Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/13/20)

NXT has a MAJOR announcement!

Published

4 years ago

May 13, 2020

Steven Mitchell

NXT is full to the brim!

Rhea Ripley returns, the NXT Tag Team Championships are on the line, and Triple H returns with a major announcement, all in one night!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Tag Team Championships: Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher VS Imperium; Imperium wins and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions.
Tegan Nox VS Indi Hartwell; Nox wins.
Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group A: Tony Nese VS Jake Atlas; Atlas wins.
Finn Balor VS Cameron Grimes; Grimes wins.
Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group B: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Jack Gallagher; Gallagher wins.
Aliyah VS Kayden Carter; Carter wins.
Matt Riddle VS Timothy Thatcher; Riddle wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT Tag Team Championships: Matt Riddle & Timothy Thatcher VS Imperium!

Bro… Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner ruined the Newly-Bro Show and want to end the young friendship of Stallion Riddle and Stallion Tim! Will their plans be what’s ruined instead?

The teams are introduced and the belts are raised. Thatcher starts with Barthel at the bell. They tie up, go around, and Thatcher shifts to a half nelson and then hammerlock. Thatcher drags Barthel to the mat and grabs the other arm for a cover, TWO! Barthel gets a facelock but Thatcher slips right out to have the hammerlock again. Thatcher digs his knee in but Barthel rolls and headscissors back. Barthel squeezes tight but Thatcher rolls him over. Thatcher pops out, has the legs and the chin for the Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Barthel rolls off but Thatcher keeps on him with a facelock. Barthel trips Thatcher up and the two fight for control. Barthel tries ground ‘n’ pound but Thatcher SLAPS back! The two lock up legs and headstand for just a moment before Thatcher rolls it over. Thatcher gives slapping ground ‘n’ pound, then goes after the arm! Barthel gets the ropebreak with his legs and Thatcher lets go.

Aichner tags in before Thatcher whips Barthel. Barthel reverses and ducks and Aichner arm-drags Thatcher down. Thatcher fights his way up but Barthel goes after Riddle! Riddle is ready and fires off forearms and CHOPS! Riddle clobbers Barthel against the barriers while Aichner CLUBS Thatcher! Aichner waistlock slams and facelocks Thatcher. Thatcher fights up, wrenches out and Riddle tags in. Riddle gets Aichner in a headlock but Aichner powers out. Aichner runs Riddle over, things speed up, and Aichner catches Riddle into a fireman’s carry. But Riddle slips to a sleeper hold, only for Aichner to throw him off. Aichner runs into a gut wrench suplex! Barthel tags in but runs into a BROSPLODER! Penalty Kick! Riddle rocks Aichner off the apron then drops a Broton onto knees! Tag to Aichner and Imperium hits Riddle with a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Imperium has control as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Aichner has Riddle down with a high keylock sleeper hold. Riddle fights his way up and fights back, but Aichner shoves. Riddle kicks back but Aichner catches his leap! Aichner rams Riddle into the corner and tags in Barthel. Imperium meets at the corner with dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Thatcher coaches Riddle up but Barthel talks trash while throwing down forearms. Tag to Aichner and Aichner stomps Riddle down. Riddle chops back but Aichner just stomps him more. Aichner hammers away and digs a boot into Riddle’s neck! The ref backs Aichner off but Aichner drags Riddle up. Tag to Barthel but Riddle fights back! Riddle KNEES Aichner down but Barthel runs in to intercept. Riddle back drops, Barthel sunset flips but Riddle rolls out. Riddle misses the Final Flash and Barthel waistlocks. Riddle elbows Barthel away, but Barthel grabs the trunks. Riddle ROUNDHOUSES Barthel down!

Thatcher reaches out, but Barthel brings Riddle back around. Riddle monkey flips Barthel, but into Thatcher! A miscalculation from The Bro and his bro is down! Thatcher gets up with a grimace, and he leaves Riddle?! Riddle didn’t mean to do it, but that was the last straw for Thatcher. Aichner tags in and Riddle is all alone! Imperium smiles as they finish Riddle off with the EURO- NO! Riddle powers out and hits BRO TO SLEEP! Barthel leaps into FINAL FLASH! Aichner escapes the bomb and Barthel tags in. SPINE BUSTER and PENALTY KICK! Then Imperium resets, EURO BOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!!

Winners: Imperium, by pinfall (NEW NXT Tag Team Champions)

The Newly-Bros breaking up at the worst possible time allows Barthel & Aichner to take away the gold! Will Riddle ever get his Bruiserweight back to get a rematch?

Backstage interview with Timothy Thatcher.

Why did he walk out on Matt Riddle in the middle of their match? Thatcher says that all Riddle had to do was knock ’em out, so that he could tap ’em out. Instead, Riddle wants to do game shows, kick off his flip-flops, be all “Bro…” Thatcher wants to be a champion, but not with this hot mess. But Riddle comes by to ask what that was about. Thatcher shoves Riddle, Riddle pushes back, and it’s a BRAWL! Referees and security rush in to put a stop to it but clearly tensions are running high. When will we see Riddle and Thatcher have it out in the ring?

Tegan Nox VS Indi Hartwell!

The girl with the Shiniest Wizard is back, looking to move past her own tag team implosion with Dakota Kai. Will she be able to kick it up a notch and head for the top?

The bell rings and Tegan ties up with Indi. Indi pushes Tegan back and Indi is immediately not impressed. They tie up again and Indi throws Tegan down. Tegan gets up, gets around, but Indi blocks the arm-drag. Indi throws Tegan down by her hair then stomps her around. Indi taunts Tegan and throws haymakers. Cover, TWO, and Tegan scrambles to ropes. Indi drags Tegan up but Tegan rolls. Indi denies the sunset flip with slaps and stomps, then drags Tegan up just to club her down. Tegan is getting mad but Indi stomps away on her in the corner. The ref counts and Indi lets off before bringing Tegan up. Tegan throws body shots but Indi clubs back. Tegan kicks but Indi clubs again. Indi whips and scoops for a sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Indi keeps her cool as she brings Tegan back up. Indi whips Tegan corner to corner then runs in, but into an elbow! Tegan dumps Indi to the apron but walks into the shoulder.

Indi springboards, but into the choke grip! CHOKE SLAM! Tegan staggers back but aims at Indi. She brings Indi up to CHOP and CHOP and throw forearms. Indi reverses the whip but Tegan goes up and over to uppercut! Tegan enziguris then sweeps the legs. Tegan goes corner to corner to CANNONBALL! Indi rolls but Tegan climbs, for a flying crossbody! Tegan hits the SHINIEST WIZARD! Cover, Tegan wins!

Winner: Tegan Nox, by pinfall

Indi wasn’t impressed at first, but surely Tegan just left her mark! Will NXT’s Captain Marvel have a marvelous rise towards the title?

NXT hears from Rhea Ripley.

“Yeah, WrestleMania didn’t go as I planned.” And Rhea hasn’t rested much since. The thought of Charlotte Flair walking around with her NXT Women’s Championship sickens Rhea. Io Shirai put up a great fight last week, but in the end, she couldn’t get the job done. The person that will bring the title back to NXT is Rhea. Even if Rhea has to beat that into Io herself! Rhea isn’t done with Charlotte, but as the saying Charlotte’s old man used to say goes, “We’ve only just begun.” Charlotte’s title belongs to Rhea. When will we get to see the Queen and the Riptide have a WrestleMania rematch?

Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.

The Bro finishes up a video call with Mr. William Regal, and he is very thankful and happy. What did Regal have to say? He made a match for Riddle VS Thatcher later tonight. And unlike Stallion Pete, Thatcher’s just a stupid- Oh no! Thatcher blindsides Riddle! A referee hurries over to tell Thatcher to back off, but Thatcher uses a spare television screen to SMASH Riddle down! Thatcher says he’ll see Riddle later tonight, but did he just make sure that won’t be the case?

Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group A: Tony Nese VS Jake Atlas!

The round robin tournament enters its final round before THE final match! Will the Premier Athlete play spoiler tonight? Or will he be unable to stop Atlas’ journey towards the title?

Before the match, Byron Saxton interviews Atlas, reminding him that it all comes down to this match. What are his final thoughts? This is do or die for Atlas. Atlas needs to defeat a former Cruiserweight Champion to even have a shot. And as the biggest Drake Maverick fan, Atlas hopes Maverick beats Kushida to force the tie. But he can’t think that far ahead. He just has to handle business.

The bell rings and Nese circles with Atlas. They tie up, Nese gets a takedown but Atlas counters to a chinlock. Nese fights up but Atlas wrenches the arm. Nese powers Atlas to ropes but the ref calls for the break. Nese headlocks instead, but Atlas reverses to one of his own. Nese back suplexes but Atlas lands on his feet, only to run into a mule kick and knee lift! Nese adds the roundhouse but Atlas jumps the sweep. Atlas kicks but Nese avoids that, and the standing moonsault! Nese goes to trip Atlas but Atlas cartwheels over it. Atlas tells Nese to stop, and he take a bow. Nese throat chops back! Nese brings Atlas around for the bulldog hotshot! He goes back in to ground ‘n’ pound but the ref backs him off. Atlas pushes Nese but Nese kicks low. Nese clubs Atlas on the back then toys with him. Atlas throws body shots but Nese CHOPS! Nese stomps away on Atlas then brings him out for a big suplex! Cover, TWO!

Nese keeps on Atlas with a facelock and even traps on arm in the hold. Atlas endures the grind and fights his way up. Nese cranks on Atlas harder then knees low. Nese catches Atlas’ kick then slips under to get the waistlock but Atlas elbows out. Atlas ROCKS Nese with that forearm, but Nese ROCKS Atlas back! Atlas grits his teeth to BOOT Nese down! And hit a SNAP GERMAN! Basement enziguri! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives but he scurries away. Atlas walks over into a CHOP! Nese pushes Atlas into a corner and grinds in forearms. Nese whips, slips under and pump handles, but Atlas fights free! Atlas hits a leaping neckbreaker! Atlas grits his teeth again and goes up top. Nese SHORYUKENS! Nese CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS until Atlas is dangling over the edge! Then he stomps away between the romps! The ref backs Nese off but Nese comes back to put Atlas on the apron.

Nese hops up top and toys with Atlas, but Atlas CLUBS back! And CLUBS and CLUBS! And sweeps the legs! Nese bounces off buckles on his way down! Atlas climbs up, handsprings on the ropes for the DDT!! Cover, Atlas wins!!

Winner: Jake Atlas, by pinfall (moves up to 2-1; Nese drops to 0-3)

Somewhere over the rainbow is Atlas’ chance at the championship! But now, it’s all about Kushida VS Drake Maverick next week! Can the ultimate underdog force a three-way tie in Group A?

NXT shares Adam Cole’s video call with Kyle O’Reilly.

The best buds miss seeing each other, because it feels like it’s forever. But how has the movie role been going for Kyle? Unbelievable! He sets the stage: “The world’s greatest athlete” in Kyle, Daniel Day-Lews, Devito, a bit of a buddy comedy meets Ghostbusters meets Titanic. It’s all so amazing. Kyle yells at someone about his latte, and then Bobby Fish joins the call! The Infamous One misses his pals, the OG3 Undisputed Era. Wait, Roderick Strong joins the call! Strong has his FitBit! Sweet! Kyle looks so different with that beard. Yeah, he’s like Tom Hanks in Castaway. But seriously, Kyle loves what the rest of the Undisputed Era is doing on NXT, such as destroying Velveteen Dream’s dreams. Cole “embarrassed the crap” out of him. Dream is a joke! But speaking of embarrassing, what Dexter Lumis tried to do to Roddy and Bobby, pff. Who even is that guy? What is his problem? Someone needs to take care of this guy.

Kyle gets an idea: throw a name up on who should take Lumis out. On three… RODDY! They all agreed! Time to break Lumis’ back. Great minds think alike. Dream and Lumis will be moved out of the way and then the Undisputed Era can run roughshod on NXT all over again. And that is Undisputed. Throw up the UE! But when will we see all four of them back in the ring again?

NXT hears Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux.

“The world is always tirelessly searching for answers. The question is, motives, explanations, great certainty as to why terrible people do terrible things.” They are not here to shock the system. They are not here to save you from your black hearts. Tick tock. They are the reckoning. “It’s time to wake up from the dream, before you stand asleep forever.” Tommaso Ciampa was just the first. #FallAndPray.

NXT takes a closer look at Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez.

Dakota says she cared “way too much about what the fans thought of me, what people backstage thought of me.” Her injury made her realize something had to change. More times or not, she’d have to stop her own rehab session just so she could be part of filming Tegan’s. “They” didn’t care about Dakota. So when Dakota returned, being in the shadow of others, that moment told Dakota it was time for a change. Her attack on Tegan was just the beginning. “It felt good.” Tegan wanted revenge in Portland, but that was Dakota’s stage. Dakota’s career went to a new level with Raquel’s appearance. Raquel is all muscle, and the new dominant force in NXT. But more importantly, she’s the only woman Dakota can truly trust.

Raquel says she and Dakota share a common bond. They both know what it is to be outcasts. Be warned: they’re in the hurt business, and business is going to be good. Who will be first to feel the hurt from #CobraKai and the Daughter of the Desperado?

Backstage interview with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott.

Swerve’s match against Jack Gallagher is also a “win or go home” scenario. What will it take for him to stay in this tournament? “Confidence.” Swerve has a lot of it. The way he’s been moving in the ring has been so smooth and innovative, he feels untouchable. Fantasma found that out real quick. Fantasma thought he was going to run through this division, but then Swerve stopped that. Now the task at hand is Gallagher, but we know how that’s going to go. Swerve isn’t someone who isn’t going to get even a single win. If he couldn’t get a single win, he’d quit wrestling all together. Swerve excuses himself to protect the house. Whose house? Swerve’s house.

Degeneration X takes over NXT!

Triple H and Shawn Michaels are backstage in the production area to inform us that GM William Regal could not be here in person. But the announcement set for tonight needed to be made, so they’re here to give it. Hopefully this goes better than that HHH XXV celebration a couple weeks ago. But funny to mention that. Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the very first WWE In Your House PPV. Whoa! Road Dogg shows up! He heard them say In Your House, and brings up how he had a match on that event against Razor Ramon. And HBK had a match against Jeff Jarrett. HHH had a match, didn’t he? HHH doesn’t recall, because he lost. But that’s beside the point. What’s important now is that the 25th anniversary of In Your House is coming, and a lot of people are stuck spending time in their houses. So it all makes sense that right now, NXT does something about that.

So on June 7th, it will be NXT TakeOver: IN YOUR HOUSE! The brand that delivers will deliver once again! And if you aren’t down with that, they’ve got two words for ya! PIG CRAP! That’s what happened! HHH got his faced shoved in pig crap and it was all in his beard. HHH has cameras cut away, but the big news is that TakeOver is going to be In Your House! With just a month away, who will we see earn a spot on this special 25th anniversary celebration?

Finn Balor VS Cameron Grimes!

The Prince knows there’s a snake slithering in the locker room, but he’s going to worry about the weasel in front of him first. Will the Carolina Caveman be able to Cave-In before Balor can hit his Coup de Grace?

The bell rings and Grimes tries for Cave-In right away! But Balor easily avoids it to CHOP Grimes to a corner. Grimes powers Balor across the way to ram in, but Balor knees back. Balor bumps Grimes off buckles then throws body shots. Balor snapmares to a chinlock and he thrashes Grimes about. Grimes endures and claws at Balor but Balor holds on. Grimes tries to power out but Balor still holds on. They go around as Grimes keeps clawing. Grimes gets out and has an armlock. He digs his fingers into Balor’s face but Balor fights up to trip Grimes. Balor stomps Grimes down then Penalty Kicks him for good measure. Balor CHOPS then whips Grimes corner to corner. Grimes avoids the chop to waistlock and slam Balor down! Grimes falls on Balor over and over then hammers away.

Grimes claws at Balor’s face again but the ref backs him off. Grimes brings Balor up to roundhouse him back down! He chokes Balor at the ropes but the ref counts. Grimes lets up at 4 to whip. Balor reverses, Grimes sunset flips but Balor slips out to basement dropkick! Balor wants a Slingblade but Grimes blocks. Balor blocks Grimes’ lift and underhooks, but Grimes powers up to swing and SLAM Balor down! Cover, TWO! Grimes is in shock but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Grimes grinds Balor into the mat with the chinlock. Grimes cranks back in a half camel clutch and shouts, “This is what you wanted, Balor!” Balor fights his way up and the two go around. Grimes wrangles Balor back down and grinds his forearm into Balor’s face. Balor fights up to forearm free but Grimes whips and hits a kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Grimes keeps on Balor with another armlock and a wrench. Balor forearms free again, and keeps on Grimes with those forearms. Grimes turns things around to whip Balor hard into buckles! Grimes glares at Balor and stands on Balor’s head. He steps away at the ref’s count but stalks up behind Balor for forearm shots. Grimes pushes Balor into buckles then rams his shoulder in. He whips corner to corner again, but Balor BOOTS back! Balor runs into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Grimes keeps his cool but he also keeps talking trash. He CLUBS Balor down and is feeling confident now. But Balor trips him to DOUBLE STOMP him down!

Balor KICKS and stomps away at the ropes but the ref backs him off. Grimes bails out and drags Balor out to join him, but Balor bumps him off the apron. Balor stomps on Grimes’ head over and over, then stops at the count of 4. Balor lines up the shot to PENALTY KICK Grimes down! But wait! Is that Damian Priest? Is he the snake Balor talked of? Balor decks Damian and SLINGBLADES Grimes! Balor puts Grimes in the ring at the count of 6 and leaves Priest behind. But then Priest uses his night stick to CLUB Balor on the back! CAVE-IN!! Cover, Grimes wins!!

Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall

The Archer of Infamy just helped the technical savage get a win on Balor!! Grimes takes his hat and runs off into the night, but now Priest goes after Balor directly. Priest slides a chair into the ring and then looms over Balor. Priest drags Balor up, RECKONING onto the chair!! Priest grabs the chair takes a seat on Balor’s neck! The Archer of Infamy wants to #LiveForever, so why not take out NXT’s Prince? Priest just didn’t realize he’d enjoy it so much. Just like he did three weeks ago. The snake reveals himself! Priest wants to annihilate the Prince, but will Balor have something to say about that?

Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, Group B: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Jack Gallagher!

Swerve lost to Akira Tozawa but won against El Hijo del Fantasma. The gentleman turned jackal, meanwhile, has yet to win once. Will Gallagher end up in the same boat as the winless Nese? Or will Gallagher be Swerve’s spoiler?

But before the match, Nese attacks Swerve! He sends Swerve into steel steps! Nese clearly heard Swerve’s words about being winless and all that, and points to the Cruiserweight Championship as he angrily retorts, “You’ll never have this!” Gallagher is very confused that Nese did this now, but he isn’t going to complain, either. Swerve gets up and in the ring and wants to have this match. The bell rings, and Gallagher hits the JACKAL DROPKICK! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Swerve saves himself but Gallagher wants after him. Gallagher goes out and brings Swerve around to enziguri the back! And again! The ref reprimands and Gallagher goes in to cover, TWO! Gallagher drags Swerve up to whip and kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Swerve winces but Gallagher shows no mercy. Gallagher drags Swerve by his legs to stomp the ribs. Gallagher clamps onto Swerve with a seated stretch, but Swerve still endures.

Swerve fights his way up and breaks free with body shots. Swerve goes to suplex but Gallagher throws body shots of his own. Gallagher swings but Swerve fires back. Swerve blocks the kick, trips Gallagher and rolls him to a dead lift! Gallagher breaks free and runs, but misses the corner to corner dropkick! Swerve goes corner to corner, for the HOUSE CALL! Cover, TWO!! Gallagher survives and Swerve grits his teeth, but Swerve is far from through. Swerve KICKS Gallagher in the chest tattoo. And again! Swerve brings Gallagher up and runs, but into Gallagher’s leaping guillotine! Gallagher drags Swerve down with the body scissors and shouts for the ref to check Swerve. Swerve keeps moving, keeps fighting, and powers back up. Swerve powers Gallagher into a suplex, but Gallagher breaks free! ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, Gallagher wins!!

Winner: Jack Gallagher, by pinfall (moves up to 1-2; Swerve drops to 1-2)

Gallagher says “Thank you very much!” as he keeps from being winless in his own run. Swerve has been taken out of the running, too, leaving Group B all to the winner of Tozawa VS Fantasma!

Aliyah VS Kayden Carter!

The Bougie helped the Robert Stone Brand withstand the spice last week, but will they return the favor as Aliyah takes on the fiery Filipina?

The bell rings and Aliyah rushes KC for a takedown. Aliyah turns KC over but KC gets up and trips Aliyah up. KC has the leg but Aliyah kicks her away. KC gets the leg again and hooks it up for a deathlock, but Aliyah pushes her away. Aliyah kips up in a huff and argues with KC. They start pushing, but KC dodges the punch to waistlock and O’Conner Roll. TWO and KC springboard dropkicks! Cover, ONE, and Aliyah scurries away. KC runs in but Aliyah puts her on the ropes to kick away on the back! Aliyah is a bougie banshee as she SLAMS KC down. Cover, TWO! Aliyah keeps on KC with a BIG hip toss! Aliyah throws forearms from all sides then shouts at the ref to back off. Aliyah cools off but KC dodges and stomps her back! KC backs off to run in, but Aliyah boots her back! Aliyah storms over to choke KC on the ropes. Robert Stone appears and seems to like what he sees. Aliyah goes back to KC but KC cradle counters! TWO and Aliyah dropkicks KC down!

Aliyah goes to the corner to show off for Stone. She goes up even higher but KC trips her up! KC throws forearms and CHOPS then whips. Aliyah reveres but KC wheelbarrows and victory rolls to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! KC drags Aliyah into the deathlock and TWISTS! Aliyah taps, KC wins!

Winner: Kayden Carter, by submission

Robert Stone didn’t like that. Aliyah hurries after Stone and grabs his sleeve, but he politely has her let go. Will Aliyah get another chance to impress the hottest rising stable? Or has she missed her one shot?

NXT has dinner with the Garganos.

Weeks ago, Johnny and Candice realized what they had to do to fix NXT. And now look at them! Candice stomped a hole into “a freakin’ ninja,” Kacy Catanzaro. Johnny took out the 7′ 8″, 385 pound Dijagoofavic! They watch replays of their matches, such as Gargano’s chop block. “What a stud!” Candice married a stud! If that colossal goof took Keith Lee to the limit, what does that say about Keith Lee? Gargano thinks it says Keith is just another flavor of the month. But Dijakovic learned a very valuable lesson: If you say Gargano’s name, there will be consequences; If you stick your nose in the business of the Garganos, you will find out that it is their way or none.

But Johnny, don’t forget Candice had a match, too. Of course not! He had the best seats in the house to a five star classic! But the undeserved rewards keep being dished out. Mia Yim got to go toe-to-toe with Charlotte Flair on the same night Candice was given Kacy Catanzaro. Kacy is not a ninja, or a warrior. She is American, though. But what she really is, is an example. That is what Candice and Johnny will do to every undeserving imbecile! That is an example Mia should take heed of. Because time and time again, Mia has lost, yet she gets opportunity after opportunity. Why!? Because she panders to fans? Candice refuses to be that pathetic. They don’t deserve anything. But just look at the company Mia keeps. She’s dating someone more concerned with everyone basking~ in his glory~, which is an awful song in the Garganos’ opinion, than being champion.

Johnny lived that live, rode that ride and knows what it’s like. The chants, the cheers, the adulation. Everyone loves you, until they don’t. The glory Keith wants doesn’t exist. It’s just a catchphrase to get fans on his side. But it doesn’t last, and you’re left feeling empty, hopeless and helpless. The fans are leeches that bleed you dry, then move on to the next. Keith may be the biggest and strongest physically, but not mentally or emotionally. But The Johnny Gargano Way is about giving people what they deserve. Candice wants to show Keith and Mia what glory really looks like. And then everyone will have to bask in that.

NXT makes it official!

Rhea Ripley said she’d beat some sense into Io Shirai, and now she’ll get her chance! The Mosh Pit Kid and the Evil Genius will go 1v1 next week! Will this match go a long way to determining Charlotte Flair’s In Your House challenger?

Matt Riddle VS Timothy Thatcher!

Newly-Bros no more, and all because of differences in personality! Will Riddle knock Thatcher out before Thatcher makes Riddle tap out?

The bell rings and Riddle goes right at Thatcher with strikes! Thatcher gets a leg and trips Riddle up to go for ground ‘n’ pound! Riddle pushes him away and gives kicks back! The two go around again and clinch. They fight for control but Thatcher gets the takedown! Riddle gets out of the mount fast but Thatcher floats on him. Riddle dumps Thatcher down to rain rights. Thatcher moves but Riddle gives kicks. Thatcher gets a leg again but Riddle gets ropes. The ref backs Thatcher off and the fighters reset. Riddle and Thatcher feel it out and clinch again. Riddle gets the arm-drag takedown to a headlock, but Thatcher slips out and turns it around. They’re in the ropes so Thatcher lets off but Riddle comes right back! Riddle gets a takedown and hits where he can. Thatcher does the same, but Riddle shifts to get around back! Riddle half nelsons and knees Thatcher in the ribs! Riddle grabs the arm and wants the double wristlock but Thatcher resists.

They go around, Thatcher gets a cover, ONE but Thatcher has the arm! Thatcher digs his knuckles into ribs and cranks on the shoulder, but Riddle moves. Thatcher has the facelock again, but Riddle fights his way up to throw knees. Riddle kicks, fakes Thatcher out to ROUNDHOUSE! Riddle is enraged as Thatcher bails out and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Thatcher has a standing toehold. Riddle fights back but Thatcher cranks on the ankle. Riddle hammers Thatcher’s leg so Thatcher drops on Riddle. Thatcher clamps onto the leg again and cranks the ankle! Riddle endures, kicks with his other leg, and then CHOPS away with slapping palm strikes. BOOT but the knee misses! Thatcher hits a German Suplex, but Riddle roars back for a FINAL FLASH! Riddle waistlocks but Thatcher stomps the toes! Thatcher ROCKS Riddle with that EuroUpper! And he RAMS his knees into Riddle’s back! Thatcher digs his knee into the spine as he clamps on with a chinlock. Riddle endures the modified camel clutch and fights up, but Thatcher clubs away. Riddle still powers up to the Alabama lift, but Thatcher sunset flips. But Riddle drops to get the triangle hold! Thatcher sits up to make it a cover on Riddle, ONE! Riddle holds on but Thatcher gets a ropebreak! Riddle lets go but the damage has been done.

Thatcher comes back to KNEE Riddle down! And again! And again! Thatcher climbs on for a slapping ground ‘n’ pound, and he wants his own armbar! Riddle resists, shifts, and makes it a cover! TWO, and Thatcher keeps pulling on the arm. Riddle shifts again but ends up in a triangle. Riddle powers up to POWERBOMB!! Both men are down but Thatcher grabs at Riddle. The two men throw shots and uppercuts! Thatcher SLAPS away on Riddle’s face, but swings into Riddle’s PELE! But Thatcher catches the foot for an ANKLE LOCK! Riddle turns, but Thatcher just turns him back over! Thatcher has the Ankle Lock on the other foot, but Riddle pushes him away! Thatcher comes back to GAMANGURI! But Riddle fireman’s carries for BRO TO SLEEP! Riddle has to crawl over but he doesn’t cover. He climbs up top, for FLOATING BRO onto knees! Thatcher has the FUJIWARA! Riddle endures as Thatcher cranks back harder!

Riddle rolls and powerbombs! “You’re not my bro!” But Thatcher grabs the arm again! Riddle rolls again, but Thatcher gets a KNEEBAR! Riddle hammers Thatcher and kicks with the free leg! They roll around, Riddle hammers Thatcher where he can, but Thatcher boots and kicks Riddle in return. Riddle powers up and around to get a cover! RIDDLE WINS!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

Thatcher can’t believe it! Riddle outsmarts him, but Thatcher CLOBBERS Riddle! And RAMS his arm into the buckles, then hits an armbreaker DDT! FUJIWARA! NOW Riddle taps, but it doesn’t matter! Thatcher lets Riddle go, only to clamp on again! Riddle screams in pain and futilely taps out! Thatcher glares at the camera to let the whole world know what he’s about! Does Pete Dunne regret teaming up his Bro with this ruthless animal?

My Thoughts:

A great episode with a lot of unexpected developments. First, I almost thought the announcement was going to be a bad thing, but then realized there’s no way it’d be that on a WWE TV program. I am glad to hear we’re getting a TakeOver event even during the Empty Arena Era, and I’m really excited to see it’s inspired by the classic In Your House series. I don’t think there’d be anything particularly different about this TakeOver just because it celebrates In Your House, but I do hope they go big for it. Rhea VS Shirai being next week, I wonder if something happens where there isn’t a clean winner. As I said before, the best thing would be an NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat. That way Charlotte can lose without being part of the decision, and hopefully we get Shirai as champion. And I hope we get the Mixed Tag Match of Johnny & Candice VS Keith & Mia at TakeOver, that’s going to be incredible.

I was surprised we learned who Balor’s attacker was so soon. Damian Priest moving on to Balor is pretty great, like a title match in itself. This is the second time Grimes benefits from Priest attacking someone, I think. Priest and Balor is definitely a TakeOver worthy match and I’m intrigued to see where the build goes. I also like where the build for Robert Stone Brand is going, in that Aliyah lost. Aliyah growing desperate to join the brand might make for some good material, and then she and Chelsea Green can become a tag team to FINALLY get NXT in the mix for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. The NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament had great matches tonight. Atlas winning to then put pressure on Drake Maverick makes for a great story going into next week, and I just knew Nese was going to attack after Swerve said what he said. Nese VS Swerve will be a good holdover story while the Cruiserweight Championship situation sorts itself out.

The developments in the NXT Tag Team Division are really great. It is a bummer that Thatcher and Riddle broke up, but that main event we got was incredible. Obviously this story continues since Riddle gets a quick pin win and Thatcher destroys him right after. That is going to make for a great TakeOver match, and I would love if Pete Dunne could make an appearance somehow. Dunne going after Thatcher for turning on Riddle would be an interesting part of the story. And then as I touched on with NXT UK, Imperium was surely meant to become NXT UK Tag Team Champions before all the pandemic lockdowns, so getting these NXT Tag Team Championships was like compensation. I am not sure who Imperium faces at TakeOver, but I’m sure whatever match we get will be incredible.

My Score: 9.1/10

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

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)

It’s Draft Day!

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…

The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?

Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?

Corey Graves is in the ring.

Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.

Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.

Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.

And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.

“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.

That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?

Triple H is here!

Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.

HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!

The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”

The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?

Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!

The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?

The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!

The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!

Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.

Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?

The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?

Nick Aldis heads out.

And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.

And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!

Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!

The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.

For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!

WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!

Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?

The Dudley Boyz are here!

The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?

Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.

WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!

It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?

The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!

Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!

Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!

No Contest

The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.

SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?

The Final Testament speaks.

Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!

Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.

Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?

There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?

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

Coverage

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

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

Published

23 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!