Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Report! (5/8/18)

Published

6 years ago

May 8, 2018

Will it be the Heart or the Secret that reaches the Cruiserweight Champion?

The Cruiserweight Champion needs a #1 Contender as we head towards Money in the Bank. Mustafa Ali wants a second chance while Buddy Murphy wants to guarantee he gets his first, who will win to challenge the #AgeOfAlexander? Plus, tag team action as the Lucha House Party confronts the Ungentle Men, Gallagher & Kendrick!

All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Jack Gallagher & THE Brian Kendrick VS Lucha House Party; Lucha House Party wins.
Tony Nese VS Keith Clayball; Nese wins.
Mustafa Ali VS Buddy Murphy; Murphy wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tonight is a big night for the Cruiserweight Division.

Not only is there a major tag team match, but two major singles match that could determine who faces Cedric Alexander for the Cruiserweight Championship. Jack Gallagher & THE Brian Kendrick declare themselves “the most dangerous tag team” on 205 Live, and these “Gentlemen with a Plan” look to crash the Lucha House Party. Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik tell Gallagher & Kendrick that what’s truly dangerous is their lucha speed and agility! The Premier Athlete, Tony Nese, missed out on being the #1 Contender, but vows that as the strongest, fastest and most athletic superstar in the division, he’s going to show the world why he belongs.

The Best Kept Secret wants his shot, and will get even with Mustafa Ali to do it. Ali sees Murphy cut weight, but hasn’t “cut the crap”. Tonight, the Heart of 205 Live proves it wasn’t a fluke that he won against Murphy during the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament. However, Murphy won’t stop until he has the title, so he’ll prove he’s the Juggernaut of the Cruiserweights!

Jack Gallagher & THE Brian Kendrick VS Lucha House Party!

The Golden Lynx & The King of the Ropes are red hot as of late, but now they go up against the cruel winter cold of the Ungentle Men. Can the fiesta fight on against such fierce and frigid foes?

The teams sort themselves out, and it’ll be Lince Dorado and– Drew Gulak? Well, no, he’s not part of this match, but he’s coming out anyway?

Gulak joins commentary, shaking only Nigel McGuiness’ hand. He explains that he wishes to add his own expert analysis to this tag team contest. The match continues without further delay, and Jack Gallagher starts against Lince Dorado. Dorado and Gallagher circle, and the “Lucha! Lucha!” chants start up while Kalisto spins the matracas. Gallagher is not amused as he ties up with Dorado. Gallagher throws Dorado down with a headlock takeover. Dorado headscissors out, but Gallagher rolls and works on a way out. Gallagher headstands but Dorado pushes him down. Gallagher tries again, but Dorado pushes him again. The Extraordinary Gentleman tries again, but Dorado spanks him! Gallagher pops out but goes scampering to his corner.

The “Lucha! Lucha!” chants start up again as Gallagher and Dorado tie up. Dorado trips Gallagher up for the double wristlock cover, but Gallagher bridges at TWO. Dorado goes to use his weight but Gallagher pushes him away then monkey flips him over. Gallagher rolls his way back but now Dorado pushes him, then hops up to sunset flip over. TWO, into a seated cover, ONE, Dorado’s cover, ONE, Gallagher’s, ONE, and repeat. ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE ONE ONE, Dorado finally stops the rolling, TWO. Dorado is dizzy while Gallagher is groggy, but Dorado still ducks the punch. Gallagher falls over, and Dorado falls for a planking splash, cover, TWO. Dorado clears his head and drags Gallagher up, then tags in Metalik. Lucha House Party double whip Gallagher, then drop toehold to a springboard missile dropkick! Cover, TWO.

Gulak disapproves of the flashy lucha style that wastes time and energy. Metalik brings Gallagher up for an overhand chop, then whips Gallagher, but Gallagher reverses. Metalik handsprings but Gallagher evades, only to miss the clothesline. Kendrick tags in, and Gallagher runs into a back drop, but Metalik sees Kendrick coming and tosses him out to join Gallagher. Metalik builds speed, and even as Gulak disapproves on commentary, Metalik FLIES!

Down goes Gallagher! The fans chant “Lucha! Lucha!” while Metalik puts Gallagher in the ring. The referee explains Gallagher isn’t the legal man, it’s Kendrick. And Kendrick returns with an enziguri to the back of Metalik’s head! Cover, ONE, but Kendrick keeps between Metalik and Dorado. Kendrick boots Metalik down while Gulak approves of the grounded style. Kendrick crossface punches Metalik, then mocks the Lucha dance. He brings Metalik over, and Gallagher tags back in to mug Metalik. Gallagher grabs Metalik’s fingers and bends them back as far as he can. Metalik endures the arm torture while the Lucha House Party rallies. Metalik stands up and fights back, but Gallagher gives him a swift body shot.

Gallagher brings Metalik back to his corner for a buckle bump, then tags in Kendrick. Gulak approves again while Kendrick stomps on Metalik with Gallagher anchoring the legs. Kendrick toys with Metalik, then brings him into a chicken wing clutch. Lucha House Party and fans rally for Metalik, and he fights his way up and out. Kendrick knees low, then whips Metalik at his corner. Metalik fights off Gallagher and dives past Kendrick, but Kendrick grabs his leg. Kendrick pulls Metalik back, but Metalik throws hands. Kendrick whips Metalik at the corner, but Metalik uses that to knock Gallagher down. Metalik dodges Kendrick, hot tag to Dorado!

Dorado rocks Kendrick with a Listo Kick, then brings him down with a springboard crossbody. He keeps moving, sliding off Kendrick’s back to then throw him with a headscissors. Dorado drops Kendrick with dropkick after dropkick, then blocks the kicks to give a chop. He whips but Kendrick reverses, so Dorado uses that to handspring, into the Golden Rewind stunner!

Cover, Gallagher breaks it! Gallagher goes after Metalik and knocks him down, then helps Kendrick up. Kendrick puts Dorado in the corner, then Gallagher tags in. While Kendrick keeps Dorado trapped, Gallagher runs corner to corner and back again, for the Extraordinary Dropkick! Kendrick finishes with Sliced Bread!

Gallagher covers, Metalik breaks it! Gallagher goes after Metalik, and Kendrick joins in. They double whip Metalik but Metalik goes up and around for a crossbody! Kendrick & Gallagher catch Metalik together, then toss him up, but Metalik lands on his feet. Dorado returns, and the double SUPERKICK Gallagher & Kendrick! Gallagher & Kendrick slip out of the ring, Lucha House Party builds speed, for double DIVES!

Dos Tope Suicida! Dorado puts Gallagher in, then climbs up, for a Golden Shooting Star!

Cover, Lucha House Party wins!

Winners: Lucha House Party (Dorado & Metalik), Dorado pinning

Gulak dares Dorado to try that on him. But the Cruiserweight Crusader’s bad mood aside, Lucha House Party earn a victory their way. With tag team wrestling growing stronger and stronger in the Cruiserweight Division, will there be an official Cruiserweight Tag Team Division in the near future?

Mustafa Ali speaks.

“This path runs right into Buddy Murphy.” Ali knows Murphy is like stone, a human wall, but guess what? Mustafa Ali is known for breaking down barriers. Murphy is built for show, Ali is built to go, and this isn’t about wins and losses, “this is about clearing the way.” Murphy has two options: “Move, or I’ll make you.”

Buddy Murphy talks to Tony Nese.

The Best Kept Secret tells the Premier Athlete not to worry about his loss in the Gauntlet match. Move on, worry about the future, because he knows what he has to do. Nese nods, and wishes Murphy luck in his own match. Dasha Fuentes then enters to interview Murphy. What does he wish to accomplish in tonight’s match with Ali? “Since coming to 205 Live, I’ve got one blemish on my record.” It’s his loss to Ali in the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament. Murphy was adjusting to the weight cuts back then, but now he’s unstoppable. He’ll continue that, he just hopes “the champ” is watching. Will the Aussie Antagonist avenge his loss to Ali to then go after Cedric Alexander?

Tony Nese VS Keith Clayball!

The Premier Athlete seems to have a new buddy in Buddy Murphy. Can Nese keep Murphy’s advice in mind and snap back from losses in the Cruiserweight Championship Tournament and Cruiserweight Contender Gauntlet to truly make 205 Live his show?

The bell rings, and Nese circles with Baltimore’s Clayball. Nese throws Clayball to a corner, then toys with him while flexing. He trash talks Clayball and the fans, then chops Clayball. Nese whips Clayball corner to corner, kicks, knee lift and sweep before embracing the heat. Clayball crawls to ropes but Nese still toys with him, kicking him all around the ring. Nese brings Clayball up and puts him in a Tree of Woe before stomping away. The referee backs Nese off, but Nese returns for Full Contact Cardio. Clayball falls out of the Tree while Nese flexes again.

Nese runs in at Clayball but Clayball evades. Fans cheer as Clayball fights back and runs, but he runs into a big back elbow from Nese. Nese whips Clayball to run him over again. Nese drags Clayball up from the apron to sweep the legs out. Clayball tumbles, Nese runs and rocks him with that roaring left elbow! Nese isn’t done there, he puts Clayball back in the ring and in a corner. He brings the knee pad down, and runs for the Premier Kneese!

Cover, Nese wins!

Winner: Nese, by pinfall

The Premier Athlete dominates, wins, and has his Premier Ego back to 100%. Will he get back to winning ways and find himself at the top of the Cruiserweight Division?

205 Live looks closer at Hideo Itami.

He came to the WWE and NXT to show that he is a star. Triple H had high hopes for the Strong Style wrestler from Japan, as did the other superstars in NXT with him. Unfortunately, his rise to the top was side tracked by injuries. And when he did come back, he struggled to get the respect he thought he deserved. Itami would go from NXT to the Cruiserweight Division, and from being a singles competitor to being in a team with fellow Japanese superstar, Akira Tozawa. This was a move Itami didn’t like.

Their team had a miscommunication in the Tornado Tag with Lucha House Party, and that cost them the match. He was able to swallow his pride and teamed with Tozawa against old foes Jack Gallagher & THE Brian Kendrick. However, more miscommunication would again cost them. That was the last straw for Itami. “Tozawa made a big mistake.” What will come of this tag team break-up?

Drake Maverick meets with the Cruiserweight Champion, Cedric Alexander.

Maverick will let Alexander off easy for his brawl with Buddy Murphy last week. He just wants to make sure it won’t happen again in the main event. Alexander says that Murphy made his statement and Alexander made his. He’ll take a back seat while Ali makes his own statement. But Alexander promises that if and when he gets in the ring with Murphy, he’ll finish the fight Murphy started. Maverick understands that, and it relates to why they’re meeting. Alexander is the Cruiserweight Champion and therefore the face of both the division and 205 Live. And next week, 205 Live will be in London, England. Ever been? Alexander has, actually. Maverick recommends the Sussex Arms.

But that aside, the entire roster will join up and compete with the UK Division while they’re there. Maverick wants Alexander to encourage the other Cruiserweights to step up and show what they’ve got, because it’s going to be a perfect showcase of what both Divisions can do. Alexander likes that, so long as the UK boys bring their A games, too. When worlds collide across the pond, which Division’s superstars will show themselves the superiors?

Mustafa Ali VS Buddy Murphy!

The Beacon of Light defeated the Cruiserweight Juggernaut in their Cruiserweight Championship Tournament showdown, but Murphy claims he’s adjusted to his new weight. Will Murphy’s adjustments help him win this time around? Or will Ali go up 2-0 on the Best Kept Secret?

The bell rings and the two slowly circle. Murphy rushes in but Ali evades. Murphy corners Ali and pushes him into the buckles, but Ali dodges his forearm to give a chop. The chop was sharp, but Murphy just brushes it off. Murphy corners Ali again, but Ali goes up and over. Murphy trips him up but Ali avoids the stomp, then builds speed as he ducks Murphy’s punches. Ali goes for the headscissors but Murphy halts that with pure power! Murphy swings Ali back up, but Ali slips out to chop him again. That chop did a bit more, but Murphy stays standing. Ali chops again, and starts to hurt his own hand. Ali tries to whip Murphy but Murphy halts that with pure power.

Murphy reels Ali in, then whips Ali, but Ali sunset flips up and over. Murphy rolls through, matchbox cover, but only to deadlift Ali up! He goes to powerbomb, but Ali counters with the headscissors! Murphy tumbles through the ropes but gets back to his feet. Murphy climbs up on the apron, but Ali dropkicks him back down. Ali builds speed, then rocks Murphy with a wrecking ball dropkick. Murphy collides with the announce desk, and Ali takes aim, to slingshot over! Murphy gets out of the way but Ali lands on his feet. Ali turns around but into Murphy’s kick, and then Murphy lifts Ali for a running suplex! Ali hits the ground with a thud, but it took a lot out of Murphy, too.

Both men stir while the fans rally. The ring count reaches 4 before Murphy stands. Murphy drags Ali up and into the ring at 6, then covers, TWO. Murphy keeps on Ali as he whips him hard into a corner. Ali clutches his back but Murphy keeps going with another hard whip into the other corner. Murphy whips Ali again, then throws Ali with a back drop. Alexander watches backstage as Murphy looms over Ali. Murphy scrapes Ali’s face with his boots, then kicks Ali in the back. He sits Ali up to kick him again, then tells everyone to “Shhh”. Murphy runs, and goes to kick, but puts on a chinlock instead.

Fans rally for Ali, and Ali fires up as he stands. Ali breaks free with a jawbreaker, but Murphy reels him back in for a back suplex. Ali slips out, then ducks under the backhand, but Murphy follows through. They both run, and collide with double crossbodies!

Ali and Murphy are reeling from the collision, but fans are rallying. A ten count begins, and reaches 4 before both men start sitting up. Murphy stands first, and brings Ali up, but Ali hits back with body shots. Murphy knees low, then whips, but Ali kicks him away. Ali reaches for Murphy but Murphy shoves him away, so Ali flapjack dropkicks on the rebound. Ali takes aim from the corner, then runs in to rally with forearms and elbows. He whips Murphy but Murphy reverses. Murphy runs in but Ali slips out and roundhouses Murphy from the apron. Ali fires up the fans, then slingshots in, but Murphy spins Ali around to deny the facebuster and put on a sleeper hold.

Ali flails and backs Murphy into a corner, but Murphy grabs hair to put the sleeper back on. Murphy squeezes but Ali still backs him back into the buckles. Murphy uses the momentum to throw Ali into the corner, but Ali puts the sleeper on Murphy! Now Murphy backs Ali into buckles, Ali lets go but hops back on for the sleeper! Ali’s weight brings Murphy to his knees, Murphy starts fading. Murphy holds on, and gets a second wind as he runs and cannonballs into buckles!

Both men go down, out of breath from the hold and the impact. Fans rally for Ali, but both men sit up. Murphy stands, then toys with Ali. He drags Ali up, kicking at Ali’s head and face. Ali fires up and rocks Murphy with a right forearm! Murphy shakes his head and grins, but Ali hits him with another and another and another forearm. Ali fires off, but Murphy fires back with his strike fest. Ali dodges the knee, then kicks, but Murphy blocks it to flip Ali back. He lands on his feet, then tosses Murphy back out of the ring. Murphy stays on the apron and shoulders in, but Ali counters dodges and runs in, tilt-o-whirl draping DDT!

Murphy goes down, Ali covers, TWO! And Ali can’t believe it! He glares at Murphy, then stands up to drag Murphy up. He puts Murphy in a corner, then hoists him up to the top rope. Ali throws hands, then climbs up to join Murphy. Murphy resists, then fights back to toss Ali down. Murphy climbs down to kick Ali, then drives in a knee trigger. He keeps going, deadlifting Ali up onto his shoulder, for an AK DDT!

Cover, TWO!! Murphy is too tired to express his shock or frustration. Alexander is still watching, and is anxious as he watches his friend and his foe going to the limit. Murphy sits up, drags Ali to his feet, but Ali trips him up for the jackknife cover. TWO, and Murphy blocks Ali’s kick into a powerbomb! Then the deadlift for the second, and then the third!

The referee checks on Ali while keeping Murphy back. This is just like last week, with Murphy’s TKO victory. Murphy laughs, saying the ref should end it here. Ali is rocked but somehow tells the ref he can continue. He dares Murphy to bring more! So Murphy does, with a fourth powerbomb lift, that Ali counters into the facebuster!!

Cover, TWO!! And Ali still can’t believe it. Both Ali and Murphy are down, but stirring. Murphy rolls himself to the ropes while Ali sits up. Ali rolls over to join Murphy on the apron. Ali formulates an idea, and hoists Murphy up to the top from the outside. He joins Murphy up there, but Murphy pushes Ali back! Ali backflips to land on his feet like a cat! Murphy leaps, but Ali SUPERKICKS him out of the sky!!

Both men are down again but the fans are loving this. Ali hurries to put Murphy back in the ring. Cover, ROPEBREAK. Ali grows frustrated, but he has one more idea. He climbs up top, with flashbacks to their Cruiserweight Championship Tournament match. Ali takes aim at Murphy’s arm, and 450 splashes, onto nothing! Murphy moves just in time to let Ali hit the mat! Murphy goes after Ali’s arm with a knee drop, then drags Ali up to throw the bad arm into a post. He throws Ali down with an arm wringer, but he’s not done there. Murphy goes to throw Ali’s arm into another corner, but Ali reverses to throw Murphy in instead. Ali rolls Murphy up, TWO!

Murphy gets up but runs into a back elbow. Ali leaps, but his tornado DDT is blocked. Murphy grabs the bad arm and hammerlocks it, and tells Ali he should’ve stayed home before throwing that bad arm into the post! Murphy then drags Ali back out, and puts him in the pumphandle, for Murphy’s Law!

Cover, Murphy wins!

Winner: Murphy, by pinfall

The Best Kept Secret kept his promise to get even with Ali. Now he turns his full attention to the Cruiserweight Championship. Will this win here tonight prove Murphy is worthy of challenging Cedric Alexander?

My Thoughts:

205 Live and the Cruiserweights were not part of Backlash, so they aren’t tainted by the aura of disappointment. Even so, they did great again tonight. Lucha House Party VS “Gentlemen with a Plan” was a great opener, and the biggest surprise was Gulak’s appearance. I sense he’ll join up with Gallagher & Kendrick in some way to match up with the luchador trio. I hope this doesn’t spur WWE to make the Cruiserweight Tag Division into a trios division, but having a grappling ground game trio of Gulak, Gallagher & Kendrick would still be a great combination. Maybe we’ll get a Six Man Tag between the two trios before introducing tag titles. The Itami video was great for recounting everything essential about him, but just drives home how I didn’t want him and Tozawa to break up before a tag division was even established.

I’m glad to hear that next week is another crossover of Cruiserweights and United Kingdom Divisions. Hopefully this helps spark the actual relevance of the UK Division in WWE’s eyes. Tony Nese has a good showing, but the only thing about his match that was lacking was the choices made by production. Why did they use the one angle that exposes how the Premier Kneese didn’t even come close to hitting the opponent? That aside, Nese and Murphy forming a friendship of some kind could give us a brand new team for the Cruiserweight Tag Division should Murphy not win the singles title. Murphy and Ali have a stellar match, as good as anything on SmackDown or Raw this week. Murphy wins because he’s clearly on a roll as the monster Heel of the division. His match with Alexander could go either way, I just hope it happens on PPV.

My Score: 8.5/10

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

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Official Chairshot Results & Ratings: WWE Backlash 2018

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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (5/8/18)

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.

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