The crowd erupted as Solo Sikoa, Cody Rhodes, and MJF stood in separate corners of the ring. A place in the semifinals of the June Byers Classic Tournament was on the line, and three of the biggest stars in the field were ready for war.
The bell sounded.
MJF immediately rolled out of the ring.
The audience showered him with boos.
Inside the ring, Cody and Solo locked eyes. The crowd buzzed with anticipation before the two men charged toward one another. Cody fired the first shot with a forearm. Solo answered with one of his own. Another. Another.
The strikes intensified until Solo blasted Cody with a crushing headbutt that staggered him backward.
MJF chose that moment to slide back into the ring.
He attempted to steal the advantage by attacking both men from behind, but Cody and Solo quickly turned their attention toward him. MJF realized his mistake too late.
Double clothesline.
The crowd roared as MJF rolled underneath the bottom rope once again.
Cody and Solo returned to each other.
Cody used his speed advantage, landing a dropkick before following with a snap powerslam. Solo quickly got back to his feet and nearly turned Cody inside out with a thunderous Samoan Drop.
One!
Two!
Cody kicked out.
Solo remained on the attack.
He drove Cody into the corner before unloading a barrage of strikes to the body. Cody fought back with right hands and attempted a Disaster Kick, but Solo caught him in midair and hurled him across the ring.
The impact echoed throughout the arena.
MJF suddenly returned and capitalized on the damage.
He repeatedly stomped on Cody before mocking the crowd. MJF then turned his attention toward Solo, peppering him with strikes and trying to keep the powerhouse grounded.
That strategy lasted about ten seconds.
Solo grabbed MJF by the throat and launched him into the corner.
The audience erupted.
A running hip attack nearly crushed MJF against the turnbuckles.
Solo dragged him into the center of the ring.
One!
Two!
MJF escaped.
The pace continued escalating as Cody re-entered the fight. He launched himself off the ropes and connected with a springboard Cody Cutter that dropped both opponents simultaneously.
The crowd exploded.
Cody covered MJF.
One!
Two!
Solo broke it up.
Cody immediately transitioned into another cover on Solo.
One!
Two!
Solo powered out.
Nobody could gain control.
The semifinal berth remained up for grabs.
The match became increasingly chaotic.
MJF attempted to steal multiple victories. He rolled Cody up with a handful of tights. He grabbed Solo’s trunks during another cover. Every shortcut failed.
The crowd reveled in his frustration.
Meanwhile, Cody began building momentum.
He connected with a Disaster Kick on MJF that sent him tumbling through the ropes. Solo charged moments later and ran directly into a Cody Cutter.
The audience erupted.
Cody hooked the leg.
One!
Two!
No!
Solo kicked out.
The crowd couldn’t believe it.
Cody quickly signaled for the Cross Rhodes.
The anticipation grew.
He grabbed Solo.
Cross Rhodes—
No!
Solo shoved him away.
MJF suddenly slid back into the ring and blasted Cody with a chop block from behind. Cody collapsed to one knee. MJF immediately planted him with a hammerlock DDT.
One!
Two!
Cody escaped.
MJF screamed in frustration.
The self-proclaimed generational talent climbed to the second rope and began taunting the crowd. The distraction proved costly.
Solo rose behind him.
The audience came alive.
Solo grabbed MJF and launched him halfway across the ring with a devastating release suplex.
The ring shook.
MJF rolled underneath the bottom rope and crashed to the floor.
That left only Solo and Cody.
The crowd rose to its feet.
Both men slowly climbed back up.
Cody fired a forearm.
Solo answered.
Another forearm.
Another answer.
The exchange grew more intense until Cody landed a sudden Bionic Elbow that staggered Solo backward.
Cody saw his opening.
He hooked the arms.
Cross Rhodes!
The crowd exploded.
Cody held on.
A second Cross Rhodes!
The audience erupted even louder.
Cody maintained his grip.
He spun around for a third.
But Solo slipped free.
The crowd gasped.
Cody turned around.
SUPERKICK!
The impact dropped him instantly.
Solo stood over him.
The atmosphere shifted.
Everyone knew what was coming.
Solo slowly backed into the corner and extended his thumb.
The crowd roared.
Cody struggled to his feet.
Solo charged forward.
SAMOAN SPIKE!
The devastating thumb strike connected flush with Cody’s throat.
Cody collapsed backward like he’d been shot.
MJF desperately tried sliding into the ring to break up the pinfall, but he was too late.
Solo hooked Cody’s leg.
One!
Two!
Three!
The bell rang.
The crowd erupted.
MJF pounded the mat in frustration from ringside while Cody remained motionless in the center of the ring.
Solo Sikoa slowly rose to his feet as the referee raised his hand high into the air.
After surviving Cody Rhodes and MJF in a brutal triple threat battle, Solo had delivered the decisive Samoan Spike when it mattered most.
The victory was his.
And with it came a place in the semifinals of the June Byers Classic Tournament.