Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/10/20)

It’s a good Friday for BRAAAUN!

Published

4 years ago

April 10, 2020

Steven Mitchell

It’s the SmackDown After WrestleMania!

SmackDown has new champions in Braun Strowman and Bliss-Cross! But there’s no time to rest, the Kabuki Warriors want their titles back! Are Alexa and Nikki ready for the rematch?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bliss-Cross VS The Kabuki Warriors; Bliss-Cross wins and retains the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Tucker Knight VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Sonya Deville; Ziggler wins.
The Forgotten Sons VS Lucha House Party; The Forgotten Sons win.
Sheamus VS Cal Bloom; Sheamus wins.
Braun Strowman VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ The Artist Collective; Strowman wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown opens with BRAUN!

The Triple Crown Monster Among Men is here with his WWE Universal Championship! Goldberg is a living legend, but not even he could keep Strowman down on the Greatest Stage of Them All. Of course, Strowman had to hit Goldberg with more than anyone else he’d faced before, but he still got these hands on the title. “There’s an old saying: When opportunity knocks on the door, you answer it.” Strowman answered and knocked the door off the hinges! Spear after spear after spear wasn’t enough. Goldberg is a WWE Hall of Famer for a reason, but Strowman refused to stay down. And now Strowman is our Universal Champion! To have it happen at WrestleMania makes that his greatest moment in his career, but now his moment is being interrupted.

Shinsuke Nakamura heads to the ring, and without Sami Zayn or Cesaro. The King of Strong Style goes to the ring with a mic but Strowman asks what he wants. “You said when opportunity knocks, you better open the door.” Well Nakamura is knocking on the door! Strowman, say, “Who’s there?” Like a joke. Well Nakamura is here, knocking on the door. He heard all the talk about the WrestleMania Moment. But the last time we saw Strowman, he LOST! Strowman tells Nakamura to shut up because no one tuned in to hear him talk. How about Strowman knock-knock the crap out of Nakamura?

Be careful what you wish for. Because Nakamura remembers an old Japanese saying: The weak are the meat, and the strong eat. Well here’s a proverb that works in any language: Nakamura will #GetTheseHands! But then Cesaro appears outta nowhere! Strowman knocks Cesaro out of the ring but Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES him! Strowman staggers but stays up as Nakamura and Cesaro head to the back. Will the Artist Collective take another title from Strowman?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bliss-Cross VS The Kabuki Warriors!

The Goddess and Loony Lass brought these titles back to SmackDown after an epic showdown with Raw’s Asuka and Kairi Sane! But now, the Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess want their treasure back! Will Alexa and Nikki have the shortest reign in these titles’ young history? Or are they ready for the rematch?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the teams sort out. We begin with Kairi going right at Alexa with a dropkick! Kairi rains down angry rights and then puts Alexa in the corner. Tag to Asuka and Asuka hits Nikki while Kairi stomps Alexa. Asuka returns to stomp Alexa and dig her heels in. Tag to Kairi and the Kabuki double suplex. Alexa resists and throws forearms! But that’s 2v1 and she gets thrown down by her hair! Asuka and Kairi take a moment to boast before Kairi stalks Alexa at the ropes. Kairi pulls ALexa’s hair while also choking her on the ropes. The ref counts and Kairi lets up to club Alexa on the back. Kairi whips but Alexa arm-drags to a cover, TWO! Alexa SLAPS Kairi so Kairi throws hands. The two brawl, Kairi stomps feet, then drags Alexa over.

Asuka tags in and she again hits Nikki first. Kairi stomps Alexa down then Asuka adds stomps of her own. Asuka talks trash in Japanese while digging her heels in again. The ref backs her off but Kairi tags in. The Kabuki double whip Alexa for a flurry of kicks! Camel clutch basement dropkick! Kairi mocks Alexa while sitting on her for a cover. TWO, but Kairi tags in Asuka. Kairi drags Alexa up but Alexa dropkicks back! Kairi flops out of the ring but Asuka hops down to regroup with her. Alexa runs and wrecks Kairi with a dropkick, but then Asuka wrecks Alexa with a hip attack! Kairi laughs while Asuka hops on commentary. “Yes! I’m on commentary! YES!”

Asuka talks trash to Nikki in Japanese but Nikki jumps on the desk with her! The two scrap, but Alexa trips up Asuka! Asuka hits hard as she falls! Then Nikki LEAPS onto Asuka! Kairi shouts for Asuka-nee as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Asuka wrenches Nikki’s arm over and over. Nikki fights back with forearms but Asuka throws her down by her hair. Asuka tags Kairi and they keep Nikki from Alexa. They double whip and Kairi runs in for a big forearm! Asuka runs in to hip attack! Nikki is down and Kairi covers, TWO! Kairi toys with Nikki now as she slaps her around and kicks her on the mat. She brings Nikki up to club her down, then Alabama lifts. Nikki sunset flips, ONE! Nikki crawls but Kairi drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Kairi drags Nikki around while laughing at Alexa. Kairi brings Nikki over, wrenches the hair, then tags in Asuka. The Kabuki mug Nikki and Asuka stomps her down. Asuka runs in but Nikki elbows back! Nikki hits Kairi then boots Asuka! Asuka chokes Nikki and throws in knees!

Asuka runs in but Nikki rolls her up! TWO, and Nikki scurries towards Alexa. Asuka anchors a foot and reels Nikki in. Nikki fights the German Suplex off to BULLDOG! Hot tag to Alexa! Kairi tags in but the Five Foot Fury rallies, slaps, ROCKS and dropkicks Kairi! Alexa is fired up as she drops knees, then handsprings. Insult2Injury misses at the last second, and Kairi SPEARS Alexa down! Cover, TWO! Kairi grows frustrated and she argues with the ref. She then smiles as she brings Alexa back up. Alexa ROCKS Kairi again, and brings her over to tag in Nikki. Bliss-Cross have Kairi but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Alexa down! Kairi’s back hand knocks Nikki down! Nikki runs in but misses in the corner! Asuka tags in and she’s after Nikki! Nikki resists but Asuka still brings her over to Kairi. KABUKI DOOMSDAY! ARMBAR!!

Nikki flails, moves around, gets a cover, TWO! Asuka gets Nikki in the ASUKA LOCK! Alexa attacks but Kairi gives her a BLOCKBUSTER! Kairi fires up with Asuka-nee and they tag. Kairi goes back up and says this will end it! InSANE Elbow misses! Nikki decks Asuka then dodges Kairi to tag in Alexa! Alexa ducks the back hand to boot Kairi. Alexa grins as she hits her DDT! But Asuka drags Kairi out of the cover! Nikki leaps, but into a KNEE! Asuka helps Kairi but Alexa is up top! Alexa gives a SUPER TWISTED BLISS to them both!! The Kabuki go down in a heap but Alexa puts Kairi in. Alexa heads back up, but Kairi moves. Nikki tags in as Alexa blocks a kick. Alexa ROCKS Kairi, Nikki hits THE PURGE! Cover, Bliss-Cross win!!

Winners: Bliss-Cross, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

The best friends fend off the Joshi royalty! Will they keep this second reign going through the Spring into the Summer?

Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.

The Drifter is back and is grateful for letting him into our homes. He is in a good mood after putting an end to King Baron Corbin. He’s sure we do, as he got all our messages. Elias has a song titled, “Walk With the King,” but wants us to first turn the volume up. Then Elias begins to play and sings, “WrestleMania, everybody can sing~! Elias, he came and dethroned the king~.” IF you doubted him, he doesn’t blame you at all. From this very perch, he took a hell of a fall. Just like Simba, he returned. For a new king, the people yearned. Look to the horizon, what do you see? Elias says it’s Money in the Bank and that briefcase. It’ll be a guitar case when he becomes champ. Then the world will sing, “Walk With Elias!”

SmackDown looks back on the romance of Otis and Mandy Rose.

A scheme cooked up by Mandy’s own friend, Sonya Deville, and the Show-Off, Dolph Ziggler, was exposed! Mandy cut ties with Sonya and Ziggler, but they together worked to cheat Otis during the WrestleMania match. But then Mandy would stand by her man and go after Sonya! She also screwed Ziggler and Otis got the win! The Dozer gets the win and the girl, and all is right in Otis’s world!

Ziggler and Sonya barge out into the arena.

They both yell at commentary. They haven’t heard from Mandy all week and are upset. Ziggler defends there was doctored footage in that hacker’s “reveal.” They just want the best for Mandy. But here comes Tucker to retort! “Dolph, I’m sorry, I can see you’re busy,” but clearly he is still smitten with Otis’s kitten. Here’s some pictures Ziggler deserves to see. Couples that work out together stay together. Bananas are great potassium, by the way. Otis and Mandy are a bit busy, but Tucker is here to settle things on his end. Will Tucky bulldoze Ziggler to add on to Ziggler’s woes?

Tucker Knight VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Sonya Deville!

SmackDown returns with the bell. Ziggler rushes Tucker but gets huge hands! Sonya talks trash and Tucker gets distracted, but he manages to deny the Zigzag. Tucker POSTS Ziggler then stomps him all around. Tucker drags Ziggler up for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Tucker goes after Ziggler at the ropes with clubbing forearms. Ziggler elbows back hard then leaps, but is caught! Tucker catapults Ziggler into buckles! Tucker is fired up as Ziggler flops out of the ring. Sonya coaches Ziggler up but Tucker goes out after him. Tucker CLUBS Ziggler on the back and then brings him to commentary. Tucker bounces Ziggler off the desk before refreshing the count. “You wanna use steps, huh?!” He’ll give it back, as he whips Ziggler into them!

The ref counts again as Tucker pulls the steps apart. Tucker refreshes the count at 5 then goes after Ziggler. But Ziggler rakes Tucker’s eyes! Sonya kept the ref distracted so Ziggler gets away with that. Ziggler leaps, but the Zigzag is TOSSED onto the desk!! Sonya is in shock as Ziggler writhes and crawls. Tucker grins as he catches his breath. Tucker fetches Ziggler as the ring count passes 5 and puts him in the ring. He brings Ziggler up, whips him and scoops,m for a BIG spinning powerslam! Cover, TWO!! Tucker keeps his cool while Sonya is at a loss for words. Tucker drags Ziggler back up but Ziggler throws body shots. Ziggler bobs ‘n’ weaves but Tucker LARIATS him down! Tucker demands Ziggler get up, and then he hits a springboard crossbody! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler survives and Tucker grows frustrated.

Ziggler gets up and superkicks, but Tucker blocks it. Tucker spins Ziggler, but Ziggler baits him into the post! SUPERKICK! Cover, Ziggler wins!

Winner: Dolph Ziggler, by pinfall

The Show-Off survives a furious freight train in Tucker. Will Ziggler and Sonya be able to make contact with Mandy and “patch things up?” Or is it beyond the point of no return for them both?

SmackDown presents a new episode of The Dirt Sheet.

The Miz and John Morrison are here and still the SmackDown Tag Team Champions. It may be hard times for the world, but the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century have good news. Morrison retained their titles, and the first person to do that in history. Miz is the first person in history to retain his title from the couch. WrestleMania 36 was the most talked about and most watched WrestleMania! #ThatsGoodNews. Otis finally kissed a girl! But then Mandy’s mom had to watch it happen. That’s…? The Undertaker is back and he buried AJ Styles, literally! Reminds Morrison of a recurring nightmare he has. Footage of the Boneyard Match plays, and Miz realizes he had the same nightmare. But it was Styles getting kicked down a grave and not them. #ThatsGoodNews.

There’s a NEW Universal Champion in Braun Strowman! And he’s on almost every show! That’s way better than the other champions. #ThatsGoodNews. Speaking of previous champions, did Miz see the Firefly Fun House match? OF course! It was weird and John Cena is just gone. After all this time, all that “You Can’t See Me” crap came true. #ThatsGoodNews. But the best news, the hit single, “Hey Hey!” hit the top of the charts! And these two know what fans want: a live performance! The music plays as “MC M-I-Z” and “Johnny Drip Drip” start rapping. Miz ‘n’ Morrison! Hey hey! Ho ho! But the best(?) WWE rap is interrupted by The Usos!

“Hold up, hold up, hold up.” Out of respeck, they were going to let that finish, but nope! They want to talk Peewee Herman? Ol’ Peewee has WAY more street cred than Miz and Morrison combined! How dare they! The champs were spreading good news and the Usos have to go and bring downer energy. Morrison defended the titles and won, so why are the Usos here? Because the last time they checked, Miz and Morrison are both tag team champions. They both have to defend the titles! Well that wasn’t the match, Uce! Morrison sees that the Usos are trying to drive a wedge between them, but news flash! Morrison has Miz’s back and everyone gets Morrison’s front. Miz got hurt, is still hurt, and still can’t compete. See you two later!

But awwwwww~ people at home~! Don’t you dare be sour! Here comes the New Day! Kofi Kingston and Big E see the arguing going on and points out the Usos weren’t the only ones in that SmackDown Tag Team Championship match. “Y’all ain’t Lil’ Boosie on Instagram.” The WrestleMania match didn’t go as planned, so how about this? One half of each team competed on WrestleMania, so perhaps the other halves should compete in their own Triple Threat for the “adorable, kissable, lickable” titles? What part of “not cleared” does no one understand?! The New Day is here to say that after talking with WWE management, Fox executives, Martha Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ Kim AND Freddie Prinz Jr. on a huge Zoom call turned happy hour… NEXT WEEK! Jey Uso VS The Miz VS Big E in a SmackDown Tag Team Championship Triple Threat! HOLLA HOLLA!!

The Forgotten Sons VS Lucha House Party!

Steve Cutler, Wesley Blake & Jaxson Ryker have come to SmackDown! Will they make sure Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik remember them forever?

The teams sort out and Cutler starts against Dorado. They tie up and Cutler powers Dorado to a corner to fire off hands. He CHOPS then throws body shots. Cutler whips Dorado and elbows him hard against the ropes. Tag to Blake and the Sons mug Dorado with body shots. Blake pushes Dorado into a corner with forearms and grinds them in. Blake whips Dorado but Dorado dodges to springboard and moonsault! Tag to Metalik and he gets a boost for the falling splash! Cover, TWO! Metalik wrenches then tags Dorado back in. Dorado drops ax handles on Blake then wrenches him. Dorado clamps onto the arm but Blake turns things around. Tag to Cutler but Dorado fights back.

Cutler kicks low and underhooks for a butterfly backbreaker! Cutler pushes Dorado at ropes then forearms him hard in the back! “Ain’t no party like a Forgotten Party!” He chokes Dorado on the ropes then tags in Blake. The Sons double backbreaker Dorado down! Cover, TWO! Blake drops knees then clamps on a chinlock. Dorado endures and fights back. Blake clamps a hammlerlock on and throws chops and elbows and uppercuts! Dorado flounders against ropes but hops over Blake! Blake ends up outside but he tags Cutler in. Cutler whips but Dorado hits the GOLDEN REWIND! Blake tags in but so does Metalik! Springboard crossbody! Metalik whips but Blake reverses. Blake dodges the handspring but not the springboard!

Metalik runs the ropes and leaps to missile dropkick! Cover, but Cutler breaks it! Dorado CHOPS away on Cutler but Cutler TOSSES Dorado out! Metalik SUPERKICKS Cutler but Blake rolls him up! TWO and Metalik enziguris! Metalik handsprings but Blake catches him., Blake suplexes, Metalik lands on his feet, but Blake LARIATS! Tag to Cutler, and the Sons combine, for MEMORY REMAINS!! Cover, The Forgotten Sons win!

Winners: The Forgotten Sons, by pinfall

What won’t be forgotten is that their debut was a success! Are we looking at the future of the SmackDown Tag Team Division?

Bliss-Cross celebrate their victory backstage.

They’re the first two-time champions in these belts’ history, they’re basically the best ever. Nikki feels unstoppable! Alexa does, too. Carmella and Dana Brooke come over to congratulate them on the win. But Carmella and Dana didn’t get to be part of WrestleMania, sot hey were hoping to make up for lost time. Could they have a match for the titles next week? Um… Yeah… Here’s the thing. Just because they missed out on Mania doesn’t mean they can just “jump the line.” Well, okay, but didn’t Bliss-Cross just say they’re unstoppable? Nikki is excited but Alexa wants to talk this over. They go off to the side and talk, and then come back. Nikki accepts the challenge! Mella and Dana are very excited, but Alexa says Nikki needs decaf. Will the second reign still be cut short?

Sasha Banks and Bayley head to the ring.

The Boss may not be SmackDown Women’s Champion, but she helped her best friend keep the title! Bayley continues her longest reign in SmackDown history and is still united with Sasha. They have a lot to say, but we’ll have to wait until after the break.

SmackDown returns and Bayley says, “Just look at us!” Three weeks ago, “that annoying, jealous Paige” tried to ruin WrestleMania and their friendship with that huge elimination match. But Paige failed! Anyone that thinks can touch Byaley, YOU CAN’T! Bayley has beaten everyone! But in her humble opinion, Bayley’s greatest moment yet was defying all odds as WrestleMania! How did she do that? Because she- no, she and Sasha are the best. They are the ultimate role models! So to all the sheep that thought things were going to go the other way, here’s two words for you: Screw you! The ignorant masses will never understand their friendship. No woman from past, present or future can-

Well speaking of the present, Tamina heads right to the ring! The Daughter of Superfly immediately intimidates the “role models.” They try to talk her down with compliments. Bayley isn’t sure why she’s here, but she’s happy Tamina is here. They want to compliment her performance. Tamina tells them to shut the hell up! Bayley didn’t beat Tamina at Mania. No one beat her. It took all four other superstars to eliminate her from that match! So “Ms. Role Model” needs to lead by example and take Tamina on 1v1 for the title. Bayley and Sasha laugh that off. Sorry, Tamina, you may have just come back “from whatever coconut shell you’ve been hiding in,” but there is a pecking order! You don’t just step up and make demands!

Bayley “holds” Sasha back, but says that as a role model, she will be fair. Tamina’s challenge is accepted, but it only happens IF Tamina beats The Blueprint, Bayley’s best friend, Sasha Banks! Tamina accepts the counter offer. But uh, Sasha, your bestie just screwed you. Is Boss Time going to end when up against the Samoan steamroller?

Sheamus VS Cal Bloom!

The Celtic Warrior returns to SmackDown to continue his purge of the “vermin” on this roster. Will he be able to clear out the weak and prove himself worthy as we head for Money in the Bank?

The bell rings and Sheamus goes right after Bloom with clubbing forearms! He whips but Bloom whips back. Bloom throws kicks and hands then whips,. Sheamus reverses and runs Bloom over with an elbow! Sheamus stomps Bloom at the ropes but the ref backs him up. The Celtic Warrior stands Bloom up to put him on the ropes. He throws Ten Beats of the Bodhrain! Bloom flops to the apron as Sheamus finally lets him go. Sheamus smirks as Bloom crawls back in. Bloom turns around into a BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

Motivated and menacing, will Sheamus make minced meat of those put in his way back to Money in the Bank?

SmackDown begins a retrospective of Jeff Hardy.

Chapter one: the rise. Jeff gets flashbacks to his start alongside his brother, Matt, as he watches his daughters jump on the trampoline. The Hardy boys would jump around and run all over. Jeff felt like Sting howling and shouting. Then the Hardy Boys had their debut. They vowed to do something, anything, to get people to remember them. Christian notes that they were fans living out the dreams. Soon, Team X-Treme had kids dressing up like them the way they dressed up as their favorites.

But more than anything, Jeff loved pushing the envelope of risky moves. Jumping off of ladders onto tables, onto other ladders, but always onto opponents. Hardy wrestles matches like they’re his last, and yet he’s not done yet. He hopes to keep this dream going to the next level. What next level is there for the already incredibly accomplished Charismatic Enigma?

In two weeks, SmackDown plays the game.

The HHH 25th Anniversary Celebration comes to Fox!

But next week, SmackDown prepares for Money in the Bank!

Qualifying matches for the respective Men’s and Women’s MITB Ladder matches begin! For the men, it will be Daniel Bryan VS Cesaro! And for the women, it will be Naomi VS Dana Brooke! Who takes the first step towards climbing up to a golden opportunity?

Braun Strowman VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Cesaro!

A challenge came knocking, and the call was answered! Will the Triple Crown Monster make sure Nakamura only #GetsTheseHands? Or will the Swiss Cyborg be a factor in the King of Strong Style gaining ground in the title hunt?

The bell rings and Strowman rushes Nakamura. Nakamura gets clear, as does Cesaro, and Nakamura gives testing kicks. Strowman stays up so Nakamura throws body shots. Strowman withstands those, and stays clear of Nakamura’s kicks to then BOOT him down! Nakamura gets to a corner and Cesaro coaches him up, but Strowman headbutts Nakamura back. Strowman whips Nakamura corner to corner hard! Nakamura clutches his back but Strowman THROWS him across the ring! Strowman says Nakamura bit off more than he can chew getting in the ring with him! Strowman smashes Nakamura off his knee then throws him out of the ring. Cesaro checks on Nakamura but Strowman goes out to pursue. Cesaro says he was just watching. Nakamura tries to sucker punch but Strowman ROCKS him!

Strowman puts Nakamura in the ring then glares at Cesaro. Cesaro stays back and Nakamura knees Strowman off the apron! Nakamura goes out and runs at Strowman, but is TOSSED onto the barriers! The Monster stands tall as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns once more as Strowman has Nakamura in a corner. He whips Nakamura corner to corner hard then FLAPJACKS him! Strowman bumps Nakamura off buckles then corner splashes him! Strowman scoops but Nakamura fights out. Nakamura swings one kick but hits the second! Nakamura tumbles into the ref, but that’s just to keep him from seeing Cesaro SHORYUKEN Strowman! And Nakamura adds the dynamic dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Strowman survives and the Art sit Collective is furious! Nakamura wraps on a chinlock and squeezes tight. Strowman endures and powers out, to sidewalk slam Nakamura down! Strowman is free and Nakamura is gasping. Nakamura is in the corner but gets another corner splash! Cesaro distracts but Strowman DECKS him! Nakamura BOOTS but Strowman LARIATS!

Strowman watches Nakamura go outside, and decides to take a lap! Strowman bulldozes Nakamura down! He puts Nakamura back in before he BLASTS Cesaro over barriers! Strowman goes back to Nakamura but Nakamura KNEES him down! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura is furious as he goes to a corner. HE runs at Strowman but Strowman scoops! MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Strowman wins!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall

The Triple Crown Monster is only building up speed now that he’s Universal Champion! Is there any man in the WWE today that can survive the #StrowmanExpress?

Wait, Firefly Fun House interrupts! Bray Wyatt presents “The History of John Cena and Bray Wyatt.” Hold on, he needs to rewrite history. He makes it all caps. The Fiend defeated Cena and made him disappear. We really can’t see him now! But hey, Braun! Bray congratulates him, and is so happy for him. The old Bray whispers but no, that was a long time ago. Strowman’s surely learned his lesson b now. The Black Sheep of the Wyatt Family was given a home. And yet, he turned his back on them all. He turned his back on his creator. But Bray can forgive Braun now, right? Mercy won’t, because Strowman’s too big. Abby says Strowman is gross. Huskis says Strowman smells worse than a swine sphincter. Ramblin’ Rabbit likes Strowman. Oh shut up.

But if the puppets aren’t going to, Bray will. If Strowman says he’s sorry, that is. “I’m not playing these games, Bray.” Well, guess Strowman is busy about getting hands rather than manners. But Bray taught Strowman so much, why stop now? The lesson for today is sharing. Because Braun has something Bray wants back. It’s that thing on his shoulder. The Universal Championship. “As one circle closes, another begins again.” Bray brought Strowman into this world, so he’ll be the one to take him out. Bye~~! See you soon~! Strowman says that before Bray goes, he does want to say that any time Bray wants, he will #LetHimIn. Bye~! Strowman may not be playing Bray’s game, but he is willing to throw it all in Bray’s face. When will the dark past become a darker future for these two?

My Thoughts:

This was a pretty good SmackDown that didn’t feel as subdued as Raw did this week. There were still recaps but they weren’t as extensive as on Raw. Of course that’s probably just the math of a two hour show versus a three hour show. But we got plenty of original content that was all pretty good. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship rematch was good, but it was clearly just a way to clear out Kabuki Warriors from the contender’s list for now. Another bad sign that Kairi Sane is leaving the WWE to go back to Japan and Stardom, but not a guarantee. I appreciate that it is Nikki’s over-excitement already getting her and Alexa into random matches, but I highly doubt Mella and Dana win the titles. When are the IIconics coming back?

Bayley and Sasha had a good promo, and Tamina had a good part to play in it. Tamina has legitimate claim for a title shot for MITB, but I don’t see her winning. Well, she could beat Sasha next week to take a similar path to Lacey Evans. But I feel like MITB might already be set up for another same-night cash-in from Ms. Money in the Bank. Especially if it’s The Boss in the Bank. Sasha could lose to Tamina, qualify for the MITB match, win that, then cash in on whoever. It would be obvious yet so fitting that Sasha cashes in on Bayley after helping her screw Tamina over. Sasha is getting her Grand Slam at some point, so why not just do it here?

I did not think The Forgotten Sons would move over to SmackDown. Also, no one who watched NXT regularly would think they “dominated” that brand. But while they wrestled Heel against Lucha House Party, I wonder if we’ll finally get that faction of them and Lacey Evans that only the NXT house show circuit got to see. Forgotten Sons were using patriotism to go Face, so it wouldn’t take much for them to do that on SmackDown. But it’ll be awhile before they’re tag title contenders. Miz & Morrison had a good promo, and I like the idea of a Triple Threat that flips things around from WrestleMania. Miz VS Big E VS Jey will be a lot of fun even if it isn’t with ladders, but I’m thinking Miz finds a way to win.

Ziggler rebounds with a win off Tucker, but I liked that Tucker used pictures of Otis and Mandy to stick it back to Ziggler. Sonya and Mandy are set to have a face-to-face next week, I’m very confident in saying that will lead to a Mixed Tag Match as we head for MITB. And speaking of, while MITB had to cancel its date with Baltimore, it obviously is not going to be cancelled. It’ll be another Empty Arena PPV, even if a miracle happens in regards to the pandemic, and all the qualifying matches will be good original material for both SmackDown and Raw. I don’t think it’ll happen this year, but I hope MITB adds NXT so that even the NXT Championship is prey to the cash-in. With WWE basically being confined to one central location, crossover is the way to go that will help it outdo the competition.

I like that WWE is giving Jeff Hardy this multi-part retrospective, but it definitely gives the feeling that Jeff might be winding down towards the end. At least, in the WWE. If brother Matt Hardy is any indication, there is always life outside the WWE, but Jeff still might have one big push inside it. Sheamus glaring at commentary as they talked about Jeff makes me think that’s where the story is going for both Celtic Warrior and Charismatic Enigma, and that might be a decent match. Strowman VS Nakamura was a decent match but of course Strowman was winning. And I am so excited to see that we’re going with Strowman VS Wyatt to start off. There’s so much already in this story, not even factoring in how Goldberg took the title from Bray. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

My Score: 8.3/10

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

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

9 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)

Champions need challengers!

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Queen is coming for her crown!

Athena & Billie Starkz are the top champions in the ROH Women’s Division, but Queen Aminata’s coming after them! Who will she target first?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; Zay wins.
Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order; Top Flight wins.
Anna Jay VS Allysin Kay; Anna wins.
Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Will Austin; Johnny wins.
Six Man Tag: The Mogul Embassy VS MANDERS & BEEFTANK; The Embassy wins.
Yuka Sakazaki VS Leila Grey; Yuka wins.
ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners; The Kingdom wins and denies The Outrunners a title match.
Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV VS Laynie Luck; Taya wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS Jon Cruz, GPA & Ren Jones; Archer & The Righteous win.
Abadon VS Nova; Abadon wins.
Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos; Mortos wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!

Brother Zay and the Commander of the Skies are coming down from the high of competing against Rob Van Dam on April 20th, but they’re both ready to get back up. Will Kassidy earn his shot (shot shot) at a championship? Or will the AAA Cruiserweight Champion be aiming for ROH gold?

The Code of Honor is upheld, but Zay has his fingers crossed! Zay trips Komander at the bell, says he’s too smart, then he steps on Komander’s dropdown to say “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” and “SUCK IT!” Komander keeps cool, he and Zay tie up, and Komander headlocks. Zay pulls on the mask, powers up and out to hurdle, but then Komander steps on him! Komander mocks “SHOTS! SHOTS!” Zay runs up, Komander avoids the boot to then wrench, wrench and mule kick a leg! Kmoander steps over, rolls through, then rolls again, to a HALF CRAB! Zay endures, fights around, ROPEBREAK! Komander lets go and Zay stands back up.

The fans rally, Komander runs in but is put on the apron. Zay runs in but into a slingshot BOOT! Zay comes back but Komander goes up and headscissors Zay into buckles. Komander comes back to springboard, wheelbarrow, but Zay HOTSHOTS Komander and then throws him down! The fans boo but Zay says they don’t teach that at school. Just follow Zay and he’ll get your right. Zay then smothers Komander with his towel! The ref reprimands, Zay lets off and Komander sputters to a corner. Zay bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS him, then stomps Komander down. Zay says “SHOTS! SHOTS!” as he gives stomp after stomp.

The ref counts, Zay lets off at 4 and dusts his shoes off. Zay goes back to scuff Komander, taunt him, but the fans rally up for Komander. Zay scuffs Komander more, eggs him on, but Komander fights up to fire hands! Zay ducks a roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! Zay leans on ropes, Komander runs in but Zay puts him on the apron. Komander gets up but Zay triangle jump STUNNERS! Komander flops to the floor, Zay scowls and goes out after him. The fans rally, Zay backs Abrahantes off, and the fans boo. Zay goes back for Komander, SMACKS him off barriers, then grabs the chair.

The fans boo, Zay says watch this, it’s about to be an 8K. Zay runs and uses the chair to LAUNCH, into barriers! Komander avoids disaster, puts Zay in the ring, and he hurries to a corner. The fans fire up as Komander springboards, but Zay moves! Komander rolls through, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! The fans fire up while Zay bails out. Komander builds speed and WRECKS Zay with a dropkick! Then ASAI MOONSAULT and down goes Zay! The fans fire up, Komander drags Zay up and in, then he springboards again, for a SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Zay stays in this as fans chant “DOS! DOS! DOS!”

Zay goes to the apron, Komander storms up and stands him up. Zay shoves Komander away, goes up the corner, but Komander runs up! Zay anticipates and GAMANGIRIS! Zay goes up to SUPSER SUSNET FLIP, but Komander flips through!! The fans fire up and Zay is shocked! Zay still BOOTS Komander, fires forearms, but Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, UPPERCUT and power up! Zay turns Komander around but gets a SHOTEI! Komander then jumps up top POISON-RANA! The fans fire up again and Komander runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Or as the fans remind us, “DOS! DOS! DOS!”

Zay says Komander’s done wasting his time. Zay whips, Komander reverses but Zay reverses back to scoop, only for Komander to tilt-o-whirl sunset flip! TWO, but Komander tries a side roll sunset, TWO! Zay escapes, Komander dodges his haymaker and waistlocks. Zay switches, Komander switches back, but Zay grabs the ref! LOW BLOW MULE KICK!! The fans boo as Zay gets away with that one! Abrahantes protests but the ref can’t call what he didn’t see! Zay blows a kiss, before the INVERTED TWIST OF FATE! Cover, Zay wins!

Winner: Isiah Kassidy, by pinfall

Brother Zay didn’t break rules but he did find a loophole to DELETE Komander’s momentum. Will Zay soon have a WONDERFUL ascension to the top of ROH?

ROH hears from Bullet Club Gold.

It was backstage at AEW Dynasty this past Sunday that the Bang Bang Gang unified the AEW and ROH World Trios Championships! Jay White says, “Today, our destiny, fulfilling our destiny by building our Dynasty! Y’see, I’m full! I’m full of that feeling when I get to say, I told you so! When I came to AEW, joined forces with The Gunns, I said the Gunns were money! Brought them in along with Juice Robinson, to Bullet Club GOLD. I said I would bring you gold, and boys, we’re running out of space. Because we’ve got gold a plenty, haven’t we, boys? Cuz I’m the mother effin’ Catalyst of Professional Wrestling! I told you so!”

Austin says their backpacks are heavier on the ride home, but that extra weight just reminds him that the Bang Bang Gang runs this Trios ish! Colten says they like to have fun before and after, but during? They don’t take no ish! There’s this saying around here, “Restore the Feeling.” That’s something for the young guys to get on TV, but guess who are never mentioned? The Gunns! Is it because they’ve been in too many main events? Is it because they’ve been tag team world champions? And now they’re AEW & ROH Trios Champions! The Gunns are the best damn team in the world! White is the best singles man in the world!

And tonight, they are the BEST trio in the world!! And if you’re not down with that, they’ve got two words for ya: GUNS UP!! The Bang Bang Gang is firing on all cylinders, but will they be able to shoot down those who take aim at them?

Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order!

Speaking of the trios championships, Action Andretti, and the brothers Martin get their shot at the Bang Bang Gang this Saturday! Will Top Flight pick up speed going into that Collision? Or will Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds prove they are worthy contenders?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the trios sort out, and Darius Martin starts against Johnny Hungy. The bell rings, the fans rally and the two circle. The fans rally for “JOHNNY HUNGY!” as the two tie up. Darius wrenches, wristlocks, but Silver spins and fireman’s carries for the takeover. Silver has the cording hold but Darius fights up. Silver wrenches but Darius spins, slips around, waistlocks, spins Silver and cravats for the neck wrench. Silver endures, powers up and out, but Darius rolls over the dropdown. Darius sweeps a leg to cover, ONE! Darius turns Silver’s sweep into a cradle, TWO!

Silver gets up but Darius arm-drags him back down. The fans cheer, Darius wrenches Silver and tags Action. Action runs to LEAP FROG ATTACK the arm! Action wrenches Silver, tags Dante, and Dante goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Dante clamps onto the arm, digs a knuckle into Silver’s ribs, or was it a tickle attack? Tag to Darius and Dante snapmares Silver. Darius runs to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!! Silver stays in this but Darius stays on him. Tag to Dante, Top Flight reel Silver in but the rest of Dark Order save him from the double suplex! So Action jumps in and Top Flight TRIPLE SUPERKICKS!

The fans fire up while Uno and Reynolds spill back out. Action and Darius aim, DOUBLE PLANCHA but Uno and Reynolds DECK them outta the air! Dante brings Silver up but Silver fights the half nelson to then whip Dante into the ropes! Silver then runs up, Uno & Reynolds join in, TRIPLE DROPKICK! Silver then waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX Dante into a bridging cover, TWO! Silver tags Reynolds and he short arm LARIATS Dante! Cover, TWO! Reynolds brings Dante up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Uno. Uno CHOPS Dante, then snapmares him to stomp him down! The fans rally for Uno as he tautns Action.

Uno goes back for Dante but Dante throws body shots. Uno CLUBS Dante, bumps him off buckles, and tags Reynolds. Silver holds Dante in whiel Reynolds whips Uno for the SPLASH! Uno goes again, but Dante dodges, goes up and over Reynolds, hot tag to Action! The Sight to See rallies on the Dark Order! ELBOW for Uno! BOOT for Silver! ELBOW for Reynolds! Uno kicks low, whips, but Action handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up as Action kips up, and he runs in at Reynolds in a corner. UPPERCUT! Uno runs in but the SPLASH is sent into Reynolds! Uno staggers away, Action DECKS Reynolds!

Action aims, slingshot and SPLIT LEG but he has to bail out as Reynolds moves! Action just uses that to roll and PELE Uno! SPANISH FLY on Reynolds! Cover, Silver breaks it! Darius tosses Silver out but Silver ROCKS Darius! Darius drops down but Dante runs in and uses Darius as a step, POETRY IN MOTION! Silver falls, Reynolds dodges Darius to RAM Dante! Dante comes back, Darius helps him get up and over, then Dante helps in the TORNADO DDT! Darius sets Reynolds up for the STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, Uno shoves Dante onto it! Uno then CHOPS Darius down and goes to his corner.

Reynolds crawls over, hot tag to Uno! Uno fires forearms on all of Top Flight! Uno winds up, but Dante JUMP KNEES! Darius mule kicks! Action KICKS, Darius BUZZSAWS! But then Silver & Reynolds drag the Martins out! Uno dodges Action, tells him to STOP, then ROCKS him! The rest of Dark Order get in, Reynolds spins Action before the TRIPLE ROLLING ELBOWS!! Action wobbles, Uno reels him in, and Silver gives Reynolds the BOOST to take out the Martins! PILEDRIVER for Action! Cover, TWO!! Action survives and shocks the Dark Order! Uno cools off, tags Silver in, and Silver tags Reynolds.

The Dark Order surrounds Action and the fans rally up. They stand Action up, hoist him up, and Silver builds speed, but the Martins trip Silver! Darius drags Silver out, Action gets away and Dante baits Uno. Uno runs in, Dante goes up and over to JUMP KNEE Reynolds! GAMANGIRI for Uno, then Action SUPERKICKS! Dante DIVES to take out Silver, Darius steps in to COMPLETE SHOT Uno! Action and Darius have Reynolds for the double pump handle, DOUBLE LIGHTNING SPIRAL! Cover, Top Flight wins!

Winners: Top Flight, by pinfall

Action, Dante & Darius are flying high and heading for Collision, will they take those unified World Trios Championships away from the Bang Bang Gang in the blink of an eye?

Backstage interview with Athena & Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair is with the ROH Women’s World and Women’s Television Champions, and says “Ladies and gentlemen, we are calling an Emergency MEM, a Minion Empowerment Meeting.” The Fallen Goddess asks the Minions why they’re here, and Minion #400,237.75 knows why. This is because of Red Velvet and Queen Aminata. They decided to stick their noses in Athena’s moment. The main event of Battle of the Belts, live on TNT, the first time the Overlord has been on live TV in over a YEAR. And Aminata put her hands on Athena, put Athena on her head, and proved that she is nothing more than “a hot piece of porcelain hussy garbage.”

Billie says not to forget about Red Velvet. Velvet acted all high ‘n’ mighty, but she just forgot Billie hasn’t beat her yet. Lexy says then it seems there is some unfinished business. The champs bring Lexy in for an uncomfortable double side hug, and Athena says “Bestie” is right. There is unfinished business. And since MIT is a nonprofit, they’ll give a “scholarship to the biggest ass-whooping Queen Aminata and Red Velvet have ever seen. Got it?” Athena tells Queenie and “Blue Velvet” to either step up or step out. Challenge issued to the Queen and the Chef, but are the Overlord and her sidekick about to get cooked?

Mark Sterling speaks.

“Some people get into professional wrestling because they need to. You haven’t needed anything in your entire life. You have an unlimited amount of resources at your fingertips. Money, culture, knowledge. You wanted to excel at this business, so you got the best training, the best workouts, the best diets, the best gear, the best moves. If it’s not the best, it’s simply not you. But the wisest man doesn’t think he’s the best until he’s surrounded by the best. And now, we all are. You are Ariya Daivari. And you are a Premier Athlete. We are the Premier Athletes.”

The Premier Athletes are here in person.

Sterling talks to his stable and tells them the beginning of phase two was a success. They wanted to assert dominance over ROH, and he would say message sent. However, they were not aware that the message would be sent to ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe, to Dalton Castle, and half of the ROH men’s locker room. It took SIX men to stand face to face to these three. They’ve got Ariya back and more pissed off than ever. They’ve got National Champion, Josh Woods. And they’ve got Tony Nese in peak, physical performance. Now, they all know The Infantry wasn’t personal. They were just in the line of fire.

The Infantry is just on a long list of people who do not deserve the opportunities. Opportunities that belong to these three physical specimens! Because these are The Premier Athletes. When and where will Sterling’s stable finally break through to that next level?

Backstage interview with Griff Garrison & Cole Karter.

Lexy is now with Maria Kanellis’ baby boys and says they haven’t had the best luck as of late. What’s next? Karter isn’t sure. They keep getting opportunities, but they keep failing. Karter recently had a match against Christopher Daniels, and he lost! Griff says Karter thinks that’s bad, but Griff lost his shot at the ROH World Championship. Griff has faced Mark Briscoe twice in his career, and he’s 0-2. Karter’s match wasn’t even for a title! Griff had so much more on the line! Maria then walks in and sees her boys are disappointed. Well, Mama is disappointed, too. They both could’ve done much better in their matches.

But every loss is an opportunity. Griff was in the ring with THIRTEEN TIME ROH World Tag Team Champion, Mark Briscoe! Karter was up against Christopher Daniels, a legend! Maria’s been in the ring with both of those men, and they have so much experience. That is what Griff & Karter gain every time they’re out there. Every single loss is an opportunity. And everyone around here is always jealous of the abs and the looks, and it’s great that they are. But eventually, they’ll be jealous of what these two do in the ring. And eventually, these two will get back her championships, the ROH World Tag Team Championships.

Maria leads the way, but does anyone wanna tell her that that would mean her baby boys going up against her husband, Mike Bennett?

ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners!

Speaking of Mike Bennett, he and Matt Taven are still champions after the big assist from Wardlow at Supercard of Honor. But will the Kingdom need their War Machine again real soon? Or will they be able to handle Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum in 10 minutes or less?

The fans rally up for the Outrunners already while the Code of Honor is upheld Mega Powers style. The teams then sort out, and though Taven is confused, Bennett steps up and starts against Truth. The fans chant “TAVEN SUCKS!” but Taven just eggs the Melvins on. Truth and Bennett tie up, then Truth wrenches to wristlock. Tag to Turbo, he takes the handoff, and he nods as he wrenches and wristlocks. Bennett knees low, flexes on Turbo, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Bennett wristlocks, says this is old school wrestling, but Turbo powers up! The fans fire up as Turbo rolls, handsprings, and kips up! Turbo then BOPS Bennett on the head!

The fans cheer, Turbo tags Truth, and Truth wrenches to wristlock. Truth grinds the arm, whips, but Bennett reverses. Taven trips Truth up while Bennett’s all up in the ref’s face! The fans boo and Turbo protests but Bennett dropkicks Truth down! Bennett mocks the old school posing then takes a bow. Tag to Taven, he CHOPS Truth in the corner. Taven CHOPS again, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Taven lets off to taunt Turbo, and Bennett gets a cheap shot on Truth! Bennett drags Truth up by his hair, the ref sees that and reprimands, but Taven ROCKS Truth. Taven whips, but Turbo trips Truth to actually save him from the crossbody!

Taven tumbles up and out of the ring, Truth gets up to tag Turbo! Truth then runs and Turbo holds ropes up, BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK! Bennett runs up, is sent out, and The Kingdom regroups. The fans fire up for Turbo as he fires up, then PLANCHAS! Down goes The Kingdom and Turbo is all revved up! Turbo gets in the ring, shakes the ropes, then tags in Truth. The Outrunners coordinate, to spin and pose! The fans fire up but The Kingdom CLOBBER The Outrunners from behind! The fans boo but Bennett flexes. Bennett brings Truth up, CHOPS, and now fans chant “BENNETT SUCKS!”

Bennett CHOPS Truth, puts him in the corner, and tags Taven. Bennett feeds Truth to a BOOT, adds the BOSTON BAYONET, then Taven LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Truth is tougher than that, but Taven argues with the ref. The ref defends his count, so Taven brings Truth over to ropes. Taven CHOKES Truth but the fans boo. The ref counts, Taven lets off at 4, and Taven soaks up the heat. Truth sputters but Taven tags Bennett. The Kingdom mugs Truth, then Bennett keeps Truth from Turbo with a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Truth stays in this but Bennett stays on him with a chinlock and stretch. The fans rally as Truth endures.

Truth is red in the face but he fights to his feet. But Taven BLASTS Turbo! Bennett throws Truth by his hair! Turbo storms in but the ref has to stop him. Turbo is upset but Bennett stands on Truth’s face! Bennett clamps onto Truth with a chinlock and grinds him down with a knee in the back. The fans fire up, we pass five minutes as Truth fights up, but Taven runs at Turbo again! Turbo ROCKS Taven first this time! Truth then hits a BIG back suplex on Bennett! The fans fire up, Turbo is feeling it, and Truth crawls over! Truth staggers ot his feet, hot tag to Turbo! Turbo rallies on The Kingdom with big haymakers!

The fans fire up as Turbo scoops and SLAMS Taven! Then he scoops and SLAMS Bennett! Scoop and SLAM for Taven! Scoop and SLAM for Bennett! The fans fire up and Turbo drops an elbow! And another elbow! And then he winds up, flexes, and JUPM ELBOW DROPS! Taven runs up but Turbo kicks! Turbo reels Taven in, flexes again, and hits a BIG suplex! Turbo points to Truth, Truth tags in, and Truth goes up! FLYING FOREARM on Bennett! The Outrunners hurry to get Bennett up, but Taven ENZIGIRIS Truth to stop Boot Camp, er Vice City, or whatever they were calling it! Bennett shoves Turbo into Truth then rolls Truth up, with tights! The Kingdom wins!

Winners: The Undisputed Kingdom, by pinfall (denies The Outrunners a title opportunity)

Taven grabs the belts to celebrate and Bennett says that was too easy. But then the ref suspects shenanigans! Did Bennett pull tights? Bennett defends his innocence, as does Taven, and the ref drops the issue. Will The Kingdom do anything and everything they have to in order to stay champions?

Red Velvet & Queen Aminata speak.

The Chef and The Queen are backstage, and Velvet tells Athena, “There you go again. Stirring up the pot. Oh my gosh, we ruined your moment~! I’m done with you. Billie? You wanna hang with the big girls? You wanna get in big girl business? Then bring it on. Yes, I haven’t forgotten I beat you, twice. And I’ll do it again, and this time, I’m a beat you like your mama never did. You know why? Cuz I don’t roll with minions. I roll with royalty.” Aninata says that’s right. And Athena, oh, they feel so sorry for “ruining” the moment. Actually, Aminata would do it again and again and again. And wanna know why? Because Queen Aminata does not respect Athena as a champion!

Athena has ZERO honor! And no one knows better about honor than The Queen. And Velvet says, “Y’know what, Queen? I’m looking for a fight. Are you looking for a fight?” Aminata is definitely ready for a fight. Velvet says it is time to cook, eat, leave no crumbs, and take out the trash! This dynamic duo is ready to tear down the Forever Champion and her little buddy, will they take the gold right off Athena & Billie?

Backstage interview with The Infantry.

Lexy is now with Trish Adora, Carlie Bravo & Captain Shawn Dean, and we’ve seen them get on a roll. How are they continuing the momentum? Carlie is so glad she asked. Have no fear, you know The Infantry is here. Dean says yes, they are here. And there’s been nothing but targets on their backs. They said they’re the most popular team, and people have been after them. Carlie does realize now that they had those OG Ops, then those really big Ops, and last week, there’s Ops they didn’t even know about. But let’s not forget those really old Ops, the- Oh wait, The Outrunners walk in. Turbo & Truth are feeling good. They may not have targets on their backs, but they’ve got some guns!

Wait, wait, wait. Are they wearing brightly colored camo?! Okay, first they take the Infantry’s move, now they’re copying the swag? What’s next? Trying to take Adora and their homes? What the what, son? Dean has Carlie calm down. He’s always got great ideas. He does? Yes, because next week, Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, they take this to where it all began! Finally, Infantry take The Outrunners to where they belong, and that’s Boot Camp! Hold on, The Outrunners have been using camo since The Cow Palace. Dean has to hold Carlie back on that one! Turbo has a better idea! Outrunners VS Infantry, Daily’s Place, where it all began!!

WHAT!? Didn’t they just- Fine, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Oh yeah? The Outrunners will do Infantry one better and THEY will accept! Let’s roll out! Copy that! WHAT!? Stop copying them, Outrunners!! But will Dean & Carlie finally get through the delusional duo and make them find their own schtick?

Backstage interview with Johnny TV & Taya Valkyrie.

Lexy is with Mr. & Mrs. TV Ready and notes the season finale of Johnny Loves Taya just dropped. How are they feeling? Amazing~! Everyone loves their show, they worked so hard on it for months. Ten episodes, the grand finale, it couldn’t have gone any better. And think about it: awards season! The acceptance speeches, the red carpets, the fashion moments. But in sneaks Aaron Solo. That sounds fun! Though they would’ve won more awards if they had this face on the show. Maybe next season? Johnny says maybe Aaron would’ve been on the show, if he supported it once. He didn’t tweet about it once! All their real friends did.

Uh, Aaron is the Retweet King! Especially those first three episodes. Aaron and Johnny argue but Taya has them calm down. Taya runs the socials for the show, and she can confirm, Aaron did retweet. Oh, well, thanks, bro. Yeah, man! Remember QTV? The handshake? They do the handshake, right down the rocket ship taking off. Aaron says see? They’re bros. Before Johnny Loved Taya, Johnny Loved Solo. Uh… No. Aaron is a loser! TV Ready people do not hang with losers. Remember how his name used to be S O L O W? They took the W away cuz he keeps getting L’s! He’s 0 and THIS CENTURY! Get a win already!

Aaron says fine, if that’s what they want, he will win. And he’ll prove to both of you that Aaron is TV Ready! Aaron heads out, and Taya says it’ scute that he’s so confident. Not that it’ll work out. And they got the last word. Aaron then says “Bye” from offscreen, so Johnny says, “Adios.” Aaron has bet on himself, but will he win out?

Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos!

All Heart, The Whole Fox’n Show and the evolved Black Taurus are among the fastest, toughest and hungriest competitors around, and they’re all looking for that golden opportunity. Will Blake be rolling into NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament? Or will another big name prove they’re a big deal?

The Code of Honor is upheld between Fox and Blake, but not Mortos. The bell rings, Mortos stares down Fox and Blake. Fox runs in to RAM Mortos but bounces off! Blake RAMS Mortos but also bounces off! They both run up, but he runs them over! Fox & Blake both kip up, but Mortos choke grips them both. Mortos shoves Blake away, but Fox flips through the choke slam! Blake & Fox DOUBLE SUPERKICK Mortos down! Mortos bails out, Blake and Fox coordinate, and Fox runs. But then Blake sweeps the legs! Fox ends up on ropes, Blake runs to BASEMENT 619! The fans boo but All Heart also has some brains.

Blake aims from the apron, springboards in and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fox flounders to a corner, Blake runs in, but Fox puts him on the apron. Blake RAMS into Fox, slingshots, but Fox goes out to then slingshot SENTONS! The fans fire up, Fox suplexes for ANARCHY! Blake bails, Mortos LARIATS Fox down! The fans fire up as Mortos roars, and Mortos drags Fox up. Mortos suplexes, Fox slips free to waistlock but Mortos switches. Mortos shoves, follows, then rolls off Fox’s back! Mortos SOBATS, KNEES, ELBOWS and snapmares, to then NECK TWIST! Then SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

Fox survives that onslaught but Mortos roars again. Mortos drags Fox up, wrenches and grabs a leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! Fox writhes, Mortos gets legs and steps through, and Mortos ties Fox up for a NAVARRO DEATH ROLL! Fox endures the leg lock, but Blake DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS Mortos! The fans fire up and Blake smirks as he runs in at Mortos. Mortos BOOTS Blake, SLING-DOGS, then CRUCIFIX DRIVERS! Blake wobbles, Mortos whips to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Blake survives but Mortos snarls. Mortos drags Blake up, UPPERCUTS him down, and Blake flounders to a corner.

The fans cheer as Mortos drags Blake back up. Mortos reels Blake in to back suplex, but Blake lands out! Blake dodges in the corner, then whips to ropes. Mortos reverses but Blake handsprings, wheelbarrows, SPLASH 182! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Mortos and Blake stir while Fox returns. The fans rally, Fox and Mortos stand first and Fox throws a haymaker! Blake adds a haymaker, he and Fox pinball Mortos around! They put him in a corner, throw more hands, then Fox goes up to rain down fists! Mortos shoves Fox away so Blake rains down fists. Mortos shoves him away, Fox returns to A-LIST LARIAT!

Mortos slumps down, Blake adds a LOW CROSSBODY! Fox skins the cat to DROPKICK Mortos, and then Fox goes to the apron. The fans fire up as Fox goes up, but Blake ROCKS him first! Blake goes up, brings Fox up, but Mortos adds on! The fans are going nuts already for the SPANISH FLY BOMB!! Cover on Blake, TWO! Cover on Fox, TWO!! Mortos snarls but he drags Fox back up. Mortos trophy lifts Fox, but Fox slips free to BOOT! Mortos tumbles out to the apron, and Blake SPEARS him down! Blake hurries to build speed so he can DIVE! Mortos stays up!? So Fox FLIES! Down goes Mortos and the fans fire up!

Fox puts Mortos in but Blake aims first! Springboard 450 SPLASH! Fox adds the SWANTON BOMB! But then Blake TOSSES Fox to cover Mortos, only for Fox to break it! Fox has had it with Blake being so sneaky, and TOSSES him out! Blake is on the apron, he ROCKS Fox, but Fox stops the slingshot! Fox has Blake in ropes, step-up DRAPING DDT! Roll through, but Mortos reels Fox in! Scoop and MORTOS DRIVER!! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

Blake and Fox couldn’t say on the same page, and that allowed the minotaur of lucha to take the win! Will nothing stop The Beast Mortos from stampeding his way to a championship opportunity?

My Thoughts:

A good episode of ROH here at an hour and 38 minutes, but that made for quite a bit of filler. I did like the Six Meaty Men Slapping Meat Tag match of Mogul Embassy VS 1 Called Manders, BEEF and Calvin Tankman, but of course The Embassy won. Good return matches for Johnny and Taya, but I liked their promo with Aaron Solo better. It was a good use of continuity bringing up the failed QTV to pivot into a new story for Johnny TV now that Dalton Castle is moving on. Good promos from Mark Sterling, but a bit redundant again to have him hype up Ariya Daivari, then for him to talk directly to Ariya and the others.

Another confusing thing was the promo from The Infantry and Outrunners. Well, the promo wasn’t confusing, the timing was. Perhaps it was a victim of poor pacing as we’ve seen all over AEW & ROH. But I do appreciate we’re finally seeing these two teams have it out for ROH at Daily’s Place “next week,” aka prerecorded sometime this week. Outrunners had a good match with The Kingdom but of course The Kingdom won. But we’re getting an interesting detail where Maria wants her new boys, Griff & Karter, to go for those ROH World Tag Team Championships while her old boys, Bennett & Taven, still have them. Some sort of Kingdom Civil War angle in the works here?

Really good stuff with Zay winning by going to new lows, and really good Six Man Tag to give Top Flight momentum going into their title match with Bang Bang Gang. Really good promo from Bang Bang Gang and of course White & The Gunns are going to retain. And at least they did just what I was hoping by having a promo from Bullet Club Gold on ROH so that it counts as them being on this show. Just needs to keep happening, maybe with some in-person appearances. Not even matches, just BCG watching other trios fighting it out because they’re scouting, aka foreshadowing, new opponents.

Great main event Triple Threat but also a fast one, Mortos with the big win over Fox and Blake. While there’s something brewing for the ROH World Championship with Mark Briscoe being around Dalton Castle and The Premier Athletes, maybe Mortos can find himself in the world title scene for the next ROH PPV. And then great promos from Athena & Billie as well as Velvet & Aminata. We’re definitely getting a tag team match that will end up earning Velvet a shot at the Women’s TV title and Aminata a shot at the Women’s World title, and those will be awesome matches.

And if either of the champs is losing, I’m actually thinking it’s more Athena losing to Aminata than Billie losing to Velvet. I’ve said it before, Aminata’s proven herself worthy, and if she wasn’t gonna be inaugural Women’s TV Champ, might as well make her the woman that dethrones the undefeated Athena.