Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (8/20/18)

Published

6 years ago

August 20, 2018

The Raw After Summerslam has THREE new champions! The Architect, The Big Dog and the Baddest Woman on the Planet reign, so what’s next for Monday nights?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Baron Corbin VS Bobby Lashley; Lashley wins.
Six Woman Tag: Ember Moon & The Boss & Hug Connection VS The Riott Squad; The Riott Squad wins.
Dean Ambrose w/ Seth Rollins VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew McIntyre; Ambrose wins.
Elias VS Curt Hawkins; Elias wins.
Titus Worldwide VS The Authors of Pain; The Authors of Pain win.
Bo Dallas w/ Curt Axel VS Scott Dawson w/ Dash Wilder; Dawson wins.
Curt Axel w/ Bo Dallas VS Dash Wilder w/ Scott Dawson; Wilder wins.
WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns VS Finn Balor; Roman wins and retains the WWE Universal Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Big Dog heads to the ring!

Roman Reigns enters as the NEW WWE Universal Champion after the chaos and brutality that was Summerslam’s main event. Roman looks at the belt he fought so hard to get, and lifts it up with pride. He ignores the noise as he slings it on his back and continues down the ramp. Roman stands in the ring with a big smile on his face while fans are divided down the middle. “I’m a man of my word”, he says. “I said I was gonna beat Brock Lesnar, and I did.” Roman hears the fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Roman repeats that he vowed to defend the belt. He’ll even do that tonight. Fans like the sound of that.

Roman would make this an open challenge, but he has someone in mind already. That same man won the title in Brooklyn, too. But then he got hurt and never got his opportunity to get it back. Roman will defend this belt tonight, against… FINN BALOR! And speaking of the Extraordinary Man, he heads to the ring! The inaugural Universal Champion stands in front of the current champion, and says, “Wassup, Roman?” Finn accepts the challenge, and vows to take that title back! Fans love this already, so let’s make it official. They shake hands, but here comes Baron Corbin.

Stephanie’s appointed Constable wants us to calm down. As great as that match would be, it’s not happening on Corbin’s watch. If Finn thinks he’s getting rewarded for that “little stunt”, he’s crazy. Finn no-showed and sent his Demon instead. Corbin says that was unprofessional, cowardly, and in breach of contract. Plus, with all the smoke and noise, Corbin couldn’t hear or see so he didn’t know the match was on. Corbin refuses to accept that match happened. The fans boo, and he says they’re booing Finn. He wants Finn The Man tonight. Roman says the fans are booing Corbin, not Finn. And if he sucked as bad as Corbin did, he’d want to strike it from the record, too. Corbin claims the only reason Roman won was because Lesnar had to worry about Braun Strowman. Roman steps to Corbin but Corbin backs down. Here comes Kurt Angle!

The Raw GM soaks in the “You Suck!” greeting, then speaks to the three men in the ring. Corbin’s letting his Constable role go to his head, because Angle makes matches, not him. Angle also tells Corbin to shush, so we can get what Brooklyn wants. Does Brooklyn want Reigns VS Balor for the title tonight? “YES! YES!” Then that’s our main event! As for Corbin, he has a match, right now! And it’s against… Bobby Lashley!

Baron Corbin VS Bobby Lashley!

The Lone Wolf stuck his foot in his mouth, and now he has to take on the Dominator! Will Lashley send Corbin reeling with a bout of vertigo?

Raw returns as the bell rings and these two circle. Lashley gets around Corbin to throw him down. Then he throws him again! Lashley brings Corbin up but Corbin elbows into the standing switch. Lashley switches back to throw Corbin again. Corbin gets a ropebreak, so Lashley backs off. Lashley sees the sucker punch coming and drop sCorbin with a neckbreaker. Fans fire up as Lashley bumps Corbin off a buckle. Lashley bumps Corbin off another buckle, then another. He throws hands then whips. Corbin slides out and catches his breath, but fans boo and jeer him. Lashley pursues and rocks Corbin with forearms. He bumps Corbin off the apron, then puts him in the ring at 6. Lashley enters at 7, then rams a shoulder into Corbin in the corner.

Lashley climbs and gives Corbin corner punches. He gets all 10, then clotheslines Corbin back out. Fans cheer while Lashley goes back to get Corbin. Lashley puts Corbin in the ring then hops right up, only for Corbin to kick him down. Corbin throws Lashley into barriers, then puts him in the ring. Corbin stalks Lashley into a half-nelson. Lashley endures while fans rally up. Lashley stands and fights back with body shots. Corbin knees low, then whips Lashley. Lashley reverses but misses in the corner. They speed up and Lashley leaps over to lariat Corbin down! Lashley brings Corbin up, rocks him with clubbing haymakers, then prepares a suplex. Corbin powers Lashley all the way out, for a rough landing! Then he slides out to clobber Lashley down! The Lone Wolf has control while we go to break.

Raw returns and Corbin has Lashley in the half-nelson. He taunts Lashley while leaning his weight on the hold. Lashley feeds off the fan rally but Corbin knees him low. Corbin then throws Lashley into a post! He tries again, but Lashley turns it around and throws Corbin into a post! Lashley recovers while Corbin stands up. Lashley and Corbin brawl with big haymakers, but then Lashley gets on a roll. He throws Corbin overhead, then runs in for a big clothesline. Lashley keeps going, but runs into a back elbow. Corbin runs, but into a spinebuster! Cover, TWO! Corbin rolls out of the ring, but Lashley pursues again. Lashley throws hands on Corbin, then puts him in the ring. Corbin hotshots Lashley on the return, then clobbers him again.

Corbin drags Lashley in, then hoists him to the top rope. He throws forearms on Lashley while climbing up. Fans boo and jeer while Corbin grins. Lashley headbutts Corbin down, adjusts, and leaps, but into the Choke Slam Backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Corbin is furious, so he runs in. Lashley dodges, Corbin slides in and out, but into a knee. Then into the dominator lift! AK-47 Slam! Cover, Lashley wins!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall

The Dominator may not have dominated, but he did come out on top. Will the Constable come up with excuses for this loss, too?

Paul Heyman visits Kurt Angle.

What’s he doing here? He has a specific mission, as his client, Brock Lesnar, would like his contractually obligated rematch clause. Seriously? Well, yes, Lesnar VS Roman or Finn. Heyman knows what Angle is thinking, Lesnar should be down the road to UFC by now. But Lesnar goes where he wants to go, so he’s going to want a rematch. Yes, that title contract has a rematch clause, but it doesn’t specify when and where that rematch happens. The thing is, Angle has a fighting champion now, and one that shows up. Lesnar will have to wait a long, long long time for that rematch.

Heyman agrees to that, it should be a long time. Obviously it wouldn’t happen next week. Heyman sees it way down the road, where Lesnar uses his rematch clause for… Hell in a Cell. Angle says it’ll be a cold day in hell for that. Or as they say in Brooklyn, forgettaboutit!

Baron Corbin complains to Kurt Angle.

Corbin says he was prepared for Finn the Man at Summerslam, not Demon Balor. And then tonight, the same thing happens but with Lashley the Dominator. Corbin isn’t some dog who does tricks! He is Stephanie’s Constable! And Corbin is tired of not getting what he wants. Angle says his job isn’t to do what Corbin wants. As long as he’s GM, he does what’s best for the WWE Universe. Fine, but Stephanie’s gonna be here tonight. Corbin’s gonna go talk to her, how does that sound? Will Stephanie give her pet Lone Wolf what he wants? Or will she give him what he deserves?

WWE and Raw take a look at the coming Final Chapter.

Super Show-Down in Australia, October 6th, Triple H and The Undertaker resurrect their ruthless rivalry! Six years ago at Wrestlemania, in a Hell in a Cell mach, it was the End of an Era. But finally, we will get the end of this iconic feud. Who wins this #LastTimeEver match?

Six Woman Tag: Ember Moon & The Boss & Hug Connection VS The Riott Squad!

The Prophecy of Flame and the #LegitHuggable duo take on the entire trio of Ruby, Liv and Sarah! Can Ember, Bayley & Banks Eclipse the entire Squad tonight? Or will Ruby and company #StartARiott in Brooklyn?

The bell rings and Sasha starts with Ruby. Sasha slaps Ruby around, then jumps on her for fast hands! She brings Ruby up and to her corner, tag to Bayley. They crisscross and throw Ruby back. Bayley stomps a mudhole, then tags to Ember. Roll up, TWO, and Ruby scrambles to her corner. Tag to Sarah, but Ember fires off a big right hand! Ember fires off kicks, then roars for a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO, but Ember keeps on the Kentucky Viking. Liv and Ruby come in but get decked! The Squad escapes the ring, but Sasha gives Ruby a Meteora while Bayley crossbodies on Liv! Sarah stands alone, but Ember DIVES! The War Goddess and the best buddies are in control while we go to break.

Raw returns and Bayley has Liv down with an armlock. Liv shrieks while her partners shout. Fans sing for Bayley but Liv gets up to whip her into a corner. Bayley snake eyes Liv back, then hits a big knee. Sarah saves Liv from a second one, but gets a punch for it. Liv rocks Bayley out of the ring with that right hand, then tags Ruby. Ruby stalks Bayley to bring her down with an STO! The ref reprimands the Squad but Ruby just puts Bayley back in. Cover, TWO, but Ruby drags Bayley over. Tag to Sarah and the Squad starts mugging Bayley. Tag to Liv, Liv pulls Bayley against the ropes with the backpack chinlock. Sarah gets a cheap shot in, then Liv covers. TWO, but the Juvenile Delinquent keeps Bayley grounded with another chinlock.

Bayley endures while fans rally up. Liv thrashes Bayley around, then knees Bayley low. She puts Bayley in the corner then tags Ruby. Ruby tags Sarah and the Squad coordinates. Ruby whips Liv in for a big corner clothesline, then Sarah throws Ruby in for a shoulder tackle. Liv and Ruby feed Bayley to Sarah’s pop up headbutt! Cover, TWO! Sarah wraps Bayley up in a cobra clutch and thrashes her all around. Fans rally up and Bayley jawbreakers out. Sarah takes out Ember, then howls. Bayley boots her back then fights out of the Squad corner. Sarah grabs Bayley’s leg and stomps her down. Sarah drags Bayley back and tags in Ruby. Ruby stays between Sasha and Bayley, but gets rolled up! TWO, hot tag to Sasha!

The Boss rallies as fans fire up. She dropkicks Ruby, then counters the kick with a knee! She runs in, stops those boots, and sets Ruby up for the Stock Drop! Cover, but Liv breaks it just in time. Ember throws Liv out, then gives her the tornado snap suplex! Sasha runs but Ruby puts her on the apron. She knees Ruby away, but has to fight Sarah. Bayley goes after Sarah, but gets a lethal lariat! Sasha hits a Meteora on Sarah, then climbs up again. Ruby kicks the arms, then brings Sasha in for the Riott Kick! Cover, Riott Squad wins!

Winners: The Riott Squad, Ruby pinning

The numbers were even, but it was about the right moves. Ruby and her Squad continue to rise up, how high will they go?

Triple H is here!

The Game and COO of WWE returns, his already legendary #LastTimeEver match with the Phenom on the horizon. Fans chant “NXT!” for the man behind that brand, and HHH admits, TakeOver blew the roof off the arena. Summerslam took it to another level, and it’s all been incredible. HHH was on the edge of his seat, because just like us, he’s a fan of wrestling “to the core, from day one.” He will work until the day he dies that this is here for all of us. But weekends like this give HHH “that itch” to rip his suit off, tape up and lace up to truly be The Game again! That is why when Vince called with an idea, HHH said “Hell Yeah!” Vince wanted HHH VS The Undertaker. HHH said “Hell No.” But for a different reason than we think.

For everything HHH has done, there’s a moment that stands out against all the others. A moment that he will never forget. The Wrestlemania #EndofanEra Hell in a Cell match. He, Taker and Shawn Michaels, on the ramp. Fans chant “HBK!” for the Heartbreak Kid. HHH says that moment is as real as it gets in this business. That is a moment of mutual respect, two of the biggest icons ever, just as responsible as anybody for WWE today. That moment changed them all. It was the End of an Era, but it also changed them. HBK was gone, The Streak would die. The Undertaker would put his hat and gloves down and disappear. HHH put his gear away and put on a suit. And it was over.

The three of them have talked about it, everything changed. The sound, the goosebumps, gone. It was truly the End of an Era, and without sounding bitter, their Era was special. But fans say “You Still Got It!” HHH continues, for the respect he had for that moment, and told Vince that he was back in. HHH takes off the suit to put back on his tape and boots, and be The Game once again! If Undertaker will pick up his hat, put on his gloves and be The Phenom one more time! Melbourne, Australia, 80000 in attendance and everyone around the world watching, that feeling will be back! “Because the Era is back!” Undertaker, The Game, #oneLASTtime! It’s clear on HHH’s face that the Cerebral Assassin is back already, will he meet the Deadman Down Under?

Dean Ambrose w/ Seth Rollins VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew McIntyre!

The Lunatic Fringe kept the Scottish Psychopath at bay last night and now The Architect is the NEW Intercontinental Champion! The Show-Off wants after Ambrose himself, but will lose twice within 24 hours?

The bell rings as Rollins and McIntyre move aside, and Ambrose ties up with Ziggler. Ambrose gets a waistlock, then a facelock, but Ziggler reverses to a hammerlock. They stand up and Ambrose gets a headlock takedown. Ziggler gets up and powers out, but Ambrose runs him over. Ambrose glares at Ziggler while Ziggler regroups with McIntyre. Ziggler comes back and circles with Ambrose again. Ziggler lunges in and gets a leg, but Ambrose counters with a roll. Ambrose has a facelock, but Ziggler gets him to ropes. Ziggler gives a shove, but Ambrose shoves right back! Ziggler kicks low and throws hands, but Ambrose gives back a chop! Ambrose chops Ziggler again, but Ziggler rakes the eyes. Ziggler whips but Ambrose reverses to run him over. Cover, ONE.

Ambrose gets another headlock takeover, but Ziggler stands up. Ziggler powers out, but Ambrose runs him over again. They speed up and Ziggler goes to hip toss. Ambrose blocks it to scoop slam! Ambrose runs but McIntyre sweeps his leg. Rollins keeps Ambrose from going after McIntyre, but Ziggler dropkicks Ambrose down! Ziggler gets control back while we go to break.

Raw returns and Ziggler has Ambrose in the sleeper hold. Ziggler is a backpack, but Ambrose works his way up and out. Rollisn rallies the fans, but Ziggler kicks Ambrose’s legs out. Ziggler slaps Ambrose around, daring him to do something. Ambrose ducks the clothesline to give his own! Ambrose gives Ziggler another, then whips him into the kitchen sink knee. Ziggler rolls to a corner, but Ambrose is right on him with a mudhole stomp. Ambrose goes corner to corner but runs into a boot. Ziggler has the ropes, but TWO! Ambrose bucks off the ZigZag, then catches Ziggler into a Fall Away Slam! Ziggler rolls out to the apron while Rollins coaches Ambrose up. Ambrose drags Ziggler up, but Ziggler hotshots Ambrose back. Ziggler kicks but is blocked into a catapult! Ziggler hits post, but then he dodges Ambrose to send him into the post!

Ambrose tumbles out to the floor, but Rollins keeps McIntyre back. McIntyre takes off the jacket and dares Rollins to do something. Rollins takes him up on it! He fires off and McIntyre fires back, but then Ziggler blasts Rollins from behind. Ziggler holds Rollins up so that he and McIntyre can throw Rollins into barriers. But then Ambrose goes after them! He puts Ziggler in but has to get McIntyre. Ziggler kicks, Ambrose dodges, but Ziggler haymakers. Ambrose stops the superkick, Rollins runs in, but only to DIVE onto McIntyre! Ambrose denies the satellite, to get his Dirty Deeds! Cover, Ambrose wins!

Winner: Dean Ambrose, by pinfall

The Lunatic wins on a great return! He and Rollins regroup while McIntyre comes rushing in. The Shield Brothers are firing on all cylinders, how high will they go?

Elias does a double check with his technicians.

He tells them neither of them are special, that designation is reserved for someone like him. And the guitar better not break or it’s both their careers on the line. The Drifter heads to the ring, will he redeem himself from last night?

Finn Balor prepares backstage.

But he encounters Braun Strowman. The Monster in the Bank got screwed out of a cash-in, but he’s reminding Finn here and now, it’s coming. “Good luck tonight.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.”

The Drifter tries again from his embarrassing instrument malfunction. After that moment, someone is clearly trying to destroy him. He fired three crew members, and knows Fender does better than that. This mystery person doesn’t realize WWE really stands for “Walk With Elias!” Now he was supposed to give us the greatest performance ever, but his doctor warned him of his blood pressure being around people from Brooklyn. But a performer must perform, so he simply asks New Yorkers to do the impossible and shut up. But just as he starts playing, it’s Brooklyn’s own, Curt Hawkins! Hawkins says Elias can be Number One, as in the first man to lose to Hawkins!

Hawkins feels so lucky tonight in front of not Elias’ town. So maybe together, Elias and Hawkins go ahead and end the 218 match losing streak! Elias likes the moxie, but he has a cold hard fact: Hawkins is a loser. Hawkins was born a loser, will die a loser, just like everyone in Brooklyn. Elias’ ring is his stage, Hawkins doesn’t belong. No more wasting time, just get out of here. Elias can’t even believe he’s wasted this much time. Hawkins turns and walks up the ramp while Elias begins to play. “Hey, Elias,” Hawkins says. Is he gonna hide behind a guitar and a scarf? Or are they gonna fight? Hawkins gets in the ring, and challenges him to a match, right now! Elias sees he has no choice, we have a match!

Elias VS Curt Hawkins!

The bell rings, Hawkins rolls Elias, TWO! Elias hits him with a jumping knee! The Drifter rips off his shirt before throwing hands on Hawkins. Brooklyn is behind their ultimate underdog, but Elias whips him and runs him over. Elias drops an elbow, then covers. TWO, but then a crucifix! TWO! Elias swings, Hawkins rocks him back. Hawkins throws haymakers, then whips. Elias reverses, Hawkins runs him over. Hawkins rallies, “you Deserve It!” Hwakins pursues but gets a big knee to the heart. Elias brings Hawkins up, Drfit Aaway! Cover, Elias wins!

Winner: Elias, by pinfall

Hawkins goes to 0-219, but he at least kept Elias from singing. Will Hawkins ever get that bad streak off his back?

Titus O’Neil finds Apollo Crews and Dana Brooke talking.

Where’ve they been? They were talking “strategy”. Dana has a weakness in AoP’s tactics. Then let’s get to it! That match is up next, does Dana have the algorithm to undo Akam & Rezar?

Titus Worldwide VS The Authors of Pain!

Raw returns as Rezar has Titus in a bearhug. Titus fights his way out with elbows, then with headlock punches. Rezar powers him to the AoP corner, tag to Akam. Akam and Rezar throw in knees and clubbing forearms, then talk trash in their respective native tongues. Akam tries but can’t lift Titus. Titus lifts and suplexes Akam! Dana rallies the fans while Akam and Titus crawl. Hot tag to Apollo! Apollo swings on Rezar, but gets clobbered by Akam! Tag to Rezar, and the Authros double lift and slam Apollo! Cover, TWO! Rezar keeps on Apollo with both hands and trash talk. He lifts Apollo into a facelock. Apollo endures, and powers Rezar backwards step by step. Rezar powers Apollo all the way back, but lets go at 4 in the corner.

Rezar drags Apollo back up and over to tag in Akam. Akam climbs while Rezar lifts Apollo, sidewalk slam and stomp! Cover, TWO! Akam keeps on Apollo with a standing crossface, but Dana rallies the fans. Apollo stands and fights back with elbows. He fires off forearms from both sides, but trades hip toss blocks. Akam throws Apollo with a fireman’s carry, but Apollo fights out of the corner! He dodges Akam, whose knee goes into the buckle! Akam still blocks the enziguri, then tags in Rezar. Both Authors hoist Apollo up top, but Apollo keeps fighting. He gets Akam down then elbows Rezar away, for a BIG crossbody! Cover, TWO! Shooting Star! But Akam covers that cover.

Titus goes after Akam and they go all the way out. The referee is busy with Titus, so that Rezar can knee him down. Apollo rolls Rezar, but Rezar holds ropes. Rezar yanks Apollo up with one hand! He whips Apollo hard, then tags in Akam. The Authors finish this with the Last Chapter! Cover, AoP wins!

Winners: The Authors of Pain, Akam by pinfall

Dana’s diagrams didn’t help, the story ended the same as before. Will the AoP write their way all the way to the very top?

Stephanie McMahon heads to the ring!

The rest of the Raw Women’s Division is already ringside as the Commissioner heads out. Alexa Bliss has her arm in a sling after what the Baddest Woman on the Planet did to her. When Stephanie thinks of today’s Women’s Division, she thinks of “proud.” Stephanie is proud of all the women in the WWE, and of the All Women’s PPV, Evolution. She’s also proud of the Raw Women’s Championship from Summerslam. She cues up footage, The Goddess VS Rowdy Ronda Rousey! Needless to say, Ronda threw Alexa around and then popped that arm out! And then the crowning achievement, Ronda won the title! “This one’s for Roddy!”

Ronda is the first woman to ever be UFC and Raw Women’s Champion. Stephanie takes credit for the business prowess that brought Ronda and her “raw talent” to make it into a diamond to shine above all others. Stephanie takes credit for “molding” Ronda into a superstar, and for setting an example for all the women of WWE. She introduces Ronda as her “protege”, but Ronda skips being formally introduced. Ronda takes up a mic, hears the fans chant for her, which Stephanie takes credit for. Ronda says this isn’t about Stephanie, this is about the women who wrestle in the WWE. Why are they even ringside? What is this? Is Stephanie putting herself above all of them? Ronda invites them into the ring!

Stephanie doesn’t think this is becoming of a champion. She’s telling Ronda what it’s like to be a champion? This isn’t even about one person, this is about the Women’s (R)Evolution! From Natalya, a cornerstone of the Division today, to Sasha & Bayley who made history with NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn sparking this movement. Ronda isn’t Lesnar, she is GOING to be a fighting champion and looks forward to facing each and every woman in the WWE. Stephanie agrees, Ronda isn’t Lesnar. Who is this Ronda? This is the Ronda who wants to just hurt people. Stephanie knows what that feels like! As does Alexa. Alicia comforts her friend, while Stephanie shows everyone how Alexa’s elbow got bent back. Look at Alexa’s anguished face! “That’s not wrestling, I don’t know what that is.”

Stephanie says Ronda will do the same to the Squad, to Alicia, to Dana and the Bellas. Ronda will wipe them all out so that she can stand alone in the spotlight. “That’s who Ronda really is.” Ronda won’t let Stephanie turn them against each other. Ronda only breaks those who deserve it. She then creeps closer to Stephanie, and throws her down! Ronda has the arm, and Stephanie taps out! Stephanie’s arm broke!? Fans love it, as do Natty, Dana, The Bellas, Ember, Sasha and Bayley. They’re with her, but will Ronda suffer consequences for what she just did to the Billionaire Queen?

Bo Dallas w/ Curt Axel VS Scott Dawson w/ Dash Wilder!

“Dearly beloved!” The magic carpet ride of life has its twists and turns, because only a month ago, these two had never won once! Not once! But then, one letter changed all of the WWE, and now Bo & Axel are Raw Tag Team Champions! Tonight, they dedicate these singles matches to the WWE Universe. The B in B-Team stands for Brooklyn! The #TopGuys come out, and we begin.

Bo and Dawson tie up, and Bo powers Dawson back. Dawson pulls hair to pull Bo back, then gives him a headbutt. Bo rocks Dawson with a right, then has him at the ropes. Dawson uses the rope to snap Bo back, then reels BO in for a lariat. Bo gets to a corner, but Dawson is on him with a buckle guillotine! Dawson stalks Bo while Axel rallies the fans. Dawson digs an elbow into Bo’s forehead, then jams it in. Bo crawls but Dawson sits him up for a chinlock.

Bo powers his way out but Dawson rocks him with a European Uppercut. Dawson brings Bo up for a neckbreaker, but Bo backslide counters! TWO, Bo rocks Dawosn with a back elbow. Bo rallies, then hits a knee lift to body check! “B-Team, B-Team! Go go go!” Bo brings Dawson up for a draping neckbreaker, but Dawson counters with buckle bumps. Dawson lifts Bo, for a package DDT! Cover, Dawson wins!

Winner: Scott Dawson, by pinfall

Dawson shows Bo’s luck has run out, but now it’s time to switch. Can Axel keep things even with The Revival?

Curt Axel w/ Bo Dallas VS Dash Wilder w/ Scott Dawson!

“Dash, get your ass in here!” Axel wants this match asap, but Dash takes his time. Raw goes to break while Axel and Dash get ready.

Raw returns and Dash bends Axel back. Axel fights out but Dash is on him again. Dash whips but Axel sunset flips. TWO, and Axel kicks low. Axel runs but into a Wasteland backbreaker. Cover, TWO! Dash mocks the B-Team chant while Brooklyn does the wave. Dash bends Axel back again, but Axel endures while Bo chants. Axel fights his way out and arm-drags Dash away. He throws hands and then rallies with clotheslines. Axel dropkicks Dash down then hits a corner forearm. Fans join in on the chant, Axel neck snaps Dash. Axel brings Dash up, but Dash powers out. Dash runs but into boots. Axel climbs up,for the ax handle, but misses! Dash has Axel in the Gory Special, to facebuster! Cover, Dash wins!

Winner: Dash Wilder, by pinfall

The B-Team isn’t undefeated in singles matches, but Bo and Axel point out that they’re still the champions. Will The Revival get another go at the titles?

Backstage interview with Roman Reigns.

Renee Young congratulates Roman on his Summerslam victory, but brings up his match with Finn Balor and the possibility of a cash-in. Does he regret putting his title up tonight? Not at all. Roman didn’t spend years of his life taking years off his life just to hide. Roman will defend his Yard, and is giving Finn the rematch he deserves. Finn will lose and go to the back of the line. As for Strowman, Roman wasn’t thrown off at all last night, and won’t be tonight. He’s ready to take on all comers, but will The Big Dog really be ready for the Man and the Monster?

Stephanie McMahon is in the trainer’s room.

She’s getting her arm iced after what Ronda did to it. Alexa is with her, too, because she knows what that’s like now. Baron Corbin has the trainer leave while Angle comes in. Stephanie gets mad at him for not keeping his stars under control. But he wasn’t out there, what could he have done? Corbin and Stephanie get on Angle for everything from last minute matches to Ronda assaulting the Commissioner. Stephanie sees Angle is being worn down by this job. It’s been a year and a half, maybe he needs time off. Angle doesn’t want a vacation. It’s fine, it’ll be temporary, but he just needs time away. Which would then put Corbin in charge as interim GM. Angle is beside himself, what will happen under the Constable’s control?

WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns VS Finn Balor!

The Big Dog finally beat the Beast, but he isn’t going to rest on his laurels. Demon Balor beat the cranky Constable but this is Finn the Man tonight. Will a Man be enough to take over The Yard? And what of the Monster in the Bank promising to cash-in on the champion no matter what?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Finn and Roman circle then tie up. Roman powers Finn back, then throws him out of the corner. Finn gets a waistlock but also a back elbow. Roman locks on a headlock, but Finn powers out. Roman swings but Finn ducks, only to run into a shoulder. Fans duel while Finn catches his breath. Roman drags Finn up and whips him. Finn sunset flips, TWO, but Finn gets away to swing kick, but Roman rocks him with an uppercut! The Big Dog has control while we go to break.

Raw returns again, and Roman has Finn in a chinlock. Fans duel as Finn fights his way up and out. Roman knees low, then whips Finn. Finn reverses but Roman sunset flips. Finn rolls through for the basement dropkick! Roman checks his face while Finn gets up. Roman runs at Finn, but Finn tosses him out! Finn hits a wrecking ball dropkick, then an apron penalty kick! Wait, Roman catches that to throw Finn into the apron! Cover, TWO! Finn sits up but Roman stalks him to a corner. Roman gives Finn a quick haymaker, then whips him corner to corner hard. Roman takes his time checking his face while Finn writhes on the mat. Fans duel again as Roman circles Finn like a shark. Roman rocks Finn with a right, but then runs into boots!

Finn and Roman runs, but Finn hits forearms. Finn takes Roman down and gives him a double stomp! He keeps going, giving Roman a running chop in the corner. They go corner to corner but Roman reverses. Finn goes up and over, to give another chop. That one wasn’t as strong… Roman puts Finn in the corner to give close range clotheslines! Roman gets all 10, then runs, but into Finn’s dropkick! He goes out, but Finn FLIES! Direct hit on the Big Dog! Finn puts Roman in the ring, then covers, TWO! Finn is shocked but we go to one last break.

Raw returns once more, and Roman stands over Finn. Fans boo Roman, and someone in the crowd, but Roman goes back to Finn. Roman eggs Finn on, but Finn blocks the punches to give his own! Roman uppercuts Finn but Finn PELES Roman! Both men are down from exhaustion, but still have something left. Roman sits up but Finn follows. Finn drags himself up with ropes, but Roman runs at him. Finn ducks to fire off! He gives springboard stomp after springboard stomp! Fans fire up as Finn grits his teeth. He runs at Roman, but Roman counters the slingblade with a roll up. TWO, to a deadlift sit-out! TWO!! Roman can’t believe it, but Finn survives that sudden turnaround.

Roman gets to a corner, and he locks and loads. He runs but into a kick! Then the elbow drop DDT! Cover, TWO! Finn knows he’s close, so he keeps going. Roman shoves him back, but misses in the corner. Finn swing kicks Roman down, then climbs up! Roman gets up and under, but into the Slingblade! Finn runs, SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO! Both men have gone so far already, but there’s still fight in both of them. Fans rally up and Roman stands first. He goes to a corner and fans are a thunderous mix as he lets out the howl. Roman runs, but into a knee! Then into a wheelbarrow roll-up! TWO! SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman shouts “ENOUGH!” and goes back to the corner. But here comes BRAUN!!

The Monster in the Bank gave fair warning, but this is a bit different from his face to face from last night. Finn Slingblade! Blasting dropkick! COUP DE– SPEAR!! Cover, Roman wins!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall; still WWE Universal Champion

But now Strowman is here! He lets Roman get ready, before booting him down! Strowman cashes in!! It! Is! HAPPENING!

But wait, it’s THE SHIELD!! Rollins and Ambrose are in their Shield uniforms!! They and the Monster stare down. Fans aren’t sure what to make of this, but the match hasn’t been made official because there was no bell. Rollins and Ambrose creep in, Roman stands, and now Strowman has WWE’s Cerberus to deal with. Strowman strikes first! It’s a 3v1 as the Shield tear into Strowman. SUPERMAN PUNCH! Chop block from Ambrose, SUPERKICK from Rollins! Roman clotheslines Strowman out, but that’s not all! Ambrose clears the table, we all know what this means! They beat Strowman down more, then hoist Strowman up… But Strowman fights out! SPEAR from Roman! The Shield tries again, and hit the SHIELD TRIPLE BOMB!! Strowman is down, the Shield stands tall! Will Ambrose & Rollins be the guard dogs for The Big Dog against the Monster in the Bank?

My Thoughts:

This was a wild Raw, but I’m still sorting out if that made it good or bad. Kudos to Roman’s character for being a fighting champion out of the gate and giving Finn Balor the rematch. Baron Corbin gets beat by Bobby Lashley, but now he has complete control because Stephanie forces Angle to take a vacation after what Ronda did. Ronda clearly has the Faces on her side, but I’m still hoping Stephanie via Corbin makes a Woman’s Armageddon Hell in a Cell. Ronda and any five women from Raw fighting in the Cell all for the title. Angle told Heyman that Lesnar would have to wait a long time for his rematch, but I’m betting Corbin changes that, too. It oddly feels that while Raw had just reached a great point, they’re purposefully writing themselves back down the hole.

The Riott Squad wins again, a bit to my surprise. I suppose they have to extend this Woman’s Tag story if they want to give us the Women’s Tag Division before the year is out. Clearly Raw’s side of this is still building to Bayley & Banks VS Riott Squad while SmackDown has currently thrown out the possibility of Becky & Charlotte. As for the Men’s Tag Team Division, I almost thought Ambrose VS Ziggler was going to turn into a tag match but that clean ending was actually pretty good. The Revival look primed to finally get those belts, while AoP keep winning without really gaining round. Raw needs to sort out the Men’s Tag because it feels weaker than NXT’s.

And on the subject of Titus Worldwide, I hope they’re not going for a Dana-Apollo shipping. He’s in a relationship and has a child, they can’t/shouldn’t kayfabe those two together. But if they’re both talking about quitting Titus Worldwide, that might be an interesting twist. For some reason, I thought Hawkins was finally going to get the win here. But Elias’ bad luck was only for Summerslam, he’s back up with his quick win tonight. I have no idea where Hawkins’ story will finally give him his first win, and Elias seems just as aimless right now.

HHH had a really solid promo, with the heartfelt part about the End of an Era Hell in a Cell match. I think he started to shoot there a bit about how the three of them all felt about that moment. But then he did great to get back into character, and man, Super Show-Down sounds great just off of the match between WWE legends. We have Hell in a Cell first, but I’m betting there will be some great matches thrown onto Super Show-Down’s card just to give us some great excitement.

Then comes the main event. Roman VS Finn put on one hell of a match, but then Strowman changes his mind to do things the sneaky way. Fans ate it up either way because they all love Strowman. But then The Shield surprises us all, and Brooklyn ate that up, too. It was hard to tell who was Face and who was Heel anymore, but this twist is more than enough to bring some intrigue back to Raw. A massive multi-turn might be interesting, too, with The Shield back to Heel since everyone loves Strowman as Face. I actually want to see next week’s Raw already just to know what they’re going to do next.

My Score: 8.4/10

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

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (8/21/18)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s WWE Summerslam 2018 Report! (8/19/18)

Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

12 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!