Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/19/20)
Who cashes in their second chance?
One last stop before NXT TakeOver: XXX!
Johnny Gargano or Ridge Holland. Finn Balor or Velveteen Dream. Which two qualify for the NXT North American Championship Ladder match? Plus, Pat McAfee and Adam Cole have a face to face before they face off in their grudge match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship Second Chance Qualifier: Johnny Gargano w/ Candice LeRae VS Ridge Holland; Gargano wins and advances to TakeOver: XXX.
- Dakota Kai VS Jessi Kamea; Kai wins.
- Six Man Tag: El Legado del Fantasma VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Breezango; El Legado del Fantasma wins.
- Rhea Ripley & Shotzi Blackheart VS Mercedes Martinez & Aliyah w/ Robert Stone; Ripley & Blackheart win.
- NXT North American Championship Second Chance Qualifier: Finn Balor VS Velveteen Dream; Dream wins and advances to TakeOver: XXX.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship Second Chance Qualifier: Johnny Gargano w/ Candice LeRae VS Ridge Holland!
The #WednesdayKnight and his Pint-Sized Poison Pixie princess are here to “save the magic kingdom” that is NXT. But if Johnny Takeover wants to get back to TakeOver, he’ll have to get through the Yorkshire Grit! Will Holland keep #TheJohnnyGarganoWay from getting their way?
The bell rings and Gargano circles with Holland, but avoids the grapple. Gargano welcomes Holland to “the big leagues,” and says Holland doesn’t even belong in the same ring. Holland just shrugs off the trash talk as they tie up and he throws Gargano down! Then puts Gargano in the corner for European Uppercuts! Holland grabs Gargano’s arm, wrenches to a knuckle lock, and uses just that one hand to bring Gargano to his knees. Holland brings Gargano up to wring him out! Holland whips, hip tosses and then runs Gargano over! Gargano bails out and flounders about but Holland goes out the side.
Holland sees Gargano and follows him around the way. Candice wants Holland to take it easy, Gargano gets in and slingshots out! Holland catches Gargano and pops him up, but Gargano slips out to get to the apron. Gargano Penalty Kicks Holland, then STOMPS Holland’s hands on the apron! Holland gets in the ring and Gargano hurries after. Holland still throws EuroUppers! Gargano stands and baits Holland into giving the ropes a EuroUpper! Holland staggers from this unique hotshot, Gargano wrenches the arm , but Holland powers through to wrench and CLOBBER Gargano!
The crowd fires up as Holland drags Gargano to his feet to club him down. Holland stalks Gargano to a corner and throws more EuroUppers! Holland shakes out the arms before he knees Gargano in the corner. Candice protests but Holland whips Gargano corner to corner HARD! Gargano tumbles up, out and to the apron! Holland drags Gargano back in, wraps on an arm triangle but Gargano elbows free. Gargano kicks the bad arm, wrenches it, then elbows the shoulder. Holland gets to a corner and pushes back but Gargano throws forearms. Gargano hits more but Holland ROCKS him with another EuroUpper!
The crowd is fired up while Candice panics. Holland CLUBS Gargano on the back again! Gargano keeps his legs up for a guard, gets a leg of Holland’s and brings him down! Gargano grapevines and heel hooks, but Holland powers around and STOMPS Gargano off! Gargano gets the arm again and wrenches, but Holland pushes him away. Holland runs in but hits buckles! Holland tumbles out, Gargano builds speed, and DIVES! Direct hit sends Holland between the ladders on display! Gargano catches his breath and is relieved a little as NXT goes picture in picture.
Gargano follows Holland around the ladders and back to the ring. Gargano keeps Holland on the apron to SLAM the arm! Holland clutches that arm while Gargano gets a good luck kiss from Candice. Gargano goes back to the ring, hurries after Holland in a corner and stomps away! The ref counts but Gargano lets up on the mudhole at 4. Holland flounders up but Gargano chokes him on the ropes! Gargano lets up at 4 again and Holland gasps to the corner. Gargano wraps the bad arm around ropes and CHOPS, but Holland pushes him away! Gargano throws forearms now, then runs from center, only to leap into Holland’s arms! Holland carries Gargano but Gargano fights free with elbows! Gargano gives Holland an armbar DDT!
Holland kicks and writhes while clutching the bad arm. Gargano stalks him to a corner and brings Holland up. Gargano climbs up to rain down left hands on Holland. Holland stops him before 10 and carries him. Gargano sunset flips but Holland brings Gargano back up. But Gargano gets the arm and drags Holland down! Gargano has the hammerlock but Holland endures. Gargano reaches for the other arm but Holland resists so Gargano elbows away into his ribs! Gargano shoots the half nelson and turns Holland over for a cover, TWO!! Holland is free but Gargano is after his arm again.
Gargano wrenches the arm, twists the wrist and hits a shoulder breaker! Gargano hooks a leg and brings Holland into another hammerlock. This modified stretch twists Holland, but he powers out of the leg hook to elbow free! Holland runs, Gargano leaps, but Holland catches him for a ROUGH landing! Holland and Gargano got stuck somewhere between powerslam and driver, the ref has to check on Gargano as NXT returns to single picture.
Holland wants to cover but the ref has him wait. Candice is concerned and even the crowd has considerably quieted down. Holland gives Gargano space as Gargano gets to a corner. Gargano is somehow moving, but how is he in fighting shape? Holland wants to know the situation but the ref asks Gargano if he’s okay. Candice says to give Gargano a second and Gargano SUPERKICKS Holland!! Cover, TWO!! Gargano flounders around, still not 100% there. He gets Holland near the ropes and goes to the apron. Gargano slingshots but Holland BLASTS him with a forearm first!
Gargano stays on the apron, slingshots in, but Holland blocks the spear for a SWING!! Holland tosses Gargano, then brings him up for a proper POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!?! Gargano continues to be superhuman even as a super villain! Holland keeps his focus, drags Gargano back up and reels him in. Gargano resists the bomb lift so Holland clubs away on Gargano’s back. Gargano slips out to ROCK Holland with forearms from all sides. Holland DECKS Gargano with one! Holland gut wrenches and Canadian racks but Gargano wrenches the arm! Gargano digs his elbow in, Holland powers up and KNEES low!
Holland brings Gargano up but Gargano SUPERKICKS! Gargano point blank LARIATS, but Holland doesn’t fall! Gargano tries again and again, but Holland stays up. Gargano runs, Holland goes sideways to POUNCE Gargano out of the ring!! Candice checks on Johnny as the ring count begins. Holland hurries out after Gargano, Candice has to back away, and Holland warns her. Gargano tilt-o-whirls but Holland makes it an apron snake eyes! Holland drags Gargano into the ring, Gargano distracts the ref and Candice anchors Holland’s feet! Gargano kicks the ropes to hit Holland below the belt! The ref reprimands the Garganos but nothing he can do now! Gargano slingshots, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall (advances to TakeOver: XXX)
The Johnny Gargano Way wins out, despite almost being crushed! Will the Wednesday Knight in not so shiny armor make his 18th TakeOver his best?
Dakota Kai VS Jessi Kamea!
#CobraKai is going to take on the Evil Genius for the NXT Women’s Championship, but first she’s going to tune up and stay sharp. Will the #1 contender keep from getting ahead of herself to go into TakeOver strong?
The bell rings and Dakota goes right at Jessi to tackle her down and rain down rights! Jessi kicks her away but Dakota clubs her back. Jessi throws body shots but Dakota pushes her to a corner. Dakota taunts Jessi and goes to buckle bump but Jessi blocks and hits back. So Dakota throws Jessi down by her hair! Dakota covers, TWO! Dakota grows annoyed but she toys with Jessi. Dakota cravats and chokes Jessi on the ropes, then lets up at the ref’s count of 4. The crowd boos but Jessi forearms back! Dakota ROCKS her with a right, then goes corner to corner and around the World with that Kai-O Kick! And then ANOTHER! Dakota snapmares to the cover, TWO! Jessi toughs it out and Dakota wraps her up with a straitjacket stretch!
Dakota pulls back and has Jessi in body scissors! Jessi kicks, fights up, the crowd rallies and she bumps Dakota into buckles! Jessi arm-drags free, dodges Dakota’s boot and then dodges again to waistlock and O’Conner Roll! TWO but Jessi comes back with a basement windmill kick! Jessi fires up and the crowd fires up with her! Jessi runs in for a BIG leaping forearm! Dakota sits down, Jessi goes side to side to sliding KICK! Jessi brings Dakota up, and SPINE BUSTERS! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives but the #1 contender isn’t looking so sharp! Jessi runs at her but Dakota sends her into ropes! Dakota then brings Jessi around, fireman’s carry, GO TO KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall
GTK FTW and Dakota is rolling into TakeOver! Will she kick Io Shirai off her throne and take the title for the very first time? Dakota gets a mic and says “Hey, Io! You must be out of your mind!” Everything Shirai said about Dakota just proves Dakota right. Dakota is afraid of Shirai? Don’t make her laugh. Shirai is so focused on Dakota’s past while Dakota is focused on the future! TakeOver will see her take the title from Shirai. And it’ll feel so good when Dakota kicks Shirai in the face over and over and over- And here comes Shirai! Dakota wants the fight, Shirai brings it, and tackles Dakota down to rain down rights! Dakota bails out but Shirai pursues!
Shirai clubs and kicks Dakota up the way, but Dakota shoves her back. Shirai CLOBBERS Dakota down! Shirai wants to see where that courage is now, but here comes Raquel Gonzalez! She BOOTS Shirai right down!! Big Mama Cool is back, and despite Dakota talking about not needing insurance policies, Raquel is back to her old job of doing Dakota’s dirty work. Raquel drags Shirai up and to the ring and tosses her in! Dakota grins as she taunts Shirai. Dakota laughs but Shirai SHOTEIS! Raquel CLOBBERS Shirai from behind, then brings her up for the CHOKE SLAM!! Raquel raises Dakota’s hand in victory, but will this be what we see this Saturday?
Backstage interview with Tegan Nox.
Obviously, Tegan saw as we all did, the poorly veiled threat Candice issued Tegan last week during her little “storytime” with Doggo Gargano. Tegan’s response? “Did it take me by surprise and hurt me a little? Yeah.” Tegan and Candice had been friends for years, it meant the world to Tegan. But Tegan could also easily call Candice on what she’s done these last few months. But that’s the thing about friendships. There are ups, downs and differences, and those can be fixed. Since Tegan’s the one being accused of “causing rifts,” Tegan will fix this. And it’ll be like old times: over a glass of wine. Tegan didn’t realize she was so annoying to Candice, but she’s ready to talk it out. Will words heal the apparent wounds in this friendship? Or will they have no effect on #TheJohnnyGarganoWay of thinking?
Finn Balor speaks.
“Velveteen Dream. Our first Experience was interrupted.” The attack by a still unknown assailant kept The Prince out of action when these two were meant to battle for #1 contender status. “I’ve earned my place in this business. But you? You keep getting chance after chance after chance. And in my book, you’ve failed.” Balor can’t deny Dream’s talent, but there’s no way Dream gets in his way of becoming the next NXT North American Champion. Tonight, the Experience everyone’s been waiting for finally happens. But the outcome will be the same as always: #FinnOver.
Six Man Tag: El Legado del Fantasma VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott & Breezango!
The NXT Cruiserweight Champion and his cohorts have tried to humble and even break Tyler Breeze and Fandango as part of their mission of remaking Lucha Libre in their image. But Santos Escobar has also been ducking challengers for his championship, and now he’s in Swerve’s House. Will there be no avoiding what’s coming for the Leader of Leaders?
The teams don’t sort out, they just brawl with the bell! Swerve has Escobar while Breezango takes care of Mendoza and Wilde! The ref tries to restore order but Swerve and Escobar tumble out while Breeze stomps Wilde and Mendoza turns things around on Fandango. Escobar throws Swerve into railing while Wilde turns things around on Breeze. Breeze and Wilde spill out of the ring now, so Mendoza and Fandango are legal by default. Breeze rocks Wilde, Mendoza whips Fandango corner to corner, but Fandango comes back to clobber Mendoza! Fandango stalks Mendoza around the ring as Mendoza flounders. Mendoza gets to a corner and Fandango CHOPS him!
Fandango throws hands, whips Mendoza corner to corner, but Mendoza slips out and hotshots Fandango back! Mendoza hammerlocks the bad arm to ram it into buckles! Tag to Wilde, Wilde climbs up and leaps but into Fandango’s body shot! Fandango throws Wilde down by his hair then brings him around for a suplex. Fandango hangs Wilde out to dry and tags in Breeze. Prince Pretty and the Lord of the Dance DOUBLE BOOT Wilde down! Cover, ONE, but Breeze drags Wilde back up. Tag to Fandango, they mug Wilde and Fandango brings Wilde around. Wilde powers out of the back suplex to throw Fandango out!
Mendoza creeps around the corner but Swerve sees that! Swerve gets in to baseball slide Mendoza down! But Wilde comes around, only for Swerve to send him into barriers! Escobar runs but into a kick! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Wilde and Mendoza! Swerve and Breezango stand tall and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Fandango fires off hands on Wilde in a corner! Fandango CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Wilde reverses, Fandango BOOTS him down! Fandango hurries up top as the crowd rallies. Escobar distracts, Wilde pushes Fandango down, and Fandango hotshots before hitting the apron and then floor! The bad arm is in bad shape again but Wilde goes out to put him back in the ring. Wilde stomps the bad arm from hand to shoulder then tags in Escobar. El Hijo del Fantasma tags in Mendoza, and the trio works together, double hip toss rebound splash! Mendoza basement LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!!
Fandango reaches for his corner but Mendoza fish hooks the face and kicks him back! Mendoza kicks the bad arm and has Fandango in the open corner. Mendoza hooks the arm with a leg to drop a knee on that elbow! Mendoza digs it in and taunts Breeze and Swerve at the same time. He also mocks the hip swivel before he stomps Fandango more. Mendoza wrenches the arm, digs a forearm in the shoulder and neck, but Fandango endures. The crowd rallies up as Fandango fights up. Fandango stands, but Mendoza wrenches and PELES the arm! Mendoza has Fandango in the corner again, wraps the arm on the ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Mendoza lets go and Fandango CHOPS! But Mendoza kicks the arm again!
Mendoza keeps between Fandango and his corner while Wilde taunts Fandango. Mendoza wrenches and YANKS on the arm, then whips Fandango into the corner! Tag to Wilde, Wilde and Mendoza sucker punch Swerve and Breeze! Mendoza whips Wilde in but Fandango tosses him out! Mendoza runs in but Fandango POSTS him! Fandango hot tags Swerve! Swerve rallies on El Legado, and makes sure to give Escobar big haymakers! Swerve clubs away and throws body shots on Escobar in a corner, stomps away but lets off at the ref’s count. Swerve brings Escobar out, throws him and somersault COMPLETE SHOTS! Mendoza runs in but is sent back out. Swerve sweeps the legs and mule kicks him down!
Wilde grabs Swerve’s feet but Swerve stomps his hands. Swerve slingshots out to the apron and BOOTS Wilde down! Swerve hurries to a corner and the top rope. He aims at Escobar and leaps, into a KNEE!! Both men are down but Breeze returns to his corner. Mendoza runs in but gets an enziguri for it! Escobar waistlocks Swerve, Swerve pries at the hold, but Wilde springboards in! Swerve swings Escobar into the missile dropkick! But that dropkick also sends Swerve stumbling into Breeze and knocks him down! Swerve staggers back up, Escobar fireman’s carries, but Swerve slips out and shoves. Escobar goes up but not over, JML DRIVER!! But wait, Swerve isn’t legal?! That collision counts as a tag?!
DOUBLE DROPKICK SANDWICH! Mendoza and Wilde take Swerve out with the GAMANGIRI LEG SWEEP COMBO!! But Breeze slips in to rally on them both! Haymaker after haymaker, and then Breeze clotheslines Wilde out! And Mendoza, too! Escobar hotshots Breeze down, then drags the sputtering Prince Pretty into the fireman’s carry, PHANTOM DRIVER!! El Legado wins!!
Winners: El Legado del Fantasma, by pinfall
A technicality helps Escobar survive, because Swerve had him dead to rights! Can Escobar continue to dodge Swerve’s shot? Or is Swerve only closing in on the target that is the NXT Cruiserweight Championship?
Pat McAfee arrives at Full Sail!
“Well, well, well. Look who’s here!” McAfee has back-up in former NFL Super Bowl winner, A.J. Hawk, and former Indianapolis Colts teammate, Darius Butler. Will Hawk and Butler be enough to keep the kicker safe?
NXT has a huge announcement for TakeOver: XXX!
A match so big it has to be on the preshow! It will be an NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders TRIPLE THREAT! El Legado del Fantasma puts up Wilde and Mendoza to face the One Two of Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, and Breezango! Will Prince Pretty & the Lord of the Dance get payback while also punching their ticket to a title match? Or will the BritAm Bruisers bust things up and take that right for their own?
The Undisputed Era heads to the ring!
We saw McAfee has his boys, so Adam Cole brings his! Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong dare Pat to show up already. Pat and his guys do, coming in through the back door. The crowd is torn between applauding and booing as Pat gets a mic. “Well hello, Undisputed Era. Last week, Adam, you said, ‘Please! Please come see me face to face!'” Come back to the arena Pat got kicked out of! And here he is, along with “28 years of NFL experience” by his side, because Pat knows Cole better than Cole knows Cole. Pat knows Cole doesn’t go anywhere without “the Three Stooges,” that Cole would be nothing without them, and that he could not handle a 1v1 with someone like Pat.
Cole talks to the UE and has them back off. Is Pat ready to start now? Pat has his guys back down, too, but is still wary of Cole. Cole backs off and says, “The floor is all yours.” Pat gets in and asks if Cole remembers what happened two weeks ago. Probably not, given what happened, but Pat will remind him. HBK was checking for vitals on Cole’s “soulless body, right over yonder, next to stupid Tom Phillips.” Last week, Cole goes on this rant about how Cole was being held back and that Pat took advantage. “Blah blah blah, I outsmarted you in your own house.” Pat outsmarted Cole in Cole’s own industry.
Then Cole went on another rant about how Pat isn’t special compared to the longest reigning NXT Champion, who has wrestled all over the globe. From five people at a time in armories, bingo halls and high school gyms, to arenas in Japan and everywhere else, and made it to NXT as the biggest star in the brand. What did Cole call himself? The King of NXT? He had all the people fooled. “400 and something days, you were undefeated.” Took Pat a minute and change to knock his ass out. One swing from this foot, and it was done. Cole says Pat’s not special? How was that not special? Pat’s never been in the ring before and made Cole look amateur!
Pat has made a million dollars in seven different professions. “And you,” Cole, along with Strong, “stupid you” O’Reilly and “mustache stooge” Fish, and the wrestling community watching at home, better hope he doesn’t stick with pro-wrestling, because this would be number 8! And Saturday, it’ll end the same way it did two weeks ago. Cole will be left unconscious after throwing a temper tantrum, after losing his mind and losing his cool, because he and Pat are different levels. Pat only has two weeks to twin for a match. HHH talks trash on ESPN, saying if Pat wants to act tough, HHH can make him famous. Two weeks is all Pat will need to beat Cole! And then Cole will have to explain to the entire wrestling fandom how he lost to an outside!
Pat explains how: Cole is great in this world, but Pat is next level. Pat is above Cole as a human, as an athlete, and it will end with one swing of Pat’s foot, meeting Cole’s face and sending it to the moon! The only sound “any of these idiots in here” will hear, is “BOOM!” Pat throws the mic down and Cole nods. Cole’s turn to talk. But security gets in to keep him back! Pat talks smack from the other side of that line and Cole backs off. Cole then shoves one guard into another, DECKS the third and throws the fourth into the first! BOOT for the second, SUPERKICK for the third! And Pat realizes he’s in trouble. Cole steps closer but Pat’s boys step up. So Cole’s boys step up.
Cole says if Pat wants to go, he and his boys can get in and get mangled! We won’t have to wait until Saturday! No? That’s what the UE thought. Cole steps closer and tells him that this Saturday, “I’m gonna make you my b*tch.” Cole backs away, and the UE takes their leave. Pat talked a big game, but game day is coming. Will Cole rough the kicker so bad Pat decides to stick with podcasting?
Rhea Ripley & Shotzi Blackheart VS Mercedes Martinez & Aliyah w/ Robert Stone!
The Aussie Nightmare and the Wild Child look to TCB, Take Care o’ Business. And by business, they really mean the Robert Stone Brand! Will they make sure the brutal and the bougie finally back off and mind their own business?
The teams sort out, Mercedes starts with Rhea, and Rhea TACKLES Mercedes right away! Rhea rains down rights, Mercedes gets up and the two brawl to the corner. Aliyah tags in, she goes after Rhea but Rhea throws Aliyah to the corner! Tag to Shotzi but Rhea still brings Aliyah up for an atomic TOSS! Shotzi howls and backs Mercedes off as she runs, to then CANNONBALL into Aliyah at the ropes! Shotzi brings down the suspender straps to unleash the leather, but Aliyah dodges in the corner! Aliyah runs in but Shotzi goes up and over to come back with a splash! Shotzi rolls Aliyah and hits a SLING DOG! Stone asks if Aliyah’s okay but Shotzi has her legs.
Shotzi shouts, “Welcome to the Ball Pit!” as she drops the Jeff Hardy style leg splitting leg drop! Jackknife cover, TWO! Shotzi bridges up to her feet but Mercedes swipes at her! Aliyah pulls green hair to throw Shotzi down! Tag to Mercedes and she covers, TWO! Mercedes drags Shotzi into a chinlock with the knee in Shotzi’s back, but NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Aliyah runs at Shotzi in a corner, but Shotzi boots back! Shotzi hops up, sunset flips, TWO! Aliyah spins Shotzi around for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Aliyah is angry with the ref but she drags Shotzi over. Tag to Mercedes, Russian Leg Sweep to a KNEE! Mercedes pie faces Rhea just because, then she drags Shotzi away. Mercedes stomps Shotzi to ropes, stalks her and drags her up to choke her on the ropes, with a sleeper hold adding on! The ref counts, Mercedes lets up, and Aliyah pushes Shotzi down! Mercedes goes after Shotzi in a corner and throws forearm after forearm, then she CHOPS Shotzi down.
Mercedes underhooks Shotzi and brings her over to tag Aliyah. The Brand mugs Shotzi, Aliyah double chicken wings Shotzi now, and Mercedes tags in to continue the mugging! Mercedes DECKS Shotzi, covers, TWO! The crowd rallies but Mercedes keeps on Shotzi with a grounded cobra twist. Shotzi endures the stretch, Mercedes rolls back for a cobra cover, ONE and Shotzi has a cover of her own! TWO and Mercedes clubs Shotzi on the back. Mercedes underhooks to butterfly suplex! Cover, TWO! Mercedes grows annoyed, kicks Shotzi around and taunts her. Mercedes chokes Shotzi on the ropes but the ref reprimands.
Mercedes drags Shotzi up, fisherman but Shotzi fights the suplex to cradle counter! TWO, and Shotzi dodges a boot to SATELLITE DDT! Both women are down, the crowd rallies up and Stone coaches Mercedes up. Shotzi and Mercedes crawl, hot tags to Aliyah and Rhea! The Mosh Pit Kid rallies on Aliyah with lariat after lariat! She spins Aliyah for the cravat and knee smashes! Snapmare to basement dropkick! Rhea fires up with the crowd and she keeps Aliyah from getting away by reeling her in for an Electric Chair! Aliyah shrieks before she takes the FACEBUSTER! Cover, Mercedes breaks it!
Shotzi ENZIGURIS Mercedes down! Rhea shouts at Stone to shut up, and then tags in Shotzi. Pump handle and RIPTIDE, before Shotzi climbs up top. Mercedes trips Shotzi up! Rhea ROCKS Mercedes with that right then hip tosses her inside! Mercedes staggers up but dodges Rhea to POST her! Rhea ends up on the apron, Mercedes runs at her but the boot misses! Rhea has Mercedes off the apron, for a POWERBOMB to the outside!! Where were the Plexiglas boards!? Stone freaks out and goes to check on Mercedes while Shotzi adjusts. SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Shotzi and Rhea win!!
Winners: Shotzi Blackheart & Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
The heavy metal rebels just rocked the Robert Stone Brand to the core! Will this finally end the obsession and allow Rhea and Shotzi to move on?
NXT previews the coming NXT Championship match, Keith Lee VS Karrion Kross.
The return of the Great American Bash was the culmination of all the Limitless One’s hard work and perseverance in his career. It was Winner Take All as the then North American Champion challenged Adam Cole BAYBAY! Needless to say, it was one for the ages and made history by crowning Keith Lee as the first-ever dual NXT and North American Champion, ending Adam Cole’s incredible reign. But a champion with that big of a target on his back obviously had the attention of the doomsday duo.
Kross says that “Each day, a man attempts to climb the mountain. But only when he reaches the top can he see, he’s been climbing a volcano.” The volcano is waiting to erupt. Mr. Lee, this is your volcano. Kross came to NXT, warning us all of the end. Tommaso Ciampa tried to cancel that end at TakeOver: In Your House, but he got much more than he bargained for. The sand in the hourglass began to pour, but Keith smashed that hourglass. That only added to Kross’ aggression. As did Dominik Dijakovic saying Kross is not on Keith’s level. Kross took out Keith’s rival with viciousness rarely seen in NXT, and then made Keith watch as Dijakovic’s face turned purple in the Krossjacket.
Kross gave Keith a choice: the easy way or the hard way. William Regal refused to let it be that way, so Kross brutalized even more NXT superstars. This forced Regal’s hand, and he allowed Keith to hand Kross a contract. The contract was signed, but Scarlett Bordeaux added her own special touch in a flash paper fireball trap!! Keith’s eyes were nearly burned away but he’s still cleared to compete! “I will whoop that ass.” The collision course is coming. The clock keeps ticking. TakeOver: XXX is the time and place, but who survives to reign supreme?
NXT North American Championship Second Chance Qualifier: Finn Balor VS Velveteen Dream!
Who will be the fifth and final man in the TakeOver: XXX ladder match? Who is truly the Prince of NXT? Both these questions will be answered with one match as we finally have our #fOreVERExperience!
Dream taunts Balor with some Too Sweets and finger guns as he makes his entrance. Balor keeps his cool as the bell rings and the two circle. They feel out the grapple but Dream backs away. They circle more, approach and tie up. Balor headlocks to the takeover and denies the headscissor counter. Balor throws Dream’s sunglasses away and hits a second takeover, but Dream gets the headscissors this time. Balor fights that off and then throws the do-rag away! Dream fights back up, Balor holds the headlock but Dream rolls him to a cover! ONE, Balor stays on but Dream powers up and out. Things speed up, Dream hurdles and sunset flips but Balor rolls through to aim his finger guns. The crowd are fired up but Dream bails out to take a breather.
Balor waits for Dream in the ring while NXT goes picture in picture. Dream takes his time trash talking the crowd, Balor gets impatient and heads for the ropes, but Dream ROCKS him with a sucker punch uppercut! Dream drags Balor out to throw into the boards! Balor flounders around, Dream mockingly applauds and hits a body shot! Dream gets his do-rag back before he leaps and clubs Balor on the back! Balor rests against the barriers while Dream refreshes the count. Dream puts Balor back in, takes his time going up the steel steps, and he takes his shirt off on his own before throwing more body shots in the corner. Dream rocks Balor with BIG haymakers but the ref backs him away.
Dream comes back to taunt Balor, but Balor gets up, only for Dream to ROCK him! Dream drags Balor into the suplex but Balor knees back! Balor knees more, cravats, snapmares and KICKS! Cover, TWO! Balor keeps on Dream with a thrashing chinlock but Dream flails and fights up. They go around, Balor wrangles Dream down and grinds on the hold. Dream endures, fights up and throws body shots. Dream ROCKS Balor, runs, but Balor elbows Dream down! Cover, TWO! Balor drags Dream into the chinlock, grinds him down again, and NXT returns to single picture.
Dream fights up to jawbreaker free! Balor staggers back, brings Dream around and CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! And whips, but Dream reverses. Balor ducks the heel kick, comes back but into Dream’s Thesz Press! Dream rains down fast hands then shouts, “Wolfpac in the house!” Dream howls as his gear makes sense now. Dream stalks Balor and clamps onto the shoulders! He bumps Balor right into buckles then CHOPS him to the other corner. Dream bumps Balor off more buckles, Too Sweets and SLAPS him! Balor sputters but Dream CLUBS him on the back. Dream goes for another buckle bump but Balor blocks to throw body shots back!
Balor sweeps the leg with a kick! Then another kick! Dream flips upside down but Balor keeps kicking! Balor drags Dream to the center to drop an elbow on the knee! Balor cranks the leg in a toehold and keeps Dream from using a leg to counter. Dream’s shoulders are down, TWO as Dream clubs Balor. Dream throws more shots then uses his leg again. Balor just uses that leg against the first for a modified deathlock! Dream powers up, avoids Balor adding a crossface to this, and drags himself towards ropes for the ROPEBREAK! Balor lets go quick but he comes back to go after the legs again! Balor puts the leg on the ropes to dig his knee in and then drop down on it! Balor stomps, the ref reprimands and Balor backs off.
Dream crawls, Balor gets the leg again and pulls Dream from the ropes. Balor trips Dream up again to drop back down on the leg for another toehold. Dream pulls at Balor’s arm to turn this but Balor clasps hands. Dream uses his longer legs to break that grip and then stomp away on Balor! Dream lets go of the arm as he works out his legs. The crowd rallies up as Balor and Dream stand. Balor goes for the leg but gets a knee and LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Dream grows frustrated but Balor gasps. Dream slaps Balor on the back of the head, but Balor gets up. Dream DECKS Balor but Balor gets up. The crowd rallies, Dream CLUBS Balor but Balor throws forearms. Dream DECKS Balor again!
Dream looms over Balor at the ropes but Balor gets to a corner. Dream climbs up to rain down rights, then swivels his hips right at Balor’s head. Dream keeps punching, “Where’s my count?” Dream makes sure he gets 10 before he lets off. Dream leaps but the leg lariat gets buckles! Balor CHOPS and CHOPS and sweeps the other leg! Balor stomps away on Dream but the ref backs him off. Dream flounders up, Balor comes back but Dream elbows him hard! Dream leaps and ax handles! Balor staggers back up, Dream brings him for a hotshot bulldog! Does Tony Nese know Dream knows his move? Balor snaps back and Dream tumbles to the ladders.
Dream sees the title hanging just overhead, but Cameron Grimes comes out, boasting already that the belt belongs to him. The ref tells Grimes to stay back, this match is still going. Grimes continues to talk as Dream gets back in the ring. Will the Technical Savage shut up while NXT goes to break?
NXT returns once more and Dream apologizes to the ref about something, while Grimes sits on top of a ladder and holds the North American Championship! Seems Grimes didn’t shut up at all, and Dream whips Balor corner to corner HARD! Dream hurries over, tells Grimes to watch as he KICKS Balor in the ribs! Grimes isn’t impressed, he’s too busy looking at the belt. Dream brings Balor up and scoops him and hits a backbreaker! Grimes is still not impressed, even as Dreams swivels at him. Dream throws a BIG uppercut on Balor then flexes. Dream brings Balor up, whips him to ropes but Balor reverses. Dream sunset flips, Balor rolls through to basement dropkick! Grimes laughs again as both men go to opposite corners.
Balor runs in but into a haymaker! Dream hops up but Balor trips him up! Balor drags Dream backwards into the Tree of Woe, stomps away on the legs and hips until Dream falls out! Grimes laughs more but Balor is on Dream with CHOPS! Balor whips corner to corner, runs and CHOPS! And then back the other way, Dream tumbles over and out! Grimes decides to start climbing down as Dream crawls over to his ladder. Balor goes out and stomps away on Dream right at the ladder. Balor then climbs up to get at Grimes, but Dream yanks Balor down! Dream gives Balor an apron snake eyes! Grimes feels relieved as he gets to sit on the ladder alone again.
Dream puts Balor in the ring, Too Sweets and brings Balor in, but Balor turns the DreamDT into the dragon sleeper. Dream slips around to trip and jackknife roll to the fireman’s carry! But no Dream Valley Driver, either, as Balor hits that elbow drop DDT! Balor grits his teeth as he takes aim from the corner. Dream stands up, and gets the SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Dream bounces off buckles, Balor glares at Grimes as he climbs up the corner. Grimes decides to climb down again, but Dream hops up to join Balor! SUPERPLEX!! Both men are down and Grimes sits on the ladder again. But wait, here comes Gargano! Gargano pushes the ladder over and Grimes FLIES into the ring, crashing into the ref!!
Grimes flounders back to his feet while Balor and Dream get up. They both glare at Grimes, Balor trips up and STOMPS Grimes down! Grimes flounders back up into Dream’s FAMOUSER! Balor SLING BLADES Dream! Balor takes aim again, but runs into a SUPERKICK! Grimes is out of the ring, Balor and Dream are down in the ring, and now Gargano picks up the belt as if it’s already his. But wait! Here comes Bronson Reed! Auszilla won’t let Gargano think he can just grin his way into TakeOver! Reed chases Gargano into the ring, Gargano wants Reed to take it easy, but he backs into Damian Priest! Gargano reaches up to check, and yes, it’s the Archer of Infamy.
Gargano tries to reason with both big men, but before he can use the belt as a weapon, Priest ROCKS him and Reed tosses him! Reed turns around to see Priest holding the belt. Priest tosses it to Reed so Priest can ROUNDHOUSE him! Reed stays up, Priest runs, Dream SUPERKICKS Priest first! Reed clotheslines Priest and himself out of the ring!! Dream holds the belt but Balor clotheslines him out! And then Balor FLIES out onto Reed and Priest! Balor tempts fate by walking under the ladder, and gets CLOBBERED by Timothy Thatcher!! The Professor of Pain already sent Balor a message, but here’s another one! Thatcher drags Balor up and throws him into the ring for Dream’s DREAM VALLEY DRIVER!!
Dream flounders to a corner, the ref finally revives and Dream drops the PURPLE RAIN MAKER!! Cover, Dream wins!!
Winner: The Velveteen Dream, by pinfall (advances to TakeOver: XXX)
We have our fifth man, brother! But before Dream can properly celebrate, Gargano SUPERKICKS him down! Gargano walks over to the North American Championship and picks it up. Gargano gives it a kiss, holds it up, but Grimes SUPERKICKS him down! But Priest gets Grimes for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Reed CLOBBERS Priest! Reed blocks Dream’s boot for the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Reed holds up the title last tonight, but will he be the one to hold it in the end?
My Thoughts:
This was a pretty wild go-home, especially for NXT. We got right to the action with the first “second chance” qualifier, Gargano VS Holland was a great match but that was a scary powerslam botch! I thought Gargano was going to be done because of that, but I suppose he was able to take it like any driver move. Holland looked great even though Gargano goes over, but it makes for great stuff in the #TJGW story. Gargano getting involved in that wildly “overbooked” ending segment of the main event match also proves he was okay, and it is great to know he’ll be in the ladder match. Balor VS Dream was a great match, even with the other participants getting involved.
I should’ve figured Thatcher would attack Balor tonight to keep him out of the ladder match as opposed to getting involved in the ladder match and screw him out then. I don’t know if this sets up a TakeOver match this last minute, but that story can definitely be a major part of the build to the next one. However, I do feel like the #1 contender Triple Threat to the NXT Tag Team Championships is last minute just to counter Saturday Night Dynamite trying to counter program TakeOver. The overlap definitely complicates things for me, expect AEW Dynamite coverage to come after TakeOver coverage. That Triple Threat is partially set up by tonight’s Six Man, which was a really great match. I do have to credit the creativity of that technicality that cost Swerve and helped El Legado. I hope that, with help from 205 Live, Escobar VS Swerve is set up for either a big time NXT or the next TakeOver.
The NXT Championship preview was another great video package, the NXT team always does great with those. I loved the face-to-face of Cole and Pat. Pat talked a lot of great trash in his promo, Cole used actions to speak for him instead, and I actually am interested in seeing that match now. Dakota Kai gets a good enough win, but the big surprise is Raquel Gonzalez returning. It seems Dakota was just tricking everyone into thinking she ditched the Daughter of the Desperado and now she has her insurance policy back in her corner for TakeOver. I still feel like Io Shirai finds a way to overcome the odds because she’s that great. Candice and Tegan are slowly getting their rivalry on track and that can definitely help build towards the next TakeOver.
Rhea and Shotzi had a great match with The Robert Stone Brand, and WOW Rhea bombing Mercedes to the floor! Did not see that coming, it really added a lot to that finish and to this feud. I really hope Payback’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship challengers are also decided by a Triple Brand something or other, I feel like Rhea and Shotzi already have this chemistry and matching theme that works for a team. For one, Rhea has already faced Sasha Banks via Survivor Series’ Women’s 5v5v5, and then she can check off Bayley as another of the NXT Four Horsewomen. Plus, if Rhea and Shotzi were to somehow win, Rhea becomes a unique Women’s Triple Crown winner by having been NXT UK, NXT USA and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. But that probably won’t happen as Vince McMahon only barely allows NXT to be the third brand.
My Score: 9.1/10
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Did you know that challenger in French is still “challenger?”
In a WrestleMania rematch, AJ Styles takes on LA Knight in a #1 contender’s match, to challenge WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Backlash in France!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight; Styles wins and will challenge Cody Rhodes for the title at Backlash.
- SmackDown/WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma; The Profits win and will challenge A-Town Down Under for the titles.
- Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez; Santos wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi; Bayley wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight!
After fighting their way through Triple Threats, the Phenomenal One and the Mega Star meet again, YEAH! It’s a WrestleMania Rematch, the winner moving on to Backlash, YEAH! Will AJ Styles avenge his loss at the biggest WrestleMania ever? Or will everyone from here to France know whose game it is?
The bell rings and the two step to each other. The fans in Pittsburgh “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” and Knight lets Styles know it. Styles snarls, they tie up, and they go around. Knight puts Styles in a corner, the ref counts, but Knight lets off slowly. Styles kicks low! The fans boo but Styles headlocks. Knight pulls hair, throws body shots, then headlocks in return. Styles pushes Knight to ropes, powers up and out, then hurdles, drops and DROP- NO, Knight avoids the dropkick to BOOT, and LARIAT! Knight then TOSSES Styles out of the ring, storms out after him, and brings him to commentary. Knight SMACKS Styles off the desk! And again! And again!
The fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” with every SMACK, then Knight tops it off with one last SMACK! Knight drags Styles up and into the ring, storms in, but Styles KICKS Knight in the ropes! Styles reels Knight in, but Knight back drops Styles up and out! Styles flounders on the floor, Knight runs to WRECK him with a dropkick! Styles hits desk again and Steel City is loving “L! A! KNIGHT, YEAH!” as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Styles soaks up the heat as he taunts Knight. Styles brings Knight up, but Knight fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight backs Styles down, whips, but Styles ducks ‘n dodges! Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men are down and the fans fire up. Both men slowly sit up, crawl around, and then stand. Styles fires a shot, but Knight gives it back! The haymakers go back and forth, “YEAH! BOO! YEAH!” Styles staggers but he still ROCKS Knight! Knight ROCKS Styles again and again, but Styles throat chops! Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but Knight ducks the lariat!
Knight JABS, JABS, JABS, and DECKS Styles! Knight stomps a mudhole in at the corner, “YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner to KNEE Styles down! The fans fire up, Knight puts Styles up, and Knight ROCKS Styles. Knight climbs, but Styles ROCKS him back! Knight staggers away, but returns to spring right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives that crash but both men are down again. The fans rally as Knight rises, and he brings Styles around. Knight reels Styles in, suplexes, but Styles slips free! Styles goes to a corner, ELBOWS Knight away, then goes up to QUEBRADA DDT! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Knight stays in this and Styles starts losing his cool. The fans rally for Knight but Styles looms over him. Styles brings Knight up and in, but Knight RAMS him into a corner! Knight then scoops Styles, but Styles slips free to roll up, TWO!! Knight escapes, swings, but Styles dodges to PELE! Knight ends up in a corner, Styles runs in, but Knight puts Styles on the apron! Styles ROCKS Knight, springboards, but Knight gets under! Styles comes back, into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Then JUMP ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up with with Knight as he storms around. Styles rises, Knight winds up, B F- NO, Styles bails out!
The fans boo but Knight storms over. Knight drags Styles up but Styles HOTSHOTS him! And pokes him in the eyes! Then ROCKS him! And springboards, to PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Undisputed WWE Championship)
Styles bent the rules, but a win is a win! He will get his shot at the American Nightmare in Lyon, France, will this year’s Backlash be phenomenal?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
The car pulls up, Solo Sikoa steps out in a suit, and Paul Heyman is there to greet him. Nice threads, Solo. Tama Tonga walks over and Solo says meet the newest member of The Bloodline, Solo’s MFT. The Wise Man is stunned. But Solo cuts him off to ask if Kevin Owens is here. Heyman hesitates and Solo asks again, is Kevin here? If he is, he’s probably already in the locker room. Then take them to him. Heyman obeys and leads on. There have already been changes to the chain of command, is there about to be a change to the landscape of SmackDown, too?
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
In a familiar scene to Monday Night Raw, there is a podium with something under a satin sheet. The SmackDown General Manager welcomes to Pittsburgh the Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque! The fans fire up as The Game makes his way to the ring! HHH joins Aldis in the ring, gets a mic, looks around at the crowd as he revels in the cheers, then says, “On the heels of the biggest, most epic, history making, record breaking, epic, unbelievable WrestleMania of all time, we are here tonight, sold out, 15 thousand strong, Pittsburgh, PA! So let me say, welcome to SmackDown!” The fans cheer that!
HHH wants to take a moment to say that he thinks Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are both doing great jobs at leading their respective brands into the future. Thank you to both of them. And when we talk about the future, we have to talk about the history made coming into the future. So when history is made, HHH wants it to be represented here befitting of those that make it. So Aldis, if we could, let us bring the… champions out here. Aldis says without further ado, the NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Austin Theory & Grayson Waller. The fans boo as A-Town Down Under make their way, blue belts in hand.
Theory & Waller join Aldis and HHH in the ring, mics already in hand, and they soak up the heat from Steel City. Waller says this is huge. Monday, we saw the second place champions get new belts. And now A-Town Down Under will be presented new titles! Theory says speaking of truth, didn’t Truth think HHH was a magician? Well, who knows what magic trick HHH has to make these guys look better than they already do, but hey, give it a try. HHH says congratulations on becoming tag team champions, so he will show them what they will wear going forward. From now on, they will be the WWE Tag Team Champions.
Reveal! In the style of the Attitude Era and Ruthless Aggression Era belts, the solid gold shines. HHH offers a handshake, but Waller leaves him hanging to shake Theory’s hand! Aldis makes it clear to them. They ever pop off and disrespect HHH like that, here’s a real magic trick: A-Clown Down Under will disappear, permanently! The fans like the sound of that! Aldis snatches the blue belts away since they won’t need them, and speaking of disappearing, there’s a chance one of the following four teams will make their title reign disappear. That #1 contenders match starts right now! The fans fire up, but which team defies the odds to get some golden tickets to France?
Backstage interview with Naomi.
Kayla Braxton is with The Glow and says last week, she beat Tiffany Stratton to get this title opportunity tonight. Will the friendship with Bayley get in the way of this match? Naomi says no, of course not. Bayley’s her sister, and she needed help against Damage CTRL, so Naomi was more than happy to help. But in no way will friendship get in the way of this opportunity. It has been over two YEARS since Naomi’s last WWE singles championship match, and there is nothing that will get in the way of making the most of this moment. Now last week, Tiffy Time felt the glow, so that same energy keeps going tonight.
Naomi is also looking forward to next week’s WWE Draft, where she will walk in the NEW WWE Women’s Champion. Naomi is ready, but will she be able to best Bayley in Bayley’s first title defense?
WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma!
SmackDown returns as Legado makes their entrance, followed by Akam & Rezar with the Final Testament. Waller & Theory are on commentary, Waller admitting he wants any team but AOP, and Theory saying these teams are fortunate to have real superstars leading their division. In this form of Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are active, so the Big Strong Boi, Tyler Bate, starts against Montez Ford. They circle, tie up, and Ford headlocks. Bate powers up to pry at the hold but Ford clamps on tighter. Bate powers up and out, drops, but Ford leaps over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, Bate feints high to drop low!
Bate shows knuckle lock, Ford obliges, but Bate wrenches, baits and double pump handles to FLIP Ford! Cover, TWO! Ford gets up to sweep and cover, TWO! Bate steps over, La Magistrol, TWO! Ford gets up, dropkicks cancel out, and both men kip up! The fans fire up and the two reset. But then Humberto Carrillo sneaks a tag, before he DECKS Bate with a sucker punch! Ford dodges Humberto but Angel Garza holds the ropes open! Ford tumbles out, Garza tags in, and Humberto sits Ford up. Garza runs in to KNEE Ford down! The fans boo, Garza drags Ford to a cover, TWO! Garza back suplexes, Ford lands out!
Ford tags Dawkins and he dodges Garza to FLYING ELBOW! Garza tags out to Akam, but then the Bruiserweight, Pete Dunne, tags in off Dawkins! Rezar tags, Dunne runs up but Akam LARIATS him down! Rezar DECKS Dawkins, then the AOP start clearing the corners! But Ford goes up to leap, but into an URENAGE! The fans boo but the AOP roar and soak up the heat. Waller’s worst case scenario might end up reality, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the fans rally as Ford endures a facelock. Ford fights up, pries at the hold, but Rezar shoves him to ELBOW him down! Rezar talks trash, Waller taunts the Steelers players sitting in the front row that they don’t really know what championships are, and then Rezar sucker punches Dawkins down! Rezar stands Ford up, Canadian Racks and bends him! Ford endures, the fans rally, but Rezar thrashes Ford around! Ford kicks and flails, he gets free, hot tag to Dunne! Bate sneaks a tag, Dunne GAMANGIRIS Akam and then NCR fire off on Rezar! The fans fire up, Humberto runs in, but Dunne dodges to SNAP GERMAN!
Bate & Dunne STOMP Humberto’s hands! Then BASEMENT DROPKICK! Garza runs up, but into the REBOUNDER GERMAN COMBO!! The fans fire up with NCR, but Rezar runs up! He grabs Dunne, but Bate says Bop up, BANG! Bate fireman’s carries Rezar?! But Rezar ELBOWS right free! Dunne GAMANGIRIS, Ford SUPERKICKS, and Dawkins ENZIGIRIS! Rezar wobbles, and everyone helps Bate gets Rezar up! BIG STRONG AIRPLANE SPINE! But then Legado CLOBBER Bate and Rezar! They BOOT Dunne, whip the Profits but the Profits reverse to TOSS Legado out! Ellering coaches Rezar while the Profits regroup.
Bate gets up, Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins brings Bate to the very top, but Dunne CLUBS Dawkins! NCR mug Dawkins but Ford joins in! They brawl, but AOP add on! Humberto finds Rezar to tag in, before the DOUBLE TOWER OF DOOM!! Bate’s the only one left up top, so Legado mug him! They double trophy lift Bate, to DOUBLE ROCKET LAUNCH him onto everyone!! Humberto then finds Bate, sunset flips and rewinds, Garza jumps, MISSILE DROPKICK DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! “This is Awesome!” as all eight men are down around ringside, and Waller says this is gonna be easy pickings for A-Town Down Under now.
Dunne grabs Garza, Bate has Humberto, STEREO ANKLE LOCKS!! Grapevine for Garza! But Humberto BOOTS Bate onto Dunne! Legado is free, Ellering has AOP regroup, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Rezar CLUBS Dawkins down. Rezar soaks up heat, taunts the other teams, then CLUBS Dawkins again. Rezar brings Dawkins up again, but Dawkins fires off body shots! Rezar KNEES low, reels Dawkins in, talks more trash, and lifts Dawkins up, to POWERBOMB! But then Dunne runs up to ROCK Rezar! Akam gets in to scoop Dunne and SLAM him on Dawkins! Cover, TWO! Rezar looks to Ellering and he coaches AOP. Rezar HAMMERS Dawkins, Akam tags, and AOP get NCR up! The fans boo but NCR RANA free to send AOP into each other! Ford jumps in, as does Garza.
All the teams realize, they gotta do something about AOP. So they all mug AOP! The fans fire up as AOP tumble out, but now who strikes first? Dunne runs up but Garza SUPERKICKS him first! Bate waistlocks Garza and Ford winds up, but Garza ducks so the BACKHAND hits Bate! Garza SUPERKICKS Ford, but Dawkins DECKS Garza! Humberto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO!! Theory says if A-Town Down Under were in this match, he’d knock everyone out and Waller could just sneak in to cover. Humberto and Dawkins rise and go to corners. Humberto runs up, but Dawkins POUNCES him away!
Dawkins gets Humberto up, Ford returns and tags in! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Humberto and Ford climbs! The stars are out for the BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! Another save from the Bruiserweight and Ford is frustrated. Dunne drags Dawkins up to CHOP, but Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins whips Dunne out of the ring, but Dunne grabs the arm! And he pulls off the glove so he can SNAP fingers! The fans fire up, but Ford ENZIGIRIS Dunne down! Ford brings Humberto up, Humberto JAWBREAKERS! Bate tags in off Ford, BOOTS Garza, then runs up, but into a POP-UP! But Bate RANAS Humberto!!
Bate then DUMPS Garza out, goes to the apron, and Dunne lines up targets. Bate and Dunne climb, Ford runs in, NCR DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULT while Ford FLIES over the corner post!! Down goes Legado and AOP!! The fans are losing their minds as Bate hurries to get Humberto up. Bate puts Humberto in, reels him in, underhooks, but Humberto fights it! Humberto back drops but Bate lands on his feet! Humberto cradles, TWO! Humberto LARIATS Bate, tag to Garza! Legado gets Bate up, feed to the POP-UP KICK!! #FTY! Humberto then DIVES to take out Dunne! Garza goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT!!
But Ford flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! The fans are thunderous as everyone is down again! Bate flounders, Dawkins tags in! Dawkins whips Legado, Ford joins in, THE REVELATION!! Cover, PROFITS WIN!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)
Waller & Theory are relieved it isn’t AOP, but they still look a bit annoyed that it is Ford & Dawkins. The Profits are Triple Crown Tag Team Champions from Raw to SmackDown to NXT, but will they soon add the WWE Tag Team Championships to make it a grand slam?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Byron Saxton is with The Role Model, and brings up the emotional moment from Monday Night Raw where Rhea Ripley had to relinquish her title. But let us focus on Bayley’s title, as she defends it for the first time against Naomi. Where is her head at ahead of the main event? Bayley says after seeing Rhea vacate the Women’s World Championship on Raw, Bayley appreciates her reign more. She is focused, and she has realized she’s THE Women’s Champion in WWE right now, something she does not take for granted. Because we all know that with the WWE Draft, things are bound to change.
And as excited as Bayley is to face her friend, Naomi, one thing that won’t change is her as THE WWE Women’s Champion. Bayley is just as confident at Naomi, so something’s gotta give! Will The Role Model #FeelTheGlow? Or will she still be shining with gold after tonight?
Paul Heyman talks with Solo Sikoa.
The Wise Man apologizes that they haven’t found Kevin Owens, but he has to be here somewhere. Just look at the time. They will find him, somewhere. Solo stops listening and heads to gorilla. Heyman follows after, but Solo gives him a look. Heyman says he isn’t trying to upset Solo. Please believe him. The last person on this planet Heyman wants to piss off is Solo. But respectfully, Solo is making decisions that are not his to make, yet. One day, these will all be Solo’s decisions. But not now, not here! These are decisions that can only be made by one man. Solo asks Heyman if he’s done talking. Heyman asks if MFT is coming with Solo.
Solo just gives a thumbs up, with that taped thumb. The music hits and Solo makes his entrance, Heyman still following all the way into the ring. What does the Enforcer have planned? We’ll find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Heyman has the mic to give his usual introduction. And he doesn’t know if there is a list of the most brilliant backstage maneuvering politicians int he history of the WWE, but if there were, Heyman would have to think that he personally is in the top… Well, permit Heyman, with Solo’s permission, to explain what’s going on right now within The Bloodline, “the premier act in the history of WWE.” The fans chant, “We Want Roman!” but Solo shrugs that off. Heyman assures us that as The Wise Man for… Heyman gets emotional, so Solo just snatches the mic! The fans boo but Solo paces.
Solo tries to talk but the fans boo. Solo says last week, he had to lose a brother! He had to! It was in order for him to find a new one! His MFT, Tama Tonga! And with that, a bloodied Kevin Owens is tossed out, by the Good Bad Guy! Tama shoves Kevin down the ramp, stalks behind him, and referees rush out to stop him from doing anything further! Kevin can’t even sit up, but Tama steps over him to go to the ring. The fans boo as Tama joins Solo in the ring while the refs help Kevin to his feet and to the back. Tama raises his finger to the sky, because he acknowledges Solo! Heyman has no choice but to go along, but wait! Kevin is heading back down the ramp!?
The fans fire up as Kevin shows his grit and defiance! He drags Tama out to fire off hands!! The fans cheer but then Solo whips Kevin into steel steps! Solo drags Kevin back up, puts him in the ring, but now security rushes in! Tama storms in after Kevin but Kevin TACKLES Tama! The security gets Kevin away from Tama, but Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Kevin down!! The fans boo but then Tama SPLASHES Kevin! Tama rains down fists on that bloody wound, then he DECKS guard after guard! Producers try but Tama is a madman! Tama shoves everyone away so he can slip out of the ring, to grab a chair!!
The fans boo as Tama storms back in, but now Aldis steps up! Aldis warns The Bloodline here, and Solo has Tama stand down. Solo takes the chair from Tama to show they’re done here. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but the damage is done. Solo & Tama are a dangerous duo, will nothing and no one stop them from taking over SmackDown?
Heyman goes to the parking lot.
He’s in shock, but Aldis finds him and pulls him along. Was Heyman aware of this? Aldis shows Heyman the aftermath of one car T-boning another! And in case Heyman can’t guess, the struck car was Kevin’s. The attacking car was Tama’s! Heyman says this wasn’t authorized! No, Heyman, Aldis is speaking now. He gets this is a conflict within The Bloodline, but on his show, things are settle din the ring. Next week is the Draft, a lot of eyeballs on it, and a lot top brass are gonna be here. So Aldis will not tolerate this behavior. So make sure The Bloodline understands. Because, Heyman, if you don’t, the repercussions will be equally savage.
Aldis brings Heyman in close to tell him losing isn’t the only thing that has consequences. Will the Wise Man be able to rein in such an unruly force as Solo and Tama?
Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez!
The LWO still doesn’t believe Legado’s claims that they had nothing to do with Dragon Lee going down before WrestleMania, so they’re going to get to the bottom of this one themselves! Will Caribbean Cool make the Emperor of Lucha confess his crimes? Or will Santos prove he was right all along?
The bell rings and the two talk trash. Then they start throwing hands! Carlito backs Santos down but Santos gets around to whisper something in Carlito’s ear. Carlito ELBOWS Santos away, runs up and hits a THESZ PRESS! Carlito then bumps Santos off buckles, fires hands, then has him in another corner. Carlito whips corner to corner, runs up, but Santos BOOTS him! Santos runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Vega coaches Carlito to stay on Santos and he brings Santos up. Carlito ROCKS Santos, whips, but Santos KICKS him! Santos runs, but into a DROPKICK! Carlito kips up and the fans fire up!
Santos is on the outside, the ref won’t let Carlito go after him, but then Carlito WRECKS Santos with a dropkick! Carlito loads up to PLANCHA! Direct hit on Santos and Carlito hoists Vega up to celebrate! The fans cheer the LWO on as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Santos whips Carlito hard into buckles. Carlito falls over, Santos soaks up the heat, then Santos HEADBUTTS Carlito to a corner. Santos then CHOPS, gets space and runs in, to DOUBLE KNEE! Carlito slumps in the corner but Santos puts him up top! Santos GAMANGIRIS then climbs up! SUPER STEINER! Carlito flounders, Santos pushes him to a cover, TWO! Vega is relieved but Santos huffs and puffs. Santos rains down fists on Carlito, then clamps on a top wristlock. Carlito endures and Vega coaches him while the fans rally. Carlito rises, throws body shots, then LARIATS!
The fans rally as Carlito starts to rally with more clotheslines, and an ELBOW! Carlito kicks, runs, and KNEE LIFTS! Santos wobbles, Carlito LARIATS again! Cover, TWO! Santos is tougher than that but Carlito says he’s going up! Carlito climbs, but then Lopez gets on the apron! Vega storms right over to YANK her down! The fans fire up as Vega goes up, and RANAS, only for Lopez to block! Lopez SWINGS Vega into barriers! Carlito ROCKS Santos, steps in, but the ref is reprimanding Lopez so he misses Santos KICK ropes to jam Carlito low! Santos reels Carlito in to POST him, then brings him back for the fireman’s carry! PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Santos wins!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall
La Madrina helps The Emperor steal this victory, them taking down the Caribbean Cool and La Muneca! Whether or not Legado beat down Dragon Lee, will nothing stop them from conquering SmackDown?
VIP Skybox interview with Damage CTRL!
Kayla is with Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane & Asuka as they sit way up in the back. What made the former WWE Women’s Champion and crew want a special view of this main event? Dakota takes offense for Iyo with the use of “former” there. Is Kayla trying to disrespect them? Iyo will take that title back when they’re good and ready. But for now, they’re here to watch two people they can’t stand tear each other apart! Does Dakota need to remind everyone here that DMG CTRL is still the most dominant force in the WWE!? The fans boo but Dakota says the Kabuki Warriors are STILL the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and that will not change-
WAID! Jade Cargill is here! She makes her entrance from the other skybox, with Bianca Belair alongside her! The strongEST duo argues with DMG CTRL, their own title intentions clear. But for now, it’s time for the main event! Who shines with gold here in the Steel City? We find out, after the break!
Cody Rhodes speaks.
The American Nightmare is in the UK as part of Raw’s tour, but he still took time to say, “What is the task? Run up the score, leave no doubt, right? Formerly, the task was ‘win the big belt, in the big place.’ We’ve done that. Now, it’s a whole new frontier for us, undiscovered country.” There’s an old expression: the title can make the man, or the man makes the title. Which will it be for Cody? He’s in London tonight, the O2, 16 THOUSAND, then it’s on to Belfast, Ireland. Cody is keeping his promise to bring this title all around the world. Back home, AJ Styles has emerged the #1 contender to this championship.
So then, it will be two Georgia boys duking it out in Lyon, France. The first time ever, at that. Styles has an unprecedented reputation in pro-wrestling. The modern day Excellence of Execution, if you will. Styles rarely misses. But the same goes for Cody. So Backlash in France, Cody looks forward to it. The contract signing is next week, even as the WWE Draft is going on! Will things be explosive when American Nightmare and Phenomenal One meet face to face?
WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi!
SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and either we shine or we glow!
The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. The two tie up, go around, and Bayley headlocks. Naomi powers up but Bayley wrenches to wristlock. Naomi slips through, rolls Bayley up, ONE!! The fans rally as the two go again. Naomi waistlocks, Bayley headlocks to hit a takeover, and she makes it a cover, TWO! Naomi fights up to her feet, powers up but Bayley wrenches gain. Naomi waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, ONE! Both women get up, Naomi ducks the boot but Bayley arm-drags her around! Bayley has the cording hold, the fans rally up, and Naomi fights to her feet. Naomi whips Bayley away, but Bayley runs her over!
The fans cheer and Bayley tells DMG CTRL she’s watching them, too. Things speed up, Naomi does the splits to duck under, then she comes back to kick from below! She drags Bayley into a cradle, ONE!! Bayley hurries to step over, LA MAGISTROL! ONE!! Naomi and Bayley get up, Naomi trips Bayley to jackknife, ONE!! Ghost pin, TWO! Both women hurry up, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans rally while both women are down, evenly matched in this chess game so far. Both women rise, and Naomi SHOTGUNS first! Then she runs up, uses the ropes to slingshot and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Naomi is frustrated but keeps her focus.
Naomi drags Bayley up, Bayley shoves her away. Naomi dodges the lariat to hit REAR VIEW! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Naomi lets her know it was that close, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Bayley whips Naomi to a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Bayley gets up, Naomi runs up, JAWBREAKER! Bayley ends up in a corner now, Naomi runs in, and she forearm SMASHES! Naomi then runs Bayley corner to corner for a BUCKLE BULLDOG! Naomi slips out to the apron while Bayley flounders, and Naomi climbs. The fans duel as Naomi CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Naomi knows that. Naomi keeps her focus while DMG CTRL, Bianca & Jade all focus on them. Naomi ROCKS Bayley, tries the ropes again, but Bayley stops the bulldog to SMACK Naomi off buckles!
Bayley then reels Naomi in, SAIDO! High stack, TWO! Naomi is still in this and Bayley remembers Naomi’s tougher than that, too. Bayley drags Naomi into a drop zone, then goes up the corner! Bayley aims, to MACHO ELBOW onto knees! Bayley writhes, Naomi goes to the apron. Bayley stands, runs up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi slingshots, for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Naomi is stunned! Naomi refocuses, goes to the corner, and goes up to SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT onto knees! Bayley returns the favor and both women are down. Bayley shakes out the leg, stands and runs, to KNEE Naomi down!
Bayley hurries to put Naomi back in a drop zone, and then hobbles her way to a corner. Bayley climbs, to MACHO ELBOW!! Direct hit this time and Bayley covers, TWO!! Naomi survives and Bayley is frustrated. Bayley hobbles on the bad leg, leans on ropes while she catches her breath, and the fans duel even more. Bayley stalks Naomi, hooks her up, but Naomi PELES free! Naomi hurries to a corner, Bayley runs up, but Naomi goes up to sunset flip! TWO!! But into the BUTTERFLY LOCK!! Bayley endures, reaches out with her legs, but then she tucks to a cover, TWO!! Naomi gets up, both women throw forearms!
They both wobble, storm up, and Bayley eggs Naomi on. Naomi wants this, right? So hit her! Naomi fires a forearm, Bayley hits back! Naomi winds up to forearm, Bayley comes back with another! The fans fire up as the forearms go harder and faster! Bayley gets the edge, but Naomi SWATS one, to SCORPION KICK, and then JUMP KNEE! Bayley tumbles out of the ring, Naomi PLANCHAS! Direct hit and a hard one, both women are down on the floor! The ring count starts, Naomi stirs at 3 of 10. Naomi brings Bayley up, but BAYLEY2BELLY onto the desk!! The count is 7! Naomi flounders on the desk, but then TIFFANY ATTACKS BAYLEY!!!
Winner: Bayley, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Champion)
Tiffany makes herself the center of attention as always as she ruins this main event! She dribbles Naomi off the desk, then RAMS Bayley into steel steps! Then she drags Naomi off the desk to POST her! Tiff storms back over to Bayley, puts her in the ring, then adds Naomi in, too. Tiff says sorry not sorry, but it’s Tiffy Time! Tiffy goes to the corner, for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Tiff flexes over both champion and challenger, having upset Bianca & Jade but having entertained DMG CTRL. But will Wrestling Barbie pay for pissing off the Role Model?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown that also acted as a WWE Draft go-home. Great match from Styles and Knight to open the night but also follow-up their WrestleMania match. Naturally, Styles wins because then he and Knight are 1-1 in 1v1 matches, and also natural Face VS Heel right there. Good promo from Cody Rhodes, that title match is going to be awesome. Awesome new looks for the WWE Tag Team Championships, though maybe too much gold. Nothing really pops when it’s all the same color, so they should’ve had silver on the WWE logo and the words, “Tag Team Champions,” but it’s still a great redesign.
We also got an awesome Fatal 4 Way tag match, with Theory & Waller decent on commentary. And pieces are falling into place for what I was thinking: Profits win the right to face Theory & Waller, we’ll surely get Lashley wanting the US Championship, we’ll get a good faction feud there as we approach those title matches. Also good continuation of the LWO VS Legado feud with Carlito VS Santos, and distractions of course helped Santos win. There’s gotta come a point where Carlito reveals it was him, Dragon Lee, it was him all along! Now, that would make like the third turn since the start of this rivalry (Santos to Heel, Andrade to Face and Carlito to Heel) but hey, the drama is heightened each time, and maybe Dragon Lee will actually get a win in this feud.
Great stuff in Bayley VS Naomi, as well as all the promos. DMG CTRL watching from the skybox, same as Bianca & Jade, was good stuff. The tag title match is definitely coming for Backlash, that will be great stuff. But I should’ve figured Tiffany would “ruin” the main event so that there won’t really be a choice between Bayley and Naomi. The Draft is coming, hopefully they think to keep all three on the same brand, and probably here on SmackDown, so that those three can have it out. I don’t know the chances of a Triple Threat for Backlash but it still feels possible. Though at the same time, I don’t think they’d take the title off Bayley after only a month, so she’d probably use Tiffany against Naomi to retain.
And what wild stuff with this new, more vicious Bloodline. Solo is in a suit because he certainly thinks he is Tribal Chief already, given Roman Reigns did give him the nod as “Tribal Heir” a few months ago. And while Tama is the MFT, which everyone is already wondering what that even means, it’s clear he’s also the right hand man and a loose cannon at that. Without the Draft, it’d be pretty wild for Jimmy to come back and help Kevin against this new Bloodline. With the Draft, we could get Jey back on the same brand as his family and then he and Jimmy stand against Solo and Tama. But either way, it’ll be a wild ride in this new chapter and I’m all for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.18.2024
Motor City Machine Guns either go out on their backs, or head to Rebellion as champs! Lets see how they finish their current run in TNA!
No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.
With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.
Part Three: Acceptance @TheJonGresham #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/NE9FPzCCz2
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
Ratings:
- Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
- LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
- Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
- Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
- Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.
Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone
Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.
Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.
.@XiaBrookside and @Ashamae_Sebera face off NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/Q0S3wSRpeu
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
LSG vs Joe Hendry
Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.
LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.
Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno
Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.
Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.
GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.
They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.
.@TheEricYoung channels "The Sickness" as he prepares for FULL METAL MAYHEM with @FrankieKazarian at #Rebellion! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tm1TqxZBLo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024
Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna
Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.
Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.
Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards
Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.
Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.
Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!
Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated.
Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.
Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.
But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either. Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.
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