Coverage

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (2/10/18)

Published

6 years ago

February 16, 2018

Steven Mitchell

ROH WRESTLING TELEVISION, Episode 334

All images courtesy of the Fite.TV app and streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas w/ Silas Young VS Team Coast 2 Coast; no contest.
Six Man Tag: Silas Young, Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas VS Kenny King & Coast 2 Coast; King & C2C win.
First WOH Championship Tournament Opening Round match: Madison Rayne VS Mandy Leon; Mandy wins and advances to the second round.
ROH World Heavyweight Championship: Dalton Castle w/ The Boys VS Punishment Martinez; Castle wins and retains the ROH WHC.

PLAY BY PLAY

Dalton Castle speaks.

The Peacock and ROH WHC is “always ready, always limber and never surprised.” He can go left, he can go right– Wait were both Boys here this whole time? “Not much can surprise me.” And that is why the second the ROH WHC became his, Castle knew that he was “instantly the biggest target in ROH.” So when someone like Punishment Martinez attacked from behind, Castle wasn’t surprised. “Who can blame him? I would do the same thing, if I was a big lummox with eye-liner.” Castle would try for any advantage possible, “especially if I had to fight me.” Martinez clearly understands this isn’t the same Peacock from before, he’s “gonna be looking face to face with a champion!” Castle is “a man willing to fight to protect what he’s earned!” Castle is a man “with no other plan than to come out swinging, and do everything he can to insure that he leaves Nashville still your world champion!” The Peacock is brimming with confidence, can he keep the Reincarnation of the Purple Mist at bay?

The Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas w/ Silas Young VS Team Coast 2 Coast!

The Last Real Man and World Television Champion accompanies the newest and literally biggest team in the ROH Tag Team Division as they make their in-ring debut. However, they go up against a team that not only went #DoOrDie against another big team in War Machine, but Shaheem Ali & Leon St. Giovanni beat Hanson & Rowe to stay together! Can the Kingpin and the Keg Master crush C2C like a couple of beer cans? Or will Ali & LSG ride the wave all the way to the top?

No Code of Honor given because Milonas & Bruiser go right at them with cheap shots! The bell rings but everyone’s still in as Bruiser puts Ali in a corner and Milonas brings LSG to another. The big hoss boys coordinate and go corner to corner, but run into boots from C2C. C2C hops up, they both jump, but they both get caught! Milonas & Bruiser sandwich Ali & LSG before throwing Ali away and bumping LSG of a buckle with Snake Eyes. LSG staggers back into Milonas’s tackle, then Bruiser gives a hollering elbow drop!

Cover, TWO, and Bruiser is already annoyed. Silas protests the count but Bruiser brings LSG over to his corner for a haymaker. Milonas tags in, and turns around to ram his king-sized backside into LSG over and over! Silas taunts LSG, “How did that feel, boy?” Bruiser tags in, he drags LSG up and scoops him. LSG slips out and dropkicks Bruiser into Milonas! Hot tag to Ali, and Ali rallies on the big men with forearms and headbutts! Bruiser gets a kick in and Ali staggers into Milonas, but Ali ducks to let Bruiser’s haymaker hit Milonas. Milonas goes down and Silas freaks out, but LSG comes in and together, hit Bruiser with the Half Nelson Complete Shot!

Cover, TWO! Ali keeps his focus on Bruiser and brings him up, but Bruiser fights back with back elbows. Bruiser shoves Ali to a corner then runs in, but Ali evades to retaliate with a swing kick. Ali snapmares Bruiser and prepares a kick, but Silas grabs his foot! Ali is anchored in place as Milonas runs in for a corner splash! Milonas backs off while Ali slips out, but the referee is busy keeping the protesting LSG in and Silas gets away with cheap shots. However, Kenny King comes in to even the numbers!

Silas slips into the ring and now it’s a chaotic brawl! The referee can’t do a thing, so he throws out the match! Silas and his bruiser buddies get out of the ring, leaving it to C2C and the K I N G. We go to break so ROH can sort this out.

Six Man Tag: Silas Young, Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas VS Kenny King & Coast 2 Coast!

We can tell how this match came about. The current ROH WTVC, Silas, and former champion, King, start for their teams. The bell rings, and King takes the fight right to Silas! But then their teammates come in and we have another six man brawl! Milonas throws LSG out but King slips behind and rocks him with the spinning roundhouse! Bruiser keeps Ali back while Milonas rolls out of the ring. King sees his target and fires up the fans before hitting Milonas with the slingshot corkscrew!

King topples Milonas down and takes his time to celebrate, but he turns around into Bruiser’s cannonball!

Bruiser gets up but C2C regroups! LSG fakes Bruiser and Milonas out, it’s Ali that FLIES!

The fans fire up but Silas hits LSG with the springboard lariat! Silas takes aim at everyone on the outside and fires himself up, then builds speed, but tumbles to the apron when he sees no one there. He boots King in the face from the apron, then catches Ali into a yurinagi on the apron!

King returns but gets rocked with a haymaker, Silas returns to the apron to slingshot double stomp Ail. Silas dares someone to come back in, but he doesn’t see LSG behind him. He turns around and gets LSG’s boot right to his face! LSG throws Silas out onto everyone, then starts climbing up top. However, Milonas returns and stops him halfway, then Bruiser also returns. Milonas drags LSG out and holds him up, Bruiser dropkick-starts the swinging sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Everyone returns to their corners as Milonas brings LSG back up. He tags Silas, Silas kicks LSG in the ribs. Silas takes off his shirt and throws it at LSG, LSG throws it back. Silas dares LSG to “hit me like a man!” So LSG slaps him across the face! Silas comes back and LSG hits him again with a forearm, so Silas hits LSG back with a forearm. They go back and forth with forearms, but Silas gets the edge and rocks LSG to his knees. “That’s how a man gets it done!” He brings LSG back up but LSG breaks free to swing on him. Silas suplexes but LSG slips out to tag Ali. Silas swings but misses LSG, who then springboards and forearms Silas down. Ali then grabs Silas for the big Complete Shot!

Cover, TWO! Ali drags Silas up and tags King. King and Silas brawl, King getting the edge. King whips and knocks Silas down with the spinning heel kick. He stalks Silas to ropes as the fans rally. Silas hides behind the ropes, but Bruiser comes in with a cheap shot clothesline on King. Milonas also comes in, and the three “real men” surround King. C2C protest and the ref tries to back them off, but Silas still rocks King with a knee right to the face. Then Bruiser and Milonas run in to sandwich King between their beer bellies!

C2C come in but get rocked by rights, then go at King again to squash him between their beer buttocks! Silas covers, TWO!! Kenny rolls away while C2C stands up. C2C baits Bruiser & Milonas, to dump them out! Silas gets up, he and Ali run at each other for a big double clothesline. Ali, Silas and King are all down, but LSG sees Milonas and Bruiser getting to their feet. The Human Rocket climbs up, takes aim, and hits the springboard Phoenix senton!

LSG takes Milonas & Bruiser down and the fans fire up! Silas brawls with Ali from the mat to their feet, back and forth like mad. Silas gets the edge because “You ain’t nothing, boy!” He runs, but into C2C’s double hip toss cradle, and King returns to make it Tu Lo ROYAL FLUSH!

King and C2C win! A big victory for all, can King make the Last Real Man #BendTheKnee in their ROH WTVC rematch?

The Dawgs are watching backstage.

Big Rhett asks if Lil’ Willie can see what’s going on, but clearly he can’t. Will Ferrara can’t stand that those two “dingle berries” Ali & LSG are getting the reaction they are. Rhett Titus tells him to calm down. Rhett’s been around ROH long enough, he’s “seen them come and seen them go.” Well right now, they’re here. Ferrara mocks the “Rocket Man, Rocket Man”, Tu Lo Sabes “You Know It”. He wants to “send them packing”! Titus agrees, C2C is gonna be sent packing, “courtesy of The Dawgs!” “Knick Knack Paddy Whack, give these dogs a BEER!” A lot of bark from Rhett & Ferrara, will their bite match up to it?

The ROH Women of Honor Tournament has its bracket!

Mandy Leon and Madison Rayne each speak on their paths to this historic tournament. The Exotic Goddess is a product of the ROH Dojo. She trained for five long years, and was a pioneer in creating this premier Women’s Division within ROH. Meanwhile, the Queen Bee knows that Women’s Wrestling around the world is bigger than it’s ever been. Women’s Wrestling is at the forefront of the industry, and now that WOH has firmly established itself, Mandy wants to fulfill a dream of becoming the inaugural WOH Champion. Madison knows that this 16-woman invitational is truly “history making”, and even humbling to be selected. Mandy won’t anyone in the field of 16 stand in her way, while Madison’s 10 year career validates her as a serious competitor.

Mandy will acknowledge Madison as a “world-class talent”, and knows Madison’s been a champion everywhere she’s gone, “but you haven’t been here.” The Exotic Goddess was a WOH “day one” wrestler. Being champion here is all Mandy has ever wanted. Madison knows all that, and gives Mandy “tremendous credit”, but Mandy seems to have forgotten Madison was already here years ago. Even though there was no WOH Division, ROH had women wrestlers, so it was Madison who laid the foundation. Madison wins titles, makes history, and belongs at the top. Mandy still declares that she will be the first WOH Champion. Can the Exotic Goddess’ dream survive the Queen Bee’s drive?

Deonna Purrazzo joins commentary for this next match.

The Virtuosa is another of the 16 women from around the world entering this historic tournament, so she has vested interest in the results. At the same time, she and Mandy were the two women in the first official WOH Division match, so perhaps she wants to cheer on her fellow pioneer so they can meet next round.

First WOH Championship Tournament Opening Round match: Madison Rayne VS Mandy Leon!

History begins here! Sixteen women will be whittled down to eight, who will be the first moving on and the first going home?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the two go to their corners as the bell rings. The fans already applaud this great match-up and build to a rally. Madison and Mandy circle then tie up. Mandy backs Madison into a corner, then honors the break. She and Madison tie up again, now Madison backs Mandy down. Madison also honors the break, and they go again. Madison gets the headlock, shifts to a hammerlock then back to the headlock. Mandy fights out and gets a headlock of her own. Madison powers out but Mandy knocks her down. Mandy poses then runs, rolls over but Madison rolls under to arm-drag Mandy down. Madison gets up but runs into Mandy’s arm-drag. The two back off and the fans applaud the back and forth. Mandy and Madison circle and the fans rally for them again. Madison lunges but Mandy slips behind to get a hammerlock, then slips back to the front for a snapmaer. Mandy starts running and hits Madison with a kick then comes back the other side for the neck snap.

Cover, TWO, but Mandy keeps going. Madison sweeps her legs, though, and covers, TWO. Madison uses a leg sweep to roll Mandy into a cover, TWO. They both stand up, Madison whips Mandy to the ropes, but now Mandy rolls Madion up on the return, TWO. Mandy keeps moving but Madision follows to SPEAR!

Mandy’s back up, so Madison knocks her down with a sharp enziguri! The Queen Bee has control while we go to break.

ROH returns and Madison keeps control as she hits Mandy with a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, and the frustration grows within the five-time Impact Knockouts champion. They get up, Madison kicks Mandy then runs but misses the second. Mandy swings but Madison ducks and they both run for double facebusters! Both women are down and a ten count begins. They stir at 2, and get to opposite corners. They crawl to each other and then brawl on their knees. The brawl moves to their feet as Mandy headbutts and Madison replies with a forearm. Mandy replies with her own forearm, then catches Madison’s return with the downward spiral, into the Koji Clutch!

Madison endures and drags herself forward, then gets the ropebreak with her foot. Mandy lets go and Madison rolls out, but Mandy pursues. Mandy takes aim at Madison from the apron, and runs in for the Penalty Kick! But she’s not done there, Mandy runs back in for the cannonball!

The Exotic Goddess topples the Queen as the fans fire up. Mandy puts Madison back in the ring then rallies the fans as she climbs up top. Madison stands up, Mandy drops her with the missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Mandy’s own frustration grows, and she calls for the end. She grabs Madison for an underhook but Madison slips behind her, wristlock spin-out for the Rayne Check cutter!

Cover, TWO!? Madison can’t believe Mandy survived her signature move. She drags Mandy up, Mandy surprises her with an inside cradle, TWO. Madison hits Mandy with a forearm smash, then picks Mandy up for a Fisherman drop!

Cover, TWO!! Frustration boils over for Mandy, but the fans cheer for Mandy. Madison climbs up top while Mandy gets to her feet. Madison leaps, but Mandy gets clear out of the way of the flying crossbody. Mandy comes back and picks Madison up in the pumphandle package driver, Astral Projection!

Mandy wins! Her dream lives on with this possible bracket buster!

As for Madison Rayne…

Mandy turns to her opponent and the two shake hands and even hug. Madison raises Mandy’s hand in victory. Can the Exotic Goddess continue through to the end and become the one true Queen of Honor?

ROH has exclusive footage after Episode 333 went off air.

The American Nightmare finds The Young Bucks backstage. He’s upset, and demands to know where they were. They apologize for running late. Why were they running late? Was their flight coming in from Winnipeg? Is it “a Kenny thing”? Because the Bullet Club doesn’t need anymore “Kenny things” right now! “That’s over, that’s done with!” The fans were literally chanting for the Young Bucks out there while Cody was getting his ass kicked by The Kingdom! He points out his black eye and busted hand with no Ring of Honor. Matt Jackson apologizes again, they just arrived. Cody accepts that. “All I’m saying is, everybody wants us to break up.” The Bullet Club breaking up is good for everybody else, but he won’t allow that. Cody expects better from everyone, especially the Bucks. The Bucks scratch their heads and roll their eyes as Cody leaves, but then Marty comes in with a “sweet Marty Scurll sign.”

“Now’s not the time, man.” They don’t like it? No, they didn’t even spell his name right. Misspelling aside, is the Bullet Club just one wrong move away from breaking up?

The Briscoes speak.

Specifically, they speak to the Motor City Machine Guns. “Lemme explain something to y’all boys.” Jay & Mark have reached that point in their careers where they “don’t care about our opponents’ well being.” The Briscoes “don’t care if the people cheer for us.” All the Briscoes care about, “is making statements.” Mark agrees, because there’s “one statement in particular” they want to make: that they are “the baddest tag team to ever walk this planet!” Jay & Mark don’t care if they break bones, cripple opponents and make them get carted to the back. They don’t even care if you live or die. It’s nothing personal against MCMG, it’s personal against everyone. The Briscoes are on a war path, but the MCMG just happen to be the ROH World Tag Team Champions. Jay & Mark think of those as their property, so they’re coming to take them back. When it’s Sandy Fork VS Everybody, can anyone hope to survive #DemBoys?

Marty Scurll joins commentary.

While there is much to discuss about The Bullet Club, The Villain is here to focus on tonight’s main event. For it was last week that Scurll struck a deal with the challenger: if Martinez becomes the new ROH World Heavyweight Champion, he would allow Scurll the first shot at him.

ROH World Heavyweight Championship: Dalton Castle w/ The Boys VS Punishment Martinez!

The Reincarnation of the Purple Mist earned this chance at the ROH world title when he won Survival of the Fittest 2017. And when he came to tell The Peacock of his challenge, he did it with actions in the form of a sneak attack. Castle granted his challenge and thus we have this highly anticipated main event on ROH TV! Will the monster come away with the gold to then take on The Villain? Or will the Peacock reign supreme to roll on towards Honor Rising 2018?

Scurll rants about how he is “disgusted” with Castle being so full of himself, and even says Castle doesn’t deserve to be champion. However, that may only be because Castle defeated Cody, who is Scurll’s good friend within Bullet Club.

The fans chant “Fan up!” even before the bell. Castle offers the Code of Honor handshake, but Martinez shakes his head “No”. That’s fine by Castle, he fires himself and the fans up. Scurll rants and complains about the fact both Castle and Martinez received WHC title matches before him while Boy 2 gives Castle a certain something. Castle tells Martinez, “This is for you.” When Castle opens his hands, there’s nothing there, but a slap across Martinez’s face! Martinez grabs Castle and powers him back to a corner, then swings only for Castle to duck under and hit him back with a right hand. Castle chops, haymaker, chops and haymaker again, but Martinez shoves him back. Martinez swings but misses again, Castle goes for the waistlock but Martinez throws him right off. Martinez grabs Castle around the throat but Castle breaks free, to slap Martinez again. The monster gets mad, and glares at Castle as he chases him down, but Castle dumps Martinez out over the top rope. Martinez stays on his feet but Castle quickly builds speed and DIVES!

Castle sends Martinez rolling whiel the fans fire up and the Boys fan up. Martinez gets up quickly but Castle is right on him. Castle knocks him into the barriers along the walkway, then off the apron edge. The fans fire up for Castle, and he snaps his fingers. The Boys become steps, and Castle uses them to LEAP at Martinez!

But Martinez catches him! He goes to lift but Castle slips out and then shoves Martinez into a post! Martinez bounces off but manages to get back in the ring. The champion has control while we go to break.

ROH returns to see Castle grab Martinez in a waistlock. Martinez powers Castle back into a ring, which breaks the hold, but Castle reels him back into a new waistlock. They go backward again, and Martinez adds a back elbow to keep Castle back. Martinez runs back in but Castle boots him away. Castle hops up, but Martinez hits him with a spinning roundhouse! Castle topples down from the top rope and to the ground. Scurll laughs at The Peacock, even as The Boys “Fan up!” Martinez slips to the outside to fetch Castle, but as Martinez puts Castle in the ring, he swings around for headscissors. Martinez blocks the rest of the swing so Castle unleashes right hands. It’s not enough, though, as Martinez uses even more power to lift and Last Ride powerbomb Castle on the apron!

Scurll starts to reconsider his deal with the monster as he watches Castle writhe in pain. Martinez grins while the fans boo and jeer. Scurll critiques Martinez’s lack of urgency, even as Martinez rocks Castle with a right hand. The 20-count reaches 8 before Martinez puts Castle back in the ring. He toys with Castle as he stalks him to a corner. The fans cheer for Castle, even as Martinez whips him corner to corner hard. The Boys hurry to fan their leader before Martinez drags him back up. Martinez scoops Castle to then slam him down, to then hit a springboard senton!

Cover, TWO! Scurll complains that people should want him to be champion while Castle rolls out of the ring. The Boys fan him again, but Martinez comes out to scare them off. Castle pounces! He goes at Martinez with fire and fury, but Martinez snuffs it out with another right hand. Martinez waits for Castle to stagger back over before knocking him down with a SUPERKICK!

Martinez drags Castle up again, to then whip him hard into barriers. The fans boo and jeer again, but Martinez ignores them as he drags Castle up again. He goes to throw Castle but Castle gets loose. Castle hurries to get back in the ring, but he can’t get away, Martinez drags him out to throw him back into barriers. The referee comes out to get them to put this back in the ring, and Martinez obliges. He covers, TWO, but Martinez keeps hold of Castle while the fans start to rally. Martinez turns Castle around to put him in a chinlock while we go to break.

ROH returns once more, to find Martinez now on the defensive. Castle slinks back into the ring and grabs the dazed monster in a waistlock. Martinez elbows him away, then takes aim at Castle in a corner. He runs corner to corner and jumps for the big back elbow, but Castle catches him in the waistlock! Castle uses his super strength to carry Martinez out to the center, and hits the German Suplex pin! TWO! Even the Boys are feeling a bit of the exasperation. But Martinez suddenly sits up and grabs Castle by the throat! Castle fights against it and hammers Martinez to the mat. Scurll protests but the referee can’t hear him from all the way at the announce desk. Castle grabs Martinez in another waistlock and drags him up. Martinez powers out, then swings kick after kick and forearm, but Castle dodges them all to get another German Suplex! But Martinez springs right up again! He wobbles around, Castle catches him for an overhead suplex. Castle stands up while the Boys “Fan Up!” Martinez also rises, Castle runs in, but into Martinez’s clobbering right hand. Martinez drags Castle up, suplex for the Falcon Arrow!

Cover, TWO! The monster keeps his cool while the fans build back to a rally. Martinez drags Castle up while the fans chant, and prepares another powerbomb. Castle resists, goes to lift Martinez, but Martinez clubs him down. So Castle instead powers Martinez back into a corner! They separate, Castle runs in but into Martinez’s driving boot. Martinez walks it off while Castle slips out of the ring. The Boys “Fan Up!’ again, but Martinez spots them all gathered. He runs corner to corner to FLY!

He wipes out Castle and the Boys, then gets right up to put Castle back in the ring. Martinez climbs up and leaps for the spinning heel kick! TWO!! Martinez is shocked, and Scurll thought that was the end. The fans continue to cheer while Castle slowly stirs. Martinez goes to drag him up but Castle is out of it. He waits for Castle to rise, brings him up the rest of the way and gets the choke grip. Castle pries the hold off, but Martinez puts it back on, only for Castle to break it again, and rock Martinez with a back elbow. Martinez rocks Castle right back with a roundhouse, and Castle falls down in a heap while Scurll laughs again. That’s not all, Martinez brings Castle up for a rip-cord roundhouse! Castle drops to the mat again, eyes glazed over. Martinez drags him up a third time, and lifts him into a torture rack position. Castle revives to fight his way out, then rolls Martinez into a small package! Castle wins!! Martinez’s face shows shock and anger at being beat by only a split second.

He takes his frustrations out on a buckle pad, but that isn’t enough. Martinez goes after The Boys! He wipes Boy 2 out, then gives Boy 1 a choke slam onto the apron!

Martinez goes back for Boy 2, and powerbombs him onto his twin!

The fans boo and jeer as Martinez makes his exit. Scurll himself is also shocked, but the damage is done to The Boys. Will Martinez find his way back to a title shot? Will Castle’s Boys be okay to accompany him to Honor Rising?

My Thoughts:

A really great episode here, all in all. ROH put an interesting yet logical and entertaining twist on the opening tag team match. Kenny King helping Coast 2 Coast out against Silas’ trio was great given the story building between them for the ROH World TV Championship, and the Six Man was also really solid. Both teams looked great together, especially Milonas & Bruiser already working out some double-team moves. C2C continuing a feud with Bruiser & Milonas would be good for both teams, to help sort out who goes for ROH World Tag Team Championships first. Briscoes VS MCMG still has to happen, and #DemBoys had another great promo, but I’m going to assume the Faces VS Heels dynamic will be kept in the following program. In other words, Briscoes VS C2C and MCMG VS Bruiser & Milonas. The ROH World Six Man titles are also in question, as SoCal Uncensored already gets a shot against The Bullet Club’s Hung Bucks next episode. ROH is doing a great job integrating the building Bullet Club Civil War, so I’d imagine the only reason SCU wins is because of dysfunction on Bullet Club’s part rather than beating them cleanly.

There was a lot of anticipation for this ROH WOH Championship tournament, and I feel bad for saying this, but this opening match wasn’t as good as it could’ve or should’ve been. I’ve always liked Mandy Leon’s ROH run, and Madison Rayne has the résumé to be here, but there was a lot that could’ve/should’ve been more polished. I swear I saw Mandy let up on a pin half a beat too early for Madison’s “kick out.” Their promos were great, but being pre-taped probably means they were able to rehearse them to be on point. Logically, Mandy wins because she is, as her promo said, the pioneer of ROH’s official WOH and it will mean more if she lasts all the way to the end. The bracket is also set up so that she could end up facing either her old friend Jenny Rose, or WOH’s newest addition in Tenille Dashwood, for some real good story behind the match. But WOH match aside, the ROH WHC made up for it because it was some great stuff. Castle-Martinez were great in the ring and Scurll was great on commentary, but I had a feeling Castle would still win. Castle is too big a star to lose his first defense ever, even if it was against another rising star like Martinez.

My Score: 8/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/19/24)

Prepare for Backlash!

Published

11 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Did you know that challenger in French is still “challenger?”

In a WrestleMania rematch, AJ Styles takes on LA Knight in a #1 contender’s match, to challenge WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Backlash in France!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight; Styles wins and will challenge Cody Rhodes for the title at Backlash.
SmackDown/WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma; The Profits win and will challenge A-Town Down Under for the titles.
Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez; Santos wins.
WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi; Bayley wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight!

After fighting their way through Triple Threats, the Phenomenal One and the Mega Star meet again, YEAH! It’s a WrestleMania Rematch, the winner moving on to Backlash, YEAH! Will AJ Styles avenge his loss at the biggest WrestleMania ever? Or will everyone from here to France know whose game it is?

The bell rings and the two step to each other. The fans in Pittsburgh “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” and Knight lets Styles know it. Styles snarls, they tie up, and they go around. Knight puts Styles in a corner, the ref counts, but Knight lets off slowly. Styles kicks low! The fans boo but Styles headlocks. Knight pulls hair, throws body shots, then headlocks in return. Styles pushes Knight to ropes, powers up and out, then hurdles, drops and DROP- NO, Knight avoids the dropkick to BOOT, and LARIAT! Knight then TOSSES Styles out of the ring, storms out after him, and brings him to commentary. Knight SMACKS Styles off the desk! And again! And again!

The fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” with every SMACK, then Knight tops it off with one last SMACK! Knight drags Styles up and into the ring, storms in, but Styles KICKS Knight in the ropes! Styles reels Knight in, but Knight back drops Styles up and out! Styles flounders on the floor, Knight runs to WRECK him with a dropkick! Styles hits desk again and Steel City is loving “L! A! KNIGHT, YEAH!” as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Styles soaks up the heat as he taunts Knight. Styles brings Knight up, but Knight fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight backs Styles down, whips, but Styles ducks ‘n dodges! Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men are down and the fans fire up. Both men slowly sit up, crawl around, and then stand. Styles fires a shot, but Knight gives it back! The haymakers go back and forth, “YEAH! BOO! YEAH!” Styles staggers but he still ROCKS Knight! Knight ROCKS Styles again and again, but Styles throat chops! Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but Knight ducks the lariat!

Knight JABS, JABS, JABS, and DECKS Styles! Knight stomps a mudhole in at the corner, “YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner to KNEE Styles down! The fans fire up, Knight puts Styles up, and Knight ROCKS Styles. Knight climbs, but Styles ROCKS him back! Knight staggers away, but returns to spring right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives that crash but both men are down again. The fans rally as Knight rises, and he brings Styles around. Knight reels Styles in, suplexes, but Styles slips free! Styles goes to a corner, ELBOWS Knight away, then goes up to QUEBRADA DDT! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Knight stays in this and Styles starts losing his cool. The fans rally for Knight but Styles looms over him. Styles brings Knight up and in, but Knight RAMS him into a corner! Knight then scoops Styles, but Styles slips free to roll up, TWO!! Knight escapes, swings, but Styles dodges to PELE! Knight ends up in a corner, Styles runs in, but Knight puts Styles on the apron! Styles ROCKS Knight, springboards, but Knight gets under! Styles comes back, into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Then JUMP ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up with with Knight as he storms around. Styles rises, Knight winds up, B F- NO, Styles bails out!

The fans boo but Knight storms over. Knight drags Styles up but Styles HOTSHOTS him! And pokes him in the eyes! Then ROCKS him! And springboards, to PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Undisputed WWE Championship)

Styles bent the rules, but a win is a win! He will get his shot at the American Nightmare in Lyon, France, will this year’s Backlash be phenomenal?

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

The car pulls up, Solo Sikoa steps out in a suit, and Paul Heyman is there to greet him. Nice threads, Solo. Tama Tonga walks over and Solo says meet the newest member of The Bloodline, Solo’s MFT. The Wise Man is stunned. But Solo cuts him off to ask if Kevin Owens is here. Heyman hesitates and Solo asks again, is Kevin here? If he is, he’s probably already in the locker room. Then take them to him. Heyman obeys and leads on. There have already been changes to the chain of command, is there about to be a change to the landscape of SmackDown, too?

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

In a familiar scene to Monday Night Raw, there is a podium with something under a satin sheet. The SmackDown General Manager welcomes to Pittsburgh the Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque! The fans fire up as The Game makes his way to the ring! HHH joins Aldis in the ring, gets a mic, looks around at the crowd as he revels in the cheers, then says, “On the heels of the biggest, most epic, history making, record breaking, epic, unbelievable WrestleMania of all time, we are here tonight, sold out, 15 thousand strong, Pittsburgh, PA! So let me say, welcome to SmackDown!” The fans cheer that!

HHH wants to take a moment to say that he thinks Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are both doing great jobs at leading their respective brands into the future. Thank you to both of them. And when we talk about the future, we have to talk about the history made coming into the future. So when history is made, HHH wants it to be represented here befitting of those that make it. So Aldis, if we could, let us bring the… champions out here. Aldis says without further ado, the NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Austin Theory & Grayson Waller. The fans boo as A-Town Down Under make their way, blue belts in hand.

Theory & Waller join Aldis and HHH in the ring, mics already in hand, and they soak up the heat from Steel City. Waller says this is huge. Monday, we saw the second place champions get new belts. And now A-Town Down Under will be presented new titles! Theory says speaking of truth, didn’t Truth think HHH was a magician? Well, who knows what magic trick HHH has to make these guys look better than they already do, but hey, give it a try. HHH says congratulations on becoming tag team champions, so he will show them what they will wear going forward. From now on, they will be the WWE Tag Team Champions.

Reveal! In the style of the Attitude Era and Ruthless Aggression Era belts, the solid gold shines. HHH offers a handshake, but Waller leaves him hanging to shake Theory’s hand! Aldis makes it clear to them. They ever pop off and disrespect HHH like that, here’s a real magic trick: A-Clown Down Under will disappear, permanently! The fans like the sound of that! Aldis snatches the blue belts away since they won’t need them, and speaking of disappearing, there’s a chance one of the following four teams will make their title reign disappear. That #1 contenders match starts right now! The fans fire up, but which team defies the odds to get some golden tickets to France?

Backstage interview with Naomi.

Kayla Braxton is with The Glow and says last week, she beat Tiffany Stratton to get this title opportunity tonight. Will the friendship with Bayley get in the way of this match? Naomi says no, of course not. Bayley’s her sister, and she needed help against Damage CTRL, so Naomi was more than happy to help. But in no way will friendship get in the way of this opportunity. It has been over two YEARS since Naomi’s last WWE singles championship match, and there is nothing that will get in the way of making the most of this moment. Now last week, Tiffy Time felt the glow, so that same energy keeps going tonight.

Naomi is also looking forward to next week’s WWE Draft, where she will walk in the NEW WWE Women’s Champion. Naomi is ready, but will she be able to best Bayley in Bayley’s first title defense?

WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma!

SmackDown returns as Legado makes their entrance, followed by Akam & Rezar with the Final Testament. Waller & Theory are on commentary, Waller admitting he wants any team but AOP, and Theory saying these teams are fortunate to have real superstars leading their division. In this form of Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are active, so the Big Strong Boi, Tyler Bate, starts against Montez Ford. They circle, tie up, and Ford headlocks. Bate powers up to pry at the hold but Ford clamps on tighter. Bate powers up and out, drops, but Ford leaps over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, Bate feints high to drop low!

Bate shows knuckle lock, Ford obliges, but Bate wrenches, baits and double pump handles to FLIP Ford! Cover, TWO! Ford gets up to sweep and cover, TWO! Bate steps over, La Magistrol, TWO! Ford gets up, dropkicks cancel out, and both men kip up! The fans fire up and the two reset. But then Humberto Carrillo sneaks a tag, before he DECKS Bate with a sucker punch! Ford dodges Humberto but Angel Garza holds the ropes open! Ford tumbles out, Garza tags in, and Humberto sits Ford up. Garza runs in to KNEE Ford down! The fans boo, Garza drags Ford to a cover, TWO! Garza back suplexes, Ford lands out!

Ford tags Dawkins and he dodges Garza to FLYING ELBOW! Garza tags out to Akam, but then the Bruiserweight, Pete Dunne, tags in off Dawkins! Rezar tags, Dunne runs up but Akam LARIATS him down! Rezar DECKS Dawkins, then the AOP start clearing the corners! But Ford goes up to leap, but into an URENAGE! The fans boo but the AOP roar and soak up the heat. Waller’s worst case scenario might end up reality, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and the fans rally as Ford endures a facelock. Ford fights up, pries at the hold, but Rezar shoves him to ELBOW him down! Rezar talks trash, Waller taunts the Steelers players sitting in the front row that they don’t really know what championships are, and then Rezar sucker punches Dawkins down! Rezar stands Ford up, Canadian Racks and bends him! Ford endures, the fans rally, but Rezar thrashes Ford around! Ford kicks and flails, he gets free, hot tag to Dunne! Bate sneaks a tag, Dunne GAMANGIRIS Akam and then NCR fire off on Rezar! The fans fire up, Humberto runs in, but Dunne dodges to SNAP GERMAN!

Bate & Dunne STOMP Humberto’s hands! Then BASEMENT DROPKICK! Garza runs up, but into the REBOUNDER GERMAN COMBO!! The fans fire up with NCR, but Rezar runs up! He grabs Dunne, but Bate says Bop up, BANG! Bate fireman’s carries Rezar?! But Rezar ELBOWS right free! Dunne GAMANGIRIS, Ford SUPERKICKS, and Dawkins ENZIGIRIS! Rezar wobbles, and everyone helps Bate gets Rezar up! BIG STRONG AIRPLANE SPINE! But then Legado CLOBBER Bate and Rezar! They BOOT Dunne, whip the Profits but the Profits reverse to TOSS Legado out! Ellering coaches Rezar while the Profits regroup.

Bate gets up, Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins brings Bate to the very top, but Dunne CLUBS Dawkins! NCR mug Dawkins but Ford joins in! They brawl, but AOP add on! Humberto finds Rezar to tag in, before the DOUBLE TOWER OF DOOM!! Bate’s the only one left up top, so Legado mug him! They double trophy lift Bate, to DOUBLE ROCKET LAUNCH him onto everyone!! Humberto then finds Bate, sunset flips and rewinds, Garza jumps, MISSILE DROPKICK DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! “This is Awesome!” as all eight men are down around ringside, and Waller says this is gonna be easy pickings for A-Town Down Under now.

Dunne grabs Garza, Bate has Humberto, STEREO ANKLE LOCKS!! Grapevine for Garza! But Humberto BOOTS Bate onto Dunne! Legado is free, Ellering has AOP regroup, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Rezar CLUBS Dawkins down. Rezar soaks up heat, taunts the other teams, then CLUBS Dawkins again. Rezar brings Dawkins up again, but Dawkins fires off body shots! Rezar KNEES low, reels Dawkins in, talks more trash, and lifts Dawkins up, to POWERBOMB! But then Dunne runs up to ROCK Rezar! Akam gets in to scoop Dunne and SLAM him on Dawkins! Cover, TWO! Rezar looks to Ellering and he coaches AOP. Rezar HAMMERS Dawkins, Akam tags, and AOP get NCR up! The fans boo but NCR RANA free to send AOP into each other! Ford jumps in, as does Garza.

All the teams realize, they gotta do something about AOP. So they all mug AOP! The fans fire up as AOP tumble out, but now who strikes first? Dunne runs up but Garza SUPERKICKS him first! Bate waistlocks Garza and Ford winds up, but Garza ducks so the BACKHAND hits Bate! Garza SUPERKICKS Ford, but Dawkins DECKS Garza! Humberto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO!! Theory says if A-Town Down Under were in this match, he’d knock everyone out and Waller could just sneak in to cover. Humberto and Dawkins rise and go to corners. Humberto runs up, but Dawkins POUNCES him away!

Dawkins gets Humberto up, Ford returns and tags in! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Humberto and Ford climbs! The stars are out for the BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! Another save from the Bruiserweight and Ford is frustrated. Dunne drags Dawkins up to CHOP, but Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins whips Dunne out of the ring, but Dunne grabs the arm! And he pulls off the glove so he can SNAP fingers! The fans fire up, but Ford ENZIGIRIS Dunne down! Ford brings Humberto up, Humberto JAWBREAKERS! Bate tags in off Ford, BOOTS Garza, then runs up, but into a POP-UP! But Bate RANAS Humberto!!

Bate then DUMPS Garza out, goes to the apron, and Dunne lines up targets. Bate and Dunne climb, Ford runs in, NCR DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULT while Ford FLIES over the corner post!! Down goes Legado and AOP!! The fans are losing their minds as Bate hurries to get Humberto up. Bate puts Humberto in, reels him in, underhooks, but Humberto fights it! Humberto back drops but Bate lands on his feet! Humberto cradles, TWO! Humberto LARIATS Bate, tag to Garza! Legado gets Bate up, feed to the POP-UP KICK!! #FTY! Humberto then DIVES to take out Dunne! Garza goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT!!

But Ford flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! The fans are thunderous as everyone is down again! Bate flounders, Dawkins tags in! Dawkins whips Legado, Ford joins in, THE REVELATION!! Cover, PROFITS WIN!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)

Waller & Theory are relieved it isn’t AOP, but they still look a bit annoyed that it is Ford & Dawkins. The Profits are Triple Crown Tag Team Champions from Raw to SmackDown to NXT, but will they soon add the WWE Tag Team Championships to make it a grand slam?

Backstage interview with Bayley.

Byron Saxton is with The Role Model, and brings up the emotional moment from Monday Night Raw where Rhea Ripley had to relinquish her title. But let us focus on Bayley’s title, as she defends it for the first time against Naomi. Where is her head at ahead of the main event? Bayley says after seeing Rhea vacate the Women’s World Championship on Raw, Bayley appreciates her reign more. She is focused, and she has realized she’s THE Women’s Champion in WWE right now, something she does not take for granted. Because we all know that with the WWE Draft, things are bound to change.

And as excited as Bayley is to face her friend, Naomi, one thing that won’t change is her as THE WWE Women’s Champion. Bayley is just as confident at Naomi, so something’s gotta give! Will The Role Model #FeelTheGlow? Or will she still be shining with gold after tonight?

Paul Heyman talks with Solo Sikoa.

The Wise Man apologizes that they haven’t found Kevin Owens, but he has to be here somewhere. Just look at the time. They will find him, somewhere. Solo stops listening and heads to gorilla. Heyman follows after, but Solo gives him a look. Heyman says he isn’t trying to upset Solo. Please believe him. The last person on this planet Heyman wants to piss off is Solo. But respectfully, Solo is making decisions that are not his to make, yet. One day, these will all be Solo’s decisions. But not now, not here! These are decisions that can only be made by one man. Solo asks Heyman if he’s done talking. Heyman asks if MFT is coming with Solo.

Solo just gives a thumbs up, with that taped thumb. The music hits and Solo makes his entrance, Heyman still following all the way into the ring. What does the Enforcer have planned? We’ll find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Heyman has the mic to give his usual introduction. And he doesn’t know if there is a list of the most brilliant backstage maneuvering politicians int he history of the WWE, but if there were, Heyman would have to think that he personally is in the top… Well, permit Heyman, with Solo’s permission, to explain what’s going on right now within The Bloodline, “the premier act in the history of WWE.” The fans chant, “We Want Roman!” but Solo shrugs that off. Heyman assures us that as The Wise Man for… Heyman gets emotional, so Solo just snatches the mic! The fans boo but Solo paces.

Solo tries to talk but the fans boo. Solo says last week, he had to lose a brother! He had to! It was in order for him to find a new one! His MFT, Tama Tonga! And with that, a bloodied Kevin Owens is tossed out, by the Good Bad Guy! Tama shoves Kevin down the ramp, stalks behind him, and referees rush out to stop him from doing anything further! Kevin can’t even sit up, but Tama steps over him to go to the ring. The fans boo as Tama joins Solo in the ring while the refs help Kevin to his feet and to the back. Tama raises his finger to the sky, because he acknowledges Solo! Heyman has no choice but to go along, but wait! Kevin is heading back down the ramp!?

The fans fire up as Kevin shows his grit and defiance! He drags Tama out to fire off hands!! The fans cheer but then Solo whips Kevin into steel steps! Solo drags Kevin back up, puts him in the ring, but now security rushes in! Tama storms in after Kevin but Kevin TACKLES Tama! The security gets Kevin away from Tama, but Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Kevin down!! The fans boo but then Tama SPLASHES Kevin! Tama rains down fists on that bloody wound, then he DECKS guard after guard! Producers try but Tama is a madman! Tama shoves everyone away so he can slip out of the ring, to grab a chair!!

The fans boo as Tama storms back in, but now Aldis steps up! Aldis warns The Bloodline here, and Solo has Tama stand down. Solo takes the chair from Tama to show they’re done here. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but the damage is done. Solo & Tama are a dangerous duo, will nothing and no one stop them from taking over SmackDown?

Heyman goes to the parking lot.

He’s in shock, but Aldis finds him and pulls him along. Was Heyman aware of this? Aldis shows Heyman the aftermath of one car T-boning another! And in case Heyman can’t guess, the struck car was Kevin’s. The attacking car was Tama’s! Heyman says this wasn’t authorized! No, Heyman, Aldis is speaking now. He gets this is a conflict within The Bloodline, but on his show, things are settle din the ring. Next week is the Draft, a lot of eyeballs on it, and a lot top brass are gonna be here. So Aldis will not tolerate this behavior. So make sure The Bloodline understands. Because, Heyman, if you don’t, the repercussions will be equally savage.

Aldis brings Heyman in close to tell him losing isn’t the only thing that has consequences. Will the Wise Man be able to rein in such an unruly force as Solo and Tama?

Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez!

The LWO still doesn’t believe Legado’s claims that they had nothing to do with Dragon Lee going down before WrestleMania, so they’re going to get to the bottom of this one themselves! Will Caribbean Cool make the Emperor of Lucha confess his crimes? Or will Santos prove he was right all along?

The bell rings and the two talk trash. Then they start throwing hands! Carlito backs Santos down but Santos gets around to whisper something in Carlito’s ear. Carlito ELBOWS Santos away, runs up and hits a THESZ PRESS! Carlito then bumps Santos off buckles, fires hands, then has him in another corner. Carlito whips corner to corner, runs up, but Santos BOOTS him! Santos runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Vega coaches Carlito to stay on Santos and he brings Santos up. Carlito ROCKS Santos, whips, but Santos KICKS him! Santos runs, but into a DROPKICK! Carlito kips up and the fans fire up!

Santos is on the outside, the ref won’t let Carlito go after him, but then Carlito WRECKS Santos with a dropkick! Carlito loads up to PLANCHA! Direct hit on Santos and Carlito hoists Vega up to celebrate! The fans cheer the LWO on as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Santos whips Carlito hard into buckles. Carlito falls over, Santos soaks up the heat, then Santos HEADBUTTS Carlito to a corner. Santos then CHOPS, gets space and runs in, to DOUBLE KNEE! Carlito slumps in the corner but Santos puts him up top! Santos GAMANGIRIS then climbs up! SUPER STEINER! Carlito flounders, Santos pushes him to a cover, TWO! Vega is relieved but Santos huffs and puffs. Santos rains down fists on Carlito, then clamps on a top wristlock. Carlito endures and Vega coaches him while the fans rally. Carlito rises, throws body shots, then LARIATS!

The fans rally as Carlito starts to rally with more clotheslines, and an ELBOW! Carlito kicks, runs, and KNEE LIFTS! Santos wobbles, Carlito LARIATS again! Cover, TWO! Santos is tougher than that but Carlito says he’s going up! Carlito climbs, but then Lopez gets on the apron! Vega storms right over to YANK her down! The fans fire up as Vega goes up, and RANAS, only for Lopez to block! Lopez SWINGS Vega into barriers! Carlito ROCKS Santos, steps in, but the ref is reprimanding Lopez so he misses Santos KICK ropes to jam Carlito low! Santos reels Carlito in to POST him, then brings him back for the fireman’s carry! PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Santos wins!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall

La Madrina helps The Emperor steal this victory, them taking down the Caribbean Cool and La Muneca! Whether or not Legado beat down Dragon Lee, will nothing stop them from conquering SmackDown?

VIP Skybox interview with Damage CTRL!

Kayla is with Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane & Asuka as they sit way up in the back. What made the former WWE Women’s Champion and crew want a special view of this main event? Dakota takes offense for Iyo with the use of “former” there. Is Kayla trying to disrespect them? Iyo will take that title back when they’re good and ready. But for now, they’re here to watch two people they can’t stand tear each other apart! Does Dakota need to remind everyone here that DMG CTRL is still the most dominant force in the WWE!? The fans boo but Dakota says the Kabuki Warriors are STILL the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and that will not change-

WAID! Jade Cargill is here! She makes her entrance from the other skybox, with Bianca Belair alongside her! The strongEST duo argues with DMG CTRL, their own title intentions clear. But for now, it’s time for the main event! Who shines with gold here in the Steel City? We find out, after the break!

Cody Rhodes speaks.

The American Nightmare is in the UK as part of Raw’s tour, but he still took time to say, “What is the task? Run up the score, leave no doubt, right? Formerly, the task was ‘win the big belt, in the big place.’ We’ve done that. Now, it’s a whole new frontier for us, undiscovered country.” There’s an old expression: the title can make the man, or the man makes the title. Which will it be for Cody? He’s in London tonight, the O2, 16 THOUSAND, then it’s on to Belfast, Ireland. Cody is keeping his promise to bring this title all around the world. Back home, AJ Styles has emerged the #1 contender to this championship.

So then, it will be two Georgia boys duking it out in Lyon, France. The first time ever, at that. Styles has an unprecedented reputation in pro-wrestling. The modern day Excellence of Execution, if you will. Styles rarely misses. But the same goes for Cody. So Backlash in France, Cody looks forward to it. The contract signing is next week, even as the WWE Draft is going on! Will things be explosive when American Nightmare and Phenomenal One meet face to face?

WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi!

SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and either we shine or we glow!

The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. The two tie up, go around, and Bayley headlocks. Naomi powers up but Bayley wrenches to wristlock. Naomi slips through, rolls Bayley up, ONE!! The fans rally as the two go again. Naomi waistlocks, Bayley headlocks to hit a takeover, and she makes it a cover, TWO! Naomi fights up to her feet, powers up but Bayley wrenches gain. Naomi waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, ONE! Both women get up, Naomi ducks the boot but Bayley arm-drags her around! Bayley has the cording hold, the fans rally up, and Naomi fights to her feet. Naomi whips Bayley away, but Bayley runs her over!

The fans cheer and Bayley tells DMG CTRL she’s watching them, too. Things speed up, Naomi does the splits to duck under, then she comes back to kick from below! She drags Bayley into a cradle, ONE!! Bayley hurries to step over, LA MAGISTROL! ONE!! Naomi and Bayley get up, Naomi trips Bayley to jackknife, ONE!! Ghost pin, TWO! Both women hurry up, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans rally while both women are down, evenly matched in this chess game so far. Both women rise, and Naomi SHOTGUNS first! Then she runs up, uses the ropes to slingshot and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Naomi is frustrated but keeps her focus.

Naomi drags Bayley up, Bayley shoves her away. Naomi dodges the lariat to hit REAR VIEW! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Naomi lets her know it was that close, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Bayley whips Naomi to a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Bayley gets up, Naomi runs up, JAWBREAKER! Bayley ends up in a corner now, Naomi runs in, and she forearm SMASHES! Naomi then runs Bayley corner to corner for a BUCKLE BULLDOG! Naomi slips out to the apron while Bayley flounders, and Naomi climbs. The fans duel as Naomi CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Naomi knows that. Naomi keeps her focus while DMG CTRL, Bianca & Jade all focus on them. Naomi ROCKS Bayley, tries the ropes again, but Bayley stops the bulldog to SMACK Naomi off buckles!

Bayley then reels Naomi in, SAIDO! High stack, TWO! Naomi is still in this and Bayley remembers Naomi’s tougher than that, too. Bayley drags Naomi into a drop zone, then goes up the corner! Bayley aims, to MACHO ELBOW onto knees! Bayley writhes, Naomi goes to the apron. Bayley stands, runs up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi slingshots, for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Naomi is stunned! Naomi refocuses, goes to the corner, and goes up to SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT onto knees! Bayley returns the favor and both women are down. Bayley shakes out the leg, stands and runs, to KNEE Naomi down!

Bayley hurries to put Naomi back in a drop zone, and then hobbles her way to a corner. Bayley climbs, to MACHO ELBOW!! Direct hit this time and Bayley covers, TWO!! Naomi survives and Bayley is frustrated. Bayley hobbles on the bad leg, leans on ropes while she catches her breath, and the fans duel even more. Bayley stalks Naomi, hooks her up, but Naomi PELES free! Naomi hurries to a corner, Bayley runs up, but Naomi goes up to sunset flip! TWO!! But into the BUTTERFLY LOCK!! Bayley endures, reaches out with her legs, but then she tucks to a cover, TWO!! Naomi gets up, both women throw forearms!

They both wobble, storm up, and Bayley eggs Naomi on. Naomi wants this, right? So hit her! Naomi fires a forearm, Bayley hits back! Naomi winds up to forearm, Bayley comes back with another! The fans fire up as the forearms go harder and faster! Bayley gets the edge, but Naomi SWATS one, to SCORPION KICK, and then JUMP KNEE! Bayley tumbles out of the ring, Naomi PLANCHAS! Direct hit and a hard one, both women are down on the floor! The ring count starts, Naomi stirs at 3 of 10. Naomi brings Bayley up, but BAYLEY2BELLY onto the desk!! The count is 7! Naomi flounders on the desk, but then TIFFANY ATTACKS BAYLEY!!!

Winner: Bayley, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Champion)

Tiffany makes herself the center of attention as always as she ruins this main event! She dribbles Naomi off the desk, then RAMS Bayley into steel steps! Then she drags Naomi off the desk to POST her! Tiff storms back over to Bayley, puts her in the ring, then adds Naomi in, too. Tiff says sorry not sorry, but it’s Tiffy Time! Tiffy goes to the corner, for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Tiff flexes over both champion and challenger, having upset Bianca & Jade but having entertained DMG CTRL. But will Wrestling Barbie pay for pissing off the Role Model?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown that also acted as a WWE Draft go-home. Great match from Styles and Knight to open the night but also follow-up their WrestleMania match. Naturally, Styles wins because then he and Knight are 1-1 in 1v1 matches, and also natural Face VS Heel right there. Good promo from Cody Rhodes, that title match is going to be awesome. Awesome new looks for the WWE Tag Team Championships, though maybe too much gold. Nothing really pops when it’s all the same color, so they should’ve had silver on the WWE logo and the words, “Tag Team Champions,” but it’s still a great redesign.

We also got an awesome Fatal 4 Way tag match, with Theory & Waller decent on commentary. And pieces are falling into place for what I was thinking: Profits win the right to face Theory & Waller, we’ll surely get Lashley wanting the US Championship, we’ll get a good faction feud there as we approach those title matches. Also good continuation of the LWO VS Legado feud with Carlito VS Santos, and distractions of course helped Santos win. There’s gotta come a point where Carlito reveals it was him, Dragon Lee, it was him all along! Now, that would make like the third turn since the start of this rivalry (Santos to Heel, Andrade to Face and Carlito to Heel) but hey, the drama is heightened each time, and maybe Dragon Lee will actually get a win in this feud.

Great stuff in Bayley VS Naomi, as well as all the promos. DMG CTRL watching from the skybox, same as Bianca & Jade, was good stuff. The tag title match is definitely coming for Backlash, that will be great stuff. But I should’ve figured Tiffany would “ruin” the main event so that there won’t really be a choice between Bayley and Naomi. The Draft is coming, hopefully they think to keep all three on the same brand, and probably here on SmackDown, so that those three can have it out. I don’t know the chances of a Triple Threat for Backlash but it still feels possible. Though at the same time, I don’t think they’d take the title off Bayley after only a month, so she’d probably use Tiffany against Naomi to retain.

And what wild stuff with this new, more vicious Bloodline. Solo is in a suit because he certainly thinks he is Tribal Chief already, given Roman Reigns did give him the nod as “Tribal Heir” a few months ago. And while Tama is the MFT, which everyone is already wondering what that even means, it’s clear he’s also the right hand man and a loose cannon at that. Without the Draft, it’d be pretty wild for Jimmy to come back and help Kevin against this new Bloodline. With the Draft, we could get Jey back on the same brand as his family and then he and Jimmy stand against Solo and Tama. But either way, it’ll be a wild ride in this new chapter and I’m all for it.

My Score: 8.9/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.18.2024

Motor City Machine Guns either go out on their backs, or head to Rebellion as champs! Lets see how they finish their current run in TNA!

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Andrew Balaz

No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.

With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.

Part Three: Acceptance @TheJonGresham #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/NE9FPzCCz2

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Ratings:

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.

Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.

.@XiaBrookside and @Ashamae_Sebera face off NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/Q0S3wSRpeu

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

LSG vs Joe Hendry

Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.

LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.

Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno

Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.

Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.

GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.

They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.

.@TheEricYoung channels "The Sickness" as he prepares for FULL METAL MAYHEM with @FrankieKazarian at #Rebellion! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tm1TqxZBLo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.

Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.

Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards

Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.

Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.

Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!

Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated.

Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.

Overall Score: 6.5/10

So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.

Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.

But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either. Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!