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Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Today we will once again enjoy a new live broadcast of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The show will feature several matches and standout segments, including the final of the Last Time is Now tournament, where Gunther and LA Knight will compete for the honor of becoming John Cena's last opponent.
Additionally, Ilja Dragunov will have a new open challenge for the United States Championship. As always, we invite you to comment on the article to give your opinion on what happens on this week's blue brand show.
WWE SmackDown begins!
The show starts with a video recap of WWE Survivor Series: WarGames.
We see the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists at the venue: Alexa Bliss (with Charlotte Flair), The Kabuki Warriors, LA Knight, and Gunther.
A white ranchera arrives at the venue's parking lot. From inside descends Drew McIntyre, who is quickly greeted by Nick Aldis and a good number of security members. "What part of 'suspended' don't you understand?", asks the General Manager. McIntyre points out that he can't be suspended if he just won WarGames. Aldis informs him that he is still suspended, just as he was before Survivor Series for attacking a referee. With that said, he orders McIntyre to return to his car and leave the place. McIntyre reluctantly obeys, assuring he will comply because he doesn't want to harm the security Aldis has brought with him. "And you're not hurting me. You're hurting the fans. They won't have Drew McIntyre tonight, and it will be your fault", says the Scotsman as he gets into his vehicle. Suddenly, he is attacked by Cody Rhodes! Security members struggle with the WWE Undisputed Champion until they finally separate him from his victim, who quickly leaves the parking lot at full speed. Aldis tries to calm Rhodes, but he moves away. Furious, Cody heads towards the ring.
Rhodes asks for a microphone. "Nick Aldis! GM! I need you to reinstate Drew McIntyre!", he shouts. "¡Drew McIntyre broke an unwritten rule of our sport! ¡Drew McIntyre, you entered my home away from home! ¡In my bus, where my wife sleeps! ¡Where my daughters play! ¡And you thought there wouldn't be consequences?! ¡Drew McIntyre, I can drop 1.2 megatons on you! ¡I can split an atom and you'd still be crawling around my feet because you, sir, are WWE's resident cockroach!". "¡Cody, Cody!", chant the fans. Rhodes addresses Aldis once again, pointing out that he wouldn't want scenes like tonight to be repeated. Cody doesn't care where, but he will end up putting his hands on Drew. He just hopes Nick does the right thing and lifts his suspension so he can do it inside a ring. "¡Drew, you've never beaten me, but you might be the man who has angered me the most! "So Nick, I beg you, reinstate Drew so he can do what everyone does when they see a cockroach. And it's something very simple: ¡CRUSH IT!". Rhodes tosses the microphone to end this brief but intense promo.
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano converse backstage. Candice LeRae accompanies them. Both boast about snatching Axiom's mask. Tommaso promises his partner that the next thing he will achieve is the United States Championship, so he will go talk to Nick Aldis about it. Gargano hopes Ciampa will conquer the gold, expecting that after that, they can focus again on dominating the tag team division. "After I'm done with Ilja, I'll be the new United States Champion", Tommaso reiterates. Carmelo Hayes passes by them. Suddenly, he stops. "Did you say something about the United States Championship?", he asks Ciampa. "You'll have to postpone your plans for another day because I'm next," he adds before pointing at Johnny's shirt ("Don't call my best friend a dumbass"). "Dumbass", says Hayes before leaving. Candice and Johnny calm Ciampa as the segment comes to an end.
Damian Priest delivers a video promo to address Aleister Black. Damian has heard everything the Dutchman has said about him, but he's delusional if he thinks he can break or burn his face and walk away as if nothing happened. Priest points out that he has only delayed the inevitable. "You involved your wife. You involved your family. So now I will involve mine", he says before handing over to Rhea Ripley. The Australian notes that Black made a serious mistake believing she wouldn't come to Damian's aid. "Because Damian and I have been through Hell together. And if he's going back to that fire, then I'll be by his side. And Zelina, what did you think you could do, get him riled up? All you've done is sign your death warrant, because next week it will be you two against us. And you'll quickly understand why no one survives The Terror Twins", says Ripley to end the promo. Damian and Rhea laugh as the video comes to an end.
United States Championship Match
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
Both men grapple. Dragunov knocks down his opponent with a shoulder tackle before delivering a chop. Hayes responds in kind. Ilja surprises Carmelo with a big boot. After that, he kicks him in one of the corners. Dragunov tries to crush his opponent, but he stops him with a superkick. Dragunov applies a new big boot to regain control.
Ilja seeks height in one of the corners. Hayes goes after him to throw him to the mat. Now it's Melo who seeks height. Dragunov hits him before executing a big boot. Hayes ends up on ringside. Dragunov goes after him to continue hitting him. The Russian slams the challenger on the apron before bringing him back into the ring. Ilja executes a powerslam before diving with a diving knee drop. 1..2..NO.
The champion traps Melo in a headlock. Hayes breaks free, only to be taken down with a chop. Dragunov finishes him off with a senton. 1..2..NO. Both men exchange punches. Ilja surprises his opponent with a clothesline. 1..2..NO. Dragunov applies a snap suplex. 1..2..NO. Ilja catches Carmelo in a ground wristlock. Hayes struggles to escape his opponent's clutches but ends up receiving two consecutive german suplex holds.
The Russian immobilizes Hayes to deliver several elbow strikes. Carmelo escapes to start an exchange of attacks with the champion. Melo dodges a Discus Lariat to respond with a springboard clothesline. Carmelo finishes him off with a tilt-a-whirl facebuster. 1..2..NO. "¡Melo, Melo!", chant the fans. Dragunov blocks a facebreaker to reverse it into a powerbomb. Ilja leaps with a H-Bomb, but Hayes stops him with his knees. The Russian bounces off the ropes to return towards his opponent's position, who quickly covers him. 1..2..NO.
The action continues. Dragunov kicks Hayes with an enzuigiri before applying a chokeslam. Both men are left lying on the mat. "¡Let's go Melo!", chant the fans. Ilja seeks height. Hayes hits him to make him fall to ringside. Dragunov returns to the apron, where his rival surprises him with a springboard DDT. Hayes throws the champion against the audience barrier before bringing him back into the ring.
The referee tends to the Russian as Carmelo seeks height in one of the corners, ready for his Melo Don't Miss. Suddenly, Tommaso Ciampa appears on the scene to push Hayes off the corner. Melo lands on the mat, hurting himself in the fall. A recovered Ilja lunges at his opponent with a Torpedo before finishing him off with an H-Bomb. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Ilja Dragunov
"No way!", exclaims a furious Dragunov when he realizes what happened as he watches the replay on the venue screen.
Cathy Kelley interviews Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair backstage. Charlotte makes it clear that she only joined Rhea Ripley's team in WarGames because Alexa would be lost without her. Bliss is proud of her partner for "improving" her social skills. Now the bond that unites them - the same one that led them to win the Tag Team Championships - is stronger than ever. "WarGames was fun, but we're back because we want to win the Tag Team Championships again... and beat Kairi Sane tonight," says Flair. Kelley thanks them for their time. Alexa and Charlotte leave to end the segment.
We see a promotional video for The Last Time is Now tournament.
Cathy Kelley interviews LA Knight backstage. "The Megastar" doesn't want to think about dream opponents, but John Cena is in his way to cement his legacy. Now, The Last Time is Now. And it will be for him or for Gunther. LA Knight goes straight to his opponent for tonight, making it clear that he is an unstoppable man at this moment. And he will prove it when the Austrian ends up like all the others: receiving a Blunt Force Trauma to be left lying on the mat while everyone chants "L-A-Knight. YEAH".
We see Tony Hinchcliffe in the front row.
Kairi Sane (with Asuka) vs. Alexa Bliss (with Charlotte Flair)
Sane and Bliss grapple as they take the action to one of the corners. The Japanese surprises her rival, delivering a flurry of kicks. Kairi and Alexa exchange roll-ups. Sane slaps Bliss before mocking her height. Alexa responds with two slaps before taking down her opponent to the mat. Bliss performs a rolling senton on the Japanese, who quickly leaves the ring.
Kairi pretends to leave the match. Charlotte stands in her way, a moment Asuka takes advantage of to make Bliss fall off the apron. Kairi catches Alexa to execute an Alabama Slam against the audience barrier. Sane brings Bliss back into the ring, where she performs a diving forearm. 1..2..NO. Alexa tries to recover, but Kairi prevents it. Sane traps her rival in a Boston Crab. Alexa crawls to the ropes to force her release. The referee forces Sane to let go of her opponent.
Asuka takes advantage of the official's distraction to attack Bliss with the help of the ropes. Furious, Charlotte approaches "The Empress of Tomorrow," who quickly flees from her. Sane takes Alexa to one of the corners, where she applies a running forearm. Kairi continues with a powerslam before seeking height. Alexa goes after her to start an exchange of attacks. Bliss ends up hanging by her legs in the corner. Sane takes advantage to perform a double footstomp. 1..2..NO.
"Lexi, Lexi!", chant the fans. Alexa dodges a sliding forearm, causing Sane to hit one of the corners. Bliss initiates a counterattack. Alexa takes down Sane with a dropkick before applying a Natural Selection. Bliss looks for the Sister Abigail, but Asuka distracts her from the apron. Furious, Charlotte makes "The Empress of Tomorrow" fall before knocking her out with a big boot.
Bliss is distracted by what's happening at ringside. Kairi takes advantage to surprise her with a back elbow. Alexa falls to the mat. "The Pirate Princess" seeks height to launch herself with an Insane Elbow. However, Bliss stops her in mid-air to respond with the Sister Abigail. 1..2..3.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
Charlotte and Alexa celebrate in the center of the ring, when suddenly they are attacked from behind by Nia Jax and Lash Legend! Nia throws Alexa towards Lash, who awaits her with a tremendous right hook. Now it's Legend who throws Charlotte towards Nia for her to execute a samoan drop. Jax and Legend approach Kairi, but Asuka comes to the rescue. "The Empress of Tomorrow" unleashes a flurry of attacks on Lash before going after Nia, but she stops her with a headbutt. Sane jumps on Jax's back looking for a sleeperhold! Nia gets rid of her so Legend can kick her with a pump kick. Nia prepares to finish her with the Annihilator, but Asuka manages to save her partner just in time. Nia and Lash pick up the tag team championships to pose with them. "This is ours. OURS", says Jax to the Japanese.
Nick Aldis talks to referee Daphanie LaShaunn, asking her to be extra cautious in the venue's parking lot. Cody Rhodes approaches Aldis to apologize for earlier. Now he's calm. The General Manager accepts the WWE Undisputed Champion's apologies before asking him if he's ready for what they must do. Rhodes responds affirmatively. Both head to the General Manager's office, where Oba Femi and Ricky Saints are waiting. They ask Nick why they have been summoned tonight. Aldis apologizes to them for bothering them a few hours before they face off in NXT Deadline for the brand's top title. As for the reason for their presence here tonight, well... it's Cody who will explain it. Rhodes shakes hands with Saints and Femi before informing them that whoever wins tomorrow night will face him at Saturday Night's Main Event, fulfilling John Cena's wish to make his last show a stage for opportunities. "Good luck, gentlemen," says Cody before leaving. Oba and Ricky face off to end this segment.
Lash Legend and Nia Jax boast about their previous attack as they walk backstage. Cathy Kelley approaches them to interview them about the incident. Nia advises Kelley not to approach them from behind, as she could end up like the women they destroyed a few minutes ago. Jax points out that The Kabuki Warriors got what they deserved because, as Bayley says, they are idiots. And Asuka proved it at WarGames when she spat the Poison Mist in Legend's beautiful face, causing them to lose the match. Lash, for her part, notes that what they did tonight is just a taste of what they are capable of. "And great news. We're going for those tag team titles. And there's absolutely nothing that The Kabuki Warriors, The Judgment Day, RIYO, or those pretenders who want to be best friends, Charlotte and Alexa, can do about it", adds Lash before leaving with Nia.
Jade Cargill vs. Alba Fyre (with Chelsea Green)
Chelsea yells at Jade from the apron. Alba takes advantage of the distraction to surprise Cargill with a dropkick. The Scotswoman keeps attacking Jade, hitting her with a superkick. Fyre attacks Cargill with help from the ropes, forcing the referee to intervene. Chelsea takes advantage to hit Cargill illegally. Alba continues dominating the match.
Suddenly, Kiana James appears behind Green. Chelsea tries to explain that she’s busy right now, at which point James steps aside to reveal the presence of Giulia, who wastes no time attacking the United States Champion. Chelsea runs up the entrance ramp, closely followed by “The Beautiful Madness,” who keeps launching attacks.
Alba realizes what’s happening. “NO!”, shouts the Scotswoman. She doesn’t know how to react, but finally decides to refocus on the match. However, Cargill has recovered and surprises her with a spinebuster. The WWE Women’s Champion follows with a pump kick to finally finish her with the Jaded. 1..2..3.
Winner: Jade Cargill
Axiom and Nathan Frazer talk with Nick Aldis backstage. The Europeans remind him what #DIY have done to them in recent weeks. That’s why they want to get their hands on them. Axiom adds that Candice LeRae took his mask, and there’s nothing worse than that for a wrestler. “We have to do something about it,” says the Spaniard. Ilja Dragunov bursts onto the scene, furious about what happened tonight. The Russian accuses Tommaso Ciampa of tainting the integrity of the open challenges for the United States Championship. “And if that dumbass… THAT DUMBASS… is desperately looking for attention, he has it now. Nick, I want THAT MATCH”, says Ilja. Aldis grants it. Next week he’ll be able to put the gold on the line against Tommaso. “Once I’m done with him, you can have whatever is left of him”, Dragunov tells the Europeans. The Russian turns to leave, only to come face to face with Tama Tonga. Soon, the rest of MFT join their partner. Solo Sikoa places his hand on Tama’s shoulder before ordering his men to follow him. MFT head to the ring to close this segment.
We see Jade Cargill walking backstage. The WWE Women’s Champion runs into B-Fab. Both stop. “Sorry, did you say something?”, asks Cargill. “It’s funny how history repeats itself. You’ve seen what I did to Alba. Does it remind you of something?” she adds. Suddenly, a kendo stick appears between the two women. It’s held by Michin, who makes it clear to Jade that nothing else is happening tonight. Cargill mocks B-Fab for having Michin as her lapdog. “No, no, no. This is friendship. Something you know nothing about,” says Michin. “Well, if you don’t like it, go talk to Nick Aldis,” says Jade. “Yeah, let’s see what he has to say,” replies Michin. “I’ll go find him so you can step up and get stomped out,” says a confident Cargill before walking away.
MFT (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, JC Mateo, Talla Tonga, and Tonga Loa) make their entrance. The fans greet them with boos. Sikoa recalls that he already warned them he would finish Sami Zayn. “Solo sucks!”, chant the fans. Solo continues his promo noting that now that the Canadian is no longer a problem, it’s time to focus on his family. And that leads him directly to the next topic: The Wyatt Sicks.
Sikoa addresses Uncle Howdy, who has been watching his family recently. But he has been watching Howdy too. And since he didn’t get the chance last week, he’d like to introduce himself right now. “My name, don’t forget it, is Solo Sikoa. This is my ring. This is my show. This is My Family Tree”, he says. “Your family has something that belongs to mine: those tag titles. And since last week you wanted to attack me from behind, the difference between you and me is that when I do it, (my victims) don’t come back. See these men behind me? They’re my family. You hurt me, and now they’ll hurt you. Howdy, listen to me, and do it carefully. Everything that was his (he says raising his index finger to the sky)… everything that is yours now, will be mine. I’m going to take it all from you. I’m going to take everything you love, all your memories, and I’m going to show everyone in this world that you don’t deserve the name Wyatt. I’m going to take it because I can, because all I have to do is Bo-lieve,” he says to end his promo.
MFT leave the ring. Solo is about to follow them when the lights go out. When they return, we see Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis standing on the apron. Sikoa turns to find Uncle Howdy. Both men stare at each other. Howdy laughs. “You fucked up!”, chant the fans. Solo and Howdy quickly start a fight. MFT and The Wyatt Sicks enter the ring to unleash chaos. Little by little the ring clears until only Talla Tonga and Erick Rowan remain. The latter manages to eliminate his foe with a big boot. Talla tries to return, but Solo orders his men to retreat. Meanwhile, The Wyatts stay in the ring.
The Miz complains to Nick Aldis about not being John Cena’s final opponent. And not only that, he’s not even on the Saturday Night’s Main Event card. Aldis regrets nothing, especially after Mizanin cheated to earn a spot in the semifinals of The Last Time is Now tournament. Besides, not everyone can be on the show. Bayley appears. “The Role Model” is excited about her participation in Saturday Night’s Main Event. “INCREDIBLE!”, exclaims an annoyed The Miz before leaving. Aldis apologizes to Bayley for the scene before informing her that he already has an opponent for her: Sol Ruca. She enters to greet “The Role Model.” Bayley congratulates the former NXT North American Champion on her career in the developmental brand. However, Raw and SmackDown are on a completely different level. Sol knows it, but that’s exactly what she wants, and she’s ready for it. “We’ll find out tomorrow night when I see you at NXT Deadline. Good luck,” says Bayley before leaving.
Cathy Kelley interviews Gunther backstage. “The Ring General” is confident in his victory in the final of The Last Time is Now tournament. So much so that he’s already thinking only about John Cena. Gunther speaks directly to the seventeen-time world champion to advise him to watch his match tonight. Not so much the victory over LA Knight, but how he’ll achieve it. Gunther picks up his robe and leaves.
Aleister Black and Zelina deliver a promo via video. The Dutchman speaks directly to Damian Priest, lamenting that the Puerto Rican continues denying the truth. Because his friends aren’t really his friends. He, on the other hand, may be the enemy of the whole world, but he will always tell the truth. And the truth is that Rhea Ripley is only tempting him with a family that was left in the past to keep him under her control. “The Judgment Day you once knew no longer exists. The Terror Twins are just a ploy to keep you in that state of loneliness and sadness in which we found you”, says Zelina. “If Hell is what you want, Damian, then like Virgil to Dante, I will guide you through it”, says Black to end the promo.
Final of The Last Time is Now Tournament
Gunther vs. LA Knight
Both men stare carefully while the fans chant LA Knight’s name. Gunther pushes him with disdain. LA Knight responds with a flurry of strikes. Gunther counterattacks with a chop, only to receive a body drop. Gunther blocks a Blunt Force Trauma to escape to ringside. LA Knight hits him with a rope dropkick. LA Knight continues his offense, smashing the Austrian’s head against the announce table again and again.
LA Knight brings his opponent back into the ring, where the Austrian regains control. “The Megastar” tries to recover, but his opponent stops him with a brutal clothesline. “You tapped out!”, chant the fans to taunt the Austrian. LA Knight surprises him with a neckbreaker. Gunther immediately responds with a powerslam. Gunther keeps attacking LA Knight near the ropes.
LA Knight recovers and launches a flurry of punches. Gunther stops him and traps him in a sleeperhold. LA Knight throws himself against the ropes to break free, taking the action to ringside. Gunther drops his opponent onto the apron with a slam. Gunther brings him back into the ring to keep hitting him.
LA Knight manages to knock down the Austrian before diving with an elbowdrop, but Gunther dodges it. LA Knight unleashes another flurry of strikes on his opponent until he’s violently tossed into a corner. Gunther grabs Knight’s arm to deliver several chops. “The Megastar” dodges one of them and answers with a flying clothesline. LA Knight sends the Austrian into a corner and finishes him with a neckbreaker. 1..2..NO.
LA Knight reverses a sleeperhold on the mat, covering his opponent. 1..2..NO. LA Knight hits two consecutive inverted Death Valley Drivers on his rival. 1..2..NO. Both men lie on the mat. LA Knight and Gunther exchange punches with the little strength they have left. Gunther hits him with two big boots before both men take each other down with a double clothesline. “This is awesome!”, chant the fans.
LA Knight and Gunther exchange strikes as they stand up. “The Megastar” drives his opponent into a corner, unleashing a flurry of strikes. LA Knight blocks a sleeperhold to drop the Austrian with a side slam. Gunther dodges a diving elbowdrop and answers with a Shotgun Dropkick. LA Knight blocks a powerbomb and reverses it into a DDT. LA Knight finishes his opponent with a diving elbowdrop. 1..2..NO.
Gunther uses the ropes to stand. LA Knight tries to hit the Blunt Force Trauma, but Gunther blocks it and executes a German suplex. Gunther damages his opponent’s neck before hitting him with a clothesline. Gunther heads to the top rope. LA Knight follows him. They exchange strikes, with “The Megastar” falling to the mat. Gunther crushes him with a frog splash. Gunther repeats the move. 1..2..NO. Gunther hits a powerbomb. 1..2..NO.
Gunther prepares to finish him with a sleeperhold, but Knight hits him with a Blunt Force Trauma! 1..2..NO. Gunther puts a foot on the bottom rope to avoid the loss. Gunther traps “The Megastar” in a sleeperhold. LA Knight tries to resist, but the Austrian hits him again and again until he takes him to the mat. LA Knight manages to stand and lift Gunther onto his shoulders. Gunther unleashes a new flurry of elbows on his rival to trap him in a modified crossface. “The Megastar” resists as much as he can, but eventually has no choice but to submit.
Winner: Gunther
Gunther speaks directly into the camera. “Hey, John. I hope you were paying attention. At Saturday Night’s Main Event you will finally and definitely give up. You WILL give up!” he exclaims before continuing his celebration. And that brings us to the end of this week’s episode.
