WWE SmackDown Results 1/31/25
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indianapolis, Indiana
You can follow me on Twitter @TheHootsPodcast
Commentators: (Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett)
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Transcription by Josh Lopez
Pat McAfee Promo
I appreciate you all so much. Since the day I got to live my dream and work in the WWE in 2017, after I retired from playing for this incredible city’s football team, The Indianapolis Colts, I’ve been pleading with the powers at be to bring a massive PLE to the greatest host city on god’s green earth, Indianapolis, Indiana. So, obviously, the Royal Rumble is tomorrow, and we know what’s down the road, but if you’re not from our city, and you’re in from out of town or out of country, what you need to know is that what you’re about to witness out of this city is nothing short of world class. We host the biggest sporting event in the world every single year. We host National Championships. We host Olympic Trials. We host Final Fours. We host everything, we’re the best to do it, because Hoosier hospitality in these people are the greatest on earth. The bars are ready, the restaurants are ready, the roof on Lucas Oil Stadium is ready to blow off, and the biggest Royal Rumble of all-time, being hosted by this city is the absolute perfect thing to happen. I love this place, love this company, and I’m so damn thankful to be here. Let’s have a Royal Rumble weekend.
Kevin Owens & CM Punk Segment
Joe Tessitore: I mean, has Pat just put this place ablaze? What a scene here in Indy. And Michael, as you know, a week ago now, I stood in this ring, and I had the distinct honor of interviewing, one-on-one, the Undisputed Champion, Cody Rhodes. A little later on the show, with my broadcast partner Wade Barrett by my side, Kevin Owens interrupted the broadcast. He berated me, he questioned my journalistic integrity. With more claims that he’s not getting equal and fair treatment. So, at this time, I would like to give the challenger in tomorrow’s Ladder Match that opportunity, and to be properly heard. Please welcome, Kevin Owens. Kevin, I will tell you that it’s been very difficult to look past your recent actions. The attacks, the threats, the attempts to injure others. But as you stood over me, and so fiercely stated your argument, last week, I did give it some thought this week. I thought about the role that we play, that I play covering you. And with that in mind, I would like to give you your opportunity to be heard. So, I’ll start with this. In your opinion, what are we missing, what is not being represented or misunderstood with you and Cody?
Kevin Owens: So, this is your way of making amends for last week, right? This is your way to make it up to me. Because, last week, all I saw was you carrying about nothing else but Cody Rhodes feelings. It was you being a little Cody Rhodes fan boy, just like everyone else. But don’t worry, you’re not the only person that disrespects me back there. Trust me, last Monday, I had to sit back while Punk, Seth Rollins, and Cody talk about how I’m going to wrestle you at WrestleMania, no, I’m going to wrestle you at WrestleMania. All of them glossing over the fact that I’m going to win this title, tomorrow night, at the Royal Rumble.
Joe Tessitore: Kevin, I’m not going to apologize for doing my job of interviewing Cody Rhodes. I will apologize if you feel that our coverage has fallen short in giving you a fair opportunity, and that’s what this is for.
Kevin Owens: You think you’re a tough guy, Joe?
Joe Tessitore: I think I’m a 53-year-old TV Broadcaster.
Kevin Owens: Well, I don’t accept your apology. In fact, you can shove it up your ass. I have nothing to say to you. The only reason I’m out here is to take this back. I’ll take this one, tomorrow night. Now, Joseph, thanks for nothing, I’m out of here. Can I help you?
CM Punk: No, you can’t help me, and I’m not here to help you. What I’m here to do is offer an apology, actually two, really quick. Sorry for interrupting you, I know how annoying that could be, you know how I feel about Seth, I imagine you feel the same way about me. This isn’t my show, but I heard my name invoked, so I thought maybe that was an invitation to come out here. That’s the first apology. The second apology is that you made a lot of great points, but I’m sorry, if you think I was looking past you to WrestleMania, like, it’s going to be this automatic thing that Cody is going to beat you, it’s not, so I do apologize. But just so you know, tomorrow, when I win the Royal Rumble, I said tomorrow, when I win the Royal Rumble. And if you make it past a very angry, Cody Rhodes, well, hell, the main event of WrestleMania this year could very well be Kevin Owens, the champion, versus CM Punk. And just, man-to-man, face-to-face, I’m letting you know, I’m coming for you. So, if you win, congratulations, champ, it’s not going to last long.
Kevin Owens: You know, I feel very conflicted, right now, because on one hand, there’s a lot of guys in the Royal Rumble Match that I like a lot more than you. In fact, to be precise, there’s 29 guys in the Royal Rumble that I like more than you. Keep in mind, I don’t know who else going to be in the Royal Rumble, still. But then, you know what, the thought of you and me in the main event of WrestleMania. Well, actually, what sounds good is, the thought of me beating your ass in the main event of WrestleMania, yeah, I like that. And, you know, I know what main eventing WrestleMania means to you, how much it means to you.
I know that it’s a goal you had your entire career. It’s a dream you’ve had since you were a kid. And that’s why last year was so heart breaking for you, when you got hurt. In fact, when you left 10 years ago, you probably spent a lot of time regretting that you’d never get to main event WrestleMania, but now you’re back, and it’s right at your fingers, isn’t it? And I have to say, the idea of you never getting to main event WrestleMania is so good to me. I love the thought of you never getting to accomplish that goal, never realizing that dream. In fact, I get a warm, fuzzing feeling inside when I picture you, years down the line, old, broken, and alone, obsessing over the fact that I’m a multiple time WrestleMania Main Eventer, while you go to your grave, a miserable failure. So, you know what, I hope you don’t win the Royal Rumble.
CM Punk: Where are you going? Where are you going, Kev? We’re just getting the party started here in Indianapolis. Yeah, I’ve never main evented WrestleMania, I think everybody knows that. My bad for setting goals that are very scary. Congratulations, you have, twice, if I’m not mistaken. Good for you. You’ve accomplished a lot in your career. You’re tough, you’re one of the best, biggest superstar backstage. Here’s something else that I haven’t done, but somebody else has, stop me if you know who it is. I, personally, CM Punk, has never lost five title matches at the Royal Rumble. Oh, that was you, yeah. I, this is the big one, get ready, I have never lost to Logan Paul. It’s almost too stiff to repeat. Something else that I haven’t done, which I’ve never attempted to do this, I haven’t tried to manipulate my best friend, who I have stabbed in the back multiple times, in order to help him, win me a title, because I wasn’t confident enough in my own ability.
Win, lose, or draw, I do it by myself. You don’t, you take shortcuts. Planets have to align, but realistically, two things have to happened tomorrow night, for me and you to meet in the main event of WrestleMania. Number one, I have to throw 29 other people, that you like more than me, over the top rope. And you have to survive a very pissed off, Cody Rhodes, in a dangerous Ladder Match. But only one thing has to happen tonight for you to get your ass kicked by CM Punk, and that’s you coming back into this ring, right now. You’re right, brother, I may never main event WrestleMania, but I’ll kick your ass, right here, right now, so come back onto the ring, don’t be scared, don’t be afraid.
Both guys drop their microphones. Punk tells Owens to bring it. Owens decided to hop off the ring apron and walk to the back instead of going back in the ring to close this segment.
– We head to Nick Aldis Office where The Miz is complaining about Andrade El Idolo rejecting his mentorship, last week. Some people don’t recognize greatness when it’s right in front of them. It’s a shame, because Miz would teach Andrade so much. Miz would be willing to punch Andrade in the face if he was there right now. Andrade is standing right behind Miz. Andrade challenges Miz to a match. Miz says that he doesn’t have to prove anything to Andrade. However, Miz is willing to give Andrade a lesson about greatness. Nick proceeds to make the match official.
Jimmy Uso Promo
Yeah, so Carmelo wants to make a name out of Big Jim? The veteran versus the rookie. Listen, dog, I’ve been to Game 7. I’ve main evented WrestleMania. But you, you got a lot to prove tonight, because if you miss, if you miss, it’s a rebound off the glass, shake and bake, 360 Boo-Yah, Ball Game.
First Match: Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes
Carmelo Hayes: Hey, I wasn’t going to come out here, and say nothing, but since you want to talk, then let’s talk, Big Jim. Because you’re out here talking like, you’re the one, but the truth is, you’re really the two. And you want to talk about me missing. Well, you don’t have to worry about that, I won’t miss it because my name is not Tyrese Haliburton. So, Big Jim, get your guard up, uce, because I’m going to drop 50 on your head.
Hayes with a Top Rope Stunner. Hayes with a running sledge. Hayes repeatedly stomps on Jey’s chest. Hayes whips Jimmy across the ring. Hayes scores the elbow knockdown. Hayes unloads two knife edge chops. Hayes HeadButts Jimmy. Jimmy with three knife edge chops. Hayes kicks Jimmy in the gut. Jimmy reverses out of the irish whip from Hayes. Rollup Exchange. Jimmy uppercuts Hayes. Jimmy whips Hayes across the ring. Hayes holds onto the ropes. Jimmy clotheslines Hayes over the top rope. Jimmy goes for a Suicide Dive, but Hayes counters with a Lariat. Hayes stomps on Jimmy’s chest. Hayes with a straight right hand. Hayes mocks Jimmy. Hayes with a Running Hip Attack. Hayes taunts Haliburton. Jimmy side steps Hayes into the turnbuckles. Jimmy goes for a Pop Up Samoan Drop, but Hayes counters with The DDT for a two count. Hayes dumps Jimmy out of the ring. Hayes lands The SomerSault Plancha. Hayes rolls Jimmy back into the ring. Hayes continues to run his mouth to Haliburton. Jimmy drops Hayes with a Suicide Dive.
Jimmy rolls Hayes back into the ring. Hayes avoids The Superkick. Misfired Toe Kicks. Jimmy with a Spinning Enzuigiri. Jimmy goes for a Running Hip Attack, but Hayes ducks out of the way. Jimmy hits The Pop Up Samoan Drop for a two count. Hayes and Jimmy are trading back and forth shots. Jimmy with an Avalanche NeckBreaker. Jimmy thrust kicks the midsection of Hayes. Jimmy with a drop down uppercut. Jimmy ducks a clothesline from Hayes. Jimmy goes for The Spear, but Hayes counters with The First 48 for a two count. Jimmy avoids The Fade Away. Jimmy SuperKicks Hayes for a two count. Jimmy goes for The Uso Splash, but Hayes gets his knees up in the air. Hayes rolls Jimmy over for a two count. Hayes with a Running Pump Knee Strike. Hayes with The Flying Splash for a two count. Hayes is displaying his frustration. Hayes ascends to the top turnbuckle. Jimmy with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Jimmy goes for The Avalanche Samoan Drop, but Hayes lands back on his feet. The referee catches Hayes using the top rope for leverage. Jimmy rolls Hayes over with a handful of tights to pickup the victory.
Winner: Jimmy Uso via Pinfall
– Royal Rumble By The Numbers Video Package.
Second Match: Chelsea Green (c) w/Piper Niven vs. Michin w/B-Fab For The WWE Women’s United States Championship
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Green drives her knee into the midsection of Michin. Green pulls Michin down to the mat. Michin with an inside cradle for a two count. Michin with another quick rollup for a one count. Green regroups on the outside. Michin tells Green to bring it. Strong lockup. Green backs Michin into the turnbuckles. The referee calls for a clean break. Green slaps Michin in the face. Michin with Two Release Vertical Suplex’s. Green decks Michin with a back elbow smash. Michin reverses out of the irish whip from Green. Green slides out of the ring. Michin kicks Green in the face. Michin lands The Suicide Dive. Michin is fired up. Michin rolls Green back into the ring.
Michin hooks the outside leg for a two count. Green blocks Eat Defeat. Michin buries her shoulder into the midsection of Green. Michin transitions into a corner mount. Green sends Michin crashing to the outside. Green slams Michin’s head on the ring apron. Green drives Michin back first into the apron. Green rolls Michin back into the ring. Green talks smack to the crowd. Green hooks the outside leg for a two count. Green applies a rear chin lock. Michin with a deep arm-drag. Green drives Michin face first into the canvas. Green with The Bow and Arrow Stomp into the bottom turnbuckle pad for a two count. Green hooks both legs for a one count. Green yells at the referee.
Green applies a front face lock. Michin with heavy bodyshots. Michin with a Counter Vertical Suplex. Michin kicks Green in the face. Michin with a Headscissors Takeover. Michin with Two Spinning Back Kicks. Michin follows that with an Overhead Kick. Michin with a Running Knee Strike. Michin with a Running Cannonball Strike for a two count. Michin goes for Eat Defeat, but Green rolls her over for a two count. Michin with the backslide cover for a two count. Green ducks a clothesline from Michin. Second Rollup Exchange. Michin delivers Eat Defeat. Niven wisely pulls Green out of the ring. B-Fab nails Niven with The Pump Kick. Green scrambles out of the ring. Michin runs after Green. Green is trying to do everything she could do to escape. Green attacks Michin with a kendo stick which forces the disqualification. After the match, Michin kicks Green in the gut. Michin repeatedly whips Green with the kendo stick.
Winner: Michin via Disqualification, But Still WWE Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green
– Byron Saxton had a backstage interview with Bianca BelAir and Naomi. What happens if tomorrow night’s Women’s Royal Rumble Match comes down to the both of them? Bianca is tired of being asked the same question, because they’re going to be a tag team going into the Royal Rumble and after the Royal Rumble, that’s all that matters. They’re going to support each other regardless of the outcome. Naomi says that Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez needs to be ready to rumble.
– Stephanie McMahon is in the house.
– Santos Escobar wants to remind The Motor City Machine Guns that they have to fight for scraps, meanwhile MCMG has a shot at the Tag Team Titles tomorrow night at the Royal Rumble. MCMG wants to be on the same page with Los Garza. Angel Garza says that if MCMG beats DIY tomorrow night, Los Garza will be coming after them.
Charlotte Flair Promo
Charlotte Flair, she’s selfish. I am. They say I’m greedy, why wouldn’t I be? I’ve worked my ass this past year to get to where I am. I’ve heard the whispers, I’ve heard the stories, but guess what? They’re all true. There’s a reason why it’s lonely at the top. I don’t need to make friends. I’ve had one goal since I started. And guess what? I’ve reached that goal, I’ve stayed at the top for the last ten years, and I’m not going to let last year define me. I am fortunate, I am blessed, but I’m also the history making, groundbreaking, never scared, self-made, always prepared, always THE women in WWE.
Damian Priest, Jacob Fatu, LA Knight Segment
Damian Priest: Four years ago, I started on Monday Night Raw. Now, that’s all that I’ve known since then. Back then, I cared about my name living forever. I wanted to make an impact. I wanted to be known. I went from betrayer to betrayed. I went from follower to leader. And from a nobody to a World Heavyweight Champion. Now, I’m not trying to live in the past, that was Raw, and I am on SmackDown. I’m not trying to make a name for myself anymore. I’m not trying to make an impact. Here, the goal is championships. And that’s got to start, by asses over this top rope, tomorrow night, in the Royal Rumble. Because when I do that, I secure my spot at WrestleMania. When that show goes off the air, it will be my hand getting raised as World Champion.
Jacob Fatu: Yeah! Okay, I see you, Wepa. I know who you are. I know what you’ve done. Hell, you’ve accomplished a whole lot more than the rest of these suckers in the back. But me and you, man, we’re a lot alike. See, we both got it out the mud. See, we both got it out the gutter. Hell, we both come from the street. But the difference between me and you, I was locked down in that box. See, you can get your hair braided all you want, Priest, but don’t you ever get it twisted when you come around me. You see, I’m off the leash, now. I’m a go-getter, now. I’m all gas, no breaks, now. So, if you thought you were going come to the blue brand, and make a name for yourself, hell nah, uh-uh. I’m going to let you know exactly how it’s going down here on this side of the town. It’s either, you lay down or we beat your ass down. Because of now, the way I see things, it’s me and Tama Tonga running SmackDown, right now, you know what I mean? FATU!
Damian Priest: That’s it? That’s supposed to intimidate me, I guess? You should know better. You know where I came from. As a matter of fact, we’re both from the streets, right? So, why are we talking?
Priest SuperKicks Tama Tonga. Priest had a huge standoff with Fatu. All hell starts breaking loose in Indy. The numbers game catches up to Priest. Tonga grabs a steel chair. LA Knight storms into the ring to make the save. Knight with a Big Boot through the chair. Faut punches the chair out of Knight’s hand. Priest SuperKicks Fatu. Knight with a chair across the back of Fatu.
LA Knight: You said you can lay down or you could get your ass beat down. You just got it beat down, and you can get it again. Y’all like to use the numbers, over and over on everybody. Well, I got a couple of numbers for you. I got you two cross eyed halfwits, later tonight against these two. “The Street King” Damian Priest, and the man they call, The Megastar, with everybody saying, LA Knight. YEAH!
Third Match: The Motor City Machine Guns & Los Garza w/Elektra Lopez vs. DIY & Pretty Deadly In A 8-Man Tag Team Match
Alex Shelley and Tommaso Ciampa will start things off. Ciampa tags in Prince. Carrillo tags himself in. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Carrillo applies a side headlock. Prince sends Carrillo to the corner. Carrillo dives over Prince. Prince drops down on the canvas. Carrillo with a Springboard Back Elbow for a two count. Carrillo applies an arm-bar. Prince HeadButts Carrillo. Prince with a forearm smash. Prince tags in Wilson. Prince with a corner clothesline. Wilson scores the elbow knockdown. Pretty Deadly are putting the boots to Carrillo. Prince tags in Ciampa. Carrillo with a JawBreaker. Ciampa avoids The Roundhouse Kick. Carrillo with a Spinning Enzuigiri. Carrillo with The Roll Through Standing MoonSault for a two count. Simultaneous tag to Sabin. Assisted Lou Thez Press to Ciampa. Shelley with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Sabin dropkicks the left knee of Ciampa. Muta Lock/Basement Dropkick Combination. Double Mid-Kick to Gargano. Garza dropkicks Pretty Deadly to the floor. The referee has lost control of this match. Triple Suicide Dive. MCMG rolls Ciampa back into the ring. Sabin transitions into a corner mount. Sabin applies a wrist lock. Prince prevents Ciampa from hitting the turnbuckles.
Ciampa drops Sabin with a Running Boot. Ciampa dumps Sabin out of the ring. Ciampa tags in Wilson. Pretty Deadly gangs up on Sabin on the outside. That leads us to a huge standoff with all four teams. Prince uppercuts Sabin. Prince rolls Sabin back into the ring. Prince with another uppercut. Prince with clubbing shoulder blocks. Wilson follows that with a leaping back elbow smash. Wilson is choking Sabin with his boot. Wilson with a straight right hand. Wilson is mauling Sabin in the corner. Wilson tags in Ciampa. Ciampa with a Running Knee Strike. Ciampa poses for the crowd. Ciampa tags in Prince. Assisted Toe Kick. Prince punches Sabin in the back. Prince repeatedly stomps on Sabin’s back and chest. Prince with a short-arm clothesline. Prince with a Leg Drop for a two count. Prince punches Sabin in the nose. Prince tags in Wilson. Sabin is displaying his fighting spirit. Double Irish Whip. Sabin with a leaping double clothesline. Sabin tags in Garza. Garza with a flying forearm smash. Garza dropkicks Wilson. Wilson reverses out of the irish whip from Garza. Garza ducks a clothesline from Wilson. Garza with a Tilt-A-Whirl Headscissors Takeover. Garza with a Flapjack to Prince. Garza rips off his pants. Wilson launches Garza over the top rope. Garza with The Apron Enzuigiri. Garza with The Flying Crossbody Block for a two count. Garza tags in Carrillo.
Wilson blocks MTY. Wilson shoves Carrillo into Garza. Gargano tags himself in. Garza launches Wilson over the top rope. Prince attacks Garza from behind. Shelley with a Flatliner into the middle turnbuckle pad. Ciampa responds with The Ripcord Forearm. Carrillo with The Springboard Enzuigiri. Gargano drops Carrillo with The Springboard Spear. Gargano lands The Suicide Dive. Garza wipes out everybody with The Orihara MoonSault. Carrillo with The SitOut PowerBomb for a two count. Carrillo refuses to tag in Sabin. Sabin proceeds to tag himself in. Sabin argues with Garza. Carrillo shoves Sabin. Los Garza decides to walk out on MCMG. Gargano tags in Ciampa. Ciampa with a Running Knee Strike. Ciampa tosses Sabin around the ringside area. Ciampa pats himself on the shoulder. Ciampa rolls Sabin back into the ring. Ciampa unloads two knife edge chops. Sabin dropkicks Pretty Deadly off the apron. Sabin side steps Ciampa into the turnbuckles. Sabin kicks Ciampa in the gut. Sabin with a Dropkick/Spinning DDT Combination for a two count. Gargano wisely pulls Shelley off the apron. Ciampa rolls Sabin over for a two count. Misfired Clotheslines. Ciampa with a Big Lariat. Ciampa inadvertently kicks Prince off the apron. Ciampa calls Prince stupid. Wilson goes check on Prince. Sabin wisely rolls Ciampa over to pickup the victory.
Winner: The Motor City Machine Guns & Los Garza via Pinfall
– Tama Tonga makes a hint that he wants the Tag Team Titles back. Johnny Gargano is trying to play peacemaker between Tommaso Ciampa and Pretty Deadly. Gargano says that PD can lose their shot at the tag team titles if DIY loses to The Motor City Machine Guns at the Royal Rumble. Prince responds by saying that DIY will be fighting alone, tomorrow night.
– Michael Cole & Pat McAfee from The Okerlund Position had a conversation with superstar from the Indian Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton. Tyrese is excited to be here. Tyrese will have a game with the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow night, but he will attend the Royal Rumble immediately after the game. McAfee pokes fun at Michael Cole’s crowd surfing skills at the end of today’s Royal Rumble Kickoff Event.
– We got a video package hyping up the Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens Ladder Match at the Royal Rumble for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Fourth Match: Naomi w/Bianca BelAir vs. Liv Morgan w/Raquel Rodriguez
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Naomi with a side headlock takeover. Morgan answers with the headscissors escape. Naomi pops back on her feet. Morgan grabs a side headlock. Naomi whips Morgan across the ring. Morgan drops Naomi with a shoulder tackle. Naomi drops down on the canvas. Naomi leapfrogs over Morgan. Naomi with a deep arm-drag. Naomi ducks a clothesline from Morgan. Naomi with a Tilt-A-Whirl Headscissors Takeover. Morgan with a shoulder block. Morgan sends Naomi to the corner. Naomi delivers The Booty Shake. Naomi with a Mule Kick. Naomi with The Atomic Drop. Morgan avoids Two Roundhouse Kicks. Naomi with a knee lift. Naomi with a Running Splitting Leg Drop for a two count. Naomi follows that with The Delayed Vertical Suplex for a two count. Morgan reverses out of the irish whip from Naomi. Naomi gets distracted by Rodriguez.
Naomi goes for The Springboard Enzuigiri, but Morgan counters with The Draping Backstabber for a two count. Naomi fires back with three back elbow smashes. Morgan applies a Sleeper Hold in the ropes. Rodriguez delivers a cheap shot behind the referee’s back. Morgan dropkicks Naomi into the ropes for a two count. Morgan sends Naomi face first into the middle turnbuckle pad. Morgan with a Running Hip Attack. Morgan with a Running High Knee Strike for a two count. Naomi kicks Morgan in the face. Naomi ducks a clothesline from Morgan. Naomi rolls Morgan over for a two count. Morgan drops Naomi with The CodeBreaker for a two count. Morgan applies a rear chin lock. Naomi with an arm-drag escape. Morgan dropkicks Naomi. Morgan pulls Naomi off the ropes. Morgan with a unique pinning combination for a two count. Morgan transitions into a ground and pound attack. Morgan with The Three Amigos. Morgan with a Running Enzuigiri for a two count.
Morgan goes back to the rear chin lock. Naomi with elbows into the midsection of Morgan. Forearm Exchange. Morgan applies The Sleeper Hold. Naomi escapes with The Backpack Stunner. Naomi with The Springboard Enzuigiri. Naomi with two corkscrew elbow strikes. Naomi slides under a clothesline from Morgan. Naomi with a Double Mule Kick into the midsection of Morgan. Naomi with an Axe Kick across the back of Morgan’s neck. Naomi follows that with a Running Bulldog into the middle turnbuckle pad. Naomi with The Flying Crossbody Block for a two count. Morgan pulls Naomi down to the mat. Morgan with another Running High Knee. Morgan hits The Flying CodeBreaker for a two count. Naomi with a Desperation Boot. Naomi with a jackknife hold for a two count. Naomi nails Morgan with The Rear View. Rodriguez continues to run interference. BelAir pulls Rodriguez off the ring apron. Morgan avoids The Split Legged MoonSault. Morgan goes for The Sunset Flip, but Naomi rolls her over to pickup the victory. After the match, The Judgment Day laid out BelAir and Naomi.
Winner: Naomi via Pinfall
Fifth Match: Andrade El Idolo vs. The Miz
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Miz with a deep arm-drag. Miz poses for the crowd. Strong lockup. Idolo applies a side headlock. Miz whips Idolo across the ring. Idolo drops Miz with a shoulder tackle. Miz drops down on the canvas. Miz leapfrogs over Idolo. Idolo drives his knee into the midsection of Miz. Idolo with a Hurricanrana. Miz gives Idolo a golf clap. Miz kicks Idolo in the gut. Miz is throwing haymakers at Idolo. Idolo reverses out of the irish whip from Miz. Miz kicks Idolo in the face. Miz with The Flying Hurricanrana. Idolo regroups on the outside. Idolo avoids The Wrecking Ball Dropkick. Miz ducks a clothesline from Idolo. Idolo with a Rebound Headscissors Takeover on the floor. Idolo with The Quebrada. Idolo is fired up.
Miz regains control of the match during the commercial break. IT! Kicks. Idolo avoids The Roundhouse Kick. Idolo slaps Miz in the chest. Idolo with The Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Idolo ducks a clothesline from Miz. Idolo with a flying forearm smash. Idolo pops back on his feet. Idolo plays to the crowd. Idolo hits The Shotgun Meteora for a two count. Miz blocks The Message. Miz rocks Idolo with a forearm smash. Idolo with a Running Boot. Idolo with a knife edge chop. Miz responds with a Spinning DDT for a two count. Miz with The Awesome Clothesline. Miz ascends to the top turnbuckle. Idolo and Miz are trading back and forth shots. Miz blocks The SuperPlex. Idolo with heavy bodyshots. Idolo with The Avalanche Spanish Fly for a two count. Idolo drags Miz to the corner. Miz avoids The MoonSault. Rollup Exchange. Idolo connects with The Discus Back Elbow Smash to pickup the victory.
Winner: Andrade El Idolo via Pinfall
– Damian Priest runs into Santos Escobar in the backstage area. Santos says that with Damian being new to the blue brand, perhaps Legado Del Fantasma can have his back. Damian tells Santos that they’re not friends, so why’s he wasting his time? Santos says that Dominik was right, Damian’s ego always gets in the way. Damian gives Santos a stern warning about the next words that are coming out of his mouth. Santos will take it easy, but he’ll be seeing Damian later. R-Truth is on SmackDown via the transfer window. Truth thinks that Nick Aldis is Adam Pearce. Priest tells Truth to never change. Priest and LA Knight will handle business tonight, but it’s every man for himself during the Royal Rumble, tomorrow night. Truth welcomes Priest to Raw. YEAH! Truth says that they should form a team.
– Zelina Vega has her eyes set on the WWE Women’s Championship since she’s on the blue brand now. Tiffany Stratton wishes Zelina luck in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match, just so she could get a glimpse of Tiffy’s title at WrestleMania.
Tiffany Stratton, Pat McAfee, Michael Cole, Candice LeRae, Nia Jax Segment
Pat McAfee: Will the Doctor of Thuganomics be able to win his third Royal Rumble and tie Stone Cold Steve Austin’s record? The John Cena Retirement Tour starts, tomorrow, Cole.
Michael Cole: Also, the Women’s Royal Rumble Match, tomorrow night. And there’s someone who’s going to be watching very closely. She’s our guest at this time. The WWE Women’s Champion, Tiffany Stratton. Tiffany, I’m real curious to see how your life has changed over the past few weeks since you cashed the Money In The Bank and won the championship.
Tiffany Stratton: This may be my first championship on SmackDown, but I’ve always been championship material. And the only difference between now, and a year ago, is everybody else knows it.
Pat McAfee: I will say, it is fantastic that it’s Tiffy Time. I’ve always wanted to say that. Okay, so I know way your life has changed. Now that you’re the champion, and everybody wants what you have. Tomorrow night, 30 women are going to enter the Royal Rumble, to try to earn an opportunity to take that from you. It could be Bianca BelAir. It could be Bayley. It could be Candice LeRae. And as you know, you’ve pissed a lot of people off along the way to the top. It could be Nia Jax.
Tiffany Stratton: Didn’t you hear me, last week? I said it doesn’t matter who wins the Royal Rumble, tomorrow, because it is always Tiffy Time. And if Nia Jax wants to go ahead and win the Royal Rumble, tomorrow, that’s fine, because she’s underestimated me before.
Candice LeRae: You are pathetic. You don’t even deserve to say Nia’s name after what you did. And you know what? You didn’t just betray Nia, you betrayed me. Pat’s right, you did piss a lot of people off, including me, and you did it because you’re jealous. You’re jealous that Nia prefers me as a tag partner over you. Enjoy what little bit of Tiffy Time you have left, because I’ve entered the Royal Rumble, and you know what? I’m going to make you regret ever stabbing us in the back.
Tiffany Stratton: You think I’m jealous of you? I’m the champion, and all you’ll ever be is Nia Jax’s little side kick, unlike me. And you’ll never be able to touch this.
Nia Jax accidentally lays out LeRae with The Body Avalanche. Jax got into a massive brawl with Stratton. Jax goes for The Samoan Drop, but Stratton lands back on her feet. Stratton with forearm shivers. Jax drops Stratton with The Pop Up HeadButt. Jax drags Stratton to the corner. Jax nails Stratton with The Annihilator to close this segment.
Sixth Match: Damian Priest & LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga
A pier six brawl ensues before the bell rings. Knight is throwing haymakers at Fatu. Knight with a short-arm clothesline. Double Big Boot to Fatu. Tonga with heavy bodyshots. Tonga HeadButts Priest. Tonga with a forearm smash. Priest blocks the irish whip. Priest with combination kicks. Priest with The Rolling Elbow. Priest clotheslines Tonga. Priest applies a wrist lock. Priest tags in Knight. Knight grabs a side wrist lock. Tonga punches Knight. Tonga with a gut punch/headbutt combination. Fatu tags himself in. Fatu repeatedly stomps on Knight’s chest. Fatu HeadButts Knight. Fatu goes for a Bodyslam, but Knight lands back on his feet. Knight drives Fatu sternum first into the turnbuckles. Knight with a Leaping NeckBreaker. Knight is putting the boots to Fatu. Fatu drives his knee into the midsection of Knight. Fatu goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Knight counters with a NeckBreaker for a one count. Knight applies a front face lock. Knight tags in Priest. Priest punches Fatu in the back. Priest with forearm shivers. Priest sends Fatu to the corner. Fatu side steps Priest into the turnbuckles. Priest decks Fatu with a back elbow smash. Priest gets distracted by Tonga.
Fatu with a corner clothesline. Fatu nails Priest with The Running Hip Attack. Fatu HeadButts Priest. Fatu tags in Tonga. Tonga hammers down on the back of Priest’s neck. Tonga with a chop block. Tonga with a Sliding Lariat. Tonga follows that with a Leaping Splash for a one count. Tonga with a flurry of strikes. Tonga tags in Fatu. Fatu applies a nerve hold. Priest with elbows into the midsection of Fatu. Fatu uppercuts Priest. Priest fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Priest with Two Bell Claps. Fatu answers with another uppercut. Priest repeatedly kicks Fatu in the face. Priest knocks Tonga off the ring apron. Priest dumps Fatu out of the ring. Priest tags in Knight. Knight with rapid fire haymakers. Fatu launches Knight to the corner. Knight avoids The Stinger Splash. Knight clotheslines Tonga off the apron. Knight ducks a clothesline from Fatu. Knight kicks Fatu in the gut. Knight drops Fatu with The DDT for a two count. Knight lands The Megastar Elbow. Fatu blocks The BFT. Knight kicks Fatu in the face. Tonga trips Knight from the outside. Fatu with a Running HeadButt. Fatu whips Knight back first into the turnbuckles. Fatu tags in Tonga.
Tonga with a Snap Vertical Suplex. Tonga with a running basement dropkick. Tonga dropkicks Priest off the apron. Tonga hammers down on the back of Knight’s neck. Tonga transitions into a ground and pound attack. Tonga is choking Knight with his boot. Tonga tags in Fatu. Fatu repeatedly stomps on Knight’s chest. Fatu uses the middle rope to choke Knight. Knight is displaying his fighting spirit. Fatu uppercuts Knight. Fatu levels Knight with The Body Avalanche. Fatu goes for a Bodyslam, but Knight lands back on his feet. Knight with a flurry of haymakers. Fatu blocks The Belly to Back Suplex. Fatu uppercuts Knight. Fatu drives Knight shoulder first into the steel ring post. Fatu tags in Tonga. Tonga with repeated back rakes in the corner. Tonga fish hooks Knight. Tonga with clubbing axe handle strikes. Tonga applies a rear chin lock. Knight with elbows into the midsection of Tonga. Tonga answers with The Kitchen Sink. Tonga tags in Fatu. Fatu with a cheap shot to Priest. Fatu slams Knight’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Fatu is raining down haymakers in the corner. Fatu goes for a Running Hip Attack, but Knight ducks out of the way. Fatu goes for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Knight lands back on his feet. Knight creates distance with a Belly to Back Suplex.
Priest and Tonga are tagged in. Priest scores two forearm knockdowns. Priest clotheslines Fatu over the top rope. Priest with The Flapjack. Priest with a leaping back elbow smash. Priest follows that with a leaping shoulder block. Priest delivers The Pounce over the top rope. Fatu shrugs off a SuperKick from Priest. Priest answers with a Flatliner onto the announce table. Priest drives Fatu face first into the ring post. Priest rolls Tonga back into the ring. Priest with The Old School Crossbody Block for a two count. Tonga rocks Priest with a forearm smash. Priest with a Leaping Roundhouse Kick. Priest goes for The Razor’s Edge, but Tonga counters with The Sleeper Hold. Priest knocks Fatu off the apron. Tonga rolls Priest over for a two count. Fatu HeadButts the back of Priest’s head. Tonga connects with The Leaping DDT for a two count. Knight with a Running Boot to Fatu. Knight with a Running Crossbody Block into the timekeeper’s area. Priest negates The Sliding Lariat. Priest goes for The South Of Heaven Chokeslam, but Tonga lands back on his feet. Priest with an Inside Out Lariat. Priest plants Tonga with The South Of Heaven Chokeslam to pickup the victory. After the match, Fatu SuperKicks Priest. Fatu hits The Pop Up Samoan Drop. Fatu lays out Priest with The Double Jump MoonSault as the show goes off the air.
Winner: Damian Priest & LA Knight via Pinfall
Checkout Episode 450 of The Hoots Podcast
