Posted on 4/26/125 by Bob Magee
– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show while shots
of Texas aired. Participants in the upcoming tag title TLC
match were shown walking backstage. Ditto for Jacob Fatu and
Tiffany Stratton. A video package recapping WrestleMania
week was then shown. After that, John Cena’s music hit
inside the arena and Cena made his entrance.
The John Cena/Randy Orton segment
This felt a tiny bit more focused than Cena’s work with
Cody, but it’s still so much of the same to me. The fans are
abusive, manipulative. It’s an untenable relationship. Blah.
And blah. It’s so repetitive now that in some ways, I’m
almost finding more entertainment in it because it’s so over
the top, it’s kind of/sort of funny. Orton was better than
Cody in that Orton at least initially tried to talk sense
into Cena rather than browbeat him for beating him up
previously. Plus, Orton is better at chuckling at things in
a real way as when Cody smirks, he just looks
unintentionally smug. But the two showed good fire by the
time it all wrapped up (no one told me the first half hour
this week was commercial free?!). The family stuff was
mildly fun and I suspect Orton’s family will play a role in
the match at Backlash, even if it only leads to heartbreak.
The segment overstayed its welcome to this viewer, but this
was a step forward for Cena.
Cena held up his title to cheers from the live crowd. He
then did the same bit he did on Monday, calling ring
announcer Mark Nash into the ring, giving him a piece of
paper to read and telling him to read it while the crowd
went nuts with “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks!” chants. Nash said
he apologized for being disrespectful and reintroduced Cena
as the Greatest Of All Time, among other things, and as Nash
yelled Cena’s name, most of the crowd cheered with approval.
As soon as Cena raised the microphone to speak, Randy
Orton’s music played and Orton walked out through the
entranceway. Orton milked the entrance for all it was worth
and was given a microphone once inside the ring. “Randy!”
chants broke out. The crowd was hot for both wrestlers.
Orton said in a couple months, it will be 25 years to the
day he and Cena first shook hands. Orton said he’s known
Cena for 25 years and up until a few months ago, Cena had
never changed. Orton recalled how Hustle, Loyalty and
Respect was Cena’s mantra for every day of his life.
Orton said there is a void in Cena and he had been thinking
about all the fans and kids that looked up to Cena for so
long. Orton said Cena generations and generations of kids
looked up to Cena and that should mean something to Cena.
Orton referenced Cena’s history with the Make A Wish
Foundation. Orton said Cena couldn’t tell him that all those
children were just a number and as such, Orton has figured
out how to fill Cena’s void: Cena needs to have kids.
Orton said Cena needs to become a father and grow up because
it will make Cena a better human being. Cena smirked and
slowly responded with a dire, “How dare you?” Cena asked
Orton how he could parent-shame him in front of the whole
world. Cena, “Congratulations, Randy Orton. You have
children and you love them. Good for you.” Cena said the
real reason he doesn’t have kids is because he’s spent the
last 25 years “raising yours,” which meant the crowd. Cena
said the real truth is that for the last 25 years, he has
been a better parent to everyone’s children than the parents
ever could be. Cena pointed out how a six year old in the
crowd gave him the finger and called it classy, which was
funny.
Cena said he had been policing brats like that kid for a
quarter of a century. Cena told the kid to never bring a
knife to a gunfight. Cena followed that up with “I bet your
loser dad didn’t teach you that one.” Orton interjected and
said the fans are the reason Cena is in the ring and the
reason Cena made it to Hollywood. Orton said without the WWE
Universe, there would be no WWE and the fans are the biggest
reason Cena is still around. Orton said he’s made a lot of
mistakes throughout his career, but he can go in the locker
room and hold his head up high because he gets respect from
his peers. Orton said he’s “here to stay” while Cena is
“just a guest.”
Cena said he used to believe Orton’s perspective in that
without the fans there would be no WWE. He said he used to
think everyone won together, but wasn’t everyone; it was
only Cena who won. Cena referenced the “Let’s Go Cena/Cena
sucks” chant and the crowd, on cue, launched into another
round of it. Cena called everyone hypocrites. Cena said once
they get tired of Cena, they can put their energy into any
other superstar, but if the roles are reversed, he’s labeled
an outcast. Because of all this, Cena said his relationship
with the fans is not functional. Cena said fans are
manipulating the truth and called out someone else in the
crowd for dressing like Jack Black. Cena said he is labeled
as an outcast and guest for simply trying to do something
different.
Orton responded by saying he was so stupid for thinking he
could go out there and Cena would listen to what Orton had
to say. Orton noted how he is part of one of wrestling’s
royal families. Orton said wrestling will provide for him
and his family until he’s six feet in the ground. As Orton
went on, Cena told Orton to “Shut your mouth.” Cena said
Orton doesn’t understand – Cena has already won 17 while
Orton has won 14, but after Cena takes his belt home with
him, Orton will be forever frozen at 14. Cena called Orton a
babbling moron. Cena said he is going to erase three
generations of Orton’s family. Orton got heated and demanded
Cena put his title on the line “right here, right now.”
Cena held up his title and smugly said, “No.” Cena said like
so many times like he’s done over the last 25 years, Cena is
doing it to save Orton’s ass. Cena said, however, there
should be a match, but it shouldn’t happen tonight. Cena
said it should happen at Backlash because Backlash is in St.
Louis and Orton is from St. Louis and Orton can spend the
whole day with his family before the match. Cena said he
will need Randy Orton at his best and at Backlash, when
Orton fails, Orton will have no excuses. Cena told everyone
to look at Cena because that’s what the last real champion
looks like.
Cena held the title and said that was as close as Orton
would ever get to the title and threw the title at Orton.
Cena then stomped Orton out and lined up to hit Orton with
the belt, but Orton ducked and gave Cena an RKO. Loud
“Randy!”chants broke out. Orton grabbed the title and held
it over his head while posing on the second rope. Orton’s
music hit to end the segment and it was already half past
the show’s first hour.
**********
– A video package on Fraxiom aired.
Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated Los Garza (Berto &
Angel) [8:25]
Boy, Fraxiom is so good and I’m happy they got a chance to
shine on the big stage like this. Because of how long the
first segment went, I was a bit worried they’d get their
time cut, but eight-and-a-half minutes was probably about
right. Frazer is just so fast and Axiom is so innovative
when it comes to incorporating this stuff into the WWE
style. Actually, they both are. Anyway, this instantly made
the SmackDown tag division better/more interesting and while
the bar was low, Fraxiom’s debut was the kick in the pants
the division needed. Now if only that TLC match later on
delivers … .
Axiom started the match with Berto and hit a dropkick before
Frazer tagged in and kicked Berto in the head. Angel entered
the match and instantly found himself on the outside of the
ring. Fazer and Axiom hit dual dives on the heels before
Axiom followed those up with a moonsault onto Berto and
Angel on the outside of the ring. Back inside the ring,
Axiom tagged in and worked a headlock on Berto. Axiom ran
the ropes and Angel held up the ropes so Axiom fell through
them and to the floor. The show then went to a commercial
break as Angel ripped off his pants.
The show returned and Berto was working over Axiom until
Axiom kicked Angel and got the hot tag to Frazer, who showed
his speed on the ropes and hit an elbow and Slingblade on
Berto. Frazer followed up with a running moonsault for a
two-count. Berto kicked Frazer and tagged in Angel, who
kicked Frazer as he attempted a springboard moonsault from
the second rope. Berto tagged in and Los Garza want to the
second rope to hit their finisher. Axiom broke up Los
Garza’s pin attempt. “This is awesome!” chants began.
Axiom tagged in and traded blows with Angel. Angel went to
the top, but Axiom cut him off. Frazer tagged himself in and
Axiom hit a Spanish Fly off the top while Frazer followed it
up with a Phoenix Splash to get his team the win.
**********
The Tiffany Stratton/Jade Cargill segment
Cargill came off a bit as a heel here, so I wonder if a full
turn is imminent. I always thought she was better as a heel
in AEW than she was a babyface, so I can’t complain.
Meanwhile, this felt rushed (thanks, Cena), and it kind
of/sort of feels like they are trying to re-create what
happened on Monday between Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY. To
that, I say … we’ll see … .
Stratton made her entrance in her wrestling gear. Stratton
started by asking the crowd what time it was and everyone
loudly yelled “Tiffy tiime!” Stratton said she went toe-to-
toe with one of the greatest of all time, Charlotte Flair.
Stratton said in the end, she prevailed and she’s still the
WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton said she was always told she
was the next Charlotte Flair, but that was wrong because
there is only one Tiffany Stratton. Jade Cargill’s music
then hit and Cargill walked out in her wrestling gear,
microphone in hand.
Cargill said she was there to give credit where it was due.
Cargill said Tiffy’s match with Charlotte created a bigger
target on Tiffy’s back. Since her business is over with
Naomi, Cargill said she has nothing but time and Cargill
said it was time for everyone to see how she got to WWE to
become a champion. Cargill told Tiffy that just because she
beat Charlotte, she’s not the best. In order to be the best,
Cargill said Tiffy had to beat Cargill. Tiffy said that’s
fine and she’d wrestle Cargill now if that’s what she
wanted. A referee ran down and the match looked like it was
going to start as the show went to a commercial break.
Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill wrestled to a no-contest
[10:12]
Umpf. This was a rough match. Wade Barrett had a point – I’m
not sure I’ve ever seen Tiffy stumble on a Prettiest
Moonsault Ever attempt, even dating back to NXT. I’m sure
I’ve missed a lot along the way, so that means little to
nothing, but it was jarring to see, for me at least. While I
liked the grit of the match, things just seemed so out of
sorts at times that I began to feel bad for the wrestlers.
Cue the questions on if Cargill can stay afloat in singles
WWE waters. As for the Jax return … meh. I can’t say I’m
inspired by another Jax/Stratton program. If this was the
beginning of a Jax/Naomi alliance, however, you have my
attention.
Well, it turned out, they stood there (just staring at each
other?) for a long commercial break before starting the
match. The show returned and the bell rang. The two worked a
slow pace to start things out and Tiffy extended her hand
for a handshake. Cargill went for it, but Tiffy used it to
whip Cargill into the ropes. After what appeared to be a
tiny miscommunication, Cargill landed a backbreaker. Cargill
ran at Tiffy and Tiffy tripped Cargill into the ropes. Tiffy
followed that with a hip attack, but Cargill came right back
with a spinebuster for a two count.
Cargill slammed Tiffy again in a weird spot, but it was only
good enough for a one-and-a-half count. Tiffy hit a
spinebuster of her own for a two-count. Tiffy hit her
gymnastic-springboard splash in a corner for a two-count.
Tiffy executed a second one for another two-count. Tiffy
looked frustrated as the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Tiffy hit a rolling Senton. Tiffy went
for a Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but she stumbled and Cargill
moved. Cargill caught Tiffy after that and hit a powerbomb
for a near-fall that woke up the crowd. Cargill went for a
splash, but Tiffy moved and went for the gymanstics routine,
but Cargill caught her. It didn’t matter because Tiffy came
back with a basement dropkick for a nice near-fall. Tiffy
went to the top, but Cargill cut her off and landed a super-
plex from the second rope. Both wrestlers were down.
Tiffy rolled to the apron and Naomi ran out to attack
Cargill to end the match. Naomi ran Cargill into the ring
post repeatedly. Tiffy returned to the ring and Naomi rolled
out of the ring. Nia Jax then attacked Stratton from behind
and ragdolled Tiffy. Jax landed a leg drop on Tiffy and the
crowd wanted another one. Instead, Jax dragged Tiffy to a
corner and hit the A-Nia-Lator on Stratton. Jax held up the
title to end the segment.
**********
The Jacob Fatu/LA Knight/Drew McIntyre segment
Will this match later on be where one, Mr. Black makes his
triumphant return to WWE? We’ll see. As for this segment, I
prefer Drew vs. Fatu if only because it’s so much fresher
than Fatu vs. Knight. The verbal jabs here were fun, if not
a little kids gloves-ish. Knight and McIntyre can go a lot
harder on the mic and they just opted not to here for
whatever reason. My only hope is that Fatu doesn’t just drop
the U.S. belt in his first defense out of the gate, whenever
that comes.
Fatu made his entrance with Solo Sikoa. Fatu wore the U.S.
title around his neck and received a hell of a reaction from
the live crowd. Fatu soaked in “Fatu!” chants. Sikoa asked
the crowd to show love and respect for their new United
States Champion, Jacob Fatu. Sikoa said everyone saw what he
already at WrestleMania – that Jacob Fatu is the future of
the company. Sikoa said nobody in his family wanted Fatu in
WWE except for Sikoa.
Sikoa said everyone thought Fatu was too much of a risk, but
Sikoa was the only reason Fatu was there and he was a
champion. Fatu glared at Sikoa. Sikoa ranted and Fatu
grabbed the microphone from Sikoa. The crowd cheered. Fatu
told Sikoa to not get it twisted because he told Sikoa he
would win the U.S. title. Fatu said he told Sikoa the U.S.
title was coming home to the family and he’d do it with or
without Sikoa. Fatu said that’s exactly what he did and he
told Texas to look at their new U.S. champ. Fatu said he
knows that the title makes him a menace to society and at
the end of the day, Sikoa better “get in where he fit in.”
Fatu said he’s all gas and no breaks and LA Knight’s music
hit.
Knight walked out with a microphone. Knight said at Mania,
Fatu ate a BFT. Knight recalled how Fatu grabbed the rope to
get out of a pin attempt and capitalized on the opportunity
and beat Knight in the middle of the ring. Knight said
everyone told him he had a hell of a match at WrestleMania.
Knight said he didn’t care about that, because he wanted his
rematch, and he wanted it right now. Drew McIntyre’s music
then hit and McIntyre made his entrance.
McIntyre stood in the entranceway with a microphone and said
it wasn’t always easy being Drew McIntyre. McIntyre that
much like Texas he has “some big guns.” McIntyre said at
Mania, he beat Damian Priest in one of the most violent
matches in Mania history. McIntyre looked into the camera
and thanked Priest for allowed him to embarrass him in front
of Priest’s family. McIntyre said the next plan was to
challenge Cena for his world title, but Orton jumped the
line. McIntyre wondered if it was Nepo Wrestling
Entertainment.
McIntyre said he wants to fight the baddest dog in the yard,
Jacob Fatu, as he stepped onto the apron. Knight mocked
McIntyre speaking and McIntyre said Knight always has jokes,
but the only joke around here was Knight’s last title run.
Knight said he’d say McIntyre’s last title run was a joke,
but he couldn’t remember it. Knight said if McIntyre thinks
he deserves a title shot, McIntyre should step into the ring
and show Knight. Nick Aldis walked out and told everyone to
put on their tights in the back and later tonight, Knight
will face McIntyre to determine the next No. 1 contender for
the U.S. Championship.
**********
– Zelina Vega ran into Byron Saxton backstage and Saxton
said Vega could become the new Women’s U.S. Champion
tonight. Vega said tonight, she’s speechless because she’s
wanted this for so long. Vega said in Texas, you go big or
go home and she’ll leave with the U.S. title around her
waist.
Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green to win the Women’s United
States Championship [7:15]
That’s a surprise. A double-edged one, too. I like Green’s
act a lot and thought she brought a lot to the women’s
secondary SmackDown belt. I also tend to like Vega and I
don’t think she gets a fair shake from these live crowds who
sit on their hands whenever she appears. It’s all so odd if
it’s true that the first match that resulted in a count-out
wasn’t supposed to end in a count-count. If that doesn’t
happen, does that mean Vega never gets this title? Either
way, this was a nice surprise and I’m looking forward to
Green being in chase/brat mode because that’s what she does
best.
Green ran at Vega to start the match, but Vega ultimately
took control early. Vega was on the apron and Green
dropkicked her off the apron to the outside. Fyre threw Vega
into the LED board and Niven followed that up with a Senton
on the outside while Green distracted the referee. Green
posed on the second rope and the show went to a commercial
break.
The show returned and the two were battling on the top rope.
The sequence ended with a German Suplex from Vega to Green
off the middle rope. Vega clotheslined Green repeatedly
before hitting a spinning back elbow. Vega went to the
second rope and landed a Meteora for a two-count. Fyre
hopped onto the apron and Vega hit Fyre. Vega turned her
attention back with Green with a Backstabber and set up for
a 619, but Niven tripped Vega. The referee then kicked Niven
and Fyre out of ringside and to the back. Green tried to
take advantage of Vega’s attention being elsewhere, but Vega
countered with a Code Red and got the win.
**********
– Melo was shown backstage with the Andre The Giant Memorial
Battle Royal winning trophy. He was with The Miz, who said
he sacrificed himself for Melo because he has a vision for
Melo. Miz then presented Melo with a chain that had
Andrade’s head on it. Melo said the chain represents the
chip that is on his shoulder. Melo said he’s larger than
life and is the 10th wonder of the world. Melo said he is
Him. Miz said he Melo inspired him and because of that, he
is going to make his moment in the ring.
The Miz/Aleister Black segment
If this was how Black was going to be reintroduced, there
wasn’t much else you could ask for here. It was a Miz
segment and it was predictable on every level because of
that. I’m happy to see Black back. I’d be lying if I said I
don’t wonder about how both he and Rusev will fare in their
return from what I guess was the depths of whatever their
definition of hell was in AEW. I put little stock in rumors
and rumblings and all that, so I’m willing to think that
maybe they both simply just weren’t good fits in AEW’s
structural approach and we can all move on. If these returns
to WWE don’t work, though, and neither wrestler gets over to
the degree they might seem to think they should be over, my
eyebrow will be raised.
Miz stood in the ring coming out of commercial and he said
since 2007, he’s been an integral part of WrestleMania, but
this year, he had no match or no mention. He reminded
everyone how he main-evented Maina once and beat John Cena,
which is something Cody Rhodes couldn’t even do. Miz noted
how he’s been there for 20 years. He asked what he has to do
– wear a lucha mask and call himself Rey? Miz referenced how
Randy Orton needed an opponent but instead, Joe Hendry got
the opportunity.
Miz reminded everyone that he is the A-Lister and the most
must-see superstar of all time. The lights went out and we
saw candles lit near the entrance. Lo and behold, rising up
from the floor was Aleister Black, who looked in great shape
and made his entrance. Black executed his former WWE
entrance to a T, beat for beat. “Welcome back!” chants broke
out. Black looked around and soaked in the cheers. Miz
walked towards Black and Black hit Black Mass on Miz. Black
then sat down next to Miz to end the segment.
**********
– Saxton interviewed Bianca Belair backstage and brought up
how Belair broke a couple fingers. Belair said even though
things didn’t go her way, she was very proud of their match
at Mania. Belair said it won’t be the last time she sees
Rhea Ripley because Ripley inserted herself into a match she
didn’t deserve. Belair said when she returns, she will have
some business she will need to address.
– Naomi was shown walking backstage and she ran into Jax,
who told Naomi to stay out of her way when it comes to Tiffy
and Tiffy’s title. Naomi said she will as long as Jax
proceeds with caution.
Drew McIntyre defeated LA Knight via DQ [9:25]
This was fun while it lasted, but I fear that the U.S. title
picture is becoming the tag team title picture on SmackDown,
what with all these different storylines overlapping. So, to
get this straight, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre and Damian
Priest are involved in wanting Jacob Fatu’s U.S. title – but
that’s only because McIntyre and Priest’s blood feud spilled
into this section of the program … and perhaps Solo Sikoa is
one Friday away from putting his name in the hat as well?
Too many cooks, maybe? Too many cooks. Still, this match was
fine while it lasted. I wasn’t anticipating a clean winner
and I did not get a clean winner. At some point, SmackDown
is going to need to be more creative; I just don’t know when
that some point is going to come.
The two locked up to start the match and McIntyre slammed
Knight before posing. The pace was slow. Knight came back,
took McIntyre down and posed as well. Knight worked a side
head-lock until McIntyre shot him off and took Knight down
with a clothesline. Knight responded with a back suplex and
the two traded chops after that. McIntyre was thrown outside
and Knight followed him. McIntyre rolled back into the ring
and Knight tried to follow, but McIntyre shoulder-blocked
Knight off the apron and into the crowd barrier.
Knight rolled back into the ring and McIntyre pounded on
Knight before hitting a Brainbuster for a two-count.
McIntyre kicked Knight in the midsection as Knight tried to
avoid McIntyre in a corner. McIntyre chopped Knight. Knight
chopped McIntyre and then McIntyre stomped on Knight
repeatedly. McIntyre taunted Knight and set up for a
vertical suplex, but Knight blocked it. McIntyre still came
away from things with the upper hand as he beat Knight down
… until Knight suplexed McIntyre out of nowhere to reset the
match.
Knight hit a leaping clothesline and a Russian Leg Sweep
after firing up. Knight followed that up with a jumping
neck-breaker for a two-count. McIntyre landed a Glasglow
Kiss and set up for a Future Shock DDT, but Knight countered
and it ended up with Knight’s second-rope leaping elbow for
a two-count. Knight went for a BFT, but McIntyre worked out
of it and got to the outside, where Knight hit a dropkick
through the ropes. Knight repeatedly slammed McIntyre’s head
on the announce desk.
Knight rolled McIntyre back into the ring and the referee
was tending to McIntyre as Solo Sikoa appeared out of
nowhere gave the Samoan Spike to Knight. Sikoa rolled Knight
into the ring and McIntyre set up for a Claymore Kick, but
Damian Priest showed up and pulled McIntyre out of the ring.
Priest attacked McIntyre and hit a South Of Heaven on
McIntyre through the announce desk. Priest tried to leave
and ran into Knight, who jawed at Priest. Jacob Fatu came
out of nowhere and wiped both Knight and Priest out with a
splash.
Fatu rolled Priest and Knight into the ring and landed a hip
attack on Knight. Fatu followed that up with a jump-up
moonsault on Knight and a hip attack on Priest. Fatu gave
Priest the jump-up moonsault treatment as well. “Fatu!”
chants filled the building and Fatu held his title high to
end the segment.
**********
– John Cena was shown walking backstage and ran into R-
Truth, who said if Cena ever needed him, Cena could give him
a call. Jimmy Uso walked into the frame and Truth told Jimmy
he still wants to be like Cena when he grows up. Jimmy said
Truth is already grown up, though. There was no real need
for this.
– Next week, Aleister Black will face The Miz. That was the
only match advertised. From there, we went to the
introductions for the TLC match.
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defeated
#DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) and Motor City
Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) in a TLC match to
retain the WWE Tag Team Titles [22:52]
This was really, really good. Look. It’s not a Ladder War.
It’s not GCW. It’s not even AEW. It was the traditional WWE
TLC match with the spots you expect to look for, but these
guys executed those spots (save for Dawkins’s spear off the
ladder, which was definitely not as good-looking as Edge’s
from a million years ago) well and they even added some new
wrinkles to the WWE TLC cannon. It’s all to say, these six
guys worked safe and hard and they should be applauded for
that. Would I have rather seen this match on the Maina card
than, say, AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul? As a matter of fact, I
would. Everyone went out there with something to prove and
they proved it (ish). Two standouts were Ciampa, who
volunteered to take the worst of the punishment, and
Tessitore, who put over this match like he was actually
calling a WrestleMania bout. Good, hard work all around and
if “The SmackDown After WrestleMania” is a thing (like the
commentary team referenced many times throughout the night),
this was a solid way to end the festivities.
Ciampa and Gargano had the upper hand to start things and
they grabbed a ladder, but MCMG dropkicked the ladder into
#DIY. MCMG pounded on the Profits until #DIY broke it up. A
minute-and-a-half into the match, MCMG started pointed at
the titles. Sabin went for a five-hole dive on Gargano, but
Gargano held up a chair and Sabin wound up diving into a
chair. Dawkins inserted himself and ran Gargano’s head into
the ring post. Dawkins was the first to set up a ladder in
the middle of the ring, but Sabin hopped on Dawkins’s back.
Shelley helped and hit a Dragon Screw Leg Whip on Dawkins’s
leg to get him off the ladder.
MCMG went to work on #DIY and Shelley teased climbing the
ladder until Ford popped up. Dawkins returned to theh ring
and got the ladder out of the way to land 360 splashes on
MCMG. Sabin then knocked Dawkins off the top rope and MCMG
went to work on Dawkins. Sabin grabbed a chair and Shelley
hit a basement dropkick to the head of Dawkins with the
chair assist. Sabin followed that with a missile dropkick on
Ford from the top – with the chair assist as well. Shelley
sold arm pain in a way that made it look like he may have
well had some serious arm pain.
Ciampa and Gargano rammed the ladder into Dawkins’s head
before Ford hit a dive over the ring post onto all the
teams. Ford put another ladder in the ring and Ciampa and
Gargano cut Ford off. Gargano came off one ladder and hit a
twisted Flatline on Ford, ladder to ladder. Ciampa looked
like he was going to win the match, but Dawkins showed up
and pulled Ciampa off the ladder. The titles were swinging
and Dawkins slammed Gargano from high on the ladder.
Ciampa climbed the ladder and Sabin cut Ciampa off, but
Dawkins pushed the ladder over. Shelley returned to the
action, so he turns out he was OK, which was good. A chair
was placed around Shelley’s neck and Gargano swung a chair
into the chair around Shelley’s neck. Gargano suplexed Sabin
onto a chair and #DIY worked over Dawkins with chairs.
Dawkins came back and hit a twisted double-arm DDT on
Gargano onto two chairs. The Profits fired up and grabbed a
table from the outside. Ciampa was on Dawkins’s shoulders
and Ford landed a running Blockbuster from the inside onto
the outside and all six men were down.
“This is awesome!” chants broke out. Ford grabbed a fan’s
prosthetic leg and beat Gargano with it. Ford draped a
ladder outside the ring, but Ciampa ran Ford into it. The
action slowed down briefly as furniture was set up all
around the ring. Dawkins was sprawled out on a table. Sabin
hit a splash onto Dawkins while on the table from the top on
the outside. Ford set Ciampa up on a table and flipped
himself onto Ciampa through a table on the outside. Again,
“This is awesome!” chants began to emanate from the crowd.
Ford super-kicked Ciampa on the apron as the two fought.
Ciampa returned the favor. Ciampa then hit White Noise on
Ford through the ladder that was draped on the outside of
the ring. Inside the ring, Gargano climbed the ladder, but
was cut off via Shelley. Sabin and Gargano fought on the
apron. Sabin and Shelley hit Skull and Bones on Gargano
through a table on the outside of the ring. More “This is
awesome!” chants broke out.
Back inside the ring, Ciampa fired himself up to climb up
the ladder. Ciampa got to the top and it looked like he
could have taken the titles, but MCMG removed the ladder
from Ciampa, who hung from the belt holder. Dawkins got on
top of a ladder and a table was placed below Ciampa. Dawkins
speared Ciampa from the top of the ladder through a table.
It wasn’t the cleanest spear ever. Shelley and Sabin took
their time to set up a ladder and Gargano showed up to throw
a chair at the head of Shelley.
Gargano climbed the ladder, but Sabin met him at the top.
The two traded blows at the top of the ladder. Sabin knocked
Gargano off the top but out of nowhere, Ford leapt onto the
ladder and knocked Sabin down. Just when it looked like Ford
would win Gargano pulled him down. Then, just when it looked
like Gargano would win, Sabin showed up. Ford, Gargano and
Sabin battled at the top of the ladder in a wild spot. Ford
got the best of them all and unhooked the belts for the win.
Tez and Dawkins posed on top of the ladder after the match
before replays aired. The Profits celebrated in the ring and
got the crowd to celebrate with them. The Profits went out
into the crowd and celebrated with them as the show ended.