Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/13/20)
Who goes for the gold?
Raw heads for Money in the Bank!
Drew McIntyre is WWE World Champion. Becky Lynch is Raw Women’s Champion. But who steps up for golden opportunities before Money in the Bank?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Asuka VS Ruby Riott; Asuka wins and advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match.
- Aleister Black VS Oney Lorcan; Aleister wins.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Shayna Baszler VS Sarah Logan; Baszler wins and advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match.
- Akira Tozawa VS Austin Theory; Theory wins.
- Angel Garza VS Tehuti Miles; Garza wins.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Kairi Sane VS Nia Jax; Jax wins and advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match.
- Bobby Lashley w/ Lana VS No Way Jose; Lashley wins.
- The Viking Raiders VS Ricochet & Cedric Alexander; The Viking Raiders win.
- Champion VS Champion: Drew McIntyre VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Drew McIntyre opens Raw!
The Scottish Stud has the cameraman get in the ring with him so he can speak directly to the WWE Universe. “Thank you for the privilege of allowing me into your living room.” For himself and all the WWE superstars, this is an honor. McIntyre also thanks fans for their outpouring of support. If you didn’t know, the internet can be pretty negative. But ever since he won the title, everyone has been so positive. It is surreal. McIntyre lives his life long dream. He beat The Beast in under five minutes, and then 20 minutes later, he had to face The Big Show. McIntyre watches the match back, and remembers all the hard hits and body slams. But even after a Choke Slam, McIntyre kept going. And Show made the mistake of telegraphing. McIntyre hits his Claymore and gets the win!
Back to the present, McIntyre makes a point of beating two big men back to back. That sets the tone for his reign. He will be a champion that shows up and defends the title. To all the superstars, if you deserve a shot, you get a shot. McIntyre can’t say how much this title means to him. But here comes Andrade Almas! El Idolo is back and with Zelina Vega again by his side. Vega pretends to tear up but then gets immediately serious. She stops McIntyre here to introduce Raw’s real top champion, the WWE United States Champion, Andrade~! McIntyre remembers Andrade. Right, of course! Vega feels bad for ruining the speech. It sounded great, like out of Braveheart. But really, they’re here to congratulate him in person. Because who else can say they had TWO WrestleMania Moments in one night?
But while McIntyre had two, Almas had an injury that robbed him of even one. So it’d be such a shame if someone injured McIntyre and took his title. McIntyre stops Vega there and gets to Vega’s point for her. He remembers when they were both in NXT, and Almas hurt McIntyre to take the NXT Championship. McIntyre lost six months from a torn bicep. But Almas doesn’t do a lot of talking, so he should listen. If he wants Champion VS Champion tonight, “you’ve got it!” Almas does speak for himself, and says that last time, Almas took the title and took McIntyre out. And that was him being nice. No more Mr. Nice Guy tonight! What does Almas have in store for McIntyre tonight? Or can McIntyre keep history from repeating itself?
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Asuka VS Ruby Riott!
The Empress of Tomorrow may not have gotten the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships back, but there’s always another title to go after! Will Asuka stop the Riott before it starts? Or is Ruby going to take a step closer to cashing in?
The bell rings, Asuka laughs and applauds at Ruby but says, “Mudi mudi mudi!” It is impossible to beat Asuka! Ruby gives the trash talk back but offers a handshake. Asuka laughs more, and rushes Ruby instead! Ruby headlocks but Asuka tries to power out. Ruby holds on and rams shoulder. Asuka eggs Ruby on and Ruby runs. They collide but it doesn’t make Asuka budge. Ruby throws haymakers instead then runs, but Asuka follows. Ruby dodges and keeps moving to run Asuka over! Cover, ONE! Ruby pushes Asuka around and wants to see “The Real Asuka.” Asuka grabs Ruby’s arm! Asuka yanks on it and clamps onto the shoulder again. She stomps away on the arm then grinds the shoulder into the mat.
Ruby fights her way around and gets a ropebreak with a leg. The ref counts, Asuka lets up, but she stomps Ruby down in a corner. Asuka pushes Ruby around and grinds her forearms in. The ref counts but Ruby pushes Asuka away. Ruby elbows, goes up, but no Deadly Nightshade as Asuka KICKS her down! Cover, TWO! Asuka keeps her cool as she brings Ruby up to ram her shoulder first into buckles! Asuka digs her heel into Ruby but stops at the count of 4. She argues with the ref while Ruby crawls along the ropes. Asuka stomps Ruby back down then thrashes her about. The ref counts but Asuka lets up at 4 again. Asuka drags Ruby up from the apron but Ruby hits back. But Asuka comes back with the hip attack! Asuka blasts Ruby down, then sliding KNEES from the apron!
Asuka brings Ruby up but Ruby throws her over barriers! Ruby walks into a ROUNDHOUSE! The ring count climbs to 5 as Asuka talks trash. Asuka dances around while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Asuka grinds Ruby down again. Ruby fights up and fights back but Asuka throws her down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Asuka just kicks Ruby over and over on the ropes. Asuka runs but Ruby dodges the hip attack to SUPERKICK! Asuka is stuck and Ruby BOOTS her down! Ruby shakes out her bad arm while Asuka is on the outside. Ruby fetches Asuka back in then covers, TWO! Asuka checks her teeth while Ruby looks up at the MITB briefcase. Ruby kicks Asuka around then drags her up. She makes Asuka look at the briefcase, then whips her to a corner. Ruby runs in to forearm then whip her corner to corner. Asuka comes back to forearm Ruby down! Asuka crawls towards Ruby and grabs her by the hair. She brings Ruby in for a forearm, but Ruby gives it back.
Asuka and Ruby brawl up to their feet, but Asuka gets the edge. Asuka kicks but Ruby blocks! Ruby back kicks then runs, for a rolling bulldog! Cover, TWO! Ruby grows frustrated but then she gets caught into an armbar! Ruby endures, moves up and wants a cover. TWO and Asuka lets Ruby go. Ruby wrenches but the Riott Kick is blocked! Asuka has an ANKLE LOCK! Ruby gets up but Asuka reels her in, trapped leg German! Asuka runs to SHINING WIZARD Ruby down! Cover, TWO!! Ruby still lives and Asuka is furious! Asuka drags Ruby up and into the chicken wing, but Ruby backs her into buckles! Ruby cravats and knees Asuka into the corner! Ruby runs side to side to BOOT Asuka down! Then she goes the other way, for another BOOT! Ruby brings Asuka out and aims from behind, RABBIT LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!
Asuka survives and Ruby grows frustrated now. Ruby drags Asuka to a drop zone and climbs up the corner. Ruby STAGE DIVE SENTONS BUT FLOPS! Into the ASUKA LOCK! But Ruby rolls around to cover, TWO!! Both women back off as they catch their breath. Asuka is furious and she goes after Ruby. Ruby holds the ropes then elbows Asuka away. Asuka runs into a COMPLETE SHOT! Ghost pin, TWO!!, into a RINGS OF SATURN! Ruby has her on hold, and stomps away! Asuka endures, moves around, makes it a cover, TWO back to Ruby’s cover! TWO and Asuka gets around, to the ASUKA LOCK!! Ruby taps, Asuka wins!!
Winner: Asuka, by submission (advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match)
The Empress is in her very first MITB Ladder match! Charly Caruso interviews Asuka in the ring. Charly notes Asuka’s new aggression. Asuka says in Japanese that she is still Asuka! And when it comes to MITB, NO ONE is ready!
Raw returns with MVP’s VIP Lounge.
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, I offer you a very special edition.” He has exclusive breaking news for Raw next week. Next week, three Men’s MITB qualifying matches will happen. If you win the MITB Ladder match, you have a 365 day window to cash in on the WWE World Championship, “anytime, any place.” First, Rey Mysterio VS Buddy Murphy! Then, Aleister Black VS Austin Theory! And last but not least, Apollo Crews VS “one of the most decorated WWE superstars of all time,” MVP! MVP isn’t trying to sway anyone, but if you’re putting money on anyone, put it on the guaranteed winner. Ya boy, MVP is #BALLIN! But out of these three first-time-ever match-ups, who come out with tickets punched to MITB?
Aleister Black VS Oney Lorcan!
As MVP just said, The Embodiment of the End is going to compete for a spot in the MITB Ladder Match. Will he sharpen his edge on the back of the Boston Brawler?
The bell rings and the two approach. They circle and tie up, and Aleister gets an arm. Oney moves towards a waistlock but Aleister wrenches and trips him back. Aleister facelocks but Oney fights his way up. Oney slips out, chinbars Aleister, then gets the waistlock. Aleister fights up and wriggles free but Oney headlocks. Aleister powers his way out and around back to a facelock. Oney pries free to wrench and headlock back. Aleister rolls Oney to a cover, ONE! Aleister waistlocks then facelocks and they end up on ropes. The two separate clean and circle again. They tie up, Oney headlocks and holds tight as Aleister tries to get out. Aleister rolls Oney again, ONE! Aleister arm-drags Oney down hard and clamps onto the arm! Oney gets up and arm-drags free, but Aleister arm-drags again!
Aleister grinds but Oney gets up. Oney powers Aleister to ropes then puts him on the apron to European Uppercut! Aleister is down and Oney builds speed! But Aleister gets in, dodges Oney, and QUEBRADAS! Oney is right up but Aleister snapmares him to a cover. TWO and Aleister BOOTS Oney out! The two catch their breath while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Oney fires off on Aleister in a corner! The ref backs him off but Aleister elbows Oney away. Aleister swings into a half nelson! He fights free and throws EuroUppers. Oney gives them back then knees low. Oney whips and elbows Aleister down! Cover, TWO! Oney wants the half nelson but Aleister grabs a leg. The two struggle against each other and Oney goes for a full nelson. Aleister endures as Oney leans on him. Aleister pries against the hold then breaks free. But Oney trips Aleister to a BOSTON CRAB! Half Crab, even! Aleister endures and reaches back to get around. Aleister boots Oney over and over until he’s free! Oney comes back but gets another elbow. Aleister hits a flying takedown, to the HEEL HOOK! Oney flails and gets the ropebreak!
Aleister lets Oney free but starts kicking away. Oney clinches and swings, into an armlock! Oney stays up but Aleister cranks on the arm! ROPEBREAK! Aleister lets Oney go and Oney CHOPS! Aleister BOOTS back then throws more EuroUppers. Oney shoves but Aleister rallies with forearms and elbows. Aleister unleashes the strike fest! KNEE THRUST! Aleister kips up and runs, but Oney gets under the springboard to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Aleister lives but the Fury of 205 Live fires up! Oney half nelsons but Aleister wheelbarrows to a victory roll! TWO and Oney CHOPS again! Oney CHOPS again and fires up. He dares Aleister to stand, and Aleister KNEES back! Aleister brings Oney back up with a foot, to BLACK MASS! Cover, Aleister wins!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall
Another week, another fight, and another incredible display of fortitude! Aleister wins and Sarah interviews him in the ring. Surely Aleister sees Oney as a tough competitor, but what is his game plan for Austin Theory? “Game plan? My game plan is to win.” Will #AllDay come to an end and #FadeToBlack?
The Man comes back around to Raw!
Becky Lynch’s reign as Raw Women’s Champion surpasses one YEAR! She grabs a mic to say, “It’s only been a couple of weeks since I stood here last.” WrestleMania gave her a short time to beat the “human bone breaker,” but she did it. Becky wants to clear up some confusion as to what happened. She told Shayna Baszler that it would be heart versus skill. But it was even more than that. A lot has been said about Becky lately. Maybe she’s arrogant. Or maybe she lets us think that. Maybe things are going to her head. Or maybe she uses that to get into others. Because the more Shayna destroyed opponents, the sillier Becky became. Why is that? Because the only person that can get close enough to The Queen to destroy her, is the jester, “who she sees as posing no threat.” That’s why Becky’s still champ.
Someone born to bully everyone will never beat someone born to survive everything. That brings Becky to the MITB Ladder match. Becky wants whoever wants it the most to get the contract to then name a time and a place. That is where you will find The Man waiting for them. Becky always has a plan. But she promises the winner that thinks they can beat her, she will shock the world all over again. Bold words from Becky, but will she be the one shocked instead?
Backstage interview with Andrade and Zelina.
Tonight, the Champion VS Champion match is happening. McIntyre is coming off one of the most impressive WrestleMania performances in history. Is this going to be a cause for concern? Vega speaks up, first correcting Charly on how she says “Andrade.” Secondly, Vega asks who comes up with these questions? Because it can’t be Charly. Not even she’s that ridiculous. But if we’re talking dominant champions, look no further than Almas. McIntyre won, that was great, but that was one night. Almas has defended his title month after month after month against the best. So remember: the last time McIntyre was champion, he was dethroned by Almas. Almas says it took McIntyre so long to win that title. After tonight, he won’t have as strong a hold on it.
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Shayna Baszler VS Sarah Logan!
The Queen of Spades wrecked the Elimination Chamber field but failed to beat Becky. Will the Kentucky Viking be the first to exact some revenge?
Before making her entrance, Shayna is asked about the “derogatory remarks” Ronda Rousey has made towards professional wrestling. Shayna’s response is just a death glare before going to the ramp. The bell rings and the two tie up. Shayna headlocks but Sarah slips out to club her on the back. Shayna ROCKS Sarah with a right then digs her forearms into Sarah. She hammers away on Sarah from head to torso! The ref reprimands as Shayna just keeps adding on, and he pulls her away. Shayna STOMPS Sarah’s arm!! Sarah just got Dakota’d! And SARAH wins!?!
Winner: Sarah Logan, by disqualification
Shayna throws a tantrum, but after what she did to Sarah, Sarah doesn’t look in any shape to join the MITB Ladder match. Will Shayna not stop until she’s broken everyone in her path back to Becky?
Seth Rollins speaks backstage.
“At WrestleMania, I lost to Kevin Owens. And once again, my career has been crucified.” Rollins says no more as Raw goes to break. What will the Monday Night Messiah do to resurrect his mission?
Akira Tozawa VS Austin Theory!
The Stamina Monster returns to Raw! But he’ll also be returning to NXT this Wednesday as part of the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament! Vega joins commentary to watch her stable member compete. Will Theory prove himself ready for next week’s MITB qualifier?
The bell rings and Tozawa circles with Theory. Theory kicks low then clubs Tozawa down. He throws forearms but Tozawa gives them back! Theory knees low then back suplexes, but Tozawa slips out! Tozawa ducks, back kicks, spins but slides under to spin and hit the roundhouse! Theory ends up in a corner and Tozawa runs in. Theory stops the monkey flip but Tozawa rains down hands! Tozawa gets to about 7 before Theory flapjacks him on buckles! Theory shakes out the cobwebs before dragging Tozawa up. He snapmares and stomps Tozawa down! Theory mocks Tozawa for not being part of WrestleMania. Theory stomps Tozawa at the corner but the ref backs him off. Tozawa grits his teeth but Theory drags him around to rain down rights. Theory lets up to clamp on a chinlock!
Tozawa endures the knee in his back as Theory bends him back. Theory jams the knee in harder then bends him more. Tozawa endures, reaches and gets the ropebreak with a foot. Theory lets up at 4 to stomp Tozawa again. Theory drags Tozawa up and CHOPS! Tozawa staggers but Theory wrenches and whips him corner to corner hard! Cover, TWO! Theory still grins as he looms over Tozawa. Tozawa hits back with body shots but Theory blocks the boot to trip him up! Theory hits a standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Theory stays on Tozawa with an armlock and forearm to the chin. He grinds Tozawa down then grabs the other arm. Tozawa endures, even as Theory stands on his back! Theory pulls harder on the arm then throws it onto the mat! Theory paces while watching Tozawa writhe.
Tozawa crawls but Theory stalks him to ropes. Tozawa CHOPS, but Theory eggs him on. Tozawa CHOPS but Theory DECKS him! Vega likes what she sees as Theory brings Tozawa up for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Theory keeps on Tozawa with another chinlock. Theory has a half camel clutch but Tozawa fights up. Tozawa throws body shots but Theory gives him a backbreaker! Cover, TWO, and we’re back to the armlock. Tozawa fights his way up but Theory whips. Theory pops Tozawa up but Tozawa huricanranas! Theory bails out, and Tozawa BOOTS Him down! Tozawa runs but Theory gets clear. Tozawa stops himself, to apron CANNONBALL! They both wreck into barriers and Vega is speechless! Vega claims it’s fine, but Theory staggers away.
Tozawa drags Theory up and into the ring. Tozawa enziguris then climbs up, for a missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Vega manages to keep confident but Tozawa stalks Theory. Tozawa drags Theory up but Theory gets the ropes. Theory swings an elbow but Tozawa ducks to JAB! Tozawa runs to tilt-o-whirl, to the IRON OCTOPUS! Theory powers out and spins Tozawa around to a fireman’s carry! ATL TKO!! Cover, Theory wins!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Andrade and Angel Garza appear, and Vega stands on the desk. La Muneca’s men raise their fists together, then drag Tozawa up. They add on with CHOPS! They put Tozawa up top then drag him out on the ropes! SUPER LA SOMBRA DDT!! Vega applauds as her men stand tall. Will this stable soon take over Raw?
Raw shares part of WWE Chronicle: Drew McIntyre.
“There’s a saying in Scotland, ‘What’s meant to be will be.'” If McIntyre was to put the last few months into words, from the amazing victories to the bitter disappointments and the realizations that everything can change overnight, it is that McIntyre has found “perspective.” Not just as a superstar, but as a husband and a person. The community’s support is felt in every fiber of his body. If McIntyre can give everyone a brief moment of joy in the darkness, then his journey has been worth it. This is more than a redemption story for him, but for everyone.
The last 19 years have prepared him for his WrestleMania Moment, even if it isn’t the moment he’s dreamed off since he was a boy. His moment won’t have fireworks or cheers, but it’ll have something bigger. McIntyre will feel the fans as he has in Houston. It won’t be his moment, it will be ours.
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
The King of Lucha Libre has had a legendary career, but there is one thing he hasn’t had yet: The MITB contract. What would it mean to finally be Mr. MITB? Well looking back through his career, 2010 was perhaps a standout year for Mysterio. He won his second world championship, but two months later, gets hit with a cash-in from Kane. Kane ended that reign right then and there. But Mysterio’s point is that no one knows better than him how dangerous Mr. MITB can be. First comes beating Murphy in the qualifier. Mysterio respects Murphy for the bright superstar he is. But he doesn’t want this as badly as Mysterio does. Mysterio puts it all on the line to become Mr. MITB, and have his chance to cash in.
Seth Rollins speaks again.
“Everyone needs something to have faith in.” Rollins wants the WWE Universe to know that he is still here for them. “Your messiah has truly risen.”
Angel Garza VS Tehuti Miles!
All of Vega’s men will be in action tonight now that El Latino es en la casa! But will the Latino Lothario be able to go the distance against Miles?
The bell rings and Garza pushes Miles around. Miles dares Garza to bring it, and then he baits Garza into a waistlock. Garza bucks Miles off but Miles bypasses him and things speed up. Miles leaps but Garza dropkicks him out of the air! Garza CHOPS Miles then has him against the ropes. Garza CHOPS again then whips, to pop-up kick Miles down! And off come the pants! Garza throws them at Miles then dropkicks him back down! Garza has the cameraman get on the apron so he can look right into the camera. He talks trash in Spanish, and tells the ladies they’re more than welcome. Garza then drags Miles up and cranks on him with a grounded cobra twist. Miles endures but Garza hammers away on the ribs.
Garza cranks on Miles more but Miles refuses to quit. Garza drags Miles up to club him around, then put him on the top rope. He climbs up behind Miles and dedicates this to the “honeys.” Tree of Woe Penalty Kick! Garza grins as Miles flops to the mat. Garza drags Miles up and underhooks, for the WING CLIPPER! Cover, Garza wins!
Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall
La Muneca’s men are 2-0 on the night! Will El Idolo make it a perfect night for Vega’s stable of studs?
But once again, the trio is in the ring together! Just like Tozawa, Miles gets slapped around and put in a corner. Theory and Garza hoist Miles up top and hand him off to Almas. SUPER LA SOMBRA!! Vega laughs as her men make another example. Will McIntyre relive the past in the worst way possible?
Backstage interview with The Kabuki Warriors.
Asuka is in and Kairi Sane has her match later tonight. “Ruby was NOT ready for Asuka!” Kairi’s confidence going in against Nia Jax is clearly through the roof as she and Asuka joke around. Will the Pirate Princess be able to get past the Irresistible Force so that she and Asuka can join forces in MITB?
Raw returns with a backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Charly knows McIntyre has to focus, but he must surely know what Vega and Almas have been saying and doing tonight. His response is the scar on his arm. Two to three times a week, he looks at it and is reminded of Almas. McIntyre remembers back to when he lost the title, had to take six months off, and had his career derailed. But McIntyre worked his arse off to get back and is now WWE Champion! But he doesn’t forgive or forget. Almas has strong words but McIntyre has a promise: McIntyre will hurt Almas, Claymore him, and if it costs Almas six months, so be it. Will Raw end with WarGames revenge?
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Kairi Sane VS Nia Jax!
Raw’s last spot in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match will be filled! Will the Pirate Princess set sail alongside Asuka? Or will the Irresistible Force make her return even grander with this golden opportunity?
The bell rings and Kairi rushes at Nia, only to be TOSSED! Kairi grins as she gets up, and get around to waistlock Nia. Nia throws her off easily, but Kairi baits her into buckles! Kairi climbs and boots Nia then kicks her away. She climbs back up and then leaps over Nia. Kairi pantomimes her climbing the ladder and grabbing the briefcase, before telling Nia to “kiss this.” Nia rushes Kairi but Kairi dodges and dropkicks! Nia only staggers so Kairi dropkicks again. Kairi’s kicks still have no effect, and Nia just throws her out of the ring! Asuka is watching backstage anxiously and is very fired up for Kairi. Kairi gets up and in but Nia is on her with a scoop slam! Nia slaps Kairi around then drags her back up. Nia clobbers Kairi with one arm! And again!
Nia toys with Kairi as she brings her back up. The ref reprimands but Nia TOSSES Kairi again! Nia drags Kairi up to throw her again! Nia swaggers about before she brings Kairi up. She trophy lifts then SAMOAN DROPS Kairi! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match)
The Raw entrants have been determined! Asuka and Shayna are dangerous in their own way, but Nia just annihilated Kairi! Will everyone have to worry about the returning Irresistible Force now?
Charlotte Flair returns to Raw!
The Queen is once again NXT Women’s Champion after her incredible match with Rhea Ripley! What’s old is new again as she is now a twelve-time champion between all three brands. She grabs a mic and says, “Tonight is history lessons with The Queen.” First, The Queen wins the 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble. That allowed her to choose a champion of her choice. There’s Becky, but been there, done that a bunch. Then there was Bayley, but been there, done that more than a bunch. So what did that leave Charlotte with? Becky didn’t make a challenge. Bayley didn’t make a challenge. It was “the next big thing,” Rhea Ripley. That got The Queen’s attention. It was ballsy! It reminded Charlotte of someone.
But that was then, and this is now. Because now, Charlotte is a two-time NXT Women’s Champion! Not after beating Becky again. Not after beating Bayley for the millionth time. It was because Charlotte beat “the next big thing,” which makes Charlotte the BIGGEST thing. Charlotte reminds us last year that Vince knew Charlotte was the biggest thing. That’s why he had her “save” WrestleMania 35. This year, Rhea chose the Queen. Because Rhea secretly wants to be The Queen. But Rhea lacks humility. That’s why Charlotte is standing here reminding everyone that there always be someone faster, stronger and better. Charlotte will remind NXT of “humility.”
That brings her to Io Shirai. That was an amazing victory, but Charlotte isn’t in this just for victories. Charlotte is here to teach lessons. Lesson number one: Everyone boys down to The Queen. WOO~! But will the Evil Genius be a rebellion Charlotte can’t crush?
Bobby Lashley w/ Lana VS No Way Jose!
The Rocky Mountain Machine listened to the Ravishing Russian at WrestleMania, and LOST! Will he know better this time against the fighting fiesta?
The bell rings and Lashley ties up with Jose. Lashley waistlocks but Jose fights off the lift. Joe elbows out but Lashley elbows back. Lana coaches Lashley and Lashely lariats Jose down! Lana says Lashley should finish it but Lashley stomps away and throws hands in the corner. The ref counts and Lana shouts for Lashley to attack. Lashley storms out and tells Lana to “please shut the HELL up!” He then storms back into the ring and runs at Jose, but just manages to block the boo! Jose ROCKS Lashley but Lashley throws Jose overhead! Lashley aims as Jose rises, but then Lana distracts Lahsley with something. Jose rolls Lashley up, TWO!! Lashley MOUNTAIN TOP SLAMS Jose down! Then SPEARS!! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
Lashley still gets a win despite Lana’s influence. Will Lashley make his way towards a title in spite of her hanging around?
Seth Rollins speaks yet again.
“To all the nonbelievers, you have left me no alternative. Tonight, I stomp out all doubt.” What does this ominous warning mean for the Raw roster?
The Viking Raiders VS Ricochet & Cedric Alexander!
Erik and Ivar return and the raid returns with them! Will they start a new warpath to return to the Raw Tag Team Championships? Or will the newest and fastest team fly high with MITB on the horizon?
The teams sort out and Erik starts against Ricochet. Ricochet dodges to throw kicks and fists but Erik puts him in a corner. Ricochet dodges to CHOP but Erik just growls. Things speed up, Ricochet rolls off Erik’s back, then ducks under, and handsprings back. Erik LARIATS Ricochet then DECKS Alexander! Erik tags in Ivar and goes after Ricochet. Ivar climbs up but Ricochet escapes Erik to enziguri! Alexander dropkicks Erik then Ricochet No Hands Ranas Ivar down! Alexander builds speed and DIVES onto Erik at the ramp! Ricochet LIONSAULTS onto Ivar! Cover, TWO! Ricochet keeps on Ivar with a facelock and clubbing forearms. He backs Ivar down and tags in Alexander. Alexander adds onto Ivar but Ivar blocks the whips. Ivar kicks Ricochet and throws Alexander into a corner.
Ivar whips Ricochet at Alexander but Alexander puts him on the apron. Alexander gets clear of Ivar, and the enziguris sandwich Ivar in the middle! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Ivar survives but Alexander clamps on with a facelock. Alexander drags Ivar but Ivar powers up. Alexander clubs away and drags Ivar over to the corner. Tag to Ricochet and they both club away on Ivar. They double whip but Ivar breaks the clothesline! Erik tags in as Ricochet hurdles Ivar. Alexander sends Ivar out while Ricochet dodges Erik. Alexander ROCKS Erik with a right, then covers! TWO, but Alexander keeps his focus. Alexander facelocks Erik and drags him up. Tag to Ricochet again, and Alexander half hatch suplexes! Ricochet knee-boards for a senton! Cover, TWO!
Tag back to Alexander and he drags Erik up. Alexander CHOPS Erik to the corner, then decks him with a right. He scrapes Erik out and slingshots, but the pescado misses! Hot tag to Ivar but Ricochet springboards in! Erik catches Ricochet to TOSS him out onto Alexander! The fast and the furious crash and burn! But now Ivar DIVES!! The Warbeard wipes Ricochet and Alexander out, and we go to break!
Raw returns as Erik grinds Alexander down with an armlock. Alexander fights his way up and throws body shots. Erik whips him into the corner and tags Ivar. The Vikings give Alexander knee after KNEE! Ivar drags Alexander up and snapmares him. Ivar runs to drop a knee then covers, TWO! Alexander reaches but Ivar brings him away from Ricochet. Tag to Erik and Ivar RAMS into Alexander. Erik RAMS in, too, digging into the ribs. Tag back to Ivar, and Ivar RAMS in again! Ivar looms over Alexander as he tags Erik back in. The Vikings bring Alexander up, for a scoop slam! Then Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM on Alexander! Cover, TWO! Alexander survives but Ivar tags back in. The Vikings mug and club him in the corner.
Ivar scoops but Alexander slips out to sunset flip! ONE but Alexander cartwheels and basement dropkicks! Alexander is on the apron, and hits the step-board COMPLETE SHOT! Both Ivar and Alexander crawl, hot tags to Ricochet and Erik! Ricochet throws forearms then springboards to crossbody! Ivar runs in but gets an enziguri! Ricochet corner uppercuts Ivar, then swings on Erik. Erik throws Ricochet but no Ace Ten Mao, Ricochet hits the dropkick-flip! And enziguri! Ricochet tiger feints high on Ivar! And shoulders into Erik for a springboard lariat! Ricochet fires up and standing shooting stars! Cover, TWO! Ricochet sees Alexander is back and tags him in. They both aim at Erik and Alexander runs. Neuralizer misses! Erik gives Ricochet Ace Ten Mao!
Tag to Ivar and Ivar seated sentons Alexander! Cartwheel dodges the superkick to LARIAT! Ivar roars as he sidewalk slams Alexander! BASEMENT SPLASH! Tag back to Erik, and they give Alexander a corner splash and knees! Then human weapon hip attack! Erik covers, TWO! Alexander flounders about but Erik tags Ivar. The Vikings drag Alexander up, but Alexander BOOTS! Alexander runs, but into the waistlock! SPRINGBOARD LARIAT GERMAN! Cover, but Ricochet breaks it! Erik has Ricochet in the full nelson for a knee! Then the HEEL KICK! Ivar tags Erik and they focus on Alexander again. THOR’S HAMMER! Cover, The Viking Raiders win!
Winners: The Viking Raiders, by pinfall
Raw again goes through a #VikingExperience! Will the war return to the tag team titles sooner rather than later?
Raw returns with a backstage interview with The Street Profits.
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins have their Raw Tag Team Championships, but that’s not all! Welcome the newest addition to Raw! The strongest, the toughest, the quickest, THE EST of WWE… Bianca Belair! Yes, the welcome is official. But a question for the champions: The Viking Raiders want the titles back. Their response? Ford says that they have a lot of respect for Erik and Ivar, and all vikings in general. Did you know that Vikings introduced the words “happy” and “egg” to the English language? And they were crazy navigators! And shockingly enough, they actually had excellent hygiene. The More You Know! Thumbs up.
Bianca tells her boys, UH-UH! While they’re playing around, when was the last time they actually beat the Viking Raiders? Um… ZERO TIMES! Erik and Ivar are cosplaying, but the Profits get whooped. So stop with the games, and get, that, smoke. Bianca clappin’ at Ford and Dawkins has them speechless. Will the Profits be up higher than ever when they get serious about being champions?
Champion VS Champion: Drew McIntyre VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega!
Austin Theory and Angel Garza are also joining La Muneca in accompanying the WWE United States Champion to the ring. Theory and Garza defeated their opponents and then made examples out of them. Will it be a three for three sweep on the night? Or are they going to get lost in Claymore Country?
Vega gets in McIntyre’s face about Almas being champion. McIntyre asks if Almas is going to rein her in. That only upsets Vega more and even riles up Almas. But the ref has Vega and the others exit, and then the bell rings. Almas CHOPS but McIntyre doesn’t even budge! McIntyre HEADBUTTS Almas down then brings him up. “Three years!!” McIntyre puts Almas in the corner to CHOP! Almas boots but McIntyre throws haymakers! McIntyre CHOPS again and Almas staggers. Almas chops but McIntyre just hammers away! Vega protests and McIntyre stops at the ref’s count. McIntyre whips Almas, Almas goes up but McIntyre BOOTS him out of the air! McIntyre taunts Almas as he bails out to regroup with Vega’s team. But Garza backs off as McIntyre goes out to fetch Almas.
McIntyre scoops Almas and lifts him way up to snake eyes on barriers! Almas gasps and sputters but McIntyre CHOPS Almas! McIntyre refreshes the ring count to then bring Almas up. He CHOPS Almas against the post! Garza and Theory bark at McIntyre but the ref tells them to stay back. McIntyre goes back to Almas, but Almas yanks him into the post! And again! Almas stomps away on the once injured arm! And Almas CHOPS McIntyre around the way. He SLAMS the arm on steps! Then CHOPS and forearms and CHOPS and KNEES McIntyre against barriers! Almas gives the arm a shoulder breaker then stalks McIntyre into the ring. McIntyre fights off the armlock and whips him to the ropes. Almas gets stuck but frees himself. Almas ducks the punch to get a draping armbar! He lets go at 4 but the team cheers.
Almas goes up top and leaps, but McIntyre catches him! Almas goes after the bad arm and fights free. He runs, into McIntyre’s clothesline! McIntyre whips to elbow Almas down! Almas dodges but runs into a BOOT! McIntyre gets the bad arm moving as he goes to the top rope! “Look at me!” Almas stands and McIntyre uses a flying ax handle to take him down! McIntyre kips up, and glares down at the scar on his arm. He looms over Almas as Vega coaches. McIntyre CLUBS Almas back down, then hauls him up. Underhooks but Almas slips out. Boot feint to ELBOW! Almas throws more elbows at the ropes, but backs off as the ref counts. Theory takes a swipe while Almas runs, but McIntyre tosses Almas out ONTO Theory and Garza!
McIntyre goes out to fetch the one who grabbed his foot. He finds Theory and CHOPS him! McIntyre then puts Almas in and climbs up again. Vega distracts this time, and Almas trips McIntyre up! Almas laughs as he drags McIntyre up! We’ve seen this already tonight, and McIntyre remembers! He pops Almas off to CHOP him back! McIntyre elbows in the corner, then drags Almas up, INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM! Vega is in shock as McIntyre glares. McIntyre counts down, to the CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
The WWE World Champion triumphs over the United States Champion! But here comes Seth Rollins?! And Garza chop blocks McIntyre from behind! Rollins runs down to the ring, Garza runs away, and Rollins SUPERKICKS McIntyre down! The Monday Night Messiah gives McIntyre a CURB STOMP! Rollins stares at the world championship, but leaves it behind. McIntyre stirs, so Rollins CURB STOMPS him again!! Is this what Rollins meant? Is his resurrection going to be at the expense of McIntyre’s redemption story?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode of Raw, and a lot of good progress towards MITB. The only women’s qualifier that was weak as Nia VS Kairi because it ended up a squash. Of course, that mostly comes off the outcome being almost too obvious. Nia just got back, so she wasn’t going to lose. And this only adds on that Kairi is on her way out, unless she’s going to pal around with Asuka as a sidekick rather than a tag partner. Shayna “breaking” Sarah Logan’s arm like that was a good use of brutality for her, showing that her character is only more motivated now. But the real interesting part is that they brought up Ronda Rousey’s comments to Shayna. It’s an interesting move stirring up trouble within the MMA Horsewomen, and could make for some twists and turns whenever it is Ronda returns to the ring.
The Men’s MITB qualifiers are going to be great next week. Aleister VS Theory, Mysterio VS Murphy and even Apollo VS MVP are all solid match ups. I liked how MVP’s set-up of his own match sounded like Edge was back in this. Even with Edge doing a Last Man Standing match, ladder matches are riskier because it’s hard to do the physics calculations of a ladder in a split second. It’s better Edge wait for something more 1v1 and easier to stay on top of. Bianca Belair getting on the Profits over their comedy promo was a good move. She should be the reason they get serious in and out of the ring, but this should’ve been during the title chase. If she’d been on Raw sooner, or had waited until they lost, it’d have better pacing. But better late than never, I suppose.
And I guess this means the story with Vega’s team is already over. Well, that and what Vega’s team did. I will say that Vega’s stable is pulling together well, and they definitely made big moves tonight. Garza and Theory get good wins, and Theory is getting a big opportunity just being in a qualifier. Rollins’ attack on McIntyre was somewhat surprising, as I would’ve thought revenge on Kevin is the next step. But I suppose the top title is the best way to spread his “message,” and a match of Heel Rollins VS Face McIntyre will be great. At this point, Mr. MITB could be on either brand, but I don’t think that will have bearing on the title match. I would hope McIntyre wins to become the new face of Rollins’ opposition, and maybe even join forces with Kevin.
My Score: 8/10
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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
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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!
No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.
With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.
Part Three: Acceptance @TheJonGresham #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/NE9FPzCCz2
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
Ratings:
- Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
- LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
- Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
- Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
- Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.
Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone
Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.
Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.
.@XiaBrookside and @Ashamae_Sebera face off NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/Q0S3wSRpeu
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
LSG vs Joe Hendry
Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.
LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.
Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno
Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.
Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.
GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.
They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.
.@TheEricYoung channels "The Sickness" as he prepares for FULL METAL MAYHEM with @FrankieKazarian at #Rebellion! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tm1TqxZBLo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna
Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.
Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.
Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards
Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.
Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.
Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!
Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated.
Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.
Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.
But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either. Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.
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