Coverage

Mitchell’s Lucha Underground Report! (6/13/18)

Published

6 years ago

June 13, 2018

Lucha Underground, Season 4, Episode 1: “El Jefe”

It’s time to return to the Temple! A lot happened in Season 3, and a lot has changed in the time off. No more Prince Puma, but long live Pentagon Dark as THE Lucha Underground Champion! Who will step up to the Bone Collector’s throne? Which stars will return and what new stars will emerge to fight for honor and glory?

Gifs can be found courtesy of http://frentique.tumblr.com/

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Lucha Underground Championship Aztec Warfare: Pentagon Dark wins and retains the Lucha Underground Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

El Rey reviews Lucha Underground Season 3!

Dario Cueto was in prison after Season 2, but he was bailed out by a higher and darker power. They gave him the Gauntlet of the Gods to put up as a prize. In the end, The Machine Called Cage won it. Cage grew stronger, but also grew more insane and violent. Cueto started to doubt he chose the right man, and his doubts were justified when Cage KILLED Councilman Delgado! But he had a back-up plan: have The Machine take on the Man of 1000 Deaths and the Death Machine in an Elimination Triple Threat for the Gauntlet. And in the end, Mil Muertes would win! Only for King Cuerno to return and snatch the prize away! The King of Hunters now holds the Gauntlet of the Gods, but will Muertes come back for revenge?

Meanwhile, The Mack, Killshot and Dante Fox would earn a shot at the Lucha Underground Trios Championships. The only problem is that Killshot and Dante Fox hate each other, stemming from Killshot leaving Fox behind in a war zone. However, fighting along side each other brought the brothers in arms together, and this new Trio WON! The Reptile Tribe is reeling, who will challenge The Mack, Killshot & Fox this season? And, Pentagon Dark, now independent from his master, Vampiro, vowed to become THE champion. He would first win the Gift of the Gods Championship, and use it to rob Prince Puma of both title AND LU career! Cueto felt he had won over his superiors, but no. They would leave him for dead, promising “new management” would take his place.

Dario Cueto IS dead!

El Jefe lies in a casket at his funeral. No one else bothers to show up, besides Agent Winter and a certain someone. “Us Cuetos were always better at making enemies than friends.” Antonio is all set, with full control of Lucha Underground. But one issue: ever since “those gangbangers” shot his son, the Temple cannot be used for the promotion. “As long as the sacred seal is in the ring, The Temple can be anywhere.” Antonio has a place. “This will be my new Temple.” Good, but remember. It’s just a cover. Don’t forget the true objective. Dario made many mistakes, but his father won’t repeat them.

Supposedly, Dario tried calling him for help. Is that true? Yes. How ironic, wanting help from the man who ordered his hit. “Dario was always the weak one.” That’s why Matanza is a god. Well, the roster awaits. “Have fun, and be ready”, because “our friend in the limo will be coming for war before you know it.” Daddy’s back, and he has the key to the Monster. What will Antonio Cueto do now that he’s in charge?

The NEW Temple opens.

Melissa Santos asks the audience in attendance stand for a moment of silence for Dario Cueto, and 10 ringings of the bell. Some fans cry, but “hold on!” The only thing colder than this ice warehouse is this crowd! The fans boo the raggedy Antonio Cueto as he limps to the ring. Antonio introduces himself to those who do not know him, and explains that he’s the new owner. “This is MY Temple!” And he knocks down his son’s picture! Fans boo him again. “Tonight, chances are, we will crown a new Lucha Underground Champion!” That gets fans to cheer again. Pentagon Dark will defend his title tonight! In a match that, despite what Dario said, is Antonio’s creation! Yes, it will be AZTEC WARFARE!! Fans really like that, because it’ll be NEXT.

Lucha Underground Championship Aztec Warfare!

Yes, one match with 20 luchadors, and it’s all for the title! Two wrestlers will start and compete to score a pinfall or submission elimination, but more competitors will be added as time goes on. Who will be the last luchador standing to hold up THE Lucha Underground Championship belt!?

Antonio personally asks Killshot and The Mack out to the ring first. They hold the three Trios Championship belts, but where is Dante Fox? Antonio makes sure they understand the Trios Champions themselves will be part of the Aztec Warfare match. All three of them! However, Antonio also notices Dante is MIA. Therefore, Mack and Killshot are entering first! Whichever luchador ends up #3, they’ll automatically replace Fox as their third partner! “Melissa, take it away.” Melissa makes the announcement and introductions, and the third man… SON OF HAVOC! Mack and Killshot don’t really like this, they just got on good terms with Fox. But the decision has been made, these three are now Trios Champions. And to get to know each other, they can beat the hell out of each other!

The match officially begins, and naturally it becomes 2v1 as Havoc fights off both Killshot and Mack. Havoc backs Mack into a corner then dumps Killshot out. Mack runs Havoc over, then speeds things up, and Havoc dropkicks Mack down. Killshot returns with the “Get Over Here!” then covers, TWO. The countdown begins, and #4 is… Joey Ryan! The Sleazy One returns to the Temple, chest hair and lollipop included. Joey enters the ring and stares down with Mack and Killshot. He pulls out handcuffs! Joey is doing what he did in the past: he cuffs himself to a rope so that no one can pin him. But then Mack just throws hands on his greasy body! Killshot whips Mack in for the splash, but we get #5: Mr. Pectacular, Jessie Godderz! The former Impact World Tag Team Champion makes his LU debut!

Killshot and Mack wait for Jessie to enter, but Havoc returns to get dropkick’d down! Jessie is all fired up, but Killshot boots him right down! Havoc adds a handspring back elbow, then Mack adds a BIG hip attack senton! But then Killshot rolls up his pal! Killshot ELIMINATES The Mack!! But all is fair in love and Aztec Warfare, so hopefully Mack doesn’t stay mad long. #6 comes in, and it’s the Lucha Underground Champion himself, PENTAGON DARK! The Bone Collector is already in the match this early, but he welcomes that because he has #CeroMiedo! Pentagon heads down the stairs while we go to break.

Lucha Underground returns, and Pentagon rallies as he Slingblades Havoc, Killshot and Jessie Godderz in a row. Joey Ryan begs for mercy, but Pentagon looks to the fans. Joey un-cuffs himself, and sucker punches Pentagon! It doesn’t do a thing, so Joey goes back to begging for mercy. Pentagon hits him with a Package Piledriver! Cover, Pentagon ELIMINATES Joey Ryan! Joey slides out while Havoc comes in. Havoc goes after Pentagon, then Killshot comes in to roll Havoc! TWO, and Pentagon gives Killshot a Package Piledriver! Havoc hits the Shooting Star, cover, Havoc ELIMINATES Killshot! Seems the Trios Champions are far from friends. #7 enters, it’s TOMMY DREAMER!! The House of Hardcore Soldier is in The Temple! And he’s ready for a fight!

Dreamer brings in some friends, aka chairs, kendo sticks, trash cans, and more. Jessie goes after Pentagon but Pentagon kicks him away. Pentagon runs and SUPERKICKS Jessie, to then cover. While Dreamer SMACKS Havoc with a cookie sheet, Pentagon ELIMINATES Mr. Pectacular. Dreamer grabs a kendo stick and fans are going wild for the ECW Original. Pentagon stares down with Dreamer and takes off his glove to properly introduce Dreamer to #CeroMiedo. Dreamer swings, Pentagon dodges, but Dreamer blocks to then kendo SMACK Pentagon on the leg! But now we get #8: Mariposa! The Monarch of the Moth Tribe returns while Pentagon smacks away on Dreamer.

Mari takes her time entering while Pentagon hops up top. Dreamer trips him up and puts him in the Tree of Woe, then he fetches a trash can. Dreamer places the can in front of Pentagon, but Mari is lurking. He tells her to wait, as he hits the basement dropkick on Pentagon! Mari waited, then she clobbers him! She SMACK SMACKS SMACKS away on both Dreamer and Pentagon with the kendo stick, but Havoc returns. Havoc gets a jab and a SMACK, then more SMACKS. Dreamer slides out while Pentagon gets up. Pentagon aims at Dreamer and slingshots, only for Dreamer to SMACK him out of the air with another kendo stick.

Dreamer tells fans to clear out while Mari throws Havoc. Havoc handsprings back to hit Mari with a lethal cutter! Dreamer fights with Pentagon on the stairs, Havoc ELIMINATES Mariposa! The Moth didn’t last long, did she? Dreamer meanwhile pours out thumbtacks! He drags Pentagon over, but Pentagon resists the suplex. Pentagon boots Dreamer, then SPEARS him onto the tacks! The Believers lose their minds over that madness, but Pentagon just puts Dreamer in the ring. Pentagon stands up, for the double stomps! Pentagon ELIMINATES Dreamer just as we get #9: Vinnie Massaro! The Italian Meatball is here, and his pizza just arrived! Vinnie gives a thumbs up, but the pizza guy wants a tip. Here’s a tip: buzz off.

Fans sing to Vinnie, “Hey~ we want some pizza~!” But Vinnie is getting into the ring and takes off the robe. He grabs himself a slice, and even offers some to Pentagon. Pentagon instead gives Vinnie #CeroMiedo, shoves that slice in his mouth, and SUPERKICKS it down his throat! Pentagon then grabs the pizza box, sets the pizza down, Package Piledriver on the pizza! Cover, Pentagon ELIMINATES Vinnie! Just in time for #10: Hernandez! Super-Mex returns to the Temple. And he swaggers down to the ring while Havoc and Pentagon fight. The pizza guy checks on Vinnie, but mostly to see if there’s money in his wallet.

Hernandez stands toe to toe with Pentagon, #CeroMiedo meeting 100% attitude. Hernandez SLAPS Pentagon down to the mat. But Pentagon gets up, and mule kicks Hernandez down! Pentagon then puts Hernandez in the Dark Armbar, and… SNAP goes his arm! Fans love it, Pentagon covers, and ELIMINATES Hernandez! Good-bye again, Super-Mex. Pentagon and Havoc go at it, wheelbarrow roll through to double stomps from Havoc to Pentagon. Cover, TWO! Pentagon runs, Havoc dodges but his handspring goes into the backstabber! Cover, Pentagon ELIMINATES Havoc! At least now Havoc can work on his team building skills with Killshot and Mack.

It’s time for #11: Johnny Mundo! Before Pentagon robbed Prince Puma, it was Johnny Mundo who held the LU Championship, and now he wants that belt back. #CeroMiedo goes to #SlamTown after the break.

Lucha Underground returns and Mundo throws hands while also pokes thumbs into Pentagon’s face. Mundo brings Pentagon up but Pentagon sharply chops Mundo! Fans want “Otra! Otra!” but Pentagon whips Mundo corner to corner instead. Mundo slips out to the apron and slides under, then out again to roundhouse Pentagon away. Mundo climbs while Pentagon goes down. He jumps, but has to bail out as Pentagon evades. Pentagon runs at Mundo, but into the standing Spanish Fly! Cover, TWO, and we get #12: no one? Well, the word is that it was Angelico, but he didn’t come out from the freezer. Mundo wants to know what’s going on, but here comes RICKY Mundo. Don’t forget, his birth name is Ricky Mantel, but he changed it to Ricky Mundo to be more like his hero. Though, that creepy doll…

Johnny Mundo brings Pentagon up and around, but Pentagon reverses into a backstabber! Ricky walks down the steps and talks to the doll, while Pentagon CHOPS Mundo. Ricky sets the doll down, then helps out his hero as he clubs Pentagon. Worldwide Underground works together to mug the champion, then coordinate for the powerslam neckbreaker. Johnny covers, TWO. Ricky ignores all that as he seems to be in a trance with his little friend in the corner… Johnny gets his attention, the Mundos need to work together. But then Ricky turns on Johnny! Roll up, TWO, and now Johnny is furious at his protege. Ricky apologizes, the doll said to do it. The doll? Forget that, Moonlight Drive! Cover, Johnny ELIMINATES Ricky! #13 comes out now, and it’s… Fenix! The Triple Crown Champion, the Bird of War, is here!

Fenix heads right to the ring but Mundo slips out with a grin. Pentagon turns Fenix around, but Fenix is ready with the wristlock and chop. Fenix uses Pentagon for balance as he jumps onto the ropes, but Mundo chops him! Fenix rebounds to enziguri Mundo and arm-drag Pentagon! Only Fenix stands, as he runs in at Mundo. Mundo boots him away, then double wristlock, but Fenix pushes back to jump up. Fenix jumps and jumps, but Mundo jumps too, only for Fenix to throw him with a SUPER-rana! Mundo rolls all the way out, but fans fire up as Fenix FLIES!

Fenix wipes out Mundo and Pentagon! He brings Mundo up to throw him into railing, then brings up Pentagon into the ring. Fenix climbs up while out comes #14: Jeremiah Crane! The Lucha Death Machine emerges and heads for the ring. Fenix is ready, but Crane grabs himself a chair. Crane jabs into Fenix, then sits the chair down. “What goes up, must come down!” But Fenix fights out of the suplex to then turn the tables, “Animo!” But Crane counters to Falcon Arrow Fenix on the chair! Cover, TWO, and out comes #15: MIL MUERTES! And as always, Catrina is by his side, power stone in hand.

There is no love lost between the lovers of the Lady of Death, as they glare at each other the entire time Muertes heads down. Crane blows a kiss to his ex, then jabs a chair into Muertes’ face! But Muertes doesn’t budge. Muertes grabs and CHOKE SLAMS Crane! Pentagon returns but he gets clothesline’d, as do Fenix and Mundo. Muertes keeps going, and even SPEARS Fenix and Mundo in turn. Muertes powers up on the Aztec seal while fans are thunderous for him. Mundo stands, and Muertes grabs him with both hands, but Crane kicks out Muertes’ leg. SUPERKICK from Pentagon, bicycle kick from Crane, and Flying Chuck from Mundo! Muertes goes down, but Crane brings him up to feed to Fenix’s roundhouse in the corner. Fenix then springboards to DOUBLE STOMP Muertes!

Cover, Fenix ELIMINATES Muertes! Catrina is beside herself, then storms off as #16 enters. It’s Kobra Moon! No, wait, it’s her new knight of the Reptile tribe: DAGA! Daga heads down to fight on behalf of his Queen, and goes right for Fenix! Fenix and Daga speed things up, each going for tilt-o-whirl backbreakers only for the other to slip out of them. Daga hits a cutter! Mundo returns but Daga gets him with a suplex backbreaker. Daga runs and gives Mundo a blasting dropkick. Crane returns to throw Daga out, then we get #17: Chavo Guerrero Jr!? Dario Cueto banned Chavito back when he lost to Rey Mysterio, but it seems Antonio Cueto lifted that ban.

Chavo heads down and fans fire up for the lucha legend, and Crane is ready. Crane gives a thumbs down, but Pentagon says #CeroMiedo! Package Piledriver! Pentagon ELIMINATES Crane, but Chavo goes right at the champ with body shots. Chavo unloads, but Fenix comes in and pulls Chavo off Pentagon. Chavo counters with a knee, then suplexes Fenix up for the brainbuster. Cover, Chavo ELIMINATES Fenix?! Don’t call it an upset, but it is still surprising. Chavo goes right after Pentagon again, then whips him corner to corner. Pentagon reverses but Chavo dodges, and Pentagon hits the post. Pentagon tumbles out, and Chavo slingshots out onto him! Chavo fires up while Mundo and Daga are in the ring.

Mundo whips Daga corner to corner but Daga sticks out boots. Mundo blocks, then spins him to kick him. With Daga still on the ropes, Mundo runs and gives Daga a sliding German Suplex while also shoving Kobra Moon! Mundo climbs back up, and gives Daga Fin Del Mundo! Cover, Mundo ELIMINATES Daga while we get #18: King Cuerno! The King of Hunters is here and walks down to the ring while Chavo stomps a mudhole into Mundo. Pentagon sees Cuerno and goes right for him, but gets a roundhouse for it. Cuerno climbs up, but Chavo and Mundo head for him. Cuerno leaps and hits Mundo with a crossbody!

Chavo saved himself by ducking under, and lets Mundo go after Cuerno first. Cuerno dodges Mundo to give Chavo the tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! Mundo runs back in, but into a big knee strike from Cuerno. Cuerno ducks Pentagon to then dropkick Pentagon down. Pentagon ends up out of the ring, and fans know what Cuerno has planned. Cuerno builds speed, for the Hunter’s Arrow DIVE! Direct hit, but now we get #19: Dragon Azteca Jr! The young dragon rises after being broken multiple ways, and he heads for the ring.

Azteca hotshots Chavo, then springboards at Mundo for the crossbody. He keeps moving, tilt-o-whirl satellite DDT! Azteca sees Pentagon, builds speed from corner to corner, and FLIES out onto Pentagon over the post! Azteca takes out Pentagon and the Temple is thunderous. But Kobra Moon returns, and summons VIBORA! It’s the infamous Luchasaurus, and though he’s not an official entrant, he goes after Mundo! He grabs Mundo for the Kaiju Choke Slam! Kobra grins, and Vibora gives Mundo the knee trigger while we get #20, the final entrant: Marty “The Moth” Martinez! The madman and “Creepy Bastard!” of the Moth Tribe returns, hoping to redeem his family from Mari’s failure.

Meanwhile, Kobra brings Mundo up for Vibora to scoop him, into a Tombstone piledriver! Marty marches his way down while the Reptiles leave him a present. Marty covers, and ELIMINATES Mundo! The Moth flaps his wings as Cuerno, Pentagon and Chavo recover, and we go to break.

Lucha Underground once more, and Cuerno dropkicks Marty out of the ring. Cuerno builds speed, but Chavo trips him up! Chavo drags Cuerno out, but backs down from the bigger man. Dragon Azteca dropkicks Cuerno down, then rallies the fans as he builds speed. But Chavo intercepts Azteca’s flight with a flying chair! Azteca goes down, and Chavo climbs up, but Cuerno shoves Chavo off the top! Chavo crashes and burns while Cuerno hits the Frog Splash on Azteca. Cover, Cuerno ELIMINATES Azteca! Cuerno, Chavo, Marty and Pentagon are your Final Four, and all four men take a corner to stare down with the rest.

Cuerno eggs Chavo on, and Chavo takes the bait. Chavo runs in, but into a roundhouse! Marty goes after Pentagon with fast hands. Cuerno climbs, but he has to leap over Marty. Pentagon enziguris Marty right out of the ring! Pentagon blocks and counters Cuerno, then mule kicks the leg out. He brings Cuerno up, and #CeroMiedo, for the springboard, but into Cuerno’s knee strike! Cuerno drags Pentagon back up into the fireman’s carry. He brings him to the seal, but Chavo kicks Cuerno in the huevos! Chavo drags Cuerno up and around, for the Gory Bomb! Cover, Chavo ELIMINATES Cuerno! Fans boo but Chavo is legitimately a Top Three finalist in Aztec Warfare.

Chavo and Pentagon stare down, then speed up. Pentagon fakes the Superkick to mule kick Chavo’s leg out, then runs to SUPERKICK his face! Cover, Pentagon ELIMINATES Chavo! But Marty is lurking nearby. He fires himself up, his manic madness the foil to Pentagon’s sinister sadism. Pentagon takes his other glove and CHOPS Marty hard! But Marty grins, and gives away furious forearms. Marty runs, but into a SUPERKICK! He still stands, but he’s wobbly. Pentagon fires up, runs, but into the bicycle kick! Both men are dazed, but Marty runs and Pentagon follows. Marty dodges, and lifts Pentagon, fireman’s carry to TKO! Cover, TWO! And Marty is already frustrated. Fans are thunderous for “Cero Miedo!” while the champion stirs.

Marty takes aim from a corner, his madness reaching a fever pitch. He runs at Pentagon, CURB STOMP! Cover, TWO!! And Marty is shocked. Fans rally for Pentagon while Marty stalks him to a corner. Marty drags Pentagon up and whips him corner to corner. Marty follows but Pentagon goes up and over, for the backstabber! Pentagon covers, TWO! And now Pentagon is a bit surprised. Fans rally up again, and Pentagon kicks Marty sharply. Marty sits up, but Pentagon reminds him #CeroMiedo. Marty bits Pentagon’s fingers! Then he kicks Pentagon low, and prepares the underhook, for Butterfly’s Wings! Cover, TWO!! Marty knows he was close, but fans chant “Lucha! Lucha!” and “This is Awesome!”

Marty waits for Pentagon as Pentagon drags himself up. He runs in corner to corner, and hits the splash. But then Pentagon boots Marty down! Pentagon hops up, flipping Destroyer piledriver! Then, Package Piledriver! Cover, Pentagon wins!!

Winner: Pentagon Dark, by pinfall; still Lucha Underground Champion

In a surprise opener to the season, and with no real preparation, the Dark Luchador succeeds in retaining his title in the most grueling match around. Fans chant for the triumphant Pentagon, but he’s not done yet! Pentagon drags Marty out to the center, puts him in the Dark Armbar, and SNAP goes the arm! Marty writhes and shouts in pain, but Antonio comes out to congratulate the champion. “After watching you suffer in this match, Dario would’ve probably made you defend your title against another competitor, right here right now.” But Antonio is much better than his son ever was. Next week, Pentagon will be in an even more violent match than this! It will be another Lucha Underground Championship defense against… “My only son,” The Monster, Matanza Cueto!! Will Pentagon still have #CeroMiedo after facing the Wrath of the Gods?!

My Thoughts:

What a great season premiere! Obviously the actor who was Dario Cueto is just made up like he’s in Undercover Boss to be Antonio Cueto, but pro-wrestling has always been about suspension of disbelief, especially here in Lucha Underground. Antonio already shows he’s more levelheaded than Dario, as he doesn’t waste any time doing what all great wrestling authority figures do. First, he more or less screws out Dante Fox by not having him in Aztec Warfare, nor letting him have a chance at staying Trios Champion. In reality, there might have been contract things, but in kayfabe this is probably going to be something never really resolved. Second, he cuts the talk and gets to the action with the single best match in Lucha Underground.

This one match went all night and it was amazing with all the returns, debuts and story going into it. That pizza guy taking money from Vinnie was a nice touch, too. Really great to see a good number of talent return, but don’t worry if someone didn’t show up here. Other stars like Drago, Aerostar and Sexy Star are sure to show up next week and the weeks after that. And it is clear the relationship of Lucha Underground and Impact Wrestling is going to influence both sides, as “Mr. Pectacular” makes his debut while crossover wrestlers like Hernandez, Crane/Callihan and Cuerno/Phantasma are here. I was really surprised to see Dreamer, I hope he shows up more. And lastly, Antonio makes sure to hype up next week, Matanza VS Pentagon itself could go all night if they wanted, as it could go either way.

My Score: 8.8/10

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

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

11 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!