Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/19/19)
The King of the Ring returns!
Raw kicks off King of the Ring 2019!
This illustrious tournament returns and Raw begins its opening round! Who moves one step closer to the throne? Plus, the United States Championship is on the line between Phenomenal AJ Styles and the Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Roman Reigns VS Dolph Ziggler; Reigns wins.
- Ricochet & The Miz VS Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin; Ricochet & Miz win.
- WWE United States Championship: AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Braun Strowman; Strowman wins by disqualification, Styles retains the WWE United States Championship.
- King of the Ring Raw Bracket: Samoa Joe VS Cesaro; Joe wins and advances to the next round.
- The New Day VS The Revival; The New Day wins, by disqualification.
- Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss VS Fire & Desire; Cross & Bliss win.
- King of the Ring Raw Bracket: Sami Zayn VS Cedric Alexander; Alexander wins and advances to the next round.
- Raw Tag Team Championships: The OC w/ AJ Styles VS Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman; Rollins & Strowman win and become the new Raw Tag Team Champions.
PLAY BY PLAY
Roman Reigns returns to Raw!
And as he heads down to the ring, Jerry “The King” Lawler is on commentary! Corey Graves is on vacation but that’s fine since The King will try to get The Boss to give us the answers to #WhySashaWhy. As for Roman, he and the rest of the WWE Universe still doesn’t know who has attempted to take him out for good! If it isn’t Buddy Murphy, if it isn’t Rowan or Daniel Bryan, then who is it?!
Roman Reigns VS Dolph Ziggler!
The Show-Off makes his entrance and wants to say this face to face, as a gentleman and the bigger man, his Tweets aren’t like the usual keyboard warrior stuff. Ziggler is glad Roman is okay, really. But he just doesn’t get why Roman gets the attention while- Fans tell Ziggler, “You Suck! You Suck!” No he doesn’t! He’s the bigger man, so shut up! Ziggler knows Roman almost got hit by a car, but Ziggler actually got Speared by Goldberg three times! Now the Goldberg chants begin. Ziggler says it’s bad enough to get Speared out of nowhere three times, because he thought Goldberg had to wait six months after each one. Then he got Sweet Chin Music’d and tapped out to the Miz’s parody of Ric Flair’s move!
Ziggler knows Roman is the big man around here, but #ItShouldBeDZ! And then SUPERKICK cheap shot! Ziggler is man enough for this match now! “You Still Suck!” but the referee checks on Roman. Roman shakes the cobwebs out and wants this match. The bell rings and Roman uppercuts Ziggler out of the ring! Roman still steadies himself, and he spots Ziggler crawling outside. Roman goes out and comes around the side, FLYING- No, Ziggler sends him into barriers! ZIGZAG to the floor! Both men are down on the ground while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Ziggler has Roman in a chinlock. Ziggler kicks Roman’s knees then punches him to a corner. Ziggler soaks up the heat before running in, but Roman puts him way out of the ring! Roman catches his breath while Ziggler rolls on the ground. A ring count begins and Ziggler gets back to his feet at 5. Roman goes out and comes around again, Drive-By Dropkick hits! Roman throws Ziggler back in then dodges Ziggler’s attack for the leaping lariat! Fans fire up with The Big Dog as he gives Ziggler the point-blank lariats! Roman gets all 10, then runs to BOOT Ziggler down! Roman gets to a corner then locks ‘n’ loads! But Ziggler dodges and rolls Roman up, TWO! Satellite DDT! Cover, TWO! Ziggler grows frustrated but fans are rallying up. Roman sits up and Ziggler stalks him from behind. Ziggler wants Roman to stand, and runs in, but the ZigZag is denied.
Roman ducks but Ziggler sunset flips, TWO! Famouser countered into a powerbomb, but Ziggler pops out to send Roman into a post! ZIGZAG AGAIN! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives and Ziggler can’t believe it! Both men are down again but fans continue to rally. Ziggler grins as he goes to a corner to tune up the band. Fans boo as Ziggler watches Roman stand. Ziggler runs over, but the kick is blocked! Roman spins Ziggler for a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler shocks Roman! But Roman refocuses, and fires himself up. The fans fire up, too, as the battle cry is let out. But Ziggler counters spear into Famouser! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler can’t believe how close he is! Fans are cheering Roman on as Ziggler argues with the ref. Ziggler toys with Roman now, “I’m better than you!”
Ziggler says Roman had his chance and blew it. He starts slapping Roman around, then chokes Roman in the corner. The ref backs Ziggler off, and Ziggler comes in, to get a SPEAR!! Cover, Roman wins!
Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall
And once again, Ziggler’s ego gets the better of him! Roman wins tonight, but will his mystery assailant, or assailants, still try something before the night is over?
Becky Lynch speaks.
“Last week, Sasha Banks beat me stupid with a chair. “And we all want to know why. Why is Becky daring the Women’s Division to come after her? Because she wants the best, most aggressive version of everyone coming after her. Becky wants to fight the best, to fight everyone at their peak, and that is where Sasha is now. So Becky won’t be mad at her. Four months ago, Sasha ran away crying because her career went cold as ice. But now she’s hotter than ever. Why is that? What changed in those four months that made her this way? Nothing. It’s what Becky did. Sasha is the greatest on the roster to never be great.
So Becky directs this at Sasha: swing your chair and wear your dollar store glasses. But Becky did more work to keep Sasha here than Sasha did. Why did it take The Man to get the real Boss? The greats don’t need to be goaded into greatness, they seek greatness out. This is a cat ‘n’ mouse game, and then Becky will give Sasha something to run home about. Strong words from a strong champion, but what will Sasha’s response be in just a moment?
The King’s Court returns!
Jerry Lawler can tell Becky will want retribution on The Boss in the near future. But Jerry wants to remind everyone that the King of the Ring begins tonight! And The King loves this tournament. It’s not only a title, it can also be a launching pad. Legends like Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin and even Brock Lesnar were Kings of the Ring. The next few weeks will whittle 16 superstars down to one King of the Ring! Before Jerry names his pick, let’s take a look at that bracket!
Divided into Raw and SmackDown sides, we already know tonight will feature Cesaro VS Samoa Joe and Cedric Alexander VS Sami Zayn, but Raw will also have Ricochet VS Drew McIntyre and The Miz VS Baron Corbin! For SmackDown, there will be Kevin Owens VS Elias, Mustafa Ali VS Buddy Murphy in an incredible 205 Live rematch, Chad Gable VS Shelton Benjamin in a battle of former tag partners, and Apollo Crews VS Andrade Almas in a return of their rivalry just earlier this Summer.
Back to King, he likes quite a lot of those superstars. His Raw finalists will be Cedric and Ricochet, while SmackDown’s… Oh no. Not the lights! King saw the past few weeks, he’s bugging out! Jerry heads back for commentary, but too late!! When the lights come back on, King is surrounded by the strobe! The Fiend is behind him!! And the mandible claw clamps on!! Bray Wyatt smothers The King!! No King’s Court, no venue for The Boss to tell her side of things. Who will be The Fiend’s next victim?
Ricochet & The Miz VS Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin!
The One and Only unites with the Hollywood A-Lister for a truly AWESOME duo to face off their respective King of the Ring opponents! Who wins this sampler before they compete in the tournament next week?
The teams sort out and Miz starts with McIntyre. Miz waistlocks but McIntyre elbows out to CHOP Miz back. Miz boots McIntyre, then runs but escapes the scoop. Ricochet kicks McIntyre and then Miz hits his A-List Lariat on the Scottish Terminator. Tag to Ricochet and he springboards to clothesline McIntyre down. Tag back to Miz and fans fire up as Miz boots McIntyre down. Ricochet adds a standing moonsault, and McIntyre bails out in frustration. Corbin runs over but is sent out! Ricochet helps Miz wreck them both with a dropkick, then Ricochet MOONSAULST to wipe them out! This awesome duo is standing tall as we go to break!
Raw returns and Miz counter punches Corbin! Miz clubs away then runs, only to get run over! Corbin throws off his suit shirt to rain down angry rights! Corbin glares at Ricochet but McIntyre chuckles. The Lone Wolf says he’ll be wearing the crown, but tags to McIntyre. These familiar friends mug Miz and McIntyre throws Miz overhead! Cover, TWO! McIntyre is on Miz with a mounted armlock and chinbar. Fans rally up and Miz fights to his feet to throw haymakers. McIntyre shoves and runs Miz over! Tag to Corbin, and Corbin stomps Miz down. Corbin brings Miz up to throw hands but Miz fights out! Miz backs Corbin down but COrbni rocks him. Corbin slides out then in to corner splash! Then he feeds Miz to McIntyre’s SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!
Fans rally but McIntyre is on Miz. McIntyre CHOPS Miz then whips, but Miz gets McIntyre with a DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up. Miz and McIntyre crawl, hot tags to Corbin and Ricochet! Ricochet rallies on Corbin with big flying forearms! Dropkick-flip and enziguri! BOOT for McIntyre, but Corbi puts Ricochet on the apron. Ricochet hits back then springboards up and over. Ricochet hits McIntyre and slips out of Corbin’s back suplex. Corbin slides out then in, but misses to be baited into an enziguri! Somersault shotgun dropkick drops Corbin! Cover, ONE! Ricochet isn’t deterred, he runs corner to corner for a shoulder tackle and big kick! Springboard flying clothesline! Ricochet roars into his standing shooting star! Cover, but McIntyre breaks it!
Miz is after McIntyre and Ricochet helps. McIntyre shoves them away then BOOTS Miz! McIntyre grabs Ricochet and tosses him across the way! Ricochet crashes down and McIntyre takes aim. McIntyre wants Ricochet to stand, but Ricochet SUPERKICKS him into the FINALE! But Corbin has Miz for a Choke Slam! But Ricochet shoulders Corbin back, springboards again, but into a Choke Slam- to land on his feet! But Ricochet runs into DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet lives and Corbin is furious. Fans chant “Corbin Sucks!” but Corbin tunes that out as he drags Ricochet up to the top rope. Corbin throws hands but Ricochet gives them back. Ricochet kicks Corbin away, leaps for a missile dropkick! Ricochet goes corner to corner, but Corbins ends him into buckles. Miz saves Ricochet and Corbin gets a RECOIL! Cover, RIcochet and Miz win!
Winners: Ricochet & The Miz, Ricochet pinning
The King of Flight and Mr. Most Must-See get a huge win, but will both men win their respective matches in the tournament?
Sasha Banks arrives.
With no King’s Court, the Boss will explain herself on a sit-down interview later tonight.
Booker T is here via Skype!
King Booker knows what just happened to Jerry, The Fiend is like a rabid dog. You either put them down or run away. Jerry was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But to King of the Ring, Booker is of course a former King, #KingBookah was a great king. What did that tournament win mean to him? Thinking to Harley Race, God rest his soul, or King Randy Savage, being a King of the Ring winner definitely puts you in great company and catapults you to great heights. Who does Booker thing will win this year? There are a lot of great stars this year, but his pick is #KingMcIntyre! Will the prediction come true?
WWE United States Championship: AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Braun Strowman!
The Phenomenal One didn’t like that the Monster Among Men ruined The OC’s official, original and only beat down of Seth Rollins and Ricochet that mattered, so he gave Strowman this chance to fight for the title! Obviously Strowman accepted, but will he be able to #GetTheseHands on his first singles championship in the WWE? Or will Gallows and Anderson be a critical factor again?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin!
Styles gets face to face with Strowman, or as much as he can with the height difference. Styles SLAPS Strowman but then avoids him in the corner. The chop block hurts Styles more than it does Strowman. Strowman shoves and runs Styles over! Styles flounders out of the ring but Strowman comes around the way! Styles runs while the OC get clear! Styles hits Strowman ash e gets back int he ring, but the ref counts. Strowman grabs Styles and lifts but Styles escapes. Styles mule kicks and stomps the leg, but runs into a pop-up back drop! Styles tumbles off Strowman but Gallows and Anderson get on the apron. Strowman swats them both down, then runs corner to corner at Styles! Styles boots Strowman back, and goes to the apron. Styles forearms Strowman away, then springboards, but into a SWAT of the hand!
Strowman drags Styles up, but here come the Good Brothers! YAKUZA KICK! Dropkick! BOOT!
Winner: Braun Strwoman, by disqualification; Styles retains the WWE United States Championship
The Good Brothers throw Strowman into a post! Strowman staggers into a ROUNDHOUSE! Then they ram Strowman into another post! Gallows drags Strowman out but here comes Seth Rollins! The Architect returns the favor as he takes on the Raw Tag Team Champions! SUPERKICK for Gallows! SUPERKICK for Anderson! Rollins clotheslines Gallows out and the OC is on the retreat! Rollins checks on Strowman, and they shake hands. But Strowman doesn’t let go… At least, not at first. Are these two unlikely allies? Or simply working together against a common enemy?
Seth Rollins catches up with Braun Strowman.
The Architect knows what is going on amidst all this teaming up. If Rollins could make matches, Strowman would definitely be a challenger for his title. But for now, they need to go after The OC. How about going for the Raw Tag titles first? Strowman likes that. A man of few words, that’s good. Will the McMahons approve of this match up of Monster and Beastslayer?
King of the Ring Raw Bracket: Samoa Joe VS Cesaro!
The Samoan Destroyer could make grandiose promises, but the truth is that the king has spoken. But will he dismantle the Swiss Cyborg on the way to the throne?
The bell rings and the tournament truly begins as Cesaro hits Joe with a HARD European Uppercut! Cover, TWO!! Joe gets to a corner but Cesaro is on him fast. Joe resists the suplex to fire back with CHOPS! Cesaro knees low then throws hands. Cesaro runs but Joe runs him over! Joe catches his breath as he drags Cesaro up and whips. Cesaro dodges and springboards for a flying EuroUpper! Cover, ONE! Cesaro keeps his cool as he drags Joe around by the legs. Joe pushes Cesaro away and CHOPS him again. Joe puts Cesaro in a corner to elbow and PELE! Cesaro bails out but Joe runs to DIVE! Direct hit sends Cesaro into the front row! Joe is seething while we go to break.
Raw returns and Joe jabs and chops away on Cesaro in a corner. Joe CHOPS again, but Cesaro CHOPS back! Cesaro throws more CHOPS, then runs, but into a clothesline! Joe grimaces as he looms over Cesaro. Joe drags Cesaro around for a neck wrench. Cesaro endures the twisting as fans build to a rally. Cesaro goes after Joe’s fingers! Joe uppercuts Cesaro! Joe argues with the ref about not reprimanding Cesaro, but Joe shrugs that off to drop a back senton, that misses! Cesaro got clear just in time and now both men are down. Joe stands but Cesaro follows with another EuroUpper! And more EuroUppers in the corner! From all sides! Cesaro runs, to BOOT Joe down! Cover, TWO! Joe just escapes but Cesaro won’t let up. Cesaro goes to suplex, but Joe is too big and strong. Joe suplexes Cesaro but Cearo resists, to get Joe up! He can’t hold Joe up, but tries again, and succeeds! Both men are down again but Cesaro crawls to a cover, TWO!
Fans cheer while Cesaro catches his breath. Cesaro drags Joe back up but Joe CHOPS him again! And again! Joe runs but Cesaro blasts him with another EuroUpper! Joe bails out and Cesaro follows. Cesaro goes around the side, for another EuroUpper! Joe falls but Cesaro puts him back in. Cesaro then goes to the far corner and climbs up. Cesaro flies for a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Joe holds his head from the constant uppercuts, but Cesaro stalks him to a corner. Cesaro runs into the urenage! Joe drops the senton! Cover, TWO! Cesaro survives but Joe keeps his focus. Joe drags Cesaro up and whips, but Cesaro dodges to give more EuroUppers. Cesaro trips Joe up, and takes him for a swing! But only a few rotations, before the Sharpshooter! Cesaro sits deep, then shifts to a crossface! Joe rolls him to a cover, TWO as Cesaro lets go.
Cesaro throws more EuroUppers, but Joe back drops out. Cesaro springboards, into the COQUINA! Joe has Cesaro down, Cesaro taps, Joe wins!!
Winner: Samoa Joe, by submission; advances to the next round
The first step has been taken, and the sinister Samoan Submission Machine is that much closer to the crown. Who will he meet after Ricochet and McIntyre have it out?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is in Minneapolis, but something is wrong with his sound. He has terrible news. Grab your loved ones and pull them close, because tonight is a night you won’t forget. This is Elias’ farewell performance. He has so much going on in his life, like these technical difficulties… Being the Uncrowned King of the Ring AND WWE 24/7 Champion is just too much, he cannot risk being out here live every week. But fear not, because he will leave us with an emotional ballad they’ll remember forever. So please silence cell phones, hold your applause and shut your mouths! Elias plays, but his guitar is way out of tune> Who is responsible for this?! There’s a reason for sound checks. Someone get him a guitar.
A guitar flops over. Pick it up and hand it to him! The stage hand slides in, but he looks familiar. He hands the guitar to Elias, but then reveals… It’s R-Truth! Elias sees the referee! Truth rolls Elias up!! TWO, and Truth tries again with a small package. TWO, but Truth kicks low. Truth hits the scissors kick! Cover, TWO!! Elias survives and Truth grows desperate. Truth grabs Elias’ guitar! And he takes aim at Elias! Fans chant “YES! YES!” as he swings, but Elias gets clear! Elias still has Truth’s “baby” but he also has a King of the Ring match coming up soon. Will Elias be able to retain and take a step closer to the throne?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
The King of Lucha Libre has been somber and cryptic as of late, mostly brought on by a shocking losing streak. He mentioned his family, so what can he tell us about that? Mysterio thanks everyone for their time and this forum to speak openly. He wants us to believe him when he says he is a fortunate man with a beautiful family and a wonderful career. Mysterio has wrestled since he was a little boy. He has inspired people all around the world. But recently, things just haven’t been clicking. And Andrade Almas ripping his mask, that is a disgrace! In lucha culture, that is the biggest insult. But the biggest thing is that Mysterio has failed to get back at Almas. Mysterio sees things several steps ahead, but his body can’t keep up. He’s had injuries, but his fear is that they’ve all caught up to him.
Mysterio takes a moment to compose himself before he says that “this day” comes to everyone at some point. But he just didn’t think it’d be today. Mysterio understands now that it is time to hang up the boots and the mask. Mysterio must let the new generation rise up. But Dominique stops his father from removing the mask on air! He wants his father to hear him out for a moment. Mysterio said Dominique’s debut would be by his father’s side. And he promised not to change a thing from the original Mysterio’s lessons. Dominique wants to tell his children, Mysterio’s grandchildren, that the great Rey Mysterio Jr was his partner. Please keep wrestling, so that Dominique can make him proud. Mysterio will, for his son. They hug, and it seems the legend will continue a little while longer.
The New Day VS The Revival!
AWWWWW~ Twin Cityyyy~! Xavier Woods and Big E bring their SmackDown Tag Team Championships over per the Wild Card Rule to show Raw how it’s done! Will the Power of Positivity be enough to get even with the #TopGuys from last week? Or will Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder prove they’re worthy of a cross-brand title shot?
The teams sort out and Dawson starts with Big E. Big E runs Dawson over and then throws him to a corner. Big E rams his shoulder in then whips Dawson for a big back elbow! Cover, ONE, but Big E won’t let up. HE brings Dawson over and tags Woods. Woods runs in for a forearm smash, then Big E rams his shoulder again. Big E feeds Dawson to Woods’ clothesline! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps on Dawson but Dawson throws hands. Dawson has Woods in a corner and tags Dash. Woods is fed to Dash’s knees then Dash throws uppercuts. Dash CHOPS Woods, but Woods CHOPS back. Dash kicks and bumps Woods off buckles in the open corner. Dash throws more uppercuts, then whips corner to corner. Woods boots Dash back then hits the Honor Roll!
Dawson runs in but gets hands and clotheslines! The New Day clotheslines The Revival right out! Fans fire up with Woods and Big E while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Woods fights off Dash on the top rope. Woods headbutts Dash down but Dawson tags in. Dawson hurries over but Woods headbutts him, too! Woods leaps to missile dropkick Dawson down! Both men are down and fans rally up. Both men crawl, hot tags to Big E and Dash! Big E throws Dash overhead! And he throws Dawson overhead! Dash runs in but gets the belly2belly! Fans fire up as Big E swivels those hips. Big E runs and hits the BIG SPLASH! Fans rally again as Big E waits for Dash to stand. Big E scoops but Dawson shoves Woods down! Big E hits Dawson then throws Dash out. Big E clubs Dash then runs, but into an RKO!!
Winners: The New Day, by disqualification
The Viper strikes! The Revival seem to be on his good side as Orton wants to keep getting at Kofi Kingston through the New Day! But speaking of, here comes Kofi! Kofi rolls in and takes Orton down! Kofi fights the Revival off, too! Big leaping ax handles take Dash and Dawson down, but Kofi gets another RKO!! The Viper vows to end Kofimania, but Woods fights Orton back! Woods runs, but into SHATTER RKO!!! The #TopGuys hear the voices, too, while Woods sputters. Orton has the Revival bring Woods around to “break his legs!” Throwback to NXT, Dawson has the deathlock, but Orton has Dash wait. Because Orton drags Kofi over to watch! Dash leaps to STOMP Woods’ knee!! Woods screams and writhes in agony and Kofi can only reach out in vain. Fans boo the heartless actions of Orton and his new cohorts, but is this only the beginning of the nightmares for the New Day?
Sasha Banks is ready for her interview.
The Boss was to be on King’s Court, but The Fiend stopped that before it began. Sasha attacked Natalya out of nowhere, can she explain her actions? Sasha says it has been a very emotional week for her, and she will start from the beginning. Last week, she looked in the mirror, and she told herself, “Blue is your color!” Isn’t it? It’s all over social media, “She looks good! She’s better than ever!” Sasha will show up, show out, and not only dose she look good, she feels better. Michael Cole says the hair is not the news, it’s her attack on Natty on a night when Natty was herself emotional. And then she fought a fellow NXT Horsewomen. Why last week? Why at all? Sasha gets serious, and simply says, “You’re welcome.” She gets up and leaves, but will we ever hear the answers?
Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss VS Fire & Desire!
The Loony Lass and the Goddess are determined to be the fightingest team in the short history WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. The titles aren’t on the lien tonight but Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville could earn a shot with a win. Will they beat the “odd couple” on the road to Clash of Champions?
Raw returns as Mandy and Sonya make their entrance. The teams sort out, and Nikki starts against Sonya. The two circle and tie up, Sonya gets a waistlock and slam. Sonya has the facelock and holds on as Nikki rolls around. Nikki slips out and throat chops Sonya! Alexa tags in but into the body scissor takedown! Cover, ONE! Oklahoma roll, ONE! Sonya knees low then tags Mandy. Fire & Desire whip ALexa and double kick to ram in knees in turn. They both throw Alexa down then Mandy covers, TWO! Alexa throws a hand but gets Mandy’s own killer right! Mandy scoops but Alexa slips out to waistlock. Mandy elbows out then trips Alexa, but then cartwheels over Alexa and taunts The Goddess. Alexa swings but misses and gets a dropkick! Then she gets a running knee! Cover, TWO!
Mandy keeps her cool but Alexa powers her to ropes. Alexa lets up at 4 but Nikki gets a cheap shot in! Mandy gets mad and chases Nikki down to give another hard right! But then Alexa wrecks Mandy with a dropkick! Alexa kicks Mandy while she’s down, then throws her into the ring. Cover, TWO! Alexa grows annoyed but she keeps on Mandy. She whips Mandy to the corner then tags Nikki. Alexa whips Nikki in for a splash, then runs in to SLAP Mandy! Nikki snapmares Mandy into a thrashing straitjacket stretch! Mandy endures and fights her way up. Nikki throws Mandy down by her hair, then drags her up to put her in the corner. Tag to Alexa, and ALexa whips Nikki in for another splash> But Mandy hits Alexa with a Knee from a Rose!
Both women are down but crawling for their corners. Hot tags to Nikki and Sonya! Nikki runs into Sonya’s right hands! Sonya kicks, kicks, and sweeps! Sliding Wizard! But Alexa distracts Sonya to give Nikki time. Nikki boots Sonya away then rams Mandy into a post! But Nikki runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Sonya roundhouses Alexa but Nikki gets her with the PURGE! Cover, Nikki and Alexa win!
Winners: Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss, Cross pinning
The Women’s Tag Team Champions survive a fast and furious match! Will they be able to keep up this pace? Or will these #TinyTerrors eventually be caught?
Rollins and Strowman prepare backstage.
AJ Styles can’t get involved or it will be a disqualification. The OC are bad dudes but they’re not these two. Strowman, c’mon. Before the Universal Championship, focus on these championships. Follow Rollins’ lead and they might be tag team champions. Strowman is focused, but he is the leader, so that they will become tag team champions. Will Beastslayer and Monster be able to coexist and take the gold from the Good Brothers?
King of the Ring Raw Bracket: Sami Zayn VS Cedric Alexander!
Another opening round match pits the Critic of the Critics against a former WWE Cruiserweight Champion. The Age of Alexander is ready to rise again while Sami would rather just lord the accomplishment over the WWE Universe. Will Sami save his WWE career at the expense of Alexander?
The bell rings and Sami waistlocks and clubs Alexander down. Sami kicks Alexander then whips him to clothesline Alexander down! Cover, ONE, but Sami tries again, ONE! Sami keeps his cool as he stalks Alexander to the ropes. Sami chokes Alexander but lets up at 4. Fans boo but Alexander chops Sami back. Sami scoops Alexander for a backbreaker! Cover, ONE, but Sami again tries again, TWO! Sami hooks Alexander’s arm to wrap on a chinlock. Alexander endures and fans rally up. Alexander fights up and out with an arm-drag. Sami scoops Alexander for Michinoku! Cover, TWO! Sami grows frustrated, but he stomps and clubs Alexander over and over. Sami wraps on a chinlock again, but fans rally up. Alexander powers out and fights back, to CHOP Sami. Sami kicks low then whips, but Alexander stops that to rock Sami with an elbow!
Things speed up and Alexander hits Sami with flying forearms! Sami runs into Alexander’s boot, then Alexander goes up and over to handspring back, and headscissor Sami down. Alexander dropkicks Sami out of the ring! Fans fire up as Alexander runs, to DIVE! Down goes Sami! Alexander puts Sami in fast, then hits the Neuralizer enziguri! LUMBAR CHECK! Cover, Alexander wins!
Winner: Cedric Alexander, by pinfall; advances to the next round
The Age of Alexander takes that first step to a resurrection on Raw! But will he be facing The Miz or Baron Corbin in the second round?
The Street Profits check their brackets.
Montez Ford’s got it good but Angelo Dawkins already has a bust. He thought it would be Cesaro taking it to the finals. It’s fine, you can still make up for it in the SmackDown side. Andrade VS Apollo, KO VS Elias! Then on Raw, Miz VS Corbin, McIntyre VS Ricochet! Wait, wait. Why isn’t there some kind of tag team tournament? Kings of the Ring. Silly Dawkins, the Street Profits are already kings up in this piece. Ford has his crown, gold on his neck, but wait. The OC defending their Raw Tag Team Championships against Seth Freakin’ BRAUN-LINS! That is going to be a spectacular, show-stopping, heart-dropping match! And that match is… NEXT!
Anderson and Gallows don’t get this.
Rollins and Strowman don’t deserve a match! But Styles says this is how the OC can truly prove they’re the greatest trio! They can show that the Universal Champion and the Monster are no match for them! Too Sweet, boys!
Natalya speaks.
“I just came from the WWE doctors, again.” One week since baring her soul to the world. Between preparing for her SummerSlam match to nearing the anniversary of her father’s passing, Natty expected things to be emotional. She did not expect Sasha Banks to do what she did. Sasha was Natty’s friend. One of her closest. That is why Natty can’t understand why Sasha would do this! Then all Sasha does this week is smirk and laugh- SASHA ATTACKS AGAIN! She throws Natty around while daring her to keep talking. She puts the bad arm in an open drawer and STOMPS it! “Go to Hell, Natty, and tell Daddy I said hi.” Just why is Sasha treating everyone like this?!
Raw Tag Team Championships: The OC w/ AJ Styles VS Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman!
The favor was returned, and now Beastslayer and Monster Among Men look to really stick it to the Good Brothers. Can Rollins become a dual Universal and tag team champion alongside an unlikely ally? Or will the original, official and only team that matters still be Gallows and Anderson?
Raw returns as the champions make their entrance. Strowman glares at them all as they make their way out. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and Styles talks trash the entire time. The teams sort out, and we start with Gallows and Strowman. Gallows talk trash but Strowman shoves him back. The two men tie up and Strowman puts Gallows in a corner for big hands! Strowman runs and runs Gallows over! The Monster roars and brings Gallows over to tag Rollins. Rollins drops a punch into Gallows then wrenches the arm. Gallows haymakers Rollins off his feet, then bumps him in the OC corner. Gallows throws hands on the bad ribs, then tags Anderson. Anderson puts Rollins in another corner to also go after the ribs. The ref backs him off but Anderson comes back, to get a CHOP!
Rollins backs Anderson down with haymakers and CHOPS! Anderson reverses the whip but Rollins kicks him back and clotheslines him down! Rollins drags Anderson up for a suplex, but Anderson slips out to waistlock. Rollins standing switches but Gallows tags in. Rollins knees Gallows and tosses Anderson out. Rollins dropkicks Anderson and hits a flying knee on Gallows! Rollins even punches Anderson back down. Gallows uppercuts and hauls Rollins into a fireman’s carry. Gallows drops Rollins on the barriers, ribs first! And again! Rollins falls down in a heap and Styles talks trash as Raw goes to one last break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins fights out of an armlock. Rollins punches but Anderson reaches for Gallows. Anderson whips Rollins but Rollins kicks back. Rollins hits Gallows but runs into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives despite the bad ribs, but Anderson is right on him again. Anderson hoists Rollins up top and throws hands. Anderson punches Rollins then climbs up to join him. Rollins resists the superplex, but Anderson keeps trying. Rollins fights back and sends Anderson down with a headbutt! Fans rally and Rollins catches his breath, but he boots Anderson away. Rollins leaps for a Block Buster! Both men are down and fans rally up! Hot tag to Gallows and he clobbers Rollins! Gallows chokes Rollins on the ropes but lets up at 4. Styles comes around but Strowman keeps him away. Gallows goes out to shove Strowman into a post!
Gallows BOOTS Strowman down before going back to Rollins. Rollins SUPERKICKS Gallows but Anderson tags in. Anderson runs into a Slingblade! Rollins goes corner to corner with forearm smashes! Gallows catches him, scoops hi but Rollins slips out to dump Gallows out. Rollins DIVES to wipe Gallows out into barriers! Then he goes at Anderson, Falcon Arrow! Cover, TWO!! Rollins can’t believe how close he was, but he doesn’t lose focus. Fans rally up as Anderson gets to a corner. Rollins runs in, but Anderson puts him on the apron. Rollins punches Anderson away then climbs, but Anderson distracts the ref for STYLES to trip Rollins up! Gallows tags in and the OC have Rollins in the back suplex neckbreaker combo! Cover, TWO!! Rollins still lives!
The OC are furious but tag to Anderson. Gallows drags Rollins up as fans rally again. Anderson helps hold Rollins up but Rollins fights them back! The OC stomps Rollins down, then toss him out. Gallows holds Rollins up and Styles gets ready to do something. But Strowman runs Styles over! And then runs Gallows over! Fans are thunderous as the Monster evens the score! Rollins escapes the suplex, hot tag to Strowman! And now Strowman runs Anderson over! And puts him in a corner for a BIG splash! Gallows urns in but gets run over, too! Strowman splashes Anderson again! Then scoops, to a MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, but Styles slips in! Rollins CURB STOMPS Styles! Strowman and Rollins win!!
Winners: Braun Strowman & Seth Rollins, Strowman pinning; NEW Raw Tag Team Champions
The Architect is a DUAL Raw Tag Team and Universal Champion! Strowman himself is a two-time tag team champion! Is this duo going to dominate all the way through Clash of Champions? How is Rollins going to handle the extra target on his back? Especially if Strowman is aiming for that top prize…
My Thoughts:
A pretty solid episode of Raw right here. One thing about tonight was that it all went smoothly for a faster pace to the show. Nothing really dragged on and nothing was filler, per se. Reigns VS Ziggler was a match that didn’t necessarily need to happen, but it was such a good match because these two really are among the best workers in the WWE right now. Bliss-Cross VS Fire & Desire was a pretty solid match and a good sampler of what could be a Women’s Tag Championship match. The New Day VS Revival was a great match, and a truly surprising appearance by Orton. Orton making Kofi watch as Woods has his knee kayfabe busted was some powerful stuff, and definitely brings into question if New Day can defend the SmackDown Tag titles at Clash of Champions. This story could even turn into Kofi having to defend both the tag titles and the world title via Freebird rules.
In fact, there might be some parallels in the world and Universal title stories. Sadly it was all but obvious Strowman wasn’t going to win that United States title just on how The OC were there to be with Styles. Rollins making the save i return made a lot of sense, and even wanting to have a tag match made sense. The tag titles being thrown on top of it was a nice touch but I would’ve thought Styles helps the OC retain. But wouldn’t you know, Rollins has another tag title reign and is the first superstar to be dual Universal and Raw Tag champion in their career. More boosting to Rollins’ resume, though at the expense of the OC. However, here come the parallels I mentioned. Whether or not Styles finds a new opponent for his US title, Strowman clearly wants the Universal Championship. Rollins will surely have to worry about his Raw Tag title and top title, but the question is how all that comes about.
I could easily see Strowman ditching Rollins for them to lose the tag titles if it helps him win the Universal title, though that could also turn into Rollins surviving Strowman to leave Strowman with nothing. There’s ways for Styles to get thrown into the mix, and some of this unpredictability is really good. I don’t think this will come down to a new Winner Takes All scenario, but there has to be some double duty pulled by someone in this. This could also involve some of the King of the Ring results. Joe VS Cesaro was so good! It is a shame this wasn’t a later match-up because that is how good this match was. Alexander VS Sami was a pretty good match, too, but it was pretty fast. Sami’s been getting buried ever since the start of this Critic of the Critics thing, but at least we’re a step closer to Alexander VS McIntyre in the Raw Finals. And those who will end up losing this tournament, except for Sami, could easily go against Styles. It would be a shame for Ricochet to be out in the opening round, but another US title match would be a great consolation.
The Raw Women’s Championship story was an interesting one tonight, and perhaps controversial. First, The Fiend attacking Jerry Lawler, another great shocking appearance and it keeps Bray consistent in going after legends. Second, Becky has a great promo to respond to Sasha’s actions, and Sasha has a solid “interview” promo as a partial response. However, where things might go sideways is when Sasha attacks Natty backstage. And not even the attack, but Sasha’s line about going to Hell and the late Jim Neidhart. It seems that while WWE have learned how to book their women, they still haven’t learned how to write their women. I remember back to both the Bella VS Bella story and the Paige VS Charlotte story, there being lines that were just a bit too controversial all for the sake of escalating things. But this will blow over quickly so let’s just focus on the chances of Natty coming back for revenge on Sasha at some point, and the possibility of all four NXT Horsewomen being on the Clash of Champions card.
My Score: 8.2/10
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.Â
.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz
Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.Â
Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.
Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.
OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.Â
Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.Â
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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