Posted on 5/03/125 by Bob Magee
– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show. Randy
Orton, Tiffany Stratton, Damian Priest, The Miz and Carmelo
Hayes were shown walking backstage. Priest ran into Solo
Sikoa and Jacob Fatu and confronted them. A yelling match
ensued as LA Knight walked past them all and made his way to
the ring.
The LA Knight/Damian Priest segment
Knight cut a promo in the ring and noted how he said last
week that he wanted a rematch for his U.S. title. Knight
voiced his displeasure for having to have a No. 1
contender’s match. Knight said the match didn’t go his way
because Solo Sikoa interfered and Jacob Fatu jumped around
everywhere. Knight then moved his attention to Damian
Priest. On cue, Priest’s music hit and Priest made his
entrance with a certain level of purpose.
Priest told Knight they didn’t have a problem and last week,
everything he did was about Drew McIntyre. Priest noted how
McIntyre mentioned Priest’s family and he couldn’t let
McIntyre get away with that. Knight said Priest picked the
wrong time to get back at McIntyre because the only reason
the bell rang on his match was Priest. Priest said he saved
Knight from taking a pin. Knight told Priest to not put
Priest’s loss at WreslteMania on Knight. Priest responded by
saying the only reason things happened the way they did is
because Knight lost his title at Mania.
Knight admitted to losing and said he wants to fight his way
back into the title picture and the reason he’s not champion
this week is because of Priest. Priest said all of Knight’s
frustrations are because of Knight. Knight reminded Priest
that they don’t have a problem and if that’s the case,
Priest needed to stop talking. Priest said even though their
match is set for later tonight, they should just fight right
now and asked Knight if that’s what he wanted. Knight, of
course, said, “Yeah!” A referee ran to the ring and before
the match began, the show went to a commercial break.
This was fine, if not a little rushed. Knight usually takes
more time milking his catchphrases and Priest usually takes
more time milking the spaces in between. On top of that, the
promo ended before it was 10 minutes past the hour and I
can’t recall a SmackDown going to commercial this early in
the show in recent memory. Anyway, it was everything one
would expect from both guys. God bless Knight. These crowds
are still into him, even if the booking minds behind the
scenes aren’t.
**********
LA Knight vs. Damian Priest
The match was joined in progress with Knight on top, working
Priest with a series of strikes, before Priest fought back
and slammed Knight. Priest then kicked Knight in the chin
and got a two-count out of it. Priest set up for Old School,
but Knight pulled Priest off the top and landed a back
suplex. Knight followed up with a bunch of punches and a
flying clothesline. Knight added a jumping neck-breaker and
a Russian Leg Sweep to all of that for a two-count.
Priest punched Knight, but Knight then slammed Priest.
Knight went for an elbow drop, but Priest caught him and
tried to set up a South Of Heaven. Knight worked out of it
and Priest clotheslined the hell out of Knight for a near
fall. Priest lifted Knight for a Razor’s Edge, but Knight
got out of it and DDT’d Priest. Knight went to the second
rope and hit his jump-up elbow from the top for a two-count.
The show then went to a commercial break.
The show returned and “This is awesome!” chants rang through
the arena. Knight set up Priest for a super-plex, but Knight
stopped him and the two battled on the second rope.
Eventually, Priest stepped off the rope and onto the apron
and kicked Knight. Priest then lifted Knight for a Razor’s
Edge inside the ring, executed it, and Knight barely kicked
out before three. “LA Knight!” chants began in the crowd.
Priest went for South Of Heaven, but Knight countered … only
for Priest to hit a Broken Arrow.
Priest went to the top rope, but Knight leapt up and hit a
mega-plex for a nice near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants
kicked up again. Knight clotheslined Priest over the top and
to the outside. Knight went for his dropkick through the
ropes, but Priest caught Knight and hit a Flatliner off the
apron. Solo Sikoa then showed up and attacked Priest and the
referee called for the bell.
Match result: LA Knight fought Damian Priest to a no contest
(11:03 of TV time)
Sikoa turned his attention to Knight and set up for a Samoan
Spike on Knight, but Priest punched Sikoa and Knight BFT’d
Sikoa. Priest and Knight stared at each other and Priest
cleared off the announce desk. Knight rolled Sikoa to the
outside and Priest was going to hit South Of Heaven on
Sikoa, but Fatu showed up and landed a Samoan Drop on Knight
onto the announce desk after taking our Priest with a dive
through the ropes. Fatu then hit a hip attack on Priest into
the crowd barrier. Fatu posed on the ring steps with his
U.S. title and the crowd cheered.
Priest and Knight felt like they had something to prove
here. It was a welcome surprise. Both guys have settled into
matches that have little more than them playing their
biggest hits – a Razor’s Edge here, a step-up flying elbow
there – and while this match featured all those things,
there was a weird sense of urgency to all of it. So much so,
that you have to wonder if they were determined to prove
their in-ring worth here. It was dynamic. They completely
had the live crowd. And they brought a dose of intensity
that we don’t often see on SmackDown anymore. A tip of the
cap goes to both guys for that. The finish felt predictable
– let me guess … this leads to a tag match for later in the
show – but as for this, it was one of the better TV matches
from both guys in a long time. Good for them.
**********
– Byron Saxton interviewed Fraxiom backstage. Frazer said
they were excited and they plan on flipping the SmackDown
tag division upside down. Pretty Deadly walked into the
scene and Saxton left. Wilson told them the SmackDown tag
division is the hungriest tag division. Prince said he
enjoyed having new European blood on SmackDown and followed
that up by saying opportunities on SmackDown are earned and
not given. The duo said they wanted to see how good Faxiom
actually was and talked to Nick Aldis as a means to book a
match. Pretty Deadly’s music hit back in the arena and they
made their entrance.
– Michael Bisping was shown in the crowd and he stood up to
throw some punches in the air.
Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) vs. Fraxiom
(Nathan Frazer & Axiom)
Wilson and Axiom began the match, but it wasn’t long before
Frazer tagged in and ran the ropes awfully quickly and
kicked Wilson. Frazer worked Wilson’s arm briefly and threw
him into a corner, but Wilson walked out and kicked Frazer
in the head. Prince tagged in and beat Frazer down. Frazer
came back with an enziguri. Axiom tagged in and things broke
down, complete with a repeated pair of dives onto the heels
between the ropes.
Back inside the ring, Axiom went to work on Prince’s back.
Axiom went to the top, but Prince caught Axiom during a
cross-body attempt. Prince threw Axiom down into Wilson’s
legs and Pretty Deadly posed as the show went to a
commercial break about three-and-a-half minutes into the
match.
The show returned and Axiom was chopping Wilson. Ultimately,
Frazer received the hot tag and hit a dropkick on both
Wilson and Prince. Frazer landed a springboard until a DDT
and a running Shooting Star Press. The referee essentially
counted to three but Prince didn’t kick out and it was an
awkward moment. Prince’s mouth was quite bloody after all of
this. Pretty Deadly took control back and Wilson tagged in.
As such, Wilson powerbombed Frazer for a two-count. Wilson
and Frazer traded elbows until Frazer placed Wilson on the
top rope. Axiom hit a Spanish Fly and Frazer followed up
with a Phoenix Splash for the win.
Match result: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated
Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) (9:29)
My heart goes out to Elton Prince’s teeth. That fella’s face
came up awfully bloody after he missed the kickout spot.
Jacob Fatu talks about all gas, no breaks, but damn if
Nathan Frazer doesn’t live that lifestyle in the ring, too.
Stuff like that is going to happen every now and then when
the guy only knows one speed and it’s 150 MPH. The match
itself was the standard Fraxiom fare. Lots of speed. Lots of
flash. A lot of fun. I’m not complaining. And Pretty Deadly
had a good outing, too, proving they can work with any style
of team WWE might throw at them. Prince’s face might not
approve, but this turned out well.
**********
– B-Fab and Michin were shown talking to Nick Aldis in
Aldis’s office, but Chelsea Green showed up with Piper Niven
and Alba Fyre. The trio was dressed in black and Green said
last week’s loss was because of collusion. Niven called
Green an American hero, which was funny. Aldis tried to walk
away, but Green bargained with Aldis for a rematch. Instead,
Aldis said Zelina Vega will face Piper Niven tonight. Aldis
said if Niven wins, she’ll be the No. 1 contender for Vega’s
U.S. title. Green almost fainted.
– A video package chronicling the history between John Cena
and Randy Orton aired.
The Nia Jax/Tiffany Stratton/Naomi/Jade Cargill segment
Jax stood in the middle of the ring and soaked in boos. She
said it sounded like everyone missed her and the crowd booed
louder. Jax said she was happy she was back, but while she
was gone, she was at home getting refocused and she
regrouped so she could come back and take what’s her’s – the
WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffany Stratton’s music hit and
Stratton walked out with a microphone in hand. Stratton said
she wasn’t the same Stratton that Jax used to bully around.
Stratton said went toe to toe with one of the greatest of
all time, Charlotte Flair. Stratton said if her and Jax ever
locked up again, Stratton would be Jax, too.
Jax asked if Stratton was offering a rematch. Stratton said
she wouldn’t ever shy away from a fight and she would defend
her title against Jax anytime, anywhere. Naomi’s music hit
and Naomi walked out with a microphone. Naomi spoke in the
entranceway and said it was funny to see Stratton and Jaxx
fighting because she remembered when she tried to take the
title from Jax, Stratton always found a way to help out Jax.
Naomi questioned whether Stratton actually changed and said
she didn’t; in fact, Naomi said Naomi was the only one to
really change. Naomi said Jade Cargill ruined everything she
has worked for, but even so, she’s not done going after
gold.
Jade Cargill’s music hit and Cargill walked with purpose
towards Naomi, who rolled into the ring. All four women
brawled in the ring. Cargill clotheslined Naomi over the top
and to the outside and Stratton disposed of Jax to the
outside as well. Cargill and Stratton circled each other and
Aldis walked out to make a tag team match, which, it
appears, will happen later in the show.
Man, Naomi is so great in this role. That needs to be said.
Now, with that said, I can’t say I’m particularly excited
for another Jax/Stratton program, but it kind of/sort of
feels like WWE is going with this to reset Stratton back on
a reliable path after the chaotic business with Charlotte.
I’m still a little baffled that Naomi and Cargill is still a
thing, but perhaps it will one day lead to a hell of a blow-
off match. Wade Barrett mentioned how the tag match might be
the main event now, and I hope it is. Give them 20 minutes
and let’s see what happens. It could be very good.
**********
– Tessitore set up highlights of last week’s Miz/Black
situation. Melo was hyping up Miz backstage and told Miz
he’d show everyone tonight. Miz rambled about how he
deserves more respect than he receives. Miz said Black
didn’t knock him out last week; he woke Miz up. Miz said
Black might want to make a statement, but instead, Black
will be part of Miz’s statement. At one point, it looked
like Miz forgot his line, but he recovered nicely.
Aleister Black vs. The Miz
Miz ran at Black to start the match and nearly ran into a
Black Mass, but Miz retreated. The two went back and forth
until Black caught Miz as Miz went for a kick. Black placed
Miz’s foot back on the canvas and Miz hit Black. Before
long, Black did the springboard moonsault into his sitting
position spot. Miz was on the outside and Black reached for
Miz, but was distracted by Melo. Miz capitalized and slammed
Black’s head into the bottom-ring LED board. The show then
went to a commercial break.
The show returned and The Miz was posing as people booed.
Miz went for a springboard move, but Black moved.
Eventually, Miz pushed Black to the outside. Miz leapt at
Black from the ring steps and landed on a knee from Black.
Back in the ring, Black went to work on Miz, complete with
body strikes and a springboard moonsault for a very close
near-fall. Miz came back and kicked Black’s knee before
hitting a DDT for a two-count.
Miz hit some Miz Kicks and Black laughed. Black followed up
with a spinning elbow and a knee to the jaw of Miz. Miz came
right back and went for a Skull Crushing Finale, but Black
cartwheeled out of it, much to the delight of the live
crowd. Black followed up with a tough knee to Miz’s face.
Melo threatened to get involved and Miz rolled up Black to
no avail. From there, it was Black Mass and the end.
Match result: Aleister Black defeated The Miz (9:28)
After the match, Melo and Black went face to face in the
middle of the ring. Melo slowly exited the ring and walked
away as Black sat in the center of the ring.
This was probably more competitive than it should have been,
even if about three minutes were lost to commercials. Still,
Black got in a lot of really good-looking offense while …
weirdly … Miz didn’t concern himself with selling for all
that long each time he took some of it. It’s almost as if
Black brought some of AEW back to WWE with him. I kid. This
was obviously always more about setting Black up with Melo,
and that should be a very good match. In the meantime, Miz
did his best to hang and he didn’t fail. Don’t get me wrong.
This is a no-hate-Miz zone, but his best days are behind
him. As such, kudos to him for helping reintroduce Black to
the WWE fan base.
**********
– Santos Escobar was talking with Rey Fenix in the locker
room. Escobar said Fenix disappointed him at WrestleMania
because he lost to a clown. Escobar said Fenix blew his
chance and now that Rey Mysterio is out with an injury,
Escobar wants to take his place. Fenix cut Escobar off and
told him to stay out of his business. Fenix said there is
only one lunchador that he trusts and it’s not Escobar.
Fenix said if Escobar had a problem, he’d see him in the
ring later tonight.
– Dion Dawkins from the Buffalo Bills was shown in the
crowd. He appeared to be very happy.
Zelina Vega vs. Piper Niven
Vega had control early and stretched Niven, who eventually
went for a splash and missed. From there, Vega repeatedly
kicked Niven. Vega hit a knee on Niven and got a one-count
out of it. Vega ran at Niven, but Niven shoulder-blocked
Vega to the canvas. Vegan rolled to the outside and then
rolled back inside, where Niven lifted Vega to no avail. The
two struggled before Niven planted Vega face-first. Niven
rammed Vega’s head into the bottom turnbuckle. With Niven in
control, the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Niven still had control, spinning Vega
around in circles. Niven lifted Vegan, but Vega countered
with somewhat of a Codebreaker. Niven came right back with a
slam and a running Senton for a two-count. Niven ran at
Vega, but Vega moved and went to the top, where Niven
slapped Vega. Niven went for a super-plex, but Vega worked
out of it and hit a Meteora on Niven for a two-count. Vega
tried a Code Red, but Niven stopped it and landed a side-
slam.
Niven ran at Vega and Vega moved. Niven lifted Vega, but it
all resulted on a DDT from Vega. From there, Vega went to
the top and hit a moonsault from the top rope for a nice
near-fall. Vega went for a Code Red again, but Niven
wouldn’t allow it. Niven tried a powerbomb, but that turned
into Vega setting up a 618 situation. Chelsea Green hopped
on the apron to stop Vega and Niven ran at Vega, but Vega
moved and Niven ran into Green. From there, Vega rolled up
Niven for the pin.
Match result: Zelina Vega defeated Piper Niven (11:07)
This was a better match than any of Vega’s outings with
Green in previous weeks. Niven worked her powerhouse offense
style and Vega broke out some things we haven’t seen from
her recently. This exceeded expectations and both wrestlers
came out of this looking better than they did going in. Good
for Vega, too, because the live crowd seemed to be behind
her for the first time in a while. Here’s hoping that
momentum continues because it doesn’t look like she’s going
to stop working with Green and her crew any time soon.
**********
– Aldis was speaking to Sikoa and Fatu in Aldis’s office.
Sikoa said that Fatu was telling everyone they better stay
out of his way. Aldis said at Backlash, Fatu will defend his
U.S. title against Priest and Knight. Sikoa said McIntyre is
technically the No. 1 contender after last week. Aldis said
Sikoa was right and because of as much, McIntyre will be
added to the match and it will be a fatal four-way. Fatu
said he’s all gas and no breaks and he was fine with it (in
so many words). Sikoa said Aldis was trying to screw Fatu
over, but Aldis told Sikoa it was actually Sikoa who was
screwing over Fatu.
The Randy Orton segment
Orton said he knew they were already two hours into the show
(by God), but “Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown!” The crowd
cheered. Orton simply said “John Cena” and the crowd booed.
Orton said while the world couldn’t see Cena, Orton could.
Orton said it took about 20 years for everyone to realize
what kind of man Cena is, but Orton knew from day one. “Cena
sucks!” chants began. Orton called Cena entitled and said
Cena he is the ultimate shiny new toy to be played with by
the ultimate puppet master. Orton said Cena took advantage
of the PG Era. Orton said Cena was willing to be a real
life, walking, talking cartoon character. Meanwhile, Orton
said, Orton was true to who he was.
Orton said Cena didn’t care about the boys in the back or
the fans; all Cena cared about is his bottom line. Orton
said Cena only cares about the new merch Cena puts out all
the time because all the kids always go and grab it up. The
crowd booed in response to this. Orton brought up the kids
thing again and said the only thing Cena has raised is the
price of his merchandise, which parents have had to work “a
double to afford.” Orton said Cena has been selling his soul
for 20 years.
Orton asked what happened to loyalty and respect when it
comes to Cena. Orton recalled how Cena said he’d erase the
Orton name from the pro wrestling business. Orton fired up
and said Cena will not do that, over his “dead freakin’
body.” Orton said Cena is the latest legend that he will
have to put down and he will do so at Backlash in his
hometown in front of his wife, friends and family. Orton
said he will punt Cena so hard in “that lego-shaped head,”
that it will fly through the Gateway Arch. Orton said he
will also drop Cena with an RKO and dropped the microphone
and Orton’s music hit to end the segment.
The crowd couldn’t seem to figure out what it wanted to do
here. So much so that it almost made me wonder if Cena was
actually there, perhaps they would have landed more on
Cena’s side than they would have Orton’s. Either way, this
was the best it could be, considering how they only had one
side of the PLE main event in the live house. Orton’s
comments on Cena’s merch sparked a few thoughts in me,
though. He wasn’t wrong, really, per se. But if those
writers and all those executives know that they have
overpriced merchandise that really does require some parents
to work overtime to afford for their kids … I’m not so sure
that’s a great look. Maybe it caught me at a sensitive time
and I’m overreacting, but there were a lot of things off of
which Orton could have played. Reminding everyone that WWE
preys off its fanbase by raising merchandise prices (and,
not to mention, those insane PLE ticket prices) probably
wasn’t the most tactful way to go. So it goes. We march on
to next Saturday.
**********
– Naomi was in her locker room and Nia Jax walked in. Jax
said they need to be on the same page, so as long as
whatever Naomi stays out of Jax’s way, they’ll be good.
Naomi simply said, “Sure,” and walked away.
– Orton was shown walking backstage and ran into R-Truth.
Truth said Orton has no chance at Backlash. Jimmy Uso
stepped in and told Orton not to be too mad about Truth’s
prediction. Jimmy told Truth if he keeps talking like this,
Orton will kick Truth’s head off. Jimmy told Truth he needed
to stop believing in Cena as Truth walked away.
Santos Escobar vs. Rey Fenix
Fenix got the crowd behind him before the two began the
match in earnest by locking up. Escobar took Fenix down
briefly, but Fenix worked his way back. The two reset the
match and Fenix chopped Escobar. Escobar returned the favor
and they traded chest chops back and forth until Fenix went
to the ground. Escobar yelled at Fenix that they could rule
the place together and Fenix responded with a tough chop to
Escobar’s chest. Fenix pushed Escobar to the canvas.
Fenix set up for his double springboard arm-drag, but
Escobar cut him off. Escobar ran at Fenix, but Fenix moved
and Escobar spilled to the outside. Fenix followed Escobar
and Escobar eventually ran Fenix into the side of the ring.
Escobar returned to the ring and hit a dive through the top
two ropes onto Fenix on the outside. Escobar celebrated a
bit and the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Escobar had the upper hand, complete
with a splash onto Fenix from the apron into the ring.
Escobar stretched Fenix. Escobar leapt at Fenix in a corner
and Fenix moved. From there, Fenix hit a wild springboard
top-rope moonsault for a two-count. Fenix followed up with a
spinning kick for another two-count. Fenix took a knee from
Escobar, but popped right back up and kicked Escobar. Both
guys were down to reset the match at about the 10-and-a-half
minute mark.
Fenix jumped at Escobar, but Escobar caught Fenix and the
two fought in a corner until Fenix came off the top and
landed on Escobar’s knee. Escobar followed up with a double-
knees in the corner. Escobar lifted Fenix, but Fenix worked
his way out it and ran the top rope to kick Escobar’s head.
From there, Fenix hit the top rope Meteora on Escobar and
got the pinfall victory.
Match result: Rey Fenix defeated Santos Escobar (12:25)
This was pretty good. WWE has done a good job introducing
Rey Fenix and Penta into the fold and Penta and Fenix have
done a good job melding themselves into the WWE
landscape/style. Considering how I can’t even remember the
last time we saw a Santos Escobar singles match on WWE TV,
it seems like others are benefiting from the Lucha Bros’
arrival as well. It’d be nice to see Fenix elevated into
some type of title picture, rather than feud with a faction
leader who doesn’t even really seem to have a faction these
days, but patience is key. Also of note: I’m kind of finding
myself falling in love with these tiny stylistic touches
Fenix’s matches continue to display, a la the no-sell quick
pop-up super-kick here. You see it 5,000 times on any given
AEW television show; when it happens on WWE TV, you almost
want to smile because it comes across as a delightful
surprise.
**********
– Stratton and Cargill were talking backstage and Saxton
walked in. Stratton said Jax will have to learn that Jax
will have to learn that her title belongs around Stratton.
Cargill said she is focusing on Naomi, but next week on
SmackDown, Cargill will take on Jax in a No. 1 Contender’s
match for Tiffy’s title.
– A video package recapping last week’s fantastic TLC match
aired.
– Escobar was shown backstage yelling at Berto and Angel.
Andrade walked into the picture and said he knows Escobar
doesn’t care about Los Garza. Andrade said he doesn’t like
Escobar and siad Escobar doesn’t have respect from Los
Garza. Angel was taken away via Escobar, but Berto stayed
behind and shared a moment with Andrade before he was
whisked away by Escobar.
– Next week, John Cena will be on the show. Knight and
Priest will team up to face Fatu and Sikoa. Plus, don’t
forget, Cargill and Jax will wrestle to determine the No. 1
Contender for Tiffy’s title.
Tiffany Stratton & Jade Cargill vs. Naomi & Nia Jax
The heels jumpstarted the match and all four women brawled,
Tiffy splitting off with Jax and Cargill splitting off with
Naomi. Tiffy ran Jax into the ring steps. Jax ran Tiffy into
the crowd barrier. Inside the ring, Cargill threw Naomi to
the outside. Cargill ran Naomi into a ring post and rolled
Naomi back into the ring. Naomi kicked Cargill in the
midsection. Naomi worked Cargill’s arm and used the vaunted
back-rake. Naomi kicked Cargill in the back and jawed at
Cargill. Jax tagged herself in and bulldozed Cargill before
knocking Tiffy off the apron. Jax mocked Cargill’s pose in
the middle of the ring and the show went to its final
commercial break of the night.
The show returned and Jax knocked Stratton off the apron
again. Cargill lifted Jax for a bodyslam, but collapsed. Jax
got up and tagged in Naomi, who beat Cargill down. Naomi
tried to tag in Jax, but Cargill stopped her and planted
her. Jax eventually tagged in, but Cargill kicked Jax away
and tagged Tiffy into the match. Tiffy put a knee to Jax’s
forehead and landed her gymnastics corner spot. Stratton
countered a Samoan Drop into a pin attempt for a two-count.
Stratton went to the top, but Jax cut her off and hit a
Samoan Drop. Naomi tagged herself in after Jax hit a leg
drop on Stratton. Naomi and Jax argued and Naomi set up for
the split-legged moonsault, but Tiffy got her knees up.
Tiffy tagged in Cargill, who worked over Naomi. Cargill
grabbed Naomi by the throat and chokeslammed her, but Jax
broke up the pin attempt. Jax dragged Naomi to the corner
and tagged in. Jax worked over Cargill, but Tiffy broke
things up with a Swanton on Jax.
Naomi reinserted herself and Tiffy and Naomi brawled in a
corner. Jax squashed Tiffy and Naomi and pushed them both
out of the ring. Jax then hit a splash on Cargill in a
corner. Jax set up for her finisher, but Cargill hopped up
and hit a powerbomb on Jax, ultimately getting the pinfall
victory for her team.
Match result: Tiffany Stratton & Jade Cargill defeated Nia
Jax & Naomi (11:30)
After the match, the ref tried to give Tiffy her title, but
Cargill intercepted it and held it for a quick second. The
two then pulled at the title and Naomi attacked Cargill from
behind. Naomi then held up Tiffy’s title as the babyfaces
sold pain. Naomi posing ended the show.
This was a fun tag that had a lot of fire and chaos in a
good way. While I could use a freshening up of programs for
all four women involved, they did a good job here of making
me interested in what they had going on, which can only lead
to good things going forward for this viewer, at least.
Cargill getting the win off a powerbomb that now seems to be
a pretty routine spot for most Jax matches was mildly
surprising, but then again, it is Jade Cargill, so perhaps
that powerbomb is supposed to pack more punch. It also has
me thinking Jax wins the No. 1 Contender’s match next week,
which is a little disappointing, but we’ll see. At the end
of the day, this was good work from everyone involved and a
solid way to end a show that was probably a lot better than
anyone thought it might be. The bar might be low these days,
but the bar, don’t forget, is the bar.