Coverage

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

Published

6 years ago

August 21, 2018

After The Bludgeon Brothers used Champion’s Advantage to retain, The New Day get a rematch the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, with NO Disqualifications!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton; Orton wins, by disqualification.
Naomi VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay; Peyton wins.
Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega VS Rusev & Lana; Rusev & Lana win.
SmackDown Tag Team Championships No Disqualifications Match: The Bludgeon Brothers VS The New Day; The New Day win and become the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Miz & Maryse head to the ring!

The It Couple returns to SmackDown victorious over Daniel Bryan thanks to brass knuckles Maryse gave to her A-Lister husband. Fans boo because we all know now what he did. Miz and Maryse are strangely somber while fans chant for Bryan. But Miz can’t help but laugh. “So, I was able to close my eyes and really feel that.” He really felt that in a way he never has before. Two nights ago, something happened. Maryse takes his hand and helps him through it. Miz has a family to think about now. It is with a heavy heart and the utmost sadness that Miz, choking back the “tears”, that Miz officially announces his retirement. Fans explode with “YES! YES!” “Of ever facing Daniel Bryan again!”

Yes, yes, yes, Miz closes the eight year saga because he did exactly what he said he would! Miz beat Bryan in front of the sold-out Barclays Center! Don’t get Miz wrong, Bryan gave it his all. Bryan punched and kicked him maybe 100 times, but 100 Bryan punches don’t amount to one Miz punch! Miz has the hardest punch in the WWE! He did what Bryan said and punched him in the face. But when Miz did it, Miz pinned Bryan 1-2-3, in front of his lovely wife and mother of the century and their angel of a daughter. Now, Miz starts a new chapter in his life, where he’ll watch episode 5 of Miz & Mrs! But wait, here comes Daniel Bryan!

Bryan speaks on the stage, calling Miz a “coward!” And he ignores everything Miz says. Miz hides behind Maryse as he says he’s no coward, he’s a winner. But Brooklyn knows better. “You’re a Coward!” Miz knows Bryan will have to live with the face he’ll never be better than Miz and will never get another chance to prove it! Bryan tells Miz to shut up. Miz can parody a retirement and cheat to win, but it’s just another layer in the huge facade that is “The Miz”. The lights, the make-up, all of it. Bryan promised to punch Miz, now he promises to expose The Miz. “And that is the wannabe Hollywood star cosplaying as a professional wrestler.” No one is retiring yet. But Maryse says Bryan might as well retire and become Daniel Bella. Speaking of…

Here comes Brie Bella! And she hits Miz! Bryan takes out Miz, too, and the A-Listers regroup on the outside. The fans are loving Bryan & Bella, because Brie has a pretty good punch, too. But as Bryan was saying, he talked to GM Paige. And at Hell in a Cell, Miz and Bryan are in a match, but not alone. It will be a Mixed Tag, Miz & Maryse VS Bryan & Brie! The A-Listers are furious but the WWE Universe loves it! Which super couple wins when we get this Awesome Mixed Tag Match?

Miz & Maryse go in search of Paige.

This is not how stars are treated! But she has nothing to say about Brie & Bryan? Miz & Maryse are the stars of USA Network and the highest rated reality show. Paige is a worse boss than Bryan! Well, Brie still punched him in the face. The match stays, and that will be AWESOME! Talk to the hand.

Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton!

The Charismatic Enigma refuses to be erased by The Viper, and now stands up to render the third-generation superstar OBSOLETE! Will Hardy succeed in redeeming himself? Or will Orton strike him down once and for all?

The bell rings and we begin. Orton powers Hardy to a corner, then throws hands. He stops at 4, but Hardy hits back! Hardy backs Orton down, then kicks away on Orton. He whips but Orton reverses. Orton runs into a boot, but then trips up Whisper in the Wind! Hardy crashes and burns while we go picture in picture. Orton goes out to fetch Hardy, dragging him up to throw him back into steel steps. And again! Orton brings Hardy up and in, then covers. TWO, but Orton keeps his cold-blooded cool. He drags Hardy up and out now, to then bring him to the announce desk. Orton drops Hardy with a back suplex on the desk! Then he drags Hardy around, for another!

Hardy is down while Orton goes back into the ring. Orton shows off by doing jumping jacks, but then goes back out to fetch Hardy again. Orton brings Hardy up, for a third back suplex on the table! He leaves Hardy down and out while refreshing the count. Orton drags Hardy up a fourth time, but puts him in the ring. Cover, TWO! Orton pulls Hardy’s arm to stomp on it! Orton picks Hardy apart with those signature sinister stomps. Cover, TWO, but Orton keeps on Hardy with a chinlock. Hardy endures the squeeze and works his way up. Orton puts more of his weight on Hardy to bring him back down and we go single picture.

Fans rally up and Hardy fights out with elbows. Orton headbutts then whips Hardy corner to corner. Hardy hits back, then boots back. Hardy climbs up again, Whisper in the Wind works this time! Both men are down but fans rally for “Brother Nero!” Hardy hits Orton back with haymakers, then whips. Orton reverses but Hardy runs him over. Hardy atomic drops then takes Orton down for the leg-splitting leg drop. Dropkick added, then Twist of Fate! Orton falls into a drop zone, and Hardy takes of the shirt. Hardy climbs high, but Orton trips him up. Orton grabs Hardy’s hair to pull him back up. Orton goes after the gauge hole again! The referee reprimands Orton but Orton won’t let up. He then drags Hardy out for the DDT, but Hardy stops that. Hardy has Orton down again, and stomps him in the dick!

Winner: Randy Orton, by disqualification

Hardy doesn’t care, he dropkicks Orton out! And then he leaps on him at the announce desk! “DELETE! DELETE!” echoes out as Hardy tosses Orton over the desk and into barriers! Hardy isn’t done yet, but neither is Orton. They brawl, and Orton rocks Hardy with European Uppercuts. But Hardy comes back with big haymakers, and he bounces Orton off a post. Then he throws Orton into the crowd! The brawl continues right in front of the WWE Universe, and the production area. Hardy even splashes down on Orton. Hardy clears a table, clubs Orton hard on the back, and even SMACKS him with a chair!

The assault continues with more chair shots, and Orton ends up on the spare table. Hardy makes sure he stays there as he rains down rights and lefts. He even assaults Orton with a handheld camera! Hardy gets a wicked idea, and he climbs up to the second level. Fans are freaking out as Hardy takes aim… SWANTON BOMB!! Hardy and Orton crash down through the table! Hardy sits up, and laughs! Will he have the last laugh in this war with the Viper?

Backstage interview with The Bar.

Cesaro & Sheamus wish to address tonight’s SmackDown Tag Team Championship match. Is it a prediction? No, they’re here to issue a challenge. The winners face them next, but in come The Club! Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows want to be both champions and the Kickoff Panel! Will New Day be hit with mallets? Or will they use pancakes to assault pallets? Abs Anderson and Big Gallows issue a challenge to the champs! And if The Bar takes issue with that, then they can meet the Good Brothers in the ring. Back to Karen in the studio! The Bar accepts the challenge, because they don’t just set the bar, they ARE the bar! Who will prove themselves worthy of being #1 contenders to the tag titles?

Naomi VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay!

It’s #GlowTime in Brooklyn, but Naomi is going up against one half of the Iconic Duo. Will Naomi be able to avoid the numbers game? Or is the future truly IIconic?

Billie & Peyton play a guessing game on the way to the ring. Name something overrated, loud, obnoxious and has annoying flashing lights. Peyton knows! It’s Brooklyn! Fans boo but Billie says that’s the answer to “What’s a dumpster fire?” Billie was thinking of something else, wink wink nudge nudge she’s in the ring. Oh, Naomi! Then it’s only fitting Peyton gets to beat Naomi, and prove that neither Naomi or New York is #IIconic. Words aside, Peyton gets ready while we go to break.

SmackDown returns and Peyton has Naomi in headscissors. Naomi pops right out, then blocks Peyton’s kick to spin her around. Naomi swings kicks but Peyton ducks, so Naomi kicks her forward. Then the running split splash! Cover, TWO! Billie and Peyton regroup, but Naomi runs to wreck Peyton with a dropkick. Naomi drags Peyton up and in, but Billie distracts. Peyton hotshots Naomi from behind, then heel kicks her down! Billie says that’s what Naomi gets! Fans boo and jeer but Peyton and Billie taunt Naomi. Naomi gets up at the count of 5, then staggers up at 7. Peyton is on her right away with clubbing forearms and stomps. Cover, TWO, and the IIconics are furious.

Peyton bumps Naomi off buckles, then brings her up to grind her boot into Naomi’s chin. Peyton backs off at 4, then drags Naomi out. She clubs away more, then drives a knee into Naomi’s back. Peyton pulls and thrashes Naomi around in a chinlock. Fans rally and Naomi powers up. Naomi arm-drags Peyton off, then ducks int eh corner. She kicks Peyton’s leg, then tees off with more kicks! Peyton staggers but Naomi rallies. Springboard kick! Cover, TWO! Naomi goes in a corner but Peyton puts her on the apron. Naomi gives her another kick, then takes Billie down with a bulldog to a post! Peyton puts Naomi into a post, then drags her in for a Perfect Plex! Cover, Peyton wins!

Winner: Peyton Royce, by pinfall

The Venus Flytrap wins thanks to her Femme Fatale BFF, and the two celebrate all the way to the back. Will this lead to an #IIconic title shot in the near future?

The New Day are patched up.

Big E’s ribs are questionable. He usually likes smoked with greens on the side. No, his ribs. Oh pretty bad actually. But it’s fine, Kofi Kingston knows they’re still in Brooklyn baby~! They started their record-breaking reign here! It’s the birthplace of Francesca 1.0. And it will be where they become the Five Time W! W! E, tag team champions~! High five! Big E, no, rib sauce. Oh, sorry. But yeah, it’s time! Will Kofi & Woods use their speed formation to overcome the brutality of Harper & Rowan?

Becky Lynch heads to the ring!

The SmackDown Women’s Championship was within her grasp as she had Carmella in the Disarm-Her. But then Charlotte Flair hit her with Natural Selection, and it was all torn away. Becky looked to put friendship over titles, but then she attacked Charlotte without remorse! “I deserve to be standing here as the Woman’s Champion.” And that means Charlotte deserved her beating. Summerslam wasn’t supposed to be about Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Seth Rollins, Ronda Rousey, and certainly not about Charlotte. No, it was meant to be about Becky! Becky was supposed to have her time! Becky earned her title, and was over Charlotte being added. “Because finally, it was my opportunity to silence the critics that said I was just Charlotte’s friend.”

Becky imagined herself raising that title, being her own woman, that she put SmackDown’s Women’s Division on the map as top woman! Fans act like they’re with her, but were they really? Fans say “YES! YES!” Becky doesn’t believe them. There was no #GiveBeckyaChance. There was no boycott. And when Charlotte stole that match, fans got up and cheered. Were the fans really that upset? And when anyone asks “Who is the greatest superstar of all time?” they don’t choose Becky. Becky has become an afterthought. No, Becky doesn’t care about this generation of “all talk and no actions.” She has had enough of opinions, and she decided to take action.

That referee counting three was someone counting her out of a trance. Becky saw so clearly in that moment, that her “best friend” was just holding her back. Charlotte stole Becky’s moment for the last time. Becky decided to raise Charlotte’s hand, only to rip her head off! This was Becky’s turn, not because anyone else says so, but because she says so! Becky’s the best, “and there’s not a woman on this roster or anyone in this arena or watching at home that can tell me different.” But speaking of, here comes Charlotte! Charlotte and Becky stare down and fight with words, but Charlotte rushes the ring and they fight with fists! Charlotte gets Becky down with hammer firsts, but Bekcy turns it around! The two stand back up and then tumble out of the ring!

Becky has Charlotte against the stairs, but then tries to retreat. Charlotte gives chase but referees come out as they get back in the ring. Becky boots Charlotte but the brawl only gets worse. Paige brings out reinforcements in the form of the SmackDown Women’s Division. Absolution hold Becky while Asuka and the IIconics grab Charlotte. Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” and they get loose! The other women pull them apart again, but Becky gets Charlotte down! The roster tries a third time to keep the peace, but Brooklyn is on Becky’s side in this fight. Charlotte SPEARS Becky out of the ring! Charlotte even shoves her other friends away to JUMP onto Becky! Becky and Charlotte have to be dragged apart to stop the fighting, while we go to break.

Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega VS Rusev & Lana!

It’s a rematch from the Summerslam Kickoff as El Idolo & La Muneca are “amused” to beat Mr. & Mrs. Machka again. Rusev & Lana have lost every single time but now it’s time to show the WWE Universe it’s #AllAboutAlmas. Will Almas & Vega continue their sweep? Or will it finally be time for the Bulgarian Brute & Ravishing Russian to CRUSH!?

The bell rings and we start with the men just like Summerslam. Almas shoves then chops Rusev, but Rusev clobbers Almas. Rusev drops elbows, then stomps. Almas gives a jawbreaker, then kicks and elbows away in a corner. Almas backs off at 4, then goes back for more. He whips Rusev but Rusev reverses. Rusev runs into an elbow, then Almas goes for the inverted tornado. Rusev denies it, but ends up in the draping armbar! Almas lets go at 4, then springboards but into a roundhouse! Rusev tags Lana, and now Vega has to come in. Lana uses Almas as a step stool to then clobber Vega! Vega rolls out, but Lana roars “CRUSH!” Rusev joins in and the fans sing for Rusev Day while we go picture in picture.

Lana dares Vega to get back in, but Vega wants her to stay back. Vega goes in and circles with Lana, but Lana puts her in a corner for shoulders to the stomach. Vega denies the whip and hits a roaring elbow, then whips Lana in. Lana counters with a headscissor ax kick! Lana then gives Vega a ravishing bulldog! Cover, TWO! Vega scrambles away but Lana pursues. They’re on the apron, but Vega sweeps the legs! Vega throws Lana down, then pulls her back in a chinlock before stomping her down. Vega brags as she puts Lana back in. Cover, TWO, so she wraps Lana in a chinlock. Lana endures and works to get up. She stands, but Vega hops on as a backpack. We go single picture as Lana backs Vega into buckles. Lana gets free, but Vega gives her a jump kick!

Vega has Lana on the ropes, then hits a swing around into a draping chinlock! She lets go at 4, then gives Lana a facebuster. Cover, TWO! Vega grows frustrated, but she keeps on Lana with clubbing forearms. She runs, and gets Lana in a crucifix. Lana stays standing as she reaches for Rusev, but Vega shifts to a sunset flip. Lana sits on it, TWO to the Sunset. ONE, and Vega throws Lana down by her hair. Vega soaks in the heat as she runs in at Lana. Lana boots Vega then SLAPS Almas! Lana crawls for her corner but Vega clamps on. Vega drags Lana back but is pushed away. Hot tag to Rusev!

Rusev rallies on Almas! He gives a big shoulder tackle then a flying spin kick! Fans fire up with “Rusev Day! Rusev Day” as Rusev runs. His kick misses, but Almas’ boot feint to elbow hits! Rusev is down, Almas runs for CIEN KNEES! Cover, TWO!? Almas can’t believe that Rusev survives! He drags Rusev back up, hammerlock, but Rusev pops out. Rusev back suplexes but Almas slips out, only for Rusev to clothesline him out. Vega comes in and gets in Rusev’s face, but it’s Lana who SPEARS Vega down! Almas has a chair, but Aiden English snags it away! Rusev then MACHKA kicks! Time to CRUSH! Accolade!! Almas taps, Rusev & Lana win!

Winners: Rusev & Lana, Rusev by submission

They finally get one over El Idolo and his manager! And it was thanks to English. English always has his friends’ backs, will this help get the entire Rusev Day team back on track?

Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.

The King of Strong Style knows that the Statue of Liberty is about “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses”, and Nakamura believes he’s a hero to America! Or rather, the United States of Nakamerica. Who will step up to the United States Champion in the coming weeks?

Renee Young interviews AJ Styles on the stage.

The Phenomenal One is still WWE Champion, but only after Samoa Joe pushed him so far, he snapped. Styles beat Joe down with fists and chairs, but that wasn’t how either man wanted to end the match. What happened at Summerslam? Styles has a hard time getting the words out, but he finally says, “Summerslam didn’t end the way I wanted it to. But I don’t regret what I did to Samoa Joe.” Styles lost and he’s not proud of how he acted. But Joe crossed a line that real men don’t cross. Styles broke his promise, but makes a new promise to the WWE Universe that he vows to not break. “The next time Samoa Joe mentions my family, I’m gonna rip his heart out.” But here comes Joe from behind! COQUINA CLUTCH!

Joe chokes Styles out on the ground, then lets him go so he can speak. Joe makes the camera stay on him as he says “Oh~ Wendyyyy~!” There are a lot of promises being made. Styles promised to come home and tuck in the kids, but “daddy’s already gone night-night!” Joe doesn’t care what’s honorable, he only cares about what’s effective. Will he get another go at the title? Will he take that title for his own?

Paige quickly prepares for the worst.

Not only does she want medics on standby for the upcoming main event, but she makes sure they get Styles taken care of right away. Then she is visited by Carmella. It’s about time Paige earns her paycheck. Hey did Carmella do something different? Her hair? Her shoes? No, it’s her weight. She lost ten pounds of gold on Sunday. Don’t #Titleshame, Paige! Everyone knows Carmella is getting a rematch, and it better be 1v1. Not if R-Truth has anything to say about it! What? Carmella has been ducking him for weeks now. The running stops, and he’s getting his title match. Tell her, Paige. No, Truth, that was for the Women’s Division specifically. Please move aside. “You got lucky this time.”

Paige and Carmella go back to talking rematch. It will happen next week. Yes, that’s what the Princess wanted to hear. She moonwalks out of frame, but apparently Truth is still in her way. Truth, stop, put Carmella down! But she’s what’s up.

SmackDown Tag Team Championships No Disqualifications Match: The Bludgeon Brothers VS The New Day!

Xavier Woods & Big E stood against doom and gloom Sunday night, but it went to a point where the powerhouse of positivity would damage his ribs. Now New Day shifts to speed formation as Kofi Kingston joins the fight. Will that and the No DQ format be enough to finally stop the duo of devastation that is Harper & Rowan?

The bell rings and it fires off! This is tornado style even because there’s no disqualifications over illegal participation. Harper goes after Kofi while Rowan has Woods. Kofi hits back and chops back but Harper uppercuts. Harper suplexes Kofi but Kofi lands on his feet. Kofi kicks Harper, then Woods dropkicks Harper over the desk! The New Day have control, but Rowan changes that as he tosses Woods. Kofi hops on Rowan, but gets thrown off. Harper throws the arm chair at Kofi! It’s a demolition derby while we go to break!

SmackDown returns as Rowan has Kofi in the corner. Harper keeps on Woods on the outside, and he grinds Woods’ head into the apron. Rowan brings Kofi up for a headbutt, but Woods kicks back on Harper! Woods chops and kicks but gets a palm strike. Harper brings Woods over but Woods slips out to then hit the roaring elbow! And a drop toehold to send Harper into the desk! Rowan whips but Kofi counters with the kicks. Kofi dumps Rowan out to then penalty kick him down! Fans fire up as Harper goes into the ring. Woods and Kofi search under the ring, and go for broke as they bring out a ladder! They put the ladder in the ring, but Rowan grabs them both. Harper DIVES! The Bludgeon Brothers take Kofi & Woods out at the same time!

Harper & Rowan search under the ring and bring out chairs. They put the chairs in the ring, then drag The New Day up and in. Rowan bounces Kofi off the desk while Harper whips Woods into steel steps. Harper stands on Woods, then clears out the announce team. Rowan puts Kofi on the apron for clubbing forearms, and Harper adds on. Rowan boots Kofi while Harper goes back to Woods for stomps. Harper drags Kofi out but fans rally up for New Day. Harper helps Rowan hit Kofi with a splash, then Rowan feeds Kofi to Harper’s boot! Things go back in the ring, cover, TWO! Kofi survives, but that just means he and Woods suffer more. But Woods enziguris Rowan back! But Rowan runs Woods over!

Harper aims at Kofi with a chair, but Kofi kicks it into his head. Then a tornado DDT onto the chair! Cover, but Rowan drags him out. Rowan boots Kofi down, then narrowly dodges Woods to run him over! Harper and Rowan regroup, then coordinate what more to do to The New Day. They go back out, and start peeling parts of the ring apart. They drag Woods over to the exposed LED edge, for the facebuster toss! Woods hits bare LED board, but that’s not all. Harper sets up a couple chairs, and then sets the ladder across them. He and Rowan drag Woods up, and everyone anticipates what’s coming. But here comes Kofi! He flies in, but he gets caught into the DOUBLE CRUCIFIX CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!? Kofi survives?!

Fans are losing their minds but also cheering Kofi on for such superhuman toughness. The Bludgeon Brothers work on a new idea, and Rowan fetches a table! Harper sets it up but Woods grabs Rowan’s foot. Rowan kicks him away, but Kofi slumps out of the ring. Rowan goes to fetch Kofi, and Harper joins him. They drag Kofi back up for headbutts against a post! Now they grab the hammers! Harper slaps Rowan to fire him up, but then Rowan misses and goes into barriers! He blasts the timekeeper’s area apart! Harper SUPERKICKS Woods.

Harper checks on Rowan, but then has to hurry. He puts Woods in, but fans rally up. Harper drags Woods up near the table, but Kofi uses a Bludgeon hammer to stop him! Trouble in Paradise! Woods goes up while Kofi puts Harper on the table. Woods walks the tightrope, LIMIT BREAKER!! Cover, New Day wins!!

Winners: The New Day, Woods pinning; NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions

They are the FIVE TIME W! W! E, Tag Team Champions~!! Big E returns to celebrate with Kofi & Woods! Positivity and perseverance overcome the bludgeoning, how long will they take this new tag title reign?

My Thoughts:

SmackDown really did give us a great “Special Edition”. Miz mocking Bryan with his fake retirement speech was Heel gold, but then it was actually pretty great to have Brie show up and get her shots in. This Mixed Tag is gonna be pretty fun, and could be a sign of Brie facing someone at Evolution the same as how Nikki is said to face Ronda. Hardy VS Orton was great, especially with the finish and post-match beating. Hardy gets back at Orton for the most part, but if the Hell in a Cell Match is reserved for bigger, they need at least a Falls Count Anywhere to settle this.

Naomi VS Peyton is a decent match, I think they need more familiarity. But Peyton getting the win is good for the IIconics should we get the Women’s Tag, and even just in the Women’s Division. Then while Becky did great with her motivation, it was clear there was the Vince influence that Becky had to be the Heel and get mad at fans. The fans aren’t going to hate Becky given they understand her frustrations, so it should’ve been a Face Tweener VS Face, and Charlotte could counter Becky’s complaints with the fact a Triple Threat is everyone for themselves. At the very least, Becky shouldn’t take the typical Heel route of blaming fans when we have nothing to do with it.

Great to see Rusev & Lana win thanks to English this time. That was a fun Mixed Tag but this feud doesn’t seem over quite yet. The Club VS The Bar next week is going to be really fun and they consider it a #1 Contender’s match, but I wouldn’t mind if both teams got a shot to really up the ante for Hell in a Cell. New Day win, as they should have at Summerslam, but it seems this was done because Rowan has bicep concerns. Rowan sadly always seems to be the Wyatt Family member getting hurt, hopefully this injury won’t be as bad as some in the past. New Day VS Bar VS Club will be an amazing possibility, but I’m just going to go with New Day VS The Bar for the usual Faces VS Heels.

My Score: 8.5/10

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

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

9 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!