Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/8/2020)

One. Last. Beat.

Published

4 years ago

April 9, 2020

Steven Mitchell

NXT takes over USA Network!

Apologies to Tampa, but more of the TakeOver plan moves to television! Who stands tall as THE heart of NXT after #OneLastBeat?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender Ladder Match: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Candice LeRae VS Io Shirai VS Tegan Nox VS Dakota Kai; Shirai wins and will challenge Charlotte Flair for the title.
Partial Replay – NXT UK 3/12/20: Finn Balor VS Alexander Wolfe w/ Imperium; Balor wins.
Indus Sher w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Ever-Rise; Indus Sher wins.
One Last Beat: Tommaso Ciampa VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT’s most intense and storied rivalry all started with one moment.

It was TakeOver: Chicago three years ago. DIY lost, and Tommaso Ciampa lost it! A throw into an LED wall and an Air Raid Crash off the announce desk through spare tables sparked a saga. “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.” Both men have given blood, sweat and tears while trying to take the other man’s heart and soul. The Black Heart and the Rebel Heart have fought each other over and over, and tonight it all ends. Two walk into a building, one walks out, and “it’s done.” When it is over, it is over forever. This will be Gargano VS Ciampa, #OneLastBeat.

NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender Ladder Match: Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim VS Candice LeRae VS Io Shirai VS Tegan Nox VS Dakota Kai!

There is a NEW NXT Women’s Champion after WrestleMania, and yet it is also an old one. Charlotte Flair is back on top of the black ‘n’ yellow, but she’s already going to have a challenger lined up! Who among this super six pack stands atop the ladder as #1 Contender?

The bell rings and all six women stare down. Then things spark into brawls! Tegan of course goes after Dakota and Candice goes after Shirai! Mia goes after Green in a corner and stomps her down. Shirai stomps Candice while Dakota bumps Tegan off buckles. Shirai hits a swinging meteora! But Dakota throws Shirai out! Dakota clubs Mia and Green scurries away. Dakota tells Raquel to get her a ladder, and a tall one! Raquel does as ordered while Dakota stomps whoever moves. The ladder is in but Mia and Candice dropkick it back out at Raquel! They glare at Dakota, who tries to calm them down. But then Dakota bumps into Tegan, and she stops smiling. Dakota ends up in a 3v1 punch cycle!

Candice throws haymakers and chops and fires off! Tegan runs in to uppercut Dakota, then gives Green a shot just because. Mia adds on to Dakota and Green, then so does Candice! Green tumbles down and Tegan gives Dakota the CANNON-BOAR! Mia adds her CANNON-BALL, and they both help Candice hit a BIG cannonball! These three feel good working together, but then Candice gets clear as Shirai flies in! Shirai takes Mia and Tegan down with a missile dropkick! Candice runs back in but gets a flapjack! The Evil Genius goes out to drag a new ladder from under the ring. Meanwhile, Robert Stone helps Green get a table! Shirai has her ladder in but Candice climbs it like steps! Shirai shakes her off and kicks her low, to Alabama lift! Candice fights free and lifts, but Shirai resists.

Shirai blocks a kick but not the enziguri! She staggers, but still SHOTEIS Candice back! Green gives them BOTH a bulldog to the ladder! The Hot Commodity clears the ring with a grin as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Green now has a chair. But Mia trips her and she falls on said chair! Mia drags Green out to throw hands but Green throws them right back. Tegan gets in but Dakota follows to throw hands. The former Team Kick partners brawl fast and furious! Tegan choke grips but Dakota breaks free to Scorpion Kick! Tegan rebounds to HEADBUTT! She runs but into a big forearm! Dakota runs but Tegan uppercuts! Tegan runs but Dakota follows Around the World to BOOT! Dakota runs corner to corner but Tegan follows! Dakota dodges her at the last second, but the boot is blocked to another uppercut! Tegan choke grips and CHOKE SLAMS! Tegan sees Green slide a ladder in and stands on it. They tug-o-war, and Tegan rams Green into railing!

Tegan stands the ladder up under the contract briefcase. She climbs up but Dakota hurries after her! Dakota and Tegan are both up top and Dakota SMACKS Tegan off the top! But Candice YANKS Dakota down and Dakota SMACKS off a rung! Tegan clings to her side and Candice climbs up. The two friends hesitate, but Green and Dakota attack in that opening! Green DECKS Tegan and Dakota feeds Candice to buckles! Dakota and Green climb and brawl but get yanked down by Mia and Shirai! Mia knocks Green down and Shirai kicks Kai. They climb now, but Candice returns with a ladder. She and Tegan bring that over while Dakota goes back after Shirai. Dakota kicks Shirai out of the ring and Green goes after Mia while Candice and Tegan set up this other ladder.

Mia kicks Green away while Tegan and Candice climb. Dakota returns to go after Tegan and Green goes after Candice. Green brings Candice down then goes back after Mia. Mia elbows Green away and keeps climbing. Dakota and Tegan take each other out, leaving Mia alone to reach for the briefcase! But Candice pulls her back down! Candice swings, Mia ducks, and wrenches Candice’s arm, PROTEC YA NECK! Mia leaves Candice down and heads up again, but Green SMACKS her with a chair! Green tosses the chair to Mia to then BOOT, but she misses! Green is caught in the rungs of a ladder set in the corner! Mia gives Green’s knee a CHAIR SHOT! Green screams and Mia pushes her out of the ring. But Shirai returns to basement dropkick Mia! Shirai GUILLOTINE CATAPULTS Mia into the ladder!!

Shirai shouts that this is her time! She hurries up the ladder, but RAQUEL pushes her over!! Shira falls onto everyone else! The irony is that Raquel just took out Dakota, who she’s supposed to be helping! NXT goes to break while everyone is down!

NXT returns as Raquel guards the ladder. She throws Candice out then makes sure everyone else is down. Robert Stone says Green is not a threat now, so Raquel hurries to help Dakota. They go into the ring, and Raquel even lifts Dakota on her shoulders. Raquel climbs for Dakota, but Mia returns! Mia attacks Raquel but Raquel boots her down! Dakota is at the top but Candice yanks her down! Raquel climbs up and drags Mia up by her hair! Mia fights back with body shots and forearms! Mia gets under Raquel and wants to bomb! Raquel holds on but Tegan joins in! Tegan choke grips Raquel, and together, she and Mia SUPER CHOKE SLAM BOMB Raquel THROUGH A TABLE!! But Mia goes all out for it, taking herself out with Raquel!!

Tegan watches Mia and Raquel in the wreckage a little too long, and Dakota goes after Tegan on the top rope! Dakota runs side to side, to BOOT Tegan down! Tegan crashes through a ladder bridge!! So much carnage at ringside!! Dakota sees she’s alone with Raquel down, and Candice is climbing! Dakota hurries to stop her, and they’re both up top. They both have a hand on the case, but Candice SMACKS it off Dakota’s head! Shirai springboards in to SMASH Dakota’s head off the ladder! Dakota falls but even Candice stumbles back. Shirai ducks Candice to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! BUZZSAW MISSES! Candice waistlocks and GERMANS Shirai!

Robert Stone says this is Green’s chance! Green hobbles up and into the ring with him cheering all the way. Green drags herself up the rungs but her bad leg is too much. Stone throws off his jacket to climb up on the other side! He hesitates the higher he goes, and then helps Green from the other side. They’re almost there, but Shirai and Candice tip the ladder over! Green falls onto the ropes and gets tangled up!! Everyone is down, but Shirai and Candice are still in the ring! They both bring the ladder back up and start to climb again. Candice reaches the top first, but Shirai stops her from touching the case. They brawl way up high, back and forth. Candice throws haymakers and Shirai wobbles.

Shirai blocks Candice’s hand, then rakes her eyes!! Candice falls back onto the corner ladder! Shirai finishes the ascension, and grabs the briefcase off the hook! Shirai wins!!

Winner: Io Shirai (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship)

The Evil Genius shouts her own praises in Japanese as she literally sits atop everyone else! But will she finally be at the very peak of the NXT Women’s Division after facing the Queen of All Eras?

NXT looks back on The Prince VS Imperium!

After defeating Johnny Gargano in Portland, Finn Balor openly wondered what his next move would be. To that effect, NXT UK’s Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel told Balor that it would be to fall in line behind The Ring General, WALTER. Balor refused and was beaten down for it that very night. But then Balor would turn the tables and go to NXT UK to take the fight to them!

Balor glares at Walter as he stomps Wolfe down. “You want some, Walter?!” Balor springboard stomps over and over, and says they’re all for Walter! The ref backs Balor off and Wolfe slowly rises. Fans are thunderous as Balor hits Wolfe with a SLINGBLADE! Fans troll Imperium with “Walter is a baby~!” Balor aims from a corner but Aichner and Barthel go after Balor! He fights them off but Wolfe LARIATS Balor down! The referee EJECTS Imperium! Imperium protests but fans sing, “Hey hey hey~! Good bye!” Balor and Wolfe rise, and Balor glares as he throws forearms. Wolfe gives them back and we have a brawl!

Balor runs into a EuroUpper and enziguri! Wolfe reels Balor in, but Balor slips out of the bomb to trip up and DOUBLE STOMP Wolfe! Fans fire up as Balor is in the corner. Wolfe denies the Slingblade to roll Balor up, TWO!! BOOT and GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Wolfe drags Balor up to a fireman’s carry but Balor slips around to a sleeper! Dragon sleeper, elbow drop DDT! Balor aims from a corner again, SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Wolfe bounces off buckles and Balor heads up top! COUP DE GRACE!! But Balor won’t end it there, he gives Wolfe 1916! Cover, Balor wins!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

Wolfe went at Balor, but he missed and got taken down instead!

Finn Balor speaks.

“Walter. You and I share a lot of traits.” They both do things on their own terms. They both have control over their own worlds. But here they are, both poised to make their next moves. This time will pass, and Walter will learn that the NXT UK Championship he holds is on borrowed time. Will the Prince take over the UK when he and Walter meet again?

Indus Sher w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Ever-Rise!

Bivens Enterprises brings a new destructive force to the NXT Tag Team Division. Rinku and Suarav already showed the Bro what they can do. Will we all see just how much more they have in their arsenal?

The teams sort out and Rinku starts against Matt Martel. They tie up, Martel waistlocks and headlocks, then wristlocks and wrenches. Rinku isn’t bothered at all and he throws Martel off! Chase Parker tags in and Rinku dares him to bring the fight. Rinku swings, Parker dodges and Parker sucker punches Suarav! Parker throws hands on Rinku and CHOPS! Rinku just roars and throws Parker at ropes! Parker holds ropes to boot back! Tag to Martel, and Ever-Rise throws hands on Rinku together! Martel powers Rinku to the corner and Parker adds the enziguri! Martel CHOPS Rinku then tags Parker before tripping Rinku up. Parker slingshots to drop an elbow on Rinku’s back! Bivens is mad as Parker covers, but Rinku powers out at ONE! Rinku is up and LARIATS Parker down!

Rinku drags Parker up and brings him to the corner. Tag to Suarav and Indus Sher double whips. They double shoulder Parker down! Suarav drags Parker up to scoop and SLAM! He glares at Martel before looming over Parker. Suarav tags Rink and they bring Parker up for a double HIP TOSS! Rinku stays between Parker and Martel as Martel rallies. Rinku BOOTS Parker down! And stomps him down to the Bivens Enterprises corner. Rinku drags Parker up to scoop for a sidewalk slam! Tag to Suarav and Rinku DECKS Martel! Indus Sher drags Parker up to whip into an open corner. Suarav corner clotheslines hard! Bivens is pleased as Suarva tags Rinku back in. Indus Sher mugs Parker in the corner, then Rinku CLUBS Parker down. Rinku drags Parker up and CLUBS him again!

Parker throws forearms back and scrambles, but Rinku drags him away from Martel. Rinku DECKS Martel again then tags Suarav. Indus Sher whips Parker to a corner. Rinku runs in for a corner clothesline, and feeds Parker to Suarav’s BOOT! They finish this with the backbreaker elbow drop! Cover, Indus Sher wins!

Winner: Indus Sher, by pinfall

The lions have destroyed their first opponents and Bivens promise they’ll do more of the same! Will the NXT Tag Team Championships simply be prey for Rinku and Suarav?

Adam Cole speaks.

“Bravo, Velveteen.” He beat Bobby Fish because he got lucky. Unfortunately for Dream, lightning never strikes twice. Especially when it comes to the greatest NXT Champion ever in Adam Cole Baybay. Cole explains something to Dream: Dream does not deserve a shot! Dream is a pretender but Cole is the real deal! Cole has proven it time and again. How many times does he have to explain it to Dream so Dream understands? If Dream keeps pushing, maybe Cole will one day feel the need to end the Experience. How about shattering the spotlight? And when that happens, there will be nothing Dream can do about it. And that is Undisputed.

NXT shares Charlotte Flair’s post-match interview after Night 2.

Charly Caruso starts to congratulate her, but The Queen says she doesn’t need anyone to do that. Charlotte says that when she was little, Ric Flair had custom cars, custom robes, and custom suits. Everyone thinks the suit makes the man, but no. Ric always said the man makes the suit. So therefore, the title doesn’t make the wrestler, it is the wrestler that makes the title. Charlotte has been Raw Women’s Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion, and even retired the Diva’s Championship. Now she is a two-time NXT Women’s Champion. Rhea Ripley was alright. But she does what ever other woman does: Bow down to The Queen. “WOO~!” Will Charlotte once again make the black ‘n’ yellow brand bow to her?

NXT also shares Rhea Ripley’s own post-match interview.

The Mosh Pit Kid can’t help but be emotional after losing the title she fought so hard to win. “She’s a lot better than I expected.” That’s all she can say now, but when and where will the Nightmare be back?

One Last Beat: Tommaso Ciampa VS Johnny Gargano!

The Cruiserweight Classic. TakeOver: Chicago I and II. TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, and everywhere in between. Three years culminates in one night. Which heart of NXT takes its #OneFinalBeat?

Johnny Gargano pulls up to the location HHH found for him and Ciampa. Candice is also in the car and walks with him. Gargano even redesigned his DIY shirt to be #TJGW. Gargano tells Candice it’ll be alright, and she gives him something wrapped in a brown paper bag. She drives off to wait as Gargano heads inside. HHH waits in the ring, and both Gargano and Ciampa arrive at the same time. “Alright, guys. Right on time.” This is where it ends. It starts in this ring and ends in this ring. It doesn’t matter what they do to each other, but when it is done, it is done. Senior referee Drake Younger will officiate the match to simply count pins and submissions. Nothing more, nothing less. HHH tosses down his chair and says that once he’s out the door, “it’s on.”

HHH leaves the ring, walks to the exit, and looks back one last time before pushing through the doorway. Gargano and Ciampa both get in the ring, keeping their eyes on each other, and HHH’s chair. They step forward, but Ciampa kicks the chair aside. Ciampa says they don’t need that, it’s about him and Gargano. Gargano throws the first punch and it begins! Ciampa backs Gargano down but Gargano hits low. Gargano throws haymaker after haymaker! He whips but Ciampa reverses, and Gargano takes an HBK tumble up the buckles. Gargano gets in but Ciampa stomps him down. Ciampa throws Gargano out but Gargano stays on the apron. Ciampa runs but into an enziguri! Gargano slingshots in, but into a knee! Ciampa catches his breath and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Ciampa grabs HHH’s chair after all. He aims at Gargano but Gargano hits low! Gargano reaches for the chair but Ciampa kicks him down! Gargano curses from pain in his arm but Ciampa is on him with stomps. Ciampa says they were brothers, but asks who turned on who. He stomps Gargano’s legs then guillotine catapults him into the bottom buckle! The ref checks on Gargano while Ciampa catches his breath. Ciampa knows Gargano isn’t going to stop this here, he’s “Johnny Wrestling.” Ciampa claws at Gargano’s face as he brings him up against the ropes. Gargano resists the DDT and drags Ciampa out. Gargano swings Ciampa’s leg into the post! And then again! And again! Ciampa flops down to the floor but he won’t let the ref check on him.

Gargano mocks Ciampa’s pain as he boots him down. “How long’s it been? How does it feel?” Gargano throws hands on Ciampa while he’s down on the floor. Ciampa crawls but Gargano drags him up. Gargano brings Ciampa over for a suplex but Ciampa fights him off. Ciampa suplexes Gargano to SLAM him into the post! The ref checks on Gargano again but just as Ciampa said, he isn’t quitting. Ciampa clears off a spare table but Gargano gets in the ring. Ciampa pursues but Gargano stomps away on him! Gargano kicks Ciampa out to then build speed and DIVE! Direct hit and Ciampa tumbles away! Gargano sits on the apron and mocks “Daddy” with the slow clap and a pat on the back. Gargano brings Ciampa up to throw into random furniture! And then boot him further in!

Gargano pushes things aside to drag Ciampa back up for more punches. He dares Ciampa to get up after each one, and he punches him so hard, the trash can starts to break! “Heart and soul of NXT? This is it?” Gargano drags Ciampa up and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Ciampa writhes but Gargano just brings out a new trash can. Gargano SMASHES it on Ciampa’s back! Gargano says he’s disappointed in Ciampa, because he expected more. He puts Ciampa back in the ring and looms over him. Ciampa throws hands but Gargano stomps him down for it! Gargano mocks Ciampa for all the talk of being tough. How many surgeries did he come back from? The torn labrum gets a JAB from the chair! The torn ACL gets a JAB from the chair! And who can forget the neck! Gargano JAMS Ciampa in the back!

The ref checks on Ciampa but Gargano won’t let this stop. Gargano takes a seat and says this is what Ciampa wanted. The ref says this is going too far, but Gargano doesn’t care. Gargano brings the chair up again, to SMACK Ciampa on the back! Gargano paces and grins. “Don’t worry, old man. You’re not going to last much longer.” Gargano wedges the chair into a corner then brings Ciampa up. But Ciampa reverses the whip to send Gargano into the chair! Both men are down and writhing in pain as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again as Ciampa stands up. He goes after Gargano but Gargano throws him out of the ring! Gargano slingshots, into a trash can lid SMACK! Things are even now but Ciampa still has the lid. “You want to see how my ACL’s doing?!” Ciampa uses the lid for a FULL METAL KNEE! Gargano flounders but Ciampa SMACKS him down again! Gargano reaches and grabs HHH’s chair but Ciampa stands on his hand! And stomps it! Ciampa brings the chair around and puts it around Gargano’s neck! Flashbacks to TakeOver: Chicago II’s brutal Street Fight! But this time, Ciampa throws Gargano into a post!! Then he gives back all the mocking applause and pats on the back, before stomping away! “QUIT! QUIT!” But Gargano refuses.

Ciampa takes off his shirt as Gargano crawls. Ciampa throws cables down on Gargano, then finds the trusty old crutch. Nostalgic, isn’t it? Ciampa brings the crutch over and Gargano begs for mercy. But Ciampa uses it to choke Gargano! Ciampa says if Gargano wants to talk injuries, he’ll talk injuries! Ciampa powered through the torn ACL in that tag match for Gargano! Not for the fans, but for him! Ciampa kicks Gargano around, but they end up by the table. Ciampa throws more haymakers but Gargano hits back, so Ciampa stomps him back down. Gargano flounders about and finds a fire extinguisher! Another flashback! Gargano grins while Ciampa grabs a water bottle. Ciampa washes out his eyes but Gargano is right on him.

Gargano brings Ciampa over to a table and lifts, but Ciampa resists. Ciampa throws body shots and forearms to then reel Gargano in. Ciampa lifts and POWERBOMBS Gargano through the table!! Gargano gasps and sputters and Ciampa’s eyes still sting, but this is far from over. Ciampa says this is going to end in the ring, so that’s what’ll happen. Another flashback as Ciampa undoes the strings on the ring mat! Ciampa stomps Gargano down for good measure before pulling the ring mats up! The ref says THIS is too far, but Ciampa also ignores him. The wood is exposed once again! “I’m sick of the lies! I lived with him so I know!” Ciampa goes out to fetch Gargano, but Gargano throws cable. Gargano misses wide right and Ciampa kicks him down for it. Ciampa brings Gargano up for more haymakers and Gargano flounders into trash.

Gargano heads for the door, but Ciampa says it’s supposed to end in here! Ciampa pursues, and Gargano RAMS him with a road case! And then bounces him off the top! Gargano throws Ciampa into the side of a truck trailer! And again! Gargano punches Ciampa against the tires over and over and over! Gargano goes back for the road case, and runs it at Ciampa! Ciampa moves and the case hits tires instead. Ciampa crawls under the trailer to go out the other side. Gargano looks for Ciampa but he’s already gotten on top of the cab. Ciampa then goes up to the top of the trailer. Gargano sees him up there and now it’s a stand-off. Ciampa dares Gargano to join him, so he does. The ref follows them and the two brawl! They throw hands fast and furious over and over and over!

Gargano SUPERKICKS Ciampa, but Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Ciampa spins into another SUPERKICK! Gargano brings Ciampa up but Ciampa BOOTS him back! Ciampa drags Gargano to the edge but Gargano elbows him. “Is this fun!? I think it’s fun!!” Ciampa stomps Gargano but Gargano hits back! Gargano drags Ciampa to the edge now, in the GargaNO Escape! Gargano cranks back on Ciampa’s neck but lets go when his grip gives up. He drags Ciampa up but Ciampa blocks the kick! Ciampa kicks back but Gargano SUPERKICKS anyhow! Ciampa BOOTS, Gargano SUPERKICKS again, but both men fall over! And NXT goes to break!

NXT returns once again and Gargano hobbles his way back to the arena. Ciampa rises and follows after. Ciampa doesn’t see Gargano until Gargano kicks him from the folded bleachers! And then Gargano LEAPS onto Ciampa, sending them both crashing through a table!! Gargano drags himself away while Ciampa gasps and sputters. Gargano rains down fists on Ciampa and says it ends how it started. He drags Ciampa up and into the ring. They’re on the exposed wood now, and Gargano throws in trash can lids and steel chairs. Gargano stalks over to Ciampa and throws more haymakers in the corner. Gargano picks up speed as he punches and stomps Ciampa down! “This is it!” He puts Ciampa up top, throws more haymakers, then climbs up to join him.

Gargano brings Ciampa up in a fireman’s carry but Ciampa clubs and elbows back! Ciampa picks up speed, too, and then keeps going. Ciampa brings Gargano up, for a SUPER AIR RAID CRASH TO THE FLOOR!! The referee can’t believe what these two are doing to each other! He checks them both but they’re somehow still moving. Ciampa sits up while Gargano feels around. Gargano finds the ring frame but Ciampa is the one to bring him up and in. Ciampa covers, TWO!! Gargano refuses to be the heart that dies and NXT goes to another break.

NXT returns once again, and Ciampa hobbles ringside. He finds the crutch and brings it back to the ring. This is yet another flashback as he aims at Gargano. But Gargano SMACKS Ciampa’s bad knee with the trash can lid! Gargano drags Ciampa in, and uses the crutch to trap an arm! Ciampa resists but Gargano gets it around! It may not be a knee brace, but it’s still being used in the crossface! Ciampa endures as Gargano cranks back! The two move around and Ciampa grabs the lid! Ciampa SMACKS Gargano in the face! Gargano SMACKS him back with it! And again! And again and again and again! Gargano only stops because he gets tired. Both men are sore and exhausted, but it is Gargano who uses the crutch now. Gargano flounders about as he supports himself with it, and SUPERKICKS Ciampa back down!

Ciampa is in a daze but Gargano brings him up again. Gargano supports himself on the crutch again, for yet another SUPERKICK! Ciampa teeters over and Gargano flounders about. Gargano shouts at Ciampa, “You’re a failure!” A failure as a man! As a husband! And as a father!! But Ciampa laughs?! Gargano sits him up and dares him to keep laughing. Ciampa is a monster, and he’ll finally pay! Gargano swings but Ciampa dodges! Ciampa kicks low then stomps Gargano! Ciampa has the crutch to hit Gargano over and over and over and over, until the crutch breaks apart! He wants Gargano to say all that again! He shouts in Gargano’s face about it! “You’re a piece of s*it!” Ciampa knows Gargano isn’t done, so he dares him to get back up. But Ciampa sits down to catch his breath, and NXT takes one last break.

NXT returns as Gargano sits up. Ciampa aims with the jagged crutch, but Gargano ducks! Gargano goes for a headlock but Ciampa slips out to use the crutch in a crossface! Ciampa gives Gargano a taste of his own medicine as he cranks back! The ref asks Gargano if he’s done, but Gargano pokes the ref in the eye!! The financial punishment doesn’t matter, just as long as Gargano doesn’t lose the match! Ciampa lets go of Gargano in frustration, and runs at Gargano. But Gargano moves, and the ref is hit with the Psycho Knee!! Younger goes down and Gargano SMACKS Ciampa with the crutch!! Gargano flounders after Ciampa and puts him back in the ring. But what doe sit matter without a ref?! Ciampa gets Gargano with the DRAPING DDT TO HARD WOOD!! The final flashback needed to win, but there’s no one to count!!

Ciampa sits against the ropes, completely exasperated. And yet, Gargano reaches for his hand, like in the days of their friendship. Ciampa pulls his hand away from Gargano, and finds the crutch again. Or, what’s left of it. Gargano has the other piece of the crutch! Ciampa stalks up behind Gargano, but runs into a SUPERKICK! Gargano swings but into a boot! Both men have pieces of crutch, and they both SMASH the other! Candice finally walks in, perhaps wondering what’s taking so long. And she sees them both down in the ring. She’s almost in tears as she joins the two. “What’re you guys doing?! Stop!!” Ciampa and Gargano realize she’s there, and back away to opposite ends. Candice asks who this Johnny even is. And she asks if Ciampa is happy doing this to his friend and her husband.

But then she dares him to finish it. Go ahead, they’ve gone this far. Gargano reaches for Candice, but she LOW BLOWS HIM!? WHY, CANDICE, WHY!? She leaves without another word, and even Ciampa seems speechless. Ciampa kneels by Gargano’s side, because Candice just did something far worse than anything he has done tonight. Ciampa again has compassion for his friend, and helps him sit up. They stand, but Candice returns to LOW BLOW Ciampa!!! And Gargano laughs?! This was the plan all along! Because the thing wrapped in paper before, was a CUP!! A protective athletic cup protected Gargano’s Johnny! “You lose!” Gargano drags Ciampa up and the ref comes to, in time for Gargano to STEAL the Fairy Tale Ending!! Cover, Gargano wins!!

Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall

Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling concocted a scheme that no one saw coming! And now, Ciampa can never get his revenge. What happens now that this feud has had its #OneFinalBeat?

My Thoughts:

An incredible second part to the spread out TakeOver card! The only real low parts of tonight were in the middle. I appreciate getting some NXT UK footage to fill for time but I feel like there could’ve been more to Finn Balor calling out Walter. If the timeline was different and TakeOver went as originally intended, we probably would’ve gotten a great NXT UK Championship match in Walter VS Balor that then also tied into NXT UK’s Dublin event. But WWE surely has all of this in their back pocket for when the world gets over the virus. And while replaying the Raw package of Charlotte’s win, complete with Charlotte’s interview, thankfully we got Rhea’s too. Rhea has her own real-life problems with her work visa, but hopefully that gets sorted quickly so she can come back.

Obviously Indus Sher was going to win, but I’m surprised they let Ever-Rise do as much as they did. Word is that there will have to be big changes to both the NXT Tag Team and Cruiserweight Championship plans since there’s crossover with the UK that can’t happen now. A shame if titles are stripped, but at least the WWE would be showing more consistency in the rules of defending a title. The Women’s Ladder Match was an incredible opener, and I’m thrilled Io Shirai is the #1 contender. As I’ve been saying about Kairi Sane wanting to go back to Japan, Shirai is in the same boat (no pun intended given Kairi is the Pirate Princess). Shirai winning this match doesn’t guarantee she wins the title when it’s Charlotte she’ll be challenging. But at the same time, a loss to Charlotte doesn’t mean Shirai is gone. Yet.

The #OneLastBeat/#OneFinalBeat (I hate it when WWE changes their marketing) was incredible, too. It’s hard to follow great cinematic matches like the Boneyard or the Firefly Fun House, but the one thing this had was that it was an actual match. But this one was definitely the best thing NXT put on since having to do Empty Arena shows. I loved that this was just dripping with references to everything over the last three years. It especially focused on the Unsanctioned Match to get Gargano his career back, and the Street Fight thereafter. But the best was the twist of Candice’s Heel turn. She was the only one not to go Heel yet, so that adds a new layer to this. I’m still lost as to the motivations, though. Was there an affair we don’t know about? Either way, great stuff and I’m ready for what’s next.

My Score: 9.3/10

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

10 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!