Tag: tiffany stratton

WWE WrestleMania 41 night one live results: CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV

**********

Show Recap — 

COUNTDOWN SHOW 

The 3-hour pre-show began with a black screen for about a minute as Michael Cole ran things down. The panel was stationed outside Allegiant Stadium with Cole, Pat McAfee, Big E, and Wade Barrett. 

Cole said Rey Mysterio would be a game-time decision for his match tonight. He also confirmed that Gunther vs. Jey Uso will open tonight’s show.

Joe Tessitore and Sam Roberts discussed LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu, Cathy Kelley and Byron Saxton discussed Jey vs. Gunther, and Jackie Redmond gave us some stats. There was a video package for the main event, and there was a very long discussion about it.

(If you’re not familiar with these pre-shows, they kill a lot of time by showing random videos that always have much to do with tonight’s show. I’m not going to mention them all over the next two nights, but as an example, they had clips of Undertaker and Kane re-watching a match they had at Mania, and there was a video of wrestlers backstabbing each other through history.)

There was another long discussion, this time about Jade Cargill vs. Naomi. 

Two hours to go. 

There was a video package for El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) where they had a voice dubbed over El Grande Americano’s actual voice.

They aired parts of Triple H’s interview with Peter Rosenberg. 

Redmond replaced McAfee and Barrett on the panel. 

Cole, Big E, and Redmond spoke glowingly about their boss, Triple H. Cole said, “I just want to remind everyone: We’re all here today because of what he’s built over the past couple of years.” 

They aired parts of a Charlotte Flair interview with Barrett. 

Cole announced that WWE acquired AAA. There will be a joint show called Worlds Collide on June 7th. Dorian Roldán Peña, Alberto Fasja Cohen, and Triple H joined the panel. Vikingo, Rey Mysterio, Stephanie Vaquer, Penta, Rey Fénix, Dragon Lee, Andrade, Santos Escobar and others stood behind them as they spoke about the joint venture.

Rey Mysterio announced that he was not medically cleared to compete tonight against El Grande Americano. His replacement will be Rey Fénix.

There was a full 15-minute block where they focused on Jey Uso vs. Gunther. There were separate video packages for each guy, a sit-down interview with Jey, and a panel discussion about the match. 

One hour to go.

There was another Jey video. 

Saxton interviewed New Day. They were appalled by Saxton’s negative question and called themselves the greatest tag team of all time. They planned on winning the belts and celebrating on the strip.

Tessitore and Roberts had a long and arduous discussion about Knight vs. Fatu. 

It looks like Bayley is out of action. She was attacked backstage earlier today, and they quickly discovered it was a shoulder injury. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez happened to be nearby, and Adam Pearce was pissed at them. They were amused, but denied any involvement. They also figured there would be no title match tomorrow. Pearce told Lyra Valkyria that she has 24 hours to find a new partner.

Stephanie McMahon joined the panel, and she spoke about her new show. Redmond asked what match she looked forward to most this weekend, but she didn’t want to answer because she didn’t want to have to pick a winner. Her answer made it sound like she doesn’t really follow it. She only mentioned Jey Uso after the crowd started Yeeting. 

There was a video about Las Vegas narrated by Dana White. 

Jelly Roll sang “God Bless America” as we approached 7:00 pm ET. 

WRESTLEMANIA 41 – NIGHT ONE

Roman Reigns (on his own), Seth Rollins, CM Punk and Paul Heyman, Charlotte Flair, and Tiffany Stratton were shown arriving. Charlotte was heavily booed. Reigns and Rollins were dressed up, while Punk wore a Chicago Blackhawks hoodie. Gunther and Jey Uso were shown warming up.

The WrestleMania intro video focused on the company’s popularity, narrated by Triple H. He was in the ring to start the show, and welcomed us to WrestleMania as fireworks went off. 

Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, and Wade Barrett are tonight’s announcers. 

Cole and McAfee Yeeted along with Jey Uso’s entrance. Barrett, thankfully, did not. 

Jey’s entrance looked great. They had people waving “Yeet” banners along the ramp, and the Las Vegas Raiders cheerleaders posed in stairways as Jey entered through the crowd. 

(As big as this entrance felt, it was hampered by two separate cutaways for sponsors. They also cut to Turki Al-Sheikh sitting in the crowd.) 

There are nine different sponsors on the ring mat. 

The bell rang for the opening match at 7:19 pm ET. 

Jey Uso defeated Gunther to win the World Heavyweight Championship (16:23) 

Gunther was in control until Jey hit a body slam, which they played up like a big spot, but Gunther chopped him out of the ring. Gunther was back in control until Jey suddenly hit a spear for a nearfall. 

Gunther hit a superplex off the middle rope, followed by a dropkick and powerbomb for a nearfall. Jey countered a powerbomb by hitting a hurricanrana. He followed with a spear and an Uso splash for a nearfall. 

Gunther grabbed his title back and acted like he would leave. Jey went for a suicide dive, and the referee had to dive out of the way. With the ref momentarily distracted, Gunther nailed Jey with the belt. Gunther followed with a splash for a nearfall. 

Gunther applied a sleeper as the crowd Yeeted. Jey went for a rope break, but Guther pulled him to the middle of the ring. Jey did get a rope break moments later. 

Gunther attacked Jey with strikes, and Jey invited him to keep going, so Gunther chopped him down. Gunther chopped him repeatedly, but Jey fought back with strikes. They traded blows until Jey dropped Gunther with a clothesline. Jey countered a sleeper into a German suplex, but Gunther came back with a dropkick. 

Jey countered a powerbomb into a powerbomb of his own. Jey hit consecutive superkicks, a spear and an Uso splash. Jey hit another splash, and the fans rose to their feet as he hit a third one. 

Instead of going for a cover, Jey put Gunther in a sleeper, and Gunther tapped out. Jey Uso is the new world champion. 

(When they showed the replays, the graphic was of the Survivor Series logo, not the WrestleMania logo.) 

— Jey almost seemed in disbelief when he was handed the title. Jey posed on the announce table and hugged Jimmy Uso in the ring. They posed together and celebrated in the crowd. The fans were into all of this. 

As Barrett recapped the closing moments over the replays, Cole randomly started talking over him and excitedly announced that Jey had tapped out Gunther as Barrett was leading up to the moment. 

(I wouldn’t call this a great match, but it was laid out well and I liked the definitive finish. Jey pinning Gunther might’ve felt a bit weak after all this time.)

Match result: Jey Uso defeated Gunther 

******** 

Rick Rubin, Criss Angel, and George Kittle were shown in the crowd. Kittle wore a Jey Uso shirt, and he chugged his beer. 

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods got in Kittle’s face at ringside. 

The War Raiders’ entrance was sponsored by Clash of Clans, and they were each dressed like characters from the game.

The New Day defeated The War Raiders to win the World Tag Team Championships (9:12) 

Early in the match, Erik body slammed Ivar off the apron and onto New Day. Kingston hit a senton over Erik’s previously injured back/neck, and New Day took over. New Day tried doing a Hardy Boyz spot, but Erik wound up slamming Kingston onto Woods. 

Ivar made a tag and knocked down Kingston and Woods with a double handspring elbow. Woods came back with an Honor Roll clothesline. New Day set up for a double-team, but Erik made the save. Kingston gave him a Trouble in Paradise before Ivar hit Kingston with a spinning kick. 

Ivar hit Kingston with a moonsault (right onto his legs), but Woods broke up the cover with a flying elbow drop. Erik hit Woods with knee strikes, but Kingston saved him from their finisher. 

Woods distracted the referee while Kingston tripped Ivar off the ropes. New Day got rid of Erik and hit Ivar with UpUpDownDown. Woods pinned Ivar, while Kingston held Ivar’s feet down (out of sight of the referee) for the win. 

New Day knew they got away with one, so they grabbed the title belts and sprinted up the ramp to pose on the stage. 

(This was an ordinary match in front of a quiet crowd. This match was also shorter than the amount of time that passed between the end of the last segment and this one.)

Match result: The New Day defeated The War Raiders 

******** 

O’Shea Jackson Jr., Michael Che, and Jelly Roll were in the crowd. 

Naomi wore black and yellow to go with her caution tape theme. Cargill wore gold and white. Cargill’s entrance included a special “weather report” by Jim Cantore to let us know a storm was coming. Naomi has a new rock song as her entrance music. 

Jade Cargill defeated Naomi (9:21) 

Cargill was in control until Naomi hit an X-factor as Cargill was draped off the apron. Naomi worked her over for a bit until Cargill hit a backbreaker. 

There was a very cool spot where Naomi went for a blockbuster off the top, but Cargill caught her effortlessly out of the air and hit a jackhammer for two. Cargill caught her off the ropes again moments later and hit a fallaway slam. 

Cargill went to the top, but Naomi brought her down with an avalanche bulldog. Naomi followed with a split-legged moonsault for a nearfall. Naomi applied a Rings of Saturn, but Cargill powered up to her feet with Naomi on her shoulders. 

Cargill adjusted and put Naomi in an electric chair drop position and transitioned into a powerbomb. Cargill followed with Jaded for the pinfall win.

(This was a fine match with some cool spots. A few of Cargill’s moves require a bit too much of a setup, but they look impressive.) 

Match result: Jade Cargill defeated Naomi

******** 

Lilly Singh and Lil Yachty were in the crowd. 

Solo Sikoa initially entered the stage with Fatu, but returned to the back for the match. Knight was driven on the stage in a white Maserati.

Jacob Fatu defeated LA Knight to win the United States Championship (10:38) 

Knight had the edge early on until Fatu hit a big Samoan drop. Knight tried mounting a comeback, but Fatu caught him off the top with a powerslam for two. Fatu tried another Samoan drop, but Knight countered into what was meant to be a crucifix bomb. 

Fatu missed a Stinger splash, so Knight booted him repeatedly and hit a running knee. Knight drove him twice into the ring post and hit a step-up elbow drop onto a standing Fatu for two. 

Fatu set up for a moonsault, but Knight ran up the ropes and hit an avalanche release German suplex for two. Fatu came back with a superkick, three running hip attacks, and a senton bomb for two. 

There were duelling chants as they set up for the next spot. Fatu went for a moonsault, but Knight caught him as he fell with a BFT. Knight presumably had it won, but Fatu got a rope break at two. 

Fatu hit a senton with Knight draped over the top rope. He followed with a senton bomb and consecutive moonsaults for the pinfall win. 

The crowd liked Knight, but they popped big for the closing sequence and Fatu’s win.

(This started out as another ordinary match, but it wound up being pretty good by the end. Fatu getting a big win and moving up the ladder put it over the top. Even though the fans liked Knight, you could tell they wanted to see Fatu get crowned.)

Match result: Jacob Fatu defeated LA Knight 

********

They adjusted the video package for the next match to include Rey Fénix in Rey Mysterio’s place. This was the same video that had a voiceover dubbed for El Grande Americano/Chad Gable. 

They used a hefty yellow tint filter for El Grande Americano’s entrance. Alicia Taylor announced him as being from the Gulf of America, but the announcers said he hailed from the Gulf of Mexico. 

Vikingo and Dana White were shown in the crowd. White got a mixed reaction.

El Grande Americano defeated Rey Fénix (7:56) 

They didn’t know this match was happening before yesterday, so in an unfortunate coincidence, Gable and Fénix both wore the same shade of red and gold gear. 

Before the match, Gable shoved Vikingo, so Vikingo kicked him in the face. Gable stumbled into the ring, and the match began. 

They went back and forth until Gable launched Fénix into the corner with an overhead suplex. Gable then did a move he’s probably never done before, something similar to a 630 splash, which looked amazing. 

Fénix tried running the ropes, but Gable tripped him. With the ref distracted, Gable loaded his mask. Fénix hit a running kick to the face, but of course, Fénix sold his foot because he kicked the loaded mask. 

Gable caught his injured foot in an ankle lock, but Fénix reversed into a cradle for two. Fénix came off the top, but Gable headbutted him out of mid-air. Gable hit a diving headbutt for the pinfall win.

— Vikingo helped Fénix to his feet after the match. 

(This was good but short. Since the opener, every match has been under 11 minutes.) 

Match result: El Grande Americano defeated Rey Fénix 

******** 

Shawn Michaels entered the stage, and he announced an attendance of 61,467. They called this a sell-out. (The number was written for him on a card in the biggest lettering possible.)

Stephen Amell and Israel Adesanya were in the crowd. Dana White was shown a second time for some reason, and he was booed. 

Tiffany Stratton entered first. Every other champion tonight has entered last. She had a Barbie-themed entrance, and entered out of a custom Barbie doll box they said was made by Mattel. 

Charlotte was driven to the ring in a Rolls-Royce. She was heavily booed again.

They both wore sparkly pink outfits, although Flair had pink and blue, while Stratton was all pink. 

Tiffany Stratton defeated Charlotte Flair to retain the WWE Women’s Championship (19:10) 

Charlotte did Stephanie Vaquer’s signature Devil’s Kiss move early in the match, and the crowd booed. The announcers even referenced Vaquer when she did it. Stratton came back later with a spinebuster, rolling senton, and basement dropkick, but Charlotte cut her off with a big boot. 

Charlotte called her a bitch and hit a few chops. Stratton responded with some aggressive strikes, but Charlotte booted her again. Stratton avoided Natural Selection, but Charlotte hit a sit-out powerbomb for two. Stratton avoided another boot and hit a spinebuster for two. 

Stratton countered a flying crossbody into a cradle for two. Charlotte set up for a moonsault to the outside, but Stratton shoved her off the top rope. Charlotte sold it like she hurt her knee (which has a heavy brace), so Stratton immediately attacked the leg. Charlotte managed to boot her again anyway with the other boot. 

Charlotte began attacking Stratton’s knee before applying the Figure Four. Stratton got out of it by punching Charlotte’s injured knee. Stratton chop-blocked her and hit a Finlay roll. Stratton went for a PME, but Charlotte got her knees up and applied a small package for two. 

Charlotte dropped Stratton off the top rope and followed with a Natural Selection (sort of) for a nearfall. Charlotte trash-talked, so Stratton smacked her. Charlotte went for a figure four again, but Stratton got out of it and hit an Alabama Slam into the turnbuckle (not really). 

Stratton followed with a Finlay roll and BME for the pinfall win. 

The crowd wasn’t super into this (a recurring theme), but they did pop big for Stratton’s win. 

(This match was a slog. Not only that, but Stratton came out of this with a bruised forehead and chipped tooth or teeth. It happened the hard way, but at the very last, Stratton probably gained more steam with the crowd, even if this wasn’t good.)

Match result: Tiffany Stratton defeated Charlotte Flair 

********

They aired clips from the 2025 Hall of Fame. The Triple H clip was as long as everything else combined. 

Steve Austin, Bret Hart, Michelle McCool, and Tugboat and family were on the stage and introduced to the live crowd. (Lex Luger was not there.) Triple H got his own entrance, and he shook hands with everyone. 

They showed Iyo Sky taking a trip on the Goodyear blimp. (They’re a sponsor.)

******** 

Seth Rollins entered first. He had a flamethrower and pretended to light the stage on fire. It looked pretty cheesy, because it was just the video boards lighting on fire. The flamethrower by itself would’ve been fine. 

The lights turned off, and his music stopped. For a brief moment, I very dumbly thought he was getting new music. But they just turned the lights on, and his usual music played again. The lights going out was to reveal that he changed his outfit. He was wearing all black but switched to white. 

Roman Reigns did his usual entrance, wearing the Ula Fala. 

CM Punk entered last, and he got a special video before his big entrance. He redid one of his old promos as they spliced in clips of young Punk, and they showed footage of his accession in the company. It was basically the type of video they would do for his eventual HOF induction. 

Living Colour played “Cult of Personality” live as Punk entered with Paul Heyman.

After they all entered, Reigns and Rollins looked as they always do, but Punk was taking it all in and took a deep breath before they got started. 

Triple Threat Match: Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns and CM Punk (w/Paul Heyman) (32:40)

Punk immediately left the ring to consult with Heyman. Rollins tried to get Reigns on his side to go after Punk, but Reigns punched him instead. Punk got back in the ring, but Reigns took the early advantage over both guys. 

Reigns distracted himself by looking on in dismay at Heyman, so Punk posted him before Rollins wiped him out with a dive. This led to a brawl between Punk and Rollins. They fought through the crowd, and Punk was mostly getting the better of it until Reigns wiped them out with a dive over the barricade. 

The crowd chanted for tables, so Reigns cleared one of the fancy new announce tables. The fight went back into the ring before he could use it. Punk mocked Reigns’ pose, but Reigns hit a Samoan drop. Rollins tried a springboard move, but Reigns caught him with an uppercut. 

Punk gave Reigns a neckbreaker and handed out running knees to both opponents. He hit both guys with a simultaneous DDT and reverse DDT combo. Reigns put Rollins on his shoulders, and Punk brought him down with a clothesline (a Doomsday device by happenstance). Reigns followed with a Superman punch on Punk for two. 

Punk got the better of a strike exchange with Reigns and followed with a Rock Bottom for two. (None of the announcers called the move.) Punk put Reigns in an Anaconda Vice, but Rollins broke it up by hitting Reigns with a frog splash for two. 

Rollins hit each man with buckle bombs. Punk avoided a Pedigree but ate a spear by Reigns instead. Reigns tried to spear Rollins, but Rollins countered into a Pedigree. Rollins followed with a stomp, shoved Punk out of the ring, and covered Reigns for a nearfall. 

Reigns went to spear Punk, but Punk moved, and Reigns speared Rollins. Punk hit Reigns with a GTS for a close nearfall. Rollins hit Punk with a Pedigree for two. 

Rollins explained to Reigns that they needed to take out Punk for the greater good. Rollins booted Punk and cleared the other announce table. Reigns went to the outside, but did not immediately get involved. 

Reigns sized up the situation and called for the Shield powerbomb. Rollins set up Punk for the move, but Reigns punched Rollins instead. Reigns powerbombed Punk through the table on his own instead. Reigns then powerbombed Rollins through the other table. Reigns speared Rollins in the ring for a close nearfall. 

Reigns put Punk in a guillotine while he looked over at Heyman. Punk reversed into a jackknife cover for two, followed by an Anaconda Vice. Rollins broke that up by putting Punk in a Sharpshooter. (Rollins flipped off Punk, and they actually blacked out the full screen for a second while he did.) 

Reigns put Rollins in the guillotine, but Rollins countered into a Northern Lights suplex. Reigns reapplied the hold, but Punk curb-stomped Reigns. Punk hit Rollins with a GTS for another nearfall. 

Punk gave Rollins a GTS, Reigns speared Punk, and Rollins stomped Reigns. Everyone was down, which led to Paul Heyman. 

Heyman grabbed a chair and walked toward the ring. Punk and Reigns both looked up at him. Heyman slid the chair to Punk, and the crowd gasped. You knew that wasn’t all, because Heyman entered the ring. 

Punk held up the chair to use it on Reigns, but Heyman gave him a low blow from behind. Heyman handed the chair to Reigns, and he hit Punk with it repeatedly. Heyman showed Reigns that Rollins had his back turned (the same way Reigns’ back was turned when Rollins turned on the Shield). 

Reigns set up for a chair shot to finally get revenge on Rollins, but Heyman gave Reigns a low blow. 

Rollins didn’t even turn around to look at what happened, because he already knew. 

Heyman gave Rollins the chair (as the fans sang his damn song). With Reigns’ back turned, Rollins nailed him with the chair. Rollins followed with a curb stomp for the pinfall win. 

Heyman held up Rollins’ hand in victory. 

Cole overreacted big time, acting like this betrayal was the worst thing he’s ever seen. 

This was easily the best match on tonight’s show, and they were given more than enough time to do it.

Match result: Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns and CM Punk

********

The opening and closing matches produced memorable moments, but this was still a pretty forgettable show. The closing angle was cool, but it was no bigger than angles we often see throughout the year, including the one we just saw at Elimination Chamber. The aura of WrestleMania often adds to the magnitude of the show’s matches, but that didn’t really happen tonight, and I certainly don’t blame the fans in attendance.

Charlotte Flair comments on WWE SmackDown segment

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Charlotte Flair has commented on her WWE SmackDown segment with Tiffany Stratton that went off the rails.

In a social media post Thursday, Flair teased issuing a statement regarding her segment with Stratton on the Friday, April 4 SmackDown that reportedly included both making unscripted comments.

Instead, Flair used her post to get a jab in at Chicago wrestling fans to further her heel persona, writing:

“After being blindsided by my personal trauma on live television, my character said something on-air that was not true, and I’d like to take this opportunity to clear the air. I should have NEVER called the Chicago fans smart. I sincerely apologize.”

The personal trauma Flair mentions is in reference to Stratton mentioning that Flair was “drinking in her daddy’s basement” at Stratton’s age, while Stratton is the WWE Women’s Champion.

Flair is the 2025 Royal Rumble winner and will challenge Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 41. That match is set for night one of the two-night event on Saturday, April 19.

Night one will be headlined by Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins in a triple threat, while night two sees Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against John Cena in the main event.

Tiffany Stratton: Charlotte Flair ‘did not expect me to stand up to her’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Tiffany Stratton doesn’t believe Charlotte Flair expected her to stand up for herself.

Stratton and Flair were involved in a controversial segment on WWE SmackDown this past Friday, where both wrestlers appeared to go “off script” and made personal remarks toward each other. Flair mocked Stratton’s voice, while Stratton fired back with a comment that Flair is “0-3”—a likely jab at the number of times Flair has been divorced.

During an appearance on The Babyfaces podcast, Stratton was asked what she thinks Flair is underestimating about her. Stratton responded:

“I think being so new to this business, being so new as champion, I don’t think she really expected me to stand up to her. And I don’t think she expected me to, I guess, almost clap back.”

“Look, all I have to say is it’s live TV,” she added. “People want to see our match, and I think that we did a very good job of getting people wanting to see our match and invested in our story. And now, I’m ready to put on the best women’s match ever, and I’m ready to go to war.”

Last week, Dave Meltzer published a premium article with backstage details about the segment. He reported there is heat on both women for what took place—though more so on Flair.

“What we were directly told is that the situation has been brewing and those close to the situation said neither was in the right, but that Flair is taking most of the heat,” Meltzer wrote.

Stratton’s appearance on The Babyfaces is available below:

WOL: Tiffany vs. Charlotte, WWE Raw recap, Linda McMahon legal issues

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Image: WWE

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including RAW from Monday, Charlotte and Tiffany, Linda McMahon’s legal issues, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Click Here to Listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube with a premium sub

Ric Flair didn’t like Charlotte/Tiffany Stratton WWE SmackDown segment: ‘It’s very sensitive’

Posted on by Josh Nason

As the father of Charlotte Flair, Ric Flair has some thoughts on what occurred last Friday on WWE SmackDown but isn’t telling anyone what they are.

Flair appeared on Busted Open Radio Tuesday and was asked about the segment between Charlotte and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton as part of the build to their WrestleMania 41 title match. The in-ring promo segment went a bit off-script with Stratton poking fun at Charlotte’s divorces with the challenger asking why Stratton’s boyfriend – WWE’s Kaiser – was “in her DMs.”

“I have an opinion, but I don’t really want to voice it. I can say this: it’s very sensitive. I didn’t like it, but wrestling is wrestling. I hate when they use me, but Charlotte said it right: you think that’s the first time hearing my name?,” Flair said before putting over his daughter’s work ethic and that she is “so much better of a worker than I ever was.”

“She’ll be the best worker in the business, female, until the day she decides to retire,” he added.

He was asked about whether anything was off-limits when it came to promos while he was an active wrestler and he said they stayed away from each other’s families. He said he has no idea what led into the Charlotte/Tiffany promo but he imagined the content wasn’t discussed beforehand.

“If they wanted people talking about (the match), they got people talking about it,” he said.

WOL: Filthy Monday, AEW Dynasty, Charlotte & Tiffany

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

With Bryan Alvarez out handling his business, Filthy Tom Lawlor joins Mike Sempervive and there’s a lot to get into. We give our thoughts on last night’s AEW Dynasty pay-per-view, the microphone battle between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair, what’s on tap for tonight’s Raw, NJPW Windy City Riot, and much more. A fun show as always, so check it out~!

Click here for the commercial-free download (subscription required)

WOR: AEW Dynasty recap, Charlotte/Tiffy segment, Kevin Owens injury

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Image: JJ Williams

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the whole Tiffany Stratton/Charlotte Flair disaster on SmackDown, Kevin Owens’ injury, a full recap of AEW Dynasty, New Japan big show notes, SmackDown, and tons more.

A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: What happened with Charlotte Flair & Tiffany Stratton on WWE SmackDown

14:35: Kevin Owens update

20:48: AEW Dynasty recap

57:16: Dave’s NJPW Sakura Genesis thoughts, BOSJ lineup

1:07:52: Giulia returns to action, Terry Funk/Jerry Lawler empty arena match anniversary

1:14:33: Henry Cejudo catches car crash on film, WWE SmackDown main event angle, WWE Raw lineup

Click Here to Listen or watch on YouTube with a premium subscription

Wrestling Weekly: AEW Dynasty predictions

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: AEW

Ahead of this weekend’s AEW Dynasty, we’ve got our official Wrestling Weekly predictions as well as a look at the latest with the Cody Rhodes and John Cena feud leading up to WrestleMania 41.

You’ll also get our thoughts on Naomi, Tiffany Stratton and how much you have to hate someone to be mad about getting yourself a WrestleMania main event.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Wrestling Weekly: Orton vs. Owens (finally), who will be the fourth Hurt Syndicate member?

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: AEW

It’s Friday and that means Wrestling Weekly.

New matches have been made on the road to WWE WrestleMania 41 and MJF’s road no longer seems to run towards the Hurt Syndicate in AEW.

On today’s show, we’ll look at all the happenings in WWE and AEW from this past week.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

WOL: WWE SmackDown, TNA Sacrifice, New Japan Cup

Posted on by Jim Valley

On a new WOL, it’s results and news from wrestling cards all over the world.

WWE SmackDown took place in front of a raucous crowd in Barcelona, Spain, that saw new Tag Team Champions crowned and a wild brawl between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte.

We saw the quarterfinals of the New Japan Cup with emotional matches between former tag team partners and Blue Thunder trying for the IWGP crown.

We also talk about the bloody ending to TNA Sacrifice in San Antonio, the finals of The 2025 Stardom Cinderella tournament, AEW Collision, and Defy set to crown a new champion.

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WOL: The Rock and Soul Express

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s time for Wrestling Observer Live.

Tonight’s WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto should answer some questions and set the table for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas just a little over a month away.

While six contenders want a shot a Cody Rhodes’s WWE Championship, The Rock wants Cody’s soul.

Friday’s WWE SmackDown ended with Rock gifting Cody a new truck, the promise of an easier schedule so Cody can spend more time with his family, and more.

Plus, I talk the late Don Coss, Ricky Saints’ NXT debut, and an AEW Collision preview. Check it out.

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Trish Stratus & Tiffany Stratton challenge Nia Jax & Candice LeRae for WWE Elimination Chamber

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A tag team match has been proposed for next month’s Elimination Chamber.

After Nia Jax and Candice LeRae assaulted both Trish Stratus and Tiffany Stratton on SmackDown, Stratus met with Stratton backstage and proposed that the two team together to solve their issues at Elimination Chamber. Stratton liked the idea, saying it would be Tiffy Time and Trishy Time. Announcers said it would need to be approved by Nick Aldis.

Earlier in the show, Stratus was interviewed in the crowd and said she would be at Elimination Chamber in Toronto. Later, while Stratton was defending the WWE Women’s title against Nia Jax, the ref called for the bell after LeRae blatantly interfered in the match. The two teamed up on Stratton as Stratus attempted to make the save. However, she was laid out by Jax who squashed her in the corner.

As the segment ended, Charlotte Flair came to the ring and sat down on a chair next to a recovering Stratton. It was there that Flair announced she would be challenging Stratton at WrestleMania 41.

Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton official for WWE WrestleMania 41

Posted on by Ethan Renner

It’s Tiffy Time for The Queen.

2025 women’s Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair revealed on Friday’s WWE SmackDown that she has chosen Tiffany Stratton as her WrestleMania 41 opponent, and Stratton will defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Flair in Las Vegas on April 19 or April 20 at the two-night event.

Stratton retained her WWE Women’s title by disqualification against Nia Jax on Friday’s SmackDown after Candice LeRae interfered. A brawl ensued with Stratton, Jax, LeRae, and Hall of Famer Trish Stratus who was ringside for the match, with Jax and LeRae leaving Stratton and Stratus laying.

As the Women’s Champion was laid out on the mat, Flair entered and told Stratton that she was choosing her as her WrestleMania 41 opponent.

The first two matches are now official for WrestleMania 41, as Jey Uso announced on this week’s Raw that he will challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at the event.

With this week’s announcements from the Royal Rumble winners, the winner of the men’s Elimination Chamber match on March 1 will challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Mania, and the winner of the women’s Chamber match will take on Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.

WrestleMania 41 is set for Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The lineup for the show to this point:

  • World Heavyweight Champion Gunther defends against Jey Uso
  • WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Charlotte Flair
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against men’s Elimination Chamber winner
  • Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defends against women’s Elimination Chamber winner

WWE SmackDown live results: Women’s title defense, Elimination Chamber qualifiers

Posted on by Joseph Collins

A WWE Women’s title match will headline tonight’s SmackDown from Washington, DC, as Tiffany Stratton defends against former champion Nia Jax.

Stratton famously cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase on Jax on the first SmackDown of 2025 to win the gold. Jax now gets her opportunity to regain it after unsuccessfully challenging Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World title last month. It will be Stratton’s second title defense.

In an men’s Elimination Chamber qualifier, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest will face former Universal Champion Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu in a three-way. The winner will join John Cena, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul who have already qualified.

In a women’s Elimination Chamber qualifier, reigning WWE United States Champion Chelsea Green will take on Naomi. The winner will join Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Bayley.

Following his surprise return last Friday to attack Cody Rhodes, Solo Sikoa will appear tonight.

**********

Live from Washington, DC.

Wade Barrett read from the Constitution to open the show.

Nia Jax arrived in the building! Tiffany Stratton arrived in the building! Braun Strowman arrived in the building! Damien Priest arrived in the building! Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga arrived in the building! Well when you’ve got three hours to fill, showing everyone arriving in the buidling is one way to fill it.

Vic Joseph replaced Joe Tessitore tonight on commentary, joining Wade Barrett. Man, Corey Graves can’t catch a break.

– Recap of last week’s show, focusing on the main event tag math and the return of Solo Sikoa. 

Cody Rhodes Interview. Cody Rhodes came out to talk Elimination Chamber and who his opponent at WrestleMania 41 might be. There was already a light chant for CM Punk coing in the crowd before Rhodes started polling the crowd about potential opponents, based on who is already in the Chamber. Logan Paul got boos. CM Punk (Cody’s good friend, apparently) got cheers. Drew McIntyre got boos. John Cena got cheers. Cody said it won’t be Solo Sioka, which brought out Drew McIntyre for some reason.

Drew was sad because Cody didn’t put enough emphasis on Drew’s name. Drew ran down his résumé, which includes two Elimination Chamber wins and three world titles and a nearly year long stint in 3MB (okay, I added the last one). Drew is also one of the few men that has pinned Cody since he’s returned to WWE, and Cody hasn’t forgotten.

This brought out Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga. The crowd was crazy into Fatu, who is “all gas no breaks” tonight. He’ll run through Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, then the Elimination Chamber, and bring the WWE title back to his family. Drew suggested DC wanted to see him fight Jacob… but he’s already got a spot in the Chamber, so he’s leaving Jacob Fatu to Cody. Cody is alright with that. All Jacob has to do is win tonight, and win in the Chamber, and he can get a title shot.

Just then, Solo Sioka arrived in his car. Fatu has family business to discuss with Sioka. Cody will let Fatu get the first word with Sioka, but he promised to get in the last.

– Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu were looking for Solo Sikoa in the back.

– Wade Barrett talked with Trish Stratus (who was in the front row) about the Elimination Chamber.

Namoi (w/ Bianca Belair) defeated Chelsea Green (w/ Piper Niven) for a spot in the Women’s Elimination Chamber (8:27)

Namoi hit a meteora for a near fall. Green dropped to the floor, and caught Naomi with a pump kick when she followed her to the outside.

After a long commercial break (during which Green controlled the bout), Naomi hit Green with a crossbody off the top. Naomi hit a bulldog and a scissor kick to get a near fall. Naomi hit an ugly heat seeker, but missed a split legged moonsault. Green hit an ugly Rough Rider for a near fall. Green dropped Naomi with a backstabber for a near fall. Green tried to come off the top with an Unprettier, but Naomi slipped out and caught Green with a kick out of the corner. Naomi then hit the split-legged moonsault for the pinfall. Naomi advanced to the Chamber. Half the match took place in the picture-in-picture.

– Sami Zayn sent in a video from home about being laid out by Kevin Owens’ package piledriver. Zayn thought friendship meant being concerned when your friend is laid out on the floor. Zayn believes Owens definition of friendship is pushing Cody off a ladder to help Owens win a match. Zayn doesn’t know when he’ll be cleared, but when he is Sami and Kevin Owens are going to go at it again.

– WWE 2025 Hall of Famer Michelle McCool was shown teaching aspiring wrestlers finishers like the triangle choke in a preview for the new A&E Series “LFG.”

The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) defeated Los Garza (Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo)

We got about a minute of action before the show cut to a commercial. After the break, Sabin got the hot tag and got a near fall on Carrillo with a cradle. A dropkick off the top from Sabin into a flatliner got a near fall. Garza held Shelley in a powerslam while Carrillo put Sabin on Garza’s shoulders, then Carrillo sprung off the ropes with a springboard kick. Carrillo went for a moonsault but ate Shelley’s boots. After a planch on the floor, Sabin and Shelley hit the Skull n Bones on Carrillo and got the pinfall. The three minutes of the match after the break was “all moves.”

– Damien Priest introduced himself to the Smackdown audience via a vignette.

– WrestleMania in Vegas is 64 days away!

– Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga found Solo Sikoa, dressed in all white. Sikoa owned up to letting the family down by losing the ula fala to Roman Reigns. Sikoa seemingly threw his support behind Jacob Fatu in the chamber. “I love you, Jacob.” The crowd reaction told me that’s not probably not a good thing for Jacob Fatu.

Shinsuke Nakamura Interview. Nakamura got the “What?” treatment from the crowd while he bemoaned his lack of competition for the US Championship. It doesn’t take long for LA Knight to respond (By the way, I loved Knight’s mental health shout-out last week). Knight cut a great promo on his way to the ring about all the ways he’s been screwed over on his way back to a US Title match. Then The Miz showed up. Miz called the crowd “not smart” and “basic” and was about to deem himself the only worthy contender. But Knight cut off Miz before he can go into his “list all my accomplishments” promo. Knight suggested Miz start his own farewell tour, and the crowd agrees. Miz started mock crying (and mocking Knight’s mental health shout-out). Knight said Miz and Drew McIntyre are running “neck and neck” as the biggest “crybaby b!tches.” Miz called his shot for the US Title. Knight’s response: “Dude, you suck.” Actually he said a lot more but that was the best line. Knight went for the BFT, but Miz escaped. Nick Aldis came out and made Miz v. Knight for TONIGHT, and man this was a lot of talking for a contender’s match for a secondary title.

LA Knight defeated The Miz, obstensibly for a shot at the US Championship (10:14 aired)

We joined the match in progress after a commercial, and Knight caught Miz with a powerslam for a near fall. Nakamura was still lurking around ringside. Miz took control with all his best kicks and chinlocks. And what looked like a poor man’s version of the hammer and tong elbows the Blackpool Combat Club used. Knight backdropped Miz to the floor, then followed him out with a sliding dropkick. Knight smashed Miz’s head into the announcer’s table. Nakamura distracted Knight, and Miz took control by sending Knight into the ring stairs.

After another commercial, Knight hit a neckbreaker, followed up with a snap powerslam, and landed a big elbow for a near fall. Miz tripped Knight up on the middle turnbuckle, and hit an avalanche clothesline and flatliner out of the corner for his own near fall. Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Knight dropped out of it into a cradle for a near fall. Miz hit a DDT for a near fall. Knight ran into a boot from Miz, but then hit the BFT out of nowhere. Knight then hit an elbow off the top rope (springing from the middle rope) for the pinfall.

After the match, Knight and Nakamura had a staredown while Nakamura held up his US Title Belt.

– Alexa Bliss wished Nia Jax luck in her Women’s Title match later tonight. Also there was some Wyatt video interference/hidden message during their brief backstage segment.

– In the back, Miz got an offer for some training from Andrade. Then Carmelo Hayes showed up to say how no one respects “us” (he and Miz), but walked away from Miz’s offer to form a tag team.

Carmelo Hayes defeated R-Truth (2:20)

This was set up by a segment backstage where Hayes apologized for showing “Tozawa that I’m ‘him.'” “No you’re not. You’re Carmelo. Tozawa’s Tozawa.”

Hayes jumped Truth to start, and cut off his John Cena-inspired comeback with a superkick. Hayes escaped a Attitude Adjustment from Truth, then came off the top with a scissor kick to get the pinfall.

– Highlights from the Eagles Super Bowl victory parade were shown to give WWE the opportunity to sell those WWE/NFL Championship belts.

– The Street Profits still want the smoke. But they’re being all dark and angry about it. This is followed by DIY and Pretty Deadly chatting in advance of their WWE Tag Team Championship match next week. This all seems to be buidling to some kind of 18-way tag team title cluster at WrestleMania.

– Kevin Owens sent in a promo shot in his car. Sure, Sami’s neck is hurt, but Kevin is feeling real pain. And he’s wearing a Bret Hart jacket! Owens promised to show Sami real pain in Canada. Cleared or not, Kevin Owens challenged Zayn to come find him at Elimination Chamber.

– Charlotte Flair settled into a seat backstage to watch the next match.

Tiffany Stratton defeated Nia Jax (w/ Candice LeRae) by disqualification to retain the WWE Women’s Championship (16:59)

Charlotte watched the match from the back, looking at the television from a non-ridiculous angle.

Jax ragdolled Stratton to start. Stratton cartwheeled out of a toss, but got caught with a pop-up headbutt for a near fall. Jax tried a hip attack against the ringpost, but Stratton escaped and hit a handspring elbow. Jax dropped Stratton with a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Slam and legdrop from Jax get another near fall. Jax went for the hip attack against the ringpost for a second time and did not miss, then dropped an elbow for a near fall.

After a commercial, Stratton fought her way out of a chinlock. Stratton and Jax went for some kind of powerbomb into a sunset flip spot, but it went very badly. At least no one landed on their head. Jax caught Straton going for a second handspring elbow and just dumped her, then dropped a leg on her ribs for another near fall. Jax put Stratton on her shoulders for a super Samoan Drop, but Stratton slipped free, tripped up Jax, and came off the top with a double stomp for a near fall.

Stratton went to the top, but Jax tripped her up, setting up a super Samoan Drop for a near fall. Jax dropped a leg off the middle rope for another near fall as Charlotte watched on from backstage.

After another commerical break, Stratton hit a moonsault to the floor on Jax. Stratton is getting huge babyface reactions here. Back in the ring, Stratton hit a swanton bomb for two. Stratton tried to pick up Jax for a Samona Drop, but fell under Jax’s weight. Jax went for the Banzi Drop, but Straton got out of the way in another clumsly spot. Stratton went for the prettiest moonsault ever, but LaRae ran in to cause a disqualification. LaRae got a chair, but Trish Stratus ran in to make the save. Stratus got squashed by an avalanche from Jax. Jax then leveled Stratton with another legdrop as a gaggle of officials (and Jason Jordan) broke up the attack.

As Jax and LaRae went to the back, Charlotte Flair came out. Stratton was laid out in the ring and Flair took a mic and a seat in the ring. “The Queen chooses YOU! I’ll see you at WrestleMania.” Tiffany Stratton v. Charlotte Flair is official for WrestleMania.

A Development in the “Jade Situation.” Nick Aldis borught in the Women’s Tag Team Champions, Bianca Belair and Naomi, to show a video, shot on a cellphone and sent in anonymously. This will shed some light on who attacked Jade Cargill. But all the video showed was Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez walking around near where Jade Cargill was being placed into an ambualnce. This definitively proves (to Naomi and Bianca, anyway) that Morgan and Rodriguez were responsible. Although I gotta say it looked like Naomi was a little nervous while the video was getting queued up. Naomi and Bianca are now headed to Raw to confront Morgan and Rodriguez.

– Backstage, Trish Stratus and Tiffany Stratton agree to team up against Nia Jax and Candice LaRae at Elimination Chamber. “It’ll be Tiffy and Trishy Time!”

– Drew McIntyre gave Jimmy Uso some advice about his terrible career, but at least he married up, right? Uso gave McIntyre a superkick for his troubles.

– Backstage, Braun Strowman shouted about being a world champion five years ago, but nobody remembers. Yeah, we all want to forget those terrible empy arena shows, Braun.

Next week on Smackdown: DIY v. Pretty Deadly for the Tag Team Titles and Jimmy Uso v. Drew McIntyre.

Damian Priest pinned Braun Strowman in a Triple Threat Match also featuring Jacob Fatu to advance to a spot in the Elimination Chamber (16:15)

Wade Barrett did his own version of “this match makes me glad I retired” like Gorilla Monsoon used to. Strowman hit Fatu with a boot to start. Priest and Fatu knocked Strowman to the floor with a double shoulderblock. This left Priest and Fatu one on one for a bit. Fatu hit Priest with a running elbow. While Fatu and Priest were brawling, Strowman ran in with a crossbody, then sent both Fatu and Priest to the floor with clotheslines.

After a long split-screen break, Strowman pulled Fatu out of the ring and threw him against the dasher boards. Fatu sent Strowman into the ring steps, then went back into the ring to deal with Priest. Priest stunned Fatu with an eblow strike and took him down with a spinning heel kick. Priest knocked Strowman off the apron after a superkick. Priest tried for an old-school ropewalk on Fatu, but Strowman caught Priest with a choke, and Fatu pulled Priest into a Samoan Drop. Fatu hit a swanton bomb on Priest for a near fall.

Fatu went for another Samoan Drop, but Priest escaped. Fatu hit a superkick, then set up Priest for a superplex. Strowman ran in and they did the stacker-superplex powerbomb spot, and USA had to censor “Holy Sh!t” chants from the fans.

Strowmand hit Fatu with clotheslines and a massive back bodydrop. Fatu dropped to the floor, where Priest gave him a flatliner against the commentator’s table. Strowman pounced Priest over the table, then chokeslammed Fatu on the table and is that table made out of the New Japan tables because after all that it didn’t break.

Back in the ring, Fatu retook control on Strowman, hitting him with a series of hip attacks against the turnbuckles. Fatu procured a chair (which the crowd cheered for). Fatu wrapped the chair around Strowman’s neck for another hip attack, but Strowman caught him with a boot (Fatu slowed up noticably to set up the boot). Strowman wrapped the chair around Fatu’s neck, but before he could crush him, Solo Sioka came up out of nowhere to catch Strowman with a Samoan Spike! Sioka was in all-black, sneaking in to help like he used to for Roman Reigns.

This brought out Cody Rhodes to cut off Sioka. Tama Tonga showed up to rescue Sioka and Sioka accidentally took out TONGA with another Samona Spike. Fatu jumped out of the ring to get in Sioka’s face about hitting Tonga. This gave Priest the opportunity to clothesline Fatu into the Timekeeper’s area and out of the match. Rhodes hit Sioka with a Cross Rhodes on the floor. Back in the ring, Strowman went for a powerslam on Priest, but slide out and hit the South of Heaven on Strowman to get the pinfall. Damien Priest advances to the Elimination Chamber.

After the match, Cody and Damien shook hands and gazed into the WrestleMania sign.

Seems like Sioka and Jacob Fatu are heading to a WrestleMania match. And this show would have probably been better at two hours. Felt like a lot of filler.