Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (8/25/18)

Published

6 years ago

August 30, 2018

Ring of Honor Wrestling Television, Episode 362

The Kingdom continue to cry conspiracy after The American Nightmare & The Young Bucks were “handed” tonight’s ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Christopher Daniels VS Jay Briscoe; Daniels wins, by disqualification.
Flip Gordon VS Silas Young; Flip wins.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Kingdom VS Cody & The Young Bucks; The Bullet Club wins and become the new ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

Christopher Daniels VS Jay Briscoe!

Two former ROH World Heavyweight Champions have a rematch from a classic years ago as both SoCal Uncensored and #DemBoyz prepare to fight for the World Tag Team Championships. Will the Fallen Angel or the elder Briscoe brother get a big win in the Center Stage Arena?

The bell rings and there is no Code of Honor as these two circle. They tie up and Briscoe gets Daniels on teh ropes. They go around the ring and end up in a corner. Briscoe backs off, but then shoves Daniels. Daniels shoves back, and Briscoe fires off. Daniels blocks to fire back and whip. Briscoe reverses but Daniels dodges the elbow to give a forearm. Daniels whips and hits a big dropkick! Fans fire up with “SCU! SCU!” but Daniels runs into an elbow. Daniels dodges then throws Briscoe out. He takes aim, Arabian Press already! The moonsault wipes Briscoes out with some speed, and Daniels keeps going by throwing Briscoe into barriers.

They go back in the ring, and Daniels whips Briscoe corner to corner. He hits a big corner forearm, then stomps a mudhole into Briscoe. The referee backs Daniels but Briscoe gives him a buckle complete shot! Briscoe gets back in control while we go to break.

ROH returns and fans rally for Daniels. But Briscoe rakes Daniels’ face as he puts him against the ropes! Briscoe whips Daniels then dropkicks him. Cover, TWO, and Briscoe grows frustrated. Daniels is also frustrated, but he gets the fans rally up. Briscoe stomps Daniels and tells the fans to shut up. Fans boo instead as Briscoe wraps Daniels in a chinlock. Daniels endures and fans rally up again. Daniels feeds off the energy to fight out with elbows. Briscoe headbutts him to a corner, then runs in. Daniels dodges and runs, to rally with forearms and lariats. He whips Briscoe but Briscoe reverses, only to get a kick, an STO and some fast hands! Daniels drags Briscoe up for a whip into a Blue Thunder Bomb! Cover, TWO!

Daniels calls for the Wings, and brings Briscoe up. He double underhooks but Briscoe powers him to a corner. Briscoe kicks low then turns Daniels, but Daniels pushes out. Briscoe hits back with a spinning forearm, then he gives Daniels his double underhook. Daniels back drops out, then slams him with a urenage. He calls for the moonsault, but Mark Briscoe attacks with a chair!!

Winner: Christopher Daniels, by disqualification

The fans boo and jeer as the younger Briscoe robs us of a classic match. Mark keeps going, too, as he SMACKS Daniels across the back again! Mark rains right hands and then passes the chair to Jay. But here come Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky! The SCU scare off #DemBoyz, but this is far from over. Will the Briscoes #ManUp and do things fair and square in their ROH World Tag Team title match?

ROH takes another look at the ROH World Championship Ironman Match, Jay Lethal VS Jonathan Gresham!

On Episode 364, we will have The Octopus and The Franchise go 1v1 for no less than 30 minutes. Lethal admits he underestimated Gresham in their second-ever match, back on April 15th, 2018 at Masters of the Craft. Gresham talks destiny. His destiny. At Masters of the Craft, Lethal wasn’t the ROH WHC. But now he is. Lethal also admits Gresham pushed him to his limits, so it’s not just Gresham who wants this rematch. Lethal wants this rematch and the fans want this rematch, the fans deserve this rematch. Gresham has wanted this his entire career.

Gresham is 0-2 but he’s still getting the chance of his life time. Lethal admits yet again that he narrowly won their first match and that he survived the second. But this third time, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.” Gresham brings his best and wants Lethal’s best. There is no better place for Gresham to win that title than in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. No less than 30 minutes, but it will be more than enough for Lethal to prove to everyone, including himself, that he’s the best. We have two more weeks until this guaranteed wrestling clinic begins. Who will prove that they are the best wrestler in ROH?

Flip Gordon VS Silas Young!

The Captain of Flip Army has had to deal with a bully in none other than Bully Ray Dudley as of late, but he now has to focus on The Last Real Man tonight. Silas had words for Flip, admitting Flip is as talented as they come. But if sky’s the limit for Flip, then Silas is outer space. Silas promises to make Flip see he’s just a boy in a man’s world. Flip’s response is that the last time these two were in the ring, it was for the ROH World Television Championship, and Flip lost. But a lot has changed since then, and Flip’s going to prove it. Will Flip show Silas he isn’t the last real man anymore?

Fans chant for Flip as he offers a Code of Honor handshake. Silas doesn’t take it, and the bell rings. Silas knees low and clubs Flip on the back. He chops Flip in the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Flip goes up and over to arm-drag Silas around. Silas bails out but Flip builds speed, only to run into a haymaker! Silas slingshot stomps in, then stands on Flip. He backs off at the ref’s count of 4, then finally takes off the shirt to throw it at Flip. He then stomps a mudhole into Flip, stopping at another count of 4. Silas stands Flip up for chops, then whips him hard corner to corner. Flip hits buckles then mat, Silas covers, TWO!

Silas trash talks Flip as he grabs hair. Flip fights back but gets rocked with Silas’ right. Silas mocks the Flip chants but fans chant genuinely. Silas puts Flip in a corner, snapmares him hard out of it, then wraps on a chinlock. He grinds Flip to the mat, but fans rally up. Flip gets up and fights out but Silas clubs him down. Silas whips Flip to a corner, then runs in. Flip boots him away, then slips out to swing kick him back. Flip springboards for a missile dropkick! Fans fire up with Flip and he runs corner to corner for a big dropkick! He hoists Silas up top then gives the Kinder Surprise! Silas tumbles down and out, but Flip keeps going. Flip FLIES! And lands on his feet! Flip rains forearms down then roars with fans while we go to break.

ROH returns and Flip has Silas down again. Flip climbs up as Silas stands. Flip aims and gives a big crossbody! Cover, TWO! Flip catches his breath and brings Silas up in a fireman’s carry but Silas slips out. Silas shoves Flip but Flip hops onto the ropes to then springboard SPEAR Silas down! Cover, TWO! Flip grows a bit frustrated, but fans rally up for him. Flip runs in at Silas, but Silas dodges and Flip hits buckles. He lands on his feet, but Silas grabs him for a back suplex. Flip slips out to then run, but into the backbreaker and lariat! Cover, TWO! Now Silas grows frustrated, and he grits his teeth as he drags Flip up.

Silas has the full nelson, but Flip uses the spin to roll Silas up. Silas rolls out of it, and kicks low to rock Flip with a knee! Then the suplex, hanging swinging neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Silas is shocked but Flip is fired up all over again! Fans fire up with Flip even as Silas toys with him. Silas dares Flip to do something, so Flip fires a forearm. Silas says that wasn’t good enough, so Flip gives another, but Silas rocks him right back. “This is how a man gets it done,” Silas brags as he drags Flip up. Silas suplexes but Flip counters with a Falcon Arrow!

Both men are down but slowly stirring with the 10 count. Flip and Silas sit up at about 6, and Silas throws a haymaker. Flip gives a forearm, and then more forearms. He kicks but misses, to hit on the return! Flip runs but Silas reels him in by the waistband. Flip elbows Silas away, then runs, but into a boot! PELE! Fans fire up while Silas is dazed. Flip stares him down forehead to forehead, and they start trading forearms. They pick up speed as they go back and forth, and Silas staggers. Silas still gives one back and Flip staggers, but Flip comes back again. They go back and forth, slowing down, but Flip gets an edge. Flip runs, but into a forearm from Silas. Silas runs but Flip follows to roll up and clutch! FLIP WINS!!

Winner: Flip Gordon, by pinfall

It was a surprise, but it was also a win for Flip! Flip still wants to uphold the Code of Honor, but here comes Bully!! Low blow uppercut from behind! The good-for-nothing Hall of Fame wrestler stares at Silas. Silas stares back, but it seems Bully is disappointed in the Last Real Man. Bully takes his leave without a word, but will Flip get the last word in this fight?

Marty Scurll speaks.

Well first he laughs. “Congratulations, Kenny King.” He has embraced his inner Villain. Did it feel good? Scurll is sure it did. Enjoy the feeling while it lasts, because this Villain is out to get his revenge. Will the K I N G regret causing a spot of bother for Marty?

Kenny King responds.

In regards to him cheating the Villain, “a change was necessary.” This time last year, Kenny King had just finished his part in the Bachelorette and was so happy to be back in the ring to be the best he could be. He did that, by becoming the World Television Champion with his daughter in the audience. King was feeling like a king, until Austin Aries took advantage of him. Kenny was no longer the student, he’s the master, and he should’ve finished his friend turned enemy. But he didn’t, so he lost.

But let’s look at history. The 16-time World Champion Ric Flair is the Dirtiest Player in the Game. So if you gotta be the dirtiest to be a 16-time, Kenny’s okay getting a little dirty just to win once. “Don’t get it twisted, man, I’m not the bad guy.” Kenny isn’t a Villain, but if he has to do what it takes to win, then he’ll do it. Kenny’s got options, that’s all. Will he use these options the next time he faces Scurll?

NWA Worlds Champion, Nick Aldis, joins commentary!

With All-In on the horizon, he wants to make sure the American Nightmare keeps up his end of the deal. They’re each to put something up in their match. Aldis puts up his NWA title, but will Cody have a title to put up in return? That’ll have to be seen in the main event, up next!

ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Kingdom VS Cody & The Young Bucks!

Matt Taven, TK O’Ryan & Vinnie Marseglia have cried conspiracy for a long, long time, because it took them roughly a year to get a rematch for the titles they never lost. Now they cry conspiracy whenever another trio gets a shot “too easily.” And they definitely shout conspiracy whenever it comes to ROH’s treatment of The Bullet Club. Even so, The American Nightmare will have to earn the titles alongside Matt & Nick Jackson tonight, can they do it?

ROH returns from a quick break to see Cody “hulk out” of his shirt, much to the enjoyment of the Georgia crowd. Cody starts with the Sassy Wild Horse, TK, at the bell. The two circle as fans build to a rally. TK calls for a test of strength and Cody accepts, only for Vinnie & Taven to blindside him! Vinnie & TK take out The Bucks while Taven stomps away on Cody. The Bucks are sent into railing then the apron while Taven keeps Cody down. Vinnie brings Nick all the way to the stage while TK & Taven regroup in the ring. The referee reprimands Taven & Vinnie, neither of them are legal. TK keeps on Cody at the ropes while Vinnie sends Nick back down to the ring.

TK & Vinnie keep on Cody while Taven argues with the ref. Vinnie & TK double suplex Cody but the Bucks bail him out! The Bucks show superkicks and that sends TK & Vinnie running! Taven comes in but Cody kicks him low to then triple whip with The Bucks. Taven gets back elbows, then is fed to the wheelbarrow uppercut to cutter! Fans fire up for the Bullet Club as TK runs in. Cody dodges him to back drop him high. The Bucks give TK double dropkicks, then see Vinnie come in. Vinnie gets kicks and Nick runs for the alley-oop dropkick! The Kingdom regroups on the outside, but get double slingshots from The Bucks! Taven somehow evades damage, but Cody triangle jumps onto him! Cody and Aldis stare down a second, but Cody goes back to the Bullet Club corner. Matt aims at TK but Vinnie creeps in to chop block!

The Horror King rains down rights while TK takes out Nick. TK throws Matt’s leg against the mat again and again, then drops a knee on it. Vinnie adds stomps, and fans boo and jeer. TK puts Matt into Taven’s boot, then Taven tags in. Matt fights back and throws Taven out. Taven “skins the cat” to then chopblock Matt again. Fans rally up but Taven drags Matt back. Tag to Vinnie and Vinnie takes that leg to drop elbows on it. Vinnie tags TK, and they split the wishbone. TK then hits Nick for good measure while Vinnie hits Cody. Cody rushes in but the ref holds him back. Taven holds Matt at the ropes for TK and Vinnie to double headbutt and double chop. Tag to Taven but fans rally up for Matt. Taven drags Matt around by the bad leg, to drop his own elbow on it.

Matt endures as Taven traps and twists the leg. Taven even punches away on the knee! Fans chant “Kingdom Sucks!” but Taven doesn’t care. He drags Matt over to tag in TK. TK drops an elbow then covers. TWO, and Matt fights back. TK rakes Matt’s eyes then runs, ducks Matt’s blind clothesline to then mule kick the bad leg out. Vinnie tags and drops a headbutt on the leg. The Kingdom has control while we go to break.

ROH returns as Matt is isolated in the Kingdom’s corner. Nick protests while Taven taunts. Taven turns around but into Matt’s boots! Matt fights out and hops up to missile dropkick Taven down! But that’s double-edged because of the bad leg. TK & Vinnie rush back in to take out Nick & Cody. They also knock Matt down, then drag him up to taunt on the ropes. They double whip but Matt breaks through to double clothesline them down! Fans rally up and Matt shoves Taven away. Hot tag to Nick! Nick rallies on The Kingdom with kicks! He gives Taven a shining wizard, then hits the bulldog clothesline combo! Vinnie has a balloon, and pops it! Taven goes after Nick with the King of the King! Cover, TWO! Taven rains down rights out of frustration. The referee has him back off but Taven argues with him.

Taven brings Nick up and whips. Nick sunset flips but Taven rolls through. Nick ducks the knee and clothesline, hot tag to Cody! Cody throws Taven down and slips out of the back suplex. Cody gives TK the Beautiful Disaster, then goes up and over Taven to powerslam Vinnie! Taven runs for the Oklahoma Roll but Cody rolls out. Cody grabs Taven in the dragon sleeper but Taven snapmares out of Cross Rhodes. Cody gets a takedown, and The Bucks come back in just as Vinnie & TK do. TK & Vinnie throw The Bucks out as Cody turns Taven over for the Sharpshooter. The Bucks slingshot sunset flip back in, and they get TK & Vinnie in Sharpshooters, too! It’s a Triple Cease! The Kingdom all endure while fans chant “The! Elite! The the Elite!”

TK and Vinnie get to ropes but that doesn’t matter. However, Taven also gets to ropes, so Cody lets him go. The Bullet Club regroup and fans rally up for Cody. Cody goes after Taven with a corner to corner whip. He sees Taven going up and over and gets the dragon sleeper, but Vinnie bicycle boots Cody down. Matt returns to SUPERKICK Vinnie! TK gives Matt a rocking haymaker, but Nick comes in. They bob ‘n’ weave with each other until Nick gets a SUPERKICK! Taven grabs Nick for a snapmare and Just The Tip shining wizard. Cody springboard dropkicks Taven! Cody drags Taven up, but Vinnie comes in with another balloon. Vinnie kicks low, but Matt SUPERKICKS the balloon in Vinnie’s ear!

The Bucks double SUPERKICK TK out! Cody joins them to Triple SUPERKICK Taven! Cover, TWO!? Taven surprises the Bullet Club, but the fans rally up again. Nick and TK brawl while Cody hits Cross Rhodes! Cover, but TK manages to drag Cody off just in time. TK drags Cody all the way out ot bump him off the apron. The Bucks get TK in the headscissor dropkick but TK falls on Cody. The Bucks run but Vinnie trips them up. Vinnie DIVES on Cody, but Matt wrecks him and TK with a dropkick. Matt holds the ropes and Nick FLIES onto them both. Taven hits Matt, then runs, to FLY on everyone! He even lands on his feet. But wait, Brandi is up top!? Taven returns to the ring while she FLIES onto the others! Taven didn’t even notice he was so absorbed in himself.

But wait, Burnard the Bear wants in? He taunts Taven, but then decides that was a mistake. Taven swing kicks him down! Cody rolls Taven up! ONE, but Cody gets the dragon sleeper. Taven escapes and hits Climax! Vinnie climbs up, for Redrum Swanton! Cover, but Matt breaks it just in time! All six men are down and Brandi checks on Burnard. Fans know “This is Awesome!” but Aldis only has criticisms. Matt and Nick stand first and go after TK & Vinnie. Cody and Taven brawl and it’s back and forth all over. Vinnie throws Matt out, TK throws Nick out, and they regroup with Taven. Powerbomb lift, but SUPERKICKS!! Cody drops down to throw Taven out. Taven hangs on, only to get SUPERKICKS! Vinnie is up, but runs into Cross Rhodes! Cover, The Bullet Club wins!!

Winners: The Bullet Club, Cody pinning; NEW ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions

But wait! Taven was legal, not Vinnie! This pin shouldn’t count! The announcement is made but Taven still protests. Taven headbutts the referee down! Controversy and conspiracy aside, that’s uncalled for. Aldis also doesn’t like this, because he might be facing such confusion and miscommunication in his match with Cody. Will ROH officials sort this out? Or is the conspiracy realer than we thought?

My Thoughts:

A pretty wild episode tonight from top to bottom. Daniels VS Jay Briscoe was fun, but Mark Briscoe attacking should’ve been expected. It’s been the way The Briscoes have been since turning Heel and getting those tag titles back. The tag title match should be pretty great, but maybe it needs to be made into something that keeps the Champions’ Advantage happening. At the very least, a No Disqualification Tornado Tag would be good for these four teams and their increasingly personal feud. And as before, I would think The Addiction/SCU winning the belts to then go from hunters to the hunted makes their story of the contract countdown more compelling.

Flip VS Silas was great, I love that springboard spear. He needs to make that a standard move. But even better was Flip winning, because he’s really done great and deserves some solid wins like this. Bully Ray attacking was logical per the story, but I like the idea that not even a Heel like Silas is exempt from whatever Heel philosophy Bully follows. Bully VS Silas sounds good, and I’m curious if this turns into some kind of turn for Silas. Kenny King’s own story sounds like it could become a Heel turn for him, and he might as well. Scurll is Face despite being The Villain, so Kenny might as well become Heel again just to freshen things up.

That main event was pretty incredible. The Kingdom and Bullet Club have so much history, both teams are so talented, and it was a nice touch to have Nick Aldis present and on commentary to plug All-In. It was a perfect touch for there to be a controversial finish where Bullet Club wins the titles, because for once, it legitimizes their “It’s a conspiracy!” gimmick. It was getting annoying weeks ago when there was the Six Man Tag Gauntlet, but now it’s looking real. Aldis agrees with The Kingdom more out of general fairness, butt I’m pretty sure it’s also because he doesn’t want a tag title in return for a singles title. There’s literally one episode of ROH before All-In (it’s same day) and I’m wondering if they’ve planned to clear this up in that episode.

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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Coverage

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

Prepare for Backlash!

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

Backstage interview with Naomi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Backstage interview with Bayley.

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

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

Paul Heyman talks with Solo Sikoa.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heyman goes to the parking lot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall

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

VIP Skybox interview with Damage CTRL!

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

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

Cody Rhodes speaks.

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

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

WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10

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

Coverage

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

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

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

LSG vs Joe Hendry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6.5/10

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

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

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

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