The John Report: WWE SmackDown 10/25/24 Review
This is WWE Smackdown featuring Cody Rhodes having a showdown with Gunter, Carmelo Hayes against Andrade for the seventh time, and more.
It’s a double taping of Smackdown in Brooklyn tonight. They are taping next week’s November 1st Smackdown episode, which will air one day before the Crown Jewel on November 2nd in Saudi Arabia.
From the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, this is Smackdown for episode #1314. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
There were arrivals shown from earlier in the day including the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther and they showed the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes as well. The tag teams were shown as the Motor City Machine Guns and #DIY were show walking around earlier in the day.
Randy Orton was walking backstage and he walked out from the gorilla position and made his entrance. Orton walked over to Triple H and said something to him, but the microphones weren’t on. Triple H pointed to the ring to tell Orton to get out there because Orton’s music was playing.
Let’s Hear from Randy Orton
Randy Orton was in his wrestling gear while also wearing one of his t-shirts. Orton didn’t do his signature pose because he was in a serious mode. Orton said he’s been doing everything he can to get his hands on Kevin Owens, but for some reason, Owens is off limits. Orton said he tried to get a match with Owens from Nick Aldis, but he was told he couldn’t do it because it was a decision from above. That led to Orton calling out Triple H.
The WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque walked out to the ring and took a shot at Orton saying he gets late. Hunter said I guess we can do this now. Hunter got in the ring with Orton, who said that Hunter was protecting Owens. Orton kept on repeating that Hunter was protecting Owens. Hunter said he was not protecting Owens and then he told Orton he was trying to protect Randy.
Triple H said that Owens wanted to be called a prizefighter when he walked in here because that’s what he wanted because it’s all about business. Hunter said that Owens has never had friends for a long time in this business because he turns his back on them. Hunter spoke about how Owens put his guard down with Rhodes and Orton. Hunter said he liked Cody as a good guy while he called Orton a miserable prick and Hunter said Owens liked them. Hunter said that the way Owens sees it is that those guys turned on Owens. Hunter said there’s something disconnected with him and it’s not the same Kevin Owens. Orton was surprised that Hunter was protecting him. Hunter said that Orton lost 18 months of his career due to his back and they put steel rods in his back. Hunter said he didn’t want to see Orton put back on the shelf maybe permanently.
Orton said that’s not going to happen. Orton said he didn’t ask Paul Levesque to come to this ring and he didn’t want a CCO to come to this ring. Orton said that he wanted the cerebral assassin and The Game to come out there. Orton talked about how he wanted the guy that broke into his house and kicked his ass on the lawn. Orton said that Hunter would never sit back and let it slide. Orton spoke about how he knows what’s at stake regarding his health. Orton said that Hunter knows more than anybody what it’s like to have this taken away from him just like that. Orton said that if it was Hunter he would want to handle this right in the middle of the ring. Orton said he wanted to face Orton at Crown Jewel and said he begged Hunter for it. The fans chanted “let them fight” in support of Orton.
Triple H took his time giving a reply. Hunter: “I hope to God you all know what you’re asking for. You want Kevin Owens at Crown Jewel? You got him.” Hunter told Orton from this moment on he suggests that he protects himself at all times. Hunter left while Orton stayed in the ring.
Analysis: I liked the promos from both guys. Triple H was in boss mode, but then Randy Orton knew what buttons to push to get what he wanted by saying he was appealing to The Game referring to when Triple H was a wrestler. Orton did a good job of having a sense of urgency and the promo didn’t drag. I like how Hunter waited to hear the fans chant “let them fight” as well.
The commentary team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves appeared on screen. Cole was back after being “on assignment” last week. He was on a rare vacation. Good for you, Cole.
A video aired about the first six matches between Andrade and Carmelo Hayes with each man winning three matches. There were promos from each guy about how they are going to win.
LA Knight made his entrance as the United States Champion wearing a referee’s shirt since he’s the referee of the next match.
(Commercial)
Game 7: Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes – LA Knight is the special guest referee
Andrade hit a spinning back elbow on Melo for a two count. Knight was wearing sunglasses and the US Title around his waist as the referee. Andrade stomped on Melo against the turnbuckle. Knight warned Andrade, so Melo did a cheap shot and Melo stomped on Andrade. Melo tried a move off the ropes, but Andrade shoved Melo out of the ring to the floor. Andrade jumped over Knight (who was in the ropes counting) and hit a somersault dive onto Melo on the floor.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Andrade going for double knees, but Melo moved and Andrade hit the turnbuckle. Knight was no longer wearing the US Title or the shades. Andrade hit a Spanish Fly slam off the middle ropes. Melo and Andrade exchanged strikes followed by Melo spinning around Andrade’s body leading to a tilt-a-whirl facebuster for two. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” as Andrade countered Melo and hit a Destroyer. Andrade hit the double knees against the turnbuckle and Melo did a power kickout so Andrade landed on Knight’s back. Melo rolled up Andrade, but Knight wasn’t there to count because Knight was mad about getting hit. Melo went for a superkick, Andrade moved and Melo hit Knight with the kick to send Knight out of the ring. Andrade hit two suplexes, but Melo blocked a third one and Melo hit a Cutter. Knight pulled Melo out of the ring when Melo tried to do a cover and Knight rammed Melo into the top of the commentary table. Andrade didn’t like Knight getting involved, he tried an attack and Knight hit a BFT on Andrade. Melo was back in the ring, Knight got a hold of him and Knight hit a BFT to Melo. Knight rang the bell to end the match. It went about 10 minutes.
Match Result: No Contest
Analysis: *** They were on their way to a very good match with some cool moves, but then it ended abruptly without a finish due to Knight’s actions. What Knight did almost made him heelish because he ruined a good match. However, the actions of Knight were done like that because Andrade landed on his back so he was angry about it. Anyway, it will likely lead to yet another Andrade and Melo match.
After the match, LA Knight announced that he was the winner of Game 7…yeah. Knight left with his US Title. Graves criticized Knight for his actions.
Analysis: Bring on Game 8 in the future although it’s also obvious that they were setting up a triple threat.
The WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax was backstage talking to Miss Money in the Bank Tiffany Stratton. Jax complained about Naomi getting involved in her business, so she wanted somebody to take care of her. Stratton suggested that she could do it, but Jax said she got Candice LeRae instead since LeRae pinned Bayley last week. Candice and Indi Hartwell walked in, so Candice told Jax she’d take care of it. Stratton looked sad that she wasn’t picked.
Analysis: They are continuing to push the story of Jax being mean to Stratton. I said last week when Candice got the win over Bayley that it felt like it would lead to Jax liking Candice & Indi, which is fine for this story because they are obviously going to turn Tiffany Stratton into a babyface when she cashes in Money in the Bank on Jax at some point in the future.
(Commercial)
LA Knight was shown walking backstage. The Smackdown GM Nick Aldis got in Knight’s face wondering what he was doing out there. Knight said he didn’t want to be there. Aldis told Knight that now he has to face Andrade and Hayes in a triple threat match for the US Title at Crown Jewel. Knight said nothing while Aldis left.
Analysis: There’s the obvious triple threat match. I’ll take Knight to win.
Naomi vs. Candice LeRae (w/Indi Hartwell)
Naomi tripped up LeRae and hit a kick to the face. Naomi used two boots to kick LeRae down followed by Naomi hitting a running leg drop to the back for two. Naomi gave LeRae a bulldog into the turnbuckle. Naomi charged on the apron, but LeRae avoided her and LeRae hit a flatliner onto the ring apron. The show went to break there.
(Commercial)
LeRae was in control with a stomp on the back followed by a backsplash. Naomi tackled LeRae into the turnbuckle. Naomi hit a back kick, but LeRae pulled her down with a hair pull. LeRae with a chinlock, Naomi broke free and hit a knee. Naomi spiked LeRae with the double knee driver into the mat. Naomi hit two dropkick along with a swinging bulldog. Naomi hit a springboard roundhouse kick for two. LeRae sent Naomi into the turnbuckle followed by a neckbreaker against the ropes. LeRae charged and Naomi hit a rising kick to the head while Naomi was on the apron. LeRae was distracting the referee, so LeRae sent Naomi into the ring post. Bayley ran out to ringside and sent Indi into the barricade. Naomi hit a sitout full nelson slam into the pin for the win. It went about eight minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Naomi
Analysis: **3/4 A solid match with Naomi getting the win because she had Bayley to watch her back after Indi got involved. LeRae is technically sound as a wrestler, but the crowd barely reacts to her. The fans do like Naomi although the fans were silent for most of this match.
The Crown Jewel Champion face-to-face was next, so the Crown Jewel Championship was shown backstage and was being carried out to the ring.
(Commercial)
A video aired about unforgettable Smackdown moments. They chose John Cena’s debut against Kurt Angle on the June 27, 2002 edition of Smackdown. They didn’t show Angle winning the match, but they did show The Undertaker shaking Cena’s hand.
The John Cena clip was shown because that led to Cole mentioning WrestleMania 41 tickets are on sale because it will be Cena’s last WrestleMania match.
They showed actor Lin Manuel Miranda at ringside.
Analysis: Graves mentioned all these awards that Lin has won. I only know who he is because he was on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Thanks, Larry. Pretty, pretty good.
Crown Jewel Championship Face-to-Face: Cody Rhodes and Gunther
The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance wearing a suit as usual. The fans were loud for Cody’s entrance. Before Cody could do his “WHOA-OH” pose on the turnbuckle, Gunther’s music hit. Gunther walked out in dress clothes of his own to join Cody in the ring. There was a black carpet in the ring while the Crown Jewel Championship was displayed on a table and there were security guys on the floor.
Gunther asked Cody: “So what do you want to talk about?” Cody said it’s fairly obvious what they want to talk about and he looked at the Crown Jewel Championship. Cody said he wanted to know why Gunther wanted to leave Crown Jewel with that championship.
Gunther said that it was totally unnecessary to mention his daughter because this has everything to do with the Crown Jewel Championship. Gunther said let’s find out who is the better champion out of the two of them. Gunther said that Cody drags the people closest to him into his business. Gunther talked about how at WrestleMania, Cody fulfilled his destiny for the legacy of Dusty Rhodes. Gunther said that Cody wants the John Cena schedule to be the quarterback of the team. Gunther said that Cody is trying to make things more dramatic. Gunther told Cody that his reason for winning is himself because he’s the greatest wrestler in this company right now so his reason is to live up to himself. Gunther told Cody to give him honesty back for his real reason why if there even is a reason. Gunther wanted Cody to act like it was just them without the fans.
Cody told Gunther that was a stupid question. Cody put over the fans because they matter. Cody did the “WHOA-OH” with the fans. Cody admitted that he is dramatic and he is proud of his fans for being dramatic, which is why they call them Cody Crybabies. Cody asked Gunther where was he yesterday and the day before that? Cody said he was in Las Vegas talking about WrestleMania and doing media obligations while Gunther couldn’t get out of bed. Cody said that Gunther has part of it down. Cody said that the part that Gunther is missing is the giant responsibility that comes with it. Gunther said he was the workhorse champion of this company. Gunther said he says no when he gets the requests. Gunther said he has the guts to say no to the bosses and he has the guts to say no to the fans. The fans booed. Gunther told Cody the reason he doesn’t say no is if Cody stops being the servant of everybody else then Cody’s story is over. Gunther said that makes Cody a gutless champion while telling Cody that he’ll always be secondary to Gunther.
Cody said they say Gunther is a ring general because he’s 6’4” and 250 pounds. Cody said he doesn’t see Gunther as a general. Cody said that his whole career has been built by his guts. Cody said guts is taking the first shot. Cody punched Gunther and then knocked Gunther down. Ludwig Kaiser went out to the ring to help Gunther, so Kaiser punched Cody in the ribs. Gunther bounced off the ropes with a clothesline. Randy Orton went down to the ring to save Cody, so Gunther and Kaiser left. Orton picked up the WWE Title, had a good look at it (that’s interesting) and handed the title to Cody. They played Cody’s music to end it.
Analysis: It was a pretty good promo exchange between Cody and Gunther. I wrote a few weeks back it’s hard for me to care about the Crown Jewel Championship even though these guys certainly tried to make us care. It’s going to be a great match obviously. I just don’t think it matters that much who wins the Crown Jewel title since they have their other titles anyway. Anyway, the physicality at the end was good with Cody getting in the first shot because he was angry at what Gunther said and then it was no surprise to see Kaiser there. Randy Orton making the save sets up a tag team match.
Up next is a recap of The Bloodline saga.
(Commercial)
There was a recap of last week’s Smackdown when The Bloodline dominated Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso. Earlier in that same show, Jey Uso threatened The Bloodline as well. They also showed last Monday’s Raw when The Bloodline cost Jey Uso the Intercontinental Title against Bron Breakker, who regained the championship.
A backstage scene was shown of Damage CTRL, Piper Niven & Chelsea Green and Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson arguing. The Raw GM Adam Pearce, Smackdown GM Nick Aldis & NXT GM Ava were all there as well. The Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill walked in so Aldis informed all the teams that they’ll be in a 4-way Women’s Tag Team Title match at Crown Jewel. Belair & Cargill were happy about it because they were willing to take on all comers.
Analysis: That’s a sixth match for Crown Jewel. I think Belair & Cargill retaining makes sense, but I guess it’s another chance to take the titles off Belair & Cargill since they lost the titles in a triple threat the last time they were champions.
The #DIY team entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Next week on Smackdown:
* Nia Jax and Liv Morgan meet face-to-face
* Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes vs. Imperium’s Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser
* Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky vs. Piper Niven vs. Lash Legend
The Motor City Machine Guns duo of Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley made their entrance for the main event.
Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin vs. #DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano
The winners of this match will get a WWE Tag Team Title match.
Shelley and Gargano exchanged holds on the mat going for nearfalls. The announcers talked about their history together since Gargano looked up to Shelley early in his career. Ciampa hit a hard chop to the chest. Shelley broke free and Sabin tagged in leading to a running dropkick while Shelley was holding Ciampa. Gargano got the tag, Ciampa did a jawbreaker and Ciampa hit a clothesline. Gargano did a snapmare to Sabin followed by a running dropkick to the back of the head. Sabin avoided a double team attack and Shelley tagged in. Shelley sent Ciampa into the apron. The Guns hit a double team superkick on Ciampa. Sabin went for a charge, but Gargano did a slingshot Spear. Ciampa pulled Shelley out of the ring and Ciampa sent Shelley hard into the ring post. Ciampa stomped on Shelley repeatedly, which led to Ciampa/Gargano doing their clapping together.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Sabin hitting a cross body block off the top. Sabin kicked Gargano leading to Sabin hitting a spinning Tornado DDT on Ciampa. Shelley tagged in for a double team attack in the corner. Sabin & Shelley each kicked Ciampa. Shelley held onto both opponents leading to Sabin hitting a missile dropkick on Gargano’s back for a two count. The fans chanted “this is awesome” although it wasn’t a loud chant. Ciampa pulled Shelley off the apron to prevent a possible tag. Gargano nailed Sabin with a kick. Ciampa hit a Fairytale Ending with Gargano hitting a kick as well. Gargano dove onto Shelley on the floor. Ciampa hit a running knee on Sabin for two. Shelley pulled Ciampa out of the ring and Sabin/Gargano traded nearfalls. Sabin hit a jawbreaker on Gargano. Johnny went for a superkick, Sabin moved and Gargano superkicked Ciampa. Sabin held onto Gargano and Shelley jumped off the top for the neckbreaker/splash combo called Skull & Bones. Shelley covered Gargano for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a great match for the time given. That’s not a surprise considering how talented these teams are. I was hoping they would get at least 15 minutes for a match like this, but it didn’t reach that length. I’m not surprised by the Motor City Machine Guns winning since WWE has treated them like a big deal since their debut, so winning a match like this makes a lot of sense. There was a lot of fast paced action, double team moves and an ending that saw Gargano accidentally kick Ciampa, which led to the MCMG win. I don’t know if it’s going to lead to Ciampa turning on Johnny, but it might happen down the road. Anyway, I enjoyed the match.
After the match, the Motor City Machine Guns celebrated the win. Tommaso Ciampa was angry with Johnny Gargano, but it didn’t seem like it was heavily focused on.
While Motor City Machine Guns were in the ring, The Bloodline group led by Solo Sikoa made their entrance.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from The Bloodline, Nick Aldis and Motor City Machine Guns
Solo Sikoa was in the ring with The Bloodline, which is Jacob Fatu and WWE Tag Team Champions Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa. Nick Aldis the Smackdown GM was in the ring also telling Solo that this match isn’t going to happen tonight. The fans were booing Solo a lot and chanting “OTC” at him in support of Roman Reigns, the Original Tribal Chief. Solo told Brooklyn to acknowledge him and the fans booed. Solo told MCMG that he is their Tribal Chief.
Chris Sabin said that it’s an honor to meet Mr. Tribal Chief. Chris introduced them as the Motor City Machine Guns and the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Titles. Sabin said that they are always ready at any place and at any time. Solo said since you want to make an impact (wink, wink) for yourself, how about a Tag Team Title match right here and right now.
Nick Aldis spoke about how the Motor City Machine Guns have spent 20 years in this business earning this shot and he’s not going to let them have this match that they fairly earned. Shelley said that if they want to do this title match right now then Shelley wants the title shot right now. Aldis asked the teams and the fans if they wanted this match. Aldis called out a referee, so let’s do this right now.
Analysis: It’s an impromptu title match, which the fans are always going to cheer for. I like how it was set up and it’s going to endear MCMG to the fans by showing they are willing to fight even after they just had a match.
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Bloodline – Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa (w/Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu) vs. Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin
It started out with an exchange of punches. The Guns sent the champs out of the ring followed by a double baseball slide kick. The champs were back in with Tama hitting a dropkick and Loa hitting a clothesline. They went to break there.
(Commercial)
The Bloodline was in control as Loa hit a powerslam. Both Bloodline guys went up top and jumped off the top with nothing because Shelley moved. Solo Sikoa went on the apron to urge his guys on, but Jimmy Uso showed up at ringside wearing a hoodie and a bandana. Jimmy sent Solo into the steel steps. Jimmy superkicked Fatu down. Solo and Fatu fought back, so here comes Roman Reigns as his music played and everybody stopped in awe. Reigns slowly walked out from the entrance and Reigns hit Fatu with a Superman Punch. Reigns and Jimmy fought with Solo and Fatu to the back.
The match continued with Sabin working over Tama with punches. Sabin hit a missile dropkick on Tama. Sabin went for a charging attack, but Tama pulled the referee in front of him so Sabin splashed the referee by accident. Loa went into the ring and hit a neckbreaker on Sabin, which wasn’t seen by the referee because the referee was down. Loa got steel chairs. Jey Uso showed up wearing a hoodie and he nailed Loa with a superkick. The fans knew because they were chanting “Yeet” for Jey. Jey went into the ring and superkicked Tama. Jey superkicked Tama. Jey hit Tama with multiple chair shots and Jey hit a Spear on Tama. Jey woke up the referee, Shelley went up top and Shelley jumped off for the Skull & Bones neckbreaker/top rope splash combo move and Sabin covered Tama for the pinfall win. It went nine minutes. New WWE Tag Team Champions!
Winners by pinfall AND NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin
Analysis: *** That was really well done as a storyline and an angle. As a match, it’s not like it was some epic tag team match, but I thought everybody in the match did a great job and so did the others that got involved. You could see it coming obviously based on the storyline that was going on and Jey getting payback on the Bloodline for costing him his title made a lot of sense. The title change drew a big pop because of the Guns winning and also because of everybody that got involved the match. It was booked well.
There were replays shown of the chaotic finish.
The Motor City Machine Guns celebrated in the aisle with the WWE Tag Team Titles. They walked to the back with their titles.
Analysis: Three matches in WWE and already the Tag Team Champions. I’m happy for the Guns. They’re an awesome team.
Jey Uso was alone in the ring, so twin brother Jimmy Uso slowly walked out to the ring to join Jey. The fans were chanting “Uso” as the brothers faced off. Jey and Jimmy Uso embraced with a big hug in the ring while the fans cheered. Roman Reigns looked on from the aisle while the show’s ending credits rolled. Reigns wasn’t smiling or anything like that. It was more of a stoic look. That was the end of Smackdown.
Analysis: That was a cool moment seeing The Usos reunite. The fans went crazy for it as expected. Roman Reigns staring from the aisle with a serious look on his face tells us that more needs to happen to get Jey to hug Roman like that. Obviously, next week’s show has been taped, so many of you will know what happens next already. I’m not going to address it until next week.
THE USOS ARE BACK TOGETHER! 🥹👏
We're feelin' INSANELY Ucey rn ngl…#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/WFUzjjGsZD
— WWE (@WWE) October 26, 2024
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Three Stars of the Show
- Motor City Machine Guns
- #DIY
- Randy Orton
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The Scoreboard
7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2024 Average: 7.37
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Final Thoughts on WWE Smackdown
I liked the show this week. It had a good mix of in-ring action and advancing stories as well. The MCMG/#DIY tag team match was a lot of fun even though it wasn’t given as much time as I would have liked. Hopefully, there’s a rematch. The Andrade-Carmelo Hayes match ended with LA Knight ruining the match, which sets them up for a triple threat at Crown Jewel. Naomi picked up a win in the only women’s match on the card.
The main event with Motor City Machine Guns beating The Bloodline for the WWE Tag Team Titles was a nice surprise ending. I liked how it was set up. I also agree with the title change because it’s not like The Bloodline guys were putting on great matches as champions. It fits the story because Jimmy Uso, Roman Reigns and finally Jey Uso showed up to cost The Bloodline the match. Jey got revenge since The Bloodline caused him to lose the Intercontinental Title. This is all smart storytelling because it slowly sets up the two sides that will meet in a WarGames match in one month’s time.
Randy Orton calling out Triple H so that Orton could face Kevin Owens at Crown Jewel was a smart way to start the show. I like how Orton brought out Triple H, they reminisced about old times and traded insults too. Eventually, Orton got what he wanted. The Cody Rhodes-Gunther segment was fine, but I don’t care that much about the Crown Jewel Championship and I doubt most of the audience does. It should be an awesome match. I just don’t care who wins a championship that was created a few weeks ago and is a prize on one show. Anyway, I enjoyed Smackdown this week.
The next WWE PLE is Crown Jewel on November 2nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here’s the lineup so far.
* Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Gunther
* Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan
* Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
* Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Bronson Reed
* United States Championship: LA Knight vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Damage CTRL’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Meta-Four’s Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
You can watch WWE Crown Jewel, streaming live on Saturday, November 2, at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors & Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @johnreport