Posted on 2/08/125 by Bob Magee
– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as imagery
of Memphis aired. LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, Jimmy Uso and
Charlotte Flair were shown walking backstage (separately, of
course). A video recapping the Royal Rumble then aired. Jey
Uso was shown out in the concessions area and made his
entrance through the crowd for the first segment.
The Jey Uso segment
Boy, I think Jey’s entrance might take up an entire third
hour of this show one day. I enjoyed the exchange between
Cody and Jey despite it feeling inevitable that Jey will not
choose Cody. Adding Fatu into the mix was logical, but I’d
hate to see Fatu get a title shot sometime between now and
Mania, only to lose and move his way back down from the top
of the card. I admit I’m biased towards him, but keeping him
strong for as long as possible is probably best for everyone
involved – and not just Fatu himself. Only time will tell
how that plays out, but as for tonight … do we have a tag
match main event on our hands with Cody taking a pin due to
his Rumble injuries?
After Jey’s very prolonged entrance, the crowd chanted “One
more time!” and they hit his music one more time so everyone
could Yeet again. It was 11 minutes past the hour when Jey
actually started talking. Jey said he had a hell of a week
and he got a lot of love from his family and fans and
everyone in between throughout the week. “You deserve it!”
chants broke out. Jey said he was there to pick a champion
to main event WrestleMania with. He went to say he wanted to
stand face to face with the WWE Champion and welcomed Cody
Rhodes to the ring.
Cody made his entrance and hugged Jey in the ring. Cody was
kind of/sort of limping, selling pain from his ladder match
last weekend. The crowd chanted Cody’s name and Cody asked
Memphis and Jey Uso what they wanted to talk about … but not
really because Cody said he thought he knew what they wanted
to talk about. Jey reminded Cody that he has two choices to
make (actually, it’s one, but … you get it).
Cody said his hip is out of alignment and he needs fluid
drained from his elbow and doctors told him that this week.
Cody noted that his heart is full, though, because Jey won
the Royal Rumble. Cody said this is going to be Jey’s
WrestleMania and he referenced how he and Jey have had some
drinks together in the past. Cody mentioned how they could
go party on Beale Street later. Cody got on with it and said
he’s going to have to win at WrestleMania, so if Jey chooses
Cody, they should have some fun tonight because it’ll be the
last time they have fun. Jey and Cody shook hands, but out
of nowhere, Jacob Fatu’s music hit. Fatu walked out with
Tama Tonga.
Tonga shushed the crowd and mumble into the microphone. Fatu
then began talking and said last year, Cody took his title
from his family. As of now, Fatu said, his family needs that
title back. Fatu said that took him to Jey Uso, “Mr. Yeet
Man.” Fatu said if there was anybody to bring back to the
title to the family, it sure as hell wouldn’t be Jey. Uso
hit Tonga with a super-kick and Fatu hit Jey with a super-
kick. Fatu then attacked Cody and all his injuries. Fatu
went for a hip attack, but Jey cut Fatu off with a super-
kick. Jey and Cody then clotheslined Fatu over the top to
end the segment.
**********
– My aforementioned potential tag match main event
prognostication was officially announced for later in the
night.
Bianca Belair defeated Piper Niven to qualify for the
Elimination Chamber [8:04]
The story of the match was predictable but effective in its
simplistic way: Belair wanted to get Niven up for the KOD
and couldn’t do it for eight minutes until … well … she
could. And did. And won. I might be in the minority, but WWE
needs to do something to freshen up Belair. We forget it at
this point, but she was a damn good heel and we all think
she had something to do with that attack on Jade Cargill,
right? Maybe pull the trigger on whatever is going to happen
with that sooner than later? Anymore, Belair feels like
she’s spinning her wheels. But Belair is a star and stars
shouldn’t spin their wheels. Bah. OK. Sorry. Rant over.
Belair went for a KOD early, but Niven countered. That
didn’t stop Belair from having control early in the match.
Eventually, Niven clotheslined Belair with assistance from
Belair’s braid. Niven ran at Belair, but Belair moved and
Niven stumbled to the outside. With Belair against the LED
board, Niven hit a splash on her before landing a Senton.
Niven posed as the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Belair cross-bodied Niven from the top
rope for a near-fall. Belair went for a KOD again, but Niven
headbutted her way out of it. Niven followed up with a Boss
Man Slam for a two-count. Niven went for a Senton, but
Belair moved and Belair speared Niven. With Belair in a
corner, Niven came at her with a Cannonball and connected
with it. Niven went to the top, but Belair cut her off.
Still, Niven slammed Belair again and followed up with a
Vader Bomb for a two-count.
Niven ran at Belair, but Belair moved and Niven ran into a
ring post. From there, Belair got Niven up for a KOD and
this time finally hit it. The move was good enough to earn
Belair the win.
**********
– Carmelo Hayes and Nick Aldis were shown talking backstage.
Aldis said Hayes will face a Raw superstar later in the
show. Someone knocked on the door and Tozawa walked in.
Hayes smiled and said he’d love to wrestle Tozawa later.
The #DIY segment
Johnny Gargano led things off and told the crowd to give it
up for he and Ciampa. The crowd, in turn, booed. Gargano
said they are the best tag team in the world. Ciampa said
the chances of Motor City Machine Guns ever holding their
titles are officially dead. Ciampa said it’s a shame because
they respect MCMG and 11 years ago, MCMG were their favorite
tag team. Gargano and Ciampa told everyone to stand up and
surprisingly, a lot of people in the crowd did. Ciampa asked
for a moment of silence and Pretty Deadly’s music hit.
Elton Prince started talking in the entranceway and said it
was important to remind #DIY of the help Pretty Deadly gave
them in recent months. Nick Aldis walked out with a
microphone and said #DIY is in no position to make demands.
Aldis said Pretty Deadly will face #DIY and if Pretty Deadly
wins, they will receive a title shot. Aldis booked the match
for “right now” even though the show instantly went to a
commercial break, so maybe “right now” was actually “in a
couple minutes.” Also of note: #DIY were in street clothes.
**********
Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) defeated #DIY
(Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) to earn a tag team title
shot [2:57 of TV time]
Not much to this, other than between the #DIY promo and the
subsequent match, all I could think about was when, how or
why MCMG were eventually going to show up. But they didn’t.
So this was just kind of there. This tag division needs more
than just a shot in the arm; it needs a full-on overhaul.
Turned out “right now” actually meant “right now” because
the match was joined in progress. As such, Kit Wilson
received a hot tag from Elton Prince. Wilson stomped on
Ciampa and sidewalk-slammed Gargano. Prince tagged in and
the Pretty Deadly duo hit a springboard Codebreaker on
Gargano for a two-count. Eventually, Ciampa and Prince were
the only ones left inside the ring and Ciampa landed a lot
of strikes on Prince. Gargano pulled on Prince’s hair and
Ciampa rolled Prince up, but Prince rolled through and
rolled Ciampa up for the win.
**********
– The Miz was shown talking to Andrade backstage. Andrade
said he learned how to beat him last week and walked away.
Cody Rhodes walked in and Miz asked Cody if he could believe
the new crop of talent, being disrespectful and all. Miz
said he’d always have Cody’s back and Cody said he didn’t
need Miz to have his back. Miz asked Cody if he’d still be
Jey Uso’s friend if Jey chooses Cody. Miz said ht’d be a
hell of a story and Cody looked concerned as the segment
ended.
– Footage of John Cena’s appearance at the post-Rumble press
conference aired.
The Drew McIntyre/Jimmy Uso/LA Knight promo
The best 15 minutes of the program so far. You had to know
Knight would address the McIntyre rumors coming out of the
Rumble because that’s the era of WWE we are in these days
and, as expected, it was a lot of fun. Better yet was Drew’s
smirk at the “gotta get my stuff in” line. Knight’s speaking
range was really on display here because when he turned
serious for about 20 seconds, going into the mental health
stuff, he had that crowd in the palm of his hands. It was
really good stuff – and a worthy sentiment. Jimmy didn’t
feel out of place, either, as a talker here, even though we
aren’t really used to seeing him swim in solo waters when it
comes to top-of-card promos. Everything everyone said worked
here and that’s not common.
Drew McIntyre made his entrance and stood in the ring with a
microphone. McIntyre said he was officially back on Friday
Night SmackDown. McIntyre noted how he went backstage and
tore some things up after being eliminated and then drove
home. McIntyre said he woke up the next day and asked
himself why he was so angry all the time.
Drew said it was because he was the victim of a toxic
workplace, which was Raw. McIntyre said he can see clearly
now because Aldis called him and told him “Drew will be
allowed to be Drew 100 percent” on SmackDown. McIntyre said
he was there for Cody and what he has – the WWE
Championship. McIntyre was interrupted by Jimmy Uso’s theme
music. Jimmy walked out with a microphone.
Jimmy said every single week, McIntyre keeps living in the
past. Jimmy said nobody ever stole anything from McIntyre
and tonight, Jimmy was there to earn a spot in the Chamber.
McIntyre said a couple weeks ago, he’d be angry about what
he said, but he’s “cool now, Jey,” which was funny. McIntyre
said Jimmy and Jey are similar in every way and perhaps
Jimmy would be where Jey is if he just said “Yeet” first.
Jimmy said tonight, he needs to punch his ticket to
WrestleMania and he’s ready to kick Drew’s ass. Jimmy said,
“I’m going to WrestleMania, Uce.”
LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked out with a
microphone. Knight cut his own music and said he doesn’t
have any love for Jimmy because he’s the reason he’s not the
WWE Champion. Knight spoke into the camera about mental
health and it’s OK to cry. Knight turned that into saying
three promises in life: Death, taxes and Drew McIntyre
crying like a damn baby. Knight used the phrase “Drew
McIncryer.” Knight said he’s going to give Jimmy and Drew
something to cry about – dashing their WrestleMania hopes.
Knight said, “Oh wait. I forgot to get my stuff in,” and
Drew rightly snickered. Knight stepped in the ring for their
triple threat.
Drew McIntyre defeated Jimmy Uso and LA Knight to qualify
for the Elimination Chamber [12:40 of TV time]
This exceeded my expectations, even if they weren’t all that
high. Some of the near-falls towards the end had me
wondering how this thing was going to turn out and the
finish ended up being pretty clever. I wonder where this
leaves both Knight and Uso going forward because one feels
to be in a purgatory after recently losing a title (Knight),
while the other feels like he’s supposed to be on his way up
the card, but has no real program to sink his teeth into …
yet. As for this match, all three guys showed up to work and
the result was a very good WWE television match. This could
have main evented the show and I wouldn’t have complained.
The match was joined in progress and all three were going
after one another. McIntyre chopped Jimmy and went to work
on him while Knight was down in a corner. Jimmy came back
with a Samoan Drop, but Knight broke up a pin attempt. Jimmy
hopped up and chopped Knight, but Knight came back with a
pop-up slam. Knight ran into a headbutt from McIntyre.
McIntyre threw Knight and went back to Jimmy and suplexed
him. McIntyre whipped Jimmy into a corner and belly-to-
belly’d Knight across the ring. McIntyre then smiled.
Jimmy came back and threw McIntyre to the outside, where
Jimmy followed up with a dive. Knight joined the two outside
and rammed McIntyre’s head onto the commentary desk. Knight
did the same to Jimmy. Knight stood on top of the table and
posed for the crowd. The show then went to a commercial
break. Back from that break, McIntyre chopped Jimmy, who was
perched on the top rope. Jimmy essentially crotched
McIntyre, but Knight returned and cut Jimmy off while
stomping on McIntyre.
Knight leapt to the top for a super-plex, but McInture
pulled himself up and hit a German Suplex on Knight, who
super-plexed Jimmy in a fun spot. Everyone was down and the
crowd chanted “This is awesome!” Knight and McIntyre traded
chops and Knight DDT’d McIntyre before going to the top and
connecting with an elbow, but Jimmy broke up Knight’s pin
attempt. Jimmy lifted Knight, but things ended up with
Knight being Spinebuster’d via McIntyre for a near-fall that
Knight barely kicked out of.
McIntyre set up for a Claymore Kick, but Jimmy super-kicked
McIntyre and clotheslined McIntyre over the top, to the
outside. Jimmy super-kicked Knight and landed an Uso Splash
on Knight from the top. The referee counted to two, but then
McIntyre pulled the ref outside of the ring. McIntyre was
laid out on the commentary table and Jimmy went for another
splash on Knight, but Knight rolled Jimmy up for a two
count. Knight set up for a BFT on Jimmy and McIntyre
Claymore’d Knight for the win.
**********
– Damian Priest was interviewed by Byron Saxton backstage in
a hallway. Braun Strowman walked into the frame and told
Priest he has to qualify for the Chamber and next week, it
sounds like it’ll be Strowman vs. Priest vs. Fatu in another
Chamber qualifying match. Strowman said Priest will be in
the ring with a wild animal and a monster next week. Priest
said he wasn’t overlooking anyone.
– Video of what happened between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
on Raw aired. Owens cut a promo from his car and talked
about how much he and Zayn have been through. Owens said the
pain he suffered from his match at the Rumble might never go
away and it’s all Zayn’s fault. Owens said Zayn watched as
Cody tried to end Owens’s career and did nothing. Owens
noted how Zayn rushed to the aid of Roman Reigns later that
night while he did nothing for Owens earlier. Owens said
Zayn is a horrible friend and a disgusting human being and
he will never forgive him. Owens said he will make Zayn pay.
– Carmelo Hayes made his entrance with a microphone in hand.
In the entranceway, Melo said Tozawa looks like “Cody Rhodes
got left in the dryer too long.” Melo said when in Memphis,
they call Melo Ja Morant. The only difference between he and
Morant, he said, was that Melo would make the all-star team.
Carmelo Hayes defeated Akira Tozawa [7:32]
This was probably a bit overly competitive, considering how
Tozawa has been designated as The Guy Who Loses All Of The
Matches for quite a while now. And if we are trying to get
Melo over as someone who shouldn’t take as many losses as he
does, why are we going seven-and-a-half minutes again? Just
a question. The opposite side of that? It’s nice to see
Tozawa get some TV time and he held his own against one of
WWE’s rising stars. That should mean something, right?
Tozawa jumpstarted the match and eventually hit a cross-body
onto Melo, who was on the outside. About 30 seconds into the
match, the show went to a commercial break. Back from the
break, Melo was working on Tozawa’s arm. It wasn’t long
before Tozawa fired up and hit a DDT for a two-count. Tozawa
went to the top, but Melo moved and beat down Tozawa down.
Tozawa tore his shirt off and went to the top, but Melo cut
him off. Even so, Tozawa landed a Sunset Flip from the top
for a near-fall. The two traded roll-up attempts until Melo
hit a clothesline, a springboard DDT and a Nothing But Net
for the win.
**********
– Tessitore said they reached out to Paul Heyman for an
update on Roman Reigns’s condition after what happened at
the Royal Rumble (Seth Rollins’s two-foot stomp), but
weirdly enough, they couldn’t get a hold of the Wise Man. As
such, Roman’s health status is up in the air.
– Jerry “The King” Lawler was shown in the crowd. Lawlor
received a hero’s welcome, as one would expect in Memphis.
– R-Truth was shown with Tozawa backstage and left him once
he saw Jey Uso. Truth called Jey “King Of The Ring” and said
Tozawa “Yeeted on himself” before leaving. Cody walked up
and asked Jey what he’s thinking about when it comes to
WrestleMania. Jey said he’s undecided and walked away.
The Charlotte Flair segment
I sort of thought we’d get Jax vs. Stratton at Elimination
Chamber, but hell, Valentine’s Day is just as well.
Charlotte, man. I don’t know what to do with her and I don’t
think the crowds know what to do with her. The heartfelt
speech she gave on Monday didn’t go as planned and this felt
like it wanted to land somewhere in between acknowledging
the backlash she received on Monday and re-establishing her
character, but it didn’t quite work. Or in other words …
goodness, this felt rehearsed. I feel bad for her at this
point. WWE can’t figure out how to book her in anything
other than “I’m Charlotte Flair. Respect me because I am
Charlotte Flair!” But it’s just not working anymore.
Hopefully, they can heat her up by the time Mania comes
around.
Charlotte soaked in some “Woooos!” before saying “Hi,
Memphis,” to a mixed reaction. She asked the crowd if they
loved her or hated her. The crowd cheered the love and booed
the hate. Charlotte said when people boo, she sees money and
it’s OK because she lives rent-free in fans’ lives.
Charlotte said everyone is obsessed with “everything
Charlotte Flair.” She said she knows everyone thinks she
thinks she’s better than everyone. She asked if people
thought she’d actually be gone for 14 months and not win the
Rumble. Charlotte called the other women in the Rumble
“unserious” and said there was no way she was going over the
top rope.
Charlotte reminded everyone that she became the first two-
time women’s Royal Rumble winner. She followed that up by
talking about how she went to Raw and NXT earlier this week
and tonight, she wanted to see if Tiffy … on cue, Tiffany
Stratton’s music hit and out, Stratton walked. In the ring,
the crowd chanted “Tiffy Time.” Stratton began by
congratulating Charlotte and saying nobody is a bigger
Charlotte fan than herself. Tiffy said she wasn’t sure if
WWE could survive without Charlotte.
Stratton said she came along and ticket sales went up and
WWE is hotter than it’s ever been. Charlotte paused and
asked Stratton if she said something. Charlotte then said,
“Sweetheart, you speak when I say you can speak.” Stratton
came back and said she’s always been compared to Charlotte
as a “Charlotte Flair wannabe.” Stratton asked Charlotte to
pick her for her Mania match because then she’ll be The One
And Only Tiffany Stratton. “Tiffy Time!” chants broke out
again. Charlotte said she views Stratton as a child begging
her to make her a star at WrestleMania. Charlotte said if
Tiffy wants Charlotte to choose her, she’s going to have to
beg. Nia Jax’s music then hit.
Jax walked out with Candace LeRae and said the “blondie back
and forth was cute and all” because Jax is going to be
champion by the time WrestleMania. Turns out, next week, it
will be Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s
Champion. Jax said if Charlotte wants to be a champion at
Mania, she’s going to have to go through Jax. Alexa Bliss’s
music then hit and Bliss made her entrance. The women
watched as Bliss got to the ring for the next match.
**********
Alexa Bliss defeated Candace LeRae to qualify for the
Elimination Chamber [10:36]
Bliss is still getting her legs under her in terms of
getting back in the ring, so any awkward spots here aren’t
even worth noting. The win makes sense as she is one of the
company’s biggest stars and the pop she received at the
Rumble cemented that. As for tonight, this crowd hasn’t been
kind to a lot of people, so I’ll reserve judgment on any
continuous excitement for her return. LeRae was the right
wrestler to put Bliss in the ring with as she gets back into
the mix because LeRae did a very good job making Bliss look
as seasoned as she could, considering the layoff. It should
also be noted that some Wyatt Sicks distortion things
happened for a second or three at one point in the match.
Here’s hoping they have something solid in mind for Bliss
and that faction.
Things were slow early. Bliss ultimately took control and
teased a Sister Abigail, but LeRae turned it around and
gained the upper hand. LeRae went to work on Bliss’s neck
and back. Bliss eventually tripped LeRae into a turnbuckle
and went to the top, but LeRae cut off Bliss. LeRae tried to
set up a super-plex, but Bliss knocked LeRae off. LeRae went
to the apron and Bliss followed. It was there where LeRae
planted Bliss, face-first. LeRae posed a little and the show
went to a commercial break.
The show returned and LeRae was working on Bliss’s back.
LeRae ragdolled Bliss until Bliss showed anger and slapped
LeRae a couple of times. LeRae rolled to the apron and LeRae
landed a neck-breaker on Bliss before heading to the top.
From there, she hit a missile dropkick for a two-count.
LeRae rolled up Bliss and the two rolled around to no avail
for a little. LeRae ran at Bliss and Bliss hit what
Tessitore called the Abigail DDT, which looked pretty much
how it sounded. That got Bliss the win.
**********
– Backstage, Chelsea Green was interviewed by Byron Saxton.
Next week, Green will face Naomi in a Chamber qualifying
match. B-Fab and Michin walked into the frame. Michin said
Chelsea might not be champion soon. Zelina Vega then came
through and said it might be time she gets a shot at Green’s
title, too.
– A Street Profits vignette aired and footage from their
interference at the Royal Rumble was shown. Dawkins said
#DIY’s days are numbered. Dawkins was all types of fired up.
Montez Ford said they didn’t like all these strangers coming
in and people essentially just teaming up for the hell of
it. Ford said they want the smoke. This was great.
– The Machine Guns were interviewed in the locker room and
Alex Shelley challenged the Profits the step up. Los Garza
walked into the frame and Berto said it’s time for new teams
to step up. Shelley started firing back and Santos Escobar
walked in. Escobar said the Street Profits started
everything by attacking them for no reason. Escobar said
next week, it will be Los Garza vs. MCMG.
– A Damian Priest vignette aired. A Braun Strowman vignette
aired. A Facob Fatu vignette aired. This all combined for
one big vignette chronicling next week’s Elimination Chamber
qualifying match.
Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso defeated Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga
[11:05]
I love the return of Sikoa. I had already been thinking of
what to say about him not being around after saying nothing
a week or two ago, but this was the best way to reintroduce
him into the fold. Does this mean we get Cody vs. Sikoa at
Elimination Chamber One Last Time? Maybe. In the meantime,
this was a fine-enough main event. I still would have gone
with the triple threat from a wrestling standpoint, but it
makes sense that this would close the show now that we know
Sikoa was on his way back. Cody did a very good job selling
the effects of his ladder match at the Royal Rumble and Jey
Uso continues to get over as Just A Fun Guy (not to be
confused with Just Five Guys … wait, wrong promotion).
Sikoa’s return leaves us with a nice hook for next week’s
show.
Cody and Tonga started the match. Fifteen seconds later,
Fatu tagged himself in to challenge Cody. Fatu immediately
hit Cody a few times to establish control. The show then
went to a commercial break. The show returned and Fatu still
had the upper hand on Cody. Tonga tagged in and Cody
instantly fought back. Tonga went for a splash in a corner,
but Cody moved and ultimately got the hot tag to Jey Uso.
Jey came in and worked Tonga over, complete with a hip
attack on Tonga in a corner for a two-count. Jey hit a pop-
up neck-breaker/cutter and things briefly broke down with
Fatu super-kicking Jey. Tonga was still the legal man and
hit a sliding clothesline for a two-count. Fatu tagged in
and knocked Cody off the apron. Fatu lifted Jey and tagged
in Tonga, who laned a springboard splash on Jey. Before
long, Tonga and Jey clotheslined each other to reset the
match with about four minutes to go toward the top of the
hour.
Cody received the hot tag and Fatu tagged in, too. Cody hit
a Disaster Kick and a drop-down punch. Cody landed a Cody
Cutter on Fatu for a one-count. Cody set up for a Cross-
Rhodes, but Fatu worked out of it and tagged in Tonga, who
planted Cody with a weird Flatliner for a two-count. Cody
went to the top, but Fatu pushed Cody off the top and Tonga
executed his jumping DDT for a two-count. Fatu super-kicked
Cody and ran the ropes, but Jey cut Fatu off and super-
kicked him on the outside. Inside the ring, Cody hit a
Cross-Rhodes on Tonga for the win.
As Cody has his hand raised, Solo Sikoa ran in with a hoodie
covering his face and gave Cody the Samoan Spike. Sikoa
stood tall to end the show.