Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/4/19)
The Beast returneth to Raw!
Will Brock Lesnar get his hands on Rey Mysterio?
While the NXT takeover of SmackDown last Friday means there is much uncertainty, one thing is for sure: the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! Wants REVENGE!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Kabuki Warriors VS Charlotte Flair & Natalya; Flair & Natalya win.
- Cedric Alexander VS Buddy Murphy; Murphy wins.
- Andrade Almas & Zelina Vega VS Sin Cara & Catalina; Almas & Vega win.
- Rusev VS Drew McIntyre; Rusev wins, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: The OC VS Humberto Carrillo & The Street Profits; The OC wins.
- The Viking Raiders VS The East Hampton Polo Boys; The Viking Raiders win.
- NXT Championship: Adam Cole w/ Triple H VS Seth Rollins; Rollins wins by disqualification, Cole retains the NXT Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
A caravan of vehicles pulls into the arena.
And Triple H is in the first car! He goes to the second, whispers some things, and then heads to gorilla!
Brock Lesnar is in Long Island!
The Beast and his Advocate QUIT SmackDown, and now they’re free agents returning to Raw! Paul Heyman gives the usual introduction for the “Conqueror of Cain,” the ultimate champion of WWE, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! And for those who missed SmackDown, Lesnar has had enough of Fox. Lesnar has returned to Raw to go hunting for Rey Mysterio! You see, after the WWE Draft, Bliss-Cross was traded to SmackDown for draft considerations, while Lesnar has a “No Cut” contract, thanks to Heyman being his advocate. The WWE can’t fire Lesnar, because they have an investment in Lesnar. Therefore, Lesnar’s contract goes back to Raw. That doesn’t mean anyone can quit a show and switch shows, because Lesnar is different, Lesnar is special, Lesnar is entitled “to do whatever the hell he wants!”
And Heyman knows what fans are thinking. “Does that make Brock Lesnar better than me?” Yes, he is better than “each and every single one of you.” Lesnar is better than all of you at home, and all of those “bitches in the back” that think they’re tough guys! Which brings Heyman to the point: someone knows where Rey Mysterio is! So where is he!? Would they like for Lesnar to come over the rail and slap every man in the audience?! What would they even do? “Yo, I’m from Long Island, I’ll slap him back!” There’s no one man enough here tonight that can slap Brock back, and that includes Mysterio, who wasn’t man enough to defend “his punk son, Dominic,” from Lesnar! So someone will give up Mysterio. Someone will rat him out, point him out and Lesnar will “commit a felony” against that cabron! Or else, Lesnar will turn the entire Nassau Coliseum inside out and upside down like a true F5! Heyman says tonight will be the funeral of Mysterio’s career, at the hands of the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion, BROCK, LESNAR!
Lesnar and Heyman head out, and the hunt begins! Will anyone be able to stop Lesnar from destroying Rey Mysterio?
Lesnar asks staff where Mysterio is.
When they say they don’t know, Lesnar wrecks the poor man into the catering table! The Beast is roaming the halls, will Raw survive his wrath?
Raw returns as Lesnar rampages on.
Lesnar shouts to know where Mysterio is, and a staff member points him to a parked vehicle. Lesnar storms over to the sedan, and rips the door off, to drag out… Not Rey Mysterio. Whoever this was is spared, but Lesnar is still looking.
The Kabuki Warriors VS Charlotte Flair & Natalya!
The Empress of Tomorrow and Pirate Princess are still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions after taking on NXT’s Team Kick. But now, they face the Queens of Raw to keep that roll going! But will the #JoshiRoyalty be beat by these two history making women?
The teams sort out, and Natty starts against Kairi. They circle and tie up, and Kairi waistlocks to club Natty on the back. Kairi eggs Natty on, and the two circle again. They tie up, Natty wristlocks and wrenches, but Kairi slips through to wrench back. Natty rolls, handsprings and scoops to spin and spin and slam Kairi down! Cover, ONE! Kairi scrambles to her corner and tags in Asuka. Asuka and Natty circle and tie up, and Asuka wristlocks. But Natty rolls back and trips Asuka up to a leg lock! Asuka goes after Natty’s leg, too, and gets the ankle lock! Natty rolls and escapes, and fans cheer for the exchange. Natty hits low and brings Asuka over, and Charlotte tags in. Charlotte takes the hand-off and throws Asuka down by her hair. Fans “WOO~” and Charlotte soaks it up before toying with Asuka.
Asuka fires back and the two fight for control. Kairi comes in but Natty gets her! Double suplexes side by side! The Queens have the Kabukis on the outside while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Asuka grinds Natty down in a headlock. Natty fights her way up as Long Island rallies. Natty fights out and powers out, but Asuka bumps shoulders with her. They each run to collide again, but neither falls. Asuka dares Natty to try, then she follows, but Natty sees her coming! Natty runs Asuka over then goes for legs! Asuka kicks free and bails out, but Natty pursues. Into a ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka stands on Natty triumphantly as Kairi cheers. Asuka trash talks the fans in Japanese before dragging Natty up and into the ring. The ref checks on Natty but Asuka covers, TWO! Asuka drags Natty up into a mounted armlock and wrenches tight. Fans rally up again, and Natty endures. Natty reaches for Charlotte but Asuka wrenches again. Natty stands and throws body shots, but Asuka throws her down by her hair!
Asuka drags Natty over and tags in Kairi. The Kabuki double whip and kick, ax kick and camel clutch to basement dropkick! Fans are torn as Kairi toys with Natty. Kairi pretends to be a cat as she stands on Natty for a cover, ONE. Natty crawls but Kairi wraps her up in a straitjacket! Fans rally as Kairi thrashes Natty about. Natty endures, powers up and arm-drags free! But Kairi dropkicks her down! Cover, TWO! Kairi is annoyed, but she then taunts Charlotte. The two swipe at each other but Natty rolls Kairi, TWO! Hot tag to Charlotte! Charlotte rallies on Kairi, and BOOTS Asuka! Charlotte fires CHOPS off on Kairi, then whips her across the ropes. Kairi leaps but into Charlotte’s arms, for a Fall Away Slam! Charlotte kips up and fires up with Long Island! Charlotte runs in but Kairi dodges, only to run into the backbreaker! Charlotte aims, NATURAL SELECTION! Cover, but Asuka gets Kairi’s foot on the ropes!
Charlotte sees Asuka and DECKS her! Charlotte drags Asuka up and into the ring now, and BOOTS her back down! Charlotte has both Kabuki Warriors in the drop zone and walks all over them to get to the corner. Charlotte climbs and MOONSAULTS, to hit them both!! She shoves Asuka away to cover Kairi, TWO!! Charlotte is furious and she goes after Asuka again, to get a hotshot! The Queen dream team is in trouble as we go to break!
Raw returns again, and both Charlotte and Asuka crawl to corners! Hot tag to Kairi, and she CLOBBERS Charlotte just centimeters away! Kairi puts Charlotte in a corner and stomps away. She lets up at 4 to then walk the plank. Kairi runs back in, to get a BOOT! Charlotte stops the Sliding D and crawls to her corner! Fans rally up as she and Kairi both crawl, hot tags to Asuka and Natty! ANd natty spins Asuka around for a Russian Leg Sweep! She boots Kairi and discus clotheslines Asuka! Asuka reverses a whip but misses in the corner to get the rebound. But Asuka stays up, and headlocks! Natty rolls her off and hits a German Suplex! Natty gets the legs, Sharpshooter, but cradle counter, into the armbar!! Natty flails, endures, rolls up but into a triangle hold! Natty powers out to get the SHARPSHOOTER!!
Kairi rises while Asuka endures, CODE BREAKER! Charlotte SPEARS Kairi down! Asuka lurks and has Natty, but Natty counters the Asuka Lock to a takedown! SHARPSHOOTER AGAIN! Asuka screams, endures, taps! Charlotte and Natalya win!!
Winners: Natalya & Charlotte Flair, Natalya by submission
The Queens defeat the Kabuki Warriors! They might be in line for a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Championships!
Heyman and Lesnar return to confront commentary.
They ask Jerry Lawler, Vic Joseph and Dio Maddin if they know where Mysterio is tonight. Who even are the other two? But Heyman knows The King knows all. So Jerry, where is Rey? Tell them, or else the Beast will be unleashed. And if Lesnar attacks, no one can resuscitate Lawler this time. But wait! Dio stands up to Lesnar! Only to get a knee and an F5 on the announce desk!! The desk busts apart and Long Island loses its mind! The Beast moves on, but here comes Mysterio! WITH A BAT! He swings for the fences on Lesnar’s body!! Lesnar is sent limping down the ramp, and Mysterio grabs the belt! TO SMASH LESNAR! Heyman is furious, referees and medics rush out to keep the peace, and Long Island shouts for “619! 619!” Mysterio gets another small piece of revenge for la familia, but what will Lesnar do about this newest attack?
Rey Mysterio speaks!
“Brock, you tried to take everything from me!” Attacking his son, his SON, then it will be eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Fire with fire! Mysterio will now take what is most important to Lesnar: the WWE World Championship! Mysterio wants Lesnar to man up for once! Is this title match going to happen?!
Cedric Alexander VS Buddy Murphy!
The Ebony Lion and Aussie Juggernaut are set to have yet another match in their storied rivalry! Who makes big inroads towards a title as Survivor Series approaches?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around and Murphy headlocks. Alexander powers out but Murphy runs him over. Murphy runs but Alexander hurdles to speed things up! He dodges, rolls, handsprings and huricanranas to then dropkick Murphy out! Murphy is on his feet and drags Alexander out to CHOP! Murphy throws Alexander into barriers, then CHOPS him again! Murphy keeps the ring count fresh, but then Alexander dodges and he CHOPS the post! Murphy is reeling but Alexander CHOPS him back! Alexander puts Murphy in the ring and keeps Murphy from bailing out. Murphy grabs apron skirt, and then gets a cheap shot while the ref is busy. Murphy throws Alexander hard into the post! Murphy drags Alexander to a cover, TWO! He tries again, TWO!
Murphy goes after Alexander’s arm but fans rally up. Alexander fights his way up, throws body shots, but Murphy wrings out his bad arm! The ref checks but Alexander refuses to quit, so Murphy goes after the arm again! Alexander CHOPS, but Murphy wrenches and YANKS. Murphy grinds the arm down, but Alexander endures. Alexander rallies up as fans rally for him, but Murphy keylocks. Alexander reaches back to jawbreaker free! Murphy checks the jaw but comes back, to get a HARD right hand! Alexander CHOPS and forearms, repeat! Alexander then whips but Murphy reverses to boot, only to get caught and ROCKED with that back elbow! Alexander handsprings, NEURALIZER! Murphy bails out, Alexander DIVES! Direct hit into the barriers, but Alexander keeps moving, to FLY! Down goes Murphy but Alexander puts him in quick!
Alexander steps in, GET OVER HERE! The step-in springboard complete shot hits! Cover, TWO!! But Alexander won’t give up. Alexander slips back out and fans fire up with him. Alexander springboards, but leaps into MURPHY’S L- NO! Victory roll! TWO, scoop, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Murphy survives and Alexander’s eyes are wild! Alexander drags Murphy up as fans cheer. Off comes the armband, and Alexander kicks Murphy while he’s down. Murphy ducks the buzzsaw, and KNEE TRIGGERS the Neuralizer apart! Pump handle, MURPHY’S LAW! Cover, Murphy wins!!
Winner: Buddy Murphy, by pinfall
The Best Kept Secret is out, and the secret is that Murphy is on a roll! He was once unstoppable as Cruiserweight Champion, will he be unstoppable on the way to a new title?
Seth Rollins is here!
But after facing The Fiend in Falls Count Anywhere, he is no longer the WWE Universal Champion. Rollins takes up a mic and asks everyone, “What’s next for Seth Rollins?” It has been a rough week, and even a rough few months. Rollins isn’t dumb, he hears the fans. He knows many loved seeing The Fiend win. But to be honest, he doesn’t care. That doesn’t concern Rollins. It is that The Fiend is taking the title to SmackDown. What concerns Rollins is that Lesnar is back. What concerns Rollins is that everything he worked for over the last year, changing the culture for the sake of guys like AJ Styles, Braun Strowman and even Baron Corbin, “that’s all a wash.” It’s all gone and we’re starting over. #RedesignRebuildReclaim just didn’t work, and he isn’t sure how much more he can give. So to answer what’s next, Rollins doesn’t know.
But Triple H is here! And with his entrance, the NXT logo is right on the titantron! HHH joins Rollins in the ring and asks him, “You don’t know what’s next?” Fans chant “NXT! NXT!” and HHH says it’s funny how history repeats itself. Whenever Rollins doesn’t know what’s next, he crosses paths with HHH. A wise man recently said, if you want to know what your future is, you have to retrace your past. Maybe Rollins’ past is his future? They go way back. Rollins was unsure of what’s next, he became NXT Champion and put the brand on the mat. Rollins was unsure, and The Shield was born. Then when Rollins was unsure again, and he became WWE Champion. It seems to be a pattern. But were those things for Rollins’ benefit or HHH’s? “Does it really matter?” In the end, Rollins walked away better.
Now, here’s an interesting moment. Rollins doesn’t know what’s next, HHH does. Everyone saw Friday Night SmackDown, when NXT “ran roughshod on that joint.” Because the roster was stuck overseas. And that was smart! And Adam Cole, the NXT Champion, beat Daniel Bryan in a match! NXT made a statement that it is here, it is real, and that they are on fire! The world wants to know what is NXT up to next, and that goes for here tonight. HHH isn’t alone, so what is NXT up to next? But HHH is out here right now to know, what Rollins is going to do next. What Rollins does next will affect what HHH does next. Survivor Series is now Raw VS SmackDown VS NXT, and NXT has something to prove. If Rollins doesn’t know what’s next, if Rollins doesn’t feel like he has what it takes, HHH knows. HHH knows how to make Rollins great! We’ve seen how this works. Rollins is either with HHH, or against him.
And as such, out come the UNDISPUTED ERA! Adam Cole leads Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish to the ring from the crowd! HHH says it again, Rollins is either with him, or against him. Rollins thinks it over, but who is this coming to the ring? It’s the OC! AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are here to defend Raw! The Undisputed Era bail out as the OC run over! But then Dominik Dijakovic and Damien Priest appear! They and the Era attack the OC! Adam Cole SUPERKICKS Styles! The Raw locker room runs out to run NXT off, but the damage has been done! And yet, Rollins is untouched. Rollins storms out, still unsure of what to do next.
Rollins confronts Triple H backstage.
If HHH wanted to light a fire, mission accomplished! If Rollins is going to NXT, he’s doing it as the top guy! He wants Adam Cole for the title, TONIGHT! HHH likes that. “Welcome back. Challenge accepted.”
Andrade Almas & Zelina Vega VS Sin Cara & Catalina!
This Mixed Tag Match comes from La Muneca taking offense to Sin Cara’s sidekick throwing her around! Vega believes she and Almas are already the greatest mixed tag combination ever, and now fans will watch Vega embarrass and humiliate “that butt ugly woman that has to hide her face behind a luchador mask.” And we also get to see Sin Cara be exposed as both a man with no face, and a man without a prayer of ever defeating El Idolo! But will things go as Vega hopes in this newest phase of the rivalry?
The teams sort out, and Almas rushes Sin Cara! Almas fires off, runs, but Sin Cara tosses him out! Sin Cara builds speed but Vega swipes at him! But Catalina takes a page of out Vega’s book, and she CANNONBALLS onto Almas! Sin Cara fetches Almas into the ring as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and both Almas and Sin Cara are down! The referee checks on both men but they’re okay to continue. They crawl for their corners, but Almas then clobbers Sin Cara to keep him from Catalina. Almas CHOPS Sin Cara to a corner but Sin Cara flops down. Almas drags Sin Cara up and hoists him to the top rope. Almas forearms and climbs up, but Sin Cara resists a superplex. Sin Cara hits back and CHOPS, but Almas brawls with him. They teeter, Almas grabs the mask! Almas DECKS Sin Cara, but Sin Cara comes back with forearms! Sin Cara hops back up, grabs hold of Almas, and fires off forearms! Sin Cara adjusts, SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! But Almas goes flying, Sin Cara can’t cover! The two crawl for their corners again, hot tags to Vega and Catalina!
Catalina dodges and dropkicks Vega! And again! Catalina fires up and whips Vega corner to corner. Vega reverses but Catalina hops up to leap! Crossbody hits but Catalina drags Vega to a fireman’s carry. Vega claws at the eyes! Catalina runs in but gets buckles, and a jump kick! Vega runs, wheelbarrow, but Catalina makes it a facebuster! Cover, but Almas drags Catalina off! Sin Cara clotheslines Almas out! Then Sin Cara runs, but Vega blocks his path! Vega kicks but Sin Cara blocks it, to hand it off to Catalina. Catalina spins around, drags Vega up into the GORY BOMB! Sin Cara still FLIES onto Almas! Catalina runs corner to corner but into a boot! Vega hops up, leaps, but the huricanrana is blocked! But Vega huricanranas Catalina into buckles! SPIKE-RANA! Cover, Vega and Almas win!
Winners: Zelina Vega & Andrade Almas, Vega pinning
Vega has her first win on Raw! But that’s just another win for this devious duo. Will it lead to big things for them both?
Rusev is here!
And he has a mic to speak. “I’m sure everybody’s going to agree with me when I say tonight is the night to end all this stupid drama!” But Rusev isn’t here to bicker with future ex-wife Lana or insult her, though he could. He is here to destroy “Bob Lashley” and say man-to-man, if Lashley wants Lana, he can have her. “But your ass is MINE!” With that, Lashley makes his entrance, and this grudge match of Lana’s lovers begins!
Or, not, as Lashley is on crutches. Lana is with Lashley as Lashley says as much as he’d love to beat Rusev up around the ring, he is not medically cleared. Lashley suffered a “debilitating injury” of a torn groin. He didn’t tear the groin during Crown Jewel or train to fight Rusev. He tore his groin making love to Lana, “in ways you can only fantasize about.” Lana kisses Lashley, but knows Rusev isn’t worried about their love life. Rusev does want a fight, so this is a very lucky day. Someone has volunteered to fight Rusev. And he will kick Rusev’s ass! Who does she mean? It’s DREW MCINTYRE! The Scottish Terminator will do Lashley’s dirty work for him! Will Rusev be able to CRUSH McIntyre all the same?
Rusev VS Drew McIntyre!
The bell rings and Rusev circles with McIntyre. Fans rally for “Rusev Day!” as Rusev dodges McIntyre once, but gets a Glasgow Kiss HEADBUTT! McIntyre CHOPS Rusev then throws big haymakers. McIntyre punches, stomps, repeat, to then whip Rusev corner to corner. Rusev lariats back! Rusev rams his shoulder into McIntyre over and over, but lets up at the ref’s count of 4. Rusev throws hands but McIntyre puts Rusev int he corner. Rusev dodges to throw more hands and some stomps of his own! Rusev lets up at 4 and then throws more haymakers. He whips but McIntyre kicks back hard! McIntyre stomps and punches Rusev over and over, but the ref pulls him off. McIntyre grinds his boot into Rusev, and Lashley and Lana both smile.
Fans rally with “Rusev Day!” as McIntyre stands Rusev up. Rusev counter punches and kicks back! Rusev runs, into a big elbow! McIntyre rains down furious rights, then stomps Rusev’s hand. McIntyre drags Rusev up to CHOP, but Rusev is getting mad! Rusev scoops and THROWS McIntyre out of the ring! Now Lashley and Lana are upset as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and McIntyre has Rusev down with a chinbar and armlock. Lashley and Lana laugh at Rusev’s suffering, but Rusev fights his way up. Long Island rallies for Rusev as he back bumps McIntyre. Rusev throws haymakers and chops, then runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!! Rusev escapes but McIntyre keeps his cool. Lashley is a little worried, even as McIntyre talks trash to Rusev. “You’re nothing but a bitch!!” Rusev is furious as he LARIATS back! Rusev staggers about, elbows McIntyre away, then runs out to clothesline more! He hits a big back shoulder in the corner, then a running heel kick! Fans fire up as Rusev stomps the mat. Lashley can’t believe McIntyre is in trouble. Rusev aims at McIntyre, but the kick misses! Throat chop and more haymakers, stomps and CHOPS! McIntyre hoists Rusev up but gets caught with haymakers from Rusev. Rusev leaps over, runs through, and double crossbodies collide!
Both men are down, gasping for air. Fans rally up as the two slowly rise. McIntyre is on Rusev but Rusev hits first! They brawl back and forth with big right hands. McIntyre mule kicks but Rusev throws more hands. The brawling just picks up speed, and McIntyre clubs away. MACHKA KICK! But McIntyre is sent out of the ring! Rusev hurries to fetch McIntyre, and he bounces McIntyre off steel steps! And again! But wait, Lashley SMACKS Rusev with a crutch! Of course he lied about his torn groin!
Winner: Rusev, by disqualification
Lashley beats Rusev down, and rams him into barriers! McIntyre lets Lashley do as he pleases as he puts Rusev into the ring. Lashley has the crutch again, but Rusev ROCKS him with rights first! Rusev gets to throw hands over and over, then he throws Lashley into the post! Fans fire up as Rusev glares at Lashley. Rusev then takes up the crutch for his own! But here comes an RKO!? The Viper strikes outta nowhere! Lana is laughing as Orton gives Lashley thumbs up. It seems Team Flair still rolls together even after Crown Jewel. Lashley stomps away on Rusev while Orton and the referee argue. Orton adds stomps to Rusev, but here comes Ricochet! Team Hogan also sticks together as Ricochet hits Orton and dumps Lahsley out! Ricochet springboards but Orton gets under, only to be denied an RKO with a PELE!
Ricochet dropkicks Lashley, and he knocks into Lana! The Ravishing Russian feels some of the retribution! Ricochet defends Rusev, but will the alliance of flight and might stand strong against the Viper and the snakes?
Charly Caruso interviews Becky Lynch.
It has been quite the journey for The Man, but her toughest test is coming at Survivor Series. We are getting a Triple Threat Champion VS Champion VS Champion match, Becky VS Bayley VS Shayna Baszler! This is Becky’s favorite time of year, because things are getting tribal. Becky loved the invasion on Friday. After all, she did lead an invasion of her own once. But this year is different, Raw VS SmackDown VS NXT in a “dangerous triangle.” Usually Becky is the one out for revenge, but she’s the target now. She beat Bayley’s bestie, Sasha Banks, and sent Shayna’s bestie, Ronda Rousey, into hiding after WrestleMania. But then speaking of, the Queen of Spades takes over this interview!
The NXT Women’s Champion sits with the Raw Women’s Champion and says hello. Shayna’s been waiting a long time for this face-to-face. And she knows all about “Becky Lynch, the shining example.” And yes, Shayna is friends with Ronda. They trained together. Becky pinned Ronda at WrestleMania. But to make one thing clear: Shayna is not Ronda. At Survivor Series, Shayna won’t take her eyes off Bayley, but she wants to say face to face, Shayna will beat Becky in that Triple Threat. And the only thing Becky should worry about is which one of her limbs will belong to Shayna. Becky doesn’t know Shayna that well, so she doesn’t know if she respects her, or wants to slap the head off her. But it’s good they got to talk. Now Shayna can doubt herself like Ronda did. Becky won’t let her eyes off Bayley, but she’s coming for Shayna all the same.
The champs stand up, and Shayna agrees, it was good to have this talk. Becky wants Shayna to bring her best, because it’s time to see who the real Baddest Woman on the Planet is. The top three women in the WWE will go head-to-head-to-head, but who walks out THE woman?
Six Man Tag: The OC VS Humberto Carrillo & The Street Profits!
AJ Styles and the Best Tag Team in the World walk out, but the Phenomenal One makes it clear, “I am not in the mood tonight, Long Island, so sit down and shut up.” Styles says the facts are: Gallows and Anderson are officially THE best team in the world, and they have the World Cup to prove it! Another fact: Styles is still the Phenomenal WWE United States Champion! And a third fact: The OC don’t give a DAMN about NXT. Fourth fact: The next time one of them punks cross their paths, the OC makes sure they never leave Florida again.
But another fact is that Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins and Ultimo Ninja make their entrances together. They all have mics, and Ford says that the OC is feeling themselves in #StrongIsland. And they see the World Cup trophy, so nice. They’re officially the Best, Tag Team in the WOOOOOOOORLD~! Even though the Profits never got to be in the match. But the Profits beat The OC, too. You can’t say that. Can’t say what? That they beat the OC? Nope. Dawkins can’t say the Profits beat the OC in their first match on Raw?! No! But someone that should say something is Humberto Carrillo: “The Street Profits beat the OC two weeks ago on Raw!” Styles tells them to shut up, but Carrillo just says it again! Styles warns Carrillo to shut up or he’ll make him. No, say it in Espanol~! So Carrillo does! But Dawkins can see why Styles is hating on Carrillo: Mamas love to swipe right on dem dimples.
But it’s not about swiping right, it’s about swiping left on the OC, and how the Profits and Carrillo #WantTheSmoke! Will the young stars get that smoke and that win after the break?
Raw returns and Styles is already ramming Carrillo in a corner. Styles CHOPS then whips, but Carrillo goes up and LEAPS! Flying headbutt takes Styles down, Carrillo covers, TWO! Carrillo drags Styles up to wrench and tag to Dawkins. Dawkins hops up and drops ax handles on the arm. Dawkins wrenches Styles now, but Styles gets the ropebreak. Styles then sucker punches Dawkins and tags in Anderson. The Machine Gun fires off uppercuts on Dawkins in a corner then headlocks. Dawkins powers out and hurdles over then hurdles again. He throws Anderson tot he ropes to then dropkick him down! Dawkins drags Anderson up to a scoop, Ford tags in, slam and Ford adds a dropkick! Dawkins splashes, Ford covers, TWO!
Ford keeps on Anderson with an armlock, and sticks his tongue out at Gallows. Fans “YEAH!” with Ford as he wrenches more, but Anderson knees low! Anderson throws uppercuts on Ford, then whips him to ropes. Ford ducks and runs to hop over and boot back! Styles trips Ford up, and Anderson BLASTS Ford with an uppercut! Anderson distracts the ref and Gallows CLOBBERS Ford on the outside! Anderson goes out to fetch Ford and bump him off the apron. Anderson puts Ford in to cover, TWO! Tag to Styles, and the OC mug Ford. Styles throws haymakers then chokes Ford on the ropes. Gallows gets a cheap shot as the ref reprimands Styles. Styles covers, TWO! Styles brings Ford up but Ford throws hands! Styles knees low, whips but Ford reverses and sends Styles out! Stylse runs in, Ford dodges, dropkick takes Styles down!
Fans rally as both men crawl for their corners. Tag to Anderson, and he runs in, to get a dropkick! Tag to Gallows, he grabs Ford and suplexes, but Ford slips out! Ford leaps up but is caught! Gallows pushes Ford back and BOOTS him down! Tag to Styles and the OC isolate Ford, big clothesline in the corner. Anderson tags in, rocket kick! Tag to Gallows, and he corner splashes Ford! Uppercut to a cover, TWO! Ford is stuck in a thrashing chinlock as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Anderson smothers Ford with a chinlock. Fans rally up and Ford feeds off the energy. Ford fights back but Anderson clubs him down. Anderson hits Dawkins for good measure, then goes back to Ford with an uppercut! Cover, TWO! Anderson is back on Ford with a chinlock, but fans still rally. Ford fights his way up again, Anderson elbows him down, then whips Ford to the corner. But Ford uses that to hit Styles! Ford dodges and sends Anderson into the post! Gallows tags in, grabs Ford by the throat, but Ford fights free. Ford BLOCKBUSTERS on the run! Both men are down and crawling for their corners. Styles is back and Humberto reaches out, they get the hot tags! Ultimo Ninja rallies on Styles! He boots, and shotgun dropkicks!
Fans fire up with Carrillo as he hits a corner clothesline! He snapmares Styles to a basement dropkick! Then a somersault moonsault! Cover, TWO! Carrillo drags Styles up to a fireman’s carry but Styles slips out and shoves. Carrillo springboard enziguris! Carrillo drags Styles to a drop zone and climbs up top, MOONSAULT! It hits! Carrillo covers, but Anderson breaks it! Dawkins runs in to POUNCE Anderson! Gallows YAKUZA KICKS! Ford dropkicks Gallows! Ford lines up his shot and runs, to FLY! He bowls over the Good Brothers! Carrillo runs into Styles’ boot, then Styles forearms Carrillo away! Styles springboards but Carrillo gets under to mule kick, front kick and flapjack, into a POWERBOMB! Cover, with feet on the ropes!! Styles and the OC win!!
Winners: The OC, AJ Styles pinning
That was dirty to say the least! The Best Tag Team in the World and the Phenomenal One steal one from Carrillo and the Profits, but will they still run roughshod over Raw?
IT IS HAPPENING!
Brock Lesnar accepts the challenge, and Rey Mysterio gets a shot at both revenge and the WWE World Championship! Will Mysterio make his vengeance that much sweeter when he once again reaches the top of the WWE? Or will Lesnar destroy Mysterio once and for all?
The Viking Raiders VS The East Hampton Polo Boys!
The raid has come to Long Island! And now knowing that that all three brands will pit their Tag Team Champions against each other, will Erik and Ivar be able to keep their undefeated streak going?
The bell rings and Erik WRECKS Polo Boy #1 with a forearm and German Suplex! Erik drags the other into the ring, and then hits him with shotgun knees! Ivar gets his as he rams Polo Boy #2 into barriers, and basement splashes! Erik has Polo Boy #1 in a backbraeker, to gut wrench gut buster! Tag to Ivar, and he climbs up top, gut wrench powerbomb and VIKING SPLASH! Cover, The Viking Raiders win!
Winners: The Viking Raiders, Ivar pinning
Polo shirts and sweaters across the shoulders are no match for the Warbeards! Erik and Ivar take to the mic to give fair warning. “We stand here as men bold enough to admit that at Crown Jewel, we suffered defeat.” They congratulate The OC for being crowned the Best Tag Team in the World. “Enjoy your trophy, boys.” Because victory is often times nothing more than survival. Gallows and Anderson should “thank the gods” for winning that one battle. But NOTHING stops the raid! Will the Viking Raiders be able to prove they’re the best tag team champions today when they take on The Revival and the Undisputed Era at Survivor Series?
NXT Championship: Adam Cole w/ Triple H VS Seth Rollins!
The Undisputed Era is #DrapedInGold, but The Architect might #BurnItDown and replace his WWE Universal Championship with THE title on the black and gold brand! Will Rollins end up joining HHH’s army by winning? Or will he suffer the same fate as Daniel Bryan on SmackDown?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the battle of inaugural versus current begins!
The two circle and tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Cole switches, but Rollins wrenches out to a wristlock. Cole rolls, rolls and wrenches back, but Rollins does the same! Rollins puts Cole on the ropes but the ref counts for the break. Rollins gives Cole a pat on the shoulders, but Cole sneers. They circle and tie up again, and go around the ring. Rollins puts Cole in a corner but Cole turns it around. Cole lets up to give a shove. Fans rally and duel, and Rollins runs Cole over! Rollins throws haymakers that stagger Cole, and then he clotheslines Cole out! Rollins slingshots, PESCADO! Rollins bumps Cole off the apron then put him in the ring. HHH watches intently as Rollins powerbomb lifts, but Cole fights out. Cole kicks low then runs, into a mule kick! But he avoids the Curb Stomp and bails out. Rollins pursues and throws Cole into barriers!
Rollins drags Cole up and throws him into more barriers! HHH is right there as his champion is in trouble and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Cole grinds Rollins down with a chinlock. But Rollins fights his way up and fights out with a CHOP! Rollins runs but into a BOOT! Cole covers, TWO! Cole looms over Rollins as HHH intensely stares. Cole toys with Rollins and throws forearms. Rollins gets mad as he stands and throws forearms back! The brawl is on! Rollins CHOPS and haymakers, then runs, but dodges the boot and another chop to PELE! Cole staggers to PELE back! Rollins hits a rolling elbow! Then he blocks a kick to kick out a leg, and he adds a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives and HHH seems conflicted. HHH wants to recruit Rollins, but he doesn’t want Raw to beat NXT.
Rollins runs in and hits Cole with a forearm smash. But then Cole puts Rollins on the apron, only for Rollins to hit him away. Rollins springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Cole grows frustrated. But Cole staggers to a corner, hops up and watches Rollins rise. Cole leaps, but the Panama Sunrise becomes a sunset, TWO and Rollins BUCKLE BOMBS Cole back! Cover, TWO!! Rollins grits his teeth while Cole bails out. Rollins runs and DIVES! Direct hit sends them both into barriers, but Rollins gets up to DIVE again! He puts Cole in and takes aim, springboard flying knee! Rollins suplex,es but Cole counters to the Last Shot 1.0! Cover, TWO!! Cole is learning why Rollins is a Grand Slam Champion! Fans rally up as Cole gets to the ropes. Cole wants Rollins to rise, and Rollins slowly sits up. Cole runs, SHOTGUN KNEE! Cover, TWO!!
Cole is losing his cool and HHH seems just as concerned. But Cole brings the knee pad down and takes aim. Cole runs, but Rollins ducks, rolls Cole up, TWO! Double clotheslines wipe both men out! Fans rally and HHH has come out of his seat! Cole rolls to the apron and heads up top. Rollins crawls then rises, he’s up top fast! SUPERPLEX! Roll through, to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives, showing the heart it took to become NXT Champion. Rollins goes to ropes and fans rally up again. Rollins stomps as they chant, “BURN IT DOWN!” HHH glares and Rollins takes aim, but the Undisputed Era appear! Fish & O’Reilly anchor Rollins and Strong hits a BIG knee strike!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification; Adam Cole is still NXT Champion
The Era clobber and stomp Rollins, but HHH does not protest. But here comes the OC! And more of the Raw locker room! But ore NXT superstars are here! Riddle, Dijakovic, Ciampa, and more, they’re all brawling in the ring! The fighting spills out of the ring and Long Island is fired up! It is chaotic all around the ring, Ciampa punching Ricochet while the Undisputed Era hit whoever comes close! Ricochet gets clear of the crowd to springboard and SHOOTING STAR! The One and Only bowls everyone over and Long Island loses their minds! Riddle rises, as does Priest and Ricochet, and the brawling continues! Things keep going, as Keith Lee FLIES!! The Limitless One bowls everyone over as Raw goes off the air!!
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to continue the Survivor Series build! Naturally, NXT would invade Raw the same as they did SmackDown, and a lot of great stuff was confirmed tonight. I am so glad to hear we’re getting the Women’s Champions and Tag Team Champions in Triple Threat matches. I know Revival VS New Day is Friday since they didn’t get to last week, and that match could go either way, but either team would fit very well into the tag champion triple threat. Of course the Viking Raiders win against more jobbers, but I think it was good looking ahead for them to call out The OC, so that at some point we will get Raw Tag Team Champions VS Best Tag Team in the World to see who is really the best. Though looking back, that again means they should’ve rearranged things in the Tag Team Turmoil. At the same time, the AOP need to come in and do very much the same, questioning the validity of either team’s accolades when AOP hasn’t been around for months.
I really liked how they handled the interview segment. Shayna did a pretty good job confronting Becky, and Becky did a good job in her response. I fully expect Bayley to have her own response on Friday, probably with Sasha speaking up, too, as she was one of Shayna’s targets. Actually, to really spice things up, have Bayley and Banks return to Full Sail. Sure, Shayna has the Women’s WarGames match to worry about, but with her also having this triple threat, it makes sense she’ll end up with a split focus. Bayley is also about not being overshadowed, so what better way than to be the one to fire back? Then in the Women’s Tag title scene, things are going about as I expected. It was a great match, and I figured Natty and Charlotte would win. This will result in a tag title match and I expect Paige to get revenge on Asuka and Kairi by helping Charlotte and Natty.
Some of the non-build things were still pretty good. Murphy VS Alexander was good but obviously tame compared to what they’ve done in the past. It has been said that Murphy is one of Heyman’s favorites and his win streak might be proving that. The Six Man of OC VS Carrillo & Profits was really good, and has seemingly wrapped things for now. I’m still expecting Kevin Owens to come back into things for the US Championship, but I bet Murphy would make a good contender in his own right. I was glad we got the mixed tag, but I feel like just this once, Almas and Vega should’ve lost. It just doesn’t seem like a proper feud if it’s one-sided. And while it was obvious Lashley lied about his bad groin, Rusev VS McIntyre was going pretty well, and now we’re perhaps getting Rusev & Ricochet VS Lashley & Orton before Rusev and Lashley settle things themselves.
I am really loving everything going on with the top titles and the top guys. Lesnar back on Raw, wrecking poor Dio but then getting rightfully wrecked back by Rey, all good stuff. Rey VS Lesnar for the world title, I really hope there’s a way Mysterio wins. Cain Velasquez and/or Dominic need to help, for sure. Meanwhile, Rollins’ moment of doubt and HHH trying to recruit him, that’s great story there, too. Rollins is obviously being booked strong as he almost wins that NXT Championship in a great match with Cole. But at the same time, this was the only way Rollins was going to stay Team Raw without losing, and we got that awesome brawl! I didn’t even realize Keith Lee had gotten into the ring until he was running, and WOW what a leap! I don’t know how they’d manage it, but I’m starting to think we do still need something like the best of Raw, SmackDown and NXT in a Triple Threat Elimination match. Maybe not 5v5v5 for 15 people, but four or three man teams might work.
Honestly, with it turning into a four-day weekend, use all four shows for crossover matches, from SmackDown to WarGames to Survivor Series to even Raw after. Then both networks, Fox and USA, should be satisfied with getting great viewership courtesy of NXT, the actual top brand of this company.
My Score: 8.5/10
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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
Powered by RedCircle
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!
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.
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Hockey Talk- 2024 NHL Playoff Preview [042224]
Hockey Talk previews the 2024 NHL Playoffs and discuss the stunning news that the Arizona Coyotes are moving to Salt...
Hockey Talk- Metro Mayhem [040924]
Hockey Talk looks at an absolutely wild playoff situation taking shape in the Eastern Conference while, out West, the battle...
The Pick N Roll: Sweet Sixteen
Join Patrick O'Dowd and PC Tunney as they breakdown the sweet sixteen of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Hockey Talk- Reverse Psychology [032624]
Hockey Talk looks at the resurgent St. Louis Blues & Washington Capitals. Plus, the Rangers stay hot, and can anyone...
Down the Wire: Filling Out Our Brackets and Drafting Draft Busts
Join the Brothers Wortz as they cover professional sports in unprofessional ways!
Bandwagon Nerds #232: Superhero Madness- A Top Seed Falls
Superhero Madness continues and sees the first #1 seed fall!. Plus, a trailer for a new Transformers movie, and a...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/20/24)
HPW looks to the horizon.
Bandwagon Nerds #231: Disney News & Superhero Madness
Round two of Superhero Madness begins this week. Cinema Con gives us plenty of Disney news and a trip to...
Bandwagon Nerds #230: Superhero Madness- Resident Aliens
Superhero Madness continues with first round battles in the Aliens bracket, plus Invincible Season 2 comes to an excellent conclusion.
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/24)
We got five on it!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)
It's Draft Day!
DWI Podcast #427: Get Off My Back…lash
It's time to shake things up again!
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!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)
Champions need challengers!
Classic POD is WAR: @PattonOswalt
Tune in for another vintage episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)
Anybody can get it!
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/23/24)
GO ACE! GO ACE!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/23/24)
It's Trick Williams' last shot!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/22/24)
It's a golden Raw!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynasty Results & Report! (4/21/24)
AEW passes through the Gateway City!
