Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Results & Report! (9/11/18)

Published

6 years ago

September 12, 2018

The Cruiserweight Champion takes on his enemies with The Stamina Monster by his side! Can Alexander and Tozawa together shut both Gulak and Gallagher up?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Buddy Murphy VS Gran Metalik; Murphy wins.
Mustafa Ali VS Michael Thompson; Ali wins.
Cedric Alexander & Akira Tozawa VS Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher; Gulak & Gallagher win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drake Maverick sets the scene for tonight’s 205 Live!

The King of the Ropes takes on the Cruiserweight Juggernaut for the first time in 1v1 action. Gran Metalik bested one of the Body Guys in Tony Nese, but can he do it again against Buddy Murphy? Or will Buddy Murphy build momentum towards returning home to Melbourne for Super Show Down and his Cruiserweight Championship match?

Then, a tag team main event sees the Philly Fury and his ally in the Ungentle Gentleman take on the Soul and the Stamina of 205 Live. Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher go up against Cedric Alexander and Akira Tozawa as Gulak continues to pursue his own title match. Alexander remains undefeated after a main event match with TJP. However, Gulak and Gallagher would again attack, and put Alexander in the GuLOCK. Can Alexander get payback with Tozawa’s help? Or will Gulak actually prove himself worthy with a win tonight? For that matter, what happens if Tozawa or Gallagher make great impressions on the WWE Universe and Maverick tonight?

Buddy Murphy VS Gran Metalik!

The countdown is on for when the Juggernaut becomes the hometown hero against Cedric Alexander. Murphy has his chance at the Cruiserweight Championship, but he must first see if he can gain points for his team against the Lucha House Party. The King of the Ropes is on a roll, will he get the Body Guy sweep?

Just as last week, the tag team partners must stay backstage so that there won’t be any hijinks like before. Therefore, Metalik and Murphy are truly 1v1 as the bell rings. Murphy and Metalik circle as Lafayette chant “Lucha! Lucha!” Murphy gets a waistlock but Metalik the standing switch, only for Murphy to standing switch again. Metalik slips out of the back suplex but Murphy gets a headlock takeover. Fans duel as Metalik headscissors and Murphy pops out. Metalik knocks Murphy over for the cover, ONE. Murphy returns the favor and covers, ONE. The two stand off and fans like the evenly matched action. Murphy kicks but Metalik spins him around. Metalik waistlocks but Murphy elbows out again. Things speed up and Murphy misses Metalik as he handsprings. Metalik hits a huricanrana and a dropkick!

Murphy bails out and Metalik builds speed. Metalik slides but Murphy ducks under to then rock him with a right! Murphy throws Metalik into barriers, then all the way to the far side barriers. The 10 count begins so Murphy puts Metalik back in. He takes too long trash talking and Metalik wrecks him with a dropkick. Metalik jumps over the swipe, then mule kicks. Metalik climbs, SUPER ASAI! Direct hit takes out Murphy, but Metalik is slow to getting up. Metalik puts Murphy back in then covers, TWO! Metalik keeps on Murphy but Murphy blocks teh fireman’s carry. Murphy throws elbows, then puts Metalik on teh apron. He throws Metalik’s face right into the post! Metalik slumps to the floor, but Murphy doesn’t leave him out. Murphy puts Metalik in then covers, ONE. Murphy kicks Metalik right across the back!

Fans chant “Juggernaut! Juggernaut!” as Murphy puts a chinlock on. Metalik endures, working to get back up. Murphy hooks the mask, then wrenches harder. Metalik gets up but Murphy forces him back down. Murphy puts his weight on Metalik but Metalik refuses to quit. Metalik stands up again and fans slowly build to a rally. Metalik powers Murphy to a corner but Murphy holds on. He tries again, but Murphy still holds on. Metalik goes for another buckle bump but Murphy slings him into the buckles instead. Murphy throws strong right hands, then drags Metalik up to the top rope. Murphy climbs up but Metalik fights back. Metalik chops Murphy, bumps his head off buckles, then adjusts, for a SUPER Sunset Bomb!

But Metalik can’t make the cover, he’s too sore. However, Metalik drags himself up to swing kick Murphy away. Metalik springboards for the crossbody! Then he boots Murphy away, for the Sling-Dog! Metalik chops Murphy again, then whips. Murphy reverses but Metalik hits the springboard back elbow! Cover, TWO! Metalik grows frustrated but he keeps on Murphy. He fireman’s carry but Murphy fights out. Murphy shoves but gets a SUPERKICK! Metalik moonsaults, then goes back up top, only for Murphy to trip him up! Murphy climbs up and has Metalik. Metalik fights back and sends Murphy down. Metalik stands, but has to land on his feet. He walks the ropes, into a powerbomb! Cover, TWO into a spinning sit-out bomb! Cover, TWO!! Murphy can’t believe that Metalik survives, but is just as exhausted now.

Murphy stands to throw a hand, but Metalik chops back. Metalik goes to chop again but Murphy gives his strike fest. But Metalik avoids the knee to SUPERKICK! Then fireman’s carry, but Murphy slips out to boot! Murphy runs, into a BIG clothesline! Metalik fireman’s carry, Metalik Driver! Cover, TWO!? Now Murphy shocks Metalik by surviving! Metalik drags himself back up and stomps on Murphy. Fans build to a rally as Murphy throws Metalik to the apron. Metalik springboards back in, but is caught. He fights out with elbows, but Murphy blocks the kick. Murphy flips Metalik, Metalik lansd on his feet, but his knee jams. Yet Metalik still backhands Murphy! Murphy staggers but still knee triggers Metalik! Murphy drags Metalik up, pumphandle, Murphy’s Law! Cover, Murphy wins!

Winner: Buddy Murphy, by pinfall

The Juggernaut outlasts the King of the Ropes and gains major momentum towards Melbourne! Will Murphy’s homecoming be his crowning moment?

Murphy speaks.

“I’ve said it before, and I’m gonna say it again! You can’t stop the unstoppable.” The bigger, faster, stronger Cruiserweight got this victory, but this is just a small step forward towards Super Show Down, where he becomes the NEW Cruiserweight Champion! Murphy has all the confidence in the world, but will he grab the title he’s worked so hard to have?

Cedric Alexander talks with Mustafa Ali backstage.

The Soul is glad to see the Heart of 205 Live is back, things haven’t been the same without him. Ali was losing his mind on the sidelines, but he’s sure he’s fine and is ready to be back in the ring. Although, Ali does wish he was tagging with Alexander to take on Gulak & Gallagher in the main event. Alexander doesn’t wnat Ali to worry about that, just get back to where you need to be. Alexander is just fine with Tozawa, who is just as fired up not three feet away.

Tozawa pumps himself up, then looks over at Ali, and gives a smile and a wave. Ali and Alexander wave back. Tozawa returns to being intense, so Ali is confident he’ll work as a tag partner. Alexander and Tozawa trade “AH! AH!” Who will Ali meet in his return match? Will the Soul and Stamina work well together against the brains and brutality of Gulak and Gallagher?

Mustafa Ali VS Michael Thompson!

The Beacon of Light is back, but he gave us all quite a scare a little over a month ago, when he had a match with Hideo Itami. Ali was not only suffering from extreme exhaustion, but the Innovator of the GTS showed no mercy when he went off on Ali. Ali has since been recovering, but now he’s 100%! Will the Heart of 205 Live get back on track towards the title?

However, before the match begins, Hideo Itami makes his presence known. He walks out, a big smile on his face, and he tells “Mustafa-san” in Japanese, and then in English, that he came to watch Ali’s return because “I missed you.” Ali wants Itami to say hello face to face. Itami hopes Ali feels better, and “wishes” him good luck. Ali is furious now, and as the bell rings, he ducks Thompson and gives him a sharp chop! Ali chops and whips but Thompson reverses, only for Ali to dodge and dropkick! Thompson gets to a corner while Ali glares at Itami. Ali chops Thompson as if he were Itami, then whips him corner to corner. Thompson reverses and runs in but Ali goes up and over. Ali slips out and roundhouses Thompson back, then slingshots in for the X-Factor!

Ali glares at Itami, daring him to get a closer look at this match. But Itami doesn’t, and Ali gets yanked into buckles! Thompson reels Ali in, but Ali slips out of the back suplex to SUPERKICK! Then Ali springboards for the tornado DDT! ?Thompson flounders into a drop zone, and Ali makes sure Itami watches this. Maverick is watching this backstage, too, as Ali climbs up. Ali hits the 0-5-4! Cover, Ali wins!

Winner: Mustafa Ali, by pinfall

Ali keeps his eyes locked on Itami, even as Itami laughs and “applauds”. Itami may not want to get in the ring with Ali, but Ali is chomping at the bit for their rematch. When and where will Maverick give Ali what he wants?

Drake Maverick meets with Drew Gulak and Jack Gallagher.

The GM is excited for tonight’s main event, but hopes things don’t fall into chaos as they tend to with them. Gulak answered Alexander’s challenge, there was just… Well nevermind what that was. Tonight’s priority is to win an inspirational moral victory for THE Brian Kendrick, who is again sidelined because of an injury from Akira Tozawa. Gallagher believes that any chaos happening on 205 Live is more because Maverick is “preoccupied” with the Authors of Pain. Maverick says AoP does not get in the way of 205 or vice versa. Though he could arrange a meeting between G&G and AoP if they want. No, that’s just fine. Gulak wishes to put things behind them, and wants to build a positive working relationship once he’s Cruiserweight Champion. Gulak & Gallagher take their leave, but will they take the win tonight?

Noam Dar speaks.

The Scottish Supernova wants Lio Rush to know that he understands. Dar was once the “young hotshot” of 205 Live, which is why Lio feels so confident as the “23 year old piece of gold”. But Dar was here at 22, so if Lio wants to see what the hype is about, just meet him in the ring, “dafty”.

Lio Rush responds.

The Man of the Hour hopes Dar learned something from Akira Tozawa. “Keep the Man of the Hour’s name out of your mouth.” There is a difference between the two of them. Dar hit his peak, but as seen on Raw last night, Lio has big things ahead of him. Only now does Dar want to step to Lio Rush? Bad move, because next week, the Supernova will #FeelTheRush. The youngest, fastest and cockiest stars in the WWE Universe will shine, but which one will shine the brightest?

Cedric Alexander & Akira Tozawa VS Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher!

The Ungentlemanly Alliance promised #NoTitleNoPeace when they wrecked one of Akira Tozawa’s matches not too long ago. But then when Tozawa got his revenge on the Man with a Plan, Kendrick ended up injured and out of action. Now only Gulak and Gallagher remain standing, will Alexander and Tozawa finish them off so the champ can focus on his Super Show Down challenger?

The bell rings and Gulak starts against Alexander. This is the match up both have wanted, and some fans chant “Drew 0 5 Live!” in support of Gulak’s continuing campaign. Gulak taunts Alexander as they circle. They tie up and trade waistlocks. Alexander throws Gulak down but Gulak spins it around to a wristlock. Alexander spins back to mule kick. Gulak narrowly avoids the Lumbar Check and gets to his corner. Gallagher tags in and Gulak takes his time obeying the rules. Gallagher stays near his corner but then circles with Alexander. He gets a wristlock, but Alexander reverses back and into a hammerlock. Alexander shifts to a headlock and takeover. He denies Gallagher the headscissors, but Gallagher works his way up and out.

Gallagher tortures the wrist and fingers, but Alexander rolls and handsprings. Alexander headscissors and dropkicks Gallagher down, then dares Gulak to do something. Alexander brings Gallagher over and tags to Tozawa. Tozawa chops Gallagher, then Alexander chops Gallagher. Tozawa chops Gallagher agian, Alexander fakes the chop, and then they both jab! Gallagher staggers about, but manages to tag Gulak. Gulak runs in, but into the jab! Fans fire up with Tozawa as he whips Gulak. Gulak sunset flips but Tozawa rolls through to Penalty Kick and screaming senton! Cover, ONE! Tozawa keeps his cool as he stomps Gulak. Gulak hits back with body shtos and knees. Gulak whips but Tozawa speeds things up, tilt-o-whirl into the Octopus Stretch! Tozawa shouts “AH! AH!” while wrenching, but Gulak still gets to ropes for the ropebreak.

Tozawa lets Gulak go, and Gulak scurries to ropes on the other side. Gulak asks for mercy, but Tozawa just gives him kicks. Tozawa puts on a headlock, but Gulak powers out while Gallagher tags in. Gallagher and Gulak both miss, but they catch Tozawa’s crossbody for a double slam. Gualk drops an elbow while Gallagher bends Tozawa in the Skyder Stretch. Fans rally up for Tozawa as he wriggles to ropes and gets the ropebraek. Gallagher lets go, to then stomp Tozawa. Cover, ONE, but Gallagher keeps on Tozawa with an armlock. Gulak wants Gallagher to punish Tozawa, and he does with those knees. Tag to Gulak and they mug Tozawa. Fans rally and duel while Gulak taunts Alexander. Gulak tags Gallagher back in, and they continue to mug Tozawa.

Tozawa fights back with body shots to Gallagher, but Gallagher rocks him with a European Uppercut. Cover, but Tozawa uses the ropes to break it. Gallagher brings Tozawa up for more knees, then whips. He gives Tozawa a knee in the corner, then tags Gulak back in. Gulak takes aim and boots Tozawa in the corner. Cover, TWO! Gulak drags Tozawa back up and holds him in a light sleeper hold while Gallagher tags in. Gallagher throws more body shots, then stays between Tozawa and Alexander. He grinds his foot into Tozawa, then cheap shots Alexander! Alexander gets in but the referee keeps him away, so Tozawa suffers even more mugging! Gulak tags in again, and he brings Tozawa up. Tozawa keeps fighting, but Gulak wrenches his arm into the rolling Russian leg sweep, deadlift to powerbomb! Cover, TWO!

Tozawa’s resilience annoys Gulak, but Alexander rallies the fans up. Gulak drags Tozawa up but TOzawa resists the bomb. Gulak tries again, but Tozawa slips out to a DDT! The referee checks on Gulak, but both men are okay to continue. They both crawl for their corners, hot tags to Gallagher and Alexander! Alexander rallies on Gallagher, blocking a kick to give that stiff back elbow! Alexander runs, handspring to Neuralizer enziguri! Cover, TWO! But that doesn’t slow Alexander down, he watches Gallagher stand up. He lifts, but Gallagher counters to a headlock takeover cover. TWO and Alexander makes it his cover, TWO! Gallagher runs into the Spanish Fly!! Cover, but Gulak breaks it!

Gulak grins at Alexander while Alexander glares daggers. Alexander is distracted, misses Gallagher but still boots him away. Alexander springboards but Gallagher gets under. Gulak creeps back in but Alexander immediately gets rid of him. Gallagher hits the Gentleman Dropkick! Cover, but Tozawa breaks it! Gallagher throws Tozawa out, then goes back to Alexander. Gulak tags in, and the two work together on the champ. Gallagher runs, and they hit Alexander with a high-low, clothesline and leg sweep! Cover, TWO!! Alexander survives the combination attack and fans rally up again. Gulak taunts Alexander, then tags Gallagher back in. They drag Alexander back up, but Alexander resists the double suplex. They get him up but he slips out! Alexander boots Gallagher, tag to Tozawa!

Alexander hip tosses Gulak out but goes out with him! Tozawa hits Gallagher with the missile dropkick! Fans fire up with Tozawa as he whips Gallagher. He back kicks, swings, slips under and rolling roundhouses! Gallagher bails out but Tozawa builds speed, to DIVE! The Tozawa Torpedo hits! Tozawa puts Gallagher back in, then climbs up top. Fans echo “AH! AH!” and Tozawa leaps for the SUPER Senton! But Gulak drags Gallagher out of harm’s way!

Alexander tackles Gulak but Gallagher clobbers him. Gallagher rocks Alexander with the EuroUpper, then Gulak adds a stiff chop. Gulak throws Alexander at a post and he goes flying! Gallagher hits Tozawa with the Gentleman’s Headbutt! Then tag to Gulak, for the GuLOCK! Fans duel as Gualk says this is for a #Better205Live! Tozawa taps, Gulak & Gallagher win!

Winners: Jack Gallagher & Drew Gulak, Gulak by submission

The cruel winter has come back as Gallagher & Gulak use shrewd tactics and ruthless aggression to get the better of a former and the current Cruiserweight Champions. Alexander vows to make this a war Gulak won’t win, but has the #AgeofAlexander already come to an end?

Backstage interview with Drake Maverick.

After seeing that main event, has he anything to say? Maverick must congratulate the winners, and knows what must happen. Gulak is undeniable as a contender, and clearly Alexander wants after him, too. Therefore, next week, we will get our Cruiserweight Championship match of Alexander VS Gulak. Will this war come to an end already? Who moves on to meet Murphy in Melbourne?

My Thoughts:

This was a rather packed episode right here for only being under 50 minutes. Maverick returns to give us the rundown, so that meant there were no surprises that he’d spoil. This segment has clearly become just a way to fill time while switching ring decor from SmackDown’s to 205’s, which is smart but also a bit silly. However, I do appreciate that Maverick’s story on Raw is being used here as grounds for the Heel talent to question Maverick’s focus. I wonder if there will come a point where it really does start to become a problem. Or at the least, he starts using Akam & Rezar as his muscle like he implied to do with Gulak & Gallagher. Unfortunately, that would lead to one side being buried over the other, so maybe he shouldn’t.

I like the Dar and Lio promos, and their match next week is going to be great. I feel like Lio wins this first-time-ever so that he stays undefeated, but I could see them having a series and Dar gets at least one win so he can rub it in. Ali’s return was great, because they used his squash of Michael Thompson (who wore a spade with the letter J on it so his real name must be based on that) as a way for Itami to taunt Ali from a distance. Ali VS Itami has to happen again, and I really hope it is a true #1 contender’s match. If Ali comes out that the winner to give us another amazing rematch, I would hope Ali gets the win from there. Other than Alexander, Ali has been the strongest Face, so why delay him any longer?

Metalik VS Murphy was great, another match that took a moment to get going, but it got the fans into it by the end. Naturally Murphy wins for both keeping the Body Guys from looking weak against just one third of the Lucha House Party, as well as for Murphy’s singles strength since he’s going to face the champion at Super Show Down. The main event tag match was another great match, 205 Live main events have been consistent in that. It works that Tozawa takes the fall at Gulak’s hands, and now we get Alexander VS Gulak for the title. Again, it would be shocking if Gulak wins, and that’s a good thing. In Melbourne, Murphy will be Face just on hometown appeal, so it’s fine if it’s Heel VS Heel from American perspectives.

At the same time, Murphy probably won’t win, I still expect him and Nese to be part of the (potential) tag team title scene. Therefore, I expect the champion to retain at Super Show Down, whether it’s Alexander or Gulak. Gulak getting to be that champion and then facing Ali would be so great for their rivalry from last year, bringing things full circle in a way. I also like Ali wanting to tag with Alexander, the Cruiserweight Division should at least allow its superstars to fluidly go between the singles and tag titles since there aren’t that many of them right now, and aren’t competing for Raw or SmackDown tag titles. The Heart & Soul would be an unstoppable team given their combined ability and popularity.

My Score: 8.2/10

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

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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (9/11/18)

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/10/24)

This tournament is phenomenal!

Published

3 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown’s brackets are set!

The King & Queen of the Ring tournaments began on Monday Night Raw, and they continue here on SmackDown! But will AJ Styles use the crown to redeem himself from Backlash? Or will there soon be a King Viper?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Queen of the Ring: Naomi VS Nia Jax; Nia wins and advances.
King of the Ring: Carmelo Hayes VS Baron Corbin; Melo wins and advances.
Queen of the Ring: Jade Cargill VS Piper Niven; Jade wins and advances.
Queen of the Ring: Bianca Belair VS Candice LeRae; Bianca wins and advances.
King of the Ring: Tama Tonga VS Angelo Dawkins; Tama wins and advances.
King of the Ring: Randy Orton VS AJ Styles; Orton wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to SmackDown live from a sold out Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilks-Barre, Pennsylvania!” The fans fire up for that! Aldis continues to say there are huge King & Queen of the Ring matches here tonight, but before that, please welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up and sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the fans even more fired up before going down the ramp and to the ring. Cody shakes hands with Aldis, gets himself a mic, and hears the fans chant his name.

Aldis tells Cody congratulations on the successful defense against AJ Styles at Backlash. Never a small feat getting your hand raised against the best of a generation. But now, we turn our attention to the KQOTR event in Saudi Arabia. And Aldis knows Cody well, has heard him say it, and knows it already: Cody is a fighting champion. Cody wants to defend against the very best as often as he can. That said, Aldis brought Cody out here tonight to let him know his next challenger has already been determined. And Aldis thought there was no better time to introduce him than right here and now.

We all turn to the ramp to see… LOGAN PAUL!? The Mohegan Sun Arena rains down boos on The Maverick United States Champion as he makes his way out here. Logan shakes Aldis’ hand, then steps into the ring with Cody. United States Champion circles with Undisputed Champion before getting himself a mic. The fans continue to boo Logan but Logan doesn’t let that bother him. Cody speaks first, “So… Logan Paul.” Logan wants to hear that again. “So… Logan Paul…” The fans boo harder each time, and Cody says he already knows what Logan wants to talk about.

Logan says yes he does, brother! Main eventing the KQOTR PLE, Champion VS Champion with THE Cody Rhodes. It will truly kick off the Logan Paul Levesque Era! The fans boo and chant “LOGAN SUCKS! LOGAN SUCKS!” Cody tells Logan that Champion VS Champion is a challenge he certainly likes. Because the fact is, holding not one but two- Oh, see, that’s the thing, Cody. Facts don’t care about feelings, and neither does Logan. And here’s some facts: Logan Paul, not Cody, is the longest reigning champion in the WWE. He is the greatest attraction in this company. He had the greatest rookie year of all time. And Logan is a superstar.

Logan saw that there’s a fan with a birthday today. Congrats, Isaiah, you met a superstar, and his name is Logan Paul. Happy Birthday! But hey, Cody’s great! He’s a superstar, too! Yeah, Cody won the 2023 Royal Rumble. But what does everyone remember from that night? Logan Paul’s viral midair collision with Ricochet, The Crash Seen ‘Round the World! And yes, Cody won at WrestleMania 40, but what was everyone talking about that night? Logan, IShowSpeed, and Prime. Logan’s brand, Logan’s ideas, Logan’s moment. And look who’s taking all the credit. See, three years ago, another fact: Cody and Logan both debuted at Mania.

The fans chant “PRIME SUCKS! PRIME SUCKS!” and that annoys Logan. Logan says Prime has 20 calories and two grams of sugar, so shut up, Pennsylvania! The fans boo more but Logan has more facts for the “virgin inbreds.” These two men came to WWE on the same night. And since then, Logan’s been the fuel for the rocket ship that is the WWE. So his question for Cody is: how can Cody #FinishTheStory when it isn’t even his story? So what’s Logan gonna talk about? Him knocking Cody out on top of his logo, walking out as THE WWE Champion! The fans still chant “LOGAN SUCKS!” but Cody takes a moment.

Cody bets a lot of people standing across from Logan just assume, “What a dumbass.” The fans cheer that! As fun as that would be, he won’t call Logan a podcaster, YouTuber, outsider, influencer, any of that. It isn’t just a fad for Logan, Cody’s gotten a sense for who Logan really is, and so have the fans. Logan went toe-to-toe with Floyd Mayweather. Made Forbes’ 40 Under 40. And Logan won the United States Championship. But since we’re all going over facts, the fact is, if Cody were to win that US Championship, that’d make him a Grand Slam Champion! The fans like the sound of that!

Logan lifts his mic but Cody stops him! Cody says he is not done. In addition to all the positives that Logan is, Logan is also disrespectful, self-centered, delusional, and cannot go a single match without using brass knucks! And Logan is out here taking credit for something that doesn’t belong to him, or to Cody. This right here is a team! And at the KQOTR event, Logan will find out where he stands on that team. Cody lifts his title high, but so does Logan. Who will be the one man that holds them both at the end of this?

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

Kayla Braxton is with the Phenomenal One and brings up his first round match with The Viper, Randy Orton. How prepared is he feeling? Before that, Styles wants to talk Backlash. How Styles had Cody on the ropes, had him beat, and Cody knows it. Lyon, France knows it. That’s why they were doing the chants and the singalongs, all to distract Styles. Mission accomplished. It should be Styles facing Logan and defending that title. But just know this: Cody, the next time you and Styles meet, Styles WILL beat you. And Styles will earn another title match, and that starts tonight. Winning King of the Ring is a Phenomenal Step in the right direction.

Styles heads out, he didn’t even mention Randy by name. But will that only earn him an RKO outta nowhere and right outta the tournament?

Queen of the Ring: Naomi VS Nia Jax!

Speaking of falling short for a title, The Glow felt some of that at Backlash in that Triple Threat. But likewise, The Irresistible Force has been just out of reach of a title herself. Who will step over the other to step closer to the throne?

SmackDown returns and Nia makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two stare down. The fans rally up, Nia pie faces Naomi, so Naomi SLAPS back! Naomi fires forearms, Nia shoves her away then CLOBBERS her! Nia dribbles Naomi off the mat, then she drags Naomi up to whip to a corner. Naomi hits buckles hard, Nia soaks up heat, and Nia runs up to SPLASH! Nia TOSSES Naomi away, then soaks up more heat. Nia runs in again to SPLASH, and then she shoves Naomi down. Nia runs to drop an elbow! The fans rally for Naomi but Nia kicks her around. Nia stands Naomi up, puts her in another corner, then runs in again, but Naomi dodges!

Nia is caught in ropes, Naomi KICKS the leg, a QR code pops in, and then Naomi CHOP BLOCKS Nia! Naomi headlocks to BUCKLE BULLDOG! Nia staggers away, comes back, but Naomi dodges to POST her! Naomi sees Nia tumble out, then she builds speed! Naomi DIVES and sends Nia into barriers! Naomi then fires hands, but Nia shoves her into the apron! Nia fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP to the floor! The fans boo while Naomi is down, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Nia grinds Naomi with a cobra clutch! Naomi fights up and JAWBREAKERS free! Naomi KNEES Nia, ROCKS her, then ROCKS her again! But Nia HEADBUTTS Naomi down! The fans boo but Nia motions wearing a crown. Nia brings Naomi up, hangs her out to dry, then HEADBUTTS her down again! Naomi tumbles to the floor, but Nia soaks up the heat. Nia wants the ring count and it begins. Nia counts along with a lot of sass, but Naomi sits up at 4 of 10. Nia tells the fans to kiss this while we pass 5, but Naomi is on the apron. Nia storms over, Naomi HOTSHOTS her!

Naomi slingshots up and over, but Nia stays up! Only for Naomi to avoid the hip drop! The fans fire up while both women are down! Naomi rises again, the fans rally up, and Naomi fires forearms! Naomi whips, Nia blocks! Nia whips, but Naomi slides under! Naomi LARIATS but Nia stays up! Naomi runs to UPPERCUT but still Nia stays up! Naomi springboards, FLYING CHUCK! Nia drops to her knees and the fans fire up! Naomi feeds off that energy and springboards again, but Nia catches her! But Naomi slips out to the apron, ROUNDHOUSE, and then she reels Nia in through the ropes! HEATSEEKER!

Naomi hurries up to the corner, SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and Naomi is frustrated. The fans rally up as Naomi and Nia rise, and Naomi headlocks again. Nia shoves her to a corner, but then Naomi dodges the splash! Naomi forearms Nia, then hoists her up the corner! The fans fire up this feat of strength! Naomi goes up after Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And then clinches, brings Naomi up, and SUPER- STEINER!! Naomi turns things around and hurries to cover, TWO!! Nia survives and the fans are thunderous! Naomi and Nia both catch their breath, and Naomi rises first.

The fans rally, Naomi waits on Nia, then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, into another SUPERKICK! Naomi runs up, but buzzsaw becomes POWERBOMB! Nia flips Naomi over to run and LEG DROP! Nia then puts Naomi in a drop zone, steps on her to go up the corner, A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, Nia wins!

Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Naomi’s Queen of the Ring hopes were just literally crushed! Nia says she will be queen, will no one be able to stop her?

Baron Corbin shows off his shave.

Of his head, that is. Byron Saxton steps over to interview The Lone Wolf, welcoming him back to the blue brand. How has Corbin changed things up since he was last on SmackDown? Corbin says so much has changed. Things weren’t going his way back then. He was lost and confused. Was he a king? A constable? Happy or sad? He went back to NXT, found himself again, and is going to wreck shop as himself. IT will be a grind, but… Then in steps Carmelo Hayes! Melo sarcastically congratulates Corbin on getting called up. When did he get Drafted? Melo must’ve missed it. Oh, Melo’s got jokes, huh? Well, with a head that big, it’ll be an easy target.

Corbin says here’s some advice, but Melo tells him to save it. The last guy that tried that isn’t even in the tournament anymore, all at the thought of Melo running circles around him. So here’s some advice for Corbin: do what Bobby did, and pull out now. Because tonight, Melo is running circles around Corbin. Corbin can’t believe Melo’s attitude. Will Corbin find a way to humble… HIM?

King of the Ring: Carmelo Hayes VS Baron Corbin!

The former NXT Champion took his shot at Cody Rhodes, and yeah, he missed. But now he’s taking aim at the throne, and taking on a former King of the Ring to start off! Will Melo hit the game winner and move on to the next round? Or will the Lone Wolf take a big bite out of… HIM?

The bell rings and the two circle. Melo avoids Corbin, circles with him again, then jukes again! Melo waistlocks, Corbin bucks the O’Conner, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges the big shots to dropkick the legs out! Melo then Eddy Gordo Kicks! And he SLAPS Corbin’s bald head! Melo talks trash, but Corbin DECKS him! Corbin DECKS Melo again, puts him on ropes and body shots! Corbin follows Melo to a corner, then reels him in for an ELBOW! Corbin ELBOWS Melo again, hauls him up to back suplex, but Melo lands out! Only for Corbin to FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Corbin has control while Melo bails out, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Corbin throws down ELBOWS on Melo in a corner! Fans count all the way to TEN, but then Melo fights the superplex! Melo slips out the bottom, YANKS Corbin down, then springboards for the FLYING LARIAT! Melo runs up and tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Corbin is still in this but Melo dares him to get up. Melo aims from the corner, runs up, but into a fireman’s carry! Melo fights with elbows, slips free, and shoves Corbin away. Corbin swings, Melo dodges, but runs into DEEP- NO, Melo slips fere of that one! Only to run back into the fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!

Corbin isn’t done, he suplexes for the SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Corbin maybe got a little lax in the pin, but the fans are all fired up! Corbin storms over to Melo in a corner, then puts him back up top. The fans rally for Corbin as he throws hands. Melo kicks Corbin away, to hit the FIRST 48! Melo then resets, runs up, V-TRIGGER! Melo goes up top, Corbin rises, NOTHING BUT- NO! Corbin avoids the three pointer to then clinch and CORNER URENAGE! Then a LARIAT! Corbin hauls Melo right up, suplexes, ANARCHY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Corbin reels him right in! Only for Melo to slip free again! Cradle, MELO WINS!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Corbin was about to dunk on Melo, but Melo steals the ball to score instead! And if Melo can do that to a former King of the Ring, is it inevitable that WWE will crown… HIM?

Backstage interview with Bayley.

Kayla is now with the WWE Women’s Champion and says tonight is SmackDown’s start in the Queen of the Ring Tournament. Does The Role Model have a particular favorite to win? Bayley says there is a lot of talent in this tournament, but she is interested to see how far Jade Cargill can go. Before Bayley can say more, Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk over. The Hot Mess says, “Ooh la la~! Clearly, the stench of France has made you lose your mind, because you forgot about Miss Piper here. But we have to go, Piper’s about to kick Jade out of the first round of the tournament. Au revoir!”

Chelsea blows mocking kisses, Piper eyes Bayley up and down, then they both leave. Will the Scottish Viper, a former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, be able to weather the storm that the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion is bringing?

Backstage interview with Randy Orton.

Byron is now with The Viper, and says many are looking at Orton as the favorite to win the KOTR. However, some are also saying the same about his opponent in this opening round, AJ Styles. What’re Orton’s thoughts? Orton says that there is a lot he has accomplished in his tenure in the WWE. But one thing he hasn’t done is become King of the Ring. Now, he like everyone else, all the guys in the back, all the fans out there, know how great AJ Styles truly is. But, man oh man, it feels phenomenal when he hits Styles with an RKO. So stay tuned. Orton then thinks of one more thing. He’s reminded of something. This is for Tama Tonga.

Last week, Tama took out Orton’s friend and teammate, Kevin Owens, at Backlash! The Bloodline took Kevin out! And has Orton forgotten about that? Oh no he has not! Orton sees the bracket, that Tama is safe on the other side of SmackDown’s bracket, but something tells him that they will path cross. And when they do, it won’t just be an RKO for Tama. No, no, no. Orton will do everything in his power to make sure Tama sees it coming! The Good Bad Guy has been warned, but will Orton get through Styles to make good on it?

Queen of the Ring: Jade Cargill VS Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green!

The storm that hit the WWE Women’s Division brought about NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at Backlash, but now, forces of nature are colliding here in the opening round of the tournament! Who will still be standing at the end of this to head for the throne?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and break. They circle again, tie up, and are in another deadlock. They break again, talk some smack, and the fans fire up. Jade runs, RAMS Piper, but Piper stays up. Piper smiles but Jade dares her to try. Piper runs, RAMS Jade, and the fans fire up again! Jade and Piper talk some more smack, Jade runs, but ducks the lariat to run Piper over! Piper gets up, Jade whips, but PIper reverses and ELBOWS Jade! Jade stays up so Piper reels her in to scopo! Jade slips free, and SUPERKICKS! Jade roars, runs in at Piper, but PIper catches her to SPINEBUSTER!

Piper scowls, and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Jade withstands that damage but Chelsea coaches Piper up. Piper kicks Jade around, stomps her, then hauls her up. Piper SLAPS Jade right down, then stalks her to ropes. Piper CHOKES Jade, Chelsea laughs at her, but the ref counts. Piper lets off, so Chelsea SLAPS Jade! The fans boo but Piper hauls Jade up. Piper scoops and SLAMS Jade, then dusts herself off. Chelsea taunts the fans for cheering Jade, but Piper hauls Jade up again. Short arm LARIAT! Jade falls over, but Piper drags her back up. Short arm LARIAT! Jade falls again, Piper flexes, but the fans boo.

Piper stands Jade back up, but Jade blocks the lariat! The fans fire up as Jade fires forearms, but Piper HEADBUTTS! Both women wobble, Piper runs, but Jade gets around to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Piper survives and Chelsea is panicked! Jade scowls, the fans rally up, and Jade runs in at the corner. SPLASH! Jade keeps going, to SPLASH again! Jade wants a third but Chelsea stands in the way! So Jade DECKS her! The fans are thunderous, but then Piper swings on Jade! Jade gets around, chicken wings, but Piper powers out to HEADBUTT! Piper runs in at Jade to SPLASH in return!

Piper sits Jade down, goes corner to corner herself, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Jade survives that hit, too, and Piper isn’t sure what to do now! Chelsea stands back up, she tells Piper to finish this! Piper puts Jade in a drop zone, goes up and up, but Jade gets up to YANK her down! Piper staggers, into a BOOT! Jade hurries to chicken wing! JADED!! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Chelsea is losing her mind over Piper losing in the first round, but now Jade steps forward… to take on the Irresistible Force! Talk about forces of nature! Will Jade bring that storm right to Nia’s front door and then head for the throne?

But then here comes Jade’s teammate! The EST is also in this tournament, will the strongEST duo dominate? Or will the Poison Pixie make her way to the throne?

Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.

“My art is not just to compete. It is to conquer, to captivate. And to destroy ALL who dare stand against me in the ring. Because I am here to claim what is rightfully mine: The pinnacle of SmackDown. And now that I am here, no one is safe. The Master of Strong Style does not just plan to rise, I plan to reign supreme. So watch closely, because everything on SmackDown is about to change. And it will never be the same again.” Is that a not so subtle hint that Nakamura is looking to write a sequel with The American Nightmare?

Queen of the Ring: Bianca Belair VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!

SmackDown returns as Candice makes her entrance, Indi Hartwell with her. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, but Indi already takes as swipe! Bianca avoids being tripped up, and she still runs Candice over! The fans fire up as Bianca runs, then handsprings over Candice’s dropdown! Bianca eggs Candice on, bypasses her, but Candice BOOTS back! Only to swing into chicken wings! Candice victory rolls free to send Bianca out! Candice goes to the apron, FLYING- NO, Bianca stops the rana to SWING Candice into barriers! Indi is stunned but Bianca puts Candice in the ring. Candice distracts the ref, Indi CHOP BLCOKS Bianca!

Candice drags Bianca up but Bianca stops the cradle! Bianca suplexes Candice up to hold, then SLAM! The fans fire up and Bianca RAMS into Candice at the corner! Bianca goes up, rains down fists, and the fans count along, only for Candice to slip out at 7! Candice grab a leg but Bianca kicks her away! Bianca then backflips up and over, only for the leg to jam! Candice dropkicks that leg out, then BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Bianca is still the toughEST, but clearly Indi’s influence is being felt. Candice HAMMERS away on that leg, then SMASHES the knee! Indi smiles and nods while Candice stalks Bianca.

Candice grabs the legs, but Bianca kicks. Candice CLUBS the leg, Bianca still kicks, and Bianca kicks free! Candice runs up, but into a scoop! FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up again and Bianca stands. Bianca gets Candice up, suplexes again, but Candice slips free! CHOP BLOCK! Candice uses Bianca as a step for the SENTON! Candice goes to ropes, but Bianca brings her off the ropes! Torture rack, KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

It was basically a Handicap Match, but Bianca still wins out! Bianca will have to wait for Mia Yim and Tiffany Stratton to fight it out on this weekend’s “Supershow,” but will she be ready for whoever comes her way?

The Bloodline is backstage.

Tama Tonga fires himself up for his match tonight, with Tonga Loa and Solo Sikoa both stoically standing by. Paul Heyman walks in, they all look at him. The Wise Man just wants a moment alone with Solo, so Solo excuses The Guerillas. Fans can be heard chanting “WE WANT ROMAN!” while Heyman says he knows his place in life. Heyman is Roman’s Wise Man. But Solo, you are making decisions- Oh, so Heyman decided to lie about pulling Roman from the WWE Draft? Yeah, that one backfired on them all. Because of that mistake, The Bloodline was drafted late in the third, when they should’ve been number one overall.

Solo says it’s like Heyman is trying to take money out of Solo’s pocket. Is Heyman trying to do that? No, not at all! IS he trying to take food from his kids? He wants Solo’s kids to starve? No! Then what about last week? Heyman walked past Jey, did he try to give some kind of signal? Some kind of look that he needed help? No…! Solo understands Heyman is the Wise Man, just trying to protect Roman and The Bloodline. But he hasn’t spoken to Roman since he lost their title at WrestleMania, right? R-Right. Well, Solo has. What?! And Solo says until Roman comes back, Solo is in charge, he calls the shots. That makes Heyman Solo’s Wise Man, “by orders of the Tribal Chief.”

Solo asks for a hug. Heyman brings it in, and Solo says he loves Heyman. Solo glances at The Guerillas, is this the new hierarchy here in The Bloodline?

Andrade speaks.

“I am a third-generation luchador. My destiny is here in the WWE. The Era of Andrade El Idolo has begun.”

King of the Ring: Tama Tonga w/ The Bloodline VS Angelo Dawkins w/ The Pride!

The Good Bad Guy was more than ready to fight The All Mighty, but an unfortunate injury during training has changed things. But The Curse of Greatness is ready to be that next man up! Will Dawkins look to go from a Profit to a king? Or will nothing stop The Bloodline from taking another throne for their own?

SmackDown returns as The MFT makes his entrance, The Bloodline backing him. The bell rings and Tama fires off hands! The ref counts as Tama stomps a mudhole, but lets off at 4. Tama then comes back to SPLASH! Dawkins staggers around, Solo applauds, and Tama fires haymakers and knees! Tama keeps on Dawkins in another corner, fires body shots, but the ref counts. Tama lets off at 4, the ref reprimands, but Solo smiles. Tama goes corner to corner, but Dawkins avoids the splash! Dawkins JABS, JABS, JABS, then LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Dawkins whips, Tama reverses but Dawkins hurdles! And UPPERCUTS!

The fans fire up with Dawkins, he runs corner to corner, CYCLONE SPLASH! Then ENZIGIRI! Dawkins keeps moving, blows past Tama, then POUNCES! Tama flops out of the ring and the fans fire up again! But then Solo stands in the way! So Dawkins DECKS him! The fans fire up and Ford FLIES onto Solo & Loa! The fans are thunderous, but Tama returns! Only to run into a SKY HIGH!! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and Dawkins is stunned! Loa gets up to POST Ford! Loa & Solo drag Ford up, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Dawkins is worried for Ford , but Tama uses that to COMPLETE SHOT!! Cover, Tama wins!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The fans boo as The Bloodline screws over Dawkins. Heyman reluctantly holds up the one with them, but Solo isn’t done! He drags Dawkins up, and gives him a SAMOAN SPIKE!! The fans boo more and even Heyman is in shock! Solo and his enforcers head out, will they stop at nothing until they stand atop the WWE?

King of the Ring: Randy Orton VS AJ Styles!

We’ve heard from The Viper and The Phenomenal One tonight, and both men are looking for redemption after taking losses at Backlash. They’ve picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and refocused on what’s next, but who is the one taking that next step forward while the other gets left behind?

SmackDown returns and Orton makes his entrance. He signs a fan’s magazine cover before he gets in the ring with Styles. The bell rings and the fans rally for “RANDY! RANDY!” as he circles with Styles. They tie up, Styles waistlocks, but Orton elbows free. Styles kicks low, headlocks, but Orton pulls hair to power up and out. Styles RAMS shoulders with Orton, runs, but Orton UPPERCUTS at the ropes! Orton then runs up to clothesline Styles up and out! The fans fire up and Orton get son the corner to do his pose! The fans are even more fired up, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Orton has Styles in a corner to rain down fists! The fans count along as Orton makes sure each one hurts! Orton goes all the way to nine, then brings Styles out to UPPERCUT for TEN! The fans are all fired up and Orton looms over Styles. Orton drags Styles up, scoops, btu Styles slips free to DROPKICK! Styles then runs, SLIDING FOREARM! Orton bails out fast, but Styles talks trash on the fans before going to the apron. SLIDING KNEE! Orton staggers, bumps into the post, and then all the way to the Prime hydration station. Styles storms out after Orton, but Orton kicks low!

Orton lured Styles in, and now he hits a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Orton shoves Styles down, then brings him back up. The fans fire up as Orton drags Styles along the barrier, but Styles fights free! Styles ROCKS Orton, then goes up to use the barriers, to jump to the desk! And from desk, to PHENOMENAL- APRON BACK SUPLEX! Then DESK BACK SUPLEX! Orton makes Styles pay for getting cute, and fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Orton refreshes the ring count, then he brings Styles up again, for a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Styles sputters, Orton takes a bow, and the fans are thunderous!

Orton puts Styles in the ring, storms in after him, and goes to a corner. But Styles FLAPJACKS Orton off the buckles! Orton staggers back, Styles DROPKICKS the leg! Styles runs to CHOP BLOCK! Orton flounders and goes to ropes. Orton bails out, hobbles around, leans on barriers, but Styles goes out the other side. Styles runs in around the way, and he CHOP BLOCKS at full speed! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Styles says this is a match, isn’t it? Styles watches Orton writhe while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Styles has Orton down in the ring. Styles puts the bad leg on ropes, to HIP DROP on it! And then HIP DROP again! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Styles ELBOW DROPS the leg! Orton still grabs at Styles but Styles pushes him down. Styles grabs that bad leg, brings it around to another side of the ring, and he soaks up the heat while standing on the foot. But then Orton BOOTS Styles up and out of the ring! The fans fire up as the ring count starts on Styles. Orton shakes out the bad leg, rolls away to center, and stands up. Styles steps in, Orton KICKS the ropes to jam him up!

Orton has Styles and the fans are thunderous again! But Styles slips free, roll and CALF- NO, Orton slips free to STOMP Styles! Orton hobbles, but he still watches Styles. Styles stands into a LARIAT! And another LARIAT! Orton ducks, but Styles avoids the powerslam and Orton just falls! OKLAHOMA ROLL! TWO, and Orton UPPERCUTS! Styles flops to the apron, the fans rally up, and Orton grits his teeth. Orton forces himself to stand, but Styles also stands on the apron. Orton storms his way over to get Styles back in the ropes! But Styles gets the bad leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Orton falls back, Styles drags himself back up!

The fans rally for Orton as he stands, but Styles takes aim! Springboard and- NO, Orton trips him up! Styles falls to the mat and goes to a corner. Orton storms over, he drags Styles up, but Styles again wants the leg! Orton holds ropes but Styles powers through! Orton sits up to fight off the Calf Crusher, but Styles still pulls! Orton endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, and he reaches back to hook Styles! Orton can’t push Styles down as Styles pulls on that bad leg! Orton grits his teeth, tries again, and he gets Styles into a headlock! Styles lets go of the leg, slips free of the headlock, but runs into the SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

Styles survives and Orton is frustrated, but Orton won’t stop now. Orton stalks Styles to a corner, drags him up and puts him up top. Orton ROCKS Styles with a right hand, then ROCKS him again! Orton climbs, the fans fire up, but Styles slips out! Styles YANKS Orton down, runs up, but Orton puts Styles in the ropes! DRAPING DDT!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Orton rises again, and with the Mohegan Sun red hot for him, Orton hears those voices! Styles rises, RK- NO! Styles shoves Orton away, runs up, but is put on the apron! Styles ROCKS Orton, springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!!

Orton survives by his fingertips and Styles cannot believe it! Styles argues with the ref but the ref says ropebreak is ropebreak! Styles drags Orton back up and “This is Awesome!” But the fans also boo as Styles calls his shot! But Orton RKOS!!! Cover, Orton wins!!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Truly outta nowhere, The Viper strikes and turns things right around! Styles loses again, what must he do to get back on track? As for Orton, he promised to go after Tama Tonga, will he be like Kevin Owens and #JustKeepFighting until he can?

My Thoughts:

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: 5.9.2024

Under Siege was straight trash homie…can we salvage some sense coming off a bad PLE?

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Well Under Siege kind of sucked except for the last 2 matches…so I really have no clue what to expect from this episode. We’re apparently kicking off with a System championship celebration party, so this could be slow and cringe or actually interesting. Really only two ways to go with this.

Let’s find out if I’m drinking early tonight.

.@The_Ace_Austin and @DashingChrisBey could be facing off for the X Division Championship after tonight! @MeanGiaMiller #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/xDfizmHBsz

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 10, 2024

Ratings:

FBI (Ray Jaz & Zack Clayton w/Little Guido) vs First Class (Rich Swann & AJ Francis): Swann wins via Frog Splash – * 1/2

The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs Jake Something & Cody Deaner: Rascalz win Tandem Goomba Stomp/Sit Out – *

Jonathan Gresham vs Will Ferrera: Gresham wins via CephaloPin – Squash

ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) vs Speedball Mountain (Trent Seven & Speedball Mike Bailey): Speedball Mountain win via Ultima Birminghammer – *** 1/2

Results:

So Myers opens up the segment, and the crowd is a bit flat, but both Myers and then Moose start laying in the “greatest faction of all time” stuff, so I guess we’re gonna start to see some cracks soon. But this is a rough promo to open with. The crowd is just barely reacting and having the local minor league team cheerleaders or something come out for their entrance was just awkward. This is all going over like a fart in church.

Lish says she put a video package together, but it gets interrupted by Broken Matt Hardy with a steel chair, and at least the crowd cares a little and Hardy seems to be into the promo a bit. Not as much as Under Siege, but definitely better than when he first came back. OH MY GOD! Lish says people can’t understand Broken Matt because of HIS accent. Okay, that’s a fantastic line. The promo is still kinda flat, but Lish had the line of the exchange so far. Hardy fights them with the chair, does pretty decent until Lish brings out Kendra the Kendo Stick and interferes enough to get the others to use the numbers advantage. But Ryan Nemeth hits the ring and makes the save for Matt.

The cheerleaders turn on The System and start doing the “Delete” motion. Very…stupid.

FBI (Ray Jaz & Zack Clayton w/Little Guido) vs First Class (Rich Swann & AJ Francis)

Rich gets thrown around a little early on from Zack, until he goes to the eyes and gives AJ a shot to come in and hit some assisted moves. Zack it draped over the ropes, the referee backs off AJ and Swann takes cheap shots over and over while the referee is distracted. AJ gets too cocky, slowly goes for a corner Splash and misses, but he grabs Zack’s wrist to try and stop the tag. Big car crash Double Lariat leads to a simultaneous tag and Ray Jaz takes the hot tag. A few quick strikes into a Running Backdrop Driver for a near fall. AJ breaks up the pin, Zack tries to even the odds but AJ handles him and chucks him out. Rich Dropkicks Ray into AJ, Chokeslam into the Frog Splash, First Class wins.

Speaking of furious! @JakeSomething_ has a bone to pick with The Rascalz! @CodyDeaner @ZacharyWentz @TheTreyMiguel @milanmiracle #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/rg40S7khHb

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 10, 2024

Alan Angels stupid talk show is back and he’s flirting with SDL and Kon is still in the mix. This is cringe, awful and I’d rather shoot myself in the head. This sucks.

The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs Jake Something & Cody Deaner

So this is a Tornado Tag now because of Deaner’s stupid “People’s Choice” gimmick. I have lost nearly any desire to care about this match purely because Deaner is a plight on wrestling. Deaner and Something have early control, but I literally don’t care. I’m just waiting for Deaner to screw this up somehow since he’s not likable or charming, and this is painful. I’d rather have a root canal than watch this, and we all know I love Zachary Wentz.

Thankfully Wentz and Trey start to turn things around, but I want to get away from this match faster than Tom Brady left his own roast. We all know that if the Deaner team ever starts to build momentum its because of Jake. I just really want nothing to do with this match. Its trash, its spots for spots sake, spray paint in Jake’s eyes, Double Superkick, into the Rocket Launcher/Super Kick tandem and then Goomba Stomp Sitout Powerbomb for the Rascalz to win. Thank Christ its over.

OH more good news! Maclin comes out and kills The Rascalz on the ramp!

.@SteveMaclin just took down both Rascalz and now he's clashing with @FrankieKazarian in the back! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/qGRsQULTJk

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 10, 2024

This Gabby segment is awful. She’s just asking about names, its almost as stupid and irritating as Art Donovan “How much does this guy weigh”. I usually love the ASH gimmick, but with this moronic Gabby chick, this is awful. Gabby is terrible, baiting the comedy reactions from ASH and Iceman makes their gimmick less charming because being obliviously goofy in serious situations is what makes them great. Not feeding into the comedy. Too much talking in this episode, and by people that shouldn’t be talking.

Jonathan Gresham vs Will Ferrera

The local jobber doesn’t even look like enhancement talent, he looks like a temp at a run down office. Gresham comes out with a few low kicks, then a Dropkick and a little bit of the Muta flourish as he goes to tie up the jobber Heel Hook, Butterflied Arms behind the calf, and the official starts to cough. The referee coughing distracts Gresham enough to give Ferrera a few spots, but a Asai Moonsault into a Trailer Hitch, Kneecap Smash and then he just stalks his prey. Octopus hold with the ink, hand over Ferrera’s face, CephaloPin.

ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) vs Speedball Mountain (Trent Seven & Speedball Mike Bailey)

So there’s a weird wrinkle to this match, the winning team will face each other in the number one contender match.

Bey and Bailey start off and Bailey catches Bey with a Dropkick, tags in Trent, Chops, Kicks, Trent with the Assisted Corkscrew Senton for a near fall. Trent does his Kojima Chops, Bailey tags in, Poetry in Motion for another near fall. Bey finally finds a tag and they rip off a Tandem Overhead Hammerlock Takeover, near fall, Ace continues to work on Bailey, Snap Suplex, Bey tags in, Low Clothesline for a near fall, Knee to the spine into another cover but only a 1 count. Bailey makes the desperate tag out, Trent comes in with some Chops, Back Elbows and Scoop Spinning Fowsion for 2! Bailey tags back in, some back and forth big attempts, Superplex from Trent, Bailey goes for the Shooting Star Press but hits only the mat! Things spill to the outisde and they’re just throwing chops, Speedball Mountain both miss chops at the same time into the post, ABC try to capitalize.

Bey works over the hand that just crashed into the post, Cross Arm Breaker attempt, Key Lock attempt but Bailey is fighting back. Bailey tries to prevent Bey from tagging in Ace while also trying to protect the hand. Flurry of Kicks out of nowhere! Bey falls back into his own corner so Ace tags in while Speedball is selling fatigue. Bailey Roundhouse Kick miss, Superkick miss cause Ace Matrix dodges, Ace goes for the Spinning Heel Kick but misses, they both go for High Round kicks and connect at the same time. Both sell and then crawl to their corners, simultaneous tags on Trent and Bey. Bey tries the Satellite DDT, Trent stops him, Bey with a Roundhouse Kick, Trent spins the momentum with a Spinning Backfist. Seven Star Lariat attempt, block, Gamengiri into a Cutter for two for ABC! Tandem Ripcord Knees from ABC, into the Brianbuster with the Round Kick, Bailey makes the save at 2! ABC in control, Trent and Bailey try to fight from underneath, Bop and Bang gives them a moment, Ace throws Trent’s backfist into Bailey’s face. Breakdown, Superkick rewinds Ace into the Seven Star Lariat! 1-2-Phenomenal Forearm from Bey sends Bailey falling into the pinfall to break it.

Ace tags in Bey, 1-2-Sweet is called for but Bailey pulls Trent to the side, Dive and Asai Moonsault keep Speedball Mountain alive. Briminghammer/Ultima Weapon attempt, but Ace gets out of the Birminghammer, Bey knocks Bailey off, Ace kicks Trent out, Fosbury Flop from Ace levels both Mountain members. Ace is busy talking shit to Mustafa while Bey is yelling since Ace is legal, they take too long. Tornado Dragon Suplex takes out Bey, Ultima Birminghammer wins!

Overall Score: 2.5/10

This was the worst episode I’ve seen since the terrible AEW crossover time. 75% of the show was talking, the segments were cringe, dead or just straight up bad. Gabby LaSpisa has no business on a televised product. I couldn’t care less if she’s part of the Busted Open idiot squad, she can stay in podcast form buried far away from people with personalities. Deaner is worthless, Kon and Angels are both insanely worthless, Jake absorbing a bunch of losses is JUST like his last run with the company. PUSH HIM. He’s got a great look, he’s athletic, yes he needs a better name than “Something” but get Deaner far away from him. I mean the stupidity of this show made me dislike the ASH by Elegance segment, which annoys me since I really love her gimmick.

Only good things were we’re seeing some kind of return/repackage of Giselle Shaw and the main event was decent even though they’re really being heavy handed with the ABC breaking up thing. The fear a bunch of us had after Scott left was just watching a ton of factions and teams fall apart…and that’s happened. MCMG are gone, Dango hasn’t been seen in like a month, ABC is on the way out, Kevin Knight hasn’t been around with Kushida so I guess they aren’t a thing in TNA anymore. Ugh…and I am not looking forward to the 16 person clusterfuck next week.

I’m going to be purchasing a lot of alcohol before next week. This was unabashed garbage.

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