Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (7/17/22)

Opening weekend continues!

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2022

Steven Mitchell

The G1 has another four opening round matches!

NJPW’s biggest G1 Climax yet continues on in a big opening weekend! And this card looks to be Rock Hard with Juice VS Takagi in the main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

YOSHI-HASHI & David Finlay VS Royce Isaacs & Tom Lawlor; Hashi & Finlay win.
TAKA Michinoku & Lance Archer VS El Phantasmo & Bad Luck Fale; ELP & Fale win.
8 Man Tag: The United Empire VS The House of Torture; The United Empire wins.
Tama Tonga & Jado VS Jay White & Chase Owens; White & Chase win.
Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Okada, Tanahashi & Goto win.
G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Taichi; Taichi wins.
G1 Climax 32, A Block: Toru Yano VS JONAH; Yano wins.
G1 Climax 32, C Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS KENTA; ZSJ wins.
G1 Climax 32, D Block: Shingo Takagi VS Juice Robinson; Juice wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!

The Stone Pitbull had his shot at the AEW All-Atlantic Championship but wasn’t physically fit to compete for it. Now he has a chance for an even bigger prize, if he can make it through this grueling tournament. Will Ishii sink his teeth into a new opportunity? Or will the Holy Emperor be a huge speedbump in the road?

Before the bell, Ishii eggs Taichi on, but Taichi ignores him. Ishii wants Taichi to look at him but the ref has Ishii back off. Ishii still SLAPS Taichi! Fans fire up seeing that, and Taichi takes off his cloak. The bell rings and Taichi goes right at Ishii! Fans fire up as the two are in a deadlock, and fans rally, “I-SHI-I!” “TA-I-CHI!” They break, Ishii CHOPS but Taichi ROCKS and BOOTS Ishii down! Ishii is dazed already but he makes his way to ropes. Taichi kicks at him, stomps him, and eggs him on in return. The ref has Taichi back off and Ishii starts to get up. Taichi toys with Ishii as he stomps and kicks, but Ishii gets up to DECK Taichi!

Fans fire up and Ishii leans against ropes. Ishii growls and stands back up as fans rally. Ishii kicks at Taichi now, then drags him up by his ears. Ishii sits Taichi up but Taichi is dead weight! The ref checks on Taichi but he’s coming to. Ishii stands Taichi to CHOP him! Taichi flops to a corner so Ishii stomps him and eggs him on again. Ishii stands Taichi up, CHOPS and CHOPS again, then talks trash. Taichi stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS and forearms on repeat in the corner! Fans fire up, Ishii stands Taichi up for more CHOPS and forearms! The ref backs Ishii down and reprimands him but the fans are fired up.

Taichi is dazed again and Ishii asks what’s wrong! Ishii tells Taichi to get up already! Fans fire up and Taichi slowly sits up. Fans rally, “TA-I-CHI!” “I-SHI-I!” as Taichi crawls his way over. Ishii kicks him, slaps him around, and toys with Taichi. Taichi gets up and he KICKS away on Ishii’s leg! Ishii CHOPS, whips, but Taichi reverses to reel Ishii in! Ishii blocks the sumo throw and he shoves Taichi down! Fans fire up more and Ishii paces as Taichi slowly crawls to another corner. Ishii runs in but into a BOOT! But he runs in again, only for Taichi to put Ishii in the corner! ENZIGURI! Taichi turns Ishii around for a GAMANGIRI!

Both men are down while fans fire up again. Taichi sits up then stands, but he’s wobbly. Taichi slaps himself to get his senses back, and he storms up on Ishii to kick away at him in the corner! The ref reprimands and counts, Taichi digs his boot in. Taichi keeps kicking, then backs off to TEAR OFF THE PANTS! Taichi throws the pants at Ishii, and Ishii gets mad! Ishii throws the pants away, and CHOPS! Taichi KICKS, Ishii CHOPS, repeat! Fans rally up as the KICKS and CHOPS keep going back and forth! Ishii CHOPS and Taichi winces. Ishii CHOPS again but Taichi KICKS Ishii in the chest! Fans fire up, Taichi chokes Ishii but Ishii puts Taichi in a corner to CHOP!

Ishii CHOPS up high, and again! The ref has Ishii back off and Taichi falls over. Both men sputter but Ishii drags Taichi up. Ishii whips, Taichi reverses but Ishii comes back, into a BOOT! Ishii roars so Taichi SOBATS then BUZZSAWS! Fans fire up while Taichi catches his breath. Fans rally up again and Taichi waits as the ref check son Ishii. Ishii stirs so Taichi drags him up. Taichi reels Ishii in but he fights free to get around, BIG back suplex! Fans fire up again and both men stir. Ishii sees Taichi go to a corner, then runs in to clothesline! Ishii reels Taichi in to put on the top rope, then he climbs up after him!

Fans fire up but Taichi resists. Ishii still gets Taichi up for the STALLING SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives and fans are thunderous! Ishii stands up and waits in Taichi. Taichi stands, Ishii runs, but Taichi boots the lariat away! And the other lariat! Ishii swats Taichi’s lariat away, but Taichi dodges to run, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, AX BOMBER, but Ishii stays up! Ishii ROCKS Taichi, Taichi DECKS Ishii! But then Taichi still falls over, too! Fans are thunderous, and even Miho is fired up at ringside! Taichi and Ishii slowly stir and go to opposite corners. Ishii drags himself up the ropes, as does Taichi.

Taichi and Ishii egg each other on, they run and DOUBLE LARIAT again! Ishii LARIATS, Taichi stays up and leans on the ropes. Ishii runs in, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Taichi LARIATS Ishii from behind and Ishii rebounds off ropes, into a GAMANGIRI! Both men are down again but Taichi roars as he rises up! Taichi drags Ishii up and in, LAST RIDE!! Deep high stack, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous for “TA-I-CHI!” “I-SHI-I!” Taichi goes back for Ishii, drags him back up, but Ishii turns Alabama Lift into powerbomb lift, but Taichi slips out and around to DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!!!

Taichi can’t believe Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous again! Miho coaches Taichi up and the fans rally up. Taichi roars, aims from the corner, and Ishii rises. TENSHO JUJI- DROPKICK! Ishii takes Taichi down first, and now Ishii crawls to a corner. Ishii drags himself up the ropes, roars, and fans fire up with the Pitbull! Taichi stands, Ishii runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taichi rises again, he takes aim from the corner, TENSHO JUJI- NO, Ishii blocks the superkick and spins him around for a GERMAN SUPLEX! But Taichi’s right back up! But Ishii LARIATS him down! Cover, ONE?!?! Fans are electric as Ishii runs again, into an AX BOMBER!

Ishii is down but Taichi wobbles. Taichi focuses, drags Ishii up, and reels him in, DANGEROUS SAIDO! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii narrowly escapes!! Taichi brings Ishii right up, Alabama Lift but Ishii slips off and HEADBUTTS! But Taichi clinches for the SUMO TOSS! But Ishii is up to TACKLE Taichi! But Taichi sets up, only for Ishii to ENZIGURI!! Ishii crawls over to Taichi to drag him back up and run, SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi survives but Ishii roars again! Ishii drags Taichi back up, suplex and- NO, Taichi fights out! Ishii forearms, Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Ishii is still up!? He deflects the superkick and HEADBUTTS!

Taichi wobbles, but sets up to YOKOZUNA ELBOW!! Taichi roars and he drags Ishii back up, to Alabama Lift into BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, Taichi wins!!!

Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ishii earns 0)

This was just an opening round match, and yet it felt like the finals! Will either of these men be able to repeat this performance in the next round? Will anyone be able to follow this performance in this round?

G1 Climax 32, A Block: Toru Yano VS JONAH w/ Bad Dude Tito!

The Producer has faced some big men in NJPW but this is a BIG man! Will Yano have a trick that trip up even Auszilla? Or will Jonah rock Yano right out of the gate?

Yano tries to disinfect the #TopDog but Jonah doesn’t take lightly to it. Yano apologizes and the ref has them stay back. The bell rings and Yano tries to stay away from the scary Jonah. Jonah corners Yano but the ref calls the ropebreak. Jonah thinks that’s the joke, but he backs off. Yano claims he has a present for Jonah! It’s a merch shirt just like Yano’s wearing. Fans rally up for “FRIENDSHIP! FRIENDSHIP!” Jonah takes the shirt, to throw it down! Yano is distraught and picks the shirt up, but Jonah CLUBS him down! Jonah ROCKS Yano, whips him corner to corner and runs in, but Yano dodges to BLINDFOLD Jonah with the shirt! Yano rolls Jonah up, TWO!!

Yano hurries to kick Jonah low. Yano clinches but Jonah is too big for that! So Yano rakes Jonah’s eyes! Yano runs but Jonah runs him over! Fans fire up and Jonah throws the shirt away. Jonah stomps Yano, and he finds the wrist tape Yano somehow hid in his waistband! Yano apologizes but Jonah CLUBS away on him! Jonah whips, Yano holds ropes then dodges to SLAP him! Fans fire up but Jonah is furious. Yano is scared and he bails out, but Jonah pursues! They go around the way as Yano says the ref is to blame! But then Yano gets flanked by Bad Dude Tito! Yano is scared of both big men and he runs into the ring!

But Jonah and Tito drag Yano out and Jonah CLOBBERS Yano against the railing! Jonah HEADBUTTS Yano down, then stands on Yano! The ref reprimands, Jonah steps off and raises his hands, which fans cheer. Jonah puts Yano in, drops a fist, then drops a leg! Cover, TWO! Yano is still in this but Jonah sits Yano up to elbow him in the head! Jonah wraps on a rear bearhug and he thrashes Yano around! Yano endures, fans rally up, and Yano reaches out! Yano gets the ROPEBREAK! Jonah thrashes Yano more but lets off at 4. Yano is deflated and Jonah drags him around. Jonah whips Yano to then CLOBBER him!

Jonah drags Yano up, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS into him with his shoulder again and again! Jonah traps Yano in the corner and presses him! The ref counts and Jonah lets off at 4. Jonah drags Yano up, but Yano grabs at the ref! Jonah shoves the ref away to CLUB Yano down! Jonah rains down fists, then rallies the fans up. Jonah runs from the corner to SENTON but misses as Yano moves! Is the ring okay after that? Yano undoes the buckle pad! But Jonah SPLASHES him against the steel! Yano flounders away but Jonah whips him back in. Yano stops himself, then dodges and Jonah hits steel! Roll up, TWO!!

Yano hurries after Jonah but Jonah HEADBUTTS Yano! Jonah scoops and SLAMS him, then sits Yano up. Jonah runs to STEAMROLL SENTON! Fans fire up and Jonah looms over Yano. Jonah drags Yano up, powers up and runs, but Yano atomic drops! Yano clinches and uses the ropes for the BELLY2BELLY!! Yano somehow manages to throw Jonah! Fans rally up for Yano and he catches his breath. Yano hurries to run again, but Jonah CLOBBERS then SENTONS! Cover, TWO!! Yano survives being crushed but Jonah drags him to a drop zone! Jonah goes up top, but Yano rolls all the way out of the ring.

Jonah hops down, hurries out after Yano, and drags him up to whip hard into railing! Yano falls in a heap, fans rally and the ring count climbs. Jonah drags Yano up at 6 of 20, whips him hard into more railing, and we pass 10 of 20. Jonah brings Yano to the ramp, HEADBUTTS then scoops! But Yano fights free, only for Tito to be there! Yano shoves Tito into Jonah and LOW BLOWS Tito! He might’ve clipped Jonah, too, but Yano runs away to get in the ring at 15! Jonah staggers, he gets counted out!! YANO WINS!!

Winner: Toru Yano, by count-out (gains 2 points; Jonah earns 0)

Jonah is furious! Yano snatched this victory away from the jaws of defeat and gets those points! Jonah protests, there was a low blow that should’ve disqualified Yano! But the ref can’t call what he can’t see so this is Yano’s win. Will Yano have to come up with even more tricks to get through the rest of A Block? Will Jonah take out his frustrations on the rest of the G1?

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS KENTA!

The Submission Master has won the New Japan Cup twice and has been IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, while Fang Revived has won the US New Japan Cup and been IWGP US Heavyweight Champion, but neither has won a G1! Who takes a big first step towards that Climax?

ZSJ and Kenta are in each other’s faces right away but Red Shoes gets them to back down. The trash talk continues, namely on who is the senpai here. The bell rings and the arguing continues. Red Shoes says it doesn’t matter who is senpai, just fight! ZSJ throws the first forearm but Kenta throws it back. ZSJ throws another forearm, but Kenta comes back with another. Fans rally up as the forearms keep going, but then Kenta BOOTS! ZSJ BOOTS, there’s more trash talk, and ZSJ says, “Dozo, dozo! <Go ahead!>” Kenta BOOTS, ZSJ BOOTS, Kenta BOOTS, and BOOTS, but ZSJ blocks to have a toehold!

Kenta claws at ZSJ’s face! Red Shoes reprimands, Kenta whips and kitchen sink knees! ZSJ bails out, Kenta goes out after him, and Kenta whips ZSJ into railing! ZSJ writhes and flounders away but Kenta pursues him to the ramp. Kenta drags ZSJ up to whip into more railing! ZSJ writhes again but Kenta drags ZSJ up to whip him back the other way! ZSJ hits railing again and falls over! Red Shoes reprimands and wants this back in the ring. Kenta kicks ZSJ around, drags him up, and whips him back the other way again! ZSJ almost tumbles against the railing but Kenta drags him back up. Kenta drags ZSJ to the ramp for a DDT!

Kenta leaves ZSJ behind as the ring count climbs, but ZSJ stirs at 5 of 20. Kenta decides to go back out after ZSJ and that resets the count. Kenta drags ZSJ up to KNEE him down! And KICK him! And KICK again! ZSJ leans against railing but Kenta KICKS him again as the ring count restarts. Kenta brings ZSJ up and in at 6 of 20 and fans cheer. Cover, ONE, but Kenta tries again! ONE, another cover, ONE! Kenta is annoyed with Red Shoes but then he gets annoyed with fans clapping “Z S J! Z S J!” Kenta KICKS ZSJ again, and again, and again! ZSJ flops down but Kenta stands on him. Cover, ONE, but Kenta kicks and pushes ZSJ around again.

ZSJ gets up, Kenta kicks him again and scuffs him to the apron. Kenta kicks ZSJ through the ropes, but gets caught to a HANGING HEEL HOOK! Red Shoes counts the ropebreak, ZSJ lets go at 4, to then get a rope assisted FIGURE FOUR! Red Shoes counts again, ZSJ lets off at 4 to drag Kenta to the floor! ZSJ has a deep toehold, puts the leg through railing, and pulls even more! Red Shoes reprimands again but ZSJ keeps on the leg until the count of 4. Kenta clutches his knee and ZSJ kicks him around. ZSJ eggs Kenta on with those kicks, then gets the bad leg for a standing toehold! Kenta can only endure, ZSJ drops the KNEE JAMMER!

Fans rally as ZSJ leaves Kenta behind. Kenta drags himself up and in, but then bails right back out. Red Shoes starts the ring count, ZSJ eggs Kenta on, but Kenta takes his time returning. We’re at 10 of 20, ZSJ keeps talking smack, and Kenta is up on the apron at 14. Kenta steps in, he and ZSJ approach and ZSJ trips Kenta to get the bad leg in a HEEL HOOK! Then ZSJ gets both legs, ties them up, and he digs his elbow into Kenta to get the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Kenta endures and fans fire up, and Kenta pries at the chinbar. ZSJ shifts to focus on the arm but Kenta uses his leg to get a ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go with his arms, but Red Shoes reprimands about the legs.

ZSJ lets Kenta go and fans applaud. Kenta gets to a corner, ZSJ kicks him around, and fans rally up. Kenta glares at ZSJ but ZSJ kicks him. And kicks! Kenta gets up and in ZSJ’s face but ZSJ EuroUppers! Kenta EuroUppers so ZSJ EuroUppers again. Kenta claws ZSJ’s eyes! Kenta snapmares and KICKS ZSJ in the back! Kenta sits down to dare ZSJ to try! Fans fire up and ZSJ takes the offer to KICK Kenta in the back. ZSJ sits down now and he lets Kenta try again. “Onegaishimasu!” Kenta obliges and KICKS ZSJ! Kenta taunts ZSJ but ZSJ dares him to sit down. Kenta sits down so ZSJ gets up and pushes Kenta down for a NECK TWIST! And another NECK TWIST!

Fans fire up while Kenta writhes. ZSJ stands on Kenta’s head and bends an arm to twist the wrist and bend the fingers! ZSJ then isolates the arm to STOMP it! Kenta writhes and ZSJ says that’s why Kenta’s a Young Boy! ZSJ grabs at the arm but Kenta kicks ZSJ. ZSJ twists the bad arm, then drags Kenta up to wrench and wristlock. Kenta ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm but ZSJ just wrenches again! Kenta ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ wrenches, then drops to TWEAK the arm! ZSJ runs, but Kenta hits a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both men are down. Kenta snarls, goes to a corner and unties a buckle pad!

Kenta throws the pad away, whips ZSJ in and ZSJ hits bare steel! Kenta drags ZSJ up and waistlocks but ZSJ resists the lift. ZSJ breaks free, elbows Kenta, but runs into a BOOT! Kenta goes up, reels ZSJ in and TORNADO HOTSHOTS! ZSJ sputters and Kenta goes back up top to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kenta is annoyed but he drags ZSJ around into an STF! ZSJ resists the crossface but Kenta elbows him to get the full GAME OVER STF! ZSJ endures, moves around, reaches out, but Kenta shifts to get the arms in chicken wings! ZSJ resists the lift but Kenta keeps trying. Kenta CLUBS away on ZSJ’s back, then fires off a strike fest!

ZSJ ducks the backhand to jump in, GUILLOTINE, and then a shift to get the arms involved! ZSJ is trying for a Jim Breaks Armbar but Kenta moves around, so ZSJ makes it a ghost pin! TWO!! Kenta escapes and fans fire up! Both men talk trash while they’re down and fans rally up. ZSJ stands and KICKS Kenta! And KICKS! And KICKS again! Kenta still sits up, he blocks a kick, and he BOOTS! ZSJ BOOTS then EuroUppers! Kenta EuroUppers then DISCUS, but ZSJ stays standing! ZSJ wrenches the arm to PELE it! But Kenta EuroUppers! ZSJ KICKS the bad arm, Kenta BACKHANDS, but ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES and SHOTGUNS! Fans fire up as both men are down again!

Kenta sits up but ZSJ crawls his way. They both kick at each other from the mat, then more, then they get forehead to forehead. They agree to stand up, and they get face to face again. Kenta throws a forearm, but ZSJ EuroUppers! Fans rally up and Kenta EuroUppers back. ZSJ EuroUppers again, Kenta EuroUppers back. ZSJ EuroUppers, Kenta dodges ZSJ to put him through the ropes! DRAPING DDT! ZSJ flops over and fans rally up again. Kenta aims from one corner as ZSJ gets in the other. Kenta runs in, FLYING BOOT! Kenta goes again, HESITATION DROPKICK! ZSJ is in the drop zone, Kenta goes up top! COUP DE GRACE! Cover, TWO!!

ZSJ survives the double stomps but Kenta slashes his throat. Kenta drags ZSJ up and fireman’s carries but ZSJ fights it! ZSJ wrenches the arm to KICK it, then SLAP Kenta! And SLAP! And- COUNTER PUNCH from Kenta! Kenta fires off another, and another, and another, and ANOTHER! ZSJ is down, Kenta drags him up and fireman’s carries! GO TO- NO, ZSJ blocks the leg! Kenta fires off forearms and palm strikes and is free! Kenta hurries to get ZSJ back up, fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO, O’Conner pop into the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Kenta endures as ZSJ has the body scissors, too! Fans rally, Kenta reaches out, but ZSJ thrashes him around!

Kenta gets out of the body scissors but ZSJ shifts to a standing cobra twist! ZSJ then shifts it around to a full nelson, but Kenta breaks that and elbows! Kenta kicks into the ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ twists the foot and fans fire up again! Kenta moves around, reaches out, but ZSJ drags him from the ropes to lean on the hold! Kenta still fights, and rolls to send ZSJ into the bare buckles! ZSJ still elbows Kenta back, only to run into a KNEE!! ZSJ flops over and Kenta gets to a corner. Kenta waits on ZSJ to rise, and runs in to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Kenta hurries to get back to the corner.

Fans rally, ZSJ sits up, Kenta BUSAIKU KNEES again! Cover, but Kenta lets off?! Kenta wants to hurt ZSJ, and he BUZZSAWS for the hell of it! Cover, Kenta lets off again?! What is Kenta playing at? Kenta SLAPS ZSJ, SLAPS him again, then SLAPS him again! Fans rally for “Z S J!” but Kenta just SLAPS him again! ZSJ catches one into an omoplata! ZSJ wants the other arm, Kenta slips free, but ZSJ grabs the leg for a KNEEBAR! Kenta stands, goes after ZSJ’s legs, then SLAPS ZSJ again! ZSJ catches the next shot, and adds the arm into the hold! Kenta TAPS, ZSJ wins!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (gains 2 points; Kenta earns 0)

The Submission Master just got the better of the “Worst Intruder Ever!” Kenta says this changes nothing, but will Kenta be able to redeem himself in the coming rounds? As for ZSJ, will he make more of the C Block #JustTapOut?

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Shingo Takagi VS Juice Robinson!

The Dragon is a big man but Juice is Rock Hard. But rocks can break, so will Takagi break Juice to get those valuable first points? Or will Juice be just Too Sweet for the Dragon?

Takagi gets his introduction, but Juice attacks! Red Shoes reprimands, Juice tells him to ring the bell then! The bell rings and Juice drags Takagi up to throw him out! Juice then goes out after Takagi but Takagi throws hands. Juice and Takagi brawl, forearm for forearm, but Juice knees low and whips Takagi into railing! Juice stands Takagi up to CHOP him, then whips him the other way. Takagi reverses but Juice reverses back and Takagi hits railing! But Takagi just fires up and runs Juice over! Fans fire up and Takagi kicks away at Juice. Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” and Takagi drags Juice up to fireman’s carry.

Takagi gives Juice SNAKE EYES off the apron, then puts him in the ring. Fans rally, Takagi stalks Juice and whips him to ropes. Takagi KNEES Juice against ropes, then runs to run Juice over! Fans fire up and Takagi brushes himself off. Takagi drags Juice up again and suplexes high and hard! Cover, ONE! Takagi brings Juice down with a chinlock but Juice endures. Juice fights up but Takagi clamps on tighter, to then BELL CLAP! Takagi drags Juice up, snapmares him, and drops a BIG elbow! And another BIG elbow! Takagi feints senton and Juice goes to the apron. Takagi goes out after Juice and fans fire up as Takagi says here goes!

Takagi brings Juice up in a fireman’s carry but Juice clings to ropes. Juice throws elbows on Takagi, then fireman’s carries in return. Takagi fights back with elbows of his own, so Juice trips Takagi! Takagi smacks off the apron, Juice gives him SNAKE EYES off the railing! Juice then POSTS Takagi, and Takagi tumbles into railing. Juice hoists Takagi up to crotch him on the railing, and CLOBBER him off them! Juice leaves Takagi behind while the fans rally up. Red Shoes checks on Takagi but he’s okay to continue. Takagi stirs as the ring count starts. Takagi sits up at 12 of 20, hobbles to railing then to the ring at 16.

Juice drags Takagi up and puts him in a corner. Juice JABS, CHOPS, repeat, but Takagi gets in Juice’s face! Juice eggs Takagi on so Takagi CHOPS! Juice CHOPS so Takagi CHOPS again. Juice CHOPS and Takagi staggers! Takagi CHOPS Juice, Juice CHOPS Takagi, so Takagi JABS! Juice JABS! Takagi JABS! Juice JABS, Takagi JABS, Juice DECKS Takagi! Fans fire up and Juice scuffs Takagi with his boot. Juice stalks Takagi, reels him in, and hits a BIG back suplex! And a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up but Juice clamps right onto Takagi with a chinlock. Now Juice grinds Takagi down but Takagi endures.

Fans rally and Takagi fights up to throw body shots. Juice chicken wings the arms! Takagi fights out of Pulp Friction to ELBOW! JAB! And LEG LARIAT from Juice! Cover, TWO! Juice is upset with the count but the fans fire up again. Fans rally up again and Takagi gets to a corner. Juice waits on Takagi to stand, and he JABS! And JABS! And JABS again! Takagi staggers away but Juice eggs him on. Takagi headbutts the buckle, eggs Juice on, so Juice JABS and JABS and JABS! Juice powers up, spits on his fist, but Takagi ducks the Left Hand o’ God to SAIDO! Juice tumbles away and fans fire up again!

Takagi and Juice are both down but fans rally. Takagi feeds off that energy and gets to a corner. Takagi runs in at Juice to run him over! And then scoop for a SLAM, and a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi says there’s more to come! Fans fire up and Takagi mocks the Juice pumping. Juice stands, into Takagi’s JAB! And JAB! And JAB! And JAB, JAB, JAB! Takagi powers up, YUKON FEINT to a DDT! Fans fire up more as Takagi waits on Juice. Juice writhes, Takagi drags him up, and he hopes Tenzan is watching this on commentary. TENZAN feint to a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Takagi tricks Juice again then covers, TWO!

Juice is still in this but Takagi keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Takagi sits Juice up and rains down some elbows! Takagi runs for the SLIDING- Juice rolls away. Takagi says Red Shoes should check Juice. Juice gets to a corner, Takagi runs in, and he blocks Juice’s boot! Takagi clotheslines in the corner, then runs corner to corner, but Juice follows to clothesline! Juice then runs corner to corner to SHOTGUN Takagi down! Juice snarls and Takagi sputters, Juice runs in to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up and Takagi gets back to the corner. Juice checks his own neck after that one, and he goes after Takagi.

Juice HEADBUTTS Takagi, hoists him up top, then CHOPS him! Juice goes up after Takagi, but Takagi headbutts back! They start trading headbutts, and Takagi gest the edge! But Juice gives those headbutts back! Juice then SUPERPLEXES Takagi down! And holds on to drag Takagi back up, into a fireman’s carry! Takagi slips off to CLUB Juice, then runs. Juice ducks the clothesline to FULL NELSON SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Takagi and Juice rise, Juice stalks Takagi and reels him in. Juice chicken wings but Takagi slips out of Pulp Friction again. Juice throws elbows, but Takagi blocks the leg lariat!

Juice rakes the eyes! And fireman’s carries, for the JUICEBOX! Juice drags Takagi back up, chicken wings and PULP- NO, Takagi turns that into a Gory Especial, and NOSHIGAMI! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi crawls his way over to Juice, but Juice crawls away. Takagi grabs a leg and anchors Juice to then drag him backwards, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! Fans fire up while both men are down again, but Takagi says “Mada mada mada!” He sits Juice up, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Juice survives and Takagi is frustrated. Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and fans clap along.

Takagi gets back up, drags Juice back up, and he pump handles. Juice fights the half nelson, pulls hair, but Takagi throws knees. Juice gets around to roll up with tights! Red Shoes sees that so Juice shoves him down! Takagi drags Juice up but Juice knees low. Juice runs, Takagi LARIATS at the ropes! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, Takagi YUKON LARIATS Juice down! Fans fire up again while Takagi catches his breath. Takagi watches Juice crawl to ropes, so Takagi drags him up. Takagi fireman’s carries, but Juice slips to the apron. Takagi fires off headbutts and a JAB!

Takagi runs side to side, but he catches the slingshot spear! Takagi turns Juice around in it, TAKAGI GTR! Takagi then runs, to PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Juice survives but Takagi snarls. Fans rally up and Takagi drags Juice back up. Takagi torture racks but Juice fights it off! Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! And again! Juice returns the favor! And again! And again! Takagi headbutts, Juice headbutts, repeat! They keep bumping heads, but then Takagi fires off boxing elbows! Fans rally up as he goes faster and faster, and way past 10! Juice wobbles but Takagi stands him up. Juice swings a right, Takagi ducks, but not the LEFT HAND O’ GOD!

Juice chicken wings Takagi for PULP FRICTION!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives but Juice is too tired to be shocked! Fans are thunderous and Juice calls his shot. Juice gets up, brings Takagi up with him, and runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Takagi rebounds off ropes, into another DOUBLE LARIAT! Juice falls over but he reaches for Takagi. Fans rally up again and Juice stands on wobbly legs. Juice runs, but Takagi swats his lariat away! Takagi bobs ‘n’ weaves, JABS and HEADBUTTS! Juice throws the LEFT HAND, but Takagi DISCUS PUMPING BOMBERS! Fans are thunderous again and Takagi roars!

Takagi drags Juice up, pump handles and torture racks, but Juice fights free again! They bump into Red Shoes and Juice holds on. Takagi gets Juice up while Red Shoes dusts himself off, and Juice LEFT HAND O’ GOD! And again!! Both closed fists! Then the torture rack, but Takagi slips off! Juice chicken wings again, PULP FRICTION again!! Cover, Juice wins!!

Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi earns 0)

Rock Hard slays the Dragon, but those closed fists made all the difference! Takagi is certain of it, at least. Will Takagi just have to focus on redeeming himself in the next round? As for Juice, he gets his hand raised but then pushes Red Shoes away to throw the Too Sweet up. He then gets the mic and flops over to rest. From the mat, Juice declares, “The Dragon is dead! Good-bye, Shingo Takagi.” Juice then mixes English and Japanese as he says, “Finlay sucks! Yoshi-Hashi sucks! Yujiro Takahashi sucks! El Phantasmo… He’s okay. Will Ospreay… Juice Robinson is the IWGP United States Champion~!” Well, Juice just has the belt, not the actual ownership.

Juice continues to say, “One down, five to go! Nobody’s touching me! F YOU!” Juice drops the mic and moves on, but will The Booster blast off towards the finals?

My Thoughts:

Another great event for the G1 Climax, but Ishii VS Taichi sure stole the show. They were the first G1 match of the night but they really brought it. Taichi getting the win makes a lot of sense, he has been going strong for a long time, and while I don’t think he’ll win the G1, this could push him towards a singles title. At this point, it’s either getting in on the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship or the AEW All-Atlantic Championship. Yano VS Jonah was good stuff, with Jonah just dominating, all for Yano to sucker him into a trap on the outside. Yano of course gets a win that way, but I don’t think Yano’s going to do much better than that. As for Jonah, maybe this is one of his few losses and he steamrolls whoever is next.

ZSJ VS Kenta was great stuff, especially the character work of saying the other is the Young Boy. ZSJ gets a great win over Kenta, the Dangerous Tekkers are keeping pace with each other, and to me, ZSJ has an outside shot at this. If NJPW sees him as good enough to be New Japan Cup winner, why can’t he at least be a G1 Semifinalist? The main event was a bit of a surprise to me, but that was a pretty great win for Juice over Takagi. Juice also had a good promo more or less calling out everyone in D Block. Juice talking smack on Yujiro but saying ELP is cool makes me think there really is a divide between House of Torture and mainline Bullet Club, so I hope they get to that civil war I’ve been fantasy booking. And of course Juice calls out Ospreay over the “legality” of who is US Champion, can’t wait to see that.

My Score: 8.9/10

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

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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/19/24)

Prepare for Backlash!

Published

5 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!