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WWE SmackDown live results: Saturday Night’s Main Event go-home show

Posted on December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 by Colin McGuire

One night before their showdown for the undisputed WWE Championship on Saturday Night’s Main Event, titleholder Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens will speak on tonight’s SmackDown in Hartford, Connecticut.

The last time the two met in a match was at August’s Bash In Berlin when Rhodes defeated Owens to retain his championship. A lot has changed since then.

The semifinals of the inaugural Women’s United States Championship tournament will take place tonight as on one side of the bracket, Chelsea Green will face Bayley. On the other side, Tiffany Stratton takes on Michin. The finals will take place Saturday to crown the new champion.

Bayley advanced by defeating Candice LeRae and B-Fab while Stratton beat Bianca Belair and Blair Davenport.

Carmelo Hayes, who lobbied with SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis for a match last week, will step into the ring against a mystery opponent.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 PM Eastern.

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– Footage of Tiffany Stratton and Michin entering the building opened the show. Bayley was shown signing something and Chelsea Green was shown throwing her bag at someone. The Bloodline and LA were also shown walking backstage. Cody Rhodes exited his bus as well. Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy walked out with the aid of a crutch.

The Jimmy Uso segment

Weird. This sure did feel like a retirement speech … but then Jimmy pulled the nose up at the end and said next year is going to be great for him … only to have Drew McIntyre hit him with a kick. I understand furthering the McIntyre story and his issues with the original Bloodline, but this felt so much like everyone – Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, CM Punk, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, etc. – called in sick at the last minute and they had to fill eight minutes somehow. Even weirder was that it opened the show. Anyway, whatever it was meant to be, here’s hoping Big Jim has a speedy recovery from his Big Broken Toe.

Jimmy started by saying War Games was lit. He added that it didn’t “get Big Jim, but it got my big toe.” Jimmy said War Games meant everything because it was all about family. He noted how the OG Bloodline came out on top and War Games is behind them. Jimmy said for years, he’s watched his family dominate the WWE universe and the fact that they get to do that is a dream. Jimmy said he was proud to watch Roman Reigns be the most dominant champion. The crowd launched into an “OTC!” chant.

Jimmy said he watched his twin brother become one of the hottest superstars today and he’s proud of that. Jimmy said he was even proud of Solo Sikoa – he added that he might not like him, but he’s proud of him. Jimmy said he finds himself reading what everyone is saying when they wonder about what’s next for Big Jim. He said 2025 will be a big year for Big Jim. He might win the Royal Rumble, he might go after the U.S. title and he might even go after the Universal title. Jimmy said nothing will stop him from what he wants to do and while none of his friends were there, he showed up with a bum toe. Jimmy said next year will be huge for him.

Out of nowhere, Drew McIntyre showed up and hit Jimmy with a Claymore Kick. Drew kept attacking Big Jim until officials came out. McIntyre grinned and walked to the back while Nick Aldis followed and berated Jimmy.

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– Stratton was shown warming up backstage and Nia Jax and Candice LeRae walked in. Jax said when Stratton wins the U.S. title, she won’t need her MITB briefcase. She followed that up by saying she and LeRae will be watching her match tonight.

– Aldis was shown following McIntyre and chewing him out backstage. Bianca Belair and Naomi walked into the frame and Aldis told Drew to go into his office. Drew obliged. Aldis told Belair and Naomi that the investigation into what happened to Jade Cargill was ongoing. Aldis said because of that, Belair had to relinquish the women’s tag titles. Naomi said Belair has never relinquished anything in her life and if Belair needs a partner, it could be Naomi. Belair asked Aldis if that could be an option. Aldis said he’d run it up the flagpole, but if they really want to do it, they’d have to defend the titles next week.

Michin defeated Tiffany Stratton to advance to the finals of the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [8:25]

A surprising finish, but I’m not mad at it. The crowds continue to get louder in support of Stratton, so that babyface turn is going to hit like hot chocolate on a snowy morning. The finish clearly didn’t go as planned, and the match lost a couple minutes to picture-in-picture, but I like the twist of Michin getting to the finals in what I’m now convinced will be a hell of a TNA Knockouts title bout when Chelsea Green finds a way to beat Bayley later (but we’ll see). Quick question: Are we to believe if Jade Cargill wasn’t out for whatever reason (legit injury, work, etc.) would this be her in the finals?

The two locked up to start things out and Stratton backed Michin into a corner. Stratton threw Michin to the ground and Michin popped back up and attacked Stratton. Michin landed a dropkick and followed that up with some chops. Michin hit a shoulder block on Stratton and Michin threw Stratton to the outside, where Michin hit a dropkick through the ropes. Michin went for a kick, but Stratton caught Michin and hit a double stomp on Michin on the apron as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Stratton went for another double stomp, but this time Michin moved and hit followed that up with a kick to Stratton. Back in the ring, Michin landed a Tornado DDT. Michin did it again and got a two-count out of it. Michin went for Eat Defeat, but that turned into an Alabama Slam attempt from Stratton – but that turned into a Tarantula via Michin. Michin then tried for a shotgun dropkick, but Stratton moved and hit her Alabama Slam for a two-count. “Let’s go Tiffy” chants broke out.

Michin tried a sleeper, but Stratton broke it up and the two battled on the second rope. Michin went to the top, but Stratton cut her off and hit a rolling Senton. Stratton then went to the top and tried a Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Michin moved, but Stratton still hit Michin. Even so, Michin didn’t sell it and hit Eat Defeat for the win.

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– #DIY offered up a vignette and Johnny Gargano reflected on how they were screwed out of the tag titles in Cleveland earlier this year. Gargano said he bottled that deep inside and soldiered on. Gargano noted how he told everyone he’d do whatever it takes to get those tag titles back. Ciampa weighed in and complained about Motor City Machine Guns getting a title shot right away. Ciampa said they are on to better days because they are now two time WWE Tag Team Champions. Ciampa closed it out by telling everyone they are #DIY.

The Roman Reigns Video

Paul Heyman stood behind Roman. Roman began by saying it’s been a rough year and not that long ago, they ran everything until through the spring and summer, it fell apart. He lost his title, he lost his Wise Man, he lost The Bloodline – the entire Bloodline. He said most importantly, he lost his Ula Fala. Roman said four years ago, Solo Sikoa wasn’t there and he didn’t take the Ula Fala; he earned it. Roman said his uncles crowned him with the responsibility. Roman said January 6 on Netflix, it will be Tribal Combat with him vs. Solo Sikoa and he will take back his Bloodline and his Ula Fala and his respect. Roman said once he has that respect, the whole world will have no choice but to acknowledge him.

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– Legado Del Fantasma was shown talking to Nick Aldis backstage. Santos Escobar asked Aldis what kind of show he was running. Escobar said maybe they’d be better off with Adam Pearce. Carmelo Hayes walked into the frame and said he’d make light work of his mystery opponent and started his walk to the ring. The show then went to a break.

Braun Strowman defeated Carmelo Hayes [1:30]

A simple squash. Poor Carmelo Hayes. He went from being involved in one of SmackDown’s gems each week with the story between him and Andrade and their seven game series. But then that thing ended with a dumb conclusion and … I guess we’re never going to get a proper finale? Did neither guy really want to do the job that bad? Or did the bookers not want either guy to do the job that bad? Either way, now the fella is losing in 90 seconds to mystery opponents. Not great.

Melo made his entrance and stood in the ring … only for Braun Strowman’s music to hit. Strowman walked out and looked bigger than he did before. Melo tried to push Strowman, but Strowman grabbed Melo by the throat. Eventually, Melo jumped at Strowman, but just bounced off the big man. Strowman ran at Melo, but Melo moved and Strowman ran into the ring post. Melo followed up with a dropkick to Strowman’s leg and a DDT for a one-count. Melo jumped off the top rope and Strowman caught Melo, hit the powerslam, and that was it.

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– LA Knight was interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. Knight did all his catchphrases and said the one thing he’s always done throughout his career is handle his business. He referenced how he initially didn’t want to be involved with Bloodline business. Knight said he doesn’t have love for anyone in the family – except he likes Jey Uso, and Knight then offered a “Yeet!” Knight said Solo Sikoa will, in fact, remember Knight when it’s all said and done.

– Solo Sikoa made his entrance and stood in the ring with a microphone. The crowd chanted “OTC!” Sikoa did the “acknowledge me” bit. Everyone booed. Sikoa then said, “Roman Reigns …” but before he could finish his thought, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked to the ring for their match.

LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [11:20]

This was a better-than-expected match. Sikoa and Knight aren’t burning down houses with their in-ring work, no matter how popular they are, but this turned out all right. Knight getting the win, even if it was via DQ, was a tiny bit surprising, but it’s not like Sikoa lost anything coming away as the official loser of the match. Fatu is so great. The way he popped up to attack Knight and end the match was like a live action horror film, but pro wrestling. Kind of. Anyway, good work from everyone involved. Oh, and speaking of that Andrade/Melo feud and what has happened to both guys since and the post-match scene here …

The two jawed at each other after the bell rang before they traded blows. Sikoa got the best of it and repeatedly headbutted Knight. Knight fought back and clotheslined Sikoa over the top to the outside. Sikoa pulled Knight outside and rammed Knight’s back into the ring apron. Sikoa slammed Knight on the commentary table and posed. Sikoa then threw Knight into the crowd barrier. Knight rolled back into the ring, but the action went right back outside. Knight threw Sikoa into the ring steps and slammed Sikoa onto the commentary table.

Knight pounded on Sikoa and rolled Sikoa back into the ring. Before long, Sikoa hit a Samoan Drop on Knight. Sikoa ran at Knight, but Knight got the boot up and hit a bulldog on Sikoa. For the third time, the action spilled outside at about the four-minute mark and Knight dropkicked Tama Tonga. From there, Sikoa landed a Spinning Solo on Knight on the commentary table. The show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Sikoa had the upper hand. Sikoa set up and tried a Superman Punch to mock Roman Reigns, but Knight countered it into a back suplex. The two got to their feet and exchanged punches, but Knight took Sikoa down with a flying clothesline. Knight stomped on Sikoa. Knight hit a running knee on Sikoa and set up for a BFT, but Sikoa rolled to the outside. Knight clotheslined both Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga outside the ring. Knight then back body-dropped Fatu over the commentary table.

Back in the ring, Sikoa hit a super-kick and went for a Samoan Spike, but Knight countered with a Side Effect. Knight went to the second turnbuckle and jumped to the top to hit an elbow for a good near-fall that had the crowd heated. Fatu woke up, went nuts and grabbed Knight, ending the match in a DQ. Fatu then hit a hip attack on Knight, who was against the crowd barrier. Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Knight and the Bloodline beat him down until Andrade and Apollo Crews ran out for the save. It didn’t quite work because the Bloodline quickly took them out, too. Sikoa, Fatu and Tonga stood tall to end the segment.

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– Strowman was shown walking backstage and he ran into Pretty Deadly. They offered Strowman a spot in “Pretty Deadly The Musical.” Strowman shook his head and walked to Byron Saxton. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller showed up. Waller offered Strowman a chance to be a guest on the Grayson Waller Effect next week. Strowman said he’d do it.

Chelsea Green defeated Bayley to advance to the finals of the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [12:11]

Clunky at times, and the crowd didn’t do them any favors, but they got where they needed to go. Green vs. Michin the finals of this thing really is surprising, but in a good way. Making things more surprising is that there really wasn’t a lot of shenanigans here designed to protect Bayley. Green’s win wasn’t entirely clean, but it wasn’t like Niven had a huge role in the match. If Green wins that title Saturday night, you have to think it’s going to be one of the loudest pops of the night, right? Like Stratton, crowds just refuse to boo her and that momentum builds larger each week.

Green ran right into a Bayley-To-Belly suplex that felt flat and Bayley only got a two-count out of it. The two then traded pin attempts until Green slapped Bayley to slow things down. Green punched Bayley and threw Bayley into a corner, but Bayley moved and took back control with a running clothesline and a two-count. Bayley landed a pair of arm-drags and a clothesline. Green rolled to the outside and Bayley chased Green. When they returned to the ring, Niven tripped Bayley and Green took advantage of that. Green had the upper hand as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Green still had the advantage. Green rolled Bayley up for a two-count. The show cut to a PIP with the trailer for “Mufasa The Lion King” taking the bigger box. Back to it, Green was working over Bayley on the apron and Bayley ran Green into the ring post. Bayley followed that up with a neck-breaker and a sliding clothesline. Bayley then suplexed Green on the outside. Bayley rolled Green back into the ring and executed a back suplex for a two-count.

Bayley went to the top, but Green cut her off and landed a running knee. Green went to the second rope, but missed a Vader Bomb. Bayley sunset flipped Green into the turnbuckles, but Green kicked out at two. Bayley went for a Bayley-To-Belly, but Greej countered with a rollup. Green hit a Rough Rider for a good near-fall. Bayley then planted Green and went to the top, but Niven dragged Green to the outside. It was outside where Bayley hit Niven with an elbow. Green then threw Bayley into the timekeeper’s area. Green returned to the ring and the referee counted, but Bayley beat the count. Green kicked Bayley in the head and hit an Un-Pretty-Her for the win.

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– A Motor City Machine Guns vignette aired. Turns out, Alex Shelley will face Johnny Gargano next week.

– A Nakamura vignette aired. It had subtitles and he said one by one everyone will fall to him. He said LA Knight was just the beginning and Knight is pining for something that he no longer has. Nakamura closed by saying he is inevitable.

– Stratton was walking backstage and ran into Jax, who said it was a tough night, but not everyone is meant to be a champion. LeRae walked in and said next week, LeRae and Jax will team to face Naomi and Belair for the women’s tag titles. Jax was excited and said they need to go brainstorm. LeRae stuck back and told Stratton that maybe Stratton isn’t cut out for singles wrestling.

– Cole and Graves ran down the card for Saturday Night’s Main event.

The Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens segment

A very underwhelming go-home segment. It was also not what they advertised, in terms of the two talking to each other, but that’s pretty much how these things typically go anyways. The brawl itself even kind of/sort of came up tame and lacked a spark, which was surprising considering how good both guys are at brawling. Just not a lot here. I hope they deliver on Saturday night. If I hadn’t seen any of the build to the match prior to this go-home segment, I’m not sure I would think they will.

Michael Cole stood in the ring and introduced Cody Rhodes. Cody walked to the ring in a suit, sans tie. Cole then introduced Kevin Owens, and nothing happened. Cody said Kevin Owens wasn’t there, but the crowd was there, so he would do the interview with Cole alone. Cole referenced the video from this week with Paul Levesque and Cody and the possibility of the return of the winged eagle belt.

Owens appeared on a video screen, cutting a promo from his car again. Owens said Cody used all his friends to help him finish his story and Owens asked Cole to ask Cody about that. Owens said Cody is as bad a friend as he is a son and a brother. Owens said there was something he meant to tell him: It didn’t matter how long Cody is champion, the truth will always be that Cody was way more interesting as Stardust.

Cody said he was sure Owens had a lot more zingers up his sleeve. Cody threw his belt to the canvas and said he would go find Kevin Owens now. The camera followed Cody through Gorilla and Cody shouted “Kevin!” backstage. Owens appeared out of nowhere and the two brawled in Gorilla and back out into the arena. Owens was getting the best of Cody while wearing a Stardust t-shirt. Officials came out to try and break it up, but Owens fought them off. Cody then got the upper hand and he started beating up the officials, too.

The wrestlers got into the ring and brawled and more security and officials appeared. Cody broke away from them and hit a splash on Owens. Cody kicked Owens and Owens went down. While officials held Cody back, Owens hit Cody in the head with his title. Owens threw the title on top of Cody and the crowd booed. Owens left the ring and the show ended with the visual of Cody being down on the mat.

TNA Final Resolution live results: Four title matches

Posted on December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 by Matt Boone

Tonight’s TNA Final Resolution from Atlanta’s Center Stage will feature four title matches, a no. 1 contender’s match, and more in the company’s final big event of the year.

TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth defends against AJ Francis in the headliner while Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich defends against former champion Tasha Steelz.

Tag Team Champions The Hardys continue their rivalry with The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) in a tables match, and X-Division Champion Moose defends against KUSHIDA.

The World title contender for January’s Genesis PPV will be determined in a four-way with Joe Hendry vs. Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana vs. Steve Maclin.

Jordynne Grace will look to rebound from her string of losses as she faces Rosemary.

The main card is rounded out by Trent Seven vs. Ace Austin, and a tag team three-way between The Rascalz vs. PCO & Sami Callihan vs. Hammerstone & Jake Something.

Leon Slater vs. JDC and Jonathan Gresham vs. Frankie Kazarian make up the pre-show.

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JDC defeated Leon Slater

The “Countdown to Final Resolution” pre-show kicks off at 7:30pm EST. inside the sold out Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia with Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt welcoming us to the show.

We head directly to the ring for the first of two scheduled pre-show matches. JDC of The System and Leon Slater make their respective ring walks and then the bell sounds to get things started.

JDC takes the early offensive lead, but Slater remains competitive and eventually takes over after hitting a wild high spot from the ring to the floor that pops the Atlanta crowd for the first time of the evening.

Back inside the ring, JDC takes back over and settles into a prolonged offensive lead, controlling the action for the next couple of minutes as fans try and rally behind Slater. JDC heads to the top-rope, but Slater hits a unique leaping kick that sends him crashing and burning down on the floor.

“Big Blade Slater” runs and in a single leap, easily clears the top-rope, flipping and splashing on JDC at ringside. Back in the ring, Slater looks for the top-rope 450 senton, but JDC avoids it.

JDC covers Slater and gets his feet on the ropes for added leverage for the pinfall victory. Fans loudly chant “Bullsh*t! Bullsh*t!” in reaction to the finish. Ouch. Not the ideal start to the night TNA was picturing.

Gia Miller Announces Hammerstone Is Off Tonight’s Show

In what is becoming a tradition for TNA Wrestling pay-per-view pre-shows, Gia Miller checks in with a breaking news announcement. She informs the viewing audience at home that Hammerstone has suffered an injury.

As a result, he is out of the scheduled multi-team bout. Jake Something enters the scene and insists that he can handle things by himself tonight, and doesn’t need a replacement partner.

Frankie Kazarian defeated Jonathan Gresham

Back inside the Impact Zone at Center Stage in Atlanta, the theme for the 2024 Call Your Shot Gauntlet winner, Frankie Kazarian, hits. The self-proclaimed “King of TNA” makes his way to the ring with his Call Your Shot Gauntlet trophy in-hand. The fans boo the hell out of him as he settles in the ring.

His music dies down and now the entrance tune for his opponent plays. “The Octopus” Jonathan Gresham makes his way to the ring in front of his home state fans in Georgia. The sold-out crowd is strongly behind their guy, too, as they drown out his theme music with loud cheers and pro-Gresham chants.

The bell sounds and the second and final pre-show match of the “Countdown to Final Resolution” show gets underway. Before they engage, Kazarian demands the ring announcer re-introduce him as “The King of TNA.”

She begrudgingly does, the fans boo, and then Kazarian rushes Gresham and sneak-attacks him to start this one off hot. Gresham fights back and we see several minutes spent with amateur-style grappling and mat-based submission work.

After the pace picks back up, Kazarian starts to take over. He tries a pin with his feet on the ropes, but it doesn’t work out for him. Seconds later, however, he locks in the chicken wing submission, forcing a tap from “The Octopus” and giving him the win. Kazarian poses with his Call Your Shot Gauntlet trophy afterwards.

Moose (c) defeated KUSHIDA to retain TNA X-Division Championship

The “Countdown to Final Resolution” pre-show wraps up and the elaborate cold open video package airs to start the main pay-per-view portion of the show. Inside the Impact Zone at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA., Hannifan and Rehwoldt welcome us to the final special event for TNA Wrestling of 2024.

KUSHIDA’s theme hits and he makes his way to the ring for the title opportunity he earned. He settles inside the squared circle and his music dies down. The catchy-ass entrance tune for his opponent plays, and out comes the reigning and defending TNA X-Division Champion Moose.

After the bell sounds, things get off to a quick start, with Moose immediately imposing his size and strength advantages over his smaller challenger. KUSHIDA capitalizes on one mistake by the champ and goes to work on his arm.

He continues to focus his attack on the limb, softening him up for the Surfboard Lock later in the match. He knocks Moose out to the floor and goes for a dive, but Moose catches him and Donkey Kong’s him onto the floor at ringside.

He hoists him up and powerbombs him onto the hard part of the ring apron outside of the ring ropes. Moose has it won via count-out, with the referee reaching the count of nine with KUSHIDA still unconscious and not moving, but Moose stops the referee from reaching the count of ten.

Moose then exits the ring and sprints around the ringside area around the ring. He looks for a super spear, but KUSHIDA side-steps him and sends him crashing into the steel ring steps with authority. KUSHIDA takes over back inside the ring and works over Moose’s arm some more.

This doesn’t last for long, however, as Moose quickly shifts the momentum back in his favor. Moose goes to work on KUSHIDA, all-the-while selling his left arm as nearly unusable as a result of the spear into the steps on the floor and other targeted offense from KUSHIDA early in the bout.

KUSHIDA begins showing signs of life, and ultimately fights back into competitive form. The challenger takes over and eventually gets the champion in his Surfboard Lock submission on his bad arm.

Moose struggles for quite a while in the hold, but eventually makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Moments later, Moose takes KUSHIDA out with a big spear for the win to retain the TNA X-Division Championship.

The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) defeated Sami Callihan & PCO and Jake Something

Backstage, Gia Miller interviews AJ Francis and KC Navarro. Francis vows to capture the TNA World Championship from Nic Nemeth tonight. After the brief backstage interview segment wraps up, we head back inside the Impact Zone for the second main card bout of the evening.

The theme for The Rascalz hits and out comes the fan-favorite duo of Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel to a big pop. They settle inside the squared circle, their music dies down, and then the entrance tune of Sami Callihan hits to bring out “The Death Machine.”

PCO’s music plays next and the crowd roars as “The French-Canadian Frankenstein” heads to the ring to join his partner Callihan in this multi-team match. After the first two teams settle in the ring, Jake Something’s theme hits and he makes his way to the ring alone.

As noted during the “Countdown to Final Resolution” pre-show, Hammerstone suffered an injury and as a result, was forced out of his scheduled match alongside Something tonight. The bell sounds and The Rascalz jump off to an early offensive lead.

The crowd comes alive throughout the first few minutes of this match unlike they have at any other point thus far in the show. Wentz and Miguel hit some cool double-team spots on Something and then PCO enters the ring and starts to take over.

Fans chant “PCO! PCO!” as he works over Miguel before tagging in Callihan. Callihan hits the ring and picks up where PCO left off, taking it to one-half of The Rascalz. Something gets back in the mix, but is taken out once again and left selling on the floor. Miguel hits a big high spot to PCO.

Callihan teases a big dive to the floor, but instead sends Wentz sailing over the ropes and out to the floor. Callihan teases it again, but instead, PCO heads to the top-rope and leaps, connecting with a PCO-sault onto the pile of bodies at ringside. Fans go nuts and we see instant replays.

Back in the ring, Callihan hits Miguel with a stunner. PCO enters the ring, but is beaten down by Miguel and Wentz. Something hits the ring and powerbombs Wentz and then powerbombs Miguel onto Wentz as he was on all fours. Something hoists up Callihan and hits a seated powerbomb.

He blasts PCO with a boot to the bread basket and hits a fourth powerbomb. PCO does The Undertaker “Deadman” sit-up and stands behind Something as he boasts to the crowd. Something turns around and PCO looks for an inverted DDT.

Instead is blasted by Miguel, who runs from the entrance ramp and leaps over the ropes with a big kick. Wentz follows in with a big cutter over the ropes. Both members of The Rascalz double-team Something and hit their finisher for the win to put an end to this exciting match.

Mystery 23 Video Plays Again

After the match, Callihan shows good sportsmanship, sharing a group hug with both members of The Rascalz. As they hug it out in a sign of mutual respect, the lights go out and the cryptic “23” video plays.

“It’s just a number!” The video ends and the lights come back on. Fans chant “What was that?! What was that?!” as the competitors still in the ring play into the confusion.

Ace Austin defeated Trent Seven

Backstage, Eric Young approaches Steve Maclin and gives him a pep talk ahead of his high stakes Fatal-4-Way No. 1 Contender match for a shot at the TNA World Championship. He tells Maclin he sees the world title in his future, and says as always, he’ll have his back.

Inside Center Stage, the theme for Trent Seven hits to set the stage for the next match of the show. He settles in the ring and the entrance tune for Ace Austin plays. The ABC tag-team member heads to the ring to a good crowd reaction.

The bell sounds and Seven gets the early offensive jump on Austin, who fights back and keeps things competitive. Austin starts to take over and stops momentarily to yell, “This one’s for Chris Bey!” He hits a big high spot, but after that, Seven starts to take over again.

Seven connects with a brutal Birminghammer on the hard part of the ring apron outside of the ring ropes. Austin isn’t moving. Seven covers him, but Austin gets his foot on the ropes just in time to avoid the three-count.

Trent starts to stalk Ace as he remains laid out in the ring. He grabs his hand and shushes the crowd before yanking and twisting the fingers to the point that cracking sounds were clearly audible. Austin fights back with a spinning heel kick that flattens Seven.

Austin goes for The Art of Finesse, but Seven avoids it and connects with a Seven-Star Lariat. He follows up with a piledriver and immediately goes for the cover, only for Austin to somehow kick out at the count of one. Austin hits The Art of Finesse this time and follows up with his finisher for the win.

Jordynne Grace defeated Rosemary via Disqualification

Highlights are shown of Frankie Kazarian’s victory over Jonathan Gresham on the “Countdown to Final Resolution” pre-show. Backstage, he talks live with his Call Your Shot Gauntlet trophy in his hands.

The self-proclaimed “King of TNA” claims his night is not over yet, teasing cashing in for the TNA World Championship later in the show. After the brief backstage segment wraps up, the stage gets set for the next match.

Rosemary’s theme hits and out she comes for scheduled Knockouts action. She heads to the ring and crawls into the camera, delivering a quick demonic message to the viewing audience before wrapping up her entrance.

The sirens sound and the theme for Jordynne Grace hits to bring out “The Juggernaut.” The former Knockouts Champion heads to the ring to a big reaction from the Atlanta crowd. The bell sounds and off we go.

Grace gets off to a strong start on offense, but it isn’t long at all before Rosemary takes over and settles into a lengthy run in control of the action. Rosemary gets her upside down spot on Grace through the ropes. Grace fights back and nearly has this one in the bag, when out of nowhere a mystery attacker strikes and the match is throw out.

Tessa Blanchard Returns, Attacks Jordynne Grace

Someone in a big puffed out jacket and ski mask beats down “The Juggernaut,” eventually unveiling herself to be Tessa Blanchard. Afterwards, Gia Miller scrambles to catch up with her backstage to ask her to explain her actions. She says she’s back to get what’s rightfully hers. She shoves Gia and walks off.

Joe Hendry defeated Josh Alexander, Steve Maclin and Mike Santana to earn World Title shot at TNA Genesis 2025

It’s time to find out who is going to be next-in-line for whomever emerges as TNA World Champion after tonight’s main event between reigning champion Nic Nemeth and challenger AJ Francis. Up next is the Fatal-4-Way No. 1 Contender match to determine the next title challenger.

Eric Young makes his way out first to join Hannifan and Rehwoldt on special guest commentary for this bout. Steve Maclin, Josh Alexander, Mike Santana and finally, Joe Hendry, each make their respective ring walks. The bell sounds and all four men stare each other down.

They all collide and begin getting after it. Within seconds, Santana hits a big dive from the ring to the floor on Alexander. As the action continues, Alexander and Hendry are left alone in the ring for a few minutes to mix it up while Maclin and Santana sell on the floor.

Alexander beats on Hendry, but as fans loudly chant “We Believe! We Believe!” Hendry starts no-selling the offense from “The Walking Weapon” and “Hulk’ing up,” ala Hulk Hogan’s infamous comeback routine. Alexander dumps Hendry out to the floor and Santana enters the ring.

Fans chant “Santana! Santana!” as he and Alexander grill each other. They finally engage, and although Santana was holding his own, it is Alexander who gains the upper-hand, knocking Santana on the ring apron and sliding in with double-knees to the back to knock him to the floor.

Alexander runs over and blasts Maclin just as he was finally recovering on the floor. Back in the ring, Alexander hits a big fireman’s carry slam on Santana and then a middle rope knee to the back of Santana’s head for a two-count. Westside Gunn is shown in a cameo appearance in the crowd.

Santana hits the rolling Buck-50 on Alexander to slow down his dominant momentum. The two fight their way up to the top-rope, where they duke it out up there. Hendry and Maclin scoop Alexander up on their shoulders and Santana leaps off the top-rope, connecting with a super-blockbuster for a huge pop and subsequent “TNA! TNA!” chant from the Atlanta crowd.

Hendry hits a super-fall-away slam to Alexander off the ropes. Santana and Maclin follow up with high spots immediately afterwards, but the subsequent pin attempts are broken up. We see dive after dive from the ring to the floor, culminating with Hendry running and clearing the top-rope for a big splash onto the pile of bodies at ringside.

The crowd explodes and settles into a loud “This is Awesome! This is Awesome!” chant. Alexander takes Santana and zip-ties him to a barricade at ringside. In the ring, Maclin looks for the K.I.A. on Hendry, only for Alexander to low-blow him.

Hendry hits Standing Ovation on Alexander seconds later for the win. Joe Hendry is moving on to challenge the winner of tonight’s main event for the TNA World Championship at the TNA Genesis 2025 pay-per-view in January.

Masha Slamovich (c) defeated Tasha Steelz in a Falls Count Anywhere match to retain the TNA Knockouts Championship

The stage is set for the next match of the evening, which features the TNA Knockouts Championship on-the-line. Tasha Steelz makes her way out accompanied by Alisha Edwards. She settles inside the squared circle and then reigning and defending champion Masha Slamovich makes her way out.

Before the match begins, the familiar sounds of Santino Marella’s theme hits and out comes the TNA Director of Authority. He mentions the Falls Count Anywhere stipulation added to this match before tonight’s show went on the air live.

He also brings up Edwards’ past and says she’s not only banned from ringside tonight, she’s not allowed in the building. He carries her out and then the bell sounds to get things officially off-and-running.

After some back-and-forth action inside the ring ropes, the two fight their way around the ringside area. As they continue to battle, they find themselves up near the top of the entrance way. Slamovich ends up hitting her finisher and scoring the pinfall in the aisle to retain.

The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) (c) defeated The System (Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) in a Tables Match to retain the TNA World Tag-Team Championships

The video package for the co-main event of the evening airs to tell the story leading up to our third of four scheduled world championship matches on tonight’s year-end TNA Wrestling pay-per-view.

After the pre-match package wraps up, The System duo of Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards make their way to the ring to boos from the fans in attendance. They settle inside the ring and their music dies down.

We hear the iconic entrance tune for the reigning and defending TNA Tag-Team Champions, The Hardys, and out comes Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy for their latest title defense. The Atlanta crowd gives them by far the loudest pop of the evening.

A sustained roar grows in intensity and general volume as the legendary team settles inside the ring for their rematch against the team they originally beat to start this reign with the TNA Tag-Team Championships. The bell sounds and off we go.

Matt and Jeff both team up on Myers, before turning their attention to Edwards. They hit their trademark Poetry in Motion double-team spot in the corner and then the two go back to work on Myers. Matt hits a Plot Twist on him and then Jeff hits one on his partner.

Matt shoves Jeff and yells, “Get the tables!” The crowd didn’t seem to follow at all, but they were so clearly doing The Dudley Boyz routine from back in the Attitude Era in WWE. They head out to the floor and pull out a table, which they bring into the ring and set up together.

Hannifan casually mentions how it was good to see the legendary Raven backstage earlier tonight as The System start to fight back and take over. Myers and Edwards get rid of Jeff Hardy, who is selling on the floor as the duo set their sights on Matt. They double-team him and eventually set the table back up.

The two hoist Matt up and plant him down through the table. It was stressed during the opening moments of this one that both members of a given team must each be put through a table before the match is over. Thus, The System are half way there.

They head out to the floor and set up two tables in different spots at ringside. They grab Jeff and throw him out to the floor. On the way down, Jeff breaks through a part of the table that was set up. Whoops! Although the match should be technically over with new champions, they quickly toss that table out of the way.

They continue without the commentators bringing it up or crowd reacting in any real way. As they set up another table in position, they go to work on Jeff, only for Matt to recover and re-enter the picture. Matt hits a Twist of Fate to Myers through a table. Now The Hardys are half-way to victory as well.

Whoever is put through a table next, Edwards or Jeff Hardy, will mark the end of this tables match title tilt. As the action continues, Edwards ends up getting in a fans face in the front row. The fan throws a playful, very slight slap, but it connects.

Edwards slaps the holy hell out of the fan in return, and then shoving him, prompting two referees to jump in and make sure nothing escalates. Very odd scene that seemed all too real. Edwards yells directly into the camera, “I’m still having fun!” Myers sends Matt into the ring post and low-blows him.

Myers scrambles into the ring to stop Jeff from hitting a Twist of Fate on Edwards. Myers and Edwards join up and double-team Jeff as the second super loud-and-clearly audible “F**k The System!” chant spreads like wildfire throughout Center Stage in Atlanta.

Edwards and Myers grab Jeff and bring him into the crowd. They fight through the fans and reach the mezzanine level. They set up a table over there directly in front of a doorway with a balcony. They gloat and taunt the fans after laying Jeff on the table, only for Matt to bust through the aforementioned doors.

Matt beats down Myers and Edwards as Jeff recovers. The Hardys use chairs and then yet again we see a piece of a table broken due to Jeff. This time the commentators point out that because The System didn’t specifically put Jeff through the table, it doesn’t count and the match continues.

After getting rid of the table that partially broke, Matt sets up another one and puts Edwards on it. Jeff climbs the balcony, takes his shirt off and the girls scream. He makes his way to the railing, which he steps up on and leaps off, connecting with a Swanton Bomb that puts Edwards through the table down below. The bell sounds and The Hardys successfully retain their TNA Tag-Team Championships in a crowd-friendly tables match.

Nic Nemeth (c) defeated AJ Francis (w/ KC Navarro) to retain the TNA World Championship

It’s main event time!

The pre-match video package airs to tell the story leading up to the final match of the year-end TNA Final Resolution 2024 pay-per-view, which will feature “The Wanted Man” Nic Nemeth defending his TNA World Championship against First Class’ AJ Francis.

After the video package wraps up, the theme for First Class hits and out comes the self-proclaimed “best heel in the business,” AJ Francis. He makes his way to the ring accompanied by KC Navarro. The Atlanta crowd helps him live up to his self-proclaimed industry-leading heel claims, at least for this show, as they boo him like crazy.

The entrance tune for his opponent hits after he settles inside the squared circle. Out comes the reigning and defending TNA World Champion “The Wanted Man” Nic Nemeth. The ring announcer handles the final formal ring introductions for the champion and challenger, and then the bell sounds to get things underway.

Nemeth superkicks the hell out of Francis immediately, and follows up with a quick cover. He only gets a count of one, so he continues to work over the big challenger. He hops on his back with a sleeper-hold, but Francis escapes. Nemeth goes for a bodyslam, but struggles, and Francis takes over.

As Francis settles into his first offensive lead of the match, the fans can be heard randomly booing in the background. The camera shot switches to show 2024 Call Your Shot Gauntlet winner Frankie Kazarian walking down the ramp with his trophy in-hand. He joins Hannifan and Rehwoldt on commentary.

Nemeth, meanwhile, sees Navarro getting involved at ringside, so he turns his attention to him. He goes to drill him, but Francis sneaks in a shot from behind Navarro, allowing him to take back over the offensive lead. He slams Nemeth onto the ring apron and rolls him back into the ring.

Francis heads to the top-rope, but Nemeth cuts him off. Nemeth ends up powerbombing the big man off the ropes. This, for some reason, prompts Kazarian to mention on commentary that it “made his balls tingle.” That’s a direct quote.

Nemeth continues to settle into the offensive driver’s seat again after hitting the Jerry Lawler heart attack special rapid-elbows routine. Navarro gets involved again at ringside, this time prompting Nemeth to grab him by the hair from the ring.

Navarro drops down to the floor, which pulls Nemeth throat-first over the top-rope. Nemeth then turns into a huge spear from Francis for a close two-count. Francis climbs up to the middle rope backwards and leaps off with a Vader-Bomb for a close two-count.

Moments later, Navarro gets involved yet again from ringside. This time it was one time too many, as the referee ejects him from ringside. Francis, meanwhile, picks up Nemeth for a suplex. Nemeth escapes out of the back-door and connects with his Danger Zone finisher out of nowhere for a close two-count.

Francis fights back and goes for a moonsault off the ropes, only for Nemeth to move out of the way at the last moment. Nemeth follows up with a FameAsser on Francis for another close two-count. Francis hits a neck-breaker after catching Nemeth across his shoulders. He goes for the cover, but only gets two.

AJ Francis stalks Nemeth as he waits for him to get up. He calls for the Down Payment, and as he signals for it, Nemeth starts to finally move. The champ gets up and walks right into a Down Payment from the challenger, but has the presence of mind to roll to the floor upon landing, taking Francis’ ability to pin him out of the equation.

Francis heads out to the floor after Nemeth. The two exchange shots and then Nemeth backs up and jumps on Francis. Francis catches him and hits another neck-breaker from the entrance ramp into the ring. Francis goes to hoist Nemeth up, but Nemeth counters with a Fame-Asser, a super kick and then the Danger Zone for the pinfall victory.

With the win, Nemeth successfully retains his TNA World Championship. As soon as the match ends, KC Navarro, who was ejected from ringside, runs back out and joins Francis in a post-match attack of the champ. They continue beating Nemeth down until Joe Hendry’s theme hits.

The next challenger for TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth at next month’s TNA Genesis 2025 pay-per-view runs down to make the save. He clears the ring of Francis and Navarro. He turns around to pick up the TNA World Championship, and as he does, Nemeth happens to be recovering and returning to his feet.

Nemeth angrily yanks his title out of Hendry’s hands and raises it high in the air. Nemeth and Hendry jaw back-and-forth face-to-face in the middle of the ring as Nemeth’s theme hits and Hannifan wraps up the show on commentary. That’s how the TNA Final Resolution 2024 show goes off the air.

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

TNA Impact live results: The final stop before Final Resolution

Posted on December 12, 2024December 12, 2024 by Matt Boone

The end of the year is closing in quickly for TNA and tonight’s Impact is the final stop before Friday’s Final Resolution streaming special.

In the headliner, TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth teams with Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich and Joe Hendry against AJ Francis, KC Navarro and Tasha Steelz. Nemeth defends against Francis and Slamovich will defend against Steelz on Friday.

In a clash of all heavyweights, Jake Something and Hammerstone will battle PCO and Sami Callihan.

Ahead of her match with Jordynne Grace Friday, Rosemary goes one-on-one with Xia Brookside.

Former TNA Tag Team Champions The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) take on Laredo Kid and Leon Slater.

In the latest chapter in their respective teams’ feuds, Heather by Elegance will face Dani Luna.

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After a video package recapping recent action heading into TNA Final Resolution airs, we shoot inside the Impact Zone for the final episode of the show before Friday night’s special event.

Moose defeated Cody Deaner to retain the TNA X-Division Championship

The awesome entrance tune for Moose hits and out comes The System leader with his TNA X-Division Championship around his waist. He settles inside the squared circle and gets on the microphone to start off this week’s show.

Moose talks about the title he has being one he will make sure is viewed as the top championship and most important in the company. He talks about Nic Nemeth having the TNA Championship, but it not having as much prestige as his title.

He talks about the legendary duo of The Hardys holding the TNA Tag-Team Championships and how they too aren’t getting as much attention as his title. He says fans are too busy chanting his name. The live crowd in attendance boos instead.

He says he doesn’t need any stupid people chanting his name. He doesn’t need their respect. When it is all said-and-done, he is going down as the best X-Division Champion in TNA history. The theme for Cody Deaner cuts him off.

Deaner says he was listening in the back “and with all due respect, you need to shut your damn mouth.” He talks about losing his way and losing his love for pro wrestling. He put his career fate in the hands of the people. Since he did that, it’s been the most fun he’s ever had in the business.

Moose points out that Deaner may have been having fun, but he hasn’t won a match since then. Deaner says he’s right but he thinks with the people behind him, he can win a match. If he has the people in North Carolina in attendance tonight behind him, he can beat Moose for the TNA X-Division Championship.

Moose says this is the easiest decision ever. He teases saying something else, but instead catches Deaner off-guard with a big boot to the chops. “Bring me a damn ref!” He says he’s going to give Deaner a shot at his title right now. He demands the bell be rung, and it is. A referee slides in the ring as Moose puts Deaner down with another big boot.

He gets back on the mic and says he wants to hear the fans chant “Cody! Cody!” They do — kind of — as Moose continues to beat him down. Moose says he’s got dinner plans, so it’s time to bring this show home. He goes for a spear, but Deaner side-steps him and sends him sailing through the ropes and out to the floor. Deaner splashes on him from the ring and sends him into the steps.

Back in the ring, Deaner tries leaping off the top, but Moose catches him. Deaner escapes and sends Moose into the corner, before rolling him up for a two-count. He hits a back-slide for another two-count. Moose goes for a suplex, but Deaner counters with a roll-up for yet another two-count.

Moose puts Deaner down with a big boot. Moose goes for another big move, but again Deaner surprises him but countering his way out of it. Deaner hits a big Sliced Bread for a super close two-count. He calls for a DDT, but Moose counters. Moose runs through Deaner with a spear for the pinfall to retain.

Gia Miller Interviews First Class & Tasha Steelz

Backstage, Gia Miller is standing by with First Class duo AJ Francis and KC Navarro, as well as Tasha Steelz. She brings up Francis having a TNA title shot against Nic Nemeth, and Steelz having one against Masha Slamovich at TNA Final Resolution.

They talk about how tonight is only a small taste of what they are going to do on Friday night when they each win the top titles in their respective divisions. Francis calls this week the culmination of his entire career’s worth. He vows to chokeslam Nemeth a bunch and take his title. The show heads to a commercial break.

Rosemary defeated Xia Brookside

When the show returns, Mike Santana is shown backstage talking, when he is approached by Josh Alexander and The Northern Armory. “The Walking Weapon” makes it clear he’s out for him in the number one contender match at TNA Final Resolution on Friday night.

Back inside the Impact Zone, Rosemary makes her way to the ring for the second match of the evening. After she settles inside the squared circle, the American Pie soundtrack-sounding theme for her opponent hits, and out comes Xia Brookside.

The bell sounds to get things started, and the two quickly hit the mat for some amateur-style chain wrestling and submission attempts. Brookside controls the early offense, but upon restarting on their feet, Rosemary suplexes Brookside down and begins shifting the momentum in her favor.

Brookside takes over a few moments later and hits Broken Wings in the corner. After the double knees, she hits a Russian leg-sweep into a pin attempt, but only gets two. She applies a cross-face onto Rosemary and cranks away, but Rosemary hangs on. Rosemary ties her legs around Brookside and leans over the ring ropes.

Brookside rolls up an unsuspecting Rosemary, who kicks out at two. Rosemary runs into a back-elbow from Brookside in the corner. Brookside goes for a unique bridge-type pin attempt, but Rosemary counters into a sleeper-hold. She hits her finisher seconds later for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Rosemary continues to attack Brookside until we hear the familiar sounds of Jordynne Grace’s theme song. “The Juggernaut” sprints down to the ring in street clothes to run off Rosemary, making the save for Brookside. She checks on Brookside in the ring to end the post-match scene. The show heads into another commercial break.

The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) defeated Leon Slater & Laredo Kid

When the show returns, Gia Miller is shown approaching Trent Seven backstage. She informs him that he will be facing Ace Austin at TNA Final Resolution on Friday night.

Seven says he already beat Austin and The Hardys at TNA Turning Point. Austin comes up and brings up his partner’s injuries and how he’s going to make sure Seven learns how the alphabet goes tomorrow night.

Back inside the Impact Zone, the theme for Leon Slater hits and he makes his way to the ring for scheduled tag-team action. His partner Laredo Kid makes his way out next to join him.

After they settle inside the squared circle, the entrance tune for their opposition hits and The Rascalz duo of Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel make their way out. Slater and Wentz kick things off after the bell sounds.

Following a big four-way stalemate spot, the two teams stare each other down as the crowd roars with approval in the background. On that note, the show heads into a mid-match commercial as Laredo and Miguel continue the action as the legal men in the ring for their respective teams.

When the show returns, Wentz is shown cranking away on the softened-up left arm of Slater in the middle of the ring. As things continue, The Rascalz hit a double-dive at the same time from the ring to the floor for a big pop.

Never one to be out-done in the high spot department, Slater hit a wild turning splash off the top of the ring post to the floor for an even bigger pop. Wentz gets a close two-count broken up by Kid after he and Miguel hit a double-team high spot on Slater.

Slater looked for a swanton 450 off the top, but was met with a super kick upon landing. The Rascalz follow up with their double-team finisher after that for the pinfall victory. Excellent match. Afterwards, the show heads into another commercial time out.

Sami Callihan & PCO defeated Jake Something & Hammerstone via Disqualification

When the show returns, The System are shown backstage for a quick promo segment. After Alisha Edwards’ annoying “Do you wanna know something?” intro, each member takes turns promoting their various matches at TNA Final Resolution on Friday night.

Inside the Impact Zone, Jake Something makes his way out, followed by his partner for this scheduled tag-team contest, Hammerstone. Sami Callihan’s heavy metal theme hits next and “The Death Machine” emerges. PCO’s entrance tune plays next and “The French-Canadian Frankenstein” makes his way out.

Callihan and Something kick things off for their respective teams upon the sound of the bell. Callihan gets Something down early and yells out to ask the crowd if they want to see him break his fingers. Of course the fans do, so Callihan cranks away at his digits as he writhes in pain.

PCO and Hammerstone tags in, however it is Hammerstone and Something who hit double-team offense to shift the momentum of the match in their favor for the first time. They begin utilizing frequent tags to keep a fresh man on PCO at all times, all-the-while keeping PCO isolated on their side of the ring.

After this continues for a couple of minutes, PCO hits a big dive to Something on the floor. PCO comes up bleeding. Callihan blasts Hammerstone in the ring. Callihan tags PCO and looks to help him with a double-team spot until Hammerstone uses a chair. The referee calls for the bell, giving Callihan and PCO the win via disqualification.

Cryptic “23” Returns For Second Week

After the match ruling, Hammerstone and Something are headed to the back when the cryptic 23 flashes on the screens. The lights in the building flicker on-and-off.

A unique voice is heard saying, “23 is just a number.” Callihan and PCO look confused when the lights come back on. On that note, the show abruptly heads into another commercial break.

Dani Luna defeated Heather By Elegance

As the show returns, one-half of the TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Champions, Spitfire, makes her way out, as Dani Luna heads to the ring for the next match of the evening.

After she settles inside the squared circle, her music is cut off by the annoying voice of George Iceman. Iceman trashes the local crowd and then introduces Heather by Elegance, who comes out accompanied by Ash By Elegance.

Luna takes the initial offensive lead after jumping ahead at the sound of the bell. This continues until Iceman and Ash continue to get involved at ringside. The referee ejects Iceman from the ringside area upon getting caught.

Ash gets involved again, shifting the momentum back into Heather’s favor. After she gets involved again, Luna hits a big dive from the ring to the floor onto Ash. Back in the ring, she finishes Heather off for the win to tie up the series between Spitfire and the “by Elegance” duo. After the match, the show heads into another commercial break.

Nic Nemeth, Joe Hendry & Masha Slamovich defeated AJ Francis, KC Navarro & Tasha Steelz

It’s main event time!

When the show returns, Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt run down the updated lineup for Friday night’s year-end TNA Final Resolution 2024 special event from Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. After they finish up, Tasha Steelz’ theme hits inside the Impact Zone.

Out comes “The Boricua Badass” for the final match of the evening. After she settles inside the squared circle, the First Class entrance tune hits to bring out her tag-team partners, the duo of AJ Francis and KC Navarro.

From there, as always, if you say his name … he appears. Someone must’ve said Joe Hendry, because the wildly popular TNA Wrestling star emerges to a rock star reception from the live crowd. He heats to the ring as the viral sensation, “I Believe in Joe Hendry” hits the house speakers.

Hendry leads the fans in the wave, per the song lyrics demands, and then does the dramatic soap opera turn and cheesy smile to complete the full ring entrance routine. His music fades down and the theme for his first partner hits.

TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich emerges and looks ready to rock and roll. She heads to the ring as the commentators plug her title defense against Steelz at Friday night’s show. Finally, the suggestive female sound byte hits to bring out “The Wanted Man” Nic Nemeth.

As the TNA World Champion heads to the ring, Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk among themselves about Nemeth’s title defense against the man who talked himself into the opportunity, First Class’ AJ Francis. He settles in the ring as the show cuts to one more pre-match commercial break.

When the show returns, Hendry and Navarro kick things off for their respective teams at the sound of the bell. Hendry settles into the early offensive driver’s seat. The fans roar with approval as he takes it to one-half of First Class.

He scoops Navarro up for a stalled-suplex, turning and showing him to each side of the crowd before dropping him back on his dome. Nemeth tags in and takes over for a bit before bringing in the Knockouts champ.

Steelz is hesitant to enter the ring, but she does, and Slamovich turns her inside-out with a clothesline for a two-count. Navarro blasts Slamovich with a knee to the back upon her being whipped into the ropes. The crowd boos and Steelz takes over control of the offense from that point on.

On that note, the show heads into a mid-match commercial break as the six-person tag-team main event continues. When the show returns, Steelz tags in Navarro. He stops Slamovich from making the much-needed tag. He slaps a front facelock on her, but she kicks her way free and tags in Nemeth.

“The Wanted Man” fires up the fans in the Impact Zone as he shifts the offensive momentum in his team’s favor with a big fired-up comeback. The TNA World Champion hits a big neckbreaker and then the Jerry Lawler heart-attack special repeated elbow drop routine.

Steelz ties up the referee, which allows Francis to yank Nemeth down by his hair from the ring apron. Francis tags in from there and chokes Nemeth throat-first over the middle rope. Hendry ends up helping his team take over, as the crowd goes wild.

Hendry hits an impressive fall-away slam on the massive Francis. He leads the fans in a “We Will Rock You” stomp-stomp-clap sequence. One-by-one, we see bodies flying from the ring to the floor, with Hendry remaining in control of the offense in the ring.

He hits an Attitude Adjustment on Navarro and tags in Nemeth. Nemeth hits a follow-up Fame-Asser on Navarro. He goes for the cover, but Navarro breaks it up. Slamovich hits the ring, builds up a full head of steam and dives onto Steelz on the floor. Nemeth hits Danger Zone on Navarro seconds later for the win.

After the match, the action continues, as First Class attacks. Francis dumps Nemeth on his back with his finisher and takes a good, long look at the TNA World Championship laying in the ring. He picks a lifeless Nemeth up and hits another big colossal chokeslam.

He puts his foot on a fallen Nemeth’s unconscious chest and raises the TNA World Championship high over his head as First Class’ theme hits again to end the TNA Final Resolution 2024 “go-home” show. That’s how this week’s show goes off the air.

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

Ring of Honor TV live results: International Women’s Cup qualifier

Posted on December 12, 2024December 12, 2024 by Jeff Moss

The Ring of Honor representative for the Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup qualifier will be decided on tonight’s ROH on HonorClub.

ROH Women’s Champion Athena, Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet, Billie Starkz and Leyla Hirsch will battle in a four-way with the winner advancing to a four-way on January 5th in the Tokyo Dome against representatives from AEW, CMLL and Stardom.

The show will feature a contract signing between ROH World Champion Chris Jericho and Matt Cardona for their impending Final Battle match.

Ahead of their Tag Team title defense against The Righteous at Final Battle, the Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara) will be in non-title action.

The show will see title defenses by ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty against Matt Taven, and NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions Grizzled Young Veterans against MxM Collection.

The lineup also features the return of Madison Rayne, Toa Liona vs. Lee Johnson, and The Outrunners vs. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari.

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It’s the penultimate show before Final Battle 2024 on December 20th! That said, there’s still an awful lot of room on the card (only three matches announced so far), so let’s see if tonights ROH on HonorClub can fill in some blanks. So it made total sense that the show started with a Qualifying match for a non-ROH Tournament!

Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup qualifier: Athena defeated Red Velvet, Billie Starkz and Leyla Hirsch

It started with a promo from Billie Starkz that was quickly interrupted by the ROH Women’s Champion, Athena who turned it into a MeM. She asked Starkz for an apology for her behaviour the last few weeks, oh, and also to lay down for Athena so she can win their 4-way International Women’s Cup qualifier. Starkz protested, but Athena reminded her that she owed her and danced away. Hirsch and Velvet, slated to meet at Final Battle for Velvet’s ROH Women’s TV Title, glared at each other.

Starkz didn’t offer up a Code of Honor to Athena off the top and Athena (after telling the other women they suck) left the ring and did jumping jacks to let the other three fight. In said fight, Starkz sent Velvet to the outside and kicked the much shorter Hirsch in the face. Velvet returned with a high crossbody onto Starkz and Hirsh. Athena then threw Velvet into the barricades.

From there, the match went back and forth until everyone put everyone else into a submission lock. They all got tired at the same time and let go though. Starkz began cleaning house, executing a triple swan dive and got back-to-back two counts. She stared at a prone Athena, but did not try and pin her. Athena then used Hirsch as a spingboard to hit a hurricanrana on Starkz.

Velvet and Hirsch tried to hit a suplex off the top rope on Athena, but Starkz ran in and TRIPLE superplexed them. Starkz had Hirsch pinned, but Athena broke up the count. The two argued and Athena commanded Starkz to lie down. Before she could though, Velvet knocked both to the outside where Hirsch double clotheslined them.

Hirsch and Velvet gave us a Final Battle preview, going one-on-one while Starkz and Athena recovered. Hirsch seemed to get the better of Velvet, but before a pin could be made, Starkz jumped in and tossed Hirsch out. Athena then shoved Starkz out of the ring and pinned a stunned Velvet to win the match and advance in the tournament.

The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum) defeated Premier Atheletes Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari (W/Josh Woods and Mark Sterling)

The Outrunners are everyone’s favourite throwback tag team and have quickly moved into prime positions in the AEW Tag Hierarchy. The Premier Athletes want everyone to say they “rule” instead of “suck” when cued. This match marks the return of Tony Nese who’s been off TV relentlessly celebrating the birth of his twins. The Athletes entered to Sterling’s usual rap and the Outrunners entered to a huge pop from the audience.

Nese and Magnum started things off with a quick posedown (Magnum won) and Nese cheap shotted him to get him isolated in the corner. Magnum fought out and tagged in Floyd who Atomic Dropped Nese. Diavari jumped in and got a double atomic drop for his trouble.

Later, Daivari and Nese double teamed Magnum and tossed him to the outside for Sterling and Woods to stomp on. Nese pulled them back into the ring and then missed corner shots, allowing Magnum to fight his way to a hot tag to Floyd. Floyd exploded into the ring, slamming Daivari and Nese in quick succession.

At this point, Magnum fell with Daivari on his shoulder, causing a brief pause in the action while his knee was checked. Nese hit a pumphandle driver on Floyd that got a two count. A few pie-faces later and Floyd was Turbo-Charged and fought off both Daivari and Nese and Magnum joined him to deliver a double elbow and Total Recall to get the win.

-Dustin Rhodes joined us from the back to speak about the Righteous. Rhodes says there’s no quit in him or his family, so they can play their little mind games, but it wont get them the ROH Tag Titles. He called out Dutch specifically and the Bull Rope that Dusty gave him. Rhodes said that even though Dutch knew his father, he never understood him. Dutch has crossed the line and at Final Battle, it will be a double Bull Rope match!

Madison Rayne defeated Allysin Kay

Rayne, best known for her run in TNA as a 3-time Knockouts Champion, had her last ROH match way, way back on ROH on HonorClub episode 25, in which she picked up a win over Dani Mo. Since then, she’s been working behind the scenes as a producer and this match would be her big return to action. Kay, the definition of “journeywoman” has wrestled for over SEVENTY different promotions in her career. Her most recent ROH match was a Proving Ground match against ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet a few weeks back.

These two veterans were pretty much guaranteed to have an awesome match, and it absolutely was. Kay had the strength advantage on Rayne, but there was no ring rust there. Both women traded shots and holds, looking for the other one to make a mistake somewhere.

Rayne hit a hurricanrana from the top rope, and then a crucifix driver on Kay to get the pin and win the match. Super fun!

-Next, The Dark Order joined us in the back. Last week, the Grizzled Young Veterans (GYV) harassed an extra they felt shouldn’t have gotten lunch before they did. The Dark Order’s John Silver saw this and wasn’t impressed, so he stole their scarves, which he and Evil Uno and Alex Reynolds had a good laugh about. So this week, Silver and Raynolds did a hilarious(?) impression of of GYV. The Veterans saw what was going down and stormed over. Reynolds and Silver fought back, but Uno stepped in the middle and glared at his Dark Order buddies, as if disappointed in their antics.

Toa Liona defeated Lee Johnson

Last week, Liona and his Gates of Agony partner, Bishop Kaun picked up a win over Griff Garrison and Preston Vance. This week, Liona looks to go at it alone against Ring of Honor super-worker, Lee Johnson. Johnson (who has a gigantic tag partner of his own in EJ Nduka) has fared pretty well in singles matches in 2024 (11 wins, 4 losses) but has failed to put any kind of gold around his waist.

This match had a fast start with Liona’s strength and Johnson’s speed keeping them even as they ran through a bunch of quick moves and holds. Johnson made the fatal mistake of trying to chop Liona, which as you can imagine only made him madder. Johnson tried kicks and knees, but Liona took them all.

Johnson went high for a frog splash, but Liona kicked out at two. Johnson popped up looking for the Big Shot Drop, but Liona powered out of it, smashing Johnson with a top rope sit-down drop for the pin.

After the match, Liona tried to pick up Johnson, but the two started fighting. Liona hit a big kick on Johnson and that brought out the very large EJ Nduka. The two big men stared each other down until Lion left and Nduka helped Johnson to his feet.

NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) defeated MxM Collection (Mansoor & Madden)

So as mentioned above the Veterans have been beefing with the Dark Order (specifically Reynolds and Silver, after Silver stole their scarves) and had an altercation with them earlier in the evening. Which led directly to this NJPW Strong Tag Team Championship match against… (checks notes) MxM Collective for some reason. Also Johnny TV was there.

With all that out of the way, tips were touched and Gibson started off against Mansoor. Drake jumped in, but Mansoor reversed it into a double neckbreaker. That brought the tag to Madden who dominated the legal man, Drake. Madden tried to forcibly make Drake touch tips (I do not like that sentence) and Drake caught a flurry of offense.

Mansoor found himself isolated in the GYV corner with Gibson and Drake wailing on him. He tried a long-distance tip-touch to bring in Madden, but no dice as Drake and Gibson started a brawl. They eliminated Madden and then hit a high splash on Mansoor for a two-count.

Madden hit the ring and took out both Drake and Gibson with side kicks and slams. Mansoor tagged in and Gibson tossed Madden into the stairs on the outside. That left Mansoor alone against Drake and to be choked with a scarf by Gibson behind the ref’s back. GYV finished Mansoor off and retained their titles.

Also, Johnny TV was there.

-Backstage, Board of Director Member Paul Wight joined us from the back to announce that Jay Lethal will be coming back to ROH at Final Battle! Lethal, anxious to get into the title picture, asked who his opponent would be, but before Wight could answer, QT Marshall arrived. He lamented the idea that Lethal might get a title shot before he does. The two fought and Wight made the match for Final Battle: Jay Lethal vs QT Marshall!

ROH Classic Match: Shane Taylor vs Kenny King in a Fight Without Honor (Final Battle 2021, Baltimore, Maryland)

What can I say about this match? It’s two very violent men doing violence to each other and doing it very well. Ladders, tables, trash cans, Kendo sticks, all used and destroyed in the first FEW MINUTES of this match. Super fun and worth a watch!

ROH Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara defeated Eric Dillinger & Josh Crane

Rhodes and Guevara have been ROH Tag champions since Mid-August, when they took the titles from the Undisputed Kingdom. From there, they’ve had a handful of title defenses, a Bunkhouse Brawl and a bunch of multi-team/person matches. As mentioned earlier, they’ve currently got The Righteous waiting for them at Final Battle and possibly somewhere in the arena tonight. As for their opponents, I couldn’t find anything on Crane, but Dillinger is the Asylum Wrestling Revolution (AWR) Champion and has been since 2022!

Crane and Guevara started things off, but Rhodes and Dillinger brawled on the outside. Rhodes left him laying and tagged in and out with Guevara, trading strikes on Crane in the corner. Dillinger tried to help his partner, but was tossed onto his prone partner for a Guevara standing slam.

Rhodes tagged in and took a punch each from Dillinger and Crane. Rhodes was sent to the corner and came out with a big boot to Dillinger. Guevara tagged in and met Dillinger and Crane with a high crossbody. A Texas Destroyer and a GTH followed by a CrossRhodes ended things with Guevara getting the pin on Crane.

Suddenly, the Righteous’ music hit and they ran down the ramp. Vincent grabbed a mic and called Dutch back, addressing Guevara and Rhodes. Vincent asked the crowd if they wanted to see these two teams fight TONIGHT. They responded in the affirmative, but Vincent decided that they didn’t deserve it. Vincent ran down Dusty with a “polka dots” joke, causing Rhodes to grab a chair as the Righteous beat a hasty exit.

ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty defeated Matt Taven

Taven has won every title in ROH except the Pure Title. Taven has been showing some previously unseen technical prowess though and has picked up wins over Josh Woods and Aaron Solo in Pure Rules Matches. Moriarty has been holding the Pure Championship since July when he won it from Wheeler Yuta. Moriarty successfully defended the title against the likes of Angelico and Preston Vance and has been having great success as a member of Shane Taylor Promotions. The real question here is why is this match taking place now with Final Battle just over a week away?

Anyway, a Pure Rules match has three rope breaks and one closed fist allowed for each competitor. After that, it’s a DQ. If the match goes to it’s time limit, judges will award the match based on points.

Taven and Moriarty started off trading wrist locks, clearly in a feeling our process. for the next three minutes it went back and forth, Taven showing more of the surprising technical skill we’ve seen in past week and Moriarty finding a counter for every bit of it. A big kick to the sternum knocked the wind out of Taven and Moriarty got a two count. At 5:16 Taven used his first rope break to get out of a hold.

The pace slowed considerably, which allowed Taven to recover until Moriarty put on a stretch, causing Taven to reach for the ropes and use his second rope break at 6:31. Taven recovered and connected with a huge kick to Moriarty’s head.

In what I can only hope is a first in a Pure Rules Match, Taven hit an Atomic Drop on Moriarty followed by a big knee and got a two-count. Moriarty wishboned Taven’s hand and hit a huge straightjacket slam into a Border City stretch causing Taven to use his third Rope Break at 9:11.

The crowd got behind Taven as he went to the top rope and hit a big splash into a choke hold, forcing Moriarty to use his first Rope Break at 10:43. Moriarty also got his warning for a closed fist a few seconds later. Moriarty then wrapped Taven up in a Tarantula-style hold in the ropes, forcing Taven to tap out.

-Backstage, Athena joined us to talk about Final Battle. Who would her opponent be? Athena let us know that she’s moving on from Final Battle and is focusing on her International Tour. An angry Billie Starkz stomped in and demanded answers from Athena about their match earlier in the night. Athena said she’s been waiting for an apology. Starkz smirked and offered to give her one at Final Battle. For some reason, Athena decided that it would be a match instead at Final Battle. I won’t lie, It was hard to follow, but the bottom line is that Athena and Starkz will face off at Final Battle for the ROH Women’s World Championship!

Chris Jericho/Matt Cardona ROH World title contract signing for Final Battle

Final Battle is on Dec 20th, so that means time is running out for ROH World Champion Chris Jericho to get the paperwork in order! Last week, Matt Cardona revealed himself as Jericho’s opponent at Final Battle, but still needs to put his John Hancock on the contract. So, as with all matters of HR in wrestling, they are going to take care of it in the ring!

Let me just say that of all the recurring wrestling tropes that exist the “Contract Signing” is my least favourite. At best they are the same thing over and over again, where one person jaws at the other, they fight, usually at the cost of a table and then the one left standing angrily signs whatever documentation is needed. (I do like that they bring out special chairs for them though).

Anyway, Jericho came out with a Yankees hat on, as is apropriate for the King of New York. Cardona came out with his usual amount of pomp and circumstance. Tony Schiavone played host and gave a mic to Jericho. Jericho ran down the local sports teams while rhyming off his accolades. Cardona tried to talk, but was shushed by Jericho.

Jericho told Cardona he’s lucky Jericho granted him a shot at the ROH Title. He congratulated Cardona on having his biggest match ever; this one. But there will be no way that he will get the title from him. Cardona had enough and interrupted Jericho, telling him to shut up.

Cardona called Jericho a bull-spit artist and completely fake about his proclaimed love for Ring of Honor. Cardona called his shot at the ROH Title the biggest match of his life. It’s not about Jericho or the Title, it’s about Cardona needing to prove to himself that he’s the best. He then signed the contract. Angrily. Jericho asked to borrow a pen from Schiavone, then said that he should probably step out of the ring now.

Jericho went to sign the papers, but delayed, faking the crowd out over and over again. Finally, he signed, reluctantly. He stuck his hand out and Cardona took it… and threw Jericho into the ropes! He then put Jericho through a table and stood tall with the ROH Belt over top of him as the show ended.

AEW Dynamite live results: Winter is Coming

Posted on December 11, 2024December 11, 2024 by Ryan Howard

The fifth annual AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming airs live tonight from Kansas City, Missouri.

The issues between AEW stalwarts and Jon Moxley’s Death Riders will continue this week with a tag team contest pitting Moxley and PAC against Orange Cassidy and Jay White.

After turning against Mina Shirakawa at Full Gear, Mariah May will have to fend Shirakawa off as a title challenger on tonight’s show, with May defending the AEW Women’s World Championship against her former friend.

The Continental Classic also continues on tonight’s show with a pair of Gold League matches.

Will Ospreay will take on Claudio Castagnoli in one Gold League matchup. Claudio sits atop the Gold League with 6 points, while Ospreay has 3 points.

In the other Gold League matchup, Ricochet (3 points) will face Brody King (3 points).

Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly is also set for tonight’s episode, with the winner advancing to Worlds End on December 28 to face MJF for the Dynamite Diamond ring.

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AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness, as the music for the AEW World Champion hits and it’s time for our opening tag team contest. Schiavone mentioned having the hell scared out of him interviewing Jon Moxley after the events that took place on Collision and Moxley said he’s given Orange Cassidy a stay of execution.

Jon Moxley & PAC (w/Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta) defeated Orange Cassidy & Switchblade Jay White via disqualification

(Pretty action-packed opener here, with the story being the three contenders for the World Title being hell bent on getting their hands on Jon Moxley, regardless of the consequences. Cassidy, White & Hangman Page all have a common goal, but refuse to let the other get in the way of it. As a result, it not only cost them the match here, but also led to them getting their asses kicked in the post-match. It’d be very odd if we don’t get a 4-way at World’s End at this point.)

Cassidy & White waste no time taking the fight to PAC & Moxley on the outside, until Moxley turns the tables, sending Cassidy crashing into the steps. The match officially begins with PAC & White in the ring, as Moxley quickly intervened and had a chop exchange with White. Moxley avoided Blade Runner, as Cassidy made a blind tag, hit a baseball slide on PAC, while lighting up Moxley with corner punches. Bling tag from PAC this time, who cut off a Cassidy dive attempt with a pump kick. This allowed Moxley to hit a back suplex onto the announce desk, as this led to Cassidy being isolated. We see The Patriarchy watching on from one of the suites, as Christian Cage is holding his AEW World Title contract. White was able to make a hot tag, spiking both PAC & Moxley, screaming that he has Moxley’s number, but that delay allowed PAC to hit a boot and take control during break.

Back from break, White continued to be beaten down as Cage gave orders to Kip Sabian, Nick & Mother Wayne, all who leave the suite. White & PAC collided in a double down, resulting in duel tags from Cassidy & Moxley, who slug it out, as Moxley slid out of Beach Break, but not the PK, which Cassidy connected on. PAC jumped in, but was spiked with a spinning DDT. Cassidy popped up to the top and hit Moxley with a diving DDT for a near fall. Cassidy hit the spinning DDT on Moxley, tried another on PAC, who blocked, but ultimately hit with a Stundog Millionaire into a Sleeper Suplex from White. Moxley missed a charged and was planted with Beach Break to get a close Cassidy two.

The crowd are on their feet, as Yuta runs distraction, as Shafir tried to trip up Cassidy, who shoved her to the floor. Orange Punch to both Yuta & Moxley, as he was winding up for a home run shot on Moxley, when Hangman Adam Page sprinted in and tackled Moxley for the DQ. Cassidy went to pull Page off, but Page threw a punch and the fight was briefly on until White came in and fought with Page. Cassidy went for an Orange Punch, but Page ducked and White took the blow. Page was dropped by Cassidy, allowing White to recover enough to lay out Cassidy with a Blade Runner. Page, White & Cassidy are slowly recovering and arguing, letting Moxley, PAC, Yuta & Shafir to recover and hit the ring to attack. Death Riders all leave through the crowd, as the three top challengers for the AEW World Title were left motionless.

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-We get another wild west vignette with Bandido riding horseback, as other cowboys are telling him he’s under arrest and can do this the easy way or hard way. Bandido got off his horse, took off his cape and laid out all four cowboys, even giving one the 21-Plex in the process.

-Death Riders are backstage, as Jon Moxley said he’s a marked man and heavy is the head that wears the crown, it’s the only way to live. With a knife to your throat, he wouldn’t have it any other way. Everyone is all about their ego, wanting the next title shot, their egos run their lives and run All Elite Wrestling. None of this is about Moxley, so he said he’ll give them an early Christmas gift, World’s End, Fatal 4-Way.

-Christian Cage has a mic in the suite and said as he literally looks down on all of the crowd, they should shut their mouths. Cage said he has a problem with that being a 4-Way at World’s End and has issues with all four men in the match. Jon Moxley has what he wants, Orange Cassidy is a piss ant, White has unfinished business and Hangman Adam Page didn’t do what he was supposed to do when they made a deal. Cage will force Moxley to go back to rehab and have a drink, while he’ll rehab the AEW World Title. Cage went to leave the suite, but turned his back to door, as HOOK appeared, broke the glass window and beat the hell out of Cage, with his arm in a cast. REDRUM was applied, as Cage was almost shoved off the balcony, but fought his way free briefly. HOOK sent Cage flying through the food on a table, as Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne showed up, trying to fight him off, but HOOK stood tall and put chase to Cage.

Will Ospreay [6] defeated Claudio Castagnoli [6] in the Continental Classic Gold League

(The first of hopefully many meetings between these two certainly delivered, as Castagnoli continued looking strong, even in his first defeat in the tournament. Commentary really drove home how difficult of a schedule Ospreay has down the stretch, as he’s had more rest than anyone else in the early stages of the Continental Classic.)

Bell sounded and Ospreay sprinted into a Spanish Fly within seconds. Sasuke Special quickly followed, as Pip, Pip, Cheerio connected back inside for two. Ospreay wanted an Oscutter, but Castagnoli hit an uppercut in mid-air. Ospreay twisted out of a Giant Swing into a roll-up for two. Castagnoli floated over, but ate an Ospreay hook kick for a double down. Both slowly got to their feet and slugged it out until Castagnoli wrenched the arm and sent Ospreay outside. Castagnoli tried sending Ospreay into the steps, but Ospreay cleared them, dropkicked the steps into the legs, tried to leap off, but Castagnoli caught and slammed him again into the barricade. Giant Swing into the steps, as Castagnoli tipped the steps over, trapped Ospreay’s arm between them and stomped down. Back inside, Ospreay tried to battle back with another Pip, Pip, Cheerio, but Castagnoli hit a mid-air uppercut to keep control during the break.

Castagnoli had a Sharpshooter applied, but Ospreay sprung out into a springboard hurricanrana and handspring corkscrew kick for the reset. Running boot in the corner from Ospreay, who fought for and got a suplex and standing Sky Twister Press for two. Taking too long, Ospreay missed Hidden Blade, but avoided the Ricola Bomb into the Octopus Hold. Castagnoli got the ropes, went back to the arm and hit a double stomp to the back before a gut-wrench lift for two. Both battle in the corner, as Osperay fought off a superplex, tried a Leap of Faith, rolled through and ate a Castagnoli uppercut turning Ospreay inside out for two.

Toying with Ospreay only fired him up, as a forearm/uppercut battle ensued until Ospreay ducked one and hit an Oscutter flush, but Castagnoli wisely rolled outside. Back inside, Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but ran into a pop-up uppercut for two. Castagnoli hit the home run lariat, but Ospreay kicked out, the first to do so this tournament. Castagnoli wanted the Neutralizer, but Ospreay got a jackknife pin for the flash win.

Post-match, Castagnoli attacked and hit a Neutralizer before getting a chair. Darby Allin made the save with a baseball bat, as Castagnoli ran off through the crowd. We see the graphic that next week, Ospreay & Allin face-off in the Gold League.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Ricochet who said tonight, this is why he came to AEW, for the competition. Tonight, he has Brody King for the first time ever, he’s big, bad and scary, but one thing he’s not, is Ricochet. They’re both 1-1 in the Continental Classic, then looks in his suit jacket pocket and pulls out the MVP Hurt Syndicate card, saying tonight, he has all the cards.

-MJF is seen arriving to the building, wearing his Dynamite Diamond Ring.

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-Highlights from Rampage and the confrontation between Chris Jericho & Matt Cardona was shown ahead of their ROH World Title match at Final Battle. Renee Paquette is backstage with Cardona, who said he’s Always Ready and he belongs in AEW. For the past five years, he’s reinvented himself on the independent scene. After Jericho & Bryan Keith laid him out last week, he wants Keith on Rampage to give Jericho a preview of what to expect at Final Battle.

-Renee Paquette approached Kyle O’Reilly before his match with Adam Cole when Matt Taven & Mike Bennett interrupted. Taven said they didn’t need to do this, MJF is making them look like idiots. Bennett said for him to relax, regardless of what happens out there, we’re still family at the end of the day. O’Reilly said they should’ve thought of that before one of their brothers (Roderick Strong) got hurt.

Adam Cole defeated Kyle O’Reilly to earn a match with MJF at World’s End for the Dynamite Diamond Ring

(First time meeting between these two in AEW and first singles match in three years. This was a good TV match, but as much of a Kyle O’Reilly fan that I may be, I never wanted him to lose a match more than this, as this would’ve just extended this MJF/Cole story even longer. Hopefully with Cole winning and finally getting his match, we’ll have a definitive winner and like I’ve been saying for weeks, we can just have a fresh start for MJF & Cole heading into 2025.)

Feeling out process showed how well both know each other, as after an early scrap, O’Reilly dodged a superkick to regroup. They repeat the back and forth, as Cole avoided the superkick, but O’Reilly didn’t let him regroup, as he took the fight to the floor and was in control heading into break.

Back from commercial, O’Reilly went for a corner charge, but ate a Cole superkick flush for the reset. Cole wanted Panama Sunrise, but O’Reilly hit a pump knee, wanted a brainbuster, but Cole responded with one of his own for two. Cole faked a high superkick, hit one low, but O’Reilly recovered and connected on his diving knee from the apron. Back inside, O’Reilly missed a diving knee, as Cole wanted a superkick, O’Reilly dodged, sole butt to the ribs, but Cole didn’t go down, as he hit a desperation flying knee for the double down.

Both connect on dueling big boots, as Cole hit a superkick, only for O’Reilly to hit the Nigel Lariat. Ankle Lock with the leg’s grapevine, as Cole managed the rope break. They battle up the ropes, as Cole headbutts out of a superplex, hits the Panama Sunrise, but took too long to follow-up, as O’Reilly picked the ankle into an Ankle Lock again. Cole rolled through, sent O’Reilly to the floor, as he dragged Cole outside, looked for a brainbuster, but ate a superkick. Back inside, O’Reilly collapsed, as the ref checked on him. This allowed MJF to run down, try for a cheap shot on Cole, who ducked and hit a superkick. O’Reilly nearly stole it with a school boy, but Cole kicked out and got an inside cradle for the win. MJF stormed off through the crowd, as Mike Bennett & Matt Taven came to the ring to congratulate Cole. He offered a handshake to O’Reilly, who refused and walked off.

-FTR are backstage and brought up the Fight for the Fallen show on January 1^st and how much it will help not just them, but especially the fans of North Carolina, after everything they have been through. Harwood said they want to put their names in the hat for being part of the main event of that show. They invited Death Riders to have a chat with them on Collision this week, after last week they had to prevent a murder of Orange Cassidy thanks to Jon Moxley and his crew.

*********

-Chris Jericho’s New York Minute is shown as he rattles off New York references, saying Matt Cardona must be upset they left him laying like a used Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure. Jericho accepts Cardona’s challenge to Bryan Keith and said he’ll be on commentary. Jericho also plugs their contract signing on ROH this week. Jericho calls Cardona delusional for thinking he’ll walk out of the Hammershtein Ballroom the ROH World Champion. Keith said Cardona made a mistake putting his crumby hands-on Jericho and he’ll make sure he pays the price.

-Tony Schiavone interviews Darby Allin earlier today saying his quest is never over, as Death Riders are chipping away at everything that AEW has built. Allin thinks of what they did to Bryan Danielson, the backbone of AEW. This is the first place many of the young guys have made a living on wrestling, so they don’t do anything about it, it’s going to keep happening. People think Allin reckless (he punches himself in the face and is bleeding from the mouth) saying the violence doesn’t bother him. When Allin thinks of the Continental Classic, it’s everything that’s right with AEW. He needs to win this tournament, it’s what AEW represents and it’s what he represents. Moxley thinks AEW needs saving, when it’s the company that gave his career a second shot and also allowed Sting to finish his career on his own terms. Nothing fools yourself better than the lies you tell yourself. I thought this was an excellent promo from Allin.

Ricochet [6] defeated Brody King [3] in the Continental Classic Gold League

(I thought these two had a great match, as the crowd were more behind King towards the end, even booing Ricochet when they knew the finish was coming. King continues to build crowd support throughout this tournament, no matter the opponent and I could see Ricochet using that Hurt Syndicate card to possibly help him at least reach the Finals at World’s End, otherwise, why would they tease that earlier in the night? It was an interesting development.)

It was the classic size vs. speed early on, as Ricochet tried his springboard attacks, but just bounced off King like nothing. King no sold chops and leveled Ricochet with some of his own, as he exposed the top of the barricade, but Ricochet flipped off it, tried a hurricanrana off the apron, only to suffer a powerbomb for his trouble. Ricochet even let out a scream in the process, as King set-up and ran through him with a cross body against the barricade into commercial.

Back from break, Ricochet tried a handspring elbow, but King caught him in mid-air and hit a wildly impressive release German for two. King again flattened Ricochet with a chop, telling him to fight back, as Ricochet did with a wall walk enzugiri, low bridge and springboard kick to the face, sending King outside. Fosbury Flop connected for Ricochet, who landed on his feet, tossed King back inside and hit a picture-perfect springboard 450, but King kicked out at one. King slowly rose to his feet and turned Ricochet inside out with a lariat for two. Ricochet wiggled out of a Gonzo Bomb, roll-up for two, as Ricochet answered with multiple pump knees. Ricochet wanted the Benadryller, but King fought out, corner splash and cannonball for two.

They fight up the ropes, as Ricochet avoided a superplex into a sunset flip powerbomb, causing King to pull off the turnbuckle pad in the process. Ricochet hit a massive Shooting Star Press, but King rose up and applied a Rear Naked Choke. Ricochet fought to the apron, hanging King up, he wanted a springboard, but King chopped him out of mid-air. King went up in the corner again, but this time, Ricochet hit a DDT on the exposed corner buckle twice, which allowed Ricochet to hit the dazed King with the Spirit Gun twice for the win.

-Backstage, Private Party welcome fans to The Vault and were immediately interrupted by Action Andretti & Lio Rush. They offered them champagne, when Andretti wanted a title shot instead. Zay said what he wants is a big, juicy, then was interrupted by Leila Grey walking in with Top Flight and everyone started bickering. Zay & Quen suggested both teams fight it out on Collision to see who gets the Tag Team Title shot. Both teams agree, as Rush offered a handshake to Darius Martin, saying no hard feelings. I can’t even begin to describe the jackets Rush & Andretti were wearing.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mercedes Mone & Anna Jay ahead of their TBS Title match next week. Both agreed to no physicality, as Paquette said today marks Mone’s 200^th day of her title reign and has defended her title 10 times so far. Paquette plugged Mone’s match for Strong Style Evolved coming up against Hazuki when Mone cut her off and praised what Jay has accomplished, going to Japan to train, saying it’s cute what she’s done at 26. Mone rattles off what she had done before she even reached 26 and went to leave when Jay stopped her saying she’s going to listen what she has to say. Jay put over Mone for being one of the best in the world, but she’s made a living off being the underdog, as all she needs is 3 seconds to shock the world. Jay walks off and Mone said they’ll see about that.

-A highlight video package of the history between Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa is shown ahead of tonight’s main event.

Mariah May defeated Mina Shirakawa to retain the AEW Women’s Title

(The match itself was a very good main event, with the crowd completely supporting Shirakawa, who had her hope spots throughout. May continues to be able to hit the Storm Zero out of nowhere and it led to another successful defense. Despite sitting in the front row, all Thunder Rosa did was hold up signs that probably took her 10 seconds to make. The bigger story is the return, not of Timeless, but the OG Toni Storm, who couldn’t have looked happier to be back on AEW TV and the explosive reaction from the crowd was louder than anything else on the entire show. It’s been long overdue and I’m looking forward to seeing where the Storm & May feud goes from here.)

Both ladies waste no time slugging it out at the bell, as Shirakawa slaps the hell out of May, who hid in the ropes. Sole butt from Shirakawa, who connected on a low dropkick and zoned in on the left leg. Figure Four applied, as May rolled to the ropes, but Shirakawa kept it applied and both crashed to the floor. May recovered and sent Shirakawa into the steps and barricade, as Thunder Rosa is shown sitting in the front row with a sign saying Mariah May is not her champion. Shotgun dropkick on Shirakawa into the barricade, as May mocks her back in the ring. May went for a punt kick off the apron, but Shirakawa blocked it, slammed May’s leg into the post and applied a Figure Four wrapped around the post as things went to commercial.

When things returned, May had gained control, giving Shirakawa a kiss of death, but the delay allowed a Shirakawa springboard kick. Both ladies ramped up a forearm battle, as Shirakawa hit the rolling elbow, May answered with a headbutt, but before Shirakawa went down, she fired off a desperation back fist for the double down. The crowd loudly behind Shirakawa, who dropkicked out the leg and hit a backdrop suplex for two. Shirakawa went to the ropes, but May connected on her handspring head scissors. Shirakawa answered with a rolling neckbreaker and draping top rope DDT for two. May pulled Shirakawa into the ropes, hit two pump knees on the button before hitting May Day, but Shirakawa kicked out to pop the crowd.

May wanted another May Day, but Shirakawa turned it into a Crucifix Bomb for two. Up to the middle rope, Shirakawa hit the Sling Blade and called for the Glamourous Driver and hit it for a near fall. Shirakawa couldn’t believe it, as May hit another headbutt and a snap Storm Zero for the win.

Post-match, Toni Storm’s old music hits and out walks Storm in her original gear. May can’t believe it, as Storm is almost fighting off tears, she’s so thrilled to be back. Thunder Rosa held up a WTF? sign as Nigel McGuinness said May is being haunted by the ghost of Christmas past to end the show.

Continental Classic Gold League Standings

6 Points: Claudio Castagnoli, Will Ospreay, Ricochet

3 Points: Brody King, Darby Allin

0 Points: Komander

Continental Classic Blue League Standings

9 Points: Kyle Fletcher

4 Points: Kazuchika Okada, Daniel Garcia

3 Points: Shelton Benjamin, Mark Briscoe

0 Points: The Beast Mortos

AEW Rampage 12/13/24

Matt Cardona vs. Bryan Keith

AEW Collision 12/14/24

Kazuchika Okada vs. The Beast Mortos in the Continental Classic Blue League
Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe in the Continental Classic Blue League
Willow Nightingale vs. Jamie Hayter in the International Women’s Cup Qualifier Final

AEW Dynamite 12/18/24

Will Ospreay vs. Darby Allin in the Continental Classic Gold League
Mercedes Mone defends the TBS Title against Anna Jay

WWE NXT live results: The fallout from Deadline

Posted on December 10, 2024December 10, 2024 by Chris Aiken

With both Iron Survivor Challenge winners set to appear, the fallout from Deadline takes place on WWE NXT tonight.

Giulia and Oba Femi were victorious on Saturday, winning the respective Iron Survivor Challenge matches. They are now in line for title shots next month at NXT New Year’s Evil. Giulia will be challenging Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship on January 7, while Femi will face NXT Champion Trick Williams.

Femi was a surprise addition to the men’s Iron Survivor field at Deadline, replacing Eddy Thorpe following an angle where Thorpe was taken out by a mystery attacker.

A singles match between Je’Von Evans and Wes Lee is part of tonight’s lineup. They were entrants in the men’s Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline and then got into an altercation after the match.

Plus, Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley team up against Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx of Fatal Influence.

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

**********

After a recap of Deadline, NXT opens with the entrance of Giulia. She won the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline, and she enters the sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando in front of a live studio audience.

Giulia gets her shot at the NXT Women’s Championship as the next challenger to Roxanne Perez. Their title match is set for New Year’s Evil in January. Giulia gets in the ring on tonight’s show to address the audience as the next challenger.

Giulia starts with a monologue where she is vowing to win the title, when Giulia is interrupted by Perez. The champ cuts a promo on her challenger. Perez says neither Giulia, nor anyone else on the roster, is on her level. Perez boasts about defeating Giulia in a previous match.

Giulia challenges Perez to fight right now, when out comes Perez’s cohort Cora Jade. While Jade claims Giulia will not even make it to New Year’s Evil, and the director cuts to the backstage area where Stephanie Vaquer. The two heels hints at being responsible.

Giulia throws a forearm strike Perez and the fight is on, but Giulia is outnumbered. Plus, Cora Jade has a weapon. Jade hits Giulia with her trusty kendo stick. Giulia is in peril when out runs Kelani Jordan to make the save. Jordan evens the odds. The heel duo powders, and sets up a tag team match for tonight’s main event.

A backstage skit sets up a NXT North American Championship match with Tony D’Angelo defending against Ethan Page. The skit begins with “The Don” taking pity on Page, and D’Angelo offers him a title match. Page at first declines, and Page dismisses the North American title.

When “The Don” opens up the challenge to others in the room, Page suddenly changes his tune. Page now wants a match, sarcastically saying if he cannot beat the North American Champion then Page’s career is basically over. With that backhanded compliment of the title, Page thanks D’Angelo for the match.

“Raw is Netflix” teaser plugs the start date as “1.6.25”, while NXT cuts to its first commercial break.

Lexis King wants another shot at the Heritage Cup, and Charlie Dempsey says he will think about it. From there, Dempsey goes to talk with his crew. They are visited by OTM, and there is a confrontation. This also sets up a match with Jaida Parker against Wren Sinclair, with them also involved in the skit.

Je’Von Evans defeated Wes Lee

Evans pinned Lee clean after a tornillo body press. This was a good match, and not even the high spot fest you might think. There was still plenty of flying, though. Lee is more aggressive early on, and he clearly the heel. Lee also has a new look and hair style.

The match goes through a commercial break. Evans kicks off after taking Lee’s finisher. Just before that, Lee tries to cheat by putting his feet on the ropes for added leverage in a pinning combination. The referee catches Lee in the act, and Lee bickers with him. Moments later, Lee regroups to deliver the Cardiac Kick, but Evans kicks out. From there, they proceed to go home.

Evans hits Lee with a superkicks to set up the finis, and then Evans does a double springboard into a tornillo splash. Evans then covers Lee for a three count and a decisive victory.

A video package highlights Josh Briggs and his new tag team partnership with Yoshiki Inamura. Clips show Briggs in Japan, as they tell the story of Briggs teaming up with Inamura. They will soon arrive in NXT.

Reporter Sarah Schreiber is standing outside the trainer’s room looking for an update on Stephanie Vaquer. Out walks Kelani Jordan and Giulia. They cut promos, with Giulia first ranting in Japanese. Jordan then cuts a promo in English.

Sol Ruca is in the locker room talking with Zaria. Whatever aura Zaria had with her cool debut several weeks ago is gone, as she is now doing wacky skits like everyone else. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson confront Ruca and Zaria, which would clearly seem to set up a tag match.

Hank Walker & Tank Ledger defeated Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont

Some heat on Tank about halfway through the match. That set up a hot tag spot, and then they go home after Hank runs wild. Bossman slam by Hank, and then he and Tank do their combo powerslam finisher. Tank then covers Tyson to win the match.

Tyson goes to shake hands with Hank & Tank after the match. Tyriek refuses any handshakes, and he storms off clearly upset over the loss.

Oba Femi is headed to the ring for a monologue since winning the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge. Femi vows to reclaim his “rightful position on the throne,” and Femi goes to address NXT Champion Trick Williams. With the mention of his name, out comes Trick to confront Oba.

Williams and Femi go face-to-face when Eddy Thorpe suddenly interrupts them. Thorpe says will not ignore what Femi did to him (alluding to a Tonya Harding angle, which was the cliffhanger that ended the previous episode of NXT).

“Me and my people have been through enough,” Thorpe says to Femi as Thorpe gets into the ring. Thorpe confronts Femi and accuses Femi of attacking him. Femi tells Thorpe to shut up, and Femi asks Thorpe if he actually Femi attack him. Thorpe says no, as someone jumped him from behind. But whoever was powerful, and the only person with that kind of strength is Femi.

Femi blows off Thorpe, who was coming off like a jerk as well. Trick then cuts a promo on Femi, hyping their match at New Year’s Evil. Femi responds by saying the only reason Trick is the number one guy is because Femi allowed it. Femi says whenever he was ready, he could take the title. Femi then promises and swears to Trick that 2025 will be the end of his era.

After Femi leaves the ring, Thorpe rants at Trick. Thorpe is just an annoying heel? Why? He is a really great wrestler. Maybe then him be that. Otherwise, he is so unlikable in his current role as a serial complainer. Williams cut a promo on Thorpe, and then Williams punks him out. Williams decks Thorpe with a punch, after Williams sets up a match with Thorpe for next week.

Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne & Jaxmyn Nyz with NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley) defeated Gigi Dolan & Tatum Paxley

Jayne pinned Paxley, after some outside interference by Henley. Paxley drops the fall, so she at least got a hot tag in the match. Henley interferes by shoving Paxley off the top turnbuckle. “Rolling Encore” by Jayne on Paxley, and Jayne folds up Paxley for the pinfall.

The heel trio attacks Paxley after the match. Dolan tries to make a save, but Dolan is also beaten down by Fatal Influence. Shotzi Blackheart suddenly returns, and she cleans house. Together with Paxley and Dolan, the babyface trio boots the heels out of the ring. This would seem to set up a trios match, so maybe a six-woman tag coming soon.

NXT Tag Team Champions were in a few backstage skits. The final one on this episode reveals that Axiom is booked to work twice next week, in a mix-up with Frazier. Axiom got himself booked in singles match with Oba Femi. However, Frazier also pitched an idea to defend the titles. NXT GM Ava booked them in a tag title match next week. Now Axiom has to wrestle Femi in a singles match, and then help defend the tag titles alongside Frazier in a tag bout against unnamed opponents.

Lots of plugs and ads on the show for Saturday Night’s Main Event.

NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo defeated Ethan Page to retain the title

D’Angelo pinned Page clean after a spinebuster. Finish was good in that it came out of nowhere, but not a shock nor fluke pin. D’Angelo countered the Razor’s Edge by Page, and “The Don” executes the spinebuster.

The match goes through a commercial break, which also marked the return to NXT of the split-screen break. Not much happened other than some rest holds anyway. The match was good nonetheless.

Football personality Ryan Leaf has a cameo in a backstage skit with Lexis King. This is a tie-in with CW’s football coverage. Up comes Charlie Dempsey to tell King he is granted a Heritage Cup match, but only if King can survive a training session with Dempsey.

Ethan Page is depressed and upset with himself. Page says he is lost and ashamed of himself. Page then sulks away.

NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade vs. Kelani Jordan & Giulia

Perez & Jade, in matching gear, jump Jordan & Giulia before the bell. Eventually, they get in the ring and the bell sounds to officially start the match.

They wrestle through a commercial break. They built to Perez facing off with Giulia. Soon thereafter, Jordan does a frog splash for a near fall. Moments later, Jordan does a plancha to the outside on Jade. as Jade is being rolled back into the ring, Perez grabs Jordan to deliver Pop Rocks on the floor. After Jordan is rolled into the ring by Perez, Giulia leaps off the apron with a missile dropkick on Perez. Giulia and Perez brawl at ringside, while Jade drops Jordan with a butterfly DDT. Jade then covers Jordan for the deciding pinfall.

After the match, Stephanie Vaquer’s theme music blares, while Jade stands in the ring with her trusty kendo stick. With Jade watching the entrance ramp, Vaquer sneaks behind Jade to ambush her. Jade bumps and feeds, and then Jade powders. Vaquer then chases Jade through the studio audience.

Meanwhile in the office of the General Manager, Ava is singing a contract along with Eddy Thorpe. Next week, Thorpe challenges Trick Williams for the NXT Championship. Thorpe boasts that he deserves this shot.

Ava tells Thorpe they are still looking in to who attacked him. As Thorpe signs the contract, he reveals the Tonya Harding angle from last Tuesday was all a ruse. Thorpe staged the attack to get the title shot. He worked everyone apparently, and now he has a title shot next week.

WWE Raw live results: Ripley vs. Rodriguez anything goes match

Posted on December 9, 2024December 9, 2024 by Steve Khan

Date: December 9, 2024
Location: Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, KS

**********

Show Recap —

Raw started with technical issues (at least, that was the case on Sportsnet in Canada). You could hear everything starting as usual, with various wrestlers arriving, but the actual video feed was frozen on an establishing shot of the city and then a still shot of Gunther from his match against Dominik Mysterio last week.

The live stream was fixed as Gunther entered to start the show. Gunther said Finn Bálor has made a grave mistake. Bálor had his attention, and Saturday Night’s Main Event would not end up like Survivor Series.

Judgment Day (minus Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez) interrupted. Bálor didn’t appreciate that Gunther passed over him for a title match to instead face Dominik Mysterio, who didn’t deserve it. (Dom looked over at him but didn’t react too much.)

Bálor said he was the only reason Gunther was still champion. SNME wouldn’t be like Survivor Series because Gunther wasn’t retaining the title because of him—he would lose the title because of him. After eight long years, Bálor would walk out as World Heavyweight Champion.

Gunther said Bálor didn’t earn his title shot. Bálor did become the first Universal Champion eight years ago and Gunther looked up to him. That respect faded away over the years because Bálor began cutting corners. He took shortcuts and aligned himself with weirdos in a clubhouse. He chose to play second fiddle to Damian Priest.

There was no respect left and now Gunther looked down on him. Bálor was the best in the world eight years ago—for one night. Gunther was the best in the world right now and for thousands of days to come, and his title proved it. Bálor would not win on Saturday because he was not on Gunther’s level.

Judgment Day took offence, so they hit the apron but stopped what they were doing upon hearing Priest’s music. They ran after Priest instead, and he laid everyone out by himself. Bálor tried attacking from behind, but Priest chucked him into the ring. Gunther and Priest took turns attacking Bálor.

They were not on the same page, though, because Gunther clotheslined Priest. Gunther was about to powerbomb Priest onto the announce table, but Bálor attacked Gunther before going after Priest.

Bálor gave Gunther a Coup de Grace off the apron. Priest attacked the rest of Judgment Day in the ring until Bálor attacked him from behind. Bálor hit Priest with the Coup de Grace three times as Gunther looked on. Judgment Day stood tall.

(Bálor stood tall but this segment didn’t make him look like any sort of threat. He and his buddies got beat up by Priest alone and only stood tall after Gunther attacked Priest. He’ll probably get a nearfall with his finisher on Saturday, and that’ll be that.)

After a break, Adam Pearce informed Bálor that the world title match at SNME was now a triple threat with Priest. Bálor was fine with this because it would be even more satisfying when he beat them both.

Bálor was less happy when Pearce told him that he and JD McDonagh would defend the tag titles against the War Raiders next week with Judgment Day banned from ringside. They were pissed. Liv Morgan (sarcastically) asked Bálor if he had any advice for their matches tonight since he had everything under control. Bálor was stunned and couldn’t find the words.

********

Professional bull rider Koltin Hevalow was shown at ringside.

Eight-man tag team match: Karrion Kross, AOP & The Miz (w/Scarlett) defeated The Wyatt Sicks (9:02)

Kross pinned Uncle Howdy.

This was the first match for the Wyatts since September. Bo Dallas wrestled in his Uncle Howdy mask. The other members wrestled without masks.

They seriously went to commercial 25 seconds into the match (after Miz saved Kross from a Sister Abigail). After the break, Final Testament was randomly in control of Joe Gacy until he quickly made a hot tag to Erick Rowan. Rowan had Miz pinned, but AOP broke up the cover, so Dexter Lumis and Gacy got rid of them with dives.

Uncle Howdy tagged in and beat up Miz until Kross tagged himself in. Uncle Howdy went for a dive, but Scarlett tripped him. Nikki Cross appeared out of nowhere to take out Scarlett. (Cross didn’t enter with her team, so you knew she’d show up as a “surprise” at some point.)

Howdy went for Sister Abigail on Kross, but Miz saved him again. As Kross distracted the referee, Howdy went after Miz but the returning Paul Ellering chucked powder in his face. Kross gave Uncle Howday a Final Prayer (F5 variation) for the pinfall win.

This wasn’t good.

********

CM Punk sit-down interview

Jackie Redmond had a pre-taped sit-down interview with CM Punk. Punk said they would fight if she asked about the Chicago Blackhawks. He laughed when she responded, “No, I’m going to ask you about something much more relevant.” (That was good.)

Redmond asked about the favour. Punk said it wasn’t the right time to talk about it. He went back many years with Paul Heyman and it would stay between them for now.

Remond asked about Seth Rollins. Punk said he wouldn’t shy away from a fight but was confused about Rollins’ hatred. He didn’t hate Rollins at all, and they had a long history. A 16-year-old Rollins went to Punk and asked for wrestling training—for free. That entitlement has carried over into the adult Rollins.

Rollins wanted to be on everyone’s ten top list of best wrestlers of all time, but there was a time when he was on a top ten list to be fired from WWE. Punk “shielded” him from that. Punk would hate Punk, too, if he had to live in his shadow. Everything Rollins did, Punk did already and did it before him.

Rollins did a fantastic job while Punk was gone to fill the void, but the starter was back, and the second-string guy could now go back to the bench.

********

Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan defeated Dakota Kai in a non-title match (approx. 6 minutes)

They went to break 45 seconds into this one. Morgan was in control after the break, and Pure Fusion Collective marched out to watch from ringside. Morgan tried three amigos, but Kai countered the last suplex and made a comeback but became distracted dealing with Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark at ringside.

Morgan responded with a Codebreaker but Kai countered a missile dropkick into a powerbomb. Kai was distracted again, this time by Sonya Deville on the apron, and Kai knocked her off. The referee was fine with all of this. Kai went for a running boot but Morgan avoided it and hit Oblivion for the pinfall win.

(This was another nothing much with too much going on outside the ring.)

PFC attacked Kai post-match but Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane made the save. Sane wiped out PFC with a dive. Sky had her back turned, so Morgan laid her out with Oblivion. Morgan stood tall.

********

Drew McIntyre video

There was a Drew McIntyre pre-taped video promo. McIntyre called HIAC the most violent match of his career, and he suffered massive blood loss. He had to return to Scotland after that because his family needed him. While he was away, he wondered if he was wrong and wondered if everyone else was right. Maybe people could change.

But then he watched Survivor Series. Roman Reigns teamed with Punk. Sami Zayn and the Usos were right there with them, even after everything Reigns did. At least Punk took a bribe. The rest of them sold out for nothing. That’s when he knew he had to return to take out Zayn and Jey Uso. He can’t change the past, but he can change the present, “and I will change the future.”

********

[SECOND HOUR]

Joe Tessitore gave a shout-out to Barry Sanders, a native of Wichita. He also gave a shout-out to another Wichita native, MrBeast of all people.

There was a video recap of the New Day angle last week.

Cody Rhodes was shown leaving a meeting with Pearce. He bumped into Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Rhodes said he’s known them a long time. He’s known Woods since they were kids. But they should both be ashamed of themselves. Kingston and Woods left.

(I believe Woods and Rhodes were both high school wrestlers and faced each other representing different schools.)

********

Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn segment

Rollins entered. He said Punk had a career as a politician in his future because he knew how to spin the truth. Punk spun the truth and played the victim. He’s been doing it his entire life. He was a fraud and a con man.

Rollins told his version of the story. He did go to Punk and asked for training. Punk helped him get in the door. They were friends. The part of the story Punk left out tells you why Rollins hated him.

When Punk walked out of the company, Rollins called him as a friend. Punk never responded. It wasn’t just Rollins. Punk did it to everyone. If your priorities didn’t line up with Team Punk, you were evil. For the next ten years, all Punk tried to do was tear this company down. He took any shot he could.

Punk finally came back because he failed at everything. He burned every bridge—and the money was right. The crowd chanted for Punk.

Rollins used to respect Punk. He wanted to be just like him. But he realized Punk was a fraud and wanted to be better. Whatever Punk has done in this ring, Rollins has done it twice. Rollins also did the one thing Punk never did and that was main event WrestleMania.

Sami Zayn interrupted. Zayn admitted it was wrong of him to accuse Rollins of attacking Jey. Zayn knew him better than that. Zayn apologized. Rollins spoke about how close they were and that their kids played together, so he wanted to know why he was the first person Zayn thought of when Jey went down.

Zayn said Rollins was out of his mind last week. He was pointing his finger at everyone else and acted like the only person with moral clarity. He sounded less like Rollins and more like McIntyre. Rollins was a better person than McIntyre but this thing with Punk brought out the worst person in him.

Zayn admitted he shouldn’t have gotten involved. The issue with Punk was Rollins’ business, and he could handle it however he wanted. Rollins appreciated it. Zayn asked if they were good. Rollins said yes. Rollins said Zayn now had his own issues with McIntyre to deal with. He left.

Zayn wanted to end things with McIntyre as quickly as they’d started, so he spoke to Pearce and got a match against McIntyre at SNME. “Drew, I will see you Saturday.” As Zayn left, McIntyre blindsided him. McIntyre hammered away at him until officials stepped in.

********

Women’s IC title tournament first-round triple threat match: Lyra Valkyria defeated Ivy Nile and Zelina Vega (7:46)

Continuing the trend, they went to break 47 seconds into this. As Valkyria and Nile traded counters, Vega nailed them both with a senton. Vega took a page out of Rey Mysterio’s book and gave Nile a sliding powerbomb outside the ring. Later on, Nile simultaneously gave both women a German suplex. Vega hit Nile a Code Red, but Valkyria broke up the cover. Valkyria gave Nile a Nightwing for the pinfall win. Valkyria advances.

********

New Day segment

Cathy Kelley tried interviewing Kingston and Woods backstage. They were loudly booed and greeted with “New Day sucks” chants. Kingston and Woods were dismissive of her unbiased questioning and decided they should go to the ring. Woods grabbed a camera away from the cameraperson and went to the ring with Kingston. (He put the camera down once they entered.)

The crowd continued to chant, “New Day sucks.” They loudly booed as Kingston spoke. He said after the ten years of positivity that the two of them gave the fans, “You’re this mad over one day?” Woods couldn’t speak because the crowd kept booing. Fans chanted, “We want Big E.” Woods responded, “We didn’t even do anything to E!”

Kingston said they could’ve taken a steel chair to E’s back or a sledgehammer to the back of his head. Kingston may have had more examples but stopped because of the crowd. They chanted for Big E again. Woods had more to stay but was drowned out again. They both dropped their mics and left.

This was great.

********

SNME card:

World Heavyweight Championship triple threat match: Gunther vs. Finn Bálor vs. Damian Priest
Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre
Women’s World Championship match: Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky
Women’s United States Championship Tournament final
Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens

********

Anything Goes Match: Rhea Ripley defeated Raquel Rodriguez (8:07)

Ripley attacked Rodriguez during her entrance, and the match began once they entered the ring. Ripley was all over Rodriguez and grabbed a table, but Rodriguez grabbed her and gave her a fallaway slam onto the announce desk.

They dropped each other with big boots after a break. Ripley went on offence and (safely) dropkicked a chair into Rodriguez’s face. Rodriguez dumped Ripley face-first onto the top turnbuckle for two. They messed up whatever spot they had planned involving a chair, so Ripley nailed her with another chair to make up for it.

It was time for more interference, so Morgan ran out. Ripley yanked her into the ring, but Rodriguez booted Ripley and slammed her on some chairs for two. Ripley avoided a Tejana Bomb and headbutted Rodriguez. Ripley set up for Rip-tide, but Morgan saved Rodriguez. Ripley fought them off initially, but Morgan gave her an Oblivion.

Sky ran out and took out Morgan with a springboard dropkick and suicide dive.

Rodriguez set up a table but Ripley drove her shoulder-first into a chair that was wedged in the corner. Ripley followed with a Rip-tide through a table for the pinfall win. The crowd was happy.

This was a perfectly cromulent street fight.

— After the match, Sky and Ripley both grabbed the title belt. They stood face-to-face as the show ended.

AEW Collision live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kyle Fletcher Continental Classic match

Posted on December 7, 2024December 7, 2024 by Suit Williams

Reigning AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will face Kyle Fletcher as part of the Continental Classic on tonight’s AEW Collision from the GalaxyCon convention in Columbus, Ohio.

Okada comes into the Blue league match with four points while Fletcher is leading the pack with six. This will be their first match since Okada bested Fletcher in September.

In another Blue league match, reigning TNT Champion Daniel Garcia will take on Mark Briscoe for the first time ever. Garcia has four points while Briscoe has yet to score a single point.

The show will also feature Gold league action as Darby Allin and Komander meet for the first time ever with both in search of their first point.

In a semifinal of the AEW qualifier portion of the Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup, Willow Nightingale will face Serena Deeb.

Mina Shirakawa will prepare for her challenge of AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May this Wednesday as she takes on Emi Sakura.

**********

This week’s Collision comes from Columbus, Ohio as part of the GalaxyCon convention. The show started with announcers Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness running down the card before throwing to a video package of the past week’s Continental Classic action.

Continental Classic Gold League Match – Darby Allin [3 points, 1-1 record] defeated Komander [0, 0-3]

This match intrigued me on paper and was a stellar match in execution. Allin using mat work to both allow Komander to shine in the air and catch him with a flash pin to win was a smart format for the match. More matches should end with flash pins to keep the fans on their toes, so I have no issue with the finish. Komander is essentially done as far as advancement, but I hope he gets a win to prove his worth to the fans.

This is essentially an elimination match for Komander, as it will be hard to finish in the top two of the Gold League with a maximum of six or seven points. The two started out fast, with Allin working to keep the match on the mat. Allin hooked on a Scorpion Death Lock to force Komander into the ropes. Komander had a ropewalk armdrag countered into a flash pin but came back with a springboard moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Komander hit a step-up Phoenix Splash for a nearfall.

Komander took Allin to the floor and hit a step-up forearm off of the turnbuckle. Allin dumped Komander into the ring steps and sat him on a chair, but Komander ducked the ensuing suicide dive and sent Allin into the chair with a disgusting crunch. After the commercial, Komander evaded a Coffin Splash into the barricade and hit Allin with a side kick for a nearfall. After a meeting of the minds, Allin came back with strikes and a Code Red for a nearfall.

Allin went to the top rope, but Komander followed him up and caught him with a little Spanish Fly for a nearfall. Allin cut off a Komander springboard and hung him over the ropes for a Coffin Drop. Allin hit a suicide dive, but Komander came back in the ring with a poisonrana. Komander hit a monkey flip on the apron before following with a dive of his own. Komander dumped Allin back in the ring and went for the ropewalk Shooting Star Press, but Allin moved and caught Komander with a version of the Last Supper flash pin to score the win.

International Champion Konosuke Takeshita & Don Callis were backstage with Renee Paquette. He began to brag about the Callis Family’s recent success when Powerhouse Hobbs entered the scene. Hobbs was angry that Callis never talked to him after he got hurt in the summer and challenged Takeshita for the International Championship. Callis noted that Hobbs did deserve better, but that Takeshita had multiple international bookings as champion and hurried him away.

International Women’s Cup Qualifier Tournament Semi Final Match – Willow Nightingale defeated Serena Deeb

This was a solid match. Hayter vs. Willow is a pretty big match in the women’s division, and it’s got some stakes with the spot at the Tokyo Dome on the line.

That prefix is a mouthful, so to put it simply: the winner of this match wrestles Jamie Hayter next week on Collision. The winner of that match will be AEW’s representative in the International Women’s Cup on January 5^th at New Japan’s Wrestle Dynasty event.

Deeb came out with a shirt that said “Nobody Cares,” playing off of Britt Baker’s recent comments about her. I’m not sure how many of those will sell. The two went back and forth to start, countering each other’s finishers before Nightingale hit a Perfect Plex for a nearfall. Deeb came back with a neckbreaker in the ropes before dumping Nightingale to the floor.

After a commercial break, Nightingale made her comeback, scoring a nearfall with a Main Event Spinebuster. Deeb held onto Nightingale’s leg to counter the powerbomb before hammering Nightingale with multiple lariats. Deeb hit a hammerlock lariat for a nearfall. Nightingale countered the Detox into an Oklahoma Stampede for a nearfall. Deeb evaded a cannonball and hit the Detox for a nearfall. Nightingale came back with a Pounce before hitting the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.

Next week on Collision, Nightingale will wrestle Jamie Hayter, with the winner going to Wrestle Dynasty on January 5^th as AEW’s representative in the International Women’s Cup.

Thunder Rosa was backstage with Renee Paquette. Rosa noted that she had beaten both Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa the last time she faced both women and made her intentions on challenging the winner of Wednesday’s Women’s Title match clear.

We got a recap of Wednesday’s angle involving the Death Riders, Jay White, Hangman Page, & PAC.

Death Riders Town Hall

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Marina Shafir, PAC, & Wheeler Yuta came to the ring. Moxley said that nobody in the building wanted to be the AEW World Champion, even if they thought otherwise. They weren’t ready to make the sacrifices necessary to be champion, and they weren’t worthy of even looking at the title. Moxley ran down all three of the men that fought him off on Wednesday, calling Jay White a child and calling Hangman Page self-destructive. He said that Cassidy proved that he wasn’t the man his peers believed him to be, which drew “bullsh*t” chants from the crowd. He regretted allowing Cassidy to leave Full Gear with his skull intact, and told Cassidy that he would eliminate him if he kept getting in his business.

Orange Cassidy promptly came out and rolled into the ring unafraid of the Death Riders. Cassidy said that while he could live with never being AEW World Champion, he couldn’t live with Moxley as AEW World Champion. He promised not to stop until Moxley wasn’t the champion anymore, with the only way to stop him being to kill him. Cassidy threw his gear at the Death Riders and dared them to fight him.

Shafir hit Cassidy from behind with the briefcase containing the World Title before the Death Riders laid the boots to him. PAC and Yuta carried Cassidy to the back before the commercial break.

FTR was backstage. Cash Wheeler talked about the devastation to the Carolinas and the upcoming Fight For The Fallen event when they were interrupted by the Death Riders continuing their beatdown on Orange Cassidy. They were about to pour another bottle of chemical cleaner down his throat when FTR stepped up to break things up. They stared down the Death Riders as they backed out of the building.

Continental Classic Blue League Match – Kyle Fletcher [9, 3-0] defeated Kazuchika Okada [4, 1-1-1]

A stunning result here, and a real message that Fletcher is to be taken as seriously as possible as a threat now that he’s bought into the Callis Family. This result all but assures that Fletcher will be one of the two top point-getters in the Blue League. I didn’t like how quickly they went to a commercial for All In after the match, not giving the result a longer chance to set in.

The winner of this match will have the outright lead in the Blue League with two matches to go.

The two men started slowly, backing each other into the ropes before Okada hammered Fletcher with a forearm. Fletcher responded with a big scoop slam before posing to big boos. Okada came back with a low dropkick that sent Fletcher to the floor before dropping him with a DDT on the floor. Okada hammered Fletcher with uppercuts on the floor before Fletcher caught him with a draping DDT in the ring.

After a commercial break, Fletcher cut off an attempted Okada comeback with a leg lariat. Okada came back with a flurry, ending with a DDT for a nearfall. Okada locked on the Money Clip, but Fletcher fought out with a half-and-half suplex. Okada came back with a flapjack before setting up his big moves. Fletcher ducked the Rainmaker but ran right into the dropkick before rolling to the floor.

Okada followed Fletcher to the floor and went for his signature Tombstone on the outside, but Fletcher caught him with a half-and-half suplex on the floor. Okada beat the ten count, then kicked out of the Everest Powerbomb for a nearfall to AEW chants. Okada caught Fletcher with the spinning lariat, but Fletcher ducked the Rainmaker again. The two traded strikes before Okada incidentally sent Fletcher into the referee. Fletcher hit Okada with a low blow, then hit the Brainbuster to score the win. The announcers sold this result as a very big deal, as they should have. The only other person to pin Okada since he’s come into AEW was Bryan Danielson.

We got a video package hyping the big matches on the Winter Is Coming Dynamite this Wednesday.

The Beast Mortos defeated Aaron Solo

Mortos is in the Continental Classic, but he’s wrestling a non-tournament match here. Mortos killed this poor guy with the Bane-style backbreaker and the powerbomb over the knee before putting him away with the spinning lariat.

After the match, it was announced that Mortos would be wrestling Kazuchika Okada on next week’s Collision in Continental Classic action.

Top Flight, Lio Rush, & Action Andretti were backstage with Renee Paquette, who asked what happened between the four men in the Dynamite Dozen Royale with Cheese when Rush and Andretti dumped the Martins. Rush and Andretti were tired of the Martins losing every opportunity they had gotten, and wanted to go for the tag team titles themselves. The four agreed to a match somewhere down the line.

Mina Shirakawa defeated Emi Sakura

I’ve said it several times, but Sakura is a quality enhancement talent that I hope gets used more often. A solid enhancement match to set Shirakawa up for her title match at Winter Is Coming.

Thunder Rosa was in the crowd watching this match. Sakura whipped Shirakawa with her entrance jacket to get a jump start, but Shirakawa came back with kicks. Sakura clawed at Shirakawa’s arm to counter an Irish whip, something I’ve never seen before, then chopped Shirakawa repeatedly. Shirakawa laid in more kicks before Sakura caught her leg and bit it to cut her off.

After a commercial, Shirakawa came back with a pair of rebound kicks, with Sakura pulling Shirakawa’s hair to break the pin. Sakura hit a spinning neckbreaker before hitting a stalling butterfly backbreaker for a nearfall. The two traded strikes before Shirakawa hit a second-rope Slingblade for a nearfall. Sakura tried to pull the referee in the way, but Shirakawa vaulted over the referee to hit a spinning splash. Shirakawa hit another second-rope Slingblade for the win.

We got a Renee Paquette-narrated video package hyping the Mariah May vs. Mina Shirakawa title match at Winter Is Coming.

We got footage from Daniel Garcia & Mark Briscoe with Renee Paquette last night ahead of their Continental Classic match next. Briscoe noted that he had a terrible track record in the Continental Classic but would always pick himself back up. Garcia said that he was the same kind of guy and promised to bring the fight to Briscoe. They shook hands to end the interview.

Continental Classic Blue League Match – Mark Briscoe [3, 1-2] defeated Daniel Garcia [4, 1-1-1]

A good main event with two babyfaces looking to redeem themselves after last year’s Continental Classic. This result leaves Kyle Fletcher five points clear of everyone else in the Blue League, all but assuredly putting him in the playoffs at Worlds End.

A loss here would essentially eliminate Briscoe from contention.

Corbin Bernson of Major League and Psych was in the front row. Garcia went for a few flash pins to start, then got aggressive by piefacing Briscoe in the corner. Briscoe came back with loud chops before sending Garcia to the floor. Briscoe followed Garcia to the floor with a cannonball dive before planting Garcia on the apron with a backbreaker. Briscoe teased the Cactus Jack elbow to the floor, but Garcia slid in the ring and knocked Briscoe to the floor with a running knee. The two traded strikes on the floor, with Garcia hitting Briscoe with a shotgun dropkick on the floor.

After a commercial, Briscoe was in control, setting up a superplex. The two swung on each other before falling to the apron and the floor. They both got back in the ring and traded strikes before Garcia laid out Briscoe with a lariat. Briscoe came back before dragging Garcia to the floor and hitting the Cactus Jack elbow.

Briscoe hit a big lariat in the ring and strung some offense together, scoring a nearfall with a fisherman’s buster. Briscoe hit a Death Valley Driver to set up the Froggy Bow, but Garcia cut him off. Garcia hit a superplex and a piledriver for a nearfall. Garcia set Briscoe up for the top-rope piledriver, but Briscoe knocked him down and hit the Froggy Bow for a nearfall.

Garcia countered the Jay Driller with the jackknife pin for a nearfall. Briscoe fired up after a Saito Suplex. He cut off another suplex and pulled out the old Cut Throat Driver, an early finisher of his, to score the win and his first three points in the tournament.

WWE NXT Deadline live results: Men’s & women’s Iron Survivor Challenges

Posted on December 7, 2024December 7, 2024 by Marc Quill

The men’s and women’s Iron Survivor Challenges return as part of tonight’s WWE NXT Deadline from the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The winners will get title matches at January’s New Year’s Evil.

The men’s Challenge will feature Wes Lee vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Nathan Frazer vs. Ethan Page vs. Eddy Thorpe while the women’s Challenge will see Sol Ruca vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Zaria vs. Giulia vs. Wren Sinclair.

The NXT Championship will be on the line as Trick Williams defends against Ridge Holland. Williams is looking for his third title defense while Holland is chasing his first NXT singles title.

The NXT Tag Team titles will also be defended as Nathan Frazer & Axiom defend against Myles Borne & Tavion Heights of the No Quarter Catch Crew. Frazier & Axiom have defended the gold five times.

The main card is rounded out by a NXT Underground fight between Lola Vice and Jaida Parker.

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Countdown to NXT Deadline 2024

– As the Countdown show kicked off, we opened with an announcement from NXT General Manager Ava, saying that we’ll have a replacement in the Men’s Iron Survivor Match tonight since Eddy Thorpe is unable to compete due to the attack he suffered this past Tuesday on NXT on The CW.

– Wes Lee was interviewed about the Iron Survivor Match by Sarah Schreiber. He denied attacking Eddy Thorpe, but said that Thorpe should be happy that he won’t be winning Iron Survivor.

– While the Countdown panel talked about Trick Williams vs. Ridge Holland, we saw a clip from Williams on Instagram where he said that he’d been cleared to defend his NXT Championship tonight.

– The NXT Tag Team Champions FrAxiom were interviewed about their busy night ahead of them this evening at Deadline, with Nathan Frazer set to compete in the Men’s Iron Survivor and also defending the Tag Titles against the No-Quarter Catch Crew.

– During the preview of the NXT Underground match between Lola Vice & Jaida Parker, we got separate remarks from both competitors ahead of this showdown.

– Just as the Countdown show wrapped, we got word from the Armory that Ava has found a fifth competitor for the Men’s Iron Survivor Match, but we didn’t find out just yet.

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NXT Deadline 2024

– After the Then, Now, Forever signature, we were welcomed to the show by Vic Joseph, live from the Armory in Minneapolis, MN. We got a look at various NXT wrestlers arriving at the arena before the cold open began.

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Oba Femi (3), def. Wes Lee (1), Je’von Evans (2), Nathan Frazer (1), and Ethan Page (2)

Evans drew the first spot in the match, while Lee drew the second spot in the match to start us off. Things started off fast with Evans going for the early pinfall attempt. He followed that up with a dropkick to Lee to maintain the early advantage.

Standing Shooting Star by Evans was easily kicked out by Lee, but the former Rascalz member regained momentum with a unique back suplex from the corner. Lee maintained control over Evans with repeated body shots to the back. Things picked up as Evans hit his springboard hurricanrana, but was met by a double stomp from Lee. That’s followed up by a suicide dive to the outside.

Evans answered back with punches to Lee, followed by a spinout slam for the near-fall. Evans’ cutter attempt was caught by Lee as the time almost ran out. With the time just about to hit the five minute mark, Lee got a cheap rope-assisted pin to score the first point in the match, which sent Evans to the penalty box.

Nathan Frazer has entered Iron Survivor

Frazer ran in and had the clear upper hand on Lee as he used his acrobatic offense to leave Lee rattled. At ringside, while Lee and Frazer brawled, Evans’ time in the penalty box ended and he caught both Lee and Frazer with a dive over the top rope.

The action continued in the ring with all three men exchanging offense. Evans slammed Lee with a modified pumphandle slam for the two-count. Evans sent Lee to the outside, but it left him open for a superplex attempt by Frazer. That failed, as Evans blocked it, however, Frazer nailed the Slingblade afterwards. Lots of fast paced action as we reached the nine-minute mark of the match.

Frazer soared through the middle rope to take both Lee and Evans down with a suicide dive as we reached the ten-minute mark and another entrant coming in.

Ethan Page has entered Iron Survivor

As Page entered the ring, he got immediately rolled up by Frazer for the 1, 2, 3, which gave one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions a fall, and sent Page to the penalty box. Once Page’s penalty time was done, he returned the favor and rolled Frazer up to score a fall of his own.

Oba Femi has entered Iron Survivor

Right away, Femi made his presence known and scored his first fall at the expense of Evans, who once again took a seat in the penalty box. Femi planted Frazer with a sitdown powerbomb and looked to have another fall, but Page pulled out the referee at the last second.

As Page argued with the referee, Femi stepped outside the ring and got in Page’s face and he got slammed into the penalty box door. With Evans stuck in the box as the time expired, he scaled the penalty box and leapt on to Femi and Frazer. He then dropped Evans to score his first fall. Now all five competitors were tied at one.

Evans and Femi faced off in the ring for a bit before Frazer entered the fray and teamed up with Evans against Femi in the corner. The former North American Champion overpowered both men and placed him on his shoulders. Lee stepped into the ring and kicked Femi as Frazer and Evans joined in on this impromptu superkick party.

Femi, however, stayed dominant and planted Evans with his powerbomb. Page snuck in from behind with the sneaky rollup to take the lead with 2 falls to everyone else’s 1. Just as quickly as Page’s lead was gained, it was lost as Evans got him in a pin. This now forced Page to be in the same penalty box as Femi.

Naturally, Page was scared to be in the same penalty box as Femi, and with good reason. Femi proceeded to make Page pay for his skulduggery by beating him down inside the box just as his penalty time wrapped.

As the match reached its final 90 seconds, the action just spilled out in in the ring as Femi remained as dominant as ever. With one minute remaining, Femi fought off both Frazer and Lee as he nailed a double chokeslam to score a double fall to take the lead. Five seconds to go, Evans hit his cutter on Femi, but he couldn’t get the pin in time.

A damn good way to kick things off at Deadline. These Iron Survivor matches have been fantastic and this one was no exception. The return of Oba Femi was expected, but very much welcomed. His presence was sorely missed and with a NXT Title match in his future, we’re in for something big in the coming weeks, pardon the pun.

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– We got remarks from Lexis King, who said that Minneapolis was a place that had a place in his heart, but one that brought unpleasant memories. It was where he was left on the side of the road as a kid, as King said it was worth it to be out in the cold because nothing felt better than the warm air of satisfaction.

NXT Underground Match: Lola Vice def. Jaida Parker

With no ropes for the ring and ringside being surrounded by several people in matching black shirts (said to be “fans” asked to be part of the match), both Parker and Vice made their way for this unique Underground contest.

Vice immediately started off with a kick to Parker’s gut before she mounted him for multiple punches. Parker recovered and slammed down Vice. That advantage got cut off as Vice sent Parker to the outside. Parker regained momentum by sending Vice into the apron as she repeatedly dropped her foe in the ring with slams.

Vice applied a triangle submission on Parker, but got overpowered with a powerbomb. As both women got back up on their feet, Vice responded with repeated strikes. Parker responded with a hard elbow to the face of Vice, but she got caught in an ankle lock afterwards.

Parker reached out for one of the “fans” to break the hold, as Vice then kicked that “fan” in the chest. Outside the ring, Vice tried to go for a spinning backfist, but Parker dodged, which caused Vice’s hand to make hard contact with the LED ringpost.

Inside the ring, Parker attempted to seize the opportunity as she targeted that injured hand of Vice by taking off the glove off said hand. She then put that glove she stole from Vice on her own hand as Parker continued her assault. Parker maintained the assault on the exposed hand of Vice as she grabbed a black belt from ringside.

Parker wrapped the black belt around Vice’s exposed hand used it for a submission around the ring post. Vice refused to submit as she turned it around and sent Parker into the ring post. Vice used the belt to briefly catch Parker flatfooted, but a headbutt followed by the Samoan drop brought things back in Parker’s favour.

Outside the ring, Parker scaled the ringpost and dropped onto Vice, who was splayed across the ringsteps. Inside the ring, Parker mistakenly went for a pinfall, despite the fact that there were no pins in this match.

Vice reversed a Parker submission into a sleeper hold, but got slammed on her back. Parker grabbed a brick from outside the ring and looked to use it as a weapon, but she got caught with a strike from Vice. As Parker went to grab the brick, Vice caught her with the backfist, and she put Parker to sleep with the Anaconda submission to end the match.

A fine enough match that certainly took advantage of the unique Underground gimmick, and it had the suitable amount of brutality for a match that featured someone like Vice, who has a strong MMA background.

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– Backstage, FrAxiom commiserated with one another, as Axiom promised to do most of the heavy lifting in their upcoming NXT Tag Title defense against No-Quarter Catch Club, with Frazer banged up after the Iron Survivor Challenge.

NXT Tag Team Championship: FrAxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) def. No-Quarter Catch Club (Myles Borne & Tavion Heights)

Frazer agreed to start off the match despite being banged up. Borne took down Frazer with a shoulder block, which sent Frazer to tag Axiom into the match.

Heights was tagged in and he opted to use his mat wrestling prowess in an attempt to get the advantage over Axiom. At one point, Axiom tried to tag Frazer, who was in no hurry to get into the match, which gave Heights the opening to slam down his championship foe.

Frazer finally tagged in as he and Axiom hit a nice tag team move on Borne. The OTM duo appeared at ringside to get a closer look of the action, which allowed NQCC to gain some momentum. Things broke down in the ring as FrAxiom took down both Borne and Heights with repeated dives. Frazer was momentarily stopped by his hurt back, which allowed Heights to take down Axiom. Inside the ring, Heights threw Frazer into the OTM tandem, which led to them being escorted out of the ringside area.

The No-Quarter Catch Crew continued to have command of the match as Borne worked over the banged-up Frazer in the ring. Frazer’s attempt to make a tag to Axiom got cut down as Borne threw him down for a reverse-forward Fallaway Slam of sorts. Heights tagged himself in again nailed a powerful powerslam on Frazer.

Frazer tried to create some separation between him and Heights, but the Olympic wrestler snuffed that out with a Dominator for the two. Frazer finally was able to reach Axiom for the tag after he warded off Borne. Axiom was a house of fire as he teed off on Heights and Borne with a flurry of furious offense.

Heights got caught in a submission by Axiom, but he escaped and overpowered his masked opponent with a fierce slam for the near-fall. Heights rolled through and dropped Axiom with an impressive Death Valley Driver for yet another two-count. Axiom managed to stop the NQCC onslaught by sending Heights outside, which gave him a chance to tag Frazer in.

Frazer leapt off the rope for a springboard 450 on Heights, but that wasn’t enough. He ascended to the top and looked to have Heights at his mercy, but he got flattened with a release German suplex. NQCC nailed a double team powerbomb, but Axiom with the last-second rescue that prolonged this match.

With Borne on the top rope, he got caught with the avalanche Spanish Fly by Axiom, followed by Frazer’s Phoenix Splash. Heights broke up the count at two.

Axiom accidentally nailed Frazer with a missile dropkick, as he then got crushed by a clothesline by Borne. Heights dropped Frazer across the apron as he and Borne hit their double team DDT. 1… 2… NO! Heights got caught with a Canadian Destroyer as a series of rollups between Borne and Axiom ended with Axiom getting the pin on Borne to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat once more.

The story of FrAxiom continuing to defy the odds, their bickering, and accidental friendly fire was on full display here in this contest and it’s genuinely enjoyable stuff, which has led to their matches being exciting. This was another one on that list. Just tremendous tag team action once again from Axiom and Nathan Frazer. Both Borne and Heights also showed up and showed out here too. Fantastic match.

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– Je’von Evans was interviewed about just coming up short in Iron Survivor, as Wes Lee admonished him for not being upset. Lee suckerpunched Evans afterwards.

NXT Championship Match: Trick Williams def. Ridge Holland

Holland started off strong as he pounced on Williams in the corner, followed by an overhead suplex. He looked to hit the Redeemer DDT, but Williams fought out of it immediately. He then took down Holland with a spear, as he continued to punch away at his challenger. Holland floored Williams with a clothesline to the back of the head.

Williams answered with a clothesline of his own as he sent Holland to the outside of the ring. Ridge got another clothesline on Williams, but he got sent face-first onto the LED ringpost. Williams caught Holland with a neckbreaker for a two-count. The NXT Champion maintained control with a splash in the corner, but whiffed on a second attempt at a splash.

Holland took advantage of a neck guillotine on Williams as he began to target that injured neck of his wounded foe. Neckbreaker by Holland but Williams managed to kick out. He then trapped the Champion in a Tree of Woe position as he wrenched at Williams’ neck from outside the ring. Holland continued his assault on a defenseless Williams as he then tied it across the top rope.

Williams tried to stop Holland’s momentum with a surprise DDT, which left both men down and out in the ring. As both Williams and Holland got back to their feet, the Champion began his rally with a series of kicks, followed by the flapjack to Holland. Book-End attempt by Williams got countered into a Crossface by Holland.

Attempted Trickshot knee countered by Holland with a double dip of slams on Williams. One, two… no dice. Holland headed up top, but Williams got out of the way at the last second as he then nailed Holland with a kick to the head.

Across opposite corners, Williams and Holland with simultaneous kicks to one another that hit their mark as both men fall down. At ringside, Holland tackled Williams onto the apron as he tore apart the announce table. His attempt at a powerbomb got countered by Williams. Inside the ring, Holland dodged Williams, which caused him to get caught across the top and middle ropes by the neck. Holland took advantaged and hit the Redeemer. One, two… Trick kicked out!

In the closing moments, Holland missed with a shoulder thrust into the corner as Williams took him down with the spinning kick, followed by the Trickshot knee and the one, two, three to remain the ace of NXT.

Probably not as strong as what came before it tonight on the Deadline card, but it was still a rather enjoyable match, even with the crowd not quite into it as they were for other matches. This was basically a match designed to give Trick a successful and strong title defense ahead of his upcoming showdown with Oba Femi in the near future.

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– Ethan Page was interviewed about his loss earlier tonight. He complained that it took eighteen years for him to reach the mountaintop and that he doesn’t know what to do next after having failed again.

– Elsewhere, NXT GM Ava announced that Je’von Evans and Wes Lee will go one on one, and that New Years Evil in a couple of weeks will be live in Los Angeles. Tiffany Stratton paid a visit to Ava’s office and hinted that she might cash in her Money in the Bank contract when Roxanne Perez defends her NXT Title at New Years Evil against the Women’s Iron Survivor Winner.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Giulia def. Wren Sinclair, Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria, and Sol Ruca

Giulia and Sinclair were the first two to open this match as the bell sounded on our main event.

Sinclair tried for an early pin, as Giulia responded with a pin of her own. We then got a test of strength between the two that Sinclair surprisingly able to gain a momentary advantage on before Giulia turned it around. Back and forth pinfall exchanges between the two opponents ended with a stalemate.

Some really good mat wrestling between Giulia and Sinclair here in the early stages of the match as neither woman could get a definitive upper hand so far. As we got to the four-minute mark, Giulia had Sinclair in another submission hold. Once the clock hit 4:50, Giulia tried for a submission but couldn’t get Sinclair to submit as another entrant entered.

Sol Ruca has entered Iron Survivor

Ruca started off furiously with an amazing double dropkick to Giulia and Sinclair. She then lifted Giulia and spun her around before she stood on her for the surfboard. She slammed Sinclair on top of Giulia., but found herself caught in a submission by Sinclair.

Giulia doubled up Ruca and Sinclair with a dual submission on both women. We got another chain of submissions between the three women for a brief moment. Fujiwara armbar by Sinclair on Ruca is followed by a kneebar on Giulia. Some really nice submission holds being dished out here as we reached eight minutes in this match.

Sinclair sped things up with a takedown on Ruca followed by the body splash. Action was fast and furious as Giulia scored the first fall of the match with a Northern Lights Bomb on Sinclair as we got another entrant entering.

Zaria has entered Iron Survivor

Zaria unleashed her power game on Giulia and Ruca as she took both of them down with a double suplex, two for the price of one. And speaking of two for the price of one, Ruca managed to hit a double Sol Snatcher on Giulia and Zaria, but couldn’t get a pin on them as they rolled out. As Sinclair got out of her penalty, she instantly fell victim to a Sol Snatcher from Ruca and the one, two, three, which sent Sinclair back to penalty.

Ruca and Zaria fought it out on the apron as a German suplex attempt was blocked. Giulia joined in and hit a double team powerbomb on Zaria through the announce table! Sinclair left the penalty box and tried to get an easy pin, but to no avail. With Giulia and Sinclair fighting at ringside, Ruca did a somersault splash over the top rope onto the two opponents.

Stephanie Vaquer has entered Iron Survivor

We now have all five Iron Survivor competitors in the fray as Vaquer went after Sinclair and Ruca across opposite corners. Sinclair tried to kick away at Vaquer, but got slammed for his trouble. A breakup by Giulia led to a staredown between her and Vaquer. Before there could be any fighting between the two long-time rivals-turned-friends, Zaria dragged Vaquer out of the ring and threw her into the penalty box.

As Zaria cleared out the ring, she got caught in a sleeper hold by Giulia. However, the Australian was too powerful as she placed Giulia on her shoulder and hit a cannonball onto a prone Vaquer in the corner. Zaria with the F5 on Giulia and she was on the board now, tied with Ruca and Giulia for one falls a piece.

Zaria headed up top and got Sinclair and Ruca with a double moonsault that took both women down. As Giulia’s penalty ended, she went right after Zaria and took Ruca and Sinclair down with a double DDT. Double missile dropkick on Sinclair and Ruca, which itself doubled as a senton onto Zaria. What a move.

Vaquer re-entered the contest with a kick to the back of Sinclair’s head as she and Giulia finally got a chance to face off. They took down Ruca and Zaria and traded headbutts briefly before Vaquer hit his signature head slam with her legs.

Things began to get crazy as Vaquer scored a pin on Sinclair to create a four-way tie with two minutes to go. Ruca landed a springboard double clothesline on Vaquer and Giulia as we reached the last minute of play with Sinclair leaving the penalty box.

Uncharted territory as Sinclair got a pin on Ruca as we got a five way tie momentarily. With about 30 seconds to go, things picked up immensely as Giulia scored the Arriverderci knee on Zaria to get the last-second lead. Vaquer tried in vain to tie things up, but time ran out on her. Giulia is your Iron Survivor.

As expected, the women knocked it out of the park and this was by far the match of the night for me. This was the perfect showcase for how top-heavy and deep NXT’s women’s division is. As the action picked up with all five women in the ring, it just became a whirlwind to the finish and I enjoyed the sense of urgency that took over by the end. A hell of a main event to end a solid night of action for WWE’s silver and black brand.

UFC 310 live results: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura flyweight title fight

Posted on December 7, 2024December 7, 2024 by Ryan Frederick

It’s the final UFC pay-per-view of 2024 as the Octagon returns to Las Vegas for a stacked UFC 310 card at the T-Mobile Arena.

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja makes his second title defense in the main event as he welcomes former two-time Rizin bantamweight champion Kai Asakura to the UFC. Pantoja is coming off a May title defense over Steve Erceg while Asakura becomes only the fourth fighter to get a title shot in their UFC debut.

In the co-main event, it is a pivotal five-round welterweight bout between undefeated fighters Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry. Rakhmonov was originally scheduled to challenge UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the main event, but a foot infection forced Muhammad out. Rakhmonov elected to put his title shot on the line and remain on the card with Garry stepping in on short notice.

Also on the main card is a heavyweight bout between Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov as well as a pair of featherweight bouts as Bryce Mitchell takes on Kron Gracie, and Nate Landwehr meets Doo Ho Choi.

The prelims are loaded with high-profile fighters, among them being former title challengers Dominick Reyes and Anthony Smith, former TUF winners Michael Chiesa and Bryan Battle, and former UFC champions Chris Weidman and Aljamain Sterling.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Heavyweights- Kennedy Nzechukwu (13-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. Lukasz Brzeski (9-5-1 1 NC, 1-4 UFC)

Brzeski with a leg kick. Nzechukwu lands a combination. Brzeski lands a right hand. They trade in close range and Nzechukwu lands a head kick. Brzeski lands a leg kick then a right hand. Nzechukwu with a short right hook. Brzeski grabs a leg and lands a left hook. Nzechukwu with a jab then a left hand. Nzechukwu with a head kick. Brzeski with a combo then a jab. Brzeski landing with more volume. Nzechukwu lands a knee. They trade and Nzechukwu with a nice right hook. Brzeski with a series of leg kicks. Nzechukwu lands a left hand. Nzechukwu drops Brzeski with a right hook and then finishes it off with some follow-up shots! Great finish from Nzechukwu.

Official Result- Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Lukasz Brzeski by TKO (punches) at 4:51 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Clay Guida (38-24, 18-18 UFC) vs. Chase Hooper (14-3-1, 6-3 UFC)

They trade in close range. They trade and Hooper grabs the neck, but Guida escapes the position. Hooper lands a left hand. They tie up and Hooper is looking for a takedown against the fence. Hooper scores the takedown and is in three-quarter mount. Guida is able to scramble to his feet, but Hooper gets a quick takedown. They get up and Guida lands an uppercut before they go to the mat. Hooper gets the back and is working. Guida is able to escape as they get up. They roll to the mat and Hooper has the back. Hooper landing from the back and the top. Hooper looks for an armbar and has it in and Guida taps! Hooper with the impressive submission finish.

Official Result- Chase Hooper def. Clay Guida by submission (armbar) at 3:41 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Michael Chiesa (17-7, 12-7 UFC) vs. Max Griffin (20-10, 8-8 UFC)

Chiesa lands a left hand. He lands another before scoring a takedown. Chiesa has the back as they get to their knees. They stand and Chiesa is on the back with both hooks in. Chiesa lets go and they separate. Griffin connects with a right hand. Chiesa with a front kick up the middle. They both connect with punches. Chiesa with a left hand and a knee to the body. Griffin lands a right hand. Chiesa gets a takedown but Griffin scrambles up. Chiesa gets the back as they scramble down to the mat and lands an elbow. 10-9 Chiesa.

They trade to start. Chiesa pushes it against the fence, but they break apart. Chiesa with a high kick and they both throw before clinching against the fence. Griffin reverses and is pressuring Chiesa against the fence. They break and Chiesa lands an uppercut before they go back to the clinch. They separate. Chiesa tries a takedown, but lands several uppercuts as he pushes Griffin to the fence. Chiesa with some knees. 10-9 Chiesa, 20-18 Chiesa.

Griffin coming forward and Chiesa is circling away. Griffin swings but is unable to connect. Chiesa gets a takedown and gets on the back of Griffin. Chiesa with some left hands as he locks in a rear-naked choke. Griffin is trying to fight it off, but he ends up tapping. What a showing from Chiesa to get the win!

Official Result- Michael Chiesa def. Max Griffin by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:56 of Round 3

> Flyweights- #14 Cody Durden (17-6-1, 6-4-1 UFC) vs. Joshua Van (11-2, 4-1 UFC)

Durden with a leg kick. Van lands a leg kick and Durden counters with a body kick. Van lands a right hand. Durden shoots for a takedown against the fence. Durden is able to get Van to the mat. They scramble but Durden gets it back to the mat. They get to their feet and are tied up but separate. Van lands a jab and Durden lands a left hand. Van with a stiff jab and a body shot then several jabs. Van lands a combination then a jab and low kick as Durden lands a right hand. Van with a combo. Durden lands a jab. Van lands a combination. Durden looks for a takedown as Van defends with elbows. They trade knees. 10-9 Van.

Durden connects to start the second, then Van connects with several shots and Durden starts backing up. Van with a head kick and Durden moving weirdly. Durden shoots for a takedown as Van lands and defends. Van lands to the body. Van lands a right hand. Durden looks wobbly and exhausted as Van connects. Van with a left hook to the body. Durden shoots for a takedown but Van defends. Durden lands an uppercut. Van with an uppercut. Van with a jab then an uppercut then a combination. Van working the jab and lands a combo. Durden lands some punches. Van with a big combination. Van with an uppercut and works to the body. Durden lands a jab. Van with a right hand. Van with another big right hand and he lands more hard punches. 10-9 Van, 20-18 Van.

Durden with a heavy right hand. Van with a calf kick. Van lands a combination. Van lands to the body. They trade leg kicks. They trade in close range. Van lands a big right hand and Durden lands a right hand. Van with a calf kick. Van with a heavy left hook and Durden looks stunned. Durden shoots for a takedown but Van defends, and Durden goes to his back to rest. Durden is stood up. Van lands a jab. Van with a combination. Van continuing to land with heavy volume. Van with some big shots and Durden loses his mouthpiece. Van with some big punches and lands a knee. Van lands big late. 10-9 Van, 30-27 Van.

Official Result- Joshua Van def. Cody Durden by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)

> 195-pound Catchweights- Chris Weidman (16-7, 12-7 UFC) vs. Eryk Anders (16-8 1 NC, 8-8 1 NC UFC)

Weidman with a pair of body kicks. Weidman with a right hand. Anders shoots for a takedown as they tie up against the fence. Weidman throws a kick, and Anders grabs it, and they trade. Anders hurts Weidman with a head kick. Anders grabs the body lock and trips up Weidman. Anders lands an illegal knee and timeout is called. They get back to action. Weidman with a body kick. Weidman drops Anders with a left hand and Weidman starts landing from the top. Anders has a cut open. Weidman with an elbow. Weidman with another elbow. 10-9 Weidman.

They trade in close range to start the second. Weidman with a right hand and Anders lands a left hand. Anders with a high kick. Anders lands a pair of left hands. Anders scores a takedown and Weidman has the neck. Anders with some right hands from the back. Anders gets to the top and is landing big hammerfists. Anders with lots of shots. Anders with some big elbows. More hammerfists from Anders. Anders with more punches. Anders landing more from the top. He lands more and it is stopped! Anders gets the win after being dropped in the first.

Official Result- Eryk Anders def. Chris Weidman by TKO (punches) at 4:51 of Round 2

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> Welterweights*- Randy Brown (19-5, 13-5 UFC) vs. Bryan Battle (11-2 1 NC, 6-1 1 NC UFC)

*Battle missed weight by four pounds

Brown lands a right hand. Battle with a front kick to the body. Brown throws some jabs. Battle lands a left hand. Brown with a combination to the body and follows it up with more punches. Battle shoots for a takedown but Brown defends. Brown with a left hook then a combination to the body. Brown lands a big right hand. They tie up against the fence and Battle with some knees. Brown gets a takedown and lands a leg kick before Battle gets to his feet. Brown with the jab and Battle lands a leg kick. Brown with a knee and gets a late takedown and lands punches. 10-9 Brown.

Brown lands a flying knee. They clinch and Battle lands some knees before they separate. They clinch again and Battle lands before they break. Battle lands a knee and Brown retreats. They trade before Battle pushes it against the fence. Battle pressuring against the fence and lands some left hands. Battle with a knee as they break. Brown lands an elbow then a flurry to the body. Battle controls in the clinch with an uppercut and some body strikes. Battle with another big knee. 10-9 Battle, 19-19.

Battle with a knee to the body and Brown lands a combo to the body ending with a knee. Brown lands to the body again. Battle looks for a takedown against the fence. Brown showing good defense as Battle lands a knee. They go to the mat but quickly get to their feet. Battle trying for a takedown and Brown landing elbows to defend. Battle with a pair of elbows. They break to the center. Brown with a big flurry to the head and body. Battle with some knees in the clinch. They battle for underhooks. Battle with short body shots. Brown with a knee. Very close fight. 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Brown.

Official Result- Bryan Battle def. Randy Brown by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- #5 Movsar Evloev (18-0, 8-0 UFC) vs. #9 Aljamain Sterling (24-4, 16-4 UFC)

They trade leg kicks as Sterling lands a punch. Sterling gets the back and lands from the back as they’re on the knees. Sterling controlling on the mat as he has the back of Evloev fully controlled. They work to the feet, but Sterling still has the back and gets a big slam. Evloev reverses and gets Sterling’s back as they stand. They scramble and Evloev is in side control. Sterling gets Evloev on his back and lands a back elbow. Close round. 10-9 Sterling.

Sterling gets an early takedown. They scramble and Evloev ends up on top in the crucifix position. They scramble some more and Evloev has the back. Evloev lands some punches. Sterling reverses to his feet but they tie right back up. They separate. Sterling with an elbow. Evloev lands a big right hand and gets a takedown after grabbing a leg. Evloev in the half-guard before getting the back of Sterling. Sterling scrambles as Evloev lands from the top. Evloev lands to the body. 10-9 Evloev, 19-19.

Evloev throwing but not really landing. Evloev tries a spinning back fist but Sterling ducks and gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Sterling has body control and gets a big slam takedown. They scramble up and Sterling maintains body control. Sterling has back control now. Sterling with a knee and gets a takedown. Evloev scrambles and ends up inside the guard of Sterling. Both landing on the mat. Evloev lands a short right hand. Evloev has the back as they stand. Evloev gets it back down and is on the back. Evloev landing from the back. Close fight. 10-9 Sterling, 29-28 Sterling.

Official Result- Movsar Evloev def. Aljamain Sterling by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #14 Vicente Luque (22-10-1, 15-6 UFC) vs. Themba Gorimbo (14-4, 4-1 UFC)

Gorimbo lands a leg kick. Luque with a high kick and Gorimbo counters with a hard leg kick, then lands another. Luque drops Gorimbo with a combo and locks in a D’Arce choke. It is in tight and Gorimbo goes out cold! Wow, what a finish from Luque!

Official Result- Vicente Luque def. Themba Gorimbo by submission (D’Arce choke) at :52 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- #12 Dominick Reyes (13-4, 7-4 UFC) vs. #13 Anthony Smith (37-20, 13-10 UFC)

Reyes lands a left hand and body kick. Reyes with a leg kick. Smith grabs a leg and Reyes lands to defend and almost got a takedown as they separate. Reyes with a leg kick. Smith with a right hand. Timeout for an eye poke but they get back going. They trade as Smith lands a right hand. Reyes with an uppercut and straight left hand. They trade body kicks. Reyes lands a body kick. They trade body kicks and Reyes lands a combo. Smith lands a right hand. Smith with another right hand. Reyes lands a flurry as Smith isn’t defending. Reyes with a left hand. They trade late with Smith landing an elbow. 10-9 Reyes.

Smith grabs the single leg and looks for a takedown but Reyes is landing big elbows to defend. Reyes with short punches now as Smith is still holding on to the leg. Smith goes to the mat and Reyes lands more elbows. Reyes with lots and lots of elbows as Smith is not doing much to defend. Reyes still landing. Reyes in total control and continues to land and it is mercifully stopped. Strong performance from Reyes to pick up the win.

Official Result- Dominick Reyes def. Anthony Smith by TKO (strikes) at 4:46 of Round 2

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> Featherweights- Nate Landwehr (18-5, 5-3 UFC) vs. Doo Ho Choi (15-4-1, 4-3-1 UFC)

Choi with a big uppercut to start. Choi with a big right hand. Choi lands a big left hand. Choi with a jab then a leg kick. Choi with another uppercut. Landwehr lands a leg kick and Choi with a big uppercut and a right hand. Choi gets the back of Landwehr after they tie up. They scramble up and Landwehr lands a knee to the body. Choi with a combo then lands to the body. Choi lands a leg kick. Choi lands to the body as Landwehr lands a right hand. They tie up and Landwehr with a pair of knees. They separate near the end. 10-9 Choi.

Choi lands a combination. Choi mixing to the head and body and lands a hard calf kick. Choi with a right hand and a leg kick. They tie up and Landwehr lands a knee. They trade elbows and separate. Choi with a heavy calf kick. Landwehr lands a spinning elbow and some knees. Choi with a big takedown. Choi moves from side control to the mount and lands. Landwehr scrambles and Choi gets the back. They scramble to their feet, but Choi immediately takes it back down. They scramble back up. 10-9 Choi, 20-18 Choi.

Landwehr lands a right hand and both are swinging. Choi with a leg kick and rocks Landwehr with a right hand. Landwehr lands a right hand. Choi gets it down and is in side control. Choi gets the crucifix position and lands some elbows. Choi with some right hands from the crucifix position. Choi continuing to land. Choi with a pair of big elbows and it is stopped. What a performance from Choi!

Official Result- Doo Ho Choi def. Nate Landwehr by TKO (strikes) at 3:21 of Round 3

> Featherweights- #13 Bryce Mitchell (16-2, 7-2 UFC) vs. Kron Gracie (5-2, 1-2 UFC)

Mitchell lands a leg kick. They clinch and Mitchell with some knees to the body as Gracie lands some punches, then Mitchell gets it down to the mat. There isn’t much action going on other than Mitchell landing to the body. Mitchell with an elbow from the top. Mitchell still in control from the top. Both are landing short punches on the mat. 10-9 Mitchell.

Mitchell lands a body kick. Gracie lands a left hand. Mitchell with a leg kick. Mitchell with a left hand and a knee to the body. Mitchell scores a takedown. Mitchell lands from the top and they stand. They trade and Gracie pulls guard. Mitchell lands from the top. Gracie looking for an armbar from the bottom. He switches to looking for a triangle choke. Gracie looks to have the armbar in. Mitchell is able to get out and starts landing left hands. 10-9 Mitchell, 20-18 Mitchell.

Mitchell slips on a kick but gets right up. Mitchell with a left hand to the body. Gracie pulls guard and Mitchell slams him down at the same time and a vicious elbow from the top puts Gracie out cold! What a finish from Mitchell.

Official Result- Bryce Mitchell def. Kron Gracie by knockout (elbow) at :39 of Round 3

> Heavyweights- #2 Ciryl Gane (12-2, 9-2 UFC) vs. #3 Alexander Volkov (38-10, 12-4 UFC)

Volkov with a pair of leg kicks. Gane lands a leg kick. They trade kicks and Volkov gets Gane down to the mat. Gane gets an underhook and they work to the feet. Volkov has the body lock. They separate. Gane gets a big takedown. Gane with a pair of elbows from the top. Gane stands and grabs the fence and gets warned. Gane looks for a leg but Volkov spins out and they stand. Volkov with a knee and they separate. Volkov lands a body kick. Gane lands a knee to the body and Volkov turns it into a takedown. Gane looks for a guillotine choke but Volkov survives the round. 10-9 Gane.

They trade and Volkov lands a combo but eats a counter from Gane. Gane with a leg kick and Volkov lands a body kick. Volkov rocks Gane with a spinning back fist. Gane seems to have recovered. Volkov lands a head kick. Volkov with another head kick followed by a jab and a body kick. Gane lands a big right hand. Volkov controlling the center. Gane with some leg kicks. Volkov connects with a right hand. They trade and Gane hurts Volkov with a right hand. Gane gets a takedown and is in side control. Gane escapes to his feet. Volkov with a body kick. 10-9 Volkov, 19-19.

Volkov lands a body kick. Gane with a jab. Volkov gets the single leg and gets it to the mat. Gane looking for an armbar from the bottom. Volkov defending by landing. Volkov with short punches as Gane is just holding onto an arm. Volkov with some body shots. Gane lets go. Volkov still landing as Gane is doing nothing. Volkov is controlling from the top. Volkov with body shots. 10-9 Volkov, 29-28 Volkov.

Official Result- Ciryl Gane def. Alexander Volkov by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #3 Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0, 6-0 UFC) vs. #7 Ian Machado Garry (15-0, 8-0 UFC)

They clinch against the fence right away. Rakhmonov has the body lock and is trying to get it down but Garry is keeping it up. Neither has landed a single significant strike nearly four minutes in. Rakhmonov still in control and they break. Garry with a leg kick and Rakhmonov lands a big right hand before they clinch right back up. 10-9 Rakhmonov.

Both miss kick attempts. Garry lands a jab. Rakhmonov with a snap jab and lands a right hand. Rakhmonov lands a jab. Garry scores with a high kick and lands a jab to the body. Rakhmonov lands a right hand then a left hand. They clinch against the fence. Garry with a knee. They separate. Rakhmonov with a spinning back fist. Rakhmonov lands a jab. 10-9 Rakhmonov, 20-18 Rakhmonov.

Rakhmonov lands to the body. Garry with a high kick. Rakhmonov lands a body kick. Garry lands a body kick. Garry with a leg kick and they trade punches. Garry lands a leg kick and a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Rakhmonov controlling more but not lots of action. They are separated. Garry with a high kick. Garry lands a jab. Garry with a pair of kicks. Garry with a jab. Rakhmonov with a jab and another. Rakhmonov lands a big right hand. 10-9 Garry, 29-28 Rakhmonov.

Garry lands a body kick. Rakhmonov with a spin kick to the body. They trade leg kicks. Garry lands a jab. Rakhmonov shoots for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. They separate. Rakhmonov shoots for a takedown and completes it. Rakhmonov lands an elbow. Rakhmonov with some right hands from the top. Garry scrambles out and they’re up. Garry looked for a choke but Rakhmonov reverses out and has the back. Rakhmonov landing some knees. Garry lands a back elbow. They break apart. Rakhmonov gets a takedown. Rakhmonov with some big shots from the top. 10-9 Rakhmonov, 39-37 Rakhmonov.

Garry lands and Rakhmonov lands a counter right hand. They tie up as both are looking for the takedown. Garry grabs the back as they go to the mat. Garry has the body triangle in. Garry working for a choke but Rakhmonov is defending. Garry has the arm around the chin. Rakhmonov is out and spins to inside of Garry’s guard. Garry still with the body triangle locked on. Rakhmonov lands some from the top. They get to their feet and are clinched along the fence. Garry lands a right hand. 10-9 Garry, 48-47 Rakhmonov.

Official Result- Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

> UFC Flyweight Championship- C Alexandre Pantoja (28-5, 12-3 UFC) vs. Kai Asakura (21-4, 0-0 UFC)

They come out wildly and Pantoja lands a left hand that hurts Asakura and they clinch. Pantoja scores a takedown. They get to their feet. They trade right hands. Asakura with a hard inside leg kick. Asakura with a knee to the body and Pantoja lands a big right hand. Pantoja with a left hand. Asakura lands a left hand. Asakura with a head kick and Pantoja counters with a body kick. Pantoja with an inside leg kick. Pantoja lands a knee. Pantoja with a body kick. Pantoja lands a combination. Pantoja lands a body kick. 10-9 Pantoja.

Pantoja lands a jab. Asakura lands as they clinch against the fence. Pantoja gets it down and has the back of Asakura. Pantoja looking for a choke and has it locked in. Asakura is fighting it but he goes out cold! Pantoja with the submission win to retain the title.

Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:05 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Flyweight Championship

AEW Rampage live results: Three Continental Classic matches

Posted on December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 by Joseph Collins

The Continental Classic continues on tonight’s AEW Rampage with three tournament matches.

In the headliner, current Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will face Mark Briscoe in the Blue league. Okada has one point as a result of his time limit draw with Daniel Garcia while Briscoe still has 0 points in the tournament.

In another Blue league bout, Garcia will take on The Beast Mortos. Garcia has one point while Beast has yet to get on the scoreboard.

In Gold league action, Ricochet takes on Komander as both wrestlers will try for their first points of the tournament. Komander is an alternate for Juice Robinson who suffered a broken leg in a match on last week’s Collision in a tournament bout against Will Ospreay.

Also announced for tonight’s show, The Vendetta (Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie) will be in action.

This week’s Rampage was taped Wednesday night in Fishers, Indiana. Spoilers from the show are available here.

**********

Taped in Fishers, Indiana.

Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Matt Menard & Chris Jerciho were on commentary.

Kazuchika Okada (1-0-1, 4 points) defeated Mark Briscoe (0-2-0, 0 points) in a Blue League Continental Classic Match (13:17)

This is the first one-on-one meeting between Briscoe and Okada, but they have teamed and faced off in tag matches against each other in the past. Briscoe knocked Okada to the floor, the hit a driving dropkick through the middle ropes. Briscoe pounded Okada on the floor until Okada tripped Briscoe headfirst into a steel chair. There was a lot of brawling on the floor for a tournament that is supposed to be mostly clean. Finally, they got back into the ring where Okada maintained control.

Back in the ring, Okada dropped Briscoe with a DDT. Briscoe was bleeding from his forehead. Briscoe tried to come back with punches. Okada shrugged it off and returned fire with forearms and a headbutt that stunned both men.

After a split-screen break, Okada caught Briscoe with a boot. Briscoe blocked a superplex attempt and battered Okada with redneck kung fu! Briscoe hit a flying forearm and followed up with an exploder suplex. Briscoe ran into a boot, but came back with a clothesline and a fisherman’s brainbuster for two.

Okada came back with an inverted neckbreaker, then dropped an elbow off the top rope. Okada gives the Rainmaker Salute 2.0, which allowed Briscoe to hit a rolling death valley driver. Briscoe dropped the Froggie Bow and got a great near fall. Briscoe went for the Jay Driller, but Okada escaped and exchanged cradles with Briscoe until Okada stuffed Briscoe with a tombstone piledriver.

Briscoe ran into Okada’s dropkick. Okada went for the Rainmaker, Briscoe countered with another Jay Driller attempt, which Okada escaped again. Briscoe tried a third time for the Jay Driller, and this time Okada countered with the Rainmaker and got the pin.

Awesome match. Show this to people who think AEW is nothing but flips and dives.

Okada now has 4 points, Kyle Fletcher now has 6 points, and they face off on Collision tomorrow night. If I were a betting man, I’d bet on a draw tomorrow to keep the pressure on Okada.

– Chris Jericho entered the ring to talk trash about Matt Cardona, his challenger for Final Battle at Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday, December 20th. Jericho has a fantastic bejeweled cowboy hat with a “9” to celebrate his 9th World Title reign. Cardona came out to respond and promised to win the ROH title in his backyard. Jericho called Cardona “Zach,” slaps were exchanged and Bryan Keith jumped Cardona to make it a 2-on-1. Jericho whipped Cardona with the ROH title belt, and Keith nailed Cardona with his belt buckle. Jericho was done for the night on commentary after this.

Daniel Garcia (1-0-1, 4 points) defeated The Beast Mortos (0-2-0, 0 points) in a Blue League Continental Classic Match

Garcia beat Mortos in the semi-finals of the Best of PWG tournament back in 2022. Mortos countered a suplex attempt from Garcia and suplexed him to the floor. They fought on the floor, where Garcia pounded Mortos but ran into a stiff lariat. Back in the ring, Mortos hit the pop up Samona Drop to take control.

After a split-screen break (which Mortos mostly dominated), Garcia came back with a suplex. Garcia mauled Mortos with forearms and punches in the corner. Garcia with a delayed back suplex for two. Garica ran into a boot, and Mortos hit a pair of sling blades. A neck twist and a spinning powerslam got Mortos a near fall. Garcia caught Mortos on the top rope with a top rope superplex for another near fall. Mortos came back with a shoulder breaker and spinning lariat for another near fall.

Mortos went for a twisting moonsault off the top, but Garcia dodged it and got a near fall with a cradle. Mortos caught Garcia with a headbutt, but Garcia caught him with a jackknife cradle and got the pinfall. The crowd was really getting behind Mortos towards the end of the match.

Garcia now has 4 points (and a tie for second in the Blue League with Okada) and a match with Mark Briscoe on Collision tomorrow night. Also tomorrow night, Komander faces Darby Allin.

The Vendetta (Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie) defeated Ella Elizabeth and Freya States (2:25)

Also on Collision tomorrow night, Mina Shirakawa and Emi Sakura will have a match more interesting than Purrazzo and Valkyrie squashing some enhancement talents. Purrazzo folded up Elizabeth with a powerbomb and the referee immediately went in to check if she was still alive. Purrazzo then finished off Elizabeth with the Fujiwara armbar.

During the main event, Excalibur ran down the card for Dynamite, but I think the only new match announced was Ricochet v. Brody King.

Ricochet (1-1-0, 3 points) vs. Komandor (w/ Alex Abrahanets) (0-1-0, 0 points) in a Gold League Continental Classic Match (12:29)

Abrahantes came out with Komander but went to the back when the match started. Komander is the “first alternate” and will only have four matches to everyone else’s five.

So, lots of flippy stuff to start before the took a pretty long split-screen break. After the break, Ricochet had control of Komander with a surfboard. Komander generated some offense off the ropes and sent Ricochet to the floor with a head scissors. Komander followed Ricochet out with a springboard moonsault. Back in the ring, Komander went for a tornado DDT, but Ricochet countered with a Northern Lights suplex into a brainbuster. Ricochet hit a standing shooting star press for a near fall.

Komander countered a superplex attempt, then hit a springboard hurricanrana for a near fall. The crowd got really loud and was very into this match. Ricochet went for a suplex, but Komander escaped. Ricochet and Komander exchanged strikes, which ended with Komander catching Ricochet with a back heel kick. Komander hit a 450 splash for a near fall.

Komander went to the top again for his top rope walk shooting star press, but Ricochet escaped. Ricochet dropped Komander with a brainbuster on the apron. Ricochet hit a springboard 450 for two. Ricochet hit an axe kick, then a running death valley driver. Ricochet hit the “Spirit Gun” (his not so Hidden Blade) and got the pinfall to pick up his first 3 points in the tournament. The crowd was crazy hot for this match, especially considering how late it had to be into the taping.

Best Rampage ever. I hope they’re building some kind of underdog story for Komander coming into the tournament late.

WWE SmackDown live results: Cody Rhodes appears, MCMG vs. Street Profits

Posted on December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 by Colin McGuire

With just over a week until his next title defense, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will kick off tonight’s SmackDown from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

After weeks of going back and forth, Rhodes will defend against former ally Kevin Owens at the return of Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 14.

WWE Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) have a title defense against The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) tonight. The match was made despite protests from Tommaso Ciampa that DIY are more deserving of a title shot.

The next match in the inaugural Women’s United States title tournament will take place as Naomi, Tiffany Stratton, and Elektra Lopez will battle to see who takes on Michin in the second round.

Following their WarGames loss at Survivor Series, Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline is slated to make an appearance to address what’s next.

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

**********

– A video recap of what happened at Survivor Series opened the show. Michel Cole and Corey Graves checked in from ringside and explained that Bronson Reed suffered a broken foot at Survivor Series. In other injury news, Tonga Loa suffered a torn bicep and Jimmy Uso came out of War Games with a broken toe. Video of all three injuries was shown.

– Apollo Crews was entering the building and it just so happened Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline was entering the venue at the same time. Jacob Fatu kicked Crews in the head and then beat up the security crew. Back at ringside, Cody’s music hit.

The Cody Rhodes Segment

This was a pleasant surprise. I’m not a fan of making a mockery out of the phoney baloney brand split, but WWE has done it so often, so shamelessly through the years, that it’s hard to get as annoyed as I once did (and, as Cole explained, we are getting into the season where brand loyalty is all but gone). Cody showed good fire and Gable felt like he belonged in there with one of WWE’s biggest attractions, so this was a win for everybody involved. The match between Gable and Cody screams “KO interference,” but it should be fun while it lasts.

Cody yelled into the microphone, “So, Minneapolis, what do you want to talk about?” The crowd cheered. Cody touted the return of Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cody said it’s the honor of a lifetime just to compete on SNME, but it’s not that simple for him because of Kevin Owens. Out of nowhere, Chad Gable’s music hit and Gale made his entrance flanked by American Made.

Gable spoke in the entranceway and called himself the greatest athlete to ever come out of Minnesota and the crowd responded favorably. As it goes, Gable said there is a transfer window and Gable and his crew may come to SmackDown permanently. Gable then called everyone in the crowd simple minded and gullible. Gable entered the ring and loud “You suck!” chants broke out for Gable. Gable said Cody was once the beacon for what Gable wanted to be – unmatched work ethic, dressing the part, etc. Gable said that’s easy, but what’s not easy is being a good friend, and Cody has not been a good friend to Kevin Owens.

Gable said Cody isn’t who he thought he was. Gable called Cody superficial because all Cody cares about is what everyone thinks about Cody. Gable mentioned how Cody went so far as to team with “the one guy who made Kevin Owens’s life a living hell.” Gable said whatever Cody has coming to him, Cody deserves it. Cody asked the crowd if they’d be his friend and the crowd cheered. Cody said he’s disappointed that Gable said what he said because he sees a lot of himself in Gable. Cody said Gable has taken things not special and made them special and maximized his minutes. Cody brought up “Shorty G” and the crowd promptly started a “Shorty G!” chant.

Cody said, “Shorty G, you’re looking at Stardust.” A “Stardust!” chant ensued. Cody said he knows all about what Gable is going through and he said Gable probably thinks he has nothing to lose, but Cody asked Gable what happens when he fails again. Cody referenced losing at WrestleMania 39 and asked Gable about being the leader of American Made. Cody put over everyone in American Made until Gable cut Cody off. Gable said if he didn’t have a suit on, he’d whoop Cody’s ass. Cody asked Gable if he really said what he said. Cody asked Gable to talk to Nick Aldis about going one-on-one with him tonight. Cody threw the mic at Gable to end the segment.

**********

– Cole, from ringside, explained how wrestlers will move from show to show in the coming weeks.

– Backstage, Naomi and Bianca Belair were shown talking. Belair wished Naomi good luck in her triple threat match. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven walked into the frame and mocked Belair for looking into who attacked Jade Cargill. Belair wondered if Niven was the one to attack Cargill. Belair went after Green and Niven, but Green and Niven fought back and Belair sold pain from War Games as well as the attack.

– Jesse Ventura was shown in the front row as Cole touted Ventura joining the broadcast team for SNME.

Tiffany Stratton defeated Naomi and Elektra Lopez to advance in the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [7:16]

A feel-good win for Stratton, who should settle in nicely as a full-time babyface sooner than later. No better place to test the waters than her home state and the proof of concept worked here. Of the four first-round matches, this result felt the most predictable, but the women did a good job making sure the match didn’t suffer because of that. This was a fine end to the beginning of the tournament.

Naomi and Tiffy started brawling to beign the match. Lopez inserted herself and threw Naomi out of the ring, but Naomi came right back and Stratton then attacked Lopez, with a ton of support from the live crowd (Stratton is from Minnesota). Stratton kicked Lopez and shoulder-blocked Lopez to the canvas. Stratton then landed a basement dropkick on Lopez for a two-count. “Tiffy Time!” chants broke out. Stratton posed for the crowd and Naomi re-inserted herself in the match with a cross-body on Stratton. Naomi nearly fell over the top rope, but caught herself and the match got back on track as Naomi slammed Lopez.

Stratton pounded on Naomi until Naomi fought back and hit a double Stunner on Stratton and Lopez all at once. Naomi then landed a splash on Lopez and went for one on Stratton, but Stratton got her elbow up. Stratton then double-stomped on Naomi on the apron. Stratton turned her attention to Lopez and landed a snap suplex on Lopez. Before long, Lopez sank in a half-crab on Stratton. Lopez rolled Stratton up for a two-count. The women all traded multiple pin attempts to no avail. Lopez caught Naomi when Naomi leapt at Lopez and Lopez slammed Naomi. Lopez hit a version of a Blue Thunder Bomb on Naomi, but Stratton broke up the pin attempt and all three women were down.

Everyone got to their feet and brawled and Naomi got the best of it, complete with a Rearview on Stratton. Candice LeRae showed up and distracted Naomi. Lopez briefly took advantage of that, but Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault on Lopez. Stratton came back and took care of Naomi before hitting the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Lopez and pinning her for the win.

**********

– Cole threw to the backstage area, where Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins were shown laid out. Nick Aldis was there and said they both needed medical attention badly. Aldis then ran into MCMG and told them the Profits got attacked. Johnny Gargano showed up and said if Aldis needs a title match, #DIY can step in. Shelley said if Gargano wants their match, they got it. Aldis made the match for later on.

Bianca Belair defeated Piper Niven [12:17]

This was very good. SmackDown does this more often than it gets credit for: throws an unannounced match out there and said unannounced match ends up kind of/sort of stealing the show. If I’m not mistaken, this is how the Andrade/Carmelo Hayes saga began. Anyway, it was great to see Niven wade into the deepest television waters she’s ever been in on the main roster, going nearly 15 minutes, and even better yet, holding her own against one of WWE’s most established women. It felt like this might be a good spot to give her a big win, with Belair still selling injuries from Survivor Series, but it was not to be. Still, Niven earned a lot in defeat here and Belair deserves a good amount of credit for that – to take nothing away from Niven’s effort, too.

Belair had control early and the two fought over Belair’s braid. Niven won that battle and hit a splash on Belair to gain the advantage. Niven worked over Belair in a corner and lifted Belair for a slam, but Belair countered with a kick. Belair ran the ropes and Green caught Belair’s foot. Niven followed that up with a sidewalk slam for a two-count. The show then went to its first commercial break about 38 minutes into the program.

The show returned and Niven still had control. Belair tried to fire up, but Niven cut her off with a running Senton, two times over. That was enough to earn Niven a two-count. Niven worked a waist-lock, which turned into a bearhug. Belair fought her way out of it and eventually tried to choke out Niven, until Niven shook Belair off and went for a splash, but Belair moved. Belair ran between corners and smashed Niven’s face off the turnbuckles. Belair went to the top and hit a cross-body for a nice near-fall.

Belair punched Niven repeatedly and before long hit a spear for a two-count. Belair tried to lift Niven for her finisher, but that didn’t work and Niven countered with a Saito belly-to-back suplex. Niven ran at Belair and Belair countered with a spinebuster. Belair went for a moonsault, but Niven got her knees up. Niven then went for a Cannonball, but Belair moved and Niven tumbled into a corner. Belair ran at Niven, but Niven caught Belair for a Piper Driver, which is really just a stiff powerbomb. “This is awesome!” chants began.

Niven went to the second rope, but Belair cut Niven off. Green hopped onto the apron and Belair dragged Green into the ring. Belair then successfully lifted Niven and hit a KOD on Niven, slamming Niven onto Green. That was enough to earn Belair the win.

**********

– A video package on Nakamura winning the U.S. title aired.

– Belair was shown walking backstage and ran into Naomi. Belair apologized for Naomi losing earlier. Byron Saxton showed up and told the two that he knew Piper Niven didn’t attack Cargill because he saw where Niven was during the attack. Naomi listed off all the women who could have done it. Belair said when she finds out who did it, it will be “on site.”

The U.S. title/Bloodline segment

I really like the unexpectedness of a lot of what’s happened so far tonight. Knight and Andrade being involved with Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline? I’m all for it. Nakamura barfing up black ooze and not going to battle with Sikoa and his fellas? Even better. The best parts of SmackDown these days are the parts where things seem fresh and this felt fresh in its own way. Does this mean we get a triple threat between Knight, Nakamura and Andrade for the U.S. title? Or, perhaps, will Fatu be inserted into that mix as well? Maybe none of this interaction matters in the long run, but even if that ends up being the case, it made for a welcome change of pace on an early-December episode of SmackDown.

Shinsuke Nakamura made his entrance for … reasons unknown? … because as Nakamura posed in the ring, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked out with a microphone. Knight correctly noted that he was “in the building in Minneapolis.” Knight said Nakamura isn’t the real deal and Nakamura was holding something that belonged to Knight. Knight said he wanted his rematch and he wanted it right away (despite Knight not being in his wrestling gear). Nakamura did and said nothing. Knight put on his “LA Knight mist-blockers” (sunglasses) and walked into the ring … or at least tried to because Andrade’s music hit and Andrade walked out with a microphone.

Andrade hopped onto the ring apron and Tama Tonga attacked Andrade. Jacob Fatu then attacked Knight. Nakamura just sort of stood around and eventually, black goo came out of Nakamura’s mouth. Nakamura then left the ring and Solo Sikoa went for a Samoan Spike on Andrade, but Knight made the save. It was only for a short moment because Sikoa went through with the spike on Knight. Sikoa grabbed a microphone.

Sikoa said to anyone who thinks they aren’t The Ones anymore, he dares them to step up because The Bloodline will lay everyone out every single time. Sikoa said he’s tired of people not taking him serously and that he’s a joke. Sikoa said everyone can laugh all they want because he’s still their Tribal Chief. Sikoa said he is still the head of the table. Sikoa said he still has the Ula Fala. Sikoa said if anyone comes down to the ring, they will do what everyone else has to do – acknowledge him. The segment ended with Fatu, Tonga and Sikoa’s fingers raised in the air.

**********

– Ciampa and Gargano were shown talking backstage and Ciampa was still ornery about Gargano. Ciampa said he’d see Gargano out there and left the scene.

– Kevin Owens cut a promo in his car. Owens said it sucked to be told to be in Minneapolis for a Michael Cole interview. Owens said he’s been showing up to SmackDown for weeks and if Cole wants to interview Owens, Cole would have to go out to the parking lot and find Owens in his car because Owens was not going to come inside the building.

#DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) defeated Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) to win the WWE Tag Team Championship [10:39]

I have mixed feelings on this. Sabin and Shelley simply were not getting any reactions any time they appeared on WWE TV, but I was hoping the powers that be would see it through a little longer to see if perhaps the crowds could come around. Either way, it’s really neat to see them in WWE and was even neater to see them hold gold in WWE. The turn here was very well done and I’m into a heel #DIY running a smug ruckus on the SmackDown tag division. The match told a great story, with Ciampa showing fire and us all (or, well, at least me) being convinced that this would end in a manner we’ve seen a million times in WWE: Ciampa and Gargano break up and MCMG retain their titles. The swerve here was warranted and welcome. My only fear is that we never see MCMG come close to WWE gold again, no matter the brand. Time will tell.

Ciampa jumpstarted the match and attacked Sabin. Sabin came right back with a pair of arm-drags and a knee to Ciampa’s midsection. Shelley tagged in and the two hit a fury of moves on Ciampa before Shelley worked a head-lock. Ciampa worked out of it and tagged in Gargano, who worked Shelley’s arm. Ciampa tagged himself in and chopped Shelley repeatedly. Ciampa yelled at Gargano to “pay attention.” Shelley elbowed Ciampa and Sabin tagged in to take out Ciampa on the outside. The show went to a commercial break as MCMG posed on the apron.

The show returned and Ciampa had the upper hand on Shelley, working a head-lock. Shelley worked out of it with a chin-buster and then when Ciampa went to give Shelley a boot, Shelley moved and Ciampa kicked the hell out of Gargao. Ciampa yelled at Gargano that he was stupid. Ciampa went for a Fairytale Ending, but Shelley countered it and got the hot tag to Sabin, who cleaned house, complete with a cross-body from the top on Ciampa for a two-count.

Shelley tagged in and MCMG worked over Ciampa. Shelley went for a pin after they planted Ciampa and got a two-count. Gargano was still down at ringside. Ciampa got in some strikes on Sabin and Shelley and ultimately landed a twisting neck-breaker for a two-count. Gargano reappeared on the apron. Ciampa threw Shelley to the outside and tagged Gargano in. Gargano rolled Shelley back into the ring and Ciampa confronted Gargano for doing that. Gargano and Ciampa traded shoves. Gargano told Ciampa to leave and Ciampa stormed off to grab a chair. As MCMG set up their finisher, Ciampa distracted the referee and Gargano hit a low blow on Sabin. Gargano then super-kicked Shelley and Ciampa smiled. Gargano tagged in Ciampa and hit Meet In The Middle on Sabin to win the titles.

Gargano smirked a knowing smirk after the match and ran around the ring, Young Bucks style.

**********

– Gargano and Ciampa were shown celebrating backstage. Candice LeRae showed up and was super pumped about the whole thing.

The Kevin Owens/Michael Cole interview

This was sort of fun in a Carpool Karaoke kind of way (mind you, I never liked Carpool Karaoke, but the game is the game). Silly. Moved Owens’s frustrations forward. Made Cole look dumb. I half expected Owens to attack Cole to write him off SmackDown so Cole can reunite with his buddy Pat McAfee on Raw, which became a headline this week. But instead, we got innocent fun – with a new batch of very reasonable complaints from Owens, even. My only complaint is that I could have used another three to five minutes of it.

Cole walked outside and Owens invited Cole into his car. Owens noted how many times he’s been told he wasn’t allowed to come inside the arena in recent weeks. Cole said he wanted to do an unbiased interview and Owens mocked him for that idea. Cole cited their friendship and how he’s been a big supporter of Owens. Owens said he doesn’t understand how Cole doesn’t see things the way Owens sees them. Owens ran through his grievances about Cody and Roman Reigns again. Owens mocked Cody for leaving WWE in 2016. Owens then mocked Cody’s pyro for his entrances.

Cole said everyone thought it was good to help Roman. Owens said that Jimmy and Jey were always pawns for Roman anyway and one day, he’ll catch up with Sami Zayn. Owens said Cody stabbed Owens in his back. Cole told Owens he was being petty and Owens should look in the mirror. Cole said Owens is the problem. Owens yelled at Cole and told him to get out of his car. Owens called Cole back to his car, only to roll up the window on Cole. Owens drove off in his rental car.

**********

– Next week, Bayley will face Chelsea Green and Michin will take on Tiffany Stratton in the semifinals of the women’s U.S. title tournament.

– Gunther was shown talking to Aldis backstage and Carmelo Hayes walked in. Melo was mad at Aldis for not talking to him and Melo wanted to know where he fit in. Melo said “Monday Night Melo” sounds good and Aldis said that would be good for Aldis because Melo is such a headache. Aldis said he has someone special in mind for Melo and walked away.

Cody Rhodes defeated Chad Gable [12:27]

Good storytelling here. Gable softens Cody up for his match with Owens. And maybe – just maybe – Owens gets the upset at SNME because of Cody being banged up? It’s probably wishful thinking, but in the meantime, this was a very good match and one of the better SmackDown main events in recent months. We all know Gable can go and all told, Cody benefited the most from that reality in this match. Nothing against Cody, but Gable seemed to bring out something more in Cody, enough to take what could have been a fine-enough main event and turn it into a very good main event. Here’s hoping Gable gets a true reboot and/or push sooner than later. It felt like he was on that track for a minute, but that momentum has subsided recently. Maybe 2025 will be his year. This performance alone proves more than anything that he deserves it to be.

The two felt each other out to start the match. There was some fine capital “W” wrestling and then Gabel took Cody down, but Cody kicked his way out of it and the match reset. Cody went on the offensive from there and landed the drop-down punch, followed by a suplex with a sustained vertical hold. Cody went to run the ropes and Ivy Nile hopped on the apron to stop Cody. Gabe went right to work on Cody’s ankle/leg with a dragon-screw leg-whip. Gable slammed Cody’s leg on the ring post and the show went to its final commercial break.

The show returned and Gable kept his focus on Cody’s leg. Angle went for an ankle lock, but Cody sent Gable into the second rope. It didn’t matter much because Gable dropkicked Cody’s leg. Gable then roughed Cody up with a ton of chops to the chest. Gable hit a flying headbutt from the top rope for a two-count. Gable went to the top rope, but Cody cut him off and landed an inverted super-plex, which proved to be a wild spot.

The two got to their feet and traded blows. Gable ran at Cody and Cody turned that into his snap powerslam. Cody hit a Disaster Kick despite selling leg pain. A Cody Cutter followed that. Julius Creed pulled Gable to the outside and the referee sent all of American Made back to the locker room as a result. Gable took Cody’s boot off and worked an ankle lock. Cody countered by sending Gable into the second rope turnbuckle. Cody went to the top and hit a Cody Cutter from the top rope. With one boot on, Cody went for a Cross-Rhodes, but Gable countered into an ankle lock until Cody made it to the ropes for a break. Gable German Suplexed Cody and went to the top rope, but missed the moonsault and then finally, Cody landed the Cross-Rhodes and got the win.

After the match, Kevin Owens appeared and stomped on the ankle that had no boot on it. Officials quickly ran out and separated Owens and Cody …. until Cody leapt at Owens and the brawl continued with a suicide dive from Cody onto Owens. The two kept going at it on the outside of the ring. The show went off the air as Cody broke through the officials and the two went back to brawling. “Let them fight!” chants echoed throughout the arena.

TNA Impact live results: The Hardys defend the Tag Team titles

Posted on December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 by Matt Boone

The fallout from last Friday’s Turning Point will be felt on tonight’s edition of TNA Impact.

The Tag Team titles will be on the line as Jeff & Matt Hardy defend the gold against former champions The System (Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) who enabled their contractual rematch.

After JBL again appeared and assisted him with a win, TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth will appear to address his latest title defense over Edwards last Friday.

In a clash of former Knockouts Champions, Jordynne Grace and Tasha Steelz will go one-on-one.

In a five-way that will determine the Final Resolution challenger for X-Division Champion Moose, it will be Ace Austin vs. Trent Seven vs. Leon Slater vs. KUSHIDA vs. JDC.

PCO & Sami Callihan take on The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch) while The Northern Army (Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus & Travis Williams) team with Frankie Kazarian against Mike Santana, Eric Young, Steve Maclin & Jonathan Gresham.

*********
A video highlight package recapping the action from TNA Turning Point at WrestleCade 2024 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina airs to get things started on this week’s show.

KUSHIDA defeats Trent Seven, Ace Austin, Leon Slater & JDC to become new TNA X-Division Championship No. 1 Contender

Inside the Impact Zone, we are welcomed by Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt, who mention that the focus is now on the final TNA Wrestling special event of the year, the upcoming TNA Final Resolution 2024 show.

On that note, Trent Seven makes his way to the ring for opening action. Ace Austin comes out next. Already in the ring are the other three members of this match, Leon Slater, JDC and KUSHIDA.

The bell sounds to get things started in this TNA X-Division Championship No. 1 Contender bout, where the winner will move on to challenge Moose for the title at TNA Final Resolution 2024. KUSHIDA and JDC end up laid out on the floor.

As Seven and Slater brawl at ringside, Austin hits a dive from the ring to take them both out. From the ring apron, Austin takes out Slater and JDC. He returns in the ring, and is taken out by Seven. JDC joins him and the two work over Austin together.

Austin fights back and takes over control of the offense. as KUSHIDA re-enters the picture, Austin hits an homage to his ABC partner Chris Bey, connecting with the Art of Finesse for a close two-count. KUSHIDA fights back and gets an armbar on Austin, but Slater hits a crossover splash to break it up.

Slater follows that up with an absolutely insane twisting splash off the top-rope onto a pile of bodies on the floor at ringside. The crowd goes wild and breaks out in “TNA! TNA!” chants. Slater heads to the top-rope again, but JDC rams Seven into the corner to crotch him.

Austin hits a superplex to Slater off of JDC and Seven’s backs in the corner for a close pin attempt, which Seven breaks up. Fans react with an enthusiastic “This is Awesome!” chant. Seven goes for the Seven-Star Lariat, but walks into a Pele kick from KUSHIDA.

Moments later, KUSHIDA hits Back To The Future for the pinfall victory. With the win, KUSHIDA moves on to challenge Moose for the TNA X-Division Championship at TNA Final Resolution 2024.

Gia Miller Interviews Tasha Steelz

Backstage, Gia Miller is joined by Tasha Steelz. She asks her about her match tonight against former TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace. Steelz mentions she too is a former TNA Knockouts Champion and calls “The Juggernaut” a thorn in her side that she vows to remove tonight.

After this wraps up, Hannifan and Rehwoldt run down the lineup still to come tonight, and then the show heads into a commercial break.

Sami Callihan & PCO defeated The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)

When the show returns, The Good Hands duo of Jason Hotch and John Skyler make their way to the ring, cutting a heel promo as always. They settle inside the ring and finish trashing North Carolina, and then the theme for Sami Callihan hits.

Out he comes, and is joined by PCO. The two head to the ring for scheduled tag-team action. The bell sounds to get things going. Callihan blasts Hotch coming out of the gate. Callihan settles into the early offensive lead.

After some more back-and-forth action, we work towards the finish, which sees PCO hit a top-rope PCO-sault off of the shoulders of Callihan, who provides the assist. The two score the pin fall victory for the big win.

Afterwards, a cryptic video plays. “What was that?” asked Hannifan. “I don’t know,” Rehwoldt replied. The show heads into another commercial break after the tag-team tilt wraps up.

AJ Francis Gets World Title Match At TNA Final Resolution 2024

The show returns from the break to TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth talking about how it’s been a big 2024 for him and TNA Wrestling. As he continues talking, he is cut off by the First Class duo of AJ Francis and KC Navarro.

Francis agrees that Nemeth has had a good 2024, but he says he’s had the best year of his career in 2024. The back-and-forth continues until Francis tries taunting Nemeth into a title shot. TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella walks up.

Francis pitches a world title bout between the two for TNA Final Resolution 2024 in Atlanta, GA. Santino confirms it. Francis calls it the best decision he’s ever made and vows it’ll be the biggest box office move TNA has ever made.

The Hardys (Jeff & Matt Hardy) defeated The System (Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) via Disqualification to retain the TNA World Tag-Team Championships

Back inside the Impact Zone, The System theme hits and out comes Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers accompanied by Alisha Edwards. They settle into the squared circle for their rematch for the TNA Tag-Team Championships.

The theme for their opponents hits, and as the iconic sounds of The Hardys theme plays inside the building in their home state of North Carolina, Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy emerge to an enormous reaction from the crowd.

After the bell sounds, Edwards and Matt Hardy kick things off for their respective teams. After a thumb to the eye, Edwards tags out and in comes Myers. Matt makes the tag to Jeff, and the two hit some double-team spots on The System member as fans chant “Hardy! Hardy!”

Myers chop-blocks Matt’s knee from behind, which shifts the offensive momentum into the favor of The System. On that note, the show heads into a mid-match commercial break as Myers continues to work over Hardy.

When the show returns, we see The System still in a comfortable offensive lead, with Alisha even getting involved at ringside. The Hardys finally start to shift the momentum back in their favor. After a Plot Twist and a Swanton, we see a super close pin attempt, only for it to be broken up.

On the floor, Myers and Edwards are on one side of the ring setting up a table. The Hardys come over and beat them down and as they get ready to put them through the table, Alisha attacks them from behind with a kendo stick.

The referee calls for the bell. The Hardys win and retain via DQ. The System continue to attack Matt and Jeff. They hit a Boston Knee Party and then lay Matt across the aforementioned table. Alisha delivers an additional kendo stick shot. Myers and Edwards powerbomb Jeff onto Matt through the table.

Backstage With Spitfire

Backstage, Dani Luna calms Jody Threat down as she freaks out about Ash By Elegance. Luna says she’s going to take out Heather by Elegance next week, and tells Threat she will do the same to Ash. They walk off to end the brief segment. Jordynne Grace vs. Tasha Steelz is up next. The show heads into another break.

Santino Marella Announces New TNA Final Resolution 2024 Match

When the show returns, the theme for TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella plays. He makes his way out to the top of the entrance stage and cuts a quick promo announcing The Hardys vs. The System in a Tables Match for the TNA World Tag-Team Championships at TNA Final Resolution 2024.

Tasha Steelz defeated Jordynne Grace

After a quick backstage segment, the show returns inside the Impact Zone, where Tasha Steelz’ theme hits. The women’s contender heads to the ring for our next match of the evening.

Steelz’ theme dies down and the entrance tune for her opponent, Jordynne Grace, hits. “The Juggernaut” heads to the ring as Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk on commentary about her loss at TNA Turning Point being the first in 500+ days.

As Steelz settles into the early offensive lead, Hannifan and Rehwoldt notice the disturbing image of Rosemary lurking in the rafters and watching on. As Steelz continues to work over Grace, the show heads into a mid-match commercial break.

When the show returns, we see some more back-and-forth action, with Rosemary again being shown watching on from the rafters. As Grace gets close to finishing things off, Alisha Edwards runs down with a kendo stick.

The distraction allows Steelz to roll-up “The Juggernaut.” She puts her feet on the ropes for added leverage and pulls off the upset victory. After the match, Grace lets her frustrations out on Edwards.

She ends up getting gobbled up by the numbers disadvantage, as Steelz and Edwards double-team her. TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich ends up running out to make the save. The show heads into another commercial break.

The Northern Army (Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus & Travis Williams) & Frankie Kazarian defeated Mike Santana, Eric Young, Steve Maclin & Jonathan Gresham

It’s main event time!

But first, we get the announcement of the lineup for next week’s TNA Final Resolution 2024 “go-home” episode of TNA Impact (see below), as well as the updated lineup for the December 13 special event in Atlanta, GA.

From there, Joe Hendry’s theme hits. Of course when you say his name, he appears, and out he comes to join Hannifan and Rehwoldt on special guest commentary for our big eight-man tag-team main event of this week’s show.

The competitors scheduled for the bout begin making their way out. Josh Alexander and The Northern Armory come out, as does the self-proclaimed “King of TNA” Frankie Kazarian. The latter taunts Hendry at the commentary desk, knocking his water over and taunting him.

Out comes the opposition, which includes Jonathan Gresham, Steve Maclin, Eric Young, and last but not least, Mike Santana. After Santana makes his way to the ring through the crowd, all eight men are ready to rock and roll. But first, the show heads into a quick pre-match commercial time out.

When the show returns, we see all eight men facing off with each other before the fireworks explode and they all collide for a big brawl before the bell. After the smoke clears, it is Gresham who jumps into the early offensive lead for his team, beating down one-third of The Northern Armory.

Maclin takes over after tagging in, but his run in the offensive driver’s seat is short-lived, as “The Walking Weapon” takes over for the heel side. Frankie Kazarian tags in and picks up where he left off. “The King of TNA” elicits another big brawl between all eight guys.

On that note, the show heads into a mid-match commercial break as the main event of the evening continues. When the show returns, fans are loudly chanting “Frankie sucks!” as the 2024 Call Your Shot Gauntlet winner works over Eric Young. In the end, however, a shot with his trophy helps Kazarian lead his team to victory. That’s how this week’s show wraps up.

Next Week On TNA Impact (12/12/2024):
* Leon Slater & Laredo Kid vs. The Rascalz
* Rosemary vs. Xia Brookside
* Jake Something & Hammerstone vs. Sami Callihan & PCO
* Heather By Elegance vs. Dani Luna
* First Class & Tasha Steelz vs. Nic Nemeth, Joe Hendry & Masha Slamovich

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 makes a Final Battle announcement

Posted on December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 by Jeff Moss

Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho will appear on tonight’s HonorClub show to talk more about who his opponent will be for this month’s Final Battle.

Jericho announced his TV Time segment during Wednesday’s Dynamite.

Ahead of her opportunity to qualify for the International Women’s Cup at Wrestle Dynasty, former Women’s TV Champion Billie Starkz will take on Lady Frost.

Former ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will face Alex Reynolds of the Dark Order while Rachael Ellering takes on Trish Adora.

The show will feature plenty of tag team action as well as the Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) challenge Griff Garrison & Preston Vance while JD Drake & Beef will be in action against opponents to be named.

In six-man action, Shane Taylor & The Infantry (Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean) will battle Top Flight (Darius and Dante Martin) & Action Andretti.

**********

It’s Thursday and it’s only two weeks away from ROH Final Battle 2024 on Dec 20th! The only match made official so far is ROH Women’s World TV Champion Red Velvet defending against “Legit” Leyla Hirsch. Aside from that, there’s nothing official for the Pure Championship held by Lee Moriarty (though Matt Taven has been chasing him), Brian Cage and the ROH World TV Title or Athena’s ROH Women’s World Championship. The Righteous are gunning for the ROH Tag Titles, there a ton of teams in contention for the 6-Man Titles but neither have been added to the card. Finally, the ROH World Champion “The Nueve” Chris Jericho will be at Final Battle to defend his championship, but against who? Hopefully Episode 93 of ROH On HonorClub has some answers!

-The Grizzled Young Veterans kicked off the show with a promo lamenting that the extras get to eat before the talent does! They approached one such extra and smashed some cake in his face.

Katsuyori Shibata defeated Alex Reynolds (w/Evil Uno)

According to the detailed records kept on the internet, Shibata has gone 16-2 since returning to ROH in 2023. He’s only suffered defeats at the hands of Wheeler Yuta and Eddie Kingston. Earlier this year, he beat on the Dark Order’s Evil Uno and hopefully will get a trifecta match against John Silver in the future. Reynolds for his part has never won a singles match in Ring of Honor. But the Dark Order jackets still look cool, so he’s got that going for him!

Reynolds has had a taped up midsection for the last couple of weeks, but Shibata didn’t really need the advantage. Shibata was clearly the better technical wrestler here and once he got Reynolds on the mat he was able to completely control the match. Reynolds did his best to keep up but could only get out of it via rope break.

Uno got involved, grabbing the leg of Shibata to give Reynolds an opening. He brought a bit more hard hitting style to Shibata, getting a neckbreaker and a near fall followed by a DDT. Shibata fought back though, waking up after Reynolds dared to chop him. Shibata no-sold a series of chops before driving Reynolds into the corner with a series of his own.

Shibata planted Reynolds with a Spicolli driver followed by an octopus stretch. Reynolds held on as long as he could, but was forced to tap out.

BEEF and JD Drake defeated Waves and Curls (Jaylen Brandyn & Traevon Jordan)

BEEF’s enthusiastic displays of pro wrestling have won over the audience, but not so much Drake. I’ve never seen a person get so upset when his tag team partner is happy to be a wrestler and often gets the win! That said, they took on (sigh) Waves and Curls.

The match wasn’t really much more than a squash. Jordan started things off with Drake, who beat him up a lot. Then Brandyn tagged in and BEEF beat up him a lot. Then BEEF pinned Brandyn. Not exactly a match to send BEEF and Drake to the top of the tag division, but a win none the less.

-Jay Lethal and QT Marshall had a conversation in the back that was half action figure commercial, half challenge on the part of QT. Lethal declined the match and that was about it. But hey, new action figure for Lethal!

Trish Adora defeated Rachael Ellering

Adora has been pulling double duty as of late, wrestling matches (most recently a win against Erica Leigh) and managing The Infantry as part of Shane Taylor Promotions. Joining STP has given Adora a chance to explore her violent side and Ellering knows all about violence. Ellering is 3-7 this year in singles competition, but has been leaning into a newfound aggressive streak lately, but her most recent win is from back in August against Maggie Lee.

The match began with what seemed like an exceptionally long tie up grapple. Then Ellering moved into a wristlock. Tired of doing nothing at this point, Adora punched Ellering in the face. That woke her up and she levelled Adora with a huge shoulder off the ropes.

Adora rained down some hard strikes and kicks on Ellering, not giving her room to get set. Adora kicked Ellering’s shoulder out from under her and followed up with a drop down arm bar. Adora then stomped on Ellering’s wrist to drive home the point.

Ellering is kinda like the Juggernaut in that once she gets moving, she’s hard to stop. After reversing a suplex, she threw Adora around the ring hitting her with kicks, fists, shoulders and using sheer momentum to keep Adora off her feet.

Adora got her stride back though and hit a Lights Out lariat to put Ellering on the mat for good and pick up the win.

TV Time with ROH World Champion “The Learning Tree” Chris Jericho

Jericho won the ROH World title from Mark Briscoe several weeks ago in a Ladder War and successfully defended it against old foe Tomohiro Ishii. All this without actually stepping into an ROH Ring. The question of who Jericho will face at Final Battle has been on everyone’s mind. This ROH edition of TV TIme would hopefully give us some answers.

Jericho kicked off the segment by introducing Bryan Keith who demanded the crowd respect Jericho. Jericho said that he has some information on his Final Battle opponent. Jericho said that he came up with something special, someone from New York City. Someone with the Warrior Attitude of the Windy City. Suddenly, music hit and who should come walking out?

As the internet (that he was once champion of) spoiled 24 hours ago, it was the one and only Matt Cardona!

Cardona climbed into the ring and trashed the TV Time set. Jericho seemed to be confused, and Cardona grabbed a Mic to declare that he would fight and win in NYC and become the new ROH World Champion. He knocked Jericho’s hat off and then left.

While I am stoked to see Cardona vs Jericho at Final Battle, one does have to ask, was there not one person on the ROH Roster who’s there every week that would deserve a title shot? I know ROH is very faction and team-heavy these days, but surely someone like Lee Johnson or Shane Taylor or even a rematch with Mark Briscoe would make a great Main Event of Final Battle. That said, Woo woo woo!

-Alex Reynolds and Evil Uno talked in the back. John Silver joined them revealing he had stolen the scarves of the Grizzled Young Veterans in retaliation for how they treated those extras earlier.

Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) defeated Griff Garrison & Preston Vance

Garrison and Vance are still trying to find their footing as a team but did manage to pick up a win over Waves and Curls a couple of weeks ago. Kaun and Linoa, out of fresh meat in their troughs, have come looking to choose violence. It’s kind of all that’s on the menu for Gates of Agony who are currently 17-1 since arriving in ROH in 2022.

Vance and Garrison got the upper hand off the top by jumping Liona and sending him to the outside before double teaming Kaun. That gave them a chance to keep him isolate in their corner, working him over while Liona paced on the opposite side of the ring.

Kaun literally leapt across 3/4ths of the ring to dropkick Garrison and get a tag to Liona. Liona shasmed his way through both Garrison and Vance. Liona got Vance on his shoulders, but Garrison jumped in to try and break it up. Without missing a beat, Liona flattened them both.

Kaun tagged back in and he and Garrison battled while Vance threw Liona into the stairs on the outside. Garrison tried a torture rack bomb, but Kaun kicked out. Linoa returned from the stairs and took out Vance so Kaun could land a big slam on the legal man, Garrison, and get the pin.

-Lexy Nair interveiwed Rachel Ellering in the back but before she could say anything, Harley Cameron showed up. She passive-aggressively made fun of Ellering, and then produced a small trophy with a dog on it, saying that Ellering was “Top dog!’ Ellering was touched, and the two women awkwardly hugged with Nair in between them.

Billie Starkz defeated Lady Frost

Starkz and Frost have two things in common: They both like to beat people up and they both have something of a “tense” relationship with the ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena. Frost lost a Proving Ground match to the Champion back in October and Athena and Lexy Nair have been giving the demoted-to-Minion-in-Training Starkz the bums for months. With Athena’s dance card at Final Battle still open, this match had the potential to set something up for either of these women.

Starkz has been coming out in darker gear and with darker purple hair lately, signalling her ennui. That didn’t stop her from Bratting her way around Frost though, setting her into a tight choke hold. Frost did a bunch of gymnastics style moves, but failed to notice that Starkz was just standing there watching for the most part.

A giant kick from Starkz knocked Frost on her back a gave Starkz the opening she needed to get her into the corner. Frost tried to fight back with kicks of her own, but another face kick from Starkz stopped that offensive surge in it’s tracks. Starkz then caught Frost with a quick rollup and got the win.

-A graphic made it official: At Final Battle, The Righteous will try and take the ROH Tag Titles from Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara!

ROH Classic Match: ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness vs Naomichi Marufuji (ROH Final Battle 2008 @ Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, New York, USA)

It’s easy to forget that Nigel McGuinness was once ROH World Champion. Not because he’s a bad or unimpressive wrestler, but because I can barely remember last week, let alone 16 years ago. Marufuji is still wresting today, working in Pro Wrestling NOAH as recently as last week. He’s current one-half of the GHC Tag Team Champions in fact! A great match and worth a watch if you’ve got 18 minutes to get rid of!

-Back in the present, Matt Taven cut a promo in the back, calling out ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty. Taven said that next week, the powers that be have made it official: Matt Taven vs Lee Moriarty for the Pure Championship! Seems like an odd time to do that with a major event on the horizon, but who am I to judge?

Action Andretti & Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) (w/Leila Grey) defeated Shane Taylor Promotions (Carlie Bravo, Shane Taylor & Shawn Dean) (w/Trish Adora)

It’s a heavyweight Main Event this week and one that the current ROH Six-Man Tag Champions (Dustin Rhodes and The Von Erichs) would be keeping a close eye on. With so many teams in ROH right now, it’s kind of strange that the 6-Man Championships have been on the back burner, but when they return, it should be to a hot feud. Top Flight and Andretti have been solid in the past few months and once The Infantry joined up with STP they’ve been on a whole new level.

Andretti and Dean kicked off the match, each shoving the other, probably because they couldn’t decide who’s hair had more bounce. Martin tagged in quickly and he and Andretti double kicked Dean. Top Flight were all over Dean and Bravo as both teams tagged in and out in a flurry of moves. ON the outside, Dean dropped Andretti on his head on the apron (the hardest part of the ring!) and Taylor followed it up with a huge legdrop.

Andretti found himself trapped in the STP corner taking shots from Dean and Bravo one after the other. Finally he got a hot tag to Darious, which brought in Taylor. All three members of Top Flight triple teamed him, until Bravo and Dean caught some feet and threw Andretti and Dean to the outside. They hit Boot Camp on Bravo, but it wasn’t enough to finish him off.

A mele broke out and after a bit of brawling, Andretti cleared the house, and Duante climbed the top rope to hit a huge splash on a prone Dean int he ring. 1-2-3 and it was over with Top Flight getting the win.

AEW Dynamite live results: Dynamite Dozen battle royale

Posted on December 4, 2024December 4, 2024 by Ryan Howard

The sixth-annual Dynamite Dozen battle royale is set for tonight’s AEW Dynamite.

The Continental Classic continues tonight with two tournament bouts. In the Blue League, Kyle Fletcher will face Shelton Benjamin. Claudio Castagnoli will take on Brody King in tonight’s Gold League tilt.

PAC will go one-on-one with Jay White as PAC and the Death Riders continue to leave their imprint on AEW.

Another former World Champion will be in action as Swerve Strickland faces Max Caster of The Acclaimed in singles competition.

Anna Jay will wrestle on tonight’s show against Penelope Ford.

A talking segment with Jamie Hayter is also set for tonight’s episode. Hayter has seemingly been the target of the returning Julia Hart in recent weeks.

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with a nice video package highlighting week 1 of the Continental Classic. For those unaware, Komander has officially replaced Juice Robinson in the Gold League with Robinson suffering a broken fibula in his match with Will Ospreay.

Kyle Fletcher [6] defeated Shelton Benjamin [3] in the Continental Classic Blue League

(After a slow start, this turned into one hell of a match, with the crowd louder for Benjamin than any of his previous matches in AEW so far. Fletcher of course got booed loudly in this but I was surprised how over Benjamin was with the crowd, as they really wanted him to win this. The pace picked up in a big way down the stretch and it was pretty fitting for Fletcher to escape with a win here, by any means necessary.)

Despite the rule of everyone is banned from ringside, Don Callis is on commentary, so I guess he found a loophole in the system. He joins Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Matt Menard as Benjamin used his power advantage for opening takedowns, with the crowd behind him. Fletcher had enough and went to work in the corner, but trash talked the crowd, allowing Benjamin to bolt out with a clothesline, forcing Fletcher to take a powder. Lots of stalling early from Fletcher, as Benjamin ultimately hit an overhead throw, but Fletcher responded with a clothesline over the top, sending both men crashing outside into commercial.

Back from break, a slugfest ensues, with the crowd loudly supporting Benjamin, who returned the favor and clotheslined Fletcher outside. Being bounced back and forth between guardrail, side of the ring and steps, Benjamin tried a charge, but Fletcher dodged and he ate the post. Benjamin broke the count at 9, but slid into a massive lariat for two. Another forearm exchange, both missed thrust kicks, until Fletcher fired of a leg lariat and Michinoku Driver to nab another near fall. Fletcher wanted a brainbuster, but Benjamin responded with the spin kick into the reset.

Benjamin locked in a leg trapped crossface, with Fletcher teasing a tap, but managed the ropes, as the crowd bit at the false finish. Benjamin missed a charge, ate multiple thrust kicks, leading to a Fletcher top rope elbow for two. Fletcher wanted a charge of his own, but Benjamin fired off a thrust kick followed by Suplex City Germans. Step-up corner knee caused Fletcher to roll to the apron, as he tried a sunset flip, floated over with a school boy and grabbed the ropes for added leverage to steal the pin. Fletcher & Callis bailed up the ramp and celebrated in the post-match.

-Continental Classic match highlights from Collision last week was shown as Will Ospreay defeated Juice Robinson as well as the 20 minute time limit draw between Daniel Garcia & Kazuchika Okada.

HOOK makes his way to the ring with a mic in hand and called out Nick Wayne, who challenged HOOK to a match at the Hammerstein Ballroom last week. HOOK said he wants Christian Cage at that show, instead, wants to fight Wayne tonight. The Patriarchy’s music hits, as Cage comes out with Mother Wayne, as HOOK was attacked from behind by Nick & Kip Sabian. HOOK fought them both off with throws as Mother Wayne ran distraction enough for Christian to pop HOOK with his World Title case before a 3 on 1 beatdown ensued. Sabian & Nick grabbed chairs and they did a Con-Chair-To to the hand. The Patriarchy stood tall, as no security, referees, doctors or wrestlers attempted to make the save or even check on HOOK after this all happened.

-Renee Paquette is backstage and approaches Mercedes Mone, who had to get off her signature line before scolding Paquette for asking about Kamille being attacked last week on Rampage. Mone said she doesn’t care about Kamille anymore and instead wants to talk about Anna Jay sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong, so she’ll be watching her match with Penelope Ford tonight. Mone said her go home line to end the segment.

**********

-MVP is backstage berating Shelton Benjamin for letting Fletcher staying in that match, as he tol Benjamin he loves him, but he’s disappointed in the showing. Lashley & MVP went to walk away when Benjamin attacked a production assistant, as Lashley & MVP returned and joined in. MVP yelled that is what they do.

Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly won the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal

(This was probably one of the weakest battle royals AEW has done, as there was literally no one outside of Cole & O’Reilly who made sense advancing to next week’s match. The never-ending Cole, Kingdom & MJF feud continues at least up to World’s End, where I’ll make this a weekly plea, that hopefully everyone gets a fresh start come 2025 and everyone can move on.)

Other participants included Lance Archer, Brian Cage, Rocky Romero, Lio Rush, Action Andretti, Mark Davis, Dante Martin, Darius Martin, Evil Uno

The last two men will face each other next week at Winter Is Coming and the winner of that faces MJF at World’s End for the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Uno got the early upper hand on Cole and mocked his pose, but ultimately was eliminated by Davis for his troubles. Top Flight fought off Cage & Archer on the apron, as everyone started ganging up on the Callis Family duo, until they cleared house. Rush & Andretti used their speed to side step the big men, then gave each other a nod, eliminating Top Flight simultaneously. Davis planted Butcher with a brainbuster, then opted to take on Cage & Archer, so the numbers were too much resulting in his elimination as things went to break.

Romero & Andretti battled on the apron when things returned until O’Reilly pump kicked Andretti out. Romero low bridged Rush, who was tossed by O’Reilly as well. Romero saved O’Reilly from an Archer/Cage choke bomb, but suffered the consequences, as he was launched onto the pile outside. An enzugiri landed flush on Butcher, as Cole eliminated him, leaving the final four Archer, Cage, Cole & O’Reilly. Cage no sold a super kick from Cole, who low bridged Cage, fought with him on the apron, but superkicked out the leg, tried Panama Sunrise, Cage caught him. Cole landed back in the ring, as he & O’Reilly hit stereo baseball slides to take out Cage & Archer. Post match, Cole tried to offer a handshake, but O’Reilly brushed him off.

-A vignette is shown with Julia Hart having a bullseye on Jamie Hayter and her comeback. Hart said it’s time for her return and Hayter should watch her back, as The House Always Wins.

-We go backstage to The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass, as Renee Paquette walks up and Daddy Ass & Bowens look incredibly annoyed. Billy Gunn said MVP is so in Caster’s head he can’t think straight. Gunn puts over Caster, but is going about this tonight all wrong. Caster said that’s wrong as Bowens said to go prove that Caster is the best wrestler alive. Caster thanks him and wants their hands in for support, but no one does it. Caster struts out of the camera shot, leaving Gunn & Bowens just baffled at how delusional Caster has become.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Max Caster

Caster did his rap, but Strickland took his head off with a boot to the floor before driving him into the guard rail repeatedly. In the ring, Caster tried a Fame-Asser, but Strickland side stepped and hit a suplex that sent Caster back outside. Strickland soaked in the crowd chants, but the delay allowed Caster to gain control momentarily. Caster got off one springboard attack, but Strickland popped right up and fired off three House Calls flush for the dominating victory.

Post match, Strickland was going to leave, but held up and opted for a Swerve Stomp for good measure. Strickland told the camera not to waste his time and there’s still a little left of 2024, saying he & Lashley have unfinished business.

**********

-MJF is shown at a bar laughing about how this worked out perfectly tonight. MJF brings up Better Than You Baybay with Cole standing by his side for what was record breaking. Then Cole turned on MJF because he thought Max would turn first, something Cole doesn’t have proof was going to ever happen. Because of Cole, his best friend Roderick Strong’s arm is broken and now Cole must beat the hell out of Kyle O’Reilly next week just to try and get his hands on him. The chaos Jon Moxley has been causing in AEW would never have happened if MJF was still World Champion. MJF says Cole is pretending to be the hero, when he’s nothing but the jaundice infected villain, as he knows Cole can’t beat O’Reilly and for that, Cole can thank him later.

Switchblade Jay White defeated PAC (w/Wheeler Yuta)

(For being the first time singles meeting between the two, I thought they delivered big time and I can’t wait to see it happen again, whenever that may be. The big story here is the return of Orange Cassidy, as The Death Riders finally seem to have the odds evened against them for a change and the crowd popped big for Hangman, Switchblade & Cassidy standing tall to end the segment. I will say Christian showing up felt more like a reminder that he’s involved whenever he chooses, as I don’t think he’ll be in this program come World’s End. I think a 4-way with Moxley, Page, White & Cassidy looks like where they are headed, especially with Cage & HOOK continuing their program.)

Bell sounds and Yuta tried to run distraction immediately, but White had it scouted, side-stepped PAC and took the fight to him early with hard chops. PAC tried a float over from the apron inside, but nearly flew into a Blade Runner. PAC bailed outside, as Yuta tried to help him regroup, but PAC shoved him away. White fired off snap jabs back inside and hit a high back body drop for two. PAC backed White into the ropes and tried faking a clean break, but White launched him over the top with an exploder. Front suplex on the apron by White, but Yuta tripped him up, allowing PAC to gain control, sending White crashing into the barricade, taking control into commercial.

Forearm exchange back from break, as PAC flipped out of the corner, but ran into a White suplex in the turnbuckles. More loud chops and jabs fired off by White, as PAC was spiked with a DDT and sold it like only he could for two. PAC rolled outside, as White side-stepped the ref to dish out more damage. Back inside, PAC fought off the Urange with a snap bounce back German, but went to swing for the fences, only for White to hit the Uranage into the double down. White charged to the corner, but ate a big boot, allowing PAC to go up top and rolled through a Shooting Star attempt. Both trade counters until White spiked PAC with the sleeper suplex on the second attempt after PAC avoided the first. White wanted Blade Runner, but PAC leapt up into the Brutalizer, as White was still standing, but collapsed into the ropes. With the ref admonishing PAC for letting the submission go late, Yuta pulled White to the floor and hit the Busiaku Knee. White was rolled back in the ring, as PAC picked him up, only to be spiked with a Blade Runner and pinned.

Post match, Yuta tried to attack, but suffered a Blade Runner was well. Marina Shafir appeared and had a face-off with White, who had his back turned, allowing Jon Moxley to attack from behind and pounce with punches before hitting the Paradigm Shift. As Moxley & crew were about to leave, Hangman Page walked out and stared him down from the ramp. Moxley was about to square up to Page when a camera man attacked Moxley from behind, wrapping a cable chord around his neck. It was Orange Cassidy and the fight was on. Shafir was dumped over the guard rail, as Page was sent to the floor by Moxley & Yuta until Cassidy was left staring down Moxley, popping him with an Orange Punch. White hit a Blade Runner on Moxley, as Cassidy & White stared each other down. Moxley stumbled up and Page flew in with a Buckshot, as Page, Cassidy & White were left standing tall, as The Death Riders were left retreating up the ramp. We then saw Christian Cage standing at the heel tunnel holding his AEW World Title contract and smiling.

-Jamie Hayter is backstage saying Julia Hart’s mind games doesn’t work for her, she’s more of a face to face or fist to face kind of gal. Hayter said everyone and their mothers were pissed about her return at Wembley and doesn’t know why Hart cares. Hayter came back to right wrongs and settle scores, something Hart has nothing to do with. The International Women’s Cup means a lot to Hayter, who is determined to take it all the way. You can’t fight what you can’t see, so when Hart decides to make her comeback, the last thing she’ll see is looking up at Hayter.

**********

-New York Minute with The King of New York, Chris Jericho is shown, as he plugs ROH Final Battle and the upcoming AEW stores at the Hammerstein Ballroom. He also plugs All In Texas on July 12 with on-sale tickets go on sale December 9^th. Jericho keeps mispronouncing it Hammershtein and said he’ll announce his opponent for Final Battle on ROH TV tomorrow night.

-A vignette is shown of two cowboys talking about someone returning soon, saying as soon as the outlaw returns, everyone is in trouble. One of them puts up a wanted sign showing that the man they’re talking about is Bandido.

Anna Jay defeated Penelope Ford

(A needed win for Jay on her new quest for the TBS Title. The first half of this felt pretty clunky, but both ladies got on the same page for the closing stretch. After the scuffle with Mone in the post-match, Jay will get her TBS Title match in 2 weeks and I wouldn’t hate if they gave her the shock win. You’ve just had Jay losing her chance to challenge for the Women’s Title as long as Mariah May is champ, having her lose another title match this soon after would do a number on her. I’d love a major upset in 2 weeks.)

I like that before the match, they showed a video package documenting the history between these two ladies back in the Daily’s Place days, including their bloody tag team street fight. Jay offered a handshake at the bell, but Ford kicked it away, so Jay shoved her down and they started slugging it out. Flying forearm sent Ford stumbling into the corner, as Jay wanted a hanging neckbreaker between the ropes, but Ford raked the eyes and hit a springboard double knees on the apron. Both ladies awkwardly tried to swing each other into the guard rail, until Ford just kicked Jay and sent her into the steps.

Ford controlled almost the entire break, as she hit her handspring corner elbow, looking for a moonsault, but Jay swept out the legs. Jay didn’t get all of a thrust kick, but hit the rolling neckbreaker for two. Jay finally hit her hanging neckbreaker, charged, but Ford was there with a pump kick. Jay responded with a thrust kick, as Ford did the Matrix and ultimately avoided Queen Slayer with a Cutter for two. Ford missed a moonsault, allowing Jay to hit a shotgun dropkick, but Ford avoided a Gory Bomb into a dropkick of her own into the ropes. Ford took a long time getting the bridging death lock, but Jay got the ropes. Ford for some reason opted to argue with ref Aubrey, as the delay allowed Jay to hit the Gory Bomb for the win.

Post match, Jay grabbed the mic and called out Mercedes Mone, who quickly obliged, as she strutted to the stage. Mone said if Kris Statlander, the biggest and the baddest, can’t beat her for the TBS Title, what makes Jay think she can? Mone said Mariah May must have kicked her a little too hard in the head, but she admires her confidence. Mone said Jay should come back in 10 years until she’s done something in this business first. Jay slapped Mone, who looked at her watch and retreated, saying it’ll be on her time. We’re told in 2 weeks, it’ll be Mone vs. Jay for the TBS Title.

**********

-Renee Paquette is seated backstage with Mariah May, who cut Paquette off for not having friends and just poking holes at people who do. Paquette went to leave when May sat her back down and told her to listen. May said giving a title shot to her best friend is a great gesture, something she wouldn’t got otherwise, as shaking your tits doesn’t earn you a shot, she’s going to have to work for it. May brought up Thunder Rosa calling her out briefly as we saw Mina Shirakawa marching in the back, approached as she handed May a champagne bottle, telling her do it to her face. Winter Is Coming, make Mina work.

Claudio Castagnoli [6] defeated Brody King [3] in the Continental Classic Gold League

(If you thought these two would beat the hell out of each other, you’re correct. Similar to their clash at last years Continental Classic, this was one massive hard-hitting brawl with Castagnoli getting his win back. Despite the loss, King looked incredibly strong and I’m hopeful he continues his good run going forward.)

Both men wasted no time swinging for the fences, as neither man went down initially, until King flattened Castagnoli with a hard chop. Castagnoli’s chest is already beat red, as he went to work on King’s right arm. King battled back with a running senton for two, but missed a corner charge, allowing Castagnoli to dropkick the leg out and hit a double stomp before wrapping King’s arm around the post repeatedly. Castagnoli worked the arm throughout the entire commercial break.

King mounted a comeback, planting Castagnoli with a Death Valley Driver for a near fall, as King is bleeding from the nose. Castagnoli side stepped a charge and hit a massive pop-up uppercut for two of his own. Castagnoli got a DVD of his own before connecting on anvil elbows. This did nothing but fire King up, who got to his feet and waffled Castagnoli with a lariat for two and a reset.

Even with the bad hand, King kept throwing chops with it, ultimately wincing, so he switched it up and hit a corner splash. Crowd was behind King, who connected on the cannonball for a close two. Castagnoli tried a springboard uppercut, but King swatted him out of mid-air with a forearm. Castagnoli wrenched at the arm out of desperation, as he went up top, but was cut off. King joined him and connected on a big superplex, as the crowd are on their feet. King spiked Castagnoli with a piledriver for two, as loud Let’s Go Brody chants are heard.

King wound up for his lariat, but Castagnoli bailed outside. King was out after and kept throwing chops before sitting down Castagnoli, tried for a dive, but Castagnoli moved and King ran into the railing. Castagnoli hit a big uppercut over the barricade, but King just broke the count. Castagnoli went for his lariat, but King hit first and got two. King wanted a Gonzo Bomb, but Castagnoli raked the eyes, grabbed the ref, hit a mule kick and connected on a Neutralizer for the tainted victory.

Continental Classic Gold League Standings

6 Points: Claudio Castagnoli

3 Points: Brody King, Will Ospreay

0 Points: Ricochet, Komander, Darby Allin

Continental Classic Blue League Standings

6 Points: Kyle Fletcher

3 Points: Shelton Benjamin

1 Point: Kazuchika Okada, Daniel Garcia

0 Points: Mark Briscoe, The Beast Mortos

AEW Rampage 12/6/24

Kazuchika Okada vs. Mark Briscoe in the Continental Classic Blue League
Daniel Garcia vs. The Beast Mortos in the Continental Classic Blue League
Ricochet vs. Komander in the Continental Classic Gold League

AEW Collision 12/7/24

Kazuchika Okada vs. Kyle Fletcher in the Continental Classic Blue League
Daniel Garcia vs. Mark Briscoe in the Continental Classic Blue League
Darby Allin vs. Komander in the Continental Classic Gold League
Mina Shirakawa vs. Emi Sakura
Willow Nightingale vs. Serena Deeb in an International Women’s Cup Qualifier Semifinal

AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming 12/11/24

Jon Moxley & PAC vs. Switchblade Jay White & Orange Cassidy
Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castagnoli in the Continental Classic Gold League
Ricochet vs. Brody King in the Continental Classic Gold League
Mariah May defends the AEW Women’s Title against Mina Shirakawa
Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly with the winner facing MJF at World’s End for the Dynamite Diamond Ring
Jamie Hayter vs. Serena Deeb or Willow Nightingale in the International Women’s Cup Qualifier Final