Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (7/30/18)

Published

6 years ago

July 30, 2018

The Beast, Brock Lesnar, finally returns to Raw! What will he and his Advocate, Paul Heyman, have to say to The Big Dog ahead of their newest title rematch?

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Finn Balor VS Baron Corbin; Corbin wins.
Natalya w/ Ronda Rousey VS Alicia Fox w/ Alexa Bliss; Alicia wins.
Braun Strowman VS Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh; Mahal wins, by count-out.
Apollo Crews w/ Titus Worldwide VS Akam w/ Rezar; Apollo wins.
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre w/ Dolph Ziggler; Rollins wins, by disqualification.
The Revival VS The Deleters of Worlds; The Revival wins.
Bayley & Sasha Banks VS The Riott Squad; Bayley & Sasha win.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE and Raw remember Nikolai Volkoff and Brian Christopher.

Brock Lesnar IS here!

The Beast and his Advocate are ready.

But Roman Reigns heads to the ring first!

The Big Dog is once again #1 contender to the WWE Universal Championship, aka he gets another shot at Brock Lesnar. Roman still feels he’s the “Uncrowned Universal Champion” after the controversial ending to their Greatest Royal Rumble Steel Cage Match, but he’ll have to fight all over again in Brooklyn to prove it. He hears the energy and the noise, so he gives Miami a quick shout out for that. And shout out to Bobby Lashley, because while Roman said things, after actually facing him, Roman now respects Lashley. But that’s more than he can say for Lesnar, Roman has “zero respect for that fool.” Brock Lesnar never shows up for work, yet he’ll go to the UFC and call out Daniel Cormier. But we saw Lesnar is here, so Roman vows Lesnar won’t run his mouth out in The Yard!

“Ladies and gentlemen, and you, too, Roman Reigns,” Paul Heyman is here to introduce himself and the “reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion, BROCK! LESNAR!” But please forgive him, Lesnar has authorized Heyman to give Roman “profound congratulations” over his win over Lashley to earn another shot at The Beast at Summerslam. But from Heyman brings up the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting different results. With all due respect, Roman should be in a padded cell, not the ring at Summerslam. Roman can go on and on and on about the Spear that sent Lesnar through the cage, but mark Heyman’s words, he’s giving another SPOILER: Summerslam will see Lesnar put down the Big Dog and then go to the UFC to become a two sport champion!

“Just shut up, Paul.” Roman doesn’t care about any of that. He and the fans want Lesnar, so bring him out. Heyman reminds us that Lesnar is here in Miami, sitting in the comfort of his private locker room. Lesnar will come out to ringside, when and IF he feels like it. But don’t worry, Roman, because at Summerslam, Lesnar will- Will what? What’s he gonna do? Actually show up? For that matter, IF he shows up, Roman will send Lesnar back to the UFC, but not as The Beast. Lesnar goes back as The Bitch. The Big Dog’s bark is as bad as his bite, but is he barking up the wrong tree?

Brock Lesnar lounges in his locker room.

Paul Heyman returns in a huff over what Roman said. Lesnar didn’t hear what Roman said, because he doesn’t watch Raw. Why would he? Well, because of what Roman just said! Heyman pulls up the tweets all about it. Lesnar chucks the phone! The Beast doesn’t care, he just wants to read his magazine. Is Lesnar taking it too easy?

Finn Balor VS Baron Corbin!

The Extraordinary Man has taken the Constable’s insults and mistreatment all in stride, and that only irritates Stephanie McMahon’s appointed authority figure more. Will a rematch from Extreme Rules settle things between the “Big” Bad Lone Wolf and “Little” Finn?

The bell rings and the two men circle. Corbin tosses the vest off to tie up with Finn, then powers Finn to a corner. He backs off at the ref’s count but gives Finn a shove. Finn gives Corbin forearms! Corbin throws Finn out but Finn lands on his feet. Finn comes back in to throw more forearms. Corbin knees low then throws Finn out again. Finn gets back in again to throw more forearms. He puts on a headlock and holds on as Corbin tries to power out. Corbin endures the grind, then lifts Finn up. Finn brings Corbin back down, and fans rally behind him. Corbin fights out then powers out to run Finn over with a back elbow. Corbin drags Finn up to a corner, then to the top rope for forearms of his own. Finn hits back, then hits a missile dropkick!

Corbin rolls out, but Finn comes around the corner to run him over! Fans fire up and Finn goes back. Corbin puts Finn in the ring, but Finn is right on Corbin with stomps and haymakers. Finn drags Corbin up but is put in a corner. Corbin throws more forearms, then throws Finn at buckles. Finn evades but Corbin grabs him on the apron. Finn blocks then gives tries but Corbin blocks. Corbin clobbers Finn to the floor! Finn is dazed while we go to break.

Raw returns and Corbin whips Finn hard corner to corner. Corbin puts Finn in a half nelson and thrashes him about. Fans rally up for Finn, and Finn feeds off the energy. Corbin wrangles Finn back down, wrenching on the chinbar. Finn endures more thrashing, and works his way back up. Finn fights out of the hold with haymakers, but Corbin powers him into a corner. Corbin runs in but Finn evades. Corbin slides out then in and clobbers Finn all over again! Cover, TWO! Corbin is furious while Finn checks his jaw. Corbin stomps Finn, then snarls as he drags Finn up. He puts Finn in a corner, and rocks him with heavy rights. Corbin sits Finn up for another chinlock, grinding Finn down to the mat. Fans rally up again and Finn gets back up.

Finn pries Corbin’s fingers apart, but Corbin knees low. Corbin runs, but into a dropkick! Corbin goes outside, but Finn keeps on him. Finn tries to bring Corbin up, but Corbin throws a stiff right hand! Corbin then lifts Finn for an apron back suplex! Finn writhes while Corbin catches his breath. Fans boo and jeer but that only makes Corbin grin. Corbin looms over Finn, daring him to get up. He drags Finn up, preparing a powerbomb, but Finn slips out! Finn gets the takedown for the double stomp! Corbin gets up but Finn puts him in a corner. Finn chops Corbin, whips but Corbin reverses, only for Finn to go up and over. Finn runs into a boot but gives a swing kick! Corbin tumbles out, but Finn takes aim to FLY! Finn wipes Corbin out while we go to break!

Raw returns again, and Corbin has Finn back in the chinbar half nelson. Fans boo but Corbin again just grins. Finn endures as Corbin thrashes him around again. Finn gets up and fights back, but Corbin wrangles him back down. Fans rally up and Finn feeds off their energy. Finn fights back one more time, but Corbin shoves him. Finn kicks on the rebound, but his Slingblade is denied. Corbin shoves Finn again and catches him around the throat. Corbin lifts but Finn slips out to victory roll! TWO, but Slingblade! Finn aims at Corbin from across the way, but runs into the Choke Slam Backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Corbin is furious as he rains down rights. Corbin stands over Finn, toying with him while fans chant “Corbin Sucks!” He drags Finn up and reel shim in, but Finn counters with a DDT!

Finn evades from a corner then swing kicks Corbin down. Finn goes up and fans fire up! Corbin gets up and avoids the stomps, then counters a slingblade with DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! The Constable is beside himself. Finn drags himself up, and Corbin runs in for a big corner clothesline. Corbin gives another, but then Finn evades the third. Finn wrecks Corbin with a dropkick! Corbin is stunned, and he gets blasted by the dropkick! Finn puts Corbin back in, and blasts him again! Corbin falls, and Finn goes up! Finn aims, but Corbin rolls out of the way, End of Days!! Corbin covers, Corbin wins!

Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall

The Constable pulls off a win by the skin of his teeth, and the score is now 1-1. But Corbin isn’t finished with Finn yet! He drags Finn up but Finn fights back. Corbin knees Finn low and throws him out! Corbin bashes Finn’s face into the barrier! Finn slumps down while Corbin feels even better about his victory. Will there be a tiebreaker in the near future? Or will Corbin quit picking on Finn while he’s ahead?

Paul Heyman needs a phone.

But before he can get one, Kurt Angle walks over to him. Lesnar was to appear, by contractual obligation! Heyman points out that his client that the obligation was fulfilled by just showing up. If Angle wants more, then go to Lesnar’s locker room. This is not Heyman’s problem, it’s Angle’s. Angle turns that around and says that Heyman is also under contract, and that contract is under Angle’s control. If Lesnar doesn’t go to the ring, both their contracts are terminated. Really? Really. Seriously? Deadly serious. Will the Advocate be able to convince his Beast this is something he needs to do?

Raw recaps last week’s historic announcement.

With Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H in the ring, and with all the superstars of Raw, SmackDown and even NXT, it was announced. Another first-time-ever event will take place. It will be the first-ever ALL WOMEN’S PAY-PER-VIEW! The Women’s (R)Evolution culminates on October 28th with WWE Evolution!

Alicia Fox prepares backstage.

Alexa Bliss walks over to talk. Mickie James got hurt, which is why Alicia gets to take on the Queen of Harts. Of course, the “over-hyped rookie” is out of “detention”, so she’ll be around. But don’t worry, “the champ” will take Ronda, Foxy can handle Natty. Alicia is a trailblazer, and ahead of WWE Evolution, this can be Alicia’s chance to shine! So is she with The Goddess? Alicia will hurt Natty so bad, even her cats say “meow!” Get it?! MROW! The Foxy is ready to show her claws, and that match is next!

Natalya w/ Ronda Rousey VS Alicia Fox w/ Alexa Bliss!

It’s a showdown of former Women’s Champions, but both sides have back-up! Natty has Rowdy Ronda Rousey with her while Ms. Crazy Like a Fox has the Raw Women’s Champion. Ronda and Alexa are set to fight for the title at Summerslam, whose proxy will get big points on the Road to Evolution?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up and Natty gets a headlock takeover, but Alicia gets the headscissors. Natty pops out and the two circle again. They tie up and Natty gets another headlock. Alicia powers out but Natty runs her over. Natty runs but things speed up. Natty gets around and rolls Alicia up, TWO. Alicia flounders to a corner, then back elbows back. Alicia hops up, bumps Natty off buckles and sunset flips for a cover. TWO, and Natty goes after legs! Alicia struggles and gets a ropebreak. Natty lets her go while Alicia slips out of the ring. The referee has Alexa stay back, but Alicia trips Natty up on her own! She uses the apron to blind Natty as she furiously attacks! Alicia puts Natty in before the 10 count, then covers, TWO!

Alicia keeps on Natty and Natty’s bad leg. She wraps a chinlock on Natty, but Ronda and the fans rally up. Natty gets up but Alicia throws her back down. Alexa applauds the wily Alicia as she kicks Natty. Alicia mocks Ronda, then clubs Natty. Alicia grabs Natty for a standing armlock, almost an abdominal stretch. Ronda coaches Natty on, but Alicia adds bodyscissors for a floating armbar. Fans rally up again and Natty powers out! Alicia comes back with a big lariat, and Alexa mocks Natty. Alicia walks into a back elbow, then a kick. Natty blocks Alicia’s kick to throw her down on her face. Natty runs, walks all over Alicia then hits the basement dropkick! She clobbers Alicia with a clothesline, covers, TWO! Natty grabs Alicia bot Alicia pushes Natty for a Thesz Press! Cover, TWO! Alicia brings Natty up, Northern Lights, TWO!

Foxy grows frustrated, but then she swipes at Ronda! Ronda swipes back, Alexa gets a cheap shot on Natty! Alicia hits a big boot! Cover while Ronda protests, but Alicia wins!

Winner: Alicia Fox, by pinfall

Ronda’s rage boils over, she goes after Alexa! She chases Alexa into the ring, judo throw! Alicia saves Alexa from the armbar, only for Ronda to give Alicia the Rowdy Slam! Ronda isn’t done, she glares at Alexa, and intercepts her exit over the barriers! Alexa crawls away, but Alicia is back with a blindside attack! Alicia puts Ronda into barriers, then again! Alexa and Alicia have only angered Ronda more, so they retreat before Ronda can get up again. The Goddess and Foxy got the better of Ronda and Natty for now. Will there be retribution in Brooklyn?

Lesnar still lounges.

But Heyman theorizes a “total reverse of concept.” Maybe Lesnar goes out to the ring? First off, t-shirt sales! Network subscriptions! And promoting the UFC championship bout! That’s easy money all over! Heyman felt the love for The Beast. If Lesnar goes out for even just a minute, Miami will give Lesnar the “Conquering Hero’s Welcome” he deserves. Lesnar says Heyman has no idea how annoying he’s being. Lesnar doesn’t give a damn about the WWE Universe. He’d rather be on his couch, in his house. Go get a steak, medium-well with a baked potato and steamed broccoli. Go! Lesnar is treating his Advocate more like a butler. Will that last much longer if they’re both released?

Ronda and Natty talk with Angle.

Ronda is tired of Alexa using friends and lackeys! Don’t suspend Ronda over what she did, but she had to do something. Angle says Ronda will get her first ever match on Raw against Alicia Fox! They thank Angle. It’s great to be back for Ronda, but will she be ready in a week’s time?

“Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.”

The Drifter is in Miami, and Miami is happy to see him. As always, he plays his guitar, and asks, “Who Wants to Walk With Elias?!” Miami seems up for it. Elias has done it, he has dropped the greatest album of all time! Elias changes people’s lives as they hear his voice. He even beat out some of the top artists and bands, even Taylor Swift! Amen! “And it’s all because of one reason”, it is what the world knows: WWE really stands for “Walk With Elias!” Truthfully, Elias could’ve gone even higher on the charts, but he was interrupted by Bobby Lashley. Maybe Lashley was in a hurry to lose to Roman?

Miami, don’t just get on the bandwagon now. This is the same city that worships Pitbull and The Rock. Fans chant “Rocky! Rocky!” after that one. The Rock doesn’t want to take on Elias. Elias has a song, so silence phones, hold applause and shut mouths! But speaking of Bobby Lashley, here he comes!

Okay, cut Lashley’s music already! What’s Lashley doing out here? Lashley’s a big fan, and he heard his name, so he wanted a front row seat. Is that so? Well no matter what Lashley says, Elias sees through him. Lashley isn’t here to Walk With Elias, he wants to sing with Elias! No, no, Lashley is a fighter, not a singer. But Elias gets Miami’s opinion: do you want to see Lashley sing with Elias? “YES! YES!” In that case, one night only, Elias and Lashley! Elias will keep it slow and simple like Lashley himself, so try to keep up. Just start when you feel it.

Elias plays, Rockin’ Robin! Tweet tweet, Rockin’ Robin. Lashley sings, but Elias blindsides him! Elias stomps Lashley out, then pushes his stool aside. Elias ain’t letting it happen like that! But neither is Lashley, as he rocks Elias before throwing him! Elias rolls out of the ring to run away, but Lashley holds down the ring. The duet wasn’t much, but how about a fight the next time they meet?

Baron Corbin meets Kevin Owens backstage.

Great job wiping the smile off Finn’s face. Kevin clearly kisses up to Corbin, because with Braun Strowman falling out of his family’s grace, Constable Corbin is Kevin’s son’s newest favorite wrestler. Finally, a male authority figure in WWE they can look up to! That’s what Corbin is here to do: inspire. Speaking of authority, Kevin knows the Lesnar situation is concerning. Angle is disrespecting Stephanie’s authority by trying to put Lesnar in the cross-hairs of Strowman’s MITB contract! That’s not fair, so maybe the Constable can do something. Corbin will look into it, but Lesnar is Angle’s problem and Strowman having the contract is Kevin’s. Kevin’s plan didn’t go quite the way he hoped, but will there be anything to worry about before the night’s through?

Braun Strowman VS Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh!

The Monster Among Men was told the Modern Day Maharaja would be his anger management coach, but Strowman says he has his anger completely under control. It’s just that he uses it as his weapon, as he demonstrated when he threw both Mahal & Singh out of the ring last week. Will Mahal be able to maintain inner peace with the Monster barreling down on him? Or will he #GetTheseHands?

The bell rings and Mahal wants Strowman to take it easy. He tries his mantra of “Shanti~!”, but the chants of “Get These Hands!” overpowers it. Strowman then overpowers Mahal by pushing him to the mat! Strowman roars while Mahal backs to a corner. Mahal still tries to reason with him, but that’s so Strowman doesn’t see Kevin try to steal the briefcase! Strowman clobbers Mahal, then goes after Kevin. Kevin cowers back towards the timekeeper’s area, then runs! Strowman chases him down, Kevin tosses the briefcase to Sunil Singh, and Strowman PLASTERS Singh into the barriers. Strowman picks his briefcase up and chases Kevin backstage! But that’s a 10 count! Mahal wins!

Winner: Jinder Mahal, by count-out.

Mahal wins, but Strowman rushes back up to the ring. Strowman could officially lose his briefcase if something like this happens at Summerslam. Will the Monster in the Bank be able to avoid all the tricks in the Prizefighter’s playbook in Brooklyn?

Kurt Angle sees what just happened.

Baron Corbin comes in to give Angle a phone. It’s Stephanie. She knows how this will look, right? The live crowd will be very upset. She doesn’t care, so long as the Summerslam main event remains intact. But there has to be some other way. Angle accepts her orders, but what did she tell him to do? Or rather, what did she say not to do?

Mojo Rawley walks into the Raw Men’s Locker Room.

His Killer Instinct sees everyone else as “chumps.” Mojo’s been running through them relentlessly. He doesn’t hide behind keyboards, he calls people out for real. Tyler Breeze doubted Mojo. No Way Jose doubted Mojo. He relegated them both back to catering, like he did Zack Ryder not too long ago. But in walks Bobby Roode. A fantastic speech, Mojo. But if he’s in the mood to talk, Roode will ask him: “You got a problem with me?” What would Bobby do about him? Catchphrase him into submission? No, Roode TACKLES Mojo! The others watch as the two scrap it out on the floor, but then referees and security separate them! Things are tense backstage, what will happen when Mojo and Roode meet in the ring?

Apollo Crews w/ Titus Worldwide VS Akam w/ Rezar!

A rare occurrence is happening for the Authors of Pain: one of them is competing in singles action! But alone or together, the AoP warn all of the Raw Tag Team Division that while Titus and team will regret refusing the chance to bow out peacefully. Akam will not be so polite with Apollo. The book will be slammed shut, but will it be a bad ending for Titus’ star?

The bell rings and Akam gets a takedown. The two grapple and Akam puts Apollo in a corner to then throw him out of it! Akam trash talks in Punjabi, then throws Apollo again! Dana and Titus coach Apollo but he gets caught in a facelock. Akam puts Apollo in a cobra clutch but a rally builds. Apollo gets up and jawbreakers out, then sunset flips over. Akam rolls through but Apollo kicks, mule kicks, and runs to boot! Akam staggers and runs into the leaping lariat from Apollo! Apollo enziguris and standing moonsaults! TWO, but Apollo isn’t done yet. He drags Akam up but Akam throws him off! Akam runs in but hits buckles! Roll up, Apollo wins!!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall

The Authors of Pain are clearly not used to fighting alone, and that becomes a deciding factor. This was the first loss in a long time for AoP, will they be able to right the story back their way?

Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre w/ Dolph Ziggler!

The Architect is ready to #BurnItDown as he gets payback on the Scottish Terminator who screwed him out of being the Intercontinental Champion at Extreme Rules. Rollins still gets another shot at the Show-Off at Summerslam, so can he eliminate a major obstacle before then?

The bell rings and they tie up right away. McIntyre puts Rollins in a corner, then stomps away. Fans are hotly behind Rollins while he staggers away. McIntyre throws more hands, then whips Rollins corner to corner. Rollins goes up and over to chop and punch back. McIntyre shoves Rollins but Rollins leaps, only to be caught into a suplex! Rollins gets to the apron but McIntyre pursues. McIntyre looks under the ring, but Rollins pushes him into barriers. Rollins gets up, builds speed and DIVES! Only to be caught and thrown into barriers! McIntyre improvises and catapults Rollins into the steel! Rollins gasps for air while we go to break.

Raw returns, and McIntyre glares at Rollins as he climbs back up. Rollins runs and dropkicks McIntyre off the apron! Rollins builds speed, and DIVES! This time it hits, so Rollins hits another DIVE! Fans are fired up as Rollins thinks about further payback. He exposes the bars under the ring, to throw McIntyre into them! They go back in the ring, and Rollins aims at McIntyre. Rollins runs in for the forearm smash, then suplexes him. McIntyre resists but Rollins fights out. Rollins runs but into a tilt-o-whirl. He lands on his feet from it, to then Falcon Arrow McIntyre! Cover, TWO! Ziggler grows panicked on the outside as Rollins grits his teeth and gets back up. Rollins stomps, “Burn It Down!” Mule kick, then the run, but into a spinebuster! Cover, TWO!

Both men are down from exhaustion, but McIntyre grits his teeth now. McIntyre stands first, then drags Rollins up. McIntyre double underhooks but Rollins slips out to enziguri. Rollins misses, and ends up in a deadlift gutwrench! Rollins fights out to huricarana and SUPERKICK! McIntyre dares him to do more, so Rollins SUPERKICKS him again! Rollins hurries up top, but McIntyre stops him. McIntyre chops Rollins, then climbs up to join him. McIntyre positions Rollins, SUPER EMERALD FUSION!

Cover, TWO! McIntyre and Ziggler can’t understand how, but fans are still cheering for Rollins. “This is Awesome!” as Rollins rolls away. McIntyre aims, rams him into the ropes, then swings him with the inverted- No, Rollins Victory Roll! TWO! CURB STOMP! But Ziggler attacks!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification

The Show-Off will not allow Rollins to win cleanly. He drags Rollins up, but Rollins turns it around! Ziggler gets up and elbows Rollins, but Rollins denies the Zig-Zag! Rollins clotheslines Ziggler out to then DIVE on him! The Kingslayer gets the win and the better of both men. Will Rollins finally get the better of them with the belt on the line in Brooklyn?

Kurt Angle and Baron Corbin visit Roman Reigns backstage.

Angle tells Roman that Stephanie McMahon called, and with Lesnar heading out to the ring later, they need to remove Roman from the building. Who cares what Stephanie said? She’s not here. But it’ll cost Roman his Universal Championship opportunity if he doesn’t leave. When’s this gonna stop? Roman gets the pressures of the job, but Angle’s been in Roman’s position. Yes, he has. They’re both dogs, champions, and have felt pressure. But Roman isn’t some Yes Man. That’s fine by Corbin, he has police ready to escort Roman out. Roman has no choice now, but he dose get a shot in on Corbin first! Will The Big Dog pay for hitting Stephanie’s Lone Wolf?

Charly Caruso interviews The B-Team in the ring.

The “undefeated” Raw Tag Team Champions have done what no one ever imagined, including themselves. They have defeated the Deleters of Worlds time and again. It was thanks to chaos and luck, but that still angered WOKEN Hardy & Bray Wyatt. Bo Dallas & Curt Axel renamed themselves and have become the best. The B in “B-Team” stands for Dream! Huh? Their point is that they feel like they’re living their dreams. And they never want to wake up! The support of their B Teammates in the WWE Universe is overwhelming! Thank you! But Hardy & Wyatt aren’t as happy about this. Yes, it was weird. They applaud Bo & Axel, then attack? What’s with that? They’re sore losers! But the B Team ain’t scared, they’re champions! They can beat anyone!

So the Deleters appear! Bo & Axel are scared, and Charly gives them all the ring. Hardy speaks, saying “you’re success is a cosmic anomaly!” The balance of the universe is off, and it is up to Hardy & Wyatt to correct it. The B Team talks about dreams as if they mean something? Dreams are fleeting. They cannot be touched, but nightmares are very real. They’re made of insecurities and fears. The Deleters are their nightmares manifested, ye-e-e-e-es. They will haunt The B Team until they are DELETED! But wait, here comes The Revival!

The #TopGuys aren’t letting this happen. Bray, Matt, nothing you said made sense. And more than that, how are these four atop the Raw Tag Team Division? News Flash: Dash & Dawson defeated Lashley & Roman! Therefore, Matt, Bray, move aside and let some real contenders get the job done. Bo & Axel speak up, saying that they will be more than happy to step aside to let the Revival talk to Matt & Bray. But then Bray shoves Bo and a fight breaks out! The B Team gets away, but the Deleters throw Dash & Dawson out! With two teams wanting the B Team’s titles, will the B soon stand for former champions?

The Revival VS The Deleters of Worlds!

That brawl from before has now become a full on match as Dash & Dawson go up against Hardy & Wyatt for the first time ever. Raw returns as Hardy bumps Dash’s head off buckles, “DELETE! DELETE!” The B-Team is on commentary watching this to watch their contenders beat each other up. Wyatt tags in and together back drops Dash with Hardy. Wyatt goes to a corner, and Spider Walks over! Dash panics, and he runs into a headbutt. Wyatt tags Hardy, then adds a headbutt to Hardy’s leg sweep. Cover, TWO. Hardy brings Dash up but Dash fights back. Dash puts Hardy in a corner but Hardy fights his way out. Hardy can’t get away as Dash tags Dawson. They hit Hardy with Boston Crab leg drops!

Fans rally for the Deleters while Dawson clobbers Hardy down. Cover, TWO, but Dawson keeps on Hardy with a chinlock. Hardy feeds off the fan energy, but Dash tags back in. hardy throws Dawson ff only fro Dash to grab him in a chinlock. The B Team gives them credit for being a great team. Dash throws Hardy down by his hair, cover, TWO. Dash puts a chinlock back on, but Hardy fights out again. Hardy jawbreakers, but Dash tags Dawson. Dawson intercepts Hardy but gets a Side Effect! Both men are down and crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Dash and Bray! Wyatt rallies on Dash, then clobbers Dawson. Wyatt goes corner to corner for a corner splash. Then he hits the body check! Wyatt grabs Dash but Dawson flies in. Dawson and Dash double team, but Wyatt fights them off.

Wyatt grabs Dash but Dawson dropkicks him down. Hardy comes in and throws Dawson out. He goes to Twist but Dawson rams him into barriers. Dash kicks Bray but Bray clobbers him down again. He prepares Sister Abigail, but Dash pulls hair to get out of it. Dawson tags in, and SHATTER MACHINE! Cover, The Revival wins!

Winners: The Revival, by pinfall

The B Team is surprised to see this, but they’re not afraid of taking on these two #TopGuys. Will Dash & Dawson #SayYeah after finally getting their shot at the titles?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

The Architect overcame numbers, but it must be so exhausting to do it all alone. It is, but what Dolph & Drew don’t understand is that there’s no quit in Rollins. Rollins will stop at nothing to win that title back. But then Ziggler and McIntyre attack from behind! They beat him down 2v1, wanting to make sure Rollins is worse for wear. If this continues, will Rollins even make it to Summerslam?

Bayley & Sasha Banks VS The Riott Squad!

The Squad is still without its leader, but the Juvenile Delinquent & the Country Viking are still a strong duo. Meanwhile, the Huggable One and the Legit Boss only just reunited as friends. Will the repaired bond of the “Boss & Hug Connection” hold up against the perfectly stable bond between the unstable Liv & Sarah?

The bell rings and Bayley starts against Sarah Logan. They tie up, and Sarah gets a waistlock. She throws Bayley down, then looms over her. Sarah grabs an arm to wrench it, but Bayley stands up. Sarah wrenches again but Bayley reverses to a takedown. Bayley has a leg, then puts Sarah in her corner. Tag to Sasha, and the #LegitHuggable duo throw Sarah backwards. Bayley snapmares and Sasha adds double knees. Cover, TWO! Sasha goes after Sarah’s arm now, but Sarah stands up. Sasha wrenches then goes acrobatic for an arm-drag! She dropkicks Sarah down, cover, TWO! Sasha drags Sarah back over, tag to Bayley. Bayley rolls Sarah up, TWO.

Bayley brings Sarah up but Sarah fights back. Sarah runs in but is snake eye’d on the buckles. Bayley runs while Sasha tags in, BIG knee for Sarah in the corner. Then on the apron, Sasha gives more double knees! Liv protests but the reunited duo is in control while we go to break.

Raw returns and now Sarah has Sasha in a cobra clutch. She grinds Sasha down but Bayley and the fans rally up. Sasha feeds off that energy and throws Sarah off. She runs but is kept away from Bayley. Sarah powers Sasha all the way over, and tags to Liv. Liv climbs up for Sarah to throw Sasha into her knees. Liv adds a tornado facebuster, covers, TWO! Fans rally while Liv thrashes Sasha around in a chinlock. Liv tries to drown it out with her shrieks, but Sasha still gets up. Sasha fights out and then rolls Liv up, TWO. Liv tackles Sasha down to prevent a tag. Liv drags Sasha up but Sasha throws her off into ropes! Hot tag to Bayley!

Bayley throws Liv to the apron then hotshots her. She keeps moving to Thesz Press and fast hands! Bayley runs to knee Liv in the face! She hits Sarah for good measure, then runs in for shoulder tackle and the wacky waving elbow! Bayley goes in for another but gets a knee from Liv! Liv hops up, but Bayley stops her with a forearm. Bayley climbs up and Sasha tags in. SUPER Steiner throws Liv, for Sasha’s SUPER Meteora! Cover, but Sarah breaks it up! Bayley throws Sarah out, then gets back to her corner. Sasha and Liv crawl around, and Sasha drags Liv up. Jawbreaker but Bayley tags in. Sasha Backstabber into the Bayley2Belly! Cover, Boss & Hug Connection wins!

Winners: Bayley & Sasha, by pinfall

The bond is stronger than ever, and that leads to victory! With WWE Evolution still on the horizon, can this renewed friendship lead them to something big?

Lesnar still lounges.

But Heyman barges back in. The show’s almost over. They go out, Lesnar bows and waves, hello good-bye, and they’re in a private steakhouse in 25 minutes. And what could go wrong? Roman is removed from the arena! Lesnar thinks it over. Are they getting paid? Of course they are! Lesnar showed up, the contract obligations were met. But to put it bluntly, they have a contract as client and manager, but there’s the WWE contracts they have to worry about. If Lesnar doesn’t go out, they’re both fired. Heyman begs Lesnar to just go out for a minute. If not as a client, than as a friend.

Lesnar stands up, and grabs Heyman! They’re not friends. Heyman works for Lesnar, not the other way around! Understood? Yes… By the way, how long has Heyman been leaching off him? Heyman needs to do his job, got it? Yes, sir… Heyman hurries away from the tyrant Beast. Is Lesnar honoring his contract? What could possibly go wrong?

Kurt Angle and Baron Corbin head to the ring.

The Raw GM and Constable pave the way for this make or break moment. Angle calls Heyman out to bring Lesnar out, and reminds them that Roman Reigns has been removed from the building. If Heyman and Lesnar don’t appear, it’s their last night on Raw. Heyman reluctantly comes out, sweating bullets. His introduction is far from its usual enthusiastic tone. He joins Angle and Corbin in the ring while fans sing, “Nana na na, Hey Hey Hey~, Good Bye!” Heyman lets us know his client refuses to walk out to the ring. Angle has had enough! A real champion shows up!! A real champion defends his title at all costs, and goes the extra mile. Real champions do charity work! But Lesnar does none of that! Lesnar is the worst champion of all time! Fans agree with that!

Heyman won’t argue with Angle, because yes, Lesnar is the worst. And Heyman tried to help Lesnar, tried to mold him into not just a UFC fighter but a WWE superstar! But Lesnar barely respects anyone, and barley tolerates Heyman! Heyman wanted to make Lesnar more like Angle, who was a Gold Medalist, legendary superstar and now GM of Raw! So if Angle has someone to punish, it’s not Heyman, but Brock Lesnar! Angle’s pretty sure Heyman’s full of crap. Heyman is genuine, though! He’s tried and tried and tried! But Lesnar doesn’t care! Lesnar doesn’t respect anyone here! But Heyman respects Angle. Heyman would like a better working relationship. No, their contracts are TERMINATED! Get off him! Heyman crawls and begs, but here comes Lesnar! The Beast isn’t about to be fired like that. He heads down to the ring and Heyman is thankfully joyful now.

Lesnar takes his time pacing about the ring before entering. He puts his championship belt on Heyman’s shoulder before speaking. “Do you have a problem with me?” He asks that to both Angle and Corbin. Then he gives Angle an F5!! Corbin is slowly backing away. Lesnar looms over Angle, and Heyman grins. The Beast takes his belt back and slings it over his shoulder. But then he grabs Heyman by the jaw! “Look at him! You see that?!” Lesnar pins Heyman to the mat and Heyman begs him to stop, he can’t breathe. Lesnar shows his Advocate mercy, for now. The Beast has become a tyrant, can Roman Reigns hope to dethrone him once and for all?

My Thoughts:

What a filler of a Raw. While Raw really played up the uncaring Heel Lesnar to great levels, they did not at all capitalize on what they could’ve done tonight to save fans from Vince’s fantasy. Of course, Vince doesn’t care about us, he already has so much money coming in from television networks. But that’s a rant for another article. What I’m getting at is that logically speaking, Braun Strowman should’ve appeared at the end to go after Lesnar to attempt a MITB Cash-In. But because WWE wants to preserve their match card in both kayfabe and reality, that didn’t happen. Strowman still runs the risk of losing that briefcase to Kevin Owens should shenanigans happen like in Strowman VS Mahal. I would hope WWE doesn’t do that, but you can’t trust Vince anymore.

Then almost every match, if not all of them, barely mattered. Corbin ties his series with Finn in a good match, so I guess that means they’ll continue into Summerslam. Alicia subs in for Mickie and wins thanks to Alexa, but that match would’ve probably gone the same if Mickie wasn’t hurt. Ronda VS Alicia next week will be some fun, though, assuming that even ends cleanly. Titus Worldwide VS AoP is continuing with singles matches, it seems. This is still just a hold over feud for AoP, I’m pretty sure they’ll be in the Raw Tag Title scene after Summerslam. It’s good The Revival got a win over Deleters of Worlds, but I’m starting to think we’re getting a Triple Threat for the titles. I’d go with that, and perhaps it unites B Team & Deleters against Dash & Dawson. Just whatever gets us to Bo & Bray Wyatt Brothers.

Rollins VS McIntyre was turning into another great match, but it just had to have a Heel attack finish. Then there’s the blindside attack backstage. If this isn’t leading to Dean Ambrose coming back to help Rollins, I’m not sure what it could be. At the same time, there is talk of a change to the Intercontinental Championship match, so that seems intriguing. Elias VS Lashley is being established, and this will be another easy win for Lashley. Maybe WWE will wise up and give him some kind of title soon. Oddly enough, I think Bayley-Sasha VS Riott Squad was the highlight for both live and home audiences. WWE missed an opportunity not calling the team “Legit Huggable” but oh well. It’s at least a sign that they’re on the way to a Women’s Tag Division, eventually.

My Score: 7.7/10

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

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

18 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

2 days 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!