Coverage

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (1/20/18)

Published

6 years ago

January 26, 2018

Steven Mitchell

ROH WRESTLING TELEVISION, Episode 331

All images courtesy of the Fite.TV app and streaming service.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

ROH World Tag Team Championships: The Motor City Machine Guns VS The Dawgs; The MCMG win and retain the ROH WTT Championships.
Josh Woods VS Jonathan Gresham; Gresham wins.
Triple Threat Tag: The Young Bucks VS Best Friends VS Dragon Lee & Titán; The Young Bucks win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Previously on ROH TV…

The Kingdom lost to Dalton Castle & The Boys, but they didn’t accept it gracefully. Instead, Taven, O’Ryan & Marseglia attacked the ROH World Heavyweight Champion and his fan boys from behind!

The Boys were thrown out of the ring, and Taven drove Castle’s head into the mat with his reverse DDT. Then The Kingdom would celebrate backstage, and Taven would shout “Did you see that?!”

“I just left your new champion laying in the middle of the ring!” Everyone that steps to Matt Taven goes down, from Will Ospreay to Jay Lethal “and the list goes on and on.” If Taven doesn’t get the opportunities he deserves, he vows to just come out and take them. He vows to be the next ROH World Heavyweight Champion. Why? “Because I’m MATT TAVEN!” Will the sight seen between episodes be the sight we see at Castle’s next title defense?

Cheeseburger joins commentary for the opening match!

The lovable underdog wants to see ROH action up close because “Oh! Hell! Yeeeah…!” The Dawgs appear!

“Whoa whoa whoa, don’t be silly!” It’s Big Dawg Titus and Lil’ Willy. And truth of the matter, Philly, they have something in common with Carson Wentz: “We’re gonna tear, it, up!” The fans boo such a reference to Wentz’s season-ending injury, but the Dawgs move on to their match.

ROH World Tag Team Championships: The Motor City Machine Guns VS The Dawgs!

Somehow, someway, Big Rhett and Lil’ Will earned a shot at Alex Shelley’s & Chris Sabin’s titles. Can the MCMG keep these dogs from having their day?

Cheeseburger knows Ferrara well from their days as a team, but he has no love for the man who turned on him. The Dawgs reluctantly uphold the Code of Honor, then start Will Ferrara against Alex Shelley. The fans are firmly behind the MCMG, but Ferrara is confidently behind himself. Ferrara kicks low then trash talks before whipping. Shelley reverses, things speed up, Shelly runs Ferrara over with a back elbow and pays tribute to the Macho Man. Shelley runs but Rhett gives him a cheap shot knee to the back, so Shelly knocks him off the apron with a stiff right forearm! Ferrara pounces and clubs Shelley down. Another whip but another reversal, Ferrara grabs ropes and bails out. Ferrara gloats, but turns around to take a Penalty Kick from Sabin!

Rhett returns and goes right at Shelley, but Shelley gets the standing switch while Sabin comes in. Sabin hits the enziguri and Shelley hits the roaring elbow, MCMG hit a forearm-superkick combo! Rhett rolls out, the fans fire up while the MCMG coordinates. Shelley uses the slingshot to feint, then opens the way for Sabin to DIVE on the Dawgs!

The champions are in control while we go to break.

ROH returns to find that The Dawgs have taken control back. We see that during commercials, a slingshot attempt was derailed by a dropkick, and then Ferrara gave Sabin a tornado DDT from the apron. In the present, Rhett holds Shelley in a chinlock but Shelly gets and fights back. Shelley’s strike fest is stopped by one sharp left from Rhett. Rhett brings Shelley over and tags in Ferrara, The Dawgs cross Shelley’s arms and use them to send him backward into buckles. Ferrara wants to whip but Rhett spins it around to send Ferrara into Shelley for a shoulder tackle. Ferrara gets mad at Rhett, but Rhett just turns that around to send Ferrara back into Shelley. Lil’ Willy’s temper keeps going, but Rhett trips him up to catapult Ferrara at Shelley for a flying lariat.

Cover, but Sabin breaks that up. Rhett goes after Sabin and throws him out, then The Dawgs go after Shelley. Shelley fights them off from a corner, then topples Rhett with a crossbody. Ferrara grabs Shelley in a full nelson, Rhett runs in but Shelley boots him back. Shelley then spins Ferrara off him to shove him into Rhett, then hits Ferrara with a big back suplex! Both men are down, but Shelley fires up and gets to his feet quick. He heads for his corner, but Rhett yanks Sabin off the apron to deny the tag!

Not only that, but Sabin also bounces face-first off the apron edge and clutches his face. Fans boo and jeer while Ferrara pounces on Shelley in the corner. While Rhett climbs up top, Ferrara clobbers Shelley with the hammerlock lariat! Rhett jumps for the Doggy Splash, but it’s a belly flop as Shelley avoids it in time! Sabin returns and makes the tag! Sabin jumps in and boots Ferrara away. He then rallies on Ferrara with forearms and kicks, then goes for a powerbomb, but Ferrara sunset flips over. Sabin rolls through, and hits another Penalty Kick! Sabin runs at Rhett, Rhett side steps but Sabin boots him back before hopping up. He jumps and hits the flying huricanrana! Rhett ends up in a corner, Shelley makes his way back up. Sabin hits the back elbow, then Shelley helps for the double kick combo in the corner!

Ferrara stands up, Sabin kicks him and lifts but Ferrara fights out. Sabin runs in but takes a back elbow. Ferrara jumps up, goes for another tornado DDT but Sabin denies it. Sabin tries for the step-up tornado but The Dawgs deny that. Ferrara powers Sabin into a corner, Rhett runs in for a big boot! Rhett lifts Sabin, Ferrara fires up but Sabin slips out to let the Dawgs collide. Shelley returns, atomic drop starts the MCMG dream sequence: low dropkick, chancery, baseball slide! The fans fire up while Ferrara gets up. The MCMG hit the ASCS Rush: back kick to SUPERKICK then SUPERKICK-ENZIGURI! But that’s not the end. They bring Ferrara around, and hit Made in Detroit!

The MCMG win and retain the titles!

However, the Briscoes appear!

“Cut that damn music off!” Jay & Mark “congratulate” the MCMG. “But like we’ve been saying, enjoy those titles while you can.” As far as #DemBoys are concerned, those titles are still their property. They vow to reclaim their property “and there ain’t a damn thing you can do to stop it!” The MCMG are not afraid of the Briscoes, will they #ManUp to deny the Briscoes their ninth reign?

SoCal Uncensored finds Shane Taylor backstage.

The Addiction and Scorpio Sky say they have a major offer for the Notorious Hitman of ROH. They are headed to the ring, and hope Taylor will be security to make sure no one from The Bullet Club interferes. Taylor stands up and says it doesn’t matter who or why. If someone signs the check, he’ll take out whoever the need. Christopher Daniels hands over the envelope then shakes hands with Taylor. But then Taylor tells SoCal Uncensored that if the check doesn’t clear, “I’ll find you.” Daniels assures Taylor he’s The Smartest Man in the Room, so he’s definitely smart enough to have the funds. With the Hitman watching out for them, will the SCU have nothing to fear?

Kenny King speaks.

“Son, keep your head on a swivel.” Kenny’s late mother would tell him that all the time about all things. But at Final Battle, Kenny failed to keep such awareness, and that’s why Silas Young got away with a beer bottle to his head. Kenny failed again last week and he didn’t see Silas’ new ally coming. But if The Last Real Man thinks that’ll stop the K I N G from making him #BendtheKnee, then he’s crazy. Kenny vows to take back his golden throne that is the ROH World Television Championship.

Josh Woods VS Jonathan Gresham!

Mr. Top Prospect 2017 lost when he went for the ROH WTVC, and The Octopus of Team Search & Destroy has lost quite a bit as of late. But the last time these two faced off was during the Final Battle internet-exclusive kickoff match, and Gresham won to the surprise of The Goods. Can Gresham keep it going in 2018 to make it the Year of the Octopus?

The Code of Honor is upheld while fans cheer for Gresham. The bell rings, fans start dueling with chants. The two men circle, feel each other out, but it’s Woods that gets the first takedown. Gresham works to counter and block, but Woods merely stands over Gresham as he moves to the ropes. The referee calls for the break, Woods honors it but keeps his eyes focused on Gresham. They circle again, tie up, Woods gets another takedown but Gresham kicks him sharply in the chin. Gresham tries a drop toehold, but Woods is too big to be brought down like that. “Look at these quads, baby, c’mon!” Gresham admits those are good quads, so he instead goes after the knee joint!

Woods staggers back and falls down, then gets to a corner. Gresham runs in but Woods elbows him back. Woods puts Gresham in the corner and runs in, but Gresham evades and kicks the back of that bad knee. Gresham takes aim while Woods staggers, Gresham hits that bad knee with a dropkick. The referee checks on Woods but he’s okay to continue. Gresham trips Woods up then gives the leg a knee wrench. Woods gets to ropes but Gresham is right on him again to put on a toehold. Woods fights back but the torque forces him to let go. Gresham keeps up the attack with another spinning toehold. Woods uses his good leg to roll Gresham to a cover, ONE, back to the toehold. Gresham goes to wind it up again, Woods shoves him off. Things speed up a bit, Gresham comes back with a unique rolling kick.

Both men are down, but fans applaud the even match-up. They rally while the two men stand up, Woods goes after Gresham with strikes. He rocks Gresham then chops him down, but Gresham blocks the big roundhouse to dropkick that bad knee out again. Gresham hears the fans rallying while we go to break.

ROH returns and Gresham monkey flips Woods corner to corner. Gresham gets up and wants a second, but Woods blocks with raw strength. Woods lifts Gresham up to the top rope, and goes to shove him off, but Gresham counters with a bodyscissors! Woods hits the floor, fans fire up, and Gresham takes aim. Gresham slingshots over and topples Woods down again!

The Octopus is fired up, and he puts Woods back into the ring before climbing up top. Fans rally while Gresham jumps, into Wood’s jumping knee strike!

Gresham is stunned ad Woods is down while fans have mixed reactions. Woods grins as he gets up and takes aim at the dazed Gresham. Gresham gets to the ropes, Woods runs over, hops to the apron and gives Gresham another knee! Woods then hops back into the ring, and gut wrenches Gresham for a throw! He holds on, lifts Gresham again, for another gut wrench suplex. The fans want “One more time!” so Woods lifts Gresham for the gut wrench powerbomb!

TWO, but very close! Woods grins again while he and Gresham get to opposite corners. Woods fires up and runs in, big corner knee strike! He rolls Gresham in the waistlock, but then Gresham counters with a victory roll! TWO, and Gresham gives the bad leg a halfway dragon screw. Woods staggers, then swings a kick, but that bad leg can’t take the weight. Gresham runs, springboards, and hits the quebrada!

Gresham keeps going, rolling Woods over to stomp the bad knee! Then he rolls Woods with La Mahistrol and shifts to the bridge, flashbacks to Final Battle! Gresham wins again!

And The Goods cannot believe it!

Even so, Woods stands up, and per good sportsmanship, shakes Gresham’s hand again. Can The Goods turn his year around? Will the Octopus keep rolling to the top of ROH?

Time for Coleman’s Pulpit!

The Most Versatile Man in Sports Today, Caprice Coleman, welcomes Shaheem Ali & Leon St. Giovanni, otherwise known as Team Coast 2 Coast.

Coleman gets right to business. Team C2C has put it upon themselves that if they lose again, they will split up. Is that true? Yes, absolutely. But is that what they want? Coleman looks at them and can tell they’re good friends. They’re roommates, teammates and spend a lot of time together, so what would splitting up do to them? They’d both have to start over from the bottom. Ali and LSG don’t want to break up, they’re like brothers. But if they can’t win, it’ll have to happen. LSG promises to still have Ali’s back either way. Ali agrees, but the losses have stacked up. They don’t know what they’re doing wrong, and it frustrates them.

Coleman asks whose idea it was to put this stipulation on themselves. Ali takes credit for that idea. He personally feels that they have a lot of respect for the other tag teams who could get it done in their place. Coleman wonders who’s the weaker link in the team. Team C2C takes offense to that, they’re his guests. They’re the ones who chose to put their team on the line, because they’ve tried again and again, “opportunity after opportunity”. This will be “one last time, do or die”, but they will win because losing is not an option. Coleman lets them know that he is in the know, and can give them a heads-up on their future opponents, if they ask him. Do they want to know? Of course they want to know! Then find out, after the break!

Coleman’s just kidding! Their future opponents are… War Machine! Team C2C sees they’re up against steep odds, but Coleman encourages them, “anything is possible.” He has faith they can win. That ends this edition of Coleman’s Pulpit, where you find out the truth and the truth will help you see you later!

Cody comes to the ring!

Cody speaks, “I am victim to my hubris” and stands before Philadelphia “no longer world champion.” Fans boo, but Cody continues. “I thought if I took away the panache, the charisma, the pomp and circumstance” and even The Boys from The Peacock, “all that would remain is just a man.” However, at Final Battle, Dalton Castle was more than man, he was the better man. Cody spent 13 years “pining for the world championship”, so Castle can have his fun with it, because Cody is guaranteed his rematch. “And although I don’t have the beautiful, brand-new world championship,” Cody acknowledges he still has “one thing”: the literal and “official” Ring of Honor.

But then, The Kingdom appears?

Taven asks “Am I supposed to feel bad?” Taven wonders if he’s supposed to feel bad about “a man that literally has been handed everything on silver platter because of your last name–even though we can’t mention it here.” Fans know those are fighting words as Taven then enters the ring and gets in Cody’s face.

He continues to berate Cody by saying that even when Cody “had the chance to break out on your own”, Cody just didn’t have the balls. Cody went and kissed ass and joined the Bullet Club, “like that’s never happened before.” “So while you and your little cheerleaders play your little games and have all the ROH officials fooled”, Taven is not fooled. Taven has defeated everyone in ROH yet he keeps being overlooked for guys like Cody. Not to worry, because Cody just did Taven a big favor by exposing himself. Cody was handed the title and every opportunity to keep it, but now look at him. The synopsis of Cody’s career will read “a little, undeserving, spoiled brat has now become nothing more than a little bleach-blonde bitch!” Mic drop!

Cody speaks up as Taven turns to leave. “I would love to give you the last word. And that? So dramatic.” But Cody points out that his hair changing to blonde got a bigger pop than Taven will ever hear in his life. The fans applaud that burn, then chant for “Cody’s Hair!” Cody continues, saying that there’s only one thing left for them to do. He holds out his hand, and wants Taven to kiss the ring.

The fans chant “Kiss the ring!” Cody says this is so they can be fans. Taven kisses the ring, to then kick Cody in the crotch! Why? “Because I’m Matt Taven.” Taven leaves Cody writhing, will Taven come to regret disrespecting the former champion?

ROH takes a look at Punishment Martinez.

“I am the end. I am the Executioner.” The Reincarnation of the Purple Mist has made it known that he wants the ROH World Heavyweight Championship. Who will he destroy to get it?

Triple Threat Tag: The Young Bucks VS Best Friends VS Dragon Lee & Titán!

The partnership between ROH, NJPW and CMLL is strongly represented here in this amazing main event! Which team will take a step forward towards the ROH World Tag Team Championships?

In ROH, such a triple threat tag only allows two men in at a time. Therefore, The Young Bucks opt out and let the Kentucky Gentleman start against the two time CMLL Mexican National Welterweight Champion. Titán opens with a sharp open hand chop to Chuckie T that makes even the Bucks wince. Titán dares Chuck to respond, and Chuckie does with an incredibly sharp chop of his own. They go back and forth with the chops, neither man backing down. Titán kicks away at Chuckie’s legs then gets running, but into Chuckie’s boot! Chuck brings Titán up and whips him, things speed up and Titán jumps over Chuckie to handstand walk into the airplane headscissors!

Chuckie staggers to a corner, and Titán himself is a bit dizzy. Titán runs in at Chuckie but is put on the apron. He kicks Chuckie away then springboards, but Chuckie intercepts with a dropkick!

The fans cheer for “Chuckie T!” as he brings up Titán, then cheer as he tags in Trent! Best Friends whip Titán and knock him over with back elbows, then hug before dropping elbows. The fans cheer for “Best Friends!” and the Bucks even clap along. Trent brings Titán up, for a stiff chop that sits him back down. Trent whips but Dragon Lee tags in. Titán dodges Trent’s lariat and Lee catches him with a kick, Titán keeps moving to hit a running headscissors. Nick Jackson tags in from Trent and springboards at Titán for the flying arm-drag! However, Dragon Lee finally jumps in to give Nick his own flying arm-drag. Nick runs and gives Lee a headscissors but Lee cartwheels through. Lee goes to chop but Nick blocks and chops back, to then run for the acrobatic arm-drag!

Lee gets to a corner, Nick runs in and hits a corner clothesline. He runs back but Lee follows to hit a corner dropkick! Lee trips Nick up and hits a wrecking ball dropkick! Cover, TWO, so Lee tags in Titán. Team CMLL keep on Nick, double whip and things speed up, drop toehold to baseball slide dropkick. Matt gets their attention and shoulders into Lee. He slingshots over and mule kicks Titán, then uses Lee to help with the Sliced Bread!

The Young Bucks regroup, pop-up missile dropkick takes Lee out. They go after Chuckie T now, another pop-up to the headscissors! Trent returns, but he gets caught in the headscissor dropkick! The fans fire up for the Bucks as they now control the ring. The Bucks prepare the Terminators, and the drums follow. The Bucks rise, build speed, and DIVE on the Best Friends!

However, they don’t see Titán getting to the apron and holding the ropes open for Dragon Lee to DIVE!

And Team CMLL isn’t done there! Titán springboards for a SUPER ASAI MOONSAULT!

Titán hits so hard, he ends up in the crowd! The fans are fired up and cheering for “ROH!” a everyone regroups. Chuckie T gets back in the ring, builds speed, but Trent intercepts with a hug! That way, the Best Friends can BOTH FLY!

Philadelphia are thunderous for the Best Friends while they get Matt Jackson in the ring. Chuckie scoops and slams Matt and Trent prepares “the most dangerous move in professional wrestling”… Only to take a SUPERKICK!

Matt revives and SUPERKICKS Chuckie, then Nick gives the slow German Suplex to Trent on the apron. Team CMLL returns, but they both get tripped up, to be put into double “Cease-Shooters”! The fans thunderously chant “The! Elite! The the Elite!” while we go to break.

ROH returns and Dragon Lee reverses a corner to corner whip. Nick puts Lee on the apron but Lee kicks him away. Lee climbs up but Nick rocks him with a right. Nick climbs up to join him, but his super steiner is blocked into a Tree of Woe, for draping double stomps! Lee crawls for his corner but Titán isn’t there. Trent is, so Lee tags him, but Nick tags Matt at the same time. Trent throws Matt with a German Suplex, then goes corner to corner for a big back elbow. He sends Matt corner to corner for Chuckie’s jumping knee strike, then comes back to hit Matt with a shotgun knee! Nick returns, Trent gets him in the half-nelson, and Chuckie helps feed Nick the Sole Food Suplex!

Chuckie has Matt, and throws him to the long dart cutter! TWO! The Best Friends keep on Matt, assisted whip but Matt throws Chuckie out of the ring. Trent runs in, Matt boots him away. Both men are down, Matt staggers and Titán tags in, for a springboard missile dropkick. Trent staggers, Titán runs but Nick shoulders him back. Nick slingshots and hits the facebuster! Then the cartwheel Asai to Chuckie! Nick gets the Terminator drums started again but Dragon Lee leaps over for a flying huricanrana!

Titán goes after Trent while Lee returns. Titán unloads furious forearms from both sides, then runs corner to corner for an A-list clothesline, then Lee gives Trent the bicycle knee strike. Lee hits a Poisoned Rana, Titán hits a springboard frog splash! Cover, Chuckie breaks it just in time. He also goes after Lee with a mudhole stomp. Matt tags Trent and he stomps a mudhole into Titán. The two coordinate, and whip Team CMLL at themselves. Team CMLL reverses, but Matt and Chuck dosido and clothesline Team CMLL down! Now Matt and Chuck stare down. Chuck wants a hug, Matt gives him the hug! However, Matt turns it into a handshake and asks, “Where do you think you’re going?!” SUPERKICK from Nick!

A SUPERKICK for Trent! And a SUPERKICK for Lee! Titán rolls up Nick, SUPERKICK for Nick!? Now Titán rolls up Matt, TWO! Matt scoops up Titán, and has him in Tombstone position. Nick gets to the apron but Titán headscissors to send Matt into Nick! Lee runs at Nick, but Nick counters this time to apron-powerbomb Lee down! Even Nick looks shocked. Titán boots Matt back, then hops up, but his asai is caught and brought up into the Tombstone position! Nick runs to FLY onto Trent! Then he leaps to the apron and springboards for the MELTZER DRIVER!!

The Young Bucks win! They are two-thirds of the ROH World Six Man Tag Champions, could this win help them back towards ROH World Tag Team Championships?

But wait, Scorpio Sky appears!

The Bucks take notice of him, but they should watch their backs! Because The Addiction ambushes them with double chop blocks!

So Cal Uncensored go after those knees over and over, but they forgot about The Hangman!

Adam Page runs the SCU off with a chair, but the damage might have been done. Will SoCal Uncensored use every trick in the book to take those ROH World Six Man Tag Championships from the Bullet Club’s elite?

My Thoughts:

Another solid episode for ROH here, especially with tag team wrestling. I personally do not see The Dawgs as tag title ready, but their recent wins were apparently enough for this televised challenge. MCMG win for such obvious reasons, but especially because the Briscoes are coming for the titles. That tag match will be incredible, given the different in-ring styles and personalities for great storytelling. Either team could come away with the titles, but it’d probably mean a lot more if The Briscoes become nine-time World Tag Team Champions to further solidify their legacies in ROH.

Speaking of legacies, great reference during the Woods-Gresham match to the currently defunct ROH Pure Championship, aka the ROH Pure Wrestling Championship. While the ROH PWC had an open division, it had specific rules, and I feel/hope Gresham’s current angle is going to bring him to reviving such a belt. A second mid-card belt isn’t unheard of in a wrestling promotion, and if ROH were to revive the Pure Championship it would be a great sign of ROH’s personal success and growth. Gresham being the first new champion would also be big for him personally, as he puts himself on the same short but star-studded champions list with AJ Styles, Jay Lethal, Samoa Joe and Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan.

Then, as always, the Young Bucks are a major part of an incredible tag team match, as well as the winning part. Dragon Lee, Titán and Best Friends did great as well, but The Young Bucks win because they’re The Young Bucks. They are exciting, entertaining and on the top of tag team wrestling today. They also win to give the SoCal Uncensored an opening to attack like the True Heels they are. Daniels, Kaz & Sky going after “The Hung Bucks” so aggressively now ties into the story of Joe Koff’s “Your days are numbered” ultimatum. The Addiction wants at least one reign as ROH World Six Man Tag Champions before they’re forced out of the company. It would be too soon for them to get it the very first time, but I could see this becoming a year-long “chase titles” angle for the SCU.

My Score: 8.5/10

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

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

15 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!

Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!

Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!

Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?

Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.

Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.

Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.

Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.

My Score: 8.8/10

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: 4.25.2024

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

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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

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

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

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

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

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

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

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

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

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

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

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

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

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6/10

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

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

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