Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (10/24/19)

Grudges and Grizzled Young Veterans!

Published

5 years ago

October 24, 2019

Steven Mitchell

Will Noam Dar continue to troll Trent Seven?

The Scottish Supernova continues to poke fun and push buttons, but will he come to regret it all in this rematch with the Man from Moustache Mountain?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Grizzled Young Veterans VS Ashton Smith & Oliver Carter; Grizzled Young Veterans win.
Ligero VS Travis Banks; Draw.
Trent Seven VS Noam Dar; Seven wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Imperium returns!

And in full, as Walter once again stands with Fabian Aichner, Marcel Barthel and Alexander Wolfe. The Ring General’s soldiers go to the ring first, followed by the WWE/NXT United Kingdom Champion. Barthel takes up the mic as fans boo, and he says, “Imperium continues to prove that we are the most dominant force on this brand.” Speaking of dominance, “the most impressive and most honorable champion of NXT UK history wishes to address his kingdom.” With that, Barthel passes the mic to Walter. Fans insist all those things describe “Pete Dunne!”

Walter says, “There is no man and there is no group that can compete with the might of Imperium.” They are here to show the fans that the mat is sacred. And only Imperium- Wait, that’s GALLUS! Joe Coffey and the NEW NXT UK Tag Team Champions, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang, are having a laugh. Is anyone hearing this noise? Their kingdom? HA! The great champion wants to address his kingdom. Joe gets it. “The mat is sacred,” blah blah. But at least have the self-awareness, class and self-respect to show up in better attire. “Listen boys, ditch the cheap chap suits.” Wolfie, Marcus and Joe, they were coming out to congratulate them for getting rid of “that mob,” British Strong Style.

Fans cheer for “British Strong Style!” but Joe tells Walter, “we are the harsh reminder” that while Walter has the UK Championship on his shoulder, he isn’t the top boy. Imperium isn’t in the top five! Mark says that since day one, since before “big jolly Wally”-a nickname the fans all like-set foot here, Gallus was coming for gold. They have some gold. But before those four get big bullocks, just remember this is Gallus’ Kingdom! “Yous four here, just live in it.” Wolfgang says you’re either Gallus, or against us. Fans actually taking a liking to the Scotsmen calling out the European alliance. But whose kingdom will NXT UK really be when these forces collide?

Xia Brookside is live!

She’s upped her production value for her UK Performance Center video. She beat Nina Samuels and is back on an up. There have been ups and downs, but being on an up is good. Xia was super, super close to an NXT UK Women’s Championship opportunity. But Kay Lee Ray took that away from her. Xia is going to work hard, get a shot at KLR herself, and hopefully it’ll be while KLR is still champion. That would be the ultimate revenge! Will Xia fly her way to a title match against the Lethal Lass?

Grizzled Young Veterans VS Ashton Smith & Oliver Carter!

Zack Gibson and James Drake laughed at how NXT UK Media was wasting its time with a superstar that wasn’t on their level. But then they dared the Prestige to find himself a friend to take them on 2v2 in the ring. The challenge was accepted, and the Predator Slayer signed up! Will Smith and Carter shut up Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem? Or will they SOON be recognized as the makeshift team that failed out the gate?

The teams sort out and we begin with Smith and Drake. They circle with the bell and fans troll “Ass Face!” Drake and Smith tie up and go around, and Smith powers Drake to ropes. The ref counts and Smith lets off, but Drake gets the arm to wrench. Smith wrenches back and Drake reels back from the swift twist. Fans still troll GYV as Smith and Drake tie up. Drake turns Smith around to throw a forearm to the back and then headlock. Smith powers out, things speed up, and Smith catches Drake out of his slide! Smith hauls Drake up to dropkick him down! Drake gets to a corner and elbows back hard! Drake wrenches Smith but Smith reels Drake in to a suplex! Cover, TWO, but Smith keeps on Drake’s arm. Tag to Carter, and he slingshots to sunset flip! Cover, TWO! Carter bumps Drake off buckles and then scoops. Drake slips out but Carter avoids the sweep to Eddy Gordo kick!

Carter Electric Chair lifts Drake, switches him to a fireman’s carry and hits an Ushigoroshi! Fans fire up with Carter as he aims at Drake. Gibson saves Drake in the open corner, but the ref reprimands him. Gibson helps Drake get to their corner and tags in. Fans boo but Carter dodges Gibson to dropkick-flip off Drake, and then he dodges Gibson again to catch Gibson in an overhead suplex! Drake is angry but Carter kips up to get in his face. Drake gets out and Carter goes to Gibson, but Gibson ducks the shining wizard, only to get the mule kick! Cover, TWO! Carter has Gibson’s arm and wrenches, but Gibson headlocks. Drake tags in as Gibson whips Carter. Carter hops over but gets swept to a basement dropkick! Drake stomps away on Carter and then brings him up for a BIG left! Drake gives Carter another, and Gibson shouts to, “Hurt him! Hurt him!”

Drake has Carter up, backbreaker! Carter bails out and Drake tags Gibson. Gibson has Carter up, Drake slingshots, pescado backbreaker combo! Fans boo as the Grizzled Young Veterans loom over Carter. Gibson puts Carter in the ring and stays between him and Smith. Gibson snapmares Carter to club him with an elbow, cover, TWO! Gibson wraps Carter up in a cobra twist. Fans troll Gibson more but Gibson thrashes Carter around. Gibson drags Carter over and tags in Drake, ripcord into Drake’s forearm! Cover, TWO! Fans still troll GYV while Smith reaches for Carter. Drake shoves Carter but Carter elbows Gibson! Carter hits Drake back, Drake whips but Carter QUEBRADAS! Fans fire up as Carter crawls, hot tag to Smith! The Smoke throws big hands on Drake! And hits Gibson for good measure! Smith hits a leaping lariat on Drake!

Smith whips, Gibson saves Drake, but Smith FLIES! Tope conjilo for a double shot! Smith puts Drake in, but Drake kicks back! Smith slips out of the DDT to scoop and BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives and Smith is surprised, but Smith focuses. Smith drags Drake up, but Gibson is back. Gibson distracts, Drake waistlocks but Smith elbows free. Gibson tags in as Smith fireman’s carries Drake. Drake slips off and shoves Smith into Gibson’s grasp, enziguri rocks Smith! Gibson turns Smith around, but Smith slips free, and Gibson just narrowly catches Drake’s superkick! GYV regroup, MAYHEM IN MOTION takes out Carter! Smith sees he’s all alone, but he fires up, only to get clobbered from behind. Drake goes back to his corner so he can officially tag in, and Gibson feeds Smith to the gut wrench, TICKET TO MAYHEM! Cover, Grizzled Young Veterans win!

Winners: The Grizzled Young Veterans, James Drake pinning

The original NXT UK Tag Team Champions won, just as they said they would. Carter crawls back into the ring to check on his friend, and he gets stomped down by Gibson and Drake! The fans boo, but here come Andrews and Webster! The rockstar and the Modfather won’t stand for such bullying! But GYV retreat! Will the Welsh air force show Gibson and Drake what locker room leaders are really like?

NXT UK Media caught up with Tyler Bate.

What does he see for his future in NXT UK? Well he’s happy to go with the flow, take things as they come. He’s seeing all the new faces making waves, but he’s most looking forward to see someone he crossed paths with before. That would be the Spanish Ace, A-Kid. A great seal of approval from the inaugural United Kingdom Champion, will this mean big things out the gate for the newest signee? And as for Tyler Bate himself, will he ever feel up to trying for the UK Championship again?

NXT UK Media catches up with the Grizzled Young Veterans.

They felt that match with Carter and Smith was a joke. But then they see Gallus coming by with their UK Tag Team Championships. Gibson wants Gallus not to get big heads, they’ve been tag champs all about five minutes. Don’t forget this feeling, make sure to get your photos with your families and friends, because you’re not going to have the belts long. Don’t worry about Imperium when you’ve got Gibson and Drake to worry about. Mark says not to worry, they have eyes and ears everywhere. Is that meant to be threatening? Will Gallus’ kingdom come under siege on multiple fronts?

Ligero VS Travis Banks!

The Luchador of Leeds and the Kiwi Buzzsaw each want to rise up in the ranks, but with both men getting hot again, what will it take to cool one of them off?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Ligero waistlocks, cravats and snapmares to a cover, but Banks is out fast. Banks rolls Ligero, ONE, but Ligero sweeps, ONE. Banks sweeps, ONE, and the two stand off. Fans cheer as Banks and Ligero circle again. Fans duel as the two tie up with knuckle locks. Ligero brings Banks down with a leg, then forces the shoulders down. TWO as Banks bridges, so Ligero sweeps the legs out. TWO and Banks bridges again. Banks powers his way up, the two go shoulder to shoulder, but Ligero rolls back to put pressure on Banks. Banks and Ligero struggle against each other, and Banks turns Ligero around. Banks flips Ligero over his back, then snapmares, but Ligero is right up. Ligero ducks and kicks to then arm-drag Banks down into a crucifix cover, TWO!

Ligero has a headlock right away but Banks endures. Banks fights his way to his feet, back suplexes, but Ligero lands on his feet. Ligero has the headlock again and grinds Banks back down. Banks powers up and out again, then trips Ligero to get on him with La Magistrol, TWO! Ligero hops on, victory roll, TWO! The two stand off again and fans are loving the exchange! Fans duel between the two as Ligero and Banks tie up. Banks has an arm, wrenches and grinds Ligero down. Fans rally up and Ligero fights his way up. Ligero rolls, handsprings, but Banks arm-drags him down into another armlock. Banks keeps on the shoulder, fans rally up, and Ligero fights his way up again. Ligero uses the ropes to flip through, then he holds on to block the whip. Banks keeps trying, so he goes up andaround to arm-drag Ligero. Things speed up, Ligero shoves Banks out of the air, and brings him down into a modified crucifix cover, TWO!

Banks waistlocks and lifts, but Ligero blocks and standing switches. Dragon sleeper, but then Ligero spins Banks around, Banks cradle counters! TWO, and Ligero whips Banks, only for Banks to dodge the dropkick! Banks jackknife covers, Ligero slips out and sits on it, TWO and Banks has the sunset flip! TWO, and Ligero kicks. Banks blocks it, and throws Ligero down! Banks runs, basement knee! Cover, TWO! Banks keeps his cool but fans fire up as Ligero survives. Banks brings Ligero back up for a CHOP. Ligero gasps for air but Banks brings him up again, for another CHOP! And another! Ligero almost eggs Banks on, so Banks CHOPS him again! And again! And again! Ligero keeps rising! Banks CHOPS again, but Ligero gives the CHOP back! It’s become a chop fight! And then a forearm brawl! They go back and forth and the fans love it!

Banks throws elbows from all sides, but Ligero kicks. Banks blocks again, only for Ligero to BOOT with the free leg! Ligero and Banks are both down, but fans are dueling. Ligero gets to the apron while Banks checks his face. Banks hobbles over, Ligero springboards but flops! He’s up, but Banks shotgun dropkicks! Banks runs in, hops, but Ligero was ready! Sunset flip, TWO! Banks and Ligero speed up, no C4L, dragon’s lair cover! TWO, Ligero swings but mises, but he dodges Slice of Heaven! Now Ligero rolls to dragon’s lair, Banks slips out but Ligero gets him anyway, TWO!! Fans are loving this back and forth chess game, but Banks gets Ligero with a backslide! TWO, and Banks snapmares. Ligero baits Banks into a backslide of his own, TWO! Ligero tries again, but Banks fights it off. The two sit down, rock around to a double cover?! The ref counts three but who wins?!

The referee tries to explain to both men, but the fans are upset! What is going on here? The referee explains to the ring announcer, it is a double pinfall DRAW!

Draw

Ligero and Banks can’t believe it! They didn’t win, but they didn’t lose. They still respect each other after, and shake hands. Will they clear things up with a future rematch?

NXT UK fans, prepare for next week!

For those who like to watch live, NXT UK moves up to 11 AM Eastern, 4 PM British time to make room for WWE Crown Jewel! Don’t worry, it’ll be worth it, because A-KID makes his NXT UK debut! Not to mention, Jordan Devlin and Dave Mastiff look to prove who is truly the biggest rising star in the brand as they go 1v1!

Trent Seven VS Noam Dar!

The first time these two faced off, the Man from Moustache Mountain was pushed into a rage by the Scottish Supernova’s taunting. Seven lost because he got disqualified, and Dar would keep rubbing it in. Dar taunts Seven even now by having the towel he stole around his neck, and the letters “RIP BSS” written on it in marker. Will Seven get back at Mr. Supernova 11 for everything he’s said and done up to date?

Seven wants to do his signature slow roll into the ring, but Dar dropkicks him out! Fans boo as Dar throws the towel and his jacket off. Dar goes out to throw Seven into steel steps! Fans boo harder but Dar drags Seven up to put on the apron for clubbing forearms! Dar uses the towel to tie Seven up to a post! The ref reprimands Dar, but Dark basement dropkicks the arm against the post! Seven slumps off the apron while Dar goes into the ring. Dar soaks up the heat while the ref checks on Seven. Seven gets up and throws off his jacket, too angry to let this rematch pass him by. The ref double checks but Seven says go, so the bell rings! Dar runs at Seven from the corner, into Seven’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives his own ego, and he eggs Seven on.

Seven goes after Dar with furious hands, but he lest up before the count. Dar runs in but into a hip toss! And then a scoop slam! Seven runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO!! Dar rolls away but Seven is back on his feet. Seven whips Dar but Dar holds ropes then side steps. But Seven knows about the table top and he stomps Dar down! Fans cheer as Seven loom over Dar. Seven torture racks Dar, but Dar rakes the eyes! Dar escapes to the apron, blocks the chop, and hotshots the bad arm! Fans boo but Dar gets in to take aim again. Dar runs in, but runs into an URENAGE! Seven has the fans firing up as he climbs to the top. But Dar sweeps the legs and Seven crashes to the mat! The ref wants Dar to stay back, but Dar refuses! Dar drags Seven up, fisherman suplex! Cover, TWO! Now Seven survives and frustrates Dar.

Dar stomps Seven down as fans boo and jeer. Seven refuses to let the ref end this, but Dar stomps him more. The ref backs Dar off, Dar says he knows how a five count works. Seven hits back but Dar snapmares Seven into ropes! Cover, TWO! Fans troll Dar with songs of Alicia Fox. Dar goes for legs, Seven kicks back, but he gets caught into an STF! Dar wants after the left arm! Dar shouts, “I love you, Pete!” as he goes after Seven’s fingers! Seven endures, so Dar lets up to stomp him out. Fans boo and jeer but Dar drags Seven back up. Seven throws big body shots back, and then uppercuts! Dar ducks to back suplex and crotch Seven on the ropes! Seven falls off and hits the apron on the way down! Fans rally up for Seven while Dar lets the ring count climbs. Seven gets to his feet at 4, and crawls in at 7. Dar dropkicks Seven in the head!

Dar drags Seven up and bumps him off buckles, then reels him in. “I love you, Tyler!” Dar goes to underhook but Seven falls down. Dar brings him back up, but Dar is no Big Strong Boy. Seven slips out to CHOP! And then back drop! And CHOP again! Fans fire up with Seven as he fakes Dar out. But Dar slips out the DDT to sweep the legs! Dar has the ankle lock! But Seven rolls to throw Dar off. Dar runs back in, into a Snap Dragon Suplex! Dar flounders around and out of the ring. Fans rally up, Seine runs and DIVES! The Lowpe blasts Dar into barriers! Seven gets up and puts Dar back in. Seven climbs up top again, but needs a moment. He gets his legs working, corkscrew senton FLOPS! Dar drags Seven up, underhooks and spins him around and around and around, but Seven scoop slams Dar first! Cover, TWO!!

Fans rally up for Seven again as he and Dar are both down. Seven rises and he looms over Dar. Seven clubs Dar before wrapping on the wristlock. Seven reels Dar out but Dar kicks the lariat away. So Seven SLAPS Dar! Seven winds up, but swings into a Complete Shot! Cover, TWO!! Dar has the ankle lock and grapevine! Seven gets the ropebreak, and Dar takes his time letting go. The ref has Dar back off, but Dar and Seven stay on the apron. Dar drags Seven up but Seven CHOPS! Dar boots and boots and boots, but Seven blocks the fourth! Seven fakes Dar out again, DDT to the apron!! Fans are loving this as Seven gets back in. Seven covers, TWO! Dar still lives but Seven shouts, “NO!” Seven grimaces as he clutches his bad leg. Seven fights through the pain and hobbles over to Dar. He drags Dar up and wristlocks, “This is for Tyler!”

Seven reels Dar out but Dar ducks the lariat. Dar wristlock ripcords Seven now! But Seven ducks to Snap German Suplex! And then he CHOPS back, to the SEVEN STAR LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!? Dar survives and Seven can’t believe it! But fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” for this one. Seven and Dar stir, and Seven gives Dar kicks from the mat. Dar dares Seven to bring it, and they start brawling on their knees. Seven throws a forearm, Dar gives it back. Dar taunts, “Let’s go, Strong Style!” Seven and Dar stand to throw more hands. Dar gets the edge, and pulls on the beard! But Seven pulls Dar’s hair to DECK him! Seven is seething, but misses at the ropes! Dar sweeps the legs and then climbs up top, double stomps to the knee!! But he runs into a SUPERKICK! SEVEN STAR- NO! Ankle lock and grapevine!!

Seven flails inside the Champagne Super Kneebar, but Dar stomps and kicks away! Seven shouts “NO!” and hammers Dar’s legs! Seven flails, reaches, grits his teeth and gets the ropebreak! Dar lets go at 4 but is frustrated that he hasn’t finished Seven yet. Fans are at a fever pitch as Dar goes back for the towel. Dar puts the towel around his shoulders to drag Seven up. Fans rally up for Seven as he rolls Dar up! TWO, but Dar BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO!! Seven survives and shocks the Supernova! Fans have not stopped cheering and singing, but Dar drags Seven around. “All your crones have left you, old man!” Seven grabs Dar’s pinkie! Bop up, BANG! Finger SNAP! Torture rack, BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, Seven wins!!

Winner: Trent Seven, by pinfall

British Strong Style still lives through the silver-haired superman from Moustache Mountain! Seven gets even with Dar, and gets his towel back, as well, but is this just the beginning for a resurgence?

My Thoughts:

A real fun episode for NXT UK here! We get some great progress in stories, like Xia Brookside’s social media influencer style promo video. Xia calling out KLR, I wonder if she’s already up next for a title shot. Given what we saw on last night’s NXT USA, plans really have shifted for Tegan Nox, so perhaps a new Face moves up now. That would be pretty great for Xia to at least get a shot and put on the best match she’s ever had, even in losing. I’m still wondering when and where Toni Storm is going to return, as I would hope KLR VS Storm 2 is a big match for a TakeOver or other special event. And it makes for interesting timing to give us A-Kid’s debut and Devlin VS Mastiff next week when that’s Crown Jewel day, but perhaps it couldn’t be helped. That will make for a real fun episode of NXT UK to go with the greatly hyped and still controversial PPV event.

Ligero VS Banks was a real great match, and what a nice surprise to make it a draw. That way, neither man is weaker or stronger for it, even if fans are disappointed in the moment. These two are in tough spots being in a midcard that doesn’t have a title, and it makes the possibility of an even better rematch very exciting. I really like where the tag team division is going, with Gallus going at least Tweener, if not full Face. The three of them are great on the mic, so they can surely get over as Faces with crowds, even those not from Scotland. They and Imperium had a great segment together, and I would love to see a Six Man Tag, Gallus VS Imperium that isn’t Walter. Grizzled Young Veterans had a great match with Smith and Carter, Smith and Carter got to shine even in losing. GYV also having a run-in with Andrews and Webster in the ring, then Gallus backstage is all good. I would love if NXT UK escalates their tag title match to a Fatal 4. The Triple Threat was incredible, adding a fourth would make it epic!

And speaking of epic, that Dar VS Seven match reached some real TakeOver worthy levels. I loved all the story put into it, like Dar knowing about the slow roll but Seven knowing about the table top. Dar trying to steal the British Strong Style moves only for Seven to use them was also great, but it really does show that Dunne and Bate seem to be on their way out of UK into more the US NXT and possibly main roster after that. We saw Bate start beef with Grimes and we know Dunne has both Damien Priest and Killian Dain to think about. I would almost hope Seven gets one more big thing in UK before reuniting British Strong Style in the states.

My Score: 8.5/10

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

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NOAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER VOL.57 ~ 24TH OCTOBER 2019

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

23 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

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

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

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

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

Corey Graves is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple H is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

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

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

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

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

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

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

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

Nick Aldis heads out.

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

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

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

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

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

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

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

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

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

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

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

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

The Dudley Boyz are here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

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

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

The Final Testament speaks.

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

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

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

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

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

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

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

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

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.8/10

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

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

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