Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: The 47th Anniversary Show!

NJPW turns 47 and celebrates in a big way!

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2019

NJPW turns 47 and AXS gives us TWO HOURS tonight! Jay White and Will Ospreay go Champion VS Champion in a non-title instant classic!

Coverage of the 47th Anniversary Show will be as aired by AXS TV.

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: BUSHI & Shingo Takagi VS Roppongi 3K; Roppongi 3K wins and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Taiji Ishimori VS Jushin Thunder Liger; Ishimori wins and retains the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto & Hiroshi Tanahashi; Okada, Goto & Tanahashi win.
Champion VS Champion: Jay White VS Will Ospreay; White wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW and AXS set the scene for this epic anniversary!

In 1972, professional wrestling changed forever as Antonio Inoki and Carl Gotch headlined the inaugural NJPW event! The decades have gone by with dream match-up after dream match-up, and that tradition continues even now! The Switchblade ushered in the Cutthroat Era to become the NEW IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Jay White will head to Madison Square Garden for his first ever defense, but he has much more than just a tune-up tonight! The Aerial Assassin returns from injury still the NEVER Openweight Champion and looks to show he can beat White again. Will Will Ospreay ascend to even greater heights? Or will he simply Breathe with the Switchblade?

But first, the Bone Soldier Reborn hit NJPW hard upon his debut, and kept hitting all the way to becoming IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion at Wrestle Kingdom. Taiji Ishimori beat a great Junior Heavyweight in Ryusuke Taguchi, but now he dares aim for the greatest! Ishimori called out Jushin Thunder Liger, and the living legend accepted by telling the youngster, “You will regret this.” Does Liger have what it’s take to become a historic 12-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion? Or will the Bone Soldier prove he can hang with “the big boys”?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: BUSHI & Shingo Takagi VS Roppongi 3K!

A special bonus on this two hour airing, Los Ingobernables de Japon’s championship duo put up their belts again so soon, and against one of the best Junior Heavyweight teams in NJPW. Black Mask and Muscle Hawk had a confrontation with Sho & Yoh already, and left Chaos’ contenders down and out. Will hunters become the hunted or vice-versa here tonight?

Skip the entrances and start with Sho and Shingo with the bell! Sho goes right at Shingo and fires off! Shingo staggers but Sho stomps and forearms him to a corner. Sho whips corner to corner but Shingo reverses. Shingo blocks the boot to clothesline! Shingo goes corner to corner but Sho follows to get him back with a clothesline of his own! Sho runs but they both clothesline! Each man staggers back but fans fire up. Sho roars and Shingo grits his teeth as they stare down. Shingo shoves but Sho comes back with a clothesline. Shingo stays up and hits Sho back. Sho manages to stay up but Shingo throws big forearms. Shingo runs but Yoh tags in. RPG3K drop toehold and dropkick! They double dropkick Bushi, too! LIJ regroups outside but RPG3K build speed to FLY! Sho almost ends up on commentary!

Sho hobbles up but he doesn’t let that bad leg bother him. RPG3K get Shingo back in, and Yoh stomps away on Shingo. Yoh drops for a knee wrench, then yanks on the leg. Yoh drags Shingo over and tags in Sho. RPG3K split the wishbone then keep on the leg with stomps. The referee counts but Sho lets up at 4. Sho clubs then whips and then knees Shingo down! Sho kicks stiff but Shingo doesn’t flinch. Shingo stands and they both throw forearms at each other. Sho gets an edge then runs, but Bushi gets a cheap shot in. Bushi holds Sho but Yoh gets a cheap shot in! Sho breaks free and runs Shingo over! Yoh comes in and RPG3K stomp a mudhole into Shingo.

RPG3K double whip corner to corner then Sho whips Yoh in. Shingo puts Yoh out and Bushi trips him up. Shingo gives Sho a boot and PUMPING BOMBER! Bushi whips Yoh hard into barriers while Shingo gets his bad leg moving. Shingo drags Sho up and tosses Sho out. LIJ hit Rocky Romero then Shingo runs Sho into the railing! Bushi rakes Yoh’s face while Shingo rains right hands down on Sho. The referee reprimands Shingo while Bushi gets away with more. LIJ is in control while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns as Bushi still stomps Yoh. Shingo puts Sho in the ring and slingshot stomps down! Shingo grinds his boots in while the ref is busy with Bushi. Fans rally while Shingo pulls Sho back in a motorcycle stretch. Tag to Bushi and LIJ mugs Sho. Bushi takes his shirt off and uses it to choke Sho! The ref counts but Yoh comes in to get back at Bushi. Yoh runs but into Shingo’s spinebuster! The ref is busy helping Sho so he misses Shingo catapult Yoh into Bushi’s CHOP! Bushi basement dropkicks Yoh then stomps him out of the ring. Bushi goes back to Sho but Sho CHOPS him. But Bushi barely flinches, and he CHOPS Sho back! Bushi stomps Sho down then brings him over. Tag to Shingo and LIJ mugs Sho in the corner. Shingo hushes the crowd so they can hear his CHOP!

Sho writhes, chest stinging from those open palm chops. Fans rally but Shingo drags Sho up. Shingo toys with Sho but Sho stands to CHOP Shingo. Shingo eggs Sho on so Sho chops and punches and kicks. Sho runs but into Shingo’s back elbow, then into a jab! Shingo clobbers Sho with a left-hand lariat! The ref checks on Sho, who looks glazed over. Shingo drags Sho around while Yoh slowly returns. Sho resists a suplex then suplexes Shingo! Shingo fights out, suplexes Sho but Sho slips out. Sho waistlocks but Shingo elbows back. Shingo whips Sho but follows through to knee him into the ropes. Shingo runs but into Sho’s SPEAR! Both men are down and fans fire up. Hot tag to Yoh! Yoh uses Shingo as a step stool to hit Bushi with a flying elbow!

Yoh dragon screws Bushi, then throws haymakers on Shingo. He whips but Shingo reverses, only for Yoh to run him over with a spinning elbow! Fans fire up with Yoh as he stalks Shingo in the corner. Yoh runs corner to corner but his back elbow is caught! He elbows out but Shingo throws him down. Yoh dodges the knee drop then dropkicks the bad one. Shingo blocks the kick but Yoh gets out of the dragon screw! Yoh dragon screws Shingo back! Yoh puts Shingo in a Figure Four Leglock! Sho returns to intercept Bushi, drop down into an armbar! RPG3K has dual submissions on the champions! Bushi resists while Shingo endures but they’re both stuck! Fans rally both ways as Shingo rolls to a ropebreak! The ref helps Yoh release while Sho shoves Bushi out.

RPG3K regroup while Shingo crawls. Yoh drags Shingo up, and puts on a full nelson. Bushi wipes Sho out into railing while Shingo powers out of the full nelson. Shingo breaks free of the waistlock, too, but Yoh hits back with uppercuts. Yoh whips but Shingo reverses, pop-up Death Valley Driver! Both men are down but Shingo tags to Bushi. Bushi goes to an open corner and climbs. Bushi leaps, missile dropkicks hits! And he hits the Bushi-rooni, too! He runs in corner to corner for meteroa, then fisherman. Yoh slips out of the swinging neckbreaker but Bushi guards the enziguri. Bushi enziguris Yoh back, but Yoh mule kicks in return. Yoh ducks one kick but Bushi hits the other. Bushi runs into a lethal combination! Fans rally as both men crawl, hot tag to Sho!

Sho hits Shingo then drags Bushi up. Sho hits a big suplex then covers, TWO! Fans rally as Sho deadlifts Bushi. Bushi elbows out then runs, but Sho keeps up to dropkick! Sho waits for Bushi then runs, but Bushi blocks his lariat to code break the arm! Shingo returns to hit Yoh then coordinates with Bushi. Shingo whips corner to corner and runs in for a BIG clothesline! He feeds Sho to Bushi’s enziguri, then they combine for a spinebuster backstabber! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives and keeps RPG3K in the match. But LIJ coordinate again, wheelbarrow but Yoh SUPERKICKS Bushi! Sho fights off Shingo then works together with Yoh. RPG3K double whip but Shingo holds ropes. RPG3K blocks the double clotheslines, but not the second effort! Shingo runs but into double knee strikes! RPG3K go after Bushi, backstabber to dropkick!

Fans fire up as RPG3K drum the mat. They stalk Bushi, call for it, but Bushi breaks free of 3K. Bushi shoves Sho into Yoh then double huricanranas them down! Bushi and Sho slowly stand and Sho fires forearms. Sho whips but Bushi dodges to DIVE onto Yoh! Shingo clotheslines Sho but runs into a German Suplex! Sho holds on but Shingo resists. Sho still gets Shingo up, but Bushi shoves the ref aside! Bushi breathes green mist into Sho’s face!! PUMPING BOMBER! But LIJ isn’t done here, they coordinate, wheelbarrow and codebreaker, REBELLION! Cover, but Yoh breaks it!! RPG3K stays alive but Shingo clotheslines Yoh out. Shingo keeps on Yoh while Bushi climbs and aims at Sho. Sho stands, Bushi leaps, but Sho dodges! Bushi enziguris Sho while Yoh whips Shingo to railing. Bushi runs in, but he’s caught into 3K!! Cover, RPG3K win!!

Winners: Roppongi 3K, Sho pinning; NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions

Rocky Romero celebrates with his boys as they become three-time champions! Will this third time be the charm to become truly the best Junior Heavyweight duo in the world?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Taiji Ishimori VS Jushin Thunder Liger!

Born Soldier Reborn considered himself one of the greatest Junior Heavyweight wrestlers even before arriving in NJPW, and he feels even more justified now that he has the title. But he wants to make it undeniable, which is why he called out the legend. Will Ishimori regret flying to close to the sun? Or will it be Liger who crashes and burns?

Introductions are made and the belt is raised. Fans are strongly behind Liger even before the bell. Ishimori and Liger circle and fans are already thunderous for the living legend. Liger and Ishimori approach but back away before tying up. Ishimori gets a waistlock but Liger reverses to a wristlock. Ishimori reverses but Liger drop toeholds! Liger has Ishimori in a figure four knot and shifts right to a Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Ishimori pops out to a cover but Liger gets away fast. Fans applaud and cheer as Liger circles with Ishimori again. Liger gets a single leg takedown then goes for a toehold. Ishimori resists so Liger shifts to another knot. Liger has Ishimori in a combination figure four knot and double wristlock!

Ishimori endures and works his way around. Ishimori gets an arm free and gets the ropebreak. Liger lets go, but comes right back for a surfboard! Liger pulls Ishimori back but Ishimori endures, even as Liger rocks him back! He can’t get Ishimori up so Liger makes it part chinlock instead. Ishimori pops out again but Liger drags him away. Liger gets the legs hooked and pulls on the arms. He rocks Ishimori for THE Romero Special surfboard! Then he shifts to the dragon sleeper variant. Ishimori refuses to give up, even as Liger pulls him in deep. Liger lets Ishimori go to drag him back up. Liger throws forearms into Ishimori’s back, then shoves him to ropes. Ishimori hits back on the rebound! Ishimori runs, handsprings and enziguris Liger down!

Fans rally as Ishimori tosses Liger out hard. Ishimori pursues, then whips Liger into railing! Ishimori throws haymakers then drags him into the ring. Fans rally for Liger but Ishimori grinds his foot in. Ishimori backs off at 4 but comes back to cravat Liger. Liger manages to prevent a snapmare so Ishimori just cranks on the cravat harder. Ishimori puts Liger down for the neck twist! Liger writhes while Ishimori looms over him. Ishimori rains down rights then wraps on a chinlock. Fans continue to rally and Liger feeds off the energy. Liger fights out but Ishimori drop toeholds fast! Ishimori wants the crossface but Liger gets the ropebreak just as quickly. Ishimori backs off to come back with haymakers. He runs but into Liger’s tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! Ishimori bails out but Liger wrecks him with a dropkick!

Liger aims from the apron at Ishimori, cannonball! Direct hit wipes Ishimori out, but Liger isn’t done. Liger opens the gate and drags Ishimori through. Liger suplexes and drops Ishimori with a brainbuster! The referee checks on Ishimori while Liger leaves him behind. Fans cheer as Liger stands tall in the ring! The ring count begins and passes 10 of 20 before Ishimori even sits up. Ishimori starts crawling at 15, gets to his feet at 18, and runs in at 19.9! Liger runs at Ishimori in the corner for a SHOTEI! Liger drags Ishimori up to the top rope then climbs up to join him. SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Ishimori still lives but fans still rally behind Liger. Liger drags Ishimori up, powerbomb lifts, but Ishimori counters with a DDT! Both men are down but stirring as fans continue to cheer.

Liger and Ishimori crawl towards each other, and they start throwing forearms. They go back and forth, and slowly rise to their feet. Liger throws more forearms then whips, but Ishimori goes Spider-Man to slide under and around. Ishimori shoulders in then springboard seated sentons Liger down! Liger bails out but Ishimori builds speed, corner moonsault! A direct hit, but Ishimori takes a moment to catch his breath before putting Liger in. Ishimori aims from across the way, then runs in corner to corner for meteora! Liger is down but Ishimori shows no mercy. Ishimori drags Liger up, gut wrench, Bloody Cross! Cover, TWO!! Liger lives and shocks Ishimori! Fans rally but Ishimori drags Liger. Liger hits a Fisherman Busher outta nowhere!

Liger fires up and takes aim at Ishimori. Ishimori stands, but blocks the Shotei! Ishimori runs, but into SHOTEI! Liger isn’t done there, LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO?! Ishimori barely survives but Liger won’t let up! Liger drags Ishimori up again, suplexes but Ishimori knees out. Ishimori grabs Liger but Liger counters Bloody Cross into a Northern Lights! Liger runs but Ishimori catches the kick! Ishimori drops down to the Lebell crossface! Liger endures and fans are thunderous for him not to give up! Ishimori pulls back but Liger holds on, to get the ropebreak! Ishimori lets Liger go, and looks at a loss for what to do to end Liger. He whips but Liger slips out, only for Ishimori to clothesline. Liger stays up so Ishimori runs, and clobbers him! Cover, TWO!

Ishimori drags Liger up and runs again, but into a FLASH CRADLE! TWO!! Ishimori escapes and runs, but into a Thesz Press! Cover, TWO! Liger powers up, but Ishimori dodges, tilt-o-whirl takedown into the Lebell Lock!! Ishimori cranks back, then shifts to Rings of Saturn! Ishimori uses it to get Liger away, back to the Lebell! Liger taps, Ishimori wins!!

Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission; still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion

The Bone Soldier makes the legend submit! That in itself is a massive accomplishment! Does this truly make Ishimori the greatest Junior Heavyweight in the world? Liger leaves without a word while Ishimori takes up the mic. “Next up, April 6, I want to put this belt on the line.” He wants a match for Madison Square Garden! Ishimori calls out ROH to send him a proper challenger. It seems there’s someone already here to answer the call!

Dragon Lee, who is really more a CMLL star, steps up to Bone Soldier and says, “Ishimori, make no mistake. NJPW isn’t the only one with the best wrestlers. ROH isn’t the only one with the best wrestlers.” The best come from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre! Lee has wanted to be Junior Heavyweight Champion, so he’ll show Ishimori and the world that HE is the best, in MSG! Ishimori responds, “I speak Spanish, too, ok?” And hola, Dragon Lee, he’s Ishimori. He is the champ, and let’s have some fun! #ItisReborn! Madison Square Garden will host an international instant classic, who will prove themselves the best Junior Heavyweight in the world?

Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto & Hiroshi Tanahashi!

The stars keep on coming as Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & SANADA take on The Rainmaker, the Fierce Warrior and the Once in a Century Talent! Will the recent title losses suffered by LIJ drag them down? Or can they make a massive comeback even against this amazing trio?

The teams sort out, and Okada starts against Naito! Fans are already loving this match and duel over fan favorites. Okada and Naito circle and tie up, but are even in strength. Okada gets Naito to the ropes but backs off to feint. Naito comes right at him with a facelock and clubbing forearms. Okada forearms back then whips. Things speed up and Naito arm-drags Okada, but Okada arm-drags back. Naito headscissor holds but Okada pops out, Naito Tranquilo! Fans cheer this stand-off as Naito takes his time standing back up. Naito and Okada circle again, and Naito kicks and clubs Okada to the ropes. Naito whips but Okada reverses. Okada boots then snapmares to dropkick Naito down! Okada tags Goto but Naito gets away. Sanada tags in and now they circle.

Sanada and Goto tie up and Goto fires forearms. Goto kicks but Sanada blocks and trips him up! Sanada goes for Paradise but Goto pushes him away. Sanada kicks back then whips Goto corner to corner. Goto reverses but runs into an elbow. Sanada hops and springboards but Goto gets clear. Sanada lands on his feet and runs but Goto follows to clothesline him down! Goto tags Tanahashi then attacks LIJ alongside Okada. The super trio whip, kick and drop elbows on Sanada, Okada tops it off with a dropkick. They look to each other, but the team pose isn’t quite ready. Tanahashi drags Sanada up to throw body shots. Tanahashi whips Sanada corner to corner for a big dropkick. He whips Sanada again but Sanada goes around with him, battling for the abdominal stretch! They go around and around, and it’s Sanada who gets it!

But it’s not for long, as Naito comes in to dropkick Tanahashi! Evil rushes Okada and Goto! LIJ stomps the super trio out then Naito whips Okada into railing! Sanada stomps Tanahashi then tags in Evil. Evil grabs Tanahashi’s leg and smashes the knee on the mat. Tanahashi clutches the notoriously bad leg but Evil smashes it again. Evil tags Naito and they smash both knees down! Tanahashi writhes but Naito ties him up in an Indian Deathlock. Tanahashi endures as Naito pulls and twists. Goto stomps Naito but Sanada whips Goto. Sanada elbows Goto down, Goto avoids the standing moonsault but not the dropkick to the back. Naito brings Tanahashi up and tags in Evil. LIJ go after the bad leg, then Evil clubs Tanahashi on the back.

Tanahashi forearms Evil but Evil eggs him on. Evil kicks low then wrenches the arm over and over. Evil whips Tanahashi corner to corner, then runs in, but blocks the boot! Tanahashi uses the other foot to boot Evil, then goes to kick. Evil blocks that kick and hand sit off to referee Red Shoes, but then Tanahashi blocks the mule kick! Tanahashi gets Red Shoes to let go, then he dragon screws Evil! Both men are down with bad legs but fans rally up. Tanahashi and Evil crawl, hot tag to Okada! Okada throws forearms on Evil then whips. Evil reverses but Okada dodges to hit the big back elbow! Okada hits Naito for good measure, but Evil hits Okada. LIJ double whips but Okada DDT’s Sanada! Okada kicks and DDT’s Evil, too! Naito runs in but even he gets a DDT! Okada kips up and fires up!

Okada whips Evil for the flapjack! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Okada drags Evil up. Okada scoop slams then heads for the corner. He climbs up top, but Evil gets clear. Evil clotheslines Okada in a corner, Fisherman Suplex! Cover, TWO! Evil keeps his cool as fans continue to duel. Evil goes to fireman’s carry but Okada fights it off. Okada clubs Evil but Evil CHOPS back. Okada whips but Evil fakes him out. Evil runs but Okada wrings him out. Evil counters Rainmaker but Okada escapes Everything is Evil. Okada runs but Evil follows to clothesline Okada down! Evil tags Sanada and Sanada drags Okada up. Sanada whips but Okada reverses, only for Sanada to tumble and slingshot. Okada catches Sanada, reverse neckbreaker! Fans fire up as Okada tags in Goto!

Goto kicks away on Sanada but Sanada stands and blocks. Sanada spins Goto but Goto blocks the German. Goto Germans but Sanada lands on his feet. Sanada feeds Goto to Naito’s atomic drop. Naito feeds Goto to Evil’s mule kick. Sanada saido suplexes Goto down! Cover, but Tanahashi breaks it. Evil throws The Ace out and LIJ goes after him and Okada. Sanada drags Goto up, fireman’s carry but Goto fights out. Goto dragon sleepers, but Sanada reverses! Goto reverses back but Sanada reverses again. Sanada pulls back on the dragon sleeper but Tanahashi dragon sleepers Sanada! Evil German Suplexes Tanahashi! Okada returns, whips Evil and dropkicks him down! Naito returns and dropkicks Okada! Naito baits Goto in, tornado DDT denied into USHIGOROSHI!

Goto fires up and goes to Sanada. Goto fireman’s carries and Ushigoroshi, but Sanada handsprings out of it! Sanada kicks back then runs, but GOto follows. Sanada dodges and rolls Goto to the dragon sleeper! He swings Goto around before bringing him into Skull End. But Goto rolls through and around to deathlock and cover! The super trio wins!

Winners: Goto, Okada & Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto pinning

What innovation from the Fierce Warrior! LIJ continues to drop, and with the New Japan Cup on the horizon, is there any hope for any of them to make it to the finals? Or will one of the three winners here be strong contenders for the cup this year?

Goto takes the mic and speaks on the New Japan Cup. He vows to be the one to win it all. But Tanahashi takes the mic and says, “Wait, wait, wait. At the New Japan Cup, I’ll be making my comeback.” He vows to win it all, but then Okada takes the mic. “Excuse me, senpai, but the winner of the New Japan Cup is gonna be me, the huge favorite!” All three men stake their claims, but only one can be the cup winner and new #1 contender. Who will it really be by the end of NJPW’s own March Madness?

Champion VS Champion: Jay White VS Will Ospreay!

Perhaps the most exciting tradition of this anniversary is such an exhibition between those who stand atop NJPW’s many divisions. One year ago, when he was the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, the Aerial Assassin took on The Rainmaker, who was then the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Now, a new era has emerged as The Switchblade holds the same title Okada did. Ospreay himself holds his own title, and now we see IWGP Heavyweight VS NEVER Openweight! Will Ospreay show weight means nothing going into the New Japan Cup? Or will White show Ospreay just how much he’s grown since they first faced off?

The belts are put aside for this epic encounter. Fans are solidly behind Ospreay, but White bails out at the bell. White and Gedo grin as they troll Ospreay and the fans. Ospreay dares White to get in but White does things on his time. White returns at 6 of 20, then circles with Ospreay. Ospreay and White tie up and White pushes Ospreay to ropes. But Ospreay pushes back! Ospreay digs deep to put White on the ropes! Fans applaud and Ospreay lets up, but White grabs him to put on the ropes. White backs off but Ospreay ducks the sucker punch. Ospreay gets a headlock but White pulls hair to power out. White and Ospreay collide but neither falls. White taunts Ospreay into trying again, and Ospreay runs. They collide again but still neither falls.

Ospreay dares White to show him how it’s done, and White runs to run Ospreay over. But Ospreay nips right up, only for White to SLAP him. White smirks then runs, but things speed up. White sees the boots coming and pulls Ospreay up to CHOP him. He CHOPS Ospreay more then whips. Ospreay dodges and speeds up even more to finally run White over! Then he dropkicks White down! White bails out and Ospreay builds speed, only to fake him out! Superhero landing! White comes back but gets another dropkick. Ospreay slingshots and takes White down! Fans cheer Ospreay as he drags White up. Ospreay whips White hard into railing, then throws haymakers. Ospreay dodges Gedo and grabs him by the jacket. White clobbers Ospreay down!

White clubs and CHOPS Ospreay around the way, then whips Ospreay at railing. But Ospreay hops over them and rocks White back with a right. Ospreay springboards but White dodges, White saido suplexes Ospreay down! White checks his chin then refreshes the ring count. He fetches Ospreay to suplex, but Ospreay resists. Ospreay tries but can’t quite get White up. White swings Ospreay into the post, ribs first! White leaves Ospreay behind while Red Shoes checks on the NEVER Openweight champ. Gedo talks with White and White goes back to get Ospreay. White puts Ospreay in and toys with him. Ospreay tries to hit back but those ribs rob him of power. Ospreay stands and forearms but White knees low. White lifts Ospreay for a gutbuster! Ospreay coughs and sputters but White pumphandles him for another! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally for Ospreay as he grits his teeth. White drags Ospreay up and keylocks so he can attack the ribs. White rams his shoulder in again and again, then puts on a rear bearhug. Ospreay endures as White squeezes and leans on him. Fans rally but White deadlifts. Ospreay fights out, but then White hits another saido suplex! Ospreay rolls out of the ring but White pursues. White drags Ospreay up to ram him into the apron! Then the railing! Then back to the apron, then back into railing! White taunts the fans with “That’s why I’m the champ!” The ring count begins but White puts Ospreay in at 5. White aims as Ospreay slowly stands. He runs in but Ospreay dodges! Ospreay CHOPS White then throws uppercuts. Ospreay whips but his ribs give him trouble. White Half Hatches Ospreay into buckles, cover, TWO!

Fans cheer Ospreay on but White puts him in a seated abdominal stretch. Ospreay endures even as White digs an elbow into the ribs and hip. Ospreay pries an arm free and gets to his feet. He throws body shots and forearms but White clubs back. Ospreay rocks White with a right! And then another! Ospreay whips but White reverses, Ospreay manages to handspring but White sweeps his arms out! White checks his chin while Ospreay gets to a corner. Ospreay boots White back, then enziguris! Ospreay drags himself to the apron, and slingshots up, but White trips him up! White catches his breath while Ospreay sputters for his own. Ospreay still fights back, but White punches him down. White runs but into a body scissor that sends him out!

Fans fire up as Ospreay builds speed, SASUKE SPECIAL! The direct hit is also double-edged as Ospreay’s ribs hit White. Ospreay still stands up while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns as Ospreay throws White into the ring. Ospreay aims again, springboards for the flying clothesline! Fans fire up with Ospreay as he looms over White. Ospreay throws forearms and jabs then whips. White reverses but Ospreay handsprings and enziguris! Standing corkscrew moonsault! Cover, TWO! Fans keep cheering Ospreay on as he brings White up. Ospreay double underhooks but his ribs won’t let him lift. White CHOPS but Ospreay kicks! Ospreay kicks and kicks and kicks, but White ducks one to reel him in. Ospreay fights to saido off to clothesline White out. Fans cheer and Ospreay builds speed again. Ospreay DIVES, but White makes it a belly2belly into railing! Red Shoes checks on Ospreay quick, but somehow he’s okay to continue.

White gets in the ring and leaves Ospreay behind. The ring count begins and passes 10 before Ospreay stands. Ospreay falls but gets back up at 15. He still has trouble, but hops in at 19.5! White drags Ospreay up into a fireman’s carry, Death Valley Bomb! Cover, TWO! White is too tired to be frustrated, but he kicks Ospreay while he’s down. He rams his knees into the ribs and sends Ospreay into a corner. White stomps a mudhole into Ospreay but backs off. He comes back with knees into Ospreay’s shoulders, then toys with him. Ospreay grabs White’s foot and stands up to put him up top! Ospreay tucks White in, Cheeky Nandos SUPERKICK! White teeters but Ospreay puts him into the Tree of Woe. Ospreay sits down to stare at White. He won’t let White sit up, either! He SLAPS White over and over and over!

Gedo gets Ospreay’s attention, but instantly regrets it. White sits up but Ospreay is right on him with the Canadian Rack. White escapes Stormbreaker but Ospreay dragon sleepers. Ospreay lifts White but White slips out to lift Ospreay. White rolls Ospreay off but Ospreay escapes Blade Runner. White CHOPS then fires off a strike fest. He runs but into Ospreay’s dropkick flip and enziguri! Ospreay swings into a Complete Shot! Deadlift German Suplex! White gets up but so does Ospreay. STANDING SPANISH FLY! But Ospreay’s too sore to cover! Fans are thunderous as Ospreay wills himself to stand. White slowly follows but Ospreay hits first. They trade forearms, and Ospreay grits his teeth to give a trio. Ospreay drags White back up but White knees low! White throws forearms back and Ospreay slouches over.

White drags Ospreay up but Ospreay breaks out to CHOP. And CHOP, and then uppercut! Ospreay calls for it but White stops him from running. Ospreay dodges and hooking SUPERKICKS White! He drags White up then hoists him into an Electric Chair. Ospreay climbs the corner with White on his shoulders, SUPER ARM-DRAG BOMB! Cover, TWO!! White survives but fans keep Ospreay going. Ospreay calls for it and runs, but White drops down before the Oscutter takes flight. Ospreay fetches White and double underhooks, but those ribs still bother him. White grins but Ospreay glares. Ospreay buzzsaws and heel kicks so fast! White is wobbly and Ospreay aims, ROBINSON SPECIAL! But Ospreay says BANG to the Bullet Club leader, Oscutter caught into White’s Rings of Saturn! White elbows and elbows and elbows, just before Ospreay would’ve been out cold.

Fans rally up as White stands. White slashes his throat and drags Ospreay up. Ospreay slips out and REVERSE-RANAS! Ospreay wobbles but he still back hand elbows White! Both men are down but the fans haven’t give up. They cheer Ospreay on as he and White slowly stir. Ospreay grits his teeth and glares at White as he crawls over. Ospreay drags White up by his hair, then pulls off the elbow pad. He aims again, but Gedo runs into the ring! Red Shoes keeps Gedo back but Ospreay wants after him. White LOW BLOWS Ospreay! Gedo goes away, and White drags Ospreay into a sleeper suplex! White drags Ospreay up, cross arms, straitjacket brainbuster! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay still lives and White is just exhausted.

White keeps wrist control and drags Ospreay back up, but Ospreay slips out and POWERBOMBS outta nowhere! Cover, TWO!! White narrowly escapes but fans are thunderous again. Ospreay puts White in the drop zone then climbs up top. Ospreay hits imploding 450! But the impact keeps him from covering! He comes back, ROPEBREAK! White survives by literal fingertips! Ospreay is beside himself but he gets back up. He’s foaming at the mouth despite his ribs hurting. Ospreay pushes through and underhooks, and somehow gets White up! But White slips out, but so does Ospreay! White ducks the hook kick and reels Ospreay in, but Ospreay lands out of the sleeper suplex! ROUNDHOUSE! HOOK KICK! Ospreay aims, spins, ROBINSON SPECIAL! Springboard, BLADE RUNNER?! White caught the cutter, but he’s not done! He drags Ospreay up, TRUE BLADE RUNNER! Cover, White wins!!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall

Time after time after time, The Switchblade finds a way to shock the world! The IWGP Heavyweight Champion wins, and will simply watch the New Japan Cup tournament play out. Who meets White in Madison Square Garden?

But Gedo feels this isn’t enough. He brings a chair in and hands it to White. The bell rings and fans boo as White aims with the steel. But Kota Ibushi jumps in to make the save! The Golden Star wants to hit the champ, but the Bullet Club appears to save their leader! Chase Owens and the Tongan Firing Squad wreck havoc on Ibushi and Ospreay, but now Tanahashi, Okada and Goto appear! The super trio runs Bullet Club off before anything worse can happen. White clutches his belt while he reminds Tanahashi and Okada that he already beat them. White says it doesn’t matter who comes out of the tournament, he’ll beat them all again! He holds the title up high, but will he be doing so at the end of G1 Supercard?

Backstage interviews

Okada notes how he was “the only one who didn’t get a finish” for the team. But he’s still everyone’s favorite to win, and win he will. The main event at MSG for the IWGP Heavyweight title? That sounds awesome. But as for Jay White, that “son of a b*tch”, Okada will definitely win this time! Okada leaves, but Tanahashi peers around the corner. It seems The Ace disagrees. Tanahashi comes out to take his turn, and simply says, “I want to go to New York.” He wants to be in the main event in New York, too. No, he WILL be in New York! Tanahashi sees the path to New York’s main event before him. This is the best time for the New Japan Cup, and it will be the biggest one yet. Tanahashi took the G1, he’ll take this one, too.

As for Goto, he wants Kota Ibushi to remember back to their NEVER Openweight Championship match. Goto knows him better than anyone. If Ibushi has nowhere else to go, join Goto. And for White, Goto’s coming for your head. “Don’t you forget that.” Ibushi says that he finally made a decision on his own terms. Ibushi is very thankful to Tanahashi. Tanahashi returns for Ibushi to thank and apologize to. Tanahashi likes the idea of teaming with Ibushi in the future, too. Teaming up aside, who comes out of all this the 2019 New Japan Cup Champion, and the man to challenge Jay White in the Garden?

My Thoughts:

One hour of NJPW on AXS is always great, so TWO hours is amazing! We get bonus content, and I was really surprised to see RPG3K win the titles here. I thought LIJ was going to hold on to their belts, but after EVIL & SANADA lost their titles at Honor Rising (which unfortunately AXS had no room for this year), it seems LIJ is quickly on their way back down. LIJ also lost the Six Man Tag, but this loss was a bit more logical given the sheer singles star power they were up against. Okada, Tanahashi and Goto are all major players in the New Japan Cup so naturally they go in with great momentum. Sad to say, Goto is actually the least likely of the three to go all the way, and falls even further when you factor in Naito and Ibushi.

Ishimori VS Liger was incredible, but naturally Ishimori goes over since Liger is retiring. It really did mean a lot for Ishimori to submit Liger, submissions always carry more weight than pinfalls. Ishimori called out ROH because of how G1 Supercard is advertised as their cross-promotional event, but it was clever to bring in CMLL to take the match. Ishimori VS Lee is going to be great, they’re both such fast moving guys. I would still think Ishimori wins, and this is to boost his resume in NJPW. White VS Ospreay was incredible, so it’s just a shame Ospreay can’t challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship given weight restrictions. That said, Ospreay probably won’t win it all, and he’ll focus on his own Openweight title. White could take on anyone at G1 Supercard for a great match, but Okada and Ibushi have the best chances to take the title.

My Score: 9/10

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

Up Next

CMLL’s Review & Results: Homenaje a dos Leyenda 3/15/2019

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/9/19)

AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)

It’s a slam dunk!

Published

3 mins ago

April 27, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Guns up for all the Jacksonville Gold Members!

Another three hour block of All Elite Wrestling starts with a Collision! But will the Bang Bang Gang still be the best three man unit ever? Or will Top Flight go from the coldest to the goldest trio in the game?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Acclaimed VS Grizzled Young Veterans; win.
Toni Storm w/ Mariah May & Luther VS Anna Jay; wins.
Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships: Bullet Club Gold VS Top Flight; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Coverage will begin after the NBA Playoffs on TNT]

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

Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…

The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?

Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?

Corey Graves is in the ring.

Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.

Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.

Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.

And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.

“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.

That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?

Triple H is here!

Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.

HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!

The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”

The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?

Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!

The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?

The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!

The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!

Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.

Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?

The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?

Nick Aldis heads out.

And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.

And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!

Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!

The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.

For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!

WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!

Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?

The Dudley Boyz are here!

The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?

Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.

WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!

It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?

The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!

Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!

Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!

No Contest

The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.

SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?

The Final Testament speaks.

Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!

Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.

Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?

There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!

Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!

Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!

Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?

Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.

Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.

Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.

Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.