Tag: wwe live results - Page 9

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk, Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins appear

Posted on April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 by Colin McGuire

The second-to-last WWE Raw episode before WrestleMania 41 takes place tonight from the Target Center in Minneapolis.

CM Punk, Paul Heyman, and Seth Rollins are all scheduled for the show. On SmackDown last Friday, Punk revealed that he’s cashing in his favor to have Heyman in his corner at WrestleMania. Punk vs. Rollins vs. Roman Reigns is official for the show and will main event night one

Another triple threat could get announced for WrestleMania with Raw general manager Adam Pearce set to address the Women’s World Championship situation tonight. IYO SKY vs. Bianca Belair is the match that’s currently on the books for Mania, but Rhea Ripley is expected to be added. Last week’s SKY vs. Ripley title bout ended in a chaotic brawl after special guest referee Belair called for a double disqualification.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental title and The War Raiders vs. New Day for the World Tag Team titles have both been announced for tonight. Penta will be in action against Dominik Mysterio. And “El Grande Americano” will compete in Chad Gable’s hometown.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show as shots of Allegiant Stadium aired. The scene then cut to Minneapolis, where Raw is being held tonight.

– Gunther, The New Day, War Raiders, Judgment Day, Penta and Paul Heyman were all shown walking backstage.

– A recap of last week’s IYO SKY/Bianca Belair/Rhea Ripley developments aired.

– RAW GM Adam Pearce was in the ring for the first segment. Pearce welcomed IYO SKY to the ring.

The IYO SKY/Rhea Ripley/Bianca Belair segment

There wasn’t too much to this and if anything it put an exclamation point on the fact that the build for this match has been lackluster and on top of that, there’s a growing number of people who subscribe to the notion that this shouldn’t even be a triple threat to begin with. Ripley vs. Belair would have been great. Ditto for SKY vs. Ripley. Ditto for all the other combinations. Instead, this feels like a triple threat for the sake of being a triple threat. The match will probably be pretty good, but what could have been would have been better. I hope Ripley is OK. That dropkick she took from SKY forced her to konk heads with Belair and Ripley appeared to take the worst of it.

Pearce began by taking responsibility for what happened last week. Pearce said he was wrong to think any of them could handle things like professionals. Pearce then announced to right the wrong, he’s going to make the WWE Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania a triple threat between Belair, SKY and Ripley. Pearce presented a contract for everyone to sign.

Belair hopped on a microphone and said she would normally be mad that Ripley just walked in, did whatever she wanted and is now added to the match. These days, Belair said, she’s not mad, though, because she’s not scared of Ripley. Belair said she will walk out of WrestleMania as the new WWE Women’s Champion and she wil go through Ripley to get it.

Ripley started talking and Belair told Ripley to shut up and pushed the contract into Ripley’s chest, telling her to sign the document. Ripley through the contract back at Belair. SKY intervened and the women pushed her away. SKY was annoyed, threw down her mic and walked out of the ring. Pearce stopped her and SKY dropkicked Ripley into Belair before signing the contract for WrestleMania. Ripley and Belair were left lying as SKY’s music hit and SKY left to end the segment.

**********

– Finn Balor vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mystero vs. Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental Championship was made official for WrestleMania.

– The Judgment Day were shown backstage and Live was attempting to convince Balor it’s best to have two members of their group in the Mania match. Balor noted how some think Dom doesn’t have a killer instinct and is a loser. Things got weird and Balor walked away. Carlito stepped in and said he has Dom’s back.

Lyra Valkyria defeated Bayley to retain the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship [13:24]

There were some clunky moments, but the crowd really came around by the end of it and the women worked really hard to get there. Plus … my God, those knees that Bayley laid in were something to behold. The first one, especially, felt a little personal, but thankfully, Valkyria seemed OK. The post-match stuff was odd in that Valkyria seemed surprised that Bayley first shrugged her off and then hugged her. If anything, Valkyria looked confused. Either way, this is one of the better women’s I.C. title matches to date. Not that there have been a lot, but this felt like these two had a point to prove. It wasn’t perfect, but it seemed like they got to where it needed to be by the time it was all said and done.

The two wrestled for control to start things out with Valkyria getting the best of it for a quick moment. Valkyria rolled up Bayley for a two-count and the match reset. Bayley rolled through to pin Valkyria, but Valkyria kicked out at two. Bayley knee’d the hell out of Valkyria’s head and things looked dicey for a couple seconds but Valkyria bounced back and went for a pair of pin attempts to no avail.

Valkyria worked what Pat McAfee called an Irish Swing, which stretched Bayley out. Valkyria eventually got a two-count because of it. Valkyria went to kick Bayley, but Bayley moved and went to the outside. Valkyria landed a dropkick through the ropes onto Bayley. Back inside the ring, Valkyria hit a cross-body from the top rope for a two-count. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show went to a commercial break and Bayley was working a half-crab. The two traded forearms after Valkyria worked her way out of the submission. Bayley hit a neck-breaker and Valkyria fell to the outside. Bayley followed up with a baseball slide, but Valkyria moved when Bayley went for a suicide dive. All of this ended up with Bayley giving Valkyria a Bayley-To-Belly on the outside of the ring. Both wrestlers barely beat the 10-count to get back inside the ring.

Bayley lfited Valkyria, but Valkyria countered with an arm-drag. Valkyria landed Night Wing, but Bayley kicked out at two. Cole sold the fact that Valkyria “didn’t get all of it.” Valkyria lifted Bayley again, but Bayley worked out and landed another stiff knee to Valkyria’s head. Bayley placed Valkyria on the top and went for a super-plex, but Valkyria fought out and lifted Bayley, but that amounted to nothing. As a result, Bayley came back with a Sunset Flip Bomb into a corner.

Bayley kicked Valkyria a few times and went to the arpon. Valkyria cut her off and dragged her back into the ring for a Tornado DDT-Fisherman’s Suplex combination and earned a good near fall because of it. Valkyria went to the top, but Bayley caught Valkyria and worked a Boston Crab. The crowd woke up at the thought of Bayley beating Valkyria. Bayley let go of the hold and set up for a Rose Plant, but Valkyria rolled Bayley up and escaped with the win.

After the match, Valkyria went for a handshake, but Bayley pushed her away. Bayley started to walk away, but turned around and hugged Valkyria.

**********

– Cathy Kelly interviewed comedian Burt Kreischer backstage, but Chad Gable interrupted him. Otis then walked in and ripped his own shirt off. Kreischer did the same to himself and Otis and Kreischer hugged.

– Jackie Redmond interviewed AJ Styles backstage and mentioned how Logan Paul “did a lot of things” last week. Redmond asked Styles where his head was at. Styles said it’s in a good place because he’ll get an opportunity to embarrass Logan Paul. Karrion Kross showed up and asked Styles to explain the situation to him. Kross said he can’t let Styles lose at Mania because if he loses, they all lose. Styles said he’ll give Kross a taste of the better AJ Styles next week on Raw.

American Made (El Grande Americano, Julius Creed & Brutus Creed) defeated the LWO (Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde) [10:28]

A fine TV match for what it was. I’m sort of agnostic on the Americano bit, and I’m not sure they got the most out of Gable being in his home state, but this was fun in its own silly way. Wilde and Del Toro deserve better. Shoot. Dragon Lee deserves better. Having covered the SmackDown beat for this site the last few years, I can attest to the fact that the LWO spun its wheels on Friday nights and, now taking this in, it appears the wheels seem to be spinning again on Monday nights for them. All three guys are talented and unless WWE decides to heat Mysterio up, which they haven’t in a while, the LWO feels like a non-starter. That in mind, this was a quality television six-man that had a few memorable spots. So it goes.

Brutus grounded Del Toro to start the match and followed it up with a strong shoulder block. Julius tagged in and Del Toro hit an arm-drag before tagging in Wilde. Wilde spun Julius around with his legs and went for an arm-bar, but that only led to things breaking down as all six men brawled inside the ring. The LWO team stood tall and hit a trio of dives onto their opponents on the outside of the ring. Back inside the ring, the LWO trio went to separate top ropes, but the heels cut them off and landed a series of super-plexes. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Julius was working over Lee. The two fought on the second rope and Lee turned things around with a double-stomp. Del Toro received the hot tag as Brutus tagged in and Del Toro ran over American Made with a series of fired-up moves. Del Toro briefly stopped to throw his shirt into the crowd. Del Toro kept up the momentum until Americano got involved. Lee tagged in and lifted Americano. I’m not quite sure what happened, but Americano got up and went face-to-face with Lee, who powerbombed Americano. Julius appeared out of nowhere for a Shooting Star Press on Lee. “This is awesome!” chants began.

Wilde jumped 5,000 feet in the air onto American Made on the outside. Wilde followed that up with a Corkscrew. Ivy Nile gave Americano something to put into his mask and Americano headbutted Rey Mysterio, but Lee intervened. That led to Americano headbutting Lee and hitting a diving headbutt – complete with the steel plate in his mask – from the top rope on Lee for the win.

**********

– A recap of what happened between Gunther and the Usos last week aired.

The Gunther/Jey Uso segment

This was really good. Really, really good. The touch of Jey motioning for the crowd to not Yeet along with him because of how serious the moment was turned out to be quite effective, most so because the crowd actually kind of/sort of listened and settled down. I’m not sure I’ve seen more fire ever come from Jey Uso in a promo and Gunther played his part perfectly, grinning until he didn’t, feeling at ease until it was clear he was unsettled. I’ve been wondering all these weeks about how they’d keep heat on this program, considering how early in the season the match was announced, and while there was a lull, this was fantastic in terms of adding another layer to the match. Kudos to both guys. If nothing else, they made this viewer care.

Gunther walked out all smiles, laughing a bit, even. Gunther stood on the commentary table and held up his title as the crowd booed. Gunther was given a microphone on the outside of the ring and Gunther then entered the ring. “We want Jey!” chants broke out. Before Gunther could talk, Jey Uso’s music hit and the arena started to Yeet. Uso walked through the crowd not Yeeting and looking quite angry. Gunther smiled in the ring and took off his suit coat. Gunther rolled up his sleeves as Uso took his time going through the crowd.

Uso entered the ring. He was in all black and he continued to look angry. Gunther continued to giggle. Uso knocked the microphone out of Gunther’s hand with force. Uso took off his all-black sunglasses to show hurt. “Ohhh-Sooo!” chants broke out. Uso spoke in hushed tones and asked Gunther if he had a mom. Gunther looked confused. Uso asked Gunther if he talks to his mom and asked Gunther what they talk about – “Family stuff? How’s the wife? How’s the grandson?” Uso said he has a mother, too, and he had to tell his mom that her son is in a hospital bed.

Uso said Jimmy got 15 stitches in his head. Uso said his mom asked Jey, “Why didn’t you protect him, Joshua?” Jey said he wasn’t going to lie to his mom and he told her that it was because he was afraid of Gunther. Jey said Gunther was playing chess and he had Jey, but it wasn’t enough for Gunther. Gunther had to get Jey’s family involved, Jey said, and recalled how he watched Gunther wipe his brother’s blood all over his body. Jey said he never felt so hopeless, helpless, pissed off, etc. Jey yelled at Gunther and said he violated his twin in front of him and made his heart stop.

Jey said in his darkest moment, a lightbulb went off for him. Jey said he realized he’s not afraid of Gunther no more. “Yeet!” chants broke out. Jey said before WrestleMania, he’s going to lay his head down and say a prayer for Gunther and he’s going to ask the lord to forgive him for the man he’s about to become. Jey said at WrestleMania, he’s going to get Gunther for himself, for his Jimmy and his whole damn family. Jey said he’d take the World Heavyweight Championship and threw the microphone. Jey’s music hit and Jey slowly got himself out of the ring, no Yeeting involved.

**********

– A video recapping what happened between Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, CM Punk and Seth Rollins on Friday aired.

– Natalya and Maxxine Dupri were shown talking to Adam Pearce backstage and Rey Mysterio walked in. Mysterio was angry and said Americano is making a mockery of everything he’s ever loved. Mysterio said he wanted to face Americano at WrestleMania. Pearce and Mysterio shook hands.

– Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe joined the commentary team at the desk. He’s hosting the Roast Of WrestleMania, remember?! Yeah. All right.

The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defeated The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar) via DQ [9:27]

This was flat. Admittedly, I lost a minute or two due to a bad Netflix stream issue, but the finish was nonsense and it appears we’re on our way to the War Raiders vs. New Day at Mania for the tag titles. That’s fine. Trying to heat it up with less than two weeks to go by having the New Day attempt to kill Erik feels a bit rushed, but we are where we are. I like the New Day as heels and I root for the War Raiders to work, considering how they were once on the short end of the booking stick when it comes to the company’s former booker. But does this have any juice behind it? No. It does not.

Ivar and Kingston began the match. Kingston quickly rolled to the outside after Ivar got the upper hand. Woods tagged in and teased getting in the ring until Kingston distracted Erik and from there, Woods and Kingston beat Erik down. Eventually, Erik regained control and slammed both Kingston and Woods. Erik bodyslammed Ivar onto Kingston. Wood was thrown outside and Woods grabbed a chair, but Erik cut him off with a punch. Ivar worked over Kingston on the other side of the outside of the ring and Ivar then hit a splash on Woods on the outside. The War Raiders posed for the camera and the show went to a commercial break.

After returning to action, chairs got involved and the War Raiders were DQ’d because of the chairs. After the match, The New Day set up Erik and ran him into a chair perched in the corner. The heels then sent Ivar into the timekeeper’s area. Woods grabbed another chair and New Day went to work on Erik’s surgically repaired neck. Officials ran out to stop Kingston from coming off the top onto Erik’s neck, which was draped on a chair.

**********

– A video recapping the John Cena/Cody Rhodes program aired.

Penta defeated Dominik Mysterio [8:17]

The winner felt like it was never in doubt. The post-match angle felt like it was never in doubt. Meh. Much like the women’s title match that I whined about earlier, I don’t know why we can’t have a simple one-on-one bout for some of these titles, but Mania is about getting everybody on the card, right? Maybe? How else do you explain those battle royals? Anyway, my preference would have been Penta vs. Bron, but we probably all agree that this is set up for the single reason to give the kill shot to the Judgment Day for good in Vegas. Finally. Mercifully. Hopefully? Whatever it ends up being, this match tonight was predictable and bland.

Dominik had control early, at one point posing on the second rope. Penta ultimately came back with a backbreaker and a kind of/sort of Slingblade. Penta went to the top and landed a cross-body on Dominik and Carlito, who were on the outside. The show went to a commercial break after that. The show returned and Penta jumped into a kick from Dom, who then landed the Three Amigos for a two-count. Dom dropkicked Penta and set up for a 619, but instead ran into a super-kick from Penta .

Penta landed the double-stomp onto Dom in a corner, but Dom got the shoulder up at two. Penta went for his finisher, but Dom countered and hit a Destroyer of his own. Dom then hit the 619 and went for a Frog Splash, but Penta got his knees up to stop Dom’s momentum. Penta tried for a pin, but Dom got out of it and went for a clothesline, but Penta took Dom down and hit the Sacrifice into the Penta Driver for the win.

After the match, Carlito attacked Penta, complete with a Backstabber. Bron Breakker’s music hit and Breakker slowly walked out and speared the hell out of Carlito. Bron did the same to Dirty Dom inside the ring. Finally, the completed the trifecta by spearing Penta. Finn Balor appeared out of nowhere and took out Bron. Balor then picked up the I.C. title and held it high. Bron tried to spear Balor, but Balor rolled out of the ring. Bron’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Next week, AJ Styles will take on Karrion Kross. Also next week, Roman Reigns is set to appear.

The Paul Heyman/Seth Rollins segment

This was really kind of good, but my biggest quabble comes in the form of this: Why the hell did it take CM Punk so long to rush out to the ring? Rollins said more than enough and left more than enough space to allow for Punk to stop everything Rollins was doing. The final straw was Heyman snapping at Rollins? I’m not so sure about any of that. The entire build to this match has felt absentminded and when you combine that with the fact that nobody really wants to see it and it’s going to headline a night at WrestleMania … the world is against Punk, Reigns, Rollins and Heyman, but maybe they can pull a rabbit out of a hat. Time will tell. As for this, it was a solid talking segment that put everything about Heyman into question, which is a good thing. Rollins did a nice job antagonizing not just the Wise Man, but the situation, writ large. With one Monday left, I’m interested to see how they tie a bow on this heading into the Big Show.

Paul Heyman was in the ring back from commercial and Heyman did his regular introduction. Heyman launched right into it and said he will always be loyal to his Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman said he will always be loyal to his best friend in the world, CM Punk. Heyman said just because he is loyal to both of them, it doesn’t mean he will ever be disloyal to either of them. Heyman said when it comes to WrestleMania, he wanted to get one thing perfectly clear … until Seth Rollins’s music hit and cut Heyman off.

Rollins grabbed a microphone and went right up to Heyman before screaming, “Minneapolis!” Rollins welcomed everyone to Monday Night Rollins. “Tonight, it’s not about me,” Rollins said, because tonight “is about Paul Heyman.” Rollins called Heyman out for talking about loyalty and asked Heyman whose side Heyman is on. Rollins asked Heyman if he will be the very best friend to CM Punk or if he will be the wise man to Roman Reigns. Rollins said Heyman is trying to convince everyone he can do both at the same time, but it occurred to Rollins that Heyman is neither thing.

Rollins took off his glasses and told Heyman that Roman Reigns doesn’t give a damn about Heyman. Rollins said Reigns uses Heyman and he said Reigns doesn’t respect Heyman. Rollins brought up WrestleMania last year and said Reigns lost his title thanks to Rollins. Rollins noted how Reigns left Heyman after Mania last year and left Heyman in the hands of Solo Sikoa, who did not treat Heyman well. Rollins said everyone wondered when someone would come save Heyman and brought up how Reigns did not come to save Heyman. Instead, Reigns left Heyman to get massacred in his hometown, in front of his children.

Rollins said CM Punk, his best friend in the world, was also not there to save Heyman. Rollins recalled how Punk walked out on everybody in WWE, Heyman included. Rollins said Punk tried to tear down everything Heyman created while he was in WWE. Rollins talked about how Punk and Heyman love to reminisce about War Games. Rollins brought up the fact that Punk was not the first choice to join Heyman’s team at War Games; instead, it was Rollins and Rollins declined the invitation. Rollins said Punk was the last choice and he said Punk only did because he knew he could get a favor out of Heyman. Rollins said Punk loves nobody but himself and he is not Heyman’s best friend.

Rollins said he feels bad for Heyman because he is between a rock and a hard place. Rollins said it would easier if Heyman just removed himself from the equation and let Punk, Rollins and Reigns battle it out “for the soul of this industry.” Rollins wondered aloud about a way to remove Heyman from the situation. Rollins told Heyman it would be for his own good. Rollins said he would take it as a privilege to remove Heyman from the situation “right here, right now.” Rollins said it’d be quick and easy – one quick stomp and it’s all over. Rollins said nobody was there to save Heyman.

Rollins asked Heyman how much he was worth and slightly pushed Heyman. Rollins asked Heyman how much he was worth and slightly slapped Heyman. Rollins pushed Heyman repeatedly. Heyman broke and yelled, “Don’t put your damn hands on me again.” Heyman threw his microphone and Rollins pie-faced Heyman. CM Punk’s music hit and Punk ran out to brawl with Rollins. Punk threw Rollins into the ring stairs. Punk put Rollins’s head on the ring steps, but Rollins moved and Punk rolled into the ring, where Rollins gave Punk the stomp. Heyman tended to Punk and Rollins tried to Stomp Heyman, but Heyman moved slightly. Rollins pulled back anyway and grabbed the microphone to say that Heyman now owes Rollins a favor. The show ended with Rollins standing tall and Heyman looking confused at Rollins.

WWE SmackDown live results: Fenix debuts

Posted on April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 by Marc Quill

After spending a few weeks in Europe, WWE is back in the United States for tonight’s SmackDown.

Former AEW star Fenix will make his WWE debut. No word on what Fenix’s plans are for tonight, but it’s expected that his first WWE program will be against Andrade.

Two weeks from tomorrow, CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins will headline night one of WrestleMania 41. All three competitors are set to appear live tonight. It’ll be a favorable environment for Punk with SmackDown being held in his hometown of Chicago.

A pair of number one contender’s matches are scheduled. Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY will decide the next challengers for WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits — and Jacob Fatu and Braun Strowman will clash with a shot at LA Knight’s United States title on the line.

Plus, there will be a grudge match with B-Fab taking on Naomi.

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

**********

– Following the WWE signature open, we opened with shots of the Chicago skyline, Allegiant Stadium (WrestleMania 41 in 15 days), and subsequent clips of Braun Strowman, Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, #DIY, The Motor City Machine Guns, B-Fab, and Naomi at the arena.

– As always, the dynamic duo of Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett welcomed us to SmackDown, as we got a recap of last week’s CM Punk/Seth Rollins/Roman Reigns contract signing. Following that, it was back live to the arena as CM Punk himself arrived to a great ovation from his hometown Chicago crowd.

CM Punk opens SmackDown

Punk started by putting over the Chicago crowd for being loud as he took a TV camera to let the fans cheer as loud as they can for the whole world to see. He said that his goal was to make new fans, but tonight, he was here to thank the 16,000 strong hometown crowd that was here to see him tonight. Punk pointed towards the WrestleMania sign as he reminded everyone that he was in the main event of WrestleMania 41 (one of them, at the very least). Punk said that he earned that opportunity and that through all his life, he was told “you were not supposed to be here” and that he had to work hard to be here. He said that now, the hard work begins.

Punk thanked everyone, starting with his wife April and his puppy Larry first. He said that he would not be who he was without the city of Chicago as he once again thanked everyone. Punk promised that he would whoop Seth Rollins’ ass, put a beating to Roman Reigns at the main event of WrestleMania.

Paul Heyman interrupted proceedings with his trademark “ladies and gentlemen” spiel. Heyman apologized for being late and that there was not disrespect intended to his “best friend” Punk by interrupting him. Punk welcomed Heyman into the ring, stating that he was just getting to him. Heyman said, “ask not what Chicago can do for you, but what your Wiseman can do for you.” He said that Punk belonged in the ring and in the main event of WrestleMania.

Heyman reminisced about the time he begged Punk to take him the last time both were in Chicago as he then talked about the WarGames offer to Punk. He thanked Punk for helping save the Bloodline before he said that he had one more favor to ask of Punk. Heyman asked Punk to tell him what the favor that he owed him.

Punk found out from Heyman that Roman Reigns wasn’t in the building yet, as he then told Heyman that he was going to talk about this favor once Reigns arrived in the arena at some point in the evening, and it was one that would have a direct effect on Reigns himself.

A fine opening salvo from Punk to help set up what’s sure to be an interesting payoff for the favor that Heyman owes him.

**********

Rey Fenix def. Nathan Frazer

Frazer was already in the ring ahead of Fenix’s entrance, as the newest arrival to WWE got a great ovation from the Chicago crowd.

Fenix and Frazer opened with dueling flips as we got an early standoff amidst the chain wrestling action. Fenix hit an impressive dodge between the ropes before he hit Frazer with a side kick. Frazer sent Fenix to the outside as he tried for a dive between the ropes, but he clipped the middle rope and didn’t get all of it. Fenix went up top and soared for a dive onto Frazer at ringside as the action went to a commercial break.

SmackDown returned with Frazer and Fenix battling it out on the top rope. Frazer leapt up from the canvas up top for a springboard superplex and a Final Cut neckbreaker for the two. Frazer went up top and looked for a Phoenix Splash on Fenix, but couldn’t get it.

Fenix had Frazer trapped across the top rope and ran across it for an impressive leaping kick. Fire Driver by Fenix on Frazer got an incredibly close two-count. Frazer nailed Fenix with an enzuigiri to the head, but found himself hit with a superkick. Fenix hit Frazer with the Goodbye Amigo kick, as he then hoisted him on his shoulders to finish this off with the Mexican Muscle Buster for the 1, 2, 3 and the win in his WWE debut.

After the match, Byron Saxton interviewed the victorious Fenix in the ring. Fenix said he had a lot of history in Chicago (he competed in a trios match with Rey Mysterio and Bandido against the Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi at the original All In event in 2018) and that tonight was the rebirth of Rey Fenix. He said he was reborn with rage and animo, as he concluded with “I am WWE! Animo!”

A fun debut match for Fenix, and seeing Nathan Frazer from NXT be his first opponent was a pleasant surprise, especially as someone who watches a lot of NXT for the purpose of keeping abreast for their PLEs. I enjoyed Fenix’s time in AEW, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him in his WWE career.

**********

– Backstage, Legado Del Fantasma were seen watching Fenix, as Berto said that he was better than Fenix. Santos Escobar told Berto that he was going to talk to Nick Aldis to make that match between Berto and Fenix happen.

– An eyepatch-wearing Drew McIntyre addressed Damian Priest, stating that nobody cared about him unless he was “feasting upon his scraps”. McIntyre talked about how Priest lurked in the shadows last week to ambush him. He said that he was going to pray, as “whenever Drew McIntyre prays, bad things happen.”

– Saxton interviewed Braun Strowman ahead of his Last Man Standing against Jacob Fatu before Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga interrupted. LA Knight barged in and told Strowman to save his energy for Fatu, which led to him trashing Tama as his match against him was up next.

LA Knight def. Tama Tonga (w/ Solo Sikoa)

Knight started off strong with strikes against Tonga, who answered with a dropkick. That wasn’t enough to deter Knight, who dropped Tonga with a suplex. Tonga responded by tripping Knight up, which allowed him to seize advantage, but it didn’t last long. Knight had Tonga trapped in the corner for a series of stomps, followed by a running knee to the face. Knight sent Tonga out of the ring and threw his head repeatedly against the announce table. Solo Sikoa got on the apron to briefly distract the referee, which allowed Tonga to send Knight crasing to the floor below. That took us to a break in the action.

SmackDown returned from break with Knight fighting out of a Tonga resthold as he regained momentum with a victory roll and a two-count. Tonga maintained command with a fierce clothesline that nearly took Knight’s head off, much to the approval of Sikoa at ringside. Tonga got up on the middle turnbuckle and attempted a diving elbow after mocking Knight’s taunt, but he missed big time. Knight fought back and got his second wind with multiple strikes and a neckbreaker. After he slammed Tonga in the middle of the ring, he dropped his signature elbow on Tonga.

Knight had Tonga in position for the BFT, but couldn’t connect. Sikoa tried to hit Knight with the Samoan Spike with the ref distracted. Knight managed to dodge it, however. Rollup by Tonga is reversed as Knight finished this match off with the BFT and the win.

Pretty much a standard match for the U.S. Champion, though Tama Tonga continues to be an entertaining presence.

**********

– Paul Heyman was interviewed as he addressed the camera that whatever the favor was that he owed CM Punk, the answer was “yes”. A car slowly pulled up behind Heyman, which he assumed was Roman Reigns. Unfortunately for Heyman, it was Seth Rollins, who said that he had a plan for Punk and that he also wanted to be present for when the favor would be revealed later.

– Another smoke-filled teaser aired, giving us a glimpse of someone, as well as a symbol of some sort. Is this Aleister Black? Stay tuned…

Charlotte Flair & Tiffany Stratton Face-Off

Wade Barrett was in the ring to moderate this face-off between challenger Flair and Women’s Champion Stratton.

Flair responded to the fans booing her by saying it was “power” before Barrett asked her why she chose Stratton as her WrestleMania opponent. Flair maintained her claim that Stratton was desperate and that her choice was to show the “smartest fans in the world” that there was no comparison.

Stratton said Flair’s biggest battle wasn’t in the ring, but with the crowd, and it was a battle that Flair would never win. She said that no matter how many titles Flair wins, she’d always come second to her dad Ric Flair, and at WrestleMania, she’d come second to Tiffany Stratton.

The crowd booed Flair loudly, which prompted Stratton to respond by throwing back “it’s power” to her face. Flair tried to talk, but couldn’t get in a complete sentence as the Chicago crowd continued to jeer loudly. Stratton mocked Flair for not being able to say anything, with the fans continuing to boo her. Flair conceded and said that Stratton could have the last word.

Stratton said that at age 25, Flair was failing to get into volleyball and “drinking in daddy’s basement”, while at this age, she was heading into WrestleMania as the World Champion. Stratton said that outside the ring, Flair was the Queen of Shit. Stratton capped off her promo by stating that at WrestleMania, Flair would end up alone, just like outside the ring, as she brought up Flair’s previous failed relationships (“0 for 3”). Stratton walked off and headed up the ramp with her WWE Women’s Title held high above her head.

For better or worse, that segment was memorable. That being said, I wasn’t a fan of it at all. The Stratton vs. Flair WrestleMania feud has felt kind of weak, and I’m not sure if Stratton throwing out zingers about Flair’s failed relationships is the way to heat things up.

**********

– Nick Aldis was backstage and announced a Women’s Tag Team Gauntlet would happen next week on SmackDown, with the winners going on to face Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez for the Women’s Tag Titles at WrestleMania.

WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match: Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) def. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)

Sabin & Gargano started things off in the ring with chain wrestling. Sabin got the upper hand with arm drags as Ciampa tagged in. Shelley entered the match and hit a nice double team move on Ciampa with Sabin’s help. The Machine Guns’ took advantage as they teed off on both Ciampa & Gargano. As a chase took place at ringside, Gargano got the blind tag and hit Shelley with a slingshot spear, which led to a picture-in-picture break.

We returned to live action with Sabin naling a double crossbody on #DIY as he held his own impressively. Shelley re-entered the fray while Sabin hit a suicide dive on Gargano & Ciampa. The MCMGs had Ciampa isolated and hit him with their array of double team moves for a near-fall. As Ciampa had the referee distracted, Gargano caused Sabin to drop down, which allowed for the top rope turnbuckle to be exposed.

Back in the ring, Ciampa got the near fall on Project Ciampa, as #DIY went to work on Sabin. Shelley made the save and got thrown out for his troubles. Ciampa and Gargano had Sabin in their sights for Meet in the Middle, but Sabin avoided calamity.

Another Skull & Bones attempt is foiled by Gargano as Ciampa tried to use a leverage pin to take advantage, but the referee caught Ciampa in the act. In the end, Sabin sent Ciampa into the exposed turnbuckle, which led to the roll up and the victory for the Machine Guns. Sabin and Shelley are now the number one contenders to the Street Profits’ WWE Tag Team Titles.

The SmackDown tag division is entertaining ring-wise, yes, but I think the biggest flaw plaguing them is the lack of promo time or anything substantial to get us to care about most of these teams. It was mentioned on commentary that the MCMGs and DIY had some shared history, but it would’ve been better if we got that history laid out in promos or segments. That said, I did enjoy this match regardless.

**********

– The Miz & Carmelo Hayes confronted Pretty Deadly backstage, as they insulted the two for being losers. Elton Prince & Kit Wilson responded by mocking Miz’s role in The Marine movies, as they called him the “Leonardo DiCaprio of tag team wrestling”. They said that Hayes was wasting his time being Miz’s partner, to which Miz replied by citing his past as a nine-time champion.

Naomi def. B-Fab

As Naomi made her entrance, Jade Cargill ambushed her from behind and got in some good shots before security broke it up. Naomi stumbled her way to the ring as the match proper then got underway.

B-Fab held the advantage on Naomi as she was still left shell-shocked by Cargill’s surprise attack. B-Fab hit a nice slam on Naomi that got a count of two. Naomi managed to regain some semblance of control as she dodged a kick from B-Fab and hung her in a tree-of-woe position. Naomi then got the victory with a modified kneeling lungblower on B-Fab.

After the match, Naomi tried to call out Cargill, but was met with a pump kick from the target of her enmity. Cargill tried to hit Naomi with Jaded, but security separated the two. Nick Aldis appeared on stage and announced that Cargill and Naomi would face each other at WrestleMania.

The match itself was what it was, a short affair and meant more to set up the Naomi vs. Jade match at WrestleMania. In that regard, job well done. The match itself should be great and it’s always nice to see a women’s feud culminate at WrestleMania and not revolve around a title.

**********

– Damian Priest addressed Drew McIntyre and his failures to remain focused on his goals, as he claimed McIntyre repeatedly screwed himself. He called McIntyre a hypocrite and a “junkie” that gets a high from making cheap-ass jokes every week. Priest challenged McIntyre to face him next week in the ring, as he promised to make McIntyre his victim for WrestleMania.

– Kevin Owens was seen walking backstage in casual clothes and a forlorn expression on his face. We’d hear from him coming up next.

Kevin Owens announces injury

Nick Aldis was in the ring and talked about how that this was the part of his job that he didn’t like, and that there was a fine line of being fine and never coming back again. He introduced Kevin Owens as he wanted the fans to hear from the man himself.

Owens entered without his usual pomp and circumstance and took the microphone. He talked about how in the 25 years he’s spent in the ring, he’s gotten to do amazing things and take care of his family as his result. He said that there was a toll that everyone in the locker room had to pay and that it was time for him to pay that toll. Owens said that he’s been wrestling for the past four months with a severe neck injury, to a point that he needs to take time off for surgery.

Owens said that it was an unfortunate timing as he was looking forward to facing Randy Orton at WrestleMania. Owens sincerely said that he was sorry and that he didn’t know when he’d ever return to the ring.

Randy Orton’s music interrupted as the Viper walked out just as Owens was getting ready to leave. Owens left the ring afterwards. Aldis broke the bad news to Orton that with Owens’ injury, he no longer has a match for WrestleMania. Orton looked devastated as he hit an RKO on Aldis in response to this news.

It’s been reported that Kevin Owens’ neck injury is indeed a legitimate one and obviously, it’s terrible news. We wish KO a speedy recovery and we can’t wait to see him return fully healthy in the future.

**********

Last Man Standing: Jacob Fatu def. Braun Strowman (Winner Faces LA Knight for the U.S. Championship at WrestleMania)

These two monsters didn’t waste any time as Fatu went after Strowman outside the ring to start us off. In the ring, Fatu dropped Strowman with a running neckbreaker and looked to head up top. Strowman intercepted and tried for a Running Powerslam. Fatu fought out of it and hit running elbow. He went up top once again and hit consecutive jumping moonsaults on Strowman. The referee began her count as Strowman was forced to roll out from the ring just to stay on his feet, which led to a commercial break.

We returned to the match with Fatu in firm control as Strowman responded with a spinebuster that sent Fatu crashing to the canvas. As Fatu tried to roll himself back up, Strowman pulled out a table from under the ring. Strowman set the table against a corner of the ring. Strowman tried to run towards Fatu, but got sent outside the ring. Fatu charged from inside the ring right into Strowman, which sent him over the commentary table.

Fatu sent Strowman into the ringpost and had him in position for a charge into the barricade. Instead, he was met with a chair to the face courtesy of Strowman. With a full head of speed, Strowman ran all around ringside and barreled right into Fatu for a trainwreck-like crash through the barricade. Both men struggled as they barely got themselves back up on their feet. We then went to yet another break in the action.

Things picked up from the break with Strowman and Fatu fighting in the production area within the crowd. Strowman lifted Fatu and hit a mighty suplex onto a set of tables. Both Fatu and Strowman once again struggled to stand up, but they made it before the count of ten. As both Fatu and Strowman made their way back to ringside, both of them could barely remain standing. Strowman got himself back in the ring, but was right in the line of fire for a Fatu running hip attack through the table set up in the ring. Fatu managed to get himself to a vertical base as Strowman failed to stand up, which brough this Last Man Standing match to an end.

Just a fun little Last Man Standing match between two big men. With the victory, we now get Jacob Fatu versus LA Knight for the U.S. Championship at WrestleMania, and it should be a good one. With Fatu getting increasingly over with fans, could this match be the time to give him a title? We’ll soon find out in two weeks.

**********

– We got a recap of Cody Rhodes & John Cena’s confrontation from Raw this past Monday.

– Next Week on SmackDown: Cody Rhodes returns to SmackDown; Women’s Tag Team Gauntlet Match (Winners earn Women’s Tag Title Match at WrestleMania 41); Rey Fenix vs. Berto; Damian Priest & Drew McIntyre Face-to-Face

– Paul Heyman was seen waiting for Roman Reigns in the parking lot, and we’re told that Reigns is arriving at “any minute”. After the break, Reigns arrived in his truck and made his way down to the ring without the usual grandeur.

Paul Heyman’s Favor to CM Punk Revealed

Reigns started things off, as per usual, by asking the Chicago crowd to acknowledge him. He asked his Wise Man if CM Punk was in the building. He asked Heyman if Punk was still asking for the favor, and if he should share a secret with Chicago. Reigns said that Punk wouldn’t be back in WWE if it weren’t for him. He took credit for Punk being in the WrestleMania main event, as he called the Chicago crowd “good people, but not very smart.” Reigns said that Punk may have wrestled everywhere, but he wouldn’t have a sniff at the WrestleMania main event if it weren’t for the Tribal Chief. Reigns then called out Punk so that we could finally hear what the favor was.

Instead of the static of “Cult of Personality”, the cry of “BURN IT DOWN!” from Seth Rollins’ theme played, which brought Rollins himself out to these proceedings. Rollins was his usual trollish self as he made his way into the ring with a mic in his hand. After Rollins did his opening spiel, he said that he wasn’t going to miss this for the world as he might’ve not known what the favor was, but he knew it was going to knock Reigns’ socks off. Rollins said that reality has a history of biting Reigns’ in the ass, bringing up The Heist of the Century from WrestleMania 31 and Cody Rhodes beating Reigns last year at WrestleMania 40.

Rollins said that you cannot underestimate or ignore CM Punk, and the reality is that we now have to live with Punk in the main event of WrestleMania 40 as a result. Rollins noted that he took a break and it gave him perspective on two options: you either get left behind or you adapt and control reality.

Reigns responded by calling Rollins untrustworthy and that he was a man of his word, because he made a promise to CM Punk. Rollins said that there was only thing missing: CM Punk himself. That, of course brought out the Chicago Made Punk himself to complete this trifecta.

With a mic already in his hand, Punk said that this was about friendship, legacy, promises made and promises kept. This was about loyalty. He addressed Heyman and that this goes way back to when he took a chance on Punk when nobody did. Punk brought up the time Heyman left the company and how he mistakenly made it about himself, and he asked what he could do for him. Heyman said at the time that when Punk main evented WrestleMania “force them to deal with us”. Punk said that he was going to force Reigns to leave his comfort zone, as he revealed that the favor was that Paul Heyman would be in Punk’s corner at WrestleMania.

Reigns laughed at the idea of Punk’s favor because Heyman would never turn against Heyman because he loves him and is loyal to his Tribal Chief. Reigns asked Heyman to “let this fool down easy”, to which Heyman apparently refused.

Heyman continued to refuse Reigns’ demand, much to the Tribal Chief’s protestations. Reigns threatened Heyman to tell Punk “no”, but Heyman said “no, my Tribal Chief, I can’t do that. As Heyman was being intimidated by Reigns in the corner, Punk got the jump on Reigns and hit a GTS on him. With Reigns out cold, Punk and Rollins stared one another down briefly, as Rollins made his exit. SmackDown closed out with Punk standing tall.

**********

Well, the favor didn’t turn out to be something like a future title match as many were expecting, but I don’t hate the idea of it being Paul Heyman managing CM Punk, especially since this whole thing was kickstarted by Punk doing Heyman a solid by joining the Bloodline WarGames team. In any case, this triple threat match at WrestleMania should be a good one and the intrigue of Heyman cornering Punk should make things interesting.

WWE NXT live results: Shawn Spears vs. Ricky Saints for North American title

Posted on April 1, 2025April 1, 2025 by Chris Aiken

Two former AEW wrestlers are set to clash in a title bout on WWE NXT tonight.

The North American Championship will be on the line with Ricky Saints challenging Shawn Spears for the belt. If Saints wins, it will kick off the first title reign of his WWE career. He debuted for the promotion on NXT this February shortly after being let out of his AEW contract.

Spears won the North American Championship from Tony D’Angelo last month and is now making his first title defense. He is the leader of The Culling, a faction that includes Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance & Izzi Dame.

WrestleMania weekend is now less than three weeks away — and the NXT Championship match for Stand & Deliver could become official tonight. Trick Williams, who is looking to reclaim the title, will call out NXT Champion Oba Femi.

Stephanie Vaquer still holds both the NXT Women’s Championship and Women’s North American Championship after making two successful title defenses last week. Jordynne Grace is among those looking for a title shot, but the entire NXT women’s division has their eyes on Vaquer’s belts. We’ll see what NXT general manager Ava has planned for the title picture.

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

**********

NXT is back on the air from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando before a live studio audience.

Opening the show is the entrance of NXT Women’s and North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer. Some cross-promotional footage shows Vaquer at UFC in Mexico City.

NXT General Manager Ava is the ring to greet Vaquer. Ava brags on Vaquer, and on her retaining both titles in matches last week. Ava then makes an announcement that gets roundly booed by the studio audience. Ava informs the audience that Vaquer is relinquishing the Women’s North American Championship.

A new Women’s North American Champion will be determined in a ladder match at Stand & Deliver from Las Vegas. Qualifying matches start tonight. The studio audience hated Vaquer relinquishment of the title, especially when Ava had anything to say about it.

Vaquer spoke and tried to salvage the negative crowd reaction, and the studio audience was much more receptive to her. Yet, they did not like any mention of her giving up the title. Vaquer says she relinquished the title under one condition, which is she picks her opponent for the NXT Women’s title match at Stand & Deliver.

Then a WWE in-ring promo ended without an interruption or angle. April Fools! Of course there are interruptions!

Jordynne Grace enters to interrupt Vaquer, and Grace apologizes for doing so again. Grace says with Jaida Parker no longer in the picture, they can focus on the match everyone wants to see — the Juggernaut vs. La Primera for the first time ever on NXT’s biggest stage.

Out comes Jaida Parker to interrupt the previous interruption, because the more interruptions the merrier. Parker and Grace argue over who Vaquer should choose, and Vaquer tells them to figure it out. Parker and Grace start brawling, when security pours in to separate them. Grace throws some dudes around, as this appears to set a return match between Grace and Parker. Or maybe a triple threat with Vaquer, which would be very WWE of them to book.

Trick Williams calls out NXT Champion Oba Femi in a promo posted to social media, which sets up a confrontation for tonight.

Femi is interviewed on his way into the building, and he says Trick will find out the hard way not to call out “The Ruler” of NXT.

Zaria (with Sol Ruca) defeated Lash Legend (with Jakara Jackson) in a Women’s North American Championship qualifying match

Zaria pinned Legend to become the first to qualify for the ladder match at Stand & Deliver. They worked hard and had a competitive match. Although Zaria won clean, Legend got to shine at times.

The wrestled through a commercial break. Ruca and Jackson had a melee at ringside before the show cut to commercial, but otherwise the seconds in the corner played little part other than moral support. Zaria won after delivering a F5 and covering Jackson for a pinfall.

Yoshiki Inamura challenges Wes Lee to match tonight in a backstage skit. Inamura and Josh Briggs were in a locker room, when they confronted by Wes Lee and company. There is bickering, leading to Inamura challenging Lee to a match.

Kelani Jordan and Roxanne Perez have words in a backstage skit that also featured Ava. As Jordan and Perez argue, Ava informs them they meet tonight in a qualifying match.

A vignette features Tony D’Angelo and The Family having a sit-down to discuss intel on Dark State. This was a clever way of doing character development on Dark State while maintaining their mysterious new gimmick.

Stacks runs down the information he learned about the members of Dark State. Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Cutler James, and Saquon Shugars are the members of Dark State, and The Family discusses all of their backgrounds.

Main roster cameo from Pretty Deadly for a skit with Hank & Tank, who were wearing Pretty Deadly gear. Hank & Tank then gets a pep talk from Pretty Deadly. No Quarter Catch Crew walks by and insults Hank & Tank. They rip off their Pretty Deadly gear and head towards Gorilla.

Myles Borne & Tavion Heights (with Charlie Dempsey & Wren Sinclair) defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledger in a tag team match

Hank & Tank continue their losing streak on NXT television. They again emulated another team, including doing their movest. Yet, Hank & Tank go down in defeat. I am assuming they eventually discover themselves and win by developing their own moveset. Otherwise, this losing streak is a lousy way to get them over.

No Quarter Catch Crew looked better than ever as a team. They were smooth and calculated in the ring. Typical WWE formula tag match, and nothing necessarily wrong with that.. Babyfaces shine early on, heat spot, hot tag, and finish.

Heat on Hank as the Catch Crew work him over. Hot tag to Tank, and cleans house. However, Hank & Tank attempt some signature moves of Pretty Deadly. That backfires as they a re cut off.

For the finish, Heights lifts Tank into a fireman’s carry. Borne then DDT’s Tank off the shoulder of Heights, and Borne covers Tank for the deciding pinfall.

Trick Williams is headed to the ring to call out Oba Femi. Williams gets into the ring after a commercial break, and he begins to call out Femi. However, Trick is soon interrupted by Je’Von Evans.

Je’Von confronts Trick in the ring, and Je’Von cuts a promo on him. As if this show did not have enough bickering, there is some more bickering here in this segments. Lots of it. Then another interruption, because that is a trope in modern pro wrestling.

This all sets up a triple threat title match at Stand & Deliver. Out comes NXT Champion Oba Femi for the second interruption of the segment. “The Ruler” gets into the ring to confront the other two already in the ring. More bickering, because personal grudges are money.

GM Ava is out to end the bickering with an announcement. She books a triple threat for the NXT Championship at Stand & Deliver with Femi defending against both Trick & Je’Von. A triple threat, huh? Such an original booking concept for what is billed as the biggest NXT show of the year. The match itself should be good.

Anyway, Trick drops Je’Von with a sucker punch, and Trick brawls with Femi. Trick clotheslines Femi out of the ring. Suddenly, the arena lights do dark.

Spotlights shown as Dark State appears. They jump Femi at ringside, and then Dark State gangs up on Trick. Dark State leaves them both laying.

Andre Chase is the trainer’s room nursing a rib injury. Medical staff won’t clear him, and Chase is sent home. He is asked if anyone can take care of him. In walks Kale Dixon and Uriah Connors to help Chase, and he finally warms up to them.

Jordynne Grace and Jaida Parker are seen in a backstage melee. They have a pull-apart brawl. Later in the show, a return bout between the two is made official for next Tuesday.

Hank & Tank talk with NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom in another backstage skit. Fraxiom are then met by the tag team called Swipe Right. They are Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes, who are doing a misogynistic bro gimmick.

Kelani Jordan defeated Roxanne Perez in a Women’s North American Championship qualifying match

Jordan pinned Perez in an upset. Jordan qualifies for the ladder match at Stand & Deliver after pinning Perez in what was a good match. Hopefully this is a breakout win for Jordan, as Perez put her over. Perez appears to be putting people over on her way out of NXT, and hopefully on her way to the main roster. Long overdue.

They were given a lot of time, and they made the most of it. They also wrestled through a commercial break. Jordan missed her first attempt at a split-legged moonsault, with no water in the pool. Jordan connects on a second attempt for the finish. Roxanne got a lot of near falls, including in the closing moments.

In a skit from her backstage office, Ava books a trios match with any three members of Dark State against the main event trio from Stand & Deliver. Next week is Dark State in a six-man tag match with Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams. Dark State responds in a promo uploaded on social media, confirming the match next Tuesday.

Ricky Saint is interviewed by Sarah Schreiber, and Saints vows to win the NXT North American title tonight in the main event.

Ricky Saints defeated NXT North American Champion Shawn Spears (with The Culling) to win the title

Saints wins his first title in WWE mere weeks after his television debut. Saints pinned Spears to win the title, and Saints fought off interference from The Culling. Ethan Page attacked Saints in a post-match ambush to end the show with a cliffhanger.

The title match itself was really good, and they wrestled through a commercial break. Great dropkick by Saints at one point. Just before cutting to commercial, Saints does a Don Jardine walk on the barricade, mixed with some Rick Rude gyrations.

The studio audience really came alive after Saints executed a superplex jackhammer off the top rope. The Culling would soon interfere in the match. Niko Vance jumps into the ring to distract the referee, and Izzi Dame slid the North American title belt to Spears.

Belt shot for a near fall, as Spears waffles Saints with the title belt. Saints kicks out for a near fall. Moments later, Saints counters Spears’ C4 finisher. Saints delivers his own version of C4 (Death Valley Driver).

The Culling interfere again. This time it involves Brookes Jensen jumping on the apron. Saints biels Jensen into the ring, and Saints fights off the interference before they go home.

Saints with spear knocks Vance off the apron, and Saints with a Cactus Jack clothesline sends himself and Jensen over the top rope to the floor. Saints runs around the ring to spear Vance on the floor. Back in the ring, Saints with a spear on Shawn Spears. Saints follows up with Roshambo. Three count as Saints wins via pinfall. And new…

In a post-match angle, Ethan Page runs in to ruin Saints’ celebration. Page jumps Saints and lays him out with a finisher. The show ends with Page standing over a fallen Saints, while Page holds the North American title overhead.

WWE Raw live results: IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley Women’s title match

Posted on March 31, 2025March 31, 2025 by Steve Khan

Date: March 31, 2025
Location: The O2 in London, UK

The Big Takeaway —

Cody Rhodes and John Cena had an entertaining verbal exchange where Cena finally explained why he specifically turned on Rhodes. Cena has still not explained aligning with The Rock (who was mentioned by Rhodes). For the first time in weeks, they did not advertise a Cena/Rhodes segment for next week.

The need to set up multiple multi-person WrestleMania matches led to two bad finishes on tonight’s show, particularly the main event.

Gunther bloodied Jimmy Uso, Finn Bálor pinned Penta, Tyler Bate returned, and Lyra Valkyria defends her IC title against Bayley next week.

*********

Show Recap —

Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai, Bianca Belair, Logan Paul and cronies, Jey and Jimmy Uso, and Gunther were shown arriving at The O2 in London.

There was a long shot of the sold-out crowd. There were dueling John Cena chants before his music even hit.

John Cena and Cody Rhodes segment

Cena entered first, and he soaked in the chants for 30 seconds until Cody Rhodes’ music hit. They stood around for a minute while the fans sang for Cody.

Rhodes knew Cena would try to “cook” him and wanted to know where he would start. Maybe it would be his lisp, maybe it would be Stardust. The fans chanted for Stardust, and Rhodes said it must bother Cena that Stardust was his final WrestleMania opponent.

Maybe Cena would insult him for having an arm tattoo on his neck. (Rhodes paused again for the fans singing his name.) Maybe Cena would insult him for being booed in the company he created.

Rhodes knew Cena wouldn’t bite on any of that. Rhodes might even be struggling with the idea that Superman was dead. (Rhodes paused again for dueling Cena chants.) Rhodes said Cena has lied to the fans the past two weeks. His words did not match his actions.

Rhodes recalled riding with Cena years ago, and the two of them sang in the car together. Rhodes knew Cena cared about the fans. He wanted Cena to really explain why.

Cena said he would not reduce himself and punch down to Rhodes’ level. Cena wouldn’t protect Rhodes because he’s been protected long enough. Cena wouldn’t cook Rhodes—he would bury him. Just like he buried everyone else.

Cena said the fans accused him of burying other talent. Cena was the talent. He buried mediocrity. Cena didn’t care about Rhodes’ lisp or failures. Rhodes manipulated his way to the top, and his ego outmatched his ability. Rhodes rode the coattails of Cena’s success.

Cena was so great that WWE was able to hand the heartbeat of the organization over to his chauffeur. Rhodes was nothing more than a slimy pickpocket who thought he could run the kingdom because he stole the blueprint.

It disgusted Cena to see Rhodes with the belt. Rhodes rode with him for years and stole every secret. Rhodes wanted to be undeniable, but he was still underwhelming. Cena tried to tell him that he needed to be authentic because the fans could see through phony. Rhodes didn’t listen, and it showed. He was too perfect and too rehearsed.

Cena said Rhodes relied on the fans signing his name and his song. He was like the Pied Piper because all he ever did was make a catchy tune trick these people into liking mediocrity. Rhodes didn’t look like Cena, he didn’t act like Cena, and he didn’t work like Cena. But Rhodes didn’t look like, act like, or work like himself, either. He was a generic mix of every superstar and TV show he ever loved. He was still a kid who was afraid of public speaking. Nowadays, that was enough to trick these people.

Cena worked too hard to make the belt a symbol of mastery to have it paraded around by a paint-by-numbers nepo baby that was so into himself that he had his wrestling gimmick tattooed for the world to see. The problem with Rhodes’ tattoo wasn’t its location; it was that it made him look like a fan, like everyone else.

Cena advised him to go to Fanatics and buy a toy belt after WrestleMania, because the last real champion was taking the title home forever. He would expose Rhodes as an errand boy who got lucky.

Rhodes said Cena might be right. Maybe he was chosen. But it was the fans who chose him. Rhodes wondered if Cena could say the same. Was it the fans or one guy in an office who isn’t here anymore, and we can’t talk about it.

Rhodes was indeed a wrestler like his father, and if anyone was a company creation, it was Cena. People were afraid of Cena on the mic but Rhodes wasn’t because Cena had more dick on the mic than in his jorts. Cena insulted him for acting like a 16-year-old taking public speaking lessons, but Cena was the one hanging out with Zac Efron, wishing he were 16.

Cena created so many disenfranchised fans that he made it easy for Rhodes to pack up and go elsewhere. He told Cena not to act like he left the business better than when he found it. And between the two of them, Cena was the one who sold out to The Rock.

Rhodes said Cena was still his hero—but he was also a piece of shit.

Cena said Rhodes’ brain was full of feces and not facts. He worked 100 times harder than Rhodes, and he was never protected from the fans or a superstar taking their best shot at him. Everyone took their strongest swing when he was in the ring, and no one has ever been worthy, so he just did it all himself.

Cena always made things great, no matter what garbage they gave him. Rhodes had to leave because his best couldn’t wipe Cena’s ass. Cena made empires for billionaires, while Rhodes only stole money from their kids. Cena dropped the mic.

Before Cena could leave the ring, Rhodes wanted him to know one thing: never once have the fans chanted at him, “You can’t wrestle.”

Cena acted offended by this and re-entered the ring. He backed down before attempting a cheap shot, but Rhodes put him down with a Cross Rhodes. The fans chanted for Rhodes.

********

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

As New Day awaited their opponents, Adam Pearce informed them that they would be wrestling the New Catch Republic—Pete Dunne and the returning Tyler Bate.

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate (8:43)

Dunne and Bate got a fair amount of offence in, but New Day won after hitting UpUpDownDown on Dunne.

Obviously, Dunne and Bate wrestled as babyfaces here in London, but this wasn’t much of a return for Bate. We’ll see if they drop the whole Butch stuff with Dunne if he’s reuniting with Bate full time.

— After the match, Cathy Kelley asked New Day if they thought they deserved a title match. Woods asked her if she was slow. They said they deserved a title shot, and they wanted it now. The War Raiders (the champions) entered and faced off with New Day.

********

Jey and Jimmy Uso met backstage. Jimmy told Jey he wanted to take on Gunther alone tonight. Jey said he would feel better if he were out there. Jimmy said Gunther was a big deal—but so were they. There was no Ring General tonight. Gunther was beatable. Jimmy would beat him tonight, and Jey would beat him at WrestleMania to become champion. They shook hands, but Jey pulled him in close and earnestly told him to be careful.

********

Jackie Redmond interviewed Ludwig Kaiser during a break. He wants a match at Mania, and if Pearce doesn’t give him one, he may have to take matters into his own hands.

There was a video package of Triple H beating Mick Foley in a street fight at the 2000 Royal Rumble. They plugged the Hall of Fame.

Kate Nash (from Netflix’s GLOW), Charlie Brooker (Black Mirror), and UFC’s Michael Page were shown in the crowd.

********

World Heavyweight Champion Gunther defeated Jimmy Uso in a non-title match (8:37)

Jimmy hit suicide dives and went for an Uso splash, but Gunther got his knees up. Jimmy was able to follow with a superplex and an Uso splash for a nearfall. Gunther chopped him out of mid-air outside the ring and clotheslined him.

Gunther worked him over during a break, but Jimmy fought back after the break with strikes, superkicks and a German suplex. Gunther cut him off with a dropkick and powerbomb. Gunther seemed to have it won, but he lifted Jimmy’s shoulders off the mat at the two count. Gunther hit a clothesline but lifted him up again at two.

The crowd chanted, “Yeet,” but Gunther applied a sleeper hold, and Jimmy passed out.

— Gunther placed Jimmy in the sleeper again after the match, so Jey ran out (to his music). Jey tackled Gunther and wildly attacked him, but Gunther quickly escaped through the crowd.

During a break, Jimmy heavily sold damage from the sleeper as Jey and medical staff checked on him. As the timer for the commercial break counted down from ten, the crowd began to buzz, so you could tell something was about to happen.

They came back from break as Jey helped Jimmy walk toward the aisle, but Gunther attacked them both from behind. Security tried to stop Gunther, but he powerbombed one of them onto the steel steps.

Gunther ziptied Jey to the ring ropes and chucked Jimmy into the barricade. Gunther held up his title belt and taunted Jey with it. The fans called Gunther a wanker. Jimmy got to the apron, but Gunther hit him with the title belt.

As Gunther continued to taunt Jey, Jimmy reemerged with a bloody face. Gunther powerbombed him as Jey desperately tried to rip the zip tie. Gunther wiped Jimmy’s blood over his body and tasted some of it (before quickly spitting it out).

Gunther placed bloody Jimmy in a sleeper again as the announcers wondered where the hell help was. Officials finally stepped in and stopped Gunther.

(The match itself was ok, but this was a strong post-match angle that will hopefully—and finally—give Jey the motivation he needs.)

********

There was a video package of the SmackDown angle with CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins. Cole said, “So, what is the favour? Hopefully, we find out soon.”

Judgment Day met backstage. Finn Bálor and Dominik Mysterio were back on the same page. Bálor sarcastically offered his condolences to Raquel Rodriguez for losing her IC title match last week. Bálor said he would bring home the IC title to Judgment Day.

********

Bron Breakker entered during a break. Everyone else entered live.

Finn Bálor & Dominik Mysterio (w/Carlito) defeated Penta & Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker (9:10)

Penta suffered his first pinfall loss in WWE.

Penta hit a dive and, believe it or not, that led to a break. Judgment Day used a referee distraction to take control. Penta gave Dom a backstabber after the break and made the hot tag to Bron, who handed out suplexes to both opponents.

Bálor and Dom set up for a double vertical suplex on Bron, but Bron hoisted them up and gave them a very impressive-looking double suplex instead. Bron hoisted Bálor on his shoulders (for a Steinerizer), and Penta brought him down with an elevated slingblade, but Dom broke up the cover. As cool as all this was, it led to a somewhat convoluted finish.

Penta went for a Canadian Destroyer on Bálor, but Dom grabbed him from the apron. The referee just stood by and watched because he knew this was leading to the planned finish. Bron set up for a spear, and Dom warned Bálor it was coming. Dom then shoved Penta into Bálor, and that knocked Bálor aside, so Bron speared Penta by accident instead.

Dom dropkicked Bron out of the ring, and Bálor hit Penta with Coup de Grace for the pinfall win.

********

Chad Gable told Pearce he was impressed with El Grande Americano and would love to wrestle him one day. Gable was still sick, though, and couldn’t compete. He produced a doctor’s note. Pearce said that was too bad because they were in Gable’s hometown of Minneapolis next week.

Gable wanted to wrestle next week and said he would be fine, but Pearce said he should recover. El Grande Americano would be in a match instead. Gable was disappointed because he still wanted to wrestle in his hometown (instead of his alter ego), but was caught in a lie and couldn’t do anything about it.

As Gable was about to leave, he bumped into Alpha Academy. He referred to them as clowns and idiots before leaving.

Maxxine Dupri told Pearce that she spoke to Natalya, and she had ideas about the tag division.

********

Redmond interviewed Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) during the break. He was interested to see which version of AJ Styles we would see tonight.

Penta confronted Bron backstage and called him stupid. Officials quickly stepped in and pulled Penta away. Bron told him to watch his mouth.

********

AJ Styles and Logan Paul segment

Logan Paul was supposed to call out Styles, but Styles entered first. Styles was tired of waiting in the back, and he called out Paul, who entered to a ton of heat. Paul said if he wanted to make them wait, they would, because they were sheep. The fans told him to shut the f*ck up.

Paul said he’s had a change of heart. He was a dad now. A girl-dad. He wanted to teach his daughter the art of forgiveness, so he forgave Styles for what he did to him at Madison Square Garden. He warned Styles not to try it again.

Styles said he had a daughter, too, and he forgave Paul as well. Paul didn’t understand. Styles forgave him for being the biggest douchebag to ever step foot in WWE. Styles said Paul bragged about his success and money, but the fans didn’t care about that. They wanted to see what he would sacrifice in the ring for them. Styles said Paul might be talented, but that could only take him so far. Styles wondered what he would do with all that talent.

Paul said he would ask for Styles’ advice, but you should never take advice from someone you wouldn’t trade places with. Styles warned him not to write a cheque he couldn’t cash. Paul asked if that was a threat. Styles said he was in his gear, but Paul said he didn’t fight for free. Paul insulted the fans for being broke and accused one fan of spending their life savings on a front row seat. The crowd told him to be quiet again.

Paul tried a cheap shot, but Styles saw it coming. However, Paul used the middle rope to crotch Styles and laid him out with the Paulverizer.

********

Redmond interviewed Lyra Valkyria. Valkyria appreciated Bayley’s help last week, but she wanted to prove that she could stand on her own. Bayley is the only person who has beaten her since she won the title, and it was driving her crazy. They would have a rematch next week with the IC title on the line.

********

Next week on Raw in Minneapolis (regular start time of 8 pm ET):

Lyra Valkyria vs. Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental title
El Grande Americano in action
Seth Rollins appears

********

Bálor was pumped up over his win and celebrated with Judgment Day. Bálor was excited after pinning Penta and getting the better of Breakker again. Bálor left to talk to Pearce about getting a title shot.

They were all on the same page until Liv Morgan noticed Bálor was taking all the credit. After Bálor left, Morgan told Dom that Bálor had already lost to Breakker, while Dom had not. Morgan said she would talk to Pearce when Bálor was done. Dom was unsure about all of this (because he doesn’t want to piss off Bálor).

*******

Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley [with Special Guest Referee Bianca Belair] ended in a double disqualification (14:41)

This was bad.

There were spots early on where Belair had to pull each woman off the other while in the ropes because they wouldn’t listen. During a break, Ripley slammed Sky and got a two count on a cover (but we didn’t see it because the screen went back as they returned from break).

Sky hit a suicide dive following the break. Ripley had Sky on her shoulders outside the ring, and Sky went for a poisonrana, but Ripley slipped and just fell over. They both avoided a count-out by entering the ring at the same time.

Sky took over and hit a double foot stomp. Ripley went to the middle rope, and Sky tried the poisonrana again, but Ripley blocked it and hit an avalanche Samoan drop. At least that’s what it looked like. It was meant to be a crucifix bomb by Sky, but it didn’t look like it at all. Sky covered Ripley for two. The crowd played along and applauded.

Sky tried a flying crossbody, but Ripley headbutted her out of midair for a two. They traded counters until Ripley hit a Razor’s Edge and a shining wizard for a nearfall.

They traded counters again until Sky got backed into Belair. You could see what was coming. Sky ducked, and Ripley booted Belair out of the ring.

Sky tried a cradle on the distracted Ripley. The crowd was too eager to react, and they loudly counted the fall with Belair down, but it was never meant to be a false finish because Ripley got right up. Ripley hit Sky with a Rip-tide moments later, and the crowd loudly counted to twelve with Belair still down.

Belair got to her feet, and Ripley told her it should be over. Belair entered the ring to count the fall, but Sky kicked out. Ripley argued with Belair and put her hands on her, so Belair shoved her hand aside. Ripley attacked Sky in the ropes, so Belair pulled her away. Ripley smacked Belair.

Ripley turned around and ducked upon seeing Sky flying off the ropes, and Sky hit Belair with a missile dropkick by mistake, knocking her out of the ring again. Ripley decked Sky from behind, which didn’t look good either.

Belair got to her feet and called the match off because she had enough. They announced a double DQ.

— Ripley attacked Belair, and they brawled until Sky wiped them out with a dive. Sky attacked Ripley before Belair attacked Sky.

This led to Ripley giving both women Rip-tides. The crowd chanted, “One more time,” so Ripley gave Belair another one off the middle rope. Ripley posed with the belt, and the crowd cheered.

Barrett put over Ripley as a deserving title contender, and the crowd did their part to play along, but this was an awful setup.

WWE NXT live results: Two Stephanie Vaquer title defenses

Posted on March 25, 2025March 25, 2025 by Chris Aiken

Stephanie Vaquer has a big night ahead of her on WWE NXT, as she works double duty as a dual champion.

Two weeks after defeating Giulia to become a double champion, Vaquer will defend both of her belts in separate matches tonight.

Vaquer is set to make her first NXT Women’s Championship defense in a matchup against Jaida Parker. Plus, Vaquer puts the NXT Women’s North American title up for grabs against former champion Fallon Henley.

Vaquer dethroned Henley for the Women’s North American title belt back in February. She then added the NXT Women’s Championship to her collection by defeating Giulia at Roadblock.

Another championship bout is scheduled for tonight with Je’Von Evans challenging Lexis King for the Heritage Cup. A victory would kick off the first title reign of Evans’ WWE career.

NXT Stand & Deliver 2025 is fast approaching with WrestleMania weekend now under a month away. We’ll see if any matches get confirmed for the Stand & Deliver card tonight.

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

**********

The first of three title matches opens the show on tonight’s televised card. The title bout is also the first defense by Stephanie Vaquer of her newly won NXT Women’s Championship, while also being the first of two title defenses for Vaquer on this episode of NXT.

NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer defeated Jaida Parker to retain her title

Vaquer pinned Parker with a wheelbarrow victory roll, after a distraction by Jordynne Grace. The Fatal Influence trio jumped Vaquer after the match.

They wrestled through the first commercial break on the show. This was a good opener and a competitive match. Despite losing by pinfall, Parker gets to save some face because of the distraction by Grace.

Last week Parker jumped Grace, so Grace has a reason for vengeance. However, costing Parker the title because of a distraction seems heelish. But whatever. Parker and Grace had to be held apart by officials at ringside. That apparently kept the officials unable to stop the post-match run-in.

Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) jump Vaquer after the match. The heel trio lays out Vaquer and stands over her. Later in the show, Vaquer is set to defend a title against Henley.

A couple backstage skits lead us into, and back from, a commercial break. In one skit, Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans have a tense dialogue in a locker room. Trick again insults Evans.

Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson argue with Gigi Dolan & Tatum Paxley in the women’s locker room. NXT General Manager Ava enters to help settle the dispute. Hopefully that involves a match to settle the score.

Ricky Saints joins Vic Joseph for a sit-down interview, which was interrupted and crashed by NXT North American Champion Shawn Spears. The acting by Saints was fantastic here, instead of the usual campy nature of the backstage skits on the show.

The interview starts off with Saints talking about his arrive to NXT and other perception of him, but they are soon interrupted by Spears. Joseph is run off by Spears, and Spears takes over the interview with Saints. This allowed Saints to shine, as his acting was very good.

Saints goes back-and-forth with Spears as they trade verbal jabs. Spears brings up their past, which included some references that were very inside baseball. The rest of The Culling appear at the end of the segment, as Spears issues a warning to Saints. Great segment. This appears to be Saints next program, and for a title no less.

Wes Lee is watching on a monitor backstage with Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont. They soon head towards Gorilla, as they have a tag match up next.

Hank Walker & Tank Ledger are also headed to the ring. In a cameo, they run into the Motor City Machine Guns. Hank & Tank are offered some encouraging words from MCMG.

Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont (with Wes Lee) defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledger

Dupont pinned Walker clean to win the match after a double team finisher. Dupont & Ledger got a dominate win, as Hank & Tank remain underdogs.

GM Ava checks on Stephanie Vaquer in the trainer’s room, and Vaquers vows to defend both titles tonight.

NXT Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King defeated Je’Von Evans via count-out to retain the title

Second cheap finish in a title match on this show. The earlier title bout had a distraction, and this match featured blatant interference by NXT Champion Oba Femi. He powerbombed Evans on the ring apron, and Evans could not answer the 10 count.

The match was plenty good, and they were even plenty of time as it went through a commercial break. But again, the finish was a cheap way out. The heat is supposed to go on Femi I guess, but it was still a lame finish. The post-match angle sort of made up for the finish.

Dark State teases a run-in, complete with a light show. Very kind of them to give Dark State a light show, considering Dark State are invaders and all. Why they are here, who knows? They are there, but they just glare at the ring.

Evans starts brawling with Femi in the ring. Trick Willaims runs down to make a save.Trick and Femi a have a great pull-apart showdown, but not before Trick inadvertently hits Evans with a flying knee strike. Meanwhile, Dark State looks on.

Gigi Dolan & Tatum Paxley defeated Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson

Paxley pinned Jackson after Cemetery Drive , which is the name of the double team finisher from Dolan & Paxley. They are set to challenge for the TNA Knockouts tag teal titles on an upcoming episode of Impact, so they went over strong here.

Tony D’Angelo is sitting down with The Family in a vignette. This was like something out of The Sopranos. D’Angelo asks Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo if he is good. Stacks says he is indeed good except for the situation with Dark State.

D’Angelo asks Stacks if he can trust him. Stacks tells “T” that he can always trust him. A stone face “Don” stares into the distance as Stacks leaves the room.

Ethan Page defeated Andre Chase (with Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors)

Before the match, Ricky Saints blows past Page on his way to the announce desk for guest commentary. The actual match itself was set up with a locker room skit where Chase sticks up for Dixon when Page tries to bully him.

Page pinned Chase clean after a Twist of Fate. Just before that, Chase kicked out after a super powerslam. Chase fought valiantly, but Chase delivers “Twisted Grin” before scoring the deciding pinfall. They had a long match that was good for the most part.

Saints has words with Page after the match, after Page eggs it on. Suddenly, Shawn Spears ambushes Saints. The rest of The Culling then move in to stand over Saints, who is laid out at ringside by Spears. This angle sets up a North American title match for next week with Spears defending against Saints.

Dark State cuts a promo that was originally uploaded to social media.

A fired up Trick Williams cuts a promo on Oba Femi, but Trick comments on Je’Von Evans. Trick refers to the knee strikes on Evans as “collateral damage”, and Trick calls Evans a “distraction” from Trick’s goal of regaining the NXT title.

Trick also cuts a promo on Femi, saying Femi knows where to find him next week. Trick is asked about Dark State, and Trick says that is none of his business.

NXT Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer defeated Fallon Henley (with Fatal Influence) to retain the title

Vaquer pinned Henley after interference from Nyz backfires on the heels. Really good match. Henley should be on the main roster. The trio of Fatal Influence jumps Vaquer after the match, and Jordynne Grace runs down to make a save. Jaida Parker also runs in to brawl with Grace.

Parker shoves Grace into Vaquer, after Grace and Vaquer had a mild tug-o-war over the NXT title belt. Grace brawls with Parker, and Grace sends Parker outside the ring. Vaquer then spins Grace around for a face-to-face stare down.

WWE Raw live results: Cody Rhodes and John Cena in Scotland

Posted on March 24, 2025March 24, 2025 by Steve Khan

Date: March 24, 2025
Location: The OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland

The Big Takeaway —

John Cena plans to ruin wrestling for everyone by taking the WWE Championship belt home with him and retiring with it. Cody Rhodes did not take Cena seriously last week, but he did this week, calling him more dangerous than ever. However, Rhodes planned on retiring Cena at WrestleMania. The two men will have another face-to-face next week in London.

Rhea Ripley will face IYO SKY for the Women’s World title next week, with Bianca Belair as special referee.

The Intercontinental title main event ended in a DQ when Judgment Day interfered.

**********

Show Recap —

CM Punk, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, Lyra Valkyria, Dragon Lee & Rey Mysterio, Penta, and Bron Breakker were shown arriving at the arena in Glasgow. Punk and Penta got big reactions.

Pat McAfee is back on commentary with Michael Cole.

John Cena and Cody Rhodes segment

John Cena entered and was loudly booed. He knew the crowd was ready to do their worst because he turned the spotlight on them. They knew that he could pick them out individually and rip them to shreds. No one was safe, not even that clueless kid from last week. His poor, pathetic face was everywhere. WWE even posted it—and the fans all loved it. The crowd loudly chanted, “F*ck you, Cena,” and it was censored.

Cena would tell the truth, while the best idea the fans had was to use profanity. They meme’d a defenceless kid getting destroyed, so he didn’t need to single out anyone tonight because they were all horrible people. Instead, they would all pay for the abuse they put him through.

He listened to their lies and their noise for 25 years. He didn’t waste time being mean like them; he paid attention. The crowd chanted, “Shut the f*ck up.” He said he has been learning from the fans and testing them all this time. They told him everything about themselves, but they didn’t know anything about him.

Their lives were sad. This (being fans) was the best it would get for them. But they have been nothing but an experiment for him. Rats in a cage. Pick out any moment in his career, and he could tell them what he learned about them.

When he bled, they thought he was tough. When he spoke, they were inspired. When he was edgy, they were excited. When he was vanilla, they were bored. When he spoke in rhythmic tones, they said, “What.” (They were indeed chanting “What” at this moment.)

They would always tell him everything about themselves because they wanted so desperately to matter. The most important thing they told him was in April 2005, when he gave them the WWE spinner championship.

They ate him alive for it. He turned their belt into a toy, and they didn’t like that because the championship wasn’t a toy. He disrespected tradition. That was the biggest mistake they made. They told him what meant most to them. And now that he knew that, he was going to ruin wrestling.

He was going to ruin wrestling for every fan, wrestler—for everyone. At WrestleMania, he would make history by winning a 17th championship. He would force them to forget about the fun-machine Ric Flair, and they would forever say the name John Cena. Even worse, he would win the title—the centre of every superstar and fan in his business—and he would retire with it. “I am taking it home with me.”

He was leaving them to make a brand new toy belt because the real one was coming home with him. “I will be the last real champion in WWE. Revenge is best served cold, and I pay you back by ripping your heart out and forcing you to watch as I just walk away with your memories, with your traditions, and your dreams. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

Cody Rhodes entered. The fans sang his name. Rhodes told Cena he couldn’t take the belt away from the fans without taking it from him first. Rhodes could see that Cena was being sincere. Cena was angry and dangerous, but he made a massive mistake. The mistake was not that Cena hit him with the belt in Toronto; it was saying what he just said to these fans.

Rhodes said Cena should know how hard he had to fight just to hold this belt one time. Cena thought the timeline of professional wrestling hung in the balance because of his vanity. Rhodes laid the belt down and told Cena he could try taking it right now.

Cena acted for a moment like he might fight Rhodes, but he left the ring instead.

Rhodes told Cena that his psychotic need to take the belt did not outweigh their (Rhodes and the fans) need to keep it. The champ was standing in the middle of the ring while Cena walked away empty-handed. That is how Cena would walk away at WrestleMania, and that is how he would walk away from WWE.

********

There was a video package for Bron Breakker vs. Penta tonight.

Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso defeated Austin Theory & Grayson Waller (9:15)

Jey Uso initially entered alone but was quickly joined by Jimmy in the aisle. Cole exclaimed, “Wait, wait, wait! Look who’s here! Jey’s brother!” He didn’t actually say Jimmy’s name. (Jimmy entering separately would’ve felt like a bigger moment, but they might’ve wanted to keep the focus on Jey since he’s the main eventer.)

Cole said this was the first time The Usos teamed up (just the two of them) in a year and a half when they beat Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa.

A-Town Down Under got the heat on Jimmy when Theory made a blind tag and clocked him with a running forearm. After a break, Waller rolled into the ring and into a Samoan drop by Jimmy. Cole somehow thought this was a slingblade by Waller. (It’s sometimes difficult to judge a person’s offence or move, but this was not one of those times.)

Jey tagged in, but A-Town Down Under teamed up on him. Jimmy tagged back in, and they hit Waller with an alley-oop. Jimmy hoisted up Waller into a spear by Jey before The Usos hit Theory with a 1-D for the pinfall win.

— Gunther knocked Jimmy off the top rope as he celebrated. Jey superkicked Gunther and set up for a spear, but he literally tripped and fell. He went for the spear anyway but Gunther tackled him down. Gunther hammered away with elbows, but Jimmy ran him off with a steel chair.

I don’t know if they did this trip spot on purpose or not, but this was not a good look for Jey, regardless. (Update: It looks like the spot was done deliberately, and they’ll be using it to build Jey back up in the coming weeks.)

*******

There was a big video package for “El Grande Americo” (Chad Gable), who hailed from the “Gulf of America.” I suppose this video was a nice idea, except for all the AI they used to make it.

Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio told Adam Pearce that the person in the video was clearly Chad Gable. (Because they used AI, the wrestler didn’t actually look like Gable.)

Gable showed up and said they were wrong. He was also sick and had a doctor’s note, so he wouldn’t be able to compete today. Pearce said the note was legit. (Even though he was obviously faking it.) Gable suggested that Dragon Lee face El Grande Americo instead. Dragon Lee accepted. Rey looked at Gable and said, “You’re a real jackass.” (That was funny.)

********

Richard Gadd of Baby Reindeer (on Netflix) was in the audience.

Lyra Valkyria defeated Raquel Rodriguez (w/Liv Morgan) to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (8:23)

Rodriguez booted Valkyria out of mid-air to take control ahead of a break. She hit a jackhammer following the break for two. Valkyria countered a suplex into a DDT, but Morgan placed Rodriguez’s foot on the rope to break up the cover.

Valkyria dropkicked Morgan moments later and countered Rodriguez’ Tejana Bomb attempt into a victory roll for the pinfall win.

— Morgan and Rodriguez attacked Valkyria after the match. I guess Bayley was waiting behind the stage because her music hit immediately, and she ran out to clear the ring with Valkyria. Bayley gave Valkyria her IC title belt, and they posed together.

This match was just fine. The crowd liked Valkyria.

********

The New Day (who last appeared on Raw three weeks ago when they beat Rey and Dragon Lee) cut a promo during commercials. They ran down the locals before proclaiming they would win the tag team titles at WrestleMania.

There was a video package of Triple H beating The Rock at SummerSlam 1998 in a ladder match for the IC title. This was meant to hype HHH going into the Hall of Fame, but it also put over the importance of the IC title, which is on the line tonight.

********

Jey sat alone in the back when he was joined by Jimmy. Jimmy wondered what was going on with Jey the last few weeks. He could see Jey was in his own head. Jey hit dives perfectly for 15 years before last week. Last week’s dive became a meme and a joke. Then he went out there tonight and slipped. If he kept going like this, he wouldn’t win at Mania.

Jey bluntly said he knew that. He said he couldn’t beat Gunther and was 3-0 against him (he meant to say 0-3). Jimmy said that this Jey could not beat Gunther. Jimmy hyped him up and said he needed to see the Right Hand Man Jey Uso, the one who became the Main Event Jey Uso. The one who won the Royal Rumble. That’s the Uce he needs.

Jimmy found Gunther around the corner and challenged him to a match on Raw next week. Gunther said sure and suggested he didn’t slip and fall like his brother. Jimmy slapped him hard in the face.

********

Women’s World Title segment

Adam Pearce was in the ring with the contract for Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair at WrestleMania for the title. He said Rhea Ripely signed her name on it, too, but that did not mean she was getting a title shot at Mania. The crowd booed.

Pearce said he’s been trying to assign Ripley’s title rematch for weeks, but in the meantime, Belair won the Elimination Chamber and earned the title match at Mania. Ripley, meanwhile, only wanted the title rematch on her terms.

He was about to make an announcement but was interrupted by Sky. Sky didn’t care about contracts and was happy to take on both Belair and Ripley because she was the Women’s World Champion.

Belair interrupted next. Belair was not about to let Ripley headbutt her way into this match because she didn’t earn it.

Ripley interrupted and said, “Honestly, I don’t give a damn about WrestleMania.” She didn’t care who she had to face to get her title back. She wanted her rematch. Pearce was annoyed because now she suddenly wanted the match. Belair said Ripley has already waited three weeks, she can wait another three weeks.

Once again, Ripley and Belair argued while Sky tried to interject, but Ripley shoved her aside. Sky was about to go after them again, but Pearce stepped in. Pearce was pissed and announced that Ripley would get her title rematch against Sky next week. The winner would face Belair at WrestleMania.

As Ripley and Belair argued again, Sky wiped out Ripley with a DDT. The crowd booed as Belair set up Sky for a KOD. Sky avoided it and gave Ripley a hurricanrana outside the ring. However, Belair gave Sky a KOD to send her out of the ring and onto Ripley. Belair stood tall with the belts.

This was another weak segment to set up whatever match they’re doing at Mania.

********

Dom approached Penta backstage. Before Penta could say anything, Dom told him to think about his offer and maybe he would walk away as IC champion tonight.

*******

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods told Pearce they were demanding a world tag title shot at Mania. He said no. He wanted them to prove they earned a shot first. They left.

Belair, perhaps suffering from amnesia, entered next and asked Pearce who she was facing at Mania. Pearce said she would find out next week after the title match. He also announced that she would be the special referee. She said she didn’t know how to be a referee, and he told her to figure it out. (Now everyone is coming off poorly in this feud.)

*******

El Grande Americo (Chad Gable) defeated Dragon Lee (8:55)

Gable (wrestling in a mask) hit Dragon Lee with an exploder off the apron ahead of a break. They exchanged chops after the break until Dragon Lee hit a snap German suplex and superkick. Dragon Lee sprinted at Gable, but Gable launched him with an overhead suplex into the corner. The crowd chanted, “Olé.” Dragon Lee avoided a moonsault and hit a Liger Bomb for two.

With Gable dangling upside down in the corner, Dragon Lee set up for a double foot stomp, but Gable sat up and ripped Lee’s mask off. Dragon Lee frantically covered his face while Gable applied an ankle lock. Dragon Lee struggled for a moment but he couldn’t get the ropes while also covering his face, so he tapped out.

This was pretty fun for the time they had, and the finish got a ton of heat.

********

There was a video package for CM Punk/Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins.

CM Punk segment

Punk entered to a big reaction. He said he was not in a good mood, but it was hard to be pissed off when you enter to a reaction like that. He was tired and jetlagged. He hasn’t slept well the last few days, thanks mostly to the uncertainty around his road to WrestleMania.

He had a match at Mania, “but what I want, I’m not getting—or am I?”

He wanted to win the Rumble, but he didn’t. He needed to win the Chamber, but the more things changed, the more things stayed the same. “I work with children.” He said Seth Rollins was the world champion of being a piss-baby, and Rollins screwed him at the Chamber.

For Rollins and Reigns, it was clearly personal, but for him, it was just business. The two men who stood in his way from getting what he wanted had to go.

Rollins has been crying since Punk returned because the shadow he cast over him belittled everything Rollins was about. Reigns seemed to be taking it personally because he realized his wise man wasn’t just his wise man.

It would be business for Punk on Smackdown, too, because they were having a contract signing. Some fans booed, and Punk acknowledged it. He knew they wanted it tonight, and so did he. He wanted his hands on the contract to see if this match would get him closer to what he wanted or if it would just be another rug-pull from the powers that be.

Punk reminded Rollins and Reigns that they had never beaten him without the other’s help. Punk also said, “I brought you into this business. I cannot wait to be the man who takes you both out of it.” Punk called himself the best in the world and dropped the mic.

(Cole reminded us that Punk brought The Shield to WWE.)

*******

Next week on Raw in London, England (airing at 3 pm ET/12 pm PT):

Logan Paul calls out AJ Styles
Gunther vs. Jimmy Uso (non-title)
Cody Rhodes and John Cena face-to-face
Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship

*******

Cathy Kelley asked Bron Breakker if he was worried that Penta might have help from Judgment Day tonight. Bron didn’t seem worried about it. He would retain the title because the dogs were barking in Glasgow.

Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker defeated Penta via disqualification (11:25)

They were having a strong match until the finish.

Penta used a hurricanrana to send Bron into the ropes. To set up the next spot, Bron was actually supposed to be on the other side of the ring, so he “stumbled” to the other side as Penta posed, which looked pretty awkward. This led to Bron hitting a leaping clothesline off the apron and over the announce table.

Dom and Carlito wandered out during a break.

Bron and Penta traded strikes until Penta hit a superkick, bulldog, and backstabber for two. Bron blocked a Canadian Destroyer and hit a military press gutbuster for two. Penta hit a superkick and enziguri and used a hurricanrana to yank Bron off the middle rope. Penta followed with a flip dive and Canadian Destroyer for two. Bron followed later with a Frankensteiner for a nearfall.

Bron set up for a spear, but Dom distracted the referee. Carlito tried to interfere, so Bron pulled him into the ring and speared him. Dom chop-blocked Bron in front of the referee for the DQ.

Bron went after Dom, but Finn Bálor attacked him with a chair. Bálor seemed like he was pissed with Dom, but he handed Dom the chair.

Dom hit Bron with the chair before handing it to Penta. Bálor didn’t like that idea.

Penta teased that he might hit Bron, but instead, he chucked the chair at Dom and superkicked it in his face. Bálor decked Penta and hit Bron with the chair. Bálor laid out Penta with a Coup de Grace.

Raw ended with Bálor, Dom and Carlito standing tall.

WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Seth Rollins appear

Posted on March 21, 2025March 21, 2025 by Colin McGuire

Roman Reigns will appear on WWE SmackDown for the first time in a long time tonight as he is set to be confronted by Seth Rollins and CM Punk.

Rollins announced the appearance on Raw, which came one week after Reigns got involved in their steel cage match on Raw a week prior to that. It’s expected that WWE will soon announce a triple threat between Reigns, Rollins, and Punk for WrestleMania 41.

Also set for tonight, Jade Cargill will return to in-ring action after a long layoff to face Liv Morgan. The match was set up last week when Morgan taunted Cargill for being attacked by Naomi in an angle that wrote Cargill off TV for months.

Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu will continue their program when they face off one-on-one. Plus, Zelina Vega will take on Piper Niven. Vega made her intentions clear last week when she said she was coming after Chelsea Green’s Women’s United States Championship.

Tonight’s episode will air on same-day tape delay from Bologna, Italy, as it continues WWE’s European tour. Join us for coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as footage of Bologna, Italy was shown. Jade Cargill, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Braun Strowman, CM Punk, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu walking around previous in the day aired. Randy Orton’s music hit and Orton made his entrance. The crowd was all types of riled up.

The Randy Orton/Kevin Owens segment

A standard opening promo for WWE TV. So much so that there really isn’t much to say about it. We all kind of figured this was where the Orton/Owens story was going, and … well, here we are. I’m kind of surprised there wasn’t another week or two of sneak-attacking, but why delay the inevitable. I get a kick out of Owens doing his fake-sincere bit. He’s such a great actor when it comes to being a bad actor.

The crowd sang along to Orton’s song and then chanted “Randy!” after the song stopped. Before Orton could speak, Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens walked into the entranceway with a microphone. Owens said he was there to tell Orton that Owens was wrong for attacking Orton and hitting him with a piledriver. Owens said Cody and Sami Zayn deserved everything he did to them, but Orton did not. Owens said his anger made him do something he regretted and Orton should be able to relate to that.

Owens said he’s only human and he proposed a truce with Orton. Owens talked about leaving things in the past and said he pulled Melo out of the ring last week to protect Orton from himself. Owens said Orton didn’t want to go back to the Randy Orton who kicks people in the head. Owens said Orton has changed and grown. Owens said they should look to the future and WrestleMania is in the future. Owens proposed Orton teaming with Owens to become tag team champions. Owens said they should have become tag champions already, but their differences got in the way.

Orton responded by saying he should roll out of the ring and beat Owens’s ass all around the arena. Orton said he had never heard Owens admit he was wrong and said Owens could shove his apology up his ass. Orton said Owens deserves to get kicked in the head hard by Orton. Orton followed that up by saying instead of it being “Fight Owens Fight,” it should be “Bitch Owens Bitch.” Orton said he’s glad Owens dropped him on his head because now he hears voices in his head and at Mania, Orton said he will kick Owens’s head clean off his shoulder. Orton’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

Damian Priest & Jimmy Uso defeated Drew McIntyre & Shinsuske Nakamura [7:44]

This felt oddly short. Maybe it had to do with the commercial break in the middle of it, but these are four of the show’s biggest consistent names (yes, Punk, Roman and Seth are all up later, but these four guys show up on the blue brand each week), so I expected the match to go at least 10 minutes. Alas, it was not to be, and perhaps the whole thing was better off for it. I like Drew getting the best of Priest after the match without Priest really even having a hope spot. I also liked the pre-match brawl if only because that was the only real thing that helped heat up the Priest/McIntyre program as those two march to WrestleMania. In all, though, this was a pretty nothing-happening match.

As McIntyre made his entrance, Priest left the ring and attacked McIntyre in the aisle. Nakamura followed and eventually, hit a splash on all three guys on the outside. The match officially started with Jimmy and Drew and Jimmy getting the best of Drew. Before long, McIntyre came back with a belly-to-belly suplex and the crowd seemed to really be behind Drew, who slowed things down significantly. Nakamura tagged in and tripped Jimmy, throwing him into the commentary table on the outside. Nakamura followed that up with a kick to Big Jim’s head. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Big Jim hit a Samoan Drop on McIntyre and McIntyre tagged in Nakamura. Jimmy continued firing up and kicked Nakamura before getting the hot tag to Priest, who came in and ran Nakamura through the gauntlet. Priest hit his version of Old School on Nakamura, but then ran into a series of kicks from Nakamura. Priest clotheslined Nakamura, but McIntyre broke up a pin attempt. Things broke down and Jimmy kicked McIntyre outside the ring. Nakamura kicked Jimmy and Priest immediately landed South Of Heaven on Nakamura to get the win.

After the match, McIntyre attacked Priest and yelled at him. McIntyre ultimately hit a Claymore Kick on Priest.

**********

– Braun Strowman was shown backstage and LA Knight walked up and said he’d keep his eye out for Strowman in his match later. Strowman said Nick Aldis told him earlier in the day that the winner of Strowman’s match with Fatu later will face Knight for the U.S. title.

– A video recapping the Charlotte/Tiffy program developments from last week aired.

The Tiffany Stratton/Charlotte split-screen interview

WWE does not do these split-screen interviews well and it always feels like the wrestlers struggle to make any of it compelling. At best, you get some heated exchanges that kind of/sort of feel real; at worst, you get two people who feel like they are reading off a teleprompter. Charlotte did her best to shed that assumption by constantly interrupting Stratton, but all it seemed to do was shake Stratton and make Charlotte appear even more annoying than her character probably wanted to be (go-away heat, as the pros say). Two steps forward, one step back for this program. Last week’s brawl between these two was fantastic; this third-rate CNN Crossfire debate was not.

Tessitore conducted the interview and Tiffany started talking, but Charlotte interrupted her, saying the queen speaks first. Charlotte said she always brings out the best in people and that’s why last week was the first time Tiffy looked like a star. Charlotte said she felt sorry for Stratton because she’s delusional in that she thinks she’s on Charlotte’s level. Charlotte said Tiffy can’t compare herself with Charlotte. Stratton said Charlotte used to be one of Stratton’s biggest supporters, but now, Stratton sees the real Charlotte.

Charlotte mocked Stratton saying she almost shed a tear for Tiffy. Charlotte said she’s the only woman in the locker room who will tell Stratton the truth. Stratton said all Charlotte does is find the hottest thing and throw water on it. Charlotte interrupted her and Stratton repeated herself. Stratton said Charlotte is struggling to keep up with the fans that don’t want to take Charlotte back. Stratton said at Mania, she will prove the WWE Universe doesn’t bow to Charlotte anymore and instead, they run on Tiffy Time. That, thankfully, wrapped the interview.

**********

Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu via DQ [9:15]

This probably went longer than it needed to and a finish like that didn’t do the thing any favors. I really hope this isn’t setting up a triple threat between Knight, Fatu and Strowman for the U.S. title at Mania. What’s wrong with a really good one-on-one title fight? WWE seems allergic to that approach anymore. But I digress. The long road towards the Fatu/Sikoa break up seemed to take an accelerated step here and I’m thankful for that. What are the odds those two are still on the same team by the time Mania rolls around?

Strowman backed Fatu into a corner and went for a splash, but Fatu moved and took control. Fatu ran at Strowman and Strowman shoulder-blocked Fatu to the ground. Strowman then ran into a big boot and a back body-drop from Strowman, who followed that up with a clothesline over the top. Strowman rolled Fatu back into the ring and kicked him in the head. The crowd started singing and Strowman conducted the crowd, which was kind of fun. Strowman hit a splash on Fatu and Fatu rolled to the outside. Strowman set up for the Strowman Express, but Fatu threw Strowman into the announce desk. Fatu then hit a leaping clothesline from the apron. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Fatu had control back inside the ring, complete with a super-kick, a Samoan Drop and a Senton for a two-count. Fatu hit a hip attack and a splash in a corner. Fatu set up for another splash, but Strowman followed him and countered. The match then reset. Strowman landed a series of strikes and clotheslines. Fatu slid out of the ring and Strowman hit the Strowman Express on the outside. Strowman rolled Fatu back into the ring and landed a spinebuster.

Tama Tonga showed up and Strowman took care of him, but Solo Sikoa followed and hit a Samoan Spike on Strowman for the DQ finish. After the match, Sikoa and Tonga worked over Strowman and Fatu looked unhappy with his family. Strowman popped up for a second, but Fatu slowed him down with a back elbow. LA Knight’s music hit and Knight ran to the ring, where he briefly got the best of everyone until he lost the numbers game. Ultimately, Strowman got up and helped Knight take care of everybody. Turns out, it’ll be Knight vs. Strowman for the U.S. title next week.

**********

– Cathy Kelley interviewed Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez backstage. Morgan said she was mad that Cargill allowed everyone to believe Morgan and Raquel attacked her. Morgan said she was impressed with what Naomi did, but Naomi couldn’t finish the job, so Liv will finish it for her.

– Fatu was walking backstage and he trashed the place. He appeared angry that he lost the match. Sikoa said it looked like Fatu was about to lose and Sikoa said they were just trying to help. Fatu said it wasn’t any of Sikoa’s business and Fatu will now take care of his own business.

Piper Niven defeated Zelina Vega [12:53]

This absolutely did not need 13 minutes and it is this week’s Exhibit A when it comes to why these SmackDowns do not need to be three hours long. Especially if Vega wasn’t going to get the win to get her U.S. title shot, there is no reason on earth, no matter the country – Italy, America, England, Antarctica, whatever – that it should take Niven 13 minutes to beat Vega, someone we never see wrestle on TV anymore and who suffers from a pronounced size disadvantage. I’m all for women’s wrestling, and even more so for women to get more time on WWE’s main TV shows (NXT has become THE women’s wrestling show in America and it’s great), but this didn’t make sense. And it wasn’t even really a good match to boot.

Vega slapped Niven and Niven ran Vega into a corner. Niven went for an elbow drop while Vega was on the ground, but Zega moved and ran Niven into a corner. Niven came right back with a series of power moves. Vega went outside and tried to trip Niven from the outside in an awkward spot. Vegan then worked a sleeper hold. Niven shook her off and stomped on Vega. Niven went to the second rope, but Vega pulled Niven off the rope and landed a series of strikes on Niven. Vega jawed at Green and Niven took advantage of that by slamming Vega, who sold back pain as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Niven went for a clothesline, but Vega countered into a roll-up for a quick pin attempt. Niven shook that off and ran Vega into a corner. Niven rag-dolled Vega all around the ring. Niven worked a Million Dollar Dream until Vega managed to get out of it. Niven then headbutted Vega. Niven lifted Vega, but Vega elbowed her way out of it. Niven ran into a boot from Vega, but Niven then lifted Vega, who slipped into a choke/sleeper hold. Niven backed into a corner to break it.

Vegan stretched Niven with an Octopus and then rolled Niven up for a two-count. Vega landed a back elbow and followed it up with a Meteora to the back of Niven’s head. Vega landed a double-knees from the second rope for a near-fall. Vega hit a 619 and got a good near-fall out of it. Green stood on the apron and Vega elbowed Green off the apron. Vega went for another 619 and had to kick Fyre out of the way, which allowed Niven to hit a running splash on Vega for the pinfall victory.

**********

– A recap of the John Cena/Cody Rhodes stuff on Raw aired.

– Jade Cargill was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. Cargill said after she’s done with Liv Morgan, her eyes will be on Naomi and what she’s going to do to Morgan is only a preview of what she’ll do to Naomi.

– A spooky teaser aired. Do with that what you may.

Liv Morgan defeated Jade Cargill [10:56]

This was really pretty good and probably the best singles match Cargill has had in WWE (not that she’s had a bunch). Morgan is so good as a bratty heel and Cargill seems inspired these days. That combination made for a match that exceeded my expectations. Cargill still doesn’t seem like she wants to fully buy into being a babyface, but it’s easy to see how hard she’s trying to accept it. I don’t know, friends. She just seemed more comfortable and confident in AEW. No, I’m not your resident tribalistic pro wrestling television reviewer; I’m just someone who sees a great talent appear to have trouble adapting to her surroundings. Perhaps I’m misreading the whole thing, but even if I am, I can’t be alone in that observation? Maybe? Either way, this was good and I’m glad to see Naomi get one up on Cargill at this point because the feud felt lopsided with their first couple interactions since Cargill has been back.

The match started with Morgan running into a big boot from Cargill. Morgan rolled to the outside and Cargill followed her out there. Cargill turned her attention to Raquel and Liv tried to take advantage, but Cargill wouldn’t have it. Cargill threw Liv around and rolled her back into the ring where Liv went for her finisher early. Cargill, again, wouldn’t have it. Cargill hit a fallaway slam and Morgan rolled to the outside as Cargill posed. Morgan and Raquel started to walk towards the back, saying the match was over. Cargill chased them up the entranceway and dragged Morgan back to the ring.

Cargill ran at Morgan, but Morgan moved. It didn’t matter much because Cargill rebounded with a powerbomb for a two-count. Raquel hopped on the apron and distracted Cargill. Morgan took advantage and hit a Backstabber on Cargill. Morgan then threw Cargill into a ring post and Cargill found herself on the outside of the ring. From there, the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Morgan had control, working a choke, but Cargill backed Morgan into a corner to try and work out of it. All of this led to Morgan attempting the Three Amigos – and successfully executing it. Morgan then kicked Cargill in the head and went for her finisher, but Cargill caught Liv and just sort of threw her across the ring in a German Suplex manner. Cargill fired up and hit a spinebuster. Cargill slammed Morgan and got a two-count out of it.

Naomi showed up out of nowhere and hopped on the apron to distract Cargill. Morgan tried to take advantage of it, but Cargill hit a back-breaker. Naomi hopped back on the apron and hit Cargill in the head with a tag title as the ref was distracted by Raquel. Morgan followed up with the ObLIVion and got the win. Naomi then entered the ring and beat the hell out of Cargill. Naomi mocked Cargill’s pose and ran Cargill off the apron and onto the commentary table. Naomi taunted Cargill. Naomi kept mocking Cargill’s poses to end the whole ordeal.

**********

– Drew McIntyre was interviewed by Cathy Kelly as he left the building. McIntyre said he didn’t start stuff with Priest, but he “sure as well end it.” McIntyre said Priest was always there to pick Drew’s bones like a vulture every time Drew was knocked down over the last year. Drew said all he does is tell the truth and nobody can poke holes in his logic. Drew said Priest can find him in London next week. Drew kept walking and ran into Seth Rollins, who smirked, giggled and walked away.

– Footage of The Street Profits winning the tag titles last week aired.

The Street Profits segment

“You deserve it!” chants broke out as the Profits stood in the ring with microphones. Montez Ford spoke first and said for the first time in four years, the Profits were WWE tag champs. Dawkins said it was “about damn time.” Dawkins said for the past four years, a lot of doubt was creeping in. More “You deserve it!” chants broke out. Dawkins said holding the titles now made everything worth it. Ford said for the past four years, he’s known he can always count on his brother. The Profits then did their secret handshake.

Legado Del Fantasma’s music hit and Santos Escobar walked out with Los Garza. Escobar said things in a foreign language that really got the crowd pumped up. Escobar said the Profits finally captured gold and their moment on this night was beautiful. Escobar said the title reign would end abruptly. He said Los Garza were “pissed” and they were ready to take their titles. Pretty Deadly’s music then hit and Wilson and Prince walked out. Wilson reminded everyone how his team earned the ability to call themselves No. 1 contenders. Escobar said Los Garza would not step aside for Pretty Deadly.

Escobar yelled at Pretty Deadly to stay out of it. Ford chimed in and told everyone to settle down. Ford said Pretty Deadly already have a tag title shot, but Los Garza looks like they want to get in a fight tonight. As such, Ford said Los Garza can have their tag title match. Ford and Dawkins did their “We want the smoke” catchphrase, a referee ran to the ring and it appears Los Garza vs. The Street Profits will happen after the break.

**********

– A teaser for someone who looks an awful lot like Rey Fenix aired.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated Los Garza (Berto & Angel) to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship [13:11 of TV time]

You know what? Los Garza are really starting to grow on me. They work hard consistently and they seem to mesh with all the teams wrapped up in this SmackDown tag division nonsense in some way or another. This was no exception. It was a good first match as tag champs – even if the notion that Pretty Deadly won their right to get the first tag title shot was essentially thrown away just because. The Profits were over as all get out and I think Ford is onto something with that little pump-arm dance (I have no idea what the technical term for that might be). In all, this was a worthy match on a show where perhaps not all the matches were particularly worthy of what they were given.

The match was joined in progress and Ford had the upper hand on Angel. Berto tagged in and gained control for his team via a couple tough chops. Angel tagged back in and the two hit a pair of double-team moves. Angel did his ripping-his-pants-off gimmick. Berto tagged in and both heels put the boots to Ford. Angel ran at Ford, but Ford moved. Berto tagged in, but it didn’t matter because Dawkins received the hot tag and cleaned house. Dawkins ran the ropes and Escobar pulled down the top rope, so Dawkins flipped over the top. Berto followed that up with a dive through the ropes. Los Garza celebrated as the show went to another commercial break.

The show returned and Angel had control over Dawkins. Berto tagged in and hit a splash on Dawkins before Angel tagged in and kicked Dawkins. Angel lifted Dawkins and tagged in Berto, who completed the Garza Special on Dawkins, but Ford broke up the pin attempt. Dawkins started to fight back and slammed Berto to slow things down. For then received the hot tag. Ford worked over Both Angel and Berto with a series of punches and clotheslines. Ford went to the top, missed a splash attempt, but came back with a spinebuster on Berto for a two-count.

Ford went back to the top, but Angel cut him off. Berto and Angel went to the top, too, and went for a double-team move off the top, but Ford landed on his feet. Berto and Angel looked Shocked. The crowd went nuts. Dawkins reinserted himself into the match and Ford hit a super-plex on Berto for a two-count. Dawkins and Angel tagged in. Dawkins slammed Angel and back-body-dropped Berto over the top, to the outside. Escobar hopped on the apron and Dawkins punched Escobar. Dawkins tagged in Ford and Ford hit a frog splash on Angel for the win.

**********

– A black car pulled up to the arena and Paul Heyman hopped out of it.

– Pretty Deadly ran into #DIY while walking upstairs. Next week, it’ll be Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits for the tag titles. Ciampa said next week they will make sure they beat the Profits to become tag champs and in return, Ciampa said, #DIY should get the first shot at Pretty Deadly’s titles. In response, Pretty Deadly said, “No boy!” Motor City Machine Guns showed up and welcomed #DIY to the back of the line and essentially challenged #DIY to a tag match.

– Next week, as previously stated, the Profits will take on Pretty Deadly in London. Braun Strowman will take on LA Knight for the U.S. title. Those were the only two matches advertised for next week. Roman Reigns made his entrance for the final segment alongside Paul Heyman.

The Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins/CM Punk segment

Eh, this does nothing for me. I’d love to say it did, but it just doesn’t. All three guys could be utilized better at WrestleMania and while they’ll try to heat this up in the coming weeks, I can’t buy into the fact that this deserves the attention it’s getting. In some ways, it’s a makeshift program, one thrown together a little late in the Mania Season game, based solely on star power and little else. As for this here tonight, the brawl was fine, but if we’re giving out 25-minute talking segments these days, I would have preferred to see these guys roast each other that way over them all hitting their big moves and periodically pointing at a dumb sign hung in the rafters. We’ll see how it unfolds. For now, I can’t say I’m fully behind this booking decision. Then again … that’s just one person’s opinion. So it goes.

Reigns made his entrance first and the crowd showered him with chants. Reigns soaked them in and there were only 11 minutes left until the top of the hour. Reigns shouted “Bologna” and told the crowd to acknowledge him. The crowd went nuts. Reigns said he loves them and that’s why he wanted to tell everyone what was on his mind. Reigns said CM Punk screwed him at the Royal Rumble and because of that, Reigns screwed Punk on Raw last week. Reigns said Rollins tried to kill Reigns at the Rumble but that was OK because last week at the Garden, Reigns tried to kill Rollins.

Reigns said he came a long way to be there and he’d be there another 15 or 20 minutes and if anyone wanted to confront him, they should let him know. Seth Rollins’s music hit and the crowd went nuts. Out came Rollins and he conducted the crowd as the crowd sang his theme. Rollins told Reigns that he messed up because he doesn’t understand how dangerous CM Punk is and Reigns should have left Rollins finish CM Punk when he had the chance. Rollins said he gets it – it’s never been about him because it’s always been about Rollins and Reigns. Rollins said he and Reigns cannot coexist in the same space at the same time.

Rollins said the story of Roman and Seth has a lot of pages already written and it’s time they write another chapter. Rollins began to take off his jacket and Punk’s music hit. Loud “CM Punk!” chants broke out. Punk made his way to the ring. Reigns looked angry as he stood in the ring. Rollins looked disgusted and turned his back to both guys. Punk winked at Heyman and stared at Rollins and Reigns. Punk picked up a microphone and stood on the top rope. The crowd was really loud.

Punk said Reigns or Rollins has never beaten him without the other one’s help because neither of them can’t. Punk reminded Reigns that in Royal Rumbles, it’s every man for himself, and Punk “saved his family’s ass at War Games.” Punk reminded Heyman that he owes Punk a favor. Punk said Heyman delivered Reigns on a silver platter and Reigns looked confused as he stared at Heyman. Punk attacked Reigns. Rollins hopped in. The three wrestlers brawled. Officials and referees ran out to try and separate everybody. Punk stood on the commentary table and was fired up. Punk pointed at Reigns and Rollins and then the WrestleMania sign. Heyman yelled, “Oh, no!” The brawl then continued. Rollins hit a suicide dive on everyone and pointed at the Mania sign. Reigns bashed everyone with the steel ring steps and pointed at the Mania sign himself. The show went off the air as the brawl continued. It was about three minutes past the top of the hour.

WWE NXT live results: Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe Underground match

Posted on March 18, 2025March 18, 2025 by Chris Aiken

With Roadblock out of the way, the road to Stand & Deliver kicks into gear on WWE NXT tonight.

Trick Williams and Eddy Thorpe will finally settle their rivalry when they meet in an NXT Underground match. Thorpe used a low blow to defeat Williams when they met in a strap match at Vengeance Day, but Williams has momentum on his side after getting the better of Thorpe in a brawl last week. Williams is hoping to win tonight and then shift his focus to getting the NXT Championship back from Oba Femi.

Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green has a title defense tonight against Sol Ruca, who earned this shot by pinning Green in a recent tag team bout.

Ricky Saints will have his second NXT match when he faces off against Ridge Holland. Plus, the war between The D’Angelo Family and The Culling continues with Stacks, Luca Crusifino & Adriana Rizzo vs. Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance & Izzi Dame.

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

**********

NXT is back to the sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando with the fallout from Roadblock. Opening the show is a women’s title match.

WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green (with Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) defeated Sol Ruca (with Zaria) to retain the title

Green pinned Ruca in a good opener. Green’s Cabinet involved themselves in the match, as did Zaria at ringside.

Piper Niven first interferes by grabbing Ruca’s foot. While Ruca did fight her off, the distraction allowed Green to gain an underhanded advantage. Green targets a leg, and she is working the leg during the show’s first commercial break.

Ruca makes a comeback on one leg, and she flew around doing high spots. Springboard cartwheel off the ropes into a swinging DDT from Ruca, while still selling the leg. Alba Fyre interferes by putting Green’s foot on the rope to break a count, and Zaria responds by spearing Fyre. Niven joins in the melee, leading to moonsault from Ruca. Still selling the leg, though.

They trade near falls. Ruca counters Green’s first attempt at an Unprettier. Green clips the injured knee of Ruca when she was going for her finisher, and Green delivers an Unprettier. Green then covers Ruca for a pinfall. And still…

In a backstage skit, Je’Von Evans tries to empathize with Trick Williams. Instead, Tick cuts a promo on Evans. Trick says he is going for the NXT Championship, something Evans will never do.

Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King enters as Trick leaves. King goads Evans, so Evans decks King. Out like a light.

The first double champion in NXT is out next for a monologue. Stephanie Vaquer makes her first appearance on television since becoming both NXT Women’s Champion along with her NXT Women’s North American Championship. Vaquer said this segment was hard for her because English is not her first language

She could have went to any promotion, but she came to NXT because it has the best women’s division. This is something similar to what Jordynne Grace said a few weeks ago. That is fitting, as out comes Grace when Vaquer asks her first challenger to step up.

Vaquer said winning both titles last week made her the best of the best. She wonders would would answer what is essentially an open challenge. So, out some Grace. However, she is ambushed by Jaida Parker.

Parker cuts a helluva promo on Vaquer, as Parker is apparently stepping up as first challenger to Vaquer. Parker congratulates Vaquer on winning the titles, and Parker tells Vaquer to enjoy it. But it will not last long, according to Parker.

Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledger

Inamura pinned Ledger after a Stan Hansen lariat from Briggs, followed by a flying body press from Inamura for the finish.

Hank & Tank went for a Hardy Boyz spot, apparently trying to take the match “to the extreme” like the Hardys told them a few weeks ago. Crash and burn on the Hardys’ spot, and that would be the final turning point in the match.

Hank is tossed off the top rope. Lariat from hell by Briggs on Ledger. Inamura follows up with a flying body press, and Inamura covers Tank for the pinfall.

The Culling (Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance & Izzi Dame with Shawn Spears) defeated D’Angelo Family (Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, Luca Crusifino & Adrianna Rizzo) in a mixed six-person tag team match

Tony D’Angelo stayed backstage at the behest of Stacks, which was noted in a skit earlier in the show. D’Angelo trusted his “underboss” so he stayed away. On the other hand is NXT North American Champion Shawn Spears, who was in the corner of his Culling faction. They had a new wicked entrance.

The Culling goes over in the match, thanks in part to a distraction. D’Angelo is backstage watching his Family run wild when he is attacked by the four mystery assailants that have recently terrorized NXT. D’Angelo is ambushed, and there is nothing The Family can do but watch on the video screen. D’Angelo is powerbombed through a bunch of tables.

The Culling then capitalize on the distracted Family, and Vance gives Crusifino a Burning Hammer for a three count.

In a skit from the office of NXT GM Ava. She is there with Stephanie Vaquer when in comes Fallon Henley wanting her rematch for the Women’s North American Championship. The skit leads to Vaquer agreeing to put the North American title on the line next week against Henley. Vaquer is also defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Jaida Parker in a separate match. Vaquer is now set to defend both titles in two different matches.

Jacy Jayne (with Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx) defeated Karmen Pertrovic (with Ashante “Thee” Adonis”)

Jayne pinned Petrovic after a roaring elbow. Just before they go home, Adonis slides a chair into the ring. He wanted Petrovic to use it, but she refuses to use it. Moments later, Jayne delivers a roaring elbow, which they are calling the “Rolling Encore” as its name.

A skit in the locker room sets up Hank & Tank against Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont, with Wes Lee egging it on.

Ricky Saints defeated Ridge Holland

Saints pinned Holland clean in the middle of the ring. So much for Holland getting a big push. At least it was a big win for Saints. They still had a good match, and Saints won after delivering his Roshambo finisher. The match goes through a commercial break.

The four mystery assailants cut promos and go off presumably attack someone else. This seemed oddly political in nature. Later the group is called “Dark State” so the political stuff tracks.

Ricky Saints is being interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Saints does a word play with Stand & Deliver. He mentions revolution, he is interrupted and confronted by The Culling. There is some sexual innuendo between Saints and Izzi Dame.

Trick Williams defeated Eddy Thorpe in NXT Underground

Williams wins via TKO. The match was relatively short for a main event, but it was still action packed regardless. The fighting soon spilled out of the ring after the opening bell. Thorpe back drops Williams on the announce desk, and the desk crumbles.

Thorpe goes for a triangle, but Trick deadlifts Thorpe into a powerbomb onto a pile of bodies. Moment later, they go home. Trick delivers his signature jumping knee strikes. Down goes Thorpe, and Trick follows up with ground and pound. The referee jumps in to stop the fight. Trick wins by TKO.

In a post-match angle, Trick calls out NXT Champion Oba Femi. Out comes Femi to confront Trick. They go face-to-face before the lights go dark. The four mystery assailants arrive and look on menacingly as Je’Von Evans gets into the ring.

Trick shoves Evans away, and Trick brawls with Femi. Pull-apart brawl with Trick and Femi. Evans jumps into the melee to lay Femi out with a cutter. Je’Von and Trick then stare at each other as the show goes off air.

WWE Raw live results: Heel John Cena returns

Posted on March 17, 2025March 17, 2025 by Steve Khan

Date: March 17, 2024
Location: Forest National in Brussels, Belgium

The Big Takeaway —

John Cena cut a long promo addressing his turn and his relationship with the fans, but he did not discuss The Rock, Cody Rhodes, the WWE Championship, or WrestleMania. Rhodes confronted him, and both men will be on Raw again next week in Scotland.

That segment opened the show, and the rest of the show was not particularly interesting.

**********

Show Recap —

There were exterior shots of Brussels, Belgium, which was certainly a contrast to the usual shots of North American cities. Finn Bálor, Bron Breakker, Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, and Dakota Kai arrived at the arena in Brussels. It’s another boisterous crowd, like Smackdown in Spain.

Corey Graves is on commentary with Michael Cole.

There was a video package for Cody Rhodes/John Cena.

********

John Cena and Cody Rhodes segment

Cena entered to his usual music and loud “John Cena sucks” chants. He had a stern demeanour and wore a shirt with Belgian graphics and colours. He stood still in the ring as the crowd went back and forth with loud chants of “Let’s go, Cena” and “Cena sucks.”

He dropped the mic and acted like he would leave, so the crowd booed. He picked up the mic, and they chanted, “You sold out.” He pretended to leave again but returned.

He said, “When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” (He posted this earlier on X.) He continued, “You are making this so easy for me. For 25 years, I’ve been the victim. I have been the victim of an abusive relationship.” The fans booed, so he shut them down.

He called them hurtful and abusive, and all they ever did was bully him into being their puppet while expecting him to do it with a smile on his face. No more. They chanted, “F*ck you, Cena,” and he held up the mic because they were proving his point.

He said he was not a babyface or a heel—he was a human being, and all of the fans have been awful to him. It’s been the same noise for 25 years. When he first arrived, they let him know they hated him. He changed himself, hoping they would like him, but it wasn’t enough.

So, he worked hard like he always did, and then he won and won and won and won. He won a lot, and they hated it. He spent the next 10 years of his life trying to give everything he possibly could, but it wasn’t enough. (The fans yelled obscenities again.)

In his final moments, he could have just walked away. He announced his retirement in advance and tried one last time to get along with the fans, but they ruined it, just like they ruined everything. Like always, it was great for two seconds, but it wasn’t enough. (The crowd sang the goodbye song.)

He said these fans were proving his point. No matter what he did, it was never enough. All they ever did was take and take and take. They only cared about themselves. Cena put his values on the line, but all they could think about was what they were getting. None of them asked how he was feeling. Now, they were getting what they earned, and that was nothing.

They weren’t getting a new look. They dressed like him, he didn’t dress like them. They weren’t getting new music. That was his voice in his song. Their time was up, his time was now. All they were getting was a chance to look in the mirror and realize how awful they have been for 25 years.

The fans chanted for Cody Rhodes. Cena knew they would because he was their shiny new toy. They kept proving his point. They were all awful people, and none of them were safe, especially those he could pick out in the crowd. He pointed out people who were still wearing his shirt, the “Let’s go, Cena” people.

The “Cena Sucks” jackoffs have already proven themselves awful people, but the “Let’s go, Cena” people were too. He asked what they had ever done to support him. All they ever did was steal from him. They stole from him and took his time. They made the same invisible joke for 15 years, and they still thought it was funny. It was pathetic. They were pathetic.

He said they wore his shirts to feel good. They wore words like hustle, loyalty and respect, but he lived them every day. They didn’t support him. They used him as an excuse for their pathetic failure of a life. All they ever did for 25 years was sit on their asses watching him be great.

He was in a toxic relationship, and he was breaking up with all of them. Whether they liked it or not, they were dumped. (They showed a sad, young Cena fan in the crowd.)

He said, “I don’t need you anymore. I don’t care about you, and you don’t matter to me. There’s no noise you can make. There’s nothing you can do because you know I’m right, and you know you’re wrong.”

Cody Rhodes entered to a huge reaction. Rhodes said Cena thought the fans had given him their worst, but they had also given him their best. They did that for 25 years because he was special and because he could carry it. Cena said, “Listen, kid,” but Rhodes cut him off and said, “Enough!” Rhodes told him it wasn’t “Kid,” it was “WWE Champion.”

Rhodes was excited to go face-to-face with the real John Cena, but he got this instead. This version of Cena better not show up at WrestleMania because Rhodes would run it over. Rhodes already took Cena’s best shot, and it wasn’t enough. Rhodes would retire him early.

Rhodes told him to go find the real John Cena because he wanted to fight that Cena, not this whiny bitch. Rhodes dropped the mic and left as the crowd cheered him on.

Cena grabbed his little branded towel and left as the fans booed and sang the goodbye song.

(Cole acted livid over Cena’s comments. The show was 32 minutes in when this was over.)

This was a great performance by Cena, but it felt like the promo was missing something. It makes sense that he would feel this way about the fans, but he never mentioned The Rock or even his actual pursuit of the WWE Championship. There’s still time, of course.

********

No Holds Barred: Penta defeated Ludwig Kaiser (10:51)

Since his debut, Penta has now had six matches on Raw… against three different opponents. His last five matches have been against two different opponents.

Penta was all over Kaiser and cleared the announce table, but Kaiser raked his eyes and gave him a rolling DVD on the table. Penta tried fighting back after a break, but Kaiser hit another rolling DVD in the ring for two. Kaiser ran around the ring and charged at Penta, but Penta gave him a back body drop onto the table. The table didn’t break, so the crowd chanted, “We want tables.”

Kaiser took control again and used a chair, but Penta snapped his arm. Penta superkicked the chair twice into his face and hit a Canadian Destroyer off the middle rope. Penta followed with the Penta Driver for the pinfall win.

The crowd was super into this. This was pretty much exactly as good as every other Penta match so far, in part because it was against the same guy again.

— Cathy Kelley asked Penta what was next. Penta cut a fiery promo, and he was eyeing the Intercontinental Championship.

********

There was a backstage segment earlier today to set up a match with the Creed Brothers against Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee. American Made played dumb about Chad Gable in the mask last week, but LWO wasn’t buying it. Turns out, Brutus Creed is actually dumb because he really doesn’t know who was in the mask.

********

Judgment Day met in the back. They were all on the same page until Dominik Mysterio suggested to Finn Bálor that Penta join Judgment Day.

Bálor was pissed and got in Dom’s face. Bálor mentioned that Penta just declared his intention of going after the IC title, the same one he was going for tonight. Bálor called him a snake. (Dom didn’t know Penta made that declaration.)

********

Dakota Kai defeated Ivy Nile (w/American Made) (2:48)

Chad Gable, wearing a suit, ran out as the match began to join the Creeds at ringside. Nile used a distraction by her buddies to hit a uranage variation for two. Mysterio and Dragon Lee ran out to clear American Made from ringside while Kai gave Nile a GTK for the pinfall win.

********

IYO SKY and Bianca Belair contract signing

Iyo Sky said that no one, not Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley or anyone else, would disrespect her again because, after WrestleMania, she would still be Women’s World Champion. The crowd loudly cheered and chanted, “You deserve it.”

Belair said she had all the respect in the world for her. However, she had the same message for Sky that she had for Ripley last week. If you thought you could put her hands on her and get away with it, you didn’t know her at all. Belair planned on leaving Mania as the champion. They both signed.

Adam Pearce thanked them for being professional, but he flipped his wig when Ripley’s music hit. Ripley entered, and the crowd erupted.

Belair teased Ripley about having a Mania title match, and Ripley claimed she was just there to watch. They bickered, so Sky tried to get involved again, but Belair brushed her aside again. Ripley headbutted Belair onto the table.

Sky went after Ripley, but Ripely powerbombed her onto Belair (the table didn’t break).

Ripley signed her name on the contract and took it with her. Pearce followed her to the back.

(Hopefully, they have a good follow-up to this because even the announcers didn’t think this made sense.)

********

Jey Uso cut a promo backstage. He hasn’t been himself lately. His mind was playing tricks on him, so he flew halfway across the world to whip someone’s ass. Tonight, it was Austin Theory, but at Mania, it would be Gunther.

Gunther confronted him, but officials got between them. Gunther told Jey that he had spoken to Jimmy, and he was just as dumb as he was. Jey shoved Gunther, but officials separated them, and Jey entered for his match.

Jey Uso defeated Austin Theory (w/Grayon Waller) (0:29)

Jey almost immediately hit Theory with a spear for the pinfall win.

— Jey superkicked Waller and wiped them both out with a flip dive.

Gunther tried to put him out with a sleeper again, but Jey drove him into the turnbuckle. Jey chucked Gunther out of the ring and posed with the world title belt before tossing back at Gunther. Jey posed for the fans.

(This was exactly what it should have been.)

********

There was a video package for tonight’s IC title match.

Theory and Waller cut a promo during a break. The crowd didn’t care about them. They challenged Jey to a tag match if he could find a partner.

********

Backstage, Pearce demanded Ripley give him back the contract. She refused and tried to claim it was legally binding with her name on it. He said this was like speaking to a child, and, in fact, she was acting like a child. Pearce took the contract and left.

Belair rushed in and attacked Ripley. Sky ran in next to join the party. They all shoved each other into stuff, and Ripley wound up standing tall after security stepped in.

********

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee defeated The Creed Brothers (5:44)

The Creeds dominated through a break, but Rey made a hot tag after the break. Rey fended off Brutus’ interference and gave Julius a DDT before Dragon Lee yanked Brutus off the apron with a hurricanrana. Rey hit Julius with a 619 and springboard splash for the pinfall win. The crowd loved Rey Mysterio.

— Chad Gable/the masked man ran in after the match and beat up both Rey and Dragon Lee. He suplexed Rey onto Dragon Lee and hit Lee with a diving headbutt. The crowd yelled, “Shoosh!” at him. He ran away as security chased him to the back.

********

There was a CM Punk/Seth Rollins/Roman Reigns video package.

Seth Rollins segment

This was a ten-minute-long segment to let us know that Rollins will be on Friday’s Smackdown to confront Roman Reigns and CM Punk.

Rollins entered, and the fans sang his song pretty much all the way through a commercial break and for a long while after the break. He welcomed them to Monday Night Rollins, and they kept singing.

He finally got to his promo. He was ready to be mad, but it was hard to be mad hearing the fans sing his song. Perhaps they wanted him to be mad because they chanted for CM Punk.

Rollins said he would get to Punk but wanted to talk about Reigns first. Rollins wasn’t mad at Reigns for coming for revenge because he would have done the same thing. The problem was that Reigns couldn’t come up with a plan of his own, even with a wise man in his ear.

Rollins called Punk the luckiest loser on the face of the planet. If he had just a few more seconds, Rollins would have done what he promised. He would have ended Punk’s Mania dream and put his career on ice. He would have taken care of the Punk problem for everyone—including Reigns. Just like in the good old days, he was left to clean up Reigns’ mess.

It just so happened that Reigns and Punk would both be on Friday’s Smackdown, so Rollins was planning on heading to Italy to join them. The crowd kinda went quiet because this had nothing to do with them, so he invited them to sing his song one more time before they got to tonight’s main event. That was that.

********

Next week on Raw in Glasgow, Scotland, airing one hour later (4 pm ET/1 pm PT).

Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship
CM Punk appears
Jey Uso & partner vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
Cody Rhodes and John Cena under one roof again

********

Backstage, Kelley tried interviewing AJ Styles, who was momentarily distracted by the fans singing for him. Karrion Kross and Scarlett interrupted. (Kross wore his hair like Styles again.)

Kross tried to egg him on by noting how fast Logan Paul got to WWE and accomplished as much as he had, while it took Styles 17 years. Styles cut him off. Styles knew what Kross was trying to do, but it wouldn’t work. He left. Kross told Scarlett, “I think it’s working.”

********

Bron Breakker crossed paths with Penta backstage.

Bron Breakker defeated Finn Bálor to retain the Intercontinental Championship (12:31)

Early in the match, Bron went for a running spear outside the ring, but Bálor cut him off with a slingblade. Bálor had control during a break and cut off Bron again after a break with a side Russian leg sweep.

Bálor dismissively smacked and kicked Bron. Bron fired up and no-sold Bálor’s strikes. Bron fought back with a leaping back elbow, overhead suplex, and powerslam.

Dom and Carlito ran out, and Bálor used the distraction to apply a schoolboy for two. Bálor followed with a headlock elbow drop for two. Bron knocked Bálor out of the ring with a running clothesline and followed with a leaping clothesline off the apron and over the announce table.

Bálor cut him off again with a slingblade in the ring, followed by a shotgun dropkick. Bron avoided the Coup de Grace, but Bálor avoided a spear and used a schoolboy again for two. Bron hit a powerslam for two.

Bron set up for a superplex, but Carlito distracted the referee, and Dom knocked Bron off the turnbuckle. However, Dom accidentally caused Bálor to get crotched on the top rope.

Bron knocked Dom and Carlito off the apron before hitting Bálor with a Frankensteiner and spear for the pinfall win.

— Dom and Carlito attacked Bron after the match, but Penta ran out to make the save. Penta handed out superkicks, and Bron speared Carlito.

Penta grabbed the IC title belt and held it up for a moment before handing it back to Bron. Bron held the belt high while Penta did his zero miedo taunt as the show ended.

WWE NXT live results: Three title matches in New York City

Posted on March 11, 2025March 11, 2025 by Chris Aiken

WWE NXT is in New York City tonight for a loaded-up television episode.

Roadblock 2025 takes place from The Theater at Madison Square Garden tonight and features three title matches. That includes a title vs. title match in the main event. NXT Women’s Champion Giulia is facing off against Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer — and the winner will leave with both title belts.

The Hardy Boyz are putting their TNA Tag Team titles on the like against Nathan Frazer & Axiom. if Fraxiom win the match, they will hold both the TNA and NXT Tag Team titles.

TNA star Moose is challenging for gold tonight, taking on Oba Femi for the NXT Championship.

In non-title action, Je’Von Evans and Ethan Page will attempt to settle their rivalry in a New York City street fight. Jordynne Grace vs. Roxanne Perez is also set.

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

**********

NXT is on the air from The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Opening the show is a tag team title match. TNA titles will be defended on a WWE show. What a time to be alive!

The crowd in attendance is electric.

TNA Tag Team Champions Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Nathan Frazier & Axiom to retain their titles

Jeff Hardy pinned Axiom to win the match. Miscommunication by Fraxiom cost them at the finish. Great opener to kick off the show.

Lots of tandem offense from both teams and high spots galore, but not too many. They flowed well. They built to a series of dives to the outside from Fraxiom. The show cuts to its first commercial break with The Hardy Boyz on defense. Hot tag to Jeff when the show returns from the break.

Frazier goes for tope, but Matt catches him and gives Frazier a Side Effect on the floor. That left Axiom alone against the Hardys. Plot Twist by the Hardys for a near falls on Axiom. Hardys were setting up for their finishers when Axiom counters a Twist of Fate. Axiom shoves Matt into a corner, which trips up Jeff, who crotches himself on the top turnbuckle. That sets up a Spanish Fly.

Axiom with a Spanish Fly with Jeff. Frazier follows up with a Phoenix Splash on Jeff. Frazier goes for a cover, but Matt breaks up the pinfall. Match continues. Whisper in the Wind and Twist of Fate by Jeff for a near fall on Frazier.

Fraxiom went for a high/low combo, but Jeff counters Frazier’s grasp. Frazier was screaming at Axiom to jump. When Axiom finally does jump, he inadvertently nails Frazier with a missile dropkick. Axiom then takes a Twist of Fate from Matt. Jeff then climbs the turnbuckles and leaps off with a Swanton Bomb. Jeff then covers Axiom to win the match and retain the tag team titles.

TNA’s Mickie James has advice to NXT’s Jaida Parker, and Parker appreciates the pep talk.

Jordynne Grace defeated Roxanne Perez

Grace pinned Perez after going Beast Mode. Second good match in a row on this show.

Perez targets Grace’s leg. The match goes through a commercial break. Grace makes a comeback as the is returning from the break. They trade a lot of strikes. Grace wanted to do a signature power move, but her leg would not let her.

They trade near falls and counters, including a frog splash by Perez for a two count. They work very well together. Great sequences as they go home. Grace delivers a rolling fireman’s carry slam, and Grace follows with her finisher they are calling Beast Mode. Grace then covers Perez for a three count.

Cameo by The Undertaker! Oba Femi is walking backstage, heading for Gorilla, when he is stopped by Undertaker. Taker tells Femi is watched him for awhile now, and he is impressed with Femi. Undertaker stresses the importance of Femi’s match tonight. Undertaker tells Femi to protect his yard.

Trick Williams in a pre-taped vignette promises Eddy Thorpe he will knock him out cold next week. They meet next Tuesday in NXT Underground.

NXT Champion Oba Femi defeated TNA X-Division Champion Moose to retain the NXT Championship

Femi retains via pinfall. What a match! These two had a banger. The unstoppable force meets the immovable object.

This was a hoss fight. Femi gives Moose an uranage on the apron just before the show cuts to a commercial break. Moose turned the tide during the break, and Moose has Femi in a chinlock when the show returns from the break.

Femi powers out of the chinlock and he tosses Moose across the ring. Femi then delivers a pop-up powerbomb. Outside the ring on the floor, Moose whips Femi into the ring steps. They traded big strikes back in the ring. Moose springboards off the ropes, only to get cut down with an uppercut from Femi. Several near falls for Femi, but he could not put Moose away.

Dueling chants from the crowd, while Moose sets up for a superplex. They execute it to a big pop, but there was an even bigger pop afterwards. Moose lands with the superplex and rolls through to lift Femi for a vertical suplex. Femi counters with a suplex of his own.

They traded strikes and kicks, but neither will go down. Moose turns inside out with a clothesline, and Femi goes for a his pop-up finisher. Moose counters to deliver a powerbomb of his own for a near fall. Femi comes back to military press Moose and throw him out of the ring, where they tease a count-out.

The fight spills outside, Moose gives Femi a Rock Bottom through the announce desk. “Holy s***” chants from the crowd muted by CW censors. Moose rolls Femi back in the ring to deliver a spear for another good near fall.

For the finish, Moose goes for another spear. However, Femi blocks it to deliver a pop-up powerbomb. Moose then falls to the mat and drapes on arm over Moose for the deciding pinfall.

In a backstage skit, Fatal Influence is talking with NXT GM Ava. Up walks Ricky Saints, and he wants a match with Ridge Holland. Ava books it for next Tuesday.

Ethan Page interrupts them, and he gets in Saints’ face. Page tells Saints that NXT does not like outsiders like Saints. The irony here of course is Page was recently an outsider himself, which is noted on commentary as Page walks the aisle for the next bout on the card.

Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans in a New York City Street Fight

Evans pinned Page to win a heckuva street fight. What a brawl and some wild high spots, although it may have gone a tad too long. The finish was the wildest spot of the night.

They were both dressed in tank tops and pants, or street clothes in other words. Slugfest from the start and they brawl around the ring, and then they brawl around ringside. A metal folding chairs are soon in play, and the hit each other with the chairs. Page takes a bump on an unfolded chair, which looked awfully painful. Moments later, Page takes another bump on a folded chair, which looked like it hurt a lot as well.

Evans takes a bump on a chair bridge. Evans earlier in the match propped a table in a corner, only for Page to powerslam Evans through the table after the bump on the chairs. Yet, Evans kicks out as the show cuts to a commercial break.

Evans with a springboard as the show returns from the commercial break. Evans goes for another springboard, but this time is cut down. Razor’s Edge by Page for a near fall. They trade strikes and another slugfest develops.

A table was set up like a bridge from the apron to the barricade in a manner similar to what Sabu used to do in the original ECW. Evans leapt over the ropes for a cutter on Page, who was on the apron. They crash through the table on the spot. That deserved an “E-C-W” chant, but it got a “this is awesome” chant instead. Evans follows that by sailing high over the ropes on a dive to the outside.

Double springboard tornillo splash by Evans for a two count. In a callback to how the feud began, Evans teases using chair to Pillmanize the neck of Page. Escaping that, Pages throws the chair at Evans. Page goes for a move on the chair, only to take a cutter on the chair instead. In a helluva spot, Page has his head stuck in an unfolded chair. Evans then springboards into a cutter, and Page takes the bump with his neck in the chair. One…two…three. The babyface gets his revenge in the end. Great finish that fit the story.

After the match, Evans is attacked but the four mystery assailants that have terrorized NXT recently. They jump Evans and lay him out with an assisted powerbomb. The mystery four are supposedly Cutler James, Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars, and Osiris Griffin.

Shawn Spears in a vignette talks with his faction, which is now called The Culling. We do that every year here on the ranch, but it is a much different culling altogether.

Eddy Thorpe cuts a promo on Trick Williams in a live interview with Sarch Schreiber. The crowd was loud, which drowned out Thorpe. The crowd chanted “whoop that trick!” As Thorpe is insulting the New York Mets, Trick Williams jumps Thorpe. A brawl erupts, and Trick whoops that other trick all the way to the ring.

After getting Thorpe in the ring, Trick spears him. Trick then clotheslines Thorpe over the ropes. Trick stands tall.

NXT North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer defeated NXT Champion Giulia in a title vs. title match

Vaquer pinned Giulia, and now Vaquer hold both titles. Great match to cap off a really great show.

Great counters and stalemate in the early part of the match. These two work so well with each other, and their styles matched together make for a different match than usually seen on WWE television. Vaquer springboards into plancha just before the show cuts to its last commercial break.

Vaquer does her signature headscissors spot as the crowd counts along. Vaquer takes a double-underhook superplex from Giulia. From here, I started having flashbacks to All Japan Women’s matches from yesteryear.

Tombstone driver by Giulia for a near fall. Vaquer turns the tide with a dragon screw, and Vaquer follows up with one of her finishers, but Giulia kicks out. Vaquer went for Spinal Tap off the top rope, but Giulia counters by trapping Vaquer in a triangle. Giulia transition to Rings of Saturn, but Vaquer gets a rope break. They keep trading near falls in the closing moments.

For the finish, Vaquer twice delivers her SVB (package neckbreaker) finisher. Vaquer then folds up Giulia for a pinfall, and Vaquer becomes a dual champion.

Final thoughts: This was a really great show! Clean finishes and good wrestling up and down the show. Some of the matches were bangers. No bad matches. Every match delivered on the show, and the setting made it seem even more important. Highly recommend watching this episode.

WWE Raw live results: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins cage match at MSG

Posted on March 10, 2025March 10, 2025 by Steve Khan

Date: March 10, 2025
Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City

The Big Takeaway —

Roman Reigns returned to attack Seth Rollins in the main event. Reigns also laid out CM Punk after seeing him being consoled by Paul Heyman.

Cody Rhodes and John Cena will both be on Raw in Brussels, Belgium, next week.

**********

Show Recap —

Michael Cole announced a sell-out crowd of over 19,000 at Madison Square Garden, which is hosting Raw for a 15th time. There’s a small video screen in lieu of a stage.

Cody Rhodes, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai, Bianca Belair, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk were shown arriving.

Jey Uso entered to kick off Raw. As he did, Cole let us know that “many, many celebrities” were here and they showed someone named Andrew Schulz in the crowd.

Grayson Waller ripped up a kid’s “Yeet” sign on the way down.

Jey Uso defeated Grayson Waller (w/Austin Theory) (9:10)

This was a rare instance of a match kicking off Raw, but they still went to break just three minutes into it.

This was not a squash match for Jey Uso, which you could argue it should have been. Instead, it was your usual patterned WWE TV match.

Waller used a Theory distraction to take advantage ahead of the break and held control until Jey fought back with strikes and a Samoan drop. Jey fended off another distraction and hit a superkick but Waller blocked his dive attempt and hit a rolling flatliner for two.

Jey fought back with another superkick before superkicking Theory off the apron. Jey speared Waller for the pinfall win.

— Theory and Waller attacked Jey after the match, but he dumped Waller from the ring and speared Theory. Jey splashed Theory but Gunther grabbed Jey in a sleeper and put him down.

(This was an ordinary match to say the least. I have no issue with Jey Uso’s position on the card, but this match didn’t help his case with anyone who has doubts. The crowd was into him, though, and the Gunther attack got a decent amount of heat.)

********

There was a video package for CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins.

During a break, there was a video package for Penta/Ludwig Kaiser.

After the break, Alpha Academy approached Jey in the trainer’s room. Otis said they’d have his back, and he said he’d be alright. (It’s a little weird they’re associating some of the biggest losers on the show with Main Event Jey Uso.)

********

Logan Paul and AJ Styles segment

Logan Paul entered. He ripped off the t-shirt of some ~~fan~~ plant which read “I hate Logan Paul.”

Paul got an absolute ton of heat. He said his name was associated with people like The Rock and John Cena, who transcended the business and would do anything to reach the top. That’s why he was shocked when Cody Rhodes turned down The Rock. It took Cena 20 years to realize that nice guys finish last. Paul wanted Rock to know that his soul was for sale.

Paul called out Andrew Schulz (the comedian shown earlier). Paul wanted to know who he was there to see. Schulz was there to see the cage match between Punk and Rollins. He said no one in New York was there to see Paul. They were a real city, unlike Cleveland, who wanted to see real wrestlers. Schulz also wanted to see AJ Styles.

Paul didn’t like that, so he yanked Schulz over the barricade. Paul was about to suplex Schulz, but Styles ran out.

The crowd was pumped for Styles who laid out Paul with a Phenomenal forearm. (Styles, off mic, yelled, “F*ck yeah!” and he slapped hands with Schulz.)

Paul walked toward the stage as Styles told him to get back in the ring. Styles kept telling him this was New York City, but Paul kept walking to the back. Styles held up Schulz’ hand and repeated that this was New York City and they played Styles’ music to conclude the segment.

The crowd was super into this, but the segment just petered out at the end. This was one of those segments that was probably better for the live crowd.

********

There was a video recap of Iyo Sky beating Rhea Ripley for the world title last week.

New Day cut a promo during a break. Kofi Kingston buried the Jets and Giants, and Xavier Woods buried the Knicks. (They were going for cheap heat but the crowd didn’t bite.) New Day’s new thing lately is to tell the audience to thank God for them. Although, I think their promos only happen during commercials, so the audience may not be aware of that.

They showed Dana White’s TKO Boxing announcement. Boxer Callum Walsh and trainer Freddie Roach were shown in the crowd.

Oba Femi was also shown in the crowd.

********

Tornado Tag Team Match: Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defeated Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee (11:08)

The crowd chanted for tables, so LWO gave them what they wanted. However, New Day attacked them and put the table away. LWO got the advantage again, so the crowd chanted for tables again. LWO pulled out a table again, but New Day attacked them before they could use it, again.

New Day had control through a break. Rey brought Woods off the top rope with a springboard hurricanrana, and Dragon Lee hit a double foot stomp off the top. Dragon Lee hit a running hurricanrana off the apron to put Woods through the table. It didn’t land perfectly but the crowd popped because the table technically broke.

Rey ran wild on Kingston and hit a 619. Kingston got his knees up on a frog splash and applied a cradle but Dragon Lee broke up the cover. Dragon Lee wiped out Kingston with a dive.

An unidentified masked man in a black hoodie suddenly appeared and wiped out Dragon Lee with a hurricanrana attempt. It was Chad Gable in a USA-themed mask. Gable also laid out Rey with a German suplex. He yelled, “Gracias!” before being grabbed by security. Gable escaped security and ran away through the crowd.

Thanks to the interference, New Day hit Rey with UpUpDownDown for the pinfall win.

*******

Judgment Day segment

Finn Bálor told Carlito that he was sick of Bron Breakker. Carlito wasn’t listening. He was thinking about John Cena being a bad guy. He thought Cena would be a good guy forever, like him.

Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Dominik Mysterio joined them. Morgan said they were off getting Rodriguez a match against Bayley, with the winner getting a shot at the Women’s IC title. Dom also got Bálor an Men’s IC title match against Breakker next week. Bálor hugged Dom and thanked him sincerely. Bálor left to make it official with Adam Pearce.

After Bálor left, Morgan asked Dom why he didn’t get himself a title match. Dom believed in Bálor.

********

Peter Rosenberg, Fabolous, and Macaulay Culkin were shown in the crowd.

********

Cody Rhodes promo

Rhodes entered, still sporting a black eye, and cut a passionate promo on John Cena.

Rhodes said he was there because the Garden was the cathedral and WWE’s home base. His WrestleMania opponent John Cena was not there tonight. The mere mention of Cena’s name was booed, as well as mentions of Travis Scott and The Rock.

Rhodes noted that Cena would be in Brussels, Belgium, next week instead. This was the same Cena who first won the US title in MSG and returned to the Royal Rumble from injury in MSG. It was apparently an easy decision for Cena not to appear in MSG. However, Rhodes did not begrudge Cena for having a part-time schedule.

(Dueling, “Let’s go, Cena” and “Cena sucks” chants broke out. Rhodes paused his promo and told the crowd to let Cena hear it.)

Rhodes did begrudge Cena for something. He mentioned Cena’s social media post stating that you must have the discipline to do what needs to be done even if you don’t feel like it. Rhodes compared Cena to the overzealous teacher or coach who kept giving advice but it was time for Cena to sit down, “you Goddamn moron.”

Nobody defined best for business quite like Cena. But there were 17,000 in attendance who knew what was best. (The announcers frantically made sure to mention it was closer to 20,000.)

The key number to remember was 17 (the record Cena was chasing). It would be Rhodes’ heart-breaking privilege to beat his hero in his last chance, while Cena found out what the fans already knew: “I’m the captain now.”

(They announced that Cena and Rhoeds will both be on Raw next week.)

********

Jackie Redmond had a quick interview with Lyra Valkyria during a break.

Ali Ahn, Rich the Kid, Amanda Serrano, and cast members from ‘Selling The City’, were shown in the crowd.

They showed a clip of Jimmy Snuka hitting Don Muraco with a splash off the cage at MSG in 1983.

*******

Tag Team Champion Raquel Rodriguez (w/Dominik Mysterio & Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan) defeated Bayley (11:06)

Bayley fought back after a break and hit a flying elbow drop for two. She missed a baseball slide by a mile but managed to shove Rodriguez into the post before Rodriguez could do it to her.

Dom distracted the referee while Morgan tried to interfere, but Bayley knocked her off the apron. She also knocked Dom off the apron and went for a dive, but Rodriguez caught her and slammed her onto the announce table.

Bayley barely avoided a count-out but Rodriguez booted her as she entered the ring. Rodriguez followed with the Tejana Bomb for the pinfall win. Rodriguez is next in line for Valkyria’s title with this win.

The crowd has been hot so far, but they were mostly pretty quiet for this.

********

Cathy Kelley interviewed Chad Gable. He played dumb and said it wasn’t him who attacked LWO. He called security pathetic for not getting to that fan before he could get involved. As Kelley argued with Gable, a man in a black hoodie and USA-themed mask could be seen being taken out by security. Kelley was confused.

During a break, there was a Bron Breakker video promo on Bálor.

There was a clip of Randy Savage defending the WWF Championship in a cage match against Ted DiBiase at MSG in 1988.

Celebrities William Jackson Harper, Kris Diaz, Josh Segarra, and Nardo Wick were shown in the crowd.

********

IYO SKY, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley segment

Michael Cole interviewed Iyo Sky in the ring. He congratulated her on heading to WrestleMania and the crowd cheered. She called it a dream to be standing in MSG as the champion and she was over the moon knowing she was headed to WrestleMania.

Belair entered. She congratulated Sky and said she was excited for them to be headed to Mania. Cole asked Belair if Rhea Ripley would still be champion of Belair was not sitting at ringside last week. Belair said she has had enough drama lately and was only out there to watch the match. If Ripley thought she would put her hands on her and get away with it, she didn’t know her at all.

Ripley interrupted to a big reaction. She was skeptical of Belair’s explanation. She said Belair should have left her to handle her business with Sky while Belair handled her business with Naomi and Jade Cargill. Belair said Ripley was mad because she knew she couldn’t beat Sky.

They got in each other’s faces as Sky tried to interject. Ripley and Belair each shoved her aside, so Sky smacked them both in the face (Ripley stumbled back, while Belair fell to the mat). The crowd chanted for Sky. She was livid and left the ring.

********

Next week on Raw in Brussels, Belgium (start time 3 pm ET/12 pm PT):

Cody Rhodes and John Cena in the same building
Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser
Jey Uso vs. Austin Theory
Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile
Bron Breakker vs. Finn Bálor for the Intercontinental Championship

********

Steel Cage Match: Seth Rollins defeated CM Punk (22:26)

Rollins chucked his jacket Punk as he entered the ring and attacked him in the ropes as the bell rang to start the match. The crowd booed him for that. Punk fought back before they wildly slapped and punched each other (and missed each other a bunch).

Rollins powerbombed Punk into the side of the cage, leading to a break three minutes in, and hit another one during the break. Rollins repeatedly drove Punk into the cage during the break.

After the break, Rollins opened the door and invited Punk to leave. Punk flipped off Rollins (and the screen went black to censor it). Punk used a hurricanrana to drive Rollins into the cage and he followed with a GTS. Punk did not go for a cover.

Punk drove Rollins’ face into the cage and hit a running knee to the back of his head, causing Rollins’ face to bounce off the cage. Punk invited Rollins to leave, so Rollins flipped him off, too (this was also blacked out).

Punk hit repeated elbow drops and consecutive flying elbow drops. As Cole noted, neither man had gone for a cover yet. Punk hit a third flying elbow drop and finally did go for a cover for a two count.

Punk climbed to the top of the cage, so Rollins met him up there. (They used a drone shot to circle them as they exchanged strikes.) Rollins yanked Punk down from the top of the cage and hit a superplex (off the top rope) for two. The crowd reacted like this was a superplex off the cage, but it was basically a normal superplex.

Rollins went for a Pedigree, but Punk countered into a GTS for a nearfall. Punk went for another GTS, but Rollins countered into an STF (Cena’s move). Punk reversed that into an Anaconda Vice, but Rollins raked his eyes to get out of it. Rollins followed with a curb stomp for a nearfall.

Rollins set up for a super stomp, but Punk yanked him off the ropes and hit a third GTS for a nearfall. A frustrated Punk hit a curb stomp for another nearfall.

Punk saw the open door but turned around to see Rollins screaming at him, “If you want my house, take it from me, you asshole. You want this from me? Take it from me. Earn it, you asshole!”

Punk hit him with a running knee and set up for another GTS, but Rollins popped out and hit a GTS of his own. Rollins followed with a curb stomp for a close nearfall. The crowd went nuts for that.

Rollins hit a super stomp off the middle rope. Rollins seemingly had it won, finally, but didn’t make a cover or go for the door just yet.

The door was open and the crowd began screaming. Roman Reigns suddenly grabbed Rollins and yanked him out of the ring. Rollins was announced the winner because he technically escaped the cage. Rollins was shocked to see Reigns.

— Reigns hit Rollins with a Superman punch, spear and a curb stomp.

Reigns placed Rollins over the steel steps and set up for another stomp, but officials ran down to stop him.

Reigns’ attention suddenly turned to the ring upon seeing Paul Heyman comforting Punk.

Reigns laughed and entered the ring. He drove Punk into the cage and speared him. Heyman backed into the corner as Reigns stood tall. The crowd chanted “OTC,” and he posed as the show ended.

(This was a hot conclusion to a pretty good main event. The rest of the show felt like an average Raw, but all anyone will remember is this finish. Hopefully Punk does not complain about Reigns getting involved, because Rollins had it won regardless. He just hit a super stomp and was sitting right by the open door. )

WWE SmackDown live results: Cody Rhodes addresses John Cena’s heel turn

Posted on March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 by Colin McGuire

SmackDown’s Elimination Chamber fallout episode takes place tonight from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Less than a week after John Cena’s shocking heel turn, Cody Rhodes will appear for the first time since rejecting The Rock’s offer to be The Rock’s champion.

Cena laid out Cody last Saturday at the direction of The Rock with help from rap star Travis Scott. Cena won the men’s Elimination Chamber match and is scheduled to challenge Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 for the Undisputed WWE Championship next month.

Both the women’s and men’s United States title will be on the line tonight. Women’s US. Champion Chelsea Green defends her title against Michin in a street fight, while Shinsuke Nakamura will take on LA Knight for the men’s US belt.

Also on tap, Braun Strowman faces off against Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso takes on Drew McIntyre in a rematch from two weeks ago.

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

**********
– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as shots of Philadelphia aired. LA Knight, Nakamura, Braun Strowman, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Solo Sikoa, Drew McIntyre were all shown walking around backstage and outside the arena until it got to McIntyre, who ran into Damian Priest and McIntyre laid out Priest.

– A video package recapping Elimination Chamber weekend aired.

– Randy Orton’s music hit back inside the arena and Orton made his entrance.

The Randy Orton segment

I’m a fan of them building Orton vs. Owens on the basis on Orton finally connecting with the punt kick on Owens. Owens has been in so many furniture fights over the last months – and we’ve already established the danger of the piledriver – why not take the simple road with this and just return to one of Orton’s most beloved and menacing spots? I also liked the fact that Owens didn’t show up here. Give Orton his reintroduction time; there’s enough space between now and Mania where Owens and Orton can jaw at one another in real time. With Orton’s voices back in his head (THEY TALK TO HIM), it should be a fun build to their presumed Mania showdown.

Orton soaked in a ton of cheers before he started to talk. Orton said a lot of crazy stuff has happened since he’s been gone. Orton mentioned John Cena and the crowd booed loudly. Orton said Cena has always been on the top of their profession and now he’s “just a bottom for The Rock,” and that gives a whole new meaning to the term “Rock Bottom.” I’m not so sure the crowd got it, so Orton fired up and officially welcomed everyone to SmackDown. The crowd cheered.

Orton brought up Kevin Owens and said they have both done vile things to get jobs done. Orton said they always did what they did in the name of business. Orton said he respects Kevin Owens The Wrestler and touted Owens’s journey to WWE. Orton said it’s Kevin Owens The Man who he has a problem with. Orton said never underestimate a jealous man’s ability to destroy another man and he thinks of Owens when he thinks of that cliche.

Orton brought up how Owens tried to ruin Cody’s career because Owens was jealous about the gold around Cody’s waist. Orton noted how Owens tried to drop Sami Zayn on his head at Elimination Chamber because Zayn had become a bigger star than Kevin Owens. Orton said Owens was once his friend, but Owens dropped Orton with a piledriver because Orton was trying to protect his own friend. Orton recalled how Owens main-evented WrestleMania not once, but twice – including his brawl with Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Orton explained how he was told his spinal fusion would be career-ending for him a year and a half ago. Orton said he busted his ass to come back, but once he got back, he wasn’t going to let anyone piss him off … but Kevin Owens pissed Orton off. Orton talked about how he RKO’d Owens at Chamber, but that didn’t satisfy Orton because his voices started talking to Orton again for the first time in a decade. Orton said he wanted to punt kick Owens so hard, his family wouldn’t recognize him. Orton said he will prove that Pat McAfee is only the second-greatest punter in WWE and threw his microphone. Orton’s music hit and that was the end of the segment.

**********

– Footage of Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green in Nick Aldis’s office from earlier today aired. Stratton told Green to shut up and turned her attention to Piper Niven, challenging Niven to a match. Green said Niven couldn’t do that because of Green’s match later. Naturally, Aldis made the match official instead and Stratton’s music hit for the first match of the night.

Tiffany Stratton defeated Piper Niven [7:43]

A fine television match. The outcome was never in doubt, and I’m a little surprised how long it went and how much offense Niven got in, but we got to where we needed to go, complete with the post-match attack from Charlotte. The bigger story is how this highlights how thin the women’s mid-card is on SmackDown. Stratton needed a win against someone to then set up Charlotte’s attack, and instead of giving a new face a chance, they threw Niven, who will most likely be in another segment later on in the show, out there. Nothing against Niven – she’s great! – but this could have been used to elevate someone else. The problem? There really isn’t a someone else to elevate in the SmackDown women’s midcard scene. Maybe that will change after the presumed Draft after Mania.

Niven came to the ring without Green. Niven and Stratton locked up to to begin the match and Niven took Stratton to the mat. Niven went for a running Senton, but Stratton moved and hit a basement dropkick. Stratton followed that up with a springboard splash, but Niven kicked out at two. Niven then caught Stratton and threw Stratton to the outside, where Niven landed a cannonball on Stratton as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Stratton was giving it back to Niven, taking her down and connecting with her gymnastics splash in a corner. Stratton followed that up with a basement dropkick and a two-count. Niven ran at Stratton, but Stratton moved and went to the top. Stratton then connected with a Swanton for a near-fall. Niven came back with a Boss Man Slam and a near-fall of her own. Niven dragged Stratton to a corner and set up for a Vader Bomb, but Stratton moved, hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and that was the end of the match.

As Tiffy was celebrating, Charlotte Flair ran out and chop-blocked Stratton. Charlotte then worked a Figure-Eight as Tiffy screamed in pain. Officials ran out to break it up and Charlotte’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Nick Aldis hosted a segment in his office and the segment was designed to dissect the SmackDown tag team division. Next week, The Street Profits will take on #DIY for the tag titles. Meanwhile, Pretty Deadly, MCMG and Los Garza will compete in a triple threat tonight to determine who gets the next shot at the tag titles after the Profits get their shot. Yeah. I don’t know, either.

Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) defeated Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) and Los Garza (Berto & Angel) to become the No. 1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship [7:05]

A mild surprise when it comes to the finish, but in the end, none of this really matters. The tag division (on both brands, really) is cold and I understand the “Hey, it’s chaos!” approach to try and heat things up, but it just isn’t working. The truth is, a nuclear bomb needs to fall into the WWE tag division and the whole thing needs reset. It isn’t that I don’t think I’m capable of buying into a serious tag program between any of these teams; it’s just that at this point, so many wins are traded and so little attention is paid to the booking of the division that I could care less about who does what anymore. The MCMG experiment was fun while it lasted, but at this point, even The Dark Profits can’t breathe life into things.

Angel tagged himself in and Angel received a dropkick from Wilson. Angel came back with a dropkcik of his own and then ripped his own pants off. Shelley tagged himself in. Berto did the same. None of it mattered because all six guys ended up brawling from there. Los Garza hit stereo moonsaults on the other wrestlers on the outside and all six guys were down on the outside of the ring as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Shelley fired up, complete with a hot(ish) tag to Sabin, who came and cleaned house. Sabin landed a Tornado DDT on Berto for a two-count. Prince tagged himself in, but things broke down again and Sabin hit his dive to the outside on the other two teams. MCMG lined up for Skull And Bones, but Prince got in a backslide on Sabin and Pretty Deadly stole the win.

**********

– A video package highlighting Jade Cargill’s attack on Naomi at the Chamber aired.

– Members of the Philadelphia 76ers were shown in the front row and boy, they got a storm of boos raining down on them from the live crowd (and rightfully so). Put that on First Take, Stephen A.

The Bianca Belair/Naomi segment

As The SmackDown Turns. Days Of Our SmackDown. The Young And The SmackDown. A tip of the cap to the women, who sold this thing all the way to hell and back, even if the live crowd wasn’t all that kind at times (anyone who shouts “WHAT?” in the year 2025 should be banned from all live wrestling events). WWE people correctly take flak for being bad actors, but I don’t really think Naomi or Bianca were bad actors here. Even if they were reciting lines and they’ve taken “learn how to cry on demand” classes, I think this worked really well. If nothing else, it was leaps and bounds beyond what we usually see from emotionally charged promos on WWE TV. I’m not sure where they go from here because that’s two shows in a row that Cargill just simply appeared and ran through Naomi. But the dynamic between Belair and Cargill should be interesting to watch unfold as the weeks pass, especially considering how it’s WrestleMania season.

Belair made her entrance and was not all smiles. Instead, she was wearing all black and walked to the ring with purpose. The crowd felt a little confused as to how it should react and Belair stood in the ring in silence for a few seconds. Belair said she should feel like she’s on top of the world, but instead, it’s hard to do that when “two of your friends are fighting.” Belair talked about how close she became with Naomi after they formed their tag team. Belair said she doesn’t believe that Naomi would attack Jade Cargill. Belair said she needed answers and asked Naomi to come out and give her some answers. Naomi’s music hit and Naomi walked out in a neck brace.

The crowd booed and Belair asked Naomi, “What in the hell is going on?” Naomi said it’s not what it looks like. Naomi asked Belair who stepped up when Cargill couldn’t compete. Belair told Naomi to stop and asked Naomi if she attacked Cargill. Naomi said “all the outside noise is distraction,” and they need to focus on getting their tag team titles back and Belair getting to WrestleMania. Belair told Naomi to stop talking about everything else and to talk about Jade.

Naomi repeated Cargill’s name and said the truth is the way she sees Cargill, Cargill has been piggybacking off Belair all this time. Naomi said she had been forced to watch someone like Cargill succeed off Belair’s hard work. Naomi said she let Belair and Cargill get their flowers. Naomi got emotional and said she doesn’t give a damn about Cargill because Cargill doesn’t give a damn about Belair. The two talked over each other and started shouting at each other until Belair grabbed Naomi and told her to stop.

Belair said it’s a yes or no. Naomi cried – like, actually cried tears – and said, “I did it.” The announcement drew a huge pop from the live crowd. Naomi said she did it for Belair. Belair cried and yelled at Naomi to not touch her. Belair said it hurt so bad because she loves Naomi. Belair said things between her and Naomi are done and walked out of the ring. Naomi continued to cry and begged Belair not to walk away. Naomi shouted at Belair that she wished she would have pushed Cargill “harder” and “sooner.” Naomi yelled at the crowd that everyone turned on her. Naomi then called Belair an “ungrateful bitch.”

Belair turned around and a car pulled up on the big screen. Jade Cargill stepped out of it and the camera followed her as she marched to the ring. Cargill walked out and stood beside Belair before walking to the ring with purpose. Cargill hopped on the apron and chased Naomi out of the ring. Eventually, Cargill grabbed Naomi and ran Naomi into the announce table. Cargill ran Naomi into a ring post. Cargill hit Jaded on Naomi and stood tall to end the segment.

**********

– Drew McIntyre was shown walking backstage and ran into Byron Saxton, who said McIntyre’s attack on Priest earlier in the show was unprovoked. McIntyre noted how Priest stole a pin from Drew at the Chamber and Drew said because of Priest, Drew has nothing to give but violence on the way to WrestleMania.

– Footage of Cody telling Lex Luger he will be inducted into the WWE Fall Of Fame this year aired.

– Saxton interviewed Charlotte backstage. Charlotte said the women’s division has gone soft and every time Charlotte comes back, she has to remind people that there are levels to what they do. B-Fab walked into the frame and Charlotte said no one compares to Charlotte. B-Fab said nobody is interested in bowing down to Charlotte anymore. Charlotte said everyone eventually bows down to the queen. Charlotte challenged B-Fab to a match next week in Spain.

Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa va DQ [6:55]

Strowman and Fatu had a nice WWE-style brawl afterwards … but it was still a WWE-style brawl and it’s hard to see Jacob Fatu in that setting knowing how much harder he’s willing to go. I knew the Philly crowd would side with Fatu (and they pretty much did), because I’ve covered many an MLW tapings in that town, in person, where Fatu absolutely owned the 2300 Arena, so the home-away-from-homecoming was kind of nice to see. As for the match between Sikoa and Strowman … lest we be reminded that Solo Sikoa just main-evented a SummerSlam with the company’s biggest babyface no more than eight months ago. What’s the plan for Sikoa for Mania? Perhaps more apt: Is there a plan for Sikoa for Mania? Hmm.

Sikoa ran into Strowman a couple times, to no avail. Strowman ultimately took Sikoa down and sent him to the outside. Strowman went for his run-around-the-ring spot, but Sikoa ran Strowman into the ring steps and hit a hip attack on Strowman, who was down against the crowd barrier. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Strowman was on the receiving end of a headbutt and an impressive Samoan Drop from Sikoa. From there, Sikoa followed things up with a hip attack in the corner. Sikoa went for another, but he instead ran into a big boot. Strowman followed that up with a cross-body and another boot. Sikoa rolled to the outside, where Strowman successfully hit the Strowman Express. Back inside the ring, Strowman lifted Sikoa, but Sikoa got out of it and ran Strowman into the corner repeatedly. Sikoa ran at Strowman, but Strowman caught him to hit his signature powerslam. It looked like Strowman would win, but Tama Tonga ran in and that was the end of the match.

Strowman attacked Tonga and Jacob Fatu’s music hit. Fatu walked out and Fatu and Strowman engaged in a stare down. Both guys got onto the apron and the crowd went crazy with “Fatu!” chants. Both guys stepped into the ring and started to brawl. Fatu super-kicked Strowman to the outside and went for a dive through the ropes, but kind of/sort of tripped and Strowman threw Fatu over the commentary table. Fatu popped right up and hit a leaping elbow from the commentary table. Fatu threw Strowman into the crowd and the two battled through the crowd. They eventually found their way onto some road cases and Fatu tried to set up a Samoan Drop, but instead, Strowman chokeslammed Fatu through some tables. It wasn’t long until Fatu just simply got up and stumbled his way to the back.

**********

– Saxton interviewed LA Knight backstage. Knight talked about Fatu going through the table and said there will be no distractions for his match later with Nakamura. Knight called Philly the birthplace of the United States and said they are standing in the place that will be the rebirth of his U.S. title reign. Knight said everyone will pledge allegiance to the United States Champion with everybody saying “L.A. Knight. Yeah.”

– Chelsea Green was talking to Piper Niven backstage and Zelina Vega walked into the frame, saying she will challenge whomever wins the women’s U.S. title. Green then made her entrance dressed as Cactus Jack. Niven was behind her, stumbling, selling pain from her earlier match.

Chelsea Green defeated Michin in a Street Fight to retain the United States Championship [10:01]

This was really fun. I don’t quite know why Alba Fyre got to stick around and do this while Isla Dawn had to hit the road, but I kind of like the wrinkle of adding Fyre to the Green/Niven mix (perhaps this was the part Blair Davenport was at one point rumored to take in Green’s faction?). It didn’t feel like it was quite right to take the belt off Green so soon, so the outcome was hardly in doubt, but they had me wondering after Niven and B-Fab brawled to the back. All women worked hard here and I’m a fan of this mid-card title feud, assuming it’s not over now that Green stole another win from Michin. Good stuff from everyone here.

The two jumpstarted the match and Michin broke out a baking sheet early. Michin then emptied her trash can and threw a bunch of weapons into the ring, including a crowbar, a chain, a chair, a kendo stick and the trash can itself. Michin hit a drop-toe-hold onto a chair and posed with chains in her hands. Green came back with a trash can shot, but Michin back-dropped Green onto the chains. Michin then bit Green’s fingers. Michin went under the ring and pulled out a table, but Green stopped her and pushed the table back under the ring. The crowd booed and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Green was selling pain inside the ring. Michin grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed Green. Michin then successfully grabbed a table from under the ring. Niven then attacked Michin and slammed Michin on the commentary table. Green went to the top and Niven held Michin’s head against the trash can. Green then hit a Coast To Coast for a good near fall. B-Fab walked out and picked up a Kendo Stick. B-Fab worked over Niven with said stick. The two ran through the crowd and to the back.

Back in the ring, Michin had her own Kendo Stick and worked Green over with it. Michin threw a trash can at Green and then hit a Cannonball in the corner with said trash can on Green. Michin got a two-count out of it. Michin made a pile of chairs in the middle of the ring. Michin then got the table into the ring. Out of nowhere, Green slammed Michin on the bottom of the table and then set it up properly. All of this ended with Michin giving Green an Eat Defeat, which left Green on the table. It looked like Michin was going to win, but Alba Fyre showed up, gave Michin a Canadian Destroyer onto the pile of chairs and placed Green on Michin. Green got the win. After the match, Fyre presented Green with her U.S. title and saluted Green.

**********
– Backstage, Santos Escobar was shown yelling at Los Garza. Escobar said things have to start changing for Legado Del Fantasma. Escobar said he won’t expect it; he’ll demand it. Andrade walked in and spoke to Berto individually. Andrade told Berto that he deserves better.

The Cody Rhodes segment

Cody showed great fire, but man, that black eye is gnarly. You have to think Travis Scott is going to get a receipt someday. Cody has such a weird body in that when it gets hurt, he almost as a secret power to make his injury look worse than the same injury on anybody else’s body. Case in point: That HIAC torn bicep. I maintain that this program will suffer the more Cena doesn’t come around. There are only so many “Ra! Ra!” promos Cody can cut between now and Mania without having an adversary around to talk about it with, but we’re only a week into the build, so we’ll see. For now, this was a solid follow-up to one of WWE’s biggest moments in recent memory.

Cody was subdued in his entrance and had a massive black eye. He even sat out on the “Whoa!” His music cut and the crowd chanted his name loudly. Cody looked around, took his time, and the crowd eventually launched into “Cena sucks!” chants. Cody asked Philadelphia what they wanted to talk about, but he was forlorn. Cody said it was obvious because what happened on Saturday was the most-watched moment in WWE history. Cody talked about how his daughter asked him what happened to his face. Cody said he lied to his daughter and said he ran into a wall.

Cody said it wasn’t entirely untrue, because he ran into a wall designed by the Final Boss, his associate, Travis Scott, and, of course, John Cena. The crowd booed loudly. Cody said he drove John around for two years, trying to get all the knowledge he could. Cody said he thought Cena was a hero. Cody said one day, he’ll tell his daughter what actually happened: A great man who did great things and said he’d never give up … gave up. Cody apologized for the language he used on Saturday. Cody said if Cena doesn’t owe it to Cody, he owes it to his fans, to know why he did what he did.

Cody said Cena will have a well-crafted retort and Cena will feel bullet-proof and justified, but there is no justification for John Cena. Cody said he was aware he was talking to the whole world, but for those in the room in Philadelphia, Cody wanted to remind everyone that Philly was the one place Dusty was always afraid to perform in. Cody referenced how he finished his story last year at WrestleMania. Loud “Cody!” chants broke out.

Cody said speaking of WreslteMania 40, you could see John Cena celebrate with Cody in the ring after his match. Cody noted how Cena told Cody that “it gets heavier every day” while referencing his title. Cody said he was holding his championship and it’s not heavy enough. Cody said he’s been holding his championship for 300-something days. Cody said Cena is convinced he is the last of his kind, but he is not and at Mania, Cody screamed at John Cena to “come and get some,” and threw the mic down. Cody’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– The Miz was talking to Melo backstage and Nick Aldis was around. Miz pitched “Melo Don’t Mizz TV.” Melo said if the Final Boss came to him, he would have done what Cena did and referenced Fortnite. Randy Orton walked into the frame and also talked about Fortnite. Aldis said it looked like Orton is itching to get back into the ring and Aldis made the match for next week: Melo vs. Orton.

Drew McIntyre defeated Jimmy Uso [7:17]

I think literally – literally! – half this match was lost to a commercial break. So, there’s that. It was all about Drew getting the win back that he lost a couple weeks ago and then doing everything they can to heat up this McIntyre/Priest program that seems destined for WrestleMania. I’m not sure it’ll get to the temperature they want, but that’s another story for another day. In the meantime, I can’t help but think about this: Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso and the entire Bloodline is essentially MIA these days when it comes to important stories in WWE. That’s kind of wild when you consider the past three or four years and how their story has carried the company. Jimmy goes from accompanying Roman Reigns down the aisle for every single Most Important Match Of The Night on every Important Show for years to losing to Drew McIntyre in a seven-minute TV match that’s lost to commercial time. It’s a cold business.

Jimmy jumpstarted the match and attacked Drew. Jimmy went for a suicide dive on Drew, who was on the outside of the ring, but Jimmy ran into an elbow. McIntyre kicked Jimmy in the gut and rolled to the outside, where he hit a forearm onto Jimmy, who was draped over the apron. McIntyre lifted Jimmy, but Jimmy fought out of it and slammed McIntyre into the commentary table. Jimmy tackled Drew over the table and the show went to a commercial break about 1:45 into the match.

The show returned and Jimmy hit a Samoan Drop on McIntyre for a two-count. Drew went for a high-risk move from the top, but it resulted in a super-kick from Jimmy for a nice near-fall. Drew sold knee pain and Jimmy went to the top for a splash, but Drew moved and ultimately hit a Claymore Kick for the win. Drew teased walking to the back, but turned around and started walking back towards the ring, but Damian Priest showed up and attacked McIntyre outside the ring. Officials ran out and pulled Priest off McIntyre, who said he would kill McIntyre. Priest said every week, he will be coming after McIntyre.

**********

– A Street Profits vignette aired.

– #DIY were interviewed by Saxton backstage. Gargano said the tag division is on fire, and there is a lot of great teams, but the best team in the world is #DIY. Ciampa said all the teams want what #DIY has. Ciampa talked about the Profits’ new attitude and Gargano chimed in saying hope is a dangerous thing and the Profits have hope – but their dream is already dead. Ciampa then did his Moment Of Silence bit, this time for the Profits’ dream of becoming tag champs.

– Next week in Barcelona, #DIY will take on The Street Profits for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Also, Charlotte vs. B-Fab will happen, Melo vs. Randy Orton will go down and Miz TV will feature Cody as Miz’s guest.

LA Knight defeated Shinsuske Nakamura to win the United States Championship [11:09]

I liked the finish a lot more than I thought I would. Having the thought that it was very possible Knight would win his title back tonight, I was hoping for anything but the boilerplate finishes that Knight matches have these days. Instead, I was going back and forth in the last minute, wondering who actually might pull the victory out. Good on both guys for that. The questions remain: Why did Knight drop the title to begin with? Why did Nakamura get this run without ever really defending the belt? What happens to Nakamura, who we barely see anyway, now that he is beltless? Those answers may never come, but for now, this was a good title change with a creative finish. I’m not sure where either guy goes from here, but perhaps something for one (or both) can heat up between now and Mania.

Knight came out with some quick offense, but Nakamura rolled to the outside. Knight followed him and Nakamura kicked Knight in the gut before hitting a running knee. Nakamura then hit a cartwheel elbow on Knight. Nakamura ran at Knight and hit a sliding German Suplex on Knight. Nakamura ran into a boot, which turned into a bulldog from Knight from the second rope. Nakamura rolled to the outside and Knight hit his modified baseball slide/basement dropkick on Nakamura. The show then went to its final commercial break of the night.

The show returned and Knight clotheslined Nakamura. Knight followed up with a cutter and a pop-up powerslam. Knight then dropped an elbow for a two-count. The two battled on the top rope, but it resulted in Knight going for his pop-up super-plex. Nakamura countered and worked over Knight with some back elbows and a back suplex from the second rope. That resulted in a two-count for Nakamura. Knight hit Nakamura with a clothesline as Nakamura went for a Kinshasa. Both guys were down to reset the match.

Nakamura kicked Knight in the back of the head and went to the top, and it was here where Knight hit his pop-up super-plex. Knight went to the top and hit his step-up leaping elbow. Knight called for the BFT, but Nakamura pushed Knight away and rolled to the outside. Knight went to the outside and stopped Nakamura from hitting him with a chair and then stoped himself from hitting Nakamura with a chair. Nakamura took advantage of that and hit a back elbow. Back in the ring, Nakamura had a chair, but referee Charles Robinson grabbed the chair and threw it away. Nakamura went for the mist, but accidentally misted Robinson. Knight tried to roll up Nakamura, but there was no ref for Knight. From there Nakamura hit a Scorpio Rising, but the ref was still down.

Nakamura grabbed the chair, but Knight kicked it out of Nakamura’s hands and then landed a BFT on the steel chair. A referee ran down and counted to three for Knight to get the win. Fireworks went off as Knight posed on the second rope with his U.S. title and the show quickly ended.

WWE NXT live results: North American title on the line

Posted on March 4, 2025March 4, 2025 by Chris Aiken

Tonight, Shawn Spears has the chance to win the first championship of his WWE NXT career.

The Men’s North American title will be on the line as Spears challenges Tony D’Angelo for the belt. They have been at odds recently with Spears leading a new faction — consisting of Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance & Izzi Dame — against the D’Angelo Family.

With one week to go until Roadblock, The Hardy Boyz will make an appearance tonight. Matt & Jeff are coming off a victory over Tavion Heights & Myles Borne — and they have a TNA Tag Team title defense lined up against Nathan Frazer & Fraxiom on next Tuesday’s special NXT episode from The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven are in NXT tonight for a tag match against Sol Ruca & Zaria. Also confirmed for the episode is a singles bout pitting Kelani Jordan against Jaida Parker.

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

**********

Interestingly enough, a commercial for AEW Dynamite aired on the CW affiliate in the Houston market just before NXT went on the air.

NXT is back at the sound stage at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, and NXT is taped before a live studio audience.

Opening the show this week is a women’s tag team match set up by a skit on the previous episode.

Sol Ruca & Zaria defeated WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green & Piper Niven

Ruca pinned Green to win the match. So, Ruca scores a pinfall on the US champ, likely setting up a match. This was a good opener. They all worked well together, and there were possibly some seeds planted for an eventual turn. Green got a bloody nose in the match.

Early on in the match, Zaria against Niven was a battle of two powerhouses. Ruca does a wild dive over the ropes to the floor, but Green responds with a senton. The heels take control as the show cuts to a split-screen commercial break.

The heel duo gets heat on Ruca, building to a hot tag. Zaria runs wild. Somewhere along the way, Green gets her nose busted open. Green is lifted on Zaria’s shoulders, and Ruca does a moonsault for a modified Doomsday Device. Zaria lifts Niven and gives her a F5 on top of Green. Ruca then executes a Sol Snatcher on Green, and Ruca covers Green for a three count.

Ruca runs around the ring celebrating the win, and Zaria briefly glares at her. Is that foreshadowing an eventual turn, or am I reading too much into it?

Trick Williams is talking with NXT GM Ava when they are interrupted by Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon. They have a gift basket of office supplies for Ava. How thoughtful of the young lads. Trick shoves the gift away, and Trick tells them to come back later with their package. Dixon tells Trick to call down, and Trick and shoves gift into Dixon’s chest.

Trick then tells them to go bother Mr. Chase. Dixon remarks that Trick was the reason Chase U was put on line in the first place. Trick then snaps and shoves Dixon against a roll-up door (likely for the sound effects it makes). Ava orders Trick to let him go as Trick tells Dixon he will find out tonight. This appears to set up a match tonight between Trick and Kale Dixon. Yes, the dude is named Kale. Same as the leafy member of the cabbage family.

Jaida Parker defeated Kelani Jordan

Parker pinned Jordan after a hip attack. The outcome would seem to conclude the program between Parker and Jordan, and what a match to end the feud if this is it. The match goes through a commercial break, so they were given plenty of time to deliver. And they delivered with a good match.

Jordan is currently on a losing streak, and the announcers played it up on commentary. Nothing gets someone over like a losing streak. Jordan still had a mean streak, but she still does all of her babyface spots. They build to Jordan executing a Spanish Fly off the top rope.

Moments later, Jordan tries to follow up with a 450 splash. No water in the pool. Parker moved out of the way, and Parker catches Jordan with a Parker’s hip attack finisher. Parker then covers Jordan for a three count.

NXT Champion Oba Femi is at a kayfabe press conference. This builds up the upcoming title defense against TNA X-Division Champion Moose at NXT Roadblock.

TNA Tag Team Champions Matt & Jeff Hardy enter the sound stage for an in-ring promo. Jeff says it is good to be in NXT, and it is great to be “home” in WWE. They talk about beating No Quarter Catch Crew. Hardy Boyz were over with the studio audience, which should be no surprise.

Out comes Hank Walker & Tank Ledger to interrupt the promo. Tank apologized for interrupting them, and he says they wanted to get advice from two GOATs. Matt & Jeff put them over, and Jeff says to get noticed they need to take it to the extreme. He was not talking about high spots, but about the hungry and whatnot.

They are all soon interrupted by Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura. Those two cut promos on Hank & Tank. Briggs & Inamura want a title shot. Hank asks Tank if he is thinking what he is thinking, and then they both dive through the ropes on Briggs & Inamura. The two teams brawl to the back.

Suddenly, in the ring with The Hardy Boyz is Fraxiom. NXT Tag Team Champion Nathan Frazier & Axiom are there to confront Matt & Jeff, but in a respectful way. They plug their match in a couple weeks Roadblock. Fun segment, albeit a bit long in the tooth.

Jordynne Grace defeated Cora Jade via referee stoppage

The referee stopped the match when Jade apparently suffered an injury. Jade is backed into a corner during a commercial break, and the ref moves in to break them up. The ref backs Grace away as medical staff get into the ring to check on Jade. This all happens before the show returns from the break.

When the show does return from commercials, Jade gets up and is escorted out of the ring. Grace smirks as she is announced as the winner via referee stoppage.

Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans argue and cut promos on each other in a segment where they are on separate satellite feeds. This was similar to the old “Face-to-Face” segments on WWF Superstars of Wrestling, except this was far more serious. Evans cuts an impassioned promo on Page.

Trick Williams defeated Kale Dixon via referee stoppage

Williams smashes Dixon in a squash match, and the referee stepped in to stop the match. Trick rocked Dixon with a flying punch soon as the bell rang to start the match. Trick began to pummel Dixon, and the ref stops the match.

After the match, Trick calls out Eddy Thorpe. This all led to setting up a gimmick match. Thorpe appears on a perch overlooking the ring, and Thorpe challenges Trick to have their match under NXT Underground rules. Trick agrees, so the match is not set with new stips.

Roxanne Perez apparently attacked Jordynne Grace in a backstage angle.

TNA X-Division Chamion Moose is present for a fake press conference. This is for hyping Moose against Oba Femi for the NXT Championship at Roadblock. Moose vows to leave Roadblock as a dual champion.

Ava steps in to announce Roxanne Perez will face Jordynne Grace a Roadblock. Ava says they will take one more question at the press conference. Fatal Influence then crashes the press conference, and Fallon Henley asks Ava why Fallon has not gotten for rematch for the Women’s North American title. Ava says they can talk about this later, and Fallon yells they can talk about it right now. Ava then walks out of the presser. Is that somehow spoofing US politicians at town halls in recent weeks?

Ricky Saints is backstage when he runs into Ridge Holland. Saints and Holland briefly have tense words after Holland says Saints does not belong here. Saints then runs into Shawn Spears, who is heading to the ring for the main event.

Shawn Spears defeated NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo to win the title

Spears pinned D’Angelo to win the championship. Stacks crashing into D’Angelo during the match played into the finish, which furthers the growing rift between Stacks and “The Don” himself.

The match plods through a commercial break. In the closing moments, Spears locks in a sharpshooter. D’Angelo escapes and delivers a fisherman’s buster. Izzi Dame at ringside grabs Spears’ foot. Not sure if she was supposed to put the foot on the rope, but Spears was too far away. So he kicks out instead. Adrianna Rizzo then jumps Dame for interfering, and all hell breaks loose.

The D’Angelo Family and Spears’ faction start brawling around ringside. During the melee, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo is shoved by Spears into D’Angelo. “The Don” takes a Nestea Plunge off the apron on and lands on a folded chair laying on the floor. Spears screams “SO MUCH FOR FAMILY” as he rolls D’Angelo back into in to the ring. Spears with a C4 for a close near fall, as D’Angelo kicks out.

For the finish, D’Angelo goes for a his pop-up finisher, but “The Don” buckles as his back gives out. This plays on an earlier spot in the match, and Spears hooks a leg to cradle D’Angelo for the deciding pinfall. And new…

WWE Raw live results: Elimination Chamber fallout

Posted on March 3, 2025March 3, 2025 by Steve Khan

Date: March 3, 2025
Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

**********

The Big Takeaway —

IYO SKY beat Rhea Ripley to win the Women’s World Championship and is now scheduled to defend the title against Bianca Belair at WrestleMania. Ripley has reason to blame Belair for the loss, so this will play out over the coming weeks.

CM Punk cut a heated promo on The Rock, John Cena, and Seth Rollins. Punk and Rollins brawled, and the two men will have a steel cage match next week at Madison Square Garden.

Cena and The Rock were not on Raw. We’ll hear from Cody Rhodes on Friday’s SmackDown.

**********

Show Recap —

Raw is sold-out in Buffalo.

There was an Elimination Chamber video package. These packages are no longer just about the show but about how big the show was. They include headlines, fan reactions from those at home, celebrities in attendance, etc. This package cut to black on John Cena’s face before he turned on Cody Rhodes. It then showed a number of headlines and fan reactions before cutting to a shot of Cena and The Rock standing over Rhodes.

Various wrestlers were shown arriving, while American Made were shown training earlier today.

CM Punk segment

A pissed-off CM Punk drove into the arena (in a Jeep Grand Wagoneer). He stormed down to ringside, tossed some stuff around (including the big Prime bottle), and stood on the announce table.

He said some people thought he exhausted all opportunities of main-eventing WrestleMania. He wanted to address his enemies, which meant addressing everyone. He asked the crowd who he should address first.

Punk looked into the camera and called Dwayne a bald fraud. Dwayne thought he was immune from criticism because he was on the board, but he didn’t know who he was dealing with. He was dealing with the best in the world. Dwayne was having a midlife crisis. Dwayne walked in when he felt like it and tried to hide behind what a big star was.

Punk would love to address Dwayne in person but he wasn’t there to grace us with his presence. Punk mocked Dwayne’s goosebump gesture and said Dwayne wasn’t there to give us his bullshit and pretend he cared about this business. Punk has never been so delusional as to hold a fake title and call himself the People’s Champion because he earned that right.

He’s never been so desperate to sell his soul. We couldn’t “see” John Cena but we could see right through him. Cena stole something from him at the Chamber. Punk gave him the benefit of the doubt for not qualifying but Cena wouldn’t fool him twice. Hustle, loyalty and respect for 20 years but he showed what Punk knew all along, that Cena was selling bullshit.

Punk would never give up on his dreams, but Cena gave up on all of the fans and all of those kids. Punk would get his hands on both of those bald frauds and they would both “make a wish” that he never did.

The man who currently had all of his attention was “little brother” Seth Rollins. Punk told Becky Lynch to come get his man before Punk put him in a wheelchair.

Rollins’ music hit and Punk stormed to the stage. The two men brawled as security and officials frantically tried to separate the wild brawl. The crowd was going nuts for all of this. They chanted, “Holy shit,” and “This is awesome.” (Pat McAfee also dropped a “holy shit.” It was at least the third time that word was used in this segment and it was never censored.)

As you’d expect, both men kept getting away from security, but they finally were separated.

This was an awesome segment and promo from Punk. It was pretty much the best version of Punk.

********

They showed some fan reactions to Cena’s heel turn, including videos of children crying.

********

Judgment Day segment

Judgment Day were backstage. Regardless of the result of the Chamber match, Dominik was happy that Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were tag team champions. Morgan was happy too, and knew she’d be world champion again one day. She thought it was Rodriguez’s time to chase the IC title and Rodriguez was on board with that.

Finn Bálor was annoyed with Dom and Carlito getting embarrassed by Bron Breakker. Bálor told Dom they didn’t need a new member and maybe he would deal with Bron himself tonight.

Dom asked Morgan about Jade Cargill. Morgan said she wasn’t getting involved and reiterated that she had nothing to do with it.

********

Gunther cut a promo on Otis before their match. Gunther wondered what Otis saw when he looked in the mirror this morning. Gunther looked at himself and saw the world championship belt, while Otis looked for a belt that fit. He suggested that Otis could be great if he had a little bit of self-respect. Gunther would teach him something about self-respect tonight.

Gunther was about to continue by addressing Jey Uso, but he gave Otis a cheap-shot instead. With Otis down after just getting blindsided, the referee decided this was a great moment to start the match.

World Heavyweight Champion Gunther defeated Otis (w/Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa) in a non-title match (9:45)

Gunther worked over Otis until Otis yanked him out of the ring and gave him a fallaway slam on the outside. Otis had control until he missed a charge in the corner. Gunther held control through a break, but Otis fired up and no-sold Gunther’s chops. They traded chops before Otis slammed Gunther. Otis hit the caterpillar elbow drop for a nearfall.

Otis missed a Vader bomb and Gunther followed with a dropkick. Otis countered a powerslam but Gunther clotheslined him repeatedly, including one to the back. Gunther hit a big boot and another clothesline for two. Gunther followed moments later with a powerbomb for the pinfall win.

This was fun and the best showing for Otis in a while. The crowd was really into him, way more than they should have been, considering how he’s been used.

— Gunther put Otis in a sleeper after the match so Tozawa tried to make the save but Gunther powerbombed him on top of Otis.

Gunther was about to continue but Jey Uso ran out to his music. A quick brawl ended with Jey hitting a spear.

Jey posed as the crowd Yeeted along, but he was suddenly attacked from behind by Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. The crowd loved Jey so this got a lot of heat. Jey made his own comeback and speared Theory.

It seemed like Jey would stand tall after all that, but Gunther grabbed him from behind and put him down with a sleeper. Gunther stood tall with his belt.

********

There was a video package for Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky. They emphasized that Ripley has never beaten Sky.

Jackie Redmond interviewed Bayley during a break. Bayley was happy for Bianca Belair but disappointed she didn’t win. She had her eyes set on Lyra Valkyria—who she beat once already—and the IC title.

UFC Hall of Famer Clay Guida was in the crowd.

There were more Cena fan reactions shown.

********

Cathy Kelley asked AJ Styles about Cena. Styles didn’t see it coming. Karrion Kross suddenly hugged him from behind and Styles shoved him off. Kross said it wasn’t that surprising if you thought about it. Styles cut him off.

Styles said he wasn’t John Cena, and maybe the “WWE Universe” needed a reminder of who he was. He planned on calling out Logan Paul next week at Madison Square Garden. Styles told Kross that he could try to be the devil on his shoulder, but God already knew his evil ways. Styles left. Kross was amused.

********

Lyra Valkyria defeated Ivy Nile to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (9:30)

Valkyria was aggressive early on, pissed over Nile’s recent attack. However, Nile used consecutive dragon screws to take over while targeting the leg during a break. (Netflix usually has a timer that shows how much time is left in the break, but that appears to be gone, at least for tonight.)

Valkyria hit a sit-out powerbomb after the break but her leg was in too much pain to make a cover. Valkyria went for a tornado DDT but Nile stopped her momentum and deadlifted her into a vertical suplex for two. Valkyria went for her finisher but she twisted her knee and fell down. Nile hit a sit-out powerbomb for two.

Nile applied an ankle lock to the injured leg, but Valkyria got a rope break. Nile hit a German suplex but missed a running boot in the corner. Valkyria followed with a neckbreaker and Nightwing for the pinfall win.

This was pretty good but the crowd didn’t seem to care.

*******

Redmond tried interviewing Rollins as he marched through the back. Rollins saw Punk nearby, and they stormed at each other again. Security quickly separated them as Adam Pearce got between them. (They showed a clip of Punk’s promo earlier and made sure to include his mention of Becky Lynch.)

After a break, Rollins and Pearce argued outside the arena. Rollins wanted to finish Punk and do to him what he did to Roman Reigns by making sure he didn’t make it to WrestleMania.

Pearce made a steel cage match between Rollins and Punk at MSG in New York next week. Pearce told him to get on his bus because he didn’t want to see him again until next week. Rollins was happy with that.

********

Kelley interviewed Dakota Kai (during a break). Kai still had her eyes set on the IC title, and she looked forward to seeing Sky reclaim her spot on top tonight.

Buffalo Bills OT Dion Dawkins was shown in attendance and the fans cheered.

********

Ludwig Kaiser cut a promo in the ring. In speaking about his win last week, he said he took back the attention that he deserved, the attention that Penta had taken away. He called himself a future world champion. Kaiser warned Penta to stay away from him because what Cena did to Rhodes was nothing compared to what he was willing to do to Penta.

Penta ran out (in his street clothes), attacked Kaiser and wiped him out with a dive.

********

Kelley interviewed Bianca Belair. Kelley wondered how Belair was processing everything that happened with Cargill and Naomi. Belair wanted to talk to them personally before talking about it publicly. She did feel guilty. She was sad about what happened but was proud about winning the Chamber.

She just wanted to focus on tonight’s title match. She put over both Sky and Ripley. Regardless of who won, they would learn why you couldn’t spell WrestleMania without “EST.”

********

Redmond interviewed Waller and Theory (during a break). Before she could even ask a question, Waller told The Rock that he was willing to give up his soul.

Waller said Jey Uso was like Josh Allen, because they were both supremely talented but couldn’t get it done when there was something on the line. The crowd booed this heavily and chanted “MVP” for Allen. They were so hot they missed Theory doing the “Yeet” gesture. Waller pulled him away.

********

Chad Gable segment

There was a video of Chad Gable in some town looking for the person who could help him learn the dark arts of lucha libre. He had the card given to him by Dom and he asked locals outside of Los Hermanos Meat Market if they knew who it was but they all brushed him off.

Gable followed an alleyway and found someone in the dark of night. The mysterious person told him he could not fight what he did not understand. Gable said he didn’t travel this far to go back with nothing. He asked what he needed to do.

The mysterious figure was about to hand him a box but stopped so Gable could pay him for it. This led to a bit of comedy where Gable had to keep handing bills over until the man finally gave him the box.

The man said Gable now wielded power beyond his understanding. Gable opened the box and his eyes grew wide. He pulled something out of the box, but we didn’t see what it was.

********

The War Raiders defeated The Creed Brothers to retain the World Tag Team Championships (11:42)

The Creeds did lots of stuff but lost in the end.

After a break, Julius hit Erik with an Angle Slam and Brutus followed with a 450 splash, which didn’t land flush, for two. Julius gave Erik a superplex but Brutus missed a moonsault. Ivar went for a moonsault next but Brutus rolled out of the way. Julius followed with an SSP for two. (McAfee gave Billy Kidman a shoutout.)

The crowd was dead for the first ten minutes, but they woke up after that with a “This is awesome,” chant. Julius hit a Finlay Roll and they tried Brutus Bomb but Erik slipped out. Ivar smashed Julius into the side of the ring with a crossbody before the Raiders hit Brutus with War Machine for the pinfall win.

********

There was a recap of Kevin Owens’ win over Sami Zayn and the return of Randy Orton.

Michael Cole announced that Zayn reaggravated his neck injury, and spinal and nerve issues.

********

There was a pre-taped LWO promo. They said New Day could try to put them down, but they could not take their hearts. Rey Mysterio told Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to savour their vacation because he and Dragon Lee would give them the worst Monday of their lives in their tornado tag match next week.

********

Bron Breakker/Finn Bálor segment

Redmond interviewed Bron in the crowd during a break. He said he didn’t have a problem with Judgment Day until about a week ago. He said it took courage for Judgment Day to do what they did. It took courage for Dom to walk around with a Dirty Sanchez and for Carlito to be the apple man. He was about to move on to Bálor, but Bálor entered (the ring) as they returned from break.

Bálor said Bron was only champion because Judgment Day let him be. Bron said he was champion because he was a dog and he embarrassed them last week. Bálor said he was untouchable in the ring and ate rookies like Bron for breakfast. Bálor said there would be no dogs barking if they wrestled because Bálor would put him down.

Bron had enough and he marched down to ringside. Carlito tried to attack, but Bron chucked him over the barricade. Dom tried to attack from behind but Bron caught him off the barricade and suplexed him.

Bron slipped in the ring but Bálor caught him with a slingblade. Bron grabbed him by the throat and hit a military press slam. Bron was about to kill him with a super spear but Dom pulled him to safety.

********

There was a video package of John Cena’s heel turn. So far, they had only shown the buildup and aftermath. The video included clips of a heroic John Cena from the past, followed by clips of very upset fans on Saturday.

Cole said he spoke to Rhodes earlier today. Rhodes had little to say but would address it on Smackdown.

********

Next week on Raw at Madison Square Garden in New York:

Jey Uso vs. Grayson Waller
Tornado tag match: The New Day vs. Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee
AJ Styles calls out Logan Paul
Steel cage match: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins

********

Otis (with Alpha Academy) embraced Jey Uso in the back.

Kelley interviewed Jey and asked if Gunther had thrown him off his game earlier. Jey admitted that he did a little bit. Every week that passed, Gunther had him doubting himself.

Jey fired up and said, with his back against the wall, feeling suffocated, nobody would pick him up but himself. Gunther threatened ten weeks of hell, but Jey would walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil. Gunther put him to sleep tonight but he just woke up a beast. Four letters, one word: Yeet.

(Jey was really good here, but he may need a new talking point soon other than people are doubting him.)

********

Bianca Belair entered to watch the main event ringside.

Ripley received a superstar reaction on the way out.

IYO SKY defeated Rhea Ripley to win the Women’s World Championship (18:40)

Things were even early on until Ripley pulled Sky out of the ring, swung her into the side of the ring, and hit a vertical suplex. During a break, Sky came off the top and stomped Ripley’s arm. Ripley fought back with a slam but she kept favouring her arm.

Ripley hit a missile dropkick, which we didn’t see because it happened during the split-second when the screen goes back as they came back from break. They immediately showed a replay. Sky came back with a backstabber, low dropkick, forearm, and missile dropkick. Ripley fought back with strikes but Sky hit a double foot stomp for two.

Sky avoided a Prism Trap and dropped Ripley arm-first on the apron. Sky ran off the ropes but Ripley turned her inside out with a big boot for two. Sky countered Rip-tide into a DDT. She followed with a running corner boot, inspired by Dakota Kai, and a flying elbow drop, inspired by Kairi Sane, for two. Sky applied an Asuka Lock next, but Ripley fought out of it.

Sky hit running knees in the corner and went to the top but Ripley went after her and hit an avalanche back suplex for two. Ripley applied the Prism Trap but Sky flipped her shoulder-first into the ring post.

As Ripley stood on the apron, Sky hit a running sunset flip powerbomb off the apron and into the barricade. Sky followed with a moonsault onto Ripley’s back (which didn’t really connect) but Ripley got her foot on the rope at two. Ripley tried to regroup outside the ring but Sky hit a diving crossbody.

Sky set up for an Asai moonsault but Ripley caught her on her shoulders and dropped her on the announce table. Ripley was ready to take a countout win but Belair encouraged Sky to get up, and she managed to get back in the ring at nine.

Ripley didn’t appreciate that, so she got in Belair’s face. Ripley shoved Belair, so Belair shoved her back. They kept pushing each other until referee Jessika Carr got between them. She told them to stop instead of calling for a DQ.

Ripley set up Sky for a Rip-tide off the top while telling Belair, “See you at Mania.” She took too much time, so Sky countered with a hurricanrana off the top and followed with a moonsault for the surprise pinfall win.

Fireworks went off as Sky celebrated with the title belt. (Ripley was livid with herself.)

Ripley was the crowd favourite, but the crowd popped big for the title change. The fans have been into Sky for the past few weeks, but they were quiet for the match, perhaps because they didn’t want or expect Sky to actually win with Ripley vs. Belair seemingly being a lock for Mania. Obviously, they have a lot of time to set up a possible triple threat at Mania, but for now, they played it up like Sky was defending the title against Belair and that’s that.

WWE SmackDown live results: Elimination Chamber go-home show

Posted on February 28, 2025February 28, 2025 by Colin McGuire

One night before he is scheduled to give a response to The Rock, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will appear on tonight’s SmackDown from Toronto.

The Rock told Cody last week that he wants his soul and wants Cody to be his champion. Cody will give Rock his answer at Saturday night’s Elimination Chamber PLE, and tonight we’ll hear Cody’s final remarks before he makes that decision.

A United States title match between Shinsuke Nakamura and LA Knight was supposed to go down tonight, but there will instead be a mini-tournament to decide a definitive number one contender to Nakamura’s title. Knight vs. Santos Escobar, Carmelo Hayes vs. Braun Strowman, and Andrade vs. Solo Sikoa will all happen tonight with the winners advancing to a triple threat later in the show to determine Nakamura’s next challenger.

Trish Stratus is set to make an appearance in advance of teaming with Tiffany Stratton against Nia Jax & Candice LeRae at Elimination Chamber.

Finally, Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green will be in action against a mystery opponent.

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

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as scenes from Toronto aired. A video recapping last week’s Rock appearance followed that.

– Cody was shown walking backstage and a couple dudes came up to guide Cody to his new locker room “courtesy of the Final Boss.” Trish Stratus was then introduced and Stratus made her way to the ring.

The Trish Stratus segment

This was fun, and it was nice to see Trish get her flowers in her home country. Stratton continues to come off as weirdly uncomfortable in a babyface role – almost as if she really, really, really doesn’t want to work as a face, but she’s trying because that’s the direction in which they are going … but she’d just rather … well … not. Pairing her with Stratus was a good idea in terms of moving that transition a step forward and throwing them out there on a SmackDown in Toronto couldn’t and didn’t hurt. Green, meanwhile, is straight box office, no matter what she does. Heeling on the crowd with the Matthews jab was perfect. There just aren’t a lot of wrestlers anywhere who can walk out to deafening cheers and get those cheers to become boos in a matter of seconds, but Chelsea never disappoints. Green is one of the best in the world these days, full stop.

“Thank you, Trish!” chants broke out as she stood in the middle of the ring. Stratus appeared to get emotional and the crowd cheered her, complete with another round of “Thank you, Trish!” chants. Stratus thanked Lilian Garcia for introducing her and asked the crowd what year it was considering how she was back, the Rock was back and Garcia was introducing her. Stratus pointed out a little girl in the crowd and said that her dad probably had a poster of Stratus on his wall. The line got some laughs.

Stratus noted how Saturday night will be the first time her kids will see her wrestle live. Stratus said she was beyond excited to be teaming up with Tiffany Stratton and that in mind, Stratus introduced Stratton, who then made her entrance to a loud ovation. Stratton was wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. Stratus set them up to say, “It’s Trishy Time and it’s Tiffy Time!” Stratus and Stratton removed their Maple Leafs jerseys, kissed them and threw them into the crowd. Stratton said they were going to beat Jax and LeRae tomorrow. Chelsea Green’s music then hit and Green walked out.

Green said, “Nobody wants dumb and dumber hogging the air time,” and loud “Chelsea!” chants broke out. Green said she’s the best thing to step in the arena tonight. She also took a shot at Auston Matthews. Green said once she left Canada, everything got better for her because the people are better in America. Stratton said she’s from America, and Green doesn’t represent her as a U.S. title. Stratton challenged Green to a match tonight, but Green said she couldn’t because she had plans. Nick Aldis sent a referee to the ring and the match was set to kick off.

**********

Tiffany Stratton defeated Chelsea Green via DQ [3:12 of TV time]

Not much to this. Just an angle to further the story of tomorrow’s tag match involving Stratus and Stratton. It’s a shame, too, because I would have loved at least five more minutes of Green and Stratton in a straight up singles match. It was not to be on this night. I hope Stratton is OK. Jax and LeRae didn’t catch her during that flip dive to the outside and Stratton came up favoring her arm. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious.

The match was joined in progress and Stratton quickly gained the upper hand. Stratton landed her gymnastics flip routine splash in a corner and went for a double stomp, but Green moved and came back with a leaping leg drop for a two-count. Stratton came right back with a tough double stomp and set up for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Piper Niven pulled Green to the outside. Stratton then hit a dive onto NIven and Green on the outside and Stratton landed hard. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae then showed up and attacked Stratus and Stratton to end the match.

Jax set up for her finisher on Tiffy, but Stratus interfered and saved the day. Stratton set up for her moonsault on LeRae, but Jax pulled LeRae out of the ring to safety. Jax and LeRae backed up the entranceway.

**********

– Solo Sikoa was walking backstage and ran into Jacob Fatu, who said what happened last week was an accident. Sikoa said what happened last week made him realize his family needs to make a statement. Sikoa said he wants Fatu to bring home the U.S. title to their family. Sikoa said everything he’s doing is to show Fatu how much he loves Fatu.

– Cody was shown in his fancy locker room and there was fancy food and fancy wine and a bunch of fanciness … including R-Truth, who popped up and said maybe Cody should think about teaming with The Rock. Truth told Cody not to be “shell fish,” and Cody invited Truth to eat more. Truth also asked for Cody to ask Rock for some jelly rolls.

Jacob Fatu defeated Andrade to advance in the U.S. title No. 1 contender tournament [8:21]

This might end up being the best match of the night after all is said and done. Andrade is so good. So, so good, and they really don’t use him all that much, which is wild considering how we now have 83-hour episodes of SmackDown each week. Jacob Fatu, for his part, is Jacob Fatu, and boy, these live crowds continue to shower him with more love each week. You have to wonder if that type of crowd support will alter WWE’s plans for him as a heel. Either way, this match had a ton of energy, some really tough-hitting spots and an outcome that might have felt predictable, but never suffered because of it. Really good work from both guys.

Loud “Fatu!” cheers came from the crowd to begin the match. Fatu shoulder-blocked Andrade to the canvas. Fatu went for a splash, but Andrade moved and eventually went to the top, where he connected with a cross-body. The action spilled to the outside and Andrade hit a moonsault onto Fatu as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Fatu was the victim of a poison-rana to reset the match as both guys were down. They got to their feet and Andrade hit a series of clotheslines and a flying forearm. Andrade set up for a double-knees, but Fatu threw his body at Andrade and took him out. “Fatu!” chants began. Fatu went for a hip attack, but Andrade moved and kicked Fatu in the head. Andrade finally did connect with the running double-knees. He followed that up with the double moonsault spot for a nice near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants broke out.

Andrade set up for his finisher, but Fatu countered and sat on Andrade. Fatu followed that up with a pair of hip attacks and an Impaler DDT. Fatu hit his jump-up moonsault after that and got the win, much to the delight of the live crowd.

**********

– Footage from earlier today aired where the Street Profits spoke with Nick Aldis and the Profits said they won’t stop what they are doing until they get a tag title shot. Legado Del Fantasma showed up and Santos Escobar wanted an apology for falsely accusing them of attacking the Profits. Dawkins said they won’t apologize for anything. Aldis made the Profits vs. Los Garza match for later in the night.

– The Street Profits were making their entrance for their match and Gargano and Ciampa ran out to attack them. Los Garza got in on things and the Profits bounced back and stomped mud holes in #DIY. Pretty Deadly ran out and attacked the Profits. Gargano and Ciampa came back to life and attacked Pretty Deadly. Motor City Machine Guns ran out and they worked over Gargano and Ciampa. MCMG and the Profits faced off in the ring, but Los Garza and Pretty Deadly cut both teams off and it was bedlam. Eventually, MCMG and the Profits got their hands on each other, but only briefly. WWE officials weirdly stood around, not doing much to intervene for a very long time … until they did. Even so, various brawls continued to break out until the show cut to Drew McIntyre walking backstage. Drew ran into Cody and said he doesn’t know what he’d do if he was in Cody’s position regarding the Rock. Drew told Cody that Rock will find out that Cody actually sold his soul a long time ago. Drew then walked away.

– A John Cena Elimination Chamber vignette aired. Drew McIntyre interrupted the vignette while walking through the live crowd. McIntyre made his way to the ring and called Cena a hypocrite. McIntyre stood on the commentary table and called out everyone for not talking about Cena over the past handful of weeks. McIntyre sat on the table in the way CM Punk sat during his pipe bomb promo.

The Drew McIntyre/Damian Priest/Seth Rollins/CM Punk/Logan Paul segment

You really have to feel for the fans who you know really wanted to see Cena pop up, but I’m a sucker for the “play someone else’s music” heel trick and I got a kick out of it here. It wasn’t as good as Kevin Owens punking everyone out with Stone Cold’s theme, but Paul’s arrival here did pack a punch. This felt needlessly long – not unlike last week’s Cody/Rock talking segment, which landed at the same spot in the show last week. Punk showed good fire, McIntyre did a great job leaning into what he wants people to perceive him as, Priest (kind of) held his own (but came off cooler than some others out there), Rollins still hates Punk and Paul worked an SNL Weekend Update segment with his one-liners that didn’t come nearly as close to landing as I’m sure whoever wrote them thought they would. It wasn’t a bad segment; it just could have actually used Cena to distract from its length and tie a bow on all of it.

McIntyre said Cena only returns for ego trips and he called Cena out for Cena’s bald spot. McIntyre talked about how Cena could politically end a career anytime he wants. McIntyre said he will bury Cena at the Elimination Chamber. McIntyre brought up a Toronto Screw Job and Damian Priest’s music hit. Priest walked into the ring and told McIntyre it was enough and McIntyre was delusional. McIntyre all he does is tell the truth and Priest said R-Truth tells more truth than McIntyre.

Priest talked about how because Drew had a weird obsession with Punk, Drew lost his WWE Championship. Priest called Drew out for looking like Punk in the way he sat and Drew said he drops the pipe bombs now. “CM Punk!” chants broke out. Drew stood up and Priest said he once dropped McIntyre in the arena they were in and he would do it again if Drew just stepped through the ropes. From there, Seth Rollins’s music hit and Seth walked out.

The crowd sang Rollins’s song as Rollins stepped into the ring. Rollins thanked Toronto and said he wanted to join the party as Priest and McIntyre were talking about Elimination Chamber. Rollins called McIntyre’s MITB cash-in the worst of all time and said it won’t be the same Seth Rollins that hobbled into WrestleMania last year. Rollins said nobody stands a chance against him in the Elimination Chamber match. Naturally, CM Punk’s music hit and out, Punk came.

Punk stood at ringside and said, “Is it great to be alive on a Friday in Toronto or what?!” Very loud “CM Punk!” chants broke out. Punk started with Rollins and told him he looked like an oven mitt. Punk said he has no personal issue with Priest, but Priest could be collateral damage in the Chamber. Punk said Drew and Seth are obsessed with him, but Punk is obsessed with having his WrestleMania main event. Punk said Drew doesn’t have a soul to sell while referencing the Rock/Cody stuff. Punk called out how Cena hasn’t shown up for dates on his retirement tour and God bless him for that.

Rollins said Punk will not main event Mania over his dead body. Drew said he owes Seth one and he owes Punk and Priest chimed in saying after the Chamber, all Drew will do is complain on the internet. Seth said all of Punk’s chants will die along with Punk’s Mania dreams. John Cena’s music then hit and instead of Cena, Logan Paul walked out to massive boos. Paul said John Cena doesn’t care about Canada as he stood in the entranceway.

Paul turned said Cena can’t show up because he’s a “classic celebrity wrestler,” which was kind of funny. Paul called out Punk and then went to Rollins, calling him the peacock of WWE. Paul said Rollins was wearing curtains. Paul went to Drew and said he can’t win a championship just like the Toronto Maple Leafs. Paul flat out called Priest irrelevant. Paul went back to Punk and talked about how he slapped Punk on Monday. Punk ran up and chased Paul away to end the segment.

**********

– Footage from the women fighting at the Chamber kickoff show aired to set up a six-woman tag match.

LA Knight defeated Santos Escobar to advance in the U.S. title No. 1 contender tournament [11:14]

I enjoyed the fact that this didn’t end up being the regular LA Knight match, which has really become a thing over the last few months. He kind of plays the hits, does what you expect, and hits the BFT for the win. Here, he took a top-rope Frankensteiner and the BFT came out of nowhere (which, all told, is something I’ve been waiting for, for a long time now. the BFT is so similar to the RKO, I’ve been wondering why they haven’t figured out a way to make the move pop up in a surprising way to end a match and they finally did it here). Escobar needs a shake up. He’s talented, but LDF just hasn’t clicked on the main roster and now that Elektra Lopez is gone, it might be an idea to see how everyone does in a singles setting. He got a lot of offense here, which was good, but he never felt like a threat to win.

Escobar and Knight traded control for the first two minutes. Knight went for his jump-up elbow-drop early, but Escobar moved and eventually found his way to the outside of the ring, where Knight went for his sliding dropkick, but Escobar moved and threw Knight into the ring steps. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back to the show, Escobar chopped Knight inside the ring. Knight came back with a slap of his own. The two traded blows until Escobar kicked Knight’s leg and followed that up with a headbutt. Knight came back with a leaping neck-breaker for a two-count. Escobar ran Knight’s head into the middle turnbuckle and worked on Knight’s arm. Knight fired up and slammed Escobar. Knight followed that up with an elbow and set up for a BFT, but Escobar countered and eventually tripped Knight.

Escobar placed Knight on the top and Escobar hit a Frankensteiner from the top rope for a near-fall. Escobar kicked Knight in the head a couple times and went to the top, and jumped at Knight, but Knight caught him for a BFT and got the win.

**********

The Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens segment

I want to have a lot of fire for this match, but it said a lot that these two sort of took the lazy way out in this go-home promo. To be fair, they both know they’ve already said and done it all with one another, so it will forever be hard to really get people to believe these two actually aren’t BFFs in real life, but this just felt boilerplate. The wrinkle that Owens spoke from the Chamber venue was a fine touch, but it ultimately meant nothing. I have no doubt that they’ll have a great match; there just isn’t much either could say to the other that would move the needle at this point.

Zayn took his time to speak and soaked in some cheers. Zayn said that it’d be an understatement to say he and Kevin Owens has been through a lot together. Zayn said he knows for a fact that Owens is in Toronto tonight and as such, he wanted to invite Owens into the ring to stand in front of all their countrymen and say his final peace. Owens’s voice popped up, but Owens was in the Rogers Centre, where the Chamber will be on Saturday.

Owens said tomorrow night will be the biggest match they have ever had against each other. Owens said he is not the bad guy and everything that happens to Zayn on Saturday will be something Zayn deserves. Owens said after Saturday, when Zayn is stuck to a wheelchair, Zayn needs to know Owens will not help Zayn’s family and Owens will watch Zayn’s family suffer. Zayn said he’s been nervous all week – but not about what might happen to him, but what he’s going to do to Owens. Zayn said he’s nervous that Owens’s parents and wife and kids won’t be able to forgive him after their match. Zayn said if they don’t forgive him, he can live with that because he’s prepared to end Owens. Owens said he’d see Zayn tomorrow night and ended the segment.

**********

– The Miz and Melo were talking backstage and Melo told Miz to stay back for his match. Melo left and Cody walked into the frame. Miz asked Cody what he was going to do. Miz said Rock runs Hollywood. Miz said the audience doesn’t get it because they see Cody as the face of the company, but they both know that there is so much more Cody can accomplish. Miz said the only way Cody can get it is if he takes Rock’s offer. Miz introduced the idea that someone else could take the Rock’s offer if Cody doesn’t.

Carmelo Hayes defeated Braun Strowman via DQ to advance in the U.S. title No. 1 contender tournament [1:28]

Eh. All right, then.

Strowman threw Melo around to start things out. Melo rolled to the outside, where Strowman hit his running shoulder-block and tore off his shirt. Tama Tonga ran to ringside and Solo Sikoa hit Strowman in the back with a chair. Strowman took the chair and hit Sikoa. Strowman then threw Tonga over the commentary table. Back in the ring, Melo had the chair and did the Eddie Guerrero spot, throwing the chair so Strowman would hold it as Melo fell down. The ref called for the bell and DQ’d Strowman. After the match, Strowman powerbombed Tonga in the middle of the ring.

**********

– Bayley, Bianca Belair and Naomi were shown talking in the locker room. Belair said may the best woman win at the Chamber. The three walked towards the ring for the next match.

Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez defeated Bayley, Bianca Belair and Naomi [8:53]

I’m a big fan of Perez getting the pin over Bayley. It makes me wonder if the blow-off for Bayley and Perez will be at Stand & Deliver or WreslteMania. Or, maybe, neither. Either way, I’ve really grown to like their program and kudos to Bayley for clearly going out of her way to elevate Perez. The Bliss appearance after the match was fun because I, for once, really was not planning on seeing her tonight, so the surprise made it a worthwhile layer for this viewer. The match itself was lost a little to the commercial break, though that is expected anymore with a lot of these SmackDown bouts (they’ve just become way too formulaic). At the end of the day, good work from everyone involved.

Morgan and Naomi brawled to start things. Naomi dropkicked Morgan in the corner and Morgan rolled to the outside. Ultimately, all six women got into the ring and a fight broke out. Morgan and Naomi were still the legal women and Morgan rolled to the outside and Bayley tagged in to hit a splash on Morgan on the outside. Bayley did the same to Perez on the outside and Rodriguez on the outside. Bayley pointed to the WrestleMania sign and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Rodriguez was working Bayley, who ultimately got the tag to Belair, who flew into the ring from the top and worked over Rodriguez. Belair suplexed Rodriguez and fired the crowd up with a handspring moonsault for a two-count. Naomi tagged in and Belair hit some type of odd back-breaker on Morgan, who ran in. Rodriguez lifted Naomi and slammed Naomi on the top rope. Perez tagged herself in and threw Naomi into a corner, where Naomi kicked Perez in the head.

Bayley tagged in and landed an elbow drop from the top on Perez, but Morgan broke up a pin attempt. Things broke down and Rodriguez and Naomi fought to the outside. Perez and Bayley were alone in the ring and Perez hit Pop Rocks on Bayley for the win. After the match, Perez pointed at the Mania sign and Alex a Bliss popped up out of nowhere to give Perez the Sister Abigail DDT.

**********

– Byron Saxton interviewed Charlotte Flair backstage. Saxton asked about Tiffy’s tag match at Chamber and Charlotte said her team is cute, but once the smoke clears, Tiffy will have a bigger problem to deal with, and that problem will be Charlotte. We got a “Woooo!!!” to end the brief segment.

– A Nakamura vignette aired with subtitles. He said he will humiliate whomever his next challenger ends up being. “The other dogs will see what happens when you bit my hand,” was a line he used. It was menacing.

– Jacob Fatu cut a promo while walking towards the ring and said the U.S. title is coming to him. Fatu yelled “Hit my music!” as he made his way through guerilla. Fatu made his entrance – alone – for the final match of the night.

LA Knight defeated Carmelo Hayes and Jacob Fatu to become the No. 1 contender for the U.S. title [12:23]

Knight winning felt obvious, but the surprise came (to me, at least) in the form of Fatu not coming away the winner and Solo Sikoa not having anything to do with that loss somehow, even if it would have been by mistake. Melo was always going to take the pin – there’s nothing wrong with that – but Knight winning by pulling Fatu out of the ring and Fatu selling that like he was actually hurt after no-selling everything else in the match felt curious. So it goes. This was a fine-enough way to get Knight his U.S. title shot if they weren’t going to do it this week. I know it hasn’t been all that long, but Fatu already feels like he needs a push-through moment, where he gets a big win in one of these situations. Mania, maybe?

Knight hit Fatu into Melo near the beginning of the match. Knight hit a Bulldog on Fatu from the second rope, but Fatu popped right back up. Knight threw Fatu to the outside and slammed Melo. Knight then hit the jump-up elbow on Melo. Fatu got involved again and threw Knight to the outside, where Fatu headbutted Knight and slammed Melo against the apron. Melo fought back against Fatu until Fatu punched the hell out of Melo. Knight reinserted himself into the proceedings and was ultimately thrown into the crowd barrier via Fatu. Fatu then tried to tackle Knight and Melo through the crowd barrier, but they both moved and Fatu went flying. The show went to a commercial break after that.

Back to the action, Fatu had complete control over both Melo and Knight. Fatu threw Melo everywhere and draped Knight across the top rope. Knight ran into a stiff flying elbow from Fatu and Fatu then super-kicked Melo. The crowd cheered him … and then he missed a Senton on Melo, who followed up with a DDT. It didn’t matter because Fatu popped right up and hit a pop-up Samoan Drop on Melo. Knight came at Fatu and hit a neck-breaker for a two-count.

Knight and Melo teamed up on Fatu, but Fatu wasn’t having that. Knight hit a BFT on Fatu, but at the same time, Melo landed a First 48 on Knight for a nice near-fall on Knight. Melo went to the top, but Knight pushed Melo onto Fatu, who was on the outside. All of this resulted in Knight hitting a springboard splash on Fatu into the commentary table. Melo rolled Knight back into the ring and went to the top. Melo hit Nothing But Net on Knight and should have won, but Fatu broke it up late. From there, Fatu hit his moonsault on Melo and was going to win, but Knight pulled Fatu out of the ring and covered Melo to steal the win.

**********

– Cody was walking backstage and ran into CM Punk, who asked Cody what Rock wanting Cody’s soul actually meant. Punk said if he was younger, he would have taken it, but now, he’s happy that offer didn’t come to him. Punk told Cody to take Rock’s offer … shine it up real good, turn it sideways, and shove it up Rock’s ass. Punk then told Cody he will win the Chamber and see Cody in the main event at Mania.

The Cody Rhodes segment

My favorite part of this was WWE constantly promoting how SmackDown would feature Cody’s “final words before Elimination Chamber” or something of the sort … only to have Cody almost literally say nothing during this segment between Michael Cole interrupting him and The Rock sending in a loud video from a tarmac. I’m probably in the minority, but I actually believe that Cody has done a very good job being a Capital-A Actor in these segments, both last week and this week. He does a good “I’m conflicted” face and I’m not so sure he could have done that, say, five years ago. Or, for that matter, at any point in his AEW run. The Rock gets a lot of criticism for being The Rock these days, but you’d be lying if you said you think this whole pop-up angle for Elimination Chamber isn’t making the event more interesting. On to Saturday, I suppose.

Michael Cole stood in the ring and introduced Cody. Cody shook Cole’s hand and hugged him. By the time the talking began, it was 10:53 p.m. EST. Cole said there was a lot to talk about. “Cody!” chants broke out. Cole said Cody will have to make a decision on if he will sell out to The Rock. Cole said the Cody Rhodes he knew would never take the offer and talked about how Cody finished his story last year. Cole said Cody was living up to the legacy of his father. Cody started to talk and Cole said Cody was trying to deflect. Cole said Cody could be the Corporate Champion and Rock could give Cody a seat on the TKO board. Cole said “no more live events in small towns,” and Cody could get rid of his bus and be home with his wife and daughter.

Cole stopped himself from talking and said he was being told there was a special gift for Cody. A Ford truck tricked out in Cody Rhodes insignia drove its way into the entranceway. A video of The Rock in his similar truck aired on the big screen. The Rock, in the video, told Cody he will make the decision of a lifetime. Rock said Cody will do the right thing. Rock told Cody should enjoy his gift because he knows Cody likes driving in the open, dangerous, beautiful and dusty road. Rock said he’s been talking to Cody’s daddy all week and he referenced Sturgill Simpson, which was most definitely not on my BINGO card for anything Rock or WWE ever in the history of ever.

Rock said he and Cody will embrace as brothers and Cody will give Rock his soul at the Chamber. Rock reiterated that all of Cody’s dreams can come true. Rock revealed a weight belt that had “Cody’s Soul” written on it with the date of Dusty’s death written on it as well. Rock said he wants Cody to make Rock embrace him as his champion. Rock said, “I love you brother.” and Rock’s video ended. Cody looked conflicted and the credits ran to end the show.