongest Slam for two. Hobbs connected on an Avalanche powerslam, but Moxley used the momentum to roll through into a cross-arm breaker. Hobbs got the ropes, as the ref backed Moxley off. That distraction allowed Wheeler Yuta to sprint in for a Busiaku Knee and hightail it, as Moxley wanted a Death Rider, but Hobbs hit a desperation Spinebuster. Hobbs lowered the straps, wanted a Torture Rack, but Moxley got the rear naked choke. Moxley stumbled out, grabbed the ref, allowing Shafir to smack Hobbs with the briefcase and Death Rider but kicked out at two. Moxley sank in the Bulldog Choke and Hobbs passed out to give Moxley the win.

Post-match, Death Riders hit the ring as a group, but Hobbs briefly fought them off. Castagnoli used a chair on the previously injured leg, as they tore the brace off it and took turns smacking the leg with the chair. They Pillmanized his leg with the chair and right after it happened, Rated FTR made the save and chased off Death Riders to end the show.

AEW Collision 1/18/25

Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith vs. Cope, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Powerhouse Hobbs, Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd
Hangman Adam Page vs. Christopher Daniels in a Texas Death Match
Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the Continental Title

AEW Dynamite 1/22/25

Cope vs. PAC

WWE NXT live results: The fallout from New Year’s Evil

Posted on January 14, 2025January 14, 2025 by Chris Aiken

With new champions crowned, the fallout from New Year’s Evil takes place on WWE NXT tonight.

It’s a new era with NXT Champion Oba Femi and NXT Women’s Champion Giulia now at the top of their divisions. Tonight, Oba Femi will appear for the first time as champion. We’ll see if either Trick Williams or Eddy Thorpe want a shot at the title following last week’s triple threat.

A “special look” at Giulia is set to air tonight. Roxanne Perez — who dropped the NXT Women’s Championship to Giulia — will appear tonight and address her future.

An NXT Tag Team title match is part of the card with Axiom & Nathan Frazer defending against Bronco Nima & Lucien Price.

Plus, there will be a pair of number one contender’s matches. Stephanie Vaquer faces Shotzi with a Women’s North American Championship shot on the line. And Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson vs. Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn determines the next challengers for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles.

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

**********

NXT is back at its regular home on a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando, where NXT is filmed before a live studio audience.

Opening the show is new NXT Champion Oba Femi, who enters and takes center stage in the ring with his title belt over his shoulder. Femi talks about taking his rightful place on the throne. Femi mocks past speeches about others not believing they would accomplish it, but Femi always knew he would become champion.

Since day one, Femi was backed by dynasty. Femi runs down his accolades in NXT, liking it him being backed by dynasty. And he was backed by dynasty when he won the NXT Chamionship. All of this is now his, dubbing himself “The Ruler” of NXT.

The crowd almost ruins the moment with a “you deserve it” chant, as Femi shifts to Trick Williams. Femi at first puts over Trick as the former champion, until saying Trick has a ceiling. Femi boasts he has no ceiling. As for Eddy Thorpe, he “is a real of work, isn’t he?” Femi likens him to a bug that will not die. Femi issues a “final warning” to Thorpe, telling him to go annoy someone else in the locker room.

NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo interrupts Femi, because hardly any monologue in NXT can go interrupted. Unless you are The Rock, and only The Rock. Anyway, “The Don” congratulates Femi on getting the big seat, but D’Angelo took exception to Femi noting he was the longest reigning North American champ. D’Angelo reminds Femi that “The Don” is the only person he has not beat, and D’Angelo says if they met that he would leave as “The Double Title Don.” This how you know Vince is indeed gone for good. The use of the word “title” in a nickname.

Femi mentions that D’Angelo got knocked out by Santa Claus, and D’Angelo says he will take care of Ridge Holland. Speak of the devil. Holland then interrupts to taunt D’Angelo with a photograph from the Santa incident. D’Angelo sarcastically says he’ll sign the photo as he exits the ring, heading towards Holland. They met up and a melee ensues. As they brawl at ringside, in runs Eddy Thorpe to ambush Femi. Thorpe is booed by the crowd, as he DDT’d Femi. Thorpe then wraps a strap around his fist. The kind of strap used in a strap match. Thorpe punches Femi with what I guess is supposed to be a loaded fist, but it was just a strap around his fist. Thorpe then grabs the title belt, and he poses with it as he stands over Femi.

A backstage skit sets up Ethan Page against Dante Chen for later tonight.

NXT is on the road at Center Stage Theater in Atlanta on January 28. The famed Center Stage was the site of countless television tapings for WCW beginning in 1989 through the mid-90s. ROH also taped television at Center Stage in the Sinclair days.

Shotzi defeated Stephanie Vaquer to become number one contender to the NXT Women’s North American Championship

Shotzi pinned Vaquer after outside interference from NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley. Jacy Jayne also interfered during the match, but she got a double headbutt for her trouble. Henley hit Vaquer with a belt shot, and Shotzi cradled Vaquer for the pinfall.

The match went through a commercial break. While there was a number one contender’s match last week, there was another this week. Why not? Vaquer won a shot last week, and somehow lost that title shot this week. Unless this sets up a triple threat, because that is not overdone at all in the slightest. The champ did cost Vaquer the match with outside interference.

Kelani Jordan slaps Cora Jade in a backstage skit. This would seem to set up a singles match between the two, as Jordan keeps teasing a heel turn.

Ethan Page defeated Dante Chen

Page pinned Chen in what was more of an angle than a match. Page jumped Chen before the bell, and Chen hardly had a chance. Chen did get some offense as he fired up on Page, but Page cut him and nailed him with a cutter. Page then scored the pinfall. An injury angle after the match was longer than the match itself.

Page attacks Chen after the bell. Page drags him outside the ring, and Page pins Chen’s leg between the ring steps. Page then Pillmanizes the leg. Chen sells big, and Page smirks. Suddenly, Je’Von Evans then runs to to make a save. Evans peppers Page with punches, but one punch to Evan’s injured jaw drops him. Evans spits up blood as Page taunts him.

My CW feed was spotty for a bit during what appeared to be a backstage skit. The picture on my screen was in and out like a fiddler’s elbow, but I do believe Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Karmen Petrovic are courting again.

New NXT Women’s Champion Giulia is featured in a good video package.

Champions from the main roster are back in NXT, with DIY here for a cameo. Sarah Schreiber interviews the WWE Tag Team Champions Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano. They came “home” to NXT to see Fraxio, whom are being dubbed the greatest tag team in the history of NXT.

Meta-Girls (Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) defeated Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) in a number one contenders’ tag team match

Legend pinned Fyre to win the match, and Meta-Girls become number one contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championship.

The tag match itself went through a commercial break, and then seemingly lasted forever. Meta-Girls did some cool tandem moves, including Legend picking up Jackson with a military press and then tossing Jackson on top of their foes.

As the match is winding down, Meta-Girls are on a roll when Legend spills outside when she is low-bridged over the top rope. Jackson has to play Ricky Morton until Legend gets back on the apron for a hot tag. Meta-Girls then execute a tandem cutter finisher, and Legend covers Fyre for a pinfall.

NXT General Manager Ava presents Lexis King with his version of the Heritage Cup trophy. Charlie Dempsey and Wren Sinclair confront King. There is some bad acting, which seems to set a rematch for the trophy. Loud banging noises distract everyone, and Ava goes to look outside where she finds Tony D’Angelo brawling with Ridge Holland.

TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich is seen watching the show from front row ringside. Later on, TNA Genesis is plugged on commentary.

Cora Jade defeated Kelani Jordan

Jade pinned Jordan to win the match. Jordan let her anger consume her, giving in to the dark side of the force. That, and a eye rake, cost Jordan the match.

Jordan continues to show a mean streak. Late in the match, she was super aggressive with Jade trapped in a corner. The referee a few times got between them to break it up. The last time as the ref is pushing Jordan away, Jade rakes Jordan’s eyes. Jordan is momentarily blinded, and Jade capitalizes with a double-arm DDT. Booker T on commentary referred to the DDT as “gnarly”, and he is not wrong.

Eddy Thorpe with a wicked promo he shot with his own cellphone. From there, the show cuts to a Red Cross PSA related to the wildfires in California. Odd transitional, but the video of the devastation is unbelievable.

Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura confront Fraxiom in a backstage skit. The tag champs are getting ready for their match, but Briggs says he and Inamura “got next.” As Fraxiom is leaving, in walks OTM to confront Briggs & Inamura. They exchange words. In a comedy bit playing off the language barrier, Inamura thinks OTM (“Out the Mud”) are into mud wrestling. Fighting soon breaks out, leading to a pull-apart brawl. Seems to set up a tag match, but first OTM has another tag match in the main event.

Trick Williams tweeted that he needs to figure out his next move.

NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) to retain their titles

Axiom pinned Nima to win the match. And still…

WWE Tag Team Champions DIY are seen watching the match from a perch overlooking the ring. Lots of high flying and tandem high spots from Fraxiom, and some cat-and-mouse against their larger foes. Nima & Price with power moves at times, and they look good. Fraxiom carries their match, but OTM hold their own well. The match begins to break down with all four fighting around the ring.

Outside the ring, Price looks to utilize the announce desk. Price clears the desk, but he gets cut off in the process. Meanwhile, Nima shoves Frazier off the ropes a few times as they were fighting atop the turnbuckles. Frazier manages to do a back flip and land on his feet, while Axiom makes a bling tag beforehand. Frazier climbs the turnbuckles in another corner, and Frazier jumps off the top rope with a flying body press on the announce desk, thus driving Price through the table. Meanwhile, Axiom with a Spanish Fly on Nima, and Axiom signals for a Golden Ratio. Axiom delivers the Ratio, and he hooks a leg to cover Nima for the deciding pinfall. Good match.

Roxanne Perez is headed to the ring for a monologue. Cut away to the parking lot where someone has arrived to the building. They get out but all we see is their feet as the show cuts to its final commercial break.

After the commercial break, Roxanne Perez is in the ring for a monologue. Perez begins by saying when she first won the NXT Women’s title for the second time (which is not bad math, as there was an angle), no one thought she would be champion for 276 days.

With every title defense she made history, and all she wanted to do was make women’s wrestling something special. She wanted NXT to be on a main event level, and this is the “best” women’s division in wrestling today. But her stands Perez without her title, because she was beaten last week.

Perez congratulates Giulia, and Perez says the people got what they wanted — which was Perez dropping the title. Perez then heels by saying what is most sad is what the NXT women’s division has become with Giulia as champion. The NXT women’s division is “lost” without Perez. She adds that neither NXT nor the fans deserve her.

Perez name-drops the Four Horsewomen, saying they needed four, but Perez only needs one (herself). That is the cue for Bayley to interrupt. She was the mystery person that arrived earlier in the show. Huge pop for Bayley, as she enters the sound stage to confront Perez.

Bayley tries to give Perez some advice, but Perez dismisses the advice. Bayley insists the division will be fine without them. Perez eventually cuts off Bayley, and Perez says Bayley is like all the others Perez used to look up to. Perez says Bayley broke records, but Perez broke those records. Perez sarcastically tells Bayley that now Perez should be Bayley’s role model. Bayley responds by saying Perez is going nowhere, while Bayley proclaims she will win the title on Friday. With that, they were running out of time. So, Perez slaps Bayley across the face, and a brawl ensues as the show abruptly goes off the air.

WWE Raw live results: Street fight, Penta debuts, Women’s IC finals

Posted on January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 by Steve Khan

Date: January 13, 2025
Location: The Shark Tank (SAP Center) in San Jose, California

**********

The Big Takeaway —

CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre declared for the men’s Royal Rumble, while Nia Jax declared for the women’s Rumble. Rollins and McIntyre will wrestle next week on Raw.

Penta debuted with a win that was played up throughout the show. Lyra Valkyria is the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion, Jey Uso will challenge Gunther for a world title match at SNME, and Damian Priest beat Finn Bálor in the main event.

**********

Show Recap —

Raw opened with a drone shot of the Shark Tank in San Jose, showing the sold-out crowd. There was a video package of Raw’s debut on Netflix last week.

CM Punk arrived just in time through the loading dock in a black Chevrolet Tahoe. The camera followed him through Gorilla and into the arena. (Punk embraced fans in the front row, put on a kid’s Jey Uso shades and made the “Yeet” gesture.)

The crowd loudly chanted for Punk as he took it all in. He told the fans that the chants did his heart good. Punk acknowledged all the firefighters and first responders throughout the great state of California, as well as everyone helping from other states, and Canada and Mexico. The crowd cheered.

Punk spoke about his win over Seth Rollins. He had a lot on his mind and a lot on his plate, but Rollins was no longer one of them. The Royal Rumble didn’t go well for him last year, thanks to his triceps. It was his dream to win the Rumble, but that was taken away.

Punk mentioned that John Cena declared for the Rumble, but he was declaring for the Rumble, too. Punk planned on throwing out 29 other men and winning the Rumble. He told them to play his song, but Rollins’ music played instead. Punk acted (overacted) annoyed.

Rollins was cheered. He removed his shades to reveal a black eye. The crowd then chanted for Punk. Punk noticed the black eye and moved in for a closer look.

Rollins reiterated what he had said before. Win, lose or draw, he planned on being on Raw. If he didn’t show up when times were hard, that wouldn’t be him, that would be Punk. Rollins said he’d rather be the worst version of himself than be any version of Punk.

Rollins said he has lost a lot of matches, including at WrestleMania, but last week’s was the worst of his career. He has never been more disappointed in himself to underestimate Punk and lose on the biggest stage of his career. The only way to make up for it was to take Punk’s dream and flush it down the toilet. Rollins planned on winning the Rumble.

Drew McIntyre interrupted. McIntyre referred to one of them as more disgusting and selfish than ever. Punk said the last time McIntyre stood in the ring with him, he was in tears, covered in blood and begging for his life. If McIntyre wanted to step in the ring with him again, it would take more than 15 stitches to close the wound.

McIntyre said he wasn’t talking to Punk. He was talking to Rollins. Rollins extended him the same invitation. McIntyre said they were both so alike.

McIntyre said Rollins was all talk. He talked about being a leader, but he was nowhere to be found during Tribal Combat because he was too concerned with his own match—which he lost anyway. He called Rollins pathetic. Rollins said he didn’t have patience for this.

Punk didn’t either and was ready to fight with either of them. McIntyre teased a triple threat but backed down to the dismay of the crowd. McIntyre said there were more important things going on. McIntyre again spoke about Roman Reigns and said he would be the reluctant hero. McIntyre declared for the Rumble so he could get his hands on the title before Reigns could.

********

Damian Priest, Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky, and Lyra Valkyria were shown arriving earlier.

********

Penta defeated Chad Gable (13:25)

Penta entered as Gable’s surprise opponent, and Michael Cole called it the worst-kept secret in the business.

They had a WWE-style match. They went back and forth early on, Gable got the heat, Penta came back, and they traded big moves until Penta got the win.

Penta wore black, white and red. He went to do the zero miedo taunt right away, but Gable cut it off. They had a back-and-forth exchange, which led to a “Penta” chant. Penta messed up a springboard leg drop and set up for a dive, but Gable cut him off and hit a suplex.

Penta came back with a superkick and corner handstand into a dropkick. Gable ducked a right hand and gave Penta a German suplex on the apron. Gable smashed his leg against the ring post and continued to work his leg over. The crowd gave Gable “You suck” chants.

Penta avoided a diving headbutt and hit a superkick, but Gable cut him off again, suplexing him into the turnbuckles. Penta came back with a slingblade, flip dive and backstabber for two. Gable responded with a German suplex for two.

Penta came back with a Canadian Destroyer for a nearfall. Gable took an amazing bump on the destroyer, and the crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” Penta did the zero miedo taunt before kicking Gable in the head, but Gable hit a dragon screw and applied an ankle lock.

Penta got out of it and hit The Sacrifice (hammerlock into an armbreaker) and Penta Driver for the pinfall win.

— Jackie Redmond interviewed Penta post-match. He thanked her and the fans. He called this his new home. He said everyone had been waiting for this, but the truth was, he had been waiting for this moment. He spoke in Spanish and shouted out his family in the front row (some of whom were in tears). This was a new era in WWE, but this was the Penta new era. The crowd cheered.

It certainly wasn’t perfect, but I would call this a successful debut in the end. The crowd was behind him.

(I have the ad-free feed, so the match continued through whatever break they took. It was sort of odd seeing the heat last as long as it did, even though it was a normal amount of time, because it normally occurs during a four-minute commercial break. So it felt like a longer heat sequence, even if it wasn’t.)

********

Judgment Day met in the back. Finn Bálor sarcastically told Liv Morgan that she would be champion again. Morgan said she was at least successful at taking a piece of Rhea Ripley with her. Dominik showed up, so Bálor let them sort their issues out.

Dom had flowers and tried to explain what happened last week. Morgan acted like she wasn’t upset and told him to go grab her bags and have the valet ready for later. Morgan tossed the flowers to Carlito. She left with Raquel Rdoriguez. Dom was blissfully unaware and told Bálor everything was good. He offered Bálor his help in tonight’s street fight. Bálor told him to worry about his girl and to go get her bags.

*******

Cathy Kelley interviewed PCF. They said what they did to Kairi Sane was a message to everyone in the division, including anyone considering moving over via the transfer portal. They each wanted to become the IC champion.

Daniel Cormier and Bron Breakker were shown in the crowd.

********

Sheamus defeated Ludwig Kaiser (8:48)

This went to break early on, which took us to the top of the hour.

Kaiser grabbed a shillelagh, but Sheamus nailed a knee strike for two. Kaiser cut him off and went back on offence, but Sheamus nailed a Brogue Kick for the pinfall win.

— Sheamus saw Bron Breakker in the crowd, and they went face-to-face. Bron shoved him but a referee got between them before it could escalate.

********

Kelley asked Rollins about McIntyre (the two men have a match next week). Rollins owed him one for WrestleMania and said next week would be fun.

Sami Zayn approached Rollins and offered an ear if he wanted to talk following his tough loss. Rollins said last week was rough for him, but it was great for Zayn. His boy Reigns got the Ula Fala back. Zayn helped him last week just like he did at WarGames. Rollins wondered if Zayn would keep helping Reigns until he won the title—or if he would help himself.

********

Redmond interviewed McDonagh and Carlito and asked about the tension growing between Morgan and Bálor. McDonagh called her a spin doctor like the rest of the media. Redmond wasn’t trying to cause drama and asked about Dom being in the doghouse. McDonagh dismissed her again, and Carlito acted like he couldn’t hear her questions. (This may have just been a segment during commercials because it felt very pointless.)

********

A disgruntled Karrion Kross informed Miz that the Wyatt Sicks had been moved to Smackdown. Kross hoped Miz had nothing to do with it.

Zayn approached and asked if Adam Pearce was in his office. Kross said he overheard what Zayn said earlier. Kross and Miz joked about the idea of Zayn winning another title. Zayn said Miz had been Kross’ lackey lately, and nobody was even thinking about him.

Miz reminded Zayn that he’s been world champion twice, which is two more times than Zayn. Zayn said had a few things to discuss with Pearce, and now one of those things was to get a match against Miz tonight. (Kross made sure Miz knew he was on his own against Zayn.)

*******

Oba Femi was shown in the crowd.

********

Gunther and Jey Uso segment

Gunther entered in a suit with his world title belt. He was impressed with the spectacle of last week’s show, but “when it comes to the performance in the ring, I was less impressed.” Aside from him, he wished they had a roster that could fulfill his high expectations. Everyone fought over drama like who was “the head of the table” or “best in the world,” but the only thing that mattered was the World Heavyweight Championship.

Jey Uso entered (wearing a San Jose Sharks Yeet shirt) to a big reaction. Jey said McIntyre and the Bloodline were behind him now, and he wanted a title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Gunther said he knew he wouldn’t hold the title forever, but Jey wouldn’t be the guy to take it. They wrestled twice over the IC title, and Gunther beat him both times. Gunther knew what Jey was capable of and it was a lot less than him. Jey was entertaining, but Gunther would expose him as a really talented tag team wrestler. “Main event” was a nickname to Jey, but it was where Gunther belonged. A match at SNME sounded good to him, but he advised Jey to consider his choice. Gunther left the ring.

Jey said everything Gunther said was true. Jey spoke about all the doubters, and he admitted he was scared to do it alone but he woke up every morning trying to earn respect. So at SNME, Gunther would respect Jey when he beat his ass for the world title. Jey led the crowd in chanting, “Yeet.” Gunther was amused.

Jey was good here.

(Cole said Jey winning the world title would be his first singles championship in WWE, which is incorrect.)

********

There was a good video package for Lyra Valkyria and Dakota Kai.

Kelley interviewed Bayley in front of her hometown crowd (during an ad break). Bayley spoke about how much this building meant to her. She put over Penta and spoke about her title match against Tiffany Stratton on Friday. She also put over Valkyria and Kai (despite their history). She poked fun at Cole and had the fans yell, “Michael Cole’s an idiot.”

********

Lyra Valkyria defeated Dakota Kai to become the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion (8:31)

Valkyria gave Kai a vertical suplex off the apron to the floor, which got a good reaction (this led to an early break). Kai fought back after the break, hitting a running boot in the corner and flipping backstabber for two. Valkyria blocked GTK and hit a running sit-out powerbomb for two. Valkyria followed with an axe kick off the ropes for two.

Kai responded with a scorpion kick, diving foot stomp, and GTK, but Valkyria rolled out of the ring before Kai could make a cover. Valkyria dodged a running boot and hit a slingblade (Kai landed right on top of her). Valkyria followed with Nightwing for the pinfall win.

— Pearce and Kai each raised Valkyria’s hand post-match. Valkyria posed with the title belt as fireworks went off.

(This was fairly good for the time they had, but it felt rushed. Based on the pace they were going, you could see the result coming once Kai failed to get a cover after her finisher.)

********

Kelley interviewed New Day (during a break). They were pissed at Rey Mysterio, and Kofi Kingston said his mother still won’t talk to him. Xavier Woods said they would return to action next week and Kingston told everyone to be careful what they wish for. Kelley was about to follow up, but Woods told her that they were out of time.

********

Sami Zayn defeated The Miz (4:08)

They had a basic match until Zayn killed Miz with a Helluva Kick, followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb for the pinfall.

(Cole yelled out, “Folks, Sami Zayn just got a win with the Blue Thunder Bomb!” It’s good Zayn won with his secondary finisher, but we could’ve done without Cole yelling about it.)

********

Two title matches were made official for SNME on January 25th:

Gunther vs. Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Championship
Bron Breakker vs. Sheamus for the Intercontinental Championship

*******

Rhea Ripley segment

Ripley entered to a strong reaction, and she declared, “Mami is back on top!” She knew she sounded like a broken record to some, but she wanted to remind those who forgot that she was Rhea bloody Ripley. She was “one of” the most dominant women in WWE, and she was once again the Women’s World Champion. (She probably misspoke there.)

Nia Jax interrupted. She was loudly booed. She informed us that she would win the Rumble and would take whatever title she wanted. Stratton and Ripley might think they’re on top, but Jax was the only woman on top of the division. Jax had a few words for Bayley, who was still in the crowd, so she jumped the barricade and entered the ring.

Bayley confronted Jax. She said this wasn’t her show, but this was her city. She called Jax a “big, ol’ dumb idiot,” so Jax shoved her down. Ripley headbutted Jax, so Jax headbutted her to the ground. Bayley and Ripley worked together to dump Jax from the ring.

Bayley was about to grab Ripley’s title belt for her, but Ripley grabbed it instead. They hugged, but Bayley stared at the belt as Ripley held it up.

********

Next week on Raw in Dallas:

The New Day return to action
JBL appears
Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre

********

There was a video package for tonight’s street fight. Priest entered for the main event at about 10:10 pm ET.

During a break, Redmond put over Penta’s win and interviewed Rey Mysterio. Rey said he’s known Penta for a long time, and WWE was his true home. Rey also had a few words for New Day.

********

Street Fight: Damian Priest defeated Finn Bálor (17:15)

Priest entered with a kendo stick. Bálor’s music hit for his entrance, but he attacked Priest from behind with a kendo stick. (The ref saw this coming and called for the match to start even though Priest was about to be attacked from behind.)

Priest fought him off anyway, and they battled near the announce table as the crowd chanted, “We want tables.” Priest gave him a flatliner onto the table and chucked him over it. Priest grabbed a table from under the ring, but Bálor attacked him, and they fought into the crowd. Bálor hit Priest with a trash can, but Priest fought back and hit him hard over the head with the trash can.

There was a great spot where Priest gave Bálor a falcon arrow off some equipment boxes (about 10-15 rows up) through some tables. Officials checked on both men as they went to break. The crowd’s applause turned to booing when they brought out a stretcher for Bálor (because they thought the match might be called off.)

Medics put a soft brace around Bálor’s neck and placed him on the stretcher as Priest gingerly made his way to the ring. Pearce, Carlito and McDonagh checked on Bálor.

Back from break, Priest ran out of the ring to attack Carlito and McDonagh. Priest hammered away at the helpless Bálor. (Bálor was out of it and was tied down.) Priest untied Bálor from the stretcher, rolled it down the ramp and it collided with the side of the ring—and Bálor rolled right off the stretcher and into the ring.

McDonagh and Carlito attacked Priest to help their friend, who was still in a neck brace. McDonagh gave Priest a moonsault. They helped Bálor to his feet and onto the top rope. Bálor ripped the brace off and hit a Coup de Grace for two.

Carlito and McDonagh set up a table, but the War Raiders ran down to take them out.

Bálor hit a slingblade while still selling his neck. Bálor hit Priest repeatedly with a steel chair. He placed Priest seated on a chair and wrapped a chair around his neck. He looked for redemption for Priest trying to kill him, but Priest avoided his dropkick attempt and hit South of Heaven for a nearfall.

Priest tried a Razor’s Edge through a table outside the ring, but Bálor slipped out of it. Bálor placed Priest on a table and hit a Coup de Grace through it. Priest responded by driving Bálor through the barricade.

Priest hit a Razor’s Edge through a table and hit a South of Heaven in the ring for the pinfall win. Priest posed for the crowd as the show ended.

(The show wound up being about 2 hours and 35 minutes, about 30 minutes shorter than last week’s debut.

Paul Levesque and Lee Fitting’s names were shown again as executive producers.)

NJPW Battle in the Valley live results: Kidd vs. Ishii, Takeshita vs. KUSHIDA

Posted on January 11, 2025January 12, 2025 by Corey Michaels

NJPW returns to San Jose for Battle in the Valley tonight, a show with five title bouts, plus a retirement match.

NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd is coming off a classic performance in the Tokyo Dome against Kenny Omega, but must defend his title tonight against Tomohiro Ishii.

Konosuke Takeshita defends the NEVER Openweight Championship against KUSHIDA in a rare heavyweight versus junior heavyweight battle. New IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado puts his title on the line against Taiji Ishimori. World Class/West Coast Wrecking Crew Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs defend their NJPW Strong Tag Team titles against Rocky Romero and YOH.

Sumie Sakai’s retirement match is also set for the show, as Sakai teams with EVIL and SHO against Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani, and Yuka Sakazaki in a mixed trios bout.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. faces CMLL’s Hechicero in a non-title match.

An eight-woman elimination tag kicks off the main card at 10 p.m. Eastern time.

On the kickoff show, Shane Haste and Bad Dude Tito face Fred Rosser and Matt Vandagriff, plus Zane Jay faces Viento in a Strong Survivor match.

**********

Pre-show

Zane Jay defeated Viento

Jay’s rounded approach struggled against Viento’s speed and prowess in the earlier moments, but gained control with kicks to the corner. Viento struck a comeback through a Facebuster and continued with his signature velocity. The pair vied for momentum, trading barbs, but a Flying Elbow Drop and a Boston Crab combo gave Jay the victory.

Zane Jay and Matt Vandagriff have consistently told a compelling story through their rivalry on the U.S. pre-shows, but Viento’s skill is not to be denied. A fun bout to start the night. Speaking of Vandagriff…

TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) defeated Fred Rosser & Matt Vandagriff

TMDK ran roughshod over Rosser & Vandagriff, with the former stuck to suffer the abuse in the ring. Vandagriff tried to steal any sneaky offense he could for his partner, but was unsuccessful. Haste would even go so far as to attack Vandagriff on the apron during his ongoing assault to Rosser in the opposite turnbuckle.

Haste flew too close to the Sun, running the ropes to capitalized on his softened foe, to which Rosser countered with a surprise lariat. Vandagriff earned the hot tag, wiping out Haste and even Tito. Vandagriff downed Haste with a Pele Kick, to which Rosser followed by dropping the Aussie on his back to the apron. A miscommunication between Rosser & Vandagriff proved folly after the former accidentally hit the latter, however, as Haste planted him with a Tornado DDT.

Tito’s luck would’ve fared just as ill, had it not been for Vandagriff exiting the ring due to the earlier misunderstanding. TMDK took advantage of Rosser’s last stand by a combined offense. Escape as he might, Rosser was pinned courtesy of Tito’s Toss-Down Tornado. A bitter Vandagriff only watched.

TMDK’s tag team versatility no matter the combination is a marvel. Vandagriff is growing on me for sure. But seeing Rosser in tag team action without Filthy Tom Lawlor just doesn’t fit for me. That’s not to take away from Rosser’s in-ring ability, but their chemistry is immensely enjoyable.

Main Card

Gabe Kidd (c) versus Tomohiro Ishii for the Strong Openweight Championship ended in a time-limit draw (Kidd retains)

A test of might introduced this match, which Kidd passed with a Lariat. Kidd’s overall offense collapsed Ishii soundly, gloating each time to a booing San Jose audience. Ishii eventually powered out with a crushing elbow thudding on Kidd’s jaw. A prolonged chop spot was temporarily broken up when Kidd challenged Ishii outside of the ring, to which the Stone Pitbull demanded the war be settled on the mat. The crowd demanded both competitors with chants of “Chop Forever” to which they violently obliged.

A frenzy of suplexes soon brought both men tumbling to the mat in exhaustion. On the top turnbuckle, Kidd bit and choked Ishii back to the cerulean blue, but the stocky challenger fought his way back with a headbutt and a Vertical Drop from that same turnbuckle. A pair of knee strikes concluded a lariat spot, but only earned a 1-count for Kidd. Ishii received the same treatment after his own lariat. Kidd nearly won via a count-out over a prone Ishii, but he requested the count be stopped. The two nastily engaged in a war of headbutts, each one echoing loudly after the other.

Ishii threw much of his might behind a lariat, resulting in a close nearfall, and suffered a Powerdriver as a result. Bouncing off the ropes, Kidd splashed Ishii with a resounding lariat, to his own nearfall. Ishii’s might drained Kidd, and was ready to capitalize on his momentum and experience with a Vertical Drop, only for the time to run out, leaving no victor. Kidd remains the Strong Openweight Champion.

Tomohiro Ishii “Avalanche Brainbuster”

Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN #NJPW #njpwworld #njbitv pic.twitter.com/HEnS3ZXD1r
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 12, 2025

Unreal match. NJPW throwing this much time at Kidd cements the trust they have in him, and he delivered in spades. The post-Wrestle Kingdom momentum is burning bright, with Kidd’s impassioned character’s love for NJPW translates well, as he is transforming before our eyes. Pink with the pain on his flesh, Kidd’s tenacity keeps him a topic that fans will be having for some time.

West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) (c) defeated Roppongi ReVice (Rocky Romero & YOH) for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship

Nelson immediately went to work on YOH, controlling his limbs and sending flurries his way. Romero and YOH then combined their efforts, twisting the arm of Nelson repeatedly. WCWC gained the upper-hand on their opponents toward the outside, stomping on Romero back on the mat. Isaacs had much control over Romero with his strength, but Romero’s use of lucha style saved him enough until YOH launched himself as a Double Cannonball to the WCWC. YOH followed with a shoulder to Nelson’s gut before dropping an elbow on him.

WCWC broke this momentum with holds, but Romero broke out of it by launching Isaacs to Nelson. Romero grasped for a victory with a pin, but Isaacs thwarted it by throwing himself at him. Hoping for an assisted Cutter on Romero, the sly veteran wriggled out of the way, leading Nelson to plant Isaacs on accident. Taking advantage of a distracted referee, Isaacs clanked his title across Romero’s face leading to a Popout Powerbomb, transitioned into Isaacs’s Fireman Carry onto Nelson’s knee. With this crushing maneuver, WCWC won via pinfall.

The perfect match to follow Kidd vs Ishii. WCWC has quietly been putting in some hard-hitting matches on the stateside shows, especially against Dirty Work. This thriller against ReVice had the drama to justify its existence on the card without trying to overshadow anything.

Viva Van & Empress Nexus Venus (Hanako, Maika, & Mina Shirakawa) defeated Anna Jay, Trish Adora, AZM, & Johnnie Robbie

Adora and Hanako began the proceedings of this 8-woman tag match, but Van and ENV launched a united assault on her. Jay’s entry to the match fared equally as poorly, with Van’s sprinting and psychology rent her overwhelmed. Robbie, however, quickly gained control over Hanako. This lasted only briefly, with Hanako using her strength to eliminate her with a Brainbuster.

🇺🇸Battle in the Valley 2025🇺🇸

イリミネーションマッチ‼️

🆚@HellBentVixen ＋ EXV💎 × @johnnieRobbiee & @TrishAdora202 & @annajay___ & @azumikan1411 #njpwworld で配信中📡

視聴＆登録⏩https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN #NJPW #njbitv pic.twitter.com/L2QnM2QG8M
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 12, 2025

AZM avenged her partner with a La Mistica and an Azumi Sushi to trounce Hanako. Jay followed this by tapping Van. Alone, Shirakawa dropped Adora, Jay, and AZM with her flashy offset. Maika joined Shirakawa to dropkick Adora out of the ring, thus eliminating her. After an all out war, Shirakawa and AZM eliminated each other as they grappled over the apron to the outside. Back inside, Jay escaped doom after a top rope suplex by Maika, but wound up on the apron. Throwing clotheslines as Jay clung dearly to the ropes, Maika’s final strike sent the AEW star plummeting to the abyss, winning the match for her team.

Order of elimination: Johnnie Robbie, Hanako, Viva Van, Trish Adora, Shirakawa & AZM, Anna Jay

Massively entertaining, this unique stipulation added the right amount of intensity while highlighting the talents of each woman. Pulse-pounding action with the crowd fully behind it. Matches like these showcase the brilliance that is women’s pro wrestling.

El Phantasmo (c) versus Jeff Cobb for the NJPW World Television Championship ended in a Double Countout

Tackling each other, Cobb withstood Phantasmo’s attempts like a brick wall, while the champion absorbed the force that was his challenger like a sponge. Phantasmo resorted to using his acrobatic style to evade and blindside Cobb, but the size and power of the United Empire member quelled this swing. The cartoonish antics of Phantasmo got the better of Cobb, rendering him only able to rely on his muscle to power out of.

Phantasmo did the unthinkable—lifting Cobb over his shoulder for a Spinning DDT, but flew across the ring courtesy of the challenger’s dropkick. The champion landed a Suicida to Cobb on the outside to send him across the guardrails and followed it by soaring from the ring to Cobb, sending him into some chairs and ring crew. As Phantasmo fled back to the ring, his entry was barred by Cobb throwing a crew member into the champion to end the match in a Double Countout.

— Post-match: Phantasmo and Cobb demanded for another match at Windy City Riot on April 11.

Well, this was a jarring conclusion. A bit anticlimactic, really. The story was paced so well that the desire to see an outright winner drove the match. That said, incredible bout. Phantasmo and Cobb were on another level, nearly matching the efforts of Kidd and Ishii earlier. What’s more is that despite my criticism is that I’m invested in a Round Two between ELP and Cobb.

Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani, & Yuka Sakazaki defeated House of Torture (EVIL & SHO) & Sumie Sakai — Sumie Sakai Retirement Match

Sakai plead with her team as EVIL & SHO ganged up on a pummeled Takahashi, who pulled through with a Double Crossbody. Iwatai and Sakazaki combined their efforts to flatten the House of Torture members, with Sakai sadly looking on as Takahashi stood across from her. The LIJ member rallied the crowd to cheer for a tearful Sakai, before falling to a low-blow.

Seeking acrobatic grappling, Takahashi was surprised by technical trickery by Sakai. Refusing to cheat, Sakai instead stomped her opponent into oblivion while SHO dropped him on his back. As a follow-up, SHO slammed Sakai onto Takahashi. An interfering Sakazaki & Iwatani’s attempts to save their partner were thwarted by EVIL. Takahashi snared EVIL into a hold that extended to Sakazaki, Iwatani, Sakai, and the crowd itself. This was of course interrupted due to a chair shot by SHO.

Sakai crushed Sakazaki with a Sumie Twist, but slumped to the mat thanks to a dropkick by Iwatani. Sakai and SHO’s offense were countered by kicks from Iwatani & Sakazaki. Takahashi handled EVIL and nearly lost due to a Smashmouth by Sakai before SHO & EVIL betrayed her. Weakened, Sakai rose to her feat at the mercy of the opposing team. Fading, she made her last stand, striking every member of the other team. They urged her to keep throwing all she had until she had no more.

A Return to Sender from Takahashi almost sealed the deal, even with his teammates assisting him in covering Sakai, but she kicked out to a loud ovation from the crowd. A Time Bomb by Takahashi and another combined pin concluded the match, and thus Sumie Sakai’s storied career.

— Post-match: The locker room emptied to the arena as Sakazaki, Iwatani, and Takahashi said their goodbyes. With flowers in hand and Takahashi’s jacket in arm, Sakai bowed and bade farewell with a heartfelt speech.

.@SumieSakai “Thank you Sumi !!!”

Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN #NJPW #njpwworld #njbitv pic.twitter.com/NR7Ur9x38w
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 12, 2025

Consider me moved greatly. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Sumie Sakai’s career and accomplishments, this match’s story will affect you if you let it. Overcoming her opponents as well as her own team, Sakai ended her run as a wrestler on a high note despite the loss. I legitimately watched in tears as she made her last stand and her opponents stood as friends urging her on. One last hurrah, and Sakai united wrestling for her twilight.

Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeated Kushida for the NEVER Openweight Championship

Takeshita’s staggering size and offense were more than a match for Kushida in the early goings, with a Takeshita Line flattening his humble challenger. Overwhelmed but not overdone, Kushida battled back by wrenching and controlling Takeshita’s arm.

The scars of war were becoming evident on Takeshita, with kicks and strikes flying from Kushida. This upward momentum spiraled down in a Blue Thunderbomb followed. Aiming for a finish, Takeshita dropped Kushida with a Bastard Driver to no avail. The challenger mounted his comeback on the outside floor, drawing a near count-out after throttling the champion’s lower limbs in a leglock. Putting so much of his heart into his efforts, Kushida inevitably fell to one last Blue Thunderbomb and a pinfall.

— Post-match: Takeshita issued a challenge to Hiroshi Takeshita at Windy City Riot on April 11.

It would have been difficult for anyone to follow up on the Sumie Sakai retirement match, but on its own, Takeshita vs Kushida was an enthralling bout. The towering and beefy Takeshita, with all of his smarts and prowess, found a problem in Kushida and his exhilarating offense. Takeshita’s 2025 is already off to a great start with his multiple contracts and it’s clear NJPW loves him.

Zack Sabre Jr defeated Hechicero

Upon the initial lockup, Hechicero came out in charge with a firm grasp on Sabre’s ankle. However, Sabre contorted his way around his opponent, wrenching his opponent’s left side with a Cross-Armbreaker. Hechicero’s legs held Sabre in woeful positions, but the champion was keen to return the favor. Blood rushed to the pinkened head of Sabre as Hechicero tied him up in an upside down position, leading the flushed champion to need a breather.

Engaged in a double leglock, both men slapped each other across the face, snarling in each other’s faces. Sabre inflicted further damage on Hechicero’s arms by trapping the challenger’s arms with his legs on the ropes. An Inoki Stretch succeeded this. With further holds applied on him, Sabre wriggled out and delivered a thudding Penalty Kick to his opponent. A knee was Hechicero’s due rebuttal. In a tense moment, Sabre desperately tried to collect Hechicero’s limbs to crank, but the luchador reached the bottom rope in time to break the hold. Attempting an Inverted hold, Sabre escaped, leading to trading Cobra Twists and a dropkick spot. The pair maintained reversal pins until Sabre finally managed to bridge one at the last second for the pinfall.

Technical wrestling will always be my jam, but this match almost felt a bit long. Regardless, two of the best with submission holds pinkened each other and challenged the other to a suspenseful climax.

Main Event

El Desperado (c) defeated Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

Desperado dominated early, evading a Cravat attempt by Ishimori, but was no match for his knees. Colliding the champion into the guardrails, Ishimori challenged the crowd with cruel taunts, and returned to it again after slinging Desperado into the turnbuckle. Throughout the match, Ishimori targeted Desperado’s arm with no remorse. The champion fought ack with a resounding Brainbuster, but found himself horizontal after a slam. Boasting his momentum, Ishimori missed a collision at the turnbuckle and ate a Dragon Screw Leg Whip for his troubles.

.@ElDesperado5 “Guitarra de Angel”

Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN #NJPW #njpwworld #njbitv pic.twitter.com/TDk2URrji6
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 12, 2025

Torturing the champion on the rope, Ishimori punctuated his offense with a Sliding German Suplex. Missing a 450 Splash, Ishimori became ensnared with a hold. The Bullet Club’s residential Bone Soldier nearly won with a bridged pin, but Desperado kicked out. Trading signature moves, the match reached a high conclusion following a weak slap by Ishimori, to which Desperado rewarded with a Jay Driller and a Pinche Loco for the victory.

A less agile display, but a captivating one nevertheless. Ishimori threw every tactic, but Desperado’s heart won, adding to Desperado’s singles record. While not reaching the heights of the Strong Openweight Championship match or the Sumie Sakai Retirement Match, this fight still earned its main event spot.

Battle in the Valley this year held no surprises but delivered in quality as far as in-ring is concerned. The whole show is worth watching, and any match is deserving of your time. However, for those seeking the best of the best, then Gabe Kidd vs Tomohiro Ishii and the Sumie Sakai match will more than suffice. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight match is another fine addition to that.

AEW Collision live results: Cope vs. Big Bill, Chris Jericho vs. Dax Harwood

Posted on January 11, 2025January 11, 2025 by Suit Williams

AEW heads to Athens, Georgia, for tonight’s live Collision which will see several champions in non-title action.

Former TNT Champion Cope (Adam Copeland) will take on Big Bill after the two were involved in a trios match last Saturday. It will be Cope’s first singles match since May’s Double or Nothing when he fractured his tibia.

In another match coming out of that trios bout, Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho will battle FTR’s Dax Harwood in a non-title match. The last time they went one-on-one, Mike Tyson was special guest enforcer.

Another non-title bout will feature AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May against Harley Cameron. They have squared off once with May leaving victorious.

In two matches made Saturday afternoon, AEW Trios Champion PAC will take on reigning ROH TV Champion Komander while PAC’s partners Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta will face the upstart Outrunners.

Join us for live coverage at 8 PM Eastern.

**********

Collision began with words from Harley Cameron, Mariah May, Rated FTR, & The Learning Tree. Sir Elton John played us into the show. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

Cope defeated Big Bill

This was a very good return to singles action for Cope, as he and Big Bill had a quality opener here. However, I wouldn’t have had the guy stepping up to Jon Moxley use a low blow to beat a guy at Big Bill’s level. It felt cheap, as it took away from a quality match and victory here. I also would’ve just had Harwood vs. Jericho start here since they were both already out there.

Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho was on commentary to support his student Big Bill. Bill took Cope to the floor quickly, but Cope drove Bill into the steps and pinballed him around ringside. Cope drove Bill into the announce desk to Jericho’s chagrin, but Bill came back with a big boot. Bill clubbered on Cope around ringside as we went to a commercial.

After the break, Cope fought from underneath to take Bill down, scoring a nearfall with a Northern Lariat. Bill came back with a big Boss Man Slam for a nearfall. I didn’t even mean to do that on purpose. Bill called Jericho over to provide a distraction as he ripped the turnbuckle pad off, but Cope avoided a Snake Eyes into the buckle. Both men went to the top rope, and Cope pulled Bill’s head into the exposed buckle before hitting a powerbomb for a nearfall.

Cope went for the Spear, but Bill moved, and Cope hit the turnbuckle. Bill followed up with the Big Boot for a nearfall. Cope countered a chokeslam with an Impaler DDT and cut the Redwood in half with a spear, but Bill kicked out to a big reaction from the crowd. Bill goozled Cope, but Cope pushed the referee out of the way and kicked Bill in the groin before hitting another spear. Cope hit the trademark Moxley hammer-and-anvil elbows before choking Bill out for the win.

Jericho & Bryan Keith jumped Cope after the match, but FTR ran down to make the save. Dax Harwood will take on Chris Jericho later on in the program.

We got a video package for Kenny Omega ahead of his return to AEW action against Brian Cage on Dynamite.

Hangman Page Speaks

Hangman Page was sulking in the back, as per usual. He talked about how he tried to protect his family from the issues that fame brought, and that in one night, it was all taken away. He was ashamed of the incident and was ashamed that he allowed it to happen. He decided to do something about it and made sure that Swerve Strickland lost the World Title, took his potential family home away, and all but spilled his brains out in front of the world.

Page turned his attention to Christopher Daniels, who he humored for a long time because Daniels was the first star of substance to see something in Page when he was young. But Daniels crossed the line and put his hands on Page last week on Collision, so Page promised to make him pay next week on Collision in a Texas Death Match. Daniels made his bed, and Page would lay him down in it.

PAC defeated Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes)

This was a very good showcase for Komander, who PAC had real trouble with before giving himself the slightest of openings and snatching on the Brutalizer. I may have thought about giving Komander the win to set up a trios title challenge, but I understand keeping the Death Riders strong.

The two went speed-for-speed to start before Komander hit a wacky headscissors over the ropes. Komander hit the ropewalk dive to the floor, following it up with a springboard crossbody for a nearfall. PAC shut Komander down and took him to the floor, where he got in his former Death Triangle associate Abrahantes’ face. PAC booted Komander in the ring before sliding out and getting his hands on Abrahantes, but the distraction allowed Komander to do a step-up moonsault to PAC on the floor.

Back in the ring, Komander hit a wild X-Factor before hitting a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a nearfall. Komander went for a step-up moonsault, but PAC cut him off and hung him up on the ropes. PAC went up for the Black Arrow, but Komander rolled away. Komander caught a charging PAC with a pair of superkicks, then hit a step-up Destroyer. Komander went for a 450 Splash, but PAC got the knees up and snatched on the Brutalizer for the win.

After the match, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta made their way to the ring, with the announcers talking about how Castagnoli wanted payback after Komander’s Christmas Dynamite upset over him. The Outrunners made the save for Komander, and this time, the upcoming match started right then and there.

Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) defeated The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)

This was the best straight-up tag match I’ve seen the Outrunners have in their AEW run, as the crowd was hot for them here against a main event act in the Death Riders.

The Outrunners worked over Yuta until Castagnoli knocked down Floyd from the apron. Castagnoli worked over Floyd until he got caught with a Thesz Press. The Outrunners knocked Castagnoli & Yuta to the floor as we went to the commercial break.

After the commercial break, the Death Riders were working over Magnum, scoring a nearfall with a Hart Attack. Magnum fought for the tag and eventually got it to Floyd, who ran wild with bodyslams. They hit the Predator Elbow on Yuta, but Total Recall got cut off. Yuta sent Floyd into the ropes, where Castagnoli hit an uppercut for a nearfall.

We got a pinning predicament with Yuta and Floyd, ending with Floyd stuffing a Seatbelt attempt for a nearfall. Castagnoli screamed at Yuta to finish the match but got annoyed and dragged Yuta to the corner to force a tag. They hit the Giant Swing dropkick, but a bit of confusion on the legal man allowed Floyd to break the cover. A Yuta cutoff allowed Castagnoli to drop Floyd with a Gutwrench Superplex, and a Rocket Launcher got the win for the Death Riders.

We got a commercial hyping all of the matches on Dynamite: Maximum Carnage on Wednesday.

We got a promo from Powerhouse Hobbs ahead of his AEW World Title match on Dynamite. He said that everything Jon Moxley wanted was standing in front of him, as Hobbs took initiative and won the Casino Gauntlet Match to earn a World Title shot. Hobbs said that he had been shot, stabbed, and left for dead. Moxley couldn’t do anything to him, and he would make Moxley his b***h.

Non-Title Match – Mariah May defeated Harley Cameron

AEW may have a prospect with Harley Cameron. She’s very charismatic, and she did well here against the World Champion.

Cameron has new music, which was probably urging fans to feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. Cameron went for some flash pins, but May shut her down with a headbutt. Cameron came back with a Russian leg sweep and an enzuigiri for a nearfall. May came back with a shotgun dropkick as we went to commercial.

May was still in control when we came back from commercial, scoring a nearfall with a headscissors off of the top rope. Cameron came back with a hairmare before running wild with strikes. Cameron hit a pumphandle back suplex for a nearfall. Cameron stuffed the Storm Zero with a jackknife for a nearfall, but May came back with a running knee and a Storm Zero for the win.

We got a promo from Christopher Daniels. He never came to Hangman Page as an official, but as a friend. He watched as Page went through the worst year of his life, and watched as the rest of Page’s friends deserted him. He tried to help Page out but was only met with violence. Daniels was angry that Page asked what he had done in the business, running down his resume as a former AEW World Champion and an architect of two separate wrestling promotions. He was AEW before AEW existed, and he would add beating Hangman Page to his resume.

Brody King (w/ Julia Hart) defeated Trevor Blackwell

King quickly handled Blackwell, beating him with a Gonzo Bomb.

After a commercial, Brody King & Julia Hart were backstage with Lexy Nair. He was interrupted by Cope, who said that he respected King after their run-ins over the last year. Cope said that it was time for King to take the reins and run.

TNT Championship Match – Daniel Garcia (c) defeated Katsuyori Shibata

This was a great defense for Garcia here. He tried to match Shibata at Shibata’s own game, and while Shibata remained a step ahead of him for most of the match, Garcia was able to outwrestle The Wrestler and get a win with his signature Jackknife cradle. I would have main evented the show with this to signal that the TNT Title is worthy of main eventing an episode of TV.

Matt Menard joined commentary for Garcia matches, as usual. The commentary brought up how due to the inclement weather in Georgia, Garcia had to get ready in the taxi on the way from the Atlanta airport. They questioned if Garcia’s lack of warm-up would cost him here in this championship match. Garcia and Shibata traded chops to start, with Shibata winning the exchange and hitting the hesitation dropkick in the corner.

Garcia made his comeback after the break, with he and Shibata trading inside cradle attempts for nearfalls. They went to trading boots and back suplexes before Shibata laid Garcia out with an STO. They both sat back up before Shibata won a chop exchange and locked in a Cobra Twist. Garcia hit a Dragon Screw leg whip and tried an ankle lock before Shibata countered it. A Dragon Tamer got countered into an Achilles Lock and a Figure Four from Shibata.

Garcia got to the ropes and ducked a Penalty Kick, but Shibata stuffed another Dragon Screw and popped Garcia with an open-hand slap. Shibata pulled Garcia into a hold, but Garcia caught Shibata with a jackknife cover for the win. The two shook hands and raised each other’s hands after the match.

We got a video package hyping the Women’s Casino Gauntlet on Dynamite, narrated by Renee Paquette.

Chris Jericho defeated Dax Harwood

This was a decent Jericho match with a sloppy and cold finish. I would had Cope vs. Big Bill in this spot instead. The post-match angle was why this match was the main event, with the Rated FTR/Learning Tree TV feud tying into the bigger Rated FTR/Death Rider angle. They did a good job of setting Hobbs up as a challenger for Moxley, having Moxley show a semblance of fear against the big man.

Jericho and Harwood locked on a collar-and-elbow tie-up and went all across ringside with it before re-engaging in the ring. Harwood went after Jericho’s leg after a deep Dragon Screw leg whip, wrapping the leg around the ringpost before Jericho yanked Harwood into the post. They fought around ringside again before Harwood hit a brainbuster in the ring for a nearfall. Jericho came back with chops before hitting a top rope hurricanrana into the commercial break.

Jericho had control coming out of the break before Harwood rolled through a high cross for a nearfall. Jericho couldn’t lock on the Walls of Jericho, so he catapulted Harwood into the corner buckles before hitting a Lionsault for a nearfall. Harwood hit another Dragon Screw, but Jericho sent Harwood into the corner post. After a near-slip in the corner, Harwood hit a superplex to lay both men out in the middle of the ring.

Harwood and Jericho laid into each other with chops before slapping each other down. Jericho rolled to the floor and went to use the title belt, but Harwood knocked him down on the outside. Jericho shoved Harwood into the stairs and laid him out with a Codebreaker. Harwood beat the count back in and fought off another Walls of Jericho attempt to lock on a Sharpshooter.

Jericho got to the ropes, and as the referee was dealing with Harwood, Jericho went for a belt shot and missed. Jericho popped the referee in the eye and moved out of the way of a diving headbutt. Jericho hit Harwood with the ROH Title but got a long nearfall out of it. Jericho landed the Judas Effect for the win.

After the match, the rest of the Learning Tree ran out to beat down Harwood. Cope & Cash Wheeler ran down to make the save before the Death Riders made their way to the ring to handle FTR & Cope. The Outrunners came down to even the numbers, and most of the guys fought to the floor.

Cope laid out PAC with a spear, but Jon Moxley appeared and dropped him with a Paradigm Shift. Marina Shafir brought two chairs to set up a Con-Chair-To to Cope before Powerhouse Hobbs made his way to the ring, bursting through all of the heels on the floor. He went face-to-face with Moxley before laying out Castagnoli with a spinebuster. Moxley hit Hobbs with a chair, but Hobbs didn’t budge and knocked the chair out of Moxley’s hands. Hobbs chased Mox to the outside before Shafir cut Hobbs off. Wheeler Yuta went to jump Hobbs, but Hobbs put him through the announce table with a uranage. Hobbs motioned for the title as the show went off the air.

During this match, it was announced that all three members of The Hurt Syndicate would be in action against tag team champions Private Party & Mark Briscoe on Dynamite.

UFC on ESPN+ 107 live results: Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas 2

Posted on January 11, 2025January 11, 2025 by Ryan Frederick

The UFC kicks off their 2025 schedule with the Octagon inside of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas for UFC on ESPN+ 107.

The main event is a five-round rematch in the women’s strawweight division as Mackenzie Dern takes on Amanda Ribas.

The two first squared off in October 2019 in a bout won by Ribas. Both remain on the cusp of title contention over five years later as Dern is looking to score her second straight win while Ribas is looking to get back into the win column.

In other main card bouts, Santiago Ponzinibbio takes on Carlston Harris in welterweight action; a middleweight slugfest sees Cesar Almeida battling Abdul Razak Alhassan; Chris Curtis takes on Roman Kopylov in a middleweight bout between two fighters on the cusp of being ranked; and a welterweight bout opens the main card with Punahele Soriano facing Uros Medic.

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> Lightweights- Nurullo Aliev (9-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Joe Solecki (13-5, 5-3 UFC)

Neither landing inside the first minute of action. Aliev lands and gets a takedown as it looked like Solecki was pulling guard. They work to the fence. Solecki looks for the neck as he tries to use the fence to stand. Solecki then transitions looking for a triangle choke. Solecki lets go and Aliev lands a left hand from the top. Aliev with some punches from the top as he’s starting to get more active. Aliev with more punches from the top as he’s closing the round out strong. 10-9 Aliev.

Aliev lands a left hook. Aliev gets the back standing and scores a takedown. Solecki scrambles and looks for a triangle choke. Aliev tries to slam his way out and is able to as he starts landing from Solecki’s back. Aliev with punches and knees from the back. They get to their feet and Aliev lands a right hand that puts Solecki on the mat. Aliev starts teeing off from the top, but Solecki is able to get Aliev inside of his guard. Aliev maintaining top control as he lands to end the round. 10-9 Aliev, 20-18 Aliev.

Aliev with a left hand. Aliev with another left hand before he scores with a combination. Aliev with another combination as Solecki lands a left hand. Solecki landing a little bit but there’s not much behind his punches. Aliev with another series of punches as Solecki is circling away. Aliev with a big left hand. Solecki is actually connecting more as the round goes on. Aliev lands a left hand. Solecki scores a takedown. He gets the mount and lands but is unable to get the finish before time runs out. 10-9 Solecki, 29-28 Aliev.

Official Result- Nurullo Aliev def. Joe Solecki by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- Fatima Kline (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Viktoriia Dudakova (8-1, 2-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks early. Dudakova shoots for a takedown against the fence but Kline is defending. Kline lands some elbows before Dudakova breaks away from the takedown attempt. Dudakova then scores a takedown and Kline rolls for a leg. They scramble and Kline is on top as Dudakova is attacking an arm. Kline escapes and they get to their feet. They scramble back to the mat and Kline is on top and lands some punches and elbows. Dudakova back attacking an arm from the bottom, but it allows Kline to get to full mount. Kline with lots of shots from the top. Kline lands a solid elbow. 10-9 Kline.

Dudakova goes right for a takedown and has the body lock against the fence. They scramble and Kline has the leg and she scores a takedown. Kline gets to the mount after working from the top. They scramble to their feet and Dudakova has Kline pushed against the fence. They scramble to the mat and Kline ends up on top. Kline with lots of elbows from the top and Dudakova is covering up but it is stopped. Kline gets the finish to score her first UFC win and Dudakova is cut open.

Official Result- Fatima Kline def. Viktoriia Dudakova by TKO (elbows) at 4:27 of Round 2

> Light Heavyweights- Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (9-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Bruno Lopes (13-1, 0-0 UFC)

Gadzhiyasulov with some early leg kicks as Lopes lands one of his own. They trade leg kicks. Gadzhiyasulov lands a right hand. Lopes shoots for a takedown. Gadzhiyasulov defending with some short punches and Lopes starts landing left hands as he has pressure. They separate. Gadzhiyasulov lands a leg kick and Lopes goes back looking for the takedown as he pushes it to the fence. Lopes gets the late takedown but Gadzhiyasulov pops right back up. 10-9 Gadzhiyasulov.

Gadzhiyasulov with a pair of kicks. Lopes clinches up and pushes it to the fence. Lopes lands an elbow as they break. They clinch right back up and Lopes pushes it back to the fence. Lopes looking to get Gadzhiyasulov down to the mat. Lopes is able to score the takedown and lands from the top. They get to their feet and Lopes pushes it back against the fence, but they end up separating. They both land and then clinch, with Lopes pushing it back to the fence. They separate and clinch back up as Lopes lands a knee. Gadzhiyasulov pushes it to the fence and Lopes defends. They separate. Lopes shoots for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. They separate and trade. 10-9 Lopes, 19-19.

Both looking for openings. Gadzhiyasulov tries for a spinning back fist, but Lopes ducks and grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence. They separate and both land leg kicks. Lopes gets a brief takedown and has the back as they stand. Lopes gets a brief takedown, but they get up and separate. Lopes lands a body kick and then goes for a takedown, which he gets. They stand and Lopes has the back. Lopes with a knee to the head of Gadzhiyasulov. Lopes with an elbow and a knee. Lopes gets it down late. 10-9 Lopes, 29-28 Lopes.

Official Result- Bruno Lopes def. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- Ernesta Kareckaite (5-1-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Nicolle Caliari (8-2, 0-0 UFC)

Caliari lands a leg kick. Kareckaite with some body shots before they clinch against the fence. They separate and Caliari lands a combination. Caliari with a stiff right hand and a leg kick. Caliari shoots for a takedown but Kareckaite defends as they go to the fence. They separate. Caliari lands a flurry of punches as Kareckaite was pressing forward and they clinch against the fence. They separate and Kareckaite lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Caliari shoots for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. She is able to get the trip as she gets Kareckaite down. They stand, but Caliari gets it back down, though they pop right back up. They break apart after Caliari controls for a bit. They trade right hands. 10-9 Caliari.

Caliari lands some big shots to start the second. Kareckaite lands a right hand but Caliari counters with some solid punches. They clinch against the fence but quickly separate. They trade inside the pocket. Caliari shoots for a takedown but Kareckaite defends. They go to the mat and Kareckaite is on top. Kareckaite lands to the body and they stand. Kareckaite with some more body shots on the feet. Kareckaite lands a solid left hand and then mixes to the head and body. Caliari with a right hand and a combination. Caliari with a right hand and then lands a one-two combo. Kareckaite with a series of punches. They trade inside the pocket. 10-9 Kareckaite, 19-19.

They trade in close range to start the round. Kareckaite lands a couple of solid right hands during a flurry. Caliari lands a right hand. They trade and Caliari grabs Kareckaite’s back against the fence. They quickly break apart. Kareckaite with a left hook then a combo. Caliari lands a combo and Kareckaite lands a combo. Caliari shoots for a takedown but Kareckaite defends. Caliari lands to the body. Kareckaite lands a right hand. She lands another. Caliari with a knee in a brief clinch. Caliari gets a takedown. Both landing on the mat as the fight ends. Close fight. 10-9 Kareckaite, 29-28 Kareckaite.

Official Result- Ernesta Kareckaite def. Nicole Caliari by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Preston Parsons (11-5, 2-3 UFC) vs. Jacobe Smith (9-0, 0-0 UFC)

Smith lands a body kick. Smith lands a right hand as Parsons landed a left hook. They tie up but quickly separate. Smith with a knee to the body. Smith drops Parsons with a left hook and it is quickly stopped as he lands a pair of follow-up punches. An impressive debut win for Smith.

Official Result- Jacobe Smith def. Preston Parsons by knockout (punch) at 1:13 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Thiago Moises (18-8, 7-6 UFC) vs. Trey Ogden (18-6 1 NC, 3-2 1 NC UFC)

Moises with a leg kick. Ogden lands a left hand. Moises with a heavy leg kick. Moises with a heavy right hand. Ogden lands a leg kick. Ogden lands a jab as Moises lands a leg kick. He lands another. Ogden lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Ogden lands a right hand. Ogden throwing more, though Moises is doing more damage when he lands. Ogden with an inside leg kick. Ogden with a flurry of shots, mixing punches and leg kicks. Ogden with a pair of leg kicks. Ogden lands a right hand. 10-9 Ogden.

They trade to start the second as Moises lands a leg kick. Moises lands a right hand. Ogden with a close combo and lands a right hand. Moises with a heavy leg kick and Ogden goes down to the mat. Moises with a big right hand as he goes into Ogden’s guard. Moises with some elbows from the top. Moises with a bunch of big punches from the top and lands some hard elbows. Moises with more big elbows. 10-9 Moises, 19-19.

Ogden lands a leg kick. Ogden looks for a takedown and gets the back of Moises as they scramble down. Moises ends up inside the guard of Ogden. Moises with an elbow from the top. Moises smothering from the top. Moises with more elbows from the top. Moises staying on top and staying active, mixing to the head and body. Moises lands and stands late, delivering one last big right hand. 10-9 Moises, 29-28 Moises.

Official Result- Thiago Moises def. Trey Ogden by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights*- Marco Tulio (12-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ihor Potieria (21-7, 2-4 UFC)

*Potieria missed weight by two pounds

Tulio lands a right hand. They trade right hands. Tulio lands a left hand. Tulio with a mixture of kicks and time out is called for a clash of heads. They get back going. They trade and Tulio is landing more. Tulio lands a low blow and time out is called again. They get back to action. Tulio lands a right hand and then another that drops Potieria. Tulio starts teeing off from the top. Potieria is cut open and Tulio keeps pouring it on from the back and it is stopped! What a brutal finish from Tulio to win his UFC debut.

Official Result- Marco Tulio def. Ihor Potieria by TKO (punches) at 3:04 of Round 1

> Flyweights*- Jose Johnson (16-9, 1-2 UFC) vs. Felipe Bunes (13-7, 0-1 UFC)

*Johnson missed weight by 2.5 pounds

Johnson with a calf kick. They trade and scramble down to the mat with Johnson on top. Bunes goes for the armbar and has it in but Johnson is able to scramble. Bunes gets the armbar locked back in and Johnson taps! A nice finish from Bunes to pick up the win.

Official Result- Felipe Bunes def. Jose Johnson by submission (armbar) at 2:04 of Round 1

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> Welterweights- Punahele Soriano (10-4, 4-4 UFC) vs. Uros Medic (10-2, 4-2 UFC)

Soriano lands a solid left hand. Medic lands to the body but then gets dropped by a right hand from Soriano. Soriano starts teeing off from the top and it is all over! What a finish from Soriano!

Official Result- Punahele Soriano def. Uros Medic by knockout (punch) at :31 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Christian Rodriguez (11-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Austin Bashi (13-0, 0-0 UFC)

Bashi with a leg kick and Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands some follow-up shots and Bashi goes for a takedown but Rodriguez sprawls. Rodriguez has the neck and is cranking for a guillotine choke as Bashi is defending on the feet. Rodriguez lets go, landing a knee as he does. Bashi lands a leg kick, but Rodriguez grabs it and scores a takedown. They stand and Rodriguez lands a knee to the body as they break. Bashi gets the back of Rodriguez and jumps up on it as they’re on the feet. Bashi lets go and they separate. Rodriguez with a right hand and a knee as Bashi shoots for a takedown. He is able to pick Rodriguez up and drop him to the mat. Rodriguez reverses to the top. They stand and Bashi pushes it to the fence. Rodriguez with a spinning elbow and Bashi lands a right hand. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Bashi grabs the single leg and gets it down briefly, but they get up and are clinched against the fence. Bashi picks Rodriguez up and slams him down to the mat. Rodriguez with some elbows from the bottom. They scramble and Bashi climbs up on the back of Rodriguez as they stand. Bashi has the body triangle locked on. Bashi gets back on his feet and Rodriguez lands a knee before they separate. Rodriguez with a pair of jabs. Bashi shoots for the single leg and pushes it to the fence. Bashi gets it down and is in side control. They scramble up and they trade. Bashi looks to get it back down and is able to briefly late. Bashi lands a knee. 10-9 Bashi, 19-19.

Bashi with a front kick to the face of Rodriguez. Bashi looks for a takedown, but Rodriguez defends and they push it to the fence. Rodriguez gets a scramble to the mat and is on top. Bashi is attacking the arm for a kimura. Rodriguez with some elbows to the body as they get to their feet. Rodriguez lands a combination. Bashi looks for a takedown as they go to the fence. Rodriguez defends and lands a big knee followed by a right hand as they break. Rodriguez with a combination ending with a knee. Rodriguez with another combination against the fence. They clinch and Rodriguez lands a knee as they break. Rodriguez with a step-in knee. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Rodriguez.

Official Result- Christian Rodriguez def. Austin Bashi by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Chris Curtis (31-11 1 NC, 5-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Roman Kopylov (13-3, 5-3 UFC)

Kopylov lands a high kick. They trade jabs. Curtis with a series of jabs. Kopylov with a right hand to the body. Curtis lands a leg kick. Kopylov with a leg kick. Kopylov lands a right hand. They’re trading in close range. Curtis lands a combination. Both are landing with lots of volume with Kopylov landing slightly more. Kopylov with some leg kicks as Curtis lands a left hand. Curtis lands the double jab. Close round. 10-9 Kopylov.

Curtis lands the jab. They trade left hands. Curtis with a jab. They trade inside the pocket. Curtis lands a left hand and Kopylov’s nose is busted open. Curtis with an uppercut. Curtis with a right hand. Kopylov lands a right hand to the groin of Curtis and time out is called. They get right back to action. Curtis landing with some right hands. Kopylov lands a left hand. Time out is called for an eye poke on Curtis. They get back to action and trade jabs. Kopylov lands a left hand that stuns Curtis for a moment. Curtis is starting to pull away on volume as he lands a pair of stiff jabs. Curtis with a series of jabs as Kopylov lands a leg kick. Kopylov with a leg kick. Kopylov is bleeding pretty good. Kopylov with a combo. Kopylov stuns Curtis with a left hand late. 10-9 Curtis, 19-19.

Kopylov with a leg kick. Curtis with a combination. Kopylov lands an uppercut. They’re trading in close range. Curtis with a right hook. Kopylov lands a jab. Curtis lands a jab. Kopylov with a pair of leg kicks. Kopylov lands a leg kick and Curtis is having trouble on his feet. Kopylov lands to the body. Kopylov with a leg kick. Curtis lands a left hand. Curtis with a double jab. Kopylov gets a takedown. They scramble up and Kopylov lands a head kick. Kopylov with a big combination. Kopylov lands a left hand. They clinch and Curtis with a knee. They separate and Kopylov drops Curtis with a head kick and it is stopped with one second left! What a finish from Kopylov!

Official Result- Roman Kopylov def. Chris Curtis by TKO (head kick) at 4:59 of Round 3

> Middleweights- Cesar Almeida (6-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6 1 NC, 6-6 1 NC UFC)

Almeida with a leg kick. Almeida lands a body kick. Almeida lands a leg kick. Alhassan with a left hand. Alhassan with a combination. Alhassan lands a head kick. Almeida lands a combination. Alhassan lands a stiff right hand. They trade body kicks. Alhassan with a pair of body kicks. Alhassan looks for a takedown as he pushes it to the fence. Almeida with a knee to Alhassan’s body. They separate. Alhassan drops Almeida with a right hand. Alhassan with some punches as they get to their feet. They stand and Alhassan lands some big shots but Almeida lands a massive left hand that knocks Alhassan out cold! What a finish from Almeida!

Official Result- Cesar Almeida def. Abdul Razak Alhassan by knockout (punch) at 4:16 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-8, 11-7 UFC) vs. Carlston Harris (19-6, 4-2 UFC)

Harris with a short leg kick. He lands a jab. Ponzinibbio lands a jab. Ponzinibbio lands a big right hand. Ponzinibbio with a combo to the body. They trade leg kicks. They trade right hands. Harris with a right hand to the body. Harris shoots for a takedown but Ponzinibbio defends. Harris lands an inside leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Ponzinibbio lands a jab. Harris is pressuring and landing with more volume. Harris lands a right hand and Ponzinibbio goes to his knees but gets right up. Harris drops Ponzinibbio with a combination but is able to get up. 10-9 Harris.

Ponzinibbio lands a pair of leg kicks. Harris with an inside leg kick. They trade punches. Harris lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio lands a straight right hand. Harris shoots for a takedown but Ponzinibbio sprawls away and they stay on the feet. Harris lands an uppercut to the body. They trade punches. Ponzinibbio lands a jab. They trade jabs. Harris with a jab and a leg kick. Harris with another leg kick. Harris with a pair of left hands to the body. They trade in close range. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick. Ponzinibbio with a pair of stiff jabs. 10-9 Ponzinibbio, 19-19.

Harris looks for a takedown but Ponzinibbio pushes him off to the mat. Ponzinibbio with some kicks as Harris is on his back. Harris stands and they trade jabs. Harris lands a left hook to the body. Ponzinibbio lands a stiff right hand. Ponzinibbio lands again and Harris stumbles back. Ponzinibbio is pressuring and lands and Harris is having trouble standing. Ponzinibbio lands and Harris goes down. Ponzinibbio lands from the top but lets Harris up. Ponzinibbio lands a right hand and is landing as they’re on the feet and it is stopped standing. What a finish from Ponzinibbio!

Official Result- Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Carlston Harris by TKO (punches) at 3:13 of Round 3

> Women’s Strawweights- #6 Mackenzie Dern (14-5, 9-5 UFC) vs. #8 Amanda Ribas (13-5, 7-4 UFC)

Dern with a pair of early leg kicks. Ribas lands a leg kick and Dern lands one in return. Dern with a combination. Dern lands a leg kick and Ribas lands a counter right hand. Dern with a leg kick. Ribas lands a right hand. Dern with a body kick. Dern lands a right hand. Dern scores a takedown and is inside the guard of Ribas. Ribas with some elbows from the bottom. Dern with some body shots. Dern lands some left hands and a few hammerfists. 10-9 Dern.

Dern with an inside leg kick. Dern tries a takedown but Ribas ends up on top inside the guard of Dern. Dern lands an elbow from the bottom that cuts Ribas open. Ribas with a few left hands from the top. Dern with a pair of elbows from the bottom. Ribas still in control from the top. Dern looks for an arm from the bottom and Ribas tries to roll out. Dern has Ribas tied up and ends up on top in a scramble. They both land late. 10-9 Ribas, 19-19.

Ribas with a body kick. Dern looks for a takedown and has the body lock against the fence. Ribas trips Dern to the mat and is in side control. Ribas with some body shots. Dern looks for an armbar from the bottom. Ribas is defending for now. Ribas with some knees to the body of Dern. Dern sweeps to the top and is still attacking the arm of Ribas. Dern lets go as she now has the mount. Dern with punches from the top as she looks for the arm. Dern goes for an armbar and has it locked in and Ribas taps! Dern pulls out the win with time running out in the third.

Official Result- Mackenzie Dern def. Amanda Ribas by submission (armbar) at 4:56 of Round 3

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

Posted on January 10, 2025January 10, 2025 by Colin McGuire

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

The Paul Heyman/Cody Rhodes segment

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

The Tiffy Time segment

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TNA Impact live results: Joe Hendry & Rhino vs. Nic & Ryan Nemeth

Posted on January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by Matt Boone

As the build to their World title match at Genesis continues, TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth and Joe Hendry will be on opposite sides of the ring tonight on Impact.

Nemeth will team with brother Ryan against Hendry and Rhino in the headliner, made after last week’s show when Ryan attempted to hit Rhino with a chair which escalated into a backstage confrontation.

In a gauntlet match, Mike Santana will attempt to fight through all three members of the Northern Armory: Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus and Travis Williams.

In a key tag team division match, The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) will face The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler).

After getting jumped again last week by Tessa Blanchard, Jordynne Grace will share some thoughts.

In a trios bout, The System (Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & JDC) will take on Eric Young, Steve Maclin & Jonathan Gresham.

Savannah Evans will be in action against an opponent to be named.

**********
Steve Maclin, Eric Young & Jonathan Gresham defeated The System (Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & JDC)

Inside the Impact Zone, Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt welcome us to the show as the familiar sounds of The System’s theme music hits the house speakers. Alisha Edwards leads out the three-man team of JDC, Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers.

After the heel trio settles inside the squared circle, their music dies down and Eric Young’s entrance tune plays. He comes out and stops, and then Jonathan Gresham comes out and joins him. Their partner, Steve Maclin, is out next and the three head to the ring for our opening contest.

As soon as the bell sounds, Edwards gets the quick offensive jump on Gresham. He blasts him with some stiff forearm shots and beats him down in the corner. He whips him into the opposing corner and charges at him, but runs into a big boot from Gresham.

Gresham takes over on offense and puts the boots to a grounded Edwards in the corner, before tagging Young in. Edwards quickly shifts the momentum back in The System’s favor, taking it to Young and eventually tagging in Myers.

Myers picks up where Edwards left off, but runs into a dropkick from Young that once again sees the offensive momentum swing to the other side. Young gets in some offense on Myers on the floor, but Alisha gets involved with a distraction, which allows The System to take over once again.

JDC tags in and goes to work as the legal man in the ring with the softened up Young. He isolates the arm of Young and focuses his attack on the limb. He brings him into The System corner and tags Edwards back in. The two hit some double-team stomps and then Edwards takes back over.

Maclin and Young butt heads at one point, and Gresham attempts to play peacemaker. After the chaos calms down a bit, Maclin ends up as the legal man in the ring with JDC. He hits his K.I.A. finisher on The System member for the pinfall victory.

Once the match wraps up, The System attack the trio with chairs. After beating down Young and Maclin in the ring, they put the chair over Gresham’s head on the floor and run him into the steel ring post. They all pose and taunt the booing crowd until Young and Maclin run them off with chairs of their own.

The Story Of Joe Hendry

After the opening match wraps up, Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk about Joe Hendry earning the next shot at “The Wanted Man” Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Championship at the upcoming TNA Genesis 2025 pay-per-view later this month.

A very elaborate, documentary-style video package airs with Joe Hendry telling the story of his emergence on the scene in the pro wrestling business, from a young lad in Scotland with a dream and some hustle, all the way to his present day spot as the number one contender for the top prize in TNA Wrestling.

Once the video promoting Joe Hendry’s side of the equation for the next TNA PPV main event, the show heads into a commercial break.

Lei Ying Lee defeated Savannah Evans

Savannah Evans makes her way out and heads to the ring as we return from the break. Xia Brookside comes out and simply says, “Watch this.” We see footage from TNA Turning Point, where Brookside points out she had her beat until she was screwed.

She mentioned getting injured, and noted someone else did to, and that person is ready to get her revenge on Evans right now. The lights go out. The theme for Lei Ying Lee hits and out comes the former WWE Superstar previously known as Xia Li.

She hits the ring and goes right after the monstrous Evans, taking it to her straight out of the gate. Lee brings Evans out to the floor and hits a running cannonball off the apron for a big crowd pop. Back inside the ring, Lee hits a high spot off the ropes for a close two-count.

As the action continues, Evans gets in some offense of her own for the first time in the bout. Her run in control of the offense isn’t long-lived, however, and Lee ultimately takes back over moments later and finishes Evans off for the victory in her big return appearance.

Jordynne Grace With A Brief, But Stern Message For Tessa Blanchard

Once the Knockouts action in the ring wraps up, we shoot backstage. Gia Miller is standing by and about to introduce her guest, but before she can say much of anything, Jordynne Grace snatches the microphone out of her hand.

“The Juggernaut” leans directly into the camera shot and bluntly states, “Tessa, if you want to fight, let’s fight, b*tch! I’ll be in the ring later, meet me there.” After this brief but to-the-point backstage interview segment wraps up, the show heads into another commercial break.

TNA+ Moment Of The Week: Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett (TNA Genesis 2009)

The show returns directly into a “TNA+ Moment of the Week” segment, which features an extended look at the TNA Genesis 2009 pay-per-view bout between Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett.

The annual TNA Genesis show returns later this month, with TNA Genesis 2025 scheduled for January 19 at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, featuring Nic Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry for the TNA World Championship.

Gauntlet Match No. 1: Mike Santana defeated Judas Icarus

A brief video package airs with Rosemary sending a message to Masha Slamovich, making it clear that she’s still got her sights set on the TNA Knockouts Championship. Once this wraps up, we return inside the Impact Zone for the next match of the evening.

Mike Santana’s theme song hits and the fan-favorite makes his way to the ring for his advertised one-night Gauntlet against Josh Alexander and The Northern Armory. Out next are The Northern Armory duo of Judas Icarus and Travis Williams. No sign of Josh Alexander yet.

The bell sounds and the first of three potential matches in a row gets underway. Santana gets the early and dominant jump on offense, taking it to one-half of the Sinner & Saint duo with relative ease. Within all of two minutes, Santana takes him out with Spin The Block for the win.

Gauntlet Match No. 2: Mike Santana defeated Travis Williams

Santana remains in the ring and waits to see who will be joining him for his second of three potential consecutive bouts. With no “Walking Weapon” in sight yet, it is Travis Williams who steps inside the squared circle.

The bell sounds and Santana’s second Gauntlet match gets underway. Santana gets the early offensive advantage over Williams, but Williams shifts the momentum after a minute or so. As things continue, the show heads into a mid-match commercial break.

When the show returns, it isn’t long before Santana dumps Williams on his dome and begins a fired-up offensive comeback. Moments later he finishes off The Northern Armory member, leaving only one more opponent.

Gauntlet Match No. 3: Mike Santana defeated Josh Alexander via Disqualification

The theme for Josh Alexander hits and out comes “The Walking Weapon.” Before Santana can do anything, he is sneak-attacked and ambushed by Alexander and The Northern Armory duo of Icarus and Williams.

The trio beat Santana down, with Alexander leaving him laying after a C4 Spike. Fans chant “You look stupid!” as The Northern Armory stands over the laid out Santana in the middle of the ring.

George Iceman Announces Pre-Launch Of ‘Championship Celebration Of Elegance’

Backstage, the personal concierge of Ash by Elegance, George Iceman, is shown. He talks directly into the camera to make a brief announcement.

“Something huge, something special that the whole world is going to want to see,” Iceman said. “I’m going to do something unprecedented. Something that takes guts. Something no one in the history of this company has ever done.”

He added, “I see Heather and Ash By Elegance as TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Champions. Next week, in front of the entire world, we’re going to do a pre-launch of ‘The Championship Celebration of Elegance.'” We head to another commercial break.

Raven Convinces Rosemary To Have Clockwork Orange House Of Fun Match

When the show returns, Rosemary is shown backstage talking in trademark sadistic fashion about how she is coming for TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich.

As she continues talking in her demented-style, in walks pro wrestling legend Raven. Raven and Rosemary talk briefly before Rosemary grabs him and puts a knife to his throat. Raven calmly suggests to her to drag Slamovich into a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match. Rosemary likes that idea.

The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defeated The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)

Back inside the Impact Zone, The Good Hands team of John Skyler and Jason Hotch come out with a microphone in-hand. They do their usual “Ravishing” Rick Rude entrance routine, complete with the “city-name sweat-hogs” insults.

The popular duo of The Rascalz, Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz, descend from their treehouse to make their way out to the ring next. The crowd gives them a big pop coming out. The commentators mention The Rascalz challenging The Hardys for the tag titles at TNA Genesis 2025.

After the bell sounds, we see The Rascalz get off to the early offensive start. It doesn’t last long, however, as Wentz ends up isolated in the ring while Hotch and Skyler take turns utilizing frequent tags and brief spurts of double-team offense.

Miguel finally gets the much-needed tag and helps The Rascalz shift the offensive momentum back into their favor. They cruise from their en route to a victory, with the super-kick and spinebuster “Feed him to the lions” combo-finisher for the pinfall.

Frankie Kazarian Approaches Rhino Backstage

Following the tag-team tilt, we shoot backstage where Rhino is shown taping his wrists up ahead of his match alongside Joe Hendry against the team of TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth and his brother Ryan Nemeth.

Frankie Kazarian walks up and makes an arrogant comment, making it clear he’ll be watching the main event tag-team bout closely. After this brief backstage interaction wraps up, the show heads into another commercial break.

Moose defeated Andrew Everett to retain the TNA X-Division Championship

When the show returns, we see a quick backstage promo from Eric Young and Steve Maclin, who make a declaration of war against The System. We then return inside the Impact Zone to the single most annoying sound in the world.

“Do you wanna know something?” The line annoyingly yapped by the screechy voice of The System’s Alisha Edwards is, as always, repeated over-and-over-and-over again to growing boos from the crowd in attendance. Moose is then heard and he joins her in the ring.

Moose boasts being the greatest X-Division Champion of all-time and the face of the company. After he rambles on for a while, including a vow to debut a new TNA X-Division Championship belt at TNA Genesis 2025, he is cut off by, of all people, Andrew Everett. He makes his way to the ring and takes issue with Moose claiming credit for any kind of X-Division history.

Everett claims he is a true X-Division competitor, before Moose warns him that one more word is going to get his ass kicked. Everett does not head Moose’s warnings, and gets a big bright yellow sneaker to the grill for it. Moose then tells Everett he just earned himself an impromptu X-Division title shot.

Moose demands a referee get out to the ring. In his street clothes and aforementioned super bright yellow sneakers, The System leader proceeds to lay a beatdown on Everett, as his challenger at TNA Genesis 2025, Ace Austin, is shown watching on a monitor backstage. Moose gets the win and we head to another commercial break.

Santino Marella Approached By Sami Callihan, Makes Announcement

Backstage, we see Santino Marella looking at his phone when he is approached by Sami Callihan. Callihan brings up the TNA Tag-Team Championship picture and the upcoming bout between The Hardys and The Rascalz at TNA Genesis 2025.

Callihan mentions how he and PCO have never been pinned or submitted as a team. Santino offers Callihan and PCO a match against The Hardys next week. If they win, they’ll be added to The Hardys vs. The Rascalz for the TNA Tag-Team Championships at TNA Genesis 2025.

Jordynne Grace, Tessa Blanchard Wild Pull-Apart Brawl

Back inside the Impact Zone, Jordynne Grace walks to the ring and looks all-business. She gets on the microphone and mentions the name of Tessa Blanchard. She says Blanchard should be terrified of what she could say right now.

Instead, she offers Blanchard the same opportunity she’d offer anyone, which is to come to the ring face-to-face so she can say it directly to her. Tessa hits the ring from off-camera, and Grace appears ready for her. Grace begins drilling Blanchard with shots, but Blanchard lands a big kick that momentarily drops “The Juggernaut.”

Blanchard and Grace roll around and fight as officials swarm the ring and ultimately break them up while fans are loudly chanting “Let them fight! Let them fight!” The show heads to another commercial break on that note.

Joe Hendry & Rhino defeated Nic Nemeth & Ryan Nemeth

It’s main event time!

But first, Hannifan and Rehwoldt appear on-camera to make some announcements for matches on next week’s TNA iMPACT (see below), as well as TNA Genesis 2025.

Added to the PPV coming up on Jan. 19 in Garland, TX. is Jordynne Grace vs. Tessa Blanchard, Mike Santana vs. Josh Alexander, Rosemary vs. Masha Slamovich in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match for the TNA Knockouts title, as well as Ash & Heather By Elegance vs. Spitfire duo Jody Threat & Dani Luna for the TNA Knockouts tag-team titles.

Inside the Impact Zone, we hear the familiar sounds of TNA Hall of Fame legend Rhino’s theme music. This brings out the master of the Gore to the ring for our final match of the evening. His popular partner, Joe Hendry, makes his way out next to a big crowd response.

Ryan Nemeth and then his big brother, TNA World Champion “The Wanted Man” Nic Nemeth, make their respective ring entrances next. The show heads into a quick commercial break before this one gets started. When the show returns, Ryan and Rhino kick things off for their respective teams.

Frankie Kazarian is on special guest commentary for this one. It isn’t long at all before Ryan changes his mind, and reaches over to tag in big brother to deal with “The Man Beast.” Nemeth does exactly that, and ends up enjoying some early offensive control.

Hendry and Ryan end up as the legal men in the ring, and Hendry does his trademark super-stalled walk-around suplex spot. He continues firing up the crowd with the stomp-stomp-clap “We will rock you!” Queen beat, as he looks to finish off Ryan.

He goes for a close pinfall attempt moments later, which Nic hits the ring to break up just in time. After some more chaos ensues, Hendry starts to pick up the momentum some more. All four guys end up in the ring brawling.

When Nic and Rhino powder out, Hendry finishes Ryan off with the Standing Ovation for the win. Hendry’s theme hits and he plays to the crowd. The final shot of the episode sees a disappointed Nemeth looking at Hendry from outside of the ring, as Hendry continues his side-to-side wave routine along with his theme while wearing an ear-to-ear grin.

Next Week:
* Trent Seven vs. Leon Slater
* Laredo Kid vs. Jake Something
* Sami Callihan & PCO vs. The Hardys
* Eric Young & Steve Maclin vs. First Class (AJ Francis & KC Navarro)
* ‘The Championship Celebration Of Elegance” Pre-Launch with Ash & Heather by Elegance

Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow F4WOnline.com’s Matt Boone on Twitter/X.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Chris Jericho appearance, Billie Starkz in action

Posted on January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by Jeff Moss

Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho and Bryan Keith will make an appearance on tonight’s ROH TV on HonorClub.

Jericho is coming off a successful title defense over Matt Cardona at last month’s Final Battle and will face Dax Harwood in non-title action on Saturday’s AEW Collision.

After failing to upend ROH Women’s World Champion Athena at Final Battle, Billie Starkz will return to action.

Ahead of her non-title challenge of AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May Saturday, Harley Cameron will face Trish Adora while ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet will offer up a Proving Ground challenge.

Former GCW Champion Blake Christian will look to get some momentum as he takes on Serpentico.

Gates of Agony will battle Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty while MxM Collection will face a team to be named.

The show is rounded out by Rachael Ellering vs. Queen Aminata, and Griff Garrison vs. Boulder of the Iron Savages.

**********

The 98th episode of ROH on Honorclub is just two away from the milestone episode #100. Will we hear about plans for a big celebration? Or will Shane Taylor Productions just beat up a bunch of people? Let’s find out!

Trish Adora (w/Shane Taylor) defeated Harley Cameron

This is a tough one for me. I like Adora, but I ADORE Cameron. Since joining up with STP (along with the Infantry) Adora has been hitting the gas and scoring victories over the likes of Rachel Ellering. Cameron, since arriving in ROH/AEW has been amazing at everything she’s done and should hold all the titles. Yes, ALL the titles. These two are both at the top of their game, so this promises to be a standout match to kick off the evening.

An enthusiastic Code of Honor started things off as they locked up. Cameron sent Adora to the ropes with a hip toss before setting her up in the corner. Adora reversed a monkey flip attempt and laid out Cameron with a huge boot followed by a big german suplex. Adora caught Cameron with a spinning backbreaker showing off her new aggression brought to you by Shane Taylor Promotions.

Cameron found herself caught by Adora in a modified submission move that ended in a two-count. She tried again, but Cameron reversed it and managed to get a suplex on the bigger Adora. Cameron drove Adora’s head into the turnbuckle followed by a Shining Wizard to get a two.

Adora scooped Cameron up, but Cameron wiggled out. Adora landed a Lariat Tubman and that was it for Cameron. The Infantry joined her in the ring for a celebration. Cameron continued to be great, despite this setback.

Blake Christian defeated Serpentico

Christian made a big impact in the NJPW Best of the Super Junior tournament in 2024, but has yet to turn that into ROH success. He did pick up a win over AR Fox on Boxing Day though and was one of the last standing in the Survival Of The Fittest Six Way Elimination match for the ROH TV Title at Final Battle. Serpentico? He’s been chilling. It’s been about a month since he defeated Sidney Akeem, so he’s due for something big. Or he’s not. Either way, he’s cool.

Christian gave Serpentico a boot to the face to start things off, but the luchadore was able to bounce back (literally, he’s a luchadore after all) and put Christian on his back. The speed picked up from there and the two went back and forth, bouncing off the ropes until Serpentico slid outside for a breather. Christian didn’t let him stay long though, diving through the ropes onto him.

Christian wailed on Serpentico on the outside, sending him into the barricades and steps until Serpentico was able to return the favor. Christian caught him though and stomped his head on the steel steps. Christian then mocked Serpentico very, very softly.

Back in the ring, Christian went for a springboard 450, but faked out the crowd, flipping the bird. Serpentico tried a quick rollup while Christian was playing to the crowd, but only got the two. Christian hit Serpentico’s face off the turnbuckle and followed it up with a one-armed slam. Christian tried messing with Serpentico’s mask and delivered a big DDT and running knees to the back of the head. That was enough and Christian got the pin and the win.

Beefcake Boulder defeated Griff Garrison (w/Cole Karter)

Putting Boulder and Garrison across the ring from each other is kind of like watching a Kansas City Chiefs game. You know exactly what’s going to happen, but it’s kinda fun to watch the opponent try and figure out how to stop it anyway. The real story here is the return of Garrison’s tag partner, Karter who has been out for months with an injury. Garrison has been doing his thing solo, but Boulder rarely has a singles outing. So even if exactly what you expect to happen happens, it’s still a fun thing to watch.

Boulder obviously had the size advantage, but Garrison’s speed and agility kept him in the match. Garrison tried to take the fight to Boulder, but that just got himt thrown at the ground. A lot. Boulder hoisted him up on his shoulder and Garrison went for a sleeper. Boulder had none of that though and tossed him off.

Garrison at one point hit Boulder with a forearm and managed to hurt himself more than the big man. Switching tactics he tried working Boulder’s shoulder, but that just led to Boulder dropping the straps and slamming Garrison to the ground before hitting four big splashes in the corner. He followed that up with a side slam that flattened Garrison.

Boulder headed up to the second rope, but Karter distracted him allowing Garrison to pull him off the ropes. it didn’t do much and Boulder flattened him with a Boulderdash and that was it. Boulder took the win back to his modest studio apartment in Titty City.

Billie Starkz defeated Brittany Jade

The Ballad of Billie Starkz

Billie is young, a big number Minion yet trained
Contracted by Athena to play her mind games.
Billie can’t break away, no she can’t break free
no matter how bummed about it she looks on TV.

CHORUS:
Billie’s a Minion and Athena don’t care.
Billie’s a Minion and Athena don’t care.
Billie’s a Minion and Athena don’t care.
Billie’s a Minion here to stay.

With that sung, er said, Starkz takes on Jade in what appears to be her yearly ROH match. Jade took on Leyla Hirsch & Rachael Ellering in a tag match in 2024 and lost a Proving Ground match to Athena in 2023.

Stakrz had Jade’s number right off the top. Jade did her best, but Starkz reversed everything she threw at her. Starkz even got in the Ref’s face after being told to stop stomping Jade’s head. The nerve.

Jade, who was trained by Caprice Coleman, did not quit, getting Starkz up on the turnbuckle for an attempted superplex. Starkz reversed it and climbed up for a swan dive. That was it, see you next year Jade! A squash for sure, but it’s always good to see Starkz in action!

Queen Aminata defeated Rachael Ellering

This match should boil down to Ellering’s technical prowess and sheer strength vs Aminada’s agility and gigantic hip attack. Ellering went 5-9 in 2024 but had some injury setbacks along the way. Aminata went 24-17 in the same time period, including being a finalist in the tournament to crown the inaugural ROH Women’s World Television Champion (which was won through trickery by Billie Starkz). A win here would be a step up for both, perhaps in the direction of ROH ~~Women’s~~ Forever Champion, Athena.

The two locked up off the top, resulting in Ellering powering out of an Aminata hold. Aminata went for a drop down, but Ellering calmly stepped over her and picked her up for a gutwrench suplex. Aminata rolled out of the ring to collect herself. Ellering, having a lot of fun, held the ropes for her to get back in.

Aminata caught Ellering in a headlock, but again Ellering powered out. She then hit a Squish senton, but it only drew a two-count. Aminata got back to her feet and planted one of them in Ellering’s face. She followed that up with a huge boot to Ellering in the corner.

The fun stopped after that. The two traded blows in a very serious way until Aminata smashed Ellering so hard she was able to get a pin with a Headbutt. An abrupt end, but still a fun match. After the match, Aminata showed respect and checked on Ellering making sure she was OK.

ROH Classic Match: ROH Women Of Honor Champion Sumie Sakai vs Hazuki w/Hana Kimura & Kagetsu (30.06.2018 Fairfax, Virginia, USA)

Sakai was the original ROH Women of Honor Champion and kept it for 251 days, making her the longest-reigning holder of that title until it was deactivated in 2020. At 53 years of age, she still competes, her most recent matches being in December for GCW and New Texas Pro. Hazuki starred in Stardom as HZK but changed her name around the time of this match. At the time, she was part of Odeo Tai under Kagetsu’s leadership and included the late Hana Kimura, who tragically took her own life over internet bullying. It’s important that people remember Kimura and what happened to her. Watching this match is a good way to do that.

MxM Collection (Mansoor & Mason Madden) defeated The Dawsons (Dave Dawson & Zane Dawson)

Mansoor and Madden have become fan favourites in the last year, in spite of not actually doing all that much. They are really entertaining though and for a minute it looked like Johnny TV was about to sign up with them. That seems to have cooled, but after Final Battle, Danhausen is who they should really be worried about. The Dawsons live in a small New England creekside town and their childhood best friends sneak in their bedroom windows to watch movies every night. That may not be true, but in my mind it definitely is. #PaceyWasRight

Madden offered his tip to the bearded Dawson, but he refused. His name is Zane, and he tied up with Madden, showing that he was actually close to his size and strength. Madden offered the tip again, and Zane considered it but ended up chopping Madden instead. He no sold that and returned a chop, sending Zane to the mat.

Mansoor tagged in and the two double posed and double teamed Zane. Zane tagged in Dave (best wrestler name ever) and Dave took on the smaller Mansoor, getting a big slam and bringing his brother back in for a double team. Mansoor was able to avoid it and get a hot tag, er tip, to MAdden who came in and cleaned house.

All four men hit the ring and Madden dispatched Dave so that he and Mansoor could hit a Centerfold on Zane. That got them the win, a touch of the tips and a whole lot of posing.

ROH Women’s World Television Title Proving Ground Match: Red Velvet [c] defeated Jazmyne Hao

Velvet has been ROH Women’s TV Champion for 167+ days now, with a handful of defenses to her name. She’d have more, but she’s yet to lose a Proving Ground match, of which she’s taken on the likes of Lady Frost and Allysin Kay. Trying to get to the time limit of ten minutes or score a pinfall or submission to earn a future title shot is Hao, another Caprice Coleman student making her ROH debut.

Of similar size, it was a feeling out process for the two women off the top. Hao had Velvet in a waistlock, but Velvet reversed it and sent her to the corner for a pummelling. Velvet hit a drop toe hold to hang Hao up in the ropes. Velvet nailed her with some double knees and called for Mama’s Kitchen. Hao fought back though, going up top, but missing the splash.

Velvet hit Hao with a singe right hand smack in the face and knocked her clean out. Velvet got the pin, dashing Hao’s title shot hopes.

-QT Marshall showed up for some reason. He talked about dodging Lexy Nair who totally has a crush on him. Marshall reminded us he earned a shot at Komander’s ROH TV Title. Marshall will cash that shot in next week and promised to win that title.

Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor) defeated Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)

Shane Taylor Promotions is the most dominant faction in ROH (and arguably AEW, or even wrestling). With Taylor and Moriarty as the anchors, they have taken over and taken out just about everyone they have faced. That should probably be the case here, when they face (checks notes)… oh, wait. Cage of Agony? Oh damn, Liona and Kaun are scary and brutal enough that they might be a team who can get one over on STP and put themselves in title contention!

Moriarty and Kaun started things off, with Kaun’s power edge giving him control of the pace. Kaun surprised Moriarty by taking him to the mat and starting to wrestle a technical style against the Pure Champion. Eventually though, it went back to hitting. Hard hitting from Kaun to Moriarty. That brought in Taylor who jawed at Liona before tying up with Kaun. Taylor encouraged Kaun to hit him and then destroyed him with a huge lariat.

Taylor smashed Kaun with some huge knees, causing Liona to jump in to break up a pin attempt. Moriarty jumped back in and STP continued to isolate Kaun, leaving Liona on the outside until a double hot tag brought Taylor and Liona in. The two literally ran at each other and bounced off for about 30 seconds. Liona then got Taylor up for a Samoan Drop if you can believe it (I can, I saw it).

Gates of Agony sent Taylor to the outside and double teamed Moriarty, but they couldn’t finish the job. Taylor hopped back in, but Liona sent him to the outside and hit him with a cannonball. Suddenly, a wild Trish Adora appeared and disrtracted the ref. That allowed the Infantry to come in and superkick Kaun into next week. Moriarty rolled up a groggy Kaun and got the win for STP, ending Gates of Agony’s 18-match win streak.

-To wrap up a pretty great night of wrestling, ROH World Champion “The Nueve” Chris Jericho graced us with his presence in the ROH Ring. Also, Bryan Keith was there. Jericho grabbed a mic and called the crowd idiots! “Stupid North Carolina Morons” to be precise. He was furious that no one chanted for him during the preceding matches. He was mad that they chanted “rock ‘n roll” instead*.

You see, they did that because the ever-lovin’ Rock ‘n Roll Express were in the house! Morton and Gibson sauntered down to the ring with even more chants echoing. Jericho claimed he hates rock ‘n roll… especially Morton! In fact, he has hated him since 1994 when Morton hazed him in WCW.

Morton decided that was enough and punched him in the face. Gibson did the same to Keith, running off Jericho and Keith and grabbing a mic. Morton thanked the crowd and the show came to a close.

Great episode! The 100th Edition of ROH on Honorclub is right around the corner, so stay tuned!

*The Rock ‘n Roll Express had been at the show that Jericho taped the promo at. Unfortunately, they were not around for the matches taped for this episode, so we had not heard any such chant all night.

AEW Dynamite live results: Casino Gauntlet match, Kenny Omega returns

Posted on January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 by Ryan Howard

A Casino Gauntlet match on tonight’s AEW Dynamite will determine Jon Moxley’s challenger for the World title on next week’s episode.

Jay White earned the first spot in tonight’s Casino Gauntlet with a victory on last week’s show. The bout will begin with two competitors, and ends with the first fall, with more wrestlers being added to the match at regular intervals. The winner faces Moxley for the AEW Word title at next week’s Maximum Carnage edition of Dynamite.

After returning to the ring at Wrestle Dynasty this past weekend, Kenny Omega makes his return to Dynamite on tonight’s episode.

A women’s Casino Gauntlet is set for next week’s Maximum Carnage, but a three-way on tonight’s show will determine which competitor will hold the top spot in the gauntlet, as Toni Storm takes on Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale.

A live appearance by MJF has also been announced for tonight.

Will Ospreay vs. Buddy Matthews, plus Bobby Lashley vs. Mark Briscoe are also set for tonight’s show.

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Daddy Magic Matt Menard & Ian Riccaboni, as we’re told Tony Schiavone is on assignment. The music for Will Ospreay hits and it’s time for the opening contest of the evening.

Will Ospreay defeated Buddy Matthews

(First ever meeting between these two and should come as no surprise that they had a really good opener with the crowd into it the entire time. Ospreay made a good point in his post-match comments, saying Matthews & King could have success as singles or a tag team, as I agree, but I’m sure those comments won’t sit well with Malakai Black, who I assume is going to face Ospreay soon. That’s a match that hasn’t happened since 2016 in England, so a long overdue rematch is in order.)

Commentary puts over how Matthews wants revenge for Ospreay defeating Brody King in the Continental Classic, as Matthews showed the power advantage in the early going. Both trade finisher attempts, then high kicks, as each avoid into the stalemate. Hard chops are exchanged until a snap hurricanrana sent Matthews to the outside, where Ospreay met him with a slingshot cross body. Back inside, Matthews side-stepped the springboard and kept Ospreay grounded, until Ospreay got a head of steam leading to both collided when each tried for a cross body. After a brief reset, Ospreay hit the handspring corkscrew kick, followed by Pip, Pip, Cheerio for a near fall. Matthews avoided Cheeky Nandos and sent Ospreay to the outside with a backbreaker, as he cleared the top rope with a somersault plancha. Back inside quickly, Matthews went up top for a Meteora and close two.

Both fight to the apron and trade big boots, until Matthews hit a pump knee, only for Ospreay to fire a thrust kick. Oscutter attempt blocked, as Matthews tossed Ospreay off the apron face first onto the commentary table. Taking a page out of Brody King’s playbook, Matthews started barking and hit a pump kick against the railing. He tried it again, but ran right into a thrust kick, as an Oscutter off the barricade. Matthews just broke the count, but rolled into a springboard dropkick and proper Oscutter for two. Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but Matthews ducked into a pop-up knee, but Ospreay no-sold and hit a Hidden Blade for a near fall. Kawada Kicks connect, but Ospreay took too long to follow-up, as Matthews fired off a combo. Ospreay responded with a wall walk enzugiri, tried another Oscutter, but Matthews caught him with a reverse Go To Sleep to the neck and Curb Stomp for a super close two. Matthews tried a Rainmaker, but Ospreay floated over into a Styles Clash for another near fall. Ospreay measured, Matthews had a smile on his face, knowing his fate, as he ate a Hidden Blade for the Ospreay win.

Post-match, Ospreay took the mic and put over Buddy Murphy (he corrected himself and said Matthews). Ospreay admired Matthews and said he & Brody King don’t need to be following a leader, they can go about things by themselves. King & Matthews can go for Tag Titles or Singles if they choose and if he ever needs someone by his side, Ospreay is his man. They shook hands and Ospreay went to the back.

-Video package of the AEW talent competing in Japan at Wrestle Dynasty.

Private Party Championship Celebration Crashed

Zay & Quen come out with some ladies, celebrating their Tag Title defense on Collision last week, the first defense on MAX. Zay said it’s time to celebrate, but they were cut off by The Hurt Syndicate. MVP said they like to party too and stepped over the velvet rope, saying he was the one to invent this kind of party. MVP says it’s time to raise a toast to Private Party, proposing a toast, but Bobby Lashley says here’s to The Hurt Syndicate taking those Tag Team titles. MVP, Lashley & Shelton Benjamin pour out their drinks and make their way to the ring for Lashley’s upcoming match. Zay & Quen were just left standing there looking disappointed that their party was crashed, but knowing they’ll have to deal with The Hurt Syndicate soon.

Bobby Lashley (w/MVP & Shelton Benjamin) defeated Mark Briscoe

(Good competitive match, with Briscoe getting the crowd behind him during his comeback. He had his hope spots, but Lashley wasn’t going to lose here and was simply too much. The tease of Benjamin & Lashley going for the Tag Titles is interesting and they could win the titles and have a nice run with them.)

Lashley patted Briscoe on the head and held the ropes open, offering him a chance to leave, which just fired Briscoe up early on with strikes. Lashley caught a charge into multiple Flatliners and suplex to the corner. Lashley immediately hit a spinning sit-out Dominator for a near fall, as Briscoe battled back with some redneck kung-fu, but jumped off the top into the clutches and launched to the floor, where Lashley steamrolled him with a Pounce.

Back from break, Briscoe mounted a comeback, but was cut off, as Lashley hit a tackle that had Briscoe take a nasty back bump off the apron. Lashley slowly went out after, but didn’t realize Briscoe was under the ring, where he popped Lashley with a chair, unbeknownst to the referee and hit a springboard dive to follow. MVP is losing his mind on commentary about how Briscoe should be DQ’d, as Briscoe hit a corkscrew moonsault from the top to the outside. A shoutout to Big Tom, as Briscoe hit Ishii’s sliding lariat followed by the Froggy Bow, but Lashley kicked out at 1. Briscoe couldn’t believe it, as Lashley dodged a corner charge and hit the Spear, massive spinebuster before applying the Hurt Lock for the submission.

Post-match, Benjamin & Lashley attacked Briscoe until Private Party sprinted out with chairs and had a face-off. MVP held back Benjamin & Lashley and retreated as Zay & Quen checked on Briscoe.

**********

Powerhouse Hobbs won the Casino Gauntlet to earn an AEW World Title match next week at Maximum Carnage

(These Gauntlets are typically always a good time and this was no different. It’s a match that usually sets up battles in the upcoming weeks and you could see a few coming out of this. Hobbs winning it was unexpected, but he was made to look really strong throughout this whole match, so we now have a rematch from last year in a match that saw Hobbs get injured. It should be a good match, but I definitely expect Moxley to retain.)

Switchblade Jay White (earning the first spot in last weeks 3-way) & Hangman Adam Page were the first two to start as after some early jaw jacking, started chopping the hell out of one another. They traded pin attempts until Page wanted a Buckshot, but flipped into a Blade Runner attempt. Page dodged, tried Dead Eye, but White brought him up the ropes with a superplex. Wheeler Yuta is next and slowly came in from the crowd, but rolled right into a Blade Runner, only for Page to break the count. Page took both White & Yuta out with springboard lariats, as he was left alone for the fourth entrant, as Whose House hit and everyone thought it was Swerve Strickland, but it was a swerve, so to speak, as Ricochet walked out. Excalibur had a great line saying last week, scissors beat paper, after Ricochet stabbed Strickland. Ricochet ran wild as he & Yuta put the boots to White & Page during commercial.

Back from break, Ricochet & Yuta were both sent outside, as Adam Cole was out next and had his own Superkick Party before hitting his pose. Cole hit a Panama Sunrise on Ricochet, who kicked out at two. TNT Champion Daniel Garcia is in at 6, as he had a nice sequence with Cole, as Garcia stacked Cole, White & Page in the corner for punches in bunches. Yuta & Garcia traded stiff slaps until Ricochet cleared Garcia with a pump kick. Powerhouse Hobbs is next and launched Ricochet to the outside before rag-dolling everyone in his path. Page mocked Hobbs, which proved a mistake, as Hobbs threw him clear across the ring, as Hobbs was in control heading to another break.

We return to Ricochet foolishly trying a slug fest with Hobbs, who turned him inside out with a lariat. White dropkicked out Hobbs’ leg, as Roderick Strong is in at 8, dishing out backbreakers aplenty. Ricochet found himself surrounded and beaten down by Cole, Strong & Garcia. Everyone starts recovering and hitting high impact moves, including White spiking Ricochet with a Sleeper Suplex. White wanted Blade Runner, but again, Yuta stole a win from him with a low blow. Lance Archer was 9 and met a diving Yuta with a chokeslam on the apron. Archer kept up the chokeslams in the ring before taking turns chucking Ricochet back and forth with Hobbs. Meat chants from the crowd, as each no sold powerslams and Boss Man Slams, as they slug it out until Kyle O’Reilly is 10 and beats the hell out of Yuta on the stage. Undisputed Kingdom used their strength in numbers to stand tall until Jeff Jarrett is out at 11, but was attacked by Yuta on the stage. They fight to the back, leaving Archer & Garcia to fend off the Undisputed Kingdom until Hobbs ran through them all. Archer wanted Black Out on Hobbs, who wiggled free, sent Archer to the outside, as O’Reilly fired off a combo of kicks, but ran into a big time spinebuster allowing Hobbs to get the pin.

Post-match, Renee Paquette came to the ring and congratulated Hobbs on his win. Hobbs said let’s shoot for a second, let it be told, Jon Moxley was the one who brought Hobbs to AEW, but next week, he’ll shock the world and make Moxley his bitch. As Hobbs celebrated up the ramp and to the back, Jeff Jarrett was standing there and shook Hobbs’ hand before heading to the ring.

-We get a video package highlighting the feud between Christian Cage & HOOK and a match that finally happens next week at Maximum Carnage.

Jeff Jarrett Gets an Unexpected Offer

Ian Riccaboni is in the ring with Jeff Jarrett and said he must be disappointed he couldn’t win a title shot in Tennessee. Jarrett questioned whether The Last Outlaw still has what it takes to become AEW World Champion when he was cut off by the music of MJF, who came to the ring. MJF calls Riccaboni a bible thumping prick and tells him to leave, as he tells Jarrett he’s never had the pleasure of meeting him in the ring before and introduces himself. MJF said he wants his Triple B back, but the World Title picture is too crowded right now. MJF said it’s Jarrett’s fault that Hobbs won tonight, as he got beat up by…Wheeler Yuta. MJF said there’s people like Adam Copeland wanting the AEW World Title before putting over Jarrett, ran over his resume, which he had to look up because he’s not a dinosaur. MJF said Jarrett’s clock is ticking, but hasn’t been honest with the fans, as the contract Jarrett signed is only for 1 more year. MJF said Jarrett didn’t want to retire, but it’s the contract that pro wrestling thinks that’s all Jarrett has left to give.

MJF is here to help Jarrett prove he’s still got it. One year for Jarrett to make it back to the mountain one more time, as without MJF’s help, Jarrett couldn’t win a match. All MJF asks is one favor, first in line for a World Title shot. MJF offers a handshake, as Jarrett takes the mic and puts over MJF for being the longest reigning AEW World Champion of all time. Jarrett said they call MJF a one hit wonder in Music City. Jarrett knows the road he has to go down, as he’s been at rock bottom before, but it’ll allow him to fight his way back to the top of the mountain. Jarrett said MJF had a chance to enter the Gauntlet tonight, but opted to scheme to get a shot instead. Jarrett is going to make the most of 2025, he doesn’t need MJF, he’s not buying what he’s selling and called MJF an entitled prick before leaving the ring. MJF was left looking dejected.

**********

-We see the footage from the final Rampage and the Death Riders shoving Darby Allin down a flight of stairs. Excalibur said no one has heard from Allin since and he’s practically fallen off the map.

Cope Addresses Jon Moxley

It’s going to take me a while to get used to calling Adam Copeland “Cope”, as for the second week in a row, commentary really is driving home the Cope name. Cope ran through Jon Moxley & the Death Riders’ carnage since he’s been going including Bryan Danielson & Darby Allin. Cope said the biggest mistake was going after his good friends, FTR. Cope said no one has fought through what he’s fought through just to be standing in the ring and he’ll die on that hill. Cope is a different animal than Moxley has face before and mentioned breaking his neck in a match against Eddie Guerrero, but kept going for 20 minutes and winning the match. Cope fought Malakai Black in a barbed wire cage, broke his leg, but got up and won the match. Cope knows Moxley is one of the toughest in the game, but questioned what Moxley can do to him that hasn’t been done before?

Jon Moxley’s music hits and the AEW Champion walks out from the crowd with Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta. FTR attacked Castagnoli & Yuta from behind, as the fight is on, as Cope & Moxley brawl in the ring. Marina Shafir sprinted to ringside, slide the briefcase in to Moxley, as Cope grabbed Shafir, was distracted long enough for a returning PAC to appear and attack from behind. Moxley applied the Bulldog Choke, as FTR was taken out ringside. Shafir handed a bag for Moxley, but Powerhouse Hobbs’ music hit and he slowly walks out from the back. Showing no fear, Hobbs got in the ring and all the Death Riders retreated.

**********

-Mariah May is backstage and talks about the Women’s Casino Gauntlet next week and tells the women competing to dance like the marionettes they are before she cuts their strings and burn them alive. Harley Cameron screams her way into the shot and said she wants to give fans an appetizer on Collision. May said she’s not getting a title shot, but Cameron says it’s fine, Hot Girl Graps. May said she’s going to rip Cameron’s head off, which Cameron said is alright, but screamed that May will Feel the Wrath! Harley Cameron is great, the more we get of her on TV in 2025, the better.

Kris Statlander defeated Toni Storm & Willow Nightingale to earn the number 1 spot in next week’s Women’s Casino Gauntlet

(I wish this match had more time, as they really seemed to be hitting another gear at the finish. This was a needed win for Statlander, who gets back on track following her loss to Mone and it leaves the “rookie” Storm to regroup. They teased the potential reunion with Statlander & Nightingale, but it didn’t dominate the match, so it’s better that be a slow build.)

All three ladies try early pin attempts, until Nightingale hit an enzugiri on Statlander before running through Storm with a shoulder tackle. Misdirect spinebuster by Nightingale, who stood tall until Statlander is back in, trading more near falls. Storm kept being tossed to the floor, as she finally was able to put a stop to it with a cross body off the top onto both. Storm tried a sunset flip on Statlander, who didn’t budge, posed and didn’t realize Nightingale sneaking from behind to deliver a low blow via slingshot on Storm as things went to break.

Storm tried for the cross body again, but this time, caught, as Nightingale & Statlander hit a double fall away slam. Statlander tried to offer a handshake to Nightingale, but Storm cut them both off and a three way slugfast ensued. Storm delivered a headbutt, as Nightingale hit the discus lariat into the triple down. Statlander backdropped out of Storm Zero, hit a shotgun dropkick, but as she charged, Nightingale met her with a Pounce out of nowhere. Sweet Cheek Music on Statlander, as Nightingale hit a Cannonball on both before laying out Storm with a DVD for two.

All three start trading suplexes and discus lariats, as Storm avoids Chaos Theory, but Nightingale was there to hit a double German suplex. Storm nearly got a flash cradle, but Statlander put a stop to it, countered the Doctor Bomb, as Statlander sent her to the floor and laid out Storm with Wednesday Night Fever for the win. Nightingale was left visibly dejected, as Statlander celebrated the victory.

**********

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Toni Storm, who said she gave it her best, but clearly isn’t ready yet. It was an honor to be in there with Statlander & Nightingale, but she’s going to keep working hard, as it’s not Toni Time all the time.

Kenny Omega Returns to Dynamite

New entrance video and music play, as Omega makes his way out high fiving fans with a smile on his face. Loud welcome back chants, as Omega’s head is still bandaged from his match at Wrestle Kingdom, but it’s never brought up by commentary. Omega said it was a little over a year ago that he found out he had diverticulitis and had to have two feet of his intestines removed, as the doctors said he would’ve been dead had he delayed any longer checking himself into the hospital. Omega asked the doctor how long recovery is, but was told he’d be lucky to return to his normal way of life, let alone to the ring. Omega said he pushed things too hard and found himself in the hospital four more times for four more weeks and questioned if he could still do this. Omega said there was a time he thought giving up was the safest option, but once considered, what purpose would he have on the planet without the fans with him. Omega said a few days ago, he tested his theory in Tokyo, Japan, just like he found his purpose tonight. If Omega isn’t in the ring giving fans everything he has every single week, then he is not living. Even though he’s not the same guy, the new version, the one not worried about money, power, revenge, can still prove he has what it takes.

Don Callis’ music plays and he slowly walks out to loud boos. Callis got off two words before Omega bolted from the ring and tackled Callis on the ramp with punches. Brian Cage & Lance Archer ran out and attacked, dragging Omega back to the ring, as Omega attempted to fight back, but Kyle Fletcher hit the ring to make it 3 on 1. Fletcher & Archer held Omega as Cage delivered a right punch to the lower body. Cage was about to hit a powerbomb when Will Ospreay ran out with a chair, took out Archer on the ramp and chased off Fletcher & Cage. The Don Callis Family retreated, as Ospreay tossed the chair aside and had a stare down with Omega to “Holy Sh*t” chants. We’re told it’s official, next week, Omega will face Brian Cage in his first match back in AEW in over a year. Ospreay makes his way to the back, as Omega was left in the ring with a microphone in hand, looking like he was going to talk, but the show ended before we could hear him.

AEW Collision 1/11/25

Cope vs. Big Bill
Dax Harwood vs. Chris Jericho
AEW Women’s Champion Mariah May vs. Harley Cameron

AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage 1/15/25

Jon Moxley defends the AEW World Title against Powerhouse Hobbs
Kenny Omega vs. Brian Cage
Christian Cage vs. HOOK
Women’s Casino Gauntlet for an AEW Women’s Title match at Grand Slam: Australia

WWE NXT New Year’s Evil live results: Three title matches, The Rock appears

Posted on January 7, 2025January 7, 2025 by Chris Aiken

Continuing a big week for the company, WWE NXT is in Los Angeles tonight for its first episode of 2025.

NXT New Year’s Evil takes place from Shrine Expo Hall and will feature three championship matches. Iron Survivor Challenge winners Giulia and Oba Femi are both getting their title shots. Giulia is challenging Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship, while the NXT Championship will be up for grabs in a triple threat between Trick Williams, Femi, and Eddy Thorpe.

The Heritage Cup Championship will also be contested in a rematch between Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey. It will be a sudden death round instead of the traditional multi-round format.

Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) are set to compete in a six-woman tag team match as they take on Gigi Dolin, Tatum Paxley & Shotzi. And there will be a four-way bout between Stephanie Vaquer, Kelani Jordan, Cora Jade, and Lola Vice.

Plus, following his appearance on Raw’s Netflix premiere, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be in the building for NXT tonight.

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

**********

New Year’s Evil from inside the Shrine Auditorium in LA on the air, and various wrestlers are seen arriving to the building. That includes The Rock arriving in a pickup truck, and he gets out popping the top on a beverage just before putting his custom title belt over his shoulder.

Corey Graves is back on commentary in NXT for tonight, as he joins Vic Joseph and Booker T at the announce booth.

Opening the show is a women’s title match.

Giulia defeated NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez to win the title

Giulia pinned Perez clean to win the title, in what was a helluava match. Superb. Great opener.

Great wrestling from the start with counters and reversals. The mood shifts when Perez slaps Giulia across the face. Giulia fires up and answers back with a headbutt. The intensity picks up from there. Just before the show cuts to its first commercial break, Perez stomps on Giulia’s arm with Giulia draped on the bottom turnbuckle.

The show returns from the break with Perez executing a Frankensteiner off the ropes, and she gets a near falls on Giulia. They trade strikes, until Perez goes back to targeting the arm. Perez with a tope suicida. Moments later, Giulia has turned the tide. Giulia with a super butterfly suplex off the top rope. Great action here, and Giulia strikes with a sit-out tombstone piledriver.

Perez counters Giulia, and Perez locks in a crossface. Perez breaks the hold and goes for Pop Rocks, but Giulia escapes, only to eat a dropkick as the action spills outside. At ringside, Giulia drops Perez with a Northern Lights Bomb on the floor. They tease a double count-out. Cora Jade runs down to ringside, and she rolls Perez into the ring. Somehow this is not a DQ, and referee keeps counting on Giulia, who barely breaks the count.

As they go home, Perez applies a Fujiwara armbar. Giulia escapes the hold, and she hits Perez with a knee strike. Giulia follows up with a Northern Lights Bomb, and Giulia hooks a leg for a three count. And new…

Eddy Thorpe was supposedly injured as the victim of another sneak attack, but this is like the boy that cried wolf. NXT GM Ava does not believe him this time, and she leaves his laying there selling for the trainers.

A video package has Je’Von Evans speaking through clinched teeth, as he vows revenge on Ethan Page. Evans jaw is wired shut after he head was Pillmanized by Page in an angle from late-December.

Stephanie Vaquer defeated Kelani Jordan, Cora Jade and Lola Vice in a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender for the NXT Women’s North American Championship

Vaquer pinned Jordan to win the match. Plethora of high spots and fast-paced sequences throughout the match, but especially in the closing moments. Vaquer does a dive to the floor, followed by Jordan doing a moonsault off the top turnbuckle to the floor.

Just before the finish, Vice takes a knee from Jade. Vice falls outside. Jade takes an Olympic slam from Jordan, and Jordan climbs to the top rope. 450 splash, but no water in the pool. Vaquer follows up, and she executes her finisher on Jordan. Vaguer then scores a pinfall.

In a backstage skit, Oba Femi admits to Ava that he did in fact attack Thorpe. Ava still seems indifferent.

Triple H and Nick Khan are seen on camera in the front row.

A video package sponsored by an insurance company features OTM cutting a promo on NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazier & Axiom. The two teams meet next Tuesday in a tag title match.

Gigi Dolin, Tatum Paxley & Shotzi defeated Fatal Influence (NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jaxmyn Nyx) in a six-women tag team match

Shotzi pinned Henley to win the match, which may set up Shotzi as a potential challenger.

The match goes through a commercial break. Breakneck pace just before cutting to commercials, and everybody is down selling when the show cuts away. Back from the break, and they are working over Paxley. Hot tag to Dolan.

For the finish, Shotzi tags in for some tandem moves. Paxley also helps with double-team moves. Her and Dolan jump off the apron with stereo quebradas. Meanwhile, Shotzi with a senton bomb on Henley. Shotzi goes on to cover the North American Champion for a pinfall.

Ethan Page is arguing with Ava in a backstage skit, as Page is upset like Dennis Stamp. He is not booked. In walks The Rock, and he interrupts Page. Rock and Page meet and shake hands. Rock has heard some things about Page, and it was not all good.

Rock brings up Page breaking someone’s jaw, and Rock tells Page that payback willl be a bitch. Nonetheless, Rock tells Page to that he can come to him if needs anything. Rock goes to give Page a warning about Rock’s daughter Ava, although she is never referred to as his daughter on television. Rock tells Page he will see him on the main roster, and Rock slaps Page on the buttocks like an old school football coach.

Rock then asks Ava for advice with the crowd. Sure, like he needs it. Ava tells him the NXT crowds are different. Rock says he will speak from the heart.

Lexis King defeated Heritage Cup Champion Charlie Dempsey (with No Quarter Catch Crew) to win the trophy

King pinned Dempsey in what was a good match. This show has yet to have a bad match. Really good so far.

The match goes through a commercial break. They traded submission holds at times. They also traded stiff strikes. They collides together a few times. The second time, Dempsey went for a leap frog. King inadvertently headbutts Dempsey in the groin. Dempsey sells big. King then delivers The Coronation, and King covers Dempsey for a three count.

A backstage skit sets up a number one contender match between Shotzi and Stephanie Vaquer. That is set for next week.

Oba Femi defeated NXT Champion Trick Williams and Eddy Thorpe in a triple threat match to win the title

Femi pinned Williams, thanks to some unintentional help from Thorpe. Good match, but the subplot with Thorpe detracted from the fight between Femi and Williams. However, Thorpe’s involvement allows Trick to save face despite the finish.

No Eddy Thorpe to start the match, and it begins as a singles match with Trick squaring off with Oba. Thorpe would run in later to join the match. Not long after the start of the match, the show cuts to a commercial break.

When the show returns from the break, Thorpe is making his way through the backstage area, and Thorpe is wielding a metal folding chair. Meanwhile, Femi and Williams are having a slugfest in the ring.

Trick gives Femi a Rock Bottom off the middle rope for a near fall. They continue to trade strikes. Trick fires up and is on a roll, until Femi blocks Trick’s knee strike finisher. They go on to trade near falls. Trick counters Femi’s finisher, and Trick lands a big boot for yet another near fall.

Sit-out powerbomb by Femi on Trick, followed by a cover. Thorpe suddenly appears a ringside, where Thorpe pulls the referee out of the ring to break up a pin. Thorpe still has the chair. Femi with biel throw, brings Thorpe into the ring. Femi then mauls Thorpe, beating him from pillar to post. Thorpe got nothing.

Great false finish as Trick lands his jumping knee strike out of nowhere, but Femi kicks out. Trick measures for another kick, but Femi dodges and Trick is hit by Thorpe with a chair. Pop-up powerbomb by Femi, and he covers Williams for a pinfall. And new…

Rock closes the show

Closing the show is an appearance by The Rock. Huge pop of course. Rock shake hands and interacts with the fans in attendance on his way to the ring. His entrance took forever, and the crowd chanted his name once the music finally stopped blaring over the house speakers.

Rock has goosebumps and he shows them off as he paces around the ring. Rock even talks about having chills as he begins his promo. He pauses so the crowd can chant his name again. Rock looks towards the timekeeper, and says we have six minutes left. He has hardly begun to speak yet.

Rock says he has a lot of nicknames, and he talks about a few. He also does some catchphrases. Rock says the crowd is feeling it, and they need to help The Rock out. Rock addresses the hug with Cody Rhodes the night before on Raw. Rock mocks the fans for having a problem with it. Rock says to shut your mouth and enjoy the ride he is taking them on.

Rock keeps cursing and keeps getting bleeped out. He does apologize for the language after saying they have a few minutes left. Rock says he wanted to go see NXT, but Rock did not know what to say.

Rock wants to tell the fans something important, which wants to thank them. He puts over the fans for coming to NXT, and the crowd chants “N-X-T.” Rock tells the fans they are important to the show. Rock talks about depending on the crowd. Rock says he loves NXT and does his “can you smell” catchphrase as the show goes off the air. What a haphazard promo that went nowhere.

WWE Raw live results: Netflix debut, CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa

Posted on January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by Steve Khan

Date: January 6, 2025
Location: Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California

**********

The Big Takeaway —

CM Punk beat Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns beat Solo Sikoa, The Rock embraced Cody Rhodes, John Cena declared for the Royal Rumble, Rhea Ripley won the women’s title, and Hulk Hogan was booed out of the building.

Penta did not debut but seems to be debuting next week as Chad Gable’s mystery opponent.

Raw’s Netflix debut seemed to go off without a hitch, aside from some minor production stuff.

***********

Show Recap —

Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Judgment Day, and Rhea Ripley were shown arriving at the Intuit Dome. Michael Cole welcomed us by stating, “I am proud to say, for the first time ever, welcome to Monday Night Raw live on Netflix!”

They aired the “cold open” video you may have seen online earlier, narrated by Triple H. (I guess they wanted to use TV terminology, but this is not what a cold open is.)

Large curtains surrounding ringside dropped to reveal Triple H standing in the middle ring. He received a large ovation, and he wanted to hear from the 17,000-plus fans in attendance because the world was watching. He welcomed us to the Netflix era, and fireworks went off.

********

The Rock entered to a huge reaction. He high-fived some fans, embraced some executives in the front row, shook hands with Cole and Pat McAfee, and handed his People’s Championship title belt to two of his young daughters (who were with Ata Johnson). The fans chanted, “Rocky.”

Rock said he travelled these roads when he was young with his dad, Rocky Johnson. The only way to watch “WWE” back then was to buy a ticket or watch it on Saturday morning. You can still buy a ticket, but watching it now was a totally different story. People were watching worldwide on Netflix.

He also announced tonight was the largest arena gate in WWE. He spoke about the need for great partners and gave a shoutout to Netflix executives in a suite.

There was someone else he wanted to acknowledge. A man whom he spilled blood with and a man who carried this company on his back for the past year.

Rock thanked Cody Rhodes. They cut to Rhodes, who was randomly standing in the front row in a suit. (He was getting chants as the show started.) They acted friendly, and Rock jokingly told Cody to say hi to Mama Rhodes. Cody laughed.

Rock also wanted to acknowledge his cousin, Roman Reigns. Rock called him the Original Tribal Chief. The world would be watching Reigns’ match against Solo Sikoa — and he would be watching closely, too. Rock closed with his catchphrase.

Rock hugged Rhodes.

(This was total babyface Rock, who was also in exec mode making sure the partners were happy. It sort of felt like this was the “real” part of the show, and the rest that follows will be Raw as usual.)

********

Alicia Taylor is the ring announcer. Paul Heyman did Reigns’ introduction.

The referee wore a dark grey shirt with black striping.

The ring canvas is dark in colour with sponsors added. (Hulk Hogan’s beer company is among them.) The ring ropes are white.

They went to a commercial break for the first time after the ring introductions. (I have the ad-free version of Netflix in Canada, which meant I saw a video package for the upcoming match.)

Tribal Combat: Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Solo Sikoa (21:29)

The crowd chanted, “F**k you, Solo” as the two men faced off before the match. (Cole gave a lot of background throughout the match, particularly for Sikoa, perhaps to benefit new viewers.)

They were having a fairly even match until Sikoa gave Reigns a Spinning Solo onto the announce table. Sikoa also hit him with a monitor and chucked the steel steps at his face.

They went to break for a second time tonight at 8:37 pm. Some viewers would get commercials here, while for others, the match continued. (About three minutes later, the feed faded to black for a second, meaning we were back from break. This continued throughout the show.)

Sikoa repeatedly attacked with a steel chair. Sikoa tried a running hip attack with Reigns’ head wrapped in a chair, but Reigns moved and attacked with the chair. Sikoa avoided a con-chair-to and hit a low blow and a Spinning Solo for a nearfall. Sikoa grabbed a table, but Reigns hit him with a drive-by dropkick.

Reigns set up the table in the ring, but Sikoa hit him with a kendo stick. Sikoa choked him with the kendo stick and taunted him, but Reigns hoisted him up and hit a powerbomb through the table.

Reigns had it won, but Tama Tonga yanked the referee out to break up the cover. The crowd buzzed as Jacob Fatu appeared behind Reigns. He laid out Reigns as the crowd chanted, “Yeet.” Fatu hit a moonsault.

Sikoa hit the Samoan Spike for a good nearfall. Referee Chad Patton tried to reason with the Bloodline, but Sikoa spiked him.

Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso ran out to Zayn’s music to take out Fatu and Tonga. Jimmy superkicked Sikoa, Zayn hit a Helluva Kick, and Reigns hit a spear. There was no referee, but a new one quickly ran down—only for Sikoa to kick out.

The crowd chanted, “This is awesome,” before Zayn and Jimmy wiped out the Bloodline and fought them to the back. As Reigns fired up, Cole said, “This, ladies and gentlemen, is what World Wrestling Entertainment is all about!”

Before Reigns could go for a spear, Kevin Owens appeared and gave him a stunner, but he still kicked out. Rhodes entered to his music (from the back) and fought Owens through the crowd.

Reigns and Sikoa traded counters until Reigns hit a spear. Reigns fired up and hit another spear for the pinfall win. The crowd popped big.

— The Rock walked to the ring as Reigns got to his feet. Heyman was about to present him with the Ula Fala, but Rock asked for them instead. Rock placed the Ua Fala over Reigns’ head, and they hugged. Reigns posed for the crowd as Rock stood to the side, nodding.

********

CM Punk warmed up in the back. Cole said he was getting ready for one of the biggest matches in wrestling history.

*******

The New Day segment

Jackie Redmond interviewed Kofi Kington (sporting a new beard) and Xavier Woods, who requested this time. Kingston said they were supposed to have a match tonight, but they told Triple H that they didn’t really want to be there because LA didn’t deserve to see them wrestle. The crowd booed, and Woods noted they were just booing the truth.

Woods said Los Angeles was the one who had bad taste because they elevated that trash rapper Kendrick Lamar. Kingston said they were mad because Drake won the beef.

They went on for a bit until Redmond cut them off because they were out of time. (In fact, the screen went black immediately.)

********

Penta’s logo appeared on the screen.

They announced the location of Royal Rumble 2026.

********

A few Smackdown wrestlers were shown in a suite.

Gabriel Iglesias, Ashton Kutcher, Michael Che, and Wale were shown ringside. (Two of these three have something on Netflix to promote.)

Rey Mysterio, LA Knight, and the War Raiders were also ringside. Rey showed off his Eddie Guerrero shirt, which got a big pop.

********

John Cena segment

John Cena entered (wearing LA Dodgers colours). As Rock did earlier, Cena put over Netflix and the magnitude of tonight’s show. He thanked Netflix.

Cena was honoured to stand in a ring wearing jorts in LA for the last time. He couldn’t think of a better place to kick off his farewell tour. He slept in his car when he worked at Gold’s Gym Venice, trained to wrestle in UPW in Orange County, and rented a place in Inglewood. It was where Prototype was born and where he won his first world title. He thanked the LA fans, and they chanted, “Thank you, Cena.”

Cena said it was all about making moments. There was a lot of noise and headlines from experts about his final WrestleMania opponent. They threw out all kinds of names like Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Logan Paul, Gunther, and Cody Rhodes. (Punk and Rhodes were both cheered.) People were also asking when Cena would become the record-breaking 17-time world champion. The crowd cheered that, too and chanted, “You deserve it.”

Cena said the fans have always been honest with him, so he wanted to be honest with them. He didn’t see it happening, and it was because of his streak. It’s been 2,446 days since he’s won his last match. (That’s very untrue.) Speaking of the wrestlers in the back, Cena said, “My time is up, their time is now.” The crowd booed. He said it would take a miracle to win the title.

With a streak like that, the only way to even get a title shot was to win the Money in the Bank briefcase, survive the Elimination Chamber… or win the Royal Rumble. The crowd cheered. Cena said he should be in the Rumble because there was no next year. The best way to say ‘thank you’ was to win the Rumble and make history at WrestleMania.

It sounded impossible, but if you knew anything about him, it was that nothing was impossible. The only time we say “never” around here is when we say, “Never give up.” Cena ended with, “I’m not just going to the Royal Rumble, I’m going to win the Royal Rumble.”

********

There was a Logan Paul video, and he was shown in the front row. Seth Green, Macaulay Culkin, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Danielle Fishel, Bianca Belair, Naomi, X-Pac, and Shinsuke Nakamura were also in the crowd.

********

Our second match of the evening began at 9:30 pm (1.5 hours into the show).

Rhea Ripley defeated Liv Morgan (w/Dominik Mysterio & Raquel Rodriguez) to win the Women’s World Championship (11:41)

This was originally advertised as a Last Woman Standing match, but they just had a standard match.

Ripley wiped out Rodriguez early on with a cannonball but failed to get her hands on Dom. Ripley powerbombed Morgan onto the announce table (which didn’t break), but Morgan took over moments later after hitting a Codebreaker on the ring apron.

Ripley made a comeback following a break and hit a Rip-tide for a nearfall. Ripley couldn’t believe Morgan kicked out. Dom slid a chair into the ring, and as the ref yelled at him, Ripley knocked Rodriguez off the apron. The distraction allowed Morgan to hit an Oblivion onto the chair for a nearfall. Morgan followed with three amigos and a frog splash for two.

Morgan went for another Oblivion, but Ripley just caught her in mid-air and slammed her. Ripley hit consecutive Rip-tides for the pinfall win. Ripley is the new champion.

— Dom tried to attack Ripley from behind, but she caught him. He then acted like he wanted to embrace her. She faked hugging him but kicked him in the nuts instead. She gave him a Rip-tide.

(This was good, but the title change and the Rip-tide on Dom would’ve gotten bigger reactions if they had done this months ago.)

— As Ripley left up the aisle, Undertaker entered to his Kid Rock theme. He drove around ringside on his motorcycle and posed with Ripley.

********

Cathy Kelley tried interviewing Adam Pearce after he met with Bayley, but they were interrupted by Chad Gable and American Made. Gable said he single-handedly destroyed Alpha Academy, and he planned on winning a singles title in 2025.

Gable wanted to dispel any rumours that he couldn’t beat luchadors and wanted a match against the best luchador in the world next week. Pearce said he would make a phone call.

********

Redmond interviewed The Miz. He feigned excitement over Cena entering the Rumble. He was interrupted by a pissed-off Karrion Kross (with Scarlett). Kross wanted to know if he was with them in facing the Wyatt Sicks. Miz said no. Kross ran down Miz’s accomplishments and tricked him (like Bugs Bunny) into agreeing to fight the Wyatts.

********

There was cell phone footage of Rock walking to the back after his segment. He embraced Jimmy Uso, Roman Reigns and Triple H. He continued to the back and embraced Rhodes.

Rock also plugged tomorrow’s NXT and said, “See you there.”

(Rock took a swig from a tequila bottle, his brand, before driving off.)

********

They showed us Bill Simmons, Netflix execs, Vanessa Hudgens, Michelle McCool, Lyra Valkyria, Iyo Sky, and Dakota Kai in the crowd.

Travis Scott was shown in the crowd as “FE!N” played in the arena. He appeared to take a hit of something (McAfee tried to tell us it was sage.) The crowd cheered, and they cheered even louder when Jey Uso entered. Scott accompanied Jey down to ringside.

Drew McIntyre entered for our third match of the evening at 10:07 pm.

Jey Uso defeated Drew McIntyre (10:16)

Jey hit a suicide dive before McIntyre entered the ring. Jey went for another one, but, of course, McIntyre caught him and hit him with a suplex. The match began when they entered the ring.

McIntyre was in control until Jey hit a sit-out powerbomb out of the corner. Jey followed with strikes, a running hip attack, and a flying crossbody for two, but McIntyre responded with a neckbreaker. McIntyre went for a Claymore, but Jey hit a superkick. McIntyre came back with a spinebuster for two and a sit-out powerbomb for two.

They traded counters until McIntyre hit a Future Shock DDT for two. McIntyre went for the Claymore, but Jey countered again, this time with a spear for two. Jey hit a superkick, but McIntyre hit a Claymore Kick for a nearfall.

McIntyre went for another Claymore, but Jey simply collapsed before he could. McIntyre decided the best thing to do was wait in the corner again for Jey to get up again. McIntyre went for the kick, but Jey dropped down and applied a crucifix pin for the win.

This was an ordinary match, and a quiet crowd didn’t help.

********

There was a Gunther video.

Kelley tried interviewing Gabriel Iglesias, but they were interrupted by New Day. Iglesias said he liked them better when they had cereal. Kelley said they were out of time as Woods was about to respond, but the segment continued when Alpha Academy arrived. Iglesias left with them. Kelley assured New Day that they really were out of time.

********

Heyman asked Reigns when they should give him the acknowledgement celebration he deserved. Reigns said January 27th. (Raw in Atlanta.) They entered a room with the WWE 2K25 logo posted on the door.

********

Redmond interviewed Ripley and Damian Priest. Ripley said Morgan took everything from her. She cut an ordinary promo and said Mami was back on top.

Priest was dying to be done with Judgment Day, and his beef with Finn Bálor would come to an end next week. Priest announced the match would be a street fight. Priest told everyone to rise for the new women’s champ.

*******

Seth Rollins was shown getting ready.

Richard Gadd, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen Amell, Bron Breakker, Tiffany Stratton (who got a big pop) and Nikki Bella were shown in the crowd. Stephanie McMahon was also shown later.

*******

Hulk Hogan entered with Jimmy Hart, and the crowd booed him out of the building.

Hogan began with his usual catchphrase, and the crowd booed as if he had just turned his back on Big E. He tried to put over the fans, and they kept booing. He tried to put over his beer, and they kept booing. He tried to put over Netflix, and they kept booing. He ripped his shirt (to reveal a Netflix Gets Raw shirt) and posed as Jimmy Hart waved the American flag, and they kept booing.

This was incredible.

********

Next week on Raw in San Jose:

Dakota Kai vs. Lyra Valkyria for the new Women’s IC title
Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser
Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor in a street fight
Chad Gable vs. TBA

********

The main event began at 10:43 pm. I think Seth’s music played for 8 straight minutes.

Punk seemed to be wearing the “XXX” sweater he could be seen wearing in the infamous AEW All In backstage footage.

CM Punk defeated Seth Rollins (18:57)

They brawled into the crowd as the fans chanted for Punk. This was followed by duelling chants that were louder for Punk.

Rollins went for the stomp when they entered the ring, but Punk ducked it and set up for GTS. Rollins slipped out of that and hammered away at Punk with elbows. Rollins repeatedly drove his boot into Punk’s face in the corner, and the referee had to back him off. Rollins argued with the ref until Punk booted him. Punk hit a neckbreaker off the top, which led to a break.

Rollins took over and dismissively smacked Punk. Punk responded with running knees in the corner, clotheslines, and a swinging neckbreaker. Punk also hit a neckbreaker over the top rope and a dive. Rollins rolled through Punk’s flying crossbody attempt and hit a GTS, but Punk fell out of the ring. Rollins taunted Punk and told him, “I built all of this.”

As they re-entered the ring, Punk hit Rollins with a curb stomp for two. Rollins ducked a GTS and hit another GTS of his own for a nearfall. Rollins went for a stomp, but Punk rolled out of the ring. Rollins taunted him for running away, just like he did ten years ago.

They fought on the announce table, which led to Rollins hitting a Pedigree. Rollins sold his knee on the landing. Rollins hit another Pedigree in the ring for a nearfall.

They exchanged strikes until Rollins hit a buckle bomb and curb stomp, but Punk got his foot on the rope. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome,” as we approached 11:00 pm. (The following “Fight forever” chants were not as loud.)

Rollins hit a superplex and tried to transition into a falcon arrow, but Punk countered and nailed a GTS. Rollins stumbled into the ropes and fell back onto Punk’s shoulders. Punk hoisted him up and hit another GTS for the pinfall win. The crowd was happy.

The executive producers tag showing Paul Levesque and Lee Fitting aired on the screen as the show ended, shortly after 11:00 pm.

***********

(I had no issues with the Netflix stream during the show. There were some minor production mistakes during the show like the announcers randomly going quiet or maybe missing their cues and the camera/director showing the wrong celebrity or wrestler in the crowd, but that’s all stuff that will be sorted out. This was sort of paced like a PPV with tons of time between matches, and the matches themselves relied a lot on finishers and kick-outs. Following shows won’t be paced like this…hopefully.)