WWE Smackdown (3/21/25)

WWE Smackdown

Unipol Arena

Bologna, Italy

March 21, 2025

Commentators: Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett

Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor

Last week in Barcelona we crowned new WWE Tag Team Champions as the Street Profitz upset DIY to take the straps. Gunther defeated Axiom in his native country and its all but assured it'll be Damian Priest vs Drew McIntyre. This week Zelina Vega takes on Chelsea Green's bodyguard Piper Niven, CM Punk, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns will have a powwow, Jacob Fatu takes on Braun Strowman and we'll get more Wrestlemania hype for sure. Let's get the show started.

Joe Tessitore welcomes us to Bologna, Italy and we're 29 days away from Wrestlemania 41. Jade Cargill is in action against Liv Morgan (with Raquel Rodriguez in tow) and we also get Jacob Fatu (with Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga) against Braun Strowman. CM Punk is here too but before anything happens, here comes Randy Orton for a conference. The crowd sings his entire song as he makes his entrance. We get a highlight of Randy Orton defeating Carmelo Hayes last week and lining up to give him the punt until he spotted Kevin Owens. Before Randy can say anything, here comes Owens himself in an RKO t-shirt. Owens says he's there to say he was wrong for attacking him. He says that Orton didn't deserve it the same way Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes did. Owens says he was mad that Orton took Cody's side and it made him angry and Orton knows all about letting anger get to them. Owens says he can forgive him for picking Cody's side if Orton can forgive him and he wants to move on. KO goes on to say he pulled Melo out of the ring last week to protect Randy from himself because he didn't want Orton to go back to 2009. Owens says to look to the future and at Wrestlemania they should go after the tag team championships together. Orton says he should come out there and kick his ass all over the arena and tells KO to shove his apology up his ass. Orton says Owens deserves a kick to the head and he went from "Fight Owens, Fight" to "Bitch, Owens Bitch". Orton says he hears voices in his head, they counsel him, they understand and whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas because at Wrestlemania, Orton's going to kick his head clean off his shoulders. Interesting promo as Kevin Owens pretty much figured out he unleashed a dormant monster and tried to stop it before it got worse. Wade Barrett on commentary confirms that Owens has no idea what he's done.

We're shown a highlight of Drew McIntyre attacking Damian Priest last week during his match with Shinsuke Nakamura. We got a tag match out of it and its next.

Match 1

Damian Priest and Jimmy Uso vs Shinsuke Nakamura and Drew McIntyre

Priest doesn't wait and attacks Drew in the aisle way but Shinsuke joins in for a two on one. Jimmy dives over the top and lands on both heels with Damian moving out of the way. Priest rolls Drew inside and the bell rings. Jimmy rallies with right hands and a superkick to the ribs. Jimmy upercuts Drew, ducks a line and chops Drew into the corner. Drew catches Jimmy in mid-air and hits an overhead suplex. Drew chokes Jimmy with his boot but Jimmy hits a jawbreaker. Nakamura tags in but Jimmy drops Shin off the apron. Nakamura trips Jimmy up and jump kicks Uso over the announce table before putting him on the apron. Shin hits a running knee on the apron and a knee to the ribs back inside. Shin covers for 1...2..no. Nakamura tags in Drew who chops Jimmy in the corner. Drew stomps on Jimmy's hand and applies an arm-bar. Drew throws Jimmy down and knocks Priest off the apron before delivering a suplex. Jimmy rallies with chops but gets dropped with a back elbow smash. Drew re-applies the arm-bar but Drew stops to drop Priest off the apron again. The distraction helps Jimmy hit a Samoan drop, forcing Drew to tag Nakamura. Shinsuke eats an enziguiri and Priest gets the hot tag. Priest goes to town on Shinsuke dropping him several times. Priest walks the top rope and hits a cross body. Priest calls for South of Heaven but Nakamura hits a spinning heel kick. Priest clotheslines Nakamura out of his shoes and covers for 1...2..no, Drew makes the save. Jimmy superkicks McIntyre out of the ring but Jimmy is sent flying by Shinsuke. Shinsuke turns around into South of Heaven and Priest covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Formulaic but the crowd loved Priest's comeback. Shinsuke and Jimmy were just window dressing as its Priest/McIntyre going into Wrestlemania.

Time of match: 7:43

Winners: Uso and Priest by pinfall

The celebration is short lived as McIntyre attacks Priest from behind after the bell. McIntyre punches away at Priest and says he's coming for him every time he sees him. Drew pounds away at Priest and calls for the Claymore. Drew hits it and says he's going to put Priest down until he stays down at Wrestlemania.

We cut to Braun Strowman working out before his match and WWE United States Champion LA Knight walks in to wish him luck. LA says they have the numbers advantage so he's got Braun's back in the match. Braun says the match is a number one contender's match for the US title and Knight says "YEAHHH". Was wondering what LA Knight was going to do at Wrestlemania, here's our answer.

We cut to Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair's brawl lest week and we go to a split screen interview with Charlotte and Tiffany after a commercial. Tessitore asks Tiffany first what her mindset is and Charlotte says "the queen speaks first" and Charlotte says she had a hard time buying Tiffany as a threat. Charlotte says Tiffany is compared to her but she only THINKS she compares to her, she's not that special. Tiffany says she's the champ and Charlotte non-chalantly says "By cash in?" Charlotte calls her delusional and at Wrestlemania 41 it will be the pinnacle of Tiffany's career but just another stepping stone for her. Charlotte calls her undeserving and Tiffany says Charlotte was her supporter and she looked up to her. Tiffany says she saw the real Charlotte as Charlotte mocks her saying she almost had a tear. Charlotte says she was a star in the making but said that because she had to. Tiffany says Charlotte has a habit of finding the hottest thing and throwing water on it and Charlotte says Tiffany has never been across from her, only underneath struggling. Tiffany says Charlotte is struggling because fans don't want her and Charlotte nonchalantly says wooing or booing they still react. Tiffany says she has her whole career to match Charlotte's accolades and Flair counters she'll be lucky to have a job at her age (she turns 39 in April). Tiffany says she's going to cement that the Universe runs on Tiffy Time and we cut here. Tiffany got absolutely SPANKED here and Charlotte countered everything she said like it was nothing. If Tiffany had to read off a script, that was totally unfair because Charlotte was ready. Still, it adds to the underdog vs queen storyline. Jacob Fatu makes his way to the ring alone (for now) for the next match. Tessitore says this is a match fans will drool over as we go to break. Back from commercial Wade Barrett shouts that Strowman is "ONE BIG S.O.BBBBBBBBBB"

Match 2

Braun Strowman vs Jacob Fatu

This is going to be a hoss fight and a half. Strowman gives him the crotch chop as the bell rings. Joe says January 25th on Saturday Night's Main Event was the start of this as Braun bumrushes Jacob into the corner to start. Braun headbutts him to no avail but misses a charge in the corner. Fatu shoulderblocks him in the corner and hits a headbutt of his own. Braun shoulderblocks him down but a charge in the corner eats boot. Braun backdrops Jacob and clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Braun throws Jacob inside and boots him in the head as Barrett says keep Fatu away from him. Strowman sends Jacob into the corner as Tessitore calls Braun the conductor of an Italian opera. Fatu bails and Strowman goes for the pain train, only for Fatu to throw him over the empty announce desk. Jacob hits a jumping clothesline from the apron and rams Braun into the announce table. Fatu headbutts Strowman outside but Braun rallies with a right hand. Strowman sends Fatu into the ring steps and rolls back inside to cater to the crowd. Fatu limps around before being thrown back in the ring. Fatu's Samoan drop is countered but Fatu hits a dropkick to the knee followed by a running clothesline. Fatu taunts him to get up and applies a nerve hold. Braun powers out of it but Jacob headbutts him down. Jacob hits a superkick, pop-up Samoan drop and a running senton. Fatu covers for 1...2...no. Braun crawls to the corner and Fatu hits the Umaga. He splashes Strowman in the corner but Strowman rallies with a big clothesline of his own. Strowman rallies with right hands, two clotheslines and a Samoan spike (!!) of his own. Braun rips his own shirt off and calls for the Pain Train. Braun runs over Fatu who goes spiraling over the announce table. Braun rolls Fatu inside, ducks the line and hits a spinebuster. Uh oh, here comes Tama Tonga who Braun cuts off. Solo Sikoa comes from behind to hit the Samoan spike for the DQ. That was a fun hoss fight but monumentally stupid of Solo & Tama to run in since it cost Jacob a US title shot. Guess Jacob doesn't care.

Time of match: 9:21

Winner: Strowman by DQ

Post-match beatdown has Solo and Tama beating down Strowman but Jacob doesn't like it. Solo orders Jacob to join in and Jacob reluctantly joins in. Help is on the way as here comes LA Knight. Knight knocks down Tama and punches away at the others. Jacob misses a charge in the corner and Strowman cleans house as Knight & Braun stand tall. Tessitore says Strowman is now number one contender for the title and they're going one on one next week. In the ring Strowman reminds Knight he's coming for the belt and Knight is just fine with that.

We cut to Cathy Kelley with the women's tag champs Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan. Cathy asks why she still has an issue with Jade when Naomi was the attacker. Liv says all this time Jade let everyone believe they attacked her when she could have told everyone a while ago (true). Liv runs down Bianca Belair and Jade then says she'll finish the job that Naomi couldn't. Raquel messes with Cathy's hair as she leaves...ha!

We get a graphic for the conference between Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and CM Punk later as Piper Niven makes her entrance for the next match as we go to break. Back from commercial we get a graphic of the end of the last match before cutting to an irate Jacob Fatu kicking things over. Fatu is mad they cost him a title shot and Solo says they're just trying to help. Fatu tells him he's taking care of himself "Uce" and to watch it. Ooooh, dissention in the ranks. It would make sense to have Solo vs Jacob at Wrestlemania to finally split the new Bloodline. We cut to Italian rapper Anna in the crowd as Zelina Vega enters to no pop.

Match 3

Piper Niven (with Alba Fyre and Chelsea Green) vs Zelina Vega

Vega wants a piece of Green but Piper said she had to go through her first, so here we are. Bell's gone and Piper towers over her. Zelina gets in the first slap and Piper throws her into the corner. Piper misses a charge and Zelina goes for an O'Connor Roll...bad idea. She does avoid an elbow drop and sends her into the corner. Zelina goes for Code Red but Piper shoves her off. Piper no-sells a whip and drops her twice with shoulderblocks. A third shoulderblock drops Zelina as Barrett brings up Chelsea's victory over Sol Ruca on NXT on Tuesday. Niven throws Zelina outside but Zelina jumps on her back inside with a sleeperhold. Piper just heaves her down and stomps on her. Piper goes for the Vader Bomb but Zelina pulls her off and rallies with forearms. Zelina hops on the second rope and hits forearms, taunting Chelsea and Alba. Zelina runs into a Bossman slam as we go to break. Back from commercial, Vega rolls up Piper for 1...2..no. Piper shoves her down then sends her into the corner. Piper heaves Zelina into another corner as Barrett says Vega is an anime fan. Niven taunts the irate crowd as Barrett pledges allegiance to Chelsea much to Joe's dismay. Barrett "She's the Champion of the United States, including us." Niven applies a Million Dollar Dream and a Glasgow Kiss. Joe mocks Chelsea and Barrett as Niven taunts the crowd again. Niven goes for a powerslam but Zelina slinks out of it. Niven hits a big right hand and goes for a gorilla press slam. Zelina reverses it into a chinlock until Niven backs her into the corner. Zelina goes for an Octopus hold according to Barrett then sunset flips for 1..2...no. Zelina hits a forearm and covers for another two count. Zelina hits a spinning back elbow and double knees into the corner. Zelina goes up top and hits the double knees to the ground, covering for 1...2...no. Zelina goes for the code red but its blocked. Zelina then hits a tornado DDT and covers for 1...2..no. Chelsea hops up on the apron and gets decked for her trouble. Zelina hits 619 on Piper and kicks Fyre in the head. She turns around right into a crossbody by Niven for 1...2...3 to win the match. Not the best cat and mouse match but hell of an effort for Zelina to essentially fight 1 on 3. She might be in the plans for a push.

Time of match: 12:15

Winner: Niven by pinfall

Back from commercial we get our road to Clash In Paris this coming August. Then we get a long recap of John Cena's epic promo from Monday and Cody's response. The best was the little kid that Cena singled out, there's a future villain arc. We get breaking news that Randy Orton will indeed face Kevin Owens at Wrestlemania 41. We cut to Jade Cargill with Cathy Kelley who apologizes for last week and asks if she's ready to face Liv. Jade says Liv wants to try it but she'll show her, and then when she's done with Liv she's coming for Naomi. Jade says tonight is a preview of what she does to Naomi.

Back from commercial we get the number 4 in the smoke vignette but at the last second the smoke reveals a 3 behind it. If this is a countdown, we got 3 weeks to figure out what this all means. On to the next match.

Match 4

Liv Morgan (with Raquel Rodriguez) vs Jade Cargill

Morgan interrupted Jade's interview last week and we got this showdown this week. Tessitore and Barrett bicker during Jade's intro about Liv & Raquel. Bell's gone and Liv runs right into a big boot. Jade caters to the crowd and taunts Raquel, backing her down. Liv from behind gets a right hand and is sent into the barricade. Jade heaves Liv into the ring and poses for the crowd. ObLivion is blocked and Liv misses an enziguiri. Jade misses a pump kick but blocks the Codebreaker. Jade hits a fallaway slam as Joe says Jade hadn't had a singles match since August 9th. Liv and Raquel go to leave but Jade chases after them and knocks Liv down. Jade throws Liv in the ring but misses a charge in the corner. Liv runs right into a powerbomb and Jade stacks her for 1...2...no. Raquel distracts Jade who hits the backstabber before sending her into the ring post. Jade falls out of the ring as we go to break. Back from commercial Liv has Jade in a chinlock, until Jade powers out of it. Tessitore says Liv Morgan had an amazing 2024 and she hits the 3 Amigos. Liv does the Eddie Guerrero pose and hits a shining wizard, but Oblivion is blocked. Jade german suplexes Liv and kips up. Jade rallies with shoulderblocks and a siperkick. Jade hits 2 running back elbows and a spinebuster, but doesn't cover immediately. Jade pulls Liv up and hits the F-5 (!!!) and covers for 1..2...no. Wade says Jade took too long to cover but here's Naomi for the distraction. Jade blocks ObLivion as Raquel hops up on the apron, allowing Naomi to clock Jade with a tag belt with the ref distracted. Liv hits ObLIvion and covers for 1..2...3 to win the match. That was Jade's first pinfall loss since her debut at the 2024 Rumble. Good cat and mouse act but just like Zelina, the numbers game is too much.

Time of match: 10:11

Winner: Morgan by pinfall

Naomi beats down Jade after the match as Wade says "Since 2008 I have never once seen this side of her, what the HELL??" Guess he missed her 2015 heel turn. Naomi throws Jade off the apron into the announce table in a call back to Jade getting thrown into the car. Naomi poses to a chorus of boos and that was desperately needed to make Naomi look strong for once. 

We get a highlight of McIntyre's attack on Priest before we cut to him leaving. Cathy Kelley walks up and asks what he's doing and Drew says Priest was a vulture picking at the bones the past year. Drew says Priest is as tough as he is stupid and if they want to fight, he'll be in London next week. Drew goes to leave but Seth Rollins walks up and smiles at him. 

We cut to a highlight of the Street Profitz winning the tag straps last week and they're up next for a pow-wow. We're shown "Signs of The Night" and Barrett wants to see the Liv-A Lisa as we go to break. Back from commercial, here come the Street Profitz for a soliloquy. The crowd chants "You deserve it" and Joe agrees. Ford says he's got news, the Profitz are the champions for the first time in four years.  Ford starts an "Ay, ay, ay" chant and Dawkins says its about damn time. Dawkins says they've been doubting themselves, questioning each other and....."you deserve it" breaks out again. Dawkins says it was all worth it and Ford says he can always count on him. Uh oh! That's usually a kiss of death. They hug it out and Legada Fantasma comes out. Santos Escobar cuts a promo in Italian much to the crowd's delight and congratulates them in English. Escobar says Los Garza are pissed but they're ready to take the titles off the Profitz. Cue Pretty Deadly where Kit Wilson says Santos can run his mouth but they're the number one contenders. Elton Prince tells them to step aside but Santos refuses. He says this is personal and to stay out of it. Ford "Woah woah woah woah woah woah". Ford says Deadly has their title shots but if Los Garza wants to go, let's go. Ford and Dawkins want the smoke much to the crowd's delight as we go to break. Back from commercial we get the orange luchador vignette which is clearly Ray Fenix about to make his debut.

Match 5

Los Garza (Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo) with Santos Escobar vs Street Profitz (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) for the WWE Tag Team Championship

We're joined in progress with Ford hitting a rolling frog splash and covers for a 1 count on Garza. Ford hits a running knee but Garza chops out of it. Carrillo tags in who hits a dropkick and taunts the irate crowd. Berto chops Ford and tags in Garza for the Unit Slam. Garza taunts the crowd and tears his pants off, throwing them at Dawkins. Joe "He may regret that." Garza puts Ford on the second rope and pounds away with forearms then puts him in the tree of woe. Berto tags in to kick away before Ford gets the hot tag to Dawkins. Angelo hits the stinger splash on Berto but Escobar pulls the top rope down to send Dawkins to the floor. Carrillo hits a suicide dive as we go to break. Back from commercial, Garza has Dawkins in a surfboard as Escobar poses on the floor. Garza dropkicks Dawkins and covers for 1...2..no. Garza and Berto double team Dawkins and Berto covers for 1...2...no. Berto hits a scoop slam and taunts Ford. Carrillo hits a standing moonsault and tags out to Garza. Angel kicks him in the inner thigh and cheap shots Montez for good measure. Garza and Berto hit a Garza Special (Gory Special/Diamond Dust) and covers for 1....2..no, Ford stops the count. Dawkins drops Berto and gets the hot tag to Ford. Montez drops both members then clotheslines Berto down. Ford punches Berto on the apron and goes up top. He misses a top rope splash but hits a spinebuster, covering for 1...2..no. Ford goes up top again but Garza is kicked off. Berto kicks Ford and all three men go up top. They go for FTY but Ford just lands on his feet and turns slowly to look at them with the crowd in a frenzy. Here comes Dawkins to drop Garza with a big right hand as Ford hits a superplex on Carrillo. Ford covers for 1...2..no. Berto tags in Garza but Dawkins tags in as well. Dawkins hits sky high on Garza and backdrops Berto to the floor. Escobar hops up and is sent off for his troubles. Dawkins hits a hilo over the top onto all three members of Fantasma. While he was in mid-air, Ford made a blind tag. Garza rolls into the ring unaware and Ford hits the frog splash, covering for 1..2...3 to win the match. Decent match with the Profitz possibly heading into Wrestlemania as the tag champs. I said it before but when the inevitable split happens, Carrillo would be a heck of a babyface against Angel Garza.

Time of match: 14:32

Winners: Profitz by pinfall (still Tag Team Champions)

We're shown Paul Heyman arriving to the arena who pats the cameraman as we go to break. Back from commercial we're shown HHH's Hall of Fame video with his quad tear/MSG comeback highlighted. Its been debated for the last 24 years what his role would have been in the Alliance angle. We cut to DIY giving Pretty Deadly shit. Kit and Prince says they got a title shot next week in London. DIY says they'll help them win the titles for a title shot in return. Wilson and Prince tell them no and walk off. Motor City Machine Guns walk up and says welcome to the back of the line. Sabin and Shelley say they want DIY before they leave with DIY arguing.

Next week it'll be the Street Profitz against Pretty Deadly and LA Knight defends the US title against Braun Strowman. Here comes Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman in tow. The Italian crowd sings a football chant and Roman waits for them to stop before they go into an "OTC" chant. When that stops, Roman wants his acknowledgement and says he loves the crowd. Roman says Punk screwed him at the Royal Rumble so he screwed CM Punk in the cage match. He says Seth Rollins tried to kill him and he tried to kill him in return. Way to admit attempted murder on national television. Roman says he's going to be here for 20 minutes so if anyone wants some, come get some. Right on cue here's Seth Rollins wearing one of the finest blue sleeping bags you'll ever see. Rollins grabs a mic and conducts the crowd like he's Arturo Toscanini. He says Reigns messed up because he doesn't understand how dangerous CM Punk is. Seth says Roman should have let him finish Punk when he had the chance. Seth says it was never about him to Roman, it was about the two of them just like always. Seth says they can't co-exist at the same space and their story has a lot of pages written, and its about time they added another chapter. Seth opens his jacket but here comes CM Punk for a rebuttal. Punk climbs to the top rope and says this right hand isn't taped up to hold the mic but its time for facts. He calls them Chief and Grimmace and says neither of them have beaten him without the other's help. Punk says the Rumble was every man for himself and Heyman should have told him that. He says he saved his families ass in Wargames and is still owed a favor by Paul. He thanks Heyman for delivering Roman on a silver platter and Roman looks at Heyman. Punk attacks Roman from behind and they roll around before Rollins gets him some of Punk. Roman heaves Rollins off and its a three way brawl. Referee Ryan Tran tries to separate them as Wade Barrett says there's no way one man can stop this. Here comes the refs, security and Suit Brigade to stop them. Punk stands on the announce table with Hurricane Helms telling him to back off. Punk points to the Wrestlemania sign which causes Heyman to say no. Rollins bumrushes Punk but Roman Reigns uses the steel steps to drop both of them. Its utter chaos as the show comes to an end.

We're getting closer to Wrestlemania and now we're getting matches. Kevin Owens vs Randy Orton is confirmed with Priest vs McIntyre as well as the triple threat all but assured. We might get Jade vs Naomi as well. These 5 match cards for 3 hour shows are brutal but its Wrestlemania season. Next week we got Pretty Deadly vs Street Profitz and LA Knight vs Braun Strowman. As for this show, the crowd was hot except for Zelina Vega and the matches were good....just too much talk around them. Still, its all about Wrestlemania and the matches look great. The next show after this is Monday's Raw in Glasgow, Scotland. I'll see you there.

WWE Smackdown (3/7/25)

WWE Smackdown

Wells Fargo Center

Philadelphia, PA

March 7, 2025

Commentators: Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore

Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia

The fallout of Elimination Chamber has now hit Smackdown. Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre cost each other the match on Saturday, Randy Orton made his return after months out of action and the John Cena heel turns means a Cody Rhodes rebuttal. We begin with a graphic that LA Knight will meet Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE United States Championship as well as Braun Strowman going one on one with Solo Sikoa. Solo arrives with Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu. Drew McIntyre arrives....and attacks Damian Priest. He says "What did you think was gonna happen?" McIntyre walks off and Priest is laid out. That's one way to start the show.

We hit ringside to introduce Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett. We get the same Elimination Chamber highlight package from Raw including the hilarious fan reactions. Here comes Randy Orton for a conference who hadn't been seen on Smackdown in a while. He says a lot of crazy stuff has happened since he's been gone. He says since he started, John Cena has always been on the top of the mountain and now he's The Rock's bottom. He says that gives a whole new meaning to the term "rock bottom". Orton says Cena has been one of his only friends in the business and Kevin Owens was another. He says both him and Owens have done vile things and crossed the line to get the job done. He respects Owens the wrestler because of how he fought and clawed to get to WWE. Its Kevin Owens the man he has a problem is and "never underestimate a jealous man's ability to destroy another man." Orton says Owens was jealous of Cody Rhodes not because he chose Roman as a tag partner, but because he wanted Cody's title. He brings up Owens wanting to destroy Sami not because he stayed neutral in the ladder match, but he was jealous that Sami became a bigger star than him. Randy asks what Owens had to be jealous about since he main evented Wrestlemania twice, including against Steve Austin. A year and a half ago doctors told him he'd never wrestle again and Owens pissed him off. Orton says when he rKo'd Owens normally he would have been satisfied but he felt the "old" voices in his head tell him to punt Owens so his family wouldn't recognize him. Orton promises Owens that Pat McAfee is only the second greatest punter in WWE. Great story here that Orton has to dig down deep for the venom in order to counter this sadistic side of Owens.

Nick Aldis is with WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton when US Champion Chelsea Green and Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea complains that Tiffany ruined her Canadian homecoming last week and says she knows her rights. Tiffany says she has the right to remain silent and to shut up. Piper takes exception of it and Tiffany says let's go one on one. Chelsea says she can't because Piper's her "secret service" but Aldis says he runs the show, not her. Aldis says it's gonna be Tiffany vs Piper later....and here we go. During the commercial break preceding the match, Cody Rhodes will be here tonight to speak about the beat down at Elimination Chamber. 

Match 1

Piper Niven vs WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton

Title isn't on the line, Tiffany just wants to do the world a favor by shutting up Chelsea by taking out her bodyguard first. Barrett "Piper is the equal of anyone in the division, including Stratton." They tie up to start and Niven backs her into the corner. They shove each other and Piper laughs before throwing her down out of a headlock. Tiffany goes up and over, backflips over Piper and locks in a headlock. Niven drops her with a shoulder block but misses the running senton. Tiffany hits the basement dropkick and a springboard hilo, covering for 1...2...no. Piper catches her mid-air and dumps her over the top rope to the floor. Piper hits a cannonball off the apron as we go to break. Back from commercial, Tiffany rallies with clotheslines and a shoulderblock. Tiffany hits another springboard back elbow in the corner and another basement dropkick. She covers for 1...2...no. Tiffany  gets backed into the corner with shoulderblocks by Niven. Piper misses a charge in the corner and Tiffany pulls her down by the hair. Tiffany hits a swanton bomb and covers for 1...2..no. Tiffany runs into a Bossman Slam and Piper covers for 1...2...no. Niven goes for the Vader Bomb but misses and Tiffany hits the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, covering for 1...2....3 to win the match. Joe Tessitore "It...IS TIFFY...TIME. Serviceable match to try to make Tiffany look good ahead of her showdown with Charlotte Flair.

Time of match: 7:43

Winner: Stratton by pinfall

No time to celebrate because here's Charlotte Flair for the beat down. Flair clips Tiffany's left leg and hits the figure eight to a chorus of boos. Charlotte as a heel makes sense and Tiffany looks like she has no chance.

We cut to Nick Aldis with a chart of current events surrounding the WWE Tag Team Championship. He has an actual chart to tell us what's going on. Its the "madness" for March...haha. The Motor City Machine Guns made their debut and defeated DIY for the tag straps in November, the Street Profitz had their shot but Tommaso Ciampa interfered to cost them the match. It was supposed to be a rematch but someone took out the Profitz allowing DIY to take their place against the Guns. DIY turned heel and won back the titles in the match. The Profitz were waiting for DIY but Pretty Deadly showed up and said it was Legada Fantasma that attacked them. Profitz then attacked Los Garza only to find out they didn't do it. DIY told Pretty Deadly to claim it was Los Garza because Kit and Elton wanted a title shot. When DIY laughed at them, Kit and Elton said their title shot was coming. At the Royal Rumble, DIY won the 2 out of 3 falls match after the Profitz interfered to make sure DIY kept the belts so they themselves could take it from then. Aldis says The Motor City Machine Guns will take on Los Garza and Pretty Deadly in a triple threat tag team match to determine the number one contenders while the Street Profitz get the title shot next week against DIY. Wouldn't that mean the winners of the next match are the number 2 contenders? Aldis concludes this by saying "Its simple." We cut back to Wade Barrett who says "There was nothing simple about that. While Nick Aldis is making our brains hurt with trigonometry, let me sum it up for you. Smackdown's tag division is a chaotic mess and tonight we're going to restore some order." 

Match 2

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) vs Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) vs Los Garza (Angel Garza and Humberto Carillo)

Kit Wilson starts with Chris Sabin....until Angel Garza tags himself in and tells Sabin to get lost. Garza eat a dropkick to the outside but Garza hits one of his own. Garza rips his pants off but Shelley tags himself in. Carillo tags himself in as well but apier six brawl develops as everyone beats on each other. Pretty Deadly sends the Guns outside, but Los Garza drops Pretty Deadly off the apron with double superkicks. Angel and Berto hit moonsaults on the other four guys before Berto throws Shelley inside. Berto kicks him in the back and taunts the irate crowd. Berto scoop slams Alex and hits a standing moonsault for 1...2...no. Angel tags in as Carillo drags Shelley to the apron where Garza kicks him off. Garza does jumping jacks on the apron to taunt Pretty Deadly then chops Shelley outside. Back inside Prince tags himself in and punches away at Shelley. Kit tags in but Shelley fights his way out of the corner. Prince hits a European uppercut and goes to tag....then realizes he already tagged (haha). Kit goes up top and they hit the Steiner Bulldog. Kit covers for 1....2...no, the others break it up. Wilson hits a European uppercut and sends Shelley shoulder first into the buckle. Wilson hits two running elbow smashes in the corner and Prince tags back in. Shelley hits a double DDT and gets the hot tag to Sabin. He cleans house and hits a top rope frankensteiner on Carillo. He then hits a top rope tornado DDT and covers for 1....2...no. Kit blind tags in as it breaks down with everyone spamming finishers to clear out. Sabin suicide dives onto Prince, Carillo and Garza. Prince is thrown back in and they call for Skull & Bones. Wilson shoves Shelley off the top and Prince hits a backslide on Sabin for 1...2....3 to win the match. Wow! After the last two months, Pretty Deadly gets the future title shot? Pretty Deadly head for the hills as an excited Barrett declares them the winners.

Time of match: 7:06

Winners: Pretty Deadly by pinfall

Tessitore and Barrett bring us back to Elimination Chamber when Jade Cargill returned to attack Naomi. After commercial we're shown the Philadelphia Sixers in the crowd, poor bastards. Bianca Belair hits the ring for a conference and we're shown her being involved in the World Women's Championship match on Raw that resulted in Iyo Sky winning the championship. Bianca says she should feel on top of the world after winning Elimination Chamber and going to Wrestlemania but she can't focus because her friends are fighting. She says Jade and her elevated the tag division and Naomi stepped in so the hard work didn't go to waste. Bianca says Naomi became her best friend and she can't believe she did it, so she wants answer. Naomi and Jade aren't texting her so she wants answers right now from Naomi. Naomi comes out in a glitter neckbrace and Bianca what in the hell is going on. Naomi says this isn't what it looks like and to lock in with her. Naomi says she stepped up when Jade was out and Bianca stops her. She asks flat out if she attacked Jade and Naomi says the outside noise is distraction from getting their tag belts back from Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Bianca says stop talking about anything else but Jade. Naomi mocks saying "Jade" and says her true feelings is Jade has piggybacked off Bianca the entire time. Naomi has been forced to watch Jade succeed off Bianca's hard work while she had to push forward by herself. Naomi starts breaking into tears as she says she didn't say a word because she wanted them to get her flowers. She says she doesn't give a damn about Jade and Bianca starts shouting at her to stop. Bianca breaks down herself and wants to know "Yes or no" or she's walking out for good. Naomi says "I did it." Bianca shakes her head as Naomi pulls a line from her father-in-law by saying she did it for Bianca. Bianca says this hurts because she loved Naomi and she can't look at her anymore. Bianca says they're done and walks out. Naomi shouts to come back before saying THEY turned on her, calling Bianca an ungrateful bitch. Bianca turns around slowly but Jade Cargill arrives in a van. Jade storms out of the van and walks up to Bianca. Bianca nods as if to say "Do what you gotta do." Barrett says Naomi better get her running shoes on. Jade chases Naomi but catches her on the barricade. Cargill throws her across the announce table and into the ring post. She throws Naomi in the ring and hits Jaded on her. Jade stands tall over Naomi and I still say they used the wrong woman for the heel turn. Bianca as a heel would have been monumental and Bianca/Jade would be epic. Guess they want to told that off for a while. Byron Saxton catches up to Drew McIntyre who blames Damian Priest for Wrestlemania last year, Elimination Chamber and everything else. He says he's going to take it out on the "black sheep" of the Bloodline. Braun Strowman makes his entrance for the next match as we go to break. Back from break, we get a vignette of Lex Luger doing DDP Yoga with DDP himself when Cody Rhodes walks in to announce Lex is going into the WWE Hall of Fame. Well deserved and long overdue. Now Byron Saxton is with Charlotte Flair and Charlotte says Tiffany didn't listen to her. Charlotte says the division has gone soft and no one's on her level. B-Fab walks in to take exception of being called soft. Charlotte says no one compares to her but B-Fab says no one is bowing to her and Charlotte says everyone does it eventually. Charlotte challenges her to a match next week in Barcelona....good idea. Charlotte needs someone to run over to show she means business heading into Wrestlemania.

Match 3

Braun Strowman vs Solo Sikoa

Solo walks out by himself but you know his boys will show eventually. This stems from Solo costing Strowman the Elimination Chamber match and Carmelo Hayes pulling an Eddie Guerrero last week. Bell's gone and a shoulderblock goes nowhere to start. Strowman finally drops Solo with a shoulderblock and sends Solo over the top rope. Braun runs the pain train but Solo throws him into the ring steps. He hits the running ass bump to Strowman against the barricade as we go to break. Back from commercial Solo hits a Samoan Drop on the 380 pound Strowman. Solo hits the running hip in the corner and poses for the irate crowd. Solo runs into a big boot and a crossbody by Strowman. Strowman hits a forearm to the chest and hits the pain train on the floor. Back inside Strowman avalanches Solo but gets sent into the buckle twice. Solo hits two kicks and calls for the Samoan Spike. Instead he runs into the powerslam and Braun covers for 1....2...nooo. Tama Tonga runs in for the DQ and gets clotheslined for his trouble. Garbage match but we're not done yet.

Time of match: 6:56

Winner: Strowman by DQ

After Strowman sends Tonga flying, here comes Jacob Fatu for the stare down. They get in the ring forn the brawl and Strowman walks into two superkicks. Strowman falls to the floor and Fatu goes for the suicide dive. Strowman catches him and slams him off the announce desk. Fatu gets up and runs across the desk to drop Strowman with a shoulderblock. Fatu sends Strowman over the barricade and jumps on him. Fatu superkicks Strowman onto the ring crates. He goes for the samoan drop off the crates but instead Strowman chokeslams Jacob through tables set up below. Strowman poses for the crowd as the refs and Suit Brigade hold back Fatu from further punishment. Tessitore and Barrett wonder how Fatu got up from that so easily and its funny how Fatu became the silent assassin that Solo was just 2 1/2 years ago.

We cut to Byron Saxton outside the Philadelphia Flyers locker room who's with LA Knight. Knight wants to talk to ya. He says One Moment, One Time in Japanese because he's gonna slap Shinsuke back to factory settings. He says we're standing in the birth of the US in Philly and the rebirth of his US title reign. He's faced everything Nakamura has thrown at him and he's going to give the US better representation and everyone will pledge allegiance to the US Champion...YEAH!!

Chelsea Green is dressed like Cactus Jack and she's with a busted up Piper Niven. She tries to revive her by putting her sunglasses on sideways. Zelina Vega walks in and says she's got winner of tonight's street fight. Chelsea punches Piper in the stomach to say this is the last thing she needs. She grabs Chelsea by the tie and leads her to the ring. Hahahahahaha!

Match 4

Michin vs Chelsea Green (with Piper Niven) for the WWE Women's United States Championship in a Street Fight

Tessitore and Barrett laugh at Chelsea dressed as Mick Foley as she makes her entrance. Michin brings a trash can full of weapons to the ring and Green cuts her off to start. Chelease gets send into the barricade as Barrett says Michin trained at the ECW Arena. Michin waffles Chelsea with a cookie sheet and throws in a crowbar. Michin throws Hercules' old chain in the ring and heaves the garbage can in as well. Chelsea hits Michin with a chair as the bell finally rings as the crowd chants ECW. Michin hits a drop-toe hold on Chelsea on a chair as Chelsea gets backdropped on the chains. Chelsea bails and Michin bites her fingers. Tessitore "Are you kidding me?" Michin grabs a table much to the crowd's delight but Chelsea hits the backstabber, kicking the table away. Chelsea kicks Michin in the back as they go back to the ring. Chelsea ties up Michin with the chain and flings her around the ring with it. Chelsea drags Michin outside and heaves her into the barricade. Chelsea heaves Michin into the side of the ring and chokes her with the chain. Michin then uses the chain to ram Chelsea into the ring post. Michin frees herself and sprays her with a fire extinguisher. The crowd wants a table and Michin grabs it to a chorus of cheers....until Niven drops her from behind with a right hand. Piper heaves Michin back in the ring and holds her down with a trash can as Chelsea hits a Van Terminator (!!) on Michin. B-Fab hits the ring and chases Piper away with a singapore cane. Michin canes Chelsea Green a few times and dropkicks her into the corner. Michin sets the garbage can against Chelsea, twerks (Keith Lee approves) and hits the cannonball in the corner. She covers for 1...2...no. Michin sets up a pile of chairs but gets the table from the outside. The crowd chants ECW but Chelsea bulldogs Miachin into the bottom of the table. Chelsea sets the table up in the corner and goes for the Dreamer Driver, but Michin blocks it with Eat The Feet. Michin heads to the top rope and hits the senton off the top rope through the table. She covers for 1....2....noooo, someone in a hood pulls her out. Who the hell could this be? ITS ALBA FYRE! She hits a Canadian Destroyer on Michin on the pile of chairs, then rolls Chelsea on top of her for 1....2....3 to win the match. Alba takes her jacket off to reveal a business suit, THERE'S your next secret service agent for Chelsea. Alba helps her up as she retains in a great, fun match. Chelsea dressing up in different outfits every week is hilarious.

Time of match: 10:03

Winner: Chelsea Green by pinfall (still US Champion)

Santos Escobar gives Los Garza a tongue lashing for losing the match. Escobar is PISSED they lost to Pretty Deadly and I don't blame him. Escobar DEMANDS they win their next match and Garza walks off with Escobar. Andrade walks up to Berto and says he can be a breakout star if he goes with him. With Elektra gone, a breakup of Legada Fantasma seems imminent. Back from commercial, TKO is partnering with Saudi Arabia for future boxing fights, ah lovely.

After another Elimination Chamber highlight, here comes Cody Rhodes for his long awaited speech regarding the John Cena heel turn. Cody is still showing the shiner that Travis Scott gave him for real on Saturday. Cody sets the belt down and grabs a mic for his soliloquy. The crowd chants "Cena sucks" like its 2015 and Cody says "So, Philadelphia....city of champions....what...do you wanna talk about?" Cody goes on about how he has to face his four year old daughter asking what happened to his face. He says he had to tell a Cody lie and say he ran into a wall. He says it was a wall designed by the final boss The Rock, his associate Travis Scott and his Wrestlemania 41 opponent John Cena. He says he drove Cena around for two years and sponge his knowledge because he was a hero. So one day he'll tell his daughter that a great man, that did great things and never used to give up....gave up. Rhodes apologizes for his language and wants to know why Cena did this. Rhodes says it will be an epic speech from Cena but there is no justification for his actions. He's well aware he's talking to the whole world but for those in Philly tonight, he's going to tell a story. He says Dusty Rhodes was afraid of working in Philly and needed the Road Warriors to help him feel cool. Then Philly cheered Cody at MITB and helped him finish his story last year. He says Cena pointed at the WWE title and said "it gets heavier every day." Cody picks the belt up and says its not heavy enough. Rhodes says Cena is not the last of his kind as Cody is still here and if Cena wants some, COME GET SOME! Cody is definitely ready for Wrestlemania.

We cut to The Miz and Carmelo Hayes with Nick Aldis. Miz wants an interview with Cody on Melo Don't MizTV. Melo didn't agree to that but he wonders why Cody turned down The Rock's offer. Carmelo says Randy Orton's been on his couch playing Fortnite for four months and naturally Randy walks up behind saying Fortnite is for kids, he's been playing Elden Ring. Aldis says Randy's got a match next week with Carmelo Hayes in Barcelona. Melo shakes his head but Orton says he's on the one yard line, don't fumble. Back in the day the European tour would start after Wrestlemania in March but now that its in the middle of April, the tour comes first. On to the next match.

Match 5

Jimmy Uso vs Drew McIntyre

This has all the makings of a squash since Jimmy is just kind of there right now and Drew desperately needs a win. Jimmy doesn't wait, he punches Drew right at the start. Jimmy chops drew and throws him over the top rope. Jimmy's suicide dive is blocked by a right hand from McIntyre. Drew chops Jimmy in the corner and kicks him in the stomach. Drew chops Jimmy's chest as the crowd chants CM Punk. Outside Jimmy slams Drew's head into the announce table and hits a superkick. Jimmy tackles Drew over the announce table as we go to commercial. Back from break Jimmy chops Drew and kicks him in the ribs. Jimmy hits an enziguiri and a samoan drop. He covers for 1...2..no. Jimmy hits the ass bump in the corner on Drew and goes up top. Drew stops him but Jimmy stops the superplex attempt by shoving him off. Jimmy hits a superkick and covers for 1..2...no. Jimmy goes up to the top rope but misses the splash. Drew hits the Claymore Kick and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. As expected, Drew needed a big win for some heat back and Jimmy was the sacrificial lamb.

Time of match: 7:16

Winner: McIntyre by pinfall

After the match, Drew goes to jump Uso but here comes Damian Priest for the beat down. Priest punches him down and has to be restrained by the Suit Bridgade and referees. Priest breaks free long enough to superkick him in the head. This is definitely going to be settled at Wrestlemania.

We cut to Shinsuke Nakamura's Japanese promo. He says "There is no better location for the death of your dreams than the birth place of the United States." He says Knight will beg for mercy and will find none tonight.

Back from break, we get a promo for Street Profitz vs DIY for the WWE Tag Team Championships next week in Barcelona. Now they have to worry about Pretty Deadly as well. Profitz still want the smoke though. Byron Saxton is with DIY and they say they're the best and other tag teams can fight each other, but they're number one. Ciampa says the Profitz are big, bad and hoping to win, but Gargano says their dream is dead because DIY is too good. Ciampa and Gargano hold a moment of silence for the Profitz chances of winning. Saxton angers Gargano by talking almost immediately and Barrett tells Tessitore to be silent. Ha! We get a graphic for Barcelona next week, Profitz vs DIY, B-Fab vs Charlotte Flair, Carmelo Hayes vs Randy Orton and MizTV with Cody Rhodes. On to our main event...as Wade Barrett screams YEAHHH.

Match 6

LA Knight vs Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE United States Championship

Shinsuke takes forever to take his mask off during the intro and attacks at the bell. Knight runs into a knee to the ribs but Knight rallies with right hands. Nakamura bails to the outside but Knight gets caught on the apron with a running knee. Nakamura kicks Knight in the back and hits a sliding german suplex off the second rope. A charge in the corner eats boot and Knight hits a second rope bulldog. Knight clotheslines Nakamura over the top of the floor and baseball slides him. Knight hops up on the barricade and clotheslines Nakamura down. Back inside Knight goes to the second rope but Shinsuke pulls him off. Shinsuke hits a knee to the ribs and kicks Knight in the chest outside. Knight rams Shinsuke's head into the announce table a bunch of times and is dropped throat first on it. Knight screams YEAAHHH but is thrown into the ring steps. After breaking the count, Nakamura sends Knight back inside. Nakamura kicks Knight in the ribs and face then Shinsuke drops a knee to the face. He covers for 1...2...no. Shinsuke knees Knight in the ribs and kicks him in the side of the leg. They play "yay boo" with punches and Knight clotheslines him down. He hits a jumping neckbreaker and hits a powerslam. Knight does the Yeah Elbow and covers for 1...2..no. Knight goes for the superplex but Nakamura blocks it. Knight goes for a frankensteiner but Nakamura goes for the back superplex. He hits it and covers for 1...2...no. Nakamura knees Knight in the ribs and calls for the Kinshasha, but Knight counters with a clothesline. Nakamura still goes up to the top but Knight pounces to the top rope and hits the superplex. He hits the flying elbow drop and calls for the BFT. Nakamura bails and grabs a chair, but Knight takes it away. He goes to use it but stops himself, knowing he can't win that way. Nakamura kicks him away and brings the chair into the ring. Referee Charles Robinson grabs it and Knight charges only for Nakamura to move out of the way. Knight stops himself and Shinsuke loads up the mist. Knight ducks and Robinson gets sprayed with it. Knight rolls up Nakamura but Robinson can't count. Tessitore complains about it as Nakamura hits Scorpio Rising. He grabs the chair but it gets kicked in his face. Knight hits BFT and covers...but there's no ref. Another one runs in for 1......2....3 to win the match and title. We hit the credits with Knight as the new US Champion. Damn good match but peculiar to have Nakamura drop it back to Knight here instead of Wrestlemania. Oh well, the fans go home happy.

Time of match: 11:10

Winner: Knight by pinfall (New US Champion)

This kind of felt like the same format as Raw. Big speech (Punk/Cody), shocking title win (Iyo/Knight) and good tag team action. We got a month and change to Wrestlemania and taking titles off two of your champions seems rather odd. Nakamura vs Knight at Wrestlemania makes sense as well as Bianca vs Ripley....but we ain't getting one of the two for sure, if not both. Still, we got a whole month to build some stuff that's not already set in stone. Still, Jade getting her hands on Naomi again this soon after Elimination Chamber seems pointless if you want to drag something out another month. We got a new US Champion and matches set for Barcelona, not much more you can ask for. The next show after this will be Monday night in Madison Square Garden for Raw. I'll see you there.

WWE 2025 Elimination Chamber (3/1/25)

2025 Elimination Chamber

The Skydome

Toronto, Canada

March 1, 2025

Commentators: Wade Barrett, Pat McAfee and Michael Cole

Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor

The road to Wrestlemania takes an interesting turn as tonight's the night we find out who faces Cody Rhodes at Wrestlemania 41. So what's been going on lately? Well the Men's Elimination Chamber match is self explanatory. John Cena is the odds on favorite to win since he wants one last main event before he retires this year. Standing in his way is his long time rival CM Punk who also wants to main event Wrestlemania for the first time in his career (despite being the WWE Champion in 2012). Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre have been at each other's throats and each wants to get back in the main event picture. Seth Rollins not only despises just about everyone in the match, he was the one who had Cody's back at Wrestlemania last year, he wants a crack at him this year. The wild card is Logan Paul who could bring millions of social media views to Wrestlemania if he wins. In other matches, Cody Rhodes dispatched Kevin Owens in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble and Kevin took his frustrations out on long time friend Sami Zayn. Even throughout Kevin's heel turn in the fall, Sami remained in his corner. Not anymore! Tonight they fight in an "unsanctioned match" which is just mumbo jumbo for no disqualification. The women's chamber match will determine who faces Rhea Ripley at Wrestlemania. The contestants are her rival Liv Morgan who she defeated for the title back at the first Raw on Netflix. Naomi and Bianca Belair have formed a pretty nifty tag team with Jade Cargill out with a storyline injury but they'll be opponents here. Alexa Bliss made her return at the Royal Rumble and wants to make the big comeback with a win tonight. Bayley lost the WWE Women's Championship to Nia Jax and was never able to get it back. If she can't beat Nia, maybe she can beat Ripley. The wild card is Roxanne Perez, the former NXT Women's Champion. She could sneak into the main event of Wrestlemania to face the "eradicator". The final match is a standard women's tag team match with the "divas" Trish Stratus and WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton against former champion Nia Jax and her sidekick Candace Larae. It was definitely a Canadian thing going on with Trish, Sami and KO taking center stage for sure. Let's get right to it.

Michael Cole welcomes us saying Wrestlemania 6 and 18 were held in this arena. He hypes up The Rock and Cody Rhodes' confrontation. We're shown Kevin Owens arriving to the arena in a Bret Hart jacket while stealing some wrenches for the match later. Sami Zayn arrives as well as Damian Priest and Seth Rollins. Logan Paul is chillin with some people as Drew McIntyre also arrives. CM Punk arrives and Cole says our first match will be the Women's Elimination Chamber. We're shown an introductionary vignette starting with John Cena's interview at the Royal Rumble saying he's always done what's best for business. What is best for business is he main events Wrestlemania, by winning Elimination Chamber. The sad part is The Rock is rehashing the original Vince McMahon and Steve Austin storyline from 1998 where Vince wanted Austin to be his "corporate" champion. Cole welcomes us with Pat McAfee and Wade Barrett and McAfee goes on a rant saying Canada is a terrible country that booed their national anthem. Get used to that tonight....and I can't blame him.

Match 1

Liv Morgan vs Naomi vs Bianca Belair vs Bayley vs Roxanne Perez vs Alexa Bliss in an Elimination Chamber Match

Winner faces Rhea Ripley (or Iyo Sky) at Wrestlemania and no sense going over the rules since everyone knows them by now. Liv Morgan starts with Naomi as Cole says Liv beat Iyo to qualify for this match. Liv taunts Bianca with her women's tag title belt and walks in a circle taunting everyone in the pods. Bell's gone.....and Jade Cargill's theme hits. Liv Morgan looks absolutely terrified as Jade runs into the ring before the cage was closed. Jade then....beats the living daylights out of Naomi. WHAT? It was implied that Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez was the one who put Jade out of action but apparently it was Naomi? Bianca kicks and screams in the pod because she can't get out as Jad rams Naomi into the side of the chamber. Jade heaves her into Bayley's pod as McAfee & Barrett thinks Naomi attacked her. Jade hits a pump kick on Naomi directly into Bianca's pod. The crowd starts a "welcome back" chant as Naomi tries to crawl away, only for Jade to close the door on Naomi's head. Wade "Jade Cargill came for her pound of flesh". Jade storms off angry as the stretcher comes out for Naomi. Liv in the ring says "I told ya so" and starts taunting Bianca. Bianca pounds on her pod as NAOMI is declared eliminated by Alicia Taylor over the house mic. The crowd taunts Naomi with a "Na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye" chant before the countdown begins.

Bianca Belair is released and she runs right to the door to check on Naomi, getting attacked from behind by Liv Morgan. Liv rams her into Alexa's pod then Bayley's pod. Liv throws Bianca into the ring and Bianca rallies with a forearm. Bianca shoulderblocks Liv in the corner and punches away, but is pushed off the top rope by Liv. Cole on commentary says it might be Naomi that attacked Jade months ago. Bianca misses the handspring moonsault and Liv hits a shining wizard, covering for 1...2...no. Liv throws Bianca face first into the mat twice before kicking her in the ribs. Liv taunts the irate crowd and clobbers Bianca in the corner. A charge in another corner eats boot and Bianca follows with a spinebuster. Bianca hits the handstand moonsault for 1...2...no. Cole says the crowd is still in shock and McAfee can't help but say they're lousy.

The countdown begins and Roxanne Perez is released next. Perez hits a headscissors and goes nuts on both Liv & Bianca. She avalanches both women in opposite corners and rolls to the middle of the ring. Roxanne misses a charge but recovers to hit a top rope frankensteiner to Bianca then faceplants Liv. Roxanne covers for 1...2..no. Roxanne goes for another frankensteiner outside but Bianca catches her in mid-air. Roxanne blocks the powerbomb by climbing the chamber but again Bianca catches her in mid-air. Roxanne then counters another powerbomb with a russian leg sweep into the chamber. Roxanne ties Bianca's hair into the chamber and Liv dropkicks Roxanne out of nowhere. Liv throws Roxanne into the ring and covers for a deuce. Liv hits a running knee and both women duck each other's moves before dropping each other with a double clothesline. Cole asks Barrett how long it took him to realize how dangerous the match is in his Chamber match and he said 10 seconds.

The countdown begins and Bayley is released. Roxanne cuts her off but Bayley rams her into the pod, destroying it in the process. Bayley dribbles Roxeanne's head off the pod window then Liv into the chamber. Liv's elbow is bleeding as Bayley hits a Bayley-To-Belly against the chamber on Roxanne. Bayley spots her old rival Bianca in the ring and they go at it. Bayley reverses a go-behind to throw Bianca out by the hair, hitting her with a forearm. The crowd chants for Bayley as she catches Bianca with a knee to the jaw. Bayley hits a sunset bomb on Belair and covers for 1...2...no. Bayley heaves Liv out of the ring and sets up Bianca in the center. Bayley goes upstairs and drops a big elbow. She covers for 1...2...no.  Bayley goes up top again but Roxanne from out of nowhere powerbombs her onto the steel. Roxanne goes upstairs and hits a frog splash on Bayley inside the ring. She covers for 1...2...no! Roxanne screams and Liv hits a codebreaker on her. Liv covers for a deuce as the countdown begins.

A smiling Alexa Bliss is released and she very slowly makes her way to the ring, stalking Liv Morgan. Alexa throws her down by the air and punches away at her. Roxanne pulls her off and Alexa catches her with a back elbow smash. Alexa takes her down and clubs away at her with some stiff shots before delivering a jawbreaker to Liv. Alexa hits a dropkick on Liv but Bayley rolls her up for 1....2..no. Alexa drops Bayley witha  right hand and jumps on Bayley's back. Alexa hits a rolling neckbreaker and covers for 1....2...no. Alexa slaps Bayley and hits double knees to the stomach. Roxanne then heaves Bliss outside then into the chamber. Roxanne calls herself the prodigy but Alexa hits a backbreaker. Wade "You cannot be cocky with veterans like Alexa." Alexa flies off the top rope but jumps into Bayley and Bianca who slam her down. Bayley hits a modified stunner on Bianca and dives on both her and Bliss. Liv heaves Bayley into an open pod twice. Bayley hits what looks like a New Delhi Devasator on Liv but Roxanne rolls up Bayley inside the ring for 1...2...no. Roxanne hits a head scissors and turns it into a Crippler Crossface. Bayley rolls outside with Roxanne still holding on until Perez breaks it. Perez then hits a modified stunner through the ropes then goes for the second rope moonsault. Bayley gets her knees up but Roxanne blocks the Rose Plant. Roxanne is dumped onto the chamber outside but Liv from out of nowhere hits ObLivion on Bayley. Liv covers for 1....2...3 to eliminate BAYLEY.

Liv runs for her life from Bianca who climbs to the top of a pod. She klicks away at Bianca who joins her up there. Liv rams Bianca's head off the pop and tries to pulls her off by the hair. Bianca uses her hair as a whip that knocks Liv to the floor. Pat "YEE-IKESSSS". Bianca flies off the top hits all three remaining women with a crossbody. Liv has a legitimate welt from the whip as Bianca covers both Roxanne and Liv for two counts. Bianca shoulderblocks Alexa in the corner and goes for a superplex, but Liv and Roxanne team up for the powerbomb plex. Liv screams "I HATE YOUUU" and goes for ObLivion on Bianca but jumps into a superkick from Roxanne. Roxanne throws Belair into the ring and goes for Pop Rox, but Bianca heaves her into Liv. Liv executes a code breaker to drop Roxanne and Alexa hits Twisted Bliss from off the top rope. She covers Roxanne for 1...2....3 to eliminate ROXANNE PEREZ.

Down to three and Alexa sits cross-legged in the center of the ring with the other two in opposite corners. Alexa drops Liv and punches away at Bianca. Bianca goes for the KOD on Alexa but she hits a frankensteiner on Liz instead. Alexa drops Bianca with a drop toe hold and stands on her until Liv clubs her off. Liv then hits 3 Amigos on Bianca and does the Eddie Guerrero pose. Liv hits a shining wizard on Bianca and calls for the 619. She gets intercepted by Bliss who goes for Sister Abigail but Liv pushes her away. Liv rolls out of the KOD attempt by Bianca although Bianca rolls her up for a two count. Liv kicks her off right into Alexa for the Sister Abigail attempt. Alexa hits it but Liv jacknife pins Alexa for 1....2....3 to eliminate ALEXA BLISS.

Liv waives bye to Alexa and pulls Bianca into the center of the ring. Liv covers for 1...2....no. Liv rams Bianca into the chamber by the hair multiple times and back in the ring, Liv covers for 1..2...no. The crowd starts a small EST chant as Liv hits a codebreaker. Bianca no sells it and spears Liv, covering for 1...2..no. Bianca goes for a powerbomb outside but Liv blocks it. Bianca then rams Liv's head off the pod then the cage, finishing with a powerbomb inside the ring. Cole says Liv had nothing left as Bianca goes for the 450 splash. Liv gets her knees up and goes for the ObLivion. Instead Bianca ducks it and goes for the KOD. Liv rolls out of it and hits another codebreaker. She goes for Oblivion again but this time Bianca slides through it, hitting the KOD. Bianca covers for 1..2....3 to win the match. Damn good effort by Liv to take all that punishment the whole match and Alexa for her first big time match in years. Cole runs down the whole match including the Jade Cargill run-in and yet Bianca wins anyway. People have wanted Bianca vs Ripley for years and it looks like we're headed in that direction.

Time of match: 29:16

Winner: Bianca Belair

Bianca celebrates after the match as we go to the replays. Then Rhea Ripley appears behind her at the entrance and stares her down. Then Iyo Sky walks out and stares them both down. Monday night on Raw will decide who faces Bianca as we go to break. Back from commercial we get a plug for WWE Evolve this coming Wednesday, the newest WWE show which will be the Double-A show compared to NXT being Triple-A. We're shown a highlight of 2006 Unforgiven in Toronto where Trish Stratus defeated Lita for the WWE Women's Championship. 18 years later she'll team with Tiffany Stratton against Nia Jax and Candace Larae. After the recap vignette, its showtime.

Match 2

Trish Stratus and Tiffany Stratton vs WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax and Candace Larae

The hometown hero Trish teams with Tiffany in a generational tag team for the ages. Trish was the Tiffany of 25 years ago and she's backing up Tiffany against the monster Nia. Wade "Trish, what the hell are you thinking putting your body on the line here?" Cole says this is the first time Trish's children have ever seen her compete live. Damn we're old. Bell;s gone and Trish starts with Candace. Trish hits a Thesz Press and punches away at Candace. Trish ducks a line from an interfering Nia who runs into a Tiffany punch. Tiffany and Trish hit a double dropkick to send Nia flying as Trish hits a neckbreaker on Candace. Trish covers for 1...2...no. Cole says Trish has never lost a tag match in Canada as Tiffany tags in. Nia pulls Trish outside and decks her but Tiffany comes off the apron with a Supergirl punch. Larae hits a baseball slide on Tiffany as Cole points out Trish eliminated Canadace from the Royal Rumble. Larae sends Tiffany into the steel steps then throws her inside. Candace rams Tiffany into the corner and tags in Nia. Candace whips Tiffany and Nia botches a senton as her ass never left the turnbuckle but Tiffany dropped down anyway. Nia mocks Trish and throws Tiffany down, saying "You're not shit without me." A small "you can't wrestle" chant starts as Nia sits on Tiffany on the second rope. Nia gets in a chinlock as Cole says Nia eliminated 9 women in the Rumble including Trish. Nia avalanches Tiffany in the corner and goes for the banzai drop. Pat "This is the worst place to be in the history of wrestling". Personally I'd rather be under Nia than Yokozuna, just ask Dan Dubiel. Tiffany pulls Nia off the rope and tags in Trish. Trish rallies with right hands as McAfee says "That's Stratusfying". Trish chops away in the corner and then hits the Chick Kick. Trish hits a tornado DDT and covers for 1....no. Candace gets in and Trish hits a spinebuster on her. Trish goes for the Stratusfaction but Nia counters with a back suplex. Nia covers for 1....2..no. Nia grabs Trish by the hair and mock chants "USA, USA" McAfee "I'm okay with it." Nia does a Chyna bearhug and throws Trish down much to the crowd's chagrin. Nia tells Tiffany to kiss her buttocks and lifts Trish up in a stretch muffler. Nia rams Trish's head against the buckle as Candace hits a dropkick. Candace covers for 1...2...no. Candace rams Trish face first as we get a replay of the double team attack. Candace goes for the arm-bar and Trish tries to escape, but is thrown back down by Larae. She covers for 1...2...no. Candace hits a snap suplex and covers for 1...2..no. Candace drags Trish to her corner and Nia tags in. Nia hits the Umaga bump in the corner and delivers a stinkface to Trish. She took a few of those from Rikishi back in the day. Candace tags in to stand on Trish in the corner but Trish rallies with forearms. Candace backs Trish in the corner and then knocks Tiffany off the other apron. Trish and Candace pull each other down by the hair. Tiffanyt gets the hot tag and she unloads on Candace with clotheslines and a shoulderblock. Trish hits a handspring back elbow in the corner before knocking Nia off the apron. Candace rolls through a cradle but Tiffany executes the Alabama slam. Tiffany then hits a spinebuster on Nia before delivering a double dropkick. She covers Candace for 1....2....no. Tiffany goes for the moonsault and damn near breaks her neck when she's pushed off by Candace. Candace makes the tag and Jax tags back in. Nia hits a big leg drop and covers for a deuce. Tiffany pushes Nia into Candace and hits a back suplex on the big lady. Trish gets the tag but runs into a back elbow by Candace. Candace gets caught in the Stratusphere but Nia breaks up the pinfall attempt. Nia clotheslines Tiffany down and tags back in legally. Nia throws Trish in the corner and goes to the second rope, but Trish counters with a kick. Trish hits the Stratusfaction from the top rope and covers for 1...2.....no, Trish moves out of the way as Candace hits a moonsault on Nia by accident. Tiffany tags in who dumps Candace on the apron. Tiffany hits the moonsault on Nia and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Better than I thought it was gonna be and Tiffany gets some momentum heading into her Wrestlemania showdown against Charlotte Flair. 

Time of match: 11:40

Winners: Tiffany and Trish by pinfall

Back from commercial break, Michael Cole tells us WWE will be back in Australia sometime this year and then gives our Wrestlemania itinerary. Smackdown will be Friday April 18th, NXT Stand & Deliver will be Saturday afternoon the 19th with Wrestlemania 41 in Las Vegas Saturday and Sunday night with Raw on Monday the 21st. The rapper Travis Scott enters the arena as we get a plug of the Elimination Chamber merch stand. After more advertisements, Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre are shown preparing as Seth Rollins takes of his wedding band. Uh oh, don't tell Becky Lynch that. We're shown Cody Rhodes in shirt and tie contemplating tonight's decision. Then we go to another vignette showing how The Rock has taken the company into the stratosphere and he's the "Final Boss." After this, our attendance is 38,493....which is nowhere near Wrestlemania 6 of over 60,000 legit. FINALLY, we get to our next match. Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn in the "Unsanctioned match." We're shown a backstory of them betraying each other over the years with KO doing the honors this time. Alicia Taylor says WWE is not legally responsible for anything that happens in this match. There are no rules and the ref is only here to count to three or declare a submission. Here we go.

Match 3

Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens

Long story short, KO was mad Sami didn't interfere in the ladder match at Royal Rumble so he injured Sami's neck. Sami vowed revenge and here we are. Sami enters looking mad and determined which is a far cry to his usual demeanor. Michael Cole says KO and Sami met at an indy show in 2002 and brings up Ring of Honor's El Generico vs Kevin Steen. As the bell rings, Cole mentions how two years ago these two main evented Wrestlemania and put the first crack in the Bloodline's armor, and now here they are bitter enemies. Despite both men being Canadian, the crowd is absolutely dead to start. There is a cool spotlight shown in the ring which is a nod to the old territorial "Lights Out" matches. They slug it out to start with Sami getting the upper hand. KO recovers and drops Sami with a back elbow smash. KO drops Sami ribs first on the top rope and hits a running senton. Sami heaves KO into the ring post outside but KO chops him. Sami sends him into another ring post and grabs a chair from underneath the ring. He then starts heaving multiple chairs into the ring. KO grabs one and hits Sami in the back with it first. KO continues to crack Sami with the chair as Cole says the referee can't do anything about it. KO swings and misses, hitting himself in the head on the ricochet. Sami then takes over with the chair on the back of KO. Sami cracks KO in the back again and KO bails outside. Sami cracks him outside as well and throws him back inside. Sami stacks chairs on KO's chest and goes outside. He grabs a hockey stick which does get a pop from the crowd. He waffles the chairs with the hockey stick and KO bails outside again. The crowd starts a small Sami chant as he grabs a table much to the crowd's delight. KO grabs Sami and heaves him into the ring post before grabbing the hockey stick. Kevin chokes Sami with the stick and bites the top of his head as Cole almost gags. Cole "This guy is NUTS!" KO grabs another table and stacks it on the other table. Sami grabs the stick and checks KO over the barricade into the crowd. They brawl up some steps as KO chokes Sami with some security tape. Sami rallies with right hands and grabs a trash can. Sami waffles KO with the trash can as Pat says "HE JUST HIT KEVIN OWENS IN THE HEAD WITH DOMINIK MYSTERIO!" Barrett "Completely unnecessary but very funny, man." Sami puts the trash can on his head and Cole says Owens is grouchy. Ha! Sami stalks KO into a watering station and hits the Blue Thunder Bomb through the table set up. Sami  hits another Blue Thunder Bomb through another table as Barrett calls Sami unhinged. Sami throws Kevin down and hits him in the head with a trash can lid. Sami keeps whacking him back toward the ring but KO whacks Sami with the ring bell to stun him. KO clobbers him with the trash can lid a few times then hits him with one of the announce team's TV monitor. KO rolls Sami into the ring and goes up to the top rope. Sami cuts him off and goes for the fisherman buster, but KO slides under him and shoves him off the top rope through the stacked tables. Cole says Sami is clutching his neck while Barrett says good that he's not paralyzed. Back inside, KO hits a brainbuster on a chair and covers for 1....2...no. KO kicks Sami in the face and goes for the pop up bomb, but Sami turns it around into a Taz Plex. KO doesn't sell it and instead charges only to get Tax plexed right onto a chair. Cole "KEVIN OWENS MAY BE DEAD!"  Sami goes for the Helluva Kick but KO pulls referee Rod Zapata in the way. Zapata is out cold and KO hits the stunner on Zayn, but there's no ref to count. Charles Robinson sprints to the ring and counts 1...2...no. KO decks Robinson with a lariat as McAfee asks what's wrong with Owens. Referee Ryan Tran hits the ring and checks on Charles as we got to the replays of the refs getting wiped out. KO goes to the floor and gets another table as Sami continues to sell the neck. Barrett says he's been there and its not going to work. KO waffles Sami in the head with a chair as Cole tells Sami to give it up. Owens sets up Sami on the table with a chair on top but Sami pops up and throws the chair at KO. His facial expression is priceless and Sami smacks him in the face. Sami goes for the superplex but KO counters with a fisherman's buster through the table. Wade "Get this match over with!" KO covers for 1......2.....no. Cole "Sami I am begging you to just stay down!" Petey Williams of the Suit Brigade hits the ring and tells KO that Sami's had enough. KO props up Sami in the corner and says its all his fault. He runs to the other corner but Sami from out of nowhere hits the Helluva Kick. Sami covers for 1....2...no. Cole "And this massacre continues." Sami then goes under the ring and pulls out a chair wrapped in barbed wire. Cole "OH JESUS!" Barrett "Who the hell set THAT up under the ring?" Sami stalks Owens with the chair, kicks him and waffles him in the back with it twice. Sami sets the chair up and hits a drop toe hold on it with KO rolling around grabbing his face. Sami sets the chair up on two others and hits the blue thunder bomb on it. Sami covers for 1..2....noooooo. KO staggers to the corner but counters the Helluva Kick with a pop up powerbomb. Sami then bails to the floor grabbing his neck and KO grabs another chair. He wraps it around Sami's neck and sends him into the ring post. He sends him into another ring post as Cole screams "KEVIN ENOUGH!" KO hits a powerbomb on the ring apron and Cole shouts "YOU SICK BASTARD!" The rest of the Suit Brigade shows up and tells Kevin its over, but Owens hits another powerbomb against the side of the ring. KO throws Sami inside as Barrett calls him sub-human scum. KO covers for 1...2....3 to win the match. That was a war and the commentary team throwing professionalism out the window made it seem like classic JR and King from the 90's/00's. Forget holds, forget workrate, that was a FIGHT. Owens gets the last word with Sami to pretty much end this feud.

Time of match: 27:34

Winner: Owens by pinfall

After the match the stretcher comes out for Sami with security telling Owens to beat it. Owens beats up the security guards and pulls the protective mat off the floor. Owens drags Sami out of the ring and goes for the package piledriver on the floor....until Voices hits. Sure enough, out comes Randy Orton for the save. Owens stands in the center of the ring as the crowd sings Voices. Orton sheds his vest and runs in to beat the crap out of Owens. Randy hits the RKO and grabs the chair, standing over KO's fallen body. Randy throws the chair out and loads up the punt for the first time in years. Just as Orton is about to deliver the punt, he's intercepted by the Suit Brigade. KO makes a hasty retreat and Orton hits the rKO on members of the security team. Randy stares at the Wrestlemania sign to signify where this feud is going before posing for the crowd.

Back from commercial the announcers give their regards to Sami Zayn and hypes up Stephanie McMahon's talk show on ESPN+ coming up with Pat McAfee. We're shown Logan Paul getting ready for the chamber match with CM Punk on his way to the ring. The chamber is lowered and its go time.

Match 4

Logan Paul vs Damian Priest vs CM Punk vs John Cena vs Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre in an Elimination Chamber Match

Logan Paul enters the arena waiving the American flag which was GENIUS heel heat. Rollins and McIntyre are going to start as Barrett brings up how everyone but Cena had to qualify for the match. Bell's gone and McIntyre stares at Rollins to start. McIntyre goes for the claymore early and misses and Rollins misses the curb stomp as well. Rollins punches McIntyre in the corner and bites his forehead. McIntyre slams Rollins on the chamber steel outside of the ring. He rams Rollins back first into the cage then rakes his face against it. CM Punk from the pod says to McIntyre to stay alive so he can get him some. Rollins rams McIntyre's head against Punk's pod as Punk screams harder. Back inside Rollins hits a flying knee and a kick, covering for 1...2..no. Logan Paul draws on his pod with a marker as McIntyre hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, covering for a two count. McIntyre backdrops Rollins on the steel and kicks him in the chest. McIntyre ribs the turnbuckle pad off and slingshots him into it. The countdown begins as McIntyre sits in front of Punk.

Damian Priest enters and stares down McIntyre. They chop it out in the middle of the ring amd Priest hits a discuss punch. Priest splashes Rollins in the corner and flatlines McIntyre. Priest hits a Razor's Edge on Rollins on top of McIntyre. Priest runs into a Glasgow Kiss from Drew and he calls for the claymore. Rollins cuts him off with a superkick and avoids South of Heaven from Priest. Rollins superkicks Priest but runs into a spinebuster by Drew. McIntyre powerbombs Rollins on top of Priest and covers Seth for 1...2...no. Logan Paul draws something on the pod causing the crowd to chant "Fuck you Logan". McIntyre is tied into the tree of woe and Rollins goes for a superplex. McIntyre holds on to Rollins for a german suplex as the countdown begins.

Logan Paul is next and he hits a springboard crossbody on McIntyre for 1...2..no. Logan hits a standing moonsault on Priest for 1..2...no. Paul hits some boxing jabs on Rollins and a 3 handled credenza on him. He covers for 1...2...no. Paul taunts the crowd but Priest catches him with a bellringer. Priest clotheslines Paul over the top rope to the steel floor then rams him into the pod. Priest knees Paul against the cage but McIntyre attacks from behind. Priest walks the top rope and hits a frankensteiner on McIntyre. Paul hits a big right hand and a gut wrench suplex on Priest then gets back in the ring. Paul sets up Rollins but runs into a superkick. Rollins covers for 1...2...no. The countdown begins with Rollins eyeballing the two remaining guys in the pods.

John Cena is next and he shoulderblocks Rollins twice. Cena hits the FU on Priest and the back suplex on Paul. Cena hits the FU on Rollins and calls for the 5 knuckle shuffle. Cena hits it on Logan Paul and hits the FU next. McIntyre from out of nowhere hits the Claymore kick on Cena. Before he can cover, Priest hits a crucifix for 1...2....3 to eliminate DREW MCINTYRE. Cole says he was too fixated on Cena to worry about Priest, which doesn't make sense since he was about to pin Cena. Drew pulls a sore loser and hits the Claymore on Priest. Drew leaves as Logan Paul heads to the top rope. Logan then climbs on Punk's pod and hits a frog splash on Priest. He covers for 1...2....3 to eliminate DAMIAN PRIEST. Paul stares down Punk as the countdown starts.

CM Punk is the final entrant and he says "You know its me, open the fucking door" to the ref. He and Paul trade blows before Punk suplexes Logan on the floor. Punk hits a running knee to Paul and rams him into the pod. Punk rams Paul into the cage and starts to climb it, pointing at the Wrestlemania sign. Punk then eyeballs his old rival Cena as the crowd pops for the two legends. Punk and Cena both say they're going to Wrestlemania as Rollins hits a kick to Punk from out of nowhere. Rollins rallies with right hands and Cena pulls him off. Rollins shoves Cena and Cena says "Ohhh, what?" Rollins "He's mine! Go back and film more movies, stay out of this!" Rollins goes to attack Punk again but Cena again pulls him off. Rollins responds with a kick and a pedigree attempt. Cena goes for the FU but Rollins rolls out of it. They play "Yay, boo" with Cena getting the yays (try imagining that 10 years ago). Paul comes out of nowhere and double clotheslines both men down. Logan goes for the slingshot clothesline but Punk rolls out of it and slaps him in the face. Punk goes for the GTS and hits it, covering for the 1...2....3 to eliminate LOGAN PAUL.

Down to three, Punk taunts Paul by doing a grave digging motion. Punk and Cena eyeball each other again but Rollins stares at Punk. Cole says the three men left have 26 world championships between them. Punk says the other two will go to sleep while the crowd chants "Let's go Cena, CM Punk" like its 2012 again. Punk and Cena stand side by side and Rollins fights them both off until the numbers game catches up. Cena holds Rollins and Punk hits a Hart Attack, nice touch. Cena and Punk stare each other down as Rollins rolls way. Punk "Now we can get down." Cena extends a hand and Punk hugs him instead. They trade blows and the crowd yays both of them. Cena drops Punk with a shoulderblock but Punk rolls through the back suplex with a headlock takeover. Punk hits the running knee in the corner but Cena hits the back suplex. Cena calls for the 5 knuckle shuffle and goes "you can't see me" but Punk tries to kick him. Cena catches the leg and spins him around for the STFU, but Punk rolls out of it. Cena runs right into the GTS attempt, but rolls out of it. He applies the STFU in the center of the ring. Punk sells for awhile then locks in the anaconda vice. Cena rolls him on his back for 1...2....no. Punk goes up to the top rope and hits an axehandle smash on Rollins outside. Punk goes back to the top and tries a crossbody, but Cena rolls through it. Cena hits the FU and covers Punk for 1...2...noooooo. Cena goes up to the top but Rollins crotches him. Rollins powerbombs Cena into the side of the cage then rams him through one of the empty pods. Rollins stalks Punk inside the ring but walks into an inside cradle for 1...2...no. Rollins recovers by countering the GTS with the pedigree. He covers for 1..2...nooooo. Rollins goes for the pedigree on the steel floor but Punk backdrops Seth into the ring.  Punk looks to the Wrestlemania sign for power and goes back to the top rope. Seth climbs the rope and goes for the superplex but Punk drops him. Punk hit the flying elbow drop and calls for the GTS. Rollins rolls out of it and buckle bombs Punk in the corner. He hits the curb stomp and covers for 1...2...nooooo. Rollins pounds the mat in frustration and goes up to the top. Cena intercepts Rollins and goes for the FU, but Rollins wiggles free....right into the GTS. Rollins staggers into and FU by Cena and Punk covers for 1..2...3 to eliminate SETH ROLLINS.

Down to Cena and Punk, Cole says Rollins had Cena dead to rights when he threw him into the pod, but his bloodlust against Punk cost him. Cena and Punk stare each other down with dueling chants like its thirteen years ago. Punk then hits the GTS out of nowhere and covers for 1.....2...nooooo. Cena's turn as he hits the FU and covers for 1.....2.....noooooo. McAfee "Nein, nein, nein, nein, nein!" Punk kicks Cena down but Rollins hits the curb stomp on Punk out of nowhere. Cena drags Punk into the ring and locks in the STFU. Punk fades and the ref calls for the bell....Cena wins it. John Bradshaw Layfield used to call him "Big Match John" because he always seemed to win the big match, and Cena just did once again. It'll be Cena vs Rhodes at Wrestlemania in a hell of a match.

Time of match: 32:40

Winner: John Cena

Cena thanks the fans in the ring but Cody Rhodes' music hits. Guess its time for "the decision". Cena sits on the rope to let Cody in and stands in the corner. Cena "They know its you and me at Wrestlemania, we're gonna throw down for the championship." They shake hands....and The Rock's music hits. Nevermind...its rapper Travis Scott. He's holding the Muhammad Ali title and NOW The Rock comes out to his Hollywood theme. The Rock and Travis get in the ring with Scott sizing Cody up. Cena and Scott stand off to the side together and The Rock grabs Cody by the head and says "Cody Rhodes, the moment has arrived." He says he'll open arms for Cody to embrace him as his brother and Cody as his champion. He wants his mind and soul...NO! He NEEDS his soul and if he says yes, the American nightmare will live forever. If the answer is no, the dream dies tonight....again. Cody "I want it all, Rock. My soul no longer belongs to me. And you know why? Because I gave my soul to this ring and these people a long time ago. Hey Rock, GO FUCK YOURSELF!" The crowd LOVED that and Rock's expression is cold. Cena hypes up Cody to the crowd as Rock stands there motionless. Rock then backs up and looks at Cena. Cena laughs at Rock and Cody extends his hand. Cena takes it and hugs Cody as the crowd cheers. Rock suddenly makes a slit throat motion and nods to Cena. Wait...what? John then boots Cody in the gonads meaning...OH YES....JOHN CENA HAS TURNED HEEL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 22 YEARS! Cole "What the...." Rock, Cena and Scott stare at Cody until Cena steals Cody's watch. He punches Cody with it as McAfee says The Rock always has a plan. Cena punches him with it a second time and unloads with right hands. Cena grabs the mic and cracks Cody in the head with it. Cena then grabs the WWE Championship and clobbers Cody with it too. Rock looks out at the crowd as Cena stares at the crowd with a scowl, holding up the WWE title. Cody is busted wide open and Cena hits him a second time with the belt. Cole "Somebody stop this! John you want to go out like THIS?" Cena rips Cody's shirt off and chokes him with it. Cole "After everything he's accomplished in his career, he's gotta stoop to this shit? You gotta be kidding me!" Hell yeah Cole. Scott and Cena hold Cody only Scott grabs Cody and pulls him up, with Cena having to push him back down in a subtle hint to Scott to stop what he's doing. Scott then punches Cody for real as The Rock whips Cody with his weight belt. Cena stands on Cody's head and poses with The Rock with Scott behind them against the ropes. Cole shouts to Cena "What are you doing? There are millions of children that look up to you." Rock whips Cody with the weight belt one more time and Cena throws the WWE Championship down at him. Cena leaves the ring to a chorus of boos as Rock and Scott leave as well. Michael Cole himself gets in to check on Cody as the three heels stand at the entrance and stare at Cody to end the show.

Holy shit that was awesome. You had betrayals out of nowhere, you had cursing, you had blood.....this was a show for the ages. People are already comparing it to Bash at The Beach 96 with John Cena in the Hulk Hogan role. The sky is the limit for this feud as its going to be heel Cena vs Cody at Wrestlemania with The Rock in his corner. Only question is will Cody have help like he did last year? Joe Tessitore after the show said the signs were there at the Royal Rumble press conference when he said he did everything the right way his whole career but demanded to be in the Elimination Chamber. It also makes sense, John Cena wants to be the GOAT with a record 17 world championships and The Rock most likely promised to take him there. Also Jade Cargill is back and Naomi is in deep doo-doo. Bianca will go to Wrestlemania but what's her situation going to be like? Rhea Ripley vs Bianca has been a dream match for years but Jade Cargill vs Bianca seems to be on the table for some reason. KO vs Randy Orton seems Wrestlemania bound with Sami dispatched and Tiffany vs Charlotte is all clear now that Nia Jax and Candace has been dispatched. Either way the road to Wrestlemania just got interesting. The next show after this is tomorrow night's Raw. I'll see you there.

WWE Smackdown (1/3/25)

WWE Smackdown

Footprint Center

Phoenix, Arizona

January 3, 2025

Commentators: Michael Cole and Corey Graves

Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia

Happy new year for WWE. 2025 is going to start with a bang this coming Monday night with Raw's Netflix debut but we got some unfinished business on Smackdown first. Unfortunately, now Smackdown will be three hours long as they make the jump from Fox to USA. This show will be most likely be hype for Netflix Raw and the Royal Rumble coming up in a month. Let's get right to it.

Michael Cole welcomes us to Phoenix and to 2025. We get a recap vignette of the Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens feud. Owens thinks he's the WWE Champion because he stole the old school Winged Eagle title at Saturday Night's Main Event. Nick Aldis last week said he had till the end of the night to give it back and confronted him in the ring. Owens demands a re-match where the ref won't be a factor but Aldis says hand it over or you're fired. Before Owens can make a decision, Cody Rhodes walked out with Aldis telling him to get lost. Cody says its not Nick's responsibility, its his. He challenges Owens to a ladder match at the Royal Rumble with the winner getting both belts, Shawn Michaels/Razor Ramon style. Owens shoves Aldis into Rhodes and attacks his bad neck until the Suit Brigade makes the save. 

Back to real time, here comes Cody Rhodes himself for a soliloquy. Cody says he would ask what they want to talk about but he knows what they already want. Cody says they're on the cusp of changing everything with Raw going to Netflix and Smackdown going to three hours. Cody says his excitement is tempered because he's not cleared to wrestle yet. Massive groan from the crowd on that one. He goes on to say he's not cleared because of Kevin Owens but at the Royal Rumble they're gonna brawl anyway.....and here comes Drew McIntyre of all people. What in satan's fire does he want? Drew hugs him but Cody doesn't reciprocate, he just looks at him funny. Drew grabs a mic and says he's not here to hurt Cody, he's here to help him. Drew says he and Cody go way back so he won't stand around and see Cody undo his entire life's work by getting hurt. Drew says this generation is the best in WWE history, not the 80's, the New Generation, the Attitude Era. He's right about the New Generation, that era was garbage. Drew says Cody has been the catalyst for the past few years but he's going to screw it up. He says Owens is running around with a fake belt just like the "idiot" fans in the crowd and offers his services to watch his back. Cody calls him out for saying he always tells the truth so he'll do the same. He says he'd love to say he watched him from afar as Drew carried the company through the pandemic and both of them are kindred spirits that had to leave WWE to come back better than ever. He'd love to say that in the last 3 years Drew became a beast on the mic and in the ring but he won't, because he doesn't believe him. He can feel the tension and says Drew is just after the title, so come and get it. Drew says the fans will forget them when they're gone and he's not here to hurt him. Drew goes to leave and says to watch his back. Right on cue Kevin Owens attacks from behind and Drew just shakes his head, walking away. Cody and Kevin brawl in the ring until the Suit Brigade shows up. The crowd wants them to fight but they're separated. The Rumble is going to be a war.

We cut to the back where Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga walk in. They're going to be taking on The Uso's and Sami Zayn in a six man tag later tonight. This coming Monday night it'll be tribal combat between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa to officially end the Bloodline civil war. The Women's Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi walk in as well. Naomi will take on Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Championship and Nia arrives on her own. Andrade then walks down the hall as he's coming in our first match against Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States title. Let's get to it.

Match 1

Andrade vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Non-title match as Andrade is so far down the card its not even funny. They show their match from two months ago where Nakamura won. Cole brings up their feud from New Japan a decade ago as Nakamura attacks at the opening bell. Andrade kicks him in the head and hits a running huracarana before dropkicking Shinsuke off the apron. Andrade goes up to the top and moonsaults on Shinsuke on the floor as we go to break. Back from commercial, Andrade hits a running elbow and a dragon screw. Andrade hits a flying forearm to send Nakamura into the corner. Nakamura hits a knee to the ribs and a spinning heel kick. They play "Yay/boo" until Andrade connects with a big chop. Nakamura hits a snap german suplex off the first rope and hits a knee to the face from off the second rope. Shinsuke covers for 1...2....no. Shinsuke rips the top turnbuckle off and Andrade dropkicks him into the exposed steel. He hits the double knee in the corner and covers Shinsuke for 1...2....noooo. Andrade goes for the top rope moonsault but lands on his feet then hits a standing moonsault, covering for 1...2....no. Shinsuke elbows Andrade away but he replies with his own spinning back elbow.  He covers for 1...2..nope. Andrade puts Nakamura on the second rope and slaps his chest. Andrade goes for the superplex but Nakamura blocks it. Shinsuke somehow DDT's Andrade onto the ring post and throws him back into the ring. Cole calls Andrade a sitting duck as Nakamura hits Kinshasa. He covers for 1...2....3 to win the match. Good win for Shinsuke in a serviceable match but usually non title matches are designed for the challenger to win to set up a future shot. So much for Andrade.

Time of match: 8:49

Winner: Nakamura by pinfall

Shinsuke's celebration is short lived as LA Knight makes his way out to get him some. Knight ducks a belt shot and clotheslines the champion. LA Knight rallies with right hands and goes for the BFT, but Nakamura pushes him away before beating a hasty retreat. LA Knight grabs the mic and screams "Yeah, you steal my title and things go crazy. What goes around comes around." Knight wants a title shot as Cole says he's not the same as he was when he lost the title back in November. That remains to be seen.

We cut to Apollo Crews on his phone just chilling when Pretty Deadly shows up to heckle him. Crews knows Los Garza didn't attack the Street Profitz, DIY did. Right on cue here's Legada Fantasma to confront Deadly. Santos Escobar says if they're going to lie, at least do it to their faces. Deadly begs off but Escobar says their lies will beat the crap out of them. Deadly says no need to threaten and Escobar says he won't do that. Right on cue Humberto Carillo and Angel Garza attack Kit and Elton until Nick Aldis & The Suit Brigade break it up. Aldis says Deadly and him are gonna have a chat as we go to break.

Back from break Aldis grills Deadly on what happened last week since Crews said it was DIY that attacked the Street Profitz. DIY themselves show up and says Deadly are fine upstanding citizens, unlike Apollo Stooge. Aldis replies his eyes are connected to his brain and the four of them are on thin ice. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano says Pretty Deadly would make great number one contenders and imply that if they want title shots, to help them win their rematch with the Motor City Machine Guns later.

Michin comes out for her match with Piper Niven. Classic "win against the bodyguard to get a title shot" match here. We're shown Chelsea's victory at Saturday Night's Main Event to win the inaugural Women's US Championship. Cole throws shade at Chelsea for her music hitting, her coming out first and wearing a US wonder woman outfit. Graves says its in the constitution. Cole "You know what she was giving out as Christmas gifts? Little ornaments with her face on them. WHO THE HELL WOULD PUT THAT ON THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE?" Matt Cardona would be my answer. Graves says he's got two of them and he wants to be minister of propaganda in her cabinet. Corey Goebbels everyone.

Match 2

Michin vs Piper Niven (with Chelsea Green)

Bell's gone and Niven blocks a kick, avalanching her into the corner. She punches away at Michin but a charge eats boot. Michin hits two Frankensteiners to send Piper to the floor. Michin hits a frankensteiner off the apron but gets caught in a sidewalk slam before posing for the irate crowd. Back inside Michin hits a bulldog and covers for 1...2..no. Niven blocks Eat Defeat and avalanches her in the corner. Niven salutes Chelse and says "Oh champion, my champion" and cannonballs nothing as Michin moved. Michin hits a cannonball into the corner and starts twerking much to Cole's delight. Hey if Graves can slobber all over Chelsea, turnabout is fair play. Michin kicks Piper in the head and covers for 1...2...no. Graves is irate as Green distracts Michin to allow Piper to block Eat Defeat, hitting the Piper Driver. She covers for 1...2....no. Piper drags her into the corner and goes for the Vader Bomb, but Michin gets the foot up to block it. Piper staggers right into Eat Defeat and Michin covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Fun little match mostly due to Chelsea's antics and the bickering commentary.

Time of match: 7:00

Winner: Michin by pinfall

 

Michin stalks Chelsea as Graves hopes Cole gets deported. We cut to the back where Paul Heyman makes his way in the arena, avoiding the metal detector. We get a snippet of John Cena's Farewell Tour that begins this Monday night on Raw. We get a vignette for Naomi for hype for the Women's title match. 

We cut to Paul Heyman in the ring for a conference. He says this Monday night will be tribal combat to find out who's the real tribal chief. Heyman says Reigns and himself trained Solo to become the future tribal chief. Heyman says when Roman was ready to step down, Solo would rise. Then Roman Reigns got revenge for Seth Rollins but Cody Rhodes took advantage to win the match. That's when Solo Sikoa seized the moment by stealing the Ola Fala. Heyman calls Solo a twisted son of a bitch and he stole it from Roman. Heyman complains Solo got rid of himself and Jimmy Uso because Solo knew no one would acknowledge him as tribal chief. He went out and got a band of filthy animals that don't even belong in pro wrestling. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa aren't welcome in the United States and Jacob Fatu's not even welcome outside the United States prison system (hahaha). Heyman says Monday night will be no rules apart from there must be a winner and loser. Heyman says the winner of the match will be Roman Reigns, the only tribal chief. 

Heyman goes to leave but uh oh...here comes Solo for a rebuttal. Graves "Now would be a great time to make your exit, Mr. Heyman." A sign in the crowd says Solo is the Temu Tribal Chief as Heyman admits he's ten seconds away from pissing in his pants because the last time he said Solo wasn't the tribal chief, he got put through a table in front of his kids. He knows if he says the wrong thing, Tama and Jacob will do the same damn thing in Phoenix, Arizona. The crowd chants "Yeet" as Solo demands the mic. Heyman hands it over as the crowd chants "Solo sucks!" Solo milks it then says "Phoenix, Arizona....acknowledge me" to a chorus of boos. Solo says Heyman needs to acknowledge the truth, he owes CM Punk a favor. Solo says he'll owe Heyman a favor because Monday he needs someone to hold the Ola Fala during the match. He needs someone who loves the family and is trustworthy. Solo says if Roman wins, Heyman will go back to being with him but if Solo wins, then he'll own the Ola Fala and Heyman himself. Solo concludes by saying Roman will have no choice but to acknowledge him before dropping the mic in front of Paul. Heyman works better as a heel manager so the idea of him turning on Roman and joining Solo is definitely on the table.

We get a hype vignette for the Motor City Machine Guns who's mad at being betrayed by DIY. They claim that they taught Gargano everything he knows and he and Ciampa have forgotten who the Guns are. It took them 3 matches to win the belts but only need one to get them again. On to the next match.

Match 3

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) vs DIY (Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano) for the WWE Tag Team Championships

Graves says he's known Gargano to be a sniveling rat for years and now everyone sees it for themselves. Bell's gone and Ciampa starts with an arm ringer on Sabin. Graves compares Gargano to a barnacle on a tiger shark (Ciampa) as Sabin hits an arm-drag. Ciampa runs into another arm-drag but hits a jawbreaker. The Guns hit a double elbow on Ciampa and Shelley gets in to kick Gargano out of the ring. Shelley tags in and works the left arm of Ciampa before Sabin tags back in for the double back elbow. Cole agrees with Graves that Gargano's MO is to latch on to people. Sabin clothelsines Tommaso over the top to the floor then sends Gargano out as well. Shelley opens the ropes and Sabin hits a suicide dive onto the champs on the floor as we go to break. Back from commercial Ciampa sends Sabin into the corner where he dropkicks Gargano off the apron. Ciampa runs right into a dropkick and Shelley wants the hot tag. Ciampa tags in Gargano and Shelley gets the hot tag who cleans out both champs. Shelley hits a rude awakening and covers for 1...2..no. Shelley turns his attention to Ciampa who holds him but he powers out of it, kicking Gargano to the outside. He tags in Sabin for the double baseball slide then double planchas. Shelley favors his left knee but tags in anyway as Cole says the only loss the Guns have suffered was the match they lost the belts in. Gargano fights off both guns but walks into a Shelley high knee, then Sabin enziguiri. A double superkick knocks Gargano out and Shelley covers for 1...2...no, Ciampa breaks up the count. Sabin and Ciampa play "Yay/boo" before Sabin blocks a discuss punch with a chop to the chest. Gargano superkicks both Guns down and all four of them are down. Ciampa gets the legal tag and he chops Shelley in the center of the ring. They chop it out in the center of the ring as Sabin tags in. They do the STF dropkick as Sabin calls for Skull & Bones. Uh oh....here comes Pretty Deadly. They distract Shelley long enough for Ciampa to throw him outside. Ciampa hits a running knee to Shelley and tags in Gargano. He superkicks Shelley as Ciampa hits the pedigree, then covers for 1...2...no. Suddenly Los Garza hit ringside to chase Pretty Deadly away to even the odds. Shelley rolls Gargano up out of nowhere for 1...2.....no. Shelley locks in the Motor City Stretch and Sabin has Ciampa in an STF. But oh no! Garza and Kit Wilson tumble into Sabin for the DQ...booooo! Graves "This sucks....this absolutely sucks! I love Pretty Deadly but now was not the time, here was not the place!" The champs retain as Graves calls Gargano a twerp (Hahaha) as Gargano lays across the announce table. Graves dares Cole to hit them as Ciampa tries not to laugh for real. Good match but ruined by the garbage ending, you know another match is coming.

Time of match: 10:54

Winners: No one (Double DQ): DIY retains

Nia Jax is with Gargano's wife, Candice Larae. Nia has no idea where Tiffany Stratton is and Candice says shes got her to fall back on. Nia says after she beats Naomi, maybe she and Candice will take on Bianca & Naomi for the tag straps....if Candice keeps Bianca out of it. We get a graphic for Nia against Naomi later as well as the six man tag match between Bloodline and New Bloodline. We cut to Sami Zayn who runs into Carmelo Hayes. Hayes says he had Sami beat last week if it wasn't for Braun Strowman. Sami says Hayes ran away as Melo denies it. Melo says he and Sami can go anytime but The Usos pop up behind him. Melo says he's got no problem as Sami hilarious says what Melo was saying in the whitest way possible (yes I know he's Syrian). Sami wants Melo to tell him more and Melo heads for the hills. Sami says he'll get his gear and join them in a few minutes as Jey says YEET. Suddenly Kevin Owens bumps into Jey and Jey says to watch where he's going. Owens tells Jey to watch his back as he walks off. Graves says they might want to heed the warning.

We cut to highlights of our brawl to start the show with Owens and Rhodes. In real time, Cody is leaving but Nick Aldis stops him. Aldis says Cody better be okay because he talked him into making the ladder match. Aldis tells Cody to think of the big picture and if he won't,  he'll do it for him. Cody says Nick is a good boss but he's the champ. Cody says Aldis has the right to bench him but Cody has the right to call his shot. Cody says if he sees Kevin Owens or even someone that looks like him, he drops them on sight. I believe it! As Naomi makes her entrance, we're shown some signs in the crowd. One guy has a sign that says his wife thinks he's on a work trip and Graves says he'll be sleeping on the couch when he gets home.

Match 4

Naomi (with Bianca Belair) vs Nia Jax (with Candice Larae) for the WWE Women's Championship

Cole reminds us that February 12, 2017 was the last time Naomi was a world champion and that Candice weaseled her way into Nia's good graces. Bell's gone and Naomi dropkicks her to start. Naomi kicks at the legs of Nia but gets shoved down. Nia taunts the irate crowd and throws Naomi in the corner. Nia splashes Naomi in the corner as Cole asks who attacked Jade Cargill is still at large. Naomi drops Nia into the corner and kicks her in the chest. Naomi slides to the apron where she kicks Nia in the head but Nia headbutts her down as we go to break. Back from commercial, Nia goes for a sit down on Naomi but Naomi rolls out of the way. Nia hits a swinging Urinagi and covers for 1..2...no. Nia throws Naomi down then hits a scoop slam. Nia hits an elbow drop and covers for 1...2....no. Nia locks in a chinlock as Bianca tries to get the crowd on Naomi's side. Nia sends Naomi into the ring post and hits a running hip into the ring post. Nia covers for 1....2....no. Nia goes for the powerbomb and Naomi victory rolls for 1...2...no. Nia clotheslines Naomi down and goes for the Banzai Drop. Naomi kicks her down and hits a double stomp. Naomi hits a split from the second rope and covers for 1...2...no. Jax misses a charge in the corner and is snapped off the top rope to the floor. Naomi hits a suicide dive and rolls Nia back inside. Naomi tries a few double axehandles then a springboard enziguiri. She hits a big samoan drop and covers for 1...2...noooooo. Naomi drags Nia to the corner and goes for the moonsault but Nia stops her. Nia ties Naomi in the tree of woe and runs into her in the corner. Nia hits a second rope leg drop and covers for 1.....2...NOOOOO. Nia brings her to the corner and goes for the Banzai Drop but Naomi face plants her. Naomi hits a tornado DDT and covers for 1...2...nope. Naomi hits the double knee plant and covers for 1..2....negative. Cole asks who's going to win as we go to commercial. Back from break Naomi is thrown in the corner but she hits a blockbuster, covering for 1...2..no. Naomi leapfrogs over Nia but Nia goes for the samoan drop, only for Naomi to lock in a crucifix for 1...2..no. Naomi goes for some kind of submission but Candice hops on the apron for the distraction. Bianca pounces on her immediately and sends Larae into the barricade. Nia throws one of the tag belts at Bianca and sends her into the ring steps. Nia drags Naomi to the corner and goes for the leg drop but Naomi kicks her in the head. Naomi gets caught in a powerslam but somehow she reverses the powerslam in mid air (!!!). Uh oh! Here comes Tiffany Stratton with the money in the bank briefcase and referee Ryan Tran. She says she's going to cash in and when Tran turns around...she throws him over the barricade. Cole and Graves are completely confused as Tiffany clobbers Naomi with the briefcase. Nia hits the Banzai Drop on Naomi and covers for 1..2...3 to win the match. That match was 10 times better than it should have been despite the outside noise. The underdog vs big brute worked to perfection and this was fun to watch.

Time of match: 19:35

Winner: Jax by pinfall (still Women's Champion)

After the match, Graves says it was all a ruse for Tiffany to help Nia retain. Tiffany gets in to celebrate with Candice and Nia as Bianca tends to Naomi in the corner. Nia attacks Bianca and goes for the Banzai Drop....AND TIFFANY CRACKS NIA WITH THE BRIEFCASE! The crowd pops huge as Tiffany kicks Candace and throws her outside. Tiffany rolls outside as Bianca hits the KOD on Nia. Tiffany pulls Bianca outside and heaves her over the announce table as the pop gets louder. Tiffany cashes in and Ryan Tran says ring the bell. Here we go!

Match 5

Tiffany Stratton vs Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Championship

Tiffany wastes no time, she goes for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever as the bell rings. She hits the moonsault and covers as Cole shrieks "ITS...TIFFY...TIME" as the ref counts to three. Tiffany FINALLY cashes in on Nia and wins the title to a huge ovation as Cole calls her a Judas. We got a new champion folks!

Time of match: 7 seconds

Winner: Stratton by pinfall (New WWE Women's Champion)

We go to the highlight with the crowd going nuts as Tiffany got the fall. Stratton worked hard to get here and the fact she got a huge ovation shows she's ready for the spotlight. Can't help but think of how that was going to be Mandy Rose if she didn't get fired. Tiffany celebrates at the entrance as the crowd goes nuts, unfortunately we're sent to commercial. Back from break, Cole and Graves go over what we just saw. Kind of strange to have the cash in on Smackdown rather than at the Rumble but Tiffany was just too hot to wait that long. Cole says Tiffany is the fifth woman to win her first world championship by cashing in. Corey says his wife was one of them, ha! We then go to a hype video for Tribal Combat between Roman and Solo. Life was good until Roman lost at Wrestlemania, then Solo built his own Bloodline to reign supreme. Then Roman returned and Solo said he had no tribe. Roman reconciled with The Usos and Sami to fight the new Bloodline. After a victory at Survivor Series, a one on one showdown was inevitable. Now this Monday, it's Roman vs Solo one last time. We cut to the back with Jacob Fatu screaming that he loves Solo and the whole world will acknowledge him. The New Bloodline makes their entrance as we go to break. 

Back from break, a post-Raw show featuring Big E Langston, Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore will be held after the first Raw on Netflix. We cut to Byron Saxton who's with LA Knight. Knight says Nakamura's got hell to pay and Aldis asked why. Knight says Nakamura's been doing it to him for a while so now monkey see, monkey do. Aldis granted him a title shot next week on Smackdown and he's entering the Royal Rumble. Knight says anyone who gets in his way will be slapped back to factory settings and that's a fact of life, yeahhhhh. The Uso's and Sami make their entrance through the crowd to a chorus of YEET. Graves refuses to Yeet because the New Bloodline is too close to their table. On to the main event.

Match 6

Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa vs The Uso's (Jimmy and Jey) and Sami Zayn

Bloodline vs Bloodline again only no Tonga Loa or Roman. The faces YEET in the ring for a solid 5 minutes before the bell rings. Jacob will start with Jimmy but the others get in the ring for the standoff. Its a pier six brawl to begin with the New Bloodline getting shitcanned as we go to break early. Back from commercial its Jey coming off the top with an elbow to the left arm of Jacob. Tama Tonga tags in and they tie up only for Tama to get an axehandle to the back. Tama punches away in the corner and stands on his head. Tama is rocked into the buckle and Jey locks in a figure four, tagging in Sami. Sami drops an elbow on Tama and rams his head into the buckle. The crowd chants "Sami Uso" as Graves says Roman had everyone do his bidding while Solo was in the trenches with his crew. Cole counters Reigns was given the Ola Fala, Solo just stole it. Jimmy tags in and kicks at the left arm of Tama. Solo snaps Jimmy off the top rope and Tama tags him in. Solo punches away at Jimmy and says "You see that Roman, that's gonna happen to you." Cole says Solo, Jimmy and Jey are brothers but leave out that Jacob is their first cousin. Tama and Sami aren't related if you hadn't guessed. Solo tells Jimmy to get his ass up and chokes him on the second rope. Tama gets a cheap shot in as well before Solo locks in a nerve hold. He shouts "No yeet!" as Jimmy gets to his feet. Cole says Jimmy was on the shelf after breaking his toe in Wargames. Sami tags in and rallies with right hands on Solo, ducking the line and hitting a clothesline of his own. A second one rocks Solo but the third one drops him. Zayn punches him in the corner and elbows Tama off the apron. Sami jumps into a spinning rock bottom as we go to commercial. Back from break, Solo has a nerve hold on Sami before Sami runs for it....right into a Samoan drop. Solo covers for 1...2....no. Sami chops Solo's chest but Solo no sells it. Solo tags in Tama who rallies with right hands. He and Sami brawl together before Jacob tags in. Jacob hits the Umaga in the corner and hits a thrust to the throat. Jacob tags in Solo who lands a headbutt to Sami. Solo taunts Zayn but eats a boot to the head. Sami hits Blue Thunder Bomb and crawls for his corner. The Uso's get the crowd to chant Yeet as Jey gets the hot tag. Jey cleans out all three heels and punches away at Tama. Jey's samoan drop is blocked but Jimmy gets the blind tag. Tama misses a charge and a double superkick stuns Tama. The Usos drop Tama with a back elbow smash but here comes Jacob. The Uso's double clothesline Jacob over the top rope but Jimmy tumbles over with him. Jey gets rolled by Tama for 1....2..no. Jey hits a neckbreaker on Tama and covers for 1...2...no. Jacob on the outside throws Jimmy into the barricade and Sami bum rushes Jacob. Solo throws Sami into the ring post but gets punched off the apron. Tama hits a DDT on Jey and covers for 1...2...no. Jacob gets the tag and he taunts the irate crowd. Jacob says "You should have joined us and acknowledged Solo." Jey superkicks him into the corner and Sami gets the tag. Sami then tags in Jimmy for the triple team. Jimmy, Jey and Sami all hit the Umaga on Jacob. Sami and Jey suicide dive onto Solo and Tama outside. Jimmy hits the top rope splash on Jacob and covers for 1...2...no. Corey says he didn't get all of it and it might be due to protecting his foot. Jacob recovers to hit his own top rope splash and moonsault. He covers for 1...2...no, Sami breaks it up. Sami is sent over the top rope by Jacob but is backed into the corner by Jimmy. Jey tags in and they hit the double superkick to Jacob. Jey covers for 1...2...no. Uh oh, here comes Drew McIntyre. What the hell does he want? Oh yeah, he faces Jey this Monday night. Jey hits a suicide dive onto Drew then goes to the top rope. Jey runs right into a pop up samoan drop by Fatu. He covers for 1...2...no. Solo gets the tag as Jacob screams "I...LOVE...YOU." Jacob misses the Umaga and Jey superkicks Solo to the outside. Jey hits the spear on Jacob but he's not the legal man. Jey hits the top rope splash but referee Charles Robinson says he's not legal. Solo sneak up and nails the Samoan Spike on Jey. Solo covers for 1...2...3 to win the match as Sami can't break it up in time. New Bloodline win it. The McIntyre didn't really effect the match other than to hype Jey vs Drew on Monday. Cole says after the match that Roman Reigns is next.

Time of match: 22:37

Winners: New Bloodline by pinfall

New Bloodline pick up a much needed win with Solo needing some momentum going into Tribal Combat. You never know who might interfere in the match for either side. We run down the card for Raw with Roman vs Solo, Jey vs McIntyre, Rhea Ripley vs Liv Morgan for the World Women's Championship, John Cena's farewell tour kicks off and CM Punk vs Seth Rollins in the main event. We sign off with the New Bloodline with their fingers in the air. This was a hell of a show with some good matches, but it felt off with the focus being on the Raw debut on Netflix. Still, a lot of stuff was established and we got a new WWE Women's Champion. Nia Jax isn't going to take that lying down and Pretty Deadly is in deep doo doo with Legada Fantasma. DIY and the Guns are due for another showdown but one thing is for sure, Solo vs Roman ends the Bloodline Civil War. If Solo loses, nobody will give a rats ass about his crew. The Tongans are essentially useless and Jacob is due to break out eventually. All in all things are rolling and the hype to the Rumble has started. The next show after this is Monday's Raw from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. I'll see you there!