Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Report! (3/21/18)

Published

6 years ago

March 21, 2018

Steven Mitchell

All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round Match: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Roderick Strong & ???; Strong & Pete Dunne win and advance to the semifinals.
Ember Moon VS Aliyah; Ember wins.
Raul Mendoza VS ???; no contest.
Kassius Ohno VS Adam Cole; Cole wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT returns to Full sail, but so does Tommaso Ciampa!

The Psycho Killer who screwed Johnny Gargano over returns to the home of NXT. Even here, fans boo and jeer, chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” while holding up Gargano emoji faces. Ciampa’s already faced this reception twice before, he shuts it out as he enters the ring. He grabs a mic, but fans chant “We Want Johnny!” Ciampa waits for them to quiet down, but they boo harder as he lifts the mic to his mouth. The chant of “Johnny Wrestling!” returns, just like the other two times Ciampa’s tried talking. But Ciampa finally explodes with “HE’S GONE!” Gargano won’t walk down the ramp, because he’s gone! Fans still boo and jeer, and return to chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” Ciampa takes a moment to calm himself, though fans keep booing. Now the fans chant “Ciampa Sucks!”, and he embraces it with another mic drop.

Ciampa exits the ring, though still very frustrated. The fans keep up the boos and jeers, but Ciampa stares them down one by one. He snatches a Gargano emoji and tears it up to then wipe his ass with it. He also snags the extra large one, and tears that right in the face of the fan who was holding it. Ciampa even gets in the face of an old woman who is a big Gargano fan. Ciampa snatches another extra large emoji from a fan in a lucha mask, but reveal! The “fan” was Gargano!

And Gargano attacks! Gargano goes right at Ciampa and the fans are loving it! But Gargano isn’t allowed in NXT, the security guards go after him to keep him back.. The fans want to “Let Them Fight!” but the guards drag Gargano out of the ring. Ciampa is reeling while Gargano is rabidly resisting. The guards still get Gargano past the barriers and towards the back while Ciampa tries to see where Gargano went. The fans chant “Johnny Wrestling!” even as Gargano is brought all the way to the back door. Gargano ends up in the parking lot while Ciampa checks his face. What kind of consequences will there be to a man who already lost his job?

An update on the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

While three teams have advanced into the second round, there is some unforeseen changes to the final opening round match. NXT throws things to Charly Caruso from the NXT Control Center, where she recaps the first three matches. There is some sad news, however, as Tyler Bate was found to be injured and therefore unable to compete in the tournament. Bate’s bad knee is bad news for Mustache Mountain, and hopefully he recovers quickly to return to competition, but there is good news! The tournament is open to a new duo, and Roderick Strong stepped up to request that chance. NXT General Manager, William Regal, heard Strong’s words and granted the request. Now the Messiah of the Backbreaker can enter to face Lorcan & Burch, provided he finds a partner.

The Undisputed Era speaks.

Adam Cole asks if Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish heard the “nonsense” from William Regal. He’s adding Roderick Strong to the Dusty Rhodes Classic! Of all people, he’s adding Roddy? Earth to Regal, Roddy doesn’t belong anywhere near that. Roddy isn’t a tag team guy, he’s a loser. Who would even tag with him? Regal could himself, but it won’t matter, because winning the Classic only signs you up to lose to “the baddest team”, reDRagon. And speaking of what doesn’t matter, Adam Cole takes on the so-called Knockout Artist, “talk about a night off.” Cole is so confident, he won’t even need O’Reilly & Fish ringside. Trust him, it’ll be pretty, and #ThatisUndisputed.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Opening Round Match: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Roderick Strong & ???

This pair of brawlers, one from Boston and the other from Great Britain, have been looking for a breakout match to bring them higher in NXT’s Tag Team Division. However, they only know one of their opponents going into this. Roddy is a tough customer, but who did he find to fight by his side?

IT’S PETE DUNNE!! The WWE United Kingdom Champion joins the Messiah of the Backbreaker in the Dusty Rhodes Classic! Will this body-bruising team take the tag tournament by storm?

The match starts with Strong and Lorcan, and they tie up fast and furious. Lorcan gets the waistlock but Strong rolls him with a headlock takeover. Lorcan headscissors, Strong moves around to roll Lorcan, and Strong gets a Queen Angelito stretch. The fans rally while Lorcan endures the hold, and slips out to switch places with Strong. Strong endures the headlock, Lorcan changes it to a wristlock, and then tags in Burch. Burch takes the hand-off and wrenches the wrist. Strong turns it around to his own wristlock and takedown.

Burch gets up but Dunne tags in, and he takes the hand-off to wrench that wrist. Dunne grabs the fingers and brings Burch down to torture him from hand to elbow. Dunne makes that a double wristlock cover, ONE, then a kip-up. Burch turns things around, trips up and rolls Dunne but misses the stomp. Dunne whips Burch but Burch catches that leg to drop Dunne. Burch wants the facelock, Lorcan and Strong rush in, and we end up with a tense stand-off between all four men. The referee works to keep the peace while we go to break.

NXT returns, and Dunne has Burch on the ground, holding the hammerlock in place with one leg and standing on Burch’s head with the other. Dunne grabs the free arm and bend sit back, along with the fingers. Burch writhes and shouts, but Dunne just turns things into a modified crossface. Cover, ONE, but Dunne keeps Burch from Lorcan. Dunne slaps Burch then shoves him, and tags in Strong. Strong stomps Burch, then brings him out, for the backbreaker! Cover, TWO, but Strong keeps on him as he tags in Dunne. They both suplex Burch for the gordbuster, then, double chops! Cover, TWO, but Dunne keeps his cool.

Dunne drags Burhc up, fans want that duolbe chop “One More Time.” Dunne chops Burch alone, but runs into a boot. Burch hops up and hits a big missile dropkick. Fans rally as both men crawl for their corners, hot tags to Strong and Lorcan. Lorcan chops, Strong forearms, and back again, neither man slowing down. Strong shoves Lorcan but Lorcan boots him back. Lorcan runs, dynamic dropkick! He keeps going, running European Upperct! Cover, TWO, so Lorcan runs to run Strong over with a wicked lariat. TWO, so Lorcan runs again, for the Blockbuster!

Another cover, TWO! Lorcan keeps fired up, and the fans join him. He drags Strong up, tags in Burch, and together they suplex Strong. Strong slips out and shoves Burch into Lorcan. Lorcan tumbles out while Burch runs into Strong’s boot and enziguri. Dunne tags in while Strong staggers back, to then hop up, and stomp out Burch’s arm! Dunne throws Burch with the X-Plex and covers, but Lorcan breaks it in time. Strong throws Lorcan right out, then tries for the wrecking ball dropkick, but Lorcan dodges to retaliate with a big EuroUpper! Dunne has Burch and slaps him, so Burch slaps back. Dunne slaps, Burch slaps, Dunne slaps, Burch SLAPS! Then Burch headbutts! The fans fire up while Burch stalks Dunne. He waistlock and German Suplexes, then Strong and Lorcan come in. Lorcan catches Strong for a Half ‘n’ Half suplex onto Dunne!

Burch covers, TWO, but into a Crossface! Strong returns but Lorcan is there, tackling Strong down into the Half Crab! Dunne endures while Strong turns over, Strong shoves Lorcan onto Burch to break the Crossface. Everyone is down, but Strong and Lorcan head for their corners while Dunne and Burch stand up. Burch throws a haymaker, Dunne retaliates with an enziguri! Dunne goes to chop, but Burch catches and counters into an exploder! Burch fires up but Strong tags in. Dunne catches Burch and tosses him to Strong for another backbreaker! Then, End of Heartache!

Dunne keeps Lorcan out of the ring with a sleeper hold, Strong covers, Strong & Dunne win! The unlikely duo wins in their first ever match together to advance into the semifinals. Can the Bruiserweight & The Back Breaker make it all the way to the end to earn an NXT Tag Team Championship match?

A star is coming to NXT.

The king of speed and master of flight, THE Richochet is coming soon. How fast will this human rocket rise to the top? Who will he topple over to get there?

Ember Moon VS Aliyah!

While the Prophecy of Flames has the Queen of Spades to worry about at TakeOver: New Orleans, Canada’s Catwoman wants to show up the #Shenom and make a name for herself. Can Ember keep from looking too far ahead and focus on the opponent right in front of her?

The bell rings, and the two share a quick but respectful low-five. They tie up, Ember arm-drags Aliyah but Aliyah arm-drags back. Aliyah gets the headlock takeover but Ember headscissors. Aliyah pops out and flicks her hair and Ember grins while the fans applaud. The two circle again, Aliyah gets the waistlock but Ember counters with a throw. Aliyah headscissors now and Ember pops out to put on a headlock of her own. Aliyah powers out but Ember goes to boot, only to be turned around and thrown down by her hair! The referee reprimands Aliyah, but The Cat’s Meow covers, TWO. But wait, Shayna Baszler is walking down the ramp.

The Submission Magician joins commentary while Aliyah runs Ember over with double ax handles. Cover, ONE, but Aliyah keeps on the champ while Shayna lets everyone know that while Ember’s champ, we all know Shayna is the real top woman in the division. Aliyha covers, TWO, but she puts Ember in a modified chinlock. The fans rally for Ember, and Ember fights her way out of the hold. She arm-drags Aliyah, then gets around for a waistlock roll up, ONE, but Ember keeps moving to hit a sliding complete shot!

Aliyah gets herself to a corner and Ember runs in but into boots. Aliyah hops up, crossbody, but Ember catches her! Ember looks over at commentary and says, “This is for you, Shayna!” before hitting a Samoan Drop! Ember roars at Shayna before hitting Aliyah with a handspring corner clothesline. She then climbs up, takes aim, and leaps for the Eclipse!

Cover, Ember wins! Shayna isn’t impressed, because she knows everyone else knows Ember is weak. Ember climbs up to hold up her NXT Women’s Championship, and Shayna stands on top of commentary to stare her down. Both women are ready to rip into each other, but who will be the one still standing atop the Women’s Division?

Raul Mendoza VS ???

The Cruiserweight Classic competitor is looking for that break-out moment, but instead, he gets attacked by the NXT Champion, Andrade “Cien” Almas!

El Idolo tosses Mendoza off the stage and leaves him writhing on the ground while he and Zelina Vega walk to the ring. Almas grabs a mic to call out Aleister Black for his comments last week. Almas speaks in Spanish that being champion makes HIM the best in NXT! But since Aleister didn’t respect Vega, he didn’t respect Almas. And Almas calls Aleister out, “you piece of shit!” Face Almas next week, Aleister, and pay for that disrespect! El Campeon is furious, but will he be able to get the revenge over respect? Or will he just #FadetoBlack even before Takeover: New Orleans?

NXT Universe, brace yourself for Lars Sullivan’s return.

An “abnormality of human genetics”, and a sheer force of destruction in human form, the Leviathan will return next week! Who will be set up in his path to be run over?

NXT General Manager, William Regal, speaks.

While the main event is up next, Regal would like to inform us that next week, he will have an announcement that will “change the landscape of NXT forever.” What could Regal be planning that is so powerful as to alter NXT?

Kassius Ohno VS Adam Cole!

This match came about via social media, where the Panama City Playboy declared himself “an uncrowned champion” in NXT, to which the Knockout Artist replied that if Cole wants some crowns, Ohno’s elbows and knees could knock out some teeth for him. Even so, Cole is so confident that he doesn’t need reDRagon by his side. Will Cole end up eating his words along with a few stiff strikes?

The bell rings and fans already duel between the two men as they circle. They tie up, Cole goes for the arm and gets the wristlock. Ohno reverses and throws Cole, then brings him up for a wristlock and lift. Ohno wrings Cole then wrenches, but Cole grabs hair. Cole shoves Ohno and knees him on the rebound, to then kick and forearm Ohno into a corner. Cole knees again, then runs and runs Ohno over, “BAYBAY!” The fans keep dueling while Cole runs, but Ohno hops up and over. Ohno runs, Cole ducks under to then jump up, only for Ohno to boot him out of the air! Cole gasps for air while the fans applaud, Ohno adds the back senton! Fans are fired up as Ohno brings Cole up for a stiff chop.

The dueling chants continue while Cole jawbreakers Ohno back to a corner. Cole runs in but Ohno puts him on the apron, but Cole’s leg jams and he stumbles down. Cole hobbles off, angry, and the referee checks on him. Ohno doesn’t care, he reaches for Cole through the ropes, but Cole leaps up to enziguri Ohno away! Cole was faking, and gets into the ring to rain down rights. He stomps Ohno out, as well, showing that his leg is just fine. Ohno is in trouble with Cole right on him while we go to break.

NXT returns and Cole keeps on Ohno at the ropes. He stalks Ohno around, wrenches the arm and whips, then back elbows Ohno. Ohno stays up so Cole bicycle kicks him down, cover, TWO! Cole keeps his cool, this is “too easy” as he hits a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, but Cole still grins. He drags Ohno up and kicks him in the back to then stomp him on the mat. Cole kicks Ohno in the head but fans rally for Ohno. Cole brings Ohno down in a chinlock, but Ohno endures. Ohno feeds off the fans’ energy, then gets up, so Cole uses a backstabber! Cover, TWO, but Cole keeps his cool. “Forget it, Kassius, you’re a joke.” Cole says Ohno is a loser, because he’s Adam Cole BAYBAY! But no, he doesn’t like the fans using his catchphrase this time.

Cole goes to suplex Ohno but Ohno suplexes him, Cole slips out and gets a waistlock. Ohno bucks him off at the ropes, to ROCK him with a swift right! Cole goes down, eyes glazed, and fans rally while Ohno drags himself to a corner. Cole is up first but walks right into a knee. Ohno boots Cole’s clothesline away, then runs to rally with the ax bomber and another boot. He scoops Cole and slams him, then runs for the leaping leg drop! Cover, TWO, and Cole rolls to ropes. Ohno stalks him, rocking him with another right. He whips Cole but Cole reverses, so Ohno tumbles to the apron to boot back in. Cole is dazed, he gets the cyclone kick!

Cover, TWO, and Ohno can’t believe it. The fans applaud, though, they’re loving this. Cole stirs while the dueling chants start up again. Ohno looms over Cole and brings him up, but Cole blocks the suplex. Ohno rocks him with a forearm, but Cole asks “Is that all you got?!” Cole takes of his elbow pad and fires off forearms of his own! Cole runs, but into another boot from Ohno! Ohno goes to suplex, but Cole counters with the LAST SHOT!

Cover, TWO!! Ohno survives the brainbuster, and fans are loving it, chanting “NXT! NXT!” However, Cole is shocked and frustrated as he backs away to a corner. He watches Ohno stir while the fans rally again. Cole brings his knee pad down then runs, but Ohno counters and rolls Cole all the way into powerbomb position, to hotshot him on the ropes, then smack him with the forearm! Ohno takes off the elbow pad and runs, to hit Cole with the High Tension Elbow!

Cole tumbles all the way out of the ring and even to the stage. Ohno fetches Cole, dragging him up and over in the fireman’s carry. They return in the ring, Ohno covers, but Cole countrs to a crucifix! TWO, for a SUPERKICK! Then another SUPERKICK, then a third, AND a second Last Shot brainbuster!

But that’s not all, Cole still hits the Last Shot Shining Wizard!

Cover, Cole wins! It was tougher than he expected, but Cole still did it without the help of Fish & O’Reilly. Will this win help Cole go from uncrowned champion to undisputed champion?

My Thoughts:

Another packed episode for NXT, it’s really quite impressive. Opening with Ciampa’s third attempt at his promo was another stroke of genius. As I expected, he basically explodes and finally says anything, but Gargano appearing the way he did was done so perfectly, I think I marked out. Gargano going after Ciampa despite being “fired” is great, because it could lead to an “unsanctioned” match (aka No Disqualification) and these two can go all out with the brutality. I’d expect Gargano wins that to finally get back at Ciampa before they both move on from NXT. Then to go right into the Dusty Rhodes Classic was a nice surprise, especially with Strong’s surprise partner. Strong-Dunne did great as a team against Lorcan & Burch, and might even overcome SAnitY next week.

Great to see Ricochet is ready to debut soon, and keeping his name. Lars Sullivan is also returning, and just in time given Regal’s announcement. Word is that the announcement will be a new men’s title, and superstars like Lars, Ricochet and so many others are more than ready to hold that new title. Speaking of ready, Shayna Baszler is very ready to be NXT Women’s Champion. She’s already confident as a character, though her commentary might need work, but she seems primed to take that title from Ember now that it’s been a couple months. Then poor Mendoza, he wasn’t even a jobber but fodder for Almas. Almas was great being a heated Heel, and Aleister will show up next week, perhaps that will be the brawl we thought would happen at the contract signing.

That main event was great once again. It wasn’t as long as I expected but it was as competitive and hard-hitting. When Cole faked his bad leg, I thought that would be the moment for a new Undisputed Era member to attack, using the loophole that Cole only told Fish & O’Reilly to stay backstage. Instead, it was just a clever ruse for Cole to get a momentary edge. Same for when Ohno sent Cole out with the High Tension, but Cole toughed it out to turn things around. I also liked that Cole piled on Ohno with the old Last Shot and the new Last Shot, shows both Ohno’s toughness and Cole’s aggression. Cole himself is probably a shoe-in for the new NXT men’s title, but him having matches with guys like Lars, Ricochet, etc. will be great for that belt’s legitimacy out of the gate.

My Score: 8.5/10

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

Up Next

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (3/17/18)

Don't Miss

New Japan Cup: Semi-Final Results/Review and Final Predictions

Coverage

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

Prepare for Backlash!

Published

2 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; win(s) and will challenge A-Town Down Under.
WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi; wins and

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.

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

24 hours 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!