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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/17/23)

Why, Trish, Why?!

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Will we get a Stratusfactory answer from Trish?

In a shocking moment last Monday Night Raw, Trish Stratus turned on Becky Lynch! And tonight, she explains why! How will The Man respond?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Rey Mysterio VS Solo Sikoa; Solo wins.
  • Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL; Bianca wins.
  • Seth Rollins VS The Miz; Rollins wins.
  • Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley; No Contest.
  • Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville VS Candice LeRae & Mia Yim; Chelsea & Sonya win.
  • Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle VS The Judgment Day; Sami, Kevin & Riddle win.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Bloodline is here!

Jimmy & Jey Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman walk down the ramp and to the ring. Fans are torn between boos and the fingers to the sky. The Bloodline get the mics and Jey says, “Little Rock, Arkansas! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Jey hands it off to OG Heyman and Heyman thanks him. Fans boo some more, but Heyman says, “Ladies- Heh, ladies in Little Rock. Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. And I serve as Special Counsel to your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman…! Reigns!” Fans boo as the fingers go to the sky.

Heyman says he is also honored to be the Wise Man to the entire Bloodline, and he has information that tonight, “history is about to unfold.” Wait! The Judgment Day shows up!? Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio and the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, all go right to the ring. Priest has a mic to say, “PAUL!” Priest and Solo stare down but Heyman has everyone step back. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Judgment Day but Heyman shakes Priest’s hand. Heyman says it is an honor. “Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a very good day to be a very bad guy. If there’s a Heaven, none of us are getting into it.

“A short-term deal engineered, conceived of and approved of by Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.” Jey takes the mic back to say that the Usos weren’t told about this. Heyman apologizes for that, but Roman didn’t want anyone else, outside of Solo, there’s no raised voices or sudden movements towards Solo. But Roman wanted his Usos to be caught off-guard by the enormity of this short-term deal. See, even Mr. Balor, from what Heyman understands, isn’t that happy about this. Mr. Balor has deep rooted anger issues towards Roman. Heyman doesn’t blame Balor for that, but Balor is willing to put those feelings aside in the name of “good, short-term villainy.”

Speaking of! The Judgment Day has a concern. There’s a Bad Bunny concern. Solo Sikoa is an expert at addressing concerns. Solo and Rhea are staring down…? Heyman asks Jey to switch places. Jey and Solo move around, but then so do Rhea and Finn…?! Mami wants after the Enforcer?! Fans like the sound of that! Heyman asks Rhea if everything’s okay here. Rhea says, “For now.” Heyman sighs, and wants to get to the point before things go the wrong way. The Judgment Day needs something taken care of in Bad Bunny. Solo will handle that before concerns become problems, because The Bloodline already has problems!

They have a Kevin Owens problem! They have a Sami Zayn problem! They have a Matt Riddle to solve! At Backlash, for the first time ever, it’ll be a Six Man Tag of The Usos & Solo VS Kevin, Sami & Riddle! If those three make it. Because tonight, also for the first time, Sami, Kevin & Riddle are in a Six Man Tag against the Judgment Day! Finn grins and fans cheer. Heyman says that FYI, “The Bloodline doesn’t mind extending a little credit, so we’re gonna take care of your concerns.”

Because right here, right now, in the “godforsaken city” of Little Rock, Solo will go 1v1 with, and in the name of the Tribal Chief, SMASH his opponent tonight! Heyman apologizes to Dominik, because he has to see this person in person. Solo is taking on the “deplorable” yet Hall of Fame worthy Rey Mysterio! The Enforcer of the Island is ready, but will he be able to “handle” the King of Lucha Libre?

Rey Mysterio VS Solo Sikoa!

Raw returns and the bell rings. Solo circles with Rey and fans rally up. Rey KICKS Solo in the leg but Solo keeps stalking him. Rey dodges, KICKS and CLUBS Solo, but Solo keeps pursuing. They go around, Solo captures Rey but Rey BOOTS back! Rey runs, slides under and comes back, but into an ELBOW! Solo storms up, scoops and SLAMS Rey, and then stomps away. Solo CLUBS Rey, HEADBUTTS him to a corner, but fans rally behind Rey. Solo rains down fists but the ref counts. Solo lets off to roar but fans boo. Rey drags himself up but Solo is on him with a whip corner to corner.

Rey goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE! Solo CLOBBERS Rey! Solo puts Rey on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo lets off, and he stalks Rey to a corner. Solo whips corner to corner hard and Rey bounces off buckles! Solo talks trash on Rey, sits him up, and clamps a claw into Rey’s shoulder! Fans rally up as Rey endures, and Rey fights up to his feet. Rey throws elbows, runs, but into a LARIAT! Solo snarls and he talks more trash. Solo stomps Rey around, stalks him to another corner, and he throws more hands. Solo whips corner to corner hard!

Rey falls back again and Solo soaks up the heat. Solo storms up, stands Rey up, and he whips corner to corner again. Rey stops himself, and he drop toeholds Solo into buckles! Rey climbs up top but Solo CLUBS him first! Solo Electric Chair Lifts but Rey throws hands! Rey headscissors Solo out of the ring! Both men hit the floor and Little Rock fires up as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Solo has Rey down with another claw in the shoulder. Rey fights back up, throws body shots, but Solo throws Rey down by his mask! The ref reprimands but the damage is done. Solo sits Rey up to karate CHOP him in the shoulder! And again! And again! Then Solo clamps the claw back on! Rey endures again, fans rally up and Rey fights. Rey stomps away on Solo’s toes! Solo UPPERCUTS Rey! Rey staggers to a corner, and Solo rains down fists! The ref counts, Solo lets off, but fans continue to rally for Rey. Solo goes corner to corner, but Rey avoids the hip attack! Solo hits buckles!

Rey is on the apron, he GAMANGIRIS Solo! Then shoulders in! Then slingshots up and over to sunset flip! Solo stays up with flailing arms, but Rey avoids the hip drop! Rey runs to SEATED SENTON! And then basement dropkick! Cover, ONE?!? Solo is still in this but Rey fires off forearms! Solo shoves Rey, but Rey kicks back! Rey springboards, Quebradas, but Solo catches him for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Rey is still in this and Solo looks stunned! Solo snarls as he looms over Rey. Solo stands Rey up, fireman’s carries, but Rey fights! Rey slips free, runs, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS Solo to ropes!

Rey dials it up, 619! Fans fire up as Solo falls! SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives and Rey is the one stunned now! Rey brings Solo up, but Solo blocks the whip! Solo whips, Rey stops himself and dropkicks the legs out! Solo is on ropes again, Rey redials! But wait, the USOS return to ringside! Fans boo as Jimmy & Jey keep Rey from making the call. But the LWO jumps in outta nowhere! Escobar, Cruz & Wilde beat down Jimmy & Jey! DOUBLE ENZIGURIS take them down! Rey redials, but Solo blocks the call! For a pop-up, only for Rey to fight! DROPKICK and Solo’s back on ropes! Redial, 619!!

Rey hurries up top, aims, FROG SPLASH FLOPS! Solo stands Rey up, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

The LWO hurry into the ring to keep Solo from going any further. But the Usos jump in to get them back for earlier! Fans boo as the Bloodline POSTS Escobar, CLOBBERS Wilde, and then gives Cruz the SAMOAN SPIKE! Escobar is then fed to the SAMOAN SPIKE! Fans boo as Solo drags Rey up again. Solo feeds Rey to the ONE AND DONE!! So far, the Bloodline has come through on their end of the deal. Will the Judgment Day be able to do the same later tonight?

 

Adam Pearce meets with The Alpha Academy & Maxxine Dupri.

Chad Gable says it shouldn’t even be up for debate. If Otis or Gable get drafted somewhere, the other should go with. It’s a package deal. Now bundle it up, a thank yew! But Maxxine says this is about branding. Who is to be the face of a brand? Does Pearce really want it to be Otis & Chaz? Uh, it’s CHAD! CHA-DUH! Maxxine ignores Chad to say, “Or do you want it to be Maxxine & Otíse?” Gable says SHOOSH! Maxxine shushes him back! They shush fight, and Gable says she isn’t doing it right. It’s SHOOOOSH! No, the O’s should be SILENT!

Pearce tells them both to stop! He will gladly take all of this into consideration, but The Judgment Day and Bloodline are making deals, Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar are in the same building, there’s a lot going on. So please, excuse yourselves. A thank yew. Just what will be the fate of the tree trunk?

 

Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL!

The RawEST Women’s Champion is in Little Rock and she’s ready to rock! She may be facing the Evil Genius for the title down the line, but will she tune-up using #CobraKai? Or will this be where DMG CTRL finally takes control?

Raw returns and Kai makes her entrance, Iyo Sky and the Role Model behind her. The bell rings, Kai and Bianca tie up, and Bianca powers Kai to the corner. The ref counts, Bianca lets off and eggs Kai on. They tie up again, but Bianca powers Kai right back into the corner. The fans rally for the EST as she lets off again. Kai storms up, Bianca gets an arm and wrenches. Kai stomps a foot, wrenches the arm and wristlocks, but Bianca scoops! Kai slips free and throws Bianca down by her braid! Kai smirks but Bianca kips up! Bianca grab Kai’s hair buns and TOSSES her by them! Fans fire up and Bianca runs in, but Kai goes up and over!

Bianca blocks the roll-up, handsprings through, and she dropkicks Kai down! Bianca kips up and fans fire up again! Bianca brings Kai up, whips her to a corner, but Kai reverses. Bianca goes up and over, tells Kai to kiss this, and things keep moving., Bianca handsprings over again, sidesteps and hip tosses Kai down, to then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Sky and Bayley coach Kai up but Bianca has her in a corner. Kai dodges, runs back in, but into an elbow! Kai comes back but Bianca puts her on the apron. Kai grabs the braid gain! Bianca elbows Kai, runs in, but into a BOOT that sends her into the POST!

Kai goes after Bianca on the outside, and BOOTS her into the steel steps! Bianca is down and Kai taunts her while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Kai has Bianca in a chinlock. Bianca fights up and JAWBREAKERS free, then rolls Kai up! TWO, and Kai hurries up. Kai swings, but into a wrench and suplex! Fans fire up but Kai fights to a cradle! TWO, and Bianca goes to a corner. Kai runs in, Bianca slips out and ROCKS Kai! Bianca then slingshots, runs and BLOCKBUSTERS! Fans fire up while both women are down! Sky & Bayley are worried for Kai as she stands up. Bianca runs Kai over with shoulder after shoulder, then DROPKICK! Bianca wrenches Kai, spins her around, suplexes and rolls through to suplex again!

Bianca holds Kai up and marches before the SLAM! Bayley is annoyed as Bianca runs, handsprings and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Kai survives and Bayley is relieved. Kai goes to the ropes, Bianca eggs her on and the fans fire up. Bianca grabs a leg, Kai holds the ropes, and the ref counts. Bianca lets go at 4, Kai rushes in, but Bianca blocks the Scorpion Kick! Kai adjusts, wheelbarrow and victory FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! DMG CTRL is frustrated, Kai runs in and she blocks Bianca’s boot. Kai ROCKS Bianca, runs side to side and BOOT WASHES! Kai pushes Bianca to a drop zone and goes up top!

Kai aims, DIVING- NO, Bianca avoids the stomps! Bianca scoops Kai, to a GUTBUSTER! Bianca fires up, brings Kai back up and CLUBS her. Torture rack and- NO, Kai holds the braid! Kai lands on her feet, reels Bianca in, but Bianca dodges the kick to chicken wing! But Kai victory rolls Bianca into buckles! Kai runs Around the World but Bianca avoids the kick! Bianca torture racks, for the KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall

Bayley and Sky both sigh and shake their heads. The EST continues to be the strongest, the fastest, the roughest and the toughest, but will the Evil Genius still have a way around all that?

 

Bronson Reed speaks.

“People ask me what my problem is. Well, I have lots of ’em. Actually, I’m a really nice guy. That’s what my mum used to call me: Mr. Nice Guy. That’s me. Mr. Nice Guy, Bronson Reed.” But as the highlights show, this nice guy is rather brutal in the ring. Will this nice guy be the one to finish first?

 

The Judgment Day talks backstage.

Damian Priest says, “Isn’t that nice, guys? Bad Bunny’s returning to Raw next week. As long as he returns with a different attitude. For one, he knows what could happen. And, I’ll just stop being his friend.” Dom says Priest doesn’t need to be Bunny’s friend, just like Dom doesn’t need Rey as his father. “But watching Solo break piece by piece until there isn’t anymore Rey Mysterio…” Paul Heyman walks in and looks at the Judgment Day. Are they satisfied? What’s Finn think? Finn says, “Eh.” Eh?! Yeah. Eh. Well, alright. Then their turn to do “eh,” but do “eh” to Sami, Kevin & Riddle tonight so they don’t fall into debt with The Tribal Chief.

In debt? That sounds like an issue between Roman and the Usos. As far as the Judgment Day goes, they handle their business. Rhea then stands up and tells Heyman, “Bye, Paul.” Heyman gets his phone to call Roman Reigns, and inform him. Will things be a bit more than “eh” at the end of tonight?

 

Cody Rhodes heads to the ring!

Little Rock fires up for the American Nightmare as he’s ready to confront the Beast! Furthermore, he’s dressed in his ring gear! Is Cody expecting this to be more than just a verbal encounter? Cody gets the mic while the fans sing the song. Cody asks Little Rock, “Whaddya wanna talk about? I know exactly what I wanna talk about, and I know exactly who I wanna talk to, so go ahead! Bring yourself out here, please come to the ring, BROCK LESNAR!” But instead, Adam Pearce walks out, and he wants Cody to calm down and listen. Pearce appreciates the spirit of what Cody’s up to, but Pearce can’t let this happen.

Fans boo as Pearce reasons with Cody. No one is discounting what Cody wants to do, everyone respects what Cody wants to do, but he just can’t. Cody is NOT medically cleared to even be in the ring. Man to man, Pearce respects the spirit of Cody Rhodes. But fans chant, “We Want Brock!” Pearce tells everyone they can’t do this, Cody isn’t medically cleared. Pearce asks Cody to leave the ring and fans boo more. Cody says okay, and thank you for the respect shown. Cody will leave. Cody shakes Pearce’s hand, steps out of the ring, and fans boo again. Cody goes to the ramp, but then goes right back to the ring!

Cody grabs a chair from under the ring, and he gets in the ring! Pearce wants Cody to listen to him, to calm down and think about this! They don’t need this, or that chair! If Cody isn’t going to leave on his own, security will have to escort him out. Fans boo more but Pearce says this is for Cody’s own good. The security want Cody to put the chair down. Pearce wants Cody to think about this. It doesn’t have to go down like this. But here comes BROCK! Pearce wants Cody to get out of here, but here comes “Black Hat” Lesnar! Pearce says the match with Brock is happening at Backlash, so please just get out of here!

Lesnar smirks as he dares Cody to do something tonight. Cody has what he wants with a match at Backlash, but will he still get him some? He does! He beats down the security guards, SMACKS them around with the chair, and then fires off hands! Cody stomps away on the one with the man bun, and Lesnar grins. Cody rushes out of the ring, fights off more guards, sends a few into the steel steps, and he has a clear path to the Beast! Cody runs in, but even MORE security rushes in! They swarm Cody and push him back, all while Lesnar chuckles. Cody has a match, will he just have to wait for that night in Puerto Rico?

Lesnar leaves, Cody fights the guards off with all his pent up rage! Cody gets back in the ring, he TOSSES a guard out, then TOSSES another! And he fires haymakers on yet another, before he TOSSES him out! And then yet another one! Pearce wants Cody to calm down but Cody gets the mic again. Fans are thunderous for “CODY! CODY!” and Cody shouts, “I spent the entirety of last week throwing out positive platitudes about Brock Lesnar, and I left one out. Brock Lesnar can wear his silly cowboy hat all day long, but Brock Lesnar, I grew up around cowboys. You are NOT a cowboy! You are a COWARD!”

Fans fire up as the American Nightmare proves being less than 100% means nothing to him! Will Cody bulldoze Suplex City to get his revenge?

 

Seth Rollins VS The Miz!

The Architect won big over Logan Paul at WrestleMania while The Hollywood A-Lister lost on both nights! Will The Miz make a must-see comeback? Or will Rollins continue to #BurnItDown and head for bigger and better things?

The Miz attacks Rollins at the ramp! Miz sends Rollins into barriers, stomps away on him, then sends him into the steel steps! Fans boo as Miz RAMS Rollins into the apron, brings him around and SMACKS him off the announce desk! And again! Fans still sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” but Miz puts Rollins in the ring. Miz fires off hands, the ref has him back off, and Miz waits on Rollins to get back up. The bell rings, Miz runs in and fires off forearms! Miz throws knees, brings Rollins around, throws the jacket away, but Rollins tackles Miz! Rollins claws at Miz’s face, but Miz RAMS him into the corner!

Miz digs his shoulder in, lets off as the ref counts, and then he grinds his forearms into Rollins’ face. The ref reprimands and backs Miz off. The fans still sing for Rollins but Miz runs in, into a LARIAT! Fans fire up and Rollins clotheslines Miz up and out! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit into the barriers but Rollins keeps going! Another DIVE and back into barriers! Rollins goes again, for a DIVE! The hattrick hits and fans are thunderous! Rollins revels in the fans singing his song, and he watches Miz crawl. Rollins runs in, but Miz tosses him up and over! Rollins lands on his feet in the timekeeper’s area!

Rollins ROCKS Miz, goes up, but Miz shoves Rollins away! Rollins hits the ring bell on the way down! The Visionary is down while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, Miz climbs up, and he leaps, into a kick! Rollins reels Miz in, underhooks, but Miz back drops free! Rollins sunset flips it, TWO! Miz swings, misses, and Rollins PELES! Miz and Rollins are both down and fans rally back up! Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins and Miz stand, Rollins runs in and rallies with clothesline after clothesline! Rollins then dodges Miz to kick, kick and DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up with Rollins while Miz goes to a corner. Rollins runs corner to corner, FOREARM SMASH! Rollins whips, Miz reverses but Rollins reverses back to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!

Miz is still in this but Rollins keeps his cool. Rollins goes to a corner, climbs up, but Miz throws hands first! “This is Awesome!” as Miz climbs up after Rollins. Rollins slips under to bring Miz out! But Miz fights free of the bomb! Miz runs in, into a BOOT! Rollins goes up but Miz trips him up! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives and both men are down again! Miz snarls as fans chant ‘TINY BALLS!” Miz KICKS Rollins, KICKS him again, then powers up. Miz kicks but Rollins blocks! Rollins picks Miz up for a BUCKLE BOMB! Miz flops down, Rollins goes up! FROG SPLASH onto knees! Miz covers, TWO!!

Miz fumes as he watches Rollins stir. Miz powers up, shouts, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” and then he full nelsons. Rollins victory rolls it! TWO! Miz sits with tights pulled! TWO, Miz rebounds and BOOTS! Rollins rebounds and SUPERKICKS! Rollins aims again, but Miz blocks! Miz puts the leg on the ropes to drop a knee on the knee! Rollins writhes and Miz hurries to get the leg! Miz steps through, FIGURE FOUR!! Rollins shakes his head as he endures! Miz puts as much pressure as he can on the hold, but Rollins hears the fans singing. Rollins powers his way over, reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK!

Fans fire up while Miz lets go at 4 in frustration. Miz drags Rollins back out, steps through, but Rollins cradles! TWO!! Miz escapes, but Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS! Rollins turns Miz to DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Rollins runs in, but Miz avoids the stomp! Miz kicks the legs out, BASEMENT DDT! Miz rolls through, BIG DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Miz can’t believe it! Fans again say “This is Awesome!” and Miz drags Rollins up with a fishhook. The ref reprimands, but Miz puts Rollins in a corner to dig in forearms. Miz puts Rollins up top, climbs up from the outside, and he full nelsons!

Rollins fights and he throws elbows! Fans fire up as Rollins turns around, brings Miz up, and SUPERPLEXES! Roll through! FALCON ARROW! Fans are thunderous as Rollins takes aim! CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins wins!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall

A barn burner in Little Rock, but the one to burn it down was the Visionary! Will Rollins make his way back towards a title soon enough?

 

Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn talk backstage.

They all know there’s a lot on their plates. The big match against the Judgment Day tonight, the big WrestleMania rematch with The Usos next week, and now even a Six Man Tag at Backlash. But as far as tonight goes, Sami thinks they should get on the same page. Riddle had some ideas, and Sami wants to hear him out. Riddle says he has a pretty sweet idea, but Kevin says here’s a sweet idea: Why not leave the thinking to Kevin & Sami? Riddle rolls his eyes but Sami does his best to keep the peace. Kevin, we talked about this. If Riddle is helping fight the Bloodline, he deserves to have his voice heard.

Kevin isn’t sure what Sami is getting at, but Sami says Riddle can have his time. Riddle thanks Sami, and brings up how Solo has that Samoan Spike. But Riddle has some sweet kicks, so he thinks he could wrap up his big toe, kick Solo in the throat, BAM! Knockout! They can even call it the Toe Bro. What do they think? Sami looks at Kevin and Kevin says, “Toe Bro?” Yeah. Sami says that is… an idea. Kevin gets upset that Sami is encouraging this, but Riddle has them stop arguing. He wasn’t serious! He isn’t an idiot, either! Does no one remember what the Bloodline put him through? They took his best bud and tag partner, they took his tag titles, and then tried to end his career!

While Riddle was home for four months, he watched something awesome: two best friends went after the Usos and took their tag titles at WrestleMania! Riddle isn’t here to waste time, joke around and be some idiot. Riddle’s here to kick some ass! That’s what he’s gonna do at Backlash, and here tonight! Riddle heads out, and now Sami smiles. Kevin says they should’ve listened to Riddle. Sami says that’s what he said! But either way, Sami’s proud in himself that he brought this group together. Will they be the ones to bring down the Judgment Day on top of The Bloodline?

 

Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley!

The Now is still high on himself after beating John Cena at WrestleMania, but the All Mighty is looking to humble him! Will Lashley earn himself another shot at the United States Championship with this win? Or will Theory keep Lashley in his past?

Raw returns as Theory makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two approach. Theory dodges Lashley and flexes, but fans boo. Lashley keeps cool as he and Theory reset. They tie up, Lashley puts Theory in a corner, and the ref counts the break. Lashley lets off, Theory headlocks, but Lashley powers out to run Theory over. Theory huffs and puffs, runs back in but into a waistlock and SLAM! Lashley then facelocks to gator roll Theory around! Fans fire up, but Theory gets the ROPEBREAK. Lashley lets off, but Theory kicks low! Theory CLUBS away on Lashley, says he’s the man, but it’s Lashley who suplexes!

Lashley holds Theory up, with one hand! Then the SLAM! Fans fire up as Lashley bumps Theory off buckles. Theory staggers and Lashley clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Theory staggers up to the apron, Lashley grabs him, but Theory HOTSHOTS! Theory slides in, things speed up, Lashley hurdles and clinches for the COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up as Lashley stalks Theory, but Theory drops to KICK Lashley away! Theory runs in to clothesline Lashley! Theory throws elbow after elbow, then some knees! The ref counts, Theory lets off, to SUPERKICK! But Lashley just CLOBBERS Theory in return!

Lashley bumps Theory off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then CLUBS Theory! Theory flounders away but Lashley keeps cool. Lashley pursues Theory, but Theory ROCKS him at the ramp! Theory brings Lashley around, whips, but Lashley reverses to send Theory into the apron! Theory drops but Lashley picks him up. Lashley fireman’s carries and POSTS Theory! Little Rock fire up with the Rocky Mountain Machine as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Theory crawls. Fans fire up behind Lashley as he stalks Theory, and clamps on the full nelson! Theory grabs a hand to BITE it! The ref can’t see it with Theory’s body in the way! Theory POSTS Lashley! Theory POSTS Lashley again! And then roll-up, TWO! Theory grows frustrated, and he rains down fists on Lashley! The fans boo Theory but he just huffs and puffs again. Lashley drags himself up with the ropes while Theory soaks up the heat. Theory then CHOKES Lashley on the ropes! “I’m the champ! ME!” Theory lets off as the ref counts, and he brings Lashley around to snapmare and stomp! Cover, TWO!

Theory keeps on Lashley with a chinlock. Lashley endures, even as Theory grinds him down. The fans rally up, Lashley fights to his feet, but Theory wrangles Lashley back down! Theory squeezes tight with the chinlock, but Lashley still fights his way up. Fans rally, Lashley pries the chinlock open, but Theory CHOP BLOCKS! Fans boo but Theory DECKS Lashley! Cover, TWO! Lashley is still in this but Theory keep son him. Theory stomps away on Lashley, then eggs him on. Theory soaks up more heat from the fans, then goes back to Lashley. Theory ROCKS Lashley with hands, has him in the corner, and throws more shots.

Fans boo and chant “THEORY SUCKS!” but Theory runs in to RAM into Lashley! Theory goes corner to corner again, but Lashley dodges! Theory POSTS himself! Theory staggers out and Lashley CLOBBERS him! Theory gets up again, and runs into the MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up and Lashley clotheslines in a corner! Lashley RAMS his shoulder in again and again, then goes side to side to RAM again! And LARIAT! Fans fire up as Theory flounders away. Lashley aims from a corner, he runs in, but Theory hurdles over! Lashley hits buckles. Theory fireman’s carries, but Lashley slips free!

Lashley kicks low, gets Theory up, DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives but Lashley isn’t deterred! Lashley aims from the corner again, watches Theory go to the other end, but then Theory bails out. Fans boo but Lashley storms over. Theory shoulders in, slingshots, but into the HURT LOCK!! Theory RAMS Lashley back into a corner, and then BRONSON REED appears!? And he SPLASHES them both!!

No Contest 

Fans boo but Bronson SPLASHES Lashley again! Bronson kicks Lashley to the floor, aims from the apron, and FLYING SHOULDERS Lashley down! Fans boo but Auszilla wants another go. And he SQUASHES Lashley against the post!! Fans boo but Bronson soaks it all up. “Mr. Nice Guy” puts Lashley in the ring, looms over him, and then picks him up for a fireman’s carry. But Lashley fights free! Lashley wants the full nelson but again, Bronson’s so big! Theory slingshot somersaults and SHOTGUNS Lashley from behind! Theory runs away, but Bronson doesn’t mind. He gets Lashley for the SAMOAN DROP!

Fans boo more but Bronson isn’t done! Bronson goes up the corner, TSUNAMI!! The Colossal Aussie tells Lashley they’re not done. Will Bronson not stop until he’s the top dog in the WWE?

 

Trish Stratus heads to the ring!

Fans boo The Chick, the Hall of Famer, and the one who turned on Becky Lynch even though she lost the tag titles! We hear what she has to say about last week, after the break.

Raw returns and Trish has the mic. Fans still boo, but Trish says, “We’re going to start with a little history lesson here, kids. When I first came to the WWE, women’s wrestling was a joke. And I proceeded to single-handedly change everything. I brought credibility to a non-existent Women’s Division. And I know some are gonna say, ‘But it was Trish and Lita.’ No, no, there was no ‘we,’ it was me. I was the Women’s Division, I was THE trailblazer, I was the first woman to main-event Raw, and I was the first woman to make you people give a crap about the Women’s Division.”

Trish says without her, there would be NO Women’s Revolution, and certainly no women main-eventing WrestleMania. “When Becky, Charlotte and Ronda were wrestling in the main event of WrestleMania, you guys were chanting, ‘This is Awesome~!’ But what you should’ve been chanting was, ‘Thank You, Trish.’ Because I changed everything, it’s true. You know it. But you wouldn’t believe that if you listened to Becky Lynch. Becky Lynch would have you believe that the Women’s Revolution started with the Four Horse Ladies. That they broke boundaries! That they made people care about the Women’s Division again!

“Well, that statement, like you, Becky, is a joke! And I sat back for a long while and I let it slide. I get selling yourself, calling yourself ‘The Man,’ bragging about your accomplishments, and go on with your bad self. But after awhile, I was like, ‘Wait. Does she actually believe her own hype?'” Trish needed to find out, she buddied up to ol’ Becks, and y’know what? Not once did Becky say, “Thank you for opening the door for me.” Not once did Becky tell Trish thanks for everything and that she would be nothing without Trish. And not once did Becky say, “Thank you, Trish.”

But Trish has to give it to Becky, she’s very convincing. Becky even convinced Lita! Lita was eating out of the palm of Becky’s hand, when only one year earlier, Becky was calling Lita out. But there they were, dancing down the aisle, Lita happy to be Becky’s sidekick. “Trish Stratus is nobody’s sidekick. This…” She poses. “Not a sidekick.” Trish said it was getting sad, so she had to take Lita out of the picture. Yes, Trish attacked Lita. Did you just put that together? She’ll speak slower since they’re all slower: Trish. Did. That. And the reason Trish needed Lita out of the way so that Trish could make it crystal clear that the person who screwed Becky out of her titles was Trish.

Fans boo but Trish says, “And Becky, do you remember that moment when you put your arm around me and you said in your stupid little accent, ‘Good try, Trish. We’ll get ’em next time, friend.'” Trish is NOT Becky’s friend, there will be NO next time, and Trish made very clear in that moment that she was going to make everything right. Trish took out The Man just like that! Oh, do the fans not like that? Aw. Well, she doesn’t care! Trish wasn’t gonna let Becky or anyone else rewrite history. Trish is not some nostalgia act, childhood fantasy, and she sure as hell isn’t a nobody sidekick!

She is the greatest of all time! The single most important figure in the history of the WWE! And she will make sure no one forgets it! Trish drops the mic and takes her leave, but will Becky and Lita have a response?

 

Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.

Cathy Kelley says last week, Cody challenged Lesnar to a match at Backlash. Is he satisfied that the match was made official tonight? Cody says yes. Of course! He’s ecstatic to wrestle Lesnar at Backlash in Puerto Rico in three weeks. But Cody is also a bit confused by tonight’s events. In what world, in what mirror universe, is he in that he’s actually still standing here? He lost out on the Universal Championship at WrestleMania, and furthermore, he was the one being held back by 20 security guards, and not Lesnar! Lesnar is the one who walks away on Cody. Cody has to apologize to Adam Pearce for losing his temper.

But what is going on? The only thing to get through this was to smash through everyone, because that is what this is. Cody has backed the Beast into a corner, and the only way out of this is for Lesnar to win. Everything Cody knows, everything he has been through, Cody cannot allow that. Cody heads out, but will he be victorious against Lesnar in three weeks?

 

Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are here!

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are here, ready to watch from commentary as their challengers are looking to tune-up. Will the Hot Mess & Pride Fighter have something to complain about after facing #CandiceWrestling and #Michin?

Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville VS Candice LeRae & Mia Yim!

Raw returns as Candice & Mia make their entrances first, followed by Chelsea & Sonya. The teams sort out and Chelsea starts against Mia. Mia blocks the slap, and she HEADBUTTS! Mia bumps Chelsea off buckles, tags Candice, and then Mia whips Candice in for a back body block! Candice snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS, then jackknife bridge! TWO, but Candice step-up SENTONS! Cover, ONE! Candice brings Chelsea up but Chelsea knees low. Tag to Sonya and the #ComplaintDepartment double suplex! They hold Candice up, but Candice shifts to hit DOUBLE DDTS! And then a step-up SENTON for Sonya!

Candice hurries to a corner and fans rally up, but wait. Nikki Cross is in the crowd? She smiles and waves at Candice and that distracts her. Chelsea storms up, Candice shoves her down, but Sonya YANKS Candice off the corner! Sonya runs to KNEE Candice down! Cover, TWO! Sonya drags Candice up, tags Chelsea, and they DOUBLE SUPLEX this time! Chelsea taunts Liv & Raquel, “You like that?” Chelsea jumps but Candice avoids the elbow drop! Tag to Mia! Chelsea tags Sonya, but Mia dodges Sonya to BOOT Chelsea! And BOOT Sonya! Mia goes up and RANAS Sonya away! Sonya returns, but into a flurry of forearms and CHOPS!

Chelsea storms in, Mia dodges, and the Complaint Dept. almost crash into each other! Mia then waits, DROPKICKS Sonya down, and Candice DROPKICKS Chelsea! Sonya returns, but into a strike fest! Mia SOBATS, hops on, CODE BLUE! Cover, Chelsea breaks it! Candice hurries in, chases Chelsea out of the ring, but Chelsea trips her on the apron! Mia runs in at Sonya but Sonya TACKLES her! High stack, but the ref sees the feet on the ropes! Sonya argues with the ref but Chelsea sneaks a tag. Mia wrenches Sonya, but Chelsea has the arms! Chicken wings for the UNPRETTIER! Cover, the complainers win!

Winners: Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville, by pinfall

Liv & Raquel stare down their challengers, but then Chelsea splashes water at Liv!! Liv is furious but Raquel keeps her back. Will the Complaint Dept. take those titles and finally have something nice to say? Or will the champs still be #LivingLarge?

 

The Street Profits, Elias and Rick Boogs talk backstage.

Boogs is so confused. Why? Well, he can’t be eligible for the WWE Draft! He just go there! C’mon, what’s going on? What? The Boogs Cruise, not eligible? C’mon, man, that’s not how it works. Every WWE superstar is eligible in the Draft. You can go to Raw or SmackDown. Champions could switch brands. Rivalries can be rekindled. Baron Corbin walks in and says, “And don’t forget: tag teams can get split up.” He pats the Profits on the shoulders, but they say, “Naaaah.” Corbin says, “Yeeeah.” Well, the Profits better talk with Pearce then. They head out and Corbin follows to keep trolling them.

Elias tells Boogs that Elias will probably go first in the Draft, and that probably gives Boogs some anxiety. But listen, don’t sweat it. No matter where Elias goes, he’ll put in a good word for Boogs so that Boogs can join him. Boogs thanks Elias for that. But then they turn around to see Akira Tozawa. “Boogs. Yeah, big star! Yeah, baby!” Thanks, man! But Elias… Last pick. Tozawa laughs at the Drifter, and then Corbin returns, saying that was a good burn. Corbin offers a handshake, but Tozawa says, “Nobody wants you. You SUCK!” Tozawa leaves and Corbin is beside himself. Will Elias really be Mr. Irrelevant? Will Corbin be a complete snub?

 

The Bloodline speaks.

Jimmy makes fun of the LWO, and Jey says he actually likes that teams are stepping up. But the problem is, they stepped up to the U-S-O! And what happened? They stepped up, but the Usos sat ’em right back down. YESSIR! And the same thing gonna happen at Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rrrricooooo MY GOSH! Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Matt Riddle VS Solo & The Usos! YESSIR! This Bloodline run deep! ALL DAY! This Bloodline is forever! ALL THE WAY! You the twos, and #WeTheOnes!

 

Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle VS The Judgment Day!

Speaking of the all-star team of the Great Liberator, the Prizefighter and the Original Bro, they’re going to have their first test as a trio! Will they be able to survive all the way to Backlash? Or will the Prince, the Punisher and the Prodigal Son put them down on the Bloodline’s behalf?

Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, followed by Kevin, and then Sami. The trios sort out and Sami starts against Finn. They circle, feel things out, and Finn headlocks. Sami endures the grind, fights up, and powers out. Things speed up, Sami arm-drags Finn around, but Finn avoids the hattrick. Finn goes to his corner and “Ex-Con” Dom tags in. Fans boo as Dom flexes and circles with Sami. But then Dom tags out to Priest. Fans boo but Dom soaks up the heat. Kevin offers and Sami tags him in! Fans fire up as KO and Priest approach. Kevin kicks low, headlocks, but Priest powers out.

The two RAM shoulders, but neither falls. Kevin goes again, they RAM shoulders, but Priest just smirks. So Kevin DROPKICKS! And SENTONS! And tells Dom to “SUCK IT!” Kevin stands Priest up but Priest ROCKS him with a right! Tag to Finn and Finn throws hands. Kevin throws hem back! Kevin whips, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, but leaps into Kevin’s arms! Kevin swings Finn for an AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO! Finn flounders but Kevin brings him up again. Kevin scoops, Finn slips off and he CHOP BLOCKS! Kevin falls to ropes and Finn storms over. Finn stomps the bad leg, and Kevin bails out.

Fans boo, Finn distracts the ref, and RHEA CLOBBERS Kevin! The Judgment Day soaks up the heat while fans boo, and Finn puts Kevin back in the ring. Finn keeps Kevin from Sami and Riddle, and he drives an elbow into Kevin’s head! Finn wraps on a facelock and Rhea says, “I know, I’m the best.” Kevin fights up as fans rally but Finn knees him low. Finn DECKS Sami with a sucker punch, but Kevin SUPERKICKS! Hot tag to Riddle! Riddle rallies on Finn with kicks, then Dom run sin, Dom gets a PELE for his troubles! Riddle kips up to forearm smash Finn! And forearm smash Priest! And one more for Finn!

BROSPLODER! BROTON! Deadlift FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Riddle scoops but Finn rakes eyes! Hot tag to Priest but Riddle KNEES Priest down! Riddle goes up and out and PENALTY KICKS Finn! Dom runs in, but Riddle clinches to drag him out! Finn helps Dom up, but Riddle goes up! Only for Priest to choke grip, and APRON CHOKE SLAM!! The Bro is down and Rhea says, “Sucker~!” The Judgment Day soaks up the heat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again as Riddle and Priest trade forearm shots! They go back and forth, then Riddle KICKS! So Priest KICKS! Priest gets the edge, kicks and kicks and ROLLING ELBOWS Riddle into the corner! Priest taunts Sami and Kevin, runs in and back elbows Riddle! Tag to Finn, he slingshot STOMPS Riddle down! Tag to Dom, he slingshot SENTONS! Tag to Finn, tag to Priest, and the Judgment Day stands Riddle up for the BACKBREAKER LEG DROP COMBO! Priest covers, TWO! Priest tags back to Dom while Rhea complains about the count. Dom stands Riddle up, gives some Latino Heat, but Riddle gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Fans fire up while Riddle and Dom are down! Riddle and Dom crawl, hot tag to Sami! Fans are thunderous as Sami rallies on Dom! Sami whips, back drops Dom, but Finn runs in! Sami tosses Finn out! Priest runs in, Sami dumps him out! Sami then goes up the corner, but Dom hurries after him! Sami CLUBS away on Dom, then SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives that hard landing, but Sami drags him to a drop zone. Finn gets back in as Sami climbs, but the ref intercepts Finn. That allows Rhea to SHOVE Sami off the top! Sami crotches on the ropes and Dom drags him down!

Kevin can’t hit Rhea so he just throws Riddle’s jacket at her! Dom is up top, for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Kevin breaks it!! Fans fire up but Rhea is furious! Finn SHOTGUNS Kevin! Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES Finn! Priest clinches to FLATLINER Riddle! Sami clotheslines Priest up and out! Fans fire up for Sami as he builds speed! But Rhea trips him up! The ref reprimands, and then EJECTS her!! Mami is furious that she got caught! But Dom rolls Sami up! TWO!! Dom swings, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Dom stays in this, but Kevin is back! Sami hot tags Kevin!

Kevin goes up top, to SWANTON onto knees!! Dom saves himself and hot tags Finn! The Prince aims, to SHOTGUN Kevin into a corner! Kevin falls to the drop zone and Finn climbs up top! COUP DE- NO! Kevin dodges, to tag Sami! STUNNER for Finn! Finn ends up in a corner, Sami goes to the other! Priest runs in but into a STUNNER!! Sami runs and HELLUVA KICKS Finn! Riddle wants in, so Sami tags him! Riddle goes up, for the FLOATING BRO!! Cover, Kevin, Sami & Riddle win!

Winners: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle, by pinfall

The Judgment Day fail their part of the mission, but here comes the Bloodline! Solo & The Usos attack Sami, Kevin & Riddle! Fans boo as each brother has someone in the corner! They mug Riddle, they mug Sami, but then here comes the LWO!! Rey, Escobar, Cruz & Wilde tip the scales as they go after the Bloodline! But then the Judgment Day get involved! It’s a chaotic 7v6 brawl! Referees rush out but they can’t stop the madness! Fans are losing their minds as they watch the melee! Fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but there’s nothing but fists and feet! Rey and Dom find each other, Rey puts Dom on the ropes! The LWO play defense, Rey dials it up, 619 for Dom!!

Kevin BACK SUPLEXES Priest on the announce desk! The LWO and the “problems” stand tall, will they be the ones to win out this faction warfare?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw to really build towards Backlash. But there’s something I do need to say: WWE seems to have no idea what the color aesthetic for the logo is. The replay graphics used the golden one (for what I suppose was going to be WrestleMania Backlash), the match card graphics give a combination of red and blue, but the ones I’m seeing on their Twitter are just plain red. Now, the gold for the replay stuff makes some sense, they can’t have red on red. But in that case, it could’ve just been a plain white logo. But whatever, I’m sure they’ll settle on it within the next three weeks, and I’ll make the thumbnail accordingly.

Anyway, great opening promo involving the Bloodline and Judgment Day. For a moment, I thought this was the Judgment Day defending their territory, but nice twist of it being a quid pro quo deal. Solo and Rhea staring down got everyone fired up. Rhea has already been used to tease intergender combat in WWE, and Solo sure ain’t gonna back down from a fight. Solo VS Rey was great stuff, even with the overbooking of the Usos showing up and brawling with the LWO. Though, the LWO sure gets booked poorly in these situations. Maybe that’s just because they’re up against some really strong factions.

Good backstage promo with Heyman and the Judgment Day, and it teased that the Judgment Day can and should step to the Bloodline. After all, Rhea’s the SmackDown Women’s Champion, the Draft is coming, we could end up with both factions on Fridays. But also, great stuff from Kevin, Sami and Riddle. That was definitely the promo we’ve needed from Riddle. Great main event Six Man match, and Kevin had great interactions with Rhea. For one, he sold that clothesline from her so well. Great win for the Faces, but of course the Bloodline goes after them after. That brawl was awesome stuff, and as much as I’d love like a 10 Man or 12 Man Tag, I don’t see it happening.

Good promos to show the superstars are kayfabe worried about the WWE Draft, namely the tag teams. Gable wants The Alpha Academy to stay a thing, Maxxine wants Otis to end up Otise by default, and Otis is just stuck in the middle. This is actually the one time a tag team split up by the Draft would work for good story. Corbin trying to troll the Profits with that was good, but Tozawa (which it was great to see him back, for one) had the best part of the whole thing with how he got Elias AND Corbin. I hope Tozawa gets to do something, he has had great stretches in his WWE career but I would love if he got something consistent.

Pretty good promo from Trish. Everything she said was standard Heel stuff of being underappreciated, disrespected, etc. I just wish she had more energy in saying it. She should’ve been almost yelling, but she came off too calm. I’m pretty sure Becky and Lita will each get heated in their response promos, and I would think this leads to Becky VS Trish for Backlash, which is big for Backlash. And really good women’s tag match, though I cannot explain why fans do not get more excited for Candice LeRae matches. Chelsea & Sonya of course win to build momentum, and Nikki showing up, something needs to happen between her and Candice by Backlash.

Great match out of Bianca VS Dakota, but of course Bianca wins. She is building momentum towards her match with Sky, and I hope we get a promo next week for Bayley to be more passive aggressive about Sky having the title shot. Theory VS Lashley was a great match, for being a bit random and redundant, but that was awesome framing of Bronson’s surprise attack. Corey Graves said it himself on commentary, how does such a big man sneak up period? But this of course is leading towards Lashley VS Bronson in a rematch from last week, and I would hope that whoever wins gets a shot at a title. If Bronson stays on the same brand as Theory, I would love Bronson to get a US Championship match and humble “The Now.”

Rollins VS Miz was of course awesome, as the fans acknowledged. Miz reminded everyone that he has the wrestling skills, but this was a good win for Rollins to keep climbing up towards a title. And then great promos from Cody Rhodes, both in the ring and backstage. The latter was an odd move after he already did and said everything he really needed to tonight. But he does have a point, it is quite the role reversal where Brock is the cerebral one with his taunting and not fighting. I also liked that Lesnar added a long coat to the look, like he’s the villain in a Western. Too bad this isn’t a bull rope match, that’d be very AEW Cody of Cody.

My Score: 8.8/10


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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

on

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

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

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

 

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

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

 

Corey Graves is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple H is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

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

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

 

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

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

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

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

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

 

Nick Aldis heads out.

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

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

 

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

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

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

 

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

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

 

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

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

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

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

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

 

The Dudley Boyz are here!

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

 

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

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

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

 

The Final Testament speaks.

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

 

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

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

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

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

 

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

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

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

 

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

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

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.

 


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

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

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

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

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

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

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

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

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

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

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

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Overall Score: 6/10

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

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


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