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Mitchell’s WWE Evolution Results & Report! (10/28/18)

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WWE Evolution

WWE holds the first-ever All Women’s Pay-Per-View, Evolution! All the gold of the Women’s Division is on the line as history is made tonight!

 

Gifs can be found on http://frentique.tumblr.com

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Trish Stratus & Lita VS Mickie James & Alicia Fox w/ Alexa Bliss; Stratus & Lita win.
  • Historic Women’s Battle Royal: Nia Jax wins and will challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship.
  • 2018 Mae Young Classic Finals: Io Shirai VS Toni Storm; Storm wins the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
  • Six Woman Tag: The Riott Squad VS Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks; Natty, Bayley & Banks win.
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Kairi Sane VS Shayna Baszler; Baszler wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship Last Woman Standing Match: Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair; Lynch wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey VS Nikki Bella w/ Brie Bella; Rousey wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the WWE Evolution Kickoff Show!

Our commentary team for the night, Renee Young, Beth Phoenix and SmackDown GM Paige, are also our panel!

 

Charly Caruso leads the WWE Evolution Red Carpet!

And she’s currently joined by the Legit Boss, Sasha Banks, and The Goddess, Alexa Bliss. These staples of the Raw Women’s Division look wonderful as they prepare for their big matches. What is the significance of tonight? Alexa says this is proof that women can do anything. It started with the very first women’s match, and is now an all women’s PPV! Sasha says you can dream it up, but when it happens, it’s a dream come true. To be around all these other amazing women, Sasha cannot express all her gratitude and joy.

These two also made history with the first Women’s Match in Abu Dhabi. It was nerve wracking but it was awe-inspiring for the people to cheer “This is Hope!” It shows they’re making changes all over the world. That match was bigger than just wrestling. Women’s Wrestling is making changes and history, it means so much to show little girls that they can do it like the guys, but even better.

 

Red Carpet interview with Trish Stratus.

Can she put into words what tonight means to her? It’s very hard, she’s still pinching herself. Everything the women set out to do, this night brings it full circle for her. Her debut was here, and now she’s here at an event just for the women of wrestling. It means that it all made a difference. Did she ever expect this night? No, they were focused on baby steps. This is a huge step forward for a division that was under the radar for the longest time. The women kept the faith and now it’s grown into this global movement. And it means so much to her to side with Lita, her longest rival and friend. Their shared story also comes full circle as they give it their all, plus Mickie James, that energy will be great.

Carmella joins the panel!

The FABULOUS Princess looks 80’s fab and she’s so excited. The women on the panel, the women in the back, she’s so excited. Carmella’s own personal evolution from hair dresser to manager to former women’s champion is impressive in itself. She feels so fortunate to be part of another first-time-ever, she can’t help but smile.

 

Red Carpet interview with Natalya!

The Queen of Harts is ready for her Six Woman Tag, though she is overwhelmed and nervous. But all the superstars thrive on that feeling, because this moment is what everything has led to. She’s so grateful we’re here. How does she plan to deal with the Riott Squad? Ruby loves using number games, but the three former women’s champions all have plans to tap them out.

 

R-Truth joins the panel?

He says he talked to Paige in the back, even though she’s been out here the whole time, and says he’s got a spot in the Historic Battle Royal. Truth is honored to be part of such a big night, and vows to win that title shot against his good friend, Carmella. Carmella corrects him on all of that. Truth feels a little foolish, but promises to support Carmella i her efforts. Also, DANCE BREAK~!!

 

Red Carpet interview with Maria Menounos!

Maria believes the significance of tonight is honoring the past and celebrating the present, in all women’s sports. She reunited with the women from her ‘Mania match six years ago, and it was such a big moment to be even on a ‘Mania card. Now to have a whole card dedicated to women is amazing. Maria never thought this was coming, but always hoped it would. She had to be here to see it in person. And as a huge fan, what’s her most anticipated match? She can’t choose! They all deserve the spotlight. What about Ronda Rousey joining? She’s amazing, it’s been a great addition to it all.

 

Eve Torres joins the panel!

The “Disney Princess” is honored to be here sharing the moment. What does tonight mean as a former champion in her own right? “It’s a little unreal, to be honest.” Eve compares the Diva’s Era to this new era, and it seems so special to make up for all those raised hopes and then disappointments. She’s excited to see Ronda compete, and even Becky VS Charlotte. It’s all going to be stellar, everyone belongs here. What did hearing that announcement meant to the champions on this panel? Well it was something everyone wanted, worked for and expected, and now it’s here. It was vindication. But don’t discredit the men who stood by them, from coworkers, friends and husbands. This was a group effort and everyone got to have a sigh of relief when this was announced.

 

Stehpanie McMahon is on the Red Carpet!

The Raw Commissioner helped make this announcement, and is now feeling the goosebumps. It’s a women’s Wrestlemania tonight. She was part of the fight for this Women’s (R)Evolution, this must be a moment of satisfaction. Stephanie is so proud of all the current women, but knows that it was all the women all over the world in all the different promotions that made this possible. History is being made, and Stephanie gives her husband, Triple H “Paul”, is also a big part of training and acquiring the elite talent, both male and female, and working together equally with them. Women started stealing the show, and now women are the show! Stephanie hopes the world is blown away and left demanding more.

 

Nia Jax and Ata Johnson are on the Red Carpet!

The Irresistible Force helps her aunt celebrate her birthday, and now Nia will fight in the Historic Battle Royal. Nia hopes to make the entire family proud with a win tonight. Ata is so proud of both her nieces, Nia and Tamina, and is so excited to see this night. What would Nia say to future women wrestlers about what’s next? “Whatever we want.” The women are always innovating, and will continue to do that even tonight.

 

Ronda Rousey is on the Red Carpet!

The Baddest Woman on the Planet is also a best pal to The Queen of Spades, who challenges for the NXT Women’s Championship tonight. But there’s also camaraderie with all the women because this was a collective effort. “Making history” is used so much but this truly is worthy of those words. Ronda has butterflies right now, they’re growing. As a woman in sports, especially fight sports, what does this mean for gender equality? Ronda is looking forward to being a mother soon, and hopes that her daughters deal with less BS than she did, the same as her mom hoped Ronda dealt with less.

Now to Nikki Bella and the verbal jabs, what’s Ronda’s mindset? Because it’s gotten personal, the nicest thing to do would be to finish Nikki off quick. But given what Nikki’s said, Ronda won’t be so nice, she’ll make sure Nikki walks out looking different than how she walked in.

 

It’s time for a (R)Evolution

Divas became women. Inspiration spread and became courage and passion. Women competed in new places for the first time, and the chant was “This is Hope!” This was a childhood dream for each and every one. It didn’t start with just a few, it started with everyone. The dream was proving Women’s Wrestling was on par with the Men’s. The (R)Evolution is worldwide, and the (R)Evolution will be televised! This generation carries the torch from the previous, and is ready to pass it on to the next. Sugar, spice and everything nice, meet power, determination and fury. Past, Present and Future come together to prove that then, now and forever, Women’s Wrestling belongs.

 

Trish Stratus & Lita VS Mickie James & Alicia Fox w/ Alexa Bliss!

Two legends join forces to slap some respect into the Mean Girls of Raw! Trish & Lita are no strangers to #KickieJames, but will their time away be too much ring rust to overcome their opponents? Or are legends like fine wine?

The Goddess welcomes us all to WWE Evolution. She promises us an amazing night, but for Trish & Lita, “I get it. It’s way past your bedtime.” Turn those hearing aids up as she introduces some real leaders of the (R)Evolution in Foxy & Mickie! Alexa has to sit out because of a recent injury, but Alice leads the Red Queen and Mad Hatter to the ring.

The teams sort out, and Mickie starts against Lita. Fans are already thunderous as the two tie up. Mickie and Lita power each other around and Lita puts Mickie in a corner. The fans are on her side as she honors the break. Mickie shoves Lita, so Lita punches Mickie! Lita whips but Mickie reverses. Lita comes back with a headscissor! She rallies with lariats then a monkey flip into a ground ‘n’ pound! Lita brings Mickie up but Mickie knees low. Mickie tags Alicia, but Lita is right on her. Alicia sues the ropes but is still yanked into the ring! Lita throws Alicia around, then runs in at the corner for a clothesline. Alicia flounders but Lita whips her corner to corner. Lita sees Mickie and pulls her in, so now they’re both in the corner.

Tag to Trish, and Trish is a step stool, for Lita’s Poetry in Motion! Mickie slumps out while Trish aims at Ailcia. Alicia is furious as she ties up with Trish. Trish throws Alicia with a judo like hip toss. They trade hammerlocks, but Trish gets up to snapmare Alicia away! Trish waits for Alicia to come back, and gets her in another snapmare. Fans know “You Still Got it!” Trish tells Alicia tag Mickie, and she does. Fans are ready for this rivarly revival! Mickie trash talks Trish, but Trish gives it back. Mickie pokes trish, Trish throws a forearm. Now it’s a brawl back and forth! Trish gets the edge and whips Mickie. Mickie reverses, but Trish gets a Thesz Press! Trish fires fast hands, then runs in, but into a boot!

Mickie hops up, but Trish wants Stratusphere! Mickie stops that and now the two brawl on the top rope. Trish gets an edge again, then adjusts, for SUPER STRATUSPHERE! Cover, TWO!! Mickie survives but Trish drags her over. Tag to Lita, but Mickie scrambles away. The Mean Girls of Wonderland regroup, but then panic when Trish & Lita show dive. Alexa leads her girls away, they’re over this dream match. But Trish & Lita aren’t, they go right after Fox & Mickie! They all brawl, and Lita gets Mickie in. Foxy gets Trish down, then runs in, but accidentally boots Mickie! Lita knocks Alicia down, then climbs up top, but Alexa interferes by tripping her up! Alicia distracted the ref during that, and now Alexa’s BFFs pounce.

Mickie drags Lita over but Lita fights her off. Mickie tags Alicia and Alicia drops elbows on Lita. Fans rally for Lita but Alicia keeps pie-facing her. Alicia stomps Lita in a corner, then brings her over to bump off Mickie’s boot. Mickie tags in as fans rally for Lita. Mickie stomps Lita, lita hits back, Mickie stomps her again. Fans rally as Mickie puts Lita in a chinlock. Lita feeds off the energy and snapmares Mickie off. Mickie kicks Lita right down! Then she hits Trish just because. The ref holds Trish back but Lita gets back in. They work together to headscissor Mickie! But Mickie comes back with a neckbreaker, covers, TWO! Mickie tags Alicia and they mug Lita. Alicia Nothern Lights Lita, TWO! Alicia is furious and wraps Lita in a chinlock.

Fans rally up again as Alicia thrashes Lita around. Lita fights back, gets out of the scoop and hits a reverse DDT! Both women are down but everyone rallies up. Lita crawls, as does Alicia. Hot tags to Mickie and Trish! Trish rallies on Mickie with right hands. She runs, big snapmare then another! Trish whips and gives Mickie a sit-out spinebuster! Cover, TWO!! Mickie survives again and gets to a corner. Trish is on her with chops, and Mickie flounders around the ring. Trish puts some stank on an even bigger chop! Mickie kicks back, rolls Trish up, TWO!

Mickie aims, boot and facelock, but Trish is out and gets her own headlock. Stratusfaction! Cover, but Alicia breaks it just barely! Lita gets Alicia with a Twist of Fate! Then she goes up, to hit a Lita-sault on both women! Mickie flounders up, into a Chick Kick! Cover, Trish & Lita win!

Winners: Trish Stratus & Lita, Trish pinning

Greatness never dies, and that’s why Team Bestie succeeds! If this is just the beginning, what other amazing action will we see tonight?

 

Red Carpet interview with The Bella Twins!

Nikki prepares for Ronda Rousey tonight, but what does she say about people thinking she “crossed a line” saying Mama Rousey is ashamed of her daughter. Brie speaks for them when she tells Kayla Braxton that, as an interviewer, things need context. Ronda brought up their love lives first. But this isn’t about pointing fingers, tonight is about the Evolution. The Bellas are going to dedicate Nikki’s match to Mrs. Rousey. She overcame such adversity ever time Ronda loses or breaks her word. Ronda says she’ll “end” Nikki? But Nikki Bella is Fearless and a #DoSomethingBella. The only thing ending is Ronda’s title reign.

 

Historic Women’s Battle Royal!

This match embodies the past, present and future coming together. Twenty women collide, but only one will win a shot at a Women’s Championship! Who will make history on this night that makes history all by itself?

The IIconics are so happy it’s happening! And it’s taking place in… Long Island? Ew. They all sound weird. They’re glad they don’t have the Long Island Accent. The IIconics see childhood heroes who paved the way, so they’ll repay them by paving the road “back to obscurity.” Billie & Peyton think they’re so funny. “Enjoy these precious few seconds, because soon it will all be over.” Then the women of the past can go back to doing whatever losers do. Tonight is about the future, and #TheFutureisIIconic! POSE! Billie & Peyton fangirl over each other, but the legends come after them first! The legends ELIMINATE the IIconics!

But now, legends stand across from the current women, and the real fight is on! It’s chaos as women pair off. Or in some cases, end up in trios. Asuka goes after Molly Holly, Tamina is after Alundra Blayze, but Lana is after Ember? Well not everything is clear cut. Mandy and Sonya work together and ELIMINATE Molly Holly! Then they target Kelly Kelly while Zelina Vega goes after Maria Kanellis. The duo formerly known as Absolution get Kelly over the ropes and ELIMINATE her! The other brawls continue, and Mandy gives Asuka some kicks. Torrie Wilson fights off Sonya but Mandy bails her friend out. Together, Mandy & Sonya fight with Torrie, and ELIMINATE Torrie! But then Mandy ELIMINATES Sonya?! Sorry, but it is everyone woman for herself.

Sonya storms off while Mandy stomps Lana. Alundra runs over Asuka and Naomi, but Nia Jax grabs her! Nia scoops Blayze out, and ELIMINATES her! Maria goes after Nia, the First Lady is back in action! She gives Nia a DDT, but she’s too much to push over. Tamina grabs Maria but Maria gives her a jawbreaker, and a furious bronco buster! Nia comes back for Maira and puts her on the apron. And with a headbutt, she ELIMINATES Maria! Vega gives Tamina CIEN KNEES! She drags Tamina up whiel Mandy goes after Nia. Tamina shoves Vega back for a SUPERKICK! Then she scoops Carmella for a Samoan Drop! The cousins meet and fans fire up for this amazing stare down. Nia and Tamina let out battle cries and go after everyone else! Family sticks together, but then have the ring to themselves.

Lana gets up, wishing them a Happy Lana Day. Tamina shoves Lana, Lana slaps Tamina! Lana kicks away on Nia, but to no effect. Double headbutts for the Ravishing Russian, before Tamina ELIMINATES Lana! Nia scoops Tamina for a slam! Asuka goes after Nia, a familiar foe from NXT! Naoim heps her frined out, but that’s too much for just them. More women join in, and we end up with a 4v4 suplex situation! The side that wins is Nia’s! All the women are down but the fans are fired up! Carmella returns and now she has control. DANCE BREAK~! Carmella flosses, but Ivory gets up. To join in! High ten! But then Mandy goes after Ivory and puts her on the apron. Carmella helps Ivory out and ELIMINATES Mandy!

But the fight is back on! Rear View for Tamina! Handspring elbow for Ember! Michelle McCool goes after Carmella while Ember suplexes and ELIMINATES Dana Brooke hard! Carmella runs, but into a powerbomb! Michelle puts Carmella up top, but here comes Ember! Springboard, into a boot! Michelle drags Ember up for a powerbomb, but Ember resists. Ember shovels Michelle out, then SUPERKICK! Ember ELIMINATES Michelle McCool!

Tamina fights off Asuka and Naomi, but gets a code breaker and dropkick! Naomi runs at Tamina but a back drop ELIMINATES Naomi! Ivory rocks Asuka for a facebuster! Carmella throws Ember at Nia but Nia shoves Carmella back. Ember hits Nia with a tornado DDT! Carmella runs but into a sidewalk slam! Carmella bumps Ember off her boot, Asuka goes after Ivory. The Fabulous Princess moonwalks, but Ember puts her on the apron! Ember forearms and ELIMINATES! Carmella! Tamina tackles Ember in a corner!

Our final five are Nia, Tamina, Ember, Asuka and Ivory! The last legend fights off Tamina, but she’s on the top rope. She leaps at Tamina, big crossbody! Ivory gets herself back up, and back up top. She wants one more, but Tamina throws Asuka at Ivory. Ivory tumbles, fights Asuka but a dragons crew and a hip attack ELIMINATES Ivory! Now we have Nia, Tamina, Ember and Asuka. The Empress and Shenom meet again and fans chant “NXT!” Asuka fires off strikes, then the pop-up knee. She runs at Ember but misses, SUPERKICK! Ember throws Asuka out and ELIMINATES her! But Tamina is ready. Ember turns around, but she blocks the superkick! She runs, but into a swinging slam! Nia takes advantage and goes after Tamina. Tamina SUPERKICKS Nia down!

Tamina runs into Ember’s elbow. Fans rally for Ember as she dodges Tamina to dropkick Nia. Ember roars as she runs and handsprings to forearm Tamina! Ember climbs high, for an Eclipse! She hurries to get Tamina up and out, Ember ELIMINATES Tamina! Now it’s just Ember and Nia! They were friends going into this, but only one can win this. Fans are thunderous as the two stare down. Ember runs at Nia but Nia runs her over! Nia drags Ember up but Ember kicks back. Nia tosses Ember! Ember comes back with forearms, then tries to tip Nia over. Nia fights her off and gut wrenches her out! Ember is on the apron and works to drag Nia out with her. Ember kicks Nia, then uses the ropes and a facelock! She drags Nia up and over, but wait, Zelina Vega?!

Zelina dumps them both to the apron, because she was never eliminated. But she thinks she’s won when she hasn’t! Nia is there when she turns around, and tries to reason with her. No going, so she rakes Nia’s eyes! Zelina leaps on for a sleeper but Nia pops her up for a trophy lift! Nia carries Zeilna around, and tosses her out onto Tamina! Nia ELIMINATES Zelina! But Ember is there, and dropkicks Nia to the ropes! Ember runs to clothesline Nia over and over. She gets a big run, but runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Nia drags Ember up, tosses her out, Nia WINS!

Winner: Nia Jax; earns a future Raw Women’s Championship match

The Irresistible Force was also unstoppable, and now she’s a #1 contender! The Samoan Dynasty triumphs, where and when will Nia get another Raw Women’s Championship reign?

In-ring interview with Nia Jax!

She made history! Nia is so emotional given everything the family is going through. Fans know “You Deserve It!” Nia is so happy to have shared the ring with legends, but now she focuses on that title. She’s one step closer, who would she rather face? Nikki or Ronda? Nia wishes the best of luck to both women and their match tonight. That winner better enjoy their moment, because it won’t last long.

 

2018 Mae Young Classic Finals: Io Shirai VS Toni Storm!

This is conclusion to the second-annual, 32-woman tournament that honors the memory of THE legend of Women’s Wrestling. It has boiled down to the Genius of the Sky and the Lightning from Down Under! Both women seek this career-defining moment, but who will achieve a dream?

The bell rings and another momentous match begins. Toni and Shirai shake hands to show they respect each other. Fans duel as these two tie up. Toni gets a headlock, but Shirai works her way out. Shirai gets her own headlock, but Toni pries her way out. Toni wrenches the wrist but Shirai reverses back. Toni spins and reverses that to a headlock takeover. Shirai headscissors but Toni fights it. Shirai does it again and gets Toni’s head. Toni works her way up and around and slips out. Shirai and Toni shake hands again as they start over. They tie up, Toni gets the arm again. Shirai flips, handsprings and wrenches the wrist. Toni spins, reverses to a hammerlock, but Shirai gets the wrist back. Toni spins, bends, rolls and breaks to fire off strikes! She runs, but Shirai drops down. Toni changes direction to dropkick Shirai! Cover, TWO!

Toni toys with Shirai a little, then brings her back up. She gives Shirai a stiff European Uppercut, then a forearm. Toni whips but Shirai ducks and handsprings. Toni gets out of the way but still gets a dropkick! Shirai kips up and fires up, as do the fans. Shirai stomps Toni, then steps on her before dropping knees. Cover, TWO, but Shirai gets a Rings of Saturn! Toni endures while fans rally up. Toni feeds off the energy to get moving, but Shirai hooks her with a leg. Shirai pulls Toni back but Toni gets the leg off. Toni powers her way up but Shirai rolls her through to keep the hold! Toni reaches with her legs, for the ropebreak! Shirai lets Toni go at 4, and Toni gets to a corner.

Shirai runs in but into a boot. Toni stands up, and goes up over Shirai. They run again, Toni gets Shirai in a German Suplex! Toni runs in for the hip attack! Then she puts Shirai in a drop zone, and climbs up! Toni can fly, but Shirai gets to the ropes. Shirai scares Toni, then springs up for a dropkick! Toni tumbles down to the ground! Shirai gets moving, and triangle ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit but both women are down. Shirai drags herself to the ring but doesn’t get in quite yet. She enters at 6 but Toni is back at 7. They end up on the apron together, and start brawling. Fans duel as Toni double underhooks. Shirai resists but Toni holds on, too. Toni tries again, but so does Shirai. They separate, Toni headbutts Shiari! And hits a German Suplex on the apron!!

Shirai tumbles down while Toni tumbles in. The ring count begins again as both women slowly stir. Shirai gets up at 7, flounders at 8, but gets in at 9! Toni is shocked, but she covers now, TWO! Toni is growing frustrated, but she goes after Shirai again. She throws forearms, but Shirai counters and fires her own! Fans duel as Shirai gets an edge. Shirai fires off furious and endless forearms, then an uppercut! Shirai runs, but into a clobbering clothesline! Toni drags Shirai up, STORM ZERO! Cover, TWO!? Shirai survives Toni’s best move!! Toni cannot believe it but many of the fans can’t, either. Shirai gets back to the bottom rope for safety, but Toni goes after her.

Toni drags Shirai up, but Shirai hotshots Toni back! Shirai slips into the ring, runs, and hits a 619! Shout out to her hero, Rey Mysterio, before she springboards for the sunset flip! Cover, TWO!! That was close! Toni flounders to a corner and fans continue to duel. Shirai gets to an opposite corner, and runs in for the meteora! She puts Toni in a drop zone and gets on the top rope. Shirai leaps, moonsault meets knees! Toni double underhooks, Storm Zero AGAIN! TONI STORM WINS!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall; 2018 MYC Winner

The Storm blots out sun and triumphs over the Genius of the Sky! She makes good on her second chance in the Mae Young Classic, and only increases her stock in the WWE.

The 2018 Mae Young Classic trophy is presented.

Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Sara Amata all join the finalists in the ring. Toni’s hand is raised as the official announcement is made. Both women receive a bouquet of flowers, but Toni is the one who receives the crystal trophy to hold up in victory. What new heights will Toni achieve in her already stellar career? Will Io Shirai be just fine despite this loss?

 

Six Woman Tag: The Riott Squad VS Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks!

Ruby, Sarah & Liv doing what they want to who they want, and lately that’s been bully and beat up the Queen of Harts and the #LegitHuggable BFFs. Will Natty, Bayley & Sasha get payback? Or will WWE Evolution #StartARiott?

The teams sort out and the Juvenile Delinquent, Liv, starts with Queen of Harts, Natty. The two tie up and go around the ring. Liv puts Natty in a corner, then SLAPS her! Natty chases Liv to the other side, but the Squad back Liv up. Liv kicks Natty then throws her down by her hair. Liv says “kiss thiss”, but then sees Natty’s duck coming. She teases Natty but gets a slap for it! Tag to Sasha, and they give Liv a #Legit Hart Attack! Liv tags to Sarah, and the Kentucky Valkyrie goes after Sasha. They trade chops, then Sasha goes acrobatic to arm-drag. Sasha dropkicks Sarah, covers, TWO. Sasha brings Sarah over, tag to Bayley! The Boss & Hug Connection work together for big knees and meteora! Sasha feeds Sarah to Bayley for the hotshot! Sarah is outside, Bayley pursues.

Bayley dropkicks Sarah through the post! She puts Sarah back in, but has to avoid Ruby. She bumps Ruby off the apron, but runs into a dropkick trap! Sarah drives Bayley into the post, and now the Squad has control. Ruby taunts Bayley while Sarah drags her out. Cover, TWO! Tag to Liv, and they mug Bayley. Liv elbows Bayley in the ribs, then puts her in a seated stretch. Fans rally up but Liv grinds Bayley’s ribs more. Bayley endures as she works her way out and fights back. Liv drives her back, Sarah tags in, and they stomp a mudhole into Bayley. Sarah drags Bayley down with a cobra clutch. Fans rally as Bayley gets back up. Sarah knees Bayley low then tags Ruby. They mug Bayley more, and then Sarah tags back in. Ruby catapults Bayley into Sarah’s forearm! Cover, TWO, and the Squad grows frustrated.

Sarah puts Bayley in a corner to stomp a new mudhole. She backs off at 4, then lets out a howl. Sarah runs but Bayley gives her snake eyes! Bayley reaches but has to snake eyes Sarah again. She crawls but Sarah is on her. Sarah whips but Bayley reverses. Ruby tags in but Bayley blasts the corner up. Bayley hurries but Ruby trips her up. Ruby gets in and Liv tags, for another catapult, but Bayley hits Liv! Bayley clobbers Ruby and starts crawling for her corner. Sarah gets in but is thrown back out, so she trips up Natty and clobbers her down! Liv grabs Bayley and drags her away. Tag to Ruby, and the Squad continues to isolate Bayley. They double whip but Bayley fights them off! Bayley hotshots Liv, crawls but Ruby stops her. Bayley shoves her away, hot tag to Sasha!

The Boss rallies, blocks a kick to give a kick! She runs in the corner but is put on the apron. She knees Ruby away, then climbs up, for meteora! Cover, TWO! Sasha grows frustrated, but keeps focus. She brings Ruby up, scoops but Ruby slips out to mule kick. Ruby runs back in but Sasha turns her. Ruby fights her off but ends up in a crucifix pin. TWO, Sasha gives Ruby a knee. Ruby kicks Sasha back then shoves. Bayley tags in, roll through to backstabber to Bayley2Belly! Cover, but Liv barrels into them all! Both best friends are down while Sarah saves Ruby. Ruby tags to Sarah, Sasha tags back in. Sasha hits Liv then meteora press on Sarah!

Fans fire up as Sasha takes aim at the Squad. She runs, FLIES, but is caught, to be tossed into barriers!! The Squad puts Sasha back in, covers, TWO!! Sasha survives and Sarah is shocked. Sarah grits her teeth as she tags Liv in. Liv climbs while Sarah brings Sasha over in an Electric Chair. They coordinate, Riott Doomsday! Tag to Ruby, tag to Sarah, combination back senton! Sarah covers, but Natty breaks it! Sarah hits Natty and throws her back out. She goes abck to Sasha for stomps. Liv tags in and coordinates with Sasha for an enziguri. Tag to Ruby and she climbs up top. Ruby aims, but Bayley protects her friend with her body. That’s fine by Ruby, stage-dive senton! Cover, TWO!? Bayley’s body was enough to help Sasha survive! Ruby is furious as she tags Liv in.

Liv aims at Sasha but Sasha dodges the enziguri. Liv tags back out, Sarah and Rub work together again, but misses the senton! Hot tag to Natty! Natty hits a discus lariat! Then a German Suplex! Natty keeps on Sarah with a whip, but Sarah elbows. Ruby tags in but Sarah takes the wheelbarrow facebuster. Liv tags in as Ruby gets a scoop slam. Natty stacks Ruby and Sarah, for a DOUBLE Sharpshooter! Liv pounces with a facebuster! Cover, TWO!! Natty survives and The Squad is at a loss for words! Liv stalks Natty as Natty looks for tags. No one home, Liv stomps Natty out! Liv continues to stalk Natty, and runs in, but for a pop-up! Tag to Bayley, Natty bombs Liv! Bayley Macho Elbows! Then DIVES on Ruby & Sarah! Sasha Frog Splashes! Cover, Sasha’s team wins!

Winners: Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks, Sasha pinning

Viva la Evolution as a shout-out to Latino Heat helps Sasha’s team win! They celebrate with one big hug, where will this major team victory lead the three former champions?

 

NXT Women’s Championship: Kairi Sane VS Shayna Baszler!

This furious feud dates back to the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament. The Pirate Princess won that crystal trophy, but The Queen of Spades won the title first. Kairi would take the title from Shayna in their third meeting, but Shayna claims that was more her losing than Kairi winning. The fourth time around will prove who is the better woman as an NXT title is defended on a main roster PPV for the first time ever!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Shayna and Kairi circle, Shayna throws a kick. Kairi stays up, then lunges in. She gets a waistlock but Shayna tosses her off. They go again, and Shayna powers Kairi to a corner. Shayna grinds her forearm but backs off at 4. She trips Kairi up then eggs her own with her spade hands. Kairi ducks under Shayna to then kick her down! Kairi taunts back with the telescope hands. Shayna kicks but gets caught. Kairi kicks but Shayna avoids. Shayna goes for her hold but Kairi gets out. Kairi throws a hand but gets caught again. Kairi works against the sleeper, so Shayna grabs hair. Shayna whips but Kairi wheelbarrows to a stunner!

Fans fire up as Shayna staggers back. Kairi “swims”, to run in and hit the Sliding D! Kairi springboards for double stomps on the apron! Shayna tumbles down as she coughs for air. Kairi keeps on Shayna, but Shayna reverses. Shayna whips but Kairi jumps onto the steps. Kairi jumps over Shayna to hit a big palm strike. She runs in but Shayna blocks that Sliding D to drive Kairi into the steps! Shayna refreshes the count to put Kairi back in. Shayna storms over to Kairi and puts her in a hammerlock. She throws Kairi into buckles, then drives in a knee. She runs and slides to come back for another knee! Kairi is stunned, Shayna gut wrenches and slams her! Cover, TWO! Kairi grits her teeth as she crawls, but Shayna is on her again.

Shayna grabs the arm and begins the torture as she twists elbow, wrist and shoulder! Shayna hammerlocks the arm, to STOMP IT! Kairi clutches her arm as fans boo and jeer Bully Baszler. Shayna doesn’t care as she covers, ONE. Shayna keeps on Kairi, and has her in a seated double wristlock. Kairi endures as fans rally up. Kairi gets to her feet and rolls Shayna, TWO! Shayna ducks Kairi to get the arm again. Shayna has a mounted armbar, and moves around to twist it more and more. Kairi endures, but Shayna yanks back!! Kairi goes to the ropes, that arm could be worse than broken. Shayna toys with Kairi now, but Kairi gets mad. Kairi uses her good arm to throw a forearm, so Shayna throws one. Kairi gives another, Shayna gives another.

They go back and forth, but Shayna kicks the bad arm. Shayna runs, but Kairi gets her with a forearm. Kairi runs but Shayna gets her with a knee. Shayna runs, into a backhand! Both women fall but fans fire up! Fans chant “NXT! NXT!” as the referee counts. Kairi crawls over to Shayna, but not for a cover. Kairi goes after the legs with her Anchor Lock!! Shayna endures, slips around, and gets the bad arm! Shayna tweaks it quick and Kairi is  down. Kairi writhes but Shayna is on her arm again. Kairi puts Shayna in a corner and fires off wild strikes! The referee backs her off, but Kairi just fires up more. Kairi whips but Shayna reverses. She blasts out for a SPEAR! The Interceptor hits its mark, but Kairi isn’t done. Kairi marches the plank, runs back in, another shoulder tackle! Then blockbuster! Cover, TWO!

Kairi isn’t done yet, she brings Shayna up and to a corner. She hoists Shayna up for the Alabama Slam! Shayna’s down, so Kairi climbs up! But Shayna knows this, and kicks Kairi on the way. She has a hangman’s armlock!! Shayna lets go at 4 to send Kairi tumbling to the floor. Shayna mocks the Pirate Princess before she fetches Kairi. She puts Kairi in, then waits for Kairi to get up. Shayna suplexes but Kairi turns it into a DDT! Kairi hurries up top to use that good elbow. But Shayna rolls out. Fans boot and jeer, but Kairi doesn’t care where Shayna goes. SUPER CROSSBODY!! Direct hit!

Fans fire up for Kairi throwing caution to the wind! But then Shayna throws Kairi into barriers. Shayna runs back in, but Kairi dumps her out onto the other MMA Four Horsewomen, Marina and Jessamyn! All three are wiped out, but Kairi isn’t done with Shayna yet. Kairi drags Shayna back over, but Jessamyn goes after her! Kairi back hands her! The champ puts challenger back in the ring, back in the drop zone, but then Marina rushes the ring! Marina gets kicked away, then rocked with a back hand. Shayna gets teh Kirafuda Klutch!! But Kaiir makes it a cover, TWO!! Kairi flounders but gets Shayna in a waistlock. Roll up, TWO! Into Jessamyn’s kick!? Kirafuda Klutch!! Kairi is stuck, flailing but fading! Kairi tries for a second wind, but she’s OUT!

Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission; NEW NXT Women’s Champion

The Queen of Spades steals this one, all thanks to her friends! She may be the first-ever two-time Women’s Champion, but not without controversy. Will NXT GM William Regal have something to say about this on Wednesday?

 

SmackDown Women’s Championship Last Woman Standing Match: Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair!

The Lass Kicker and Queen of Flair were friends, but the problem there is that there could only be one champion. Becky wanted the title back so badly, that when her “best friend” took it away right in front of her, she snapped! The now Relent-Lass Straight Fire burned down bridges, and now wants to make Charlotte burn. Charlotte is willing to return that fire, but only one woman can be left standing. Who will walk away from this historic event having won a title, but lost a friend forever?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Becky points out how the fans are on her side. Charlotte shrugs that off, and we begin! Fans do not slow down in chanting for Becky as she and Charlotte circle. They rush each other. Charlotte dodges but Becky evades. Charlotte blocks but Becky evades again. Becky shoves Charlotte but Charlotte shoves her back! Charlotte struts as Becky is counted! Becky scrambles up and clotheslines Charlotte down. The ref counts but Charlotte kips up. The two stare down and rush each other. Charlotte gets the takedown but Becky pushes her away. Becky comes back with forearms! Becky drops a leg, mocks the strut before dropping an elbow, then drops another leg.

The ref counts and Becky swaggers about. Charlotte gets up but Becky is on her with EuroUppers. Charlotte counters to hit the neckbreaker! Becky reverses the whip but runs into a shoulder. Charlotte hurries to the top rope, but Becky stops her. Becky throws Charlotte down! The count begins but Charlotte is up at 4. Becky is on her again with the Becksploder! Charlotte is in a corner with the new count. She’s up at 3, and goes to boot Becky. Becky counters with a EuroUpper, then climbs up to leap. Charlotte dodges and boots Becky down! Becky is under the count now, but she gets up at 4. Fans duel now as Charlotte runs in. Becky bumps her off buckles but Charlotte gets up. Becky throws her all the way out and has the ref count. Charlotte uses the announce desk for help and gets up at 4.

Becky decides to look under the ring, and has a kendo stick! Becky SMACKS away on Charlotte with the bamboo! Charlotte goes writhing but Becky pursues and SMACKS her more. Charlotte blocks a swing, but Becky kicks her down. Becky bumps Charlotte off the apron edge, then goes looking for other things. Fans say “We Want Tables!” but Becky finds chairs first. Becky brings one of those out, but Charlotte tosses some into the ring. Becky does the same, so Charlotte raises the stakes. Both women throw in more chairs, raising the ante. Fans chant “E C Dub!” as chair after chair is put in the ring. All the chairs are in the ring, so Charlotte brings out a table! Becky stops that as she hits her with a flying forearm! Becky stalks Charlotte as she crawls. Charlotte gets Becky with her own exploder!

Becky is down for the count, but gets up at 5. She grabs a chair from the ring, and SMACKS Charlotte while she’s setting up the table! Becky jabs Charlotte with it, then SMACKS her again! Becky drags Charlotte around while fans chant “You Deserve It!” They go into the ring, and Charlotte is being counted again. Becky watches as Charlotte gets up at 5. She throws Charlotte onto the chair pile! Charlotte is being counted, but Becky makes a new chair pile. Charlotte is up at 6, so Becky brings her around! Becky wants the exploder but Charlotte fights her off. Charlotte gives Becky a back suplex on the chair pile! Becky and Charlotte are both down but Charlotte is stirring. Charlotte stands at 7 as she rolls out. Becky drags herself up at 8, but flounders.

Charlotte goes for another table! She sets a table in the ring, but then Becky hits a jump kick! Charlotte goes down and Becky sets up the table. Charlotte stands at 5 thanks to the announce desk. Becky finishes with the table but sees Charlotte coming. She back kicks, then urenages Charlotte on those chairs! The count returns, and Charlotte stirs but clutches her neck. Charlotte slowly stands and makes it at 8, so Becky goes after her again. Becky bumps Charlotte off the table to then put her on the table. Becky climbs up now, but Charlotte stops her! Charlotte stomps away on Becky, then puts her on the table. She clubs away on Becky with forearm after forearm. Charlotte then staggers her way over to the corner and climbs up. Charlotte moonsaults, on Becky! The table does NOT break!!

Both women are down, but Charlotte is up first. Charlotte sets that table back up, but Becky flounders over. Charlotte bounces Becky off the wood, then puts her back on. The Queen climbs up again, for a swanton! This time the table breaks! But both women are down again, and the count begins. The count passes 5 as they both sit up. It reaches 8 as Charlotte and Becky scramble up, to stand at 9! Becky flops back down while Charlotte slumps out of the ring. Charlotte drags out a LADDER! And she puts it in the ring. This unofficially becomes a TLC match now. Becky clobbers Charlotte, the ladder manages to stay up. Becky pushes it down then drags it over. She goes back to Charlotte as fans declare “This is Awesome!”

Becky scoop slams Charlotte on the ladder! Charlotte is down and the count begins. She manages to stand at 6, so Becky gets her again. Charlotte slips out and chop blocks! She kicks away on the leg, drags Becky over, and laces it through the ladder… Charlotte stomps the legs, then re-laces the legs, for the Figure Four! And FIGURE EIGHT! Becky taps but that doesn’t matter, this is a Last Woman Standing! Becky endures the torture, but grabs a chair. She smacks Charlotte’s legs, and gets free. The count returns but can Becky stand with bad legs? The count passes 5 as Charlotte gets up. Becky rolls out to stop the count, but those legs are not doing well. Charlotte goes out to follow Becky, but Becky shoves her into the steps!

A new count begins as Charlotte clutches an arm and Becky clutches her legs. Becky shouts “Stay down!” but Charlotte refuses. So Becky shoves her into a post! Charlotte’s down again while Becky props herself up. The count restarts and climbs past 5 again. Charlotte manages to get up but Becky’s leaving with the belt! Charlotte chases her down and chops her in front of the fans! Chop after chop but Becky throws forearms now. They go back and forth, Becky staggering on one good leg. Charlotte keeps giving chops so Becky keeps giving forearms. Charlotte gets an edge, Becky flops around on noodle legs. They go back to the ring as Charlotte tosses Becky over the barrier. Charlotte clears off the announce desk! She drags Becky over to bounce her off another desk.

Charlotte kicks Becky while she’s down, then drags out a new ladder! Charlotte sets it up by the announce desk, and fans anticipate what she’s planning. Becky does, too, and hits Charlotte with the title belt! Becky drags Charlotte over now, and bounces her off the desk. She sets Charlotte on the table, positions the ladder, and climbs. Becky aims, leaps, SUPER leg drop through the desk!! Both women are down but fans are losing their minds! Becky gets up at 7, but Charlotte is slower. Charlotte still gets up at 8, so Becky boots her down! Becky rains down rights, then bounces her off the floor. Becky buries Charlotte in arm chairs, even taking Renee Young’s. She uses the chairs from the ring, too, and then what’s left of one of the tables.

A count begins, and Becky is confident she’s won. The count passes 6 as Charlotte stirs, and she emerges at 9!? Charlotte glares at Becky, she’s like something from a horror movie in Becky’s eyes. Becky runs but Charlotte chases her and SMACKS her with that kendo stick! Becky flounders, into Charlotte’s SPEAR! Both women are down again, and a new count begins. Charlotte doesn’t wait for the count, she drags Becky around. She still has the table from earlier to use, so she stands it up. Charlotte drags Becky back up and bounces her off wood. She puts Becky on the table, and begins a new climb.

Charlotte reaches the top rope and aims for the table, but Becky gets up! Becky SUPER BOMBS Charlotte THROUGH THE TABLE!! Fans are thunderous as the count returns. The count passes 5 but Charlotte somehow stirs. It reaches 7, then 9… Charlotte’s still on all fours, Becky wins!!

Winner: Becky Lynch; still SmackDown Women’s Champion

The Lass Kicker keeps the Queen down and holds her title up high! Charlotte definitely needs help, but Becky leaves her behind again. If not even this much could stop Becky, what can?

 

Raw Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey VS Nikki Bella w/ Brie Bella!

The Baddest Woman on the Planet thought the Bella Twins were trustworthy. That the Bella Twins were respectful. And that the Bella Twins were her friends. But she was wrong. She found out the Bella Twins were just after the spotlight and the title. The Fearless Nikki faces Ronda tonight, will she catch the Rowdy Women’s Champion off guard? Or will Ronda rip her arm off?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Ronda and Nikki circle and tie up. Ronda throws Nikki down quick! Nikki scrambles to ropes, but Ronda teasingly encourages her to stand back up. Nikki stands, they tie up again, and Ronda throws her again. Ronda has the arm, but does put on the armbar to show it was that easy. Nikki gets Ronda’s leg, but Ronda brings her back around to an armlock. Again, Ronda shows her how easy it is. Ronda lets Nikki go and Nikki gets more frustrated than if she already lost. Nikki and Brie talk quickly, and Brie moves around. Ronda keeps her eyes on Nikki, and throws her right out! But then Brie marches over, and Nikki shoves Ronda into the post!

Nikki gets back in the ring and waits for Ronda. She gets Ronda by the hair, Ronda gets loose, but not Brie shoves Ronda into a post! Nikki fetches Ronda to put her in, then covers. ONE, but the Bellas keep their cool. Nikki puts Ronda in a chinlock and Brie taunts her. Ronda endures and works against the hold. Ronda moves around but Nikki traps an arm. Nikki taunts Ronda while fans duel. Nikki knees Ronda low, then tosses her out. The Bellas soak up the heat, then Nikki shoves Ronda into barriers. She bounces Ronda off the apron, then puts her back into barriers. Nikki puts Ronda in, covers, TWO! Brie coaches Nikki up as Nikki puts on a headscissor squeeze. Ronda endures as Nikki drags her around. Nikki does push ups as she squeezes Ronda, but Ronda rolls out and free.

Ronda gets to a corner and Nikki comes over. Ronda shoves her away, but Brie gets a cheap shot! Nikki puts Ronda in a corner and bumps her off buckles. She drags Ronda around and slams her into the post! Nikki shoves Ronda back in and covers, TWO! Nikki puts Ronda back in a chinlock, but Ronda gets up. Now Nikki has an abdominal stretch, and drives in her elbows. Ronda powers out but Nikki keeps the hold on. Ronda turns red as Nikki pulls on her more. Fans rally up as Ronda tries to pry her way out. Nikki wrangles her down but Ronda gets up again. Ronda throws Nikki off and can breathe again. Nikki gets to a corner, and back elbows Ronda away. Nikki hits the Fearless Enziguri! Cover, TWO!! The Bellas grow frustrated as Ronda survives.

Nikki drags Ronda back up and into a corner for shoulders to the stomach. Nikki backs off at 4, then hoists Ronda way up. Fans duel as Nikki climbs up to join Ronda. Nikki wants a superplex, but Ronda holds on. Ronda shoves Nikki away, but Brie gets up. Nikki strikes in the distraction! Nikki climbs up again, but Ronda holds on. Ronda and Nikki fight, Nikki falls down. Ronda adjusts, and leaps for a crossbody! But Nikki gets clear! Ronda crashes and burns while Brie chants “YES! YES!” for her sister. Nikki is smug as she targets Ronda. She slides but Ronda dodges! Brie helps Nikki while Ronda clutches her ribs. Nikki’s neck is an issue, but she’s back in.

Nikki lines up a kick but Ronda blocks! Ronda trips Nikki, rolls to the fireman’s carry, but Brie gets up on the apron again. Brie grabs Nikki’s hand, but ends up part of the fireman’s carry!! Ronda gives both Bellas a ROWDY SLAM! Fans are thunderous as all three women are down. Ronda gets up first and glares at Nikki. Ronda fires up for strike mode! Nikki staggers up and into a boot! She stands again, for the punches! Ronda reels Nikki out for a monkey flip and the ground ‘n’ pound! Ronda drags Nikki back up, judo throw after judo throw. She dares Nikki to get up again. Nikki drags herself up in a corner, but covers up. Ronda just SLAPS Nikki. Ronda stands Nikki up, cradles her, for the Fall Away! Nikki slumps out of the ring and Brie is panicking.

Ronda fetches Nikki, she’s not letting Nikki off that easy. She puts Nikki in, Brie sucker punches Ronda! But that only angers Ronda, who reels Brie in for a throw across the announce desk! Ronda returns to Nikki, but Nikki gets an Ala-Bella Slam! Cover, TWO!! Nikki cannot believe Ronda survives again! Nikki drags herself away while Ronda gets up. Ronda runs in but into the post! Nikki brings Ronda up, Rack Attack!! Cover, TWO?! Ronda still lives and Nikki is shocked! Nikki has one last idea, as she climbs up top. Ronda gets her with body shots, but Nikki forearms Ronda away. Ronda comes back, leaps up, SUPER takedown, into the ARMBAR!! Nikki taps, Ronda wins!

Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission; still Raw Women’s Champion

It didn’t matter that Nikki was Fearless, Ronda is peerless! Rowdy Ronda retains her Raw Women’s Championship and is still the Baddest Woman on the Planet. She celebrates with her husband in the front row while the Bellas regroup and retreat. If Nikki failed, will Brie give it a go? Will Brie just end up the same as her sister? Or is Ronda moving on to another challenge?

Speaking of…

Nia Jax watches backstage. The win in the battle royal gives Nia her shot at Ronda’s title, but where and when will she want it?

And lastly…

Ronda meets all the other WWE women on the stage to celebrate the entire night! Viva la Women’s Wrestling! Viva la Evolution!

 


 

My Thoughts:

There were many reasons to be worried about this PPV, that it could just end up a glorified episode of Raw or even SmackDown. After watching this event, I personally feel that all those worries were put to rest, because this was great! The Kickoff Show was fun, lots of great interviews, and R-Truth was classic. Then, much like an NXT TakeOver, it was very smart to start with a tag team match like Trish-Lita VS Foxy-Mickie. It was a good adjustment for Alexa Bliss to meddle, because it added to how great Trish & Lita came off. Those two could make a serious run again, as at least part-timers. Then the “Historic” Battle Royal was chaotic but in a good way, and far exceeded expectations. Nia winning can work as she and Ronda never had a clean finish, so a rematch from Money in the Bank is fine.

Of course, Asuka not winning should’ve been a sign to me that I wasn’t getting my Japanese Strong Style sweep. Toni Storm winning over Io Shirai was quite surprising, but it did work better for her overall story in the WWE. Toni already has the NXT UK Division, though, so this win will surely be spun into her placement in the NXT UK Women’s Championship picture. Io Shirai is still fine in losing, she has a lot to do in the American NXT. I was even more surprised that Shayna won, and with help from the other MMA Horsewomen. This does help establish Jessamyn and Marina in the eyes of the WWE Universe as a whole, and will definitely lead to a Women’s Championship story for NXT TakeOver: WarGames. I wonder if Kairi can get friends for a Women’s WarGames…

The Six Woman Tag was another of the dreaded matches, but wow did the match itself make up for a lot. The Riott Squad was definitely a well-oiled machine, but I’m thinking Natty, Bayley & Sasha going over was so fans could cheer the Faces. I’m just not sure where any of this is going as a story without tag titles. That Last Woman Standing had one odd element, and that was that any knockdown was counted. I don’t remember that being how Gargano VS Ciampa Last Man Standing being that way. But even so, this Last Woman Standing Match puts some previous Last Man Standing Matches to shame! Though, I will say Charlotte was dangerously close to Super Cena/Roman territory, but Becky winning was the right move. Now we freshen things up on SmackDown going into Survivor Series.

The Raw Women’s Championship match was a lot better than expected, too, and it was actually thanks to the Bella Twins working together like that. Ronda toying with Nikki was fun, too, but the heat really got good when Brie started getting involved. Ronda obviously still wins, because fans will want Nia VS Ronda 2 far more than Nikki Bella w/ Brie VS Anyone. Plus, Ronda winning truly establishes that this is no longer a Diva’s Era, but the Women’s (R)Evolution. I really hope that this PPV becomes an annual tradition, so long as it can maintain this level of entertainment. AKA, keep HHH booking things because I’m pretty sure he was a major part of things behind the scenes.

My Score: 9/10


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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

on

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


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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!

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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.

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:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.


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