Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/25/2020)

The Game isn’t playing around!

Published

4 years ago

March 26, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Triple H looks to set NXT straight!

Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano nearly destroyed each other AND the WWE PC! Triple H returns to NXT to lay down the law!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Tyler Breeze VS Austin Theory; Breeze wins.
Killian Dain VS Tehuti Miles; Dain wins.
Cameron Grimes VS Tony Nese; Grimes wins.
NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier: ~~Xia Li~~ Io Shirai VS Aliyah; Shirai wins and advances to the Contender’s Ladder Match.
Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink; Lorcan & Burch win.
NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Candice LeRae VS Kayden Carter; LeRae wins and advances to the Contender’s Ladder Match.
Matt Riddle VS Roderick Strong; Riddle wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT must change plans for TakeOver!

With the world in crisis, NXT can no longer host their show in Tampa Bay. However, the show will go on, as many of those matches originally planned for TakeOver will happen on NXT TV! Starting with next week’s episode on April 1st, the WWE Universe will experience the action meant for the WWE Network live on television instead! HHH will address this on top of the Gargano-Ciampa conflict later on tonight.

Tyler Breeze VS Austin Theory!

Prince Pretty was NXT First Class, but he needs to show the new kid what that really means. Will #AllDay be just another “flash in the pan”?

The bell rings and Theory circles with Breeze. They tie up and Theory puts Breeze on the ropes, but Breeze powers Theory back. Theory turns things around to have Breeze back on the ropes, and the ref calls for the break. Theory lets up and says this is his ring now, because he is the future but Breeze is the past. Breeze brushes the trash talk off and ties up with Theory again. Breeze powers Theory around the ring but Theory pushes back. They end up on ropes again and Theory again lets off to talk trash. Theory mocks the top rope lounging! He hops off to circle with Breeze and tie up again. Breeze headlocks but Theory pops out the back. Theory headlocks now, but Breeze powers out. Theory runs Breeze over then things speed up.

Breeze hurdles and dropkicks Theory down hard! And then he shows Theory how to lounge properly. Theory laughs it off then runs at Breeze. Breeze shows Super Model Kick and fakes Theory out! Breeze rallies with big forearms and then a whip. Theory reverses but Breeze kicks and clotheslines him down! Breeze runs into the corner but into a boot! Theory somersault BLOCKBUSTERS! Theory kicks Breeze while he’s down then taunts him as he stalks him. He kicks Breeze at the ropes then drags him up for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Theory keeps on Breeze with a chinbar and chicken wing. He continues to insist he’s the future and Breeze is the past as Breeze endures. Breeze fights his way up but Theory knees low and clubs him on the back.

Theory digs his knee deep into Breeze’s back and has a chinlock. He continues to taunt Breeze but Breeze continues to power up. Breeze elbows and jawbreakers free! Theory staggers but runs at Breeze. Breeze puts him on the apron, and Theory hotshots back! Somersault shotgun dropkick! Things aren’t looking good for Prince Pretty as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns as Breeze mule kicks Theory! Breeze runs to shotgun dropkick Theory back! Breeze goes corner to corner for a big forearm smash! He keeps moving for another! Breeze tries a third time, but Theory moves! Breeze lands on the rope and leaps back, but onto Theory’s shoulders in a torture rack! Theory spins Breeze for a TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Breeze survives because it isn’t the future yet! But Theory grins as he scrapes Breeze out of the ring. Breeze crawls and Theory pursues. Theory drags Breeze up and throws big forearms. The ring count climbs as Theory headlocks Breeze and brings him around for more forearms. Theory THROWS Breeze into railing! The ref reprimands Theory but he goes back to the ring.

Breeze crawls as the count begins again. Theory taunts Breeze as the count reaches 5. Breeze reaches the ring at 6 and stands at 7, to get inside at 8! But Theory stomps him right down. Theory drags Breeze up, powerbomb lift but Breeze huricanranas! Cover, TWO! BIG KNEE from Breeze to Theory! Breeze hops up, but his huricanrana is countered with a BUCKLE BOMB! Theory runs but is put back on the apron. Theory somersaults into the SUPER MODEL KICK! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and shocks Breeze, but Breeze has more to give. Breeze brings Theory up but his back makes it difficult. Theory resists but Breeze clubs him on the back. Theory shoves Breeze out, but runs into an enziguri!

Breeze goes to a corner and climbs up top. But Theory drags him off the top, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Breeze still lives! Theory grits his teeth and works through his frustration. He drags Breeze up for furious fists over and over! The ref warns Theory but Theory keeps going. Theory backs off to stomp away on Breeze, then backs off again. Theory gets an idea, and grabs the smartphone. He opens up the camera mode to take a selfie video of himself. Theory brags that he’s the future. He drags Breeze up to get him in the shot, then fireman’s carries. But Breeze fights out and hits the BEAUTY SHOT! Cover, Breeze wins!!

Winner: Tyler Breeze, by pinfall

Theory may have ego #AllDay, but Breeze has the win! Will Theory learn his lesson? Did the phone get that finish?

Killian Dain VS Tehuti Miles!

TakeOver won’t happen the way it was meant to, there is still a path open to the NXT North American Champion. Will the Beast of Belfast feast on this debuting superstar?

The bell rings and Dain rushes Tehuti in a corner. Dain grinds forearms in before backing off at the ref’s count. Tehuti shrugs that off and circles with Dain. Dain makes a move but Tehuti dodges. Tehuti baits Dain in and gets him in a corner with shoulder rams. Dain pushes Tehuti back but Tehuti dodges the boot! Things speed up and Tehuti hurdles Dain, only to leap into Dain’s arms! Dain scoops but Tehuti slips out and shoves. Tehuti runs in but is put on the apron. He forearms Dain away but Dain BOOTS Tehuti down! Dain goes out to fetch Tehuti and throw him into steel steps! And then into railing! The ref counts but Dain drags Tehuti up to put in at 5.

Dain stalks Tehuti and pushes him around. Tehuti throws body shots but Dain KNEES him down. Dain stomps Tehuti and puts him in a corner to stomp more and more! The ref counts, Dain lets up at 4, but Dain is still seething. Dian drags Tehuti up to back suplex high and hard! Tehuti writhes as Dain covers, TWO! Dain keeps on Tehut with a chinbar but Tehuti fights back. Dain clamps onto Tehuti and back suplexes again, but Tehuti manages to land safely on his hands and knees! Tehuti is in the corner and Dain runs in, but Tehuti boots back! And then dodges, sending Dain into post! Dain staggers and Tehuti throws big right hands! Dain shoves but Tehuti kicks! And SUPERKICKS! And dropkicks! Dain stays on his feet, and DECKS Tehuti!

Dain drags Tehuti to a fireman’s carry, for a WASTELAND and SENTON! Then he goes to the corner, VADER BOMB! Cover, Dain wins!

Winner: Killian Dain, by pinfall

Big Damo returns victorious, but still hungry. Will the North Ireland Nightmare become a nightmare for the North American Champion?

Cameron Grimes VS Tony Nese!

Speaking of the NXT North American Championship, the Carolina Caveman had his run-in with Keith Lee and lost. But he hasn’t lost any of his #CountryConfidence for it. Will Grimes win some more of that swagger against 205 Live’s Premier Athlete?

The bell rings and the two circle. They feel out the grapple before tying up. Nese powers Grimes to a corner but Nese lets up to flex. Grimes pushes Nese and talks trash, but then uses the ropes to defend himself. The ref pulls Nese back and Grimes comes out. They circle again and tie up. Nese waistlocks and drags Grimes down to the mat. Grimes headlocks back and brings Nese down. Nese endures the grind and powers his way up. Grimes gets the arm for a takedown and wristlock, but Nese moves around to get to his feet. Grimes brings Nese down but Nese wrenches and arm-drags back! Now Nese has the armlock and digs a knee into Grimes’ head.

Grimes works his way up but Nese Oklahoma Rolls! TWO and Nese arm-drags Grimes again! Nese cranks on Grimes’ arm and pulls, but Grimes endures. Grimes fights his way up, pushes Nese to ropes and throws in knees. Grimes clubs Nese down then whips him to ropes. Nese holds ropes to boot Grimes back! Nese runs into a flapjack hotshot! Grimes snarls as he covers, TWO! Grimes keeps on Nese’s arm now with an armlock of his own. He also pulls Nese’s hair and chinbars the beard. Grimes cranks on Nese’s neck but Nese fights his way up. Grimes wrangles Nese back down and pulls on the ear! The ref reprimands but Nese gets up to throw forearms. Nese CHOPS and CHOPS Grimes, then whips. Grimes reverses and CLOBBERS Nese! Cover, TWO!

Grimes drags Nese up by his ear but the ref reprimands him again. He reels Nese in but Nese flails to resist the bomb. Grimes tries again but Nese resists. Nese back drops Grimes, Grimes sunset flips but Nese rolls through. Nese spinning MULE KICKS Grimes down! Both men are down but rising. Grimes staggers over but Nese counter punches him. Nese knee smashes then runs to BOOT and WINDMILL! Grimes is dazed as he goes to a corner. Nese runs in for a big back elbow! And he keeps moving, but Grimes spins and scoops him! Nese slips out, and bulldog hotshots Grimes down! PREMIER TRIANGLE! Cover, TWO!! Nese was so close and yet still so far from a victory!

Nese Alabama lifts Grimes but Grimes fights out. Grimes digs an elbow in, but Nese lifts again. Nese tucks Grimes in, but Grimes sunset flips. Nese again slips out, but Grimes ducks the mule kick this time. Grimes SUPER FOREARMS Nese, but Nese SUPERKICKS Grimes! Grimes is down in the corner and Nese brings down a knee pad. Nese runs into a SUPER FOREARM! Grimes whips, CAVE IN!! Cover, Grimes wins!

Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall

Grimes takes down a former WWE/NXT Cruiserweight Champion! Will this help his case towards the NXT North American title?

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Xia Li VS Aliyah!

TakeOver may not be happening, but the Ladder Match to name a #1 contender is still happening! Who joins Chelsea Green, Mia Yim and Tegan Nox as only the fourth entrant?

But let’s not forget this is a rematch from roughly four MONTHS ago! The Spicy Xia busted up Aliyah’s face with a powerful kick, and it’s taken Aliyah this long to recover both physically and emotionally. Will Aliyah’s revenge be sweetest when she denies Xia a chance at the championship?

But wait, where is Xia? Aliyah waits as the music starts again, but cameras find Xia down and out backstage! Aliyah doesn’t shed a tear for what happened to her, but it’s hard tot ell if she’s innocent in all this. The announcement is made that Xia cannot compete now. However, there is a replacement. Aliyah’s new opponent is… IO SHIRAI!! Is the Evil Genius of the Sky’s return about to ruin Aliyah’s?

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Io Shirai VS Aliyah!

The bell rings and Aliyah freaks out. Shirai dropkicks her right away then throws big hands in the corner. Shirai sweeps the legs and grinds her boots into Aliyah. The ref counts and Shirai stops to swing and METEORA! Shirai stalks Aliyah and brings her up, underhooks but Aliyah fights out. Aliyah pulls Shirai’s hair and throws her down. Now Aliyah has confidence as she stomps Shirai in the corner. The ref counts and Aliyah lets off to bring Shirai out. Aliyah whips but Shirai handsprings through the hip toss to SHOTEI! Shirai drags Aliyah up to underhook again, for a butterfly BACK BREAKER! Aliyah goes to a drop zone but Shirai is up top for the ASAI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shirai wins!

Winner: Io Shirai, by pinfall (advances to the Contender’s Ladder Match)

Shirai is back and she is in a match that surely favors her style! But with two spots left, who joins the Evil Genius, the Head Baddie in Charge, the Hot Commodity and the Girl with the Shiniest Wizard?

Dexter Lumis is on his way back.

The most enigmatic Breakout Tournament entrant hasn’t been seen since, but surely he will show us what he is truly capable of. When will the dark and mysterious Dexter make his in-ring return?

Keith Lee is here!

There may not be fans to #BaskInHisGlory, but the Limitless One is still here to grace us with his presence. Jon Quaso interviews Lee in the ring and speaks to his title defense against Cameron Grimes, and the subsequent attack from Damien Priest. Dominik Dijakovic came to Lee’s rescue, only to get a Spirit Bomb for it. Can Lee speak as to what happened that night? Lee says it is rather self-explanatory. That match with Grimes was very tough, but Lee won. Lee raised both hand and title in victory, only to be attacked from behind. He did not know at the time that it was Priest, so when he saw Dijakovic, he just made an assumption. So that said, Lee admits he owes Dijakovic an apology. And right away, Dijakovic appears!

The Croatian Colossus heads right to the ring and tells Lee that he doesn’t “give a damn about your apology.” What matters is the title. Dijakovic says Lee knows he’s not Priest, because Dijakovic respects Lee too much for a sneak attack. But the reality is now, Lee beating Dijakovic took “food off my family’s plate.” Lee wants to respond, but Priest appears to interrupt! “Thankfully, neither one of you is Damien Priest.” Priest asks Dijakovic about his knee. And Priest says even for a back as big as Lee’s, that night stick must’ve still hurt. But Priest tells us how this is going to go: Priest’s eyes are on the prize. “Not because it’s going to get me satisfaction for all the years of hard work.” But because it gives Priest what he wants: money, women, fame, and legacy. Because everyone knows Priest’s name will #LiveForever.

But in order to do that, Priest must take the title. Lee says the reality for Priest is that while he wants to live forever, attacking Lee means he won’t. At the end of the day, Priest and Dijakovic talking, scraping, and quarreling over Lee’s title, but the champ is standing right here. Priest takes out his night stick, and figures Lee shouldn’t be standing anymore. Priest rushes the ring but Dijakovic pushes Lee out of the way so he can go after Priest himself! Dijakovic stomps Priest but Lee pushes Dijakovic aside so he can DECK Priest! Priest staggers away but Lee pursues to ROCK him! Priest hits back with fists, but Lee clubs him. Dijakovic FLIES in and takes them both out! Dijakovic seethes as he stands tall over two other towering superstars. Who gets that title shot with no TakeOver happening?

Adam Cole has a video message.

“Hello, boys and girls.” Obviously Cole is “on vacation” poolside, but has been doing some thinking. Cole was reflecting on his confrontation with The Velveteen Dream. Cole admits that Dream had Cole flustered. But why? “Why would Adam Cole ever be flustered?” History shows that “Adam Cole” and “first-ever” go hand in hand. First-ever winner of WarGames in NXT. First-ever NXT North American Champion. And now, the longest-reigning NXT Champion of all time. Dream has done NOTHING to earn a shot at Cole and this title. But the Undisputed Era would love to end the Experience. Bobby Fish wants some, so does Dream accept the challenge? Because when Dream loses, it’ll prove Cole right that Dream is a loser. #DreamOver, and that is Undisputed.

Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink!

The One Two is back on NXT after their five-man team won the Cruiserweight Civil War on 205 Live. Though, they were two of the members eliminated in that match, so they’re looking to rebound. Can they do that as The Worst and the Smug make their NXT in-ring debut?

The teams sort out and Burch starts against Vink. The two circle and tie up, and Vink shoves Burch down hard! Burch sits up as Vink talks some trash on his bald head. Burch and Vink tie up and Vink shoves Burch again! Vink dares the Govenah to show him what he’s got. Burch baits Vink into the corner and then headlocks. Vink powers up and powers out to run Burch over with a shoulder! Vink still talks smack as he drags Burch up. Tag to Thorne and the Aussies mug Burch. Thorne clubs and wrenches Burch to a wristlock, then wrenches again. Burch powers up and wrenches back to a wristlock of his own. Burch then spins and trips Thorne to stomp the hands!

Tag to Oney and the One Two double wrench and CHOP! Oney drags Thorne up for European Uppercuts and another CHOP! Thorne sucker punches Burch and boots Oney, then dodges to tag in Vink! Oney comes in hot but Vink catches him for a HUGE Urenage! Cover, TWO! Vink keeps on Oney with a chinlock and grinds Oney down. Oney endures as Vink cranks back. Oney gets up but Thorne tags in. The Aussies mug Oney now and Thorne throws EuroUppers of his own. Thorne uppercuts Oney in a corner then runs corner to corner, but Oney follows for a back elbow! Oney runs but into a EuroUpper! Thorne runs the ropes, but gets another back elbow! ONey runs again, to LARIAT Thorne inside-out! Hot tags to Burch and Vink!

Burch throws big haymakers on big Vink! And EuroUppers! Burch clotheslines then whips Vink for a CUTTER! Vink staggers about, Burch hits a corner clothesline and enziguri! Burch hops up top and leaps to missile dropkick Vink down! Vink staggers into Burch’s headlock and takedown, for a CROSSFACE! Oney intercepts Thorne for a BOSTON CRAB! The Aussies BOTH tap, the One Two wins!

Winners: Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan, by submission

The BritAm Brawlers show that they’re just as good at grappling with this victory! Will Oney and Burch punch their tickets to the NXT Tag Team Championships even in these uncertain times?

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier: Candice LeRae VS Kayden Carter!

The fifth spot is up for grabs as the #PintSizedPixie takes on the Filipina super ninja! Who ascends towards an incredible opportunity in this rearranged TakeOver?

The bell rings and KC circles with Candice. Candice headlocks and hits a takeover, but Carter powers her way up to her feet. Carter pops out to a waistlock and throws Candice down. Candice powers up to snapmare free, and then she runs KC over. Cover, ONE, and things speed up. Candice hops over Carter and stops to bypass Carter. Candice arm-drags Carter down to an armlock, but Carter gets up fast. Carter arm-drags Candice off her, then counters an arm-drag to another arm-drag. Carter sweeps the legs and covers, ONE! Candice sweeps the legs and cover, ONE as Carter goes Matrix. But Candice rolls her up, TWO! Carter and Candice dropkick but those cancle out. The two back off and reset.

Candice and Carter tie up and Carter trips to cover. ONE, and things speed up again. Candice follows Carter, Carter slams on the brakes, but Candice sunset flips up and over. Carter stays up to roll and bring Candice up and over to a cover, ONE! Carter hooks on for a rolling cradle, TWO! She waistlocks to O’Conner roll, TWO! Carter springboards to dropkick Candice down! Cover, TWO! Carter keeps on Candice with a wrench and whip. Candice dodges in the corner to send Carter into buckles. Candice runs in for a back elbow then a snapmare, and neck snap! She drags Carter to a jackknife, TWO! Candice keeps her cool as she facelocks Carter. Carter fights her way up but Candice clubs her down. Candice uses Carter as a step stool, but the back senton FLOPS as Carter moves!

Candice and Carter rise, and Carter rallies with clotheslines. Carter kicks a leg out then SUPERKICKS Candice down! Carter powers up as Candice rises again, and Carter runs to BOOT Candice into ropes! Cover, TWO!! Candice lives but Carter keeps close. Carter brings Candice up but Candice SLAPS and CHOPS and throws big forearms! Candice throws chop and forearm over and over, then drags Carter down. She wants the GargaNo Escape like husband Johnny, but Carter rolls her up! TWO, and Candice drop toeholds Carter! Step stool senton hits! Candice catches her breath and LIONSAULTS but flops! Carter swings a kick, Candice ducks it to roll her up, TWO! GargaNO ESCAPE! Carter taps, Candice wins!

Winner: Candice LeRae, by submission (advances to the Contender’s Ladder Match)

And Candice Wrestling qualifies! Is this finally her time to shine in the title scene?

Matt Riddle VS Roderick Strong!

Bro… The NXT Tag Team Champions are perhaps SOON to be challenged by the Grizzled Young Veterans, but only time will tell. For now, can Riddle keep Strong from putting the “bro” in “broken back”?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up and Strong gets a leg. Riddle blocks with a facelock but Strong shifts to get his own. Riddle slips out, goes for the arm, but Strong slips out. The two fight for control and Riddle rolls Strong over, but Strong gets away. The two stand off and Riddle applauds their technical exchange. Riddle and Strong tie up again, and Riddle goes for the leg. He gets Strong down to a cover, TWO! Strong and Riddle go again, feeling the grapple out. They clinch and go around, and Riddle throws Strong to a cover. Strong gets out before a count, but Riddle throws a slapping body shot as they scrum on the mat. They both roll and end up on the ropes, and the ref calls for the break. Strong pushes Riddle away and mocks the “Bro Special.”

Riddle and Strong tie up again, and Strong goes for the leg. Riddle blocks but Strong avoids a triangle. Strong has the facelock but Riddle moves around. Strong holds on, but Riddle works on the hold. Riddle pops out but Strong smothers him fast to get the facelock back. They end up on ropes again, and the ref calls for the break again. Riddle backs off cleanly, and the two reset again. Riddle gets a leg and then a gut wrench suplex! Strong backs off to a corner but Riddle doesn’t give him much time to rest. Strong uses the ropes to shield himself and the ref has Riddle stay back. Riddle keeps his patience, and the two tie up with knuckle locks. They go shoulder to shoulder and Strong gets around. Riddle resists the lift and throws in body shots!

Riddle goes for the wrist but Strong pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Strong knees low and CLUBS Riddle down. Strong puts Riddle in the corner for a CHOP but Riddle CHOPS back. Strong CHOPS again then throws big forearms. Riddle returns the forearms and now they brawl. Riddle gets the edge but Strong knees low. Strong brings Riddle up but Riddle slips out of the Olympic Slam. Riddle fireman’s carries but Strong grabs ropes. Strong elbows away and then BOOTS, enziguris and hangs Riddle out to dry! Riddle is sputtering as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Strong gets Riddle in a Camel Clutch. Riddle endures as Strong traps the arms and cranks back on his neck. “Give up, bro!” Riddle BITES Strong’s hand! Strong drags Riddle up but Riddle throws body shots. Riddle tries to fireman’s carry but Strong elbows him down. Riddle ROUNDHOUSES Strong down, and again! Strong blocks a kick to throw elbows from all sides! But then he swings into the PELE! Strong flounders to a corner and Riddle runs in for a big forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side, BIG FOREARM! And BROSPLODER! But Strong blocks the Penalty Kick to the STRONG HOLD! Riddle endures the modified Boston Crab as Strong sits deep! Riddle powers up, kicks free, and Strong staggers away. Strong runs into BRO TO SLEEP, and a GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!

Riddle and Strong are both down and exhausted. But Riddle wills himself to stand and drag Strong back up. Riddle gut wrenches but Strong slips out and boots Riddle away. Strong runs in to SHINING WIZARD! And OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and frustrates Strong. Strong waits for Riddle to rise, and runs in, but the knee misses! Riddle rolls Strong to then powerbomb lift, but Strong slips out! STRONG KNEE! Riddle staggers to ropes, and Strong starts up the elbow train! But Riddle ducks and tilt-o-whirls Strong into the Gotch hold, for BRO DEREK! Cover, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

The Bro is victorious, but who is this coming out of nowhere?! It’s the duo of Rinku Singh and Saurav Gurjar! We haven’t seen them since last May as part of Worlds Collide! They drag Riddle up but Riddle fights them off with kicks! But Gurjar blocks a kick and Rinku ROCKS Riddle with a right! Rinku then kicks Riddle low, and whips him to a corner. Rinku runs in for a big corner clothesline, and feeds him to Gurjar’s BOOT! Gurjar scoops Riddle for a backbreaker while Riddle hops up top. Rinku LEAPS, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!!

“Hi, I’m Malcolm Blivens.” The apparent manager of Rinku and Gurjar walks out to tell Riddle what we all already know: Pete Dunne is stuck halfway across the world. So Blivens figured that now was the perfect time to introduce us to “the future of the NXT Tag Team Division.” Will Blivens and his brutal behemoths take over in the absence of a TakeOver?

NXT has huge announcements for next week!

This is no April Fool’s joke! Xia Li, Deonna Purrazzo, Dakota Kai, Aliyah, Kayden Carter and Shotzi Blackheart will compete in a Second Chance Gauntlet Match! Who survives to fill the sixth and final spot in the #1 Contender’s Ladder Match?

Plus, after the altercation between them, Keith Lee, Dijakovic and Damien Priest will compete in a TRIPLE THREAT for the North American Championship! This is what TakeOver reimagined looks like, but who will be standing tallest of all among these titans?

HHH is already in the ring!

“In the history of NXT, there has been no greater rivalry, no personal issue more intense, than what we have witnessed over the last few years between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.” The rivalry has sparked- Wait! Ciampa is here! Ciampa goes to the ring and HHH hands him a mic. In the five years that have passed, everything that has to be said has been said. The only thing left is for Ciampa and Gargano to settle this. To finish this. HHH says that before Gargano walks out, there is to be no physicality tonight. But to Ciampa’s point, since Gargano is here, HHH has Gargano make his entrance.

“Have you lost your mind?” Gargano’s not getting in the ring with Ciampa. Ciampa tried to kill Gargano last time! And why is Gargano being fined for wrecking the Performance Center when it’s Ciampa’s fault? Ciampa attacked Gargano. Ciampa threw weights at Gargano’s head. And “this coward” tried to DIVE through a medical room window! If HHH thinks Gargano’s getting in there with Ciampa, then he’s crazy. Gargano’s too smart for that. So then giving a referee that superkick wasn’t Gargano’s fault? HHH says the only reason the two of them are still here is because of him. If William Regal had final say, they’d both be fired. But again, there is going to be no physicality. HHH isn’t asking Gargano to get int he ring, he’s telling him to.

Gargano reluctantly joins HHH and Ciampa in the ring and HHH says that this has gone on long enough. HHH understands both of their positions, because he and Shawn Michaels went through the same thing. HHH gets it from a professional and personal standpoint, but he also knows that there will come a point when both men realize, with everything that’s going on, this can be put aside and there was more in life than the ring. This has to end. HHH can’t have them tearing up buildings and endangering others around them. But they’re right. This should end on the biggest stage possible, in front of the whole world.

Gargano interrupts and says there’s a big misconception. What people don’t get was that this was meant to end last year, but then Ciampa had to go and break his neck. Gargano’s biggest regret is that he wasn’t the one to break it. HHH keeps the peace but Ciampa speaks now. “Bigger things going on in the world? Bigger things have been going on in my world for the last year of my life.” Because yes, Ciampa DID break his neck! Ciampa gave away his life in the NXT Championship. But Ciampa tells everyone here, that this does need to end. So HHH says that with what DIY has been through, they deserve to do this on the biggest stage possible.

Gargano doesn’t care about a big stage! They just need a ring, a referee, and the cameras. Ciampa agrees, and says that HHH and HBK know better than anyone what it takes. “This is about one thing: Who’s the face of this company? Who’s the heart and soul of NXT?” Gargano says it’s him. And after it’s all said and done, Ciampa will realize who the monster really is. Well, if they don’t need a crowd or an arena, HHH says it will happen. But Gargano says it can’t be now. Ciampa put Gargano through a table, OFF THE PERCH! Then how long does Gargano need!? Gargano says two weeks. Then it’s finished, once and for all. Ciampa agrees to the terms.

HHH says he’ll find an empty building to put a ring and a referee in. And when it’s over, it is over! Two walk in, one walks out, and it’s done. Because if it continues even after that, then neither gets to stay. Neither will have to worry about being the heart of NXT, because NXT can carry on without them. In two weeks, HHH will give them the location. The two will arrive and have it out. Ciampa says NXT can carry on without Gargano. Gargano says that in two weeks, Ciampa will admit what he knows deep down in that black heart of his: Gargano is the better man, the better wrestler, and the better everything.

But wait, the titantron starts playing images. They’re like those cryptic message! Ruin, vultures, fire and death. Is that… Is that who we think it is?! “Tick Tock. The end is near.” Will one of NXT’s two hearts be replaced by something without a soul?!

My Thoughts:

A really good episode of NXT tonight. And as the murmurs had been saying, TakeOver may not be happening as one night, but the action is still happening on a week-to-week basis. I am so pumped to see Io Shirai return for the Ladder Match, that whole situation just begged to have her be part of it. Candice qualifying is also great, she needs to finally be seen as a contender. And I also sensed some kind of multi-person match would come about to fill that last spot. With the split being 3:2 in favor of Faces, you can expect a Heel to get in. It feels like Dakota is the favored one in that regard, as Aliyah just jobbed to Shirai and Deonna Purrazzo just doesn’t feel like she’s there yet.

Breeze VS Theory was good, and it makes sense for Breeze to win. Theory is good, but he can’t be getting pushed too hard just yet. If they have a rematch, I expect Theory to get the win, and thus bringing us to a tiebreaker. It’s good that Grimes rebounds off Nese, and that we’re finally getting Dexter Lumis back. Dain also wins to stay strong, those three can surely hop into the North American Championship scene after what will truly be a TakeOver worthy Triple Threat. Vink was even more impressive tonight than on Raw, and I think he and Thorne can make good progress in the tag division, even after losing in a double tapout to Oney & Burch.

I’m a little bummed Adam Cole’s celebration for his record-setting reign didn’t get to be bigger and wilder, but what can you do given the global circumstances? I assume Dream beats Fish next week to establish a title match for him and Cole, which could now easily happen separate of the spread-out TakeOver just on account of the circumstances. Then, if Cole retains, he can celebrate even bigger when the world can live again. Riddle VS Strong was an incredible match, and as Malcolm Blivens implies, the travel ban is a logical reason why Dunne couldn’t save Riddle from the attack. The ban also explains why Gurjar and Singh return to television: No Grizzled Young Veterans (and no Dunne) means the NXT Tag Team Championship plans have to change. Maybe Riddle can find someone to team with in what I would hope is a non-title payoff.

One bad thing about tonight was that the mic audio was awful. It really made it hard for Keith Lee’s part in the promo segment setting up his Triple Threat, and it also made HHH’s segment difficult. But HHH setting up an Empty Building/Arena match for Gargano and Ciampa works out. It isn’t an outright Loser Leaves NXT match, but HHH does put the ultimatum that it could turn into that if one side can’t let it go. Also, it was rather interesting timing for Killer Kross to have another creepy video, and certainly for it to show his face. This heavily implies he goes after the winner of Gargano VS Ciampa #OneLastTime, or maybe even goes after the loser as a little twist. That’s not a bad place to start, given the popularity of DIY both together and apart.

My Score: 8.8/10

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

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

9 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

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

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

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

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

Corey Graves is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple H is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

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

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

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

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

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

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

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

Nick Aldis heads out.

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

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

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

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

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

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

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

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

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

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

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

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

The Dudley Boyz are here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

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

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

The Final Testament speaks.

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

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

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

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

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

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

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

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

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.8/10

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

Coverage

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

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

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6/10

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

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

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