Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: G1 Climax 29, Part 2!

Time for B Block to begin the Climax!

Published

5 years ago

July 16, 2019

Steven Mitchell

NJPW returns home!

After the G1 Climax made it’s United States debut, the action returns to Japan for B Block to begin the round robin! More big names in NJPW will battle, who takes crucial points in this summer blockbuster?

Coverage of the G1 Climax 29 will be as broadcast by AXS TV.

Gifs to come courtesy of https://frentique.tumblr.com/

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Shingo Takagi VS Juice Robinson; Robinson wins.
Jon Moxley VS Taichi; Moxley wins.
Testuya Naito VS Toru Yano; Yano wins.
Tomohiro Ishii VS Jeff Cobb; Ishii wins.
Hirooki Goto VS Jay White; Goto wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW and AXS set the scene for this first round finale!

The classic tournament kicked off deep in the heart of Texas, spreading Strong Style to the world! The A Block has had their turn, now B Block steps up! Their ten wrestlers will wage war to take their first steps towards the Tokyo Dome!

Tetsuya Naito is once again IWGP Intercontinental Champion, but his destino of becoming a dual champion is still very possible. Jon Moxley has become the Death Rider, and even IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, and vows to prove he is THE purveyor of violence. The Stone Pitbull is always a force to be reckoned with, but being NEVER Openweight Champion might give him that edge to finally take the top spot! The Flamboyant Juice Robinson lost his title but has gained a new fire. Toru Yano may be a trickster, but he promises to fight fair and be serious threat to everyone’s run!

The Fierce Warrior is ready to prove his training with Shibata and the LA Dojo will help him return to prominence. The Switchblade, Jay White, won’t have anyone else saying they’re the best in the world before him. Jeff Cobb is a Hawaiian Juggernaut and a suplex machine planning to give the entire Block a Tour of the Islands. The Raging Dragon all but dominated the Super Juniors, and now he’ll prove he can dominate bigger competition! Suzuki-Gun’s Sliest and slickest wrestler relaxes with his pals, but he’ll fight when it matters most. This year’s G1 is packed more than ever, who from these ten take a critical first win to lead the pack?

Shingo Takagi VS Juice Robinson!

It is muscle versus machismo as the Dragon’s G1 debut already brings him up against some strong competition. Can Shingo hang with the big boys? Or is he going to bite of more than he can chew right out the gate?

The bell rings and these two circle. Fans duel as the two tie up and push each other around. Shingo backs Juice up but Juice turns it around to put Shingo on the ropes. Juice lets up but Shingo swings on him. Juice gets back, and the two circle again. Shingo and Juice tie up again, and Shingo knees low. Shingo headlocks but Juice powers out. They collide shoulders but neither falls. Shingo dares Juice to try again, and he does. They collide, and still neither man budges. Juice dares Shingo to try, but Shingo forearms Juice instead. Juice gives one back, and it’s a back and forth of forearms. Shingo kicks low then whips, but Juice reverses, and speeds things up, only to leap into the fireman’s carry! Juice slips out but Shingo elbows him back, to run, into Juice’s elbow!

Juice runs but into Shingo’s elbow. Shingo runs but into Juice’s leg lariat! Shingo bails out and fans cheer. Juice hears his fans cheering as he aims. Juice slingshots but Shingo dodges to yank him down for a DDT to the floor! The ref checks but Juice is okay to continue. Shingo drags Juice up and puts him back in. Shingo slingshots to drop a knee and then grinds it in. The ref counts and Shingo backs off. Shingo comes back to stand Juice up and whip for a low knee. Then he runs to run Juice over! Fans cheer this super strength and Juice is dazed. Shingo drags Juice back up to a suplex, high and fast! Cover, ONE! Juice is tougher than that, but Shingo keeps on him with a neck wrench. Juice endures as Shingo shifts to an armlock. Shingo drives in elbows then drags Juice back down to a chinlock.

Fans cheer as Juice fights up and out of the hold. Juice headbutts but Shingo gives a forearm back. Juice forearms Shingo, so Shingo CHOPS. That was a blunt one, but Juice gives one right back. Shingo CHOPS, Juice grits his teeth. Juice puts some stank on his CHOP, but Shingo double hand CHOPS Juice off his feet! Juice is reeling again as Shingo runs over to clothesline him right out! Shingo aims as Juice rises, the Dragon runs but into the slingshot spear! Juice fires himself up now as the crowd rallies behind him. Shingo gets to a corner but Juice runs him over with an elbow. Juice starts rallying and whips Shingo to a SPINEBUSTER!

Fans fire up with Juice as he goes up top. Juice leaps, and hits the crossbody! Cover, TWO! Juice keeps his cool while fans duel. Shingo sits up but Juice is on him. Shingo resists the lift and clubs away. Juice headbutts back then fireman’s carries, but Shingo denies Juice Box to run and slide! Juice dodges that and full nelson slams Shingo down! Cover, TWO! Fans duel again as Juice thinks of what he has to do. Juice walks over to Shingo and blocks the punch to jab away! Fans echo “JUICE! JUICE!” but the Left Hand is denied by Shingo’s right! And then Shingo’s left lariat! Both men are down but the fans are fired up for them both!

Juice finds his way to ropes in a daze while Shingo aims from the corner. Shingo runs in and blocks the boot to clothesline! Then he runs, only for Juice to return the clothesline! Shingo sits down and Juice run in, CANNONBALL only gets buckles! Shingo avoids the impact and both men are down again! Fans rally up as Shingo rises. Shingo drags Juice up in a wheelbarrow, for a suplex! Cover, TWO!! Juice still lives and Shingo is frustrated. Shingo grits his teeth as he stands back up. He drags Juice back up, chicken wings, but Juice slips out. Juice ducks the lariat and chicken wings Shingo. Shingo resists the turn but Juice turns him around to a fireman’s carry. Juice Box hits! Shingo flies off from the gutbuster!

Juice crawls to one corner while Shingo stands in the other. Shingo flops down, so Juice tries again. CANNONBALL hits! Juice is feeling it now as he drags Shingo up to the top rope. He headbutts Shingo again, then climbs up to join him. SUPERPLEX! But Juice holds on, for a JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Shingo survives and Juice is beside himself! Fans are thunderous as both men slowly stand. Juice calls for it, and stalks Shingo. Juice grabs the arms and turns Shingo around, Pulp Friction denied! Shingo runs to slide and lariat! Both men are down again and fans rally again. Shingo gets to a corner and drags himself up. Juice goes to the opposite end, but the two meet with clothesline!

Neither falls, so they try again. Still neither falls, so Shingo throws elbows from both sides. Juice staggers, but comes back with a CHOP! Juice fires up, runs, but Shingo follows to clothesline and SAIDO! But Juice is right back up!? His and Shingo’s lariats collide, but Juice comes around for a discus left! Fans are thunderous again as Juice drags Shingo up again. Juice chicken wings, turns, but pops out into NOSHIGAMI! But Shingo has to crawl after Juice. He runs, AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!? Juice survives and Shingo is stunned! But the fans are reaching that fever pitch as Shingo fires up again. Shingo drags Juice back up, pump handle, but Juice resists. So Shingo gives point blank clotheslines again and again.

Shingo tries the pump handle again, but Juice rolls him up! TWO!! Shingo blocks the boot, but gets the Left Hand of God! And a second! Chicken wings, PULP FRICTION!! Cover, Juice wins!!

Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall; earns 2 points

The Flamboyant One is only the second man to pin Shingo Takagi in NJPW! But this is just the beginning, will Juice and/or Shingo make it to the end of the Block?

Jon Moxley w/ Shota Umino VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!

The Lunatic has truly freed himself, and has already put his mark on NJPW by becoming their IWGP United States Champion in his debut. Now in his G1 Climax debut, he looks to keep things rolling through the summer. Will the Death Rider leave the Holy Emperor behind in the dust? Or will there be one too many tricks up Taichi’s sleeve for even Mox to survive?

But speaking of, as Moxley makes his way down from the crowd, Taichi attacks from behind! Taichi stomps Moxley down right in front of the fans, then uses Mox’s own jacket to choke him! Security keeps fans clear as Taichi brings Moxley around to ram into railing! Taichi takes someone’s umbrella to SMACK Moxley down! Then he chokes Moxley on the railing. Moxley fights back and starts throwing CHOPS! Moxley CHOPS Taichi and then stomps him to ringside. The bell finally rings the bell to incentivize these two back to the ring.

Moxley drags Taichi over in a headlock but Taichi shoves him into a post! Taichi looks under the ring and brings out a chair. The referee is shoved aside so that Taichi can jam the chair into Moxley’s ribs! And then SMACK him on the back! Moxley writhes from that chair shot while fans duel. Taichi wants Moxley to stand, and he does, for Taichi to clothesline him down! Taichi goes into the ring and lets the ring count begin. Moxley drags himself up at 6 of 20, stands at 10, but hobbles. Moxley clutches that bad back as we get to 15, but still gets in at 19! To get Taichi’s buzzsaw! Cover, TWO!

Taichi decides to get serious already, so off come the pants! He aims at Moxley, but Moxley gets clear of the kick. Moxley forearms, Taichi kicks, Moxley headbutts, and Taichi enziguris! Fans duel more as Moxley is dazed. Taichi vows to end this, and Alabama lifts. Moxley sunset flips and covers, TWO! Moxley blocks a kick to give more forearms. He CHOPS and forearms in the corner, the classic combination! Then he gives knees before he whips Taichi corner to corner. Taichi reverses, but Moxley comes out to clothesline Taichi down! Moxley clutches his back while Taichi gets to the apron. Moxley dropkicks Taichi down, then builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit sends Taichi into railing and Moxley into commentary!

Fans rally as Moxley gets back up. “You went and pissed me off,” he growls as he goes looking under the ring. He finds a table! Moxley sets this up, hearkening back to the US title match. He shoos Miho and drags Taichi over, fireman’s carry, but Taichi flails and escapes. Taichi back kicks, powerbomb position, but Moxley resists! Taichi kicks away on Moxley’s face, but Moxley forearm back! URENAGE THROUGH THE TABLE! Fans are loving Moxley as he flips off Taichi. Miho panics as Moxley drags Taichi up and in. He mocks Miho and blows a kiss before taking off his knee pads. Moxley runs to give a bare-knee shining wizard! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and surprises Moxley, but Moxley loves having to hurt Taihci more.

Moxleyd rags Taichi up but Taichi slips out of the butterfly. Moxley resists the suplex, but Taichi shoves him into the ref! BIG enziguri! Both men are down and fans duel between the two. Taichi crawls to the ropes and has Miho bring him a chair. Taichi encourages the heat to rise, but Moxley kicks him low! Moxley has the chair, and Taichi begs for mercy. Moxley throws the chair into Taichi’s face! Fans are thunderous for Moxley as the referee returns. Moxley moves the chair aside then drags Taichi up in the underhooks. Taichi slips out, waistlock to Gedo Clutch! TWO!! Moxley blocks the superkick to throw Taichi down! Underhooks, lift, DEATH RIDER! Cover, Moxley wins!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall; earns 2 points

A debut befitting the Lunatic! Moxley thrives in the chaos, and his G1 debut is a success! He says one down, eight more to go, but how far can the Death Rider go in the Climax?

Testuya Naito VS Toru Yano!

The Uncontrollable Charisma’s goal is within reach now that he has the IWGP Intercontinental Championship back. But the Clown Prince of NJPW loves to play spoiler. Will #YTR be the first to deny Naito his Destino? Or is Naito taking over all but inevitable?

Yano insists Naito hurry with his wardrobe, but Naito goes at his own leisurely pace no matter what. If anything, he takes longer just to annoy Yano. Yano is pacing as Naito finally takes off his button-up shirt only to reveal a T-shirt. Yano sees Naito’s shirt is Los Ingobernables de Japon merch, so he gets his YTR merch shirt back. The bell rings and both men circle with shirts on.

Yano taunts Naito as they go around the ring, but then Naito backs off. Naito seems to not hear Yano’s taunts at all, but he does fake Yano out again. And a third time. Yano says to hell with this, and goes for the buckle pads! Naito stops him with clubbing forearms and a whip. Yano reverses and then goes back to freeing “Steve” the buckle pad! Naito kicks low then whips Yano at the corner, but runs into Yano’s elbow. And Yano decides to free “Tom,” Steve’s twin brother. But Naito attacks Yano again. Naito whips but Yano holds ropes. Yano taunts Naito, but Naito steals Yano’s ideas by going back to Tom! Yano has to stop Naito this time, then whips Naito to ropes. Naito again steals an idea, by holding ropes and hollering!

Yano is not amused, and certainly not after Naito SPITS on him! Yano wipes himself with his shirt, but Naito pulls it over Yano’s head! And rolls him up! TWO!! Yano survives but runs into an atomic drop. Naito hits the kick, sweep and slingshots in. Yano covers up, so Naito waits. Yano lets his guard down, Combinacion Cabron! Fans cheer as Naito walks to the other corner. Naito fetches Steve but Red Shoes grabs the buckle pad. Red Shoes won’t let Naito use Steve as a weapon, but Naito shoves Red Shoes down using Steve! Naito then tests his swing, and like a baseball batter, he chokes up on the grip. But Red Shoes snatches Steve away! And Yano rolls Naito up! TWO!!

Naito kicks low but Yano pulls hair. So Naito pulls hair. Yano swings but Naito ducks, wheelbarrow victory roll but Yano sits on it, TWO! Yano swings, Naito waistlocks but Yano elbows out. And then Yano puts Red Shoes’ shirt over his head?! So that he doesn’t see the low blow uppercut! Yano then yanks Naito’s shirt over his head, runs, and SPEARS Naito down! Red Shoes gets free of his own shirt as Yano rolls Naito, and WINS!?

Winner: Toru Yano, by pinfall; earns 2 points

Was that the spoiler right there?! Has Toru Yano just put the curse of the Clown Prince on Naito!? Needless to say, Naito is not happy about this. Is there any coming back from losing to Yano?

Tomohiro Ishii VS Jeff Cobb!

If their tag team encounter in Dallas wasn’t clear enough, these two big bad behemoths want to battle it out the baddest way possible! The Stone Pitbull will test the G1-debuting Hawaiian Juggernaut, will Cobb pass the test?

The bell rings and the two stare down. Then they tie up and are in a deadlock in the middle of the ring. Ishii shifts to a headlock, but Cobb lifts him with one arm! And brings him to the ropes for the break. Ishii lets go and Cobb dares him to bring it. Ishii shoves so Cobb shoves back. Now they throw forearms! Ishii gets the edge and runs, but he only nudges Cobb with that shoulder. Cobb wants Ishii to try again, so Ishii does. Again, Cobb only takes a step back. Cobb swings on Ishii but Ishii gets under to waistlock. Cobb elbows free and bounces Ishii off the shoulder, but Ishii rebounds to hit back. But Cobb does the same, and the two collide solid in the middle. Fans are loving these two rams, but Ishii goes back to forearms.

Ishii runs and collides but Cobb stays up. Ishii keeps ramming into him again and again, then dodges Cobb, only for Cobb to run him over! Cobb drags Ishii up for a headbutt, then clubbing forearms at the ropes. He CHOPS Ishii against ropes, and again! But Ishii seems to like it!? Ishii stays up to take another CHOP, and eggs Cobb on. Cobb throws a forearm and Ishii goes to a corner. Cobb drags Ishii up to CHOP and forearm over and over. Ishii barely flinches as Cobb keeps throwing the hands. Ishii turns it around to show Cobb how it’s done! Forearm, CHOP, repeat! Ishii rocks Cobb over and over, refusing to let Cobb up or down! Ishii stops when he tires out, and Cobb can finally flop over.

Fans fire up for Ishii as he stalks Cobb. Ishii drags Cobb up for one more CHOP, then dares Cobb to get up. Ishii CHOPS more, but Cobb CHOPS back. Again, Ishii eggs Cobb on. Cobb tries forearms but Ishii CHOPS again. Cobb grits his teeth as he takes another, and another, and another! He staggers back to a knee, Ishii CHOPS him to the corner. Ishii wants Cobb to show him what he’s got and starts slapping him around. Cobb gets those forearms and CHOPS going again, but Ishii headbutts back. Ishii whips but Cobb blocks with strength! Cobb whips Ishii to a corner, catches Ishii, and overhead belly2belly suplexes him! Ishii ends up in a corner and Cobb hits a corner clothesline, and back elbow!

Cobb scoops Ishii but Ishii slides out to whip. Cobb reverses, reels Ishii in, Athletic Plex! Cover, TWO! Cobb toys with Ishii now, then throws more forearms. Ishii gives them back and we have another back and forth. They pick up steam and the fans are loving it! Ishii hits Cobb as soon as Cobb hits him, and Cobb starts to stagger. Ishii piles on the forearms, but Cobb gets a JAB! The Pitbull goes reeling backwards while Cobb catches his breath. Cobb is on Ishii in the corner with more forearms, then whips corner to corner. Ishii comes back to run Cobb over! Fans cheer as Ishii has new life! Ishii goes to suplex Cobb, and gets him up and over! Cover, TWO and Cobb rolls through to deadlift Ishii! For a pop-up to the suplex, but Ishii slips out.

Ishii runs and things speed up as Cobb hurdles. But Ishii fakes out the dropkick! Ishii runs in, but Cobb scoops and pops up for the suplex! Standing moonsault! The Gachimuchi covers, TWO! Cobb can’t believe he didn’t put Ishii away! But he dares Ishii to come back now with toying slaps. Ishii stands and Cobb aims a fist, but Ishii flops down. Fans rally as Cobb eggs Ishii on. Cobb throws down hands, then elbows. Ishii fires himself up by headbutting the mat! Cobb throws more elbows, but Ishii just gets mad. Ishii leans into the elbows! Ishii backs Cobb down in this way, then gives his own forearm! And corner clothesline! Ishii hauls Cobb up to the top rope and climbs up to join him. Ishii brings Cobb up, SUPERPELX!

Fans fire up with Ishii as he aims at Cobb. Ishii runs and clotheslines, but Cobb stays up to LARIAT Ishii! Cobb drags Ishii up top now, and then he climbs up to join him. Roles are reversed as Cobb SUPERPLEXES Ishii! Cobb crawls to a cover, TWO! Ishii still lives but Cobb has more to give. Cobb drags Ishii up from behind in a waistlock, but Ishii fights out with elbows. Cobb blocks and counter elbows, but Ishii blocks the kick to give elbows back. HEADBUTT from Cobb! Cobb drags Ishii up, PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!? Cobb doesn’t lose his cool, he whips but Ishii holds ropes. Ishii boots back, but runs into a scoop. He escapes and suplexes but Cobb resists. Cobb swings but Ishii blocks, then waistlocks to a BIG back suplex!

Both bulky men are down as fans are rallying up. Cobb is in the corner and Ishii runs in, only for Cobb to catch him and slam him down! Ishii rises, to powerslam Cobb! But now Cobb rises, only to run into Ishii’s German Suplex! Cobb rises again, grabs Ishii for an EXPLODER! But Ishii’s right up again, only for Cobb to dropkick him! Ishii rebounds to LARIAT! Ishii sits Cobb up, runs, sliding D caught!? Cobb lifts but Ishii standing switches, to hit a Dragon Suplex! Ishii runs again, LARIAT flips Cobb over! Cover, ONE!? And with power! SUPERKICK! German Suplex! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Fans rally as Cobb pulls down the straps! Cobb drags Ishii up again, whips him, but has to duck the lariat. Cobb throws a forearm and a boot, then scoops, only for the back to give out. Enziguri from Ishii! Ishii sits Cobb up, he runs, SLIDING D! Cover, TWO!! These men are proving to be titans as Ishii just gets up again. Ishii drags Cobb up, but it’s COBB who suplexes! Ishii escapes, and tanks the lariat to headbutt. Cobb forearms, Ishii headbutts harder! Cobb swings, but into Ishii’s facelock, and BRAIN BUSTER! Ishii crawls to the cover, Ishii wins!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall; earns 2 points

And the Stone Pitbull truly earned those points! He took a bite out of Cobb, but will either man have anything left to make it to the finals?

Hirooki Goto VS Jay White w/ Gedo!

“What a difference a year makes,” as Kevin Kelly puts it on commentary. From betraying Bullet Club’s Elite to joining Chaos to betraying Chaos to join the new #Cutthroat Bullet Club, the Switchblade has had a meteoric rise, but also an equally surprising fall. White was IWGP Heavyweight Champion but then lost it in Madison Square Garden. Will White be able to reclaim everything he lost? Or will the Fierce Warrior of Chaos refuse to Breathe with the Switchblade?

The bell rings and fans are on Goto’s side. White doesn’t care, but he does bail out to take his time with Goto. White already brings out a chair, goes to the other side of eh railing, and he lets Gedo have a seat. Gedo accepts and cheers White as a fan. This is White’s way of saying he won’t need Gedo’s tricks to beat Goto. But White says it’s up to him when he gets in. Goto rushes out to get at White, but White slips inside the ring. White taunts Goto into getting back in, then ducks the clothesline to headlock. Goto powers out and the two collide with shoulders. Goto fires off forearms and then whips White. White reverses but Goto comes back with more forearms!

Goto whips again but White bails out. But Goto gives chase to kick and whip White into railing! White is down and Goto stomps him. Goto puts White in and runs to run White over. White gets up but Goto clotheslines White right out! Fans fire up with Goto as he goes out to club White down. Goto stomps and clubs White around the corner, then he chases Gedo off. White goes back to the ring and Goto heads back. Goto gets in but Gedo grabs a foot! White uppercuts Goto down! So much for not having Gedo help. White drags Goto to the apron to elbow and club away on. White rams Goto’s chest into the edge, and Gedo is all smiles. But White isn’t done, he suplexes to gourd buster Goto on the apron!

Goto is down and White rolls into the ring. Red Shoes waits before starting the count. Goto stirs and slowly gets up at 10. But the climb reaches 15 before he stands, and is in at 17. White stomps Goto out of the ring and then rams him into railing! And the apron! And the railing again! Then the apron again, before whipping Goto into railing on the far side! Fans boo but White soaks up the heat. White refreshes the count and fetches Goto again. He puts White in and covers, but Red Shoes refuses. White is annoyed, but he toys with Goto. Goto CHOPS White back! And again and again and again! But he runs into White’s elbow! White drops Goto with a neckbreaker then covers, TWO! Fans rally up for Goto while White catches his breath.

White drags Goto up to CHOP him now. And again, and again! White eggs Goto on so Goto hits back. White rakes Goto’s eyes and wrenches the neck in a cravat. Goto endures as fans rally up. Goto fights up and out but White clubs him back down. White cravats again but Goto fights back. White elbows Goto down to a knee, then suplexes. Goto resists, then suplexes back! But White lands on his feet to throw Goto down by his hair! White kicks and slaps Goto around but Goto only gets mad. Goto CHOPS but White forearms. Goto chops more and more and more! White kicks a leg out and then looms over Goto. White stomps Goto but Goto catches the foot. Now they throw forearms, and then Goto spins through to lariat!

Both men are down but fans fire up. Goto and White crawl to opposite ends of the ring and Gedo is worried. White is in a corner and Goto runs in to clothesline. White resists the saido but Goto shoves to fireman’s carry! But White flails and gets free, only to get a kick! Goto runs in again, windmill kick in the corner! Saido suplex! Cover, TWO! Goto doesn’t stop, he brings White up again. White resists the lift and clubs away. Goto clubs White away but misses in the corner. Goto dodges a chop but runs into a boot, only to clothesline through it! White sits down and Goto rains down rights. Goto whips corner to corner but White slides, spins Goto around and DDT’s! Both men are down again but fans still rally.

White sits up first and drags Goto up. Half hatch suplex but White holds on to rotate, for a second. White drags Goto up again, but Goto denies the third. Goto powers White to a corner and rams his shoulder in, but White uses the third half hatch to throw Goto into buckles! White drags Goto up again, twisting suplex! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives the #BladeBuster and Gedo argues with Red Shoes. White still grins as he chinlocks Goto and hauls him up. Goto resists the half nelson suplex, but White CHOPS him. White whips but Goto reverses, only for White to reverse. But then Goto reverses again, for the neckbreaker across his knee! Both men are down again but stirring as fans continue to rally.

White forearms Goto but Goto gives it back. Goto eggs White on and White returns to forearm Goto. Goto forearms White again and White goes staggering. White comes back for more forearms, knees and elbows. White uppercuts Goto then again. He whips but Goto reverses to follow, and then denies the complete shot. Goto shoves but White dodges. They each follow the other, dodge for dodge, and Goto runs into the SAIDO! Gedo wants White to finish this, and White looks to do just that. White fires off strikes and then a point-blank LARIAT! White grins and applauds himself as he catches his breath. Fans rally for Goto as White drags Goto up by his hair. Goto breaks free but White SLAPS him back down!

White keeps slapping Goto but Goto just gets angry. Goto feeds off those slaps, but runs into the URENAGE! White uses the cocky standing pin, but Red Shoes refuses to count that. White mockingly shakes Goto’s hand before dragging Goto back up. But Goto is dead weight, so White has to work extra hard to get him up. Red Shoes wants to check on Goto but White shoves him down! Goto revives and LARIATS White! Goto and White are both slowly stirring, but White signals to Gedo. Gedo fetches something as White hauls Goto up. But Goto gets White with the USHIGOROSHI! Goto has new life and the fans are fired up with him! Goto waits for White to stand, but White stays down. So Goto drags White up, but White is also limp. Goto stomps White but it’s all White’s plan.

White grins as he crawls, and even as Goto stomps him. Goto has White at the ropes but Red Shoes reprimands Goto. Gedo protests while Goto eggs White on. White revives, but Blade Runner denied! So White suplexes, only for Goto to spin through. White forearms but Goto headbutts! Goto drags White up, Inverted GTR! Cover, TWO!! Goto drags White back up and turns him around, but White fights out! White snapmares Goto and catches him but Goto slips out. White slips out again, but then Goto snapmares him off the full nelson. Goto dragon sleepers but White slips out, and the two pull hair to deny the other. Goto has White, and headbutts him over and over! Final Cut!

The fans are thunderous, but here comes Gedo! Goto scares Gedo off, but White escapes the fireman’s carry. Goto again denies Blade Runner, SHOTEN KAI!! Cover, TWO!! But Goto doesn’t let that deter him! He drags White back up, fireman’s carry again, USHIGOROSHI TO FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO!? But Goto won’t stop until he’s one! BUZZSAW! TRUE G, T, R!! Cover, Goto wins!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall; earns 2 points

The Fierce Warrior is finally victorious! NJPW goes to break while both men recover.

NJPW returns once again…

And the victorious Goto finally stands to have his hand raised. His training with Shibata has truly paid off. Fans cheer as the Fierce Warrior takes to the mic.

“It’s been awhile. To be able to perform for all of you, and even better, to get the victory, it makes me so happy!” Fans are also glad as they continue to cheer. The G1 Climax has only just begun, and Goto knows even tougher challenges lie ahead. But Goto will say this: “The G in G1 stands for GOTO!” Goto says his piece and fans cheer again. Will Goto make good on this critical first victory to rise back towards the top?

NJPW Media Backstage Interview

Hirooki Goto thanks Shibata for help in his training. He also thanks all the young guys at the LA Dojo. This wouldn’t be possible without any of them. “However, I can’t really say that I’ve made a complete comeback.” Goto knows this is just one step up the ladder. All his training partners, Shibata, and everyone at LA Dojo may not be in the G1, but he will carry their emotions with him into the ring. He will use them as motivation to win. The G1 begins and a single lose could cost him. That is how he sees it, that is how he will fight. Can Goto again rise to the finals and take the entire tournament?

My Thoughts:

Another great block of wrestling from NJPW! Obviously this is just the portion of night 2 that had to do with the G1 Climax, but that’s because these were the five matches that mattered. And what great surprises in some of these, like Yano and Naito! That was definitely an entertaining match, and if anything, this only makes it more likely Naito will fight his way to the finals. He wants to make history, and he’ll rip whoever he has to apart. Moxley VS Taichi was great, and of course Moxley wins because he’s Moxley, and Taichi can definitely be sacrificed to him and Naito for their respective builds. Shingo VS Juice was a great opener for tonight, and it is great for Shingo to have a competitive match like this. He and Ospreay aren’t exactly in the running as I see it, but strong showings are more than enough for them.

Cobb and Ishii was so great, both these guys just love to hit hard and move fast. If they aren’t getting a NEVER Openweight Championship match at a later event, that will be a real letdown. Then Goto VS White was a real good main event, and as commentary was putting over, probably Goto’s best in a long time. Goto’s win serves to spark his own story of the veteran comeback like Hiroshi Tanahashi in the A Block. Plus, White got plenty of great accomplishments over this last year, from being the top champion and being the NJPW main event of G1 Supercard, so he can give up these hard fought matches for the sake of the others. He’ll give everyone else in the B Block great matches, and maybe a new story for him can spark from this tournament.

My Score: 8.8/10

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

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AEW Coverage

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

It’s a slam dunk!

Published

49 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
AEW World Championship: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Claudio Castagnoli; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Swerve Strickland is here!

Prince Nana again leads the way as the NEW AEW World Champion makes his way out here. The Realest opened Dynamite with a win, but he walks back out to Daily’s Place to stand in the ring to finally acknowledge his victory at Dynasty. Nana says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the man standing in front of you today is the Boss of Bosses! The man standing in front of you today is the Anointed One in Professional Wrestling! The man standing in front of you is one hell of a wrestler. And he’s none other than the AEW World Heavyweight Champion, Swerve Strickland!” The fans cheer and chant, “Thank You, Swerve!”

Swerve says what a week we’ve had here in AEW! Let’s run it down: a NEW TBS Champion in Willow Nightingale; by the grace of God, Adam Cole can walk; Adam Copeland got misted in the face by The House of Black; Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson tore the house down; and then… Jack Perry returned. The fans boo but Swerve says Jack’s back in AEW, and he struck Tony Khan, the founder of AEW, who put his faith in Swerve. On top of that, The EVPs, the Young Bucks are again the AEW World Tag Team Champions, and they hit Tony Khan with the whatever it is driver, and now TK is in a neck brace and who knows when we’ll see him in healthy condition.

Now, Swerve will be the first to tell everyone, he’s done some horrible things. Once, twice, three, four times. But something about four elite athletes beating down a non-fighter in TK, that sounds like a b*tch move to him. The fans echo “B*TCH MOVE!” but Swerve wants to get to business. The most important thing that happened this week is Swerve went into Dynasty and he made history by dethroning Samoa Joe and becoming the NEW AEW World Champion! Now, a pet peeve of his is those going around calling themselves “Best in the World.” But make no mistake, the Best in the World is the one holding this title right here!

Last week, it was Samoa Joe. This week, it’s Swerve, baby. And Swerve got here by fighting, but also by making sacrifices. Swerve says the night he won this title, he went to his daughter. She said, “Dad, I love you, I’m so proud of you. But I feel like I just don’t know you.” That hit Swerve to his core. His relationship with his children is everything. But he’s missed birthdays, holidays, basketball games, dance recitals, Father-Daughter dances, and he can’t make up for lost time. But what he can do is set the example and blaze a trail, to make sure this was all worth it. The fans cheer that!

Swerve continues by saying AEW has set people in front of him and he’s knocked them all down! Kyle Fletcher was just one. Now, how about an Open Challenge for the AEW World Championship? But only to someone who really wants to fight! So how about it, Jacksonville? We’re entering a new era in AEW, the Dynasty Era! And the elite of that era is whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” But then here comes Claudio Castagnoli! The Swiss Superman is in a suit, not his gear, but he does get in the ring. Claudio circles Swerve, then takes the mic and holds up a finger. The fans still chant, but Claudio says, “You’re on.”

Swerve says see you later tonight then, in whose house? But then Claudio snatches the mic again! “It’s gonna be mine.” The fans are intrigued but Claudio is looking to end Swerve’s Dynasty the same week it started! Will the Swiss Superman bring even more gold to the Blackpool Combat Club?

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.