Posted on 12/14/124 by Bob Magee
– Footage of Tiffany Stratton and Michin entering the
building opened the show. Bayley was shown signing something
and Chelsea Green was shown throwing her bag at someone. The
Bloodline and LA were also shown walking backstage. Cody
Rhodes exited his bus as well. Jimmy Uso’s music hit and
Jimmy walked out with the aid of a crutch.
The Jimmy Uso segment
Weird. This sure did feel like a retirement speech … but
then Jimmy pulled the nose up at the end and said next year
is going to be great for him … only to have Drew McIntyre
hit him with a kick. I understand furthering the McIntyre
story and his issues with the original Bloodline, but this
felt so much like everyone – Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, CM
Punk, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, etc. – called in sick at the last
minute and they had to fill eight minutes somehow. Even
weirder was that it opened the show. Anyway, whatever it was
meant to be, here’s hoping Big Jim has a speedy recovery
from his Big Broken Toe.
Jimmy started by saying War Games was lit. He added that it
didn’t “get Big Jim, but it got my big toe.” Jimmy said War
Games meant everything because it was all about family. He
noted how the OG Bloodline came out on top and War Games is
behind them. Jimmy said for years, he’s watched his family
dominate the WWE universe and the fact that they get to do
that is a dream. Jimmy said he was proud to watch Roman
Reigns be the most dominant champion. The crowd launched
into an “OTC!” chant.
Jimmy said he watched his twin brother become one of the
hottest superstars today and he’s proud of that. Jimmy said
he was even proud of Solo Sikoa – he added that he might not
like him, but he’s proud of him. Jimmy said he finds himself
reading what everyone is saying when they wonder about
what’s next for Big Jim. He said 2025 will be a big year for
Big Jim. He might win the Royal Rumble, he might go after
the U.S. title and he might even go after the Universal
title. Jimmy said nothing will stop him from what he wants
to do and while none of his friends were there, he showed up
with a bum toe. Jimmy said next year will be huge for him.
Out of nowhere, Drew McIntyre showed up and hit Jimmy with a
Claymore Kick. Drew kept attacking Big Jim until officials
came out. McIntyre grinned and walked to the back while Nick
Aldis followed and berated Jimmy.
**********
– Stratton was shown warming up backstage and Nia Jax and
Candice LeRae walked in. Jax said when Stratton wins the
U.S. title, she won’t need her MITB briefcase. She followed
that up by saying she and LeRae will be watching her match
tonight.
– Aldis was shown following McIntyre and chewing him out
backstage. Bianca Belair and Naomi walked into the frame and
Aldis told Drew to go into his office. Drew obliged. Aldis
told Belair and Naomi that the investigation into what
happened to Jade Cargill was ongoing. Aldis said because of
that, Belair had to relinquish the women’s tag titles. Naomi
said Belair has never relinquished anything in her life and
if Belair needs a partner, it could be Naomi. Belair asked
Aldis if that could be an option. Aldis said he’d run it up
the flagpole, but if they really want to do it, they’d have
to defend the titles next week.
Michin defeated Tiffany Stratton to advance to the finals of
the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [8:25]
A surprising finish, but I’m not mad at it. The crowds
continue to get louder in support of Stratton, so that
babyface turn is going to hit like hot chocolate on a snowy
morning. The finish clearly didn’t go as planned, and the
match lost a couple minutes to picture-in-picture, but I
like the twist of Michin getting to the finals in what I’m
now convinced will be a hell of a TNA Knockouts title bout
when Chelsea Green finds a way to beat Bayley later (but
we’ll see). Quick question: Are we to believe if Jade
Cargill wasn’t out for whatever reason (legit injury, work,
etc.) would this be her in the finals?
The two locked up to start things out and Stratton backed
Michin into a corner. Stratton threw Michin to the ground
and Michin popped back up and attacked Stratton. Michin
landed a dropkick and followed that up with some chops.
Michin hit a shoulder block on Stratton and Michin threw
Stratton to the outside, where Michin hit a dropkick through
the ropes. Michin went for a kick, but Stratton caught
Michin and hit a double stomp on Michin on the apron as the
show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Stratton went for another double
stomp, but this time Michin moved and hit followed that up
with a kick to Stratton. Back in the ring, Michin landed a
Tornado DDT. Michin did it again and got a two-count out of
it. Michin went for Eat Defeat, but that turned into an
Alabama Slam attempt from Stratton – but that turned into a
Tarantula via Michin. Michin then tried for a shotgun
dropkick, but Stratton moved and hit her Alabama Slam for a
two-count. “Let’s go Tiffy” chants broke out.
Michin tried a sleeper, but Stratton broke it up and the two
battled on the second rope. Michin went to the top, but
Stratton cut her off and hit a rolling Senton. Stratton then
went to the top and tried a Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Michin
moved, but Stratton still hit Michin. Even so, Michin didn’t
sell it and hit Eat Defeat for the win.
**********
– #DIY offered up a vignette and Johnny Gargano reflected on
how they were screwed out of the tag titles in Cleveland
earlier this year. Gargano said he bottled that deep inside
and soldiered on. Gargano noted how he told everyone he’d do
whatever it takes to get those tag titles back. Ciampa
weighed in and complained about Motor City Machine Guns
getting a title shot right away. Ciampa said they are on to
better days because they are now two time WWE Tag Team
Champions. Ciampa closed it out by telling everyone they are
#DIY.
The Roman Reigns Video
Paul Heyman stood behind Roman. Roman began by saying it’s
been a rough year and not that long ago, they ran everything
until through the spring and summer, it fell apart. He lost
his title, he lost his Wise Man, he lost The Bloodline – the
entire Bloodline. He said most importantly, he lost his Ula
Fala. Roman said four years ago, Solo Sikoa wasn’t there and
he didn’t take the Ula Fala; he earned it. Roman said his
uncles crowned him with the responsibility. Roman said
January 6 on Netflix, it will be Tribal Combat with him vs.
Solo Sikoa and he will take back his Bloodline and his Ula
Fala and his respect. Roman said once he has that respect,
the whole world will have no choice but to acknowledge him.
**********
– Legado Del Fantasma was shown talking to Nick Aldis
backstage. Santos Escobar asked Aldis what kind of show he
was running. Escobar said maybe they’d be better off with
Adam Pearce. Carmelo Hayes walked into the frame and said
he’d make light work of his mystery opponent and started his
walk to the ring. The show then went to a break.
Braun Strowman defeated Carmelo Hayes [1:30]
A simple squash. Poor Carmelo Hayes. He went from being
involved in one of SmackDown’s gems each week with the story
between him and Andrade and their seven game series. But
then that thing ended with a dumb conclusion and … I guess
we’re never going to get a proper finale? Did neither guy
really want to do the job that bad? Or did the bookers not
want either guy to do the job that bad? Either way, now the
fella is losing in 90 seconds to mystery opponents. Not
great.
Melo made his entrance and stood in the ring … only for
Braun Strowman’s music to hit. Strowman walked out and
looked bigger than he did before. Melo tried to push
Strowman, but Strowman grabbed Melo by the throat.
Eventually, Melo jumped at Strowman, but just bounced off
the big man. Strowman ran at Melo, but Melo moved and
Strowman ran into the ring post. Melo followed up with a
dropkick to Strowman’s leg and a DDT for a one-count. Melo
jumped off the top rope and Strowman caught Melo, hit the
powerslam, and that was it.
**********
– LA Knight was interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton.
Knight did all his catchphrases and said the one thing he’s
always done throughout his career is handle his business. He
referenced how he initially didn’t want to be involved with
Bloodline business. Knight said he doesn’t have love for
anyone in the family – except he likes Jey Uso, and Knight
then offered a “Yeet!” Knight said Solo Sikoa will, in fact,
remember Knight when it’s all said and done.
– Solo Sikoa made his entrance and stood in the ring with a
microphone. The crowd chanted “OTC!” Sikoa did the
“acknowledge me” bit. Everyone booed. Sikoa then said,
“Roman Reigns …” but before he could finish his thought, LA
Knight’s music hit and Knight walked to the ring for their
match.
LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [11:20]
This was a better-than-expected match. Sikoa and Knight
aren’t burning down houses with their in-ring work, no
matter how popular they are, but this turned out all right.
Knight getting the win, even if it was via DQ, was a tiny
bit surprising, but it’s not like Sikoa lost anything coming
away as the official loser of the match. Fatu is so great.
The way he popped up to attack Knight and end the match was
like a live action horror film, but pro wrestling. Kind of.
Anyway, good work from everyone involved. Oh, and speaking
of that Andrade/Melo feud and what has happened to both guys
since and the post-match scene here …
The two jawed at each other after the bell rang before they
traded blows. Sikoa got the best of it and repeatedly
headbutted Knight. Knight fought back and clotheslined Sikoa
over the top to the outside. Sikoa pulled Knight outside and
rammed Knight’s back into the ring apron. Sikoa slammed
Knight on the commentary table and posed. Sikoa then threw
Knight into the crowd barrier. Knight rolled back into the
ring, but the action went right back outside. Knight threw
Sikoa into the ring steps and slammed Sikoa onto the
commentary table.
Knight pounded on Sikoa and rolled Sikoa back into the ring.
Before long, Sikoa hit a Samoan Drop on Knight. Sikoa ran at
Knight, but Knight got the boot up and hit a bulldog on
Sikoa. For the third time, the action spilled outside at
about the four-minute mark and Knight dropkicked Tama Tonga.
From there, Sikoa landed a Spinning Solo on Knight on the
commentary table. The show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Sikoa had the upper hand. Sikoa set up
and tried a Superman Punch to mock Roman Reigns, but Knight
countered it into a back suplex. The two got to their feet
and exchanged punches, but Knight took Sikoa down with a
flying clothesline. Knight stomped on Sikoa. Knight hit a
running knee on Sikoa and set up for a BFT, but Sikoa rolled
to the outside. Knight clotheslined both Jacob Fatu and Tama
Tonga outside the ring. Knight then back body-dropped Fatu
over the commentary table.
Back in the ring, Sikoa hit a super-kick and went for a
Samoan Spike, but Knight countered with a Side Effect.
Knight went to the second turnbuckle and jumped to the top
to hit an elbow for a good near-fall that had the crowd
heated. Fatu woke up, went nuts and grabbed Knight, ending
the match in a DQ. Fatu then hit a hip attack on Knight, who
was against the crowd barrier. Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on
Knight and the Bloodline beat him down until Andrade and
Apollo Crews ran out for the save. It didn’t quite work
because the Bloodline quickly took them out, too. Sikoa,
Fatu and Tonga stood tall to end the segment.
**********
– Strowman was shown walking backstage and he ran into
Pretty Deadly. They offered Strowman a spot in “Pretty
Deadly The Musical.” Strowman shook his head and walked to
Byron Saxton. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller showed up.
Waller offered Strowman a chance to be a guest on the
Grayson Waller Effect next week. Strowman said he’d do it.
Chelsea Green defeated Bayley to advance to the finals of
the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [12:11]
Clunky at times, and the crowd didn’t do them any favors,
but they got where they needed to go. Green vs. Michin the
finals of this thing really is surprising, but in a good
way. Making things more surprising is that there really
wasn’t a lot of shenanigans here designed to protect Bayley.
Green’s win wasn’t entirely clean, but it wasn’t like Niven
had a huge role in the match. If Green wins that title
Saturday night, you have to think it’s going to be one of
the loudest pops of the night, right? Like Stratton, crowds
just refuse to boo her and that momentum builds larger each
week.
Green ran right into a Bayley-To-Belly suplex that felt flat
and Bayley only got a two-count out of it. The two then
traded pin attempts until Green slapped Bayley to slow
things down. Green punched Bayley and threw Bayley into a
corner, but Bayley moved and took back control with a
running clothesline and a two-count. Bayley landed a pair of
arm-drags and a clothesline. Green rolled to the outside and
Bayley chased Green. When they returned to the ring, Niven
tripped Bayley and Green took advantage of that. Green had
the upper hand as the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Green still had the advantage. Green
rolled Bayley up for a two-count. The show cut to a PIP with
the trailer for “Mufasa The Lion King” taking the bigger
box. Back to it, Green was working over Bayley on the apron
and Bayley ran Green into the ring post. Bayley followed
that up with a neck-breaker and a sliding clothesline.
Bayley then suplexed Green on the outside. Bayley rolled
Green back into the ring and executed a back suplex for a
two-count.
Bayley went to the top, but Green cut her off and landed a
running knee. Green went to the second rope, but missed a
Vader Bomb. Bayley sunset flipped Green into the
turnbuckles, but Green kicked out at two. Bayley went for a
Bayley-To-Belly, but Greej countered with a rollup. Green
hit a Rough Rider for a good near-fall. Bayley then planted
Green and went to the top, but Niven dragged Green to the
outside. It was outside where Bayley hit Niven with an
elbow. Green then threw Bayley into the timekeeper’s area.
Green returned to the ring and the referee counted, but
Bayley beat the count. Green kicked Bayley in the head and
hit an Un-Pretty-Her for the win.
**********
– A Motor City Machine Guns vignette aired. Turns out, Alex
Shelley will face Johnny Gargano next week.
– A Nakamura vignette aired. It had subtitles and he said
one by one everyone will fall to him. He said LA Knight was
just the beginning and Knight is pining for something that
he no longer has. Nakamura closed by saying he is
inevitable.
– Stratton was walking backstage and ran into Jax, who said
it was a tough night, but not everyone is meant to be a
champion. LeRae walked in and said next week, LeRae and Jax
will team to face Naomi and Belair for the women’s tag
titles. Jax was excited and said they need to go brainstorm.
LeRae stuck back and told Stratton that maybe Stratton isn’t
cut out for singles wrestling.
– Cole and Graves ran down the card for Saturday Night’s
Main event.
The Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens segment
A very underwhelming go-home segment. It was also not what
they advertised, in terms of the two talking to each other,
but that’s pretty much how these things typically go
anyways. The brawl itself even kind of/sort of came up tame
and lacked a spark, which was surprising considering how
good both guys are at brawling. Just not a lot here. I hope
they deliver on Saturday night. If I hadn’t seen any of the
build to the match prior to this go-home segment, I’m not
sure I would think they will.
Michael Cole stood in the ring and introduced Cody Rhodes.
Cody walked to the ring in a suit, sans tie. Cole then
introduced Kevin Owens, and nothing happened. Cody said
Kevin Owens wasn’t there, but the crowd was there, so he
would do the interview with Cole alone. Cole referenced the
video from this week with Paul Levesque and Cody and the
possibility of the return of the winged eagle belt.
Owens appeared on a video screen, cutting a promo from his
car again. Owens said Cody used all his friends to help him
finish his story and Owens asked Cole to ask Cody about
that. Owens said Cody is as bad a friend as he is a son and
a brother. Owens said there was something he meant to tell
him: It didn’t matter how long Cody is champion, the truth
will always be that Cody was way more interesting as
Stardust.
Cody said he was sure Owens had a lot more zingers up his
sleeve. Cody threw his belt to the canvas and said he would
go find Kevin Owens now. The camera followed Cody through
Gorilla and Cody shouted “Kevin!” backstage. Owens appeared
out of nowhere and the two brawled in Gorilla and back out
into the arena. Owens was getting the best of Cody while
wearing a Stardust t-shirt. Officials came out to try and
break it up, but Owens fought them off. Cody then got the
upper hand and he started beating up the officials, too.
The wrestlers got into the ring and brawled and more
security and officials appeared. Cody broke away from them
and hit a splash on Owens. Cody kicked Owens and Owens went
down. While officials held Cody back, Owens hit Cody in the
head with his title. Owens threw the title on top of Cody
and the crowd booed. Owens left the ring and the show ended
with the visual of Cody being down on the mat.