Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (7/16/22)

The BIGGEST Climax yet!

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2022

Steven Mitchell

G1 Climax 32 is going to be very different.

For NJPW’s 50th year, the 32nd G1 Climax will have 28 entrants! And there are four HUGE match-ups for opening night of this month long series!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Tom Lawlor VS Kosei Fujita; Lawlor win.
Bad Dude Tito & JONAH VS Toru Yano & Ryohei Oiwa; Tito & Jonah win.
Six Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Jado & David Finlay VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
8 Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Chaos wins.
G1 Climax 32, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Aaron Henare; Henare wins.
G1 Climax 32, D Block: Will Ospreay VS El Phantasmo; Ospreay wins.
G1 Climax 32, B Block: SANADA VS Jay White; White wins.
G1 Climax 32, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb; Okada wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Aaron Henare!

The opening night of the biggest G1 yet has former tag partners face off! Once #HenarACE, the Hammerhead became the Ultimate Weapon, and he looks to trump The Ace in the first round! Will Henare get a win for the United Empire? Or will the Once in a Century Talent refuse to be conquered?

Tanahashi shows off the muscles and the fans cheer. The bell rings and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Tanahashi and Henare circle, tie up, and Henare puts Tanahashi on the ropes. Tanahashi turns it around, lets off clean, and fans cheer again. The two reset and circle, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Henare elbows out, waistlocks, but Tanahashi elbows out. Tanahashi headlocks, Henare pries at the hold, but Tanahashi clamps on tight. Henare pulls hair, and Tanahashi has little to pull back! The ref reprimands as Henare puts Tanahashi in the corner, and Henare lets go of the hair to throw heavy body shots!

The ref reprimands as Henare fires off and CLUBS Tanahashi. Henare whips him corner to corner then runs in, but Tanahashi elbows back. Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans fire up for the air guitar. Tanahashi runs in but Henare elbows back, and goes up to FLYING KICK! Henare mocks the air guitar and “smashes” it! Henare looms over Tanahashi while fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Henare drags Tanahashi up but Tanahashi throws body shots in return. Tanahashi throws a forearm but Henare hits him back! Henare eggs Tanahashi on, the forearms keep flying, but Tanahashi fires off a strike fest!

Henare throws a heavy body shot back, then snapmares and KICKS Tanahashi in the back. Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Henare KICKS Tanahashi again. Henare rains down forearms, then roars and tells fans to shut up with the clapping! Henare looms over Tanahashi, eggs him on, and KICKS him in the leg. Tanahashi stands, Henare KICKS him more, then SUPERMAN PUNCHES! Cover, TWO! Henare drags Tanahashi around, ties up the legs, and then gets a chinlock for a QUEEN ANGELITO! Tanahashi endures, pushes up, pries the chinlock but Henare just shifts to a motorcycle stretch and STOMP! Henare pushes Tanahashi to a cover, TWO!

Henare snarls and fans rally up again. Tanahashi slowly gets up, Henare storms over but Tanahashi throws body shots! Tanahashi throws a forearm, but Henare throws a knee, forearm and HEADBUTT! Henare whips Tanahashi to ropes but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS back! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he stands Henare up for more fast hands. Tanahashi brings Henare around to scoop and SLAM into a drop zone. Tanahashi goes up, for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps his focus and fans rally up again. Henare stands, Tanahashi runs, but Henare follows and clotheslines Tanahashi at the ropes!

But Tanahashi SHOTEIS back! Tanahashi runs again, but Henare scoops him for a BERZERKER BOMB! But Henare can’t make the cover from being tired and sore! Fans rally up as both men stir, and Henare stands up first. Henare KICKS Tanahashi, ROCKS him with a forearm, then fires off forearms in the corner! Henare whips Tanahashi corner to corner, runs in and SHINING WIZARD! Then a fireman’s carry for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tanahashi is still in this, but Henare goes up the corner. Henare leaps for a SUPER SENTON! Tanahashi writhes, Henare covers, TWO! Fans rally again and Henare is growing frustrated.

Henare waits on Tanahashi, then hooks on the ULTIMA FULL NELSON!! Tanahashi resists, fights the grip, but Henare’s hands are so close! Fans rally, Tanahashi keeps fighting, and he powers up! Tanahashi gets free, and hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! And then a wrench into a SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Henare is still in this but fans fire up! Tanahashi climbs, Henare stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! But Tanahashi isn’t done there! Fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back to the corner for HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Henare knows Tanahashi, he got him at the last moment!

Fans rally up as hard as they can, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Henare aims from a corner, Tanahashi slowly rises, and Henare runs in, RAMP- NO, Tanahashi fights off the Rampage Spear, and SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and fans are fired up again! Henare roars, he stalks Tanahashi again, ULTIMA!! Henare has it locked on, Tanahashi endures, and fans rally! Tanahashi fights the hold but Henare thrashes him around! Then Henare scoops Tanahashi, but Tanahashi fights off Streets of Rage! Henare throws a heavy body shot, then HEEL KICK! Fans are thunderous as Henare roars!

Henare drags Tanahashi up, hooks the leg, STREETS OF RAGE!! Cover, Henare wins!!

Winner: Aaron Henare, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)

The Ultimate Weapon has trumped The Ace! Henare takes the first win of the C Block, and is the first of the United Empire here tonight. Will the rest of the Empire follow suit?

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Will Ospreay VS El Phantasmo!

Once upon a time, the Commonwealth Kingpin was where the Headbanga is now: a Junior Heavyweight being given a great honor to enter this grueling heavyweight round robin. But will Ospreay show ELP that he’s not ready for this level yet? Or will ELP start to follow in Ospreay’s footsteps and use the G1 to raise his game?

ELP makes fun of Ospreay looking like a yeti Jake Paul in that new robe and pants. Fans rally up, “O-SU-PREAY!” “E L P!” The bell rings and Ospreay SHOTGUNS ELP down! Fans fire up, ELP bails out and Ospreay builds speed to SASUKE SPECIAL! Direct hit and Ospreay gets up to jog around. Ospreay drags ELP up and puts him back in to then PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay says this is “slow and sensual” for him, and he drags ELP up. ELP fights off the powerbomb and CLAWS Ospreay’s back. Ospreay CHOPS ELP down for that one. Ospreay drags ELP up, whips him to ropes, but ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAN-

NO! Ospreay blocks the rana to bring ELP up into a fireman’s carry! HOTSHOT toss, and then a RUNNING BOOT! Fans fire up while Ospreay paces. ELP slowly gets to a corner but Ospreay drags him up to ROCK him with a haymaker. Ospreay throws more hands but ELP gives them back, until Ospreay CHOPS him again. “Slow… and sensual!” Ospreay drags ELP up, ELP resists, so Ospreay claws at ELP’s face! The ref reprimands, Ospreay lets off and whips ELP corner to corner. ELP goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges and springboard CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO, but ELP somersaults to LIONSAULT! Ospreay dodges but ELP lands on his feet!

Ospreay bails out, ELP builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up and ELP drags Ospreay up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Ospreay drops, ELP goes up the apron, to TOP ROPE ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit again and fans fire up again! ELP throws up the Too Sweet and says this is slow AF. ELP drags Ospreay up as the ring count climbs, and he SMACKS Ospreay off the apron. The count is 10 of 20 but ELP puts Ospreay in. ELP stands Ospreay up to ROCK him with a forearm. ELP ROCKS Ospreay again, then again! Ospreay staggers away but kicks back. Ospreay and ELP throw forearms back and forth and fans fire up!

ELP ROCKS Ospreay gain, then digs his fingers into Ospreay’s face! The ref counts, ELP stops at 4 to whip corner to corner hard! Ospreay bounces off buckles, ELP hoists him up to put him in the Tree of Woe. ELP stomps a mudhole into that Tree, the ref counts but ELP stops at 4. Fans rally up, ELP goes to the far corner and runs in, to basement dropkick! Fans rally up, “O-SU-PREAY!” “E L P!” and ELP stomps Ospreay to the rhythm. ELP goes around again, corner to corner, for a BIG basement dropkick! Cover, ROPEBREAK! ELP is annoyed but he drags Ospreay up to snapmare him for a chinlock.

ELP leans on the hold, Ospreay endures, but ELP grinds him down. Ospreay pries at the hold, ELP claws at Ospreay, but the ref reprimands. Ospreay fights up, ELP facelocks but Ospreay throws body shots. Ospreay throws forearms, but ELP gets around to back suplex. Ospreay lands on his feet, ducks the back elbow, and runs to handspring, NEURALIZER! Direct hit with that kick and fans fire up again. Ospreay and ELP slowly stand, and Ospreay knees ELP to then JAWBREAKER and KICK! ELP falls and Ospreay fires up! Ospreay wants ELP to get up and fans rally. Ospreay runs corner to corner but ELP puts him on the apron!

Ospreay ROCKS ELP, then springboards, only for ELP to get under! ELP mule kicks, runs, but into the SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but the fans still rally up. Ospreay drags ELP up, but ELP elbows free. ELP atomic drops to then CLOBBER Ospreay. Ospreay gets up but ELP scoops and SLAMS him in a drop zone. ELP goes up, for a FALLING KNEE DROP! ELP slashes his throat, vowing to end this. ELP drags Ospreay up but Ospreay back drops free! Fans rally, Ospreay and ELP slowly rise. Ospreay ROCKS ELP, then glares at him. ELP ROCKS Ospreay, but Ospreay laughs it off.

ELP eggs Ospreay on and Ospreay applauds. Ospreay ROCKS ELP and ELP staggers around. Fans fire up as ELP comes back to ROCK him back. ELP keeps egging Ospreay on, and Ospreay ROCKS ELP again! Ospreay wants the fans to get louder and they oblige as ELP slowly comes back. ELP winds up, and the forearms start flying back and forth! ELP gets the edge, but Ospreay CHOPS! Ospreay catches ELP’s haymaker to full nelson but ELP breaks free and back elbows, ducks the hook kick and mule kicks back! ELP runs, into the Tiger Wall Kick, but ELP ENZIGURIS! ELP suplexes, but Ospreay STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRES!

Ospreay calls it, goes up the corner, but ELP follows! REVERSE SPANISH FLY! ELP crawls to the cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and fans rally up again! ELP gets up in the corner and he tunes up the band! ELP aims, SUDDEN- NO, Ospreay blocks, flips ELP and ROLLING ELBOWS! Turn and DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Ospreay fires up, prepares his elbow pad and takes aim! But ELP RANAS, only for Ospreay to block again! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! But Ospreay keeps on ELP, suplex to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! ELP is still alive and fans are thunderous! Ospreay gets to a corner and climbs! But ELP trips him!

ELP throws haymakers, climbs up after Ospreay, and he brings Ospreay up for forearm after forearm! ELP even HEADBUTTS! Both men stand up, SUPER STEINER! ELP hurries up again, for- Wait, Ospreay moves. ELP readjusts and still leaps! THUNDERKISS FLOPS as Ospreay moves again! ROBINSON SPECIAL! Ospreay springboards, OSC- NO, ELP dodges to SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO!?! Ospreay survives and ELP can’t believe it! ELP hurries to get Ospreay up, reel him in and hook him up. C R- NO, Ospreay handstands and fights, to tuck ELP into a sunset, TWO! ELP has a cover, TWO! Ospreay has a cradle, TWO!

Ospreay gets around, HOOK KICK! Springboard, OS- BACKSLIDE! TWO!!! HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)

Slow and sensual turned fast and furious, and Ospreay cuts down Phantasmo! Another win for the United Empire, are they going to conquer the G1 Climax?

G1 Climax 32, B Block: SANADA VS Jay White w/ Gedo!

The Cold Skull was a victim of misfortune when it came to the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. But perhaps his luck could be turning around. Will he open the G1 with a golden shortcut to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship? Or will he just the first in this tournament to Breathe with the Switchblade?

White and Gedo Too Sweet and fans applaud. The bell rings and White mocks the claps for “SA-NA-DA!” by chanting out loud. White of course keeps poking at the rule about fans not being able to shout and yell, but then White goes outside of the ring and wants fans to say “Sanada,” not clap it. But the fans stick to the rules and clap instead. Red Shoes tells White to return to the ring, but White says Sanada should hold the ropes open for the world champion. Sanada walks over to hold the ropes open, but White doesn’t want the bottom rope. No jokes! Middle ropes! Sanada goes out to the apron, apologizes, and holds the middle rope open.

Fans applaud, White goes in the ring, and White keeps chanting “SA-NA-DA!” while clapping. Sanada walks in, and he blocks White’s cheap shot! Sanada headlocks, White endures and powers up. White pries free to headlock but Sanada switches it back on him. White pulls hair, headlocks again but Sanada gets it right back. White powers out, things speed up, Sanada counters hip toss to an arm-drag! Sanada then dropkicks White out and fans fire up. Sanada goes out after White but Gedo protests. Sanada puts White in, but then Gedo tries to get after Sanada. Gedo backs down when Sanada glares at him, and Red Shoes reprimands Gedo.

Sanada gets in the ring, but White bails out the other side. Sanada PLANCHAS, but White moves! White swings, Sanada dodges, but then White blocks Sanada’s clothesline to COMPLETE SHOT Sanada into railing! White then mocks the fans rallying up, “SA-NA-DA!” White brings Sanada up, to SNAKE EYES him off the railing, and then RAM him into apron, and then RAM him into railing! White whips Sanada hard into railing, then leaves him behind. Sanada writhes on the ground while White keeps mocking the clapping. White says if the fans won’t chant it, they should just shut up. White then fetches Sanada, telling Red Shoes not to do the ring count.

White brings Sanada up and into the ring, covers, ONE!! Sanada is still in this but White stomps him down. White kicks Sanada, clamps on a top wristlock, then hits Sanada hard in the ribs! Cover, TWO! White is annoyed but he fixes his hair and again taunts the fans clapping. White kicks and stomps Sanada to a corner, RAMS into him with shoulders again and again, then brings Sanada out to snapmare and rear bearhug! Sanada endures, White leans on the hold and taunts Sanada with his chanting. Sanada fights up, pries at the hold, tries to throw elbows but White keeps moving around. White CLUBS Sanada and whips him into a corner.

Sanada bounces off buckles, into a Too Sweet CHOP! Sanada falls and White taunts him. White drags Sanada up, and he wants the fans to say it with him. Too Sweet~ CHOP! Too Sweet~ CHOP! White whips again, but Sanada ducks the chop to fire off forearms! Sanada whips, White reverses, Sanada reverses back, ducks ‘n’ dodges and trips White! White kicks Sanada away bout Sanada dropkicks the leg out! Both men are down and fans rally up with “SA-NA-DA!” Sanada kips up and fires up and the fans are with him! Sanada rallies on White, forearms and arm-drags, then a BIG atomic drop! White hobbles into a trip!

Sanada ties White up and fans fire up, but White kicks free again. White CHOPS, runs, but Sanada RANAS! Roll through, Sanada has the legs again, and he ties White up in Paradise! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. White wiggles around but is stuck, and the fans hit the right thunderous volume for Sanada. Sanada nods and takes aim at White, to dropkick White out of Paradise! Cover, ONE! Sanada keeps cool and drags White back up. Sanada fireman’s carries but White fights free. White waistlocks, Sanada switches and ducks a back elbow, but White hits a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Sanada gets to the ropes and White wants fans to chant for him. They clap “SWITCH-BLADE!” instead, but White runs in to uppercut Sanada all the same. White suplexes, for BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for “SA-NA-DA!” as White drags him up. White reels Sanada in but Sanada fights the clinch. Sanada throws elbows, ducks a chop, but walks into a COMPLETE SHOT! White drags Sanada into a deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gedo fires up and White says Sanada’s a baby. URENAGE! Cover, TWO! White is annoyed and Gedo is frustrated but Sanada is still in this. White drags Sanada up, clamps on and drags Sanada up, but Sanada fights the sleeper!

Sanada powers White into a corner and is free! Sanada fires off back elbows on White, then whips White corner to corner. White reverses but Sanada goes up and out, only for White to DECK him! White goes out after Sanada and drags him up to put back in. Gedo likes what he sees, but Sanada fireman’s carries for a TKO! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Sanada gets up and drags White up. White swings, but Sanada ducks to dragon sleeper! SKULL SWING! Then SKULL END! Body scissors are in and White is being bent way back! Gedo gets on the apron to protest, and Sanada lets White go to chase Gedo off.

But White kicks the ropes and the ropes low blow Sanada! Sanada falls with Red Shoes none the wiser! Fans rally up for “SA-NA-DA!” while Red Shoes warns Geod. White brings Sanada up but Sanada throws a forearm! White shakes his head so Sanada throws another forearm! White eggs Sanada on by mocking the clapping. Sanada grits his teeth to ROCK White. White CHOPS Sanada, then EuroUppers! But Sanada falls in a way where his foot kicks White low! White feels the sting of karma! Gedo is pissed but this was all happenstance! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY FLOP as White moves! White protests now but Red Shoes says again, it was an accident.

White is furious that Red Shoes won’t call him the winner but now he’s shoving Red Shoes! Red Shoes shoves White, and Sanada rolls him up! Cover, TWO!! White escapes, rushes in, but Sanada O’Conner Rolls and sits deep! TWO!!! White escapes by the literal seat of his pants, but Sanada ROCKS, ROLLING ELBOWS, then RUNNING ROLLING ELBOWS! Fans fire up with White down, and Sanada drags White up to a gut wrench and Canadian Rack! AK47 TKO!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives again and Sanada can’t believe it! Fans fire up again and Sanada gets to the corner again. But White trips him up!

Fans rally while White drags Sanada into a Canadian Rack of his own! DOMINAT- NO, Sanada lands on his feet! But White reels him into the clinch, but Sanada slips out to get the dragon sleeper! White snapmares free of that, and clinches again, BLADE- NO, O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO!?!? Sanada is shocked but he hurries to fireman’s carry! Throw into the dragon sleeper! White starts to fade in the Skull End, and fans rally up! White fight sup, throws hands and gets around, but Sanada switches. White powers trough to SNAP SLEEPER- Sanada lands on his feet!! DRAGON SLEEPER!! White moves around, CLAWS Sanada’s eyes!!

White goes up the corner, turns things around, BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, White wins!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sanada earns 0)

The Cold Skull came so close to taking down the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but White went after that weakened eye! Will White get so lucky as the G1 Climax rolls on?

G1 Climax 32, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb!

The Rainmaker and the Imperial Unit meet in the A Block once again after each man had an impressive run last year. But in that 31st G1 Climax, it was Okada who moved on to the finals. Will history repeat itself already? Or will Cobb take Okada on a Tour of the Islands and completely alter this tournament’s course?

The bell rings and fans are fired up already as the two stare down. Okada and Cobb tie up, Cobb powers Okada back against the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the ropebreak. Cobb lets off, but copies Okada’s feint and shoulder pat. Fans applaud but Okada frowns. Okada and Cobb circle, tie up, and Okada tries to power Cobb back, but Cobb shoves him away! Okada bails out but Cobb waits patiently. Okada takes a moment to steady himself, and then he comes back. Cobb and Okada circle and tie up, but Okada kicks low! Okada headlocks, grinds the hold, but Cobb powers up and carries Okada to ropes! Cobb powers out, and they RAM shoulders!

Fans rally up as the two stare down again. Okada runs, RAMS Cobb, but Cobb doesn’t budge. Cobb dares Okada to try again, so Okada runs and RAMS him. Still nothing, and fans fire up. Okada tries again, building up a lot of speed, but Cobb runs Okada over! Cobb wants the cam to be on him, but then he feints the Rainmaker pose to run. Okada leaps, but Cobb catches him with one arm! To then FALL AWAY SLAM him! Okada bails out and fans fire up as Cobb dusts his hands off. Cobb waits on Okada as the ring count climbs, but then decides to fetch Okada. Cobb ROCKS Okada, SMACKS him off the apron, and CLUBS him in the chest!

Cobb follows Okada around the way, CLUBS him at the railing, then drags Okada up to whip around hard into the railing! Cobb assures commentary they were never in danger, then he steps on Okada. Cobb pretends he didn’t see Okada there, then goes to the ring. Fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” while the ring count starts. Okada sits up at 6 of 20, slowly rises and stands at 10 of 20 to get in at 13. Fans applaud but Cobb stomps Okada down. Cobb CLUBS Okada, drags him to the ropes, and stomps him again. Cobb stands on Okada to surf on him! The fans applaud and Cobb steps off again. Okada writhes but Cobb drags him up.

Cobb ROCKS Okada, fans rally up, and Cobb CLUBS Okada to then suplex. Cobb holds Okada up to run and SLAM! Fans applaud the show of strength and Cobb covers, TWO! Cobb keeps cool and looms over Okada. Cobb drags Okada up, HEADBUTTS him in the back, then clamps on a bearhug! Okada endures as Cobb squeezes and carries him around! Okada CLUBS away on Cobb but Cobb SLAMS Okada down! Cobb looms over Okada, taunts him, kicks him around, but fans rally up. Cobb slaps Okada around, then elbows him in the head! Okada gets up and fires off forearms, but Cobb just grins. Cobb then THROAT CHOPS!

Cobb hoists Okada up but Okada fights the suplex. Okada hooks a leg, throws body shots, then suplexes, but Cobb is too much! Cobb suplexes Okada again, but Okada fights it! Okada keeps trying but Cobb suplexes Okada! Okada slips out, kicks low and hits a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down, but Okada is up first. Okada throws forearms on Cobb, whips, but Cobb reverses. Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Cobb with the elbow! Cobb gets up but Okada is on him in the corner. Okada whips corner to corner, runs in, but Cobb elbows him back. Cobb runs in, but into a FLAPJACK! Fans fire up as Okada turns things around!

Okada drags Cobb back up, has the arm, and he clamps on the MONEY CLIP! Red Shoes does his best to fix a protruding ring board while Cobb endures. Cobb reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Okada lets off quickly, and Cobb bails out. Red Shoes works on the ring board while Okada goes out. Okada whips Cobb into railing! Then runs in, only for Cobb to block the boot! Cobb reels Okada in, Okada fights free, gets around and kicks low to DDT to the floor! Fans fire up while both men are down again and Red Shoes checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a ring count starts.

Okada and Cobb are stirring at 5 of 20, and Okada sits up at 7. Okada stands at 12 of 20, fetches Cobb, and he puts Cobb in at 17 of 20. Fans applaud as Okada continues this in the ring. Okada waits on Cobb to rise and he reels him into an Alabama Lift! For the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Cobb is still in this but Okada stays cool. Okada goes to a corner and climbs up. Fans rally, Cobb stands, Okada jumps over him! Okada comes back, Cobb gets around to waistlock but Okada elbows free. Okada goes to run but Cobb reel him in for a waistlock! Okada elbows free again, whips, but Cobb reverses, only for Okada to avoid the dropkick!

Okada runs, but Cobb DROPKICKS him after all! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Cobb and Okada stir, Okada rolls his way to the corner, and Cobb runs in to UPPERCUT! Cobb grabs Okada’s legs but Okada holds onto the ropes. So Cobb YANKS Okada up into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Fans fire up and Cobb watches Okada go to the apron. Cobb storms over to that corner, climbs up and drags Okada up! Cobb brings Okada up in a deadlift SUPER- NO, Okada fights it and is on the corner. Okada fires off forearms, he sends Cobb down, but Cobb comes back to DROPKICK Okada! Okada clings to the top but Cobb almost copied him there!

Cobb goes up to, gut wrenches Okada up, SUPER GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Okada bounces off the mat as that loose board comes loose again! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives that nasty landing but Cobb GACHIMUSHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives again and Cobb is beside himself. Fans are thunderous for “O-KA-DA!” but Cobb calls for the tour! Cobb hauls Okada up, whips him to ropes, but Okada SHOTGUNS Cobb down! Okada hurries but he can’t gut wrench Cobb! Cobb gut wrenches Okada, to TOMBSTONE! But Cobb holds on to bring Okada up! Okada fights it around to SPINNING TOMBSTONE!!

Fans are thunderous as both men are down! Cobb and Okada stir then slowly rise. Okada brings Cobb around, wrenches the arm, and puts on the MONEY CLIP! But Cobb puts Okada in a corner and gets free! Cobb runs back in, but Okada dodges. Cobb hits buckles, Okada hoists him up top, but Cobb BOOTS him. Cobb hurries but swings into a BACK2BACKBREAKER, and it’s back to the MONEY CLIP! Cobb reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go quickly and fans rally up. Okada grits his teeth and gets up. He stands Cobb up, scoops him and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. Okada climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW!

And of course, that means Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up, Okada drags Cobb up and reels him in to wristlock, but Cobb fights with elbows. Okada uses that to backslide, but Cobb rolls through! Cobb ducks the lariat but not the DROPKICK! Okada hurries to ripcord, but Cobb gets under to ripcord and steal RAINMAKER! But Cobb falls over from hitting his own lariat and fans are thunderous again! Cobb catches his breath and drags himself up. Cobb brings Okada back up, but Okada throws a forearm! Cobb wobbles just a bit but Okada drops to his knees. Cobb brings Okada up again, Okada forearms again!

Okada throws more forearms, and more, and more! Cobb ROCKS Okada right back! Cobb drops to his knees but Okada drops to the mat! Cobb hurries to get Okada up, whips him to ropes, but Okada fights the scoop! Okada gets the MONEY CLIP! Cobb endures, Okada spins and DISCUS RAINMAKER! Fans fire up again as Okada gets Cobb back up. Ripcord, and HEADBUTT from Cobb!! Okada falls over and Cobb wobbles around! Cobb gets Okada up, whips him to ropes, scoop and TOUR- NO, Okada slips out to ENZIGURI! Okada scoops for a POWERSLAM! But Okada keeps going, ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Cobb earns 0)

The Imperial Unit falls, the one defeat for the Empire today! Is the run to the finals already over for Cobb? As for Okada, he catches his breath and gets the mic. Okada drums the mic and fans chant “O-KA-DA!” Okada then says, “SAPPORO~!” Fans applaud, and Okada thanks them for their hot, hot support once again. Okada also says the G1 Climax is back in the summer where it belongs. He says this sweat on the chest is also fitting of a summer G1. Okada says that was just the first monster of many to beat in the A Block. “And as tough as that was, that means it’s all the more fun! Line ’em up!”

Okada continues to say that Sapporo is a little bit cooler than Tokyo right now, but it got hot here and can get even hotter. And of course, NJPW will be back again tomorrow so they hope to see you all back! This G1 Climax is just getting started, with so much more to come, so thank you for supporting NJPW and Okada! The Rainmaker is victorious and ready to take over the biggest G1 yet! Will Okada reach the finals and take that golden ticket to WrestleKingdom? Or is there a monster waiting in the wings to take him down?

My Thoughts:

What a great start to this year’s G1. It’s still odd not having everyone compete in a G1 match, but this is all so there’s no scheduling concerns, as well as health concerns. If AEW’s injury woes has taught us anything, there is such a thing as going too hard for too long. Hell, NJPW probably learned from today that the ring itself can’t take too much at once. That board that came loose was probably because of all the big, BIG men active tonight. Jonah Rock, Lance Archer, Bad Luck Fale, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi and Jeff Cobb, that is some serious weight to be throwing around in one ring.

But anyway, great stuff out of the G1 matches we got. What a wild surprise that Henare beat Tanahashi, but also a sign that NJPW is letting Henare move up the ranks a bit. This is certainly going to be Henare’s biggest win of the tournament, who knows how far he really gets. Ospreay VS Phantasmo was awesome stuff, especially for the character stuff between these former Junior Heavyweight rivals. Ospreay winning makes sense, he’s going to build up and have a good shot at winning his block. Ospreay still has to get the actual US Championship belt from Juice Robinson, I bet that becomes the whole crux of their match down the line.

Sanada VS White also had a lot of great character stuff with White still trying to break the “no shouting” rule as part of getting Heel heat. They let Sanada look great even though he lost, but of course the world champion is going to start strong. Okada VS Cobb was awesome stuff and that loose board really came into play for a second. But much like White, Okada of course starts his G1 strong and gives a good promo to see everyone off. Even with a different format, this is still going to be a great G1, can’t wait to see who makes it to the semifinals in August.

My Score: 8.8/10

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! (4/19/24)

Prepare for Backlash!

Published

8 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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: 4.18.2024

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!

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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.

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