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Mitchell’s WWE Worlds Collide Results & Report! (1/25/20)

NXT VS NXT UK! Who you got?

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WWE Worlds Collide Houston

Even before the Rumble, worlds will collide!

To prove which brand is the better half of the NXT umbrella, USA and UK go head to head! Whose side will you be on when the Undisputed Era clashes with Imperium?

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Preshow: Mia Yim VS Kay Lee Ray; KLR wins.
  • Finn Balor VS Ilja Dragunov; Balor wins.
  • NXT Cruiserweight Championship Fatal 4 Way: Angel Garza VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Jordan Devlin VS Travis Banks; Devlin wins and becomes the new NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
  • DIY VS Moustache Mountain; DIY wins.
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Toni Storm; Ripley wins and retains the NXT Women’s Championship.
  • 8 Man Tag: The Undisputed Era VS Imperium; Imperium wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Worlds Collide Preshow!

Join Charly Caruso, Sam Roberts and Andy Shepherd as they hype up and predict the incredible crossover between NXT and NXT UK! “This is what it looks like to build a global brand from the ground up.” NXT and NXT UK aren’t all that old as brands, and yet here we are, kicking off not just Royal Rumble Weekend, but the Road to WrestleMania!

 

Preshow: Mia Yim VS Kay Lee Ray!

The Head Baddie In Charge is always up for a fight, but the Scary Queen of Scots does more than just fight. Will Mia make the NXT UK Women’s Champion eat da feet in the States? Or will KLR leave Mia with a killer headache?

The bell rings and Mia SHOTGUN Dropkicks KLR right away! Mia stomps and stomps but lets up at the count of 4, to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO, and KLR scrambles away. Mia drags her back in but KLR pushes her down. KLR SLAPS Mia, but Mia just grins. Mia CHOPS and CHOPS and SLAPS and fires off, but KLR pushes her back. KLR’s superkick is blocked and Mia throws her down to ax kick. Mia whips, KLR reverses, Mia headscissors KLR down! Fans fire up as Mia CHOPS KLR more! KLR blocks the whip and ROCKS Mia with that right hand. KLR whips now but Mia ducks and redirects to then sweep the legs. And basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! KLR gets to a corner but Mia runs in, only for KLR to wrench and tornado DDT! Cover, TWO!

Fans start to duel as KLR stomp Mia down. KLR drags Mia up, suplexes and gourd busters! Cover, TWO! KLR grabs Mia in a grounded cobra twist and even adds a neck wrench. Mia endures and fans rally up. Mia gets up but KLR throws her down by her hair! KLR stands on Mia’s face while taunting her, then grabs the arm while standing on hair! The ref reprimands and KLR lets go, but Mia kicks from the floor. KLR stomps Mia then puts her in a corner. KLR CHOPS Mia and it echoes out in Houston. Fans duel as Mia gives CHOPS back. KLR whips and SUPERKICKS then covers, TWO! KLR grows frustrated, but she brings Mia into a drop zone. KLR climbs up top and SWANTON FLOPS! Both women are down now and fans rally up.

Mia stands up first, KLR follows. Fans duel as Mia rallies with clotheslines and a boot! Neckbreaker! Mia fires up and runs in at KLR but KLR puts her on the apron. Mia enziguris then steps in to tornado DDT! Cover, TWO!! Mia grows frustrated but she keeps close to KLR. Mia watches KLR rise, to throw jabs. But KLR sliipis around, gets in position, but Mia back drops her off! KLR bails out, Mia builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Houston fires up as Mia drags KLR up and into the ring, but KLR SUPERKICKS again! Mia is down, KLR builds speed, triangle SWANTON! Direct hit wipes both women out and Houston is fired up all over again! “This is Awesome!” and “NXT! NXT!” are both echoing out as a ring count begins.

The count reaches 5 before either woman stirs. KLR sits up first, then brings Mia up at 7. They both get in at 8, and Mia throws hands. KLR SLAPS, so Mia slaps back. They throw forearms back and forth, then palm strikes! It’s a scrap with 13 minutes to spare! Chicken wings for the Gory Especial, but Mia reverses to CODE BLUE! Cover, TWO!?! KLR survives but that’s why she’s champion! Mia grows frustrated but she drags KLR back up. Fans duel as Mia wrenches and puts a foot up, but KLR pushes Mia off to then wrench and STEAL Eat Da Feet!! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives her own move being used against her and that infuriates KLR!

KLR stalks up to Mia and chicken wings again, but Mia blocks the lift. Mia ducks and blocks the huricanrana, to then POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Mia is further frustrated as KLR rolls away. Mia hurries over but KLR kicks a leg out. KLR goes to lift but Mia silps out to get back on, ANOTHER Code Blue! Cover, TWO!?! Fans continue to duel as Mia tries to keep her cool. Mia hooks an arm but KLR rolls her up, TWO! Mia waistlocks, KLR elbows but Mia O’Conner rolls, TWO! KLR does the same, with the ropes! KLR WINS!

Winner: Kay Lee Ray, by pinfall

See what I mean? KLR doesn’t just fight, she CHEATS! But a win is a win in the end. Will KLR keep getting the better of her opponents? Will Mia Yim want payback the next time these two brands meet?

 

“We shall go on to the end.”

Fight on the seas and oceans. Fight with great confidence and great strength. Whatever the cost may be. Fight on the beaches, on the landing grounds, in the fields and in the streets. “We shall never surrender.” This has been building for weeks and it finally explodes in one night! The best of NXT, the best of NXT UK, but there can only be one top brand!

 

Finn Balor VS Ilja Dragunov!

Worlds Collide gets rrrreeeal as The Prince and the Madman go head to head! But as Balor says, when you aim at the Prince, you better not miss. Will Torpedo Moscow hit its mark? Or will Dragunov be the one shot down?

The bell rings and Balor circles with Dragunov. They tie up, Balor waistlocks but Dragunov pries out to wristlock. Balor reverses the wristlock to get Dragunov down. Dragunov rolls and gets headscissors but Balor pops out. The two stand off and Houston is fired up. Dragunov and Balor tie up and Balor headlocks to a takedown. Dragunov works his way up but Balor stays on tight as Dragunov tries to power out. Balor headlock takeovers again, but Dragunov headscissors again. Balor pops out again, and roles reverse as Dragunov headlock takeovers. Balor rolls to a cover, TWO, and Dragunov holds on. Dragunov grinds Balor, Balor powers out, things speed up, and Dragunov crossbodies! Cover, TWO and Dragunov keeps Balor back with his fighting stance.

Dragunov dares Balor to bring it, but Balor gives his finger guns. So Dragunov SLAPS Balor! Then kicks and whips, only for Balor to reverse. Dragunov sunset flips but Balor slips out, to SLAP back! Fans cheer as Balor drags Dragunov up and throws him out. Balor builds speed to wreck Dragunov with a dropkick! Balor shouts, “You’re in here with Finn Balor!” before putting Dragunov in the ring. Fans cheer with “Too Sweet! Woop woop!” as Balor CHOPS Dragunov. Balor whips but Dragunov wrenches and CHOPS Balor down! Then drops the senton! Cover, TWO! Dragunov clamps onto Balor’s arm and grinds hard. Balor powers up as fans rally, and Balor gets to a corner. The ref breaks the two up and Dragunov kicks low! Dragunov clubs and stomps Balor, but Balor slips out to the apron, only for Dragunov to DECK him!

Balor is down but gets clear as Dragunov runs in, so Dragunov uses the 619 to go back in. Dragunov fakes Balor out, then hops onto the apron to mule kick! Dragunov springboards to crossbody! Direct hit at the ramp, and fans are divided as Dragunov puts Balor in. Balor bails out the side, so Dragunov climbs up. Dragunov LEAPS, but Balor gets clear of the ax handles! Dragunov crashes ‘n’ burns, and now Balor seethes as he stalks over. Balor stomps Dragunov down as the ring count climbs, and even BOOTS Dragunov down. Balor CHOPS Dragunov and puts him in at 7. Balor drags Dragunov up to snapmare, run and basement dropkick in the back! Cover, TWO! Balor keeps close and clamps on a chinlock. Dragunov endures and fans rally up. Dragunov gets to his feet and pries free, but Balor scoops and slams and drops elbows! Cover, TWO!

Balor grows frustrated with Dragunov and he stomps Dragunov at the ropes. Balor lets up at 4, to then springboard stomp Dragunov! And again! Balor hears the ref reprimand him, but Balor keeps going! Houston fires up as Balor just unleashes on Dragunov! Balor backs away finally, but Houston still loves him. Dragunov flounders up to throw forearms but Balor gives back a CHOP! Balor whips Dragunov corner to corner to CHOP again! Cover, TWO! Balor clamps back on with the chinlock, but Dragunov again endures. Dragunov fights his way up, but Balor knees low. Balor reels Dragunov in, suplexes, but Dragunov resists. Dragunov suplexes Balor back! Both men are down but crawl to opposite corners. Houston rallies up as Dragunov runs corner to corner, and hits a BIG knee! Dragunov keeps moving, but Balor ducks one clothesline, only to get the other!

Dragunov fires up but Houston is divided. Balor is in a corner but Dragunov gives him another clothesline. Dragunov leaps up, flying knee drop! Cover, TWO! Balor gasps but survives and Dragunov gets fired up again. Fans start to duel as Dragunov drags Balor up. Dragunov wristlocks and back hands Balor over and over and over and over and over! Dragunov knees Balor a few times, but Balor trips Dragunov up. Dragunov pushes Balor away, then baits him in, for a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Balor lives and fans rally up as Dragunov stands. Dragunov drags Balor back up, fireman’s carries, and runs, only for Balor to slip out and trip Dragunov up. DOUBLE STOMPS! Now Dragunov gasps for air while Balor stands up. Balor gives Dragunov forearms, but Dragunov eggs him on. Dragunov hits back and now we have a brawl.

Balor runs to forearm but Dragunov hits back. They go back and forth, fans divided, but Dragunov CHOPS! Balor CHOPS, Dragunov enziguris! PELE CAUGHT! Dragunov rolls and scoops Balor but Balor breaks the grip. Balor wants his own lift but Dragunov fights, so Balor spins him around for the elbow drop DDT! Fans fire up and Balor grits his teeth. Balor gets up and aims from the corner. Dragunov rises to get the SLINGBLADE! And then Balor gives finger guns, but Dragunov’s BOOT hits first! Dragunov then uses a single leg SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Balor barely escapes and Dragunov can’t believe it! But Dragunov refocuses as fans rally up. Dragunov and Balor both rise, and Dragunov uses the 6-1-LINE! Balor bails out but Dragunov is up top, to LEAP! Direct hit with a full body attack!

Fans are still divided as Dragunov puts Balor in the ring. Dragunov is up top again, COAST2COAST! Cover, TWO!! Balor survives because he is that tough! Though, he is bleeding from the bridge of his nose. Balor ends up in another drop zone and Dragunov climbs again. Dragunov aims and leaps, but onto knees! Dragunov stands, SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Balor has Dragunov in position now and Houston explodes! COUP DE GRACE!! But that’s not enough for Balor, he drags Dragunov up for 1 9 1 6!! Cover, Balor wins!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

It was a bloody Saturday for Balor but he came out on top! Dragunov wasn’t quite Unbesiegbar, but has he at least won some respect?

 

Front row interview with Grizzled Young Veterans.

Cathy Kelly is with Zack Gibson and James Drake, one half of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals. But not too far away are the Broserweights, Pete Dunne and Matt Riddle. Fans like those two more, obviously. But we just got word that not only will the finals be about the prestigious Dusty Cup, but it will serve as a #1 Contender’s match to THE NXT Tag Team Championships in TakeOver: Portland! Gibson speaks but fans boo. “Honestly, I’m surprised that these two jokers have actually made it this far.” Don’t get it wrong, Dunne and Riddle are two accomplished singles wrestlers. But as a tag team, Gibson saw their resume. There’s nothing on it! The Dusty Cup Finals is the biggest match of the GYV’s career. Look at the tournament has done for previous winners. Then imagine what it will do for “the most legitimate tag team in all of NXT.” They are the Grizzled Young Veterans, SOON to be recognized as 2020 Dusty Classic winners.

But to get their response, Cathy goes to the Broserweights. Riddle responds with, “Bro… Why so serious?” They just found out the winners get a tag team title shot. Those two should be smiling. Riddle has a huge smile. And he knows Dunne, his “Bro From Another Mo,” has a huge smile on his face, ear to ear. Well, not exactly. That’s Dunne’s happy face. Dunne himself speaks, “Listen. I’ll just be blunt.” Blunt? Riddle will smoke the two Grizzled Young Veterans, and the Broserweights walk out with the trophy. And all of Gibson’s hopes and dreams come to a bitter end, bro. Shrug. But will the Broserweights be able to shrug off the Grizzled Young Veterans once they’re in the ring?

 

NXT Cruiserweight Championship Fatal 4 Way: Angel Garza VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Jordan Devlin VS Travis Banks!

El Latino es en la casa with the title, but will he have it for much longer? Or will he find away to out maneuver Swerve, trump the Irish Ace and cut down the Kiwi Buzzsaw?

The introductions are made, the newly redesigned belt is raised, and literally the largest match in Garza’s young reign begins!

Houston cheers for Garza as he stares down with his three challengers. But fans do speak up to shout, “Whose house? Swerve’s house!” Swerve starts winning fans over just by standing there. The four men approach, and we have a Fatal 4 Way grapple! Swerve uses one arm to whip Banks away then he boots Devlin! Swerve half nelsons Garza but Garza elbows out. Devlin kicks Garza but Garza forearms the ripcord away. Banks grabs Garza but Garza forearms him, too. Garza tells his three challengers to wait… because he wants to tear off the pants! But he’s stopped by a TRIPLE KICK! Devlin then elbows Banks and kicks Swerve.

Devlin whips but Swerve reverses, Devlin springboards to quebrada! He has Swerve in the dragon sleeper but then Banks runs in. Devlin catches Banks to urenage him on top of Swerve in the inverted DDT! And then Devlin standing moonsaults onto them both! Garza gets in to grab Devlin, but gets caught into an atomic backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Devlin stomps Banks then runs at Swerve. Swerve goes up and over, forearms Banks and elbows Devlin. Banks catches Swerve’s boot to send it into Devlin! Banks waistlocks, Swerve switches and O’Conner rolls, TWO, leaping Complete Shot on Devlin! Headscissors for Banks and a strike fest for Garza! Houston fires up for Swerve as he does it so easy!

Devlin throws Swerve out, only for Swerve to handspring through and land on his feet! Devlin runs in, gets a boost from Garza and MOONSAULTS onto Swerve! But Swerve catches him! Death Valley Driver! Banks is up, and Penalty Kicks Swerve! Garza runs in and FLIES over Banks to wipe out Swerve! But Banks DOUBLE STOMPS Garza down! All four men are down but fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” Banks boots Devlin as they get up, and then CHOPS Swerve. Banks boots Garza then CHOPS Swerve again! Banks CHOPS Garza, then goes back to Devlin. Devlin backs up but gets caught for a CHOP! Swerve stands to CHOP Banks, but Banks shrugs it off to CHOP and forearm! Banks puts Swerve in and follows after.

Swerve flounders up but Banks Penalty Kicks him back down. Swerve and Banks brawl but Garza gets in, only to get a kick for himself. Banks kicks Swerve, then Garza, repeat! Banks fires up but ducks Swerve’s roundhouse, that goes into Garza! Banks grabs Swerve in a SNAP German! Fans fire up with Banks as he has two targets. Banks back elbows Garza in the corner, runs corner to corner to elbow Swerve, then goes all the way back to elbow Garza. Swerve comes in, Banks sweeps the legs and Swerve tumbles onto Garza! Banks DIVES onto Devlin! Fans stay hot for the Kiwi Buzzsaw as he returns to CANNONBALL onto Swerve and Garza! But Devlin returns, only to miss and be belly2belly suplexed onto them both! Banks takes a moment to check his leg as the other three crawl around.

Banks drags Devlin up, suplexes but Devlin slips out. Banks elbows him back then whips, but Devlin puts Banks on the apron. Devlin body shots Banks, dodges Swerve, then run side to side. Swerve sends Devlin out but Banks is there for Devlin to use as a rebound, to tornado DDT Swerve! Fans are thunderous, and then Garza runs into Devlin’s SPANISH FLY! Cover, but Banks drops in with a DOUBLE STOMP! Cover on Devlin, TWO!! All four men are down again and fans are rallying up. Banks sits up while Devlin and Garza kick at each other. Garza hits Swerve while Banks hits Devlin, Swerve hits back. The four men have paired off by their brands, and we have brawls in stereo. All four men work their way to their feet, and Swerve whips Garza. Devlin and Banks double hip toss Garza to ropes but he rebounds and rolls to kangaroo kick Swerve! Garza sends Devlin into Banks then pop-up KICKS Devlin! And OFF COME THE PANTS!!

Devlin runs in but is caught, and then Banks runs in, only to get stuck! Swerve is up top, he adds on KILLSTOMPS! But Garza covers Devlin, TWO!! Fans are thunderous for that stomping powerbomb powerslam combination, this match is innovative to say the least! Garza and Swerve fight with CHOPS! And then Garza throws forearms, only to get a pop-up KNEE! Swerve backs off while Garza wobbles, but Devlin dropkicks the House Call! Banks sweeps Devlin’s legs, but misses the buzzsaw to get a HEADBUTT! Devlin holds onto Banks’ arm, and ripcords, for a DESTROYER!?! All four men are down, and Houston is loving this! Banks gets up as fans chant “This is Awesome!” Banks puts Devlin in a drop zone, then climbs up top. But Garza shoves him down hard!

Garza drags Devlin into position as he climbs up, but Swerve hurries over to CHOP! Garza holds on and Swerve climbs up. Garza hits back but Swerve does, too. They brawl up top but Devlin rises to join in. Devlin gets up top, elbows Garza and Swerve into position, DOUBLE SUPER SPANISH FLIES!! But then SLICE OF HEAVEN from Banks! KIWI KRUSHER!! Cover, TWO!?! How?! How any of that!? But fans are loving “All These Guys!” as they’re all down again. Banks stands Swerve up to CHOP, but Swerve headbutts back. Banks CHOPS so Swerve CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, but Banks goes up to headscissor, only to be flipped into a DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Swerve grits his teeth and drags Banks up again.

Garza is climbing in the background as Swerve Electric Chair lifts Banks. Garza missile dropkicks Banks, who uses that to POISON-RANA Swerve! Garza throws Banks out to grab Swerve, WING CLIPPER! But Devlin pulls and HEADBUTTS Garza! Devlin goes to Swerve, ripcord, DEVLINSIDE!! Cover, Devlin wins!?!?

Winner: Jordan Devlin, by pinfall; NEW NXT Cruiserweight Champion

Garza was fingertips away from breaking that cover! But “close” only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades, and now Houston is exploding with the first-ever NXT UK Cruiserweight Champion! And to celebrate, Devlin gets a mic and on the announce desk to shout, “Do you believe me now?!” Devlin says he told everyone that he is pound-for-pound the BEST wrestler on this planet! He is no longer denied, and he proved tonight that you never bet against the Ace! Is this going to completely revolutionize the Cruiserweight Division?

 

Robert Stone and Chelsea Green find seats up front.

The budding new stable wants to see all the action for themselves. Will they be impressed by anyone enough to recruit them to the Robert Stone brand?

 

DIY VS Moustache Mountain!

Two incredible tag teams reunite to give us this incredible dream match! Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa take on Tyler Bate and Trent Seven, but what happens when the heart of NXT collides with the pride of NXT UK?

Houston is already electric for this moment as the teams sort out. The bell rings and fans duel as Gargano starts with Bate. Bate and Gargano circle and tie up, then Gargano wristlocks to wrench. Bate rolls, hooks a leg and pries at the hold, but Gargano sweeps the leg to get Bate down. Gargano has the arm but Bate works his way back up. Bate monkey flips Gargano but Gargano holds on tight. Gargano has the armlock as fans sing for Bate. Bate arm-drags but Gargano holds on to arm-drag back! Gargano still has the arm but Bate fights his way up. Fans rally and duel but Gargano wrenches. Bate rolls, bridges, handsprings and finally gets free. Fans cheer that and even Gargano has to nod respect. Gargano and Bate circle and tie up again, and Gargano hammerlocks. Bate slips out but ends up in a headlock and takeover.

Bate powers his way around with his legs, gets back to his feet, and spins out to arm-drag. Now Bate has the wristlock and control but Gargano kips up to wrench and drop toehold. Gargano floats to a facelock but Bate rolls. Gargano holds on tight again, but Bate keeps trying. Bate powers Gargano up but Gargano holds on. They end up on the ropes and the ref calls for them to break. Gargano lets go and Bate throws him. Things speed up, Gargano headscissors but Bate handsprings through! Things keep moving and Bate runs Gargano over. Bate runs, Gargano ducks under then jumps up, into a fireman’s carry! But Gargano slips and sunset flips, only for Bate to bring him up in underhooks! Gargano gets free and wants to drag Bate down, but Bate avoids the submission.

Gargano shifts to a hammerlock, Bate squats and pries free to get under, only for Gargano to roll to a cover! ONE, Bate pushes Gargano over but Gargano gets a leg. Bate slips over, Gargano slips over, Bate avoids the school boy kick, Bate waistlocks! Gargano fights free, wrenches but Bate handsprings. Gargano swings, Bate swings, both men boot but catch it! Bate gets free first, but he’s a good sport and lets Gargano go. Fans cheer the respect between these amazing superstars! Gargano and Bate shake hands, then back away to tag in their partners! Fans fire up all over again to see Ciampa and Seven in the ring together. Houston chants, “Daddy’s Home!” as Ciampa circles with Seven.

Seven teases Ciampa’s beard but Ciampa mocks the mustache tweaze. Seven shows him how to do it right. Ciampa shows him how to flex. Seven fires himself up, to offer a handshake. Ciampa takes it and fans cheer. Ciampa and Seven tie up, Ciampa headlocks but Seven powers out only to get run over! Seven tries to anchor Ciampa but he gets free to run again. Seven fakes Ciampa out but Ciampa still reverses to get Seven down. Ciampa wants the Psycho Fujiwara! But Seven quickly counters with a crucifix pin, TWO! Fans cheer as Seven says it was this close. Ciampa and Seven tie up again, go around, and Seven wristlocks to wrench. Tag to Bate but Ciampa gets free. Seven leaves and Bate shows he can flex, too. The Big Strong Boy has fans chanting, but Seven is a big strong dad.

Ciampa asks for a test of strength, but also mocks Bate’s height. Bate still ties up with Ciampa and they go shoulder to shoulder. Bate has the strength to bring Ciampa to his knees! But Ciampa gets back up to give some back! Bate powers up to slip around and wrench the knuckle locks. Ciampa turns Bate around and flips him over his back, but Bate hops up to monkey flip! They both keep the knuckle locks and it’s a double cover, TWO as they both bridge! Fans cheer as the two roll off and both break free. Bate waves at Ciampa, but Ciampa shows him how that’s done. Ciampa and Bate tie up again and go to ropes. The ref calls for the break, Bate whips instead. Things speed up as Bate hurdles, then stops himself to show Bop. Ciampa DECKS Bate then sucker punches Seven!

Ciampa puts Bate on the apron to KNEE down! Gargano has Seven for a SUPERKICK! DIY throws Bate over the announce desk, then Seven! Ciampa pats himself on the back, and Gargano joins in! Thumbs up, too. Ciampa puts Bate in the ring and stomps him down. Ciampa aims at the tape on Bate’s shoulders as he stomps and clubs Bate down. Tag to Gargano and Bate is fed to Gargano’s boots. Gargano mocks the Big Strong Boy pose before bringing Bate up. Gargano snapmares Bate and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO, but Gargano keeps on Bate. Tag to Ciampa, and DIY mugs Bate in their corner. Ciampa CHOPS Bate, whips Bate to the ropes, then runs him over with a shoulder! Ciampa drags Bate up to put on a thrashing chinlock.

Fans rally and duel as Bate endures, but Ciampa cranks harder. Bate works his way up and throws elbows into Ciampa’s stomach. Ciampa keeps Bate away from Seven and clubs him back down. Fans rally harder and Bate gets up, only for Ciampa to back suplex. Bate lands on his feet, goes under and tags Seven! Seven flapjacks Ciampa and CHOPS Gargano! And again! Seven fires up, fakes Gargano out, DDT! Seven CHOPS Ciampa in a corner, then runs to CHOP Gargano. Ciampa runs in but gets a SPINE BUSTER! Seven SLAPS Gargano out of the ring before going after Seven. Seven POWERBOMBS and high stacks Ciampa, TWO! Cartwheel LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Seven keeps his focus as fans rally and duel. Seven grabs Ciampa in the wristlock ripcord, but Ciampa boots the lariat away. Ciampa ducks the back hand then hits a jumping knee!

Both men are down but crawling for their corners. Fans fire up as each man hot tags! Bate and Gargano are back in, Gargano slingshots to BOOT Bate down! Gargano enziguris Seven then ducks Bate to kick and facelock. Seven runs in but gets caught, Complete Shot DDT combo! Fans fire up with Johnny Wrestling as he watches Bate. Gargano puts Bate in a corner to CHOP and CHOP. Gargano runs corner to corner but is put on the apron. Bate runs but into the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Bate crawls away to get out of the ring, but Gargano just builds speed. Seven anchors Gargano but Ciampa baseball slides him away. Bate grabs Gargano but Ciampa runs in to KNEE Bate down! Ciampa holds the ropes and Gargano DIVES onto Bate! Fans cheer for DIY as Gargano puts Bate in the ring.

Ciampa intercepts Seven at the ropes and Gargano lines up Bate, Willow’s Bell draping DDT in stereo with the slingshot DDT! Cover on Bate, TWO!! DIY keeps their cool and bring Bate around. Gargano CHOPS Bate then tags Ciampa. Gargano whips Bate back in, DIY meets at the corner with knee and enziguri! Gargano sees Seven and CANNONBALLS! Bate enziguris Ciampa and waistlocks but Ciampa elbows out. Ciampa runs in but blocks a boot only to get a knee! Bate hops up, leaps but into a dropkick! Ciampa drags Bate around, underhooks, but Bate slips out to underhook for his own! Ciampa back drops, Bate lands on his feet, REBOUND LARIAT! Underhooks, TYLER DRIVER ’97!! Cover, TWO!?! Seven CHOPS Ciampa! Gargano SUPERKICKS Seven but Bate has the cover back! Gargano SUPERKICKS Bate and now Ciampa has the cover! TWO!! Houston is thunderous as all four men are down!

Houston also hopes they “Fight Forever!” as the two teams regroup. Gargano tags in and goes after Bate as fans duel again. Gargano throws big forearms on Bate then scoops, but Bate slips out to waistlock, O’Conner roll, TWO! Bate catches Gargano out of the air for an EXPLODER! Bate kips up to standing shooting star, but onto knees! But Bate still hits the rolling heel kick! Bate ducks the discus but Gargano ducks the rebound, tilt-o-whirl but then the fireman’s carry, AIRPLANE SPIN! Into the takedown! GargaNO Escape! Ciampa gets Seven for the Psycho Fujiwara! Deja vu to DIY’s feud with The Revival!! Bate and Seven grab for each other while enduring, and then Seven powers up to fireman’s carry. Bate does the same, and Moustache Mountain DOUBLE SPIN! They orbit each other like binary stars, then dump Ciampa down to throw Gargano into a double clubbing slam! Cover, TWO!

Bate gets up to tag Seven in, and Moustache Mountain coordinate. Seven full nelsons Gargano, Bate rebounds, but Gargano gets free! The LARIAT hits SEVEN! Hot tag to Ciampa! BIG KNEE for Bate! Now DIY gets to coordinate for a classic, and Houston is ready for it! But Seven gets in to shield Bate, so he just gets added to it! D I Y- Double Bop? DOUBLE BANG!! Seven torture racks Ciampa and Bate goes up top, FLYING KNEE BIRMINGHAMMER! Cover, TWO!?!? Houston cannot believe this! Seven tags Bate back in, and then Bate tags Seven back in. Moustache Mountain drag Ciampa up and rock him into DOUBLE BIRMINGHAMMER! But that’s not all, as Bate goes up top! CORKSCREW SENTON, but Ciampa pulls Seven into it!! Ciampa covers off that, but Bate breaks it just in time!

Gargano crawls back in as Houston shouts, “This is Awesome!” DIY and Moustache Mountain regroup and then stand up. Fans cheer as the two teams start throwing hands! DIY then Moustache Mountain! Seven fires up, but Ciampa sends the back hand into Bate! Bate still rocks Gargano, but Ciampa KNEES Bate! Seven Snap Germans Ciampa, Gargano BUZZSAWS Seven and Ciampa knees him, too! Bate goes up top to leap into double dropkicks! Seven is down and DIY take their corners! Houston is thunderous for the D I Y MEET IN THE MIDDLE! Cover, DIY WINS!

Winner: DIY, Ciampa pinning

“Incredible” doesn’t even cover it! That was above all expectations, because what is this other than a dream come true? Gargano and Ciampa reunited “for old time’s sake,” and they won one to go out on! At the same time, they give much deserved respect to Seven and Bate. Fans agree, and cheer for all the men involved as the teams shake hands and hug it out. When and where will we see these two teams again, whether against each other or others?

 

Dakota Kai is spotted in the front row.

The cruel Kiwi isn’t all that impressed with what she’s seen, apparently. But then Tegan Nox blindsides her! Their grudge match is finally happening next week, but Tegan doesn’t care! She’s stomping Dakota and hammering away right here in front of the fans! Security gets in but Dakota goes after Tegan! Then Tegan SPEARS Dakota and knocks railing over! Tegan won’t let up but Dakota hits back, too. More security gets in there but Houston boos. Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” but they aren’t on the card. This will happen on Wednesday, but will it end there?

 

NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Toni Storm!

This is a throwback to not just the early days of NXT UK, but to the second Mae Young Classic tournament! Toni Storm won that prestigious trophy, but it would be Rhea who became inaugural UK Women’s Champion. Of course, Toni took that from Rhea, only for Rhea to move on and dethrone the Queen of Spades. Will Toni cause history to repeat in Houston? Or will the Storm be wiped out by the Riptide?

Of course, taking a front row seat for this one is Bianca Belair. The EST is also the actual #1 Contender, and awaits the winner of this match in Portland. The introductions are made, the title is raised, and this red hot rematch begins!

Rhea and Toni stare down and circle slowly as fans cheer. Toni and Rhea tie up, and go around the ring. Fans duel as Rhea puts Toni in a corner. Rhea backs off and they circle again. They tie up, go around, and Toni wristlocks and wrenches. Rhea yanks and reverses the hold, but Toni spins through and bridges back to also handspring and fire off strikes! Mule kick and Toni runs. Rhea drops but Toni redirects to dropkick! Toni throws big forearms but Rhea shoves and CHOPS! Toni sputters but ducks to CHOP Rhea on the back. Rhea scowls but Toni laughs. Toni swings another but Rhea blocks to clothesline Toni down! Rhea brings Toni up to lariat again, and again, then SUPERKICK! Toni staggers to a corner and Rhea stomps her down. Rhea drags Toni up to ram her shoulder in over and over. The ref counts, Rhea lets up and argues with him, but then Toni SUPERKICKS and German Suplexes Rhea into buckles!

The ref checks on Rhea as she writhes in pain, but Rhea gets out of the ring. Toni catches her breath as she waits for Rhea. The ring count begins, but Toni won’t wait any longer! Toni clubs Rhea on the back then puts her in the ring. Toni kicks Rhea while she’s down and then drags her up. Toni half hatch suplexes then covers, TWO! Toni keeps close as she brings Rhea around. Toni grabs at the legs but Rhea chops her on the butt. More of a spank then, isn’t it? Toni ignores that as she laces the legs and drops down, Queen Angelito STF! Rhea endures as she crawls and claws her way forward. Rhea drags both herself and Toni forward, even as Toni cranks back hard! Rhea reaches, and gets the ropebreak! Toni lets go quickly so as not to waste time.

Toni stomp Rhea but Rhea hits back with body shots. Toni clubs Rhea down then scuffs Rhea. Toni stands Rhea up to CHOP and CHOP again, then DDT! Rhea flounders and flails in pain but Toni covers, TWO! Toni keeps her cool as she drags Rhea from the ropes. Rhea holds on so Toni stomps her down. Fans duel again as Toni drags Rhea back into a chinlock. Rhea endures as Toni leans on her, and powers up again. Rhea throws body shots but Toni clubs her down. Toni stands on Rhea’s head and kicks her in the back. Cover, ONE, and Rhea grits her teeth. Toni drags Rhea up but Rhea throws more body shots. Toni clubs Rhea but Rhea ROCKS Toni. Toni throws more haymakers but so does Rhea! They go back and forth, fast and furious! There’s no stopping this one!

Rhea swats Toni then clubs her back. Rhea shoves and LARIATS! Then again! Rhea spins Toni for a cravat and knee strikes, then a snapmare and basement dropkick! Toni is in a daze as she gets up, only for Rhea to BOOT her down! Rhea brings Toni up, back suplexes to throw her face down! Rhea catches her breath while kicking at Toni on the ground. Fans still duel as Rhea stomps Toni more. Rhea grabs Toni’s legs now, figure four, Inverted Cloverleaf! Toni endures being upside-down but Rhea cranks harder. Toni handstand walks but Rhea keeps her away from the ropes. Toni keeps trying, and rolls to send Rhea into ropes! Toni waistlocks but Rhea elbows out hard. Rhea pump handles and lifts, but Toni makes it a crossbody! Cover, TWO!

Toni headbutts low then brings Rhea in. Underhooks, but Rhea resists to Alabama lift. Toni sunset flips through, Rhea slips out but the kick is blocked! Toni waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Rhea survives landing hard again but both women are down. Fans rally and duel, though “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! OI OI OI!” applies to both women… Toni stomps Rhea at the ropes, then springboards to drop knees! Toni whips Rhea but Rhea reverses to swing a kick. Toni ducks that but Rhea hits the heel kick, and then the dropkick! Rhea runs, into a HEADBUTT! Toni wobbles but stays up and puts Rhea in a drop zone. Toni heads up top, to FROG SPLASH! It FLOPS! Rhea pump handles, lifts, RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall; still NXT Women’s Champion

Rhea gives Toni some chippy kicks as she gets up, but she still got the better of perhaps her most storied rival. The Riptide downs the Storm, will Toni return to NXT UK with her head hanging low? Or will Toni stick around to try and strike again? As for Rhea, she and Bianca are getting geared up for Portland! Who wins when it’s Nightmare VS EST?

 

BREAKING NEWS!

While Rhea and Toni battled for the NXT Women’s Championship, something broke out backstage! Gargano was being interviewed about DIY’s reunion and victory when Finn Balor said “hello” with an attack! Balor threw Gargano over catering! Security and other superstars came to stop this but Balor threw the guards aside. Balor is ready to fight anyone and everyone, but he has his fight with Johnny Wrestling first. Will Gargano make Balor pay in Portland?

 

8 Man Tag: The Undisputed Era VS Imperium!

As this event drew closer, the two dominant factions started taking shots at each other. Adam Cole led Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish on a Blackpool ambush, but Walter would lead Alexander Wolfe, Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel in a counterattack at Full Sail! The war is only going to rage harder in Houston, which side comes out on top, waving their brand’s banner high?

The factions sort out and fans are cheering “U S A!” as we begin with Aichner and Kyle. Kyle and Aichner circle and tie up, and Aichner powers Kyle down. Kyle is back up but into a waistlock and slam! Aichner talks trash as he circles with Kyle again. They break, tie up again, and Kyle gets a takedown! Armbar to kneebar to heel hook! Aichner crawls to a ropebreak and Kyle lets go. Aichner gets a cheap shot in then EuroUppers. Kyle forearms back and also kicks. Aichner knees then CHOPS Kyle in a corner. Kyle turns things around to forearm but Aichner CHOPS again! Kyle fires off a flurry of forearms and fans fire up. Kyle whips, Aichner reverses but Kyle boots back. Kyle runs into a spinning powerslam! Tag to Barthel, and Imperium’s elite tag duo coordinate to flapjack EuroUpper! Cover, ONE but Barthel looms over Kyle.

Barthel talks trash then runs but Kyle ducks the Penalty Kick to throw kicks. Barthel blocks them then ducks to uppercut! Barthel runs but into a knee! Tag to Strong, and he gut busters for Kyle to knee drop on Barthel! Cover, TWO! Strong drags Barthel up but Barthel uppercuts him down! Barthel throat chops Strong into Imperium territory and Wolfe tags in. Wolfe snapmares Strong and Barthel hits a basement EuroUpper! Cover, ONE, but Wolfe clubs Strong down. Wolfe puts Strong in a corner and throws body shots. Wolfe throws EuroUppers of his own, then wrenches Strong. Strong forearms and CHOPS back, and tags in Fish. Fish and Strong double suplex Wolfe for the gourd buster! Then they add a kick CHOP combo! Fish covers Wolfe, TWO but barely! Wolfe might be in bad shape as the ref checks on him. The ref puts up an X and medics come over. Fans are bummed as the match has to pause.

Fish waits in his corner as Wolfe is helped away. This 8 Man now becomes 4v3 as Walter steps in for his fallen comrade. Cole tags in, and now we get NXT Champion going against NXT UK Champion! Walter and Cole tie up, and Walter just TOSSES Cole aside! Cole is shocked, but he comes back for more. Walter hip tosses Cole but Cole SLAPS Walter. “How about that?!” Walter puts Cole in a corner but Cole headlocks before that massive chop can come. Walter powers out but Cole kicks him back, then goes to superkick. Walter blocks that but Cole again avoids the chop. Fish runs in to take a forearm and Cole goes after Walter with clubbing forearms and stomps! Tag to Strong and Strong drags Walter up for clubbing forearms of his own.

Walter shoves, Strong forearms again, then runs. Walter HURDLES Strong to then BOOT him down! Walter glares at Cole before going to Strong. Strong is put in Imperium’s corner and Aichner tags in. Aichner stomps away on Strong and then reels him in for a back suplex! Aichner strike a pose but fans boo as he scuffs Strong. Strong throws a forearm but Aichner knees him down. Tag to Barthel and Imperium mugs Strong. Barthel bumps Strong off buckles and stomps a mudhole in! Barthel shouts “NEIN!” but Strong throws body shots. Barthel shoves Strong, Strong kicks back then throws more forearms. Barthel uppercuts, Strong boots and Cole tags in. Strong hops up but Barthel blocks the headscissor, but Cole kicks the legs out! Strong still gets bombed but Barthel is down for Cole to rain down rights!

Cole hammers away even as he adjusts his mount. Cole drags Barthel over to drop elbows and ax handles. Cole brings Barthel up and grinds him in as Fish tags in. Fish and Cole mug Barthel then Kyle tags in. Kyle throws forearms and shots of his own, and even kicks and knees. Tag to Strong and Strong CHOPS while Kyle kicks! CHOP, kick, repeat! The fans fire up but the ref has to keep Walter back. Strong toys with Barthel and mocks the Imperium pose. Tag to Fish and they both bring Barthel up for more knees. Fish snapmares Barthel, slingshots out and in for the senton! Fans duel as Fish tags Cole in. Cole brings Barthel up for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Cole clamps on with a chinlock and Barthel endures being ground down on the mat. Barthel fights his way up as Aichner coaches him from the corner.

Barthel gets up and throws body shots, only to get a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Cole keeps his eyes on Walter and drags Barthel to tag in Kyle. Kyle goes side to side for a sliding knee! Kyle brings Barthel up for a waistlock slam and then rams elbows and knees into the ribs. Kyle is just picking Barthel apart as he runs to ram another knee in. Fans cheer the dominance, but Kyle boots Walter! Walter is just angry but Kyle makes fun of “Walterstein.” But Kyle gets caught with a Russian Leg Sweep by Barthel! Both men are down now and fans rally up. Hot tag to Walter! And now Walter rallies on the Undisputed Era! He throws Fish out, BOOTS Cole, and Strong gets clear to check on Fish. Kyle realizes he messed up, but he still tries to throw hands with the Austrian Anomaly!

Walter blocks a kick to make it an Ankle Lock! And then a trapped-leg GERMAN! Kyle flounders up to clothesline, but then Walter just CLUBS Kyle down! Walter drags Kyle up but Kyle slips into a GUILLOTINE! Kyle can’t bring Walter down to the mat, and Walter powers out with a suplex! Kyle slips out to waistlock, Walter standing switches, but Strong gets in to help keep Kyle grounded! But Walter gives a tug and Strong just ends up part of the GERMAN SUPLEX! Two men for the price of one! Walter tags Aichner in, and Aichner tags Barthel in. Barthel brings Kyle up as Aichner climbs. Wheelbarrow, FLYING DDT! Then the cover, TWO!! Kyle survives that blitzkrieg but Barthel is back on him. Barthel whips and runs Kyle over with an elbow, covers, TWO! Barthel drags Kyle up while talking trash and then tags in Aichner.

Imperium mugs Kyle, underhook and butterfly suplex! Cover, TWO, but Aichner clamps on with a chinlock. Aichner grinds Kyle down but the Undisputed Era coach Kyle from the corner. Fans rally up and Kyle fights his way up. Kyle throws body shots but Aichner shoves to hit Kyle with the kitchen sink knee. Aichner toys with Kyle then tags in Walter. Imperium mugs Kyle more, and then Walter brings Kyle around to scoop and slam. Walter runs to LEAP onto Kyle! The seated senton all but squashed Kyle, and Kyle crawls into the Imperium corner. Walter clubs Kyle in the chest, but Kyle is gritting his teeth. Kyle is hulking up and throwing hands! Kyle slaps Walter, decks Aichner, but Walter CHOPS! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives the Walter Chop, and fans want more. But Aichner tags in to drag Kyle up for a back suplex.

Kyle slips out and boots back. Kyle sweeps Walter’s leg but Aichner boots Kyle down. Tag to Barthel and Kyle is set upside-down. Imperium meets in the corner, double dropkicks! But there was some mistiming, Barthel hit Aichner more than he did Kyle. Barthel gets Kyle by the foot but Kyle rolls through the Ankle Lock! Barthel hits buckles but Walter tags back in. Walter drags Kyle up but Kyle slips under to tag in Strong! Strong rallies on Imperium, dropkick for Aichner, CHOP for Walter! Dropkick for Barthel and another CHOP for Walter! But Walter CHOPS Strong! Strong stays standing so Walter CHOPS him again! Somehow Strong keeps throwing forearms and CHOPS on Walter! Walter grabs Strong but Strong just keeps throwing CHOPS! Then forearm for forearm for a LARIAT from Walter!

Fans are fired up again as Walter brings Strong up. Strong slips out, STRONG KNEE! Aichner tags in as Strong runs, PSYCHO KICK for Walter! Aichner runs in, Strong sees him coming and spins him around for a butterfly BOMB! Cover, TWO, into STRONG HOLD! Aichner endures as Strong sits deep! Aichner turns it around to kick free. Aichner CHOPS and kicks and EuroUppers Strong to DISCUS! Both men are down but Houston is fired up again. Strong and Aichner go to their corners, tag to Fish and Barthel. Fish rushes Imperium and just throws elbows all over. But Barthel shoves Fish, Aichner SPINE BUSTERS and Barthel PENALTY KICKS! Aichner feeds Fish to Barthel’s AIR RAID! Cover, TWO! Fish survives but Imperium regroups.

Barthel feeds Fish to Aichner, but Fish back drops out of the bomb! Fish BOOTS Barthel and EXPLODERS Aichner onto him! Fish tags in Cole and Houston explodes! Barthel falls for a 52 Fake Out and then Cole heads up top. Cole leaps, but Barthel gets clear of the Sunrise. Cole fireman’s carries but Barthel slips out. Barthel’s boot is caught but Barthel pries free and knees back! Barthel waistlocks but Cole PELES! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, but Walter stomps it apart! Strong, Kyle and Fish return to go after Walter! A 3v1 mugging in the corner! The ref backs them all off but the Undisputed Era drag Walter up to throw him out. They don’t stop there, they decide to clear off the announce desk! Fans fire up because they’re anticipating a table! Walter CHOPS away and throws big forearms!

Walter brings Strong around, but Kyle kicks a leg out! Strong is saved and then reDRagon mug Walter. But Walter just fights out again! CHOPS all around and Fish is put into a post. Walter clears off the other announce desk as fans chant his name. Walter puts Kyle on the desk then climbs up to join him. But Fish kicks Walter’s leg! Ax ‘n’ SMASH! OLYMPIC SLAM ONTO THE OTHER DESK!! Strong and Walter crash down and Houston loses its mind! Fans also chant “MAMMA MIA!” since Mauro Ranallo isn’t here. Back in the ring, Cole has Barthel. Suplex, but Barthel fights out. Barthel dodges and Cole gets buckles. Barthel runs to EuroUpper to butterfly suplex! Barthel is up top, flying EuroUpper! Kyle returns but misses Barthel to get an enziguri! And then Barthel tosses Kyle to Aichner’s BRAIN BUSTER! Strong returns, to get a SAIDO! SUPERKICK for Barthel! Aichner flies in, to a SUPERKICK!

Cole drags Barthel up, suplex, LAST SHOT 1.0! Cover, TWO!! That wasn’t the last one as Barthel survives. Cole tags in Strong and Strong drags Barthel up. Strong fireman’s carries for the gut buster drop, Shining Wizard! Cover, TWO!! Strong drags Barthel up, tags in Fish and Fish tags in Kyle. Strong lets reDRagon handle this but Aichner gets in to save Barthel! It’s a brawl and Aichner gets the pop-up double kicks! Barthel is on the apron and he baits Fish in. Barthel hits Kyle but Kyle dragon screws back! Cole distracts the ref so that Fish can sweep the legs! Kyle climbs up and leaps to drop knees on Barthel’s back! HEEL HOOK! Barthel endures, flails, reaches, but CHOPS Kyle! Kyle just cranks harder! Barthel manages to crawl his way over, to the ROPEBREAK! Aichner triangle MOONSAULTS onto Kyle!

Fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” for this incredible international instant classic! Teams regroup on the outside and Aichner helps Barthel in. Fish and Strong go after Aichner and into a corner of the barriers. But Walter rises?! Barthel fights Kyle off with kicks but Cole tags in! Cole drags Barthel away, but Cole ducks the enziguri, and it hits Kyle! Barthel gets away to tag in Walter! Houston erupts as Walter CHOPS Cole! And CHOPS Kyle on the back! Fish runs in but gets a CHOP, too! Cole is back up to SUPERKICK and SUPERKICK! The knee pad comes down, Cole runs, into a CHOP!! Walter decks Kyle and clobbers Strong! Strong gets back up so Walter gives him a WALTER BOMB! Walter heads up top and fans remember seeing this before. WALTER SPLASH!

But Cole is right behind Walter, LAST SHOT 2.0!! Cover, but Barthel breaks it up!! Houston can’t believe what they’re seeing, but they know “This is Awesome!” The factions regroup, 4v3. And it fires off again! Cole spills out but Strong ROCKS Aichner! Barthel gets Kyle out of the way as Walter puts Fish in a sleeper hold! Barthel clobbers Strong and Kyle climbs onto Walter for a sleeper of his own! Fish pries free, TOTAL ANNIHILATION ON WALTER! Who is legal!? Barthel climbs the apron to leap onto Cole! Kyle throws hands on Barthel but is scooped for a slam! Strong lines up his shot to FLY out onto everyone! Fish and Walter are slowly sitting up as Aichner triangle LEAPS onto the rest! Fish goes to the corner to MOONSAULT but FLOPS! Walter SHOTGUN dropkicks, and then brings Fish up, WALTER BOMB!! Cover, IMPERIUM WINS!!

Winners: Imperium, Walter pinning

Even after losing Wolfe, NXT UK’s dominant force overcomes the odds! The mat is sacred, their brand stands tall, and that is undisputed. Is this a sign of how much bigger and stronger the NXT UK brand is becoming? Or is it a sign that the entire NXT franchise is going to take over the world of wrestling entertainment?

 


 

My Thoughts:

Honestly, what is there to say? his was an incredible event from start to finish! Even the preshow match of KLR and Mia Yim was really good! Balor VS Dragunov was an amazing main show opener. A new Cruiserweight Championship belt goes to a new champion after an incredible Fatal 4 Way. I was always talking about NXT UK getting a midcard title and having Devlin be in that conversation, so now the Cruiserweight Championship just becomes the shared midcard title between both brands! I don’t recall where 205 Live will be this week, but we need Devlin to show up in person to make his presence known to everyone and just shake up a lot of what was going on. At the very least, send some 205 Live guys to NXT UK in response. DIY VS Moustache Mountain couldn’t have been any better, and it works out great for DIY to win and for Finn to attack Gargano backstage. That is the RRRREEEAL Prince Balor right there.

Ripley VS Storm should just go down as the biggest female rivalry in NXT history, those two do great against each other. Though, it was pretty clear Toni wasn’t going to win here. Now Rhea and Bianca get to have more build for a couple weeks before TakeOver: Portland. Though, I’m confused as to why Rhea was only being refereed to as the NXT Champion when she’s the NXT Women’s Champion. It’s not like they renamed Adam Cole’s belt to be the NXT World Champion or something. The only distinction at this point for a Women’s Champion is that there is a Women’s Division because WWE doesn’t officially do co-ed wrestling. And then, while it was a shame Wolfe went down with a legitimate injury, the main event of Undisputed Era VS Imperium was still an amazing match. Adding Wolfe would’ve only made it better, but this still blew the roof off the place. It was very surprising that Imperium won, but HHHBK do seem to be putting a lot of effort into NXT UK. It’s crazy how an event fans weren’t so sure about turned into perhaps something as good as any traditional TakeOver event, maybe even better.

My Score: 9.8/10


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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

on

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

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

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

 

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

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

 

Corey Graves is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple H is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

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

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

 

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

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

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

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

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

 

Nick Aldis heads out.

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

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

 

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

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

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

 

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

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

 

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

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

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

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

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

 

The Dudley Boyz are here!

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

 

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

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

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

 

The Final Testament speaks.

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

 

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

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

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

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

 

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

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

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

 

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.8/10


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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!

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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.

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:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

 

Overall Score: 6/10

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

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


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