Good Morning Wrestling Fans 👊

Straight Shoot UNFILTERED is back, and this Sunday morning we are serving you a MrTeshk triple-header review coming in hot and heavy from one of the most action-packed weekends of the year.

From NXT No Mercy in Fort Lauderdale delivering decisive title changes and a violent Weaponized Steel Cage match, to TNA Victory Road in Edmonton flexing its depth and setting the stage for Bound For Glory, to SmackDown firing on all cylinders with Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu lighting the brand on fire — there was no shortage of big matches, shocking moments, and stories that will shape the weeks ahead.

Settle in, grab your coffee, and dive into full reviews of No Mercy, Victory Road, and SmackDown, complete with star ratings, MVPs of the night, and the Straight Shoot Takeaways you will not get anywhere else.

By MrTeshk — Straight Shoot Unfiltered

A lively blue-brand night with real sparks. One blazing new rivalry, a botched main event finish, a statement U.S. Title open challenge, and a tag scene finally moving forward. Whenever Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu shared the frame, the show caught fire. That energy carried the episode.

Cold Open: Cody, Heyman, Bron & Reed, and a Viper

Segment: Cody Rhodes, Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Randy Orton

Cody cutting through Heyman’s spin was sharp TV. The “who does Heyman really serve” thread adds intrigue heading into Crown Jewel. The Bron and Reed run-in flowed right into the Randy Orton save, and the crowd was with it the entire way.

Teshk note: Loved Orton eying Cody’s belt before handing it back. Subtle. Tells you where we are headed later this fall.

Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Street Profits def. Carmelo Hayes & The Miz

Match: Profits crisp, Dawkins’ hot tag snapped, Ford’s elevation is still a cheat code. The real story was Melo finally refusing to be Miz’s sidecar. He walked out and left Miz to eat the pin.

What it sets up: Profits back in the tag title hunt. Melo vs Miz as a short feud to springboard Melo upward. Do not linger here.

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Giulia & Kiana James def. Michin & B-Fab

Match: Giulia popped every time she tagged in, but the rest never hit second gear. The women’s tag division badly needs clearer contender pipelines.

Match Rating: ⭐⭐

Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu — Heavyweight Collision

Segment: Drew came in taped up and ornery. Fatu hit the music, the ring, and the throttle. Headbutt, superkick, ripping the boot off Drew, clubbing him with it, and standing tall. Dangerous, fresh, violent energy.

Feud Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (6/5 if we could)

Teshk note: This is exactly what SmackDown needed. A violent, personal side quest that elevates Fatu to main-event oxygen while letting Drew snarl without a belt. Book it like a fistfight trilogy and get out of the way.

Sami Zayn (c) def. Je’Von Evans — U.S. Title Open Challenge

Match: Je’Von brought NXT electricity to prime time with his bounce and chaos. Sami leaned veteran rhythm, took the bombs, then stole the window with a Helluva Kick into Blue Thunder.

The avalanche Frankensteiner was gorgeous. The post-match handshake was classy and deserved.

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Teshk note: This open challenge run is quietly becoming must-see. Keep mixing in NXT names. It builds both brands.

Backstage Bits

Women’s Tag Titles: Alexa Bliss checking Sol Ruca and Zaria for not acting like a team was good gatekeeping.

Priest / Aleister Black: Slick ambush, “only one left standing” line hints at a decisive stip. Let it breathe with fewer jump-cuts.

Wyatt Sicks vs. Profits stare: The right kind of silent pressure. Less is more.

Main Event: WWE Women’s Title — Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Jade Cargill & Nia Jax

Match: There were good pieces: Tiffany’s athleticism, Jade’s aura, the step-base Samoan Drop, and a few crowd-popping nearfalls. But the finish was messy. The visible non-kickout pause undercut momentum before Tiffany closed with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Teshk note: Tiffany vs Stephanie Vaquer is the right next step. Let Tiffany work her tempo. Jade needs a focused one-on-one showcase to sharpen timing.

Quick Hits

Loved:

Hated:

MVPs of the Night

⭐⭐⭐ Drew McIntyre — snarling, violent, believable.
⭐⭐ Jacob Fatu — aura instantly main event.
⭐ Sami Zayn — proving again why the U.S. Title matters.

Final Take

SmackDown clicked whenever it leaned into authenticity and stakes. Drew vs Fatu is gasoline on the brand’s fire. Sami’s open-door U.S. Title run keeps delivering matches with identity. Melo finally unhitched the anchor.

The messy women’s title finish kept the show from a higher ceiling, but the road ahead is strong with Tiffany vs Vaquer and a heavyweight grudge that already feels like must-see TV.

Overall Show Rating: 7.5 / 10

MrTeshk’s Parting Shot: Run back Drew vs Fatu with minimal agents, maximum malice, and a hard cam that does not flinch. That feud has the juice to headline a stadium if you let it grow.

TNA is the number two brand in professional wrestling. Full stop. Victory Road felt like a company flexing depth, confidence, and identity just weeks before Bound For Glory.

And on a personal note — massive thanks to TNA and @CreatorSportsNetwork for allowing Straight Shoot to stream this event on our YouTube channel. Nights like this are why we do it.

Kickoff Triple Threat: Zachary Wentz vs. Trey Miguel vs. Cedric Alexander

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

Edmonton was loud from bell one. Trey jumped Wentz early with a throwback superkick, Cedric rattled off perfect Germans, and Wentz snapped Sling Blades and rope-run UFO setups. The pace was blink-and-miss, but it stayed clean. Miguel’s Lightning Spiral into a Muta Lock looked like the finish until Wentz broke it with a Swanton, then hit the UFO Cutter to close.

Why it mattered: Wentz gets juice heading into BFG, Cedric keeps elevating the roster.

The System vs. Order 4 (Agent Zero, Skyler, Hotch)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐✨

Short and purposeful. Agent Zero muscled Myers with a vertical suplex that looked nasty, while Order 4 stacked offense until Skyler missed and momentum flipped. JDC’s return gave The System the edge and they hit Down & Dirty for the win.

Why it mattered: Momentum for The System, Zero looked like a problem.

Ash By Elegance Vacates the Knockouts World Title

No swerves, just a heartfelt goodbye. Ash placed the belt down with emotion, thanked the fans, and Santino pivoted to a battle royal to crown two finalists.

Teshk note: Health and life first. Ash raised the bar, now the division carries it forward.

Knockouts Battle Royal → Finalists: Kelani Jordan & Lei Ying Lee

Match Rating: ⭐⭐✨

A sprint designed to set the table. Jordan and Lee flipped Elegance Brand and IInspiration out together, then teased their clash post-match: Jordan’s gymnast hips vs. Lee’s sharp footwork.

Matt Cardona & Home Town Man def. The Nemeths (Ryan & Nic)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

This was crowd-pleaser construction. Cardona brought a hot tag burst, HTM delivered comedy into sudden precision, and the Nemeths leaned all-in on smug heel antics. The Hart Attack fake-out popped Edmonton, and HTM scored the small package win.

Why it clicked: Crowd smiling, heels still petty for TV.

Mike Santana def. Ridge Holland

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

A tone piece for Santana’s BFG rise. He sprinted early with dropkicks and planchas until Ridge grounded him with power. Santana’s Death Valley Driver and Spin The Block sealed it. Post-match, Trick Williams’ belt shot was the right punctuation.

Trajectory: Santana feels inevitable.

Moose def. Mustafa Ali — Hardcore War Advantage

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A smart inversion: Moose chasing the slick heel. Moose’s apron dropkick and uranage set the tone, Ali’s floor DDT and 450 balanced it out. Nearfalls stacked until Ali’s low blow and 450 stole it thanks to ringside distractions.

Why it mattered: Stakes and character logic. Built Bound For Glory’s war.

Joe Hendry def. Eric Young

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

Hendry, taped up, fought like a man defending his house. Fallaway slam, Olympic Slam, Standing Ovation on hardware. Eric Young leaned into shortcuts and false finishes to make it climb-worthy.

Read: Hendry stays teflon, EY still elevates.

Matt Hardy def. AJ Francis — Tables Match

Match Rating: ⭐⭐✨

Classic formula. Francis bullied, Hardy stapled nostalgia together with Side Effects and Twists of Fate. The finish was top-rope leg drop through a table on the floor, which Edmonton loved.

Why it worked: Fan service, revenge, one big crashing payoff.

Knockouts World Championship (Vacant): Kelani Jordan def. Lei Ying Lee

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

Short-notice finals that delivered urgency. Lee’s avalanche hurricanrana and Blue Thunder were crisp, while Jordan wowed with a Northern Lights bridge and frog splash. They flirted with disaster mid-match but recovered. Splits Stunner → One of a Kind sealed it for Jordan.

What’s next: Hartwell looming at BFG is a compelling matchup.

International Championship: Frankie Kazarian def. Steve Maclin (c)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Craft and grit. Maclin’s relentless Tree-of-Woe spear setups clashed with Kaz’s counters, including a slick corner cutter. El Mesias distraction was quick but effective, giving Kaz the low blow → slingshot cutter combo for the title win.

Implications: Fresh vet champ, while Maclin vs. Mesias is instant heat.

Main Event: Leon Slater (c) def. Myron Reed — X-Division Championship

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

Youthful excellence. Reed wowed with mid-air cutters and a Stundog on the floor, Slater matched with range and acceleration. They stacked awe spots but never lost the sprint story. Slater’s Swanton 450 was decisive.

Post-match, Santino announced the Bound For Glory bomb: Slater vs. Je’Von Evans.

Teshk take: Slater is that dude. Evans is the perfect dance partner. Show-stealer potential anywhere.

MVPs of the Night

⭐⭐⭐ Leon Slater — X-Division ace with another classic.
⭐⭐ Mike Santana — BFG-bound, inevitable rise.
⭐ Kelani Jordan — Knockouts champ crowned with urgency.

Final Take

Victory Road did what a go-home-adjacent special should: push stories forward, spotlight rising names, and send fans buzzing into Bound For Glory season.

TNA is operating with clarity and confidence: building new champions, protecting workhorses, and giving the X-Division the shine it deserves.

Straight Shoot Score: 8 / 10

MrTeshk’s Parting Shot: The future of TNA feels bright, ambitious, and fan-first. Edmonton got a taste. October’s about to feast.

A tight, punchy card with real movement. A rocket opener, two title matches that mattered, a new NXT Champion, and a Weaponized Steel Cage war that stole the show.

Je’Von Evans def. Josh Briggs (16:28)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Big man bully versus high-octane jetpack. Briggs mauled with backbreakers, chokeslams, and lariat swats. Evans refused to stay grounded: coast-to-coast dive, slick counters, and the springboard cutter off the top rope to seal it.

Takeaway: Evans looks every bit like Slater’s rightful challenger heading into Bound For Glory.

Sol Ruca (c) def. Jaida Parker — Speed Championship (4:48)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐✨

A five-minute sprint with ringside chaos. Jaida hit Hipnotic outside, Zaria and Lash brawled, but Sol steadied the pace and landed the Sol Snatcher to retain.

Takeaway: The concept clicked late. The triangle drama stays alive.

Ethan Page (c) def. Tavion Heights — North American Title (10:20)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

Page worked the back with turnbuckle backbreakers and Boston Crab chains. Tavion fired back with bursts of athleticism and an ankle lock scare, but a super powerslam into Twisted Grin ended it clean.

Takeaway: Page looks sharp as champion. Tavion gains stock even in defeat.

Jacy Jayne (c) def. Lola Vice — NXT Women’s Title (18:35)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

Lola’s strikes cracked, Jacy’s timing answered. A hooded run-in knee swung momentum, and the Rolling Encore kept the gold with Jacy.

Takeaway: Run it back. Lola felt inches away all night.

Ricky Saints def. Oba Femi (c) — NXT Title (17:20)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oba imposed early, but Saints kept forcing resets and found counters. The DDT chains stacked until Oba finally stayed down.

Takeaway: The right time and the right guy. Ricky felt inevitable. Oba felt finished here.

Match of the Night: Jordynne Grace def. Blake Monroe — Weaponized Steel Cage (16:12)

Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was character violence, not cosplay violence. Blake Monroe finally became the menace she should’ve been since signing.

Blake played mean streak, not spectacle. Trash-lid Van Daminator, double stomp into a trash can, and spilling fake diamonds like tacks screamed menace.

Grace answered like a champion: chair-boosted Boston Crab, lashes with a belt, Super Samoan Drop, and the finish — Super Air Raid Crash from the cage through a table.

Why it mattered: Blake finally felt dangerous, not just athletic. The swagger, the spite, the willingness to humiliate — that’s her gear. Keep her in this lane and the division just gained its chaos ace.

Results Recap

MVPs of the Night

⭐⭐⭐ Blake Monroe — finally felt like a true menace.
⭐⭐ Jordynne Grace — survived, endured, and ended the feud with authority.
⭐ Ricky Saints — the right guy crowned at the right time.

Final Take

Short card, big swings, decisive results. Evans proved ready for the X-Division spotlight, Ricky Saints became the new face of NXT, and the women’s division found a breakout star in Blake Monroe’s villainy.

Straight Shoot Score: 8.5 / 10

MrTeshk’s Parting Shot: Keep Blake Monroe in this gear, keep Saints strong, and keep No Mercy as the brand’s annual statement show. This was NXT at its most purposeful.

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Be Good People🤘
mr.teshk

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